Who is koontz? Never heard of him

No just geeks. And for the most part they are right. Ever been to a pinball convention? I went once. Once.

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Yeah, normal people think we’re insane.

As far as I remember, Dean Koontz is famous for being a bad writer. Shows like Family Guy have used him as a punchline for "worst best-selling author."

The funny part is I delivered some pins to Deans place in Newport quite a few years ago.

Wish I could capture some of the looks non-pinball (boring)
people give us when they see a house full of pinball machines
for the first time.

Yeah, they think we're bonkers. Visit some of these folks homes
and their places are *empty*, often having a huge TV, couch
and little else. Methinks that is a dismal existence.
Steve

I don't care what that person thinks. Neither should you. Enjoy the hobby you want. Playball.

My favorite thing is when someone comes over for the first time and says "So what do those things cost, like $800?"

Just answer “yes” or they will start telling you what else you can do with “that kind of money”. Hint: if you are not my financial advisor, I do not care what you think I should do with my money. I earned it and I will decide how to spend it, thank you.

There's a 1965 documentary called "Primitive London" about the city's nightlife, where pinballers are depicted as antisocial, obsessive deviants.

Actually, watchers is a very good book

Thats close to correct. The average person doesn't have 3 pinball machines in their bedroom, or in their house period.
It's a Niche Sport. Really Niche.

Sounds like this guy has closet pinball envy. Maybe his wife capped him at 2.

Given what I’ve seen from “normal” these last few months, I say yes, and thanks for the compliment!!!

Yes. Haha.

My neighbor is the most uptight ex-hippie and can’t pass up the chance to make a snide comment any time he sees me move a game or sees the lights from my basement. Otherwise a great guy. I can’t understand why people give a shit.

Because it’s not what everyone else is doing. Want to waste 40-50k on a fancy truck you don’t need? No one will bat an eye. Spend a third of that to fill your basement with pins, and you’re a lunatic.

If its about the Joy, that the games bring, I find people I just meet, to share in that fun with curiosity.

If the conversation is about money, I tend to steer away from the topic, since "money" produces
behavior these days from some, that I tend to shy away from.

So, Im either a big kid, or a cool old man. Both with issues.

I don’t know who the hell Dean Koontz is , so who cares what he thinks . Maybe if he had some pinball machines I’d know who he was but he doesn’t and I don’t . Dean Koontz is obviously a nobody , screw him . ... and also most pinball collectors are insane .

The people who say were crazy for liking pinball are really jealous because we found something we are happy with.

They wish they could do the same.

He’s a writer. The type who puts out ten books a year and you can by them at the supermarket. I thought he had pinball machines so maybe this is some weird inside joke or something...

Does he have Fabio on the cover of his books ?

Aw, dont shoot the author! I know books arent read much but Dean is 74, and has had many Best sellers.
105 Novels, 450 Million in sales.
Not quite Stephen King, but heres a clip showing screen adaptions made into movies.

I personally did not enjoy his writing, but as I have been working too hard on not getting a book written, admire his perseverance.
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https://gamerant.com/interview-author-dean-koontz-talks-storytelling-video-games/

A quote from this interview:

"We have an arcade in the bottom floor of our house, with old pinball machines--Haunted House, Eight Ball Deluxe, and Old Chicago--and with one two-seat console player loaded with 8 classic games, so once in a while, not often, I get half an hour to slip into the arcade and play Ms. PacMan. If I ever retire, I might become totally game crazed... "

Hell, I thought I was bonkers when I was looking for an empty space for #2 pin. And hit me. I had been sleeping on the couch for several years and go to sleep to the big screen. Feeling bonkers became history as I gave the mattress to the Salvation Army, converted the dresser and chest of drawers in to parts cabinets. I also decided I did not want to inherit my mom's china hutch loaded with what-nots.

I now have 8 pins shoveled in and everything seems perfectly normal The only thing to look at are some pictures on the wall. Everything else has some sort of manual function going on.
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Granted, Tim Pierce, is selling guitar tutorial services, instead of raking out a few chords, and maybe this is an office but I think it is his living room.

