ZapCon 9 - March 2024

[yotsuya]

Hey friends, I’m just giving y’all a heads up - ZapCon will be next year, March 2024. Due to some changes in leadership, combined with some tight timelines, we decided to hold off putting on a show this year because, quite honestly, we just didn’t have everything in place to ensure that the show would be the same quality that you’re used to.

But I’m happy to say that papers have been signed, T’s have been crossed and I’s have been dotted and we are committed to having the next show on March 9 and 10th 2024.

I’d like to use this opportunity to extend an invitation out to those of you who have always wanted to come, but have not had a chance. I know putting out this news that many of the regulars (some who come in from out of state) will be there, but this show gives us the opportunity to come together as a message board and meet each other in person. I’ve made some lifelong friends from this group. I would really love to give everybody the opportunity to meet each other and see that, although many of us know each other from our online interactions of personas, we’re all just really good people. To that end, I’d like to personally invite people like Scott (PL1), Howard, and Leapinlew (but only if he follows through on his promise to face punch Mike A - I got money on it). I know putting faces to name is really humanizes things, and I’d love to meet you guys and have you meet everyone else. Plus Arizona in March means you get to wear shorts.

This past month, I had the opportunity to travel to London on vacation and had a chance to just really see the world out there. A week after I got back, my closest cousin growing up, who was my age, had a stroke and died. This past month. I’ve reflected on life in general and just how short it really is. I really value the real life friendships I’ve made with the people here on this board, I and would love everybody who has spent time here to have the opportunity to come out and meet each other and see how we really are the same. If I can get DeLuSioNal29 and Malenko in the same room, sharing a drink, we can all get along.

So you have a year - save your pennies, and let me know if you’re coming. As always, if you come from out of state, I will do my best to get you a pass for the show, and if you’re local, your continued hospitality in showing our out-of-town guests is always appreciated. If you are a regular, I look forward to seeing you again and participating in all the hijinks with you. And if it’s your first time, I promise we’ll be gentle.

See you soon!

[bobbyb13]

Yes!
Can't think of many things that would keep me from being there- and dragging my genetic legacy with me.

Couldn't ask for a better bunch of folks to be hosts to such an event either.
The local crew there is comprised of some top notch humans.

This time though I'm getting a room on site for us.
 

[Laythe]

Thanks for the update, Yotsuya.

I think the odds are good for me to be at Zapcon 2024.

[yotsuya]

Yes!
Can't think of many things that would keep me from being there- and dragging my genetic legacy with me.

Couldn't ask for a better bunch of folks to be hosts to such an event either.
The local crew there is comprised of some top notch humans.

This time though I'm getting a room on site for us.
 

Looking forward to seeing you and bobbyb13Jr again! Whooooo!


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[yotsuya]

Thanks for the update, Yotsuya.

I think the odds are good for me to be at Zapcon 2024.

AW HELL YEAH!!!!!

I’ll make sure we have a Hard Drivin’ on site!! If you haven’t seen Laythe play the game, it’s a thing of beauty!


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[melvinbates]

I wasn't able to make it to the last one, here's looking forward to 2024.

[yotsuya]

I wasn't able to make it to the last one, here's looking forward to 2024.

Awesome, man! Always love seeing you there! Always appreciated the rides you would give out to the Monastery as well.


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[bobbyb13]

I was irritated to learn I couldn't book a flight today yet (I suppose that IS a lot to ask of airport schedules) bit I DID succeed in reserving a room on site.
I will arrive Thursday with my genetic legacy and an assortment of local (here) rum.
 

[yotsuya]

I was irritated to learn I couldn't book a flight today yet (I suppose that IS a lot to ask of airport schedules) bit I DID succeed in reserving a room on site.
I will arrive Thursday with my genetic legacy and an assortment of local (here) rum.
 

We may have to revive the outing to the Monastery just so you can experience it!


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[pbj]

BYOAC Hall of Famer TacoTownCharlie came through Houston for a pre-game Zapcon 2024 warm up.

