- So my old friend Ghettor was in town this weekend and we went down to San Diego to meet up with Robbie. For those of you that don't know, Ghettor and Robbie were the Don and Mike before they Don and Mike joined us on the Vegas trips. A crazy duo that pulled off 24-36 hour gambling sprees that would end up in some crazy ending like the time they ended up at the Plaza and stole the Houdini relics and brought them back to the Monte Carlo. Anyway I get down to San Diego and guess who calls Robbie and wants to chat with me. Joe Jirsa. Yes he is alive...and just graduated from University of Maryland.
- Went to Oceanside to go see Terminator late night. Something about watching a movie with a bunch of 18 year old Marines that is somewhat weird. They were all drinking beers but they were all very quiet. And they were laughing at what I thought were pretty decent action scenes.
- So what did everyone think about the season finale of The Hills. I thought I was done with the show but they are now bringing my girl Kristen for next season. Love it.
May 31, 2009
Joe Jirsa, Marines, and The Hills
Quiet a combo eh? Onto an explaination of the title:
Happy Anniversary!
We are 4 today!
On May 31, 2005, this blog was born with the first topic being about - what else? - Cleveland sports. Let's not spoil the birthday party by talking about the Cavs choke, ok?
May 30, 2009
A sad week
Sorry for the non-posting over the past several days, but it's been a sad week here. A friend of mine from the Iowa City plant died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, and I went up for the funeral.
He was a single guy who loved life and - importantly to me - he was an automatic "yes" for a casino run when I traveled to the plant. He was the friend who lost $60 at blackjack in this post. He was with me during the hot roll on this post.
Two weeks ago, we made a trip to the casino, and I converted him to Ultimate Texas Hold em. We had an ethical incident there at the table, when he hit 4 of a kind, paying 1o-to-1 on his $10 blind bet. The dealer slid him $200, called the pit boss over, and the pit boss approved the error. What else was he supposed to do?
He and I also did a little Layup/Wiz action on that recent trip, when I was down to my last $15, we went to the empty roulette table; I put my last $15 on black - he put $20 down. We won. We let it ride - we won again. A third time - yes! Black again. Back to the craps table with the winnings.
That's a pretty nice memory to have as the last time you see a person.....
He was a single guy who loved life and - importantly to me - he was an automatic "yes" for a casino run when I traveled to the plant. He was the friend who lost $60 at blackjack in this post. He was with me during the hot roll on this post.
Two weeks ago, we made a trip to the casino, and I converted him to Ultimate Texas Hold em. We had an ethical incident there at the table, when he hit 4 of a kind, paying 1o-to-1 on his $10 blind bet. The dealer slid him $200, called the pit boss over, and the pit boss approved the error. What else was he supposed to do?
He and I also did a little Layup/Wiz action on that recent trip, when I was down to my last $15, we went to the empty roulette table; I put my last $15 on black - he put $20 down. We won. We let it ride - we won again. A third time - yes! Black again. Back to the craps table with the winnings.
That's a pretty nice memory to have as the last time you see a person.....
May 29, 2009
21st B-Day
Quick Story: S0 I was down at my local bar picking up some food for Carol and I, and what looked like a 16 year old walked in and sat down next to me at the bar. He called over the bartender and asked to do a shot, any shot. The bartender was confused, but ended up giving him a shot of rail tequila. He asked how much it was and then got up and left. Apparently the kid was doing this for the past 30 minutes. The bartender and another customer was sort of making fun of him and I thought it was a little strange.
Well he returned with the exact amount of money for the shot. And then he asked for another one. Nothing specific, but just a shot. The bartender started to get a little pissed, since he didn't know what type of shot he wanted. He looked at me for some help, so I chimed in that he should do a vodka shot. He agreed and he did it, and then got up again and left.
The customer then told me it was his 21st birthday. Ahhhhh....Now it was making sense. So when the kid, Nat, came back in to give the bartender the money for the shot, I congratulated him on turning 21. He ends up telling me that he has never drank before and that he is the oldest of all of his friends so that is why he is by himself. He then tells me that his friends are outside, too scared to come in for some reason, and are paying for his shots. So of course I buy him a drink and then he asked for advice about bars and drinking and here is what I told him:
Well he returned with the exact amount of money for the shot. And then he asked for another one. Nothing specific, but just a shot. The bartender started to get a little pissed, since he didn't know what type of shot he wanted. He looked at me for some help, so I chimed in that he should do a vodka shot. He agreed and he did it, and then got up again and left.
