A Chance to be a Maverick of Chance!

Gambling has never been my cup of tea not because I am against it but mainly because half the time I just don’t get it. If you are on the slot machines you sit there and just press a button and things spin, colours flash and you have no clue where your money went or how it all of a sudden got back. When it comes to gambling on the tables, gosh that is just another ball game all together. Everyone seems so serious and calculated and it seems like big money is being made and also being lost. Well this past weekend I had the opportunity to step into the world of gambling at Montecasino and I walked away with my eyes, mind and heart wide open.

Montecasino’s new advertising campaign is called “Mavericks of Chance!” What they are really trying to achieve is a change of perception of gambling because most of the time people have negative perceptions or no perception at all.  I think their new TV ad really achieves this. Basically the commercial walks you through moments in life where people take a ‘gamble.’ When you watch it, I am sure you will relate to at least one of the scenarios whether it’s to wear no underwear with your cocktail dress, just to avoid the panty line; skinny dipping in the ocean; racing with shopping karts, whatever. But Steve Howell, Montecasino’s GM, also highlighted other scenarios in life where we gamble for example choosing which line to join in traffic and just hoping it is the fastest one.  The commercial then makes you really think by leaving you with a statement - something along the lines of “You think you are not a gambler….friend let me tell you have been one your whole life!”  You can check the ad here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_71WxEzkvFk

To get this message across to the public, Montecasino opened its gambling floors to a bunch of socially connected individuals from bloggers, to rap artists, to singers, to previous beauty pageant winners, spouses/partners and just some awesome characters.  You may be wondering which category I fitted in…um well I guess I was 20 % of everything. I just put on my social hat and went for it…pregnant and all, and what a blast I had. We got introduced to both the slots and the tables and had an opportunity to learn and experience what it was all about.

Kanya: "wow this is so exciting, all I need to do is press the button."

Kanya: "aaaa okay what just happened there."

Kanya: " Hey I think I won something? Um I think?"

Kanya: " I better tell some body :)"

 The slots were just as I expected…..confusing…..but the thrill I got was competing with other contestants. We had 3 rounds of slots where we were all given R100 and 90 seconds to gamble. It was hilarious watching us just pressing those buttons and hoping that something magical would happen which would double our money. It really was a hit or miss chance. If you were lucky, you would get with free spins which would allow you to go over the 90 seconds. Boy did those lucky buggers annoy me coz the credits would just keep rolling in. We attracted quite an audience when we were playing and I wasn’t sure if it was because we were loud or the fact that people recognised the famous people….or maybe it was the fact that we were given free R100. One lady asked me “How do you play this game!” I just replied “I don’t actually know….I think the game is playing me!”

Then we got introduced to the …drum roll please – TABLES! I must admit I think I was in the best group ever – Team Red. Most of us had no clue how to play on the tables but we were all there for a good time. I think the dealers also had fun trying to teach us how to play because we were all pure laughs. The first round of poker was a serious joke because we learned terms like – ‘all in’ and ‘fold’ ‘two pairs’ ‘flush’ but I don’t think most of us really knew what it meant with regard to the cards we were holding. But for some magical reason I won a whole lot of chips! My original R3000 worth of chips instantly quadrupled. On our sixth round of poker only 4 of us still had chips and our winner had R56 000…Yikes from R3000 that was quite cool if it was a real game of poker  but boy imagine if you had lost “R3000” that’s like petrol for the month, Ouch!  Black Jack and Roulette was just as much fun…but my luck seemed to be finished. At least now all the colours, lines, numbers and cards finally made sense to me. 

Look at how confused we all look....me sipping on my virgin strawberry something something. Yum

So after the whole experience here is my heart-to-heart thoughts on gambling. Yes gambling can be a whole lotta fun but it should never be thought of as a source of income. This opportunity to learn how to gamble did increase my gambling confidence. No it wasn’t the kind of confidence that screamed “I am a gambler” or “I’m going there everyday” - it was more like this “I know what is happening and can make a wiser decision than before.” It also made me realise how much money one could lose/win - and so quickly too.

