Hi, My Name is Doc, And I Am Addicted To Pinball

It's a sad thing, really. Some people have addictions that some perceive as cool. Pinball isn't one of them. That's what makes my confession more difficult. But, it's true. My name is Doc and I am a pinball addict. There, I've said it. 

I've confessed this to my kids. Their response was not surprising. What is pinball, Dad? Is that a video game for old people? Ouch. Yes, my children, it is. Old people. Ouch. Let me pick up my walker and explain how it happened.

I grew up - debatable yes - in the 70s. This was before many of the digital video games hit in the 80s. Back in those days, if you went to a bowling alley or pizza place, no doubt you would encounter a pinball machine. My first was a table called Gorgar.

Two things to know about Gorgar. It was the first talking pinball machine and it had a woman in a loincloth on it. I was 13 years old and that was enough to entertain me for weeks.

Shortly after that, I started playing Black Knight. Thanks to the upper and lower levels of this machine, I developed lightning fast ninja-like skills that I've never since used for a useful purpose.

This strange pinball addiction could probably be forgiven if it was something that only happened during my childhood. But, no, I have never stopped loving pinball. My favorite table of all time has to be Theater of Magic that came out in 1995 when I was supposedly a grown adult.

Next time you're listening to my show and you hear an unexplained "ding" in the background, you will understand what's going on. It's just your friendly neighborhood rock jock who also happens to be an addict - to pinball. Hello, my name is Doc and I'm a pinball addict. And, yes, pinball is a video game for old people like me.