The customer then told me it was his 21st birthday. Ahhhhh....Now it was making sense. So when the kid, Nat, came back in to give the bartender the money for the shot, I congratulated him on turning 21. He ends up telling me that he has never drank before and that he is the oldest of all of his friends so that is why he is by himself. He then tells me that his friends are outside, too scared to come in for some reason, and are paying for his shots. So of course I buy him a drink and then he asked for advice about bars and drinking and here is what I told him:
- Nat was in love with Long Island Ice Teas, which is the drink he wanted when I offered to buy him a shot. I told him that it is only a fad and your desire to drink these will go away. Also I told him to ease up on them since it will give you a huge hangover, in which he responded with "Well all I need to do is eat potatoes, right?" Wow, I wish it was that easy.
- You need to tip the bartenders after every drink. Apparently he wasn't doing that and was understanding why the bartender was not being friendly. I ended up tipping 200% on my drink I bought for him, hopefully making up for his lack of tipping.
- Never shoot Rum. Never!!! Apparently his Dad drinks rum and it always smelled good, so he thought that he should have a shot. Explained to him the concept of mixers and what goes well with each liquor. He responded with "So can I get a shot of Rum and Coke?" Ugh.
So I left him there by himself drinking Long Island Ice Teas and doing shots of warm rail vodka and tequila. I'm still trying to decide if drinking alone on your 21st is a better scenario than going out with your buddies whose sole purpose is to buy you the worst shots ever and put you in the hospital.
May 26, 2009
Cavs
From this moment forward (10:55PM EST), the Cavs should only run one play - LeBron on the right box on a post up. It hasn't been stopped tonight. Until I see ORL defend that, there is no reason to do anything else.
Is Szcerbiak really the best answer for defending Rashard Lewis??? That is a scary thought. Z has been pretty useless this game. Makes you appreciate how well Kendrick Perkins played Howard.
Is Szcerbiak really the best answer for defending Rashard Lewis??? That is a scary thought. Z has been pretty useless this game. Makes you appreciate how well Kendrick Perkins played Howard.
I know what I'll be dreaming about tonight..
Thanks Wiz in sending this story to us this morning.
WHAT A ROLL! She might not have been a virgin shooter, but Patricia Demauro set a record four-hour and 18-minute roll at the craps table on just her second time tossing the dice, so that’s good enough for beginners luck.Demauro rolled 154 times before crapping out at the Borgata in Atlantic City, AP reported.Demauro bought in for $100. The Borgata declined to reveal how much she won.The previous record of three hours and six minutes was set in Las Vegas 20 longs year ago, AP said.
Four hours? Are you serious? 154 rolls? Um....I'm speechless. Some questions I posed to Wiz, Eric, and Lee this morning:
WHAT A ROLL! She might not have been a virgin shooter, but Patricia Demauro set a record four-hour and 18-minute roll at the craps table on just her second time tossing the dice, so that’s good enough for beginners luck.Demauro rolled 154 times before crapping out at the Borgata in Atlantic City, AP reported.Demauro bought in for $100. The Borgata declined to reveal how much she won.The previous record of three hours and six minutes was set in Las Vegas 20 longs year ago, AP said.
Four hours? Are you serious? 154 rolls? Um....I'm speechless. Some questions I posed to Wiz, Eric, and Lee this morning:
- How much money must of been left on the table after she crapped out. $250 on the hardways? $1000 on each number?
- What would be our reaction when she crapped out? I'm sure that Wiz and I would still have been disappointed.
- How big of a tip do you give her?
- How much did the dealers make?
- Would Eric of been transported to the ER for severe bruises to his hips for doing his blocking calls?
- Would we see the first male kiss between Derek and Jay, Lee and Wiz, Eric and Kermit, and Don and Mike between rolls 100-125?
- Was anyone at the table yelling at her to bet more money? Apparently she didn't make that much.
- Were there guys pissing in cups just to stay at the table for 4 hours.
- Would someone commit suicide from our group if they had been playing Texas Holdem during this roll?
- How many pit bosses were present at the table?
- Should we have Eric run a simulation on this for us to actually see how much money we would of made? This would be simple right?
