The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => General Pinball Discussion => Topic started by: Shaneus on February 07, 2014, 09:37:50 AM

Title: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 07, 2014, 09:37:50 AM
Damn straight, a thread title to hook everyone in ;)

(http://texaspinball.com/tpf/wp-content/images/2013/08/2014-logo.jpg)

28-30 March this year. Not even going for any specific reason, other than "f**k yeah pinball!". Likely to be a little over $2k all up at least, but what the hell, right?

Anyone else going? Or want me to check out something specific for them? Steve Ritchie, Dirty Donnie, John Borg and Roger Sharpe will be there, but please don't ask me to get Steve to sign your mint Firepower backglass... unless you think fitting it into an overhead compartment won't shatter it into a million pieces ;)

I might be willing to bring something like hard-to-get rubbers or whatever, I know how impossible it is to get Saturn flipper rubbers here, for example.

But yeah, haven't bought tickets for anything yet... so if you think it's a bad idea, let me know!
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on February 07, 2014, 09:43:14 AM
Awesome
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Limorange on February 07, 2014, 10:22:43 AM
Sounds like the perfect excuse for a holiday!  $#$
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 07, 2014, 10:28:53 AM
doesn't Qantas now also fly direct to Texas no stop overs  #@#
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: swinks on February 07, 2014, 10:56:34 AM
awesome, see how the job situation goes and might get you to get me something, otherwise enjoy
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 07, 2014, 01:31:48 PM
I had no idea skywalker... but you're right! Longest 747 flight in the world. The convention centre is only 45km from the airport, then afterwards I head to Austin to check out Pinballz arcade :)
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: ddstoys on February 07, 2014, 06:50:32 PM
Unreal man enjoy the trip while your there grab me a 69 corvette that should fit in the overheads ???
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Belmoresth on February 07, 2014, 08:19:35 PM
do it you only live once  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Crashramp on February 07, 2014, 09:20:24 PM
Do it!

 Even Starsky says so.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sD8vwxhxKpA

Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 07, 2014, 10:19:10 PM
Al least the cold weather will be gone by then  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: delarge on February 07, 2014, 10:36:53 PM
Wow, not a bad package for the pinhead!

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/texas-australia-non-stop/us/en
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 09, 2014, 01:50:35 AM
Wow, not a bad package for the pinhead!

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/texas-australia-non-stop/us/en
Dates are out of whack... don't start until May :(

I'm actually having second thoughts... the overall cost could get me another machine, probably a No Fear with change left over. Argh, decisions!
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 13, 2014, 04:34:38 PM
Plane tickets bought! Booked to fly out of Melb on the 26th of March, arrive an hour before I leave (time zones yay!) and will be driving down to Austin for a day or two to check out Pinballz arcade (has ~100 machines). Then driving back up to drown myself in pinball at the TPF!

Contemplating bringing down some of my repro HS plastics on the off chance Mr. Ritchie might sign them :D

Is there any Aussie Pinball (or Pinheadz? Or others?) that I should bring to rep our fine-arse country?
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 13, 2014, 05:11:25 PM
Nice, should be great event,  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Crashramp on February 13, 2014, 08:25:10 PM
Well done, I'm sure you won't regret it.  ^^^
 We will be expecting pictures.  *%*
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 14, 2014, 11:28:16 AM
check in real early & ask for a exit row seat & pay the extra, you wont regret it  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 15, 2014, 11:07:46 PM
You know I will! It's Qantas anyway so I'm sure it won't be as bad as any of the other times when I've travelled United. Very small seats (especially for a 6-foot-something dude like myself).

I've been looking at what's on/who's there for this event:

Here's a list of the games there (http://texaspinball.com/tpf/game-line-up/) if there's anything anyone wants me to check out (particularly if it's hard to get here) or thinks I *should* check out.

