Hi all,

As some of you know, I will be going to the Pinball Show in Chicago next week. I will have a trailer, so for those of you who need something hauled, now is the time to secure a spot.

I will be traveling from Ottawa to Chicago. I'm already picking tow pins on my way back form the show.

Price will depend on where I pick up or deliver the pin; e-mail me for more info, but typically the prices range from $100 (Ottawa/Toronto trip) to $150 (Ottawa/Chicago trip).

Send me an e-mail if you need to bring a pin to or from the show or on the way (close to the Hw 401)

Also, there is a possibility to split my hotel room, as I will have plenty of room.

Cheers

tartagliag

Quoted from tartagliag

Hi all,

As some of you know, I will be going to the Pinball Show in Chicago next week. I will have a trailer, so for those of you who need something hauled, now is the time to secure a spot.

I will be traveling from Ottawa to Chicago. I'm already picking tow pins on my way back form the show.

Price will depend on where I pick up or deliver the pin; e-mail me for more info, but typically the prices range from $100 (Ottawa/Toronto trip) to $150 (Ottawa/Chicago trip).

Send me an e-mail if you need to bring a pin to or from the show or on the way (close to the Hw 401)

Also, there is a possibility to split my hotel room, as I will have plenty of room.

Cheers

tartagliag

What days are you going to be there, we are heading down Wednesday and returning Sat afternoon.

Squid

I'm going to Chicage too-
While I'm there, I want to go Pinball life for cheap parts.
Is anyone planing on going to pinball life who has space? I will chip in for fuel and navigate/drive as needed.

I would also like to make it out to Bloomington Illinois for Gene's show, which I know is a lot further, but if you think you might get bored of the seminars would be a good side trip.
Tim

Quoted from SquidVicious

What days are you going to be there, we are heading down Wednesday and returning Sat afternoon.

Squid

I will be leaving Ottawa on the 14th (night), so I should be at the show on Thursday afternoon.

See you there, then.

tartagliag

Quoted from Alienagent

I'm going to Chicage too-
While I'm there, I want to go Pinball life for cheap parts.
Is anyone planing on going to pinball life who has space? I will chip in for fuel and navigate/drive as needed.

I would also like to make it out to Bloomington Illinois for Gene's show, which I know is a lot further, but if you think you might get bored of the seminars would be a good side trip.
Tim

Hi Tim,

I went to Gene's place two years ago...not much to see and the trip was not worth it...but not sure if he changed is "format" this year. Might be interested in going to PinballLife, if I can't find what I'm looking for at the show.

tartagliag

do yourself a favour and go to PBL.. it's like being a kid in a candy store.  Plus, he's got all his machines setup for freeplay and feeds you for free as well.  

Quoted from machine.slave

do yourself a favour and go to PBL.. it's like being a kid in a candy store.  Plus, he's got all his machines setup for freeplay and feeds you for free as well.  

Thanks for the info, Machine.Slave....I just checked their website, and it seems great...Will have to go, then...

tartagliag

Quoted from Alienagent

I'm going to Chicage too-
While I'm there, I want to go Pinball life for cheap parts.
Is anyone planing on going to pinball life who has space? I will chip in for fuel and navigate/drive as needed.

I would also like to make it out to Bloomington Illinois for Gene's show, which I know is a lot further, but if you think you might get bored of the seminars would be a good side trip.
Tim

Tim,

We will also be going to PinLife and we have a minivan with space ... not going to Bloomington but you are welcome to come along to PinLife

Okay-
What would be the best way of getting hold of you there?
Are you staying at the show?
I will be staying at the show, you should be able to contact me just by walking to the front desk and asking for my room.
Tim

Quoted from SquidVicious

Tim,

We will also be going to PinLife and we have a minivan with space ... not going to Bloomington but you are welcome to come along to PinLife

I'm gonna be heading up there too.  First time, can't wait!

Are you guys hitting the Stern tour?  I'll be the dude the in the Calgary Flames jersey (figure that's loud enough that some other Canadians will probably notice)

Also noticed Pinball Life has a shuttle going back and forth from Expo.

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=244&pg=1

Quoted from dancadera

I'm gonna be heading up there too.  First time, can't wait!

