Feb 22, 2008
Posted by Perry
After reading Shelley and Alisa’s blogs about funny things that have happened to them at work, I decided to share some of mine from my previous job.
I had worked in the gaming industry as a Casino Host. This meant I handled VIP’s, attended events and parties organized for them, and handled any and all requests they may have had. Can I just tell you that “big spenders” at casinos are for the most part – stupid. Here are some examples…
I was in our VIP lounge around 12:30 am finishing up some hotel room requests when I get a call from Security. They had a VIP lady in custody who had a little bit too much to drink and decided to go to the top of the boat and shimmy up our flag pole – unclothed. Now, do not ask me how this woman can get from the casino floor to the top of the boat, past the Pilot House, and up a flag pole wearing nothing but a drunken smile – but she did. I informed my boss and passed it on to him – I wasn’t about to touch that one.
When the boat used to actually cruise, people would make a mad dash down the ramp before it was lifted to depart. Problem was our old turnstiles were the “spinning” kind – you know – the kind that you had to turn to get through and not the electric eye style preferred now. Well this man, maybe in his mid-twenties, was running late and we were two minutes from departing. He comes hauling you-know-what down the ramp and hits the turnstile full speed – only problem was he went through the exit and not the entrance turnstile – it didn’t budge. He laid there in obvious pain, trying to catch his breath and moaning loudly. I still to this day have fond memories of that one moment and said to myself, “That’s gonna leave a mark.”
The best memory I have of there is of a guest who had actually made it onboard, and was heading up the escalator to the third floor when it happened – now before I tell you what – I should let you in on a secret – the player was a drag queen. Somehow “it” had gotten “its” hair extensions caught in the escalator and was screaming this blood-curdling scream of agony. Now I know I shouldn’t have laughed at someone’s misfortune, but I was on the floor. The sight of “it” flailing “its” arms with a high-pitched scream is forever etched into my brain. Good stuff.
Ok – so I have a warped and twisted sense of humor – let me tell you though, that sense of humor has gotten me through some really stressful times there.
Like the time these two drunk players wanted a room, but did not have the play to warrant one. They became very combative and uttered the usual threats of bodily harm, which as a Host, you received almost daily. Anyways, two security sergeants happened to be passing by and noticed the potential “battle-royale” about to transpire and stepped in. They calmly explained why we could not honor the request and acted very professional (more-so than me at that point), when one of the guests made a very bad choice and swung on one of them – James. James was a former marine who had been in Desert Storm and took static from no one. He slung the guy to the ground and took him into custody – what struck me about the incident is that the human body actually bounces on steel flooring.
Ok – so maybe this stuff isn’t funny to you, but to me it will live forever in the “Perry hilarious stuff” file of my mind.
Feb 22, 2008
posted by Shelley
This morning, a very wise person posed the following, “I know we live in Indiana for a reason, what is it?” That isn’t exactly the way it was worded — there might have been an expletive that I purposely omitted — but the basic concept is the same. When you live in a state where the changes in seasons are drastic — you really aren’t equipped to deal with extreme weather conditions.
Before a forecasted snow, people swarm grocery stores buying up more items than they could possibly use before the spring thaw. While I snicker at their paranoia, I often do the same thing. You must be prepared! After all, it could be 70 degrees tomorrow, or it could be 3 below zero. Why do I live in Indiana? Today, I don’t remember either.
Feb 22, 2008
Posted by Perry
I had recently blogged about losing my sports mojo – how I have become disenfranchised with sports altogether – when today I read this article on the Patriots scandal that reaffirmed my initial post.
In short, the article states that a former player with the Patriots has stated that video taping signals from opposing teams has gone on since opening day of 2000, Bill Belichicks first year with the team. The player could not be named as an investigation is on-going.
The NFL, and commissioner Roger Goodell, have said they are satisfied with their initial investigation and are “Ready to turn the page”. Please. The NFL looked at six tapes the Patriots turned over to the league office, then promptly destroyed them. The reason? “We didn’t want that kind of information to make it out into the public that would cast an unfavorable light on the league”. News Flash gang – it already has!
Congress is now getting in on the act with Senator Arlen Specter wanting to have congressional hearings on the allegations against the Patriots. There are questions as to why those six tapes were destroyed, how long Coach Belichick has been stealing signals, were tapes used in New England’s past Super Bowls under Belichick. In short – the NFL is now caught in a potentially huge scandal.
All the while, I can only sit here and watch a sport I love, and played, be torn down in front of congress, and the news media. The thought that a team that is so good had to rely on cheating to win sickens me. Just add this to America’s list of latest sports scandals, to go along with the likes of Floyd Landis, Marion Jones, Baseball and Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, etc.
Congratulations sports world – your greed and lack of morals have ruined yet another fan – perhaps irreparably.
Feb 21, 2008
posted by Shelley
There are many people that are so busy trying to do (or out-do) what their neighbors are doing that they lose sight of who they are. I think that’s what has happened to the Crothersville Community School system.
More ice hit the burg today and I’m sitting here at 9:30 pm wondering if there will be school tomorrow, if we will have a delay, or if we will be cancelled altogether. It’s always nice to be told the night before if it’s obvious — I love getting that little bit of extra sleep.
I was visiting my standard local TV sites and all of a sudden notice that I’m not checking the way you might think I would, or the way I think I should. It’s a sad day when I look to see if Crothersville is closed under the “S” tab. The “S” is for Scott County School District I — we will do exactly whatever it is that they do. Guarantee it — and of course since we follow their cue, their information is always out there first.
I almost forgot – no biz photos to share. The weather didn’t cooperate, so stay tuned…
Feb 20, 2008
You have to ask yourself punk, “Do I feel lucky?”
Well, do ya?
