I don't make bets (casino gambling doesn't count) unless I know I'm going to win - just ask CRM (sorry buddy).

I made a bet with Cristie's new friend, Julio aka "Jules". We all went out to sushi Friday evening and at one point began discussing Belize. I don't know exactly why or how it came about, but all of a sudden Jules (he was hammered) and I began debating whether Belize was an independent country or not. I took the (correct) position that it is an independent country. Jules was VERY sure that it wasn't. He kept saying that "there are 6 countries in Central America" and then we were naming them: Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala...we had forgotten Nicaragua. Well, once we remembered Nicaragua, he was REALLY sure he was right. "There are six countries - only 6!" Obviously we weren't going to be able to determine who was right at that moment, so it turned into... YA WANNA BET?? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BET? I thought quickly and said, "A weekend of spa treatments for Cristie and I." "WOO-HOO!"she shouted. "What do I get if I'm right?" he asked, and then answered himself, "Ok, I want the same thing." "WOO-HOO!" Cristie shouted again.

Saturday I ran by Nell Anne's to pick up a metal rack that Clint was cutting for me. Jules and Cristie showed up as they were headed to Seaside with Nell and Clint. Jules walks in and says, "Ok, where do you want to go? I looked it up this morning and apparently Belize was recognized as a country in 1991 . I spent all morning cursing the British and the Guatemalans. First I was cursing the British for letting it go as a territory, and then the Guatemalans for recognizing it as a sovereign nation in 1991."

It had been drilled into his head in school that there were 6 countries in Central America and at the time he learned it, it was true. He made it sound like it was some sort of new development. "Jules," I said, "That was 15 years ago." "Yeah, I know," he said.

So now we have to decide where we are going. He is pretty adamant about fulfilling his end of the deal. Cristie and I are thinking about where we would like to go. Aequis is nice, or Skamania Lodge or the Bonneville Hot Springs and Resort. We'll have to think about it a little. Whether the goal is to avoid drinking an appletini or to get pampered at a spa, if I don't know what I am talking about, I may insist that I am right, but I will not make a bet. Losing sucks.