Tag! You’re Elite!

It’s multiple days later and muscles I clearly don’t have still hurt. I have a giant bruise on my calf (how? from where?) and rug burns on my knees.
AND IT WAS AWESOME!
Seriously, I’m like the walking wounded and I want to go do it all over again. I was a terrible shot, I’m entirely too gimpy and old to climb around the buildings and our team got entirely dominated, but this experience was so much more fun than anticipated.
I’m pretty sure we all went in with an «eh, why not» attitude, but I know many will be returning. No black lights and glow in the dark vests here — tactical games, climbing in and around buildings and obstacles and generally having a spectacular time checking out from the world and your worries for a few hours (something I was in desperate need of).
A+ find, Rachel. Gotta love when something unexpectedly rocks your world. (Like Mike M’s six inches of destruction?)

Lesson learned: I don’t belong in combat. That being said, I still had an awesome time at this event. I had heard of CMP from some coworkers but had never been there myself– and now I’m wishing I had gone sooner.
As other Unilocalers have said, this isn’t your local laser tag of sixth grade memories. This involves strategy, tactics, and learning how to scout out your enemy. Ducking in and out of urban ‘buildings’ and climbing awkwardly-​sized stairs, we played a variety of games that allowed each team to play on the offense and defense. This is a laser tag easily enjoyed by adults. The moderators were great, especially in hosting a group of newbies to the venue. I’d definitely look into returning with a group of friends in the future– maybe after I’ve practiced some more first.
As for the after party, St. Francis Brewery dished up some tasty food and beer. I’ve long been a fan of theirs but hadn’t been recently — this was a great reminder that I need to go back soon. Everything was delicious– the beer cheese soup, the braised beef, the fried mozzarella, and especially the egg rolls. I’m hungry just thinking about it. The Wrath Amber Ale is pretty great, too.
All in all, a beyond fabulous event. Thanks to Rachel and the host venues for providing a great experience!

The seminal 70’s band War once asked «Why Can’t We Be Friends?» The irony of the band name can not be understated. IT’S WAR! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! This is a scary place. There’s danger behind every barrel. Peril around every corner. There’s no where to hide. Stephen M will HUNT. YOU. DOWN. The adrenaline is pumping. The intensity was high. Super intense. So intense that I ripped hole in my jeans. Not a small hole. A giant hole. A gaping maw in the crotch region. Six inches of destruction! (Not my nickname from college, I swear). But I would not be deterred. I had a mission, and others were counting on me. I could not let them down. In the end the red team was victorious, our mission complete. But at what cost? At what cost?
This was ballin’ as shit. REAL guns. These aren’t plastic toys. Tactics. Missions. STRATEGY. Gosh, this could be addicting. The CMP folks were friendly and knowledgeable. There were a ton of people waiting to play when we were done, and I totally get why. This is a place I’m coming back to, for sure.
The wind down at St Francis was great too. The food was good. I liked the soup, and the egg roll sauce was nice and spicy. The beef dish was pretty tasty and makes me want to try something like that on my own. The party room is quite large and fit us all no problem. It’s one of the few dining options in the area, and I’ll definitely check it out again if I’m nearby.
Rachel (aka Nighthawk): One shot, one kill. You nailed this one. Bogey down.

Like William the Conqueror defeating the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings,
Like the English fleet demolishing the Spanish Armada in 1588,
Like the French at Dien Dien Phu in 1954,
Or Custer at the Little Big Horn,
Such was the domination of the Blue team by the Red team.
Who knew that MKE’s Elites were composed of so many Army Rangers, Black Ops, Seal Team 6 members, and mercenary assassins!
I was a bit out of my element at this event, but I had a BLAST! And, it was quite a work out. I woke up this morning with Jell-​O-​legs and visions of Pamela M killing me around every corner. This was a great venue for an active group activity, and competitive fun. I knew that once Stephen M was assigned to the other team, mine was screwed. Years of government training have served that man well. What a time. The time flew by. Before I knew it, I was drenched in sweat and humiliation. I dragged my defeated corpse off to St. Francis Brewery to drown my sorrows and rebuild my strength points. We were treated there to a victor’s buffet regardless of our team status. Beer Cheese soup, amazing mozzarella marinara, egg rolls, and fantastic beer-​braised beef. Yum! Huge thanks go out to our hosts at CMP Tactical Lazer Tag and St. Francis Brewery, you guys are awesome!
Of course, huge thanks also go out to our CM, RFelly! Another amazing idea and a great event!

