The Arcade Blues.

[strykr]

This happens to me every now and then when I have too many projects on, normally after a few days of trying to fix something and spending too much money and its still broken and you wonder what the hell your doing!!

Last time this happened to me I had 3 project cabs all very broken and I totally lost the will to fix anything and consequently didnt turn on and play any of my others!

I found that boxing up all the parts for each cab, moving all but one of them into another room and covering them, leaving me with just one project really helped, a few days off and then all of a sudden you see some progress and your back in the game

 

[thebman80]

I really do like the idea of assembly lining. The thought of bondo-ing a Ms. Pac, DK and MK2 cabinet in a row in the same sitting sounds kind of awesome, actually. Bulk restore!

It really helps especially if all the cabinets are just black. And bondoing like 5 at a time really doesn't take all that long. I always make to much of the stuff anyways helps to have a way to use it up quickly.

I had the blues when I finished all those cabinets last summer but now I'm kind of excited again because this spring I will have them all done with in a month. Mad Planets, Dragons lair, Galaga, and Tron. I have a 4 player Konami cabinet that needs to be done and that will be the first after these are finished up.

 

[trueno92]

Now add the headache of trying to compete with console games and online gaming and you have the operators life, right there...

Well, I've been at this hobby feverishly for the past 2 years and I'm think I'm beginning to get the arcade blues. I've acquired so many projects its beginning to feel a bit overwhelming. I currently have a Space Invaders that needs monitor work, a Shinobi suffering from vertical collapse (already fixed once and now it's back), Area 51 with a gun that's getting hot, a Galaga in shambles, a beat up Mrs Pac that I have new sideart for that I havnt even started and dead defender that is going to be a multiwilliams one day. Not to mention stock pile of CRTs that need to be rebuilt. Don't get me wrong, I do have a nice collection of working stuff as well, but thinking about every thing that needs to be done just isn't fun. My once spacious workshop is a crowded mess, and just going in there to work bums me out lately and feels like a chore.

I'm sure this is a common occurrence and I'm not saying I'm ready to throw in the towel or anything, but sometimes I do think it would be easier to just sell of all the broken stuff (although I'd probably regret it later).

Maybe I've just been spread to thin lately with the normal kids, work, house, stuff, and to top it all off I'm studying for grad school GMAT.

Anyway, looking for some advice or maybe just some encouragement from you seasoned vets of the hobby. How do you guys cope? LOL

 

[waterss]

I'm really surprised that you have time for anything with little one as young as yours are. Then throw in work and maintaining the house when do you get time to do anything else. But with all that going you do need some ZMAN6 time to unwind. Good thing is you own them, you don't pay a note on them, your not paying to store them, so they are not causing you to spend money at the moment. Put them to the side out of the way and take a breather, enjoy the kids and wife, then once your rested dive back in.

 

[Guru-420]

I agree with everything posted so far. The hobby comes/goes for me as well. I have found what works for me is:

1. Have true separation between what works and what doesn't. It's not always feasible for everyone, but being able to quickly see and identify whats broken and unplayable (as well as how much works and IS playable) will help you feel less overwhelmed and will also help with a sense of accomplishment.
2. Understand your true competency in repairs. We all like a cheap broken game, but we often wind up with something that may be more challenging to even try to repair. Know when to give up on a project and when to keep bashing your head against it.
3. Take a break. Yep, this has been covered.
4. Learn to prioritize repairs. Some things will take forever to fix fully, and others just need easy and basic repairs. Knock out your short list items to get back in a groove and get that confidence back. It's always a great feeling when a game is done.
5. Learn to NOT be a perfectionist. Don't sweat every detail. Some people like to tear-down a game to the bolts and restore. I save these efforts for when the projects are down to a minimum, unless you have unlimited time and money. While we all love to brag to each other about our restored games, the reality is most of the people that will be astonished with your collection wouldn't even care if the game looks perfect as long as it plays well.
6. Be OK with the idea of selling several projects that may drive you crazy to fund a game that requires little to no work. Games come and go, and unless your project is something you will never see again in your lifetime, they will pop up again eventually.
7. Play nice, be social and make friends. I try to help others with their games, and in return many have helped me with mine. We have also traded projects between each other that play better into our skillset.

These aren't all the answers, but it has helped me when my interest has waned a bit. I hope this will help you to refocus and get back to a happy place.

 

[Scaboney]

I'm really surprised that you have time for anything with little one as young as yours are. Then throw in work and maintaining the house when do you get time to do anything else. But with all that going you do need some ZMAN6 time to unwind. Good thing is you own them, you don't pay a note on them, your not paying to store them, so they are not causing you to spend money at the moment. Put them to the side out of the way and take a breather, enjoy the kids and wife, then once your rested dive back in.

This! This is a hobby (for me at least) I buy and fix things when I have the time and money. Hobby is an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation. I'm 35 with a wife and 5 year old and quite frankly, sometimes I don't have time for rest and relaxation for myself. I need to be the best father and husband I can be (help with HW, lunches, dinners, baths, quality time with family). I can't relax if I feel guilty that I'm not being the best father, husband, or even employee sometimes (writing this at work lol).

I'm not saying don't find "me" time, I'm just saying for me, I find I'm less involved with the hobby when I have other things that need my attention more than arcade games.