Hey guys, it’s Coooolin ! How was everyone’s day!? :) Hope you all had a wonderful one! Let me know how it was downn belooww! :)
Here are the new cards for today, Thanks EA! :)

Silver Master Icons

Rob Blake - 91 OVR - LAK / RD - H and S² , SPE² ... 89 SPEED , 92 with DIS + SPE
Ted Lindsay - 91 OVR - DET / LW - BAL² , T² .. 89 FO with T
Bernie Parent - 91 OVR - PHI / G - 5’10” / 170 lbs - SPA² , SWA² ... yuck
— Set needs 9 Icons + Bronze Icon to upgrade to Silver —
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Primetimes

NHL

Ryan O’Reilly - 90 OVR - STL / C - LTL¹ , T¹ ... 97 FOs - Without Thief!!
Seymon Varlamov - 88 OVR - NYI / G - 6’2” / 215 lbs - H and S¹ , SPA¹
Tom Wilson - 87 OVR - WAS / RW - GLA¹ , WM¹
Erik Cernak - 87 OVR - TBL / RD - HOW¹ , WH¹
Fredrik Anderson - 86 OVR - TOR / G - 6’4” / 230 lbs - BAR¹ , SWA¹
Clayton Keller - 86 OVR - ARI / C - PP¹ , MAG¹
Anthony Cirelli - 85 OVR - TBL / C - SPE¹ , SH¹
Matt Martin - 84 OVR - NYI / LW - HOW¹ , WH¹
Jack Roslovic - 84 OVR - CBJ / C - LTL¹ , SPE¹
Mike Smith - 84 OVR - EDM / G - 6’4” / 220 lbs - DIS¹ , SPA¹ .... oh babyy
Tyler Ennis - 81 OVR - EDM / LW - GLA¹ , WM¹
Alexander Kerfoot - 81 OVR - TOR / C - PP¹ , SPE¹
• • • • • • • • • • - - - - - - - - - • • • • • • • • • • • •

Packs Available

23H 40M
• Jumbo Elite Pack - 50k C / 1k P
20 items , with at least 11 80+ OVR Players
• Mega Pack - 37.5k C / 750 P
30 items, at least 15 Gold Players, and 4 80+ OVR Players
• Players Pack - 15k C / 300 P
10 items, all Players, at least 5 Gold Players and 1 80+ OVR Player

P.S.

• Rivals Resets Today
• More Bold Cards

Hockey News

• Koivu Retires
• NHL postpones more games

Stock Market News

• Why Pot Stocks are Flyying!
• Stock Dip after Reaching Record Highs!

Other News

• National Pizza Day
• Today in History
——————

What’s to Come?

• SB Season Reset - Wednesday at 5pm EST
• Rivals Rewards - Wednesday at 5pm EST
• HUT Champ Rewards - Wednesday at 6am EST
• SB Rewards !! - Thursday at 5pm EST
• New Event !! - Friday at 5pm EST
—————

Summary of the day

Quick Read
Best Forward of the Day - PT - is RYAN O’REILLYY OVR 90 with the syn LIGHTT the LAMPP and THIEFF
Best Defence of the Day - PT - is ERIKK CERNAKK OVR 87 with the syn HOWITZERR and WORKK HORSEE
• Rivals Resets ! Where did you place?
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Important Notice

Day by day may seem like nothing changes, but when you look back a lot has changed.
Take risks. Do what makes you happy. Smile more. Laugh more. Have fun!!
Don’t take life too seriously , and yourself too seriously.. learn to have fun!! Learn to laugh at yourself if you did something dumb, your mistakes, etc.,
Life is way too short to just sit and wait... when you can make a difference and big change in your life today!
—-

Interested in Stocks?

EA’s Stock Price, after hours - Feb 9
$ 146.11 (usd) —- Currency Converter
we looked at the stock at $137.54 usd
—— That is a difference of ( $8.57 / 6.23% ) —
Disclaimer - I am not a financial advisor. It is your money, please do your own due diligence. I am not responsible for your money. This is *not** advice. I added this section for an added educational purposes only. Thanks*
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NEED A SOUNDTRACK TO LISTEN TO?

• I made this for everyone. I’ll update it whenever I feel like it, but its been often!

WE’RE AT 1400 SONGS! WOW! How are you not listening to this playlist already!?
Comment songs to add, and please give feedback! It’s much appreciated!!
I currently have “Speechless” by “Dan + Shay” stuck in my head.... which you can play, recently added to the playlist!
Sidenote - How do you guys like the playlist!? I have a friend who makes music...and I really want to surprise him with some new people listening to his music... if you wanna help me, please click Here!! it would mean a lot to me!!
———-

Sites To Bookmark!

If you click here you will be redirected to bilasport. Bilasport is the best Online Streaming site for your entertainment needs for all sports! (Not affiliated)
A great streaming source recommended by NHLStreams is SurgeSport. Click on Hockey and you’ll be good to go!
Want to make your dream team, and show others what you’ve been working on, and much more? I will redirect you HERE!.
Here’s a helpful pack guide for you! Click!
Want to know how the market is holding up? With a simple TAP! you will be on the newly fresh made website for the HUT market, made by one of the guys on the sub!
.... what do the stats on a card mean? Is my card I want / pulled good? Click here to find out!!
When is my favourite team playing? When do they play!? Here you can click on this link, and tap on your favourite team. From there, tap “Schedule” . You can add this to your homescreen on iPhone by clicking the square with the upwards arrow, scrolling down, and tapping “Add to Home Screen”
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Fighting a Gambling Addiction?

Don’t feel scared to click here. Winning is SO much louder than losing. Know that you are NEVER alone. We are all here for eachother, and it is never too late to get help. I am here for you.
This is a VERY important thread, especially if you are new to HUT. Here!

Colin’s Thoughts

I got accepted to a College for Business - Accounting !! :) Super excited to see where this leads me!
4 other Colleges to respond back! :) Yay!
Also, mighttt have a job at Home Depot! All depends if they phone me back or not, and look at it!! I’m so stoked !
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40 / 365
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Thanks for reading.
I’m always welcome to feedback, please let me know what I can improve on.
If there’s anything missing, please let me know!
Take care, happy gaming! HAPPY NATIONAL PIZZA DAY!!
• Coolin Killin It
(Life is like a puzzle, you just have to find the right piece.)

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I'm used to thinking of gambling as horrible. Every day I hear stories of people destroying their lives, and the well-being of their families, because they can't stop gambling. Everything goes. A woman speaks from her prison cell: she turned to robbing banks to pay for her addiction. She doesn't excuse herself. But she couldn't help herself. She wanted to be arrested. Despair.
I've been thinking about gambling differently this past while. Not "pure gambling" (lottery tickets, casinos, online gambling). But gambling as an essential feature of healthy, hopeful living that takes us beyond the routine.
My partner and I are building a business. Now, that's a gamble - with our time, our lives. I'm also building this site - Elsa's Creativity Emporium. Another huge gamble with time, energy, creativity. Columbus sailed for America. His gamble: that he would end up in the Far East. He didn't get was he was aiming for - but the gamble paid off for the Europeans.
Farmers plant seeds. The gamble: that the season will be good. Designers design The gamble: that the design will find a market.
People fall in love, and decide to try to make a live with that person - one of the biggest gambles in life.
****
On the other hand, many people want a predictable salary. No gambling, please. So and so much an hour. Anything else feels wrong, out of control, dangerous. How can anyone live like that, they shudder and recoil.
An observation. Many people don't want to gamble with work time. They want steady dependable pay. At the same time, they have a hugely developed urge, even an overwhelming urge, to gamble.
In other words, quite a number of the same people who want a steady paycheck spend a huge chunk of their everyday earnings on gambling!
"It's just for fun." "It's my right." "I have every right to do what I want with my money. I earned it, after all. It's mine." "Everyone's entitled to have a good time every now and then. All those hours I work. I deserve something."
So, though many people are entirely unable to consider working "on a gamble," (building a business, doing creative projects that may well never pay), they gamble over and over in ways that are set up to make the huge majority of people lose.
But most of the world does live "on a gamble" - or combining the gamble with as much certainty as possible. Traditional gatherer-hunting societies for instance have the relative dependability of gathering (which brings in about 90% of food) and the gamble on what is brought in through hunting (10% of the average food supply, according to my reading). Even with the gathering part, no year is like any other year. The steady dependable pay-off (salary, berries, etc.) is not the norm.
And with that, back to gambling. I'm going to call the kind of gambling I'm used to recoiling from "pure gambling" - in other words, one isn't gambling that the weather will cooperate with one's efforts, one isn't trying to make a sale, one isn't trying to build a site or a business, one isn't courting and hoping another will respond to us. "Pure gambling" - bingo, casinos, lotteries, slot machines, computer games like minesweeper and so on. The goal is winning in a game stacked against us, and the win builds nothing except the win. No book is written, no grain is harvested, nothing is built.
In everyday gambling - which I'll call "part-of-life gambling", the pleasure of winning is part of so many other things. It's part of building a life - gambling that our reaching out to someone will pay off, gambling that our design will find a market, gambling that the move to another city where there are supposed to be better jobs will lead to a better job.
****
In "pure gambling," all that other stuff has been taken out. The goal: the win. The goal: the payoff. In some forms of "pure gambling", one does build some skills - one learns to play bingo well, to know the ins and outs of computer games. One becomes fast, the moves automatic. In other forms of pure gambling, people just, say, pull the arm of a one-armed bandit - and the craving to keep doing this that be so strong that people have resorted (or so I've heard) to wearing diapers so they don't need to leave to go to the bathroom.
I've felt the pull of pure gambling, as well as part-of-life gambling. The time: about ten years ago. Too much stress. One day, I opened minesweeper, a computer game, and played a few games. The stress disappeared. I ended up playing minesweeper for several days, getting better and better. Wonderful and relaxing. At some point, I couldn't get better at minesweeper. From that point on, winning or losing (most often losing), became a matter of luck. And yet I still wanted to play. Very much so.
I did what was easiest for me to do: I asked my partner to take the game off my computer (at the time I didn't have the skill to know how to delete it myself). I don't think, though, that I could have used the computer and not played. The pull felt irresistible. I felt deprived when the game was gone. I wanted it back. I didn't ask for it back, though. I was able to have that much power over the pull of the game.
I did, for a number of years, turn to solitaire - not on the computer. Too dangerous. The old-fashioned way, with cards. If I played more than I thought was okay, I would put the cards in a place where it was inconvenient for me to get them - in a corner of the basement, for instance. Sometimes I would go and get them. More often I wouldn't.
The last several years have been so busy that there hasn't been time to reach for the cards. And I've noticed that the urge is gone. I want, if I have a few minutes, to take a walk, to make supper, to do nothing. I like life better that way.
I've been gambling enormously, these past few years, but the healthy way - doing things, hoping and planning that the projects will make it in the world.
****
I'm back to gambling: the good, the bad, the ugly.
The good. This is when we take gambles in life, gambles that come from as much knowledge and experience as possible. Even then, it's important that we check out the risks as well as possible - because in everyday life just as in a casino, one can gamble away one's savings, one's home, and so on. I took a gamble fifteen years ago: I had work (flight attendant) that was dependable but didn't satisfy me. I was finishing my Ph.D. when the airline hit hard times and offered a golden handshake to people willing to leave. I didn't have full-time college or university teaching lined up. Worse, there was hardly any teaching of any kind available where I lived. Still, I took a gamble. After all, I had an almost completed Ph.D. in hand, and had been doing university teaching part-time for years.
It wasn't an instant win. But I finally got college teaching, and eventually even steady college teaching. And that again isn't an instant fix, like a casino win. It means having to work at making the teaching successful, learning how to make the more difficult classes work (when one can), etc. There are ongoing challenges.
I think of Crick and Watson, who worked on figuring out the structure of DNA - and only after 10 years came to the realization (through a dream) that there was a double helix. They gambled with 10 years of their life.
I think of Banting, who figured out how diabetes can be controlled through insulin. So much time and effort, done despite the lack of success of others.
The dangerous good. I am thinking of people my parents knew. Not gamblers of any sort. They had built a financially successful life through steady paid-by-the-hour work. Then their 20-year-old son saw a "golden business opportunity". A local successful business was for sale. The parents mortgaged their house to the max to buy it. In a year, the successful business was destroyed through a serious of stupid choices made by their inexperienced son who had all kinds of ideas for "improving" it. The parents lost everything.
The bad. Pure gambling, when it's more than an occasional pleasure. My mother would buy an Irish Sweepstakes ticket at a time when gambling was illegal in Canada. She got a thrill out of doing something illegal. Also the ticket was a kind of miracle hope for an instant fix to all the everyday financial struggles. But it was a small cost.
For all too many people, the cost is high - financially, and in time and focus. Apparently over 15% of Canadian teenagers have at least a moderate addiction to what I call bad gambling.
Of course it can also give some kind of gratification to people leading small boring lives. Bingo halls enthrall thousands of people week after week.
The gruesome. This is when the pure gambling urge takes over someone's life, and often destroys everything else in that life. Couple life, parenting, other interests.
****
What to do? One, recognize the intense power of the "gambling pay-off pull." There it is, the jackpot - like a carrot to a donkey. Not easy to resist.
Societies and countries which outlaw gambling - like both Canada and the States used to - recognize the destructive power of "the pay-off pull" central to pure gambling.
Personally, I find it insane to take away the laws that prohibit gambling without at least, at the same time, mandating huge public education - from earliest childhood on - on the destructive power of "the gambling pay-off pull."
It's like no longer ensuring that water is drinkable, but not doing anything so that people each take care of their own water supply. Can you imagine a huge campaign against providing drinkable water on the basis that this tampers with individual liberty? that each person has the right to drink the water of one's choice?
****
And yet to go back to good gambling. I will now call it "integrated gambling" - gambling as part of other activities. The same intense pay-off pull may help us through tough times. We practice and practice a difficult guitar piece - we know there will be a pay-off and the high of getting there (at least for a moment, before we move on to the next challenge). We put in long hours working with a child with learning difficulties - and we exult when learning happens. Pay-off.
Good gambling. I'd say that's a core part of human development. It keeps us going - we're not only doing whatever it is (trying to keep the corps alive in a hard season), but longing for the pay-off. And when it does happen, euphoria, a natural high. Yeah!!!
Good gambling combines with creativity. It helps us move out of ruts, into the unknown. Something in us knows this is a good direction. There is a pull from deep inside ourselves.
****
As with so much about us, it's easy to mess things up.
Gambling - well. Gambling combined with a project, a goal, an end that does not have to do with gambling, a goal in itself that usually leads to further development.
Gambling - bad. Gambling for the lure of the win, the pay-off - usually unrelated to the efforts we put in. (There was nothing my mother did, that would make her more likely to win the Irish Sweepstakes than what anyone else did - it was just luck. And she never won.)
Gambling - gruesome - when "pure gambling" has taken over someone's life.
All it takes is a tiny change inside ourselves to go from the good to the bad to the gruesome - a disconnection of the pay-off pull from something constructive.
****
I started with words from a song I wrote years ago, on a gamble Western society gives huge value to: love. Young people are expected to find a partner to live with, taking a huge gamble with their lives. I would call it a central healthy gamble. And again here, it's been found that, time after time, learning is important. People who have been around healthy love relationships are way more likely to have the love gamble pay off.
I think we need to learn to gamble well - to do the right kind, and do it well.
I'll end with lines from that song - when can be about the best of a good gamble:

