Hobbies

J. has spent time lately pursuing one of his favorite hobbies - hitting a small ball into round holes on grass.  It's time consuming and can be expensive but he enjoys it.  He had the chance to play a couple rounds with B. this visit and they had a lot of fun.  I've tried the game and might be somewhat interested but...no, probably not.  Maybe later.

My cousin asked in our morning Facebook chat yesterday 'so what are your plans for today' and I said 'I don't want to tell you'.  But we always have full disclosure and I honestly don't keep anything from her - next to J., she's my closest friend (who happens to be a relative) - so I confessed.  I was up early and headed back to Thunder Valley - fully intending to give it a final 'go' on the jackpot - and the casino 'random' jackpot that can hit any time and was over $100K.  Rare are the times when I have all three factors in play:  some gambling money remaining to gamble with, plus time to be up there combined with the jackpot being over $100K.  So I trekked up.  A nice, easy morning drive with little traffic.

I played the same machine from 9:30AM until 3PM - with two bathroom breaks.  The first bathroom break was initiated by me lighting my service light and a nice guy in a suit came over.  I asked 'is there someone who could watch my machine for me while I run to the restroom' (note:  run is an understatement) and he said 'I will'.  (Additional note:  56 year old bladders don't work well or quickly when you've held it way, way too long).  I did what I could do and felt better and trekked back.  The smallest bill I had was a $10 - and I didn't want to take the time to stop and wait in line at a machine to break it - so I folded it up and handed it to him as I returned and he said 'Thank you, ma'am but I'm the boss - no need to tip me.  Please tip one of my amazing staff today instead'. Classy.

The waitress who brought me the Blue Moon I ordered at 12:30PM got a really nice tip and she was thrilled.  I told her the story about why she was getting a generous tip - and she said 'that was really nice of him'.  And my generous tip had her checking back pretty frequently....which was good and bad 'cuz I was afraid to drink too much.

The beer went right through me (of course).  Thankfully, a nice lady was playing next to me - hitting bonus round after bonus round - and she watched my machine for a 2nd time -

It was a fun day and the best part was I didn't lose.  I actually did win quite a bit - but I was playing for a goal and put it back....but I left the casino with $60 more than I brought to lose and to me, that's a win.  It's 'fun money' for a reason.  I did have a lot of fun.  And I brought home the gift of the day which is a cast iron griddle.  Goes well with the emergency camping set I got during my visit Th & Fri.

It's approaching 7 and the house is so quiet.  I'm tempted to just call in as 'out today' - J. is heading to Monterey for his hobby with his brother and I'd love to piddle.  But I'm leaving for a conference tomorrow for the rest of the week and I've got plenty to do to get me and my team ready for a week of 'no bosses anywhere'.  Every admin in the district plus 30 teachers are trekking to San Jose - it will be crazy and fun.

OK - I've got to get going - piddling will have to wait until I return home around 4.  :-)