The Adventures of MDawg II
Quote: MDawgShe's still your wife, or is this referring to a past relationship?
link to original post
Former wife
(1) If your outgoing luggage is deemed to be other than traditional luggage, and includes items they deem not to be luggage such as bags, boxes, coolers, and such, some of the bellmen try to impose a fee which ends up on your hotel bill. My wife first ran into this when she came back from a day's shopping and the bellman carried her things up. One time a bellman said something about this when we brought some boxes from the car to the suite, and a couple of times as we were departing a bellman brought this up.
No bellman has actually collected this fee from us - I have always managed to silence the request with a "I'll take care of YOU" - meaning that I'll give you ten or twenty or even more, but I won't give a nickel to the hotel for carrying my things.
(2) Cosmopolitan no longer delivers ice to the rooms gratuit - is an $11.50 charge.
Both of these charges seem like nickel and diming. I'm a firm believer in tipping, but not one cent for tribute to a greedy establishment.
Wynn would never stoop so low, at least not in the Tower Suites, and as far as I know, not anywhere in the hotel.
Next to me, on the right, was this beat up old white truck with Utah plates. A guy had been inside it sitting in the driver's seat, and while I was inside my car, he suddenly got out and slammed his door into my passenger side. He noticed that I was sitting inside, said "Sorry" and went into the restaurant. He was probably waiting for his take out same as I was.
I got out of the car and examined the right side of the car. The guy noticed this, came back out from the restaurant and asked me, "Is everything okay?" I actually didn't see anything that I was sure resulted from his door, so I just said, "It's okay" and he went back inside. It was dark though and I hadn't looked the car over overly carefully.
Well today I noticed the ding, with white paint in the ding no less, obviously from the guy's white truck. He really had opened the door fiercely it was not just a casual collision but some serious metal on metal at a high impact. My wife was around when I saw it, and I told her what had happened. She said I should have demanded $300. from the guy for the damage.
At the risk of sounding like one of those guys Holden Caulfield would have hated (always talking about how many miles they get to a gallon in their goddam cars, or how someone just door dinged their cars)...
Now, it is a very expensive vehicle, and it is almost new, but - besides the fact that I doubt this guy had $300. on him (not too many people do these days anyway, it's not as much of a cash society as it was, but this guy in particular looked like he would not have exactly been able to come up with that sum with ease no matter what) what do you do in those type of situations? Yes obviously the guy who dings your door is liable but I think that the general consensus in society is that unless it's an absurdly expensive classic car, or something along the lines of a Rolls or Lamborghini, in which case you're in a tight spot as to how exactly to push the issue anyway, and in such cases $300. isn't even going to begin to cover the damage or devaluation, you just - let it go. Obviously if the guy had dinged it while I was not in the car, I would not have even known about it until today. Which, I didn't know about the damage until today, but I did know about what happened when it happened.
Get some turtle wax rubbing / polishing compound. You’d be amazed what can be buffed outQuote: MDawgOkay so this happened to me the other evening in Vegas. I parked the car, went inside a restaurant, ordered some take out food, came back to the car to wait. This establishment is in a strip mall, and parking is directly in front of the restaurant's all glass front.
Next to me, on the right, was this beat up old white truck with Utah plates. A guy had been inside it sitting in the driver's seat, and while I was inside my car, he suddenly got out and slammed his door into my passenger side. He noticed that I was sitting inside, said "Sorry" and went into the restaurant. He was probably waiting for his take out same as I was.
I got out of the car and examined the right side of the car. The guy noticed this, came back out from the restaurant and asked me, "Is everything okay?" I actually didn't see anything that I was sure resulted from his door, so I just said, "It's okay" and he went back inside. It was dark though and I hadn't looked the car over overly carefully.
Well today I noticed the ding, with white paint in the ding no less, obviously from the guy's white truck. He really had opened the door fiercely it was not just a casual collision but some serious metal on metal at a high impact. My wife was around when I saw it, and I told her what had happened. She said I should have demanded $300. from the guy for the damage.
