So when I got back to Chicago's Midway airport late yesterday afternoon, I decided to take the Orange line into the city to soak up some of the Bears/Lions Monday Night Football vibes.
The train was packed with all kinds of gruff looking dudes in Bears jerseys, the kind of guys who wouldn't think twice about sitting outside in zero degree weather to watch football.
Strange announcement on the CTA train train/subway that always cracks me up: "No solicitation or GAMBLING allowed on CTA vehicles". Have they had problems with gambling on the subway in the past? What kind of gambling are we talking about? Isn't it a gamble to travel with a bunch of crazed drunk Bears fans before a Monday Night Football game?
It was a great week in Vegas. As I mentioned in an earlier thread, we were out at Lake Las Vegas Monday thru Friday, and then Friday afternoon moved over to the Renaissance not far from the LVH.
I WENT 7 FOR 9 IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY AND 3 FOR 4 IN THE PROS ON SUNDAY.
I just thought that was worth mentioning right off the bat. I'm not bragging or anything. Besides, a lot of those winnings funded my losing horse bets. Still, that's a record even proro would be proud to claim.
Met up with Kermit last Wednesday at his local place, Aliante Station. This is a really nice casino, and the sports book was laid out nice too. I would love to have something like this in my neighborhood. He's got a nice setup in Vegas. I don't think we set the world on fire that day with our Keeneland picks, but Kermit is a cool dude to hang out with. My wife and I had dinner later that week with Kermit and his bride at the Mexican place in the Hard Rock; good times!
Checked out Southpoint Thursday. This casino must really cater to the horseplayers; its been a LONG time since I've seen a race book that full for horse racing on a weekday afternoon. I didn't hang stay around because I was way hungover and this combined with eating too much at the buffet would have surely been a gambling disaster. So I went back to the Ravella and took a nap like the old wuss I'm becoming.
Saw Jimmy Buffett Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden arena. What a life Vegas residents have! Gamble all afternoon and then go to a top concert or sporting event in the same building. This is actually my idea of heaven. I can't say that I am the hugest Buffett fan in the world but you have to appreciate an artist that can have a full arena singing "why don't we get drunk and screw" at the top of their lungs. Surprised at how much I enjoyed this show.
So, the big day was Sunday afternoon, as Kermit was able to put together a Big 3 summit meeting with me and him and the one and only crazykid at the LVH, where we watched football and played the horses. It was really great to meet Rick after all of these years. He's put quite a few years into the horse racing business, some good, some maybe not so good, but definitely all very entertaining. Kermit had to split early so CK and I hung out into the evening, eventually making our way over to Boulder Station and his neck of the woods. The stories (and drinks) came fast and furious. I must say that I enjoyed myself quite a bit. The best stories centered around some of his better horse claims and near claims over the years. He's lived a colorful life to say the least.
Big thanks to CK for giving a good home to the 12 pack of Bud I had bought earlier in the week (for whatever reason the casinos were good with drinks all week; never needed to buy any).
I also rediscovered my love for roulette last week. Ultimately I lost money playing this dumb game but have decided that I am going to dedicate the rest of my life to proving that this game can be beat. I just gotta figure out how to do it.
Can't wait to get back in February!