YOB: #13. Go Gambling in Atlantic City

By Beth

When I was 16 my Great Aunt Nancy got married in Las Vegas in one of those little wedding chapels that are so prominent out there. Before you ask, no, she was not married by Elvis, it was not a drive through chapel and the only theme was "wedding." It was a second marriage so they wanted to skip the fuss of a big church wedding and they actually lived in Vegas. My mother and I flew out for the wedding and stayed for a few days. I remember being very impressed, not only with the shortness of the ceremony (it was maybe 15 minutes, and the recessional was "Tea For Two;" there was another bride waiting outside when we came out, too) but with all the sights Vegas has to offer. It really is a beautiful city and it is still on my own personal list to go back and see again. Somewhere in a shoebox I have pictures of all the dazzling casinos, hotels, resorts and theaters out there. I also have a picture of my grandfather getting ready to pull the lever on the slot machines in the airport. It's one of my favorite poses of him.

Going to Vegas as a teenager did not put the overwhelming desire in me to gamble my life savings away once I turned 21 though. This particular item made the Year of the Birthday list because gambling is just one of those things everyone should try once in their lives. At least that's how I feel about it. Much like I have a list of certain types of men every woman should date before settling down, I have a list of things I need to try once in my lifetime. But that's a topic for another article.

As it turns out, Lara and I have a mutual friend from middle/high school who lives very near to Atlantic City, where, if you live in the area of the country we do, is the next best thing to Vegas. I have been to Atlantic City many times over the years but have never been inside a casino or pulled the lever on a slot machine. Nicole also turned 30 in 2009 so we decided to head to her place in the beginning of September to celebrate her birthday while also crossing something off our list. Obviously Lara and I drove ourselves there. It would not have made any sense for either of us to drive to the other's house just to drive to Nicole's.

Lara got lost! I'm sorry, Lara, I had to! I am usually the one who gets lost so when others do it makes me feel so much better! At my 30th birthday party last January, the major theme of embarrassing Beth stories had to do with me getting lost. It's a running theme in my life although I will say I have gotten better about not panicking when I do get lost as I've gotten older. In Lara's defense, there are several roads with the same name in the area, different branches of the same road and well, it's New Jersey, who wouldn't get lost?

We began the night by being entertained by Nicole's children. Aydan and I sang the Phineas and Ferb theme song. Then he asked me if I could do weird things, mostly rolling my head around and the like. Gabby was too cool for all that. Lara arrived and we spent some time talking with Nicole's mom while continuing to be entertained by her children. Then we were off. Lara drove, because, well, Lara has the coolest car out of the 3 of us and I get lost. Even with Nicole riding shotgun and giving directions, we almost got lost on several occasions. Mostly because Nicole would tell Lara she needed to turn left at an intersection as we were entering that intersection, in the far right lane. I mostly said random things from the backseat and laughed at them.

Once at the casino, no one asked to see our ID or anything. I was kind of disappointed, guess I really do look like a grown up now. We each had a set amount we were willing to part with at the slot machines, none of us is nearly talented enough for any table games! It took us a while to figure out how the slot machines worked. It was nothing like the movies, people sitting with buckets of quarters, pulling a lever and money spitting out. We were also disappointed by this. Basically we spent about an hour walking around, sitting down at a machine that looked interesting, putting money in and pushing buttons. There were no clear instructions on the machines to tell you what your goal was or how to know if you won. No money comes out either, just a voucher if you decide to cash out. If you win a hand, you are given the option of cashing out or using that winning as a credit on the machine. We didn't really get this. Somehow I won $11.65, do I have to claim that on my taxes this year?

While the actual gambling part was disappointing, the people watching afterwards made up for it. We saw someone being escorted from the casino by security, plenty of young girls dressed as hook... um dressed in a way that would suggest a decline in morals of their generation, and a bridal shower where the bride was flirting with a large group of guys. We were hoping that either she was drunk or she knew them all and it's all part of the party.

We spent the night at Nicole's and went to the boardwalk the next day. I cannot explain how many memories Nicole and I have on the boardwalk. We spent a lot of time there in high school and it was sad to see how things had changed. Again, we people watched while sitting on a bench. We ate lunch at the Country Kitchen, an eatery Nicole and I frequented back in the day. Good ol' Lester, and Tony. Ahhh...my misspent youth. It was a very nice day catching up with two of my closest friends. We really don't spend enough time together.

Lara and I left at around the same time Sunday afternoon after making a commitment to see each other (all three of us) more regularly in the future. About 15 minutes down the road my cell phone rings. It's Lara. "Did you know gas stations in NJ are full serve?" Yes, Lara, yes I did. Should've warned you. Oops!

Comments

[Lara]

I didn't get lost as much as google lied to me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[MAD21]

It's ok, Lara. We believe you. <snicker>

[Beth]

I am totally using that excuse next time I get lost! I'm sorry, Lara, but I had to include that! If you'd spent a lifetime being made fun of for your poor sense of direction you'd have done the same thing! Still love me??