I hadn't seen a pinball machine until going to University in the early 90's
I began looking after the games room which consisted of 1 pinball, 3 arcade cabs and a table football, by the end of the year it was up to 3 pinball machines.
In the second year my day consisted of: meeting the engineer who would put credits on the machines while I play-tested them in turn. Then I would travel with him to each of the other 6 halls of residence doing the same thing, before going out to the other machines sited in pubs. My degree took somewhat of a back seat.
Then they were forgotten about as they disappeared from public venues and I had a job to do.

It was just 6 years ago while on holiday I saw an Addams in an arcade and decided to play a single game, over 2hrs later with credits still left on the machine from replays, specials and high score awards my partner dragged me out.
I searched the internet to see if there were any arcades near my home which had machines and came across the UKPinballLeague website. Attended my first meeting (which was the last of that season) and was made to feel very welcome.
Turned up the following season and won the league. Was offered the loan of a machine while I was saving for one of my own and it has since grown from there. Up to 3 machines, purely due to space constraints, am the co-ordinator of 2 different leagues, run 3 national tournaments a year, as well as attending the majority of UK tournaments (have even managed to win a fair few trophies along the way).

Quite simply a great hobby, with the chance to put in as much as you want, and meet lots of different people from all walks of life with a common love of pinball.