Makin' Cookies!

I have some time this morning since Hailey is home with her daddy waiting for an inspection on the most expensive garage in existence. (Another rant on that later)
I am making Gingerbread People(very PC)and Nutmeg Meltaways.



Bagging some up for the guys at DYE

Immigration

I have wanted to sit down and write what I know and how I feel about the Immigration policy here in the US. What I am really going to do is paint a picture of what really happens to people trying to become citizens of the US. Whether we have a set of rules to follow or not, it never happens that way with anything we do here. We might be living in a free society, but nothing is free and if there is a price, is it possible to know what that is? Before we spend months and years talking to several different people or agencies who all have a different answer and view of how the process works whether it be getting a permit for a building on your property or a green card.
Yes, I am taking it personally. It is personal. It is my family. Those of you that know me know that family comes first and my family will do just about anything to protect each other and those associated with us. THANKS to all of you that wrote declarations for Eric and Yolanda and signed petitions. I think that is what really brought this to a quick close. It's been 3 months, but that is quick in US visa land. We were given nightmare scenarios and told stories that would make your head spin. Why and how could certain people be denied with the true hardship they were going through? I'll tell you why, they didn't have enough people behind them, not enough voices coming from their corner. It takes people. You cannot do anything in this world alone. There is always someone else that had some influence as to why a person has overcome an adversity.
Eric and Yolanda fell in love, the state of California allowed them to get married, right here in the US! The US government gave Yolanda a work permit and Social Security Card. The state of California gave Yolanda a drivers license. She was allowed to pay taxes a mortgage and property taxes. She and Eric have two beautiful children. She's covered under Eric and her own insurance from their place of employment. Yet, every time she applied for citizenship she was denied. Eric and Yolanda hired lawyers to help. Did you know there are lawyers out here and I'm sure in other states as well that take advantage of people like my brother and sister-in-law? They took the money and ran. Not literally, they just continue to take money and give bad advice over and over until people can no longer pay. The last bit of advice was to go to the US Consulate in Juarez, Mx and appeal in person for citizenship. Juarez has been described to me as a place where "they kill women for sport." The appeal was denied Eric, James, Analy and Yolanda drove through northern Mexico back to the west coast and the Baja Peninsula to find a place for Yolanda and Analy to live. Yolanda was forced to live in Mexico, separated from her family. They found a "safe" place, surrounded by other people in the same predicament. All of this was happening at a time when unrest at the border is at an all time high. Every morning we sat through(and continue to)news about bodies being found in TJ. Headless bodies and the innocent victims caught in the crossfire of the drug war and corrupt government officials. I agree citizenship should not be given away, but at least have the process make sense. Forcing people to live apart from their families is not a good punishment. You end up punishing the innocent victims. Victims who are legal citizens of the US. James was being forced to live without his mother. He was starting to act out in school. Don't get me started on the public school system out here. This was a very stressful situation. A situation that would have negative consequences and could end up costing taxpayers more money (another tangent on social programs here in the US). So here we were, Yolanda in Mexico with Analy. Who can afford daycare on top of just losing the second income in the family and now having to pay rent on another residence? Eric and James at home and traveling back to Mexico every weekend so they could all spend as much time together as possible.
There are good lawyers out there, like the ones recommended this last time. That is how you find the good ones. Someone has to have a good experience, get good counsel and a good outcome. Then their name is passed on. They actually care whether or not you get what you are looking for and give good advice. "Get as many signatures and declarations as you can." "Do you make regular contributions to any charities?" "Do you have family photos? Get them together the more group shots the better." Yolanda's stack of paperwork going into that hearing must have been the largest of the day and it could have been larger. We take lots of pictures and I'm a sucker to take those group shots. Christmas, Boston, Yosemite, Easter, birthdays, 4th of July you name it I've got a picture of it. We had to prove that we are indeed a family and Yolanda wasn't out to scam her way into a green card. She's been here 13 years! Why would she have to scam anyone? She could have kept her mouth shut but she wanted to be a citizen like the rest of her family. I can't tell you how happy we all are that we will all be together on Christmas Eve. Christmas came early this year, thanks to all of you that stood up for what was right!

