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Post by Badactor on Nov 7, 2018 19:07:55 GMT -5
It's a Gamble...
but I'm going to drive down to Del Mar
on Saturday morning with the hope
of getting a window. It's an hour
and 25-minute drive from Los Alamitos
to Del Mar... No guarantee that I'll
get on, but Saturdays are big days
and if the union guys haven't grabbed
all the jobs I might just get a window
of my own this Saturday.
Pari-mutuelly yours,
Del Mar Dell.
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propro
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Post by propro on Nov 7, 2018 20:13:04 GMT -5
Good luck! Is that the usual way for a spare mutuel teller to get work? Is there a priority list after you get there?
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Post by Badactor on Nov 7, 2018 20:40:39 GMT -5
Yes, propro... it's a first come, first served proposition. Union gets priority and there are about 135 members in the Local that serves so-cal. The contract calls for 110 to be placed this Saturday. I'm told not all show up, so... I'll be there first to check-in and hope "permits" will be needed.
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Post by Badactor on Nov 7, 2018 21:09:21 GMT -5
I'm having a great time doing this job!  On Breeders' Cup Saturday, I had the pleasure of creating a 'Fan For Life' when a young lady and her boyfriend visited my window asking "Ok, how do we do this? It's our first time here." I explained the basics of W/P/S and gave them my program to read the names of the horses entered in the next race. As the boyfriend read the names aloud, his lovely little lady made an 'Ooooooh' sound about one of the runners' names. I stopped him at that point and explained that in my experience if a pretty girl makes an 'Oooooh' sound about a horse... the boyfriend should put $2 across the board on that horse. He looked at her and smiled and she beamed back at him saying... "This will be my first bet ever!" With that, he handed me $6 and I handed her the ticket. I pointed them in the direction of the race track and told them to go out and watch her horse win. #3 Moon Kitty (Roman, Evin) ~ stalked,bid,led,clear. Paid $12.20 $7.40 $5.20 After the race she came running to my window... "This is so great, this is so great. I Love it!" The boyfriend thanked me as I congratulated him with a handshake, telling him "You're a lucky man." He looked at her and smiled and she beamed back at him saying... "Let's do it again, sweetheart, let's do it again!" |
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propro
UpInClass Member
Posts: 918
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Post by propro on Nov 7, 2018 23:28:53 GMT -5
Had to be fun to be part of that story. Hope they had continued luck. Do you have any shot at getting into that union and making this a full time thing? Will you have a better chance next month when Los Alamitos runs day/night?
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Post by Badactor on Nov 8, 2018 4:23:43 GMT -5
"Permit" Pari-Mutuel Clerks need to accumulate 10 (was 15) days
at the windows in order to be eligible to join the PMEG union. I have worked 5 days - 3 @ Santa Anita and 2 @ Fresno,
and will be back for Opening Day @ Santa Anita on December 26th. I am told that I may be able to catch a few more days on Saturdays @ Del Mar.
As far as Full-Time goes... there are a lot of union members with priority in front of me. Probably only a Part-Time job at best... but it sure is enjoyable to be working at the track!
ONE THING I WOULD ASK OF EVERYONE READING THIS POST:
Buy your tickets from tellers... and eschew the self-service tote machines. Work
Work
Work
Careful calculations
Details drawn down to design
Is it really for the better or a better bottom line?
Don't know me from Adam
Man it's rotten to the core
It's gonna get reminded man has kicked its ass before
The gloves are off, no love lost between
In this war of man against the machine
Work
Work
Work
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Post by PonyGirlJCM on Nov 8, 2018 4:34:53 GMT -5
If you don’t get a window you will surely still enjoy a day at the track.....
Part time better than no time.....maybe it will open other opportunities.....
Some casinos have pari-mutual windows.....as well as there being OTB sites.....
Best of luck to you on your adventure and all aspects of getting back to positives in your life.....
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Post by Badactor on Nov 8, 2018 10:42:15 GMT -5
If you don’t get a window you will surely still enjoy a day at the track.....
...and with my credentials I get in for FREE! Another part of the deal is that after working the guaranteed Opening Day,
December 26th @ Santa Anita Park, they will renew my CHRB license for 3 years.
MEANWHILE...
I continue to apply for teaching positions at college & university theatre arts departments and I have not forgotten that I am still an actor - an even better actor after this life experience.
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eye123
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 2,700
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Post by eye123 on Nov 8, 2018 11:13:48 GMT -5
Any more "life experiences" and you'll be performing Mac Beth like Sir Lawrence keep moving forward, only gets better |
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,709
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Post by 1hooper on Nov 8, 2018 15:23:37 GMT -5
Dell,I always use a live teller at Saratoga,prefer the human interaction. Screw those self scan lanes at the grocery store also.
