Thanks man!

I too have met quite a bunch of really great people on here and CGCC, and
even went as far as to throw a Summer bash at my house to show my appreciation to everyone in the hobby,
it's a really neat thing to collect, and everyone is very passionate about it

some of us are hoping to get the Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge pinball league off the ground in the new year, and that will hopefully bring some more close friendships,

hell, i don't even mind the constant ribbing from B1, it's all good

Keep up the love!

Eric

Well put, Ian. You have hit the nail on the head.I have met a lot of passionate, decent people in this hobby , and it is nice to know there is a sense of camaraderie.For me there is a great thrill to owning machines that I fed quarters into, in my youth, that I never dreamed of owning when I was a kid. The feeling I got from buying my first bubble bobble in 94 at SB for 75$ is still indescribable, but finding this forum, with all your hard work put into it, is by far my best find.Look to the future, for you and for this hobby, it is bright, and part of that is because of you and your efforts, as well as the contributions of everyone on here.( End a** kissing ha ha)

Well, that is very well put. You dont know me from Jack, Sparky, we've passed each other at SB a couple times. I do see your "family point". Yop when I was green to this hobby and the people within it , I wrongly treated a seller as like a Kijiji seller!!! OOOPSmy bad! After a PM altercation this ( ahem to put loosely JK) gentleman, h was vey understanding and now is one of the ( I think) finer poeple in this family!  Yup B1 im talkng bout you! I dont know alot of you and the people I've met are genuine people to my standards. I think that yes we can rant nad seeing a Praise thread is also needed...
Well put Ian,,, I hope things turn around for you

Extremely well put Ian.

Today I brought a cooworker who is younger than myself and who I have sort of mentored to the Starburst auction. He wanted to get a fooseball table and he and another guy from work dropped by to play pinball at my place a while back. They see that I have MAACA open on my computer at work all the time and that I troll around Kijiji and the like any time there is some free time.

I realized how lucky and proud I am of all the new people I have met and befriended because of this hobby. I was so proud today that my young associate at work could see what my world away from work is all about and the happiness there is having this commonality with all these other people.

The machines are material, and for the most part replaceable. But the common passion for the hobby and the friendships are priceless!

Sparky, your machines mightl come and go. The good people, on the other hand, have never left.

I have no doubt you will keep on flippin', as will I

Thank you.

In all my years on these forums, this has to be the nicest post I've ever read.  Thanks, Ian.

Quoted from gorydeath

nice posting.  made me smile as well.  which as you know i do need alot of at the moment.  it was another hard day for me.  
  so thanks again for saying what you did and glad you and your son are still enjoying fireball.  wish it was working fully

Under the circumstances, it works perfect.

You know what? An eye opener for me was the MPL. I started looking forward to it so much, and not because of the machines, but to just chew the fat with other collectors. I've just noticed a negative vibe lately and I just wanted to show that we care.

Pins and vids can come and go, but friendships can last. And THAT you can't buy on Ebay or at Starburst. Took me long to realize that my collection meant little to me compared to the camaraderie of the MAACA community.

Thank you all for the nice comments, but in reality, I am the one thanking you all.


Sparky

We're all glad to be a part of this magic you created,

Thanks again!


Eric

Yes well put Ian, I agree, it's not always about the games... I actually don't know the last time I bought something at SB it's the people that keep me going back...And yes Briguy it's all good man   As sister sledge said We are Family!!

There are certainly good people in this community.

Group hug!

Fantastic post
I agree 100% Sparky! I've made some great friends here on MAACA.
It really makes my weekend whenever there's an OPL, or pinball party, event and I get to hang out with all these awesome people!