Have I Mentioned?

Have I mentioned that I work with a great bunch or people? No? Well I do. We essentially had our prospective tails handed to us tonight. As I have hinted at before, each Saturday night seems to get a little bit busier than the week before. There were 15 reports created on Swing shift alone. Everybody pulled their weight, and still we had fun despite the odds against us.

I love the camaraderie that is shared, especially when the Grave shift group arrives. By then my head was whirling and I was getting tired of trying to get quickly around the casino. There are only so many "Excuse me's" you can say with no one moving before the irritation factor starts to kick in. Add to that an abnormal amount of altercations between guests tonight and you can guess the general mood. (I checked-there was No full moon tonight.,,sigh) Anyway..the second half of my 12 hr shift is spent with Grave, and they can always make me laugh. it's like sitting in a room with family, kidding each other, friendly bickering...it eases the tension. I love working with them, I just cannot handle the lack of a real life working that shift.

Another Saturday survived. I will be in a blue coat 3 days this week. I have been assigned more of the basic daily paperwork that each shift is required to complete. I have no problem with that, I like learning new tasks, and I am sure there will be more to come. Sleep is not far away now..have a good night.

k

2/1/12
Fun fact:  It really was the busiest Saturday night we have ever had, we set a record....a 9 million dollar night.
It has been discussed that part of the reason were folks getting early tax returns back. They are beefing up the staff for Saturdays nights for the next 7 weeks. There goes the rest of my ass. LOL!

A Pot of Yummy

It's been a quiet day off, just me and Gil hanging out together. Small chores completed, and dinner is simmering on the stove. I don't claim to be an exceptional cook, but I believe that I do quite well in my own little kitchen. I wanted to experiment with chicken corn chowder leaning towards a southwestern or Mexican flavor. After looking at a couple of different versions of chicken corn chowder on line I waged on with my Julia Child endeavor, lol.

You can stop reading now if you are not interested in my preparations. Sorry, no juicy gossip today, just tasty soup.

I sauteed the chicken in olive oil in a dutch oven to begin. (I prefer chicken thighs-cheaper meat, tastier-to me that is.) Once that was completed I poured off the excess oil, and added 2 cans of chicken broth, 2 cups of water, some cumin, fresh pepper and 2 cans of mild green chili's. I let that simmer until the meat fell of the bones, and removed the bones from the pot.

I do not always use fresh vegetables, usually a combination, saves me $$. I sauteed 1/2 a white onion in butter until it was clear and added it to the pot. One can of pinto beans, rinsed, and one can of whole potatoes cut up.

Added 1 can of cream corn and a 3rd can of green chili's, and 2 bags of frozen white corn. More fresh pepper and cumin to taste.

It's all simmering now. I am debating thickening it with a roux. It is quite tasty without adding anything else, it would be different with the roux, but definitely more fattening.

Anyway..that was my day. I'd share dinner, but I don't believe anyone lives close enough..:-) If you have my number and want a bowl or 2 call me.

I am not sure if I use the roux whether it will keep as long.  A Fresh loaf of bread to accompany. This does beat regular chicken soup, but then I love the flavor of mild green chili's and cumin. If you want spicier, there is always adding a fresh jalapeno pepper and adding a dash of hot sauce.

hugs, k--umm.....yep,.it was good. I did add the roux.
Now I will Have to take a walk tomorrow.
The bathroom scale is Not my friend.

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs
olive oil to sautee
2 cans chicken broth
1 can cream corn
2 bags frozen white corn
1 large can whole potatoes
3 cans mild green chili's
1 can pinto beans-rinse
1/2 of a large white onion
1 tablespoon butter
cumin
salt and fresh pepper as you like
~Yum~.

Kung Fu Hugger

There was an interesting mix of guests to deal with on Saturday night. The night started out differently with the casino's annual Chinese New Year celebration. Twisting and winding to the beat of a large kettle drum came the golden Lion,  sharing it's wish for good fortune to all. Yes, it is the year of the Dragon, and there is a large intricate golden dragon gracing the H lounge. Plus there was a series of short Kung Fu demonstrations which security helped moved safely around the casino. It was explained that the expression kung fu simply means 'skilled.' So it is possible for someone to be a kung fu knitter or a kung fu cookie baker...lol.