At the risk of sounding like one of those guys Holden Caulfield would have hated (always talking about how many miles they get to a gallon in their goddam cars, or how someone just door dinged their cars)...
Now, it is a very expensive vehicle, and it is almost new, but - besides the fact that I doubt this guy had $300. on him (not too many people do these days anyway, it's not as much of a cash society as it was, but this guy in particular looked like he would not have exactly been able to come up with that sum with ease no matter what) what do you do in those type of situations? Yes obviously the guy who dings your door is liable but I think that the general consensus in society is that unless it's an absurdly expensive classic car, or something along the lines of a Rolls or Lamborghini, in which case you're in a tight spot as to how exactly to push the issue anyway, and in such cases $300. isn't even going to begin to cover the damage or devaluation, you just - let it go. Obviously if the guy had dinged it while I was not in the car, I would not have even known about it until today. Which, I didn't know about the damage until today, but I did know about what happened when it happened.
link to original post
See it on youtube if you are unfamiliar.
I will give you $300 for it.
Wink wink nudge nudge.
Thanks, yes, I have both polishing and rubbing compound Turtle Wax that will remove the white paint. As far as the ding, yes one of those mobile Just Dings places should be able to do it but the ding is right on the crease of the door, not on a completely flat spot, which I don't know if that will make it easier or harder to get back to alignment. Both good suggestions.
DD Blackjack.
Light action, but ended up losing.
-1500
Note: Lately, for security reasons, session reports are not necessarily presented in real time corresponding directly to the day played.
And this is the MDawg challenge.
I was going to keep it in case I ever go homeless again I have a place to sleep
Those are harder to plan for.
Those are harder to plan for.
Quote: MDawgAre you saying that you've changed your ways and are now planning for the unexpected?
link to original post
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Quote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
Quote: DRichQuote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
link to original post
But those would only be for every possible EXPECTED outcome.
Quote: darkozQuote: MDawgAre you saying that you've changed your ways and are now planning for the unexpected?
link to original post
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
link to original post
It's called leadership and for most people,it must be learned.
Quote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
link to original post
But those would only be for every possible EXPECTED outcome.
link to original post
Absolutely not. Expected means likely or anticipated. One should try to plan for every possible outcome no matter how unlikely.
I was recently postulating what would I do if I lost my right arm. I think it is highly unlikely, but I identified a problem with the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom which is on my right side. I will need to install a telescoping arm for it so that I can locate it on the left side so I will not have to reach completely across my body when wiping. I think the odds of that actually happening are 999,999,999 to 1 but it is always good to have a plan in place.
Quote: DRichQuote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
link to original post
But those would only be for every possible EXPECTED outcome.
link to original post
Absolutely not. Expected means likely or anticipated. One should try to plan for every possible outcome no matter how unlikely.
I was recently postulating what would I do if I lost my right arm. I think it is highly unlikely, but I identified a problem with the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom which is on my right side. I will need to install a telescoping arm for it so that I can locate it on the left side so I will not have to reach completely across my body when wiping. I think the odds of that actually happening are 999,999,999 to 1 but it is always good to have a plan in place.
link to original post
You have to be joking right?
In the unexpected chance you aren't not only did you waste valuable time figuring out a solution for something most likely not to happen (nice leadership according to Bill) but IF you did lose your right arm you think the ONLY preparation for such an event is to adjust how the toilet dispenser works???
Ok you have a good sense of humor I hope.
In your situation, for example, I assume that your ending up homeless might have had something to do with living paycheck to paycheck and not saving. Now, as you and I have discussed, that is the movie business, whether you are a big star or an assistant gaffer, just that the size of the paychecks varies, but some stars end up broke and some stars end up real estate magnates even after they are all washed up in Hollywood.
So if this time around you start saving more and not assuming that your income from this enterprise will continue indefinitely, that would be an example of planning for the unexpected. You don't expect to have all the casinos figure out ways to stop what you are doing, but you may plan for this unexpected possibility.
I think the way you look at words isn't always the same as the way others look at the same words. For example your clinging to the "I make $20000 a week" line. Here too I don't think you accept the common meaning or implication of the word "unexpected."
