Hey, Angie...I used to bet the ponies a couple of times a year when I'd take a few days to spend in my home state during the spring / fall meets at Keenland. Not a serious (or skilled) handicapper in anyway. I just love to watch 'em run, and I'd plunk down a few $$ for a little added entertainment and a shot at maybe paying the bar tab for my table.
But one thing I can tell you about the betting window, no one, from the most skilled and serious pro to the most casual and amateur bettor such as myself, ever walked up to it and laid their money down hoping they would lose. I almost always expected to lose, but I was always hoping I'd win. And actually did on a few occasions, though I attributed those more to just pure dumb luck than any real skill on my part. And on more than one of those lucky occasions a "good feeling" guided my choice as much as anything else. And a couple of the longshots bet in this manor covered that tab and then some.
So, let's just look at 2022 as a horse race. The gate opened yesterday and they're off and runnin'. We won't know the results until this time next year, but no worries, if they ain't good, no one here is gonna' be yellin' at ya'. Least of all me, having won kind of big on nothing more than a good feeling a couple of times. That would pretty much be like yellin' at the horse that ran its heart out for you and lost by a nose at the wire.
I'll freely admit to being a glass-half-empty sort most of the time. But folks like you help keep the glass from running completely dry. I may think the odds might be a little long on this one, but hey, I'll take a piece of that. Who knows? We might just cover the tab.
I have had a horrible few years personally, even before Covid, and things starting turning around this past October...and keep getting better, so that gives me hope
I will admit to being not only the glass half full type, but a stubbornly optimistic person in the face of evidence to the contrary, and like you said, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...but for me, I'd rather hope and it not work out this time, than lose all hope and accept it as "normal"...always the optimist...lol
Dear Matt, I'm kinda new to this place but I enjoy what you write. Apparently so do many others. It's like being a school teacher - but you get to know that your 'students' like what you've brought to them right away. Good for you. Happy New Year.
Dec 31, 2021·edited Jan 1, 2022Liked by Matt Labash
Hey Matt... take it from someone who's blinked a time or two himself...ya' gotta' be kind of careful about that sort of thing. The next time you do it, you might just find a few more small beings hangin' around your digs, calling you strange names. Like Grandaddy or something.
Nothing like looking into some maniacally grinning faces of innocence eyeball to eyeball to make an up-'n-comin' codger like me realize the futility of riding that brake. But that's kind of liberating in a way...save all that effort for something else, like probably falling asleep before midnight tonight, an empty tumbler in hand, a wounded soldier on the shelf, and that damned ball dropping on the flickering screen quite happily unseen.
Best wishes to you and all for 2022! And, speaking of youth, to paraphrase a couple of lines that used to rock their way through my own, if you can't always get what you want, I hope you find - at least sometimes - you get what you need.
Longing for a peaceful year finally, for everyone in this little sub stack community. I have learned quite a bit from all who write things here and at TD page. But mostly patience with those whom I differ politically as you all certainly care so much.
New Year’s Eve has a habit of showing up more quickly than the one before, as it’s been doing for 6+ decades in my experience. No need for a party to be reminded of yet another year. But still the opportunity to look forward with optimism that next year will be different. Let’s hope so.
Dec 31, 2021·edited Dec 31, 2021Liked by Matt Labash
Most of us, myself included, just yell " Happy New Year ! " or email / text said sentiments to one another - IF we're not in a drunken stupor or buzzed ( ME ! ) on CBD / THC. I've been on NY Eve's in my home town when one could encounter 2, maybe 3 cars at maximum, & it was a fairly sizeable area, although hardly the equal of NYC or Atlanta. The area where I presently reside, rolls up the sidewalks at 9, so not A WHOLE LOT OF REVELRY, I plan on going to my nearby family - friendly dive bar down the street, maybe gnosching on some Buffalo wings & trashing my liver with some craft beer, then calling it a night, maybe catching some streaming.
Happy 2022 ! & FYI, January was named for Janus, the patron Roman god of doorways & passages in general, in the unlikely event that you didn't know.
Another excellent read, Mr. Labash. Thank you! And I hope you and the Mrs. are feeling back to normal (or better).
Happy New Year to all! Fingers crossed that it’s better than the last two.
Depends what you mean by normal. It it weird to now have hair sprouting from my forehead? But thanks.
Time stands still for no man. Your reflections on time makes all look back to look forward. Here is to hoping 2022 rings in the best that it may be.
And thank you substack for the edit button...
Happy New Year Matt!
I have a really good feeling about 2022 for all of us, here's hoping I am right ( and feel free to yell at me if it turns out I am not...lol)
Hey, Angie...I used to bet the ponies a couple of times a year when I'd take a few days to spend in my home state during the spring / fall meets at Keenland. Not a serious (or skilled) handicapper in anyway. I just love to watch 'em run, and I'd plunk down a few $$ for a little added entertainment and a shot at maybe paying the bar tab for my table.
