Livin it One Day at A Time

I promised myself I wouldn’t.

I told people. It was over, I had over come.

For some reason, my eyes opened up at 4:20 am, and I was ready to shop!

WHAT THE HECK!?!?!

So, I participated in the day after holiday of Black Friday.

This involved me and my mother (who I just barely got over walking in front of to make sure she doesn’t embarrass me *Hi Mom!*) walking amongst the throngs of people who were fighting hand and tooth to get at what they wanted. I witnessed people with so much *stuff* that they were kicking piles of stuff as the line moved.

And then I got one thing and paid for it and was gone. Oh the sweet, sweet Irony.

We then wandered over to Target where people were running to get in line. Later on, I was laughing as people were pushing each other out of the way in the effort to find that one “super” deal.

Eventually I found my mom in line (after I was finished getting scowled at as I was laughing) and we started towards the check out. At this point I will liken this trip to those of the 49rs, or other great people who had a pilgrimage. It seemed to be that as we moved closer and closer more pieces of clothing and toys (we found a PSP and a karaoke machine) being disguarded as people slogged their way to the check out. Some were bound to be running out of food and water, others, freezing to the ground as they walked across the plains… Wait.. Strike that, I automatically went into Pioneer day mode, sorry. So, as I disguarded my tool chest that I found I didn’t need, I made my way to the forefront and paid for my stuff. Two DVDs.

I mean, I like collecting stuff as much as the next guy, but for the most part, mine weigh 300lbs and make all kinds of clattery sounds and blinky lights.

You know. I could blog about my journey into handiness.

You know, the one where I helped a friend of mine change out my serpentine belt, and then my truck battery, and how I totally ripped up my thumb in a wrench related accident, and make the stereotypical male grunting noises (gruunt gruuuuunntt). I won’t though, because this blog totally deserves to see my other obsession.

Wait. Re-reading the last paragraph, and seeing how many times I used the word totally makes me like, totally feel like I am channeling a Valley girl, I have to like, Totally stop that.

So where was I?

Oh yes.

As some might have deduced from my sly references to arcade games, I’m a collector/restorer of Pinball machines and hopefully Arcade Games. In a recent article from some Fancy San-Francisco news paper it interviews some guys who are now my heros. From the article:

When the old arcades closed, however, the games of Robotron, Punch Out and Moon Patrol only seemed to disappear into thin air. Nostalgic collectors, many with the restorative passion of a muscle-car enthusiast and the lack of restraint of a crazy cat lady, have rebuilt their own wonderful arcades in garages, warehouses and lofts. And for the most part, they really want you to play with them.

You know, I’ve always been looking for words to describe my obsession with Arcade/Pinball machines. “Crazy Cat Lady” kind of fits that bill. Though friends and family, they’d probably call it something else due to the fact that like only half of them work. I get compared to Red Necks more times than I like to admit.

So. Without much further ado, here’s my Collection. For you to drool over and lust after (Well at least Gordon.)

Arcade Games
Battlezone
Star Wars
Dragons Lair
Primal Rage
Killer Instinct 2

Pinball Machines
The Addams Family
Dr. Who
Twilight Zone
Terminator 2
Fish Tales
Star Trek The Next Generation
Brahm Stokers Dracula
Pinbot
The Shadow
Indiana Jones Pinball Adventure
Whitewater
Johnny Mnemonic
Star Wars
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Edition
Dealers Choice

Other Coin Op Stuff
Gumball Machine
Pop Machine

Yeah. I’m a freak.

But at least I keep the company entertained.

I know.

I know.

I’ve been a bad blogger.

Is it because I’ve been obsessing about an Xbox 360 (when in reality, I’ll only play one game)?

Is it because I’ve been dealing with a full personal life?

Is it because my laptop bit the dust?

Is it because I’ve been saving up all my blog energy/creativity to post a obvious “I Want” Christmas List?

Is it because I got a new pinball machine?

The answer is no, no, no, yes, no.

In reality, I don’t know what’s going on, or why I’ve been so lax.

But, if you want a look into my psyche or are after a nerd of your own, you might want to read this little article by Rands in Repose called The Nerd Handbook. He describes very much what I feel myself to be like. Even more when he mentions the Nerd Cave.

I’ll admit it, I have a Nerd Cave. I’ll admit it, because everyone else will tell me that I have one after they read the article.

And family members have been recipients of “The Snap”.

So nice to not be all alone in the world