Youngest, who is 10, is addicted to gambling.
Last night, the Wife wanted to have a "family game night". We played Beat the Parents (they did), then Apples to Apples (with various results). Eldest went to shower. Middle wanted to do something else. Youngest wanted to gamble. Specifically, he wanted to play Texas Hold'em, but he said, "I want to gamble."
I have created a 10 year old gambling addict.
This all started a couple years ago at a graduation party. The family was sitting at a table that had a deck of cards. One of the Boys, I think it was Eldest, had recently played blackjack with some friends, so we all played some hands of blackjack. I think we were betting Hershey's Kisses. We all had fun. A couple months later, we played some more while on vacation. Until about a week ago, we hadn't played since.
Youngest has a tendency to become obsessed with, well, anything. It varies from thing to thing, and usually doesn't last for too long. Some of his obsessions come and go, like waves. At various times the past few years, he has been obsessed with cubing (solving a Rubik's cube), speed-cubing (solving a Rubik's cube quickly), Fortnite, magic, cup-stacking, and several other things I can't remember now. Sadly, cleaning, re-tiling the bathroom, re-roofing the house and power washing the deck have never been his obsession. However, if we put a power washer in his hands and told him to have at the deck, I think that one would keep his interest. He wouldn't do a great job with the deck, but that power washer would be shooting for a long time.
Sometime during this "stay in place" era of the 2020s, Youngest wanted to play blackjack. I played a few hands with him that night ( I don't remember exactly when), then sent him off to bed. The next night, he was like a cat chasing a mouse. Focused, persistent, loud, and annoying. I finally relented and played some more. I also promised to get some M&Ms, so he had something real to bet.
The next night, he wanted to play with the M&Ms. This time, the whole family played again. After sharing and eating M&Ms for a while, it became apparent that these were not the best "chips" to use. I thought I remembered that we bought a cheap box of poker chips about 20 years ago, and yes, we had. So we played with the cheap chips. Youngest cleaned up. If he hit on a 15, he got a 5. If he stayed with a 14, the dealer busted. Every. Time.
Eventually, I made the highly questionable decision to teach him how to play poker (the cheap box of chips was a "Texas Hold'em" kit that included a cloth with 5 diagrams for the community cards). Youngest cleaned up again. Four players, each started with a stack of about 20 chips (Middle had long ago decided he didn't like gambling.) Fifteen minutes later I had no chips, Eldest and the Wife were exchanging about 10 chips between them and Youngest was "Goin' Sizzler." I had to send him to bed again.
The next night, more poker and more winning. For Youngest. He is obsessed and on a hot streak the likes of which have never been seen in these parts. Eventually, I got a break from losing gambling games to a 10 year old. This has not stopped his obsession. And make no mistake, it went from "I want to play blackjack" to "I want to play poker" to "I want to gamble." At this point, I'm not sure whether to cut him off or fast forward eight years to when I can take him to a casino and get ready to retire. I'd be Goin' Sizzler every night with this kid.
There are a lot of consequences of a stay in place order. Many are expected. Many are unexpected. If you had asked me 2 weeks, I would not have predicted that one of those unexpected consequences would be starting Youngest on a path to being the next Doyle Brunson.
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Friday, March 27, 2020
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
It has Been a Long Year
I really don't even know where to start. It has been a long day (it's 9:45 am). It has been a long week (it's Wednesday). It's been a long year (it's March.)
Almost eight years ago, I started this blog as a way to write about the 2012 Olympics. I have about 6-8 loyal readers, who have given up harassing me to keep it up when the Olympics are not happening. I have been gearing up for Tokyo 2020, which means over the past few months I have thought about posting. I wish I had. I wish I could find the time and motivation to do this on a more regular basis. I haven't been able to. But I was ready for Tokyo. In the last month or two, I have watched all 8 of Michaels Phelps' gold medal swims from 2008. I have watched Jessie Diggins. I have watched Usain Bolt. I have watched track and field events and swimming events. I watched a little gymnastics. Somehow I have missed volleyball, which is a failing on my part. But I was getting ready.
All for naught.
I am sad. And afraid. I am sad that the Olympics won't happen. I am sad that the Boys school year has come to an end. I am sad that Eldest won't get to compete in Spring Track this spring. I am sad Eldest won't get to play soccer this spring. I am sad Middle didn't get to play in the Winter Basketball All Star Tournament. I am sad Middle won't get to play basketball this spring. I am sad Youngest's Ninja classes are on hold. I am sad that swimming has stopped, for the boys and for me. I am sad I will miss the Colonies Zone meet in two weeks. I won't get to see my teammates. I am just sad.
