6 posts tagged “photos”
This was my first big airsoft event and it was fun, educational, and overwhelming. I've never done an after-action report before, and I wasn't even playing in this event. However, I was shooting with my camera---I took A LOT of photos, as you'll see on my flickr blog---and at least I can give you my perspective as an outside observer. This was also my first time using this new camera---Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. It's a low-end DSLR, but it has a super-zoom lense and I'm really pleased with how it performed.
The event took place at Camp Blanding's MOUT facility, in the middle of nowhere, Florida. Actually, the area features several wildlife preserves and state parks, and is probably a good spot for hiking, biking, and other types of outdoor recreation. The MOUT is also a popular site for paintball events.
We stayed at a cheap, unremarkable motel in Starke, which is about 25 minutes away from the entrance to the MOUT facility. The alternative was camping on-site, but since the site had no running water, I was glad to make the commute from the motel. I can't say much more about Starke, except that it's a prison town, has most of the popular chain fast-food restaurants, and the best place to eat in town is the IHOP. There are a couple of historical buildings, but didn't have time to check those out.
We arrived last Thursday and got a chance to walk around the MOUT facility before the event started. I had never seen such a place before, and I was fascinated by the "fake" town. Lots of cinder-block buildings with nothing in them, some made to look like they were damaged by bombs. The buildings were speckled with small windows for shooters, and some of the roofs and floors even had hardware fixtures for repelling. The area was surrounded by woods and sugar sand marked by tank tracks. I was also warned that there were bugs and snakes out there that could kill you, and prehistoric animals that are protected by state law (turtles and tortoise).
Pre-Game
Friday was mostly registration and chrono, vendor setup, and briefing, which took place mostly at the warehouse. There were several vendors of airsoft equipment at the event, along with other sponsors, and the Army recruiters even made an appearance over the weekend. I think they were impressed with our enthusiasm for the hobby. I told them I was too old for them, but I was surprised to learn that they are accepting people up to age 42, some of them even make it through, one of the guys said. LOL.
Day 1
However, once I got out there in the woods, I realized that because of the heat and my own personal limitations, I'd be better off hanging out closer to the town. So I volunteered to hang out with the group of NPCs stationed in Building 1, or what we called "The Embassy." We waited and waited for something to happen...it was somewhat fun and amusing pretending to be holed up in the embassy, waiting to be rescued or overrun by the enemy...but the scenario didn't play out exactly as the organizers expected. The action didn't really make it up to the town during that round.
After lunch, we were back in the embassy for round two. This game played out a bit differently, but still didn't end the way we anticipated. We waited, once again, for special forces to come to our rescue. In the meantime, one of the other reporters and I went to the roof to get some good shots. We start to see movement, a bit more action, and then I hear some shouting and I see the embassy staff making a run for it out the back door...without me! Doh! Oh well, at least I got some good photos.
So here goes my "No shit, there I was" story
I went back down into the building and there was only one marine left to hold it; the building was about to be overrun by the Red force. I was crouched against a wall, while BBs were literally spraying into the room through every window and door. I got to see Jason from AI up close in action. He managed to hold the room against the onslaught for several minutes! Until one of the enemy got him in the back with a pistol, through one of the small windows near the floor, doh! At that point, it was time to get some photos of the other side.
Night Ops
So after playing "photojournalist" all day, I borrowed a pistol to play in the night ops. I went along with the other NPCs and reporters who wanted to get some trigger time and we started out defending in one of the buildings that Red force was supposed to hold. It sounded like there was a lot going on outside. There were bright flashes from explosions and pyro, but we didn't see much action at our end of the street. However, I heard stories from folks who were closer to the front and they said it was one of the most fun games they ever played in, and I can believe it! Deathidol told me that he and Blue force held a building for a long time and it was about to be overrun when the game was called. I tried to get some good photos, but it was difficult. The other players near me didn't want me using a flash because it might give away our position, so I experimented with a flashlight, and the natural light. I think I got some good photos of the debriefing after that game.