Quote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
link to original post
But those would only be for every possible EXPECTED outcome.
link to original post
Absolutely not. Expected means likely or anticipated. One should try to plan for every possible outcome no matter how unlikely.
I was recently postulating what would I do if I lost my right arm. I think it is highly unlikely, but I identified a problem with the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom which is on my right side. I will need to install a telescoping arm for it so that I can locate it on the left side so I will not have to reach completely across my body when wiping. I think the odds of that actually happening are 999,999,999 to 1 but it is always good to have a plan in place.
link to original post
You have to be joking right?
In the unexpected chance you aren't not only did you waste valuable time figuring out a solution for something most likely not to happen (nice leadership according to Bill) but IF you did lose your right arm you think the ONLY preparation for such an event is to adjust how the toilet dispenser works???
Ok you have a good sense of humor I hope.
link to original post
Sadly, I am not joking. I run through scenarios like that every single day. I just try to be prepared for just about every scenario that I can think of.
My wife is currently out of town so today I am thinking about how I will communicate to the wife if one of the dogs die while she is gone. As far as I know both are completely healthy but I want to have a plan in case that scenario plays out today.
Quote: MDawgUnexpected doesn’t mean unknown.
In your situation, for example, I assume that your ending up homeless might have had something to do with living paycheck to paycheck and not saving. Now, as you and I have discussed, that is the movie business, whether you are a big star or an assistant gaffer, just that the size of the paychecks varies, but some stars end up broke and some stars end up real estate magnates even after they are all washed up in Hollywood.
So if this time around you start saving more and not assuming that your income from this enterprise will continue indefinitely, that would be an example of planning for the unexpected. You don't expect to have all the casinos figure out ways to stop what you are doing, but you may plan for this unexpected possibility.
I think the way you look at words isn't always the same as the way others look at the same words. For example your clinging to the "I make $20000 a week" line. Here too I don't think you accept the common meaning or implication of the word "unexpected."
link to original post
And if you plan for the unexpected and the unexpected happens what is your comment to people?
You are going to say "I planned for this possibility and we are okay because it's happening wasn't unexpected."
***You simply can't PREPARE for an event and then claim you DIDN'T expect it.***
You can claim you didn't think it would happen but clearly you thought it was a possibility if you prepared for it. Therefore it wasn't UNEXPECTED
Sorry but it's not my fault most of the world doesn't get proper meaning of words and terms.
Quote: darkoz
***You simply can't PREPARE for an event and then claim you DIDN'T expect it.***
You can claim you didn't think it would happen but clearly you thought it was a possibility if you prepared for it. Therefore it wasn't UNEXPECTED
Wow, we must live on different planets. Many times I have thought about winning the lottery and have planned out a course of action in case that happens, but in no way do I expect that to happen.
Quote: MDawgLet's cut right to the chase DarkOz. Are you saving lots of cash in the bank or in solid blue chip stocks or is your contingency plan for going broke - as you spend most every nickel each month as it comes in - putting up pinball machines for sale.
link to original post
I'm planning for the crash of the stock market and the fall of the banks.
Something that actually isn't unexpected
Quote: DRichQuote: darkoz
***You simply can't PREPARE for an event and then claim you DIDN'T expect it.***
You can claim you didn't think it would happen but clearly you thought it was a possibility if you prepared for it. Therefore it wasn't UNEXPECTED
Wow, we must live on different planets. Many times I have thought about winning the lottery and have planned out a course of action in case that happens, but in no way do I expect that to happen.
link to original post
You are confusing planning for the unexpected with fantasizing.
I fantasize about my Grammy winning music career and it's repercussions.
I don't plan for it.
Quote: darkoz
You are confusing planning for the unexpected with fantasizing.
I fantasize about my Grammy winning music career and it's repercussions.
I wouldn't call making lists of attorneys and financial advisors with their phone numbers and email addresses as fantasizing. It is just planning just in case.
However, I do believe that the DarkOz contingency plan for survival if his income is severed consists of something like pinball machines, if he's even thought about it that far at all.