Also, Dirty Donnie is doing custom Sparkys there for $500-800USD (http://texaspinball.com/tpf/custom-sparky/). I might be convinced to bring one back if someone's nice to me (and they're not a complete bastard to bring back) ;)
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 16, 2014, 12:08:23 AM
great line up,

bring me back a large event T shirt if you like, will pay for the troubles  #@#   &&  :D
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 16, 2014, 12:40:01 PM
You can actually order one yourself :) This page (https://secure.justhost.com/~texaspi2/registration_2014/tpf2014register.html) is their online ordering page, and it looks like you can order a T-shirt without having to buy a ticket for the event.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Wotto on February 16, 2014, 01:02:49 PM
Enjoy the adventure  ^^^
You WILL have an absolute blast.

Hey - on Qantas you cant just check in and ask for exit rows any longer - you need to pre book one of those 'desired' seats .............and for that you PAY a premium  ^.^............actually with Qantas now you HAVE to pay to prebook ANY seat allocation ( $20.00  ^.^) otherwise you just get shoved where they put you when you check in- regardless of the time you check in.

Photos please and LOTS of them  ^^^
So jealous
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 16, 2014, 03:41:49 PM
I did notice that when I booked, but I think compared to United this trip should feel like I'm flying first class both ways ;)

Flying direct to Dallas should be a massive convenience though. Not having to navigate LAX will be a blessing.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: skywalker on February 16, 2014, 05:36:37 PM
You can actually order one yourself :) This page (https://secure.justhost.com/~texaspi2/registration_2014/tpf2014register.html) is their online ordering page, and it looks like you can order a T-shirt without having to buy a ticket for the event.

thanks  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 16, 2014, 06:35:49 PM
Don't know why I told you. Next time there's a meetup I'm gonna go with my exclusive t-shirt and every other mug will be wearing one  @.@
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: solar value on February 16, 2014, 11:25:03 PM
Please check out the Multimorphic's P3 if you can and give use a report. They are supposed to be there with a playable game.

Thanks, SV.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 17, 2014, 05:02:00 PM
Roger that. Does anyone know if Heighway will be there too? I was super excited about FT over a year ago, but that was when it was only them and JJP mass-producing new machines. With so many new manufacturers now, they've kinda fallen off the radar a bit.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: swinks on February 17, 2014, 08:55:14 PM
Not sure about Heighway as have been chatting to Andrew and they are concentrating in getting art redesigned (cab, trans and playfield) as well as a few other games a fair way into design so they can deliver when it is ready as well as getting their factory set up. I think they don't want to make promises and then not deliver so they are doing the head down bum up pinball mission as they have missed a few shows due to changes and getting the machine close to perfect.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on February 19, 2014, 11:46:38 AM
This trip is getting better and better. Conan happens to be taping a show in Dallas starting the day my flight leaves (at 10pm). Assuming it doesn't start too late, that could be the perfect bookend to my trip!
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Wotto on March 15, 2014, 05:56:35 PM
Not long to go now Shaneus  ^^^
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: swinks on March 15, 2014, 07:07:06 PM
enjoy and lots of photos or it didn't happen
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: solar value on March 28, 2014, 12:44:09 PM
Where's our guy in Texas? Arrived yet?
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on March 29, 2014, 10:04:31 AM
Oh, I'm here! Queuing up for entry for the world record attempt for most people playing pinball simultaneously. Steve Ritchie totally just walked past on his way to have a smoke, totally kept my cool.

Spent last two days or so (about 12hrs total) at Pinballz in Austin (3 hrs away). Exhausted but excited!
Title: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on March 29, 2014, 10:06:02 AM
Btw there will be photos (no idea how many) and also plenty if audio recordings using a portable stereo recorder :)

Expect detailed (if I get the chance, there's a lot of people here!) impressions of Predator, the Multimorphic platform (from the P-ROC guys) and the new Medieval Madness remake :)
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Strangeways on March 29, 2014, 11:05:27 AM
Cool !

