Expo... what can i say that hasnt already been said? What a buzz!!!
The lead up to this for me was just one mass of stress - i arrive at Sydney airport at 4.30pm, jump on the phone to Rian and my stuff STILL has not turned up. The offices of the transport companies shut at 5pm and if i dont get it sorted by then - its game over for me. Thanks mate - whoever you are at Northline Transport for personally delivering my box to expo after hearing why it HAD to be there - you're a life saver!
Then comes the day itself - i havent pulled out the backglasses yet as im too afraid they got broken, but they were in one piece and looking good.
I had myself, my wife to be, my son (7) step daughter (4) and a 4 month baby on my stall - the kids didnt miss a beat - had been on the go from 6am right through till 10pm and they were fantastic!
I have honestly never talked so much in my life - non stop enquiries and chat from 9am till my first sit down at 4pm. My throat is still sore from talking too much and i do like a chat, but man... i didnt expect to chat so much!
All i can say is that Expo WENT OFF! They were queuing to get in at 8.30am when i turned up to man my stall, at one point i looked up and it was chock a block with people. I gave out nearly 200 business cards - thats how popular restoration is - i could have sold everything on my stall several times over, but nothing bar the neon signs were for sale - i was just showcasing my work.
I had to laugh at one point... one guy in particular came to the stall and wanted to know why the Bally Lost World PF was on there - i told him the story and showed where the PF had been worn to bare wood and subsequently restored. Out came the glasses and then real close scrutiny, tilting his head to get good light bounce. Later he came back with his mate and both were studying my work.. then he looks up and says "theres nothing there - i cant see it, you havent done anything".
I couldnt have asked for a better compliment!
Thanks everyone that came and said hello - its so good to actually meet you all - Tony, im glad you are pleased with the work i did on your BG ( thats both Tonys!!)
I picked up a lot of playfield restoration work at Expo and had a ball.
Now that pic of me playing Police Force - well i was on my way for a pee at the time but quickly grabbed A machine while i could - any machine... after that i never really got another chance to play any.
My only gripe is a member here - Spurr - be careful of this man, he comes across as a nice bloke but then goes and buys Bank A Ball score and instruction cards with schematic for $10 and takes great delight in showing me them... lets me "look after" them for a while and then takes the damn things home with him!
Will i do the expo thing again?? ABSOLUTELY!!! Next year though, ill have restored PF's for sale - i hope to come back with nothing!!!
