Subtitles by the Amara.org community I've been in in a very long time. You know how the resource of time is one of the, if not most finite resources anyone ever has and you never really get it back. I kind of just did. My wife and I, Dana and I kind of just did in a weird way. We had a one-two punch of phenomenal news concerning Mabel. For those longtime listeners of the show, Mabel is our dog. We are dog lovers like a lot of you. She was recently diagnosed with mast cell tumors on her legs, two of them. We got them surgically removed and we were awaiting the pathology results to see how serious the cancer was. Well, it turns out there is no cancer. It was misdiagnosed. And that was some of the best news we could have gotten. Details aside, yeah, just basically went in there, you know, I'm waiting for the results. She got her stitches out and I'm like, oh, well, we can tell you about the results. And I'm like nervous, you know, that feeling where like everything's about to change. Oh my God, it's going to be stress. And like, oh, I just feel so bad for her, I love her so much. And then, oh yeah, she's fine. Come again? She's, uh, you know, and I just in shock and it was such a great day and all this. So while we were about to get her surgery to get these removed, we got a DNA test for her. We've gotten a DNA test to see her breed mix and all that in the past because we usually get foster dogs. And when we got her, her age was assumed to be four, so she would be roughly seven right now. We wanted to get her age tested to also coincide with the results of the pathology to find out how much are we going to really, you know, put her through. She's, you know, depending on her age, it's just we wanted to know for health concerns and all that. So we're like, all right, well, on the lowest side, she's seven, you know, maybe she's actually more like nine or 11. And, you know, we've been through that before. Losing a dog is one of the worst things ever. And so we got the results of her age today. You know, like, maybe, maybe we were thinking eight for sure. She's fucking four years old. We somehow gained, gained three years with our dog, just reverse time. On the ninth day of fall, pinball gave to me, Erica's Pinball Journey. Thanks, Craig, Bobby, Buffalo Pinball, Kevin, Chip, McDavid, Dennis, Kyle, and Rachel Best. Rachel Best does pinball podcast show reps, pinball brain, and one half of a fan feature. Shoes, bids, and many Merry Christmases, Erica, from Erica's Pinball Journeys. How are you doing? Doing good. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas to you too. I was on YouTube or Facebook or Instagram, I don't know, I started seeing your logo pop up and I was very impressed by the art. I recently watched the interview you did with the making of the Aliens pinball machine and that was off the charts. How long have you been doing this? Well, as you call it, the pinball journey. Well, my pinball journey kind of started in February of 2022. I had a friend that bought a Jurassic Park Data East and he's like, Yo, Erica, you need to get a pinball machine. And I had started a new corporate job and not traveling as much. And then I was like, yeah, I think I want a pinball machine and bought a Lord of the Rings and I haven't looked back since. I saw your like-minded souls, your top five video, you know, the Kineticist had us doing Lord of the Rings as your number one, right? Yeah, it is. I love that game and movie, like all of it. And as a filmmaker, right, the way you described it in your video, I watched it like three times because you were getting into, you know, the enthusiasm. I could see the enthusiasm. And honestly, that video is one of the reasons like, you should totally come on here. We haven't talked before. Spoiler alert to all the listeners. We've never talked. So thank you very much for joining and just going through the circus with us. Definitely. I enjoy the show. From what I've seen, your stuff is just top notch. So please keep doing what you're doing. Were you at Expo this year, I think? I did. I did go to Expo. I have a recap video coming up. I'm a film editor. I'm not an editor by any means. I used to edit back in the day a bit when I was working freelance on film stuff, but now I'm mostly like a supervisor, coordinator. I've done AD work and was a PA for many years, or production assistant for those of you that don't know the film terms and stuff. Yeah. Yeah. I've been in the film industry since like 2015, I think. Do you have a favorite one of those that you can talk about? Yeah. I mean, I've worked on some pretty cool stuff. I am on IMDB, so you can find me on the International Movie Database or IMDB, usually. Yeah. I'd say like my coolest project. I mean, I worked on Matrix 4. Are you serious? I was just talking about Matrix instead of pinball but wow. I honestly don't think you could have said a better movie. Truly. It's probably the coolest one. I did a really fun one called Black Bear. It's a movie with Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott and whatnot. So that one was really fun and I like lived at the house we filmed at. So crazy times. Would you like a rumored Matrix pinball machine? Oh, hell yeah. I heard like somebody was telling me, I don't tell a lot of people that I, like, I tell people I've worked on movies and TV shows, but I don't really say what, like my last name, I don't really like put it out there. Same a lot. Like, yeah, people, people ask it, but like, you know, it's not something I'm like, oh, yeah, my last name is blah, blah, blah. So your pinball stuff, I mean, it's called Erica's Pinball Journey is kind of the overall thing. I mean, is that the YouTube, right? It's called Erica's Pinball Journey? Yeah, YouTube, Instagram. I post more on Instagram at the moment. It's a bit easier, right? Like just photos and some small silly videos I have every once in a while. I plan to ramp up a lot more in the