SURF PHISHIN'
08.13.2021 That it's the ocean flowing in our veins*
Hey Now! Welcome back my friends! Ah yes, the show that never ends. When I planned it, I had forgotten all about Phish playing those particular 3 nights on the beach. Not that I'm interested in attending any super spreader events this weekend. The last time I saw Phish was in Vegas for Halloween 2018. The stage is set up next to The Pier Shops. Facing north which is my direction. I should have no problem hearing the shows at least. Should be interesting. I'm traveling solo this time. Except for Stretch of course. Before I left I stopped by Totally Wine and stocked up on Penn's Best NA. Already a deal at 2.99 per six pack. A coupon emerged at checkout.
So I bought another 6 for 99¢
Same thing happened again. So I bought another. I could have done this all day long. But I didn't really need any more.
plenty o' suds
Our Foxy the Rav4 fairly flew thru the darkness around the CBBT and up the Eastern Shore. I breezed into the Ferry queue about half an hour before departure. We boarded early. I need to take care of a bit of business. I usually call the front desk the day before I arrive to talk to one of the Polish Spinster Sisters and make sure that my room is ready early. I forgot to call at work yesterday. So I called and asked to speak to Maggie. Maggie didn't answer- it was her sister Renata. Renata said " You aren't coming this weekend." Yes I am Renata. I'm on the ferry. "Hold on please, I need to check"......... And the line went dead. I called back and got the other sister, Maggie. Maggie said "We are completely sold out. I don't see a reservation from Stephanie in your name. I am going to try to get a hold of her. You do the same. I'll call back if I hear anything." Yikes! I called and left a message for Stephanie. Then I texted her.
Crisis narrowly averted
I Called Maggie back and she said "You are all set. Drive with care." I did and boom- we are there. Maggie was awaiting me and Said she did the best she could on my room. 3804. 8th floor. Not as high as I would have liked, but at least facing south.
Frilling Atlantic Palace is completely blocking my view of the stage.
Oh well. At least I got a room early. Considering they are completely booked up the next 2 nights, the 8th floor will be easier for ingress and egress. Parakas the room attendant greets me and asks if I require anything. Maybe some towels and more bottled water. I tipped him and asked him to keep an eye on the place. Turns out that all weekend he was hanging out in the hallway. Nice touch. I make a run to Foxy which ends up taking a while on account of there's only 2 elevators in the self-park. There's a queue. I do spot some Phish Phans milling around. They are pretty easy to spot. Clean cut white guys wearing drab t-shirts with witty sayings driving late model Audis. Much more upscale than Dead heads or WSMFP fans. I finally made it back to the room and stocked up the fridge.
It's 97° by 12:45 p.m.
Then I called Sweet Ti to give her the low down. She tells me it's time to gambol. 2x tier points and 3x comps today. Mark graced me with a copy of his card to use up his cashback money. Not his daily free play. I will go ahead and put a couple of points on his card too. Don't want to mess up his ADT.
Nuttin' Honey
I used up his cashback along with my 90. FSP for today. Things went downhill from there...
Famiglias to the rescue
I went upstairs to eat and was treated to the soundcheck for tonight's show. Depending on the wind, I should have no problem hearing them play from my room. I'm wearing my mask at all times even though I'm fully vaxxed and they are optional. Not worth the risk. Looks like maybe 25% of the gamblers are following suit. And don't even get me started on the smoking. Sheesh! They had finally pretty much gotten rid of the smell.
my kinda sign.
Time to Heat 'em Up Jim!!!
living up to it's name. +250.
I'm feeling some Crack Whore DSTP. Only problem is that I'm seeing this here screen as I sit down.
I hit the Service button.
While I'm waiting, an actual CW walks by. Damn. I order my usual. The slot lady stops by and takes one look at that screen and shakes her head. "That's past my perview." Thanks anyway Sug. I played a bit of Super Triple Play .50 DDB @ 9. a spin. Ouch!
