People, we're trying to make a movie here-

One sad lonely evening I was home by myself with Tahoe and decided to watch '21'. Amazing. The main character is not a well known actor but he was brilliant. It's a great movie about revenge. I kept wondering if it was based on a true story and whether counting cards was legal...so I did some research.

Here's a synopsis of what I found:

The movie was based on a true story about 5 students from MIT who became experts in card counting and took Vegas for millions of dollars.

Card counting is completely legal (without a device). Although its legal, Vegas tries to prevent card counters from playing...just like in the movie, they can have staff come and harass the person, or they'll come and talk to the person so they lose their concentration, as well as other various methods of prevention. A pitboss will either ban the player from the shoe or something (casino) or 'invite' him to play a game other than Blackjack. They keep track of the individual(s) and some may even send their information to other casinos.

Al Francesco, Ken Uston, Tommy Hyland, various groups from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and, most recently, a team called "The Greeks" have reported to have won millions of dollars throughout the years.

The publication of Ken Uston's books both stimulated the growth of blackjack teams (Hyland's team and the first MIT team were formed in Atlantic City shortly after the publication of Million Dollar Blackjack) and increased casino awareness of the methods of blackjack teams, making it more difficult for such teams to operate. Hyland and Francesco soon switched to a form of shuffle tracking called "ace sequencing." Also referred to as "cutting to the ace," this technique involves various methods designed to spot the bottom card during a shuffle (ideally an ace) and expertly cut the deck and play future hands to force the player to receive the ace. This made it more difficult for casinos to detect when team members were playing with an advantage. In 1994, members of the Hyland team were arrested for ace sequencing and blackjack team play at Casino Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It was documented in court that Nevada casinos with ownership stakes in the Windsor casino were instrumental in the decision to prosecute team members on cheating charges. However, the judge ruled that the players' conduct was not cheating, but merely the use of intelligent strategy.

I'm just in shock that people understand how to do this junk. In the movie they kept saying 'it's simple math'...well doesn't seem very simple to me! haha I was and still am so confused as to how they do it! But then again, I was never good at math in the first place! ha

Run for your lives.

I have had a problem with the gym lately. The problem is, I don't go. I've gotten into the habit of coming home, hanging out and then never leaving. It's not the best thing for me. I end up sitting there watching TV, eating cookie dough, then heading to bed and not being productive at all. It's not emotionally or physically healthy. When I first moved out here and even before that I was an exercise machine; well I wasn't fanatical, but at least I did something on a regular basis. So I've been trying to mentally motivate myself to go and work on my fitness. In recent days it has not been happening...until now.

I've decided to run a half marathon. Yep. 13.1 miles...dun dun dun! I see old people participating in triathlons, I can do this right?! ha I really don't know what I'm thinking but it will be good, and I will try my hardest to reach my goal. However, I don't know where to begin. I have looked online at different training plans, joined sweat365.com (don't know what to do there) and in the end, just feel overwhelmed seeing that on the last day of the first week they want me to run 6-7 miles. Mercy. The furthest I've ever pushed myself is 3.5 miles and that was killer.

Although I feel overwhelmed at the moment, I am extremely excited. I've always needed motivation to get my butt in gear, and this is motivation enough. We're planning on doing the half marathon in St. George in the middle of January. We (well my roommates and the boys) participated in it last year and want to do it again. So instead of being the cheerleader for 'team fitness', I'm going to become an active (no pun intended) member of the greatest group ever, and I can't lag behind.

...so I begin the training next week. It should be interesting and I'm excited to see how well (or how bad) I do. I think with the goal in mind, and me wanting and knowing I need to get in shape will help the process move along. Wish me luck...cause I need it to be able to pull this off. Oh me.

Good things do happen to those that are single.

Growing up I always thought I'd be married at a young age and had a family by now...that has not happened and I am truly happy the way my life has gone. Moving to Utah 3 years ago has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've been able to mature in so many aspects of my life, it's been a great experience. Of course there are ups and downs but overall, my life is so blessed and wonderful. With the freedom of having no attachments, I have tried to be a little bit of every where and I thought it would be good to update everyone on my singleship in the wonderful year of 2008. Since you all are dying to know, of course! ;)

Everyday life is pretty much the same for me. I still work at the law firm as a Legal Secretary for four Associates. It's a wonderful environment, and I love the people I work for. Just wish I had the opportunity to use my brain every now and then. But lets be honest, who wants to do that on a regular basis! I have been contemplating whether I should start back up with school, but haven't made a firm decision on that!

