Announcement from kewlj.
I do wish kewlj peace and strength in this difficult time. I'm very sorry to hear the sad news.
Quote: kewljDuring my time in the AP community, on whatever AP/gambling site I was on at the time, I always tried to share my AP experiences as a professional mid level card counter blackjack player along with some of my personal experiences relating to that journey. Such was the case when as a member of Wizard of Vegas, I announced and posted about my marriage to my long-time friend and AP partner in 2014: MY SAME-SEX VEGAS WEDDING.
It has now been 2 months since my partner, spouse and best friend passed away rather suddenly, although it seems like so much longer since I have seen his face and talked to him. I just felt I needed to say a few things about my AP partner/spouse and friend, who from this point forward I will refer to as my partner (both professionally and personally) and this seemed like the site to do so, not the garbage/hate site that until recently, I participated at. So I very much want to thank Wizard for allowing me this one time opportunity address the WoV forum members.
Both directly and indirectly my partner is in a big way responsible for what success I have achieved as a blackjack card counter and AP. Directly, he was my partner, for a few years playing blackjack and being 20 years my senior it allowed for my own little unique version of the call-in approach...think father/son. And we could do so in plain site. Unfortunately his bad back didn’t allow him to play blackjack too often or long, so for the last 4-5 years his role as my partner has been playing through our machine play, playing the free play offers and generating future offers. This kept him busy and accounted for about 20% of my annual EV.
In addition he served as my driver an managed my chip inventory. His perfection of these two responsibilities helped me develop and maximize the short session, hit and run attack that has been so beneficial.
Indirectly, he might be even more responsible for where I am today. Back in the summer of 2003, before I had any interest in blackjack or casino play, nor knew anything about it, I shared an apartment with my partner. It wasn’t romantic, just a roommate situation, well ok, with a bit of friends with benefits situation. I wasn’t even 21 and was working a low level retail job. My partner, fairly recently divorced from his wife, worked part-time and received a small monthly disability allotment, so he needed a roommate. It worked out well for both of us. And he was a recreational video poker player several times a month in Atlantic City…..a losing video poker player!
So when I stumbled onto a book on card counting at the library summer book sale, I was thinking maybe we could turn his gambling activity into a profitable or at least break even deal. But he wasn’t interested in blackjack. However I found that I was….big time. That summer and fall I learned all I could and declared to him that I was going to be a professional blackjack player. He played the role of doubter and every successful AP had somebody, a friend, relative, parent that played that role so you know what I am talking about. He didn’t know it at the time and neither did I, but his continuingly telling me it was not possible….guaranteed that I would find a way to prove him wrong. Eventually he became my biggest supporter.
After 5 years of my career and building a small bankroll and limited success playing my home base of Atlantic City, and wearing out my welcome, I made the decision to relocate to Las Vegas and the abundant opportunity that the desert offered. In 2009 I left my friends, including him, my best friend behind and relocated to a place where I knew no one. 2010 was hard. I was enjoying some success, but was lonely. The next year, my partner picked up and followed me to Vegas. He left behind even more that I did. He left friends, family, and ex-wife and 3 grown sons. Their loss was my gain. We once again became roommates and formed the business partnership I described above.
Personally, our relationship was never one of great romance. I always considered him my best friend “with benefits”. I figured a good deal of that was me being so screwed up, I had no idea of love or what love is. So it was a bit odd when I agreed to Marry him in 2014 after gay marriage became legal. Marriage offered a way to protect both our interests. Some may consider that an abuse of Marriage, but I am not so sure. Two people who care a great deal for each other and live together protecting themselves legally. Is it really all that different? Anyway, I hope you all won’t have that political discussion here.
Now, with my partner being 20 years my senior, I always knew there was a reasonable chance he would go before me. But I figured that was 20 years down the road, when he was in his late 70’s or 80’s and I was in my 50’s. I didn’t expect to lose him in my mid 30’s. And I always thought I would have the opportunity to take care of him at some point, health-wise, but I really didn’t. He nursed me through two open heart surgeries, in 2011 and again last fall, when my once replaced heart valve failed. I never got to return the favor.
