Season's greetings everyone

[tiltjlp]

Since we are a world-wide community with many customs and varied beliefs, I’d like to wish everyone a peaceful end of year and an awesome and inspiring New Year. In spite of wide differences in our locations and cultures, the fact that we can gather about to discuss and share our enthusiasm for pinball in encouraging. That we enjoy the same passion for such a simple but complicated game has made for both friendships, and even healings, something that might never happen if we were to meet face-to-face.

I’d like to thank every VP and VPM author for their time making tables that we all can enjoy. While we all can’t be a Scapino or PacDude, a Destruk or an Eala, in our own way, each of us have enriched the VP community with our creativity and sweat. A special thanks to those authors who have made or are working on flipperless and novelty games, without you, Pinball Nirvana would not exist.

I’d especially like to thank those among us who aren’t yet authors, for your contributions are equally as important. Your humor, bold opinions, and even reasoned and civil debates have added character and rich flavor to both our forum and our lives. Without members to appreciate out tables, the fun might evaporate.

Even when I disagree with some of you, such as Leo Wanker, I’ve never stopped considering you my friend, just an extremely hard to understand friend. Maybe someday we’ll see eye-to-eye, like The Dude and I do, after a long period at each other’s throat. I never take Internet hostilities seriously, only web friendships.

So no matter where you are reading this, or if you need to run it through a translation filter, we are brothers and sisters of the many and varied games called pinball. I hope you’ll join me in hoping, and when possible, working toward peace and caring. If only border disputes and national differences could be settled with a game of bagatelle or VPM, just maybe peace would triumph.

John ldman

 

[panda55]

Nicely put John. I couldn't have said it better myself ( or anywhere near as well to be truthful). 8)

I would like to also thank those who make the forums available, and for the day to day running (moderating) of them. It all takes time and you should know that I for one appreciate the effort.

And to all the rabble (of which I am proud to be amongst), I hope Santa brings each and everyone of you the pinball machine of your dreams. :)

If your one of the ones to miss out, have a game of VP instead. :D

 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Thanx Santa, sorry, Tiltjlp. Hope the snow does not get too deep for you (does it snow where you are????)
We here in Oz are looking forward to a 32oC day on christmas day (89.6oF)

Wishing all fans of flipperless nirvana a fantastic 2005

 

[tiltjlp]

Yes, in Cincinnati Ohio, which is in the upper midwestern US, it not only can snow, but can get quite cold, they're predicting a low of 6 F for Monday morning. And while we can have snows of several feet, so far we've only had a few light dustings. Worse than the snow can be the ice storms. I always have a fully stocked pantry so that if it gets too cold and nasty I simply stay put. The only thing I'm really hoping for in the way of a holiday gift in approval of my recent appeal for paratransit van transprtation, since I no longer am able to drive, and have quite limited mobility. I also dearly hope that Celebrex isn't yanked off the market, or my pain level will skyrocket again, like it did when I stopped taking Vioxx. Ouch

John ldman

 

[bob]

Happy Holidays to everyone! But Christmas is for kids... And too bad most of you old-timers aren't like me and never grew up :) I won't be getting any socks or pj's or sweaters like you old guys will be getting... I'll be getting kids stuff because I'm just a big kid

 

[JonPurpleHaze]

Happy Holidays to All!

All of your posts are excellent but need a deeper discussion....

1) I boycott the store that I see advertised first, this year it was bestbuy and it was waaaaaayyy before November...

2) I fear, Most of the population in the US are mindless idiot consumers and are too worried about gifts to give a crap about xmas and the excellent meaning of tiltjlp's post..

3)I still have a 60's toy train and won't sell it to any of you folks...

4) Sweaters SUCK! :)

5) I lost my best friend this past year, he always played tunes deep into Christmas Eve and forced me to drink eggnog, I'll miss him,,,

6)Cinci has snow?

7) Merry Christmas to you all, Is it legal to say that instead of happy holidays, happy kwanza, happy etc,...

8)The US stock market and corporations have turned this holiday into a joke.

9) I appreciate you all and love Leon! Leon is excellent when you get to know him...

10) I'm working on a proposal to perhaps meet you all, I have plans to collect some of these fine machines and hope to create a museum of sorts!

Peace To The World..

 

[StevOz]

 

[panda55]

Ouch, StevOz. She's so hot it singed my eyebrows.

 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Happy Holidays to All!



3)I still have a 60's toy train and won't sell it to any of you folks...

pfft, already have a clockwork train

7) Merry Christmas to you all, Is it legal to say that instead of happy holidays, happy kwanza, happy etc,...

you can say whatever you like, we are not a bunch of no-life bureaucrats

10) I'm working on a proposal to perhaps meet you all,

You are welcome to visit any time :D

 

[tiltjlp]

Happy Holidays to All!

All of your posts are excellent but need a deeper discussion....

1) I boycott the store that I see advertised first, this year it was bestbuy and it was waaaaaayyy before November...