Love is my kind of tangle Love is my kind of gamble I've got all that I can handleLove More of Love Gamble, Love Tangle

****
Where to send you from here? You can click here for Creativity Pure and Applied. Creativity - another side of ourselves that can be pure (creativity for the sake of creativity) and applied (creativity in the service of something else). The dynamics are decidedly different than with gambling!
My writing, by the way, is a gamble. I'm gambling that it's worth it - to me and to you.
Comments welcome.
****
For more good thinking and stimulating ideas, click and find ELSA'S IDEA EMPORIUM. Thought-provoking arguments plus stupid opinions exposed.
Click and find: How To Think - Helpful Tip Number One - Ask Yourself This One Question. Whose Dog Is It Anyway? On Pets, Ownership, Slavery – Human Rights, Animal Rights, Who's Right? Elsa, age 7, Takes on God - Elsa Knows God is Wrong (the one she read about, anyway). The Rottweiler Pope, the Danish Cartoon, and Muslim Moderates. Stupid Opinion Number One – The Opinion That We Are Where We Are Meant To Be. Stupid Opinion Number Two – The Opinion That All Opinions Are Equal. Don't Keep it Simple, Stupid - We're Not All Mental Vegetables. The Rage of the "Righteous".
Click. THE IDEA EMPORIUM. Think. Click!
What matters is not agreement or disagreement. What matters is good thinking - ideas backed by evidence. logic, etc. Comments welcome. Elsa

Wednesday, March 4th, 2020:

• Ridgefield Restaurant Week, March 1 - 7 Locals and visitors alike will have more than a dozen restaurants to choose from during Ridgefield Restaurant Week. This delicious and delightful celebration of Ridgefield's restaurants features exclusive, curated menus at restaurants including 850 Degrees Wood Fired, Bailey's Backyard, Bernard’s, Dimitri’s Diner, Gallo, Gyro on Pita, Luc’s, Posa, Sarah's Wine Bar, Southwest Café, Tablao, Tequila Escape, and TerraSole. Participating restaurants' menus and offers will be available on ridgefielddevelopment.com, beginning February 24. Various times & prices, Main Street, Ridgefield, CT

Thursday, March 5th, 2020:

• Jurassic World Live Tour, March 5 - 8 Your trip to Isla Nublar takes a terrifying turn after the Indominus rex escapes and causes chaos in the park! The adventure continues as you join forces with a team of scientists to unravel a corrupt plan and save Jeanie, an all-new dinosaur, from a terrible fate. Along the way, experience some of Jurassic World's most iconic dinosaurs including Blue the Raptor, Triceratops, Pteranodons and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex! Thu.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. $21.75-$27.50, Webster Bank Arena, 600 Main St. Bridgeport, CT
• "Cats", March 5 - 8 Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater, "Memory.” Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. Thu. 7 p.m., Fri. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m, $44-$126, Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. New Haven, CT
• Guilford Restaurant Week, March 5 - 11 Participating Guilford restaurants are serving up special fixed price multi-course menus and specials for restaurant week. Click here to see the restaurants and special menus. Main Street, Guilford, CT

Friday, March 6th, 2020:

• Central CT Beer Shuttle, March 6 Friday night beer shuttle to Relic Brewing, Better Half Brewing, Witchdoctor Brewing and Firefly Hollow .There are three sessions to choose from. $20, includes transportation only. Must pre-purchase tickets online. Please be outside of the breweries at these designated times to catch the shuttle. We will wait approx. 5 minutes per stop but are not responsible for you missing the shuttle. 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. $20, Firefly Hollow Brewing, 139 Center St, Bristol, CT
• The Moody Blues' John Lodge, March 6 Experience the music of The Moody Blues with original vocalist, songwriter, and bass player, John Lodge. If you love the music of The Moody Blues, you need to check out John live as he takes this music to a whole new level. Backed by his '10,000 Light Years Band, together the capture the spirit and heart of the classic Moody Blues songs. 8 p.m. $58, members $53. The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St. Fairfield, CT

Saturday, March 7th, 2020:

• Opening Day: "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed", March 7 The ruined cities of the ancient Maya have captured our imaginations since news of their discovery in the jungles of Central America was published in the 1840s. Extensive research has uncovered a culture with a sophisticated worldview that, during its Classic period (250-900 AD), rivaled any civilization in Europe. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed uses a combination of hundreds of authentic artifacts, immersive environments, multimedia components, and hands-on exhibits to explore the rise and eventual decline of these fascinating ancient cities to the artisans and laborers who formed the backbone of the Maya society. Visitors will see spectacular examples of Maya artistry made by masters of their craft, along with objects from everyday life. They will get a close look at the scientific work being carried out as key Maya sites across Central America to understand exactly how we know what we know of the once-hidden Maya of the ancient past. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $24.95, children $16.95. Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT
• Alice in Wonderland Springtime Tea Party, March 7 Enjoy a whimsical afternoon of tea and cakes, crafts and games! Nibble on scones, sandwiches and petite desserts, make tiny Mad Hat favors, and test your knowledge of Alice's quirks in a rollicking trivia game (win a prize). 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. $20, The Storyteller's Cottage, 750 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT
• Night Writers: Pajama Pizza Party, March 7 Writers! Join your fellow authors for a fun night of freewriting, writing contests, pizza and prizes. Bring whatever writing project you have underway and settle in to a cozy writing nook in your favorite corner of the Cottage. Stuck? Jump into one of the fun writing sprints or contests happening around the house! Enjoy pizza and soda while you work, meet new writer friends, and make some serious progress on your writing project. Wear your PJs if you dare! 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $15, The Storyteller's Cottage, 750 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT
• Rascal Flatts, March 7 Life Is A Highway that's bringing Country trio Rascal Flatts to Foxwoods Resort Casino. One band. Ten albums. Seventeen No. One hits. Over 27 million records and 10 million tickets sold. Time and success have only put Rascal Flatts closer to their core with expert musicianship, razor-sharp vocals and songs that have shaped lives, loves and the genre of country music itself. The superstar vocal group recently released their powerhouse new single “Back To Life,” following back-to-back chart-topping singles “Yours If You Want It” and “I Like The Sound Of That" (Big Machine Records). The group has also earned over 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, also making them the most awarded country group of the past decade. The group recently wrapped their stacked and highly-praised headlining BACK TO US tour and will play select dates this fall. 8PM, $95-$155, Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT

Sunday, March 8th, 2020:

• Acrobats of China - The New Shanghai Circus, March 8 An annual tradition, this youthful and graceful company enthralls audiences with a range of acrobatic performances, most of them typifying Chinese circus and offering a refreshing alternative to the Western tradition with acts that often trace their origin to the harvest festivals of more than 2,000 years ago. Under the direction of Zhao Lizhi, the artistry, individually and collectively, attains levels that make it seem almost unfair to single out any act, from jugglers to the comic knife throwers and the bicyclist who finishes by piling about 10 of his colleagues aboard his vehicle. 4pm, $35, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd. Ridgefield, CT

Find more things to do in CT here!
Check out some newly released movies

March 6 (Friday)

• Emma (Expands)
• Pixar's Onward
• The Way Back
• Bacurau (Limited)
• The Banker (Limited)
• The Burnt Orange Heresy (Limited)
• Escape from Pretoria (Limited)
• First Cow (Limited)
• Run This Town (Limited)
• Swallow (Limited)

Thursday, February 20th, 2020:

• "Pride and Prejudice", February 19 - March 8 This isn’t your grandmother’s Austen! Bold, surprising, boisterous, and timely, this Pride and Prejudice for a new era explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life. The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, despite mounting pressure from society. But can she resist love, especially when that vaguely handsome, mildly amusing, and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn? Literature’s greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life than it does in this effervescent adaptation. Thu. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $17.50-$40. Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Rd. West Hartford, CT
• 39th Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show, February 20 - 23 The colorful, fragrant show covers almost three acres with the 2020 theme, "Connecticut Springs into Earth Day, " with creative and practical ideas for house, apartment and condo dwellers alike. Highlights include: Over an acre of gardens in full bloom, created by professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations, and include naturalistic, low maintenance, native, organic, herb and pollinator gardens. The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut's 2020 Advance Standard Flower Show: more than 12,000 square feet of a design, horticulture and photography competition with more than 500 judged entries, all with the "Spring into Connecticut" theme. Over 300 booths of displays, activities, and shopping. More than 80 hours of seminars. Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $18, seniors (Thu. and Fri. only) $16, children (5-12) $5, under 5 free. Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT

Friday, February 21st, 2020:

• 39th Annual Southeastern Connecticut Home Show February 21 - 23 Offers a diverse array of home products and services by local, state, and national vendors, presenting innovative and imaginative displays. Local crafts on display as well in a Home Show that combines high tech with hometown flair. Fri. 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Adults $10, seniors $8, children (12 and under) free. Earth Expo & Convention Center, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT
• "Looped" February 21 - March 21 Looped by Matthew Lombardo depicts an actual 1965 recording session in which an intoxicated Tallulah Bankhead, played by Kelly Boucher, required eight hours to dub a single line from her final movie Die! Die! My Darling! While antagonizing the film editor, Danny Miller, assigned to the job. Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m. $37, Connecticut Cabaret Theatre, 31 Webster Square Rd. Berlin, CT
• "Daisies on Harlem's Doorstep", February 21 - 23 The lights and glitter of the Harlem Renaissance attract an innocent young woman searching for her sister. Daisy finds herself with the help of four very different women. An award-winning play by Sharece M. Sellem. Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Adults $20; seniors, military, students $18; member $17. Donald L. Oat Theater at Norwich Arts Center, 62 Broadway, Norwich, CT
• Atlantic Broadband Garde Cinema Series: "Us" Director: Jordan Peele Writer: Jordan Peele Stars: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss Studio: Universal Nominations: Screen Actors Guild: Outstanding Performance by Female Actor; Four Critics Choice Award nominations Awards: Critics Choice Award: Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie; New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actress A mother and father take their kids for an idyllic summer getaway. Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. Us pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves. Rated R. Presented in association with the Black Engineering Council of Electric Boat. The 2020 Atlantic Broadband Garde Winter Cinema Series Pass brings you – for one package price – twenty or more critically acclaimed and Oscar and Golden Globe nominated films with state-of-the-art 4K digital projection and full surround sound. Passes can be used by other than the purchaser. Limited availability so buy today! 7:30 p.m $12; series pass $62. Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. New London, CT
• Ice Cube, February 21 Widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Rap history, Ice Cube began his career two decades ago with N.W.A — aka the World’s Most Dangerous Group. After penning some of the most memorable lyrics on N.W.A’s groundbreaking tracks “Straight Outta Compton” and “Fuck Tha Police,” Ice Cube broke away at the height of the group’s success. As he moved on to launch his solo career, his debut studio album AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (Priority, 1990) sold more than a million copies. A concept album about the fall and rise of the black man, Ice Cube’s solo sophomore effort Death Certificate (Priority, 1991) debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, eventually selling over two million copies. His impressive musical career also includes the multi-platinum success of his two-part album War & Peace, as well as the hit albums Lethal Injection, Bootlegs & B-Sides, The Predator, the gold-certified and independently released Laugh Now, Cry Later, Raw Footage, and I Am The West (a 2010 release that debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200 and proved to be one of the most successful independent releases in Hip Hop that year). 7:30 p.m. $29-$39, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT
• "Sex N' the City - A Musical Parody" This “Super” Unauthorized Musical Parody follows your favorite single gals looking for love in the big city. The show tackles serious questions like "will I ever find the one," "can you ever really be over your ex," and "for the third time, it’s a neck massager!" Come join Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha on a hilarious trip through New York in the 1990s. 8pm, $35-$40, Shubert Theatre, 247 College St. New Haven, CT
• Fitz & the Tantrums, February 21 There came a point, in the time following the release of HandClap, the biggest song of Fitz and the Tantrums’ career, when its ascent crossed the threshold of successful, zoomed past game-changer, to just plain, WTF?! The double-platinum, Top 5 smash, which racked up 1.5 billion streams in China alone, was synched on countless shows from American Idol to The Oscars. Fitz and the Tantrums were invited to perform for the masses on primetime television and such cultural institutions as Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and FOX’s Super Bowl preshow after “HandClap” become something of an unofficial theme song for the NFL. 8 p.m. $35-$55, Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT
• "Constellations", February 21 - March 7 How might the smallest change in our life dramatically alter its course? Playwright Nick Payne's brilliant love story explores Marianne and Roland relationship and all of its infinite possibilities. This exploration of love, science, heartbreak and hope raises the question, what is the difference between destiny and choice? Due to subject matter and language, this is not recommended for children. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. (March 1) 2 p.m, $20-$25, TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave. New Milford, CT
• Champions of Magic, February 21 The five world-class illusionists that make up this mind-bending theatrical production are back on tour in 2020, following sell out shows across the globe, rave reviews and a run in London’s West End. Don’t miss this incredible show to entertain the entire family. With more than 30 million online views between them, this cast of top magicians includes international award-winners presenting incredible mind reading, stunning close-up magic and daring large-scale illusions. Their skills have been seen on screen around the world with appearances on The CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, NBC’s Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon, The Today Show and Access Hollywood Live. Champions Of Magic has been seen by tens of thousands around the world, now’s your chance to see why fans return to see one of the world’s biggest touring illusion shows time and time again. 8 p.m., $41-$76, Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT

Saturday, February 22nd, 2020:

• Special Olympics Winter Games, February 22 - 23 Powder Ridge is proud to host Special Olympics Connecticut 2020 Winter Games. Over 900 athletes of all abilities from across the state are expected to participate. Events are free and open to the public. Spectators are encouraged to attend. Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Figure Skating and Speed Skating, Unified Floor Hockey and Skills, & Gymnastics. Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE, Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort, 99 Powder Hill Rd. Middlefield, CT
• From the Heart Racing, February 22 Join us for a Prize-Drawing Giveaway, 50/50, and fundraiser. All proceeds will help support causes such as school sports programs and diabetes relief. 1 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE, Witchdoctor Brewing, 168 Center St. Southington, CT
• A Tribute to Cher and Lady Gaga, February 22 Lisa Carter and Nicole Fuller bring the voices of Cher and Lady Gaga for a fantastic cabaret style tribute performance. 6 p.m., $55 (plus tax and service charge). Waters Edge Resort and Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd. Westbrook, CT
• Disney's "Frozen Jr.", February 22 - 23 The students of the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education will present the enchanting musical on the Warner's Main Stage! Based on the 2018 Broadway musical, Disney's Frozen Jr. brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all the memorable songs from the animated film. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and load with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen Jr. is sure to thaw event the coldest heart. Sat. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., $15, Warner Theatre, 68 Main Street, Torrington, CT

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020:

• The Bolshoi Ballet in HD: "Swan Lake" February 23 Prince Siegfried is summoned by his parents to choose a bride. However, he encounters a mysterious and magnetic swan-woman, Odette, by the lake and is captivated. His vow of eternal love to her will have irreversible consequences. Tchaikovsky’s essential masterpiece returns for a live broadcast of the most-beloved ballet in the classical canon. Technically challenging and filled with vibrant emotion, with a stunning and world-famous corps de ballet in perfect unison, the legendary love story between Prince Siegfried and the dual personalities Odette/Odile, born at the Bolshoi Theatre, is a must-see. 12:55 p.m., $15-$25., Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd. Ridgefield, CT
• "Pete the Cat", February 23 Everyone’s favorite rockin’ blue cat takes the stage in this musical performance. When the unsuspecting Biddle family takes in the fantastic feline, Pete the Cat rocks the family’s world with his strumming and strutting. Everybody loves Pete the Cat, well, everyone except Jimmy, the planet’s most organized second-grader. That all changes, of course, when Pete the Cat takes Jimmy on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. Based on the New York Times #1 best-selling children’s books by authors Kimberly and James Dean, Pete the Cat is also a popular animated series on Amazon Prime Video. A Theaterworks USA production. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 2 p.m. $18-$22, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Rd. Storrs, CT
• Atlantic Broadband Garde Cinema Series: "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", February 23 Director: Marielle Heller, Writers: Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Stars: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper, Studio: Sony, Nominations: Oscar for Best Performance (Tom Hanks); One Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards; Two Critics Choice Awards, Lloyd Vogel is an investigative journalist who receives an assignment to profile Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers. He approaches the interview with skepticism, as he finds it hard to believe that anyone can have such a good nature. But Roger’s empathy, kindness and decency soon chips away at Vogel’s jaded outlook on life, forcing the reporter to reconcile with his own painful past. Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor. Rated PG. 3pm, $12, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. New London, CT

Find more things to do in CT here!
Check out a newly released movie such as:

• Brahms: The Boy II
• The Call of the Wild
• Emma (Limited)
• Goldie (Limited)
• The Night Clerk (Limited)
• Premature (Limited)

Aside from the extremely blatant viewbotting, Twitch is allowing Online Casinos to promote their services by livestreaming themselves "playing" on their website to minors.
These streams violate FTC regulations requiring people to advertise that they are either
A.) Endorsed by the company and are playing on behalf of a company, or
B.) They are the company.
These streams also violate the UK's Gambling Commission, Advertising Standards Authority, the Committee of Advertising Practice, and the Remote Gambling Association letter that was sent to over 450 websites . This letter clearly states-

We are writing to advise you to amend or remove immediately any ads on your website or in third party media that are:

• likely to appeal particularly to people aged 17 or younger (‘under 18’); and,
  
• generally available to view (‘freely accessible’).
  

This relates particularly to freely accessible ads for play-for-free and play-for-money games and includes all graphics and images displayed on a website or in third party media.

There is no age warning on these streams, which allows viewers with or without an account to click and watch. Twitch's Mature Content setting would not cover these even if it was on due to the fact that the, on their own "Twitch Account Settings Documentation" page, the Mature Content option is simply described for-

If you are a caster looking for a more mature audience then it is recommended you enable the mature content setting which will warn users the content they will be viewing is intended for mature audiences.

It does not say anything about having to be 18+.
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Going through the top 4 most "watched" streams currently in gambling, they all have no webcam, no voice, no interaction with chat. The only thing that they actually have on their Twitch page is referral links for different sites. Every channel made for the sole purpose of advertising can be seen simply by looking in their Panels. They all have the exact same website links at the bottom, with a few variants thrown in there.
Slot V., Mr.Bit, AzartPlay, and Casino Columbus (to name a few) are all owned by the same company, Avento N.V. It is clear that Avento N.V's marketing team saw the unrestricted access to Twitch's audience with the "Casino" category and decided to flood it with channels that stream for 48+ hours on repeat. Even with the stream with the face cam, they added an "online" timer to show how long it's been live for, but the actual live time is drastically different.
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These channels are obviously view botting as well. The top 4 channels right now have 12,814 viewers, 4581 viewers, 4412 viewers, and 3326 viewers. One website that checks for viewbots has determined that up to 99% of the viewers in these channels are viewbots. One of the channels has 4412 viewers, but only 28 people actively chatting.
In regards to "actively chatting", the number of times that I've seen "Wow !!" "YOUR WELCOME !!" "Wooow" and "I really think that you seems to be a nice Guy man, wish you all luck !" is insane. They aren't even good viewbots to be honest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a major issue that Twitch needs to address. Twitch is allowing these companies to fully advertise to both minors and the oblivious. This has already been sent to Twitch Support as well.
This was originally posted on /Twitch but was removed by a mod because-

Rule 4: Submissions about official matters will be removed.

