World Cup 2008

Another World Cup. Orlando let me down. I expect it to be hot and disgustingly humid when I go to the Cup - that's the way it's always been. At least for the most part, last year being the first disappointing Cup for me in terms of weather.

The event was good. The Cup always delivers in that respect. All the manufacturers pull out all the stops and put on the best show they can. That having been said, there was nothing ground-breaking, nothing that really stood out with a large wow factor.

I was impressed, however, with the front of the Luxe booth. They went with a neo-classical facade - clean and attractive, and (appropriately) very "Disneyesque".

DLX held a contest to see who could strip a Luxe marker down in the shortest time. I think the eventual winner ended up with a time around 4 seconds. Unbelievable, really. The Luxe is a fantastic marker - they shoot great, come apart for maintenance faster than any other marker, and are shot by world champions, team Dynasty.

Left - Canadian superstars, team Impact loading up their van at the end of the day. Unfortunately, they did not have a good event.

Below left - Glen Takemoto with the new Eclipse GEO - Planet's answer to the spool valve marker.

Below right - In the pits with Infamous as they gear up to play.

Right - Mike Smith of Badlands Vancouver working hard teching in the Eclipse tech booth. Badlands is proud to be able to offer our customers the highest level of technical experience. For years, our techs have travelled far and wide to gain experience teching at the highest level of the game - teching markers for the pro teams at national events. There is no one in Canada more experienced or qualified to work on your Eclipse marker than the Badlands technical department.

Peace, Alex, peace.

Ever wonder what a pro player eats in order to be at the top of his game? It's simple, really: Turkey legs, Breakfast of Champions.

Steve (left) and Terry (right) of Ultimate Skirmish in Australia with Trevor (Badlands) outside of Sun on the Beach, Old Town. If you have ever been to the World Cup, you know this place, and probably have stories, lots of stories...

Frog on a garbage can outside my hotel. The second after I snapped this picture, the frog jumped and stuck to my face, covering my eye. Completely freaked me out (I was not expecting Kermit to attack) and I lmao. Too bad no one was there to see it.

Owen Ronayne of Badlands, as the official commentator at the PSP. Here he is speaking with Magued of Joy Division in the media tent.

Thomas Taylor in the media tent commentating for the webcast.

Skinny Kevin, Dynasty founding player.

Trevor with the Infamous crew, Old Town.

Travis Dusek, Custom Products. Want to be attacked by a whirling frenzy of women at a bar? Buy one of those racks of test tube shooters and then pray for your life! Note in the pic above the grabbing hand (we won't name names, cough, Melissa, cough) reaching to pilfer Travis' bounty of shots.I think he managed to walk like five feet before his rack of drinks was stripped bare. Think school of piranha in the Amazon, or vultures on the Serengeti plains of Africa. Crazy.

Above left - LB and JR of Infamous signing posters and such for their fans.

Above right - Badlands fan club, AKA Swarming Shooter Wenches.

Left - The effects of global warming. Fans ward off the sun with their umbrellas/parasols.