I know exactly what you are saying!  Those were some fun times that i personally enjoyed very much.  this old man had collected up all the CD's of music for every mix, and even bought some CD's of thge various artists that did lot's of DDR songs.  My daugher had to have the Bambi albums, LOL.

Those tournaments back then were also beyond cool.  I remeber some early tournaments when over 100 people would show up, including spectators. 

Good times, also when the world was less complicated to boot.  :-)

Bill

I never knew you had a daughter, but I imagine she would be a lot like Laura.

I have to say that when I go back to california it becomes a lot of what you explained. 5 or 6 of us core friends show up for some epic dancing game fun, then after some great scores and wonderful laughs we kick it with more people for dinner.

Last time I was in Cali the boys took me out to my first DDRX2 experience(brand new machine) in an outdoor mall area. We decided to no bar it for the night and ended up getting some great crowds.

I also really miss ocean city(new jersey) in the summer. Arcades would have their machines almost touching the board walk so anyone who passed by had to stop and watch. We used to have crowds of 30-50 people watching with parents putting their kids on their shoulders. Some people would even pay us to play because "their friend just arrived and has to see you play"

I remember walking up to machines and people would be in knee pads, freestyling their butts off lol.

I really do miss it.

Yes, I have a daughter, now 18.  back in the DDR early days, she was passing Drop out when she was 8 years old.  Would even enter tournaments, but got knocked out pretty quick.
We found her babysitter through the DDR community, Amber Harner.  Amber used to love to babysit here, as there was an extreme in our garage at home and they would play it all day. 
Everything I miss about the old days!

Aside from the community aspect, I miss being newer to the game and having a lot of room to advance. Now it's a bit like being level capped in an MMO, where I have to grind really hard for minimal improvements (which can be fun in its own way, but I lack the drive with four panel).

5 panel is still fun for me

I guess this is what our parent(s) meant when they said to enjoy life while you can. Too much crap to do nowadays...

Every year is a golden year for Hulk. 

So that's how Amber got so good!

I just miss all of my iidx bros :/  all i have left us ledgmr847430289 or whatever and he never posts anymore

lol I check this site from time to time, but I'm not as active here compared to the other BEMANI forums (ZIv, AIJ).

BTW, I have access to IIDX tricoro now (albeit from out of the country); my code is 5576-3545 if you want to add me.

Im only active here and bemaniso.  Yeah if you are on psun i can add you as rival.  Cant do legit eamuse or pworld

official e-amuse, so never mind, then

yeah :C.  i really miss the scene in Washington (well what was left of any scene) when i was living there.  B.Y.O.B was the shit (bring your own bemani).  Southern Oregon is really void of any music game players outside of me and a couple of ddr buddies. 

tl;dr COME AND PLAY WITH ME