Things have changed in my life in the past few years. My younger brother lives with me and this is our second year as blackjack partners. My mother who I was estranged from for 13 years, moved to Las Vegas and lives about a mile away in a 50+ community and we have grow close. And I have several close friends. But, I feel alone. Two months after my partner’s passing, I am still devastated. My heart is broken. He taught me many things in our 15 year friendship and I now realize among them just might be what love is, because I miss the hell out of him.
I will survive. I will go on. I am not looking forward to the dating scene at my age, but whatever. But I know that what I am, including what success I have enjoyed as a blackjack player/AP, I owe to him. Thanks for being a part of my life Joey.
And again, thank you Mike for allowing me to share this update. Doing so is important to me and will help me.
My sincere condolences, KJ.
stamp of time, wait a year and see how
you feel. You can't rush it..
Not sure why a post from him would be allowed. If management cares to post this then management should bury the hatchet and allow kj back into the site. After all the ban was all over two people with a disagreement.
Quote: GWAEHopefully it's not a fake death like kj already pulled once. If it is real then my condolences to kj.
Not sure why a post from him would be allowed. If management cares to post this then management should bury the hatchet and allow kj back into the site. After all the ban was all over two people with a disagreement.
Good point but Wizard him himself said that pardons are rarely given on here. I am assuming that a pardon is given if the "offended," admitted they were joking about being offended.
Quote: GWAEHopefully it's not a fake death like kj already pulled once. If it is real then my condolences to kj.
Not sure why a post from him would be allowed. If management cares to post this then management should bury the hatchet and allow kj back into the site. After all the ban was all over two people with a disagreement.
Let's nip this thought in the bud.
The ban was not, in the end, because of a disagreement between 2 people.
The ban was because of the threats KJ made repeatedly and at length against the Wizard's person, his business, and reputation.
That problem remains, has not been resolved, and is unlikely to resolve.
As KJ made clear, he is seeking closure after the death of his partner. He felt placing this tribute on our site would help him achieve that. He initiated this request privately, through third parties.
Sometimes the right and decent thing to do transcends other issues without negating them, so the Wizard, out of compassion, has placed this here for him.
If it IS a lie, as you imply, it says a lot, all negative, about KJ. Let's not have that useless argument and speculation here.
Quote: NathanGood point but Wizard him himself said that pardons are rarely given on here. I am assuming that a pardon is given if the "offended," admitted they were joking about being offended.
No, it's not a good point. It is a selective memory of what happened that ignored the main issue leading to the nuclear ban, that developed while attempting to resolve the disagreement.
You don't get to threaten the site owner/operator and then return. Can't think of any website that would allow that.
Quote: beachbumbabs
The ban was not, in the end, because of a disagreement between 2 people.
The ban was because of the threats KJ made repeatedly and at length against the Wizard's person, his business, and reputation.
I am not in favor of KJ returning here. I have always thought he is his own worse enemy in sharing too much personal information and this thread is an example of that. I send my condolence to KJ, who is likely reading, but I did not need to know the details of your relationship.
However, the statements above do not reflect what I have read, after the fact, of KJ's banning. Where are these threats that KJ made? Have they been deleted from this site? Were authorities notified?
Because in reading through the incident, it appears to be a personal vendetta between KJ and Qfit, who I know from other forums, and other long lasting vendettas. It appears the decision here was too side with QFIT and banish KJ, which is within Wizard's right if they could not co-exist. Is QFIT even still a member here? He doesn't post often.
Where is this other site that we know where to find KJ? I have wanted to communicate with him for a while and it appears the contact information I used to have is no longer valid.
Quote: MrBoI am not in favor of KJ returning here. I have always thought he is his own worse enemy in sharing too much personal information and this thread is an example of that. I send my condolence to KJ, who is likely reading, but I did not need to know the details of your relationship.
However, the statements above do not reflect what I have read, after the fact, of KJ's banning. Where are these threats that KJ made? Have they been deleted from this site? Were authorities notified?
Because in reading through the incident, it appears to be a personal vendetta between KJ and Qfit, who I know from other forums, and other long lasting vendettas. It appears the decision here was too side with QFIT and banish KJ, which is within Wizard's right if they could not co-exist. Is QFIT even still a member here? He doesn't post often.
