The Gifts Just Keep On Comin' !

Although I didn't have a chance to play with my favorite new toy yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by the arrival of more goodies in the mail. First of all, I got a card from Papasan, and even though I've been out of the house for 2o years or so, he still sends a little cash in his Christmas card every year, as many times as I've told him not to. But there was a nice note and a copy of a heartwarming Christmas short story included, too, so it was a nice piece of mail to recieve.

I also got a package from my favorite crazy person, Angy. She sent along a basket of gourmet cookies from the same outfit she used on Halloween to send me a bunch of outrageously good pumpkin cookies. I haven't actually tore into these yet--the basket looks so nice that I just put it under my tree--but I'm hoping that this batch of cookies is at least half as good as the last ones.

Also, while I was working last night, a long-time reader of this site, whom I've never met before, (and for the life of me whose name I can't remember... sorry!) stopped me on my way to taking a break and said hello, and also presented me with a small gift- a Trilogy Maduro cigar!

Whoever it was, please drop me a line. I had about three people pulling me in different directions right after we talked, so ten minutes later when I had a moment to chill out and relax, my mind went completely blank. I'm bad enough with names anyways, and with all of the distractions going on around me, my slate was unfortunately wiped clean. Regardless, I appreciate the gesture, and will definitely enjoy the smoke.

Aside from the Christmas cards that are still trickling in, I'm pretty sure that's about it for the packages coming my way. Again I have to give thanks and acknowledge just how lucky I am. I may not be *where* I want to be for the holidays, but it's nice to know that so many people are thinking about me. It makes it much easier to be here on my own.

Word around the campfire is that I'll also be having some visitors next week, too. Skip, aka Sore Eyes, is coming to town, and I just got an email from Fighter Pilot Nick, who will be downtown again--hopefully this time we can get together for a drink. And George and Marlisha are coming up on Christmas day, and we're hoping to get together for a nice dinner somewhere and spend a nice relaxing evening with cocktails and cigars.

And of course, everyone I work with who is stuck working on Christmas Eve will be getting together afterwards for a drink or two at our favorite watering hole, and my friend Stephanie told me two weeks ago that she'd be there to run a few bucks through the video blackjack machine with me, just like last year.

Christmas in Vegas will take some getting used to, although I'm going to do my damndest to not have to be here next year. One thing I really hate about this town is how half-assed they do Christmas. With the notable exceptions of the Bellagio and the Wynn, none of the casinos in town really do much as far as decorating or creating any holiday spirit.

My casino, for instance, looks so damn chintzy. They put a single solitary Christmas tree inside the buffet, and did some half-assed garland strings around a couple of railings outside the bars and the cafe. I swear, most of the houses on my block have a bigger decorating budget than the people in charge where I work. I mean, why even bother?

Oh, and the other day I was talking to a dealer that used to work over at the Flea-esta, and she told me that last year they wouldn't even play any Christmas music in the casino because too many of their patrons complained that it was too depressing. I don't know if I believe that as 100% truth, but it's not too much of a stretch, having seen the clientel that frequents the place. Talk about your Island of Misfit Toys...

I'm sorry, but I'm a Christmas kind of guy, if you couldn't tell already. If I owned my own home, I'd be the guy on the block giving the Griswolds a run for their money. When I had my condo back in Phoenix, the first Christmas after I moved in I got a note from the homeowners association to remove the lights from my outside banister or else... So when I see businesses, who are supposed to be creating a festive atmosphere, just mailing it in, it just pisses me off.

At least department stores get it right. But their very survival depends on maximizing the Christmas experience. Casinos are under no such pressure--people will gamble no matter what. But if it were me, I'd give 'em a reason to show up during this time of year, especially with so many other distractions competing for people's time.

In the meantime, I'm going to spend the rest of my afternoon enjoying the distractions of the NFL, and celebrate the fact that the Rams are beating down the Raiders, and oh, what's this I find in my wallet? A sportsbook ticket that says Rams +3 over the Raiders...

Here it is week 14 of the season, and I finally have a winning ticket from my favorite team--Merry Christmas to me!

Mikey