No European had ever seen tobacco before Christopher Columbus landed associated with West Indies. But the fragrant leaves had been used by American Indians for prolonged as you as can remember. They smoked tobacco for pleasure and used it in their rituals and ceremonies.
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In contrast to busy casinos along the strip, online gambling offers you peace of mind. Most of us know just how many people can cram tobacco pipe filters an e-casino or even the bingo hall on a Friday dark. Just image yourself in the blackjack table; haunting eyes from the competition stare you down, hoping to intimidate and drive fear into your soul. Intrigued onlookers peep over your shoulder, adding tremendous pressure to eating. Online gambling eliminates all of the aforementioned scenarios. You can to relax comfortably within your own home. You make your own schedule. The tables and slots are always open from your demand. This convenient benefit has swayed many into pursuing their gambling ventures online.
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Small cell cancer is really the most aggressive and rapidly growing type of cancers, and that makes up 20% of related types of cancer. It tends to grow first in family members' clothes breathing tubes and grows very fast spreading around a large area. In the initial stage, it is definitely more sensitive to chemotherapy, and it often bears worse prognosis. This type of cancer is generally related with smoking.
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Then there was my friend Edward whose Dad worked at the Piggly Wiggly grocery site. His Dad smoked a classic pipe that they usually together with crushed cigars that had grown stale enough regarding given to an employee or thrown shut off.
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Although the average human being can last up three months without food, it can only last three days without good water. Climate change and unwise uses of water supplies have lead to massive droughts in Australia, Europe and North The nation. For example, Spain thought they would cater towards tourist industry by building many courses. Unfortunately, grass courses require a water structure to store. Spain now is at the time of its worst drought in recorded history.
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Smoking damages the lungs. Users can have a problem breathing properly because smoke swells and narrows the airways. It lines these people with a sticky mucus and phlegm. As a result why can be common to understand a smoker with a wheezy shhh.
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Be home on his special days, just similar to you do for mom. Give him a surprise by finding his way back home without informing him first, if you happen to no longer staying with your parents.
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The easiest way to drop your rates is stop smoking. Also, some companies differentiate between social smokers and a pack-a-day users. Compare a lot of rates come up with sure an individual the least expensive and efficient life insurance coverage you discover. Book a consultation with professional and let him express for further guidance in this direction.

Friday, January 24th, 2020:

• Northeast Recreational Vehicle & Camping Show, Jan 24-26 The show features more than 140,000 square feet of the latest in recreation vehicles, camping supplies, services, accessories, products, campgrounds, and travel information exhibits. Northeast RV & Camping Show is the ideal place for camping families who are looking to purchase their first RV, looking to upgrade their present RV or for the veteran camper to explore new camping adventures. Dozens of on-site campground information exhibits will provide attendees with literature and information about premier family campgrounds throughout Connecticut and beyond. Representatives from the Connecticut Campground Owners Association will be on hand to help attendees make their camping trip more enjoyable. Fri. noon-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $15,children (14 and under) free. Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT
• Operation Fuel Ice House, January 24 - 25 Operation Fuel’s Ice House is an annual event that will again take place on the grounds of the historic Old State House in Hartford. The centerpiece is a spectacular structure made entirely of 40,000 pounds of hand-carved blocks of ice complete with ice furnishings and New for 2020: an attached Ice Garage and a Thermal Imaging Body Heat Photo Booth! The public is invited to tour and spend some time “chilling out” in the Ice House on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25. Our hope is to raise awareness of just how cold the New England winter can be without the basic necessity of a warm shelter. 9am-5pm, FREE, Connecticut's Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT
• Manchester TransPOURtation Beer Shuttle, January 24 Friday night beer shuttle to 2nd Bridge, Urban Lodge, Labyrinth and Elicit Brewing. There are four sessions to choose from. $20, includes transportation only. Please be outside of the breweries at these designated times to catch the shuttle. We will wait approx. 5 minutes per stop but are not responsible for you missing the shuttle. Various times between 5:30pm-10pm. $20, Labyrinth Brewing. 148 Forest St. Manchester, CT
• Marc Cohn, January 24 After winning a Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” Marc Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singesongwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. 7pm & 9pm, $65, Fairfield Theatre Company StageOne, 70 Sanford St. Fairfield, CT
• SUPERHOT VR Tournament, January 24 Superhot VR is a strategic first-person shooter in which time only moves when you do. If you don’t figure out how to overcome the challenges, you’ll die. On the other hand, if you can maintain your composure, catch bullets in mid-air, and remember to take weapons from fallen enemies, you might prevail. 7pm-9pm, Free for spectators, $10 to play, Xperiment VR, 100 Hawley Lane, Trumbull, CT
• Nick Di Paolo, January 24 In a world where political correctness has run amok, Nick Di Paolo continues to be honest with his audiences. One of the very few comedians known to lean right, Nick is unafraid and unapologetic. Nick currently hosts The Nick DiPaolo Show every Monday through Thursday and tours the country on weekends. Nick has performed on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan O’ Brien. He was twice nominated for an Emmy for his writing on HBO’s The Chris Rock Show. He has also had four standup specials and was one of the stars on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and a stand out on many Comedy Central Roasts. 8pm, $35, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd. Ridgefield, CT

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Saturday, January 25th, 2020:

• Root 63 Variety Tasting, January 25 - 26 Is Root 63 your favorite wine? The vineyard now has five of them, so come in for a special tasting of all five wines which are 100% estate grown, sustainably farmed and produced and bottled on premise. 11am-5pm, $10, $12 with souvenir glass, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, 599 Old Middle St. Goshen, CT
• Atlantic Broadband Garde Cinema Series: "Dolemite Is My Name", January 25 Stung by a string of showbiz failures, floundering comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) has an epiphany that turns him into a word-of-mouth sensation: step onstage as someone else. Borrowing from the street mythology of 1970s Los Angeles, Moore assumes the persona of Dolemite, a pimp with a cane and an arsenal of obscene fables. However, his ambitions exceed selling bootleg records deemed too racy for mainstream radio stations to play. Moore convinces a social justice-minded dramatist (Keegan-Michael Key) to write his alter ego a film, incorporating kung fu, car chases, and Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), an ex-backup singer who becomes his unexpected comedic foil. Despite clashing with his pretentious director, D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), and countless production hurdles at their studio in the dilapidated Dunbar Hotel, Moore’s Dolemite becomes a runaway box office smash and a defining movie of the Blaxploitation era. Rated R. The 2020 Atlantic Broadband Garde Winter Cinema Series Pass brings you – for one package price – twenty or more critically acclaimed and Oscar and Golden Globe nominated films with state-of-the-art 4K digital projection and full surround sound. Limited availability so buy today. 3pm, $12 GA, Series Pass $62, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. New London, CT
• Atlantic Broadband Garde Cinema Series: "The Irishman", January 25 This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, World War II veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975. Rated R. 7:30pm, $12 GA, $62 Series Pass, - Garde Arts Center, 325 State St. New London, CT
• Brantley Gilbert: Fire't Up Tour, January 25 Each ticket purchase includes Brantley's newest album, Fire & Brimstone. Brantley Gilbert lives in Jefferson, Georgia rather than, like so many country stars, Nashville. It’s not that he’s not serious about his music, or his career, but somethings run deeper. Or, as he sings in “Grown Ass Man” from his platinum Just As I Am, “I got a home.” That home is rich with life, truth, friends, history – and those are the raw materials that have made Gilbert one of only four country artists with back-to-back platinum certified albums. For Gilbert, who won the 2014 American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for Just As I Am, every album is another chapter in the life the unrepentant good ole boy has led. Whether it’s raising hell, standing tall or bottoming out, Gilbert’s truth speaks to the heart of blue collar life in the 21st century: hard working, fun loving and deeply committed to the people he loves. 8pm, $73.50-$108.50. Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT

Sunday, January 26th, 2020:

• Sensory Friendly Day, January 26 We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Science Center. That’s why we are lowering the volume and dimming the lights for our friends with sensory disabilities. All who will benefit from a quieter environment are invited as our special guests for the day! Sensory Friendly Day is presented by the Miracle League of Connecticut. Tickets are $14 online, in advance or $16.95 at the door (1:1 aides are always free). 10am-5pm, Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT
• John O'Hurley - A Man with Standards, January 26 John O’Hurley has gone from being best known as J. Peterman on Seinfeld to catapulting into one of television’s busiest and most versatile actors. From show host (To Tell the Truth, Family Feud, and NBC’s The National Dog Show), to Broadway star, to advertising hero (O’Hurley invested in the relaunch of The J. Peterman Company, and since 1999 has been a part-owner and member of the board of directors), this voice actor, singer, and comedian has truly done it all- including being a first season contestant on Dancing with the Stars (where he made it to the finals)! Now touring with a band and performing his show- “A Man With Standards,” O’Hurley dazzles audiences with storytelling, songs and humor. A show that, like O’Hurley, has a little bit of everything! 5pm, $49.50, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd. Ridgefield, CT

Find more things to do here!

Check out a newly released movie such as:

• January 17 (Friday)
  • Bad Boys For Life
  • Dolittle
• January 23 (Thursday)
  • Sundance Film Festival (until February 2)
• January 24 (Friday)
  • The Gentlemen
  • The Turning
  • Color Out of Space (Limited)
  • The Last Full Measure (Limited)

Hey, I have recently moved from Ohio to this lovely state of North Carolina. Is gambling allowed in this state? Are there any casinos near the triangle area? From what Ive read online I suspect no, but I would appreciate a definitive answer or reasoning why from someone thats has lived here awhile. Thanks in advance!

OFFICIAL LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT on Friday, January 27th at 10am ET!
Note: Before posting a comment with an artist(s) for speculation, please ctrl+F and look to see if it hasn't already been added or suggested. Thanks!
Similar to Bonnaroo's 2017 speculation thread...
Here's the breakdown:

• Confirmed (Artist confirmations or Firefly confirmations via official announcement or press release)
• Semi-confirmed (Talking with an artist at a show, mutual friends)
• Rumored (rumors from artist / record label / band managers / Firefly social media)
• Possible (Tour dates with gaps during June 15-18, in the US in late-May/early-June, playing other US festivals before/afteduring Firefly dates)
• Logical/Plausible (Plausible speculations with no hard evidence, 2016/2017 album release with expected 2017 tour plans, planned tour with no dates or early/mid 2017 dates)
• Unlikely (Tour dates that conflict with Firefly but not impossible, or gaps during June 15-18 but already played Firefly 2016)
• Out (No dates open during Firefly, at other festivals or abroad)

Confirmed

Artist	Source
Phantogram	playing Firefly 2017 First Look show in Baltimore, Jan 16
Busta Rhymes	"Blink-182, Earth Wind & Fire, Busta Rhymes – each of these were booked solely because you told us that you wanted them.", 12/6: DelawareOnline article - Busta Rhymes, Phantogram to play Firefly
The White Panda	confirmed at their concert
Misterwives	Firefly Zoom reveal #1 - Dover (tweet)
Lil Dicky	Firefly Zoom reveal #2 - Philadelphia (tweet)
Glass Animals	Firefly Zoom reveal #3 - Baltimore (tweet); touring Europe/Australia/South America early 2017, playing Bonnaroo
Galantis	Firefly Zoom reveal #4 - DC (tweet)
Capital Cities	Firefly Zoom reveal #5 - Wilmington (tweet)

Semi-confirmed

Artist	Source
Illenium	sobermusic: "Take it for what you will but illenium is a mutual friend and last I spoke to him he said he was booked for firefly."
Rainbow Kitten Surprise	Gabrielx23: "Just spoke with RKS (Rainbow Kitten Surprise) and I spoke to both the drummer and the rhythm guitarist and they both confirmed that they will 100% be at Firefly."
Judah and the Lion	confirmed by the band on FB
Stick Figure	Mother___Superior: "Reggae/Rock band Stick Figure will be there. Friends with a couple of the band members"
Astro 8000	kshucker's DJ friend
Carverton	FF appears on songkick page (screencap)
Short Sleeve Heart	Confirmed via Tweet (screencap)
Quinn XCII	Confirmed via Twitter DM