Quote: MDawgHe had renter's insurance? If so, this contradicts his claim that he doesn't plan for the unexpected. He didn't expect a flood but he planned for the possibility of one. His landlord certainly planned for the unexpected, the landlord had homeowner's insurance.
However, I do believe that the DarkOz contingency plan for survival if his income is severed consists of something like pinball machines, if he's even thought about it that far at all.
link to original post
I live in the same area hit hard by hurricane Sandy. I'm two blocks from the beach on one side and the bay on the other (I live on a peninsula.)
Flooding is not exactly unexpected.
Quote: DRichQuote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkozQuote: DRichQuote: darkoz
If it's unexpected how can I plan for it.
Make contingencies for every possible outcome.
link to original post
But those would only be for every possible EXPECTED outcome.
link to original post
Absolutely not. Expected means likely or anticipated. One should try to plan for every possible outcome no matter how unlikely.
I was recently postulating what would I do if I lost my right arm. I think it is highly unlikely, but I identified a problem with the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom which is on my right side. I will need to install a telescoping arm for it so that I can locate it on the left side so I will not have to reach completely across my body when wiping. I think the odds of that actually happening are 999,999,999 to 1 but it is always good to have a plan in place.
link to original post
You have to be joking right?
In the unexpected chance you aren't not only did you waste valuable time figuring out a solution for something most likely not to happen (nice leadership according to Bill) but IF you did lose your right arm you think the ONLY preparation for such an event is to adjust how the toilet dispenser works???
Ok you have a good sense of humor I hope.
link to original post
Sadly, I am not joking. I run through scenarios like that every single day. I just try to be prepared for just about every scenario that I can think of.
My wife is currently out of town so today I am thinking about how I will communicate to the wife if one of the dogs die while she is gone. As far as I know both are completely healthy but I want to have a plan in case that scenario plays out today.
link to original post
There’s a psychiatric diagnosis associated with your type of thoughts……. Events like you describe don’t require a plan…. your intellect and experience will guide you on what to do once the inciting event occurs.
Quote: SOOPOO[
There’s a psychiatric diagnosis associated with your type of thoughts……. Events like you describe don’t require a plan…. your intellect and experience will guide you on what to do once the inciting event occurs.
I am sure you are correct but for me it is a mental thing. My father passed away about 9 months ago unexpectedly (or as unexpected as an 87 year old can). I handled it pretty well I think because I had played out scenarios like that hundreds of times. I thought I might be a complete wreck as noone close to me has ever passed away before (I know I a very fortunate to be 56 years old and to never had experienced death to someone close to me). At my age, I am pretty sure i will never change.
We also know there are unknown unknowns; that is to say, there are some things that we know we do not know.
but there are also unknown unknowns-the ones we don't know we don't know.
I firmly believe that knowing what you don't know is as vital as knowing what you know.
Quote: DRichQuote: SOOPOO[
There’s a psychiatric diagnosis associated with your type of thoughts……. Events like you describe don’t require a plan…. your intellect and experience will guide you on what to do once the inciting event occurs.
I am sure you are correct but for me it is a mental thing. My father passed away about 9 months ago unexpectedly (or as unexpected as an 87 year old can). I handled it pretty well I think because I had played out scenarios like that hundreds of times. I thought I might be a complete wreck as noone close to me has ever passed away before (I know I a very fortunate to be 56 years old and to never had experienced death to someone close to me). At my age, I am pretty sure i will never change.
link to original post
I feel we are talking about two different things.
Playing out scenarios is not the same as preparing for the unexpected.
If you are saying you had your father's funeral costs and burial plot already paid in advance that's preparing for the unexpected (although I would argue at age 87 you were just preparing for the EXPECTED!)
If you just played out what steps you had to effectuate upon the passing of your father then that's different. People do that all the time even with the silliest of nonsense.
Like imagining what fight moves I will do if I am attacked by the serial killer I am watching on the latest episode of forensic files.
Condolences on your loss btw.
It's 27 steps to the rear fire staircase from my current hotel room, and sixty-three from the elevator. I'll almost definitely not need either piece of information, but if I wake up to a fire alarm and a smoke filled hallway, I'll be more prepared than 98% of my fellow guest.
