Susie Does Fayetteville
(A review of Fayetteville Fragg Fest #8 )

Well, after rambling around on a side of town that makes you think you should shower from just riding through it, past the tattoo parlors, past the adult video store, past the numerous "Girls, girls, girls" signs (nah, this isn't near an army base) and, finally, into a nicer part of town, (Whoa! Back it up! Did that sign just say Bimbo Drive?!?!?!) lies a secluded Bingo Hall.

After finding it, I walked in to meet some of the best guys in the world. The entire mood is jovial, boisterous and, in general, laid back. I felt welcome right away. Several guys apparently didn't know that a girl was coming and thought that it was very cool that a chic would get into fragging.

I picked out my really groovy nametag that had pictures of skins from Quake 3 where the picture would normally go. The nice man even laminated them and put a cute little metal clip on them while we unloaded. Seeing as how I was the only chic in a room of about 38 guys (give or take) I didn't really have to wear mine.

The games were 2 and ½ hours late starting, but once started, things got serious quick. UT deathmatch was 25 minutes long. I really liked it even though I placed last. The next tourney was UT TDM. Four teams. 2 servers. The two winning teams advance to finals.

At this time, I had problems getting into the game. They were even nice enough to delay the tournament to allow my computer guru time to diagnose it. (Server kept kicking me out!!! The nerve! Funny thing: I could join other games no problem!) After a 30-minute delay, I felt guilty and told them to play without me, but thanked them sincerely for their patience. Eventually we just reinstalled UT and it corrected the prob.

At 3:15 a.m., the night's scheduled events were over with. The ones who actually slept did so in chairs, on tables, a few in couches and chairs in a dark room. The smart people brought inflatable beds... I wasn't smart... back of the Umpa-wagon for my tired butt.

I got up at 7:45 and practically demanded that my computer guru take me to a breakfast buffet (other than the donuts and coffee that were provided; I'm high maintenance, ya' know!) The previous nights dinner of Skittles and Bawls was long gone...

Nothing really got started up until the afternoon. That's when all the teams started to come in. Before everyone got there, things were quiet. Too quiet. So, Susie went out on a seek-and-find. I wanted to seek and find what was in an area thrift store. What did I find??? I discovered a back-room video poker joint. I lost $10, but I had about $10 worth of fun playing, so that works out. :) It just feels so good to be bad, sometimes.

Back at the party, everything was hitting into high gear. The dead at 8 a.m. crowd were as rambunctious and loud as ever. I got to play Quake 3 GridIron (a football mod). I was so into that I wanted to crawl into the screen. It was fantastic. People yelling and screaming smack while playing!! It was just like at home...

Everyone finally comes in from work or wherever and the tourneys start back up in the evening. Burgers and hot dogs are served for a late lunch and supper (Yummy!).

Door prizes were given out. They had lots of Everglide mousepads (My faithful companion won one of them. Yaaa!), 128mgs of RAM, Sound cards, a cooling fan, a t-shirt (yaaa for me; I won that!), and some thing-a-ma-bob that just went right over my head. (But everyone else knew what it was...)

The schedule was running way off and I didn't get to show off my Starcraft skills. So far, that was the only disappointing thing for me.

The entire room is filled with happy fraggers. There are servers continually up for your fragging pleasure. Thus, another late, late night fragging. Who needs sleep? We got Bawls!!!

Overall, it's definitely worth the hike for the fun, games and socializing. I got some new mods and learned a few things about fragging. I truly enjoyed it and will most certainly be making it there as a regular thing. I had a terrific time and met some really great people!

Although this is my first LAN outside what goes on at my house and Armageddon, I have to give this 7 out of 10 headshots!

Gas... $20
Misc. snacks for two people... $10
Couldn't resist the bleepipty bleep sounds of the video poker machines... $10
Shoney's Breakfast for two... $15
Pizza (and the hottest wings I have ever had) at Spinners for two... $15

Fragging the weekend away... PRICELESS

[CCGA]Sue ZQ