The Merrill Dubrow Blog

When I was growing up I used to play cards all the time–whether it was War or Go Fish with my Aunt Freda, or Gin Rummy with my dad or sister, or Poker with Andrew and Gary. I guess I always seem to play card games.  With me it was a good way to relax, enjoy a little competition, hang out with my family/friends and most important get my mind working a little bit while I am trying to develop some strategy when I was playing. Ok maybe at six there isn’t a lot of strategy when you are playing war, but there is in a lot of the other card games I play.

My kids were asking me to play card games the other day which I had no idea how to play. They wanted me to play Spit. Never heard of it and frankly didn’t know since my kids are young I wasn’t sure if there was actually spitting involved in the game. We didn’t play that game but we did play Concentration, Fish and Thirty-one. The card game Thirty-one was taught to me when I was on vacation with friends years ago.  We played for hours and had a great time. All ages can play as long as you can add.  You get dealt three cards and the object is to have high cards from the same suit that ultimately add up to thirty-one. Fun game.

In addition to kid games, I still play Poker, Gin and Rummy 500.

• What card games do you play?
   
• What card games did you play as a kid?
   
• Since I am always looking for new card games please teach me a new game!

I look forward to reading your comments.

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A few weeks ago I went to court for a speeding ticket. Sorry if you have less of an opinion of me since I now admitted I got stopped for speeding. I do believe I was speeding but not going as fast as the officer has mentioned (perhaps a topic for another day). The real reason I went to court was to see the process.

My day came and I drove a few miles to the courthouse. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but I knew this be an interesting experience since I haven’t done this in years–who knows maybe decades.

As I walked into the courthouse and went to check in, there were about forty people in the lobby so I knew this could take awhile. I brought some work to review so I thought I would be ok.

Prior to getting into the courtroom this officer appeared and went over the rules for the day:

• No guns
   
• Turn your cell phone off
   
• Turn your BlackBerry off
   
• No gum
   
• No jeans
   
• No eating
   
• No drinking
   
• No talking

And frankly the list went on for almost six minutes!

As we walked into the courtroom everyone was quiet–very, very respectful. FYI–I was in a suit, new tie and had actually drawn a map of where I got pulled over and why I believe the officer may have made a mistake.

We all stood up as the honorable Judge Carol Montgomery walked into the courtroom. As she walked in I couldn’t believe what I saw! In her right hand was a big drink from what appeared to be Chick-fil-A. Let me start by saying that I have NEVER met the judge before and have nothing against her at all. I also want to say that during the time I was in her courtroom she had a great way about herself, really explained things to people and had a bubbly personality.

With that said, what message did she send to the fifty people in her courtroom?

• I won’t spill anything and you will?
   
• I am above the rules?
   
• The rules don’t apply to me?
   
• If you are in charge you can do whatever you want?

I was amazed that the officer made a speech for over five minutes and within a second of walking into the courtroom she broke a rule.

What do you think?

• Is this a double standard?
   
• Was the judge trying to send a message?
   
• Are there other double standards that you encounter?

I look forward to your comments.

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