But one thing I can tell you about the betting window, no one, from the most skilled and serious pro to the most casual and amateur bettor such as myself, ever walked up to it and laid their money down hoping they would lose. I almost always expected to lose, but I was always hoping I'd win. And actually did on a few occasions, though I attributed those more to just pure dumb luck than any real skill on my part. And on more than one of those lucky occasions a "good feeling" guided my choice as much as anything else. And a couple of the longshots bet in this manor covered that tab and then some.
So, let's just look at 2022 as a horse race. The gate opened yesterday and they're off and runnin'. We won't know the results until this time next year, but no worries, if they ain't good, no one here is gonna' be yellin' at ya'. Least of all me, having won kind of big on nothing more than a good feeling a couple of times. That would pretty much be like yellin' at the horse that ran its heart out for you and lost by a nose at the wire.
I'll freely admit to being a glass-half-empty sort most of the time. But folks like you help keep the glass from running completely dry. I may think the odds might be a little long on this one, but hey, I'll take a piece of that. Who knows? We might just cover the tab.
Awww...yeah, I do a little gambling myself...lol
Thanks...that was a lovely post
I have had a horrible few years personally, even before Covid, and things starting turning around this past October...and keep getting better, so that gives me hope
I will admit to being not only the glass half full type, but a stubbornly optimistic person in the face of evidence to the contrary, and like you said, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...but for me, I'd rather hope and it not work out this time, than lose all hope and accept it as "normal"...always the optimist...lol
Happy New Year
Dear Matt, I'm kinda new to this place but I enjoy what you write. Apparently so do many others. It's like being a school teacher - but you get to know that your 'students' like what you've brought to them right away. Good for you. Happy New Year.
Very kind, Debbie. Appreciate it. Happy New Year.
Enjoyed it, although this mild hangover is not nearly as restorative as you made it out to be. Oh well, will try again next year.
The great ones learn to play with pain. You've got the stuff, Counterpoint. Just keep chugging.
teehee
Have a Happy New Year! I’ve so enjoyed your columns this year.
I learned in recovery that New Years Eve is for amateurs. Pros know to stay safe to home. Cheers!
Hey Matt... take it from someone who's blinked a time or two himself...ya' gotta' be kind of careful about that sort of thing. The next time you do it, you might just find a few more small beings hangin' around your digs, calling you strange names. Like Grandaddy or something.
Nothing like looking into some maniacally grinning faces of innocence eyeball to eyeball to make an up-'n-comin' codger like me realize the futility of riding that brake. But that's kind of liberating in a way...save all that effort for something else, like probably falling asleep before midnight tonight, an empty tumbler in hand, a wounded soldier on the shelf, and that damned ball dropping on the flickering screen quite happily unseen.
Best wishes to you and all for 2022! And, speaking of youth, to paraphrase a couple of lines that used to rock their way through my own, if you can't always get what you want, I hope you find - at least sometimes - you get what you need.
Best to you and yours, Matt.
Longing for a peaceful year finally, for everyone in this little sub stack community. I have learned quite a bit from all who write things here and at TD page. But mostly patience with those whom I differ politically as you all certainly care so much.
Happy New Year, Matt. Hope the worst of Covid is behind you and look forward to reading you in 2022.
New Year’s Eve has a habit of showing up more quickly than the one before, as it’s been doing for 6+ decades in my experience. No need for a party to be reminded of yet another year. But still the opportunity to look forward with optimism that next year will be different. Let’s hope so.
Most of us, myself included, just yell " Happy New Year ! " or email / text said sentiments to one another - IF we're not in a drunken stupor or buzzed ( ME ! ) on CBD / THC. I've been on NY Eve's in my home town when one could encounter 2, maybe 3 cars at maximum, & it was a fairly sizeable area, although hardly the equal of NYC or Atlanta. The area where I presently reside, rolls up the sidewalks at 9, so not A WHOLE LOT OF REVELRY, I plan on going to my nearby family - friendly dive bar down the street, maybe gnosching on some Buffalo wings & trashing my liver with some craft beer, then calling it a night, maybe catching some streaming.
Happy 2022 ! & FYI, January was named for Janus, the patron Roman god of doorways & passages in general, in the unlikely event that you didn't know.
Merry New Year!
I wish that we could REWIND 2021, then edit it, but that's not happening, so Happy 2022 !
I could think of a few cuts I'd make. But onward...... Happy New Year, Daniel.
Happy Lunar New Year of the Tiger ( a bit early by the Lunar calendar, but still..... ) !
Thanks for the recommendation. Now that I'm snowed in, I'll have some reading to do.