The Industry has been Assbackwards from the getgo

I read an article lately in a popular paintball magazine about the future of paintball. It said that it talked to experts in the field on their views of where paintball was going. The “experts” were mostly pro players. I didn’t see any leading manufacturers or leading retail owners in that article. I think maybe the only “experts” that could shed any light on this subject are those of us in the trenches, local retail store owners, people that have stores and fields totally devoted to paintball.
The latest developments in the economy came as no shock to us. We have seen a decrease in numbers of players and consumers for over a year now, almost two years. The hard fact is that manufacturers have lost site of who the customer is. We are losing sales and repeat business to the lack of low end markers and accessories. There is too much concentration on a high end marker or mid grade marker that can shoot more paint. The new player needs to be able to buy the old reliable markers that have very little maintenance and would last forever. If they are really serious about the game they will see the next level of marker and have something they can give to a friend to try and get another person to play the game.
Another development is the sales from manufacturers directly to teams that have not shown any promise in representing their product positively or otherwise. Manufacturers sell their product to the “teams” and then the teams turn around and sell to their friends and neighbors leaving the retail owners scratching their heads as to why they are not able to move the latest and greatest. It’s because someone was able to get it for a better price before the retailer can even get it in their store. Stop giving product away, maybe then we can sell it for you the way it was intended and adhere to the so called MAP pricing.
If you put sales back in the hands of the retail stores who have long supported you and the sport of paintball we will show you good times again. Listen to us when you ask us what moves and what doesn’t. Listen to us when we tell you what kind of customers there are out there. Make teams and others looking for sponsorship packages earn it. Let the local retail shops offer your packages to the teams and customers. We know who is a legitimate team in our area and who is not.
Why is there a need to re-make your markers every year? Every year you make adjustments and new cuts in the body to try and sell the same marker. This also has clouded the market. Markers have seen 5 and 6 owners before the year is even up. More and more people trade or upgrade to new markers this way and retailers once again lose a sale. Lately the mid grade markers have become too costly. You add to many accessories to the finished product and retailers lose those sales to a marker that should have been stock. No fancy frame, no trigger upgrade, no fancy bolt. Let the customer decide and let them pay less and build on it. You are making the marker outside the price range it was intended.
One more problem that we face locally is when a large event comes to town. If you are going to call it a trade show, let it be a trade show. Sell only to your legitimate retailers and not to the general public. This kind of manufacturer direct sales hurt all of the stores in that area and affects them for months. Stand behind your retailers. Tell the public which stores they can buy the product at locally. You spend time with retailers on tech classes, let us be the ones to make the sale as well as service your product. This builds a better customer base which builds repeat business and loyalty to whichever store the customer picked, in turn increasing your sales to that store.
The future of paintball is in the hands of everyone that participates in this great sport. We need to go back to our roots. We cannot forget where we came from and we need to focus on the new player. The tourney players are already hooked, but they will not play forever. The sport needs new blood and until everyone is on board with this, our future is not so bright.

Am I crazy?

Here is a list of our rates:

Package #1 (10-29 players)

$35 per player

1. 200 paintballs each
2. Spyder Victor II marker
3. CO2 refills all day
4. Proto Goggles
5. NXe 2 pouch harness with pods
6. Referee(s) for your own private games
7. additional players who do not need equipment are $20 each(after the first 10 are paid at $35), does not include paintballs.

Package #2 (10 -29 players)

$46 per player

1. 800 paintballs each
2. Spyder Victor II marker
3. CO2 refills all day
4. Proto Goggles
5. NXe 2 pouch harness with pods
6. Referee(s) for your own private games
7. additional players who do not need equipment are $20 each(after the first 10 are paid at$46), does not include paintballs.

Referee giving Instructions before the game

Package #3 (10 -29 players)

$50 per player

1. 1000 paintballs each
2. Spyder Victor II marker
3. CO2 refills all day
4. Proto Goggles
5. NXe 2 pouch harness with pods
6. Referee(s) for your own private games
7. additional players who do not need equipment are $20 each(after the first 10 are paid at $50), does not include paintballs.

Package #4 (20 player minimum)

$25 per player = players who do not need equipment, no paint included.

See paint purchase options below.

Package #5 (30 - 80 players)

$30 per player = 200 paintballs each and rental equipment*

$40 per player = 800 paintballs each and rental equipment*

This was an actual e-mail question today:

Hi, I have a group of 20 people or so, who are interested in coming to your field on 11/23, sunday. We were wondering about package #4, more specifically how many paintballs are included per person. Also, we have 3 players with their own equipment, would they qualify for the 20$ rate? I also have a discount card from the last time we came to play at velocity, for 10% off the private group rate. Do I need to show it before we pay, or how would we be able to get the discount?

I really need to restrain myself. Isn't this a simple reading comprehension test any 4th grader could pass?

What is it about people...

... like them, dislike them, wish I were impervious to their wretched behavior.

I take reservations 12 hrs a day 7 days a week. The end of each and EVERY conversation goes like this "there are no refunds or exchanges for no shows and we do not do cancellation refunds, we need 24 hrs notice if you need to reschedule. We do not do refunds, you would need to reschedule for a later date."

More than once in the past year we have had people actually dispute the charge on a group they did not show up for. Claiming that we did not provide the service. If they had shown up they would see the service was waiting for them in the form of a reff(s), equipment and paintballs. All allocated to them and not for anyone else. You cannot re-rent it out the day of your pre-arranged play date, that is why we took your money up front. We are guaranteeing you staff and equipment and you are guranteeing us that you will show up. Therefore, I am turning other people away since you have paid for your spot and the space has already been taken.