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Pins are no different than a couple of guitars and a drum kit filling a room. And then we have the model train guys. Model railroading can be an isolated hobby. You have the lone golfers or fishermen out in quite solitude. Anything can be a solitary hobby. And pinball parties get a lot of social action going on.

Nobody I know knows that I have pinball machines. It’s a dark secret.

Haha that totally makes sense now

Yes, that’s what normal people think. You did not know?

I have seen some folks literally afraid of Pinball Machines. They come over and look at the games but won't touch them! Won't go near them! Even if you invite them to play they won't engage. Whats wrong man, afraid of a little fun? I don't get it. Heck double flip, I don't care, just enjoy the game. But nope no joy.

But then they buy $60,000 fishing boats....and that is normal!

I don't really care what disparaging things someone else says about certain hobbies or something that I enjoy. What they say isn't going to make me enjoy it any less. And if they don't enjoy it, then they're just missing out.

Anyone remember when superheros were laughed at years ago?

Now Marvel is pretty much the biggest movie studio on the planet, with a film in the #1 spot of top grossing films, and #2 spot for number of movies in a franchise (second only to James bond).

While pinball isn't necessarily a direct comparison, just in the time I've been in the hobby, I've seen it explode in popularity. While the current world-wide crisis has put a damper on locations and a shows, it seems like the home market is still very healthy, especially with the addition of home game rentals.

Yes, there are some downsides in that pins are big, take up a lot of space, and that certain ones can be expensive, but the same could be said about the car hobby.

Don't live your life worrying about what strangers think of you.

Checks out.

Ok so our instincts are correct, he's just jealous that his lineup isn't as robust as he wants, and he doesn't have enough time to flip.
Mind you, as a trio of games go, HH, EBD, and OC is pretty super.

It's only a fictional story. My neighbors, friends, and most coworkers think my pins are awesome though they don't own any. I hope hope all hotel caretakers aren't perceived as in The Shining.

I don’t live my life worrying about what family thinks of me. Everyone else has NO shot.

Koontz is a hack. Always has been.

Good to see you read the whole thread

I haven't read all of his books as you have. A read a few. I thought that some were awesome and some I didn't enjoy so much.

I wish I could say that about "Mr. Murder" It was a chore to finish.

This seems like an abbreviated exert. If this character has no family, no social life, and the only thing in his living quarters is six pinball machines and a mattress surrounded by candy wrappers and other food garbage, that would be immature.

Owning pinball machines in itself does not mean anything to one's maturity level.

I've read a couple Koontz books. They were OK, if pretty light.
Anybody who looks down on pinball as a hobby, F 'em.

I read Watchers a few years ago. It's the only Koontz book I've read and it was decent. I've accumulated about 75 different Koontz books from buying bulk lots this year and just started reading a second one last night. With 500+ million books sold, I assume he tells some good stories, but his writing style is really putting me off.

IMHO, not really caring about what other people think is part of the foundation of pinball, whether playing, collecting, homebrew or working in the industry. Either you get pinball or you don't. Some people are just joyless in their lives and they choose to crap on those who have found joy and enjoyment in their hobby or work or . . . .

Right now pinball collectors are having a much easier time staying sane during this pandemic than most others.

Most of of neighbors are pretty apathetic about it. They’re not rude, but they really don’t seem to care which is good with me.
My neighbor’s wife rolls her eyes when we each trailer our cars to the track, but that’s about it.

And I must be of limited intelligence because I’ve enjoyed a few of Koontz’ books.

I got into pinball in order to mingle with the rich and famous, join the in-crowd and be the envy of my neighborhood. For some reason these things never quite panned out and now, after having read through this thread, I think I may have miscalculated. I thought everybody knew what a Medieval Madness or Metallica LE went for these days.

We all "nerd out" over something.

That is true of every hobby. If it brings happiness to you. That is what is important.

LTG : )