AO OD - Time for something fresh.

[Wc Keep]

Hope you don't mind but leaving this comment now would be out of place WC - cphilip

[cphilip]

I am impartial. I am not affiliated with PBX. I work for AO and AGD here. And I stepped in because I see it going both ways here. But I want it kept off AO. Private bussiness dealings are not our business here. If It gets moderated it will be by me and it will be impartial. I see it from them and I also see it from you as well. I see it coming from both sides. I see underlying issues being brought up here. Thats why I am stepping in and sayings something.

[Riotz]

Phil, you wouldn't have said anything unless I posted...

[Suede]

Re: Re: AO OD - Time for something fresh.

Edited out as again it is out of place now - cphilip

[cphilip]

Actually... I let you have your post. It was within your right to do so. I though some of it was a bit harsh, but then again, I let it go. But... It was the retaliatory ones that prompted me to step in...I knew they were coming. YOU knew they were too.

[cphilip]

Ok closing to edit.

Edit done. Lets keep it clean or I gonna get mean.

[PissedGodzilla]

Originally posted by cphilip
I am impartial. I am not affiliated with PBX. I work for AO and AGD here. And I stepped in because I see it going both ways here. But I want it kept off AO. Private bussiness dealings are not our business here. If It gets moderated it will be by me and it will be impartial. I see it from them and I also see it from you as well. I see it coming from both sides. I see underlying issues being brought up here. Thats why I am stepping in and sayings something.

you are right phil, I apologize... that was kinda stupid of me, I should have just kept it to myself, I only thought it was funny.... Riotz, my bad, sorry. I was just being sarcastic. To be honest I could care less about the stupid arguments, I was just having a little fun. I apologize.

[PsychoBaller]

Can't we all just play paintball and get along?? ohhh yah.. when $ is involved, nothing can be peaceful... unless that $ is going towards T&A... whoo hooo...

[Thordic]

I don't really see what needs to be changed. If you make them too flashy you lose the sense of community that is the whole point in the first place.

The more you add, the more you take away.

The first NJ AO Day, which had the smallest attendance (about 25 guys) was also one of the most fun. We hung out for hours after play was done, cooking up burgers, drinking beer, shootin the breeze, and firing potatos into the stratosphere. I don't see how you can improve on that.

The following AO days were bigger, and more problems just arose. Gripes about not enough games, problems with supplying air, problems with whatever.

I'm not saying the bigger AO Days arent good, it opens it up to more people. But it also increases the problems. I think right now, with a large AO day turning up around 150 people, you are at a point where if you try to take things to the next level you will lose a lot of what AO Days are all about, which is community, and friendship. In its place you pick up commericalism, flashyness, and organizing headaches.

I don't think AO should be about being flashy, being commercialized, and being hyped up. It should be about paintball. It should be about playing paintball with your friends, whether they are from England, Canada, or even Australia. It should be about feeling comfortable among people you can trust. Being able to leave your car open all day because you know the people around you will watch out for your stuff.

The more things you add into the mix, the more you force out the old things that made AO Days truly special.

AO Days shouldn't be loaded with media coverage, cheerleaders, and blimps overhead. All you need is some paint, some burgers, and some good friends.

Thats just my two cents, anyway.

[PsychoBaller]

well said Thor

[Carbon]

Thordic: I agree with ya. To me AO day is all about paintball. The vibe i get doin ao days is that it is inclusive, ao member or not, when you participate you gonna have fun. What i found during the NORCAL/SOCAL day is that paintballer, epecially AOers, overcome and adapt.

AO day in SLO made a ripple in California no doubt and as is always the case, it becomes a foundation of greater things to come. I as surprised to find out the local paper and local hip hop station was attending. For the most part it is my belief, that your average AOer realizes that paintball is bigger than what gun you shoot, what you wear, even bigger than AO itself.

Yes, undoubtedly the more you gain, the more you loose. But i can for certain know AO Days will never loose its "heart".

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by abarnhar
Really to diversify a AO day, the only feasible tact is to thematize it. Of course, then you are in quasi-senario land.

Good point and definitely well taken.

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by Muzikman
If you are thinking about changing up the event, then that is fine, and I think that TexBall is doing just that. But I think no matter how hard you try, you will not remove the party and good time aspect of the event. This is the sole reason I come to these events, as I don't think I have played at any of the AO Days or gatherings.

Keeping this component is not only a 'must'....it is a requisite.

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by cphilip
hehehe.... I have some long term plans. Already have slowly introduce just a few of them each year, starting with the first one here in Clemson and then I added a few more of them to this last one... but I am keeping them for the SE event. Each one is bigger than that last in activities and scope. Culminating in something really big in a few years. Each baby step if it works begats the next one. Each theme a bit different and more extravigant than the last. And most of them are site specific and "my" resources specific so they wouldn't really transition well to elsewhere. But big stuff planned! That's all I can say...

Phil, U DA MAN!!!!

[Ronin 23]

Originally posted by cphilip
We need a few more key individuals on the technical end of it to fall into line!!!!!! Temporary Netting suppliers and experts actually....but... we are talking AO ARENA BALL....Yes. Indoor heated Arena with great steep seating for viewing. Soft surface. Two airball fields and plenty of camping area around the facility and all. Nice facility. Thats the big plan.

And of course free beer and diet Pepsi. Its tradition!

When you're ready, LMK. I may have a wealth of information that you may want to take advantage of.