Miscellaneous Discussion Thread
Quote: Sabretom2Holland America passengers are more of the blood recipient rather than the blood donor demographic.
I'm guessing this is sarcasm, but I'm a little too slow to figure out what it means. I have been on several Holland America cruises, and I have donated more than 100 units of blood. I have received IV fluids, but I am not aware of ever having received a blood transfusion. Not sure just what my demographic might be that is relevant to this.
Quote: DocI'm guessing this is sarcasm, but I'm a little too slow to figure out what it means. I have been on several Holland America cruises, and I have donated more than 100 units of blood. I have received IV fluids, but I am not aware of ever having received a blood transfusion. Not sure just what my demographic might be that is relevant to this.
I've been on Holland America 3 times, and my guess is that the demographic is the 60+ crowd that predominates there; The first time, in my 30's, I was easily the youngest person on board.
Re: NCL cruises given by the casino (for Mooseton). I highly recommend you give this a try. You are, in some ways, captive to the boat, but you honestly never have to spend another dime once on board. The extras are shore excursions (though it costs you nothing to get off the boat and walk around the port, anywhere I've been), alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, bottled water, gambling, spa use (the pool is always free, the exercise deck is free, the gym might be free or cost), certain specialty restaurants (you always have at least 1 dining option included, usually 3-4; the main dining room, and the poolside Lido restaurant are always included); other restaurants have a nominal fee of 10-30/person for anything on the menu, all you can eat. Activities that cost money include gambling, bingo, art auctions (if you buy something; free to attend), shopping on board, wifi/internet time. Most group activities are free to anyone who shows up; dancing, parties, lectures, games, contests, the like- several of those a day. Shows are mixed; headliners have a surcharge (significantly less than you'd pay for those same shows on shore), but there are free shows, live music, other entertainments every day. Sometimes you have to make a reservation for a free show, because they're sometimes in smaller venues, and they ensure that all their guests can attend at least once.
You are not allowed to bring any alcohol on board, and they do check your luggage and xray your packages to make sure. If you buy alcohol in a port, it's kept in the ship's locker until you disembark. However, you are allowed to bring carbonated beverages and bottled water on; I always bring a case of each, because it makes me crazy to pay ship's prices for either. They also sell alcohol and carbonated bev cards for one flat fee; a good price if you drink more than 1/day, or aren't going to gamble enough to earn a free drink card (takes a day or two at most levels of play).
So, anyway, I would guess that more than 70% of what you want to do on board is included in the comp. No mandatory meetings beyond the lifeboat drill; no trick sales-traps.
@GWAE: Are you bringing the baby for the cruise?
Quote: MoosetonThanks bbb for that detailed response. 70% free. You might have just changed my mind on trying one. I'll write a trip report if I do.
@GWAE: Are you bringing the baby for the cruise?
Nope, he will be about 1 year old and other son will be 3. It will be the first time we will be away from either for more than 2 days.
Quote: beachbumbabsI've been on Holland America 3 times, and my guess is that the demographic is the 60+ crowd that predominates there; The first time, in my 30's, I was easily the youngest person on board.
Re: NCL cruises given by the casino (for Mooseton). I highly recommend you give this a try. You are, in some ways, captive to the boat, but you honestly never have to spend another dime once on board. The extras are shore excursions (though it costs you nothing to get off the boat and walk around the port, anywhere I've been), alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, bottled water, gambling, spa use (the pool is always free, the exercise deck is free, the gym might be free or cost), certain specialty restaurants (you always have at least 1 dining option included, usually 3-4; the main dining room, and the poolside Lido restaurant are always included); other restaurants have a nominal fee of 10-30/person for anything on the menu, all you can eat. Activities that cost money include gambling, bingo, art auctions (if you buy something; free to attend), shopping on board, wifi/internet time. Most group activities are free to anyone who shows up; dancing, parties, lectures, games, contests, the like- several of those a day. Shows are mixed; headliners have a surcharge (significantly less than you'd pay for those same shows on shore), but there are free shows, live music, other entertainments every day. Sometimes you have to make a reservation for a free show, because they're sometimes in smaller venues, and they ensure that all their guests can attend at least once.
