Anyone know if there’s a place to play paintball in Tampa? It’s something I’ve always wanted to try, especially after we played laser tag with friends. I just get so into the game - I think paintball is something I’d really be able to sink my teeth into…provided those little paint pellets don’t hurt too much! I found a site selling cheap paintball guns (brands like Tippmann, Spyder, Smart Parts, Dye) and supplies online, and they offer free shipping on everything they sell. Quite the bargain, especially when you consider that those paintball guns aren’t exactly lightweight! And being a big wimp, I was happy to see that the store carries a bunch of safety gear (in addition to a huge selection of paintball supplies and paintball gear) to wear when you play. Safety first, because it’s all fun and games til someone (usually me) gets hurt!

Here’s a new twist on an old concept. Typically, when you bid in an auction, you want to be the highest bidder to get the item, right? bid4prizes is changing things up, and in their auctions, the lowest unique bidder on each item walks away with the prize. The prizes are fantastic too - how about winning yourself a brand new Scion? A 50 inch TV? An Apple iPhone? You enter your bids by sending a text message to a number provided on the Bid4Prizes site, and you get a text message letting you know if your bid is no longer unique. If you’re the winner, you get a text message to let you know! (How cool is it that they tell you if your bid is no longer unique - it gives you more chances to win!) I’d have to bid on the Scion of course…and use my lucky number (13) in my bid. $13.13? $.13? Who knows!

The Rays handed out spankings this week to the Yankees, twice in a row! Now, I’m not a baseball fan by any means, but I like to have a winning team in town. And I really like it when my team can beat a team like the Yankees!

If you’ve never been to a game, as a non fan, Tropicana Field is a nice place to spend an evening. It’s indoors, so you won’t sweat, and there’s a variety of dining choices (mm…Outback!), as well as entertainment on the field between innings.

If you’re a Tampa Bay Bucs fan, head on over to The Smoothie King this Saturday, 4/14/07 from 12pm til 6pm to meet players in person and get free autographs! The Smoothie King is located at 2541 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, and is owned by Melissa Pittman, Michael Pittman’s (#32) wife.

When you buy a 32 ounce smoothie, you get a free autograph on one item that you bring with you. There is no limit to the # of players that can sign your item. Some of the players that will be throughout the day are: Michael Pittman #32, Michael Clayton #80, Chris Hovan #95, Chris Simms #2, Ellis Wyms #96, Maurice Stovall #85, Ryan Nece #56, Shelton Quarles #53, Matt Bryant #3, Greg Spires #94, Juran Bolden #21, Jon Bradley #98, Earnest Graham #34, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams #24, John Wade #76, Anthony Davis #69, Donte Nicholson #30, and former Bucs player Dexter Jackson #28.

Touch A Truck
March 9th from 10am til 1pm
Veteran Memorial Park on Hicks Road
Hudson, FL

What’s Touch A Truck? It’s an event with all kinds of trucks - from a dump truck to firetrucks to a big rig! If you’ve got a kid wild about trucks, this is a must see event. The kids always have fun seeing the trucks in person, and may even get to honk horns or climb on trucks!

The fair starts this week. For a full write up of headliners, dates, fees and such, visit The Florida Blog. I recommend that everyone go to the fair at least once in their lifetime. Where else can you enjoy rides put together earlier that day, or a fried twinkie? I love the animal exhibits and this year, Davy Jones of The Monkees is a headliner.

Technorati Tags: fair, fairgrounds, state fair, Florida State Fair, Davy Jones, Tampa, Florida

On Sunday January 21, 2007, you’ll be able to visit Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa for just $3 a person. Get up close with more than 1,800 animals, learn about endanged wildlife, or relax with the manatees all day long, for a heck of a price. The zoo will be open from 9:30am til 5pm. Be advised, it does get very crowded on $3 day, so go early!