I had one very strange walk out, that really had not started to be one (the customer caused that to happen) and my weekly 'hug' walk out. I am developing a weird reputation for causing those who I am escorting out to share hugs with me, pats on the back, hand shakes, etc. I know better than to allow myself the deception of believing that this would be a theme, believe me, I know when it is wiser to hang back. But I am finding it amusing that I have this effect on some of them. For the most part I am not aggressive in my approach, and try to find a nice way of telling them that unfortunately they have to leave. I figure if I remain positive I have a better chance of not triggering negative emotions in them. This does Not always work, sometimes it is a completely sober member of their party that becomes the issue.

In a weird way I am enjoying the challenge of determining what method would work best with each separate patron. A private study of human nature? Perhaps, I have had a few years under my belt dealing with the public, just never in this capacity. I am not the jovial host who wishes you well and serves up the goodies. I am ultimately, for the customer, the bearer of bad news. We had another assault on an officer last night, and do not want to see myself in that position. So? I will continue my study, try to keep my assessments on target and stay clear of those who might erupt into violence in a heart beat.

Oh, and unlike previous times, those that assault an officer these days are finding they cannot just walk away with an apology. They will likely find themselves holding a permanent ejection paper, and talking to local law enforcement as charges will be pressed. Times change, the casino has changed since Table games arrived. In order to not be overrun with trouble makers with repeat visits and repeat situations those troublemakers have to be dealt with on a more efficient level.

There is no shortage of people wanting to visit, so when someone threatens to not come back with 'all the money I spend here' I raise an eyebrow. As a threat it fails, they are one of many.  I really don't know why they think they would make that big a difference in our business. Usually on being the receiving end of that particular message I simply reply " I am sorry you feel that way. Have a good evening.." Yes, we may miss your business. But coming here is not a license to do whatever you want to regardless of the consequences. Since it is adult entertainment only, then it is expected that you will act like an adult.

 It is really weird how some people act like it is a public facility and they should not be denied entrance. A Library?  City hall?  Wrong. It is a privately owned place of business, that is mostly controlled  by West Virginia Lottery laws, and Federal regulations.  In order to stay open we have to enforce and uphold the laws that dictate how that business should be run. Rights have nothing to do with it. Either comply with regulations or come back when you can.

Anyway, not sure why my head is full of business tonight. It is likely because my weekends are almost completely spent at the casino, so I am still reliving my hours spent there. Hopefully I will yack about something completely different when next my fingers attack the keyboard.

Oh..and my Kung Fu..it is strong.. Kung Fu Hugger...that's me..LOL!

Hugs- gotcha!
k

"Horoscopes"...Bah!

I am beginning to think that my astrologist does not relate to my circumstances at all, LOL. It is obvious they have me mixed up with somebody else, maybe some 20 something with the extreme need to buy clothes, jewelry or something other type of bling. Why? because it keeps advising me to lay off spending my money on frivolous things..lmao.  Last time I checked, the electric bill, food, and rent were not toys to be purchased. Here is my oh so silly horoscope for today. courtesy of yahoo.

If you want to start living larger, then you need to start saving harder! All that trendy clothing, bling, fancy cars and so on require a huge heap of cash. You can fake it for only so long before things catch up with you. To avoid the stress associated with debt, avoid the shopping sprees in the first place. Today, it won't be hard to figure out how to have fun without spending money. When it doubt, just take a walk and see where your feet take you.


It's all so very silly...kel
I think someone is messing with my identity.

Here's the Wabbit...

And that is my hair in the morning as well..lol

I am beginning to think that one day soon I will peek into my mirror and see a little wiggling pink nose, elongated ears, and little 'wabbit' teeth.  Lately I have been on some weird salad craving that pulls me towards the fresh veggies and fruit section of the food store like a bunny magnet. No lie..it's sort of freaking me out, but I guess I could be craving worse things..hmmm? A salad every now and then was my previous style. This sudden change in taste and need might be a result of the gall bladder gone missing, but I cannot be sure. Whatever it is, it wins over Chinese and Mexican chow, and that is quite a change. It's been happening over a month now. Maybe it's the lack of Vitamin D, and my daily dose of sunshine I was getting this past summer.

I'll keep an eye on the mirror, but I'm asking my friends for an intervention if I get caught nabbing carrots.

That's All Folks!
Bugs K

PS: I have not eaten a fast food burger since last February. They just do not appeal anymore.
I had years of OD'ing on fat and cholesterol on a bun. I don't miss them, nor french fries.
I wonder if this has effected McDonald's stock? LoL.

Hold Onto Your Socks!

