I'm Missing Something

Patience.  That something would be patience.  I don't have any.  I know I don't have any so you'd think I could overcompensate with something I have an abundance of, like common sense, but no it just doesn't work that way. 

I try not to let my impatience show, but eventually it busts peeks through.  In work, when I've requested something and have to wait endlessly.....more than I should, I seethe quietly inside.  If you call me on the phone, I'll answer your question but I just don't quite get the "stay on the phone and chat about nothing" thing.  Instead, once information has passed through the phone lines and the mission is accomplished, "Bye!" I'm gone.  Gary isn't  the only one who complains about this.  He's standing in a long line and my mom is at the head.

For my mother, I'll stay on the phone for 45-60 minutes.  REALLY.  That's like saying a claustrophobic man willingly got into a suitcase for a week.  The only way I can do this though, is if I'm multitasking.  So long as I'm fully occupied I don't mind listening and responding with a "Yup"  or a "Oh no!" at the appropriate time.

What's getting to my (lack of ) patience today is.....Moneyball.  The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.

(Don'tcha just love that title, btw?  I do!)

Yes, it's the new movie that's out starring Brad Pitt, but it's not the movie I'm interested in, it's the book.  I think the book will be a fantastic read, and I've been eyeing it for over a year.....maybe more?  I was checking it out at Barnes and Noble a looooong time ago but didn't buy it because I thought I might get a kindle and I'd prefer to have such a book as part of my kindle library.

Since I saw ads for the movie I thought "Oh crap.  I really want to read the book before I see the movie."  We all know that movies that are based on books are based upon excellent books.  We also know the movies just never live up to the book they were based on.  They just don't.

Of the hundreds of disappointing movies I've seen, based upon excellent books, there are only two that come to mind that were done as well if not better than the original.

1.  Stand By Me, which was based on the short story "The Body" by Stephen King.

2.  Shawshank Redemption, based on "Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption", also by King.

Don't misunderstand though; Stephen King is not the common denominator for good movies.  He's had many other works that have been defiled in the process of making a movie.  Um, can you say, Running Man?  Excellent book but horrible movie.

Anyway, back to Moneyball.

I want it.  Now.

I just bought it on Amazon.  I'd think a normal person would be pleased as punch that the book she wants is on it's way but I'm not.  All I'm thinking is it's going to take forever to get here and I want it NOW.  Grrrrr

To get my mind off of my far away book, let's talk a little about poker, shall we? 

Remember Teddy, from my cash game at Foxwoods?  The man talked nonstop the entire time he was there, whether in a pot or not.  (I cannot express how little patience I have for that particular character flaw.  Yes I said flaw.)

At one point Teddy was in a hand, along with me and another gentleman.  The other guy pushed all in.  In my haste to fold and muck my cards, one flipped over, and a king was shown.  Action was on Teddy and he had two options; call or fold.  He chose another option....talk, talk, talk!

Finally he says "Since I saw that king, this is an easy call".

The guy assumed he called, looked happy about it, but then after about 20 seconds Teddy says "but I'm going to fold".

Personally, I think that's a call. 

The man got a little upset and then said 'fine' and took his small pot uncontested but there was alot of discussion at the table as to whether Teddy had committed to making a call.  So much so, the floor was called over.  Floor man said he wouldn't hold Teddy to the call, but he'd warn him and next time he did that it would be considered a call.

Interesting.

Then another man at the table said, "That floor guy is always wrong.  I'm telling you that's a call.  Let's ask another floor man".

Another floor guy gets involved and hears the story.  Second floor man says "That is definitely a call.  If I was asked you'd be putting all your chips in."

I tend to agree with the second floor man.  Don't you think that when the word 'call' is said in that context he's committed to it?

Play smart and stay away from me unless you happen to have a copy of Moneyball handy.

Josie