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FROM THE EDITOR Weathering the the tough tough times times Weathering J J ackKelleher Kellehercalled calledthe theother otherday. day.Next Nextyear yearyou youwon't won'thave havetotoask askwho whohe he ack is, but now it's a natural question. As you've read, AMOA has severed its is, but now it's a natural question. As you've read, AMOA has severed its relationshipwith withSmith, Smith,Bucklin Bucklinand andreturned returnedtotowhat whatititwas wasininthe thepastpastrelationship an independent organization. Jack has been hired as the executive vice president. an independent organization. Jack has been hired as the executive vice president. AMOA headquarters are now in the same building that houses AAMA so the two AMOA headquarters are now in the same building that houses AAMA so the two industry associations will have a much closer working relationship. industry associations will have a much closer working relationship. But that's not what I want to talk about-exactly. Jack happened to call the day But that's not what I want to talk about-exactly. Jack happened to call the day backtotowork workafter afterHurricane HurricaneGeorges Georgesput putus usout outof of we finallywere wereable abletotocome comeback we finally commission for nearly a week. Jack kindly expressed his concern about our fate, commission for nearly a week. Jack kindly expressed his concern about our fate, but something else he said struck a nerve. As I was recounting several acts of kindbut something else he said struck a nerve. As I was recounting several acts of kindness and concern shown during that rough tin1e, he commented that it was ness and concern shown during that rough time, he commented that it was strange how people come together in an emergency. strange how people come together in an emergency. And come together they did. With 75 mph winds and rains whipping trees into And come together they did. With 75 mph winds and rains whipping trees into a frenzy, two of my neighbors braved the elements to h elp me find my cat who a frenzy, two of my neighbors braved the elements to help me find my cat who had escaped from the house. Although we didn't find Sam, we did find two others had escaped from the house. Although we didn't find Sam, we did find two others and saw them safely home. Since only about four fanlllies on our block opted to and saw them safely home. Since only about four families on our block opted to stay put and not flee North, we kept an eye on the empty, boarded-up homes. We stay put and not flee North, we kept an eye on the empty, boarded-up homes. We had 11 people and six (yes, six) dogs and two cats sharing our house for three days had 11 people and six (yes, six) dogs and two cats sharing our house for three days andwe wedidn't didn'teven evenkill killeach eachother! other!In Infact, fact,after afterall allwas wassaid saidand anddone, done,my myhushusand band said he enjoyed having everyone there. Talk about "quality" time with the band said he enjoyed having everyone there. Talk about "quality" time with the people you love! you love! people I often wondered why bad things had to happen. Invariably, someone would I often wondered why bad things had to happen. Invariably, someone would say something like "you can't enjoy the good times if you haven't been through say something like "you can't enjoy the good times if you haven't been through some bad ones." I would cringe when I heard and perceived it as a trite cliche. I some bad ones." I would cringe when I heard and perceived it as a trite cliche. I now know that I felt that way because I never understood. After all, who really now know that I felt that way because I never understood. After all, who really goes through tough times when they're young? Now that I'm older (wiser?) I've goes through tough times when they're young? Now that I'm older (wiser?) I've been through some rough times, rougher than I'd ever imagined. But I've also ex- been through some rough times, rougher than I'd ever imagined. But I've also experienced times I never thought could be so good. perienced times I never thought could be so good. Ourindustry industryhas hasendured enduredsome someturbulent turbulenteras, eras,and andI'm I'msure sureyou'll you'llthank thankme me Our for not dwelling on those. However, the coin-op industry has been blessed with for not dwelling on those. However, the coin-op industry has been blessed with exemplary times too. We've withstood hurricane force winds coming from all diexemplary times too. We've withstood hurricane force winds coming from all di- rections, and we've enjoyed some of the most wonderful times anyone has had in rections, and we've enjoyed some of the most wonderful times anyone has had in business. How can we not reminisce about the Pac-Man days? aabusiness. How can we not reminisce about the Pac-Man days? We were part of a phenomenon that transcended the industry. We were part of a phenomenon that transcended the industry. spilled over into all areas of our lives. Our kids ate Pac-Man ItItspilled over into all areas of our lives. Our kids ate Pac-Man cereal, wore Pac-Man gloves and jackets, and of course, played cereal, wore Pac-Man gloves and jackets, and of course, played the game for hours. The sensational days hardly prepared us the game for hours. The sensational days hardly prepared us for the downturn, but then again, those days gave us ammunifor the downturn, but then again, those days gave us ammunition to continue doing what we loved. tion to continue doing what we loved. There was a comradery during the dark days that brought There was a comradery during the dark days that brought people together for the same reasons a hurricane will bring out people together for the same reasons a hurricane will bring out the best in many. It's banding together to weather the storm, the best in many. It's banding together to weather the storm, whatever it may be. Consider proposals to ban cigarette vendwhatever it may be. Consider proposals to ban cigarette vending machines. Even operators who don't operate them came to ing machines. Even operators who don't operate them came to the support of those who did. There are many more exan1ples; the support of those who did. There are many more examples; you can focus on your own because I'll bet you can think of one you can focus on your own because I'll bet you can think of one ormore. more. or The essence of any of those experiences will be that someone The essence of any of those experiences will be that someone was there when you needed someone to care. I know it's bue. I was there when you needed someone to care. I know it's true. I understand, finally, what it means to appreciate the good times Valerie Cognevich understand, finally, what it means to appreciate the good times Valerie Cognevich because I've weathered some rotten ones. Haven't we all? .6. Editor because I've weathered some rotten ones. Haven't we all? Editor We want to hear from you about any of the articles in this issue or topics you'd like to see . We want to hear from you about any of the articles in this issue or topics you'd like to see. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX: 504/488-7083; e-mail: (news@playmeter.com). Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX: 504/488-7083; e-mail: (news@playmeter.com). PLAYMETER METER PLAY 10 10 NOVEMBER1998 1998 NOVEMBER