The Return of Cranky
March 2nd, 2006 at 9:54 pm by CrankyI know many of you were sitting on pins and needles wondering where the heck I was. After what must have been the longest 20 seconds of your life, you probably were distracted by remembering that the lint trap needed to be cleaned.
Well, I was visting my family in Northern California for a long weekend. One of the highlights that I thought might be of interest, besides going to the Denny’s in Modesto, was my trip to beautiful Santa Cruz. This is a gorgeous coastal community near San Jose.
From four years old to forty, I have visited many times and collected many memories. Here are some digital photos from my visit this last weekend.
We went to the arcade at the Boardwalk. This is kind of a Mecca to me. They have a collection of classic arcade games along side the Virtual Reality laser tag games.
That’s Asteroids, Space Invaders and Tempest. All original. Shoot, I think I played these very games 25 years ago. Although you can play them at home for free, it’s just not the same as standing in front the cabinet.
This was the oldest pinball machine I could find. I used to like one called Paragon (Bally 1979), but they seem to finally have retired it.
Atari, before they were slayed by two digital Italian brothers a/k/a Nintendo’s Mario Brothers, were the undisputed masters of the Arcade. They even made a few pinball machines. Superman was probably their most successful.
Nostalgia is a very exhausting pasttime, so let’s go to the fabulous hot dog stand and get some grub.
I have never been so afraid of quotes before.
OK, how about a little sight seeing?
One of the most appealing things about living in Santa Cruz is the ocean views from the cliffs near the shore. One of the most insane things about those who live in Santa Cruz is the absolute fearlessness of living on a cliff near the shore.
Sure my house is propped up on sticks on an eroding hillside in an earthquake zone, what’s your point?
March 2nd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Hey welcome back. I did almost post a comment asking where you were, but I thought I had already surpassed my daily comment quota.
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Wow. These digital images have me thinkin’ we have another Edward Hopper in Cranky, or even a Thomas Hart Benton. It’s all so…American, if you know what I mean. What an eye Gordon has for the little details.
March 3rd, 2006 at 5:55 pm
I used to collect arcade and home games. Got out of it some time ago, tho. Still, here are some pics for you to browse of my once-pretty-great collection. Love the site, keep up the fine work!
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 pm
You mean CrankyGal cut you loose to spend hours and hours reliving good times before you two ever met? Crany, I am in AWE!
March 4th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the kind words, Rhod.
John, your game room is amazing.
Michael, she’s a gem. But to be fair, we have a 3:1 ratio in her favor of who goes out of town.
March 4th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Cranky – that’s a menu board that will haunt my dreams
John in NH – I hate you.
March 4th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
did you say Mecca?
March 4th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Yes, Jane I did say Mecca. Is that the only way to get your attention these days?
March 4th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
You can try dropping a link to 6MB in her comments, like this. It may be a cheap grab for attention, but it worked for me!
March 5th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Whoa, i could do a whole blog post about the Denny’s in Modesto. Excellent banana split there. It’s at least as good as the banana split at any other Denny’s in the country. Possibly better. But watch out for the meth addicts when you walk out to your car afterwards.
March 8th, 2006 at 9:36 am
I know I’m a little late on this one, but Cranky… I have the PARAGON pinball machine!! Well, actually, my brother does. Full size pinball, baby. It was a central feature in my childhood, but of course, the brother inherited the pinball machine and I got some namby pamby armoire or something. Damnit.
March 8th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
MRSPTH, I am deeply envious.
What I can only liken to a religious ritual, I would play one or two games of Paragon everytime I went to the arcade. Only once did I win a game on points. This went on from 1979 until somewhere in the 1990s.
Your bro wouldn’t be interested in selling, would he?