- Would we of found something to complain about during this roll to discuss during dinner?
May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day
Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day filled with lots of food and beer.
Stumbled across this on Deadspin this morning. Only Duke students could make a food eating contest gay. It sounds like a great event until you see the food that they have to eat. God, and they wonder why everyone hates them. Ugh.
Stumbled across this on Deadspin this morning. Only Duke students could make a food eating contest gay. It sounds like a great event until you see the food that they have to eat. God, and they wonder why everyone hates them. Ugh.
May 24, 2009
Northern Coast
Anyone interested in going on a 40 mile run in 5 days just north of San Fran in October? Its on the coast and it would be 8 miles a day of running and hiking.
Lee and I are looking for either another person to run with us or a driver of our luggage from hotel to hotel. So being in shape is optional. And its cheap.
May 23, 2009
Pregnant Shit
So Carol is sick. Really sick actually. Nothing more than a severe case of morning sickness that last throughout the entire day. Very tough for her to eat anything and actually she is losing weight. The doctors aren't too worried yet, but she is losing weight which isn't a great thing. So the other day she was feeling OK for about an hour and we ran to the mall to do some price shopping on baby crap. So a couple of questions to the group:
1. Why such a large swing in prices for simple things like a baby carrier, stroller, and shit like that. Is it really worth $200 more for some of these products. I understand I'm a little bit of a cheapskate but what is the difference between the 49.99 breast pump and the $200 one?
2. So with Carol being sick, lets just say that the traffic control has restricted any flights from taking off in the Zahn bedroom. So we are walking in the mall and we pass that Bebe store. Lets just say that I was turned on by the fucking manikins. Yes the fucking manikins. And I wasn't even that drunk yet. I hope to God I don't have a girl.
3. So there is a local cigar store that I will visit and buy an occasional cigar from since I want to support the store. Yes I buy my cigars off of the internet so I can skip the 45% tax that California has on the product, but I don't want to see these places go. So today I walked into the shop and ended wandering into a back room that I didn't know was there. I was drinking a little Jack right before I went there, so I missed the room with the cigars in it, and ended up going into this wonderous room full of flat screens. It was empty at the time but the set up was amazing. Chess boards, an amazing poker table, and comphy chairs galore. The place has a sitting area in their main lobby but this was a backdoor area that seemed to lead itself to an impromptu craps table being set up. I asked the cashier about it and he said that its usually packed but since it was Sunday and Memorial day things have been quiet. Looks like I found my new place to go watch golf on Saturdays....and maybe start up my bookie business.
4. Speaking of the bookie business, I was in a meeting two weeks ago where we did this team building excercise where the team members spoke about themselves for 10 minutes and it couldn't be about work. So it was my turn and I talked about my love of gambling. Everyone was laughing at some of the stories and it went pretty well. Then it was out Litigation Managers turn, who is this mother of three who lives in San Diego. She starts off by stating "Well I have something in common with Derek. My Dad was a professional gambler." Hmmmm. Really. So of course I decide to have lunch with her and ask her about it and she goes on to tell me that her Dad was a bookie and never worked a day in his life. WOW!! I mean WOW!!!!!!! She said that he is retire now and was asked to go out to Arizona to help start one of the casinos in Scottsdale. Ummm, how big do you need to be for a casino to ask you to help them, when they don't have a sportsbook. She said that they would go out to Vegas when she was a kid all the time and they would drive out there...in a limo.....provided by the casinos. I was blown away. I asked if I could come over for dinner one night to meet her dad. She said sure, so I will keep you posted.
Finnally, who is watching Kate plus 8. The marketing people for that show should receive an award. Bravo on getting both of them on every cover of every magazine right before the season premiere. Just because they have a show already shouldn't preclude us of viewing them just like the money grubbing whore Octomom. Did they really drum up all of this drama just to increase their ratings on their show? I don't know, but they have a lot to lose if ratings drop and TLC cancels the show. For fuck sake they live in a $1.6 million home paid for by TLC.
1. Why such a large swing in prices for simple things like a baby carrier, stroller, and shit like that. Is it really worth $200 more for some of these products. I understand I'm a little bit of a cheapskate but what is the difference between the 49.99 breast pump and the $200 one?
