Ishraq made a very good point in his comment on yesterday’s post, saying “i think you know my stance on gambling and drunken revelry. you’re getting mad at the actors in a system for not smiling while taking away your $$, yet to me the bigger absurdity is that people find enjoyment in the very concept of gambling, of which the function is appropriately described in your title.” I agree about the ridiculousness of the concept of gambling which taps into one of the most disgusting of human traits, greed. The opportunity to win loads of easy money by playing a game is often times too overwhelming for most people, and the fact that casinos play off of that is appalling. There are also definitely more fun games to play if you’re merely doing it for the enjoyment (I’m looking at you, Scrabble).
However, in my last post, I was more aiming at it being kinda sad on a person to person level as opposed to a blanket statement about all casinos and its dealers. Whether they’re taught to act like people who are new to the game should be shunned by the higher-ups or not I don’t know, but I can’t think of a reason why they would, besides them just being dicks. I’ll admit that in the post I didn’t explain my objective as well as I should have, but that’s the whole reason why I’m writing this thing, so I can get better at expressing myself. I know it seems like I harp on this being nice to people thing and it may sound like I’m getting a bit whiny, but I find it so easy to treat others with respect that I see no reason for anyone else not to.
Will I go back to a casino? Most likely. Money is not super-important to me so I don’t mind if I lose it (there’s always plenty more to make), but if I DO win I’ll be slightly more comfortable that I was before. Also, to me the enjoyment wasn’t in the gambling but in spending time with good friends of mine in a place I’ve never been before, which is always a great recipe for getting ones fun on.
Hockey seems like an almost definite thing as long as we can get enough people. I’m super-excited because I’ve never played hockey before, but super-nervous because I’ve NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY BEFORE! I’m by no means a great athlete, but I can pick up a game pretty quickly and be semi-decent at it, but this will be different. I’ve skated before, but this requires a whole new skill level of skating that’s going to take some practice. Still, I feel like I’m up to the task. I’m buying new skates and probably a new stick on Friday, so if you’re available let me know!
The Album-a-Day date seems like it’s going to be sometime in mid-August, let me know if you want to play in it. Seriously, everyone’s more than welcome. We would LOVE to have an accordion and a string section!
I feel like this is my worst post so far. I’m very upset with myself and I’m pretty sure my day is ruined. I PROMISE tomorrow’s will be a new topic and something more interesting. Even looking back on the quote I don’t know if I properly responded to Ishraq. Whatever, it’s all part of the learning process.
Stay confusing,
tim!
Tags: Album-a-Day, casinos, gambling, hockey, Ishraq Ali
July 16, 2008 at 12:21 am |
(1) Hockey is always interesting (as biased as my opinion is)
(2) I will definately roll with you to get new gear if you want
(3) The blackjack tables were lucky we were too scared to beat them into submission
(4) and yes, all my comments on your blog will be numbered
July 16, 2008 at 2:30 am |
let’s skate somewhere this weekend! i’m gonna im you about that right now!
July 16, 2008 at 3:34 am |
I’m in whenever to skate, or just shoot around… I know a few free outdoor rinks with nets we can practice and fuck around on. I also need skates and most likely a new stick… let me know.
July 16, 2008 at 2:02 pm |
I appreciate the props I got in Part 1 of this delicious series.
Also, I agree with what you’re saying in here. Gambling for greed, or doing so in such a stone-faced manner–when it becomes your job–is definitely not something I enjoy. When I see people like that at casinos, I always feel a bit more out-of-place. Probably since my attitude is that I’m just having fun.
I save up money and bring it with me. I’m expecting to “lose” all of it, but I “lost” just as much money at Kristen’s birthday pubcrawl. It’s more of the experience of being there with friends in my opinion. Doing something together. There’s that childlike sense of reverie of “we’re gonna be rich!” but I know I for one didn’t want anyone to take me seriously.
But I definitely see both sides of the issue. And on a person-to-person level, I agree that at least the lowest end tables should expect newcomers! Maybe the $100 tables can get stuck-up, since that’s like me going to a chess tournament without really knowing how to play. But if I played someone in the park, I would hope they would welcome teaching someone the trade.
More importantly, album-a-day!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Great posts as always, Tim.