One of our first stops was legendary record store Cactus Music.  I was shocked to find this and even more shocked anyone other than me would consider listening to it in Current Year:



Then off to the 365 days a year "why do we even have a Houston show anymore" Cidercade which has $10 entry, over 200 games, and unlimited freeplay.  The Cider isn't unlimited, tho.   



---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- spinner rather than a roller but where the hell else do you see Major Havoc on location?



Took this picture to impress weeabos on Discord, Tony's son is in the background playing Hyper Sports



Tony just haaaaad to do better than me on Crazy Kong



But I got him back on Godfather.  Interesting game from Jersey Jack Pinball.  They had a repair guy in there that spent over 2 hours on it getting it working.  Not that I was hovering behind him the entire time.



And one final selfie back home with BYOAC legend TacoTownCharlie and product liability legend Lawn Dart.

[Mike A]

Very nice.

Wish I had been there.

[bobbyb13]

Tony is a top shelf human.
His whole family in fact.
Miss that crew.

Can't believe I had missed the Virgin Prunes and I tried to buy a lawn dart set years ago and finally gave up.

I bet that was a fun time.

[TacoTownCharlie]

Oh my brothers and only friends,

The idea was that if ZapCon would not come to me then maybe I should find ZapCon and go to it.  Or something like that, this was after a few margaritas on the back porch.  So I will go to where my friends are, drink and play all manner of video and pinball game.  Time for a roadtrip!

First, make sure I pack properly, this baby has yet to let me down (or let me get up off the floor).



The plan is to take my newly-minted High School graduate son driving across Texas to visit family and friends and find some ZapCon fun along the way.  First stop is to check out the world's largest roadrunner in the great state of New Mexico.  No sign of the world's largest coyote.


Next stop, check out the world's largest Andy Warhol soup can in the state where everything's bigger, Texas.  Human shown actual size (and a little wide, strange photo effect).


But then disaster strikes, the Trans Am develops engine problems just east of Dallas on I-20.  Eventually the decision is made to ship the Trans Am back home and continue on in a different car.  Nothing will stop my ZapCon quest once we have started.  I let PBJ know we might be a little late to his home arcade room. No problem though, that just gives him time to finish the pork cooking in the backyard.


Get in around 9 or 10 pm to PBJ home, eat and then we stayed up till 3am drinking.  Way to go PBJ.  Next day we drag ourselves out to get lunch and check out the Cactus Music store.  My son asked for a turntable for his birthday this year so he was happy to find the second half of the store was all vinyl. Now he gets to enjoy getting up after 4 or 5 songs to turn the record over, as God intended.

Now for some ZapCon fun, PBJ takes us to the CiderCade.  Finally get in on the Godfather pin only to go down in teeth-gnashing defeat.


A PBJ noted, we found the Major Havoc game.  It just doesn't work with a spinner, you really need the roller.  The game need both a fine touch at times and a lot of spin at other times.  In honor of our last ZapCon special t-shirt, I also played their Super Dodge Ball.  I'll need more time in MAME with that game before I can figure out what the hell was going on  .

The had a 4-way Killer Queen setup and a real skee-ball set.  We were all able to get our Arcade and Pinball fix in for the afternoon.  Then it was time to fight traffic back to PBJ's home for pizza and beer.  A most excellent day.

Next it was time to visit my oldest son in Corpus Christi, Texas.  We were able to park our car on the beach at Padre Island, pretty neat.  PBJ let us in on the secret to parking without a pass; I guess it's mostly a secret since there are no signs on the beach telling where the no-pass areas are, just signs telling you there is a $500 fine for not having a pass.


A little sunburned, we made our way to Quasars that evening.  PBJ says that a forum member owns the place.


Pretty impressive, nice run of classic and new machines.


I must say I was really impressed with the new Stern Foo Fighters pin.  Great theme, great sound and play and it looks like it had a good collaborative development with the band.




PBJ texts the owner before we get there, it's good to have friends:


Looks like I need to break this post up, to be continued...
TTC

[Mike A]

Keep it coming.

[Havok]

Sweet ride! That's a '79, right? I used to have one in college; Smokey & the Bandit version. Had the Olds 403 with the Rochester Q-Jet. Sounded so good when the secondary barrels opened up...