2) I fear, Most of the population in the US are mindless idiot consumers and are too worried about gifts to give a crap about xmas and the excellent meaning of tiltjlp's post..

3)I still have a 60's toy train and won't sell it to any of you folks...

4) Sweaters SUCK! :)

5) I lost my best friend this past year, he always played tunes deep into Christmas Eve and forced me to drink eggnog, I'll miss him,,,

6)Cinci has snow?

7) Merry Christmas to you all, Is it legal to say that instead of happy holidays, happy kwanza, happy etc,...

8)The US stock market and corporations have turned this holiday into a joke.

9) I appreciate you all and love Leon! Leon is excellent when you get to know him...

10) I'm working on a proposal to perhaps meet you all, I have plans to collect some of these fine machines and hope to create a museum of sorts!

Peace To The World..

In the spirit of Jon's #10, here is something I wrote about 2 1/2 years ago, which some of you might have missed. And yes, I did dream it just that way. The PS: was added after I returned to the VP scene. Sure beats the nightmares Shadow must have.

A Most Wonderful Pinball Dream

© Copyright 2002
By tiltjlp, John L Patton

A few nights ago, I had a most excellent dream. I’m usually online overnight every night, but that night I was ill due to my diabetes. The details aren’t important, nor the time of day, this is all about the best possible dream I’ve ever experienced.

Anyone who knows the user name tiltjlp knows that I am totally engrossed in VP, the forums, shivaSite and shivaForums, writing member profiles and even PinGame Journal articles. I make tables with two partners, and am part of two dev groups, plus working on a pair of tables on my own, and testing at least two dozen tables at any time.

So my dream wasn’t so much a surprise as it was a most pleasant delight and treat. My dream was that we held a VP convention, and magically every active member was able to attend. And I assume that there were no wheelchairs needed since my leg brace was gone, and I no longer limped, or had any problem with standing and walking as far or as long as needed.

And proving the Pinball is a universal language, we all understood each other perfectly. And since this was a dream, and anything is possible in a dream, when we sat down for our seven course dinner, we were able all able to sit around the same table, all within hearing range. Of course we all dined on our most favorite foods.

Likewise, we all heard our most preferred kinds of music, at just the right volume, and all our treasured tunes. I sensed that all the old designers and backglass artists were in attendance, and although I don’t recall any, I’m sure there were lectures and seminars the entire time. I’ll also assume that each of us won a prize of some sort, but mine didn’t survive to see the light of awakeness.

What I do remember quite vividly is that there was every single VP table ever made, originals as well as recreations and VPM conversions. What was unique about these countless tables is that they were all the size that we play them on our computer monitors, sort of flesh and blood table-top pins brought to life. And yes, I played all my favorites.

There were even non-working models of everyone’s WIP, and Black even brought along a working version of VP7, though he wouldn’t remove the plain brown wrapping paper for us to take a peek. And while we all wore name tags, there was one fellow who didn’t have a name tag on, I figured it was Randy Davis, although he seemed to spend the entire time avoiding everyone.

I even met a few people who weren’t really people, Duglis even brought Muttley to our gathering, and there was a Dalmatian who sat by himself in a corner, quietly wagged his tail constantly, and I had no doubt who he belonged to at all. There was an endless array of highly animated cartoon characters, who I can only guess came with SteveOz. BJ was of course the life of the party, as handsome as could be.

And just before it was time to leave, I challenged Bob and Warrior to a hot game of Gobble Ball, and they really enjoyed the game, grumbling the whole time about those dang, evil holes.

But best of all, as we were all leaving, I found that I was back in my old home town, and as I walked down a familiar sloping hill in a favorite park, I happened upon an old friend I hadn’t seen for thirty years. And at I began to awake, while still in a half-sleep, for once I struggled to fall back into a most wonderful dream. I can only hope I’ll be dreaming a rerun tonight, and for many nights to come.

PS: Shortly after I had this dream, I left the Internet and VP for almost 18 months. I didn’t miss the infighting or squabbles, but I did miss nearly all the people. The saddest part is that upon my return, many of the folks in my dream were now among the missing. Hopefully Rodgz will regain his health and rejoin us, just as I was able to. And druadic assures me he will be back, too. But some of the folks I really considered my friends are gone, probably for good, and that is a shame.

We’ve lost too many friends and talented authors. Let’s do our best to nurture the friendships that remain, and also welcome each newbie warmly, even if they do bug us with “dumb questions” which not that long ago, we were asking ourselves. My dream is still alive.

John ldman Yo Ho Ho

 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

But John, since your return have you not made new friends??

I may not consider you a close friend, but I do acknowledge you as someone I know.

 

[tiltjlp]

Of course Posty, I've met you and Penqiun, and probably a few more I can't remember right now, but I wrote the PS: a few days after returning to the Internet, and I don't think I even knew who had come or gone. That's the nice thing about VP, not the goings of course, but the new folks who can and often do add a lot of character. And you posty are a character, that's for sure, just don't feel you don't fit in because you're not an author yet. One of these days I might just send you a flipperless playfield imagine, and who knows, you might catch the fever. So where should I send that playfield image, Posty?