You are not allowed to bring any alcohol on board, and they do check your luggage and xray your packages to make sure. If you buy alcohol in a port, it's kept in the ship's locker until you disembark. However, you are allowed to bring carbonated beverages and bottled water on; I always bring a case of each, because it makes me crazy to pay ship's prices for either. They also sell alcohol and carbonated bev cards for one flat fee; a good price if you drink more than 1/day, or aren't going to gamble enough to earn a free drink card (takes a day or two at most levels of play).
So, anyway, I would guess that more than 70% of what you want to do on board is included in the comp. No mandatory meetings beyond the lifeboat drill; no trick sales-traps.
I have never been on a cruise, but I was talking to some friends about this.
1. They agree with you about the Holland America demographic.
2. To sneak alcohol on-board my friend bought some of those containers that you can use to put shampoo, conditioner, etc in for travelling (they are empty, clean containers when you buy them). She then filled them with booze. Maybe, put "shampoo" and "conditioner" labels on them if you want to go all out. They are not going to open up your toiletries when they check your bags.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceI have never been on a cruise, but I was talking to some friends about this.
1. They agree with you about the Holland America demographic.
2. To sneak alcohol on-board my friend bought some of those containers that you can use to put shampoo, conditioner, etc in for travelling (they are empty, clean containers when you buy them). She then filled them with booze. Maybe, put "shampoo" and "conditioner" labels on them if you want to go all out. They are not going to open up your toiletries when they check your bags.
When in Cozumel, I bought a bottle of tequila. Knowing that they would just hold onto it until the end of the cruise, I decided to just walk aboard with it and turn it over when they asked. I'm not sure how they missed it ;)
If you wanted to, you could bring canned beer hiding in a case of soda or refill water bottles with tasty vodka. Also, on Princess, each adult can bring one bottle of wine or champagne free of charge.
Quote: GWAEToday at the Rivers I got upgraded to the preferred card which is the middle level card. It takes 25k coin in over 6 months to get the card so it's not a difficult card to get. To my surprise, one of the benefits of the card is a free norwegian cruise. I knew the top level card got it which is 100k coin in. I just called Norwegian to get info and I was surprised that she was able to upgrade me to a balcony room. It is a 7 day cruise through the Caribbean with 4 stops and the total for 2 people including the upgrade and all taxes and fees was $487. Now I just have to figure out how to get to Tampa.
I just checked their website and the cruise that we are taking would cost $2856. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so this was exciting.
I have worked on several cruise ships in the past for a total of about 6 years. Even as an employee (or should I say especially) I had more fun and excitement than I ever dreamed would be possible. Cruising is a great way to see a large amount of areas for a very reasonable price. Depending on the ship though, it will make a difference how much you enjoy the onboard amenities. Anyway, I think the main thing to remember is to get out there on the islands and explore as much as you can. Even though i was offered on numerous occasions to accompany ship organized tours, I always enjoyed heading out on my own with my buddy, taking a local car or cab and seeing how close we could get to everyday life on the island. We wanted to eat where the locals ate and we wanted to experience what the locals did. This made my time on the ships so much more rich and enjoyable.
Glad you got a good deal and enjoy your trip!!!
Quote: GWAEwhy have you never used them?
I was skeptical at first, why would they give a $2000 cruise to a small time gambler. I talked to NCL today and it is a real cruise for cheap. No time share or any other shenanigans involved.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
info about vaccines.
Yeah, GWAE, Mooseton, others interested in cruising that have the comps. It's great. GWAE, you want to go to casinosatsea.com and get signed up, and buy the markers for your boat; they have buy 20 slots, get 40, and buy 20 chips, get 40 in table play. No hassle to redeem. That's NCL's promo club on board.
As far as Tampa, I recommend you check Southwest, Delta, and Alaska Airlines from where you are; they all fly competitively into Tampa. And ask NCL about an airport transfer both ways, or even flight arrangements connecting to your cruise; they will often be cheaper than you can do on your own. terapined might be able to help you a lot; he's from over there and is in the business. It's not all that far from the terminal to the ship there, either.
