City bad, house good

I think I emailed this to a couple of people, but it is worth posting:

The Worst-Run Big City In The U.S.

No, not Oakland -- we're not that big.

By the way, I'm closing on my house Monday, and hoping to move the week after Christmas. I have my apartment through January, but I've lined up the new tenants and may strike a deal with them to recoup some of that rent. I might target early-March for a housewarming party, but I'll give some of you lazy asses (hint hint, AD) plenty of notice, and should have room for any who want to stay with me.

DOES ANYONE NEED A GOOGLE WAVE INVITE?

I begots a grip.

Why yes, I would like to double-down on an eight

Cue the "aggressive gamblers do better" story next, because Mr. Watanabe would like to have a word with you.

Here's the lede:

LAS VEGAS -- During a year-long gambling binge at the Caesars Palace and Rio casinos in 2007, Terrance Watanabe managed to lose nearly $127 million.

The run is believed to be one of the biggest losing streaks by an individual in Las Vegas history. It devoured much of Mr. Watanabe's personal fortune, he says, which he built up over more than two decades running his family's party-favor import business in Omaha, Neb. It also benefitted the two casinos' parent company, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which derived about 5.6% of its Las Vegas gambling revenue from Mr. Watanabe that year.

That's a pretty impressive amount of losing when you can claim your own slice of the Harrah's revenue pie chart. "And here we see our 4th quarter projections, with catering, gift shop, concerts, and oh yes, Mr. Watanabe will be in town for Thanksgiving."