Hate to say it, but I am getting out...

ArcRevival

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RAPID CITY, South Dakota
...of Idaho that is.

I LOVE Idaho. I really do. I have lived on both coasts of this country and all I can say is that Idaho is the finest place you could ever hope to hang your hat. But, I love working on arcade games and jukeboxes and pinball machines even more. And for me, the best chance of being able to do that is back in California. My friend and mentor Tom is willing to take me under his wing again and further my training. Another factor that comes in to play ( as some of you know) is that I got married last year. My Wife would also like to move to the Bay Area and give it a go.

There are a lot of details to work out still but if all goes well, I should be down there in the next 2-3 months. I am not exactly sure about how much and what kind of repairs Tom and I will be taking on. I hope to make house calls, take in several monitors for repair ( mainly vectors but a few others too ) and possibly some of the boards that no one else is, like the 8080 stuff and who knows what else. It's just really hard to say at this point what the size and scope of the operation will be. I also plan on having a place where people can drop things off to be repaired. I will probably be in Castro Valley, it's where I used to live and the best for the money from what I can see.

I am cautiously optimistic about all of this. I am hoping it all works out. I guess time will tell.
I am probably going to stash all my games in storage for now and come back for them later when I am settled. The rest of this year will be pretty interesting to say the least. I have a solid lead on a part time job that has benefits and looking for something else in case that falls through. We will be staying at my sisters house in San Ramon at first so we will have some time to get up and running.

Stay tuned ...
 
Good luck! I would think that this is a hobby for most and that very few could actually make a living at it, but if you can, then I'm sure you're much happier than working a 9-5..
 
No excuse to miss CAX now.

Adamdiz said:
Congrats, sorry that you have to move to california though :(
I would much rather live in California than Michigan any day.
If I want snow I can go to the mountains.
 
let us know when you get here. I'm sure I can dig up some things I need fixed and send a little business your way when you are ready for it.
 
Congrats, ArcRevival, and congrats on the marriage as well.

Getting pushed out of your comfort zone in life is a good thing. You can't live life afraid.

Worst case, Idaho will still be around if things don't work out (and if California gets the "big one", maybe you'll have waterfront property!) :D
 
No the weather here is perfect here.
There is way more going on here.
I can even ride my PWC in the winter if I desire.
 
Wait. Is this the same Dave I picked the Pac-Man and Galaga cabs up from back in the 90's/2k's? Lived in a neighborhood in Castro Valley where they forced you to park your car in the garage?
 
Seems like you always hear about people leaving California, not going...

I have visited a few times and even tried simulating living there. I spun around real fast until I was dizzy then walked across the kitchen to simulate a quake, then I went outside, took a $100 bill, wrote "Taxes for Today" on it with a Sharpie, then burned it. I decided I still liked Kentucky and that if I moved it would be to Texas.
 
I don't know why but I just think this is very cool. Consider the East Bay area. Housing is relatively affordable compared to many other places and there's a lot to do here.

But it's close enough to all the action that you can get there quickly. Lot's of open space if you enjoy the outdoors too. Plus...you would be a great resource to have near! :)

Martinez still has kind of a small town feel....
 
...of Idaho that is.

I LOVE Idaho. I really do. I have lived on both coasts of this country and all I can say is that Idaho is the finest place you could ever hope to hang your hat. But, I love working on arcade games and jukeboxes and pinball machines even more. And for me, the best chance of being able to do that is back in California. My friend and mentor Tom is willing to take me under his wing again and further my training. Another factor that comes in to play ( as some of you know) is that I got married last year. My Wife would also like to move to the Bay Area and give it a go.

There are a lot of details to work out still but if all goes well, I should be down there in the next 2-3 months. I am not exactly sure about how much and what kind of repairs Tom and I will be taking on. I hope to make house calls, take in several monitors for repair ( mainly vectors but a few others too ) and possibly some of the boards that no one else is, like the 8080 stuff and who knows what else. It's just really hard to say at this point what the size and scope of the operation will be. I also plan on having a place where people can drop things off to be repaired. I will probably be in Castro Valley, it's where I used to live and the best for the money from what I can see.

I am cautiously optimistic about all of this. I am hoping it all works out. I guess time will tell.
I am probably going to stash all my games in storage for now and come back for them later when I am settled. The rest of this year will be pretty interesting to say the least. I have a solid lead on a part time job that has benefits and looking for something else in case that falls through. We will be staying at my sisters house in San Ramon at first so we will have some time to get up and running.

Stay tuned ...

fine, gawwwd nobody even wants you in the 'ho anyways.... more tater tots for me
180px-Gallery_Napoleon_Dynamite_1.jpg
 
I am considering moving down to Sac or the bay area in the next few years as well. I like Reno OK, but there are just way more collectors in California. There are more job opportunities as well, just not sure about the cost of living.
 
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