Hi Guys,
Just a bit of background before i answer the questions below.
I have fond memories of pinballs in my younger years but sadly moved away from them and i think i blame my love of the video game. It is only in the last year that i have found pinball again through the forums where i have met some great people and continue doing so. They have helped me reignite the passion for pinball and i know its something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
And 
at least this thread wont be as long as the Pro Football thread.1. Earliest pinball memory?It was when i went on a table tennis camp (yeah i know lol) that we stayed in a caravan park in the hunter valley region. The guy had some video games and 1 pin (an EM but cant remember the title) and the sounds of the clanging and clicking will be something i never forget. Unfortunately around that time video machines kind of took over for me so i only played the occasional pin from then on.. sad..
2. All time favorite pin? Why?I would have to say flash as it was one pin that i seemed to run into a lot. I remember it fondly as a machine that i got my moneys worth on with great eye candy and low woo woo sounds that were mesmerising. Of course after many years without playing flash, i got a chance to play one at Greg's place (extra ball) and it brought back those memories. I played his other machines too but kept coming back to the flash. Now that Paul has acquired it, i hope to be able to keep playing it and with Pauls turnover rate on pins, i may even be able to buy it one day
3. Favorite pinball manufacture?I'm going to have to say Williams. My first pin is a williams and flash seals the deal.
4. Favorite game in your collection? Why?Well my collection being so small i will pick the one that works (my gulfstream)
. Its a simple game with add a ball and also adds credits. Its a robust machine which hasnt missed a beat since i got her for $500.
5. How long have you been collecting?Less than a year
6. First game and how did you find it?Gulfstream and it was while surfing through AA that Greg (extra ball again!!!) gave me the heads up on it!
7. Do you still have it?Yes but it requires serious restoration. I dont think i'll ever sell it though as its my first and its from the same month and year of my birth. I will restore her lovingly and hope to learn heaps along the way.
8. What are you currently working on? anyone who has read my "mega thread" would know its a Pro Football. I must say that regardless of the pain this machine has caused me, it has given me an opportunity to ask lots of questions on this forum and forced me to actually get my head under the playfield and learn a little about these fantastic machines.
9. Most wanted game to add to your collection?Im not one for the cookie cutter games that have the huge production runs but ironically it would have to be a flash!!! Of course any em's are more than welcome to join the line up!!
10. Best all time bargain game added to your collection?$500 for the Gulfstream for a game that works perfectly!!!
11. Worst ever miss – tell us about the one that got away!Jurasssic Park for just over $1600. I have to get this one for my son and i wasnt watching properly on ebay. Got sniped which really upset me and my son...
12. Worst ever purchase – tell us about the game you wished you never boughtPeople might say Pro football but i cant say thats true. Both of my machines are saveable and will scrub up a treat when im done with them.
13. Describe your collectionMinimalistic
but its definately given me a taste for things to come. I plan on a few signature EM's and some classic SS's.
14. Describe your gamesroomUp for discussion but the missus has been quite supportive. She has given me 2 options:
a) I'm allowed to take up the FULL double garage OR
b) Enclose the current patio area which is 7 x 5
Im in a bit of a holding pattern while my parents are staying with me. When my parents move into their new place at the end of this month, i will give the whole joint a clean and work out the best way to set up a gamesroom.
15. Do you have other games other than pinball?Yes!! my scratch built MAME machine that i built with my dad. Here's a couple of pics of my pride and joy
16. Where can you see the hobby in 10 years?I think that there will always be an interest in pins and as such the future looks strong. As long as there are enthusiasts like us who play and maintain these pieces of history, they will always live on. I just have to look at crowds like the last expo where one minute and old man is challenging me on a machine thats older than me to a 5 year old kid asking me how to start a game, i can see that pinball appeals to people of all ages.
