Pinball Article in the New York Times Today...

Quoted from CrazyLevi:
Like really, what specifically set off your "dork alarm?"

Anybody who uses nicknames when competing or playing.

#7 7 years ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Crazy Levi's Pinball

New York, NY

10y 148K 33,539

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
Anybody who uses nicknames when competing or playing.

OK Beelzebob, if that IS your real name.

Sean "The Storm" Grant uses that name in daily life, which is of course awesome. I think it's on his driver's license. And when I see Zen at a metal show I say "Hi Zen." That's what everybody calls him whether or not he's playing pinball.

I really can't believe a guy who is as into pinball as you wants to label anybody as "dorky." What do you think your neighbors, family and friends think of you?

#8 7 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from spfxted:
I read it and didn't find this. What part made you think that?

Right in the first paragraph.

Anyone that names themselves after a French painting by Cot, is by definition, a major dork.

1880_Pierre_Auguste_Cot_-_The_Storm (resized).jpg

#9 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from CrazyLevi:
I really can't believe a guy who is as into pinball as you wants to label anybody as "dorky." What do you think your neighbors, family and friends think of you?

That I'm a total nerd, geek, AND dork. And they're right. What's your point?

Again...I'm going by Douchenozzle now. WAY cooler.

#10 7 years ago

ABB

Aurich

Mods and Opinions

Torrance, CA

11y 144K 23,395 3

Every eSport I follow has players listed by nickname over real name. I can't see a problem with it.

#11 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from Aurich:
Every eSport I follow has players listed by nickname over real name. I can't see a problem with it.

Oh, brother.

In a related story, I'm selling off my entire collection and getting out.

Sayonara.

#12 7 years ago

BUZ

Buzz

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 106K 3,115

I only go by nick name, real life or pinball, I'm the Buz. 6'2, big beard,260 lbs, electrical lineman who climbs 200 ft towers and rides under helicopters by a 200 ft leash. And I am a supper nerd with 16 pins and some vids. I think most people think of me as that guy with all those pins, than nerd. Nerds are cool.

#13 7 years ago

???

littlecammi

Pinside member

Carol Stream, IL

11y 82,650 4,533 19

Didn't The Big Bang Theory make being a nerd acceptable? (Or maybe even somewhat cool?)

(I wanted to assign myself a nickname, but all the good ones were already taken.)

#14 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

I remember when I went to my first competition I assumed everyone would have nicknames. There weren't many of us back then

"Like many of the players, Frederick Asher, known as Freddy,.." what a goddamn dork...these kids with their nicknames now

#15 7 years ago

SJD

muzikman

Pinside member

10y 58,400 142 88

The nicknames just added another element of fun and humor to keep the reader engaged. The article noted that pinball players come from various walks of life, many of them with very respectable and not necessarily geeky jobs. He did focus a lot on describing the various competitors and what they wore, drank, etc. but nothing wrong with that. Focusing purely on the technical aspects of pinball and the basic facts would have made it much less interesting for the average reader.

#16 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Hey, look...I get it. But as much as people call me "Boob" here and in person, I'm not really sure I'd want them saying in an article that I go by Boob to my friends. And people that call me Boob are always eventually asked to just call me Randy. I've written for the Times; never did it occur to me to put Beelzeboob in the byline. It's just weird to me. Levi is Levi...I didn't call him CrazyLevi when I met him.

Okay, so I guess I'm the weird one. What else is new?

#17 7 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from littlecammi:
Didn't The Big Bang Theory make being a nerd acceptable?

Just the opposite, it made nerds look stupid; so now all the smart outcasts want to be Bellas or Tonehangers.

#18 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
Hey, look...I get it. But as much as people call me "Boob" here and in person, I'm not really sure I'd want them saying in an article that I go by Boob to my friends. And people that call me Boob are always eventually asked to just call me Randy.

Jesus, Boob is much better than Randy...wtf. It's not our fault you picked a dumbass name

#19 7 years ago

j_m_

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 124K 7,590

Quoted from TheLaw:
Jesus, Boob is much better than Randy...wtf. It's not our fault you picked a dumbass name

watch it bobby!

#20 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

http://comicsuclick.org/bloomcounty/2015/05/04

Quoted from j_m_:
watch it bobby!

You don't even have a name...just initials like some sort of molester.

#21 7 years ago

CBM

spfxted

Pinside member

Saddle River, NJ

12y 147K 24,661 4 9

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
In a related story, I'm selling off my entire collection and getting out.

Can I purchase your C37??

#22 7 years ago

WTF

SirScott

Pinside member

Dearborn, MI

11y 66,800 1,470 24

Only the following people should be allowed to have nicknames:

1. Those under 20 years of age
2. Those that are in the military
3. Those that are in a (real) band
4. Those who have a hard-to-pronounce name--where it is is easier to have a nickname than to explain how to pronounce it

#23 7 years ago

DXV

chadderack

Pinside member

Sandy, UT

10y 108K 2,851 15 43

Quoted from spfxted:
I read it and didn't find this. What part made you think that?

#24 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from spfxted:
Can I purchase your C37??

No. I just drove 1000 miles to pick it up. That being said, after I fully restore it, maybe, because it's just too damned easy (but fun!) but it won't be cheap. I'm trying to roll it to 300,000 at this point.

Besides, you're just kidding. You already owned one.

#25 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from TheLaw:
Jesus, Boob is much better than Randy...wtf. It's not our fault you picked a dumbass name

My parents aren't from this country.

#26 7 years ago

SKY

Skypilot

Pirates Life Pinball Co

11y 155K 6,675 32 1

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
My parents aren't from this country.

Planet

#27 7 years ago

TRC

Cornelius

Blocked

9y 1,784

Pinball players are dorks. Videogame players are dorks. Boardgame players are dorks. Who cares?

