Why I Oughta...

Over the break, I went down to Joliet for a little bit of gambling with Nat's Grampy and Great Uncle.  They're regulars there, so they knew the ropes.  Me?  First timer.  Well, that's not actually true.  But I was a first time registrant in their "Total Rewards" program.  The guys played video poker and I poked around at a couple of slot machines.  I ended up - get this - walking away with a few hundred dollars in my pocket!  Beginners luck, I suppose. I also found that they had this little soda machine in the corner of the casino floor.  It is a free-style-like machine, but it is from Pepsi, which was new to me.  This was interesting to me in that it shows how they're removing people from the equation at the casinos.  First it was the change machines and ticket machines.  Where they replaced cashiers.  Now soda machines to reduce the number of waitresses who are walking the floor. 

When we were up in Michigan we stopped by a restaurant that we've long been eying - The Board of Trade .   It is on the other side of the lake from us, but right in this little pocket of homes that we call "Summer Rental" because it has a distinct feel that is different than the rest of the lake.  Small, cozy cottages that are really close together. The Board of Trade restaurant itself was fine - nothing crazy, but at least as good as the Friendly - so it gives us another option.  But the food isn't the reason that I'd go back.  It's the Keno.  Yes....Keno at your table. I had never played Keno, but I plunked down eight bucks and had fun for 16 minutes.  There's a draw every 4 minutes so you can really spend some dough.  I'm not a gambling fiend, so it was just enough to wet my whistle.  Now....I won't go into this at length, but I suppose there is some issue with this being available.  I *get* that the state is trying to generate ...

I spent not-quite-a-day at the races today celebrating with Bill at a portion of his Bachelor's party.  While the fine folks at Arlington Park wished me well, lets just say that it wasn't a great afternoon of wagering.  And it wasn't because I lost.