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
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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