I can help some with shore excursions in the Western Caribbean if you like. Some are great, some are not. A big consideration can be, if you book through the boat, they can't leave without you. If you book your own excursions and are late back to the boat, you're SOL; they will sail without you. But I was mostly like Tomspur; I like getting off the boat and booking a private taxi to the beach or town or to look around. Some of those group land tours, they have a very strange idea of how many people they can fit in their "tour bus", and you're squished and uncomfortable and can't see out the windows.
The best shore excursions IMO are the snorkeling/rumrunning/beach/dive with turtles catamarans; they're fun, usually lunch is included along with the drinks, and it's easy to get on/off the catamaran to go snorkeling or in to the beach. Somewhere around 50/person; you come back singing and laughing. Best at Cozumel. The Mexican ruins are a hot, hard trek inland, takes forever (like 2 hours each way, 1 hour to wander around). Jamaica, the sellers in the stalls are very aggressive, and expect haggling. They will try and bait-and-switch you by offering something free, or something extra, and then claiming you didn't pay them. Careful there. Grand Cayman is a bore unless you're a shopaholic with a whole lot of money. The trip to Hell is long and stupid, the turtle farm is a yawn, the best thing about both is looking around the island as you travel (both of these are a long way from the pier). I would suggest that if you're only doing one beach day, that's where you do it.
tripadvisor.com has a whole lot of reviews and information by cruise line and by boat. They only accept independent reviews.
Of course, do your homework and find out as much info as you can but I find that these guys just want to fill their boats and they will discount as much as they need to in order to make this happen!
Sure, its similar to an airplane's "load factor". Past a certain point, every ticket sold will be pure profit as well as a potential for more.Quote: Tomspurbut I find that these guys just want to fill their boats and they will discount as much as they need to in order to make this happen!
Excursions and explorations. I know of one female dealer who did the real "floating craps game" for several years, she saw alot of the world and figured she was making the same money she would have been making on land.
Some Anarchists in Spain refurbished a catamaran and have been sailing The Life Nomadik around the world. In selecting a route in the Caribbean they chose to visit certain islands based on the usual tour guide books and the like but when I asked them certain questions they said they wished they had not bypassed one island: it had previously been owned by a drug baron who had built homes and jetties and a water system all later abandoned and just sitting there ready for those who wanted to simply move in and live rent free on a tropical island. They seemed, however, to me most interested in my tips on how Caribbean pirates used to make their own alcohol while underway. Not everything is in the guide books... but sometimes that is good. A good many tourists in Phuket are running afoul of local beers made from insecticide. And hotels then use that same insecticide full strength to be rid of bed bugs. Some tourists have been turning in for a good night's sleep ... and not waking up.
Fun! Let us know how it is. I have two (!) free cruises with Norwegian that I've yet to redeem.Quote: GWAEToday at the Rivers I got upgraded to the preferred card which is the middle level card. It takes 25k coin in over 6 months to get the card so it's not a difficult card to get. To my surprise, one of the benefits of the card is a free norwegian cruise. I knew the top level card got it which is 100k coin in. I just called Norwegian to get info and I was surprised that she was able to upgrade me to a balcony room. It is a 7 day cruise through the Caribbean with 4 stops and the total for 2 people including the upgrade and all taxes and fees was $487. Now I just have to figure out how to get to Tampa.
I just checked their website and the cruise that we are taking would cost $2856. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so this was exciting.
Fun! Let us know how it is. I have two (!) free cruises with Norwegian that I've yet to redeem.Quote: GWAEToday at the Rivers I got upgraded to the preferred card which is the middle level card. It takes 25k coin in over 6 months to get the card so it's not a difficult card to get. To my surprise, one of the benefits of the card is a free norwegian cruise. I knew the top level card got it which is 100k coin in. I just called Norwegian to get info and I was surprised that she was able to upgrade me to a balcony room. It is a 7 day cruise through the Caribbean with 4 stops and the total for 2 people including the upgrade and all taxes and fees was $487. Now I just have to figure out how to get to Tampa.
I just checked their website and the cruise that we are taking would cost $2856. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so this was exciting.
