Madness? THIS.....IS....SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too often we lay dormant, letting ourselves grow weak and becoming easy prey. When you feel the animistic instinct within dying, its time for PAINTBALL!!!! I don't care who you are, every time you pull that bolt back and switch off the safety you hear Sgt Barnes yelling out "lock and load!". I was fortunate to be involved in a battle of epic proportions this saturday. For his bachelor party, my buddy, Scott, wanted to do a little p-ballin' and then head to to the Chi for dinner and drinks. We went to Challenge Park in Joliet and had a private party. There was only 8 of us but that made for some quick and challenging games. The teams were divided into Scott's co-workers and his family and friends. At every field we'd play two games. Going to the last field, the matches were split down the middle. Again, both teams one a game at the last field so we squeezed in one last game. One last chance to be a hero. One last chance to taste sweet Victory. "Armageddon" was the name of the field, rightfully so. It was designed like the ruined rubble of an empire with a couple of 2nd floor platforms. Our team was short a man as he ran outta air for his gun. I knew the fate of the galaxy would depend on my battle hardened tactics. Flank here, grazing fire there, move! move! move! After I out flanked the enemy and sent 'em packing, I went for high ground in a platform. Sure as shit, the last man standing was stalking me. As he entered the cross hairs, I let a out three-round salvo to win the game. I would've went for the head shot but these babies leave welts and it was a gentleman's game. So, Team Scott took home the gold for the afternoon. I took home a victory welt on my left asscheek :-/
Post-paintball, we made like madmen for Chi-town cause we had reservations in Wrigleyville. Dinner at Irish Oaks with a table waiting for us at Moxie. Moxie had a Finlandia vodka special going on with $3 u-call-its and girls walking around with free samples in tiny plastic martini glasses. I told them it was Scott's bachelor party and they hooked him up with a free t-shirt. After Moxie, we cruised across the street to Sluggers b/c it was the only bar without a line outside. Stole a couple of tables and finished out the night. Good times.
I ended up driving Scott from Oak Park to Chicago and back which was a lot of driving for me on Sunday. But it was good to get some time to talk with Scott and catch up on everything. Of course there was the obligatory "are you sure you're ready for marriage" question :-) I guess I've just seen to many marriages that were for all the wrong reasons, as told by the individuals and not assumed by myself, that I lack faith in the system. Scott and Teri (his fiance) seem like the type that will have a great marriage so that brings hope to the rest of us.
I was having dinner with a friend last night and got to thinking. It seems like the years are just slipping by. I realized that I've known Scott for 9 years. Even though we only lived together for two years in college, we remained friends and saw each other at least a couple of times a year. We've seen each other grow up and seeing him get married in August is going to be like seeing a life go full circle. I had a lot of Purdue buddies get married immediately after college and the weddings were fun but it always seemed like too soon. Now it seems like getting married at this age is like taking the next step to growing up. To me its comforting to know that some people will always be a part of my life as I grow up.