Tahoe - February 19, 2011

Relieved to know I won’t have to be doing this alone, I drop my butt into the middle of the tube, awkwardly interlocking my feet (in their adorable new, white snow boots) through the arms of my friend in front, and my arms through the legs of my friend in back, so that one shove sent the three of us plunging down the snowy hillside together, laughing hysterically and with no means of control.  We even got enough momentum to slide right over the flat landing at the bottom and up a small incline.
            

Finally, a little action!  After a six hour car ride to Tahoe, we made it just in time for closing at the ski/snowboard resorts, so it was awesome to be out doing something with at least a bit of an adrenaline rush.  This was my first time snow-tubing, and would have loved to get another run in, but no such luck, they were shutting down too.  Well, one go at a new experience is better than none.
            

After 4 pm there really isn’t shit to do outdoor sportswise in South Tahoe, so one friend and I decided to create our own action.  Using my puffy, long jacket as a sled, I attempted to slide down a slope on my stomach.  Unfortunately, my boobs created to much of a snow bank, which made the going pretty slow even when my friend tried pushing my feet wheelbarrel style.  We tried various ideas of this nature, until finally barrowing a real sled from other friendly snow goers who took pity on us.  Hey, since we were here, I was getting some snow action in somehow.
            

After that, it was an entertaining dinner at Fire and Ice Grill (another first for me).  The restaurant goes for another angle on unique dining experience.  After creating our own combinations of meats, veggies, sauces, and noodles at the buffet, we then carried them to the gril, where everyone stands around watching as the chefs perform impressive stunts and maneuvers as they cook the food.  Since we could make as many plates and combinations we wanted, and since I’m into pretty much any kind of interactive eating, I was sold.
            

Then we hit the casino, and that’s when I got my real adrenaline rush.  Sitting down at the Blackjack table on my own (without anyone I knew playing, I mean) terrified the shit out of me.  An almost overwhelming sensation of “I don’t want to do this” came over me, and I had to force myself to sit through it by chatting with my friends standing behind me.  I realized I was terrified because I felt as if I had no idea what I was doing since so much of what happens at a table is visual, and I had none of those cues to learn from.  I knew nobody was there to take the time to show me how things worked, and I was afraid of looking (and feeling) like a complete idiot.  It’s sad to me that even though I’ve been to Vegas a few times a year since I was eleven, I still could feel this inadequate.  Oh the mind trip…I guess it’s just that since leaving my compulsive gambling phase of my pre-teens (developed during my first visit to Vegas under the lure of the clanging slot machine), I haven’t had any interest in gambling.  It’s only been on the past few trips, that I’ve tried to get someone to sit at a table with me and show me the ropes.
            

Well, that didn’t happen, so it was now up to me to somehow do this solo.  First, I told the dealer it was my first time at a table, and he replied, “well then, you’ve come to the right place,” thank God.  I was very fortunate that my friends stayed nearby to help, the guys already at the table were incredibly friendly and excited for me, and the dealer was as helpful as possible; he showed me the hand gestures and visual cues I didn’t even know I needed to know, and even let me play a hand after my money ran out, (which happened more quickly than I imagined it could).
            

As I played, I kept getting the feeling I was doing something wrong.  I even got the sense that the dealer was giving me hints, but I had no idea what the problem was.  So, when my money evaporated quite quickly after my first win, I left the table both exhilarated from my triumph over my fear, and doubtful as to how anyone actually won at this game.  The high of accomplishment stayed with me for the next hour or so, it felt really good to know I now had the confidence to sit at a table and play if I wanted to.  

            The good feeling, however, was quickly overshadowed by disappointment and shame as we left the casino, and I realized why my money disappeared so fast.  Even though I have been playing cards all my life (my grandparents taught us every card game known to a dealer when I was a child), I had only played with friends and family, or against a machine before.  So, I thought whoever got closest to 21 without going over won the hand.  Even though I knew you aren’t supposed to hit over 16 or so, I figured why not at least try for 21 if I was going to lose anyway, when anyone at the table had higher than me.  On our way to the car, I finally discovered my ridiculous mistake: I ONLY Had TO BEAT THE DEALER!  What the fuck…why had I not realized this, and why had nobody told me!  I desperately wanted to run back inside, sit back down at the table, saying “wait, I know how to do this now, see?” and do it right!  But, of course I couldn’t, so I just felt like a total moron for the four-and-a-half hour ride back.

            Well, the crazy idea of a day trip to Tahoe (especially over Ski Weekend) ended up being pretty eventful and fun after all.  I highly doubt though that my East Coast migrant roommates will plan on doing the one-day trip again.  As for me, now I can’t wait to hit the Vegas tables to work on my skills.