Where is this other site that we know where to find KJ? I have wanted to communicate with him for a while and it appears the contact information I used to have is no longer valid.
The Wizard explained the gist of the threats some time ago. You'll have to keep reading back if you really need specifics, such as they were released.
You ask too much of this site to provide contact information for him. Perhaps you might PM the person who made the comment. Or perhaps KJ will now contact you.
Mike this was very nice that you were willing to post this despite the past.
Whatever sense of sympathy I have is jaded by an overwhelming sense of deja vu.
Quote: DeMangoCan we trade KJ for Nathan?
Addition by subtraction. Have not heard that in many a year.
Quote: PokerGrinderMy condolences KJ.
Mike this was very nice that you were willing to post this despite the past.
Thank you for your kind words and compassion.
Having read both of their posts for awhile I drew the conclusion that in reality they are harmless, all bark and no bite.
Besides, with the wiz putting his address out there for any "enemies" to find, it's not as if a detractor couldn't have found him, had he wanted to.
No, I'm not suggesting they be allowed back, that's not my call.
I'm just saying any perceived threat to the wiz's person was likely not viable.
However KJ has gone on elsewhere to try and trash the wiz's reputation and question his honor, as KJ feels he was wrongfully banned.
Awkward for all concerned.
Maybe KJ's mom will drive him out there someday, in between stops at casinos, and they can all have a nice cup of tea.Quote: MrVBesides, with the wiz putting his address out there for any "enemies" to find, it's not as if a detractor couldn't have found him, had he wanted to.
wanted to post here. He's been
trashing WoV for a couple years
now, and this is the place he
wants to bare his soul? That's
pretty screwed up. He seems to
have a compulsion to make public
every thought that goes thru his
head, maybe that's why he did it.
suspension list just says permaban was for invasion of privacy but no link?Quote: GWAEHopefully it's not a fake death like kj already pulled once. If it is real then my condolences to kj.
Not sure why a post from him would be allowed. If management cares to post this then management should bury the hatchet and allow kj back into the site. After all the ban was all over two people with a disagreement.
story behind it?
and condolences to kj
OMG, I totally forgot about that. There
is something wrong with that boy, and
not in a good way..
I am sorry to hear of your struggles KJ. Time heals all wounds.
Espesilly WOV nukes.Quote: FinsRuleTime does not heal all wounds.
Quote: vegasThis thread was nothing about KJ wanting to be reinstated. It was about the pain he is going through and trying to get some closure. He is hurting and we should respect that. This is not the time to get into any arguments about what happened in the past.
I am sorry to hear of your struggles KJ. Time heals all wounds.
so KJ bashes a site all the time on other forums but wants his soul cleansed through here. makes no sense.
Quote: AxelWolfEspesilly WOV nukes.
+INFINITY!!
Quote: beachbumbabs
If it IS a lie, as you imply, it says a lot, all negative, about KJ. Let's not have that useless argument and speculation here.
You are right, I should not speculate but you know he did already have a situation in the past about lieing about death and it was his own. Once you go the route there is a very little chance that you can get sympathy from the people that you tricked the first time. You know the whole fool me once phrase.
Quote: GWAEso KJ bashes a site all the time on other forums but wants his soul cleansed through here. makes no sense.
He likes attention, that's why he does
anything. Look at all the attention
this post is getting.
I liked kewlj and enjoyed many of his posts and didn't even realize he had been nuked. Not everyone on this forum "knows why he was nuked" and "knows how to contact kewlj if they want to" and "knows that he has been trashing WOV for years on another forum that we are all too timid to name." Maybe I don't live in Vegas and hang out on WOV as much as others do and I'm apparently not as obsessed with all the drama on this forum as others are - but I don't know any of that stuff.
But here's what I do know: I was touched by kewlj's post on this thread, I miss his presence on WOV and I wish him well.
I do not wish to rehash the topic of what led to KJ's banning. That decision is final and not open to discussion. Any attempts to fan those flames in another thread will be seen as an act of trolling.
Again, KJ, I hope you find peace in this time of mourning. This topic is now closed.
