I will post a "short as possible" recap for those that probably have little or no idea of the background story. I'll keep it as short and concise as I can.
About 5 years ago, my wife of nearly 40 years, Karen & I decided the time was right to expand our activities and build pinball machines. We were already well established in China with a trading company, an office in the electronics market and staff in China.
We set aside money for the venture and arranged the license for Thunderbirds. We identified our potential (initial) target market and away we went.
All of our business life we have structured our affairs so that Karen held all the assets and I held all of the liabilities. This is a very common practice in Australia but I am told it is not so common elsewhere.
Karen passed away nearly two years ago now, and I still think of her daily. I had no access to any funds for about eight months and almost went broke during this time. If it were not for my excellent and supportive agents who bought up containers of Hankin tables to help my cash flow until Karen's estate could be finalised.
During this time zero pinball development work could be done as every penny was spent paying staff and rent.
Then, before Karen's estate was resolved, our programmer died in his sleep in his dormitory (he was only 43). I had to find almost AU$50K to pay out his family - money I didn't have to spare right at this critical time that's for sure.
Anyway, all of these things as well as 2000 more are responsible for the one year delay in our plan to bring the pinball factory to life. I am very grateful to the small number of TAG pre-order buyers who have stood by our efforts during this time and my supportive agents. I accept that all delays are ultimately my responsibility and I have to deal with it but sometimes 'shit happens' and there isn't a lot you can do about it.
Believe me, when Karen passed away I could have very easily just thrown my hands in the air, walked out the door and thrown the keys away but Karen wouldn't have wanted all of our hard work and planning to end like that.
To be reminded at this time (Karen's 2 year anniversary of passing) about the four years since announcement, by a callous and careless post, made by a well known troll already banned on Australian forums for some time now, well, it was just too much for me. The TBAG thing I take as (usually) a well intentioned joke - that's fine, I have a good sense of humor I believe. But the four years thing was just too much for me when the full story is known.
Thanks for reading, let's get back to life in China and development of all things pinball.
Vail, AZ
it really is fascinating!
Halifax, NS
Windsor
Warrington
Auckland
