In about an hour, I'm leaving with some friends to bet on the ponies at Del Mar. Del Mar is the track where Seabiscuit raced his way into the heart of America in a finish that would resonate long after the immense popularity of horse racing tapered off. I love horse racing.
I should confess something. I love gambling; Cards, casino games, horses, dice, lotto, keno, whatever. If there are odds, I'm in. The problem is that I'm a bad gambler because I always bet against the odds. In my eternal optimism, I assume that the longshot will win, that 00 will come up, that hitting on 17 is smart, that going all-in with a flush draw after the flop makes sense, that raffles are a good investment, that my number will come up, that this time, somehow, is the time. I believe it. It's not hope, it's certainty. I'm actually surprised when these things, that everyone else tells me are impossible, don't happen.
I suppose that's how I live my life too. I'm wrong a lot, but when I'm right, it's amazing.
I'll take some pictures at the track today and report back. In fact, I'll keep track of some of the horses I bet on to give you an idea what my system is. My system (which involves a complex series of choices based on names I like) usually fails, but losing some money with a group of friends at the track on a beautiful Sunday in Southern California isn't the worst thing I can imagine.
Besides, this time I'm sure I'll win. I can feel it.
Jealous. So absolutely jealous. It's sunny in DC for a change and I'm stuck inside at work. Damn these maps/flyers/web updates. Actually, I was procrastinating all week because it was unusually sunny and dry (summers here feel like we're in the Amazon, or at least, what I imagine it to feel like). The Big Cheese is back on Monday and I've screwed myself over royally. Good luck at the track. Jealous.
Posted by: Julie | 08/29/2004 at 07:19 PM
Almost forgot. If you haven't read the Seabiscuit book, do it. I liked it better than the movie.
Posted by: Julie | 08/29/2004 at 07:19 PM
So . . . when are we playing poker again?
Posted by: wil | 08/30/2004 at 04:04 AM
Wil-
Haha. I know. As I tell all my friends, "You want me in your game." Good gamblers love optimists.
Still, I'll play any time, any place. We need to get another ACME game together.
Posted by: Shane | 08/30/2004 at 06:07 PM