Gambling

Went to Foxwoods yesterday as planned. We bankrolled Brett, for his birthday, so he could play holdem and not worry about losing his own money. Got there around 11:30 and he played for the next 4 hours! He ended up losing $100 but, at one point early on, was up $500. What to do? stay or keep on playing. Are you there to make money or for the experience of playing? With gambling, just like investing, you need to have "rules". When to do what. I "donated" $40 to the tribe myself but I was clear that I was not going beyond that. I spent a lot of time reading and observing. Interestingly the place was packed. I could say that it was all retired people but not so. Seems to me that many people have work schedules that now allow for such adventures during the workday. I think this is a good thing but sure different for someone like me who was essentially 7-3 for 35 years. On a cultural note there were lots of asian folks there. It was noticeable because they all seemed to be in one room. There were a lot of asian dealers too. Gambling is not for me, I'm afraid to lose money so I'll never slide that next bill into the machine that could result in the big win. I'm pretty much done once I've lost $100. Like most people I write that off to the cost of the entertainment. I also believe that I've already been extremely lucky in the things in life that count. Snow is falling now and a mess is on the way, yuck.

False Spring

Yesterday and today were real nice but coming to an end so sort of a "false spring" (The Shootist, John Wayne). Went for a run yesterday and did yardwork, today some housework and errands. A couple of weeks ago I had a blood test for anemia. Heard nothing about the results so decided yesterday to go check things out. All was fine but it did get me to thinking that if I hadn't gone in it might have been quite some time until I got the results. I like to think that if anything had been wrong they would have called me but I think that's not the best approach to use anymore. From now on I'm going to be more proactive with medical tests, procedures etc. Have a closing date on Jan's mom's house so maybe some big bucks in the next two weeks. Heading for Foxwoods tomorrow, hoping that Brett can score big at the holdem tournament. Dropped out of the shooting match this Sunday, just not ready for the big league yet. Sent my gun in today for some adjustments, so no shooting for the next few days. We were at a bar the other night talking with some friends. One of them said he thought public servants were paid to much. He knew we were teachers and he said it nicely but how does he know what to much is? His opinion, I know, but is it not a pretty ignorant thing to say? He owns a small store and I guess I could have said something about high prices but I didn't. Usually it's because I'm caught off guard and really don't know what to say, I hate that! Temps are going to drop so it's on to the trolley car with the Duke and off to celebrate his birthday. See ya

The Beach

Went down to our other home in RI this weekend. We say we are going "to the beach" but it would take a record-breaking tsunami to get us on the beach. It is in a beach community though and it's easier than saying the town's two part name. Basically went out to eat and spent money. The weather was nice for the season. Walks on the beach were the order of the day. Saw our neighbor in back and he informed me that his wife had died! A bit of a shock to us. You know, you talk to them one day and they are dead the next. The individual was just four years older than we are, disturbing. Looks like yard work is on tap for the upcoming days. Waiting on an electric chainsaw. Always had a gas one but not much left in the way of giant redwoods on either property so a smaller lighter saw should do well. Leaning towards not going to the shooting competition this Sunday. Don't feel I'm ready yet and I still don't know if I need to have four clips for the gun. I don't want to buy additional ones ($80). I'm in the, "let's not spend a fortune just yet" on this gun hobby. Eventuall will put Fort Knox to shame but not just yet. Will seek more information tomorrow. The problem is that the people you ask don't run the event so you can't get the same answer twice. Truck should be ready tomorrow, just in time for the yard work stuff. Don't have anything good to read these days so a visit to Amazon is in order. See ya