Coping Skills.........A Little Racing Anyone?
During my illness I have spent a lot of time on the couch, captive to a debilitated body beset by pain. I have always been one to push through by focusing on something and ignoring what hurts but with a body that couldn't cooperate, I found myself stuck with only my wits to solve this dilemma.
At first just having the tv going in the background was enough to keep me occupied enough to tune out pain to a tolerable .evel. It didn't matter what was on as long as it was something low key. But once I hit the timeline, the surgeon used for me being back to my old self, passed without resolution, I found myself requiring something more.
My inabilty to be mobile has had some side effects. I am experiencing severe withdrawal. Lack of horse time is causing a predictable depression since horses are my physic fuel. Short of moving a horse, or two, into the house, I needed a serious horse fix so I began surfing channels, searching for something, anything that might help satisfy my need for equine entertainment.
Our cable provider does not carry RFD-TV, which really sucks, so that was out but I had hopes there was something else out there that might do. My friend, Bev, watches horse racing on her satellite service. I thought maybe I could find something equivalent to satisfy my horsey desires while I was restricted to the couch.
My search did indeed locate a racing channel. On it I have been able to watch all kinds of horse racing. Forms I have only read about in books were right there before my eyes. I found myself wanting to know more about these other equine activities which was a great supplement for my equine thirst.
Then I was contacted by someone about writing a blog post about horse racing. That opened a whole new door as I learned about the Cheltenham Festival and Paddy Power while searching on my Blackberry. (Now if I could only get it to allow me to load my reader and comment on blogs)
Who knew there was this great festival in Great Britain, sort of like Kentucky Derby week here, that features a steeple chase, second only to the Grand National (remember National Velvet?)? Then to add a little excitement there is Paddy Power, the number one online bookmaker (Can we say Old Irish tradition through and through?). I am definitely intrigued. History, tradition, Irish bookies and horses....
Online betting is not legal in my state but I think I'm going to check out the odds, do a little research on the horses running and maybe get a friend to make a small wager for me at the track. The race and its history has sparked an interest strong enough to push thoughts of pain to the background for a brief respite. I am looking forward to the coming event and maybe even seeing it online. Any of my friends know anything about favorites or past races?
I don't get RFD-TV either :( My parents used to record it for me just so I could watch some of the programs! I try to catch every horse race and H/J event on tv. I do wish there was more western horse events on tv though, since that is what I ride!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you have found a great "horsey" outlet to get you through the rough times. I just wish you were feeling better to go out and spend more time with your own horses. I can't even imagine what your going through, and hope that better days are right around the corner!
RFD has become known around some parts as the Really F'ing Dumb channel since some of the shows and the info contained in that time slot is just. really. f'ing. DUMB.
ReplyDeleteI can put you in touch with someone who may be able to explain some of the terms and methods of handicapping. It is pretty interesting when you get into it. There are bets where you pick 2-3-4 in one race, 3-4-5 in the next and 4-5-6 in the third race, as well as exacta bets and w-p-s bets and I forget the term for it but when two horses from the same barn are entered, you bet one and get both. It is interesting stuff, that's for sure.
We not only have live & simulcast racing here at Turf Paradise, but OTB too. It can be fun and surprisingly enough, my 'method' of picking horses for their names or how they looked to me, usually at least covered lunch or dinner for the day. LOL! Good luck!
RFD has become known around some parts as the Really F'ing Dumb channel since some of the shows and the info contained in that time slot is just. really. f'ing. DUMB.
ReplyDeleteI can put you in touch with someone who may be able to explain some of the terms and methods of handicapping. It is pretty interesting when you get into it. There are bets where you pick 2-3-4 in one race, 3-4-5 in the next and 4-5-6 in the third race, as well as exacta bets and w-p-s bets and I forget the term for it but when two horses from the same barn are entered, you bet one and get both. It is interesting stuff, that's for sure.
We not only have live & simulcast racing here at Turf Paradise, but OTB too. It can be fun and surprisingly enough, my 'method' of picking horses for their names or how they looked to me, usually at least covered lunch or dinner for the day. LOL! Good luck!
I did a little betting at the track once with Martin , I picked the horse he paid (we were still dating ) I/we one $150 that day , and i have never been back !
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard anything in a while, MiKael. I hope you're all right.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Snipe. I hope to post something worthwhile soon.
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