Rumored

Artist	Source
Muse	Matt Bellamy: “We’re going to do some festivals in the US maybe, because we kind of missed that out last summer. If we feel like it we might record a new song or two but I don’t think we’ll do a new album.”, FestiveOwl: "Muse was mentioned originally. Not much else beyond that."
Paramore	appeared on Firefly website in early 2016
ZHU	appeared on Firefly website in early 2016
Childish Gambino	Firefly hint tweet: "A trait we possess at times", scout's honor, new album release Awaken, My Love! on December 2nd
BØRNS	Brand Ambassador Mike G on Firefly forums: "Ya never know…. 😉"
Foreign Air	playing with Phantogram at Firefly Presents show in Baltimore, no official festival confirmation by Firefly yet, playing Shaky Knees
Colony House	ColonyHouseBand: "Okay. -SCOTT"

Possible

Artist	Source
Twenty One Pilots	playing Hangout Fest (May 19-21)
ODESZA	playing Electric Forest (June 22-25, June 29-July 2)
Beyonce	headlining Coachella 2017
Kendrick Lamar	headlining Coachella 2017
DJ Snake	Coachella, Hangout, Electric Forest
The Weeknd	tour dates end June 9th in the US, no Philadelphia/Baltimore dates yet; playing Bonnaroo
Giraffage	Electric Forest, Forecastle
Snakehips	Okeechobee, Hangout, Electric Forest, Panorama
Francis and the Lights	Coachella, Boston Calling, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest
Tom Petty	Mountain Jam in NY on June 16th, no tour dates on June 15th and June 18th
Gary Clark Jr	Mountain Jam in NY, June 16-18
Steve Miller Band	Mountain Jam
Red Hot Chili Peppers	touring in Canada on June 18 and beyond, possibly playing Bonnaroo, playing Gov Ball
Metallica	playing Rock on the Range May 19-21
Soundgarden	playing Rock on the Range May 19-21
MGMT	Hangout, Sasquatch, Panorama
Weezer	Hangout, Boston Calling, Forecastle
The Head and the Heart	Coachella, Hangout, Sasquatch, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo
Band of Horses	Hangout, BottleRock
Local Natives	Coachella, Hangout, Gov Ball
Warpaint	Shaky Knees, Hangout, Gov Ball; although playing Roskilde in Denmark on June 28
Mac DeMarco	Treefort (March), Okeechobee (March), Coachella, Hangout, Gov Ball
Rae Sremmurd	Okeechobee, Gov Ball
The Offspring	playing Rock on the Range
Sum 41	playing Rock on the Range; although playing Download Festival in England June 9-11
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness	playing Hangout, early 2017 US tour
Young The Giant	2017 tour, Okeechobee, Hangout
Lewis Del Mar	Shaky Knees, Hangout; touring with Young the Giant
Bassnectar	Electric Forest
The Orwells	touring early/mid 2017 ending on June 6, playing Bonnaroo
My Morning Jacket	Electric Forest
The Strumbellas	Mountain Jam, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo; early 2017 tour
The Revivalists	Mountain Jam; early 2017 tour
Ween	High Sierra late June
Con Brio	Shaky Knees, BottleRock, Electric Forest, High Sierra
Franz Ferdinand	Hangout, Governors Ball
The Avalanches	Coachella and Gov Ball; although playing Glastonbury June 21-25
Banks	Gov Ball
Phoenix	Shaky Knees, Gov Ball
Chance The Rapper	Gov Ball, Bonnaroo; last played Firefly in 2014
Beach House	Gov Ball
Lorde	Coachella, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo
Air	Gov Ball
A$AP Ferg	Gov Ball
Schoolboy Q	Gov Ball
Logic	Gov Ball
Michael Kiwanuka	Gov Ball, Bonnaroo; although inMusic Festival in Croatia June 20th
Wiz Khalifa	Gov Ball
Charli XCX	Gov Ball
Wu-Tang Clan	Gov Ball
Bleachers	Okeechobee, Shaky Knees, Sasquatch, Gov Ball
U2	Bonnaroo, no tour dates June 15-17, playing Philadelphia June 18
The Lumineers	international tour dates in April and July, no tour dates June 15-17, playing Philadelphia June 18
Bishop Briggs	Coachella, Shaky Knees, Hangout, Panorama
Cage The Elephant	Shaky Knees, Boston Calling, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo, Forecastle
Charles Bradley and His Extraordinares	BottleRock, Gov Ball, Forecastle
Future Islands	Coachella, Bonnaroo, Panorama
BADBADNOTGOOD	Bonnaroo
The Front Bottoms	Bonnaroo
Car Seat Headrest	Coachella, Shaky Knees, Sasquatch, Boston Calling, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo
Barns Courtney	Hangout, Gov Ball
Third Eye Blind	June 18th TBD Baltimore/DC area
Silversun Pickups	June 18th TBD Baltimore/DC area
Alison Wonderland	Shaky Knees, Electric Forest
Jon Bellion	Bunbury, Bonnaroo
Cold War Kids	Okeechobee Festival in March, Bonnaroo
Lucy Dacus	Boston Calling, Bonnaroo, Forecastle
Mondo Cozmo	Shaky Knees, Hangout, Boston Calling, Sasquatch, Gov Ball, Bonnaroo, Forecastle
Tkay Maidza	Hangout, Boston Calling, Gov Ball
Ganja White Night	Shaky Beats, Summer Camp, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest
Rezz	Shaky Beats, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest

Logical / Plausible

Artist	Source
The Shins	new album release March 10th, possibly playing Coachella, playing Shaky Knees, Bunbury, in Brooklyn NY on June 15th
Hodgy Beats	new album out December 9th
Kid Cudi	new album out December 16th
Dropkick Murphys	playing Red Frog's Shamrock Fest in March, new album release Jan 6
Sohn	new album out Jan 13
The Flaming Lips	new album release Jan 13, touring early 2017
The xx	new album out Jan 13, 2017 tour, US festivals: Coachella, Shaky Knees, Boston Calling, Bonnaroo
Foxygen	new album out Jan 20
Tycho	in Europe late May and early June; playing Buku, Coachella; new album out Jan 20
Cloud Nothings	new album out Jan 27
Ty Segall	new album out Jan 27
Temples	Shaky Knees; new album out Mar 3
Hippo Campus	new album out Feb 24, tour dates end April 8th
Magic City Hippies	Fall 2016 album release, on tour with Hippo Campus until April 8th
Stevie Nicks	touring late 2016 and early 2017
Bon Jovi	touring early 2017, plausible but not likely
Joseph	touring early 2017
STRFKR	touring early 2017
The Growlers	touring Feb/March, playing Primavera Sound in Barcelona on June 2nd
Devendra Banhart	touring US early 2017
Wilco	possible but they organize Solid Sound Festival happening 1 week after Firefly
Xiu Xiu	touring early 2017,
Deerhoof	playing Big Ears Festival (TN) in March
The Magnetic Fields	touring early/mid 2017
Mother Mother	new album release Feb 10
Blonde Redhead	touring early 2017
Jens Lekman	touring 2017
Eric Clapton	playing a few shows in 2017, plausible but not likely
Galactic	early 2017 tour
Lake Street Dive	early 2017 tour
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic	early 2017 tour
Parquet Courts	early 2017 tour, playing Gov Ball
Alesso	playing a couple US festivals early 2017
Kurt Vile	early 2017 tour
Run The Jewels	playing US festivals Summer Camp, Boston Calling and Forecastle; however playing NorthSide Festival in Denmark June 9-11
Marshmello	early 2017 tour, Coachella, Hangout, Bonnaroo
Oliver Heldens	early/mid 2017 tour, Electric Forest
The Motet	playing Electric Forest both weekends, early 2017 tour
Lotus	playing Electric Forest both weekends, early 2017 tour
Miike Snow	plausible but speculative: released an album in mid 2016, played numerous US festivals in 2016 but not Firefly, no plans for tour at the moment
Sleigh Bells	playing a couple US festivals in March, March 2017 tour dates
Flume	late 2016/early 2017 festival tour dates
Dinosaur Jr.	early 2017 tour, summer 2016 album release
At The Drive-In	March 2017 tour dates announced
Sigur Ros	mid 2017 tour dates end on June 17, only available/non-scheduled date is June 18th
P.O.S	early 2017 (Jan through March) tour dates, January 2017 album release
Animal Collective	May 2017 tour dates
Hot Chip	plausible speculation, no plans for tour, came up in Firefly survey
Portugal. The Man	new album release, playing Bonnaroo
The Avett Brothers	2017 tour
Dawes	2017 tour
Kiiara	playing Goldenvoice festivals: Coachella, Panorama
Dr. Dog	playing Shaky Knees
Sylvan Esso	playing Shaky Knees
FIDLAR	playing Shaky Knees
Prinze George	playing BottleRock
Travis Scott	playing Bonnaroo, although playing TinderBox in Denmark June 24th
Wolf Parade	2017 tour, Shaky Knees, Boston Calling
Frightened Rabbit	2017 tour, BottleRock, Boston Calling
PUP	Boston Calling
Flatbush Zombies	Boston Calling
Billy Joel	2017 tour, gap between June 6 and July 14
Major Lazer	new album expected, although played Firefly 2016
Incubus	new album expected
Gramatik	open dates June 15, 16, 18; playing Red Rocks Sat June 17
Modest Mouse	playing BottleRock
Zac Brown Band	2017 tour with gap during Firefly weekend, possible but unlikely (given FF's lack of history booking country acts)
A Tribe Called Quest	Panorama Festival in July
Ed Sheeran	North America tour ends in Mexico on June 14
Queen & Adam Lambert	plausible but unlikely; US tour starts June 23rd in Arizona
Pearl Jam	mainly speculation; no tour dates scheduled and no planned tour for 2017
Joey Bada$$	playing Rolling Loud in May
Father John Misty	new album
Mutemath	Shaky Beats, Hangout
Pretty Lights	Okeechobee, Euphoria, Bunbury
Towkio	Hangout, Panorama
Slowdive	2017 tour
Pixies	2017 tour

Unlikely

Artist	Source
Frank Ocean	to headline multiple festivals in 2017 incl. Hangout and Sasquatch, however will be in Europe May-July, NorthSide Festival in Denmark June 9-11
Bastille	NorthSide Festival in Denmark June 9-11, Isle of Wight Festival in UK June 8-11
Jai Wolf	playing Electric Forest, but already played Firefly 2016
Vince Staples	Electric Forest, but already played Firefly 2016
Bon Iver	Justin Vernon hosts Eaux Claires June 16+17
Grouplove	tour dates end April 13 in the US, but already played Firefly 2016
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds	possible but not likely: gaps in US tour dates on June 15th and June 17th
Aphex Twin	playing Europe festivals late May / early June
Jagwar Ma	playing Roskilde June 24-July 1
Dead and Company	touring early 2017, gap in tour dates on June 16th, plausible but not likely
deadmau5	touring early 2017, just played Firefly 2016
Fleet Foxes	plans for 2017-18 world tour, no plans/not booked for June
Alt-J	multiple European festivals in June/July, inMusic Festival in Croatia June 20th, Hurricane/Southside in Germany June 23-25
Imagine Dragons	Hurricane/Southside in Germany June 23-25
Die Antwoord	TinderBox in Denmark June 22nd, Hurricane/Southside in Germany June 23-25
Martin Garrix	somewhat plausible but unlikely: in Norway June 7th, in Italy June 18th, in Denmark June 24th
Solange	in Europe for Primavera Sound and Roskilde
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis	in Europe early June
Rufus Du Sol	Gov Ball, but already played Firefly 2016
Saint Motel	Gov Ball, but already played Firefly 2016
Catfish & The Bottlemen	playing Shaky Knees, but already played Firefly 2016
The Killers	TinderBox in Denmark June 22nd
Gogol Bordello	TinderBox in Denmark June 22nd
Interpol	currently only have plans for Europe/UK tour starting August 2017
Big Gigantic	playing Sonic Bloom in Colorado June 15th; other festivals: Electric Forest, Bonnaroo
Claude VonStroke	playing Sonic Bloom in Colorado June 15-18
Haywyre	playing Sonic Bloom in Colorado June 15-18

