25 Random Things About Me

1. I love trying new microbrews
2. I’ll never say no to taking care of my sibling’s offspring.
3. I found and married the love of my life. The wait was well worth it.
4. I love hiking with my dad and Darryl in Yosemite, it is my release from reality.




5. We have everyone at our house for Christmas Eve, every year we add someone new. This year it was my cousin Troy his wife Caroline and the kids. I hope they come back.




6. I miss my stepfather very much. My brother and I agree he was the only “real” parent we ever had.
7. I wasn’t sure about living in California when I first came here. It seems to agree with me now. I can’t imagine shoveling snow or having to get up and go out into single digit weather. I can’t believe I used to walk to school with wet hair and Nike’s.
8. Almost every pair of shoes I own is New Balance.
9. I love my sister with all my heart and we’ve only fought one time in our lives. Strange, but true.
10. I love to take pictures. I have two portable hard drives and BOXES of pictures I’ve taken over the years. Beware; you could be in one of those boxes.
11. iPod amazes me, what will they think of next?
12. I am pretty laid back most of the time and generally kind and courteous, unless of course you have crossed me in some way. Then you probably think I am a “royal bitch”. I was called that just two weeks ago. Turns out the guy never even visited our establishment, “no we don’t have your ID”, and at least he apologized.
13. I do not subscribe to the theory that there is no such thing as a stupid question.
14. I answer our reservation line 12 hrs a day 7 days a week. (See #13)
15. I can never say no to chocolate.
16. I have run the LA Marathon 4 times.
17. I have driven across the country and back 7 times.
18. I have been to every state except Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota and West Virginia.
19. I’ve been to Fiji, Australia and Ireland and highly recommend all three.
20. I used to have to have socks on my feet at all times, just in the last two years I have gone barefoot most of the day.
21. I watch all of my TV shows on DVR. I can’t stand to watch them in real time. Plus the phone usually rings. It takes me about 3 hrs to watch a 90 min movie.
(My hubby helped me with the last 4)
22. I drive a Subaru Baja.
23. I don’t like to repeat myself.
24. I like to cook and bake.
25. I love my Molly Girl!! (She’s our black lab)

re⋅spon⋅si⋅bil⋅i⋅ty

[ri-spon-suh-bil-i-tee]
1. the state or fact of being responsible.
2. an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours!
3. a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.
4. a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents.
5. reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting debts or payments.
—Idiom
6. on one's own responsibility, on one's own initiative or authority: He changed the order on his own responsibility.

SECURITY DEPOSIT
A security deposit in the form of a drivers license, active military ID or a major credit card is required from each person renting equipment. Security deposits will be returned only when all equipment rented is returned or payment has been made for lost, damaged or stolen equipment.

At our place of business the above mentioned items are required. First that you are responsible and then that you leave a security deposit to show that you are responsible.

Today we had a situation where the responsible party for the group of underage children left his ID for the equipment they were using. At the end of the day instead of having each child and person who had equipment return it as it was given to them, the responsible person brought EVERYTHING up to the office in the back of his car. We checked it in one set at a time. Turning over each rental agreement as the equipment was handed over. At the end there was still one set not accounted for since we still had one rental agreement left and no equipment for it... The argument ensued. We were wrong for handing the equipment to the kids and not the adults, we were wrong and not everyone got equipment, there's no way they were missing anything, they handed it all in. They were right, not everyone rented equipment, we had a record of that as well, so please tell me why I only have 13 sets instead of the 14 that were handed out? It went back and forth for a while. I let my ladies handle it for about 10 mins. Then I stepped in . I don't do confrontation to well, I yell, especially when I KNOW we are right. We keep track of EVERYTHING and we have a system. Since they didn't follow the system I think they expected us to make a mistake. We did not. It ended with them paying money and me walking off in the direction of the last field they played, since the lost equipment was IMPORTANT to me. I did manage to find the pods that were missing from another set that wasn't complete. I checked two more fields while my ladies collected the payment for the lost equipment. I didn't find the missing marker or goggles, but I am sure they will turn up. They always do...
What really makes me mad is the fact that they did not feel the least bit responsible for what had happened. They didn't give the kids any responsibility either. They didn't bother to look for anything. They figured it was our mistake and only our mistake and they didn't need to take any responsibility for anything that was missing. They even accused us of not giving them all of the equipment at the beginning of the day. Each person hands us a waiver and we mark down on that waiver what they rent, so when they turn it in we know what to get back from them. Since they turned it all in in one big pile it was difficult for them to see how we were counting it all and accounting for what was on all of the waivers. This fact they were arguing over and over instead of looking for the missing equipment. This happens often, but most people will go and look for it and find whatever is missing in a back seat or trunk. These people didn't bother at all. Well, now they are out $250+. I guess their pride in being right was worth more that that. I can't believe what they are teaching their children. Something so simple. Responsibility.

Just had to share the beautiful day in the neighborhood. What great weather we're having in January!

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?