You can only have 1

By pauloz

January 27, 2016

This story got frontpaged on March 28, 2024


8 years ago

Like many people in the 70's, I played pinball on the way home from school. Sometimes, I would lose all track of time and be home late and rather than tell my Mother that I spent my lunch money on pinball, I would tell her I had detention which also meant that I was in trouble when Dad got home. I loved pinball.

I stopped playing when I started work for a bank in 1980 as i just didnt have time for it anymore. Too busy at the pub playing pool.

Fast forward to five years ago when I was looking at an online auction site and came accross a pinball machine. I had no idea that they were still available so I checked out if there were others for sale and told my Wife that I would like to get one.

Sure, she said 'but you can only have one'

Well my first was a Stargate machine as I was also told not to spend too much money as I would be over it in a week. That didnt happen and I somehow taled her into letting me have another, and before I knew it I had 5 - 2 downstairs and 3 upstairs in the lounge room.

As we all know, there is always a game that comes up for sale that we just have to have and I had a chance to get a Medival Madness and was faced with having to sell Twilight Zone to make room. Not wanting to do that, I decided to make a room to put them all in and the trade off was that my Wife would no longer have any machines in the lounge room.

Now I have 10 at home and 6 down at our beach house and a Hobbit on the way. Not bad considering I can only have 1.

Story photos

No photos are attached to this story.



Comments

8 years ago

After buying my first pin (F-14 Tomcat) about 2 months ago, I am convinced that there is no such thing as "just one" pinball. Already on the hunt for my second. Great read and good luck with the new machine!

8 years ago

"Progression of a Pinball Addict" - Stage 2

8 years ago

Yes but I have run out of room now but as my friend reminded me, I have said that before. About 4 pins ago.

8 years ago

My one, is still my one at our other house, one is now 10
But 1 is still 1 as far as Big Ball bowlers go!

8 years ago

Great story! I am just getting started in the hobby and recently just purchased two machines to start my collection off. I got a non working spy hunter because I wanted to begin to learn how to repair and maintain a machine. I also managed to find and pickup a working Medusa table to play on for fun in the meantime so that I have a Pin to enjoy while I work and learn on the other. Also the wife really thought it was a cool table so hopefully it gets her into pinball even more! 100% Definitely still looking for more ways to increase space for the inevitable next pin, and also thinking about which ones I might be able to get in the future!

8 years ago

Very cool, no machines for me yet but I can't bring myself to get a table that I don't love just to have one. WCS is the one I want, but it has to be in good condition as I'm not able to fix non- working machines yet. Seriously can't wait for that day to arrive, thank your lucky stars you have what you have!
Too bad you don't live on the West Island ;)

8 years ago

Thanks for sharing! I love the part about saying you had detention instead of admitting you "wasted" your lunch money on pinball.

8 years ago

Nice write up! - Congrats on the epic collection. :)

8 years ago

Your wife is a very understanding woman. You are a lucky guy!

8 years ago

I have a friend that bought his first one recently (4 months ago). I am amazed that he is showing absolutely zero signs of wanting another... I consider that amazing restraint!

8 years ago

Great read and great job on the collection! I am miles away from getting "my first" pin done but catch myself checking for what's available lol.

8 years ago

I echo the sentiment that I want a table but have to wait to get one that I really love. I knew I felt that way about a year ago, but I've played so many new tables in the past few months on purpose, and now the number of tables I "love" has skyrocketed. So I guess my chances are better at finding one to start my collection with :)

Add a comment

Wanna make a comment? Click here to sign in or register.



This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/community/pinsiders/pauloz/stories/you-can-only-have-1 and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.