Out

Artist	Source
Arcade Fire	European festivals June 17, 19
Coldplay	June-July tour in Europe
Radiohead	in Europe
Prophets of Rage	Europe tour (Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill)
Green Day	Europe tour
Flogging Molly	Europe
Kraftwerk	Europe
Daft Punk	not touring in 2017
Guns N' Roses	Europe
Bouncing Souls	Hellfest in France June 16-18
Neutral Milk Hotel	spring 2015: last tour for the foreseeable future
Frank Turner	London in May 12-15, Hurricane/Southside in Germany June 23-25
Linkin Park	Europe
Rancid	Europe
Foo Fighters	Secret Solstice in Iceland June 16, playing Rock The Beach in Finland June 19th
Knife Party	Europe
Liam Gallagher / Oasis	Europe
Tove Lo	BergenFest in Norway June 16th, Denmark June 22nd; playing Gov Ball, Bonnaroo
Passenger	BergenFest in Norway June 14-17
Cass McCombs	BergenFest in Norway June 14-17
Whitney	Europe during FF weekend (BergenFest)
Moderat	Europe
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard	Maifield Derby in Germany June 16-18; new album release Flying Microtonal Banana on Feb 24
American Football / Owen	Maifield Derby in Germany June 16-18
Dave Matthews Band	tour dates conflict with FF
The 1975	already played FF 2016, in Europe
Matt & Kim	confirmed not playing via Twitter DM
Justice	Sónar in Barcelona June 16-18, Roskilde June 24-July 1
Cashmere Cat	Sónar in Barcelona, Spain June 16-18, Roskilde June 24-July 1
Clams Casino	Sónar June 16-18
Jarreau Vandal	Sónar June 16-18
De La Soul	Sónar June 16-18
Caribou	Sónar June 16-18 (performing as Daphni), came up in Firefly survey
DJ Shadow	Sónar June 16-18
Little Dragon	Sónar June 16-18
Roosevelt	Sónar June 16-18; playing Gov Ball
Anderson .Paak	Sónar June 16-18
James Blake	in Italy June 16
The Kills	Rock The Beach in Finland June 19th
J. Cole	supposedly not touring in 2017

Social media clues/hints

Source	Info
Twitter: @LiveAtFirefly	A trait we all possess at times.

Other festival lineups for reference/cross-check/comparison

• If there is no link it means it hasn't been announced yet.

Festival	Location	Dates
Shaky Knees	Atlanta, GA	May 12-14
Hangout	Gulf Shores, AL	May 19-21
Rock on the Range	Columbus, OH	May 19-21
Sasquatch	George, WA	May 26-28
BottleRock	Napa Valley, CA	May 26-28
Boston Calling	Boston, MA	May 26-28
Primavera Sound	Barcelona, Spain	May 31-June 4
Bunbury	Cincinnati, OH	June 2-4
Governors Ball	NYC	June 2-4
Bonnaroo	Manchester, TN	June 8-11
Eaux Claires	Eau Claire, WI	June 16+17
Mountain Jam	Hunter, NY	June 16-18
Electric Forest	Rothbury, MI	June 22-25, June 29-July 2
Solid Sound	North Adams, MA	June 23-25
Forecastle	Louisville, KY	July 14-17

Hi guys, im a 20 year old from Columbus, Ohio and I’ve loved poker my whole life. I watch a lot of tournaments and every year around the time of the WSOP, I get really upset because I can’t really play anywhere. There aren’t any home games that I can find/that I’m aware of around me. I’m still just too young to play at casinos, and what I’m left with is free online poker. This isn’t the best place to play poker, so I wasn’t sure if anyone else had thoughts on where I could play? Is there a good way to find any home games in my area like an app? Has anyone been in this situation, and what did you end up doing about it?
I would really love to start playing more and developed my game but it’s difficult given my situation. Any help is appreciated:D
Edit: I have played at a home game in my neighborhood in the past, but it ultimately was ended as one of the hosts got very sick. While I didn’t elude to it I have some live experience

Never took poker for more than semi-serious, until about the last 3 weeks. 29 and mainly focused on my work. I’ve been putting in hours at my local casino (Hollywood Columbus) the last couple weeks as I want to improve my game.
In the past I’d go to the casino once every 2 months or so. Or I’d put $100 online and play some cash/tournaments. I’d have days where I made $400 at 1/2 or cashed out a few hundred online, but also plenty of times where I lost $200 and chalked it up.
I took a big “L” today and lost $500 (2 buy ins). It sucked as I know I bluffed in a few bad spots and also folded when I think a call was warranted in my position. I felt defeated.
It took a few hours but just realized that’s it’s fine. I’m still learning, trying out different things and working to stay focused. I’m only down -$280 over the last like 40 hours, which is nothing! I laugh at myself now. I know I’ll go through times where I’ll be down 15+ buy ins probably.
It would be nice to always have a positive outlook and a learning attitude. When some of you guys got started, what helped you stay positive through the learning curve?