I keep hoping that some of those who are nissing will return . . . hey, I did, so maybe all is not lost. The real shame is that a few of the missing were budding flipperless authors, which we always need more of, since Patrick and I can't make all there are to be recreated. Maybe the fellow I miss most besides Will/Druadic, is Warrior, who hated Gobble Holes with a passion. I even have a few flipperless Gobble Hole images just waiting to make in honor of his return.

John ldman

 

[panda55]

So John, did having that dream inspire the name Pinball Nirvana?

I couldn't think of a better way of describing A pinball heaven.

 

[tiltjlp]

No, actually, when I returned to the web in September, I read all the posts that had been made while I was gone, and JPH made a reference to nirvana. And when I decided to change the name, I remember that, and thought it would make a nice Zen sounding name.

John

 

[penguin66]

Aw, shucks, you're making me blush I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday. I only have 2 more days of work before the U is closed for the holiday. I'll have 12 days off before having to go back 8) I'm looking forward to having some time to play pinball, make some soap and get lots of sleep.

 

[tiltjlp]

Maybe you should DL a starter table and give a try at making a table of your own Penquin. And if you make a bagatelle or maybe flipperless, you can get a lot of help right here. Enjoy your time off, and go play in the desert snow!

John

 

[Guest]

Seasons greetings to all.
And I mean ALL!!
Even Paccy.
While I don't agree with 90% of what he has to say I have NEVER wished him or anyone else any harm.
An internet debate is just that to me. Nothing more.
Party on but, most of all BE SAFE.

Hey JPH.
We "bronzed" Aussie's are a bit "uncomfortable" with other blokes saying they love you.
However I think you're really cool too. :D

 

[shiva]

Merry Christmas to everyone, I poked my head out after several hours of typing and getting my "presents" all ready for you all. Gonna be one hell of a christmas. :)

In the meanwhile, hope everyone enjoys the holidays, I have the added bonus of having my son as well for Christmas, and hopefully the cat will sit still long enough for me and him to put little antlers of him. :)

 

[JonPurpleHaze]

Seasons greetings to all.
And I mean ALL!!
Even Paccy.
While I don't agree with 90% of what he has to say I have NEVER wished him or anyone else any harm.
An internet debate is just that to me. Nothing more.
Party on but, most of all BE SAFE.

Hey JPH.
We "bronzed" Aussie's are a bit "uncomfortable" with other blokes saying they love you.
However I think you're really cool too. :D

I love your post Leon, How can a pinball lover not love you?

I get a little "uncomfortable" when a bronzed Aussie says "I think you're cool"... , unless it's one of those hot female swimmers, I'm married to a fine lady and am just joking.

Merry Christmas to you All!

 

[JonPurpleHaze]

Merry Christmas to everyone, I poked my head out after several hours of typing and getting my "presents" all ready for you all. Gonna be one hell of a christmas. :)

In the meanwhile, hope everyone enjoys the holidays, I have the added bonus of having my son as well for Christmas, and hopefully the cat will sit still long enough for me and him to put little antlers of him. :)

Shivasite is a present to me everytime I visit, Thankyou shiva!

One suggestion regarding the cat and antlers....
Use duct tape, not staples...:)

 

[shiva]

How about super glue. :)
Sad note, didn't get my son for christmas after all. (he was too sick according to his mother)
I'm pretty upset about it, but then, at least I will be around for the next few days to fix any problems with the site.
5 more hours. :)

 

[panda55]

I'm sorry about you not getting your son for Christmas. I can't imagine how hard it is for anyone in your position.

 

[tiltjlp]

Ho Ho Ho! You'd better not be talking about mistreating cats on Christmas, or you might get a revenge visit from Santa Claw's eight rein-cats.

John

 

[Wiliamo]

What better time to post my very first post here at Nirvana than now. May everyone and their families have a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. I want to thank all the pin devs out there that make this such a great community. And a special thank you to Tiltjlp, for your insight and mature view on things that are. You add spice to this already wonderful forum. I look forward an exciting new year. Thank Your All!

 

[tiltjlp]

Thank you Wiliamo, for your kind comments. I have mellowed over the years, and finally realize it's more rewarding to get along with folks than be a rebel. But the real kudos belong to JonPurpleHaze, who owns the site, and pretty much allows me the freedom to do things my way, now that's friendship.

Me, I'm just a mostly retired writer who needs an outlet for my creativity, so I make my funky bagatelle and flipperless tables, and try to convince folks that they are fun and challenging. And as you said Wiliamo, many thanks to every author, no matter what sort of tables they release. But also thanks to those members who haven't yet released anything. Give it time, the bug will bite you before too long. I'm looking for a table from Posty before too much longer.

John ldman