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photo by Marcus Frazier
Tee Johnson, Anthony Banks, and Timothy Green play a game of dominoes Saturday afternoon in Cambridge Heights.
'Bones' kill daylight
The Dart: Dominoes helps pass time
Published Monday, January 7, 2008
NATCHEZ — On an overcast afternoon Anthony Banks shuffles the bones on a card table in the front yard of a house in the Cambridge Heights neighborhood.
The card table is rickety to say the least; it looks as if it may collapse at any moment.
“This is what we do,” Banks said.
And what Banks and his buddies do on most afternoons is play dominoes.
Dominoes are often called “bones” because many years ago they where actually made of animal bone.
Banks and two other men, Timothy Green and Tee Johnson, said they regularly play dominoes in the front yard for hours at a time.
Green’s long, black fingers wrap around his newly dealt hand.
The juxtaposition of his skin and the dominoes is striking.
He takes a sip of his drink and attempts to explain the game.
“It’s about strategy,” he said. “Whoever has the best strategy, takes the game.”
Green was reluctant to reveal his strategy in front of his competitors though.
“Gimmie my money,” he said as he laid down one domino on the table scoring 10 points off the previously played hand.
Green said the term “money” is not monetary but is used to describe points scored during the game.
“You need to know what’s on the table and what they (other players) are going to try play,” he said.
And apparently Green knows what he’s talking about because Johnson, keeping score, said Green has won most of the afternoon’s games.
Johnson said he likes to play dominoes because it helps to keep his mind sharp.
“It gives you focus,” he said. “And it’s fun.”
And, as far as dominoes go, Johnson’s mind is sharp.
In fact all three of the men add points and play their hands a pace quicker than lightning.
Then someone at the table gets a phone call and the game breaks up.
Green and Banks walk across the street leaving Johnson to clean up.
But the gaming is far from over.
“We’ll be back out here later on,” Johnson said stacking the dominoes in their metal case.
Comments
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Green’s long, black fingers wrap around his newly dealt hand.
The juxtaposition of his skin and the dominoes is striking."
WTH!!!???
Posted by gemccull (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"juxtaposition \,jek-ste-pe-'zi-shen\ n [L juxta near + E position _ more at joust ] (1654) : the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side; also : the state of being so placed _ juxtapositional \-'zish-nel, -'zi-she-n e l\ adj" InfoPedia
Probably should have used the word, "juxtapose \'jek-ste-,poz\ vt -posed ; -posing [prob. back-formation fr. juxtaposition ] (1851) : to place side by side <~ unexpected combinations of colors, shapes and ideas _J. F. T. Bugental> "
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know the definitions and the usage of each word, I am just wondering why was that part important in the article? Why was the article important?
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why aren't they at work???
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they have a job where they work 5 days a week, kind of like I do.
Posted by 95kidd (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a black person I am almost offended by this.
"Green’s long, black fingers wrap around his newly dealt hand."
"The juxtaposition of his skin and the dominoes is striking."
"The card table is rickety to say the least; it looks as if it may collapse at any moment."
Posted by firered (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ok so that would be appropriate for a novel but seeing as how we had the picture a description such as that was not necessary.
I kinda was embarrassed for Adam as I read this... Not the best writing skills. Not the best article either. I didn't really get anything from it other than these guys play Dominoes on a regular basis to pass the time. Couldn't that have just been a caption under the picture and then another article of interest could've been written.
(No offense to anyone the article was written about it just could've been written better.)
Posted by Roy (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does the editor look at these articles before they are posted?
Posted by gemccull (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Teach4Peace, I am glad you knew the word because I had to look it up.
I am not sure why the article was published, either. Except, there has been a lot of rhetoric about nothing to do in Natchez.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, Adam what are you really trying to say????
Posted by JunkyardDawg (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well...if you had to look-up the word, then at least, Adam taught you something new. Now your brain has evolved...just be glad to have learned a new word.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
True the wording could have been a little different, however I'm glad to see these guys playing dominoes. I get tired of reading articles regarding, shootings, death, break-ins, and so forth.
Fire39212- that was a very rude question, its been years since I had to work a Saturday.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Must have been a slow news day in Natchez.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, seems like it was a very slow news day in Natchez. I guess they get in their cars and ride up and down the streets looking for anything they can find to conjure up a few lines to throw in the paper.
Posted by JunkyardDawg (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they've always done that with the Dart...rode around looking for news.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you all want something better to read go to andrewolmsted.com It is a blog from a major who was killed in Iraq Friday. He left a final message. Very thought provoking, but have the tissues ready.