Day 2, Sunday
They just did a simple-each force starts on opposite sides of town and tries to take it-scenario, first with Blue force at the bridge, and then they switched sides for the second game. I think I got some great action shots this day. I was basically free to move around as long as I didn't mind being shot at;)
Comments from an Independent Observer
I noticed players on both sides cheating, and accusing each other of cheating. It seemed pointless, and the lesson I take from it is, even if you think someone is cheating, don't waste your time arguing about it. Just keep playing. At least in one case, the side accused of cheating was not actually cheating. It looked like the guy was not taking his hits, but after I walked over to his place, you could see that the BBs were just falling short of the mark. We had a good laugh about that:) It's a just a game. Don't forget that.
I saw examples of great teamwork, and non-teamwork. I saw both chivalrous and non-chivalry-like behaviour. I saw both good and bad sportsmanship. The lesson I take from that is, there is always going to be positive and negative in any situation. You can always choose to focus on the positive. Don't feed the negative.
A lot of people worked very very hard to make the event happen. It's obviously not easy coordinating an event of that size, with that many people involved. Some people took time off from work and basically donated their skills and services so others could have a good time and play a game. Don't take that for granted.
I really had a lot of fun just taking photos, and as much as I would like to get more experience as a player, I think I would have repeatedly gotten my ass handed to me if I actually played as a combatant. However, I did learn a lot by observing the other players. It was also a good test run of my uniform and the basics that I need to have with me all the time. For example:
Thank Goodness for...
The camelback---indispensible. Don't go out without it.
Wiley goggles, treated with fogtek, with the tinted lenses for daytime, clear for night.
Shemagh (keffiyeh)---great as a sunshade, brow mop, etc. I would soak it in the cooler first.
Rocky tactical boots---without these, my feet would have been bloody stumps at the end of each day.
Wigwam performance socks---see above.
Under Armour---I should buy stock in the company.
Wipes/hand sanitizer---required anywhere you have to use a portalet or go outside.
Vitamin Water---my new best friend. I don't like gatorade, so this works better for me.
Clif bars or trail mix
Sunscreen, bug repellent, aspirin/pain reliever, etc.
One thing I was really bummed about: the Garmin Rino 120 GPS/two-way radio I bought worked for a couple days, then just quit on me right before the event. I had to send it back. It would have been cool and fun to play with at the event.
What would I have done differently?
- Not gotten sick or had an allergy flare up, or whatever that ailment was that plagued me all weekend. I might just be allergic to the state of Florida. Before I go there again, I need to find out if I do have allergies so I can be better prepared.
- Brought more guns. We only brought the one pistol because that would fit in the suitcase. For next time, we are going to invest in a large gun case so we can take a bigger arsenal. More guns=more fun.
My only suggestion to the organizers of such events: Provide more/better portalets, and hire a service to clean them daily. Please, on behalf of all the women who attended the event...we beg you...
My advice to anyone who attends such an event: STAY HYDRATED. Be prepared. DRINK WATER. Bring adequate gear. STAY HYDRATED. Bring backups. DRINK WATER. Expect gear to break or fail. STAY HYDRATED.
There are a LOT of Mexican restaurants here, but I asked the locals which one is the best. The consensus seemed to be the Red Iguana, so that's where I went for lunch yesterday. The place is a little "hole in the wall," family-run business with kitschy colorful decor, and I had to wait a few minutes for a table, but it was well worth it. I had a delicious and huge plate of fish tacos. The homemade chips and salsa were wonderfully decadent. In addition to your typical tex-mex fare, the menu also offered traditional Mexican dishes and a wide selection of mole sauces. This place reminds me a lot of Chuy"s in Austin, TX.
k3llya and some of her friends at Cafe Trang.
This place serves Vietnamese, Chinese, and Sushi, and everything we
ordered looked very good. I had the tofu vermicelli salad with that
wonderful sweet vinaigrette dressing. The crowd was also pleasant
company indeed. It's a special treat, whenever I'm on a business trip,
to be able to hang out with some cool local people that I know.P.S.---
afisherking happened to be in SLC this week, too, and he posted this lovely photo. This is what I see on my way to work each morning.k3llya for getting me cross-eyed tonight...I had a great time! I checked out two clubs tonight: Area 51 and Underworld---a new goth night that just opened up.Area 51 has been around for a while...I really like the space and the music was especially awesome. DJ Evil K was spinning tonight. I also met DJ Viking, who looks like one, and lots of other ppl whose names I can't remember now because I am very tiddly, tipsy, half-cut, squiffy, half-seas-over pissed, sloshed, tight, plastered, bottled, mullered, elephant’s, boozed, wellied, sozzled, stocious pissed as a newt, leathered, pickled, banjo’d, jar’d, palatic, blind drunk, paralytic, blotto, trolleyed, rat-arsed, stonkered at this point...
