More in new poll say pandemic is over, but fewer than half say lives are back to normal

"Yes but you gave up one of life's pleasures, and being with friends, all good for the body and soul."

That's the way some people would look at it. I don't. I'd rather be sitting home reading my books than wasting money on food and playing slot machines. Turning Stone is run by the Mohawks. I didn't mind going there before they locked down for the scamdemic. Like many places, they used the lockdown as a means to take things away. They got rid of the large buffet they had there, and where we would meet on a Friday each month for Senior day. We'd spend a couple of hours relaxing, sitting, eating, and talking, over lunch and then dessert, then go play the slots for a couple of hours. The casino replaced part of the buffet area with a sports betting bar.

Before the lockdown, each month they'd give you a free play for each week of the month. The amount was based on what you'd spent the month before. I usually ended up with $15 free plays each week, but since we only went there once a month, the other three free plays never got used. They also gave us a $10 meal discount a month, plus a senior discount on meals, and we'd each use those when we went to the buffet. They took all that away. Now there is no discount on meals, not even for seniors, and you have to earn 100 points a day playing slots, in order to get any free plays. I wouldn't be able to earn 100 points in 100 years there now. There is no incentive to go there at all.

When they reopened, the new buffet they put in place is more glamorous, only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. on weekends, and Sundays for brunch and supper. We're usually out of the casino by 5 p.m. Cost is $36.99. I wouldn't pay that if I was starving, let alone pay for my, and my friends meals. We take turns each month paying for lunch.

They have limited restaurants open at the casino when we meet for lunch. You can either eat at the Green Emerald restaurant, which has crappy food, the Upstate Tavern which has decent food but more expensive, or you can eat in the Food Hall, order your meal at the kiosk, go pick it up, and be stuck sitting in a big room with tables and chairs, which isn't conducive to comfortable dining. When I go out to eat, I like being waited on.

And unless you want to spend more money to play the new games, you are stuck with the same penny slot machines they've had since they opened the place over 20 years ago. It's all very boring, and no fun at all.

And as far as my "friends" go, I'm glad I only see them once a month, if that. Politically on many things, we differ, and I know they vote Democrat, probably even voted for Biden. I didn't ask, and they won't say. They are not the type of people you can talk history with, or even current events. The wife mouths the crap that the main stream media spews. Their conversations also focus on their three sons, and their grandchildren. I have two sons, but don't feel I need to talk about them. I have no grandchildren, and am very grateful for that in this day and age. I see this couple from time-to-time because I worked with the wife for several years, and we've just kept in touch ever since. At work, we had a lot in common, but since we've both retired, there is nothing really in common about us anymore. She is the only person I ever kept in touch with since I retired 20 years ago.

As for me, I'd rather be home working on my family tree, or reading the books I have sitting in my bookshelves. I find those far more entertaining and enjoyable than wasting money socializing. I'll be visiting my niece and her family along with my sister-in-law, up on the St. Lawrence River for about 4 days next week. They are my brother's family. He passed in 1995. I enjoy their company, and their kids. We always have a good time when we get together. That, and visiting with my two sons, is about all the socializing I care to do.

With friends like that, you don’t need enemies. And it sounds like it wasn’t fun.

"With friends like that, you don’t need enemies. And it sounds like it wasn’t fun."

LOL! Sorry for the longness of the tale. What they did to the casino is a shame. Plenty of other places, restaurants, etc. changed their businesses because of Covid, and not for the better. I stopped going to McDonald's because they used Covid to shut down their all-day breakfast sandwiches. I don't get up at the crack of dawn, because I don't go to be until 4 or 5 in the morning. Worked 3-11 p.m. most of my career, and just continued the schedule when I retired. The only time I set my alarm clock is if I'm heading out on a trip early in the morning, or for a medical procedure, both which occur very rarely. Last time I had a McDonald's breakfast sandwich was in January after I had cataract surgery on both eyes.

Lives aren’t back to normal. There are still masked idiots all over the place. People are much more standoffish than they used to be. The VA is still mostly requiring masks. Supply chains around the world are behind and reduced. Small business was decimated all over. Even large business has changed. Retail and outlet stores closed, more online shopping. None of this can be denied.
Covidiocy has altered life as we know it for years to come.

Yeah, I was thinking that 44.59 didn’t sound so high. It is about a dollar over the average price, but I am not so sure about that Daily Mail headline. It is still the only state with a carbon tax that will tax that will apply to other states where the refined product is sold. WA makes most of the gasoline for seven western states and I think all of the aviation fuel.