A Good Book

The other day I was at Border's perusing the gambling section in search of another Texas Hold 'em strategy book. They all say the same thing, but it's interesting to read different perspectives of the game. This isn't the point, though. What I'm trying to say is that I forwent the urge to buy another overpriced book on things I've already read about and grabbed a seemingly familiar non-fiction thriller, 21- Bringing Down the House.

This is the story of the MIT Blackjack Team that took Las Vegas, and other casinos in North America, for millions in the 1990's. Fantastic book. To be taken to a world where a geeky asian kid from MIT could play the part of a High Roller in Vegas, go to parties with A-List celebrities, and come out $5 million on top for a four year run is surreal. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a day or two to kill. the book runs about 265 pages and can be finished in an afternoon or two. It's an easy read that sucks you in, so 100 pages fly by without even noticing.

I bought the newer version, which I also recommend. I compared books and the stories are the same so don't fret if you've already read the older version. Keep your panties on. The only difference is, is that the new book's cover has the movie art on the front(since the movie 21 is coming out, a movie based on this book) and there is a Q&A with Jeff Wu, the MIT team member that the book is based on, that was taken last year. It rounds the book out and answers the questions you ask yourself during the story. Since the story was written in 2001, the author and Jeff had been asked dozens of popular questions that they answer in this section.

But all of this is not the point though, god dammit.

The point is, is that this book is also taught in math and ethics classes all over the world. The story gives a general outline of how to count cards, but Jeff's essay "How to count cards and beat Vegas" obviously gets into it a bit more. The essay is another little extra the book offers in the back. Since it's a text book of sorts it comes complete with discussion questions, too.

I read the discussion questions and my usual feeling of accomplishment from finishing a book was over shadowed by sheer disappointment. I need to get back into school, even if it's just one class at a time. As I read the questions I could see one thousand words, typed and double spaced in front of me on a Microsoft Word template. I was so proud of myself in college. I'd even hang my A papers on my fridge. No one ever came over, but I never had A papers to hang on the fridge in High School. I'd just stare at them as I took a shit because my bathroom was right across the way from my fridge.

I think I'm going to take an online creative writing course this summer and forget working a second job while I'm at Cedar Point. Since Jason isn't going back to Cedar Point I'll have plenty of time to kill by myself, why not spend it doing something productive?