The Traffic Ticket, the Concert, the Wedding and the Trip

 

The Traffic Ticket and the Concert

I worked all day on Friday and then headed off to see Heart and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in concert. Just a few blocks away from my house, I got pulled over by a deputy sheriff who thought that a car zipping by at 20 miles over the speed limit should not get away unscathed.

I can't even remember how long it has been since I got a conviction on a ticket. Even the last ticket I received was over ten years ago. I got it late one night coming off an interstate highway in a desolate area. I unfortunately did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign -- something done by many that time of night. Unfortunately, the county police used that intersection as a money making project for the county. Even while getting the ticket, I was advised by the deputy sheriff to ask for court supervision, which would add additional revenue to the county.

I went to the courthouse on the designated day ... along with probably over 100 more suckers. The process was fast -- plead guilty, ask for supervision, pay a little extra money, go home. Sweet way to gouge us chumps who got caught in the late-night trap. My moment in open court was a tad funny.

Court officer: Mr. lightning, are you currently on court supervision?

Me: No. However, in the state of Indiana, I believe I am currently on some sort of driver's diversion program.

Court officer: We don't care about Indiana. Are you pleading guilty and asking for court supervision?

Me: Yes.

Judge: Approved. Pay the clerk. Next case ...

Mrs. lightning and I got to the concert in plenty of time despite the unanticipated delay. My wife was extremely tired from a long week at work and fought to stay awake at the concert.

The concert itself: meh. Both groups sounded really good, but it ended up seeming like some rather boring 1980's flashback to me.

The Wedding

A long-time co-worker and friend had a son getting married Saturday late afternoon. I had already botched some things by getting the date wrong, causing myself and Mrs. lightning to adjust our weekend travel plans. Instead of leaving for Phoenix Saturday night, we will be leaving early Sunday morning.

The wedding was quite nice. It was a Jewish wedding held at a local country club. As part of the wedding ceremony and custom, the groom broke a wine glass by stomping on it. I was wondering if perhaps fellow blogger Tony Bigcharles is really Jewish and parroting this tradition in select poker rooms?

The food (filet and salmon) was not particularly good, but the open bar immediately after the ceremony ended was a major plus.

The Trip

In just over three hours, Mrs. lightning and I will be on our way to Chicago to fly to Phoenix. My wife's best friend moved outside Phoenix toward the end of last summer, so a spring trip there was on our agenda! The trip is likely to feature some time with some of my relatives (I have a niece and nephew who live there and a brother who will be visiting while I am there), perhaps a spring training game -- either the Chicago Cubs or Chicago White Sox, both of whom train in the area, and, of course, some poker! I will definitely spend some time playing poker at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale and maybe even Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler.

As always, I wait to pack until the last minute. Three hours to go and I have not yet packed. Some habits are just hard to break.

I hope to make a post or two from Arizona. I am looking forward to a little warmth. Weather in central Illinois has been getting better, but still ...

Later!