Old

It didn't take long at work before the clock struck midnight and I officially became old. But it was so hectic that I really didn't have time to sit back and enjoy things. But overall it was a great night despite a lot of things going on. We had to get a lot of staff training for the new game, Texas Hold'em Bonus, which is being set up as I write these words. Overall work is getting easier, but each night always brings a new and different challenge. That's what makes it enjoyable. Is it possible that I'm falling in love with my job?

---> 40 <---

Yikes. The next time I post on this blog I will be 40 years old. This birthday comes with great trepidation and fear but I have to realize it's a part of life. Maybe it's ironic and fitting that I will spend it at work with my closing shifts. Whether people know or not is irrelevant. If anything, at least I'm fairly content with life. It can of course be better, but it could have turned out much worse.

Meanwhile, work was pretty easy. I took some chances at work to avoid OT and it just worked out. OK off to bed now. While everybody is enjoying the sun I'll be sleeping like a baby.

More Closing Shifts

Evidently I'm going to be closing manager for the next three nights (some sort of training?). As usual, I look forward to them, and with each shift, I strive to learn something more.

Just an Update

And so begins the second of my "weird days off" weeks? Last week was Sunday/Friday off, this week will be Monday/Saturday? There is a lot of stuff going on at work and of course as the "bottom" manager, I must take whatever shifts I am offered. I'm not complaining, as I've had a LOT of managing shifts this month; 4 closing shifts in two weeks, and the usual spattering of relief shifts. It's given me the opportunity to develop that rhythm that I so desired. Things have gone well and hopefully they get better. I have mixed emotions about the upcoming 24-hour opening, but we will see. It will be a challenge to motivate my staff, because a lot of them have let the news affect them negatively.

Once again I might be able to get the financing on a new car. I won't say much this time because it's all up in the air. I wish myself luck.

Work, cars, what's last? Women... Things have been so hectic at work I haven't had time to go out. I haven't had time to think about my future in terms of finding a soulmate/wife/girlfriend. I have to search my feelings and decide what to do. I have a number of female friends, and they are very dear to me. But is it my pessimistic nature holding me back again? Is it worth pursuing? Let's hope I get this car as it will make things easier. I just hope my potential soulmate has a bit of patience.

OK enough rambling. Hope everyone is well.

Shitty Week

Not the best day as relief tonight. I think I'm coming down with a flu, plus I still have that nagging toothache. I'm grumpy.

Great Week

And so ends a wonderful week for me. It's as if I've awakened from a somber sleep and now I'm totally refreshed about work. I still made a few little mistakes but overall everything seems comfortable. I look forward to work again.

There are still personal issues to deal with but to be honest, they can wait. Yes, it's nice to have a car and I will soon. But my life won't end if I have to wait. Same with the girl (did I just say that?). But first things first; when I'm good and ready.

Two days off to relax. Too bad I have the toothache from hell.

Back to Supervising

Alas, after three wonderful nights (and mornings?) as closing manager, it is now back to "boring" supervising for two nights. It has been a great experience that allowed me to develop that "rhythm" that I was hoping to get. It was great to work with Rosey, who let me "do my thing". We had a nice talk about managing and it made things easier. Everything went well. And now the dream ends for the time being, until my next closing shift (which happens to be on Sunday).

Mr. Pink

Tonight was a lot easier managing, even though it was a bit more busier than the previous night. I think I was so concerned about running the casino smoothly that I really didn't have time to screw up. I didn't even get a chance to talk to my shift manager too much. Either she thinks I'm working hard or I'm a snob.

I even got compliments on my new outfit: salmon/pink shirt, silver tie, navy suit, and dark brown shoes. Four different colors combined into a good outfit. People love the music I play at work (80's tunes of course). Now if only I can do my job a bit more efficiently, things would be perfect.

And now, off to bed....

Who's the Boss?

