Popular Airsoft Magazine December 2008 Issue: We've been good Santa!

Brahma

31 Dec 2008

(Editor: It just dawned unto me that December is the busiest season of the year. Rather than a month to reflect what we have done over the past months. It's more of work to buy those gifts, visit friends and relatives, party, eat, drink, and be merry like there is no tomorrow. No wonder that hospitals are full during this month. Ooopsss...here is the issue). Some life lessons that we have learned from Santa, which we believe can be applied in our airsoft lives:

Encourage people to believe in you. (Show them newbies some veteran moves!)
Always remember who’s naughty and who’s nice. (Remember the bloke that shared his BBs with you while you’re out there on the field. Never forget the guy that ALWAYS bum a stick of cigarette from you, don’t come near him again.)
Don’t pout. (Especially when the guy at the other end does not want to call his hits.)
It’s as much fun to give as it is to receive. (Only when you’re giving them your BBs—via your newly upgraded VFC KAC PDW, harharhar!)
Some days it’s ok to feel a little chubby. (Yeah, never mind if you’re looking more like a tadpole in your brand new Digital Desert FROG!)
Make your presents known. (… and your presence felt. Snipers out there, reach out and tag someone.)
Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want. (This applies more to gear whores out there, hahahaha! You can also wear more than what is necessary. It’s you who’s carrying the weight anyway.)
Bright red can make anyone look good. (... ‘cept lipstick! Puhleeeze!)
Wear a wide belt and no one will notice how many pounds you’ve gained. (Right on! Hmmm… Time to get myself a blast belt….)
If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you’re very important. (… or maybe not. If ever you decide to actually show up for a game, just try and not be late, dear. Ok?)
Whenever you’re at a loss for words, say: “HO! HO!” (HIT! Will do just fine…)

It’s that time of year again, where good cheers and tidings are in the air. Let us all forget for a moment about the global financial meltdown and give ourselves a much needed break from all the hubbubs of everyday life. As what Brahma has written in one of the cover stories in this December Issue, Christmas is really a celebration of thanksgiving.... thanksgiving for the food on our table... for the shelter over our heads and the clothing on our backs... for a loving family... and, most especially for our mothers and fathers.

Moving on, these past months have been very busy for all of us here at Popular Airsoft Magazine. Our Asia Bureau—with Brahma and Ogre—has been agog with the preparations for Ratratan 2008: B.O.L.O., The Philippine Selection for Rapier 01. Our U.S.-based operator, Shogun, has also been busy with the preparations for Rapier 01 and the Kami Wars. Busy or not, we’re still hell-bent in giving you insightful articles every issue.

We have asked the Popular Airsoft Operators to give their recommendations on what to buy for yourselves these holidays, and allowed our friendly airsoft vendors to make a hardsell on you and your wallets. But then, Christmas is also about shopping and gift-giving, so we might as well allow them to present their products. We hope you’ll like their recommendations.

In our feature section, we have interviewed several airsoft retailers such as Airsoft Elite Essex, Airsoft Buddy, Storm Airsoft Shack, and Airsoft HQ for you to know them well. Optimus Prime interviewed UR Tactical, known for the awesome designs in Multicam gear, a geardo’s favourite website to choose multicam products from. Dom got in touch with Airsoft Austria Television, those funny guys who make awesome airsoft videos, such as reviews, skirmishes, and try to make light of things airsoft.

Ken Jones of Stirling Airsoft gives us an account of the England vs. Scotland Stirling Shield event. As posted at our website, England brought home the bacon, and now you get to know more about the game which will be come a permanent fixture in the UK airsoft scene. Brahma and Ogre follows this with a report account of another big Davao Event, the Busca y Destruir, of course, with a little Side Trip to the city’s best tuna restos.

Not much on gun reviews as we’re looking forward to early next year for some of the latest releases to review. But two custom guns are interesting, the Vityaz custom AK, and Dom’s Woody NS4 Custom. If you’re wondering why “Woody”, then go an read, Dom built it from scratch and now he can’t wait to go long on the skirmish field with it. Optimus Prime and Masterchief give us their take on the JG M4 CQB-R and the SIG P226’s from Tokyo Marui and KJ Works. Mamba doesn’t come far behind with his list of G&P AEGs.

Oh shucks, 2008 is coming to a close. But it’s a year that has brought airsoft to even greater heights with more events players, gears, guns, and even gold! (yes! gold with some airsoft tournaments with cash prizes). For us at Popular Airsoft, it’s a good year for us, and we are hoping that you all had a great one too.

Without further ado, from the bottom of our hearts, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Looking forward to exchanging bbs with you,

The Writers
Popular Airsoft Magazine
Volume 1 Issue 10
December 2008