I like California as well (except for the crowds). It’s a beautiful state, and I think the majority of people who hate the state have probably never been there.
I’ll add that I dabble a little in sports betting. Even in GA, there are apps where you can bet on “predictions.” I’m a cheap, low-stakes guy, but gambling was easy when the Braves were on their winning streak earlier this year.
Having spent many years living and working in the southwest, I think the west coast is much more desirable place to live then anywhere on the east coast. California us a beautiful place with many attractions. Vacationing in California was always a great experience and while it cannot be tuned out entirely, the wokeness of the state can be easy to ignore. Having worked in California, I can say that as long as I didn't want to make an issue of things my California experiences were great. That all being said, when I retired I ended up moving back east so I can enjoy coastal living while not being subjected to the whims and want of the woke that control the west coast. Climate wise, SoCal cannot be beat. Too bad it's inhabited by people with such drastic views/
The current sports betting craze is just another example of the lack of discipline in the US. Habitual gamblers are "addicted" and fall victim to the evil corporations that make it so easy to place bets. Judges are too quick to allow athletes to continue their playing career despite placing bets on their sports/teams. Greed is the culprit and too many athletes will never have enough no matter how much they are paid leaving them open to falling victim to gambling. Truth be told, I can only hope despite it not being likely, that Texas A&M with their gambling quarterback goes winless this season. For far too many athletes their entitlement knows no bounds and enforcement of the law is for others and not them.
I'm always fascinated how little is said/written about our ugly societal change. Thanks for the brief mention, i will be looking forward to a deeper dive.
Shortly before retiring in 2003, i served on a pension trust. Our financial guys lamented the challenges of placing valuations on corporations without bricks and mortar. My word, how far from the tree has that apple fallen?
Now days, easy money seems to rule our society. Kids want to become an "influencer" with a million followers by creating content on their phone. The stock market was where the smart money went and of course insiders were at the top of the heap.
And then it all became butt ugly. Casinos, horse and dog tracks and the lottery wasn't enough. Sports betting, once done in Vegas and by illegal bookies, all became the rage. Once the leagues that were terrified of gambling embraced the idea betting on games was a good thing, all was lost.
Jetting off to the glitter of Vegas took an effort, now, just pick up your phone. The amount of money spent on advertising tells us how lucrative it all is. There's never a shortage of gamblers, which means there's never a shortage of losers.
But wait, there's more because enough is never enough: Kalshi, Polymarket et al are also raging.
Last time I was in California was 1981 or 1982 on business. I stayed at a Holiday Inn in Long Beach. The view out the window was nearby oil wells and distant mountains. The weather was good, but it turned very cool and windy my last day there. Up in the mountains the wind was overturning 18-wheelers. The people I met were nice except for a few crazies on the street - sort of like Atlanta at the time. I glad you found normal people there. There's still hope.
Glad you had a good trip.
I like California as well (except for the crowds). It’s a beautiful state, and I think the majority of people who hate the state have probably never been there.
I’ll add that I dabble a little in sports betting. Even in GA, there are apps where you can bet on “predictions.” I’m a cheap, low-stakes guy, but gambling was easy when the Braves were on their winning streak earlier this year.
Having spent many years living and working in the southwest, I think the west coast is much more desirable place to live then anywhere on the east coast. California us a beautiful place with many attractions. Vacationing in California was always a great experience and while it cannot be tuned out entirely, the wokeness of the state can be easy to ignore. Having worked in California, I can say that as long as I didn't want to make an issue of things my California experiences were great. That all being said, when I retired I ended up moving back east so I can enjoy coastal living while not being subjected to the whims and want of the woke that control the west coast. Climate wise, SoCal cannot be beat. Too bad it's inhabited by people with such drastic views/
The current sports betting craze is just another example of the lack of discipline in the US. Habitual gamblers are "addicted" and fall victim to the evil corporations that make it so easy to place bets. Judges are too quick to allow athletes to continue their playing career despite placing bets on their sports/teams. Greed is the culprit and too many athletes will never have enough no matter how much they are paid leaving them open to falling victim to gambling. Truth be told, I can only hope despite it not being likely, that Texas A&M with their gambling quarterback goes winless this season. For far too many athletes their entitlement knows no bounds and enforcement of the law is for others and not them.
I'm always fascinated how little is said/written about our ugly societal change. Thanks for the brief mention, i will be looking forward to a deeper dive.
Shortly before retiring in 2003, i served on a pension trust. Our financial guys lamented the challenges of placing valuations on corporations without bricks and mortar. My word, how far from the tree has that apple fallen?
Now days, easy money seems to rule our society. Kids want to become an "influencer" with a million followers by creating content on their phone. The stock market was where the smart money went and of course insiders were at the top of the heap.
And then it all became butt ugly. Casinos, horse and dog tracks and the lottery wasn't enough. Sports betting, once done in Vegas and by illegal bookies, all became the rage. Once the leagues that were terrified of gambling embraced the idea betting on games was a good thing, all was lost.
Jetting off to the glitter of Vegas took an effort, now, just pick up your phone. The amount of money spent on advertising tells us how lucrative it all is. There's never a shortage of gamblers, which means there's never a shortage of losers.
But wait, there's more because enough is never enough: Kalshi, Polymarket et al are also raging.
May God help us all.
Last time I was in California was 1981 or 1982 on business. I stayed at a Holiday Inn in Long Beach. The view out the window was nearby oil wells and distant mountains. The weather was good, but it turned very cool and windy my last day there. Up in the mountains the wind was overturning 18-wheelers. The people I met were nice except for a few crazies on the street - sort of like Atlanta at the time. I glad you found normal people there. There's still hope.