Yesterday was the first of three nights in a row as closing floor manager. It's quite rare that I get a closing shift, let alone three in a row! There were a few hiccups but in the end everything went pretty well. I had to give one supervisor 30 minutes OT but it could have been a lot worse. Due to the fact that we were 4 dealers short, it was harder to send people home in 8 hours because it was quite busy. But somehow I managed to get everybody out on time (except the supervisor). Let's hope I can do even better tonight.

I Must Be Getting Old

Here's an interesting article from New York Times. Read it, and see if you can listen to the ringtone. Evidently I can't. Johnny? Sam? I bet your kids will be able to hear it.

High-Pitched Ringtone

Work

There are a lot of things happening at work, a lot of which I cannot say at the moment because they are not "official". Suffice to say that in the next while, everything will be hectic for me. As I've mentioned before, it is time to step up and show them what I'm made of.

Meanwhile, it's been a long week, so I'm going into hibernation on my days off. If I'm lucky I can sleep for 48 hours.

Deal or No Deal

I am so bloody hooked on this show now, especially after tonight.

Blak at Last!

Thanks to the casino concession guy Lawrence (who was in Seattle), I managed to get a hold of two bottles of the ultra-rare (in Canada at least) Coca-Cola Blak. Unfortunately I drank both bottles on one break (after downing a can of Red Bull the break before) so I don't think I will sleep much this morning.

Blak tastes pretty good, not as much coffee taste as I'd originally thought. It tastes a bit like those bottled Starbucks coffee drinks. I can't wait for Blak to show up on Canadian shelves this summer.

The Holidays are Over

And so ends my short holiday of four days. At least it ended on a good note with my nice win at Edgewater.

After careful consideration, I'm not going to buy a new car at the present time, but will shop for a decent used car. Financially it will not be feasible for me to put no money down and totally finance a new car. However, I'm still getting a car! To be continued!

Jackpot!

I should stop playing poker. I was having a bad night at the casino (down about $200) until around 4am when I made my way to the automated roulette game. I made a little bit there and then went to the Monopoly slot machine. About 10 minutes in, I hit for 6000 nickels! Before I knew it I had made $500 on the machine. Oh what a night.

X Men: Last Stand

How can I miss this movie? It was awesome, much better than the other May blockbusters (Mission Impossible III, Da Vinci Code). Jean Grey/Phoenix was hot, almost as memorable as when Anakin Skywalker "became" Darth Vader.

And now my vacation continues, when I must sit back and decide on a lot of things for my future.

What I Did on My Vacation

After my original plan of seeing Madonna in Vegas this weekend fell through, I was left without any place to go. As it so happened, Vandy was not well and they needed a relief floor manager, so I spent Day 1 of my 5-day vacation working! It was a pretty uneventful night, things are getting pretty routine now (which is a good thing).

And so my vacation begins... again...

Party

Somehow I found myself at club tonight (Plush, the one that is near the Edgewater Casino). I hadn't been to a club in ages and to be honest, the music sucked. I'm just not into the modern crap except for a few songs. Plus I was a lightbulb (it's a Chinese term) because evidently Christie is interested in some guy that was there. Cross her off the list.

But luckily I had an OK night at Edgewater. The money I wasted on the cover and a few drinks was recuperated and then some.

37 more days until this oldtimer hits 40. I need a party.

Sleep

After the movie, I went to the casino for a few hours and made a little bundle. I came home at 6am and went to bed, and slept... and slept... and slept. When I woke up, the 6am had become 6pm. I feel refreshed and ready for the coming week. I only have to work two days before my 5-day holiday. Even if I'm not going to Vegas as previously planned, I look forward to my days off.

Da Vinci Code

I never read the book, but went to see the movie last night. After seeing the movie, I have no plans to read the book, because I HATED the movie. It was boring, bland, and too confusing. Tom Hanks looked like he wanted to go home. All this hype about one book and the movie pretty much destroyed the hype. Avoid.