well well Nino ....


it happens to us all .

I live by   once its not fun  I move on.  
you dont live to work    you work to live ...
you work for your family   to see the smiles on the things you

i live to see my little girls faces when i work in , to talk to my older daughter.

this industry has gotten to me a few times  but at this stage not enough to move on. yes I have thought it and come close
I then sit back and think of the good people involved  and the nice ones .
there are some real ratbags  in pinball but you must forget these


mate think of your family  and think of what you can do for them and DONT miss the kids growing up. I can see that little smile on Zacs face when you get home, if anything like when I bring a pin over  , you are so lucky  to have that .  thats just one of the best things we as dads  get.

do what you makes you happy , do what gives you time with your kids  your wife .  

ifs its not fun   , sit down  talk to your wife  and take time to think what your next move . talk to your dad  too .  
even  take a week away   take a month off  
fix some your 37 pins you have ......

now  go back and play pinball   ITS FUN

I know I wont be in pinball for ever and will enjoy what time I have left and love seeing peoples faces when I drop them off
seeing the kids  play and the smile   thats  just gold for me.   but I know  in a couple of years   we will just have the parts site and a few pins.
you wont get rid of me just yet as we still have a few hundred in stock and working on more  but time changes everything.
I will contnue to chase more parts and build the site to service my customers for YEARS to come.


mark


now no more serious posts     I need a drink    ( smoke is close enough     havent had one for them for over 10 years   well 10 years  3 months and 5 days )

That's a really insightful post - Thanks for that Mark...

I WILL be looking at moving on either at the end of this year, or within 2 years. The only other thing I know outside of IT is Pinball. So I will definitely look at something in that area.. I did speak to Dad about it - He said "NOOOOOO" - But he has a wealth of knowledge and a couple of buildings I can use. Ironically, one of the buildings was "purpose built" back in the old days.. So I may go "full circle"..

No offense intended to the full time or part time guys in the industry, but I don't see working on pinballs as "work". I find it challenging and relaxing. It will allow me to spend more time with the family.

I guess the hardest part is the first step..and I won't be taking that "first step" until the family have been consulted.. So far, so good...

Thanks to all for the great replies