#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.

#12: Try Traditional Chicken and Waffles

So, chicken and waffles.  Everyone kept talking about it and I was curious so I wrote it down.  Then, lucky for me, my team at work won an extended lunch and chose to go to Lolo's Chicken and Waffles in Scottsdale, AZ.  Perfect.  I couldn't wait.  I vowed to actually order chicken and a waffle, despite my weird feeling of having syrup on a fried chicken breast.  I'm strange about my breakfast foods.  If I have something sweet like pancakes or french toast, I do not particularly care for the syrup touching anything non sweet- eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.  I just like to have them separate.

But not this time.  I want the whole experience. Fried chicken with a buttery, syrupy waffle.  And it was delicious.  Salty and sweet and overall very good.  I definitely want to go back.  I ordered the Betty Boop (one chicken breast and one waffle) and tried a side of their smothered potatoes, which I was not a fan of.  But the chicken and waffle was tasty so I'll return for that.  Except I was given crap for not either ordering some traditional sweet tea or their famous Red Kool Aid Drank.  Next time.  Until then, the picture will just continue to make me hungry.

#11: Start a Journal

Dear Diary,                                                                                                         7.17.2011

I'm in love with a boy.  Just kidding.

But one of the items on my list was to start a journal.  I wrote journals when I was in junior high and maybe some in high school (standard girl thing) but the closest thing I've had to a journal since then was posting personal updates on my Myspace blog.  Someday (before I delete my Myspace profile, which is #73 on the list), I'd like to print out those posts and keep them somewhere as if they were a journal.  There were a lot of personal thoughts that I put in those posts.

So now I've started a real one.  And it has the same type of things.  I write when I've got a lot on my mind or when I'm trying to get some feelings out before having to address a situation with a friend or loved one.  I have always enjoyed writing so I think it's something I actually enjoy doing, when I get time.  I have been writing at work between calls because I know I won't take the time to write at home.  Once I'm home, I'm glued to the couch or my bed and relaxing.  But I probably should start locking it up in my desk, considering I haven't hidden any names for privacy.  I think it's sitting on my desk right out in the open now and who knows who could come across it and take a peek.  I can just picture the drama that would ensue!  Whoops.

I'll have to write about that on Monday.  Haha.

#10: Try Snowboarding Again

Based on the previous post, you probably already get the idea that I finished this goal.

Completing the goal= success.  Snowboarding= not so much.

I'm a snowboarding failure.  Granted, it was only my second time ever.  My first was New Years Day 2003 with Cherisse.  We had just worked a late night busing tables at Charlie Clark's Steak House and we decided to snowboard the next day...before having to head right into another shift.  I think we were both exceptionally sore and broken going into work.  And exhausted.  We picked a bad day to do it.

Well, 8 years later, I don't think it was any easier.  And the whole time I was jealous of the skiers.  It has been more years since I skied but I was more advanced at that when I quit skiing so my thought process is that I would be more successful as a skier than snowboarder.  The trip was good though and I think we'll plan another one this winter.  So that's the plan for me this year- skiing.

"The 80's called and they want their sport back."  Yeah, I know.  I'm just coming with it.

#9: Plan and Execute the Vanguard Ski Weekend

Back in 2010, I spent several months talking about how it would be fun to get a group of coworkers together, rent a cabin in my hometown, and go skiing or snowboarding.  I kept talking and talking about it and finally was coaxed into making it a reality.  It was impossible to get the original "group" together for a free weekend, and I certainly tried, but a final group and trip was planned for the weekend of February 11-13, 2011.

I booked a cabin at Whispering Pines in Pinetop for myself, Stephen, Oscar, and Manny, and we drove up to the mountain on Friday.  Quickly checked into the cabin and then headed back to my house since my dad had agreed to cook dinner for everyone.  Besides enjoying some burgers, Oscar even made a friend- Mugsy (aka "Uncle Tony") just loved him.

After watching some strange foreign film...which I can't remember the name of but really want to call it Wasabi (no clue if that is correct at all so we'll move on), we went back to the cabin to chill out and prepare for our early morning snowboarding expedition.  True to form, Oscar had to make his presence known at the cabin...

So we had a couple of drinks, watched "Wanted", and went to bed.  Got up early the next morning and prepared ourselves to tackle Sunrise Ski Resort.  Manny borrowed a friend's snowboard but the rest of us had to rent.  Got our rentals and then waited for our "beginner's lesson" to start.  I've been snowboarding once but it was 7 years ago...on New Years Day with Cherisse after a late night of work at Charlie Clark's. And then we both had to work that night...totally bruised and sore.  Anyway, that's a story for another time.

I won't lie.  The lesson didn't seem to help that much for me...I still failed miserably once on my own.  I think we did the "bunny hill" a couple of times and then decided to to into the lodge for some food and drinks.  Manny and I decided we wanted to take on mid-way so we left Oscar and Stephen in the lodge while we headed up.  Manny made it down pretty quickly- my goal was slow and steady.  Getting up once fallen was the hardest part for me so my goal was not to fall...then I wouldn't have to waste time getting up.  However, when I say "slow", I mean S L O W.  Sometime on my way down Oscar passed me....I thought I recognized him but wasn't sure.  Until I got to the bottom and he was sitting there.  I think Manny started another run because he showed up later.  We waited for Stephen for a few minutes and decided to go get some hot chocolate in the lodge...so I sent him a text where we were.  Considering we were there most of the day, I would not consider my second snowboarding experience a success.  A few bunny hill runs and one mid-way wasn't a very efficient trip.  But I'm glad I tried it again...which I'll get into in my next blog because it has its own section.  The guys all took some falls and were pretty sore.  I thought we might have to take Oscar to the bar in a wheel chair.  Haha.  But I felt pretty good, so I got off lucky.  Slow and steady won the pain race at least.

It was a good group to get together- we had a good time up in the mountains.  After snowboarding and some relaxation time, I even took them out to the Lion's Den, the happening place to be.  We had some drinks and some good times.  Oscar embarrassed me and got on his knees to beg me to dance...which he finally won.  Some guy photo-bombed a picture (well done dude), and I made some random friends (who shouldn't be called friends because I never spoke to them again. But when they bought me a drink, they were my friends that night).  Oscar danced with some older women (of which he only remembers 1) and Stephen documented it all.  Manny did some dancing and drinking with us. And although neither of them remember it- Oscar pissed me off when we got home and Manny was the voice of reason when he did.  I had to tell them both the story the next morning.  So, overall, it was a good trip.  We are planning another one for sometime this winter 2011-2012 and maybe we can get a few more attendees since some of the original planners couldn't make the first one.  I'm looking forward to it.

He won- I danced.

Photo bomb!