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Story time...
Like all good farm kids, my sisters, my cousins and I used to sell sweet corn. We started at $1/dozen. We easily sold out and quickly realized we needed to increase the price. $1.50/dozen next time out. Sold out again, market said we were still underpriced.
Like all good farm kids, my sisters, my cousins and I used to sell sweet corn. We started at $1/dozen. We easily sold out and quickly realized we needed to increase the price. $1.50/dozen next time out. Sold out again, market said we were still underpriced.
After a few years and several price increases we had accumulated a little money, mostly ones and fives. Soon enough we were not cute enough to sell corn out the back of a pickup so we ceased operations. My aunt started an account for us at the bank and we deposited the money.
We bought some lake toys because we spent a lot of time at the lake together, but for the most part the money sat in that account drawing a little interest (it was the 90s, at that time banks would pay you to keep your money in what was called a “savings account”. Wild I know)
Fast forward to 2014, or 2015, maybe 2016... not important. We were all growns up and most of us got to see each other quite frequently, but we loved and still love hanging out so all we needed was a place and/or a reason.
The bank and my aunt were telling us we should do something with the corn money. The balance was declining because the interest wasn’t enough to pay the bank fees. It just so happened that about that time the cousins/spouses were planning a skiing/gambling trip to the Black Hills
It also just so happened that one cousin dealt blackjack in Deadwood and owned a ski shop near Terry Peak (
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💡" title="Elektrische Glühbirne" aria-label="Emoji: Elektrische Glühbirne">!). Plans were made, babysitters were lined up, ski equipment was secured. Oh btw he dealt at the only casino in Deadwood at the time that didn’t have a $100 max bet. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Denkendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Denkendes Gesicht">
The pre-trip conversation quickly moved from “should we bet the corn money on one hand of blackjack?” to
“What if the best play is to split or double down?” and
“How many hands do we play and what are we going to name our yacht?” (That may have been me).
“What if the best play is to split or double down?” and
“How many hands do we play and what are we going to name our yacht?” (That may have been me).
We all found our way to our lodging and for the most part just chilled. It was a blast, we still talk about it. Over the course of the next few days skied, put together puzzles, ate, drank and just enjoyed each other’s company. And on the last night we rolled into Deadwood...
It was all set. A table was reserved for us at the Mountain Grand, double down/split money was collected (not everyone was in on that, a potential accounting nightmare), @jleewags, being the least responsible, was duly elected to play the hand so long as he would go by the book.
With drinks in hand we all gathered around the table. The tension was building, it was all or nothing. Could we turn $600 into $1200, or possibly a family yacht? The dealer approaches our group, here we go...
The next sequence of events is a little fuzzy but I know for sure we drew a Q and a 9. Not a great hand but and easy call when playing by the book. We will stay. Dealer was showing a 4!! Perfect. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤑" title="Gesicht mit Geld-Mund" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Geld-Mund">
I don’t remember the sequence of cards after that but the dealer proceeds to puke out a 5 card 20. $600 of hard earned sweet corn money was now headed straight to Nashville. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤬" title="Gesicht mit Symbolen über dem Mund" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Symbolen über dem Mund"> No big deal, we didn’t even realize we had the money anyway... but that’s not the end of the story.
The Mountain Grand was not taking any more of our money so we go to the Silverado. Some head for the slots, some to the bar, but four of us with more guts than brains spot a blackjack table that has one guy playing. We saddle up... “this dealer is on fire”
“Not for long” I say
“Not for long” I say
Or not, can’t remember, still fuzzy here. All I remember is the four of us and Potato Creek Johnny then completely clean out this dealer, and next one AND the next one. Incredible. A magical 45 minutes of cards. All skill of course. We all color up and go to find the others.
The total haul is known only to a few and is probably chicken feed to some, but those who were playing penny and nickel slots hadn’t won (or lost) much at all so rubbed it in a little and headed back to our lodge. Fun night and I will never forget it.
This is the point of the story where someone is supposed to make a brilliant observation about the cosmic significance of it all. But that didn’t happen. We just hung out and laughed enjoyed each other’s company some more.
Like any good gambling story some of the winnings ended up circulating back into the local economy post haste, but plenty did not. As awesome as that was, what I remember most is laughing a lot. My eyes watered. My jaw hurt. We just had so much damn fun.
I’ve had this story sitting in my drafts and have been thinking about how to conclude it and it finally came to me tonight. I think the moral of the story is that we were all together, just being. That’s it. Nobody was on Insta or Facebook or Snap or Twitter. We just were.
I enjoy thinking back about stuff like this, especially with the vitriol and just plain crudeness that is shared here and that other social media site where I used to have an account. We need to stop this nonsense before it ruins us if it hasn’t already.
I just watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix and it is horrifying. We are being manipulated and unless we recognize that right quick we are toast. Our kids are young enough that they haven’t been swept up in it yet and I’m thankful for that and I plan on keeping it that way
So if you made through my long rambling dissertation I guess my point is put the device down, stop being mad online and spend more time enjoying stuff. These social media platforms play on our worst tendencies, but only if you let them.
The Twitter machine has been mostly positive for me personally because of the good people I’ve met on here and things I’ve learned so I don’t want to give it up completely, but I’m probably going to be checking out or at least slowing down on here for a while.
I’m taking the advice from The Social Dilemma and turning off notifications a deleting several apps. Those of you who I have met on here and who interact with regularly know how to reach me. DMs are open and cell is on if you want to chat markets, sports, goats, apples, etc.