Quote: teddysFun! Let us know how it is. I have two (!) free cruises with Norwegian that I've yet to redeem.
I will but it we are not going until April. I would like to go earlier but we want to wait till our newborn turns 1.
Quote: GWAEDoes anyone know how these free cruises work on the casino's end. I can't imagine that the casino is actually paying for these things. I can't imagine that the rivers is willing to pay 2k for us to cruise. Maybe Norwegian gives it to them for free knowing that people will gamble and pay for other things on the ship?
I would assume that it is not that different from a free hotel room or free meals at a casino.
If you are platinum or noir with m-life, you get 1 free cruise per year.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceI would assume that it is not that different from a free hotel room or free meals at a casino.
If you are platinum or noir with m-life, you get 1 free cruise per year.
so you think the cruise lines give the casinos the cruise for free?
Quote: GWAEso you think the cruise lines give the casinos the cruise for free?
Of course not. When you get comped a meal, do you think that the restaurant gives the casino the food for free?
Quote: GWAERandom thought of the day:
It is weird to get older. Granted I am only 34 but getting older none the less. Today Tony Gwynn died. I grew up watching him play. It is just surreal that people I watched play sports are dieing and people that were older when I was growing up are to. I know it is a fact of life but it doesn't make it any less weird.
Which brings up an interesting trivia question: How many people are still living who were born in the 19th century? It turns out that as of today's date there are only five left.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_people
Quote: mickeycrimmWhich brings up an interesting trivia question: How many people are still living who were born in the 19th century? It turns out that as of today's date there are only five left.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_people
If you are going to use this as a trivia question, the answer is 14. Or just phrase it: How many people are still living who were born before Jan 1, 1900? Then you can answer 5. :+)
Quote: mipletIf you are going to use this as a trivia question, the answer is 14. Or just phrase it: How many people are still living who were born before Jan 1, 1900? Then you can answer 5. :+)
Oh, yes. I totally forgot that the year 1900 is part of the 19th century.
Quote: mipletIf you are going to use this as a trivia question, the answer is 14. Or just phrase it: How many people are still living who were born before Jan 1, 1900? Then you can answer 5. :+)
Fourteen becomes five with the addition of a year? Yeesh. Fluke or not, don't be buying a lot of green banannas, Gramps.Quote: mickeycrimmOh, yes. I totally forgot that the year 1900 is part of the 19th century.
A reporter is interviewing a man on his 105th birthday. At the end of the interview, the reporter comments that he wishes the old man well and hopes to be able to interview him again the following year.
The old man says that he is sure he will live that long. "I've checked the actuarial tables, and I've found that no one dies between 105 and 106."
And let me tell you, these bastards come in hot, but go out of you twice as hot. This is the most excruciating pain I've been in in a long time!
Quote: RSI tried out those new XXX super fire cheetos yesterday.
And let me tell you, these bastards come in hot, but go out of you twice as hot. This is the most excruciating pain I've been in in a long time!
Reminds me of....."Who does number 2 work for"?????? LOL
Quote: DrawingDeadHa! I'm willing to offer a line of +300 that at least as few are known to croak between 125 & 150, oddly enough. So make it that far, and you're gold. Obviously.
Pardon the pun, DD, but I think I would being drawing dead in that spot.
Today at work I decided to play on Bovada. I deposited $100 and used a slot machine 100% bonus by accident (instead of any games).
Well I wanted to play VP anyways so I figured I would just use the money to do that. Well I ended up hitting a Royal and 44442 on DDB. Now I needed to go through the play through on slots in order to cash out. I decided to play the sugar pop game at $0.10 credits. I was doing well so I moved up to $0.25 for $12.50 a spin. That is like super high roller for me. Well I had the credits up to $1600 but when I was through with the play through I ended at $1491.50.
So now I have to cash out but the check will go home and then I will have to tell my wife. Its not that she would be mad that I gambled but then she will want some of the money to buy something stupid like a purse. I was going to change the address to my work address but this is my first pay out so I assume they may want proof that my deposit was made by me and if I change the address that may raise some flags. uuggggg what a problem to have.