2. So with Carol being sick, lets just say that the traffic control has restricted any flights from taking off in the Zahn bedroom. So we are walking in the mall and we pass that Bebe store. Lets just say that I was turned on by the fucking manikins. Yes the fucking manikins. And I wasn't even that drunk yet. I hope to God I don't have a girl.
3. So there is a local cigar store that I will visit and buy an occasional cigar from since I want to support the store. Yes I buy my cigars off of the internet so I can skip the 45% tax that California has on the product, but I don't want to see these places go. So today I walked into the shop and ended wandering into a back room that I didn't know was there. I was drinking a little Jack right before I went there, so I missed the room with the cigars in it, and ended up going into this wonderous room full of flat screens. It was empty at the time but the set up was amazing. Chess boards, an amazing poker table, and comphy chairs galore. The place has a sitting area in their main lobby but this was a backdoor area that seemed to lead itself to an impromptu craps table being set up. I asked the cashier about it and he said that its usually packed but since it was Sunday and Memorial day things have been quiet. Looks like I found my new place to go watch golf on Saturdays....and maybe start up my bookie business.
4. Speaking of the bookie business, I was in a meeting two weeks ago where we did this team building excercise where the team members spoke about themselves for 10 minutes and it couldn't be about work. So it was my turn and I talked about my love of gambling. Everyone was laughing at some of the stories and it went pretty well. Then it was out Litigation Managers turn, who is this mother of three who lives in San Diego. She starts off by stating "Well I have something in common with Derek. My Dad was a professional gambler." Hmmmm. Really. So of course I decide to have lunch with her and ask her about it and she goes on to tell me that her Dad was a bookie and never worked a day in his life. WOW!! I mean WOW!!!!!!! She said that he is retire now and was asked to go out to Arizona to help start one of the casinos in Scottsdale. Ummm, how big do you need to be for a casino to ask you to help them, when they don't have a sportsbook. She said that they would go out to Vegas when she was a kid all the time and they would drive out there...in a limo.....provided by the casinos. I was blown away. I asked if I could come over for dinner one night to meet her dad. She said sure, so I will keep you posted.
Finnally, who is watching Kate plus 8. The marketing people for that show should receive an award. Bravo on getting both of them on every cover of every magazine right before the season premiere. Just because they have a show already shouldn't preclude us of viewing them just like the money grubbing whore Octomom. Did they really drum up all of this drama just to increase their ratings on their show? I don't know, but they have a lot to lose if ratings drop and TLC cancels the show. For fuck sake they live in a $1.6 million home paid for by TLC.
Alert the internet!!
I'm torn on what to do today. There is a Temptation Island Marathon on Fox Reality channel along with a Cheaters marathon on G-4. I'm having problems deciding how I should waste my day.
Two questions though:
1. Is Cheaters real?
2. What is the most common line heard on Cheaters? Get the fuck out of my house or Get your hands off of me?
Have a great day everyone.
Two questions though:
1. Is Cheaters real?
2. What is the most common line heard on Cheaters? Get the fuck out of my house or Get your hands off of me?
Have a great day everyone.
May 22, 2009
By my side tonight....
I know losing game 1 is disappointing, given that we lost a 15-point halftime lead. I do have faith and confidence in this Cavs team - and, as a last resort, I have faith in David Stern that he will use his will to get the Cavs to the finals....
But still, just in case, this button will be by my side tonight.
May 20, 2009
What the hell is going on out there.
Don't mean to post on top of Eric's post below, but this guy has angered me so much that I need to get a couple things off my chest. Mind you this is on the front page of the LA Times.
The biggest thing he forgets to point out is that our taxes were just increased. This was passed based on the fact that it was only a temporary basis. These props that were voted down yesterday would be to make these taxes permanent and allow them to tap into additional funds that are set aside for specific reasons. So that's like me setting aside money for my kids college tuition, and then I lose my job but I want to go to Vegas still and I want to tap into that college fund. This is what they are trying to do right now. And the Dems and Republicans are not having any of it.
So let me get this straight people. You fight over the budget for months, come up with a temporary tax increase to hold us over during the downtime, then realize that you miscalculated the amounts and we are now $21 billion in the hole and want to increase it even more and then make it permanent? Come on.
How can this guy not come to the conclusion that there is no trust in our state government to spend our money wisely. Yes, people don't want cuts in certain categories, but there is no faith that if we do agree to higher taxes that this money will be used wisely or the tax rate will be reduced in a time of prosperity. We are already taxed the most compared to any other state and people and corporations are fleeing the state because of this. And for some reason you can't see that.
