Lucky Penny

i am superstitious and overly conscientious of things like:

-Voices that ring out from nowhere in native american museums
-Attending to salt that falls out of a dispenser
-Black moths that appear on door screens
-Prescient dreams
-Black cats
-Deja vu
-Lucky PENNIES!

Recent Lucky Penny Story:

While walking along the shore of Lake Tahoe this past weekend, i saw a bright shiny penny in the middle of the turtle grass a.k.a. Thalassia testudinum--the blades are large and flat, kind of like golf grass. Knowing that we were heading to Reno later in the evening, i happily picked it up.

Hours later the pennylane crew arrived in the heart of Reno. We walked through the Silver Legacy to the casino of Circus Circus. Agreeing to meet in an hour near the escalators close to the slot machines, i set out on my way to fortune and glory. My first stop was a roulette table. i bet on the day of my birthday, and won. Beginners luck. Cappy cheered me on, "It's the lucky penny!" After the thrill of winning $5, i needed a slight break from gambling. i then watched Cappy slay everyone at the blackjack table. OK, she won a few hands. Well, she won occasionally. Well, let's just say the dealer Arlene from New Jersey had a good night.

i wondered how Sandra and Leti were doing. i stopped by the roulette table where they had parked themselves. They seemed excited with some wins here and there. i took a seat at their table and thought about placing a bet on the two green numbers. With my lucky penny firmly in my grip, i quietly pushed my chips up to the line that straddles green 0 and 00, and took a deep breath...

People all around were putting chips down all over the number grid. The roulette dealer then waved her hand over all the chips on the table, "No more bets please!" She then tossed the little white ball on its way around the roulette wheel. i looked away from the wheel and after a while it started to slow down. i was chanting "green, green, green!" in my head. The little white ball bobbed around from number to number like a freaked out popcorn kernel. It finally slowed down and settled on the green 0!!! Completely stunned, i asked the dealer to cash me out.

i did not think it could happen again, but decided to try again. i was caught in the temporary addictive thrill of winning. i wandered over to a completely empty roulette table, and plunked down chips--again for either the green 0 or 00. Yes, i hit it again. This time, the little white ball landed on the green 00. Again, i cashed out immediately.

So i won twice. Unbelievable. How much did i win? All total about $300, but considering i only spent about $50, i was very happy.

It was steak and lobster for all of us, courtesy of me, and my lucky penny. i'm going to write something cheesier than Fondue and French brie here, but i don't care....

Mid-sized rental car for the weekend: $95
Travel size shampoo/conditioner: $6.50
Roadtrip dinner at In and Out Burger: $12
4 Mexican hot chocolates by the lake: $9

Being able to treat my friends with unexpected winnings: Priceless