To the “Pinball Wizard…”

This is a follow-up to the post I wrote on 10/19/2012 “…cancelled flight,” if you did not read it, please click here so you understand this entry.

I did in fact receive confirmation and an address to the party. So, on Friday evening I made may way to the home of  a pinball wizard. This retired NBA player has turned into a world champion pinball player.  I know, I know…I too was unaware that “pinball” was a competitive sport, but apparently it is.  This party was an informal guys’-night-out to drink beer, eat pizza and play lots of pinball.  My new found friend told me he had a lot of pinball machines, but I had no idea he had one for each guest.  I’m not kidding, there were probably 40-50 guys at the party, and, that many pinball machines.  When I first walked into one of the pinball rooms, I was very impressed…there must have been 20-25 machines.  Then, adjacent to that room was another one with 15-20 machines.  Then, later in the evening I needed to hit the head…on my way, I discovered yet another room with 10-12 machines.  It was pinball nirvana.

At 10:30 that evening it was time to vacate our current position and mozy on over to another structure on the property.  This building was dedicated to stimulate every one of our senses. Not a single pinball machine to be found, but rather every other conceivable arcade game. It was an entertainment castle…unlike anything I’d ever seen before.  I was not the only first-timer to visit this utopia, so thankfully I was not alone in my euphoria. One of the games I gravitated toward, and then ended up spending a good portion of the evening at, was the air hockey table.  Back in the late 90s I worked for a dot.com, which also housed a game room.  I honed my air hockey skills to become the second best player in the company.  It has been over a decade since my skills had been tested, but like riding a horse, they came back without skipping a beat.  After nearly a dozen matches, Mr. Mike continued his reign as air hockey champion.  🙂

In between matches I was told there was a second level to the structure…once there I noticed a state-of-the-art home theater system, complete with movie style popcorn maker and other movie amenities.  In addition, the outside wall had even more amusement and arcade games.  I wondered if the entertainment discoveries would ever end!

I know it would be cool to drop my new found friend’s name, but I would never do that.  I respect the fact that celebrities appreciate some level of anonymity and that often those around them take advantage by using the fame to elevate their own status in life. I will not be one of those people, especially to someone who has shown me such kindness and been so gracious.

To the “Pinball Wizard…” I salute you! if you’re reading this…I thank you again for inviting me into your home and introducing me to your friends and family.  I had a blast!