Rapid Eye Reality

Home of Brad Willis: writer, traveler, and suburban warrior

Things I’ve seen

by · November 11, 2008

(Las Vegas, NV)–It’s 9:15pm. I start work at 10pm. I could be finished at 11pm or 11am. It all depends on whether a scary Russian and maniacal Dane decide to gamble for $4 million or play a 12-hour game of poker chess. I know that a lot of people that play poker on an online Top Japanese Casino like to go with a strategy similar to the former, although I’m not sure that this is what many of the world champs do. I’m hoping for the former. To stay awake and help me pay attention, I’m wagering more than a reasonable amount of money on inanities and coin flips. I’d explain it, but it’s not the kind of thing that belongs on a family blog. Last thing I want my kid reading about me 20 years from now is how I bet the cost of his tuition on whether the number of hands played in a poker game will be even or odd (I’ve got even, by the way. I think).

In the meantime, here are some things I’ve seen over the past couple of days that bear some remembering.

  • A girl dressed to the nines doing push-ups in a bar at 3am while some guy who looks like a trainer from The Biggest Loser yelled at her to put her nose on the floor.
  • 300 people dressed in white work shirts and St. Louis Cardinals caps
  • A barely-dressed girl in a cowboy hat with two turn tables and no microphone in a family friendly environment
  • The Penn and Teller Theater turned in a giant poker arena
  • My hands turn into moisture-lacking alligator skin
  • A 20-something girl booed by 1,000 people just for being herself
  • This picture, take by my colleague and friend Joe Giron, which qualifies as a quintessential poker photo, capturing victory, defeat, and celebration in one snap.

    • Time to grab some caffeine and prepare for the long haul. By the next time I sleep, this year’s World Series of Poker will be a memory.

    Brad Willis

    Brad Willis is a writer based in Greenville, South Carolina. Willis spent a decade as an award-winning broadcast journalist. He has worked as a freelance writer, columnist, and professional blogger since 2005. He has also served as a commentator and guest on a wide variety of television, radio, and internet shows.

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    3 Responses

    1. MarkD says:
      November 11, 2008 at 8:29 am

      Oh the joys of Vegas – every day a unique experience, often filled with madness.

      Love that picture too, great timing.

    2. Su says:
      November 11, 2008 at 11:57 am

      Heard about the kid winning this morning on the radio on my way to work. Have a safe trip back home.

    3. KenP says:
      November 12, 2008 at 5:05 pm

      Lessor politicans would be appointing out of work supporters back to the public trough.

      Jim Leech (yeah, that one) endorsed Obama in August. He’s get to go overseas to improve our global image. Hey, at least your guy is getting him out of the country.

      ROFL