Hold onto your socks, because another 'Exciting weekend!" has arrived. On the agenda....
1. Laundry
2. Credit Counseling
3.Over time hours-Yes that means 'work'
4. Cleaning...YAY!  Oh Boy!!
5. Preparing to get re-evaluated for rent controlled apartment-worried about that one.
6.Friday..I am nobodies 'BITCH'.- which means...I will do whatever I want to..basically vegging.

Ahh...stop being so jealous..I cannot help that I live such an exciting life..really.
Oh...forgot one..

7. Spend a great deal of " Yes, I love you" time with Gilly. He has been pouting Big time this

    week with me working so much. --When your cat lays under a chair in another room and you can feel

   his laser eyeballs watching you...you had better be prepared to grovel. Pouting is not his most attractive

   character trait, but I guess the loneliness is getting to him.

So..for all you other jet setters. try to contain your envy...I know..I set the bar to beat.

hugs,
k

Moving on..and "Have you hugged your K today?"

Back just because I felt like it, and wish to move on, getting past my past.

It was definitely a crazy busy night at work, full of reports and walk outs for intoxication.
I had a couple of reports, one for a very determined young man who tried multiple entrances to get into
the casino, before he could legally do so. What was weird was that I had been at each post he tried,
and I don't think he was happy to see me the third time. I did everything but tuck him into the car and buckle him up to get him off property.

But the weirdest was yet to come. My walkouts were prospectively a male and then a female guest. Both were well under the influence and West Virginia law makes the casino responsible for removing them, regardless that the only thing they have done wrong is drinking too much. It's called Responsible gaming. Basically we cannot allow someone to play when their judgement is impaired by alcohol. That means they don't make bad calls with their money...or sometimes their mortgage payments, etc.

Afterwards I wondered if I was wearing a sign.."have you hugged your Kelly today?"  It's probably a very good thing that as a Dual rate I am still required to have a full supervisor attend walk outs with me. I don't think I can hazard a guess how many times Mr. C hugged me before we had him checked into his hotel room. Mostly pleasant, slightly exaggerated in his description of his accomplishments, but regularly hinting at how I was helping him, did I want to stay awhile? Umm..No.

The second was a small Asian female who could hardly stand up. For the most part her hugs were me helping her stand up, but I got a real one before I tucked her into her passenger seat. Her driver? Not so happy. (especially after I stopped her from trying to argue us into letting them stay. Yeah, I can be assertive too. It gets old having at least one person try to wheedle their way out of having to go. There is no way around it. I explain the reasons several times, after that I cut them off from trying further.)

And finally, earlier that night, a medical and I was escorting the female patron who was looking for her friend, the patron/patient. Almost hysterical, insisting she run through the casino to reach her, I had her hold onto my arm to keep her from smashing through the crowds present, with her just about shouting " She's my best friend..OH My Lord!" (the medical ended up being minor..it was just dramatics.) I had her at a less than running pace until she was about 50 feet from the location, and then she took off. Luckily, no one else was run over. She was set on bull dozer mode.

So..am I somehow projecting I am huggable? Possibly, but at least my sign does not read:" Punch Me!:"--for which I am very grateful...Lol.
Empathy..I gots it...
k

My simple life

As it seems even distancing myself from the blogs
has had no effect, I am entering this note
in response.

r-- You  Just cannot stay away. I see your hits.

Is this the little boy in you
that pokes wounded animals with a stick?
What do you think I am going to say anyway?
 What great mystery unveiled?
What sort of statement would  I make here that "really" concerns you?
Why come by to rubberneck when I do not matter?

 I have a simple life...that is what you left me.... (Me and the whopping bill from the IRS.)
I don't go out, I cannot afford to. I pay only what I can afford, the basic bills, which sometimes
leaves me about $20,(if that) in the bank before payday.
 I don't believe I want to even think of setting myself up for more hurt
by starting any new relationship, that would be very unfair to whomever they might be.
And as I've come to realize that I am unlucky at love,
avoiding it seems a good idea.

 I wonder..I thought I was helping us, instead I was just helping you. I wonder if you feel any guilt, or just celebration?  If I had never helped you, I would not owe them a dime right now.
And where would you be? That's a good question.
 You sat there and let it happen, knowing in your heart you would not stand beside me. That I was
just a way to get back to where you wanted to go, and you killed time waiting to make
me disappear.  Where is your guilt? Where is your conscience?