Nicknames are fine. People that DEMAND to be called by their nicknames are unbearable.

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
Levi is Levi...I didn't call him CrazyLevi when I met him.

I'm very surprised you weren't forced to bow before him and kiss his ring.

#28 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from Cornelius:
Nicknames are fine. People that DEMAND to be called by their nicknames are unbearable.

The Maestro!

#29 7 years ago

TRC

Cornelius

Blocked

9y 1,784

Quoted from TheLaw:
The Maestro!

That's a badass nickname AND a badass Beastie Boys song. I'm all for it!

#30 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Bobcobb (resized).jpg

#31 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from Cornelius:
People that DEMAND to be called by their nicknames are unbearable.

I think this was my point all along. The article made it sound like that's what they preferred to go by. That's just ridiculous to me.

I can just hear my wife saying to me, "Hey, Douchenozzle...are you inviting Storm and Zen over for the Super Bowl party?"

Sounds ridiculous.

#32 7 years ago

RDM

boscokid

Pinside member

Wilmington, DE

9y 83,050 2,755 4

Quoted from SirScott:
Only the following people should be allowed to have nicknames:
1. Those under 20 years of age
2. Those that are in the military
3. Those that are in a (real) band
4. Those who have a hard-to-pronounce name--where it is is easier to have a nickname than to explain how to pronounce it

5. Strippers
6. Pro athletes

#33 7 years ago

TAF

smailskid

Pinside member

Iron Mountain, MI

10y 41,300 316 3

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
I think this was my point all along. The article made it sound like that's what they preferred to go by. That's just ridiculous to me.
I can just hear my wife saying to me, "Hey, Douchenozzle...are you inviting Storm and Zen over for the Super Bowl party?"
Sounds ridiculous.

Its THE Storm. Get it right

#34 7 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Quoted from smailskid:
Its THE Storm. Get it right

Yeah his wife can't say "Hey Douchenozzle, I hear Storm is coming."
Takes all the poetry out of it.

#35 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from smailskid:
Its THE Storm. Get it right

Quoted from TheLaw:
Yeah his wife can't say "Hey Douchenozzle, I hear Storm is coming."
Takes all the poetry out of it.

Well, that makes all the difference then. That's WAY cooler.

#36 7 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member

Quoted from smailskid:
Its THE Storm. Get it right

I get it.

storm1 (resized).jpg

#37 7 years ago

JOE

Dooskie

Pinside member

Old Town, ME

8y 95,900 1,187 8 10

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
Oh, brother.
In a related story, I'm selling off my entire collection and getting out.
Sayonara.

How much for your Funhouse?

#38 7 years ago

MDB

Mbecker

Pinside+ Frequent

Seattle, WA

10y 104K 4,313 5 14

Bonus points to anyone that can name the game being played in the first picture that's in the background behind woz - by the leg, edge of backbox, and anything else showing

#39 7 years ago

BKD

swampshroom

Pinside member

Aurora, CO

9y 46,550 183 5

Spiderman!!

#40 7 years ago

WTF

SirScott

Pinside member

Dearborn, MI

11y 66,800 1,470 24

Quoted from boscokid:
5. Strippers
~~6. Pro athletes~~

Agreed.

#41 7 years ago

CBM

spfxted

Pinside member

Saddle River, NJ

12y 147K 24,661 4 9

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
Besides, you're just kidding. You already owned one.

I know....and I want one back.

#42 7 years ago

COL

Snailman

Pinside member

Austin, TX

12y 59,400 1,709 6

OP
Quoted from beelzeboob:
It also makes it sound like the tournament at TPF is some national finals thing.

Just to clarify: the "national finals thing" is just that -- IFPA Nationals. The NY Times article was spot on, and even took the time to include the correct link to the tourney listing from the IFPA website.

TPF is the following week, is not the IFPA nationals, and isn't mentioned in the article.
They do have the connection of both being in the greater DFW area during the month of March. Definitely not the same tourney.
Hope to see you at TPF, Beelzeboob. Only 38 more days!!

#43 7 years ago

COL

Snailman

Pinside member

Austin, TX

12y 59,400 1,709 6

And my hats off to Mr. Poverelli for choice of beverage: whiskey definitely over Red Bull for playing pinball.

#44 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Quoted from Snailman:
Just to clarify: the "national finals thing" is just that -- IFPA Nationals. The NY Times article was spot on, and even took the time to include the correct link to the tourney listing from the IFPA website.
TPF is the following week, is not the IFPA nationals, and isn't mentioned in the article.
They do have the connection of both being in the greater DFW area during the month of March. Definitely not the same tourney.
Hope to see you at TPF, Beelzeboob. Only 38 more days!!

Thanks for the clarification. Sadly, I'm not attending TPF this year. I had only a few vacation days left to burn, and it was a choice between TPF or driving to Canada to get a C37. Getting a machine always trumps a show! I plan to be there next year, and will be there in spirit, following Labnip's ridiculously detailed photo montage.

#45 7 years ago

WYO

Ballsofsteel

Inactive member

Riverton, WY

12y 73,550 2,923 7 81

Zen is a great guy, and a superb pinballer. FYI

#46 7 years ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Crazy Levi's Pinball

New York, NY

10y 148K 33,539

Quoted from Ballsofsteel:
Zen is a great guy, and a superb pinballer. FYI

I know. And everybody calls him "zen." His last name is "Zendejas" for Christ sake. This nickname complaint is beyond moronic.

Sounds to me like some bitches is jelly they aren't getting quotes in the NY TImes yo!

#47 7 years ago

RAR

beelzeboob

Pinside+ Frequent

Post deleted.

I should know enough now not to get suckered.

#48 7 years ago

BOY

vid1900

Pinside member