Gambling Fun Times / Little Post #3

There needs to way to enjoy the thrill of poker without sustaining the financial repercussions. The psychological and mental aspects, staring your enemies down trying to figure them out, always scrounging for intel by noting any peculiarities, not knowing whether the information you gather is reliable or a cleverly crafted facade by a truly worthy adversary; the glee of being dealt a fated pair of cards, unbeknownst to the player the potential grandeur of the flimsy low cards, or the anguish to come by the seduction of a delightful duo of Jacks, prior to gaining a glimpse at the flop. Meanwhile, one must wear the guise, be that of the fool or the authority, in order to avoid suspicion and successfully pull off complex stratagems.

But really, the thrill is non-existent without money. Anything greater than money on the line is just stupid and nervewreaking ("I see your right foot, and raise you my ballsack"), and anything less is not worth the time and effort (gambling with poker chips but not for money). I'm guilty of doing the latter for fun, hell I'll even try my best, but subconsciously I know I'm just not at that same level of focus when there is no consequence, and I know for certain others would not take it seriously. Money has significant value, I'm happy to get $100, and sad to let go of it. Everyone has some access to money, imagine how difficult it would be to find someone to gamble with diamonds or Babylonian gold coins circa 65,000 BC.

I did however, played poker with my friend once. She came over to my house and we played a game of Hold'em, where the loser had to do a dare requested by the winner. I (astoundingly) lost, and what I had to do was get up in the middle of my biology class, and walk 3 times around the classroom.

*Gets up, walks around class*
Teacher: "Umm... what are you doing?"
Me: "Don't worry about it"

(To this day, I think she thinks I let her win, and I want her to think that, but really I got my ass-handed to me by an amateur).

This was suppose to be a post about the trails and tribulations of the first time I went to a casino, and the kooky people I met, but I'm losing focus so here's some highlights I'm gonna make in a little post:

1. I was short of the $30 for the buy-in at the legit poker table
   
2. I won $15 playing at a special poker table, similar to blackjack but its poker only against the dealer. I use "play" very loosely, I sat down one hand, put down a $20, doubled up and left like a pussy ($5 tip which he helped himself to). Borrowed the other $15
   
3. I lost $100 playing real poker
   
4. My uncle won $350 playing slots. Ugh... I'm HOT... I think I just got burned

Maybe I'm playing the wrong game...

A Throwback: To do

The blog went dead for a while, but I feel excited about writing it again. That being said, during that time, some things did occur that I feel are worth mentioning.

Memorable
1) The bar with my French TA
2) Parkour incident (LOOKIT MY ARMS)
3) Studying with the Jap and other girl / Talking to white dude fluent in Jap
4) Comedy Club year end
5) ACF year end
6) Last day at Saugeen (probably not going to be posted)

Less memorable, but may be pretty cool
1) Jiu Jitsu
2) WEGA
3) First-aid training
4) Environmental Dance

I be rockin' them beats

Went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Oh how mine elitist soul have become the philistine, in the gallows of that which channel the Renaissance. I enjoyed it very much. My friend invited me last minute. I bused downtown by myself (I was crying and I pee'd myself) and met him at the show, with his other friend and her mom. It was pretty nice, being the youngest person in the building. It'd be a great place to go when I get a mid-life crisis.

The actual symphony itself was really good. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The first time I went to one of these shows I felt it was okay, sort of an interesting experience in a novelty sort of way, like how white people go to Japan and dress up in kimonos and shit. But this time, I was just completely blown away. I started the day poorly, waking up early, sleep-deprived, having to go run some errands to no avail, having to redo them on another date. I was feeling dejected and frustrated. However, sitting through the pieces, I felt I was fully embracing the emotion and feeling of those horns and strings (I don't know the name of instruments, okay?). It was so moving, the only way I could describe it is with the use of flowery pretentious phrases and clichés. The music chased away my anxiety and fears - it comforted me. One part was so soothing, I fell asleep, I woke up, and thought "damn, that was so moving". I feel that falling asleep during something should not count as a strike against any show's favour, one can sleep through anything provided they don't have enough sleep. In this case, it was for the orchestra as I dreamt I was the conductor, that was awesome.

Man, I feel so reinvigorated, rediscovering something so badass.

MANLY COMPLIMENT

My sister told me she had this conversation with our cousin (who's a guy) about me.
Sister: "Yeah, I dress him well, he shouldn't have that much of a problem meeting girls"
Cousin: "Yeah, he's tall, he's not arrogant, that's kinda cute"

Did a dude just call me cute? This is why I need to find a gym and get jacked, or don some fancy emo hair and wares. Maybe put those hands together, go to the gym wearing white make-up, 5 belts, and a choker. Probably not a good idea, after lifting up a weight I'd pass out, dizzy and all (due to lose the of blood) (BECAUSE OF THE CUTTING) (I'm subtle). Hm... Alternatively I could just talk to people and they'd hear this cute dialogue come out of my mouth. Problem solved.

Edit: Upon posting up this message, it just dawned on me that my solution to stopping dudes from calling me cute is go to a gym or dress-up. *Sigh*

Pants

I wanted to buy some track or sweat pants. The last time I went to do some parkour with shorts, my leg were all bruised and cut. Not surprisingly, I went to buy some track or sweat pants. I picked up some sweatpants at the UWO bookstore during my break between class. I also have jiu jitsu today, so I figured I'd try the pants on. I take off my jeans and I notice I still have a bandage on my shin that I had on all day. I decided to put a fresh one on. I put my foot on my chair, and changed the bandage. I look outside, and some guy I know stops playing basketball looks up at me. My pants are not on. We look at each other. Then I back away from the window, and put my pants on in shame.

Gung Hay Fat Choi

I did my usual routine: go to Kin lecture, talk to some people, then headed back to Saugeen to pick up some breakfast and books for my next lecture. Today while picking up my breakfast, some Chinese chef sees me, and says "Gung hay fat choi!". That took me by surprise (both the random Chinese chef, and him saying "Gung hay fat choi" to me) and I laughed.

The white lady being the counter, who serves the food, notices this and responds "Oh right! So how was your Chinese New Year?"

We get into a little conversation. She says that not only Chinese people celebrate it, she does so herself. It was sort of interesting, her enthusiasm was pretty admirable. I told her about me not washing my hair today, and she said decided to do the same thing. It's sort of humbling having other non-Chinese people taking such an interest in this event (probably more interested than I am). All I can hope is her Chinese coworkers aren't laughing at the foreigner trying to immitate their rituals. It's sort of like that white guy who's in all the Hong Kong TV shows. I'd say he's more of a freak show to them; the novelty of a white man speaking their language is so rare.

There's a Chinese New Years type dinner being prepared on res tonight. I guess I'm obligated to buy it; similarily to how I always buy sushi when it's on sale on res.