I Had some "accumulations" when I was a kid but no collections. Was working in a 24/7 industry and found myself on various message boards when I'd come home at 0200 or so. Through some fellow LV fans, I linked to my first glimpse of eBay and was knocked out by a $5 Monte Carlo Reno Air Show Chipco...which I bought. Subsequently found the club website and checked some pics from a show. The guys looked okay, not nerdy or weird, but the real tip off was the great looking ladies in the hobby! I figured if these babes were into chip collecting, then it must be pretty cool! Oddly enough, I've heard this same exact sentiment...from one of our female members! The hobby satisfies my enjoyment of aesthetics, history, and gaming, provides the relaxation a hobby brings, with the unexpected benefit of meeting some of the nicest folks around.