#15: Play a $50 Hand of Blackjack

This may sound like chump change to some of you.  And if it does, you better not let me know who you are.  Because I'll shank you for having so much money that you scoff at my goal.  I prefer $5 blackjack tables, which are nearly impossible to find in Las Vegas.  So I settle for the $10 tables and hope that I don't lose $100 in a matter of minutes. 

I joined Gauri and her mom, K, for a trip to Las Vegas because K had the IRS convention.  I'd say this is where our tax dollars go but attendees have to pay to go so we can't actually blame taxes on this one.  It was a mostly relaxing trip since it was the middle of the week and we didn't have a lot of intentions to do the standard "Vegas weekend" stuff- no clubbing, no excessive gambling.  Hey, I'm broke people, that wasn't an option.  But we did meet up with Gauri's friend Isha (who is a doll!) and spent Wednesday night into Thursday morning hanging out and gambling.  Well, mostly it was me gambling.  Gauri doesn't really join on the table games and Isha is concerned about anyone losing money...so watching me put anything out there stressed her out.  Haha.  To explain how this story begins, because the hand of blackjack isn't as simple as it sounds, we must go back a little ways...

Back to my trip with Stephen to see Chris off before he moved to Chicago.  We were wandering the strip and drinking when we stopped in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  I noticed a table for "Blackjack Switch" and while the guys were in the restroom, I asked the dealer what it was.  He gave me the basic rules and I was intrigued...just long enough to have the guys come back and insist we continue wandering through the casinos and hotels.  But I remained curious....

So now it's the middle of the night and I decide to sit at an empty blackjack switch table in the Monte Carlo, where we were staying.  I started playing and after learning the game rules for awhile and going up and down between my money, I was down to my last $50.  At 4:30 a.m., on Thursday, August 18, 2011, Gauri, Isha, the dealer and myself agreed that a $50 hand of blackjack switch was just as sufficient for my goal as a $50 of regular blackjack...even though technically I was playing 2 hands for $25 a piece. 

I guess I should have explained what blackjack switch is to anyone who hasn't heard of it.  In the the most basic of nutshells, you play two hands of blackjack at once but have the option to switch the top cards if it gives you better hands.  For example, it would benefit the player to switch the 5 and the 10 cards because then they have 11 on one hand and 20 on the other- both better options than sticking with the 15 and 16, despite what the dealer is showing. 

Ok, so that isn't the only rule.  There are some others- like blackjack pays even money and a dealer pushes if they have a 22, instead of busting. But the general idea of blackjack switch, is the opportunity to switch!  I won't lie, I don't remember my cards or whether I needed to use the switch. What I do remember is that I didn't end up like this guy >>

I lost one of my hands and pushed the other.  So I lost $25 of my $50.    Is that a half success or a half failure?  Probably a half failure; a half success would be winning one hand and pushing the other! But somehow when Gauri and Isha left for the bathroom, I went on a streak and ended up ahead from my original $100 by the time they returned.  I think it was only $60 or something but hey, I still ended up ahead.

And I ended up addicted to blackjack switch.  Speaking of, does anyone have the number for the Problem Gambler's Help Line?  I should put it on speed dial...just in case.  



#14: Read "The Hunger Games" Series

Ok, any guys who are reading this are probably rolling their eyes. And for your sake, let's just say it is like Twilight.  But not.  If it makes you men feel any better, these books focus a lot less on a love story (although that aspect is there) and a lot more on the war and Games stories.  Either way, they were great.  I loved them.  I am really glad Jodi said I needed to read them, because they were definitely worth the time.  And being the girl I am, I cried through the last 2 chapters.  Good thing I was at home on a Saturday night on my couch and not at work (where I usually read).  Now I need another series to read since I've read the Twilight books and The Hunger Games books.  What's next?  Besides the Hunger Games movie in 2012!  Eeek, I'm super stoked!  Somewhere on my list is a "midnight movie premiere" and if I haven't done it by then,  I may have to take a Friday off work and hit up the theaters on the Thursday it opens.  Yes, I'm that excited.

#13: Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Despite the fact that I'm not a big fan of heights, I was really excited to try this out.  Gauri and Missy were on board with joining me so while Gauri was on break from Saba island life, we booked an appointment to go.  The balloons run at sunrise and sunset some times of the year but due to the heat in April, they only offer sunrise rides at this time. We met at Deer Valley Airport and commuted out to the west side- Peoria area.  The sun was rising as we were getting ready to watch the crew fire up the balloons and it was gorgeous.

They started setting up the balloons and we waited as they were filled.  With enough fuel and fire, they were up and ready to go.  Time to get in...which was a little complicated.



As you can see in the above picture, the baskets have square foot holes that you have to step into and fling yourself over.  It wasn't terribly hard but some people had more trouble than others.  The basket was split into 5 sections- 4 for passengers (3 people into each) and one for Captain Mark and the fuel. To say that 3 people can fit into each of the 4 passenger areas is a stretch.  Putting 3 full size adults into a basket was possible, but not comfortable.  We began take off and that was the only part that made me a little nervous.  It was one of those feelings that makes your stomach turn (well, mine did since I don't like heights) but it was a fleeting feeling and shortly after it was just exciting to be rising.
It was very relaxing and the views of the city were really great.  Even though we were out in northwest Phoenix, you could see the skyline of downtown and the area around Lake Pleasant.  We were in the air for approximately an hour to an hour and a half before it was time to land.

 Ah, landing.  Captain Mark explained the importance of following instructions because if we didn't, we would likely fall out of the basket.  We all had to put our backs toward the landing area, keep our legs bent, and brace ourselves or impact.  Why?  Because the basket bounces of the ground when it lands and wants to keep rising.  So we hit ground, took out some bushes and 2 crew members on the ground jumped on the side of the basket to help weigh it down so they could tie it up (sweet job by the way).  Upon landing we had to get out one section at a time, because another set of passengers were getting ready to take their rides.  I think getting out was more complicated than getting in- less room to maneuver. The view of the other balloons preparing and in the process of take off made for some cool pictures.

 Once our whole group was out of the basket, they set up a picnic for us. We all got some cheese, quiche, chocolate filled croissants, and apples (I passed on those- haha). Along with orange juice and champagne.  It was actually quite tasty and once we got our special "flight certificates" we packed up and headed back to Deer Valley Airport. 

I enjoyed it thoroughly and wouldn't have any hesitations to go again.  However, I'd like to do a ride over a different type of terrain instead of desert.  Maybe more trees or water or mountains.  Just for a different view. But it was cool to see the valley from high above it and just sort of go along with the flow...wind flow that is.  A great experience, and one I would recommend anyone to try.