It has taken a couple of days for me to properly process what
happened during my first laser tag Armageddon. I will say this was one of the
most intense experiences I have ever had. It was both physically and
emotionally draining during a time in my life that was already physically and
emotionally draining in other ways, but this took things to a whole different
degree of rigor.
When this experience began I took a great deal on faith. I travelled
to Buffalo to meet up with four men who were complete strangers to me in the
beginning as we embarked on the journey to go through this competition
together. I learned more than I ever expected to over the course of spending
five days in three states and playing seven systems. Some of what I learned
includes the following:
·
I may
be a big fish in a small pond as I play laser tag locally, but there is a huge
ocean out there. I need to come back bigger, better and badder the next time
around...and I will.
·
When
you think you don't have anything more left in you, that is not the time to
quit. This is when you must keep going without complaint and do not ever let
"tired" keep you from giving everything and then some because this is
not about "you". It's about the team.
·
Moving
outside your comfort zone is okay and sometimes even necessary to allow you to
take on things you didn't think you could. This whole deal was something that
moved from intriguing, to exciting, to intimidating, to rewarding. How lucky am
I that I got to be a part of it?
A few words for my teammates:
Bill: Thank you for taking me onto your team and making me feel
welcomed as a first time Armageddon player. There were so many things I learned
and experienced for the first time and you always gave a push to keep me going
as hard as I could. I wanted to give all I had out of respect for you and this
team.
Carl: You are a powerful force to be reckoned with and I am
grateful that you made me feel so welcome from the get go. I hope every
Armageddon keeps getting better and better and I am glad to have been on your
team for this one.
Ziggy: Even in the face of disappointments you kept things
positive, always constructively giving great suggestions for tactics and
techniques to help us improve and adjust our game every step of the way. I
consider it an honor to have had the chance to play on a team with you and I
also wish to congratulate you on your status that is now legally recognized.
All my best to you on whatever you decide in the future.
Ben: I am so glad that you have found this sport and are using it
to get out and about and make social connections. There are many great people
in the laser tag community and you are one of them. Stay on the right track and
I hope you knock 'em dead at your Laser Storm nationals.
Georgio: Your laser tag heart and desire to improve your skills at
every turn are absolutely inspiring. Playing alongside you was a pleasure. I
hope that we can play some tag again next time you are back in the states...I'm
not too far from some Quest here in NY!
Andrew: I learned a great deal from you over the weekend...mostly
about chips! I appreciate how passionate you are about Tron and everything else
that you do. Hope you get the chance to go to Baltimore and have a blast.
Wil: You rock twelve ways to Sunday. Perhaps someday I'll get the
chance to tell you a very long story (not quite as long as Andrew might tell,
but...) and you will better know why it is that I am so glad that I had the
chance to get to know you over the course of these intense five days as we went
through this together as Armageddon newbies. What can I say? Build that house!
I want to say big thanks to Ricky Vega for coordinating this whole
mad thing. When I told people what it was that I was doing and shared the
schedule they told me I was crazy, wondered if this escapade was sponsored by
Monster Energy Drinks and didn't quite understand why I would put myself
through it. I can't say that I know "why", but I do know I am so glad
that I did. Thank you for making this possible.
As I have spent the last couple of days recovering from being part
of the Armageddon I have replayed many moments over and over in my head. This
was surreal. This was indescribable. And this was...exhausting!
Comments or questions?
Contact: tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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