Quote: GWAEIts not that she would be mad that I gambled but then she will want some of the money to buy something stupid like a purse.
Stupid? If you want your wife mad at you, let her read this post <roll eyes>
Quote: NareedStupid? If you want your wife mad at you, let her read this post <roll eyes>
lol.. well see we have this deal. We both like to gamble but we normally can't afford to go so I will go once a month and play a poker tournament. I think I am pretty good so we made a deal that I can go 1 time a month. Since I get to play and she has to stay at home with the kids she gets 75% of the returned money up to $250. In February I took first place in a tournament for $890 so she got her $250 and like each time she went and bought a purse. In the last 12 months I have cashed 8 times and top 5, 4 times. She has acquired 4 purses with this money. Her newest one was a Michael Kors. It just pains me to see her spend $300 on a purse. At least I make her go to the outlets for them.
Quote: GWAEIn February I took first place in a tournament for $890 so she got her $250 and like each time she went and bought a purse.
There's not such thing as too many purses or too many shoes.
Quote: GWAElol.. well see we have this deal. We both like to gamble but we normally can't afford to go so I will go once a month and play a poker tournament. I think I am pretty good so we made a deal that I can go 1 time a month. Since I get to play and she has to stay at home with the kids she gets 75% of the returned money up to $250. In February I took first place in a tournament for $890 so she got her $250 and like each time she went and bought a purse. In the last 12 months I have cashed 8 times and top 5, 4 times. She has acquired 4 purses with this money. Her newest one was a Michael Kors. It just pains me to see her spend $300 on a purse. At least I make her go to the outlets for them.
You're going on a cruise together, right? Why don't you tell her now you won a little, and hold the check until just before you get on board, then you both have some money to shop and play with. She'll find great stuff on board, and it'll be duty free. Sounded like you were going to sail with no pocket money when you were talking about it before. You'd both have something to look forward to this way.
EDIT: well, cash it so it doesn't go stale, but put the money away for the cruise.
You can get the check sent to your work, they just have to reverify.Quote: GWAESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Today at work I decided to play on Bovada. I deposited $100 and used a slot machine 100% bonus by accident (instead of any games).
Well I wanted to play VP anyways so I figured I would just use the money to do that. Well I ended up hitting a Royal and 44442 on DDB. Now I needed to go through the play through on slots in order to cash out. I decided to play the sugar pop game at $0.10 credits. I was doing well so I moved up to $0.25 for $12.50 a spin. That is like super high roller for me. Well I had the credits up to $1600 but when I was through with the play through I ended at $1491.50.
So now I have to cash out but the check will go home and then I will have to tell my wife. Its not that she would be mad that I gambled but then she will want some of the money to buy something stupid like a purse. I was going to change the address to my work address but this is my first pay out so I assume they may want proof that my deposit was made by me and if I change the address that may raise some flags. uuggggg what a problem to have.
Quote: teddysYou can get the check sent to your work, they just have to reverify.
reverify my home address or work?
If it is the work one, how would they do that?
This means 3,000 years from now, archeologists will judge present-day America largely by what's found in Vegas :D
Quote: GWAEOh lol, imagine their thoughts when they find stacks of naked lady cards.
...and poker chips, cigarette butts, and broken highball glasses.
Probably call it the next Stonehenge.
Quote: GWAEOh lol, imagine their thoughts when they find stacks of naked lady cards.
Offerings to the gods.
We have a joint bank account (one) into which all of our salaries get deposited and out of which all of our ACH payments come. We also spend whatever we need to spend out of the one communal account. If I want to gamble, that is where the money gets taken from. If my wife wants to shop then the money comes from there. We don't go into our savings unless it is a life altering event.
My question is this. Do you guys have one account or does each of you have their own account in conjunction with your main accounts?
Are we both being too trusting or naive by only having one bank account?
What is the 411 on shared accounts these days?
Quote: GWAESo now I have to cash out but the check will go home and then I will have to tell my wife. Its not that she would be mad that I gambled but then she will want some of the money to buy something stupid like a purse. I was going to change the address to my work address but this is my first pay out so I assume they may want proof that my deposit was made by me and if I change the address that may raise some flags. uuggggg what a problem to have.
