I'm finding out that there are devils out there who are bent on separating me from my money--and perhaps you are also being targeted. I know that the ubiquitous casinos cropping up all over America--Biloxi, Las Vegas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida and who knows where else--are satanically designed to inhale your money. And most casinos have slot machines that provide musical sounds to soothe you as your $20 bills are being sucked into these diabolical and addictive contraptions. And then there are the so-called "2-for-1" dinners. But when the check arrives, you find that you are not saving any money because the #1 dinner price has been doubled since the last time you ate a 2 for 2 dinner there. And I've seen people leave these bistros with smirks on their faces, thinking they have completed a coup--not realizing that they have been scammed and that the restaurateur has accomplished a "fait a compli."
Then there's the damn addictive games they try to sell you on the internet--and I succumbed to two of them--scrabble and Jewel Quest. In the Scrabble game, if you even play against yourself you lose. Then if you play against the computer, you wind up with angst and depression. Winning at Jewel Quest is like hurling a ball against a wall; no matter what you do it comes right back at you and you find that you've wasted an hour trying to beat it. And I won't even attempt to convince you about the prices of tickets to a show in Vegas or the Kravitz Center in W. Palm Beach. Only Shaquile O'Neal and Alex Rodriquez can afford it--and even they may have to sit in the balcony. So, just read a book or do the Times x-word puzzle. That'll keep you busy for free.
2 comments:
Lately, an epidemic has taken over this community and seems to be growing over time, threatening our community and ultimately “dumbing down” the verve and joie de vivre and mimicking the expected incapacities that will overtake all of us, allotting us to stare at each other, mumble incoherently and pick the next card from the deck.
I’m referring to the obnoxious practice of playing cards, after an evening of movies, dinner or any time after the festivities end, when we are expected to idle our brain power, and practice an activity that we can surely postpone, when ultimately we have run out of conversation due to the infirmities of age or other dignity removal disease.
I have steadfastly held to this and refused to join the growing list of card players, at the end of the evening, until this past New Years Eve, I weakened, relented and consented to join this “fun” game of “Pay Me.”
Prior, during this evening, we enjoyed the wit and cordiality of the two couples, spending the afternoon and part of the evening gambling at a local casino, dining at the buffet and thoroughly enjoying every moment. I didn’t even mind losing money, giving back some of the loot that I had won from the last visit.
The plethora of knowledge and living experiences from our companions that evening kept us regaled and stimulated by the sharing of stories and just good old plain conversation.
When we retired to the Norman and Rhoda Ross Apartment, for coffee and cake and whatever, with their very good friends Lou and Annette Strumlauf, accompanied with a high from knowing that Norman and Rhodas friends have become our good friends as well. The many faceted Ross Family and the Strumlaufs; Lou is the President of the community Computer Club, with his charming wife, Annette, both community activists have reward this community by their generous donation of their expertise and time.
Let the games commence. And it did. The required contribution of each person of 85 cents, as a prerequisite, was exacted from each. You didn’t think that we were going to play for nothing? The 85 cents, I presume, was to inject each participant with the good old American Dream and to attempt to enrich ourselves by winning our competitors money.
Well, that was it for the evening. Midnight rolled around before the game ended, and we shuffled ourselves to the catwalk and wished the best for all. I did not return to the game, blaming my lethargy to the fact that this day was the longest time that I have ever experienced away from my computer, and I added my toilet seat, for more of an effect. In other words, my stuff. BTW, George Carlin, the comedian, does a fantastic diatribe about his “stuff”, and I concur completely.
Thanks for allowing my rant
Mike Herbstman
Not a bad rant, Mr. Mike Herbstman. Not a bad rant at all, for an ametuer!
-BLR-
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