[TacoTownCharlie]

Hay Havok, good eye.  It's hard to tell without seeing the front end by my car is a '78.  Pretty much all they changed from 77-78 to 79-81 was the front end.  And yes, based on the look my son gives me when I open up the Quadrajet, it sounds so good.

Continuing on, PBJ was able to talk me into ordering and IPA at Quasars (trying to get that 10% kick-back).


All the marketing in the world can't save an IPA from a bad taste in my mouth.  But a few grudge match games will put a smile back on my face.  First up, Retro Racoons.  Last time I saw this game was at our last ZapCon.  Really had a fun time in 4-player mode.  Half the battle is just figuring out what the mini games want.  My oldest son beat all of us, giving credit all all the Wario games he has played.


Next up, Guitar Hero.  I think in another 5-10 years this will be the game that everybody wants in their retro arcade setup, even more than Golden Tee.  Now this was an interesting match up.  My oldest, on the left is now a Band Director with the Corpus Christi school system after graduating last year with a Music degree.  His younger brother just played a 2+ hour session with his High School Jazz Band (on bass mostly); he told us later that he left all his music at home so he just had to wing it.  All hail to Ms. TacoTownCharlie for giving my progeny such great musical talent 


Finally back to my oldest's bachelor pad to get that IPA out of my mouth and check some Tears of the Kingdom.  Well the car is back in Phoenix and so am I so I guess this ends my first adventure to make ZapCon this year.  I'd like to do some more traveling this year so we'll see what happens next - MikeA and BobbyB13 are on notice!

What really made this trip special was the overwhelming hospitality of PBJ.  Staying up till 3am drinking and eating some great cooked pork ranks up there as one of my best ZapCon memories.  I hope everyone will make an effort to meet other BYOAC members IRL.  ZapCon is a great way to do that but don't let that be the only way.  Post back here with your meetups and let us know what is out there.

Thanks for reading this and I hope to see everybody at the next ZapCon in 2024.
TacoTownCharlie

[bobbyb13]

Would be awesome to see you and any of the family out here TTC!
Stoked to block off the guest house for you guys when we can find a time window that works.
 

I'm trying to sort out being able to pull off a legit lu'au dinner over there for ZapCon 9.
Have to figure out where we could do it and how many would want to attend.
Could be fun.

[TacoTownCharlie]

I'm trying to sort out being able to pull off a legit lu'au dinner over there for ZapCon 9.
Have to figure out where we could do it and how many would want to attend.
Could be fun.

I will dig a pit in the backyard and work with PBJ to circumvent the Bacardi import blockade. We will have the finest rum as we roast the tastiest pig that I will now purchase and raise to maturity.  ZapCon deserves nothing less.
TTC


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[bobbyb13]

My plan was a bit more subdued really, aiming to try for some laulau, lomi salmon, and chicken long rice.
 
That was going to be tricky as it was I think.
Although I bet digging an imu in the backyard could work as long as we could find enough rocks!

We'll need to up the ante on rum if we hope for help from jawhn though.
 

I'm trying to sort out being able to pull off a legit lu'au dinner over there for ZapCon 9.
Have to figure out where we could do it and how many would want to attend.
Could be fun.

I will dig a pit in the backyard and work with PBJ to circumvent the Bacardi import blockade. We will have the finest rum as we roast the tastiest pig that I will now purchase and raise to maturity.  ZapCon deserves nothing less.
TTC


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[pbj]

So, I can’t speak for the dunes of Phoenix, but I can get an entire halal goat here from CostCo for ~$150 and I think about it every day.  I doubt I’m gonna leave this earth with a married man of good moral standing pointing me towards England and telling me it’s all gonna be irie.  I suppose we can arrange to ship a pig to Phoenix if necessary…

 

[harveybirdman]

damn his mullet is fire... Mine pales in comparison.

[Nephasth]

Been doing a lot of thinking lately about travel plans for early March next year...

[Mike A]

Do it.

[nitrogen_widget]

My plan was a bit more subdued really, aiming to try for some laulau, lomi salmon, and chicken long rice.
 
That was going to be tricky as it was I think.
Although I bet digging an imu in the backyard could work as long as we could find enough rocks!