Are you guys hitting the Stern tour?  I'll be the dude the in the Calgary Flames jersey (figure that's loud enough that some other Canadians will probably notice)

Great, we'll see you there. I did not take the Stern tour.

I will also be going to PinballLife, but I won't be able to stay late, as I'm playing at the Pinbrawl.

tartagliag

Quoted from dancadera

I'm gonna be heading up there too.  First time, can't wait!

Are you guys hitting the Stern tour?  I'll be the dude the in the Calgary Flames jersey (figure that's loud enough that some other Canadians will probably notice)

Yup Steve and I are headed out on the tour .. I'll look out for the flames jersey ..

PBL was the highlight of the show for me last year. Free food, free beer, pins on freeplay and a boatload of parts. Can't go wrong. Terry is an excellent and gracious host.

The Stern tour was good for a first time sort of thing. Not sure I'd do that a 2nd time but worth it at least once.  

Quoted from cooke

PBL was the highlight of the show for me last year. Free food, free beer, pins on freeplay and a boatload of parts. Can't go wrong. Terry is an excellent and gracious host.

The Stern tour was good for a first time sort of thing. Not sure I'd do that a 2nd time but worth it at least once.  

I thought the highlight of your trip was having Palmer fall asleep in your bed fully clothed, but ended up in his banana hammock by the morning?  

D

Sounds great.  Looking forward to meeting you guys.  I'll have my girlfriend in tow on the day of the Stern Tour (she's actually pretty stoked for it) but after that I'm on my own, she's got a conference for work.  Free hotel in Chicago the same weekend as Pinball Expo, what were the chances?

Quoted from dancadera

...Free hotel in Chicago the same weekend as Pinball Expo, what were the chances?

Lucky guy!!!!

tartagliag

Yeah, though google tells me we're staying like 13 miles from pinball expo so I'll probably end up coughing up quite a bit in getting back and forth.  Whatever!  

sancadera: this might be your best bet for transportation:

2009 Bus Schedule, Hotel/Airport

      Pinball Expo is running a FREE bus between the O'Hare airport and the Expo hotel. Each bus run will hold 23 passengers with their luggage. The bus will have a sign that says "Pinball Expo" in the bus window.

      Pickup Times from O'Hare Airport to Westin North Shore:
          o Wednesday Oct 14 - 4pm, 7pm, 10pm
          o Thurday Oct 15 - 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm
          o Friday Oct 16 - 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm

      Pick-Ups at O'Hare Airport will be at the central airport Hotel pickup point (not at each Terminal.)

      A bus is also available from the Westin North Shore hotel back to O'Hare airport at these times:
          o Saturday Oct 17 - 6am, 9am, 2pm, 7pm
          o Sunday Oct 18 - 6am, 9am, 2pm, 7pm



I used it to go back to the airport last year...well worth it's price: FREE (well ok, tipping extra)

To the hotel, I picked up a 'suburb taxi' (can't remember the name, google the newsgroup for the show), which was, IIRC, $35-40...compared to a regular cab ($75+)

If you haven't been to the 'new location', the rooms are nice and if you don't have means of transportation, you'll quickly notice that the hotel is in the 'middle of nowhere, USA'.

Thank God there's RAM brewery right across the street. If you're looking for a beer store, it's a few blocks down the road, but the one that the "london/gta krew" found last year had a GREAT selection.

If you've never been in the Chicago area, please treat yourself to a famous Chicago-style pizza (aka a 'pie') Giordano's delivers to the hotel...it's quite a feast!

Have fun guys...and girls...I'm missing this one...maybe next year? err...hmmm...probably not....I'll stick to A-Town in May!

frosken...still alive

I am headed up to Milwaukee on Friday as my family always visits a Canadian friend for a long thanksgiving weekend.  I might try and pop by PBL if possible.

Just read in the news groups that Gene is almost going to Expo-
Thats right ALMOST GOING
Apparently he is setting up shop at a cheap hotel 4km away.
(5 minutes according to map quest)
The address is 1090 S milwaukee ave (same road as the hotel)
This eliminates the need for a road trip to Bloomington.
Hell that's almost walking distance
Tim

My flight takes off tomorrow morning.  Hopefully see you guys around Thursday!

