Had one of those “Moments In Chipping” that put a point on a couple of threads that have popped up in the last day or so…

I was still wound up from a crummy Day 8 at work yesterday when I woke but I was looking forward to squeezing in a haircut on my way to Day 9. My barber, Joseph, is a really positive sort and I knew a visit with him would be fun and just what I needed. I first walked into Joseph’s place because of his barber pole about 20 years ago. Actually Joseph is a hairdresser and most of his clientele are little old ladies, but man, does he give a great $20 haircut! He’s about profootball size and a gay American Indian who dresses in vintage Hawaiian shirts and used to keep a cookie jar collection in his shop.

Over the years we’ve become friends and have discussed losing one of our parents along the way, work, wheels, movies, Portland, etc. We both love Las Vegas, Joseph likes to rent a convertible so he and his friends can cruise the strip and party. He’s not a gambler really, but he knows I collect chips and that is very interesting to him but I don’t see him becoming a chipper. I’ve occasionally brought along a chip to show off to him and he appreciates that and we discuss the old and new places. Like most “regular” folks, he never realized the scope and variety of casino chips.

Today I thought I’d bring some of those new chips from Marilyn’s Celebrity Casino in Spokane, WA. Buy them at Wimpy’s: http://www.wimpyschips.com Due to an amusing turn of events, I had an extra $1 and $5 with some great portraits of Marilyn Monroe on the inlay sitting in my trade tray waiting for the Aug. convention. I like Monroe (who doesn’t?) but I haven’t seen Some Like It Hot since its first run in the little town where I grew up. She has become an icon here and there with some people. As I was finished up and leaving we were talking about how maybe Joseph could hook up with one of the tribes that has a casino as his doesn’t have a Sonic or anything when I pulled out my two chips.

“Here’re a couple of new ones I just got.” I said, handing them over.

“Wow!” He stared at them for about 30 seconds and then showed them around the shop. Still staring at them, he got all the location info from me and said one of his friends was a Marilyn Monroe nut and he’d have to get some somehow. Stare, stare stare.

Well…do you want ‘em?

“Yeah…”

“Okay, see ya next time Joseph, Thanks!” He was still turning them over in his hands when I left the shop.

It was a $1 and a $5 but I don’t remember what I paid for them. Whatever it was, it was enough to make a friend happy and I do know that I’ll never forget those two chips. Is this a great hobby or what?