Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Casino Review and a Happy Birthday to Sherman

It was a long day. We arrived to the dark and cold parking lot to the fancy new casino at 5:10AM and were told it was closed. CLOSED?!?!? I had checked the web site to be sure it would be opened. It is a 24/7 casino. CLOSED?!?! We talked with an equally shocked parking valet who told us they just were told that they were going to be testing their electrical system and should be opened by 8 or 8:30. WHAT?!?

He suggested we go another 30-minutes to another casino to kill the time. While he walked us to our car, he took my cell phone number to call us when the casino opens. A really nice guy. I asked if he was being treated well. He told me that he has 18 days paid vacation the first year, the uniforms are free and laundered at the casino, they are fed free meals that are excellent, they are paid well, they have 401Ks, they have full medical and dental and vision for themselves and their families. He said they are looking for happy, long-term employees.

Off we went north. We played until 7:30, lost money, headed back to the large casino which was still closed, drove down the street for some food then parked to discover the casino was opened, about 9:30. (The valet did phone.) We had planned to arrive at 5, play until 10, have a bit to eat then head home. It messed up my plans.

It was massive. It was Vegas. It was fun. I played almost 90-minutes on $20.00. We both hit a few fun machines and would definitely go back in a few months. It was not crowded, the smoke never appeared, I never had to leave an area because of someone smoking and the time flew by. We left around 1:30, hit traffic over the Golden Gate Bridge into the city but still arrived home to mom's just 90-minutes after leaving the casino.

This could be dangerous. It was too easy!

I was exhausted, waited until Michael got home and fell into bed by 7, asleep with seconds and never moved for over 10 hours. After rehab today, I will fly home to make a short rib and sauerkraut dinner, which takes three hours in the oven and will probably take a nap. I am tired.

It is Sherman's 89th birthday today. Oh. My. Goodness. I have a card and will pick up a piece of his most favorite thing in the world before the class: Tiramisu. Imagine being 89-years old! The doctor says there is nothing wrong with him other than the emphysema. Amazing. Happy Birthday to my rehab boy.

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