The Answer: It hurts. A lot.

The Question: What does it feel like when you get shot by a paintball gun?

I learned that painful lesson last week at one of the biggest paintball tournaments in the country, which was held at Kemper Arena. If you pictured paintball only being played in the woods, this event would have been a real eye-opener for you. Paintball has hit the big-time and it's still growing.

130 teams from all over the world came to KC for last weekend's tourney. Along with the competition, there was a huge paintball "trade show" as well. Paintball is big business these days. The hardcore players need all sorts of equipment from the guns themselves (they're called "markers" inside the sport) to goggles and all sorts of other items. And don't forget the paintballs. These guys go through ammunition like Britany Spears goes through managers.

Okay, so I thought it would be fun to get shot by a paintballer for my news story. It was fun, but it also really hurt. For our first take, he shot me in the face. I had a mask on, of course, but part of the shot still got through and I was spitting paint. The second time I took another shot in the face, which caused no pain. Then, for the final take, I was shot five times in rapid succession on the chest. Now that stung. Part of the problem was the shooter was firing from close range, probably only 10 feet away. Three days later, I still have welts.

But it was worth it, if for no other reason than my son thought it was really cool. I'll do anything for Jack and journalism.