And this brings me to another point. Wouldn't Obama build up so much trust with us if he just accepted the banks repayment of the TARP funds now? What a win on both sides. He can come out and state that of the $1 trillion spent on the banks, X% has already been repaid with X% planned on being repaid by this date? And to think what this would do for the investor confidence who thinks that his administration is just spending and spending with no plan. I think that it would be such a huge win. But the longer there are stories about his administration not allowing banks to repay, people will continue to think that he's got something up his sleeve.
The biggest thing he forgets to point out is that our taxes were just increased. This was passed based on the fact that it was only a temporary basis. These props that were voted down yesterday would be to make these taxes permanent and allow them to tap into additional funds that are set aside for specific reasons. So that's like me setting aside money for my kids college tuition, and then I lose my job but I want to go to Vegas still and I want to tap into that college fund. This is what they are trying to do right now. And the Dems and Republicans are not having any of it.
So let me get this straight people. You fight over the budget for months, come up with a temporary tax increase to hold us over during the downtime, then realize that you miscalculated the amounts and we are now $21 billion in the hole and want to increase it even more and then make it permanent? Come on.
How can this guy not come to the conclusion that there is no trust in our state government to spend our money wisely. Yes, people don't want cuts in certain categories, but there is no faith that if we do agree to higher taxes that this money will be used wisely or the tax rate will be reduced in a time of prosperity. We are already taxed the most compared to any other state and people and corporations are fleeing the state because of this. And for some reason you can't see that.
And this brings me to another point. Wouldn't Obama build up so much trust with us if he just accepted the banks repayment of the TARP funds now? What a win on both sides. He can come out and state that of the $1 trillion spent on the banks, X% has already been repaid with X% planned on being repaid by this date? And to think what this would do for the investor confidence who thinks that his administration is just spending and spending with no plan. I think that it would be such a huge win. But the longer there are stories about his administration not allowing banks to repay, people will continue to think that he's got something up his sleeve.
The State of California
So what about California? A reader asks. Ummm, that's a tough one. No, wait, it's not: California is completely, totally, irreparably hosed. And not a little garden hose. More like [the hose to the right]. Their outflow is bigger than their inflow. You can blame Republicans who won't pass a budget, or Democrats who spend every single cent of tax money that comes in during the booms, borrow some more, and then act all surprised when revenues, in a totally unprecedented, inexplicable, and unforeseaable chain of events, fall during a recession. You can blame the initiative process, and the uneducated voters who try to vote themselves rich by picking their own pockets. Whoever is to blame, the state was bound to go broke one day, and hey, today's that day!
I have no solutions yet - discuss?
May 19, 2009
Why I don't trust the media
I read an article that summed up pretty well why I don't trust the media at all these days (and, I promise, this is not about politics until the very end).
Here is an article from the NY Times Magazine. Please read it and then come back. I'll wait. It is about the mortgage meltdown.
This article makes me madder than hell. The writer describes how he got into a financial mess, agreed to mortgages he doesn't understand (or care to understand), and - in reality - he knew he shouldn't be signing the documents in front of him, but he did anyway.
And this is an Economics Reporter for the New York Times. The "chief eyes and ears" on the Federal Reserve for the past 6 years.
Look, the mortgage crisis took a lot of people by surprise. But I would expect that people like this halfway understood the consequences of the situation. It's not fiscally responsible to sign mortgages that large. Sure, everyone may be "doing it", but for God's sake, you are a so-called economics expert. You should know better. It's your fucking job.
This is not like Michael Wilbon falling into a bad mortgage. Or George Will not knowing who is on American Idol. Or Jim Cantore not knowing the Vice President. This is your field. Millions are depending on your insight to educate them on the Fed policies and complicated economic topics (those millions, of course, are dwidling by the hour). And you can't even pay your mortgage - due to issues of your own making.
I'm sure we are going to be bailing out this person in the future in some form. And I'm sure his friends in the media will support whatever package comes through Congress because, "hey, we're all in this together".
You're the fucking expert here. What the hell were you doing for 4 years?? And you have the audacity to teach - or even lecture - to us about economics in the New York Times? Give me a break.