I am literally on the brink of tears as I think of all the things we will miss over the next...two weeks? Two months? Six months? (I am sure the Wife is actually shedding a tear as she reads this.)
Really, I'm not a narcissist. I realize this sounds like it is all about me. It isn't.
I am also afraid. I am afraid for my family. I am afraid for my friends. I am afraid for people I don't know. I am afraid for jobs. I am afraid for money. I am afraid for the economy. I am afraid for the world.
I am also sad for others. I am sad for Nathan Adrian. I am sad for Noah Lyles. And all the other athletes who have to wait another year to try to reach their dreams. I don't know how they are training through this. Are pools open? Mine isn't. None of mine are. Does Katie Ledecky have access to a pool? She must, right? I need to look into this.
Tokyo will happen. I have to believe this. Otherwise I simply can't go on living. It will be different. It will be a little weird. The Olympics are not supposed to happen in odd years. Only normal years. (DAD JOKE!) Some of the athletes who are expected to make the Olympics and win medals may not make it. We will have two Olympics in about 7 months (Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022.) Silver Lining! Although, that will make it difficult to watch every minute of available streaming and television coverage of Tokyo 2021 before Beijing 2022 starts. Of course, we won't let that stop us. You need to have goals in life.
Life will happen. We will get through this. I have to believe this. The medical experts say we will get through this. Economists say we will get through this. I don't personally know anyone who has tested positive. I have read what it is like and it is bad. Really bad. Right now, the numbers aren't good. I pray for people to stay safe and healthy. I pray for the world to get through this. I pray none of my three boys will kill either of their brothers.
The most revealing article I have read in the last week was about the economy. The article said the economy will be OK, but we have to believe that. The economy is somewhat a self fulfilling prophecy. If people believe it is going well, it is likely to go well. I liked that. I am sad and I am afraid. But I believe it will go well. The "it" in that last sentence is life, the world, us, me, my family, my friends, the economy, this fight against this virus, and, well, everything else. I believe we will get through this. I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And you have to believe, too. In a little over a year, we will be healthy, not shut in, and preparing for the Olympics. With a lot less free time on our hands. That's a good thing.
We have all read suggestions for what we can do during this time. I'm not going to repeat the obvious ones (social distance, wash hands, clean surfaces, etc.). Oh, wait. Apparently I am going to repeat the obvious ones. I will offer a few of my suggestions, though. You have probably heard these, but I took the time to write today, so I will repeat them.
1. Go outside. Keep your distance from others, but it is OK to go outside.
2. Look at your TV guide to see what is on TV. I have enjoyed watching some old sports games on TV the last week, including the 2019 Women's World Cup Final, UVA's run to the 2019 NCAA Basketball title, and an old Miami Heat playoff win with Middle. It is fun to watch these games, but almost more fun just to see how ESPN and FS1 and NBC Sports and CBS Sports and even the regular networks are filling their air time.
3. Order some food. Restaurants are being crushed right now. If you can, make an order for pick up or delivery (they are all delivering for free right now) to try to keep things moving a little.
4. Paint the basement. Or something else. We are doing the basement.
5. Move. Prior to the closure of almost everything I was swimming pretty well. Then the pools all closed (where are you Katie Ledecky?). I generally hate working out, but am getting up every day before work to exercise. Do something. Don't get into a habit of sitting around, working from home, watching streaming movies and shows, or YouTube. Get up and move. Move to the basement to paint it if that is your thing (hello, Wife.)
6. Go to YouTube and watch old videos of great Olympic moments. This is tons of fun.
7. Got to YouTube and watch something stupid. After you get up and move. And paint the basement.
8. Believe. We will get through this. You will get through this. The world will get through this. It won't be easy. It will happen.
9. Be happy some idiotic, amateur blogger is not telling you to follow Rule/Guideline No. 1 of his Guidelines for Watching the Olympics.
Until next time, which will be before Tokyo 2021.
Almost eight years ago, I started this blog as a way to write about the 2012 Olympics. I have about 6-8 loyal readers, who have given up harassing me to keep it up when the Olympics are not happening. I have been gearing up for Tokyo 2020, which means over the past few months I have thought about posting. I wish I had. I wish I could find the time and motivation to do this on a more regular basis. I haven't been able to. But I was ready for Tokyo. In the last month or two, I have watched all 8 of Michaels Phelps' gold medal swims from 2008. I have watched Jessie Diggins. I have watched Usain Bolt. I have watched track and field events and swimming events. I watched a little gymnastics. Somehow I have missed volleyball, which is a failing on my part. But I was getting ready.
