I’ve always been fascinated by the flashing lights and mechanical
contraptions of pinball machines, so it was with great delight that I
noticed that Timezone in Greenbelt 3 had two spiffy new machines:
Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings. I had been a little
out of sorts that evening, but I couldn’t resist trying both of them
out. My dad played as well, and it was fun reminiscing about the
pinball machines we played in France and the computer game we used to
play all night.

I remember figuring out the exact timing I needed to hit the bonus
ramps over and over and over again. Computers allow you that kind of
consistency. The physical world is more random but also more fun as
you deal with the chaos of balls cascading down and careening around
the playing field. Besides, the cost (the equivalent of CAD 0.50 for
three balls) adds spice to every game.

An arcade hidden along Yonge Street has a good array of pinball
machines, and I seem to remember that you could play them for a
quarter. I should make a trip back there sometime.

A pinball wizard I am not, but I do like the game.

Random Emacs symbol: widget-specify-button – Function: Specify button for WIDGET between FROM and TO.