I'm sure we have all seen this in our fields. I'm sure Steve can point out factual errors - obvious ones - in foreclosure articles in the Plain Dealer. Layup, I would guess, can spot errors about news articles about the insurance industry from a mile away. Hell, when John Clayton says the Browns fans are excited about Brady Quinn because he's a "hometown Cleveland boy", it makes my blood boil because he's FROM COLUMBUS.
(See? I can reference the Browns in any blog post!)
It's become more and more clear that the "experts" in the media are really half-educated idiots. Again, how can I trust anything this man says about Fed policies when he hasn't paid a mortgage in 18 months due to his personal failings in buying his own house?
"Patty and I were now unwittingly tapping into our credit line at a terrifying pace: $5 overdrawn because of school supplies for Patty’s daughter Emily — $100 from the MasterCard."
An economics writer at the New York Times that can't balance his own checkbook? Now that's scary.
"As I walked out of the settlement office with my loan papers, I couldn’t shake the sense of having just done something bad . . . but also kind of cool."
This is irresponsibility at its most.... arrogant. The writer feeling "cool" that he did something extremely risky with his money. Damn the advice - it's cool to spend money!
In sum, if we have exposed the economics writer at the NYT for what he is - someone who can't handle his personal economics - how can we trust anything anyone says in the media? We can't.
On a side note - How come I think 75% of journalists - 90% of which are Democrats, by the way - had the same feeling when they voted for Obama? "It's cool!".
(I know, I know, that last setence was kind of a cheap shot. But I think there is a point in here somewhere. Journalists who - let's face it - may not be the most educated people on the planet - deciding who to support because of the coolness factor. I'm too tired to think this out more fully, but I think there is a valid critique in here somewhere.).
Here is an article from the NY Times Magazine. Please read it and then come back. I'll wait. It is about the mortgage meltdown.
This article makes me madder than hell. The writer describes how he got into a financial mess, agreed to mortgages he doesn't understand (or care to understand), and - in reality - he knew he shouldn't be signing the documents in front of him, but he did anyway.
And this is an Economics Reporter for the New York Times. The "chief eyes and ears" on the Federal Reserve for the past 6 years.
Look, the mortgage crisis took a lot of people by surprise. But I would expect that people like this halfway understood the consequences of the situation. It's not fiscally responsible to sign mortgages that large. Sure, everyone may be "doing it", but for God's sake, you are a so-called economics expert. You should know better. It's your fucking job.
This is not like Michael Wilbon falling into a bad mortgage. Or George Will not knowing who is on American Idol. Or Jim Cantore not knowing the Vice President. This is your field. Millions are depending on your insight to educate them on the Fed policies and complicated economic topics (those millions, of course, are dwidling by the hour). And you can't even pay your mortgage - due to issues of your own making.
I'm sure we are going to be bailing out this person in the future in some form. And I'm sure his friends in the media will support whatever package comes through Congress because, "hey, we're all in this together".
You're the fucking expert here. What the hell were you doing for 4 years?? And you have the audacity to teach - or even lecture - to us about economics in the New York Times? Give me a break.
I'm sure we have all seen this in our fields. I'm sure Steve can point out factual errors - obvious ones - in foreclosure articles in the Plain Dealer. Layup, I would guess, can spot errors about news articles about the insurance industry from a mile away. Hell, when John Clayton says the Browns fans are excited about Brady Quinn because he's a "hometown Cleveland boy", it makes my blood boil because he's FROM COLUMBUS.
(See? I can reference the Browns in any blog post!)
It's become more and more clear that the "experts" in the media are really half-educated idiots. Again, how can I trust anything this man says about Fed policies when he hasn't paid a mortgage in 18 months due to his personal failings in buying his own house?
"Patty and I were now unwittingly tapping into our credit line at a terrifying pace: $5 overdrawn because of school supplies for Patty’s daughter Emily — $100 from the MasterCard."
An economics writer at the New York Times that can't balance his own checkbook? Now that's scary.
"As I walked out of the settlement office with my loan papers, I couldn’t shake the sense of having just done something bad . . . but also kind of cool."
This is irresponsibility at its most.... arrogant. The writer feeling "cool" that he did something extremely risky with his money. Damn the advice - it's cool to spend money!
In sum, if we have exposed the economics writer at the NYT for what he is - someone who can't handle his personal economics - how can we trust anything anyone says in the media? We can't.