First one: September 2007 Jason Fogg (yes, the pitcher for the Colorado Rockies) 3hrs late before anyone decided to call and say they weren't coming. He disputed the charge and got his money back. We didn't have time to dispute it. They had already given him his money back and the CC company sends a fax to the store it was charged at. Now we have to trust that our employees actually see this as something important and not some telemarketing trash.
Second one: Darryl was actually working at the store when the fax came in. Gave our side of the story and won! This guy booked late(we require 7 days advance resevation paid in full) and then decided the morning of that he wasn't going to make it.
Third one: Got the fax early again. Haven't heard anything. This guy was a repeat customer and knew the policy. He gave me 24 hrs notice and told me he'd call back when they had a new date in mind. Huh, go figure.
Fourth one: I believe is on it's way. I took a reservation yesterday for today. Less than 24 hrs notice. I told them it's highly unusual but I can get you the accommodation. 1 hr late before they decided to call and say that some of the people were sick and couldn't make it, can't you do something for us? Waited another 2 hrs to totally cancel and wanted some kind of refund. Meanwhile my guy has been sitting there for 4 hrs waiting for them and I had to have gear brought up the night before to accommodate them.

I'm sick of the way things are going. People are less and less accountable for their actions. Goods and services might not cost so much if everyone would just follow through on what they agreed to.

anyway... the phone is ringing...

Yosemite

Just thought I'd share a little peace and quiet. The trip was too short and the trip back to reality too quick. Can't wait to go again next year. Anyone want to join? May 18th thru 22nd 2009. Possibly staying at Alpenglow again. This was definately a home away from home.

Snow!

So, it snowed last week on Thursday. We weren't home to actually see it snow, but we got phone calls about it and I listened on the radio about all of the havoc the weather was causing as I was driving around in it.

The “weather people” didn’t see it coming. Thursday was one of the weirdest weather days ever. At one point I had the sun going down behind me and I could see the ocean, a rainbow in front of me with rain falling (obviously) and snow off in the distance to the north. When I finally got to Ramona and to the east side there was snow on the ground and yards and fields full of water. We’ve had flurries, but nothing has stuck to the ground here in over 20 years.

I finally got home around 6:30Pm and got to see it in the dark. It was still around in the morning and we drove around to take pictures, we even went to Julian for lunch. I can't believe we got that much snow.

Here's my rant:
People all over San Diego think that Ramona is like, I don't know, a million miles away from civilization. I actually had a group for Sunday reschedule because of the snow (that in Ramona was melted by Friday afternoon). I also had people call and ask if the roads were open and if they needed chains! This was on Saturday and Sunday! What?! It's like 70 out, the most gorgeous weekend we could even ask for, 3 days of the best weather we've had in over a month! It was also the best 3 days we've had for crowds at the park! A very welcome turn of events!

lots to learn...

There are certain rules to live by when you are sharing someone’s space. Whether it is an apartment, room, house or other.
When you are living with someone and you are sharing the bills, such as rent, electricity and what not. There is an amount of sharing that can go on with food as long as both parties are aware of the situation. I still say “If you didn’t buy it, it’s not yours to help your self to.”
If you are living in someone’s house and you are just there for the room and the roof over your head. You should pay rent or have some other agreement. If there is an agreement then you should make good on your end of the bargain. It’s not like your stuff isn’t still taking up space in the other person’s house while your not there. If you are not sharing in the bills and you are not helping pay for food, it’s not yours to help yourself to.

Please comment on this:
I live in a house. We opened a room in our house to a family member. She doesn’t pay rent. She has to do the dishes to earn her keep. When she first moved in we bought food for her because she didn’t have a job yet and we wanted her to succeed at school. It’s been a year and a half, she has a job, she’s not in school and she helps herself to all the food in the house, including left-over’s. There have been a few times when we have expected to have these left-over’s for dinner and they are no longer there. The bread has been left with the heels the last four times without her taking another loaf out of the freezer. She has drunk the last of the milk, O.J. and the cranberry juice and not even hinted to replacing it, nor did she alert anyone that milk was needed. Something people think of when driving home at night (or am I the only one?). Oh, and the dishes? They are piled high in the sink and on the counter. Counting the days…

Why I feel so strongly about this:
She’s 19. We are not her parents. This is not her parents’ house to offer up food to her friends whenever anyone is hungry.
The food was not bought by her.
There is no respect for the people who did buy the food. Wash the dishes, replace the bread, milk, and juice, and DON’T eat homemade jam that was a gift for someone that is not YOU.
…and NEVER throw away peanut butter that hasn’t been scraped from the bottom of the jar!

It's raining

Therefore, it is wet, muddy, there are puddles and yes it's cold.
I started getting calls at 7:15AM Saturday morning. "Are you open?", "Is it wet?", "Is it muddy?", "How muddy is it?" And the piece de resistance, "How many people are going to be there today?" I want to answer all of these with a smart remark. Who wouldn't? Especially the last one. I wish I could ask, "Could you tell me what the score of the Charger game will be?" I wish I could make predictions like that. I'd play the lottery every day.
Now it's Sunday and yes I got the same questions this morning. So frustrating. Molly has been more or less inside all day. It's now after 5 and about 20 mins ago she wanted to go outside, but came right back in. Then of course as I sat down she wanted out again. This time she meant business. It's raining, as I said, and she's very spoiled and she doesn't like to get wet. She ran to the side yard, did her buisiness and ran back to the door frantically wanting to get in. She's very good about sitting on the towel and getting dried off. She waited for her dinner and is now back on the couch sleeping. Ahhh, the dogs life.