Keep the faith my friend.
Crankyoldguy
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Post by PonyGirlJCM on Nov 10, 2018 3:25:23 GMT -5
Luck to Dell today in getting a window.....
Great day to all......
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propro
UpInClass Member
Posts: 918
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Post by propro on Nov 11, 2018 19:11:00 GMT -5
Dell, how did you make out this weekend?
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Post by Badactor on Nov 12, 2018 13:53:56 GMT -5
Driving down to Del Mar I was halfway there and the phone rang... My music partner informed me that he had booked us for a show at a senior care community, so I had to turn around and head back to Orange County. While I didn't work at Del Mar this weekend, I'll have opportunities each Saturday during this meet to try again. In the meantime, the head of the Union called me this morning to ask my availability and willingness to travel. I let him know that if it was cost-effective I would be more than happy to do anything I could to help out.
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propro
UpInClass Member
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Post by propro on Nov 12, 2018 14:03:43 GMT -5
Sounds promising! Once you put in the travel and expense to get your required amount of days, it looks like things should get a lot easier since most of the Southern California dates are at Santa Anita or Los Al.
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Post by Badactor on Nov 17, 2018 0:55:02 GMT -5
TAKE TWO: Off to Del Mar in the morning...
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Post by Badactor on Nov 17, 2018 1:26:33 GMT -5
Happenstance, Serendipity, or Just Plain Luck...
Thursday night I went a local sports bar that has karaoke. I noticed a couple looking up at the wall of televisions watching the one that was playing TVG! Hmmmm... I struck up a conversation soon discovering that the lady is a nurse (he sells cars) and she works on the backstretch at Los Alamitos in the medical/dental clinic for folks who have valid CHRB cards. Whaaaaaaat? Well, I have one of those now and so on Monday I am going in to see about having work done on my teeth. There's no way I could afford to see a dentist any other way... this is a blessing!
Reuniting with my pianist friend has also been a blessing, as we have booked and played several elder-care communities since I have returned to California after the year in Oklahoma. Between performing for pay and working at the race track as a pari-mutuel clerk, life is better.
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Post by Badactor on Nov 17, 2018 13:33:40 GMT -5
I have arrived @ Del Mar...
found my way to the employee's
parking lot and now going to find
the window to check in. Here's hoping!
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Post by madameblum on Nov 17, 2018 13:38:12 GMT -5
Fingers crossed!!!
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Post by Badactor on Nov 17, 2018 13:43:52 GMT -5
I'm first on the list...
looking good, feeling good!
:-)
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Post by Badactor on Nov 17, 2018 15:01:25 GMT -5
Window 302 reporting for Duty!
Have a great day everybody...
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Post by PonyGirlJCM on Nov 17, 2018 16:25:05 GMT -5
Another day down....almost there......
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,709
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Post by 1hooper on Nov 17, 2018 16:36:25 GMT -5
Sell a big ticket today,get a nice tip.
That first time starter that won the opener today is pretty exciting.
Hooper
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propro
UpInClass Member
Posts: 918
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Post by propro on Nov 17, 2018 18:40:32 GMT -5
Good work there Dell. Hope the teller days and the gigs keep coming your way!
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Post by Badactor on Nov 18, 2018 8:21:26 GMT -5
A VIEW FROM WINDOW 302 DID A BIT OF ONLOOKING ON BREAK
ANGELS AT MY WINDOW
A DAY OF WINE TASTING, WAGERING & WINNING On the way home from Del Mar
I stopped in @ Los Alamitos to have dinner... and just happened to run in to Mr. Mike Smith! TAKE TWO... It was a good day!
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Post by Badactor on Nov 18, 2018 8:31:26 GMT -5
A few of the other tellers told me I should come back today... "It's going to be busy again. You'll probably get a window." So, that is exactly what I'm gonna do... I absolutely love it!
I love the gamblers. I love the horses. I love the race track.
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,709
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Post by 1hooper on Nov 18, 2018 9:01:23 GMT -5
These photos will be Gooch approved.
Hooper
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Post by Badactor on Nov 18, 2018 22:25:39 GMT -5
There was no 'window of opportunity' for me today, but I'll be ready to go again next Saturday. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2018 23:32:38 GMT -5
Nice pics Dell but who is the little bald guy?  |
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Post by Window 112 on Nov 24, 2018 15:34:04 GMT -5
It's a beautiful day at Del Mar race course!
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Post by In The Books on Nov 24, 2018 20:18:28 GMT -5
3 days at Santa Anita
2 days at Fresno
2 days at Del Mar
Singing tomorrow night
at the Magic Lamp Inn.
Rehearsal on Tuesday with Alexis.
Adding her to the show December 2nd
and December 6th... I am inspired again!
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