Wotto used to do the same thing - document his trips on AP - Great viewing and stories - Enjoy your trip !
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: solar value on March 29, 2014, 11:10:53 AM
Btw there will be photos (no idea how many) and also plenty if audio recordings using a portable stereo recorder :)

Expect detailed (if I get the chance, there's a lot of people here!) impressions of Predator, the Multimorphic platform (from the P-ROC guys) and the new Medieval Madness remake :)

Awesome! Thanks, looking forward to it.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Wotto on March 29, 2014, 02:25:58 PM
Cant wait to see some detail about this trip/ show.
What a great memory you will carry - being even just a small part of a World Record   ^^^

Enjoy - and keep chatting to us.............
Visit a Dennys for a cheap feed - hey Tony  :lol :lol :lol
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: riverinapinball on March 29, 2014, 02:54:44 PM
Shane, excellent, keep the thread going
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: tonyt on March 29, 2014, 03:04:35 PM
Visit a Dennys for a cheap feed - hey Tony  :lol :lol :lol

If I can give you one word of advice, stay clear of those joints, unless you like triple fried everything.

Looking forward to your updates, especialy your thoughts on Predator.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Wotto on March 29, 2014, 05:45:25 PM
I just read this link - go take a look - what a stunning  room/ hall/ establishment for this event !
http://www.pinballnews.com/shows/tpf2014/index.html

Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: swinks on March 29, 2014, 06:07:14 PM
I just read this link - go take a look - what a stunning  room/ hall/ establishment for this event !
http://www.pinballnews.com/shows/tpf2014/index.html



that looks awesome
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Retropin on March 29, 2014, 11:10:24 PM
I just read this link - go take a look - what a stunning  room/ hall/ establishment for this event !
http://www.pinballnews.com/shows/tpf2014/index.html



that looks awesome

Now that's a show.. what a place and what about those minty minty pins?
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: goodolddays on March 30, 2014, 11:52:02 AM
Must get to one of these shows one day .. would be so great to be there
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on March 31, 2014, 05:33:34 PM
Plenty of photos and sounds to come, watch this space! In the meantime, check out episodes 71 and 72 of Coast 2 Coast Pinball podcast. Someone you guys might know may make an appearance in one of them. Maybe ;)
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Caveoftreasures on March 31, 2014, 08:59:24 PM
Excellent !
Title: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on April 01, 2014, 12:41:43 PM
I've also come away from it wanting a pin that's likely going to be completely impossible to get here... which I damn well knew would happen!

So if anyone has a cocktail/tabletop Gottlieb/Premier/International Concepts Night Moves, we should talk ;)
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Shaneus on April 04, 2014, 10:42:48 AM
Have finally uploaded all my photos! Not as many as I thought I had... perhaps I spent more time playing than I did snapping  #@#

TPF - 29/03/14 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/68553851@N05/sets/72157643376128555/)
TPF - 30/03/14 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/68553851@N05/sets/72157643376991373/)
TPF - 31/03/14 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/68553851@N05/sets/72157643377036544/)

Probably my favourite photos of the bunch... see if you can guess why (hint: not because of *my* dorky face):

(http://i.imgur.com/yGergSY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jMboZSa.jpg)
And yes, that's John Borg in the background!


I recorded some audio from the weekend as well, mostly talks from Steve Ritchie, the ColorDMD guy, Jersey Jack and the guys from Planetary Pinball. I'll upload them if there's some interest, but I don't think there was a lot of what'd be considered "juicy" info in any of them, from memory.

I also hit up Pinballz Arcade in Austin, which has about 100 machines there. I wish I took some photos there as well, they had some fantastic and unusual titles as well which were all a blast to experience.
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: Wotto on April 05, 2014, 12:20:21 AM
Thanks for the pics. Did u play Predator?
Any games that surprised you?
Great to play machines we generally dont see here aint it.

How did u find the entire experience / trip ?
Title: Re: I can't believe I'm contemplating this...
Post by: swinks on April 05, 2014, 07:12:53 AM
yes, thanks for the photos, yes what Wotto said, curious of the overall experience and any other pinball visits elsewhere.