RB & NA for RB
Whilst I enjoy my beverages, I watch the parade. I'm next to the main drag from the selfish park and the boardwalk. So there's lots of beachgoers along with plenty of Phisheous Pholks. The weed smell is powerful even through my mask. Aloft time.
I glass what I can of the Phestival grounds. There's a pretty good crowd there already. They even have their own lifeguards. I heard that the band coughed up the funds for them. Good. The rest of the beaches are open to the public as usual and man, they are packed. The ocean is harboring a platoon of police watercraft. The skies are alive with helicopters and toted signs for pre-show shows and late night after-show shows. Lots of interest online for Lettuce playing at the Hard Rock.. Personally, Imma be crashed. Hopefully the wind will be from the northeast. Enough voyeurism for now.
You can tell by the lack of patronage that this craps table isn't exactly herding them in. Even with a 5. minimum as opposed to the 15. minimum at the regular tables. They are packed. All in the name of reducing labor overhead. Same thing with these.
again, people are not feeling it.
Hollyrock Adventures.
As a matter of fact, while I was playing in Hollyrock Hills, there were these 2 dudes in the upstairs section. Let's call them today's locals. One of them was playing in the upstairs area. The big time high roller machines are there. He hit on a 25. denom Top Dollar machine. While he was waiting to be paid, he started playing another machine. Meanwhile, I needed to take a leak so I bopped over to the head. In walks the jackpot winner's friend. I nod and congratulate him on his friend's luck. I ask if he has been lucky too. "No, but that's cool. Tonight while he's asleep I'm gonna steal his wallet." Alrighty then. I drifted a bit after that. Let's try some W4 action. Jimmy????
not many buffalo chips
eked out a small profit
Which is more than I can say for the rest of the day. I'm toast and retire upstairs for the evening. The kiosk tells me I earned 26 points today. I'm pretty sure that's times 2 on account of today's multiplier. No one knows for sure. Crashed listening to "Sand".
Here's someone else's take on the show opener. Nevaklass?
08.14.2021 And the shadow glides below*
Hey Now! 4 a.m. Wakey wakey. Time to take advantage of the waning hours of the 2x/3x offer before it expires at 5:59 a.m. Insert.
Can't beat old school
Next up is a brand new to me iteration. Buffalo Gold Revolution. This version is .01 denom/4.50 maxi bet. Here's the rules and such.
Let's see how we faired on this 'un there Jim>>>>>>>>>>>
I do kinda like the way random symbols turn into Buffalos. Too bad the bonuses were so puny. I can see potential though....
The name is Rain, James Rain. Right Moneypenny?
key word being penny
5:59 traffic report
This morning is going very well so far. The best thing about playing around dawn is the lack of people. Especially nowadays.
yes, it's legal in Jersey
wrong frillin' game!!!!
Bumping about, I sit down at a Lightning Link Heart Throb machine. A couple machines down from me sits today's local, Eloise. She's having a blast and we root each other on. I can't hit doodley squat. She gets up to leave and tells me "Everyone should have a heart throb." Truer words have never been spoken there Eloise. I am so lucky to have my Sweet Ti. I proudly show her off.
My heart throb
my hydration
W4 Miss Kitty Super Dooper Games please J.J.
Meowsers!!!!
Break time for some leftover pie upstairs. It's quite beautiful outside today. I talked to Sweet Ti. Our daughter Feather and granddaughter Pip are visiting us this weekend. I miss out on seeing them. Pip even told her Grandma Ti that "Granddaddy is never home." So we Facetimed just to let our Pip know that I still exist. Then I decided it was time for a walkabout. First stop, Showboat.
Brilliant! Turn the slot floor into an arcade for up and coming gamblers. Get 'em hooked while they're young! No body here.
They've taken away my name
Never could figure out the naming scheme. Considering it was changed from an R to an O, my sleuthing senses tell me it's Revel to Ocean. Now the B is unchanged. What remains unchanged about this particular floor. Beach bitch. Bingo. Revel Beach to Ocean Beach.
even less people here.
