Exit Strategy

The past week has seen us preparing to leave LV and return to TC.

On Monday I visited our usual storage place to rent a 10x10-foot unit to store all of our household items for the summer. Got the sad news that no units of that size were available. Uh-oh. So I immediately began searching online for a new storage facility and found one that is only 10 minutes away and a little cheaper per month. But instead of snagging a 10x10, I was only able to rent two 5x10 units that are next to each other. No huge difference, but I did have to buy two separate locks at $15 each.

After renting the units, I called our movers and arranged for them to pick up our stuff and haul it to storage on April 12. They'll be here between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on that day. It'll take them about two hours to handle that chore, then Helen and I will hit the road for Michigan.

So Wednesday, April 12 is officially our departure date. If all goes well, we should get to TC late on Friday or on Saturday.

After handling the moving details, I got the oil changed in the car and also made an appointment to have our taxes done at an H&R Block office right near our apartment here. Always dread tax time, because we always have to send a check to the feds. But it'll be good to get that taken care of.

I have had a chance to play a little poker. At Ballys I played enough to qualify for the monthly free roll tournament and will play in that tomorrow, April 1. Hoping not to play like an April Fool and would like to cash for $500. That would cover the gas & meals on the trip home!

Also played two days at Planet Hollywood and won both days. On the second day, I felted the same guy twice. Once I got dealt pocket Aces and took his $80 stack when he had K-K. Then he rebought for $100 and a few hands later, I was dealt 6-6 and hit a 3rd 6 on the flop of A-5-6 of mixed suits. Once again the guy shoved in his stack of $90 and showed A-K. He grimaced when I flipped over my sixes and I took down the healthy pot.

Planet Hollywood is running a promo that if you play 3 hours between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. you get a free buffet - good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Last night Helen and I used the two free coupons to have dinner there. It's a $60 value, since the dinner buffet is priced at $30. Helen ate healthy, enjoying couscous salad, grilled veggies, hummus and pita bread. I started with peel & eat shrimp and a fruit salad, followed by prime rib, green beans, grilled potatoes and rice pilaf. We both enjoyed desserts - cupcakes and fruit pastries, along with coffee.

Driving back from the Strip, we encountered some amazingly high winds. Power was out in a few intersections, snarling traffic. But others had it much worse, losing power and having trees and signs toppled. Winds of 82 mph were reportedly recorded at Red Rock only 8 miles or so from us. As I write this, I'm still able to hear the winds howling a bit outside. But we're safe and warm - and with power - so we'll do fine.

And so our adventure continues...