coming year. It's just been, you know, like life. It's been hard, but my job, either kind of maybe lucky for me. I just went part-time. So I now only work three days a week. So I'm now really wanting to dedicate those two extra days now to actually work on my content, work with local arcades, and just really share with people what I'm learning. Because I just have all these questions my non-pinball friends ask. And I'm like, ugh, I just want to go to my YouTube channel. That was really the reason why I wanted to start my channel. I got into pinball and everyone's like, what are you doing? What is this pinball that you're super into? I'm like, oh, it's this and it's this. It would just take so long. They would just keep asking me these questions. I'm like, I can't keep spending my day repeating the same story. I'm just going to make a YouTube channel to direct my friends to. Oh, you want to know about tournaments? Oh, go check out my YouTube channel. You want to know what it's like to join a league? Go check out my YouTube channel. Bit by the pinball bug, start using your talents to make these videos and share with them. I love that it comes out of a place of necessity. If your friends are asking, it's very similar to why I started the pinball party. Well, not a very similar reason, but a reason of like I kept getting grief from people on PinSide. I'd buy a game, play it, sell it. And people like, what is wrong with you? What do you mean what's wrong with me? Like, what's wrong with you? I don't know. And then to a point, like, I guess I'll just tell you all what's going on because you won't stop asking it. So, yeah, same thing. Similar. Yeah. Out of a need. You just get too many questions. You just gotta fill up the gap, you know? Yeah. And it's just so cool. I've met so many amazing people and they just want to share, like, oh, do you know about this? I'm like, no, tell me more. And I feel like I definitely need to, I want to ramp up what I've been doing and sharing my journey more because I'm learning a lot and I'm not sharing all of it yet. So I need to start sharing more of it. So give the people what they want. What was the most memorable thing of 2023? Well, I got to go to Expo this year and that was really awesome. I had heard about it last year when I got into it and getting to go and meet people and see people listen to their podcasts, watch their YouTube channels. Like it was really just like really inspiring and really pushed me to like want to keep making more. And the fact that some people recognize me too. I was like, wow, I don't even have that many people right now. I'm a fan of yours as well. I was talking with her when we were just doing this and I brought it up. I was like, I should bring on Erica. What do you think? And she's like, yes. I'm like, all right, sold. So that was it. Yeah, I really want to go to their arcade so bad. Like I'm putting it on my list of arcades to see in 2024. Bring a video camera and make a video, please, so I can watch it. Yes. Oh, definitely. I don't go anywhere without it. I mean, yeah, I don't have my Expo video up yet. And that was back in October. But I have some break now during the holidays and I'm just going to start editing. To frequently attend and to hunt and pick up adventures of which I'm capable of in a professional and well-programmed way. Sure ghosts are real. Yes they are confirmed. Do you have a favorite made-up monster or maybe not made-up? Loch Ness monster, Sasquatch, Yeti, Chupacabra? Favorite made-up monster? You know I like a unicorn or a mermaid. Those sound pretty cool. Nice. Yeah I got a Fathom, so mermaids. Oh do you really? Yeah. He played pinball before. Like as a kid, he talked about it. And then it's funny, I kind of I got my dad back into pinball. Like he played when he was younger, but not a lot. You know, he told me stories like, Oh, yeah, I remember I'd spend all my quarters over at this one place. And we'd play. He grew up in Sweden. So they'd have them at the ski lodges or something like that. And he would play. And then I was like, Dad, I want to buy a pinball machine. He's like, What are you talking about? Pinball? I played that as a kid. You want to play that now? I'm proud of myself for myself. I think putting myself out there and finally making this channel. I shot like an episode back in September of 2022 and I like hated it. Did you? I decided, yeah, I could probably share with you my awful takes. It's not out there? It's definitely not out there. But you know, maybe I make a Patreon and people can watch me struggle. Yes. Yes. See Erika's Pinball Struggles Journey. Yeah. Yeah, because my first episode even, I did three takes of that. It's like three hours of footage of me trying to talk on camera, and I really sympathize for the actors I've worked with over the years. I'm like, holy moly this is hard. And figuring out my style, I like to think I'm a very funny, positive, happy person. And sometimes when I'm recording though, I feel like it's pretty late at night, I have roommates, so I wonder, I'm like just almost feel embarrassed like with I'm like, hey everybody today. Right. It's like, you know, it's like talking really loud and but no, they're like gamers too, so they probably have their headphones on and don't even know, so. Or they're streaming on Twitch and yeah. Yeah, yeah, they don't. It is hard though, right? The like, hey everybody, what's up? You know, and I like when I'm doing a podcast or I mean, it's much easier like talking with someone like you to actually be excited. I don't want my videos to be like, and so pinball is great. You get a ball and... Well, from what I've seen, I'd say keep going, keep doing what you're doing. It comes across the enthusiasm, the joy, even the outtakes on the, I think it was your favorite five. Is that where you had some outtakes on? Yeah. I watched them. Yeah, it was good. I liked that stuff. People have told me they really