Oct. 4, 2007 5:34 pm
I spent the last couple days walking around Salem, and something that kept jumping out at me was all the references from HP Lovecraft. They were in the names of streets and buildings, and on the gravestones in the old cemetary.
Another remarkable thing is the presence of many buildings that aren't square--in other words, they have corners that aren't right angles. Of course, I've seen triangular buildings in other cities, where they were obviously built that way to fit the space available, but here you see it all over and it doesn't seem necessary as much as it just seems peculiar and odd.
This place reminds me a lot of Newport, RI, which is another old New England town, with lots of old buildings and cemetaries. Except this place is more touristy when it comes to the witch lore. Need I remind you that this is where the infamous Salem witch trials occurred?
I walked around the memorial dedicated to their memory, and the cemetary where they were laid to rest. Most of those unfortunate folks were not pagan by any means, but this place has become a mecca for all things pagan and "new age." It seems ironic.
It is purely a coincidence that
all the Halloween celebration stuff here kicks off this week, and all
the decorations are out (because I didn't come here for that reason).
There is even a parade tonight. Lots of people running around, dressed
as witches. I got lots of photos, which I will have to post when I get
back.
Ok, that parade was a spectacle. It wasn't anything more than a small-town parade for the locals--there were marching bands for all the schools and lots of
There was a group of guys marching in the parade, carrying folding lawn chairs above their heads, and they were opening and closing them such that they made a snapping noise, and so they were playing the chairs as musical instruments. There was also some choreography that involved putting the chair down and sitting in it, and then what looked like musical chairs or perhaps "Chinese fire drill?" And last but not least, the Roto Rooter truck was pulling a float that featured a blue cow with a hole in the middle that revealed "plumbing," followed by a band of marchers brandishing toilet seats, which they were banging with plungers and other implements (as a percussion instrument).
I hope I left you with sufficient imagery because, unfortunately, I didn't get good photos because it was dark and the camera flash was too weak.
Another peculiar observation: they love dogs here. There is a noticeable number of dog-oriented services such as doggie day care, grooming, vets, and so on. My hosts' dog was a stray from Portugal. They take such good care of their dogs here that they need to import the strays and rescues from other places. I still want a dog.
Ok, so I'm paying $8 for Internet right now, but I have at least 90 mins. to kill...
It was a good day. Walked to the water and looked at rocks, seaweed, birds, crabs...it was nice. I felt scared for about 10 seconds when I climbed up on rocks that I thought I could easily fall off of if I lost my footing. Found the popular teenage party spot and collected about 3 cases worth of discarded beer cans. Keep in mind, I think that sort of thing is cool--decay, rot, refuse, contrast, texture, repeating patterns... I found a large portion of a dead seagull. The beak, feet, skeleton, and some feathers were still intact. I also saw lots of wee-little bright green crabs--living ones--in the tide pools collected in the rocks.
I also had an excellent meal at Salem Beer Works. I tried their Custom House IPA, Oktoberfest Ale, Blueberry Ale, and Black Bat Stout. The IPA was one of the best I've ever tasted. It did say on the menu that it won awards. The Oktoberfest was good. The Blueberry Ale was unusual. It had a tart blueberry flavor, and tasted a bit weak or watered down, like a cider, but I still liked it. I would compare it to M & S's cider that I tasted at Pennsic? I was dissappointed in the stout. It tasted of ashes to me, and although I like a little burnt flavor in a stout, this was unpleasant to me. Foodwise, the menu offered typical brew pub food, and I had some french fries, which were awesome:)
It was a nice escape for a few days and I enjoyed seeing my friends up here. I think I am going to just hibernate this weekend. I did so much walking, and I already feel sore. I'm going to put myself to bed as soon as I get home, sleep as late as I possibly can, and then spend as much time on the couch as I can stand this weekend.
Links:
Salem Witch Trials The Stones memorial
Burial Point - oldest cemetery in Salem
The Salem Friendship - a reconstruction of a 171-foot three-masted Salem East Indiaman built in 1797
Salem Beer Works
House of Seven Gables
Salem Willows Waterfront Park; see also http://www.salemwillowspark.com/index.html
...in which I recount my adventures...