Holy amaze-​balls, Fake-​SEAL/​Ranger team 414! What an event.
I’ve played laser tag before. CMP Tactical, and this event in particular, was nowhere near «traditional» laser-​infused tag. This was the cream of the crop. Kudos to the CMP staff for explaining the equipment, rules, and games with accuracy and gusto. You can play as an adult but have as much fun as a kid. Kudos to my fellow MKE elites for making this an incredible experience.
It’s fast, but you can’t run. That’s OK; adrenaline will overtake you and you’ll feel as though you’re speeding through. It’s intense, with lots of obstacles. Who else is sore this morning? It promotes teamwork, good communication, and following rules — something we all need help with from time to time. Above all, this was 100% fun. Everyone played a part, from sniping «noobs» out of a second story window, to patrolling dark and shadowy back hallways, to robbing a «bank» and escaping with oodles of loot.
Rachel deserves serious props for putting this together. The little details — self-​created false names to add to the fun, drinks and snacks for before and after, and a hell of a great time!
Top that off with a stopover at St. Francis brewery for beers and apps (5 stars — mozzarella medallions FTW) and you’ve got an incredible event that kicked off 2014 Eliteness in style.
Thanks Rachel, CMP, St. Francis, and fellow 414 Elites! Looking forward to a great year promoting awesome eats, treats and activities in MKE!

I’m following Nighthawk to the objective, and next thing you know we are pinned down by the enemy. I gave her a signal showing her where the enemy is, and as soon as she shoots, another enemy combatant comes from behind and kills her. I try to avenge my fallen comrade, and as I peek out of cover, I’m surrounded by two enemies until I hear «Time’s up!» Saved by the bell! Now as Unilocal elitists, we all have some war stories to share.
I haven’t been to a lot of Unilocal events, but this one was absolutely amazing. Big props to Nighthawk… err I mean Rachel for putting this shindig together, and also thanks to the super cool people at CMG for letting us run around and play guns for a couple hours.
This part of the event reminded me of these Call of Duty commercials–
But instead of busting shots at A to C-​List Celebrities, I got to shoot at the various Unilocal icons that litter my feed everyday.
This event was the bomb, or at least we got to diffuse one. Or set off one. Something like that.
I had that bag of money with no one around in heist, why didn’t I just take it to the car! I’m so damn greedy (I say this while kicking myself in the ass).
Our team lost, but we left it all there on the battlefield. Good job blue team!
Stephen M. was probably the biggest reason we lost, at one point I swear he was doing a perfect Murphy MacManus impression, picking off blue team Unilocalers as he walked casually down the hallway. Hats off to the victors!
Highlight of the Night– I caught a red team Unilocaler at the top of the staircase and she pinned me down, that is until I pulled the perfect Martin Riggs move, jumping and falling down on my back and shooting until I seen those red lights go off. I’m going to feel that in the morning!
Lowlight of the Night– After seeing the ease that Stephen had in picking off our team, I came walking out blasting with my gun sideways, a la Menace 2 Society, that is until I was killed instantly. How does that work so well for movie gangsters?
We wrapped the night with apps and delicious beer at St. Francis Brewery. It was the perfect end to a perfect event. This would be the perfect yearly event, I would even pay to do this again. and I will be, very soon!

I’m shaking!
I’m sweating!
I’m lost!
Hey, I diffused a bomb!
Omg that is not like the laser tag I’ve experienced years ago when your chest vibrated… OH NO. This is like times 100 in intensity. Totally unexpected!
This business is fast moving. Like it.
You get to keep playing after you die. Like it.
It’s challenging and a workout. Like it!
My God I’m still shaking!
That was great y’all.
Thanks Rachel and everybody.
There may be some combative dreams for me tonight.
(Side note: they need a better SIGN!)

Rachel, thank you for my favorite Elite event to date. These guys, with your help, have created a better way for me and my friends to spend too much money.
All I can be thankful for now is that we are on our way for free beer and tasty snacks. St. Francis Brewery is well served by serving us afterwards. God knows that if it was before we played, Mike would have ripped more than a little bit of his crotch. Free show for everyone!
That was seriously a great bit of exercise and all kinds of fun and I think we should almost make it a yearly event.
Also, remind Pamela that the marinara is a condiment for the fried cheese, not a soup option.

Wow! What an awesome time! I’ve played paintball outside a few times, but I’ve never played lazer tag and didn’t think it would be as fun as paintball. I was wrong. It was a blast, and the staff at CMP Tactical Lazer Tag did their part to ensure we had a safe and fun experience.
The Unilocal Elites split up into teams and played 5 different games against each other. I’ll post more details on the review of CMP Tactical, but basically we had guns, bombs, safes, codes, a car, multi-​level buildings, strategic plans, and a rally great time, while bonding with other elites and meeting some I have not met before.
I almost forgot to mention that after lazer tag, we all went to St. Francis Brewery for beer and appetizers.
I enjoyed their Belgian Tripel, as well as the beer cheese soup, fried cheese, southwest egg rolls, and beer braised beef — all were delicious. I plan a future visit so I can give a more detailed review. The brewery is easy to get to. Just take 794 southbound and exit at Howard Ave. Then go east. You can’t miss it on the corner of Howard Ave and Kinnickinnic Ave.
What a way to kick off the 2014 Unilocal Elite Year!