We'll need to up the ante on rum if we hope for help from jawhn though.
 

I'm trying to sort out being able to pull off a legit lu'au dinner over there for ZapCon 9.
Have to figure out where we could do it and how many would want to attend.
Could be fun.

I will dig a pit in the backyard and work with PBJ to circumvent the Bacardi import blockade. We will have the finest rum as we roast the tastiest pig that I will now purchase and raise to maturity.  ZapCon deserves nothing less.
TTC


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what kind of rum?
lite, golden, dark, dark spiced?
i prefer dark & spiced.
But golden isn't bad for sippin' either.
lite though, just buy it if i'm mixing.
I might know of someone who can get some ready by then. 
TSA says 5 liters in checked luggage max.
wtf is a liter?

wonder how i'd transport it?
mini keg?

Now that my kids are old enough i've started taking RV trips to kentucky with friends for the bourbon trail in october and should recover $$$ wise by March
could def. see myself heading to AZ for Zapcon.

Plus i have family around Phoenix i haven't seen in yrs.

[Nephasth]

wtf is a liter?

Roughly the equivalent of a large Farva.

[nitrogen_widget]

wtf is a liter?

Roughly the equivalent of a large Farva.

hold the spit.

[pbj]

It has been ten weeks of absolute hell here since Tony left. My backyard is ash and I pay stronger men to rake some of it up every week. 

I did sneak off to Cidercade in the interim to play Foo Fighters.  I mean, it’s creative.   

[yotsuya]

Been doing a lot of thinking lately about travel plans for early March next year...

Yes, do it! You missed me wearing my Ocho jersey last year.

7 months away! Can’t wait to see the lot of you!

[yotsuya]

Be there!!!


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[yotsuya]

Paging [mention]Titchgamer [/mention] , are you coming this year bro? After all, I made the trek out to merry olde England in March. The least you can do is reciprocate. Bring your Henry VIII gear!




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[Mike A]

Paging [mention]Titchgamer [/mention] , are you coming this year bro? After all, I made the trek out to merry olde England in March. The least you can do is reciprocate. Bring your Henry VIII gear!




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But you didn't meet up with him.

[yotsuya]

Vendors have been contacted, game lists are coming in - who’s in??? Let me know, I have to start planning out the goodies!


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[Mike A]

Possible maybe.

[pbj]

Rest in Peace, Quasars. 

[Nephasth]

Waiting to see the room rate before pulling the trigger.

[yotsuya]

Room rate is gonna suck, they’re gouging the spring training visitors. Best bet is to get find a close AirBNB or something like that.


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[pbj]

Room rate is gonna suck, they’re gouging the spring training visitors. Best bet is to get find a close AirBNB or something like that.

Oh god.  Been there, done that.  Anyone within 100 yards of that place got contact drunk.

[yotsuya]

Yeah, but I heard good times were had by all.


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[Nephasth]

$322 a night... Good god...

[yotsuya]

OK, its that time! Lists are being made, hijinx are being planned - who's in? Let me know your status, and I will update it, or add you to the list if you're not on there.

YES
Yotsuya
JulesWallet
Aceldamor
Toxicwes
Jawhn
Arcadenut
HaRuMaN
BYOAC First Ballot Hall-of-Famer TacoTownCharlie
DeLuSioNal29 +
bobbyb13 & Lil' Bobby +
Harveybirdman and fam +

PROBABLY, JUST WAITING ACTUAL CONFIRMATION
Melvinbates
Laythe +
Bperkins01 +
Nexusmtz +
Rablack97 (my man!) *+
Gamepimp *+
Vigo and Gozer +

ONE DAY, MAN, ONE DAY... I KEEP HOPING
Leapinglew
HowardCasto
DaOldMan
PL1
Xiaou2

TIREKICKING
Ark-ader +
BYOAC Soul Brother #2 SFII Arcade1Up

WTF EVER HAPPENED TO
RetroGreg
Jdbailey1206
Slippyblade
Gilrock
Titchgamer

NOPE
Malenkno +
Mike A +
BYOAC Soul Brother #1 Neph +
PBJ +
Arroyo +

* Denote rookie
+ Denotes Out-Of-Towner