I'm on the third floor, so if I need to jump, my odds of survival are much greater than if I took a room on a higher floor. In the event of the only elevator being down for any reason, I have a short walk to the third floor, where they originally had me on the seventh floor,
I'm on an extended vacation and obtained a 90-day supply of my scripts, which are split into three bags in case a bag or two get stolen or misplaced.
Simple little things become second nature after a while. Failure to plan is planning to fail.
Quote: billryanAn example of preparing for the unknown.
It's 27 steps to the rear fire staircase from my current hotel room, and sixty-three from the elevator. I'll almost definitely not need either piece of information, but if I wake up to a fire alarm and a smoke filled hallway, I'll be more prepared than 98% of my fellow guest.
I'm on the third floor, so if I need to jump, my odds of survival are much greater than if I took a room on a higher floor. In the event of the only elevator being down for any reason, I have a short walk to the third floor, where they originally had me on the seventh floor,
I'm on an extended vacation and obtained a 90-day supply of my scripts, which are split into three bags in case a bag or two get stolen or misplaced.
Simple little things become second nature after a while. Failure to plan is planning to fail.
link to original post
But you haven't prepared for the unknown. You have prepared for what you think is a remote possiblity.
Why haven't you brought along a bullet proof vest for the sniper from the roof of the hotel opposite you?
The people at the Mandalay Bay concert faced the unexpected and the unknown.
It's just not something you can plan for.
You can plan all you want for what might happen and then BAM, the unknown and unexpected happens.
Mandalay Bay is actually a great example if you read the survivor's stories. Thousands of people were in a field when all hell broke loose.
Some people ran around in panic, others sought concealment, and others sought cover.
Your trip to Tejas to buy pinball machines told me all I need to know about your planning skills—just avoidable mistake after mistake. Luckily, you make so much money every week, or is it some weeks, that you do not need to learn from your unforced errors.
Most of us aren't so lucky.
Quote: billryanThere are none so blind, as those who choose not to see.
Mandalay Bay is actually a great example if you read the survivor's stories. Thousands of people were in a field when all hell broke loose.
Some people ran around in panic, others sought concealment, and others sought cover.
Your trip to Tejas to buy pinball machines told me all I need to know about your planning skills—just avoidable mistake after mistake. Luckily, you make so much money every week, or is it some weeks, that you do not need to learn from your unforced errors.
Most of us aren't so lucky.
link to original post
Please discuss these multiple avoidable mistakes on my pinball trip?
You seem so well versed on my trip.
Lol, I make so much money I don't have to plan ahead.
Maybe the plan was to make so much money I don't have to worry!
Here's a hint! Plan to make so much money like I do. If you can't plan that then you haven't planned for the unexpected.
DD Blackjack.
Middle range action. Pretty much as expected.
+4100
Note: Lately, for security reasons, session reports are not necessarily presented in real time corresponding directly to the day played.
And this is the MDawg challenge.
Quote: MDawgAgain, Unexpected doesn’t mean Unknown. But you can’t tell DarkOz anything on most subjects.
link to original post
I am not saying the unexpected is unknown.
I'm saying YOU don't know when to expect it.
Earthquakes are well known.
A devastating earthquake in NYC is unexpected.
I'm not preparing for it.
Quote: MDawgGolden Knights looking strong against the Oilers. This could be the Stanley Cup this time!
link to original post
Tomorrow's game will probably be the key to the series. The Oilers have a much better offense but the Knights have the better defense.
Thankfully someone has planned for it and NYC has an emergency earthquake plan.Quote: darkozQuote: MDawgAgain, Unexpected doesn’t mean Unknown. But you can’t tell DarkOz anything on most subjects.
link to original post
I am not saying the unexpected is unknown.
I'm saying YOU don't know when to expect it.
Earthquakes are well known.
A devastating earthquake in NYC is unexpected.