Posted by gemccull (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JunkyardDawg, you know that I looked up the word because I posted the definition.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, Dominoes is a fun game to play as long as gambling is not involved. My boss taught me how to play. My boyfriend, my mother and I play on weekends; it's really fun. It kind of teaches you how to add and subtract promptly.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((drawpaintsing)) YOU'VE GOT MAIL!!!! (about dominoes -- read your email when you get a chance.)
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((ijohnson)) READ MY RESPONSE!!!! I didn't know that though. That's really intesting.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((fire39212)) THEY ARE WORKING!! haha, it clearly states one of them hooting and hollering 'GIVE ME MY MONEY' haha! what a job huh??
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys, we don't know what jobs they have, everyone does not work normal work hours. Some people work overnight, I used to at a prison, 11PM-7AM, so I was basically at home when others were at work.
I just think this story and some of the comments in it, are uncalled for.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
exactly un-called for.. so why not have a lil fun with it ((TEACH))??? HOPE YOUR MONDAY IS GOING WELL!!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And this is the reason why Adam wrote this article: so they can be made fun of. Majority of this state, as well as this country work five days a week. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why this, what some would think useless article, was written in the first place. Just so some can get a good laugh at certain individuals having their own fun. From the aim range of the photograph to the choice of words, it clearly states that this article was written to start a war. (Read between the lines) But I strongly urge all who want to start wars make sure they can write with correct grammar and take advantage of spell check. To those who find this as a joke, tell your author friends to go back to school, and learn a lot more journalism and grammar.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
<<drawpaintsing>> What were you saying about using correct grammer.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((ijohnson)) READ MY RESPONSE!!!! I didn't know that though. That's really intesting.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also needed to add spell check.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hahaha
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well thank you ((lowrider))! I guess you got me, hah? I will be careful the next time I criticize the author for criticizing others! You are correct. I misspelled a word. "Golly Goose!"
Next Please!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hahahaha......HA!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Buttercup26, thanks! My Monday is just swell!!!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since we are grading each other, Lowrider, you don't end a question with a period.
It's nice that you are concerned, but you all have nice day; and don't talk about me too much. I'm having just as much fun as you on here, but now I will act like and adult.
Posted by Allure1113 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not the first time a Natchez Democrat article and people associated with the Natchez Democrat have disturbed me. I'm disgusted with tasteless and pointless articles like this or untrue facts (that I've seen from past articles) being published. This article was full of racial innuendos and unecessary comments.......An appropriate article would have stated the history of dominoes and illustrated how it relates to the Natcez area. Adam needs a serious dose of racial sensitivity and a new job! Any suggestions for Adam's new career????
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen Allure1113!
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
++gemccull and freedom++ thanks for the look-up and reference. I enjoyed the reading. And I got involved with a lot more reading while at the site. Very informative. I will be visiting that newspaper more often to pick up ideas on who to vote for. I already know who NOT to vote for but very undecided on who TO vote for.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh my goodness!! only racist filled minds would only think AND say things like you ((allure)) and ((teach)) just did!! this is the 'WAR' some one posted earlier about... give it a rest! it's an article!
would you have been happier if it was a bunch of us white redneck folks standing around watching some one play in a mud hole in this article?? or would you have came back with 'OH THEY ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE WHITE PEOPLE'
LIGHTEN UP!!! it's just an article about some guys playing DOMINOS!! GEEZZ!!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No buttercup26, I just DIDN'T please read the first post on this story. I indicated and placed in quotes, one portion from this "article." Why did that have to be placed in the article. Like Allure posted, why not a brief history on the origin of the game of dominoes, instead of how someone's black fingers contrast the white dominoes, of course they do! I play dominoes and I know that without that even being a necessary comment. Looks like useless filler for a story, to have a story.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what i'm saying is who cares what color the FINGERS ARE!! and why is it such A HUGE DEAL TO YOU OR ANY ONE ELSE??? maybe it is an article that was used to just take up a space in the paper... ya'll making or trying to make a huge deal out of nothing... so the fingers where black woo-hoo!!
Posted by Allure1113 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, to me, their fingers are various shades of brown, not black.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hahaha ok.... well then they are brown! that's called for finding a replacement on the writer??? hahaha... just asking, i'm gone!! we have a basketball game today and with alot of prayer and luck we just may even win today! ;)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well it just happens my fingers are white and my dominos happen to be the black ones. What are we to make of that. All this talk is totally pointless to the article. Can't someone write or say anything without race coming into it?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
END OF STORY!!!!!!
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Which one of them rode in on that bike in the background?
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, that's a wrap!
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