VBLI Goes OuttaTown - October 11th, 2006

[Glenn]

Several months ago Luis Garrido the owner of Outtatown Productions located in Phoenix Arizona invited VBLI to attend their semi annual Rocky Point Mexico tournament. Little did I know what this amazing man had in store when making his invitation!

October 10th

8 pm, my bags are all packed and ready for the big trip. After a restless night of thinking about this mini vacation and forfeiting one of my league games because three of my team are coming with me on the trip. I mean what captain doesn’t bring his setter? We invited everyone, but only three could make it. Family or volleyball - wow, lets try not to have that discussion, family of course, but volleyball takes a close second.

October 11th

10:00am, Kiry and James and I are heading to the airport excited to get the trip started. During the car ride we discuss strategy as well as lunch plans. We talk about how this trip is the farthest anyone of us have traveled and more over how much we want to just get out and play some ball.

1:00pm, we just took off and my heart is racing. I’m thinking how fast this will be over and how much I want to savor every minute. I look at Kiry and ask her what she is thinking and she comments about how she can’t believe that three months of waiting is finally over.

3:30pm, we land in DFW and make our connecting flight to Phoenix that is just about to board. We are all quiet and not talking much, looking back now the closer this moment came the quieter we became. I’m not going to lie, I was nervous. These players were new to us, not like our local predictable club and league players we typically see. What if we get slaughtered? What if we are so bad we get laughed at? I know now it was just a like performance anxiety and not only were the other players friendly but amazing, just like the promoter.

5:30pm, we have arrived in Phoenix! Wow is this really happening? Are we really here? Luis picked us up at the airport and drove us back to his house. Now, let me take a minute to describe his home. The house it self is pretty typical for the area however, he build three regulation courts in his back yard, all of which were perfectly maintained and just waiting for us to use.

8:00pm, Sean has arrived; now the party can start. Sean is a California native and not your typical CA player. Sean is a shorter player but players like any 6’2 DIV player I’ve seen. He has heart and just loves the game. I had the unique opportunity to watch him teach a weaker players in a way only someone comfortable about his abilities can. He never bad mouths a player and always finds the up side to every bad play. Sean brought LJ aka Lynn, Lynn flew in a few days before for some CA sight seeing and Sean offered to drive her to Phoenix. Lynn is another one of those players’ people underestimate. Additionally, I have to say there was not one person in the VBLI crew on this trip I would not be honored to call my teammate.

October 12th

8:00am, we are all loaded into two cars with Luis plus six on our way to the airport to pick up Jason, Nadine and Brian.

10:00am, Jason, Nadine and Brian are loaded and we are on our way.

11:45am, Burger King directly outside of the city was our first and most notable stops. It seems the franchise has a new line of kid’s toys and I really liked the deer antlers, it was dumb but I thought these little antlers were funny and cute. I ordered a kids meal asking in a clear and precise tone, can I have the antlers if I order this meal. The cashier explained no problem; I get my food and the kid’s meal only to find a weird looking beaver/owl. I asked for the antlers instead of this weird windup thing only to be told sorry they are not out yet. This tells me I can’t have it my way, their motto is inaccurate, or was I expecting too much?

The drive was beautiful, the mountains and natural wonders of this planet were ever more amazing. Especially in an air conditioned car. I did make a comment that you have to want to be in the U.S. pretty bad to risk the dangers that seems so pretty and innocent to me while we zoomed past thousands of hazards only yards away. For example, there are cactus needles that are able to puncture a volleyball, or maybe it’s the scorpions, snakes and other wild creatures waiting for you.

1:00pm, we passed the border and I knew we were no longer in Kansas, if I had a dog he would have just whimpered in fear for becoming lunch.

2:30pm we’re here, No more flying, driving or waiting. Everything Luis promised was true. The people were friendly, the hotel was great, and the beer was cold.

3:00pm, we all went to our rooms and scoped out the beach and bar. Several drinks, and local beach vendor purchases later we sat back and all started chatting. I had the privilege of seeing the most amazing sunset to date in my life.

