I heard things like "how do you like your R2001 Seeyalator?” and I also heard "look at the goof with the Geezemaster ain’t that made out of plastic?”. So I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re not decked out like the 'pros’ then many players see you as some kind of loser. I made the mistake of commenting on how the Geezemaster was an excellent marker and would probably buy one myself if I didn’t already own a reliable marker. The person in question looked at my stockgun and grinned (apparently I was a loser too). Just to clear the record for you, faithful reader, I coincidentally went head to head with the player in question that afternoon and it was a mutual elimination. (But I got him with ONE shot and he took about a hundred.) On the way back to the holding pen he apologized for making fun of me and I replied "Yeah you’re sorry NOW” and grinned.
I took the opportunity to do some preaching and he understood my point. He realized he made the same mistake many players make JUDGING A PLAYER’S ABILITY BY THE EQUIPMENT THEY CARRY. Let's face it, there are a lot of people who cannot afford the fancy hi-tech stuff. There are even more who can’t afford to go through a case of paint a day. The unfortunate thing is that they are ALWAYS judged to be inferior players. Luckily many of them get to prove ther mettle when the paint starts flying and the morons who snickered behind their backs are now saying "hey that guy with the pump is GOOD”. (I’ve never personally heard that but I’ve heard it being said of others.)
Don’t be ashamed if you can’t afford all the paintball luxuries, just get what you can afford and do the best you can with it. Don't listen to those losers who say "such-and-such" equipment will make you better (ESPECIALLY in advertisements).
Sometimes (just sometimes) "inferior” technology has a way of paying off in the long run. Sometimes you have to play harder to keep up with the more expensive toys out there and this kind of challenge can only IMPROVE your abilities as a player. Then you can look at the REAL losers (the ones who think they can BUY skill) and know in your heart-of-hearts that it’s the PLAYER not the marker who makes the game.
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