Gecko sitting on my computer, trying to push a new rate quote my way

Auto insurance giant Geico obviously has an extremely strong hold throughout the Big Island of Hawaii. Geico, whose spokesman happens to be a gecko, has infested the Big Island with millions upon millions of green spotted day geckos, each waiting to sell you car insurance every time you turn around.

I go to the coffee pot, there’s a gecko waiting with a new rate quote. I’ve told these guys a million times that I already have Geico insurance, but it seems to do little good. There’s running all over the counter, drinking my POG, sitting atop my computer, my TV, my ceilings … basically just invading my life.

What’s next? Are ducks going to be raiding my shower next year?

Another gecko watching me from my wireless router

Gecko trying to hide in my paper towels

Seems that the first Saturday in May crept up on me in 2010. In fact, I had no idea it was even May until the race was over … must be the first Kentucky Derby I haven’t bet on in 7 years at least … Guess that’s the price to pay for living on an island.
Anyway, as a tribute to this year’s racing season, I wanted to turn back the clock to 2008 …

* * *

So there it was the first Saturday in May and we needed to find the closest off-track betting parlor. Of course, the Space Coast doesn’t have its own horse track, so I was forced to settle for the next best thing…the Melbourne Dog Track.

It was a strange way to witness the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. And although I hadn’t followed the horses for some time, well, as a gambler, it was only appropriate that I take the proper actions to ensure I got a bet down on somebody, for better or worse. Besides, with horse racing as with many other things, the less you know can be better….this way I could go in with a clear head. I didn’t have all that pre-race gibberish clouding my mind, distorting my judgments…
(more…)