Member backgrounds, collection questions

This is a topic that's quite popular on the rec.games.pinball newsgroup that I frequent often and I haven't seen it posted here before.  What employment  backgrounds are here (interesting note:most of the rgp folks work in the computer/IT industry), how long have you been collecting, what is in your collection, what is your favorite manufacturer, and anything else you would care to share with the group (other interests, gameroom photos, etc)?

I'm fairly new to this board, but since I posed the question I'll start.

I'm an environmental engineer at a small gold mine in Northeastern Washington.  My wife and I have been collecting soda machines for 4 years.  We have a westinghouse standard (first purchase, complete with 3 bullet holes, sun- faded pink ice box and "rare" grey and white latex paint rings on the lid) and a Heintz Pepsi Gullwing (which several of you have been kind enough to help me out with during my restoration attempt "Thanks again guys and gals").  I don't have a favorite manufacturer, but would love to own just about any coin operated round top.  My other interests include
vintage mechanical slot machines, pre-1960 jukeboxes, and  pinball machines (specifically electro-mechanical pinballs hence the "empinball" moniker).  Here's a link to an outdated page with some of my "Toys".  http://www.theofficenet.com/~2brydh3/toys/

[Jim]

I'm in the Fire Rescue Service for 16 years. My actual position within the organization is Driver Engineer. I also have a small company that develops web sites, US Web Tech, Inc.

As fas as collecting is concerned, I began collecting soda advertising back in the late 80's with my first machine, a Vendo 39, being purchased in '89. From then on, I began looking for soda machines, gasoline pumps and jukeboxes all while still collecting my true favorite, advertising signs, with flange signs being the pride of my collection.

I ceased performing restorations a few years ago after having a small business, Vintage Restorations, for approximately 8 years. Over the years, I have restored various soda machines/coolers, picnic coolers, gasoline pumps, pedal cars along with other various oddities. A previous post has a few pictures of my old gameroom...

[Pat Pixley]

Well I'm In the family Insurance Business we have two
agencies I am a agent In Personal & Commercial line's .I have been there 12 yrs  and injoy the challenge  of  the new and odd.
I started collecting soda pop sfuff in 1996 my first machine
was a Cavalier  CSS 96 and that is what made me go over board on soda pop stuff I have bottles, card board signs,
crate's,tin signs,picnic coolers and have owned a few machine.

I also collect shot glasses I have 335 and they are  from all
over the world . I Also injoy working with wood I built a bar out of oak,  I'm getting ready to start a entertainment center .
 Out side I have japanese garden  with a  small pond that
I work every day(in the morning hours) that helps keep
me in good mental shape , then I work out at the gym.

Plus I have 1963 International Scout that I plan on
restoring next year.
I also injoy being with my family & friends.

Pat P.

Well im a quadraplegic ,i've been parilized 15 yrs
im unable to use anything from my chest down an no use of my hands,but i have some use of my arms. i spend my days in my living room ,im not able to go places or do to much of anything.years ago after my accident i taught myself to paint by holding a brush in my mouth,it was a great way to keep myself busy.
then a few years ago i got a computer ,it has been great.i've meet lots of people on the net,and i find many wonderful things on it .it is one way i found a hobbie i've always wanted to do--vending machine-- started with gumball and now the best of all coke machines. i have 2 now and its slow going but im having fun and keeping busy, i owe my wife lots of thank she dose all the work-running and find them and she tries her best to fix them up ,its a thing we share an its fun for us.
i have look at many diffrent  machines an i would love to own one each but thats impossible, that i guess is the coke machine bug so i limited myself to no more than4 .so i am saving for #3 now.lol
my first 2 still have some work todo on and its a slow prosecce  but ill get there one day .its a very rewarding hobbie,all though it takes up more room than my coin collecting did or my electric trains. but i get a joy from the look on my friends faces when they see then for the first time.i also think its contagous  my brother-in-law has started to look for one.
also this site is the best way to get help and the people here are great!!!!! thanks  '>  '>

[Creighton]

Day job is tech support/training for satellite navigation equipment (GPS). Bought a RT Vendo 56 shell awhile back and have been having a grand time getting all of the parts located and assembled. Great board!!
br,
cjs

I am a Network Engineer at Sprint in Northern VA.  I design IP, Frame Relay, and ATM networks for customers.  Since the layoffs of 30% of our Engineers my workload has become unbearable (100 hours last week) and I am miserable.  BUT - I can't leave because there are no Telecom jobs out there to be had.  I also repair PC's on the side - that business is called "PC Doc" and it is all house-calls.

I have a website on both PC info and Life

http://www.infocellar.com

There is a ton of info on the PC and how it all works, and it is written in Layman's terms, but it is a real education and I would encourage you to go there for an hour.  I can assure you that you will learn a lot - the direct link to that page is:

http://www.infocellar.com/tech/hardware/index.htm

Here is my 2nd job Business card - an artist that I found on the Internet designed it for me (for a fee of course)  .  .  .