On a side note - How come I think 75% of journalists - 90% of which are Democrats, by the way - had the same feeling when they voted for Obama? "It's cool!".
(I know, I know, that last setence was kind of a cheap shot. But I think there is a point in here somewhere. Journalists who - let's face it - may not be the most educated people on the planet - deciding who to support because of the coolness factor. I'm too tired to think this out more fully, but I think there is a valid critique in here somewhere.).
May 18, 2009
The Dulaney HS Golf Team
When I played on the Hereford HS golf team, we took tractors or rode cows to Pleasant Valley GC in Pennsylvania to practice.
I bet those rich kids at Dulaney went to practice and matches in a similar method as these guys.
(Actually- true story - I arrived for the 1st round of the 1986 Maryland State HS Golf Championship in the back of a police car.)
(And yes, I do have a strange desire to go back and play College Park GC again, 20 years later.)
I bet those rich kids at Dulaney went to practice and matches in a similar method as these guys.
(Actually- true story - I arrived for the 1st round of the 1986 Maryland State HS Golf Championship in the back of a police car.)
(And yes, I do have a strange desire to go back and play College Park GC again, 20 years later.)
May 17, 2009
Craps 301: Two advanced topics
Wow, it's been a while since I have blogged. I've got a lot of topics lined up, so here we go. Multiple posts coming in rapid fire fashion.
Everytime I go to Iowa and gamble, I see and learn something new. Two subtle things I noticed:
1. Some of you may know my favorite bet on the table when I am drunk, winning, or (hopefully) both. It's the Horn High Ace Deuce on the come out roll.
Many people like to play the Horn High Yo - a horn bet with the extra dollar on the 11; some play the Horn High 12 (for a $57 hit if a 12 comes) or the Horn High 2. But no one gives any love to the 3. So I do.
So, a $5 Horn returns $26 on a 2 or 12, $11 for an 11, and $27 for a 3. If I hit it, then I press it up one unit for the next roll.
This sequence of rolls came up in Iowa:
with the $5 Horn High Ace Deuce on, a 3 came up. $27! I pressed to $10.
Next roll: 12. Yes sir! That's $52 more. I pressed to $15.
Next roll: 2. What does that pay?
I had no idea. After a quick conference, they slid me $81. I pressed to $20, and the next roll had a "1" on one die - but a "3" on the other. (For a moment, I thought is was an Ace Deuce).
I asked them later. Was that the right payout?
They told me that I shouldn't bet the Horn High Ace Deuce. I should instead play it as a 4 C - 1 E. Payout is slightly better on units of 5. It pays out $27 for any craps and 11 for an eleven - compared to $26 on the 2 and 12 for a Horn High Ace Deuce. So they paid we $81 for a $12C - $3E instead of $78 for a true horn high ace-deuce.
Food for thought. Will I never say the fun phrase "Horn High Ace Deuce" ever again? Will I have to go to a more boring 4C-1E? I think this will depend on how drunk I am.
2. Buying the 4 and 10. Now, I never play with enough cash to regularly buy the 4 and 10, but I understand the bet to be that you pay $1 commission when the number hits, up to $25. For instance, you buy the 10 for $25; if it hits, then you get $50 (true odds) for a $1 commission (you pay the dealer when you get your $50; in essence, you win $49).
Someone in Iowa wanted to buy the 4 - he plopped down a green chip and said "buy the 4 for $25".
The dealer said, "$1, please".
Apparently, in all Iowa casinos, you pay the commission up front. So you are betting $26 to win $50 - instead of betting $25 to win $49. I asked the dealer, and he said Iowa regulations dictate this - the commissions are taken ahead of time. Has anyone else seen this in any other casinos?
Fascinating.
May 9, 2009
May 5, 2009
More on Pitch Counts
Those of you interested in Schillzilla's 4-27-09 post may also be interested in this article about 1964 Cy Young Award Winner Dean Chance:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/woosters_dean_chance_a_highsch.html
The number of pitches he threw in high school is astronomical. It likely led to his short (nine year) Major League career.
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/woosters_dean_chance_a_highsch.html
The number of pitches he threw in high school is astronomical. It likely led to his short (nine year) Major League career.
May 3, 2009
He shoots he scores
Wow, its been a month since my last post. Got to get back in the swing of things here.
