Aylmer Express "MoHo" Extravaganza 2006

I asked Michael if he had his own gun and he told me that he picked one up because he saw it on sale at Walmart. Have I got your attention? I am talking about paintball, of course. Today we had a definte plan in place. The friends we are visiting, Michael and MaryLou, have two children, Michael and Olivia. The two Michaels were going to take André-Paul, Morgan and I paintballing. You know, running around with a gun that shoots little balls of paint trying to shoot other people who are also running around with guns that shoot paint. Of course, those other people are trying to shoot you too so you have to watch out. For those of you who have not played before, it is a great way to get your adrenaline going. The place we went had four different areas set up for these war games. Two of them were wooded areas, one was an open field with a wooden castle-like structure and a number of old cars and barriers set up throughout the field to give you cover, and the last area was for speedball which is made up of specifically designed “cushions”, if you will, that provide and symmetric pattern so that neither side has an advantage with barriers. Anyway, we spent our time on the three non-speedball fields and we had a blast (pun intended). I found the wooded areas to be more intriguing but the open field with the castle gave you a feel for what an urban altercation must be like. There was no lack of excitement. Sprinting from one barrier to another hoping like heck you would not get stung by the enemy’s fire. Or crouching behind a barrier trying to pick off a similarly hidden adversary. The entire time you are trying to decide if you should be patient and wait for the other guy to make a move, or should you be aggressive and try to take out the other guy before he (or she) make their move. I have to admit that although it was galvanic, at times it got a little stressful. Of course, you can always relieve that stress by firing 10 or 20 rounds into enemy territory. It was definitely a good time and it gave us something else to do afterward. That is, to compare our bruises. I think I won in that regard. And the kids had a great time although I am questioning how happy I am that they are deriving enjoyment from running around in the woods with a firearm targeting humans. Well, that is a debate for another time. When we arrived home the plan, or so I was told, was to head out with Michael and pick up a couple of videos for the gang. Michael ended up giving me a tour of the new big box mall that had cropped up since we were living there. We got our videos and some munchies and headed back to the house. It was at that point I started to realize what was going on. Michael had taken me out to waste some time so that a surprise party could be set up. As I entered the house I saw another of our former neighbours. Then as I turned the corner I saw another ... and then another. Chantal and MaryLou had managed to set up a surprise birthday party for me with all my old neighbours. It was great to have everyone together again in the same room and we had a great time catching up on what we have been up to and reminiscing some of the stuff we did in the old days. A good time was had by me and I hope everyone else.



Today’s word:

galvanic \gal-VAN-ik\, adjective:
1. Of, pertaining to, or producing a direct current of electricity, especially when produced chemically.
2. Affecting or affected as if by an electric shock; startling; shocking.
3. Stimulating; energizing.