The Popcorn Stand: Cover and you win

I’m not much of a gambling man which seems strange for this state. I do know however the famous quote from Grantland Rice, “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s whether you cover!” At least that’s how we in Nevada remember Rice’s quote.

The biggest gamble I took in a while was earlier today when I placed my last dollar bill in a vending machine and took the risk the chips would be caught before dropping all the way down. This after going to another vending machine that wouldn’t take a dollar bill. (Stuff that works. That’s all I want, stuff that works).

I can put up with a lot in society, but for some reason when a vending machine doesn’t accept a dollar bill, it drives me absolutely bonkers. It’s funny how we once in society were able to get along without all the so-called advances like vending machines accepting dollar bills, smart phones, etc.

Is it just me or with the more technology we have does more stuff break down? (Stuff that works. That’s all I want, stuff that works).

With the danger of getting in trouble with our good IT folks, one word I can’t stand hearing is “upgrade.” Every time that word is used I feel like using the phrase the Spaniard used in “The Princess Bride” — “You keep using that word. I don’t think that word means what you think it means.”

Anyway, what was this old fuddy, duddy ranting about. Oh yeah, gambling.

Like I said, I’m not much of a gambling man, but I do love March Madness. And out of loyalty I’m picking No. 12 seeded Nevada to upset No. 5 Iowa State. After all it’s worth eight points in the pool I run here at the Appeal that rewards upsets.

And if the Wolf Pack win, they obviously would cover. Grantland Rice would be proud.

— Charles Whisnand