Quoted from Alienagent

Just read in the news groups that Gene is almost going to Expo-
Thats right ALMOST GOING
Apparently he is setting up shop at a cheap hotel 4km away.
(5 minutes according to map quest)
The address is 1090 S milwaukee ave (same road as the hotel)
This eliminates the need for a road trip to Bloomington.
Hell that's almost walking distance
Tim

That's a good move for him...He will have more "visitors" that way...

tartagliag

Quoted from dancadera

My flight takes off tomorrow morning.  Hopefully see you guys around Thursday!

Have a safe trip.

So far, I have one pin to bring on my way to the show and 3 on my way back.

If you are planning on buying a pin and can't haul it back, let me know, I will have a trailer and I can still accommodate a few more pins.

tartagliag

Quoted from frosken

If you've never been in the Chicago area, please treat yourself to a famous Chicago-style pizza (aka a 'pie') Giordano's delivers to the hotel...it's quite a feast!

I mentioned that on RGP as well, but got emails from Chicago locals saying Giordano's is the "Pizza Hut of Chicago", and that Lou's or Gino's East is the route to go.. but I have to say, if Giordano's was the worst of the bunch, I'd sure as hell like to try the good stuff!

UNO'S PIZZA is the one you want for deep dish ,it;s downtown but totally AWSOME!!!!1

Quoted from frosken

If you've never been in the Chicago area, please treat yourself to a famous Chicago-style pizza (aka a 'pie') Giordano's delivers to the hotel...it's quite a feast!

We ordered two of them...and I don't think we finished one.  One slice is a meal!  When they say "Pizza Pie" this is what they're talking about.  I still can't believe what a slab of food this was!  Definitely worth having!

Quoted from Bish

We ordered two of them...and I don't think we finished one.  One slice is a meal!  When they say "Pizza Pie" this is what they're talking about.  I still can't believe what a slab of food this was!  Definitely worth having!

I remember a couple of years back when Twilight Zone (Duane) and myself rallied over a "jalapenos covered pizza pie"....Remember Duane?...Good times!

tartagliag

Quoted from tartagliag

I remember a couple of years back when Twilight Zone (Duane) and myself rallied over a "jalapenos covered pizza pie"....Remember Duane?...Good times!

tartagliag

Definately good times! Amazing pizza and alot of great memories.

Hope you have a blast, Gus.

Duane

In Chicago now.  Actually had Giordano's tonight before I read the posts you guys made.  I really liked it.  

Weather Network says it's warmer here than in Moncton, but I haven't been this cold since last winter.  We underdressed for sure.

Not a bad day though, in 6 hours we saw the uh..."giant silver egg/cloud thing" in Millenium Park, the Art Institute (didn't go in, but got pictures of the Lions front), walked the magnificent mile, had the aforementioned deep dish pizza and took a horse and carriage ride down to the Pier.  Total First-Time-Chicago-Tourist crash course.

Stern tomorrow!

Somehow the fact that the Exhibit Room (where the games are!) only opened at 6 was lost on me so my plans of playing games all day pretty much flew out the window.  Coughed up and extra $40 for my girlfriend and I to team up for the pingolf tournament just so we could get our hands on some machines for a few hours.  

Met Squidvicious and chatted it up .   Probably stay later tomorrow night when I'm on my own/now that I've got the schedule figured out.

I've just finished playing a few games on the Flash Gordon set up in my room . Sealed a deal at 4 am this morning on the way down in the truck with the London boys and it was delivered tonight. They plan to carry it down the hall to the "party room" sometime tonight......

Who knows what tomorrow may bring

ME

haha!  emperor ming awaits!!

great game! congrats! ( I GUESS!   )


pictures of the show??????????????

Quoted from medvet

I've just finished playing a few games on the Flash Gordon set up in my room . Sealed a deal at 4 am this morning on the way down in the truck with the London boys and it was delivered tonight. They plan to carry it down the hall to the "party room" sometime tonight......

Who knows what tomorrow may bring

ME

Let's just say today brought something else and it involves HUO and Lymen Sheats  

And it'll be set up for the OPL meeting in a few weeks.

ME

*sigh*

Quoted from Mrhide

*sigh*

I forgot the camera and the cable for the iphone  

iphones need a cable???  

Quoted from medvet

I forgot the camera and the cable for the iphone  

BOOOOOOO!  

