Food was great, company was funny & entertaining. Kitchen clean. Basking in the glow of another great day.

Just as a side note on "green chip" guy. I went back at 5am, trying to again to catch lightening in a bottle a second time. As I bought in, he and two buddies hustled up and quickly bought in. He was wearing the same shirt. I had a nice 22 hand. His comment, "too bad..too bad." He was unhappy. He played mostly outside, I hit 6-8-9 forever. Sorry to let him down. I walked.

Well so far, several days, only one session down, and tomorrow is Video Elite @ 3:30pm. Hot pastrami sandwich, sleep late, and get to show "My Precious" (just my shot guys, c’mon). Couldn’t sleep anyway, and showed up a little early @ 1pm.

Standing at the door to the event center, people and equipment everywhere. Very relaxed atmosphere, with instructors scattered and visiting with all. Some were even on the work stations with visitors. Full size crap tables had several people around them having a great time. Standing very tall in his special shoes, I spotted Gandalf the Wizard, uh wait that’s a different story. It was the Bman looking my way. I could see he finally remembered the old guy standing in the doorway, and he came over. He did remember I owed him dinner, but gave me a rain check because he was taking his wife out that night. We shared a few thoughts and words & went to a throwing station. Must have been 6 or 7 available for anyone to use. Tom found I had 2 of my practice dice glued together, and said "ahh the barrel." You just can’t get anything past this guy. I think every instructor found time to meet every person in the area. As an old hustler, I can tell you they were all sincere, and very happy to be there and doing what they were doing. Dom was the only one that seemed lost. Wandering around, not staying anywhere long. Then I figured out he was just working his way to the door to get a smoke break! "uh hey Dom…’" "hey Dave…later" He was gone.

This was really the best time of the trip. As an ex-midway boss, a large scale show promoter, and just generally nosey……I observe and pay attention very well. This was a very focused group. Every visitor got some undivided attention, and if they wanted, some instruction on the stations. From my spot, to the left corner, a full size table was set up for the VE program. The center had a full size table to work on adjustments, before going back to Video table. It looked as though every instructor was tied up, and at the front entry Mr Finesse was busy at the merchandise tables. The noise was not hectic, but focused.

Running a little behind for my time slot. I noticed BTK and NFF never rushed a student, and gave them 110% concentration. You just do not see that any more, any where. I wanted the same attention, and was glad to wait. I was ready to show off "My Precious" shot. I said shot.

My turn. After my first 5 shots I think BTK said, "have you had any of our classes yet?" I think what he really said was, "interesting…mmmm. What are we going to do about this?" Probably as bad as any thing in a year. Who was throwing my dice? Table was too tall, too long, my arm was bent, wrist ?? Arm was swinging in the nicest curve. Open release of hand let dice pivot to back wall & bounce to the right, shoulders not good. But other than that, "you are not in Kansas anymore, Frodo."
Setting in front of that screen with NFF redlining me was a humbling experience. The slow & stop action was really awesome. I want you guys to know, I DID SEE, I DID UNDERSTAND, & I WILL MAKE IT WORK FOR ME. I think what may have thrown me off, was looking at the screen and wondering who was the old guy shooting and wearing my shirt. (in my head I am still 40. It has overloaded my butt a few times also.)

The meet & greet was just outstanding. Dom was MC, and he set the stage for classes the next morning. But ! first he tricked, finagled and forced the audience into his "Birthday" bet. I, being the sharpie I am, was on to him. My class had beat him in Tunica, and I was $5 up. I am in!! Got beat like a rented mule. Everyone loved it, and a point was made. Now I am EVEN.

Shared a cab back to the hotel with nice guy (even if he was a lawyer) from Orlando. Nice ride. Back to the Shire tomorrow. Now where the heck did I put that shuttle ticket??

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