I am not good at writing even though I am an American.... Bear with me.
How to start this? I will make this short as possible. Still it is a story of the abuse I went through. So grab a snack or a drink if you want to read this. Its long. Real long.
My father, mother and I never got along. I was the black sheep when it came to the family mentality. I was a rebel. An outsider. My father would think beating me would set me right but, really it didn't. This began in New York City when I lived around Avenue K.
My first time remembering his abusive ways was when I was a little kid, going to school (P.S 115.) I cried that I did not want to leave on my first day... This embarrassed my parents, so when I got home my father tied me up (Hands and feet), and placed a chair before me. He broke a broom in half. Not the aluminum ones. This is the end of the 80s and the start of the 90s when brooms sticks where still made of heavy wood. He would raise my tied up legs so I was in a L pose with my back on the floor. He sat in the chair and my legs are now between his legs. He used the stick to hit the soles of my feet, as hard as he can. I do not remember what happen after.
Also we had this dirty furnace room. It was tiny with a water heater and other things. I think a air central conditioning unit. He would throw me in there when I do something bad and the furnace would make sounds that I did not like. My father said there is a monster in there lurking and he hoped it eats me. This traumatized me as a kid.
I also remember him holding my head. He is a pretty big guy. His hand did wrap around half my head. He picked me up and smashed my cranium through the dry wall.
Another punishment he does that is a slightly passive was this. Imagine you are made to face a wall. You put your hands high over your head touching the wall and made to stand on one leg... for hours.
Last thing I remembered before we moved to another area was that my father took the same broom stick and beat me like a pinata on my right hip. There was massive bruising there. I was limping. My teacher noticed and suspected abuse when I showed it to her. I lied though. My father made me lie.
Then we moved to Sheepshead Bay. I kind of liked it there. On weekends my mom and I go out. She will check out the fish market, where fishermen sell their catches. However, the abused of course continued. My father slapped me around for playing with a worm. I was 10 at the time and I know now it is normal for boys around my age to play with creepy crawly things. When my father slapped it was not the ones that make your face turn. No. He does it as hard as he can knocking me to the floor.
I misbehaved at school again, and my father woke me up at 1 in the morning. This was my first time being awake this late at night. He asked "You know what time it is?" And I remember shaking my head. He replies. "Its 1 in the morning." and I was confused. As a kid I thought night meant darkness and morning means when the sun rises. I remembering replying. "Its not morning. Its still night." I am not sure what what said after that but I do remember my father made me do the hands up and stand on one leg on the wall thing for the rest of the morning until the sun rose. I was tired as a overworked mule when I went to school.
There were fights between my mother and my father. Sometimes the fights got so bad, he spends the night at a friend's place leaving my mother in tears. Sometimes he got physical. Rewind to when I was a child, before I went to school. I remember I saw my first fight between them. I had to be maybe 3 or 4 years old. My mother took scissors out to defend herself and I can tell now my father is holding her back from stabbing him. It was brutal. I was hiding in the shadows, the far side of the living room watching. I did not understand what was happening that time.
When the fight was over my father took her to the bed room and locked the door. I came out of hiding, and saw drops of blood for the first time. It was on the floor. I did not know what it was. I remember thinking it has to be rubies. Like the jewel on one my mother's rings I like to look at when she held me. She wears three rings. I touched it and it was water, and I thought to myself "Water rubies?"
Now fast forward back to me being 10. I was tied up a lot, beaten, punished for the slightest misbehavior. Children around my age love to explore things and touch. My father hated that. When I would go shopping with them I would touch things, to see how they worked. I had a knack for touching things, looking, exploring with my hands. Taking apart my toys and see the inner workings and understand how it worked. It was my way to explore the world. I understood engines and car maintenance at such a young age. My father would take me to the junk yards a lot to look for car parts. As he is busy I would mess around with things. My hands covered in rust and grease.
If I was caught touching things in stores, when I got home I got a beating. Another way, he would make me hold out my hands, palms up. Then use a spatula. He would hold the flat end and hit my hands as hard as he can with the handle end.
I had a hard time focusing, cause of ADHD. My father would give me assignments during summer vacation. Such assignments are like, memorize the capital cities of each country. Where each country is at in the world. Multiplication, division. Making me write everything in a book he highlighted and it was a lot. It was hard. I just couldn't focus. He beat me if I didn't get it done or properly memorized. He will not stop until I was broken in spirit and refuse to get up.
One time he spat in my face for not getting a chapter in a book written down on paper. The mucus was all over my face. When I went back to school new school year, math was getting harder. Words and literature was becoming advance. Cause of this I could not focus. I was placed in special ed for this reason. I was bullied a lot too.
I wanted to be normal. I wanted to be like the other kids. Have a normal life. I even begged my parents to put me on medication to help me... but they refused. Because of the abuse, and how empty I felt, and realizing I wasn't a normal kid at the age 11, I wanted to commit suicide. Some serious people got into this and I had to attend therapy and special classes to deal with this for awhile.
Also my father is a Muslim, and around this time forced me to memorized things in the Quran. He'd tortured me, like placing a pencil between fingers and squeeze down on my hand. I can feel the finger bones around the pencil bending causing a great surge of pain. He'd do this if I get one thing wrong. What is worse, I did not speak Arabic. So to me, I had to memorize gibberish.
Age 12, we moved from New York City to Columbus, Ohio. There is a strong Islamic presence there and my father wanted to be around that. Shortly after the move, my mother who is a Chinese Buddhist converted to Islam. My father got her tapes that talked about the Quran in Chinese, so she can understand.
I was failing at 5th grade, and I did my best, but it wasn't enough for my father ofc. I would hide my report cards and lied to them I lost it. I did not want to show him my failing grades. When he found them, oh I was in for a world of pain. He told my mother to get out of the apartment. She protested but demanded her and she relented. I forgot to mention my sister, she was 4-5 around that time. So my mother took her too with her.
My father went to town on me. Tied me up with rope and tape. Gagged my mouth so I could not yell and started wailing at me with fists. He even picked me up and threw me across the living room a couple of times. Cause my legs and hands are bound, I was like dice getting tossed at a casino. I landed whatever side was facing the ground. He knocked my bottom left canine tooth out.
Thankfully that was a baby tooth. A new one replaced it, and its longer than the others. A reminder where the tooth had broke.
Another time I am not sure what I did, but I remember him tying me up and placing a knife to my throat. Threatening me to slaughter me like a lamb. He has put a knife to my throat so many times. Even now as a adult if my neck and throat is touched by someone, I wig out. I go from 0 to angry and scared when touched there.
Still I got into trouble. Still I was a trouble maker.
Age 15, my parents moved to Florida. In New Port Richie my uncle convinced my father and mother to moved there. Also the Islamic presence there is strong too. So it convinced my parents to move and try to make it work there.
The beatings have almost stopped. Like literally almost stopped. My father worked long hours and only saw him at dinner before I did homework and went to bed. The first time I was able to focus in school better. I was much more well behaved. My self esteem shot through the roof. I made friends. The hot weather, I enjoyed it! My uncle took me almost every weekend fishing. He would even get me rental videos for VHS to watch. ((One video was a anime that show tits. Oh god my parents would have flipped if they saw that))
I was a happy teenager! The higher taxes there made my mother work too. Both my parents are too busy working. I was okay with this as I barely had to spend time with them when I got a loving uncle. I got to spend time with my friends. The only trouble I would get into was messing with fire ant hills as I love pissing those things off. I had awesome teachers at, Seven Springs Middle School. My grades shot up, as well as my mental and physical health was getting better and better. I was tan and lean and was a handsome young man. Everything was looking good for me.
However, it was not to last. We did not stay even for a year. Because how my parents had to work like dogs, they decided to move back to miserable Columbus Ohio. My uncle gave my parents a massive roll of paper to use as packaging for the frail items like dishes and vases. This thing was heavy. I brought this up as this is important later.
In the middle of cold autumn too. The sudden climate change screwed my body up. I got the chicken pox again. So literally I got the chicken pox twice! Once when I was a kid and then as a teenager.
Cause of the school I had to go to, it was in the ghetto. I was bullied a lot. My father is less busy so the beatings came back. I was very miserable. Suicidal. Reckless. What even crazier, my father was a trucker. How he supported the family since I was 11. He take me in the truck on weekends and lecture me and beat the crap out of me while I seated in the passenger seat.
Then this day I will never forget. It's the day that changed me forever and I know it. Big story short, the day I got in trouble for climbing the open cafeteria windows to flirt with some girls eating lunch. When my father got home and heard the news... He loses it. Remember that big roll of paper? Well he took that and threw it on my head. I had to be rushed to the E.R and get 13 stitches. So much blood. I was concussed. Confused.
My mother begged me to lie. So I did to the doctor saying a large china dish fell on my head as I was horsing around.
​
The beatings and punishment got worse and worse. My father would make me stand in the middle of the living room all night some days. If I fell asleep on the floor, he'd kick me on the sides like a dog. He prohibited me from moving that sometimes I would be asleep on the floor and I accidentally urinated on my myself. So I had to run to the bathroom to pee out the rest before I made a mess. I would then go back to standing in the middle of the living room in the dark until my body and mind is too tired.
I couldn't take it anymore. I was cutting myself. Shop lifting. Stealing bikes. Causing trouble for the neighbors. Smoking. I was venting my frustration, my anger, and my sadness out by doing crimes. When I steal, I did not steal cheap stuff. I stole gameboys and games. I stole from stores, friends and so on. Each time I did it, I got better at it. I felt hollow inside once again and doing these things made me felt alive. I bury my head in games I stole to drown the world out. Make me forget my problems. My mental problems decline real fast too. I was spiraling out of control.
I was bullied a lot at school, so as petty revenge some of the bullies played football. I would pretend to go home. Once most the students left I would return in different attire I had in my backpack. I would sneak into their locker rooms while they are at practice and my fingers got real sticky for their money. Most did not use locks on their lockers and I did this a handful of times. Cause of this, people wonder who the thief was and no one suspected it was me.
I started to run away from home too. The frequency picked up on the runaways. If I had $100 for every time I runaway from home, I could afford a house or a super car by the time I was 18. I was caught a lot by police and they would send me though different children services. One place I visited more times I care to count was called the, Huckleberry House. A short term living place for troubled children and teens. It was like a short stop so children services can figure out what to do with the children.
Another time I was caught I was sent into a mental ward for kids and teens. Where I was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar. The medication help... but just barely.
Then I did the biggest crimes in my life.... I wanted to go back to Florida. I wanted to feel safe and free again. I needed money though. So, one morning I skipped school, and went to a supermarket. I set fire in the car isle where I know all the flammable stuff was... My goal was to rob the registers as people left the store for safety, and use the money to get to Florida.
I was caught.... Police took me home with a court date and everything as there was no substantial proof I did it. They had to look at evidence and footage. My father was at work, and he threaten to kill me as soon as he got home. I tried running away again but my mother blocked the door. I never touched my mother, but in desperation I had to. I pulled and dragged her from the door and ran out.
I was lost and confused and very scared for my life. Night settled, I was still determined to get to Florida. That is all on my mind. Get to Florida and be safe. I felt like I died inside. So night came, and I broke into a small collectibles store. Broke the door window with a log i found, I got in and took the register and got out quick. It was locked, so I took it to a feild and tossed it around and banged it with rocks till it opened. Nothing but change, but I took every penny, nickle, dime and quarter. Then I walked for an hour, and I went to Meijers when they started having those coin counters. I manage to get over 200 dollars. I tried shop lifting for supplies I needed on my trip but was caught.
I was sent to Juvenile jail in the Franklin County District in Columbus. I was let out a few weeks later, given probation for a year with some community service. It was to school, work and back home. Still, I did things if I knew I can get away with it, to feel alive. Stealing. Smoking. That kind of stuff. My father got more violent with me and tried to drill Islam into my head even harder. He thinks that it should help me with my problems. Beatings and abuse still continued and I was powerless.
Then the neighbors kids started to bully me. Beating me up and so on. On the last two weeks of my probation.... I made a Molotov cocktail. I was planning to threaten the bullies with it if they do not leave me alone. Well... they ran away to a cop that was rolling down the streets. Yep... busted. So I was given another year of probation and this time with an ankle monitor. Because I was still causing trouble in school, and I was bullied and I am violating my probation time to time, my lawyer stepped in. I was about to go to Juvenile detention once again, instead she manage to get me into a place called the, Buckeye Ranch.
A place for trouble kids to stay long term to see professionals for help and therapy. First day there, they cut the ankle monitor off. I stayed for about a year. There I learned to improve on my social skills and other things. I was taking my medication and making some strides. My behavior was improving. Because of the lack of abuse, I was happier. Not as happy as in Florida but never the less I felt safe and secure. I still caused trouble but, the stealing has stopped and I stopped smoking. I learn to grow plants, and take care of horses, and how to find a career.
I let out my feelings a lot more. A lot of pent up rage and sadness was in me. Later, time to time I get to visit home on the weekends before I had to return.
When I return I was 17, and my parents bought a house during my stay at the Buckeye Ranch. They promise not to hurt me anymore and things will be better. Boy was that a big lie.
Again the beatings did return and my father had to use more force as I was a bigger guy by then. Also, I drew a lot. And in Islam, drawing people and animals is prohibited. My father would find my drawings and burn them in front of me. So much art I had was lost. So, I kept them hidden. In my room's vent. The vent grill was coming out the floor and was not bolted down. Do I hid my drawings... and some naughty material in there..... What? I was a young man still going through puberty! Sue me!
My father had no idea. He would raid my room invading my private area randomly to search for things but never he looked in the vent. Then I would keep my drawings in a binder, in plastic sheets to protect them. I almost always leave that binder in my school locker.
The house was in Hilliard, Ohio and I went to Darby High School. I realize I was also bisexual around this time. I met my first guy crush there and he liked me back. He given me a necklace of a arrow head and a wolf to show his fodness for me.. My father found this necklace and thought it was offensive to Islam and took it away from me. He later admitted he took it with him on his long haul drives in his truck and threw it out the window somewhere in Indiana. I was devastated. It pissed me off to no end. Another chip on my shoulder I will never forgive him for.
I wanted to learn how to break dance, and I joined a club for that. My father did not approve and wanted me home on time. I defied his orders staying late at school to do activities. I wanted to do something with my life and in a more productive fashion! My stealing days was long behind me. Oh this did not set well with him.
Surprisingly, the day I came out the closet he did not do anything to me. I think the shock was too much for my father to do anything. Instead he tried to talk to me about it. It felt awkward. Strange. To be honest. I was expecting to be buried alive. That was short lived as my father would call me a faggot and other demeaning names cause of my sexuality.
I was a couple of months from my 18th birthday, and on this day was another event that turned me differently. I was practicing break dancing at school with my brothers (close friends at this point) and I called my mother to pick me up as usual. However my father was home early and she said he is coming to pick me up. I did not want to deal with my father because I know he will never approve of me staying after school and lecture me and smack me around. Instead I decided to walk home.
When I got home I wanted to just go upstairs and be in my room. No as soon the door closes my father attacked me. He punched me to the floor and dragged me across the hallway into the living room by my hair. He started to wail at me with his fists. He beat me until he was out of breath. He sent me upstairs, no dinner and after crying for a good hour, I slept it off. Next morning I ran away from home.
Another friend heard the news and told me he knows a family I can stay with a little bit until I turn 18. I took the chance. And for privacy I will say the husband is J and the mother is K. They had three children. Two twins and a young baby that was approaching toddler hood. They had a older daughter near my age we will name her R, who I thought was nice but was a bitch to me.
I took care of the young kids as payment for my stay. Fed them. Babysit. Put them to bed. I had to be careful though as they had a head lice problem and I was letting my hair grow out. I would comb and take care of my hair and check for any signs of lice in my hair. I did get infected with head lice only once and because I caught it early I was able to treat it right away. I was that careful. J kept his hair short as possible, so he can spend time with his girls without worry. The day when I turned 18.... I was free from abuse....
Oh I was so wrong on so many levels.
Living with J and K for awhile... about 6-8 months. I found a guy I liked online that lived in Dayton, Ohio. I went to go live with him and he WAS AN A$$HOLE!... The f%$#er forced sex on me a lot! Even when I was sick as a dog with the flu, he forced me! What is worse... he got another guy and tried to have a three way. This new challenger was even a bigger asshole... but you know what they say about guys with small dicks beings an asshole? It is very true with this new guy. My thumb is bigger than his "you know what!"
One day I had enough. Boyfriend tried to force his way on me, and tried hitting me. I upper cut him in the solar plexus and told him "No!" which made him cry like a little girl as he heaves in pain. Then I dumped him there. When he realize I wasn't going anywhere and I will fight back, he moved out. Leaving me with small dingle dong man.
Also the Landlord was gay with a boyfriend and they were Zoophiles. I walked in one day on him and his boyfriend having sex with a dog! It's. Still. Burned. Into. My. Brain. To. This. Day. God. Help. Me.
Also it was hard for me to land a job too. So I helped by looking after their dog and some other chores. Whatever... I needed a roof. One day the dog got loose when I went outside to do some yard work to earn my keep. The landlord came home and got furious. He started beating me up on the porch for everyone to see! Which later got him arrested.
His boyfriend got arrested too for harassing the police.
His mother later came to kick me out. A friend was helping me pack my things. We told her what her son (the landlord) has been doing with animals and she refused to believe it. Oh well...
I had a friend's mother come pick me up and take me back to Columbus, Ohio where I again lived with my parents. My father was sorry for everything and bought me new clothes and a cell phone. Because Social Media was becoming a thing around this time I had a lot of online friends. Two weeks living with my parents I was stupid to post my new number online and day and night I got texts. So 4 am I woke up to text chimes and I get up to go online to make a post to my friends not to text me on such and such hours.
Then my dad walked in. I am on a computer.... 4 am.... doing nothing wrong.... Yet he lost it. He went from 0 to psycho very fast. He grabs the keyboard and pulls it away from me so hard the cable snapped before my eyes. Time seem to slow down for me there as I witness this keyboard cord just snaps in front of me.
Then we had a shouting match. I realize... "He is not trying to hit me. Oh yeah! I am 18!" So I decided to shout back and we got into our first shouting match. He told me to get the F&@% out and never come back or else he'll call the police. I packed up my things and left him, calling him all sorts of obscenities. It felt gooooood. I was in tears but it felt good at the same time.
I stayed with a friend, until I manage to get a hold of some people I can stay with in Saint Louis, Missouri. They took me in, and lets just say.... their house.... should have been condemned as unlivable by the city ages ago. I am not joking. The basement floods, the house is falling apart. Bugs everywhere. Oh and they let a crazy cat lady live with them with dozens of cats and they were infested with fleas!
Summer is approaching and I am close to the age of 19. Then I met this man who later becomes the love of my life I am still with today. We dated and he shown me kindness and love. Honestly I wasn't use to this. I thought he was trying to butter me up and let my guard down. Sometimes in my head I am like "Okay what does he really want? There has to be something. This is not normal for this to happen to me." But, trust came slowly and I learned to love.
As for the situation I was in that time. I had a minimum paying job that barely covered my part of rent. I was behind. I need new shoes badly as I did not have a car or a bike. So everywhere I go was with my own two feet. When I bought new shoes and my own watch for the first time I earned with my money, she flipping lost it. I tried showing her my old shoes are falling apart. I had them for about 2 years give or take. No she wasn't having any of that. She kicked me out.
Around this time I was having a infection grow under my right armpit. It was getting bigger and bigger each day and turning all sorts of shades of red, blue and purple.
Also funny enough, the house I was kicked out of was condemned by the city three months later and everyone in that place had to move out.
After I got kicked out. My boyfriend got me to stay with a friend who was cool. He was out in Saint Charles, Missouri. Few months later we got our own home. We live together and happily.
However, my father would not let go of me in his clutches. My siblings would find me on social media and beg me to talk to him. I would cave and call and my father would try to guilt trip me into coming home. I would reject his offer and again would go from 0 to psycho that we have a shouting match over the phone. This would happen every two to three months as I tried my best to avoid talking to my family. Each time we talk, he would beckon me to come home and make many promises. When I reject he would mentally and verbally abuse me.
Age 24, my father really hit me in the heart. We got into another fight when I refuse to come home when I am already home with a man I love and treats me well. He knows I like guys and he used that against me with homophobic talk. Calling me all sorts of homophobic names. He finished it off with "I HOPE YOU GET AIDS AND DIE!"
Next two days it really impacted me. I felt shattered. This would go on and on. I would talk to him trying to set boundaries but he kept crossing them.
Also age 24 I got my first car. Even my father was critical, and verbally abusive. He told me I should have given him the money and he will find me a nice car. Now at this point in my life I knew something was amidst. He could have put the car under his name with mine and used it against me to come home. Nope. Not falling for it.
Also I denounced being a Muslim as I want to follow my own path in spirituality. My father and mother do not know this. I know they will both flip out. I tend to keep them in the dark about this.
Age 27, totaled said car in very bad and wet conditions. Got good insurance money out of it, and put it as a down payment for a Nissan 350Z. Again my father became critical saying I am too stupid to drive something that has so much horse power. Still have the Z to this day.
Also I was not being treated for my depression, and over the years I had no clue I was a ticking time bomb...
About 3 years ago, I had a mental break down. My depression got suddenly worse. Depression can not only make one suicidal but also homicidal too. That is what happen to me. I was terrified as I felt extremely suicidal and homicidal. It was not for attention. I felt it like the way I was starving for food or thirsty for water. I wanted to. The urges were powerful. I realize something is very wrong with me. I ask my spouse to hide my handgun. He did at his company he owned. Locked and hidden.
Also his company is protected by fencing and cameras and alarms. So I know there is no way I can find them in case I become more of a basket case.
​
I thought it was a phase and I tried to wade it out for 4 days. When I realize I wasn't going to win, I turn myself into the E.R and got into a mental ward. I felt shattered, broken, as if my true kind self is going to fade into the abyss forever.
The next 7 days they concluded I suffered PTSD, major depression and possibly boarderline personality disorder from my past of being abused badly. I was evaluated by 4 psychiatrist. A leader and three students. You know its bad when a psychiatrist (The leader) says "Because of your past Mr. *******, its not surprising you feel homicidal." I was taken back by this. Took me a moment to accept that... yeah it is possible I was feeling this way because of all the harsh abuse I've been through.
Also it did not help I turned myself in at the start of OCTOBER and people were watching HORROR FILMS with blood and people stabbing other people at that ward.
After I got out, I started to see a psychiatrist and take therapy for my BPD. I am taking a a pill to help with my symptoms and I am back to normal... mostly. Still get the urges to maim someone or jump off a building but its very much controllable.
Then my father called, and we get into yet another fight... I had it with him trying to guilt trip me home. When he got angry that I refuse to come home I stopped him. "I know why you are pissed I wouldn't come home! I left you like your father did!" And hung up the phone.
I mean it is true. His father bailed out on him shortly after he was born.
And here is the crazy part. Someone pinch me to make sure I am not dreaming. After that when we talked, he started to respect my boundaries and became more understanding. We do not fight any longer. I told him what I told you reader about my mental breakdown and he feels fully responsible for it. He even brought up Florida. He mentioned he noticed my sister and I were very happy to be there. We were healthier and flourishing. He mention regretting moving from there.
Reader, to me this is very strange. I am not sure if its old age or something with my old man. I am 32 and going to be 33 this summer. There is a little peace and a hint of solace in knowing my father realizes the damage he has done to me. Still, somethings he did I can never forgive him for. I know I given him WAY more chances he deserves. I still do not trust him at all, and I am keeping very cautious. I do however have slight optimism that he maybe changing just a little for the better.
Ah reader, my journey has been hell, but I am happy. Still with the man I fell in love with when I was 19. I have my own car, and trying to open my own small business thanks to the enormous help from my spouse.
To be honest, I want to cut all connections to my father. I want nothing to do with him anymore. Reader, what do you think about all this?

