1-800-BETS-OFF

Psyche..

Eww... Gambling is disgusting. Why would anyone want to go sit at a $3 Blackjack table where you can spend a whole evening on $40... Have scantily clad women wearing push-up bra's fetch you drinks whenever you want 'em... Smoke... Live band, no cover charge.. and have the possibility of walking out with $250 on your $40?

Ahm, me. It's my 'away'... It's my selfishness... The only person I can control is me - and in going to play blackjack.. I do that..

Maynard, each day as I walk in or outta the doors inquires "Where you goin'?"... Ahm, I'm 53, anywhere I want. And, oft times that's to the casino. I getta rush as I pull in the parking lot... The escalator is never fast enough to get me up to my seat at the table with 6 other folks I've prolly never seen in my life. (And if I don't like those 6, or if I don't like the dealer... I sneak over to another table.)

Yes, there are those occasions where I lose $40.. ATM another $40 to get the original $40 back.. and if beer is involved, sometimes I'll do it again. Yes, it's not a fun walk to the parking lot - but it's my choice - I generally have a blast... I usedta absorb myself in softball.. The comeraderie, the skill of the sport, the team meeting soda pops after... Blackjack is my softball at age 50-something.

There are also occasions where it's good... sometimes very good. One year - Christmas was tight... Within one week I won $300 twice and it enabled us to spoil Maynard and Denton greatly.. Another time, I almost got to $1000... hadta enlist the help of the lil Oriental security guard Choi to walk me to the car as a circle of questionable dudes saw me cash out.

Life. Blackjack. Softball. Rollercoasters. Ne'er an even keel. Like with gravity, what goes up - must come down. I know that in advance - and that helps. I love to sit the bench. Be it life, blackjack, softball, rollercoasters.

I hope each of you divest yourself in something selfish - and you're "big people" - sure, it's possible to do so without causing hurt to others. Whointhehell am I to spout advice after two failed marriages - but it's my firm belief EVERY person needs a little independence - a little selfish time. So... 1-800-BETS-ON.

Did I mention they pay you $15 if you bet $10 and you get a blackjack? Pardon the pun, to the Victor go the spoils. I'm spoiled. Not all the time, but when I wanna be. Happy day. YES, it's the WEEKEND!