The Wizard has advised total honesty about SS#, age, address etc., you don't want to give an online gambling site an excuse not to pay. Congrats btw.
Honesty is pretty big with me, and I was shocked to find out marriage does not allow complete honesty, alas, in many things. It was disappointing to me to realize I couldn't be totally honest about wagering win/loss with my wife. When I lose, I have to downplay 'how much'; no amount of explaining EV or SD or 'the theoretical on average is what counts' works. She will just over-react. To my surprise, I also have to downplay big wins; otherwise she gets excited and wants to spend the money!
In fact it is a struggle to be honest about gambling related things in general when the wife comes from a frown-on-gambling background. I have been able to fight off the urge to fib and be honest, but when it comes to the money details, her reactions are just too much to handle.
The one fortunate thing that tempers our situation is that sometimes she will gamble a little herself. Last time she did, though, she lost about $400 and is really snakebit about it.
Quote: TomspurMy question is this. Do you guys have one account or does each of you have their own account in conjunction with your main accounts?
All of our accounts are joint accounts, but we each often use separate credit cards and checking accounts. I don't nose into hers and she doesn't nose into mine. I have been able to live up to my promise to be financially responsible, gambling or not [which makes altering bankroll facts ironic].
I got married a little later in life and got a chance to see mistakes other guys made, including brothers. It was made pretty clear to my wife that I would be miserable with a spouse that tried to micro-manage my life. I can claim success here, but I guess we just would not have gotten married if she had a problem with that.
All this is very hard to fix later if it comes as a surprise after you tied the knot.
Ancient dwellers of Las Vegas had poor memories and carried constant reminders with them. All women were members of a clan known as Not An Agency. The numbers Seven and Eleven were worshipped openly whereas those who worshipped twenty-one had to do so in secret as fellow residents known as "Suits" spied on them to determine their intentions.Quote: GWAEOh lol, imagine their thoughts when they find stacks of naked lady cards.
Quote: Tomspurmade me think about money management within the confines of a marriage.
We have a joint bank account (one) into which all of our salaries get deposited and out of which all of our ACH payments come.
We also spend whatever we need to spend out of the one communal account. If I want to gamble, that is where the money gets taken from. If my wife wants to shop then the money comes from there. We don't go into our savings unless it is a life altering event.
Are we both being too trusting or naive by only having one bank account?
What is the 411 on shared accounts these days?
Community Property laws apply at all times in all circumstances ... if you put everything into one fund fine. Keep your separate property out of it though.
If you take 10k out for gambling, but pay all the transportation and hotel costs out of it and also give her extra shopping money from your gambling then your accounting is screwed up.
I would always make certain you each keep a gambling fund. Withdrawals from your gambling fund should not go for purses or shoes or hotels or shows.
If you have separate property keep it separate and don't commingle it.
Taking community funds to gamble with is fine but keep it as a gambling fund, not a general expenses of las vegas fund.
Quote: rxwineProbably call it the next Stonehenge.
What did they gamble at Stonehenge?
Seriously, I find it a good mental exercise to try to describe a casino assuming 1) little knowledge of gambling and 2) using modern biases about ancient cultural milieus (ie, everything is either a temple or has some religious significance). The resutls can be hilarious.
Quote: TomspurSeeing GWAE and his money troubles made me think about money management within the confines of a marriage.
We have a joint bank account (one) into which all of our salaries get deposited and out of which all of our ACH payments come. We also spend whatever we need to spend out of the one communal account. If I want to gamble, that is where the money gets taken from. If my wife wants to shop then the money comes from there. We don't go into our savings unless it is a life altering event.
My question is this. Do you guys have one account or does each of you have their own account in conjunction with your main accounts?
Are we both being too trusting or naive by only having one bank account?
What is the 411 on shared accounts these days?
All of our accounts are joint accounts with no transparency. We have one "main" account that both or our incomes are deposited into. That is our everyday account and also used for the day to day gambling. Should we find a big play where we need a larger bankroll we will withdraw it from a different account.
A casino? A means of using electricity that otherwise couldn't possibly be justified in being generated.