7:00pm, after a nap it was dinner time and we all headed out to a local restaurant where Elvis was rumored to be playing.

7:30pm, dinner was ordered and Sean being an excellent Spanish translator told the waiter it was my birthday. I wasn’t going to argue, it got me 6 additional shots of tequila in my margarita. The mariachi players proceeded to sing happy birthday to me in Spanish. This was embarrassing but I was getting a little drunk so it didn’t matter.

9:00pm, we were back at the hotel. Some of our crew decided to crash and some headed to the hot tub. We were all tired and the next two days were going to be huge.

October 13th

8:30am, we all went down for breakfast and started to setup the event with Luis. He never asked any of us to help and in fact no one complained or questioned what needed to be done, we just wanted to do for a person that did so much for us.

2:00pm all done 16 nets, 1 mile of beach and four thousand feet of barrier guard set up.

2:01pm beer time.

4:00pm it’s time to change and get ready for the 70’s theme party the entire weekend was built around. Many of us had costumes but I did not, I was unfortunately unable to complete the costume I had planned on bringing.

7:00pm party time, we all headed down for what was nothing less than a great time. People dress in all sorts of costumes – one guy dressed as Scooby Doo and he brought the entire Mystery Crew. There were The Village People, Pimps and even a few rock stars. It was simply amazing. There was plenty of free liquor courtesy of Red Bull.

11:00pm, the party is winding down and many of use were way too drunk to head to bed so we all headed over to the pool, yeah, I know, this wasn’t going to turn out well. Sean figured he’d jump in naked, yes it’s true, in all his glory he jumped in. Security was on him like the IRS on Bill Gates. They are carted him off in all his glory and we all looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and headed into the hot tub, since it was on the way to the security office. Jason bailed Sean out and for the rest of the trip Sean had to wear his green bracelet which flagged him like a scarlet letter, it was pretty damned funny.

2:00am, time to sleep game day is tomorrow.

October 14th

8:00am, a few of us were hung over, and sick from a cold that was going around, but no matter, we were all excited and nothing was stopping us from playing. There were over 320 players peppering, hitting and or just warming up.

9:00am /3:300pm, Volleyball, volleyball and more volleyball - everything was perfect. The weather, the sand, the quantity of available beer as well as food and most importantly the competition levels were all perfect. My team was eliminated in the second round and the CT team was right behind us.

4:00pm, the VBLI crew started the break down of the nets not being played on and helping out once again. We tore down in two hours what took us six to set up.

7:00pm, The NY, CT and CA players all headed to dinner at a rather unique tourist trap “Mannys”. Luis and his wife were exhausted - this was six months of preparation and for one day of play, but it was worth it. We all ate dinner and continued to unwind, oddly enough we didn’t want this trip to end, but we knew we couldn’t play VB for ever. Many of our group didn’t want to say the words “what time are we heading back tomorrow”, but it showed in their faces. We order a few more drinks and begin to laugh as we had all weekend.

The next morning the CT crew flew home. The following day NY and CA headed home. We have over 3500 pictures collectively and they will be up over the next few days. I hope you enjoyed this recap of the best beach tournament I have ever played in.

[NewEnglandRT]

That's a decent recap of the weekend. A VERY PC recap though. I suppose the dirty details are best left unsaid Everyone will just have to show up in April and see what it's all about!

[Outta Town]

Thanks to you Glenn and all the group who flew in, helping us out and enjoying the tournament.
Luis

[Air Diney]

Awh!

That was nice to take the time to write that Glenn- very well said! What a terrific trip!

[Glenn]

Hey Everyone,

Over one thousand of the best weekend shots are now posted. Please take a minute to click on the Galley button at the top of this page and check them out. I've also posted a few of my favorite shots up. When you have time check them all out you will want to go with us in April, I know I'm going.

Take Care,
Glenn

[kvb]

Reading the posts...it felt like I was there!!! Sounds like fun times again

[James]

Originally Posted by kvb

Reading the posts...it felt like I was there!!! Sounds like fun times again

maybe well see you there in april