As much fun as it was I could also see how gambling could be an addiction which helped me relate to the people I knew who actually have a gambling problem. I could see how easily and quickly it could take over someone’s life and that gave me quite a chill.

Would I gamble again? Mmmm. Absolutely! BUT - I would have to have two major things in place before I hit the floor – 1) my husband, for accountability, AND a fixed budget, which I would expect to lose, and not necessarily double or improve on. But I think this should be the advice for any person that decides to be a Maverick of Chance. View it as entertainment - like going to the movies or going out for drinks…..and nothing else!

After a wonderful dinner at La Scala we ended our night at the Southern Sun hotel. It is a bit strange sleeping in a hotel when you live so close by but wow the experience was definitely worth it.....even though it was free. We were welcomed to a room with desserts and gifts, as if we were on honeymoon all over again. I don't know why it is so but food, sleep, entertainment ect is just so much more sweeter when you are not paying for it :). So thank you Montecasino for the chance to be a Maverick of Chance! I was dazzled :).


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Here are some photos of some of the other cool people of the evening:

The Rhythm of My Pregnancy: Couch Time! (2nd Trimester)

Avon and I had no idea what to expect in a Pre-parenting class but we were so glad we decided to join it because there were so many different tips we learnt about being parents and how to care for a child. It was also good to share stories, fears and experiences with other mothers and expecting mothers. We followed a Pre-parenting book/DVD series which was quite old but very real in what we need to learn about Growing a God Centred Family. I will attempt to share with you bits and pieces here and there through-out my blog but for now I will start with day one – The Marriage.

In our first lesson we went straight to the foundation of a family and that is the Marriage. I think sometimes it is only natural for us to put our children first before our spouses. But apparently the marriage is number one in the family and then the kids come next. …That is exactly how God intended it to be. Just being together isn’t all a child need. We learnt that children feel loved when they see their parents loving each other. As we went through the lesson I sensed a lot of us reflecting on how we viewed our parents love for each other and also how we would be as parents. I could picture each of us thinking of a time when our mom and dad were not getting along. When a child witnesses mommy and daddy fighting or not getting along they automatically think divorce. In the parents view the fight may be so small and insignificant to even equate to a divorce but in a child’s perspective it is massive- it is almost like the child’s whole world is falling apart. We learnt that some children may not express this verbally but the effects are visible in their poor sleep patterns, eating habits, school work ect. Apparently kids are like sponges they just sense the tension and just absorb it. It really made me think how vulnerable children really are.

Another interesting aspect we learnt about was “Couch Time.” This is a specific time where mom and dad have time as a couple and not with the children. It is important that the children understand that this is the time for mommy and daddy and that it is done out of love for each other. So at a certain time of the day e.g after work, you take 15 or so minutes to just sit together and talk and enjoy each others company…with out children distractions. I would think “gosh we can just talk when we get to bed and the kids are sleeping.” But the whole point is defeated because it is important for the child/children to see that bond between mom and dad. MMMmm interesting hu!

Following these tips are probably easier said than done.  I can already see myself thinking more about the food that needs to be on the table or the baby that needs a bath or my cloths that need changing. But this lesson helped me understand the importance of the marriage bond and maybe a couple of years down the line I will re-read this blog and go…… “Wow I just gotta be reminded…Marriage is first!”....and I will get back onto that couch with Avon. 

A Mothers Questions

We have never met face to face.

But I feel your movements all over this place.

I imagine your personality, your character and your style.

Do you have my legs, or fingers or maybe your fathers smile?

I have so many questions which keep boiling up inside

Like when I sing does it sooth you?

When I cry do you feel it?

When I am scared are you scared too?

Are you happy inside me?

Do you even like the food I eat?

I am so excited for all our first moments

From latching onto my breast, to crawling, walking and talking.

Where will your little feet take you?

Will your words and questions you ask overtake you?

Who, what and how are you going to be like Siam?

Are you going to be a loud mouth like your mother?

Or maybe smart and mysterious like your father?

Will you be a role model to other kids, smart and wise?

Or will you be the class clown funny and alive?

Gosh Siam all these questions make me even more curious

Some will probably never get answered I will just have to Trust,

That you will be everything God intended you to be

Unique and special made of Avon and me