I decided this year to do a big year for pinball. I had never heard of a big year before that movie with jack black came out about the people who try to see as many birds as they can in one year. I thought it was a made up concept, but it is actually a prestigious competition in the birding community. I've always played pinball but I just got into the hobby last year and I decided to do a big year for pinball so I can immerse myself in the culture and play a bunch of really cool games.
I made a blog to detail my progress, my first blog ever, so check it out. I'm hoping to put links to some great pinball resources like pinside so if you think of ones that should be on there, let me know
Thanks
Lou

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/

I liked the movie as well. It's a really serious thing that birdwatchers do. My girlfriend is a birdwatcher and she's doing her big year and she's obsessed with it. I figured i'd play a bunch of games like the old gottlieb wedgeheads that I never played and it would be fun seeking out games that I haven't played yet.

Who's got a big bang bar I can play???

I'm not near vegas, I'm in NJ but I'm near silverball which has like 200 machines (I went on a saturday and I was there for like 5 hours and I played about 20 different machines) and there's a museum in baltimore, plus the allentown show, the white rose in york pa, and I'm going to go to pinburgh in Pittsburgh for the 1st time and maybe the chicago expo.

I'm thinking 1,000 different machines, but that might be a little ambitious.

Also, I'm not just playing 1 ball or 1 game on a machine. I'm playing, trying to figure out the rule sets and trying to have a good game, trying to see which games I really like and dislike.

Thanks for the tips on where to play and gabe I'll have to stop by and play your orbitor, solar fire and sea witch, i've never played any of those.

The linked NBA fastbreaks is really fantastic, it's such a different pinball experience and in the NBAs they tell you who's winning throughout the game and it's really intense.

I've been to the pinball parlor and some of the games are in wretched shape, and it's a shame because the have a great lineup (MM, MB, AFM, NGG, JY, WH2O, CFTBL, STTNG), but I'm curious to check out their Ems next time I'm there.

I added a bunch of good pinball resources. If you take a look at the blog, let me know if there are any good ones that I'm missing. I'm still updating the places to place resource.
thanks
Lou

You can play the NGG, JY, CFTBL, MB, they are beaters, but they play fine. I think the scared stiff and EATPM work okay as well, as least they did when I was there a few months ago. A few of the machines are right under fluorescent lights so the glare is awful. They are open like 7 to 10 every night, play unlimited for 15. If you know what day you're going you can call to see if he will be around and you might be able to go earlier (he'll open up if he's doesn't have anything else planned). I would definitely check it out. They have a banzai run as well

Mike
I added your place to my blog for places to play. I don't know if I'll be able to make it up there on the 22nd, but I will definitely be by sometime this year to check out your place. I've got to come check out that Hulk avengers. It looks awesome. Thanks for the information.

new post about my visit to silverball in NJ

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/trip-1-silverball-museum-asbury-park-nj-january-26th-2013/

I'm going to do a little bit of both. I'm going to hit all of the shows/expos that I can. Going to york, allentown, pinburgh and the places that have games like the museum in Baltimore and there are some places in NH. I'm going to try to make it out to Las Vegas or Oakland for their museums as well.

I'm also open to go to any generous pinsider's to play.

added reviews of ocean lanes in lakewood, burlington center mall in burlington county and jilly's in ocean city NJ.

updates of 8 on the break in dunellen NJ and my buddy's place. Hopefully going to the Fairfax pinball show tomorrow as well.

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/yestercades-red-bank-nj-february-18th/

Yestercades update and next will be the fairfax pinball open

fairfax pinball open update...going to the pinball museum in baltimore on saturday.

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/fairfax-pinball-open-february-22nd/

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/national-pinball-museum-baltimore-md-march-2st-2013/

National pinball museum update, Baltimore Maryland. They closed today, but hopefully they can find a new lease soon.

I appreciate that very much. You've got a spectacular collection. ThatAlvin G soccer ball looks really interesting. I really like the head to head pins a lot.

Crab Towne USA update in Glen Burnie Maryland. This crazy crab and keno place with about 50 arcade games and 20 pins. A lot in beat shape, definitely a place to check out if you are in the baltimore area.

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/crab-towne-usa-glen-burnie-md-march-2nd-2013/

added total mileage and total cost to the site...

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/

Added some updates and a new poll about which new stern is the best. please go on and vote. it is greatly appreciated.
thanks
Lou

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/

Thanks a lot. How is space jam? I've never seen one and I like basketball themed pins and I really want to check one out.

http://bigyearpinball.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/the-american-music-pop-culture-expo-hershey-pa-the-wizard-of-oz-review-1-march-292013/

wizard of oz and more...my review of pinburgh soon....