Quoted from medvet

I've just finished playing a few games on the Flash Gordon set up in my room . Sealed a deal at 4 am this morning on the way down in the truck with the London boys and it was delivered tonight. They plan to carry it down the hall to the "party room" sometime tonight......

Congrats!!! Looking forward to playing that gem.

Duane

Quoted from medvet

Let's just say today brought something else and it involves HUO and Lymen Sheats  

And it'll be set up for the OPL meeting in a few weeks.

Exactly how big is that van Team London is driving?   I suspect it's going to be a crowded drive back.

Duane

so ME, you liking the expo would probably be an understatement?? how were the seminars?  review of the show?

I'll give my review tomorrow night when I get home. Just about to cruise into London within the hour. Unload the van in the am and head to Ottawa tomorrow then unload again! Luckily Gus is bringing my FG home otherwise it was going on the roof.

Absolutely a blast of a trip thanks to the London boys. The people I met were amazing and had a great talk with Mrs Brian Eddy. She's going to get Brian to send me a special treat for my MM .

And man was that autograph session fun. Greg Freres and Brian Eddy gave me an extra surprise present and Dennis Nordman was amazing. An absolute highlight was having him sign my POTC translite and talking antiques and woodworking about Project X!

What a trip!!!!

ME

Quoted from medvet

Dennis Nordman was amazing. An absolute highlight was having him sign my POTC translite and talking antiques and woodworking about Project X!

Dennis Nordman is very generous with his time.  A real gentleman.

HEY! HEY! HEY! I finally made it home safe and sound...Left Chicago Sunday morning at 7h30 AM, picked up a pin in Detroit and another one in Windsor.....arrived home at 5h00 AM Monday morning got 1 hour and 49 minutes of sleep and back to work!!! Man!!! I love this!!!!

The show was a blast again this year, although I was expecting a bit more this year for their 25th years. I met a lot of people and the Pinbrawl was exiting too.

My two "coups de coeur" (highlights) of the show were:

1) Goldeyes, very cool and fun pin...a bit easy, but very fun to play...actually, I would mind having one.
2) Frankenstein, a bit more challenging than Goldeyes, but very interesting as well....

Doing the 5-Man-Mayhem tourney was exceptional as well....a lot of fun. The "gathering" at Terri's was great too...nice pins...

Hope everyone made it safe and sound home....

Next year any one????

tartagliag

Things are about to get PIC HEAVY!

Exhibit Hall



Greg Kmiec.  Nice guy!




Roger Sharpe.  Was playing tables almost all weekend.  Caught him when he got off one.










The hall at like 3am.












GNR set up to play with a Guitar Hero guitar.  The flippers were color coded to match which button you had to press.





















Pimped out STTNG










Stern Tour







Gary Stern giving a talk in the rain before we got into the factory.  


































Tournaments & Random Hallway Activity



Roger Sharpe playing the tournament










Killer 70s/80s Bally lineup!





Banquet & Charity Auction







Dennis Nordstrom Hall of Fame induction speech.




Awesome guys we sat with at the banquet.  3 of them had a combined 1000 tables!

Great pic.

awesome guys we sat with at the banquet.  3 of them had a combined 1000 tables!


quite the historians indeed!! great pick!!

2 of the guys (plus one more at our table, not pictured) got trophies for perfect Pinball Expo attendance for 25 years.  Amazing stuff!

Quoted from dancadera

wow you look like Julian from TPB here.

Smokin' weed and playin' pinball...that's the good life.

It looks like you had a great time. I know for sure now that I want to go to next year's event. I will make sure that work does not get in the way again  
Great pics and seeing the pin gurus is kinda cool. They seem very approachable which is nice. It looks like the Sharpshooter hasn't changed a bit from his BG picture.

Quoted from ninjedi

wow you look like Julian from TPB here.

.  It's 'cause I was half (more than half?) in the bag after the banquet.

Quoted from Ricker

It looks like you had a great time. I know for sure now that I want to go to next year's event. I will make sure that work does not get in the way again  
Great pics and seeing the pin gurus is kinda cool. They seem very approachable which is nice. It looks like the Sharpshooter hasn't changed a bit from his BG picture.

Roger Sharpe was super cool, he was attending seminars and playing pins most of the weekend.  That pic was taken from the only time I saw him when he wasn't on a machine.  Got him to sign my copy of his "Pinball!" book from the 70s.