At the first of the year I decided to move to Salt Lake City to be closer to work so I didn't have to commute and put miles on my car. It was a great transition, I moved in with 3 wonderful girls and had a blast for the 8 months it lasted. In July we had to move out of the house. Our lease was up and we decided not to renew it because the house was crap, the landlord was raising the rent and frankly, she was kind of weird (weird as in watering the lawn at 11:00 at night, or me walking out the door to head to work one morning and she's standing on the sidewalk picking at a tree?! I have no idea, kind of creepy if you ask me). So I decided to store most of my belongings in a POD and move down to Natalie's house in Cedar Hills until I found a place in Salt Lake. That was a great experience, I miss Natalie's hospitality and good times we share together. It was hard to leave when I found a place but with gas prices at an astronomically high price these days, I didn't see how I could afford to commute. Come September we (Julianne and I) found a place and set up shop. It's a wonderful and cozy home. We enjoy it greatly and I have already enjoyed the many many laughs and great times we've shared...and it's only been a little over a week! It will only continue to be great and I'm excited to be back up in the SLC.

Being single and working full time I've been able to reap the benefits...do I really want to give this up!? Perhaps one day! ;) I've had a wonderful year of travel and visits with the family...it's kind of addicting.

January: I was able to go to St. George and Las Vegas. That was a fun, getting-to-know you trip with my roommates Julianne and Meg. We had some good times: I unintentionally named Julianne's new car, Humphrey and I apparently like to say my prayers in 'rap'..which some people don't appreciate. :) I was able to meet some really cool guys and have carried those memories and friendships with me til this day.

February: Aimee and Chris were able to come out here and visit me and Chris' brothers. Aimee was extremely sick but it was still nice to be around her and Chris and Kyler. We saw a moose going up to the ski resorts...that's all that matters! ;) I love them and miss them terribly!

March: My grandfather passed away the end of March which was really unfortunate but I was lucky enough to be able to head home and attend the funeral. Although my visit was on a sad note, I was able to be with family and that's always a good thing for me.

April: Michael and Elena came out to attend Dude and Jessie's baby blessing which meant I was able to spend some time with them as well. We went to FastKart and I about killed everyone on the course. I don't know how to brake! It was indeed good times, and I miss their company.

May: Julianne and I had this brilliant idea to head to San Francisco over Memorial Day. It again was a blast and I can't imagine not having those experiences and memories. "Boots with the burr", "You have beautiful eyes, are they yours", the randomness could go on and on! Everyone should take the time to visit the wonderful city of San Fran; just be sure not to walk up the steepest road, down and back up Lombard Street, and then down an additional 1500 blocks to your hotel in one day. It hurts the calves.

June: I feel like I didn't go anywhere this month, perhaps a visit or two to Midway?! But I did have a birthday which is always good times. We celebrated by going out to dinner; I have wonderful friends and appreciate them greatly! Although aging is the pits. 26...really?!

Beginning of July: I went home for my annual visit for the 4th of July. It was jam-packed with funness! We celebrated mine and Michelle's birthdays when I first arrived; Dad made some delicious wings! mmmm Friday was the 4th, so we went to the beach, had a BBQ and watched fireworks. Always fun, minus...the beach! JK- Saturday was the Coke Zero 400. We sat down at turn 4 and had a load of excitement with the couple of wrecks that occurred. Kyle Busch won the race but we don't dwell on the past, right? Then come Monday we went to Sea World; Kracken couldn't get any better. I love that junk.

End of July: Jesse and Melissa were in Island Park for the summer and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit them for a short weekend. We headed into Yellowstone for one day, then knocked around Island Park (Keg Springs) with the Strauss' the rest of the weekend! It was a blast of course until I got a speeding ticket on the way home. I should have stopped my traveling then...but no! ;)

August: Michael and Elena were in New York for the whole month of August, so again, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit. The trip didn't start out the best, I left Salt Lake at 7:30 am and didn't get into JFK until about 10:00pm due to bad weather and too much air traffic. Sitting on a plane for that long is never fun, but it was worth it. Our parents drove up from Florida, which I was happy about...it's always nice to be with your parents. :) While there, we were able to see Phantom of the Opera, Times Square (we watch Michael Phelps win his last gold of the Olympics on a jumbotron), China Town and Little Italy (not my favorite), Central Park and traveled to Connecticut for a day. The subway called for some great times as well. "Can anybody help me? They cut my throat, they lit me on fire...as you can see. My kidney bag is leakin'. Can you spare me a penny so I wont stink?" Oh the memories!

September: Well it was Labor Day at the beginning of the month and I did NOT go anywhere...no bueno! But I did move back up to Salt Lake and I am planning a trip this weekend as we speak. It will be fun! Don't know where we are headed but that doesn't matter!

So that's been my life in a nutshell...or blog! ;) Minus the drama that goes on with every day life, feelings, guys, being single, etc. that no one wants or needs to hear about. Traveling is wonderful, especially with a close friend or two...even if it's not some extravagant trip; it's just good to get away and clear your head from the throws of every day life!

Being single and spending your non-existent money is totally the way to go!

'til next time-