Let's GOOOO Patriots!

A picture is worth a thousand words...



But sometimes you know, video just does it even better... click the image or the link to visit the Football Frenzy Report from WTAP.com:

http://www.wtap.com/footballfrenzy/headlines/30829044.html#

The Parkersburg South Patriots dominated Parkersburg High Big Reds throughout the game last night and really made the Patriot fans on hand to witness the action VERY PROUD! Final score was South 33 PHS 14!!! The power of the South running game proved too much for PHS along with the ability of the South defense to subdue PHS's ability to effectively move the ball. It should be said that after the half the Big Red's did put together an impressive passing game, that threatened to turn things around. But in the end the deficit and the clock were just too much to overcome. Congratulations on a fantastic, and well-deserved victory!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Shepherdstown simulation under way...

The ICONS simulation has begun. We met breifly prior to ending our afternoon session, and outlined some of our purposes. The scenario revolves around Shell Oil Company expanding its drilling operations in the African nation of Nigeria. In addition to Shell, the Nigerian government, Nigerian military, the Odoni people, The Women's Group Coalition, the International Monetary Fund, and Human Right Watch, my team and I are representing Greenpeace! See I told you this gathering was about tree hugging, and singin' kumbaya, didn't I!!! Okay, it's not as all bad as that.

I'm really please with the team that I'm working on and we will continue in this vein through the remainder of the week, in addition to the many other projects that are coming to fruition as the week draws to a close. I actually may get to finish up with this little training encounter on Thursday afternoon. That'd be cool, would get me home early and I might even get there, barring bad weather by the time LOST is coming on. Now would I actually make it in to work on Friday...hmmm...

Hope all is well on the other side of the "wild and wonderful." JR are you seeing to Big Red's needs? If you drink the last of the beer in the fridge, you damn well better restock!

Chris and Laura I really had a good time on Saturday. Dinner at Logan's was great and I know Teresa had a ball. And the slot machines certainly were hummin' that night. And you ladies were able to easily find the "Cash Out" button. How great is that!!!

Chris... Big Red mentioned "not" going to Wheeling Island after JR's but instead maybe just waiting until the next day, and leaving early. I think she's itchin' for some table game action West by god Virginia style!!! Let It Ride, 3 Card, BlackJack... oh yeah... I'm salivatin' myself.

I'm currently posting to the ole blog here in Rumsey Tavern, (the hotel bar.) I'm sampling the local hops and barley blends, courtesy of the Mountaineer Brewing Company. Just chilling out and unwinding from a long Monday. Although long... and at times exhausting I've enjoyed my time here in Shepherdstown, and I have to commend the training staff and their program. As much as I hate to admit it... I'm sure I'll be back for another round in the near future, since I can see the "+EV" in it. Are they turning me to the dark side? Only time will tell.

And with that...I'll bid you all a good evening, with a special shoutout to my simulated Greenpeace brethren in arms. Oh wait...we're non-violent, so it's just a shoutout. "All we are sayin'... is give TREES a chance!"

Regards,

cheer_dad

Declining profits for Atlantic City casinos

The New York Times is running the following article from the Associated Press regarding Atlantic City casino yearly profit reports. According to the released report although revenues taken down were a staggering $4.92 billion that this is actually cause for concern for the Eastern gambling Mecca. Since 1978, profits for the casino city have steadily increased, but not so for 2007. Profits in 2006 were listed as $5.21 billion.

Blame is being zeroed in on competition from outside Atlantic City, primarily slot parlors which have opened in Pennsylvania and New York. A partial smoking ban is also a contributing factor.

What this brings to my mind, is what sort of affect will the opening of casino gaming in West Virginia (Wheeling Island and Mountaineer Casinos) do to the Pennsylvania market? Obviously there will be a huge impact. By the same token thinking further down the line, will these future losses fuel efforts to push for casino gaming in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere including Kentucky, when slot parlor visitors make their exodus from their own home states and cross the West Virgina borders, in search of something other than the slot machines being offered?

If approved elsewhere, what will ultimately be the saturation point for new casinos. Exactly how many is too many, and what can revenues actually support in the long term? Which casinos or better yet which state(s) will emerge as the winners in the Gaming Wars?

The answers to these and many other questions will provide a wealth of topics of discussion from now until well into the next decade and beyond I'm sure. I'll continue to throw my two cents worth into the mix for what it's worth, and keep my blog minions apprised of the situation. Stay tuned!

Regards,

cheer_dad