Setup was a breeze, because in a camp with only seven people, there isn't all that much to set up. However, we did have THE most PIMP common pavilion and bar, as you would have seen in the photos if you checked out my flickr blog. We got that thing up in less than 20 minutes, with only four people working on it. We also had a comfortable chaise for lounging--what a great idea:D
The first week was really hot and sweltering. I wasn't there Monday or Tuesday because I had to work, but Wednesday and Thursday, it was pretty much just Tadhg and I, sitting around. It was quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. It was enough just to stay hydrated, and take in the view.
I did some henna/mehandi for Andrea and her daughter, Eleven, at Clovenshield. I like doing henna at Pennsic during the first week. It's a calming, meditative activity that helps get me in the Pennsic "zone"...there was the lamb feast at Haveabeer...and we hosted our "Sunday, Bloody Sunday."
I did stop in a couple of nights at Vlad's, and they were doing some different things this year because of their 20th anniversary. I think that Wednesday night was the "Night of 1000 Vlad's," where attendees were encouraged to undergo "Vladification," by wearing a Vlad mask, or donning Vlad glasses (made of black pipe cleaners, lol). I walked around a bit but didn't stay long. I did not drink at Vlad's, which was also a refreshing change of pace. (I didn't drink much at all this year; got lots of leftover beer in the fridge.)
The second week, it was wet. We had several storms in a row and our camp site was flooded. We ended up with several inches of water and mud in the common areas. Luckily, my tent was dry, thanks to Coleman WeatherTec(R) System. The common area would have stayed dry, too, if we had done some trenching, but it wasn't possible to anticipate how rain would affect the site until we actually saw it happen. After Tadhg did some trenching, the common area stayed relatively dry through the next downpour. We know what to do for next year. I wouldn't trade our spot anyway; we have the best view of the lake. We call it Pennsic HDTV Widescreen EditionTM. Anann joined us for the duration of week 2, but most of the other campmates were in and out due to their work schedules.
Did lots of other stuff that I never did before at Pennsic, such as: Annan and I played background music for the crab party at the encampment on the peninsula in the lake. Met a lot of nice people there. Crab=fruit that swims in the sea;) Also stopped in at Casa Bardicci for lowdy toady, for a bit.
Went to fizzball at the Rogue's camp. Now that's a bizarre sporting ritual if ever there was one, and some would say a shameful waste of cheap beer, but being a beer snob, I say that it's the only thing cheap beer is good for. It was thoroughly entertaining, and not unlike attending an actual baseball game, but there are no bases to run, and it only involves the hitting aspect. Teams sign up to participate in the event a day in advance, and then take turns pitching and hitting full cans of beer. The object is to smash the can open. If you miss it 3x, or only dent/crack it, you have to drink it. One of the ironies about this spectacle is that many of the spectators are actually drinking good beer while watching it.
Walked around the merchant's at midnight madness (Wednesday). Didn't really buy anything this year, except for the big purchase at Tentmasters. I did get my Pennsic calendar.
Another new experience for me was witnessing the Viking boat burning memorial service, Thursday night. We opened the bar afterwards and hosted our "Bacchanalia."
In conclusion, I <3 my camp. I was happy just to be there (especially since I considered skipping Pennsic altogether this year), and I didn't worry about going to the big parties, and I didn't worry about what I would do each day. I was happy to just sit around, take in the view, and hang out with my bestest friends. It was truly relaxing, like a real vacation. For a change. I even feel refreshed and rejuvenated as a result. I think we did an amazing job, considering it was our first year (as a camp). We are definitely doing this again. I know I overspent in preparation for it, but it was worth every penny, and next year will be awesome!
What was the highlight of your summer?
Submitted by ladym.vox.com.
I probably have to say Pennsic, and it was indeed a blast, but I do that every year...photos from Pennsic.
The unexpected highlight of my summer was performing with Nyarlathotep at "A Midsummer's Nightmare." I resuscitated my musical career. Here is my journal entry on LJ about it: http://mirvana.livejournal.com/346232.html. Here are more photos.
I should prolly also mention that it was nice having Foo around, too.
