Sandtrap, Jack and I arrived Tuesday, 11/27 to our regular casino hotel. At the registration desk, we were handed a letter stating that the rooms would be without power between midnight and 6am every night. But not to worry. We were given a mini flashlight and some bottle of water, complimentary. (Imagine Skinny’s shock when he arrived at 1am Wed. after bowling.) This might be OK for the average person who sleeps 8 hours. But for me, who only sleeps 4-6 hours, it was extremely boring. I am used to watching TV while crocheting or knitting. I used the mini flashlight to read for so many hours the first night, I had to ask for another one the next day. Our host had no idea about this, and the dealers, supervisors, and shift managers couldn’t believe it. (This was apparently due to Sandy, and something to do with the generators.) The phones also did not work until after 7am, so two security personnel knocked on our door for our wake-up call. The only thing one can do in this situation is to laugh.

Another new facet is that at 10:15 am every day, NY buses roll in filled with players for the Asian pit. They run in to save their seats, and then run to the back to get their 3 free meal vouchers. Fortunately for us, most of them prefer mini bacc or tiles to Pai Gow cards, so we could usually get a spot.

There were no great rolls this trip. We each had at least one teen or 20 roll during each session. The last day was the best, with the morning session for Sandtrap, who shot 7, 10, 10, 21, 28, and 29. During the afternoon session, Skinny tossed an 11 and 10; Sandtrap had rolls of 10 & 25; and I tossed a 13 and a 14.

On 12/5 Sandtrap was admitted to the hospital with acute congestive heart failure (CHF). He had to have an IV diuretic over the course of 24 hours to get rid of the 9lbs of fluid he had gained over the course of a week. He was discharged on 12/8. He felt well, so we went to AC on 12/10 where we met Jack, Butcher, and Skinny. The wonderful thing about our casino is that the crews are really friendly and care about us. It was true during my hip recuperation, and now with Sandtrap. He has had 5 hospitalizations since January, and all the dealers, supervisors, and casino managers go over to him to ask how is he doing. Sometimes they will ask in my ear because they are afraid of the answer. Even the waitresses have shown concern. This visit, 2 dealers spent their entire break just talking with us.

On 12/10, our sessions were also not terrific. We were frequently in the hole, and then occasionally one of us would have a better roll. During the evening session, I rolled a 3, 2, 29, and 16; Sandtrap tossed a 10, 10, and 12; and Jack had rolls of 10, 17, and 17. Another regular player had a 32, which really saved us. I didn’t shoot after dinner, because I was too tired, but Jack did well with rolls of 2, 6, 17, 21, 2, and 16. Sandtrap was tired, but after 4 poor rolls, he shot a 33, bringing us out of the whole.

On Tues., 12/11, during the morning session Jack had a 16 roll; Sandtrap rolled a 2, 14, 20, 2, 11, and 19. Another pIayer had a 32, which saved us. After breakfast, Jack tossed a 3, 2, 10, 5, and 12; I rolled a 12, 8, 5, and 15. Sandtrap was napping. I didn’t shoot after dinner, but Jack did well with rolls of 2, 6, 17, 21, 2, and 16. Sandtrap was tired, but after 4 poor rolls, his last one was a 33, again bringing us out of the whole.

On Wed., 12/12, I started off well with a 23, and then fell apart. Sandtrap had one 31 roll. Skinny was asleep, still recuperating from bowling Tuesday night, and Jack had to leave for home. After lunch, Skinny had one 13 roll, and Sandtrap tossed a 15, 11, and 8. I really stunk! Wed. evening we had front row seats to see Gordie Brown, a very humorous impressionist who performs in LV. In the beginning he was doing 60’s performers like Johhny Cash and Neil Diamond. As one couple started to walk out, Brown said, "Wait, Justin Bieber is coming up." The audience laughed, but the couple kept on going.

After the show Butcher tossed an 8 and a beautiful 34! That was quite a feat for someone recuperating from a stroke. His legs are weak, his upper arm needs a sling for support, and his legs get very tired standing to throw. It’s a good thing the stroke only affected his left side, and not his throwing right arm.

Thursday morning Butcher and Skinny slept late, and I didn’t do diddly on an empty table waiting for Sandtrap. He only tossed once, with an exquisite 42 roll. (Eleven 6’s and eight 8’s) With that, we skedaddled fast! This was our last trip for this year, so I wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I certainly hope the New Year is much improved for Sandtrap’s health.

Goddess

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