I never thought I would see the day that the casinos closed down.  They have been shut now for something like three days as the state tries to get it's act together regarding budgets.

For me, the casinos have always been a refuge for me.  No matter the time of day I could go there and just watch the people gambling.  Believe it or not, it's fun.  If it was a sleepless night or just an evening I didn't want to end, I could walk into any of the casinos (or at least the ones in midtown) and just walk around and feel that there were at least a few other people who didn't want to be alone that night.

But now the buildings are quiet. The hotels and bars are open, but the gaming floors are closed and roped off.  It's a creepy sight to see, but at least I was able to take a few pictures (you're not permitted to snap photos during the day or whenever there are people on the floor gambling)

When I first moved down here, after my friends dropped me off and I was left alone, I would sometimes make my way over to Ballys and just walk around the Wild Wild West and then out onto the boardwalk if I had nothing else to do.  There would be some sleepless nights when after a late night trip to 7-11 and a drive around the area I would pull into Caesars and just spend some time.  It was a strange feeling, but it was also a comfort.  Although one could say it's sad seeing as there really are people with nowhere to go and can't pull themselves away from the slots and tables.