Hey gang. Well, I turned 40 yesterday and was in a bit of a funk, but I was met with a pretty nice surprise when I went into work that evening.
This machine turned up in a local consignment/thrift store about a month ago. It caught my eye because cosmetically it's in pristine condition (I'm told it was stored away for years by the owner of a local hardware store or something, it was his son who decided to sell it). I mentioned it to the wife in casual conversation, but I didn't give it any serious consideration at all since I thought the price was rather high (it was listed for like $1,200) and I wasn't in the market for an dedicated arcade cabinet. Anyway, she secretly contacted the owner and worked out a deal, and managed to get it for under 300 bucks, and some trade work (which I won't mind doing). I was REALLY blown away, because it was the farthest thing from my mind.
She also got me some other small Pac-Man gifts, Fruit balloons and cupcakes with cherries, Strawberries, and little keys on them to go with the Pac theme, and a 'Travel Boy' backpack from ThinkGeek.com to match my Travel Boy carry-on hard case.
Some of you may recall that I get really cool gaming themed Easter Baskets every year. Well, I didn't get one this year, which is a first in like 8 years since the tradition started. I DID get the 'Travel Boy' carry-on hard case and some other goodies for Easter, but they wouldn't have fit in a basket. Anyway, this birthday haul more than made up for it.
I'm leaving it in the waiting area at work, and am already considering acquiring more machines now, and making a little mini arcade in the parlor's lobby. There's a long hallway leading to the restrooms that would be perfect to line with arcade machines.