Oh! That's right...I stole from you...by paying bills we incurred together.
I am such a thief.
That's probably why you keep dropping by.

k

Sabbatical..for a while

 I am taking a sabbatical from the blogs for a while. I am not sure of what the time frame will be. I'd like to turn things around here and I am not sure how to do it just yet. I am not leaving because of someone else's wishes, this is my choice to take a breather. I intend to write the old fashioned way (on paper, with a pen! LOL!) until I am ready to come back.
For any real fans of my blog out there, I do appreciate your visits, and I shall return.

Hugs,
K

Strange as it seems

For almost a year after I moved to WV, with the other half (who dumped me last Jan 14th) I commuted back and forth to Fredericksburg, VA, a 2 hr plus drive every weekend, each way.  It was a long drive that began a even longer weekend of cramming a work week into a weekend. I stayed alternately at my niece's  place or at Mel's each weekend, sometime the floor on an air mattress (which leaked to non-existent on the floor before morning) a futon or a day bed.  There were 2 12 hr days and an 8 hour day that came before my long drive. After a while I really felt that I was imposing on my friend and family, but We needed the money that that job could provide. I truly appreciated their hospitality when I needed it the most.

I find myself strangely missing those very early morning drives now. It almost always started off in the dark, and as I approached the halfway point the sun would be rising behind the mountains that I would be driving across to reach my final destination. For the most part there was almost no one on the road with me, and it gave me time to think and appreciate the beauty of the landscape I was driving through. More than a few times I saw wild life on my way to, and before the heavily trafficked area around Fredericksburg., and it was a challenge to watch out for the police with my lead foot leading the way.

I listened to music, some placed on a disc with love (at the time) by my significant other, some part of my small collection of CD's or burned by myself for just that drive. The sun would be rising over the mountains as I approached them, and found me reaching for sunglasses to prevent glare blindness.The pinks, blues and purples of the sky would slowly take my darkened landscape into morning light. It was a time for refection and just plain thinking, singing along to songs, on my way to a 3 day work week.

I really enjoyed those drives until I discovered that my weekends away were an opportunity for someone to cheat on me. Then it became a drive filled with worried thoughts. How could I fight something I was not there to prevent?  So I confronted. Loudly on the phone to the woman of the moment at 6am one Saturday morning, as I was preparing to leave home. How did I find out? I looked at the phone bill and what numbers were frequently called by him. Then I looked at his phone, and found text messages of love from her to him and him to her.  My trying to keep us afloat was an opportunity for him to play the field. So, ask me again why I was paranoid about him cheating. If there was a moment when I was not around, he took advantage of it. He was like a child who could not be trusted to be alone.And he proved it time and time again.

So if anyone out there thinks that I am unreasonable about how I perceive him today, then you need to have walked a mile in my shoes. He took trust and brutally murdered it, and then cried I did not trust him.. I was happy to sacrifice a weekend away from home for over a year, if it helped Us to survive. He saw it as a chance to cheat without getting caught. And he had met that woman at least once while I was away working. I still avoid the place he said they met, which was at the time about 10 miles from our home. And I still ask why?

Why was he not strong enough to be faithful while I worked to make our ends meet? How could he claim unjustifiable paranoia when he took every chance he could to meet someone else? How could he claim to love me and physically cheat at every opportunity?

I am painted to his newest partner to be some crazy person who makes crap up. I dare say that if she had been me during those years she might feel differently, and I did try to warn her. It seems it suits her fine to be the one that sent me packing. Do I think he will ever change? No.

But back to those drives...they were peace filled for the most part, and lovely to behold, and though I would have rather been near home I went anyway to help US. I was happy to do so if it meant that WE could make it as a couple. It was when I had to chose a local job that unfortunately paid less and had me home each night that he made a decision to dump me. And you do not  have to wonder why my :trust:" of him was an issue..I had plenty of evidence to indicate that faithfulness was not something he did well , and my being close to home made his cheating more difficult to do. Suddenly he was always bored.  It was inconvenient to him to have me home every night, even though he claimed otherwise. So yes, I did not trust him anymore, it was as though he needed a sitter to watch over his behavior, and he resented it.

