"I've Come To My Senses."

[Teach]

"I'm calling the doctor, immediately!" my wife said. "Are you running a fever?" she added. "You must be delusional," she continued. "No," I said, "It's true.
I'm perfectly fine."

I had just told my wife of nearly 40 years that I wasn't going back to the racetrack. No, I wasn't feeling poorly (except for the aches and pains of ageing). I had just finally made up my mind.

At this point, you should realize that this not-going-back-to-the-track decision is coming from a man who has gone to one racetrack or another at least once every week for past 50 years.

Yet, more important than my decision is the question: Why? Why have I decided to "break-up" with my beloved track? Many things.

Where do I start? Shall we begin with $3.00 a gallon gas. Folks, I live a good 30 miles from both Boston’s Suffolk Downs Racetrack and Plainfield, MA’s Plainridge Racecourse. I would estimate that it easily costs me a good $10 to $15 every time I drive to and from the track. That’s not to mention the wear and tear on my car: tires, oil, etc.

Further, it takes my a about forty minutes to get to either Suffolk or Plainridge. Round trip: one hour and twenty minutes.

You can add to that the fact that I’m not getting any younger. I’ll be turning 66-years-old over the summer.
In addition, one of the main reasons I would go to the track were the many friends I’d get-together with there. However, over the years, quite a few of my former cronies have moved away; some to Florida, others to the Southwest. One of my former buddies now lives in Las Vegas. Sadly, a couple of my good friends have passed on.

Another reason I've decided to leave the track behind is that when I'm there, I'm stuck. I'm a captive audience. Where else can I go?

Well, I'm making a fresh start. It was a tough decision. I’ve chosen the alternative. I've opened an account with an off-track betting service.

I can now watch and bet on the races at home -- at my leisure and from the comfort of my own house. I can enjoy my favorite pastime in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. If I need to use the bathroom, it’s across the hall. No need to worry about the cleanliness of the lavatory facilities.

If I want to make a cup of coffee, or have a cold beer; it’s at my fingertips. I can make a sandwich the way I like it.

Further, I’m available to my wife and grown-up children, and grandchildren, if needed. I’m on site. Easily accessible. Take down the laundry for my wife. No sweat. Make my wife a cup of tea. No problem. Do a quick errand at the local convenient store. I can be back in a couple minutes.

Yes, I’ve seen the light. The future is here. The future is now. Old habits die hard. But sometimes, it is time for a change.

As I'd later say to my wife, "No, dear, I'm not losing my mind; I've just come to my senses."

[russowen77]

I live 7 miles from OP. However, they charge you to get in. It costs to park. I don't even want to think about the tellers somedays. I go to the track if others are in town but I stay by my computer if alone. I also like the instant ability to see exacta odds the track does not have. Sigh.

[Light]

Teach

Good post. The advantages definetly outweigh the disadvantages.

[Javagold]

welcome to the 21st century, glad you could join us, now have the bozos in charge do not mess it up for all of us, you made the right choice

[ALostTexan]

You are one of the lucky ones, Teach. I envy you from my home down here in Arizona, where betting online is the equilivent of trading child porn.

Congrats.

[Hosshead]

I was just going to say, Teach, just be glad you don't live in Ariz. or one of those other unlucky states. But Texan beat me to it.
Texan, I have an opportunity to someday retire in Tucson, so I'm already scheming on how to get around that "problem".
Where there's a will, there's a way.