This is my 2nd trip here since they opened in June of '18. For a chip for my collection. While the Revel was open, we came here a few times. It reminds me of maybe one of the Fiesta Casinos in Las Vegas. Or Sunset Station maybe. But Ocean lives up to it's name.
Hard to beat that view while playing
yet another mutant...
scary excalator past the Hooters
I didn't play anything. I haven't signed up for their card yet. Maybe they will fatten up their welcome offer come wintertime. But I am gonna take advantage of what Hard Rock is offering. I'm not sure if they are going to keep me at Paramount next year at Resorts. I haven't earned the required tiers. 600. They did it last year. As a matter of fact, not long after we started using Stephanie I was bumped from Epic to Paramount. I never could get all of those tiers on my own. It's a beautiful walk back downbeach to the casino. The Phisheousness has found it's way here on the Boardwalk. The Cosmic Jerry Band is cooking at the Garden Pier. Probably literally. Not very crowded, probably 80% maskless. Even for this end of the boardwalk, it's not very busy. Inside the Hard Rock I am in pursuit of the Player's Club. I ask, am directed to the rear of the property. I find the hotel lobby and valet along with a memorabilia exhibit that was pretty cool behind the escalator. No club. But I did find out where a large majority of the weekend Pescadorian crowd are hanging.
Upstairs dummy...
I found it. The line was short. I showed my Resorts card and received an Elite card good to the first of the year. Their 2nd level card. Plus 20. free slot play. The week after I got a flier for a couple of free weekday nights, a 50. food comp, and 25 free play. Good until the end of Oct. Let's see what we can do about taking some of their money. I download the 20. and add a couple more and insert coin.
This is going well. I'm giving Sweet Ti the play by play. Mark told me that you can order a drink from the machine.
easy peasey
Except for the fact that she is certainly taking her time getting here. So I take in the view. I am just a few steps removed from the elevators and the endless flow of humanity spills past. Along with several Phishous looking suspects. Ah, she finally shows.
get yer ice cold near beer
never ending selection
I played that Buffalo for a bit and ended up pushing for my first HR session. Earned 5. in comps and 127 tier points in about 45 minutes.
secret exit
back home
The former Burger Bar is now Dougherty's Raw Bar
Our final stop today is at Resorts pool. Kinda cool the way the roof opens. They also extended the adult only hours. Beauty.
Still can't see the stage
Mumsie Lone Quad
Mumsie and I tried to take down the .25 DDP Progressive. It didn't happen. But we had fun talking. Then it was time to pick up today's gift. It's a Visa debit card. Always an easy choice between slot play and a Visa card. I never like to turn down a sure thing.
100.
I walkabout and am feeling a bit peckish. I angle towards the club. You really can't go wrong. It's 12. in comps usually. But I recognize the hostess and as for a comp. "No problem." I peruse the food options and nod to a waitress I know. Isabelle. She shows me to her section and takes my drink order. The club used to be divided into 2 sections by card level. But they have combined them so there's one serving area for entrees and one for deserts. Plus 2 bars.
The shrimp tortellini is really good. I'm impressed. Isabelle is providing me excellent service. We talk grandkids. I tip her a twenty. It kills me how these mid to upper level card holders tip shitty if at all. Isabelle was very appreciative.
Fire up the Ol' Spitfire there Jimmy......
The fun never stops
Roll the Scintillating footage please Jim!
I played
another session of .25 DDB Progressive for an hour without a single quad. The
quads are few and far between this trip.
finally!
Awesome graphics And that's all folks. Today the BR took a hit- but not too bad. I
fulfilled my wanderlust for the moment. My lullaby was Pescatoral.
Hey Now!, it's DJ Ryan-
Hey Now! 6 a.m. Rough night. The music coming and going I didn't mind. The show was over before midnight. It was the people running up and down the halls. Not used to that. Well, technically I live with 5 cats that are doing the same thing on any given night. Meow.
my sentiments exactly
Fire up the bingo please James.......
crack whore
Rock and Roll us J.J.!!!
worse. bonus. ever.