All for naught.
I am sad. And afraid. I am sad that the Olympics won't happen. I am sad that the Boys school year has come to an end. I am sad that Eldest won't get to compete in Spring Track this spring. I am sad Eldest won't get to play soccer this spring. I am sad Middle didn't get to play in the Winter Basketball All Star Tournament. I am sad Middle won't get to play basketball this spring. I am sad Youngest's Ninja classes are on hold. I am sad that swimming has stopped, for the boys and for me. I am sad I will miss the Colonies Zone meet in two weeks. I won't get to see my teammates. I am just sad.
I am literally on the brink of tears as I think of all the things we will miss over the next...two weeks? Two months? Six months? (I am sure the Wife is actually shedding a tear as she reads this.)
Really, I'm not a narcissist. I realize this sounds like it is all about me. It isn't.
I am also afraid. I am afraid for my family. I am afraid for my friends. I am afraid for people I don't know. I am afraid for jobs. I am afraid for money. I am afraid for the economy. I am afraid for the world.
I am also sad for others. I am sad for Nathan Adrian. I am sad for Noah Lyles. And all the other athletes who have to wait another year to try to reach their dreams. I don't know how they are training through this. Are pools open? Mine isn't. None of mine are. Does Katie Ledecky have access to a pool? She must, right? I need to look into this.
Tokyo will happen. I have to believe this. Otherwise I simply can't go on living. It will be different. It will be a little weird. The Olympics are not supposed to happen in odd years. Only normal years. (DAD JOKE!) Some of the athletes who are expected to make the Olympics and win medals may not make it. We will have two Olympics in about 7 months (Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022.) Silver Lining! Although, that will make it difficult to watch every minute of available streaming and television coverage of Tokyo 2021 before Beijing 2022 starts. Of course, we won't let that stop us. You need to have goals in life.
Life will happen. We will get through this. I have to believe this. The medical experts say we will get through this. Economists say we will get through this. I don't personally know anyone who has tested positive. I have read what it is like and it is bad. Really bad. Right now, the numbers aren't good. I pray for people to stay safe and healthy. I pray for the world to get through this. I pray none of my three boys will kill either of their brothers.
The most revealing article I have read in the last week was about the economy. The article said the economy will be OK, but we have to believe that. The economy is somewhat a self fulfilling prophecy. If people believe it is going well, it is likely to go well. I liked that. I am sad and I am afraid. But I believe it will go well. The "it" in that last sentence is life, the world, us, me, my family, my friends, the economy, this fight against this virus, and, well, everything else. I believe we will get through this. I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And you have to believe, too. In a little over a year, we will be healthy, not shut in, and preparing for the Olympics. With a lot less free time on our hands. That's a good thing.
We have all read suggestions for what we can do during this time. I'm not going to repeat the obvious ones (social distance, wash hands, clean surfaces, etc.). Oh, wait. Apparently I am going to repeat the obvious ones. I will offer a few of my suggestions, though. You have probably heard these, but I took the time to write today, so I will repeat them.
1. Go outside. Keep your distance from others, but it is OK to go outside.
2. Look at your TV guide to see what is on TV. I have enjoyed watching some old sports games on TV the last week, including the 2019 Women's World Cup Final, UVA's run to the 2019 NCAA Basketball title, and an old Miami Heat playoff win with Middle. It is fun to watch these games, but almost more fun just to see how ESPN and FS1 and NBC Sports and CBS Sports and even the regular networks are filling their air time.
3. Order some food. Restaurants are being crushed right now. If you can, make an order for pick up or delivery (they are all delivering for free right now) to try to keep things moving a little.
4. Paint the basement. Or something else. We are doing the basement.
5. Move. Prior to the closure of almost everything I was swimming pretty well. Then the pools all closed (where are you Katie Ledecky?). I generally hate working out, but am getting up every day before work to exercise. Do something. Don't get into a habit of sitting around, working from home, watching streaming movies and shows, or YouTube. Get up and move. Move to the basement to paint it if that is your thing (hello, Wife.)
6. Go to YouTube and watch old videos of great Olympic moments. This is tons of fun.
7. Got to YouTube and watch something stupid. After you get up and move. And paint the basement.
8. Believe. We will get through this. You will get through this. The world will get through this. It won't be easy. It will happen.
9. Be happy some idiotic, amateur blogger is not telling you to follow Rule/Guideline No. 1 of his Guidelines for Watching the Olympics.
Until next time, which will be before Tokyo 2021.
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