How very neglectful of me, blog, to have not paid you a visit in almost a week and a half. But summer fun does take up the time I take writing. Plus, I need those summer adventures so I have something worth writing about. Something like this past weekend...
You know, I love gambling. Well, I should be specific- I love slot machines: the anticipation of seeing the numbers or images line-up, the excitement when you hit a bonus, and the suspense as you wait to see your winnings. I love it.
I also HATE gambling- when I'm losing.
I'm a bit of a sore gambling loser. When I'm playing back and forth, winning back what I lost, the novelty is enjoyable. However, when my luck turns, and I suddenly see my amount dropping lower and lower, my mood does the same. But I'll explain with more detail-
This past Saturday a few friends and I all traveled up to Atlantic City for the night, in celebration of another friend's birthday.
The drive was smooth with the accompaniment of good friends, good music, and good conversation. We arrived and even managed to all have a drink in the SandBar and jump in the ocean before hitting the casino. My mood was as high and bright as the sun in the sky. But oh, it would not last.
We ate dinner and finally began trolling the casino floor. While some split off to hit the tables, I walked around looking for a slot machine that enticed me. I settled on one and began playing. I was doing pretty well at first; won back, and then some, of my original cash. I quickly cashed my ticket, put back my original amount and played with the extra....until that suddenly ran out.
Trying to shrug it off, I could hear the voice that so many gamblers must hear- "eh, I'll win it back," and decided to dip back into my wallet. Almost in the blink of an eye I saw my money dwindling. With every spin I kept expecting to see a sudden jump, a life saver to bring me back. Instead, I watched in horror as my credits disintegrated. I was crestfallen; and it wasn't even 8 p.m. yet.
I looked around at my friends all earning back even more than what they put in. The happier they got, I'm not proud to admit, the grumpier I became. Determined to be a winner also, I broke one of my biggest cardinal rules- I went to the casino ATM. I told myself I just needed a little more in order to win back my losses. Of course, that didn't happen, and I found myself in an even bigger financial hole.
I was in such a rage I stomped outside to the boardwalk, with poor Joe trailing behind me to calm me down. We sat on the beach, watching the dozens of seagulls hovering around the lights of the boardwalk, and breathed in the cool ocean air.
"Don't be so upset," he said, softly. "So that money is gone- so what. Don't let it ruin your time while we are here."
He was right, of course, and I had no right to be mad at him or my friends. I was mad at myself- for my stupidity, weakness, and greed. I also remembered that there were plenty of times I walked out of a casino with cash in my pocket, but that can't ALWAYS be the case. Because sometimes when you are a loser you appreciate more when you ARE a winner.
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