Drum solo if you please James??!?!!
This is why I always carry a stash of post it notes. Those insidious spot night stategically placed in the ceiling over VP machines. Especially slant machines. The glare is that of a welding rod. Vdara Death Ray. Problem solved with a 3M trademark.
Today's offering
Time for some HEAT there Jim Jim>>>>>
Wheeee!!!!!!!
VP gods are angry
I almost forgot about this puppy. The scatter pay feature on this one is sweet. Too bad they don't have it in dollars....
take it
Took a break upstairs to chat with my betrothed. I forgot to wear my mask and hurried to Essentials and I got this for 2.
I decided to give this a go. I bought in for a hundy. Which means I inserted the hundy into the cash acceptor. A couple of Phish Mongers are playing. I start with 5. pass line bets. Backed up with max odds. The first 2 shooters 7 out quickly. I managed 6 rolls and did the same. I was blowing right thru that hundy. A lady sat at an empty seat while I was shooting and got set up. As soon as she grabbed the dice I could tell she was a player. I upped my bet. She hit a couple of points before the dreaded 7. Enough to make back my stake. I cashed out. Everything about Roll to Win craps is a bit odd. The results of each roll has to be put in manually by the lone stickman/dealer. And the felt has been replaced by plastic which makes a weird clacking noise when the dice roll along. But the 5. minimum with 2x/3x/5x odds. Table minimum at the regular tubs in 15. Plus it doesn't have that loud social vibe. Strange. I like Bubble Craps better.
All the fun of a handpay without the bothersome paperwork
dude.....
I am playing over by where the busses nest. It's quite quiet. There's a guy in a walker playing a couple of machines down. Here he is.
He's today's quasi-local, Gil Benedict. From Philly. He is there with his cougar wife. She's 2 years older than him. He's 96. Gil enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 24, 1944. He was stationed in the Philippines and was wounded aboard ship. He nearly died. Triaged in Papal New Guinea. Shipped to Frisco and then Ft. Lee, VA. He spent the rest of WW2 in Ft. Dix guarding German prisoners. Met his wife there and they were married in 1946. Fascinating story. Gil and his son started a travel business in 1980. Bus tours. They rode the bus here. Seriously.
He still keeps an office.
Dinner time. Capriccio's. Where else? The usual suspects abounding. Ellie seated me, Genaro and Alberto served me, and I ate. All that was missing was my Sweet Ti. I had a standing food comp that covered everything nicely. Delicious!
Wandering thru the Jammy Phans.
Deep Sea Magic ends the evening's festivities. Drop & Lock feature was few and far between. But it was nice to cash out a slightly winning ticket. Brutal day on the BR. But enough left for a last ditch assault in the morning.
Let's do the Moma Dance together Jimmy!!!
08.16.2021 Oh, but how I'll never know*
Hey Now! Happy 70th Birthday to my only brother Bill. He lives in Warsaw NC. A bit too far away to be today's local. I texted him my best wishes as I'm sure he's out in his boat, probably on the Cape Fear River somewhere chasing speckled trout. Cheers Bill!
I'm booked on the 1 pm ferry today. But I would love to catch an earlier one. Judging by what I am seeing on the website, they are booked up for the first 3 crossings. I call as soon as they open to see weather they had any cancellations. But no go. The lady kindly told me I could come and wait- maybe they could squeeze me in. No thanks. So I have till 11 am to pack and leisurely win a fortune. No problem. So I set about my business.
shazaaaam!!
Damn thing might as well be an ATM
today's free ammo-
POINTIES!!!!
Great morning! With 4OAK Pointies to end the trip and a few extra hundy to fill in the previously made gaps in the BR. Beautiful weather to cross the Delaware and back into the arms of my Sweet Ti. Well, thanks for tuning my my friends and the fun returns soon.
Cheers!!!
* The Wedge, Anastasio/Marshall