Quote: NareedWhat did they gamble at Stonehenge?
Seriously, I find it a good mental exercise to try to describe a casino assuming 1) little knowledge of gambling and 2) using modern biases about ancient cultural milieus (ie, everything is either a temple or has some religious significance). The results can be hilarious.
I've often thought that if humans ceased to exist, and an alien culture then visited the earth, they would doubtlessly conclude that Vegas was the holiest of holy lands for earthlings. Massive, ornate edifices in a remote wilderness... what else could it be?
And I guess, depending on your definition of religion and worship, they might not be far off...
Quote: JoemanI've often thought that if humans ceased to exist, and an alien culture then visited the earth, they would doubtlessly conclude that Vegas was the holiest of holy lands for earthlings. Massive, ornate edifices in a remote wilderness... what else could it be?
Did you ever see the ep of the Simpson's where Flanders wants to take Homer to the Holy Land? When Homer mocks the invitation, before innevitably accepting it, among other things he says "... and a desert without casinos." Your comment reminded me of that.
But how remote is Vegas, really? It is rather an oasis in the desert and has been a crossroads of sorts for some time. If the railways survive, you'd see them passing through there.
Of course, the railways and the large airport may merely denote the hypothesis that large numbers of pilgrims made their way to the holy sanctuary city of the gods ;)
And think of the fun one can have when considering buildings in the shape of a Roman palace, an Egyptian tomb and a Medieval castle can be found there (provided they don't get knocked down or imploded between now and then, which given Vegas' history they almost surely will be).
Quote:And I guess, depending on your definition of religion and worship, they might not be far off...
I don't know about prayer, but there is a great deal of ritual and superstition on display. So not so far off, no.
Quote: odiousgambitThe Wizard has advised total honesty about SS#, age, address etc., you don't want to give an online gambling site an excuse not to pay. Congrats btw.
Honesty is pretty big with me, and I was shocked to find out marriage does not allow complete honesty, alas, in many things. It was disappointing to me to realize I couldn't be totally honest about wagering win/loss with my wife. When I lose, I have to downplay 'how much'; no amount of explaining EV or SD or 'the theoretical on average is what counts' works. She will just over-react. To my surprise, I also have to downplay big wins; otherwise she gets excited and wants to spend the money!
In fact it is a struggle to be honest about gambling related things in general when the wife comes from a frown-on-gambling background. I have been able to fight off the urge to fib and be honest, but when it comes to the money details, her reactions are just too much to handle.
The one fortunate thing that tempers our situation is that sometimes she will gamble a little herself. Last time she did, though, she lost about $400 and is really snakebit about it.
All of our accounts are joint accounts, but we each often use separate credit cards and checking accounts. I don't nose into hers and she doesn't nose into mine. I have been able to live up to my promise to be financially responsible, gambling or not [which makes altering bankroll facts ironic].
I got married a little later in life and got a chance to see mistakes other guys made, including brothers. It was made pretty clear to my wife that I would be miserable with a spouse that tried to micro-manage my life. I can claim success here, but I guess we just would not have gotten married if she had a problem with that.
All this is very hard to fix later if it comes as a surprise after you tied the knot.
I just want to be clear that I was never going to use false or misleading info with Bovada. I was simply going to have the check sent to my work address.
FWIW, I told my wife all about it. We are very open and honest with each other about everything so there was no need to try and hide it. It was actually a stupid thought on my end to even think about it. I don't want to come across as someone who is dishonest which it probably did when I mentioned having it sent somewhere other than home.
Quote: GWAEFWIW, I told my wife all about it. We are very open and honest with each other about everything so there was no need to try and hide it. It was actually a stupid thought on my end to even think about it. I don't want to come across as someone who is dishonest which it probably did when I mentioned having it sent somewhere other than home.
Considering sending it to work *was* in order not to have to tell her you had a big win, since you saw no need to buy another purse? or did I miss something?
I'll have to assume it was a matter of allowing yourself a not-to-be-realized fantasy of keeping it without reporting it to the missus.
Geez, you got me to admit my fancy footwork when it comes down to it.