After the he proposed I asked him if it was for us, or maybe for the appearance of us to his family, since the question had popped up on a family visit.  He took it personally, and that was the beginning of the end for us. After 9 years and his many attempts at connecting with another woman (not me) I had good cause to wonder. Would I have spent the rest of my life worrying that he could not be trusted?  Yes, I would have,and no he could not. The ending of us was predetermined by his actions. I just wish that it had gone differently..that he had maintained trust and had been an honorable man. I think we could have made it, happily and lovingly as a couple it not for his inability to remain faithful..   I did everything I could think of to keep him faithful, and it simply was not enough.

k 

My weekends

My weekends are kind of blurring one into another. Laundry, cleaning, bill paying and runs to bank, gas, etc.
I am hoping that 2012 offers some respite, and some needed changes to my routine.  It would be a  welcome change to have some sort of social life beyond work.  It is unfortunately a fact  that my fellow workers have other things going on in their lives, or we would get together more often. My other friends have lives of their own as well, and the ability to coincide with my days off are difficult to get around. So? Wondering where that will lead me?
New friends?  Trying something different ?  I am up for suggestions, because change would be welcome right now. Blurring days are not a lot of fun, nor very stimulating in any respect. Yes, after the holiday work period I did need some rest, but not for months on end. Time for 2012 to show me something new. I is awaiting.

k

Loopy

There are times when you reach a certain point in being tired that 'loopiness' becomes apparent. Today was one of those days for me. Normally I am a little tired by the time my midweek Friday comes rolling around.  But today I believe I was feeling the results of 2 weeks of slamming crowds and "go-go-go!' work mode.
I am certainly not alone, there were more than a few of us feeling the result of the past two weekends catching up to us today.

Now, what do I mean by 'loopy?' Sort of in a bewildered state, on robot mode with brain only partially connected, silliness without trying for the most part. Not the first time for me, and likely not the last either, but it had been awhile.
IE:  Looking right at a number, and speaking a totally different one..and then "DOH! What I meant to say was..."
My Popeye was out of spinach today. Even with vitamins and sleep I was off kilter. Really looking forward to some rest this weekend, though I have the usual chores and then hiding away of winter decorations to get through. I know I will do it simply because I don't really want to look at it anymore, and another week of having it around will nag at me.

Also weirdly feeling esp today, though it did not pan out, which I am grateful for. For the most part whenever I have experienced it in the past nothing good comes of it other than me knowing something was wrong ahead of time. (and what is the benefit of that? you cannot stop it...and really don't want to pat yourself on the back afterwards.) The Melantonin  that I take as a sleep aid has been granting me some damn funny dreams, I woke up laughing at one this morning. Picture my ex in an emerald dress, a black wig and black panty hose at a bank to apply for a loan or something...it got better, but I am going to refrain from describing why I laughed so hard it woke me up. There was some screaming and then there was laughter. (yup-my dreams have been better than some movies I have watched! LOL!)

Catch you all later. ., and coming up in a day or two-oh! watch out..you seem to be getting older..I know how much you seem to despise aging .I'd say Happy BD,  but seems to me last year on that day I was lied to royally on how it was actually spent.. while I waited with a nice dinner,your favorite pineapple upside-down cake, present...only to be lied to some more. Memories..wish the bad ones did not out weigh the good ones, but that is what I was left with. If the end had not been so bad, the better times would be what I remember more often.

nite, k

A Musical Note...

"Tra- La- La.-La-La-La-La-La
La-Ti-Da!
Oh! La-Ti-Da!"

Van Morrison, My Brown Eyed Girl

Am I tired? Oh just a little bit...the circles under my eyes, and the message above says it all.
Or am I tired of it? Hmm..questions, questions. Poke-Poke. (with a sharp stick)
k

Too Busy to think

I am ready for the holiday season to bid us adieu. It has been incredibly busy at work, and this is a job that normally does not have 'dead' days. Granted it makes the parent company more secure, but it does take its toll on the employees. I have not had the time to delve into the creative side of myself, mostly due to being so tired when I get home that all I have the 'umph' for is the basic stuff.. I am sure life will return to normal shortly, just have to get through this last little bit, and then the 9-5er's extended holidays will be over.

Some folks gamble for fun, and that is the only way to play, not so serious. Others believe falsely that they can 'double' their money. Some cannot control themselves and should not gamble at all, it can be a sickness like any other. But I have never worked somewhere before that telling someone "sorry, you cannot come in" due to an identification issue or age, is an open invitation to try and beat the system and find another way in. I cannot guess the thought processes they go through, but it would become readily apparent if they won that they cannot take the winnings with them. That is what  I do not understand. There are times when I feel we are a fortress to be conquered, and these past 2 weeks have been the castle defenses trying to keep the wrongly persistent out. I do wish we could do more to prevent the multiple attempts. It would make everyone's job a great deal easier.

I will be back to 2 days a week as a supervisor starting next weekend. I'm looking forward to it.
Have a good week everyone.

k