I decided to start playing a weekly Holdem tourney @ Chinook Winds Casino (in Lincoln City) As always, I was running late, couldn't find my ID still had to pick up a friend, all of those things that happen the first time you decide to do something BIG! I grab the phone real fast, call the casino and ask what their policy is on late arrivals. "I don't know" says the ever so helpful voice on the other end of the line! GRRRRRR! I must say, I really hate "I don't know". "Well" I say in the most sugary voice I can find "can you please try and find out for me?"

Five minutes later she came back to the line, "It's fine if your late." [click] Well alrighty then! I don't really at this point have time to call back again and find out.. what I am losing if I'm late, she didnt take my credit card over the phone, so I haven't paid. I can assume I wont be blinded in, penalty chips maybe?

I drive like a bat outa hell for two hours, finally, Lincoln City here I am! This is the first time I had been to this casino, but it's pretty easy to find. Straight shot there from Spirit Mountain, hit town, second light hang a right, pass the safeway right again.. then WOW! The view just took my breath away. I wasn't expecting it at all, but it was beautiful! My two favorite things right in front of me the moment I turned that cornor, A big beatufil casino, then.. nothin' but ocean baby!

I was in love, but in a hurry. No time to admire the view, I raced up to the front door, tossed the keys to valet, ran inside. You'll never guess what they told me when I got inside.. "Too late sorry" "But I am only 4 minutes late" I argued. "and I called first!' Yeah this got me nowhere, it seems that late is to late here, once the cards are dealt, buy ins are over. Hmm 4 minutes .. If I hadn't have called first, I woulda made it in time!

I spoke to the gaming manager about that little "I don't know so I'll let you hold while I make something up missy", he was polite, he promised to talk to the young lady that I had spoken to earlier, and offered to comp all of our dinner in the restaraunt. We passed, I told him I didn't come to eat, I came to play cards.. I did have a decent time at the $3-$6 table though (the only table they had) and flushed a few bux into slots while I was there.

To top the night off, I took off my shoes and felt sand between my toes! I wanted to walk in the ocean, but the temp was below freezing, the waves were crashing, and it was dark.. so .. i refrained... until next time ;)