1. Well, Carol's pregnant. So much for the "Oh it takes a little while so lets start now" strategy. I guess the shot went in right as I was pulling the goalie. The great thing is that if everything works out, the kid will be here in December, thus protecting the March Vegas trip. Jackpot!!!
2. Kentucky Derby- blanked out of the derby. Since Carol isn't talking to her sister anymore, the much needed inside information on which farrier shoed which horse was not available. Her company, which her sister runs provides horse shoes to the top farriers and her sister has been dead on in the past on who might win based on who shoes the horses. So I went in blind and got destroyed. Papa Clem and Dunkirk were my horses. Ugh.
3. Speaking of the Derby, are we ever going to get our act together and go to this thing? We have places to stay along with an inside track to tickets. Why haven't we made this happen?
4. Went to San Diego yesterday for another music festival. Mason Jennings and Pinback were solid performers and the setup was outstanding. Easy access in and out of the concert, a big beer garden next to the stage, solid food and beer choices, and you were allowed to bring in lawn chairs. Perfect combination in my mind for a festival since. Went to Cochella a couple of weeks ago in Palm Springs and it was a disaster. Miles of traffic going in and out of the festival, only Heineken beer, and you we were restricted so severely on where we could drink you couldn't enjoy any of the music. And the lineup for a festival this big was lacking. Drive By Truckers, Thievery Corporation, and the Killers were solid, but MIA and the numerous other bands were a disaster.
5. Playoff Hockey- Crap I'm hooked. Went to the Ducks Sharks game and it was absolutely amazing. Will be going to the Ducks Red Wings game this Tuesday and I'm actually thinking about a partial season ticket plan next year. And how great was that Caps-Penguins game yesterday? WOW!!
1. Well, Carol's pregnant. So much for the "Oh it takes a little while so lets start now" strategy. I guess the shot went in right as I was pulling the goalie. The great thing is that if everything works out, the kid will be here in December, thus protecting the March Vegas trip. Jackpot!!!
2. Kentucky Derby- blanked out of the derby. Since Carol isn't talking to her sister anymore, the much needed inside information on which farrier shoed which horse was not available. Her company, which her sister runs provides horse shoes to the top farriers and her sister has been dead on in the past on who might win based on who shoes the horses. So I went in blind and got destroyed. Papa Clem and Dunkirk were my horses. Ugh.
3. Speaking of the Derby, are we ever going to get our act together and go to this thing? We have places to stay along with an inside track to tickets. Why haven't we made this happen?
4. Went to San Diego yesterday for another music festival. Mason Jennings and Pinback were solid performers and the setup was outstanding. Easy access in and out of the concert, a big beer garden next to the stage, solid food and beer choices, and you were allowed to bring in lawn chairs. Perfect combination in my mind for a festival since. Went to Cochella a couple of weeks ago in Palm Springs and it was a disaster. Miles of traffic going in and out of the festival, only Heineken beer, and you we were restricted so severely on where we could drink you couldn't enjoy any of the music. And the lineup for a festival this big was lacking. Drive By Truckers, Thievery Corporation, and the Killers were solid, but MIA and the numerous other bands were a disaster.
5. Playoff Hockey- Crap I'm hooked. Went to the Ducks Sharks game and it was absolutely amazing. Will be going to the Ducks Red Wings game this Tuesday and I'm actually thinking about a partial season ticket plan next year. And how great was that Caps-Penguins game yesterday? WOW!!
May 1, 2009
What am I getting myself into?
Well, I have been recruited to run a relay leg in this weekend's Cincinnati marathon. A few months ago, our church was talking about getting a relay team together for the marathon. I didn't say "no", I said I'd think about it.
Of course, I was drafted.
I am running the final leg of the marathon on Sunday - about 6.5 miles on a route that is fairly flat and follows the Ohio River into downtown near the baseball stadium.
One little catch - I haven't actually run 6.5 miles at one time yet; I've gotten to 4 so far over the past couple of weeks - and feel ok after the run. So I feel confident that I can do it - I think.
I expect to start my leg around 9:30 or so - and I plan to have my phone, so I can read all your encouraging and insulting texts (I'm looking at you, Wiz).
Also, I think there is a way to track the progress of the racers by gettign text mesages from our team's "chip". Go to the main site and follow the link to track.
It's very ironic that this post follows the "fat-hletes" post ......
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