liked the outtakes, so I think I'm just going to I think I'm gonna keep them and I have so many. Yeah. Sign up for your Patreon, you'll get to see three hours of them. Yeah. God. Yeah. How much you bench? How much I bench? Oh man. I haven't been hitting the gym much lately because I have a torn tendon in my foot. But when I was benching, I think I was at 85 pounds. But my max before. Someone who has a rambunctious hypothesis that pinball makes money from, even though they don't take any money from this industry. Hey, you're a tendon. Here's my foot. Whoa! It's in a bag. It's in a bag because we don't wear shoes in our house and I only have one boot. So I'm wearing one of those like medical slipper things to keep my boot clean. I'm just going to ask this question. You can answer it now or if you want to wait a little bit. In the spirit of Seinfeld's Festivus where you air grievances of each other, do you have a pinball grievance of 2023 that you could share? Something that you were disappointed with, a game you didn't like, something. Aside from obviously your tendon is probably not a joyful part. Yeah my foot has been a hindrance on my life for like two months now. Actually a bit longer. But I didn't know it. It was torn. I've been walking around with it for like six months and didn't know it. But that's a whole story. But now I'm on the way to recovery and I think that's really great. But like a grievance, I'd say like I really wish that I put out more content. I have so many videos and I just need to put in the time and I need to stop being in my head so much I think and just like put it out there. I think people are going to love it or hate it. And I just want to share this newfound love I have and just educate people about things. And sure, tell me my top five are wrong. I think that was pretty funny. Some people messaging me telling me, you have the wrong top five games. And I'm like, what? Like, you have, yeah, sure. From my experience, I mean, from what I've seen, you're good at it. No matter, I would say put it out. You're gonna get people who may say anything anyway no matter what. Even the bigger the better you do, you're gonna get more. I've gotten plenty of just hurtful, like a couple that are like, wow, you took your time out of your life to message someone that just to make them feel bad. Luckily I have my wife soon that we just, you know, we'd rip a canoe asshole on our side just fuck you, what a piece of shit, you know? In Friends and Kyle and Rachel, we all sympathize and I mean it happens but I get it like there's stuff I don't want to put out because I'm afraid of the backlash, but it's gonna come even the better you. I think that's a new like mindset. I like I didn't think of it like that. I'm just like sharing some things I think that are interesting and if you don't like it, you know, like, like some people have told me that I've taught the wrong thing on like how to get into pinball like I'm like okay like thank you for your feedback you know like I do you know I'm happy to take it like constructive criticism and you know I know I'm not gonna please everybody like I'm doing it how like in my mindset like from what I've I don't know. Well, it's working. I mean, I saw it. I liked it. I'm like, hell yeah, let's talk. Just keep going. What do you want for Christmas this year? Anything specific? Ooh, you know, I would love an Elton John. Yeah. If I could afford that for Christmas this year, that would have been amazing. My dad and I would have. Yeah, he would have absolutely loved going to Expo to play it. I just kept thinking of him and how he worked on the game. That's very sweet. I have a good back and flights hurt so I can't. I can't imagine yeah no thanks no yeah it's from California it's a little bit of a it's about five hours I think oh yeah yeah for me it's just a it's actually for me it's a five hour drive, four and a half, but flight about 30 minutes. What are you looking forward to the most in 2024 in the world of pinball? Yeah I'm always excited for new games. I'm excited to play what's come out and somewhere nearby me I'm excited to go to their place a lot and play and then I saw Spooky's new release. I'm excited to play. I'm not a big horror fan. So probably I'll play Texas Chainsaw, but it's I like I'm such a baby when it comes to scary movies. So I've never seen it. But yeah, definitely excited for Looney Tunes when it comes up at some local location. And yeah, whatever new games. Insider Connected has been really great. I want to do it. It's a great place for people to do a little bit better at that and get my badges. That's pretty fun and interactive. And just make more content and be more consistent. Speaking of, what's next on your docket for Erica's Pinball Journey on YouTube? Is it the Expo video or you got something else coming up? Yeah, I have a video for an arcade that I love, Lynn's Arcade down in Seaside. I absolutely adore those people there and I have an interview I did with them a few months back. There's a lot of stuff that I'm going to talk about. I'm going to talk about the future of pinball and stuff. But yeah, I have Lynn's Arcade episode is next. And then I do have an Expo recap. And then I have a Gottlieb prototype video that I'm really excited about. So for the people that want to see your stuff and follow Erica's Pinball Journey, where can they find you? They can find me on YouTube and Instagram. I'm on Instagram at ericaspinballjourney. I'm that on every social media platform wherever you get your stuff. I'm more active I'd say on Instagram but I'm working on my Facebook and my TikTok and you know all the social type things. But yeah it's ericaspinballjourney across the board on everything. Okay. Luckily it wasn't taken. Yeah. Yeah. Well hey, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Thanks for joining. I know it was short notice and I really appreciate you hopping on out of nowhere and doing this.