I'm not preparing for it.
link to original post
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Quote: unJonThankfully someone has planned for it and NYC has an emergency earthquake plan.Quote: darkozQuote: MDawgAgain, Unexpected doesn’t mean Unknown. But you can’t tell DarkOz anything on most subjects.
link to original post
I am not saying the unexpected is unknown.
I'm saying YOU don't know when to expect it.
Earthquakes are well known.
A devastating earthquake in NYC is unexpected.
I'm not preparing for it.
link to original post
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
link to original post
Well that is a good point.
Which means I am wrong that an earthquake in NYC is unexpected because someone in city government expects it could happen.
My argument is as soon as you prepare for something there is an expectation that it could happen therefore when it does happen it's not unexpected.
If there was an earthquake in NYC the mayor and governor can proudly say that event was not wholly unexpected because they prepared for it.
The problem with such wimpy play is that you sit there for a very long time and maybe still not experience a count that is + enough to justify jumping the bet, and then when that comes up, you jump the bet only 3-4X? What a waste, that's no way to be and is not going to get you anywhere especially on short sessions. Which is why it's clear that trying to hit and run with such low X bet jumping is just a long drawn out process that could result in many many sessions without much results.
In the session in which I played, I was actually behind most all of the time, until towards the end I got ahead slightly and quit. My goal was just to earn the $3000. gift card, which I did, but it just goes to prove that the way I play is the way to do it: don't pussy foot around and jump the bet massively when the count is very high AND certain other factors (factors that people who just read about blackjack versus actually play don't know about) are present. I ended up playing over two hours, and that's not a hit and run session. If it had been a hit and run session I would've just lost.
And that is where reality and what you read only in books diverge. I deal only in reality.
Having a private table with negotiated rules that make the house edge .1X helps too.
DD Blackjack.
Almost like a mirror of the play I did at the public table just to qualify for a gift card, but in this session with a much higher bankroll.
+1850
Note: Lately, for security reasons, session reports are not necessarily presented in real time corresponding directly to the day played.
And this is the MDawg challenge.
Quote: MDawgI did a session recently where I was playing solely to qualify for a $3000. gift card. I played blackjack at a public table with a small bankroll (few thousand dollars), just to test out a certain way of playing that I have read about online. I varied my bet at most by 12X and that was only once (won that hand). Rest of the time I was 4-5X.
The problem with such wimpy play is that you sit there for a very long time and maybe still not experience a count that is + enough to justify jumping the bet, and then when that comes up, you jump the bet only 3-4X? What a waste, that's no way to be and is not going to get you anywhere especially on short sessions. Which is why it's clear that trying to hit and run with such low X bet jumping is just a long drawn out process that could result in many many sessions without much results.
In the session in which I played, I was actually behind most all of the time, until towards the end I got ahead slightly and quit. My goal was just to earn the $3000. gift card, which I did, but it just goes to prove that the way I play is the way to do it: don't pussy foot around and jump the bet massively when the count is very high AND certain other factors (factors that people who just read about blackjack versus actually play don't know about) are present. I ended up playing over two hours, and that's not a hit and run session. If it had been a hit and run session I would've just lost.
And that is where reality and what you read only in books diverge. I deal only in reality.
Having a private table with negotiated rules that make the house edge .1X helps too.
link to original post
IMO, your "reality" is Kabuki theater. Allow me to be specific with my 4th grade arithmetic.
"Few thousand bankroll" = $5k?
"got slightly ahead and quit" = $200?
That likely scenario is a 4% return on your investment.
Now the following post shows an $1850 win, BUT your buy in or credit limit as you have previously stated is $250k
That return is less than 1%. Going forward and looking at past results posted from Jan. and Feb. of this year those daily returns were in the 2% to 7% range. So while, yes, the $$$ amounts were not insignificant, the actual returns were quite ordinary. What makes your results ("reality") laudatory is your DISCIPLINE of play and patience. Those two factors are why you can consistently, so far, leave the table a winner.
To put your results in my perspective, if I were to play craps with a $5k bank roll and quit after winning $350 or 7% of my investment, which I am pretty confident I can do, It would pretty much mirror your play and results, but nobody would be going ga ga over my "adventures."
tuttigym
