Getting there is half the fun?

Whoever said that getting there is half the fun, I’ve got a thing or two I’d like to say to them. If hell is anything like my road trip, I’ll be good. I promise! The best visualization I can give… I can already feel the tears forming. Imagine driving down the Interstate at 70 mph with nothing but the white lines to guide you. It’s dark, it’s raining, and a couple of 18-wheelers think it would be a fun game to surround you. When you’re not in the middle of that exciting game of cat and mouse, imagine seeing everything double. Because that’s what you get with a lot of rain on the roads, and all the shiny reflective ornaments posted along the road to help you see, aren’t really helping.

Let’s flash back to earlier today. Donna convinced me to leave work early so that I could get to the casino before it got too dark out. My original plan was to leave work near my normal time, and get on the road by around 6pm. Instead I left work early and got on the road around 7pm. Welcome to my world, enjoy the ride!

When I got to the hotel I parked in the visitor parking and walked. It didn’t look like it would be too far, and the rain wasn’t too heavy. When I finally decided to ask someone where the hotel was, I was happy that I didn’t pass it by too much. When I got to the lobby and checked in the guy who was helping me told me that I had to get to the poker room and have a pit boss sign off that I was here to play poker for two nights in order to get the poker rate. He then told me what a great deal it was. The room that I’m in is usually $195 a night, and the poker rate is $80. The only catch, if I didn’t have the paper back by midnight I had to pay full price. It was 10:30, so I still had plenty of time. I went to my room to drop my stuff off before trying to find the poker room.

When I found the poker room I stopped at the desk to ask about what I needed to do for the hotel. I was a little concerned that someone at the desk would decide to break both of my legs, but in the end I walked away with my piece of paper. Legs still intact. Sometimes it amazes me how I get through the day. The pit boss did recommend to get there extra early in the morning. At least 2 hours before the start of the tournament. Otherwise she said that I might not get in. They are expecting a potential crowd this weekend. Who would have imagined?

After turning the sheet back in at the hotel desk, I went to my room and ordered some room service. $20 for a roast beef sandwich, but it was good! Now I feel sick, my head hurts, and I know Kip will be calling me to get moving earlier than I’ll want to think about getting up. My original plan didn’t have me staying up until almost 1am. Then again, when do my plans ever work out exactly as expected.

Did I mention that the room is amazing! And Internet access is great too!

It might not be “Quesnel”, but it sure has “Borowski” written all over it!

… and to all a good night!

Ed.