| For many years, most of my Saturdays would | | | | My conversion happened almost overnight. |
| consist of aterrible ritual. I would begin | | | | After severalhours of online research, much |
| with the loading of my paintball CO2 tanks | | | | akin to going to a sports bar and asking what |
| intothe trunk of my car, and begin the search | | | | isthe best football team, I had ordered my |
| for the one man within thirty milesthat could | | | | first airsoft gun. Needless to say, myfirst |
| bring my precious equipment to life. While | | | | experience with airsoft was a painful one. I |
| compressed nutrients werebeing supplied to | | | | will not bore you withanother online order |
| the tanks, the search for an unbroken and | | | | horror story. Even though, my first |
| fresh box of paintwould begin. Some days the | | | | experience with airsofthad shaken my |
| gods were receptive and my ritual would be | | | | confidence, I braved the online world once |
| completedin an hour or two. Usually, the | | | | more with a second morefocused order with a |
| paintball gods would put obstacles in may | | | | different retailer. After several days, my |
| pathto test my faith. | | | | order arrived,and my initial hopes were |
| | | | confirmed. The accuracy, power, and range |
| After many years of dealing with the fickle | | | | that my newairsoft gun displayed were nothing |
| paintballgods, I now worship at the altar of | | | | short of amazing. How had I not |
| airsoft. I will be held hostage no more tothe | | | | discoveredthis before now? I felt as though a |
| tethered tank to my side, nor the fragile | | | | great secret had been kept from me. It wasnow |
| paintballs that must be handled asthough they | | | | apparent that I must give praise and monetary |
| were transplant organs. My Saturdays now | | | | offerings to my newlydiscovered hobby. |
| consist of sleeping late,loading one thin bag | | | | |
| into my trunk, and taking a leisurely drive | | | | Armed with my new airsoft gun, I set off to |
| to the field. | | | | convert theworld, starting with the ones |
| | | | closest to me. For most of my comrades |
| Rechargeable batteries and solid plastic BBs | | | | theconversion to airsoft was immediate, with |
| have replaced hazardous compressedgases and | | | | some offering to purchase the airsoftgun on |
| fragile, expiring paintballs. Much as the car | | | | the spot. Needless to say, the arrival of |
| has replaced the horseand carriage, airsoft | | | | airsoft at our paintball fieldthat day |
| will have the same effect on paintball, mind | | | | delayed the starting time severely, and |
| you that youcan still see a stray horse | | | | within two short weeks allremnants of |
| around every once and awhile. | | | | paintball had been removed from the field and |
| | | | our possession. |