Hello PGJ readers! It's me, Norm! The editor of the PinGame Journal asked me write a column. Why? Hell I don't know, but being noncommittal I said, "I might." Since I'm also basically lazy, I came up with this idea that avoids me doing any work. It's a form that you, the subscriber, can fill out and do the work for me! This is to be a regular reader article with a slant on pinball. Time to show off your games (send in pictures!) and share your thoughts on coin-op. The form will sometimes be included in the magazine, but can always be found, completed, and submitted at www.pingamejournal.com/norm. Maybe you can even send in some video tape footage, and we might use it in a future TOP video tape!

Not-So-Sincerely,
Norm of "This Old Pinball"

Another Norm 'Pitch' (and Bat). Have you ever thought about the 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol promised us? Why is Katie Couric, Andy Richter, Howard Stern, George Bush and Geoffery Fieger getting more than their fair share? Well here's your chance. Take it from Norm: your head will swell so big it will be hard to walk through any doorway after everyone sees your article on the printed page. I have written for Coin Drop, Pinhead Classified, Pinball Trader and GameRoom, all of which have gone out of business (well, except for GameRoom but we'll see!) But, trust me on this, you WANT to be published in the PinGame Journal before the same thing happens to it! Filling out the "Norm Form" to show off your games is only one way. What the hell, write your own full-blown article, grab your own 15 minutes and keep me from stealing any credit! Just think ... if you write an article for the PGJ you will be a published author in an International Publication! You can show it off to friends, family and co-workers. When you are done bragging about it, frame it and put it up by your games. Or simply use it to line the garbage can. It's your choice! What should you write about? Consider these topics: Your first pinball, your favorite pinball, your best deal, worst deal, strangest deal, restoring a game, best arcade memory, strange things found inside a game, trends you see in pinball, how not to fix a game, best pinball shopping tip, first memories as a player, etc etc. Any of the above mentioned topics may produce a Pulitzer Prize! What the heck, also send us some CLEAR photos of yourself and your passion. We'll print those too! Who knows maybe I'll send you a free video or t-shirt, or put your letter IN a video. Norm.