“Mini” BlackJack Diary - WARNING, VERY LENGTHY NOVEL
Hello guys, me and my family took a round trip tour throughout the United States - with California being our destination.
I live in Ohio and we dropped by Vegas for only 2 days. Just a little story about my profit and losses and where I played.
The hotel we stayed at was Harrah’s (AMAZING place for a little vacay stay btw but AWFUL for blackjack because of the crud rules.)
I had learned BJ with friends a few years prior to this trip because of poker, but never played seriously or practiced before this.
I had only studied a couple of days before this trip because I have a horrible habit of doing things last minute.
I am a Computer science major and study astrophysics for fun, so naturally I am able to crunch numbers without much effort.
My studies were all done within a 4 DAY SPAN. My actual play was done on days 3 AND 4.
I start out with a $200 bankroll for cushion, and only play with $20 buy-ins at a time to pull away when I need to.
DAY 1 —
2 Days prior to hitting Vegas, I knew virtually NOTHING about Blackjack and had taken it upon myself to learn basic strategy.
I had already KNEW how to count with the Hi-Lo system because - as I mentioned - I counted while playing poker FOR FUN at the same time as reading hands. Which I know, counting in poker is useless, but might as well kill two birds with one stone.
I learned basic strategy within this first day using android BJ practice apps, and solidified my memory with lots of water and good sleep.
This was 7+ hours of practice, as I was stuck in the car for the drive there.
DAY 2 —
I decided to squeeze as much info out of this as I could, so I learned the Wong Halves system on this day.
I also searched online hardcore for the best places to play with the BEST rules. Unfortunately, this was useless because we ended up staying at HARRAH’s (known for its shit rules).
For the Wong Halves, this was another 7+ HOURS of brutal brain numbing practice with 10 minute breaks in between each hour.
This system was very difficult to learn due to the halves system, but provides a bit of a more an accurate count. It was tough building the neurons for this new method, as I was already used to the Hi-Lo system.
But nonetheless, I was able to blitz an entire deck in just under 30 seconds.
DAY 3 —
So this was it.
We finally arrived around 4pm and checked in with our luggage and took everything upstairs.
As my parents were checking-in, I scanned the entire bottom casino perimeter to get a good look at my prey and what tables to go for. You could almost get lost looking for the restroom, I’d say - I’m sure they designed the place to have a devils grip on your mind.
The first tables in the party pit were intimidating with $15 - $25 minimums! - I was anticipating $5min, as being a broke college student, I know that variance can devour my entire bankroll.
As I was watching, I could BARELY keep count of the cards flying out from the dealers hand.
Already I was sweating. But knowing the cards were being hand-shuffled here, I was a bit relieved.
I decided to turn away and head to the empty back portion of the LINQ hotel, (basically connected to Harrahs), in hopes of finding a table with $5 min.
Luckily I did! But with an ASM and cruddy rules?? :(
I was screwed at that point, with no real hopes of winning. I decided to go for it and use basic strategy and practice counting while I was there.
I failed MISERABLY, and could BARELY keep track of half the cards that were coming out. My first $20 basically flew out of my hands.
With the night closing in for us, nearing almost 6pm, my family decided that it was time to leave and head out to eat.
DAY 3 — 6:30pm, MAIN ST. Garden Court Buffet
SORELY deceived and mislead, I had already dropped my hopes of having any edge against the house. “How could I be defeated so easily? I get that it was only $20 to start out, but have the rules around here really run to shit?”
After dinner, while my family is finishing eating, I decide to depressingly look around for tables.....
There it is....the fucking holy grail of BlackJack tables. BJ pays 3:2, and dealer hits on S17, with only 2 decks.
I almost cry with joy.
As any good player, I decide to sit back and watch the other players first and how they play.
2 older guys sitting next to each other, one stacking, one not.
The one stacking is generating heat, as passerby’s seem to notice the chips building high. The pit boss notices as well and eyes him the entire time he’s there. I had a feeling he was counting as he was spreading his bets on 4+ count, and I think he was also using a progression system. Who knows. The guy leaves.
I jump in, and am the only one at the table.
I whip out $20, unfamiliar with the game, the dealer is adjusting my mistakes every 20 seconds as I unnecessarily flip the cards over when I’m not supposed to and touch them when I’m not supposed to.
This immediately turns me off from counting.
So I turn to basic strategy and win the first few hands. I struggle through the variance and run this all the way up to $120 within the first 20 minutes!!
My family finishes dinner and comes to get me.
If it weren’t for those meddling kids, I’m sure I’d be up more! - Only kidding. I would have tilted and lost it all like the first time at LINQS, had it not been for their intervention :)
I was happy the entire night, with my bank roll starting out with $200, losing a $20 buy-in at first and then returning that with $120, I was invincible!!! Only $80 profit in total :(
I did not know how to cut my losses.
I wanted more.
11PM, THE VENETIAN - NEW BLACKJACK $5min COLOSSEUM FORMAT
That same night I decided to explore The Venetian. They had a new colosseum style blackjack game with the same crap rules.
I sit down with my $20 buy-in and go to town. It’s quite a long grind, as I ran it up to $60 in 20 minutes.
The free drinks start coming in. And a new guy sits next to me. He is also a Computer science major.
We talk for awhile, have a couple drinks and smokes (I normally don’t smoke cigs, only mary) and we both run up to $140 after about an hour and a half of playing total.
Lady Luck was on my side that night.
I am up a total of $260 in one day. Not bad for $20 buy-in. I decide to call it a night.
DAY 4 — LAST DAY AT HARRAH’S
It was night time at Harrah’s and we had arrived after walking down the Vegas strip and visiting the different casinos.
Mind you this was on July 4th so before arriving to the party pit tables my family was anticipating fireworks to be displayed on the strip that night (it was actually displayed 2 days before July 4th?? Bleh, whatever.)
So me and my mother decide to sit down at the $10 minimum tables - and thank god Harrahs even had a few 10$ min - after she had lost roughly $60 at the 3 card poker table.
I pull out $20 for a buy-in (I know, I know, awful idea but I do it anyways.
I get so freaking lucky and win the first couple of hands, I run it all the way to $220 in 40 minutes! All the while helping my mother gain back her profit as well.
I begin to lose 4 consecutive hands and decided to cut my losses at $170!!
I cash out with a total profit $430 added to my bankroll ($610 total!) and for the rest of the trip, I am a happy, happy boy. 22 and broke never felt so good.
I am actually quite afraid to play again, as there are no good tables in Columbus, Ohio. But am eager to study more.
If you guys have any tips or advice, please let me know.
That’s my story, thank you guys for reading.
As always, happy hunting!