OK, I admit it, I sometime read "Carolyn Hax" on the Washington Post website. (sometimes? -ed.) All right, almost every day.
How about this question from a woman on Friday's chat:
Reston, Va.: Last week my husband wrote me an e-mail at work to ask me if I would mind moving the appointment we currently have to induce our daughter (I am due next week) to a later time that evening... to ACCOMMODATE his fantasy football league draft that evening!!!
Now that, my friends, is a man with balls of steel.
Aug 22, 2009
Aug 19, 2009
I'm getting pumped for the NFL
All this Brett Favre crapola has me pumped for the NFL season. All the talk about Favre and the Vikings make me madder than hell. Many people are talking about the schedule the Vikes have.
Peter King, talking about the Vikings and critiquing the Favre signing:
It's also quite possible,... that the Vikings could start very strong, and either Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson could have solidified his grip on the job and the team will decided it's fine at quarterback. (First five Viking games: at Cleveland, at Detroit, San Francisco, Green Bay, at St. Louis.)
Wouldn't you agree Minnesota could be 4-1 or 5-0, even with mediocre quarterback play?
Go screw yourself.
We are going to sneak up on the Vikes and beat them week 1. In Cleveland. Mangini will push the right buttons and force Favre's hand. We'll pull out the bag of tricks. Maybe - just maybe - our coach can out-coach someone else for a chance (Lord know, it didn't happen the last 4 years).
But all this Favre talk is making me look more and more forward to September 13.
Cleveland 24, Minnesota 16.
Peter King, talking about the Vikings and critiquing the Favre signing:
It's also quite possible,... that the Vikings could start very strong, and either Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson could have solidified his grip on the job and the team will decided it's fine at quarterback. (First five Viking games: at Cleveland, at Detroit, San Francisco, Green Bay, at St. Louis.)
Wouldn't you agree Minnesota could be 4-1 or 5-0, even with mediocre quarterback play?
Go screw yourself.
We are going to sneak up on the Vikes and beat them week 1. In Cleveland. Mangini will push the right buttons and force Favre's hand. We'll pull out the bag of tricks. Maybe - just maybe - our coach can out-coach someone else for a chance (Lord know, it didn't happen the last 4 years).
But all this Favre talk is making me look more and more forward to September 13.
Cleveland 24, Minnesota 16.
Aug 12, 2009
Quit your whining
I'm sick and tired of hearing the PGA golfers whine about Hazeltine's length. Oooooh, it's 7600 yards! It's too hard! Too bad.
I just got done playing in the Ohio State Publinx two weeks ago at Cook's Creek. Steve (that's 40-year-old Steve, now), Kermit and I played from the back tees in the practice round. It played almost 7100 and it was soft. And that 7100 included a par 4 of 310 yards and a par 3 of 130 yards. It could have easily been 7200, 7300
That was too long for me.
But I hit the ball 240 yards off the tee.
These pro golfers hit it 300 in the air. And really - it's not just the pros. My playing partners in the tournament all outdrove me by 60-70 yards. They were hitting 7-, 8- irons into long par 4s of 460, 470 when I was hitting hybrids.
These are 18, 19, 20 year olds who play golf at Division II or III schools. (well, I lost to the guy from Morehead State, a D-I school, but I beat the others).
These aren't PROS.
And they are hitting short irons into 450, 460 yards par 4's. Doesn't that say anything? It's not much of a challenge for them. What kind of a challenge is it for the pros?
oooooh, a 514 yard par 4? Well, that just means you have about 210 in for your second. Hell, I birdied a par 4 in my tournament having 210 in. 5-wood to 12 feet, made the putt.
It's not too long for them. Join the real world and hit the same yardage we hit.
A 460 yard hole is now driver, 7 iron.
A 500 yard hole is driver, 5 iron.
That's a good par 4.
A three shot hole - which used to be known as par 5's - should be at least 600, if not 650. Driver, fairway wood - let's say a total of 550 yards - should leave you a full wedge (100) in. 650 yards is about right for a PGA par 5.
I don't get it. The technology has evolved. The yardage must, as well. I expect a major to force pros to hit clubs longer than a 9 iron into par 4's. Too bad if they are not used to it.
I fully expect to see an 8,000 yard PGA tour event sometime within the next 10 years. And guess what? It's still not too long.
4 par 3's with an average length of 210
10 par 4's with an average length of 460 (average approach: 8 iron)
4 par 4's of length 590, 620, 650, and 690
That's 7990 yards. And perfectly fair for the pros.
I just got done playing in the Ohio State Publinx two weeks ago at Cook's Creek. Steve (that's 40-year-old Steve, now), Kermit and I played from the back tees in the practice round. It played almost 7100 and it was soft. And that 7100 included a par 4 of 310 yards and a par 3 of 130 yards. It could have easily been 7200, 7300
That was too long for me.
But I hit the ball 240 yards off the tee.
These pro golfers hit it 300 in the air. And really - it's not just the pros. My playing partners in the tournament all outdrove me by 60-70 yards. They were hitting 7-, 8- irons into long par 4s of 460, 470 when I was hitting hybrids.
These are 18, 19, 20 year olds who play golf at Division II or III schools. (well, I lost to the guy from Morehead State, a D-I school, but I beat the others).
These aren't PROS.
And they are hitting short irons into 450, 460 yards par 4's. Doesn't that say anything? It's not much of a challenge for them. What kind of a challenge is it for the pros?
oooooh, a 514 yard par 4? Well, that just means you have about 210 in for your second. Hell, I birdied a par 4 in my tournament having 210 in. 5-wood to 12 feet, made the putt.
It's not too long for them. Join the real world and hit the same yardage we hit.
A 460 yard hole is now driver, 7 iron.
A 500 yard hole is driver, 5 iron.
That's a good par 4.
A three shot hole - which used to be known as par 5's - should be at least 600, if not 650. Driver, fairway wood - let's say a total of 550 yards - should leave you a full wedge (100) in. 650 yards is about right for a PGA par 5.
I don't get it. The technology has evolved. The yardage must, as well. I expect a major to force pros to hit clubs longer than a 9 iron into par 4's. Too bad if they are not used to it.
I fully expect to see an 8,000 yard PGA tour event sometime within the next 10 years. And guess what? It's still not too long.
4 par 3's with an average length of 210
10 par 4's with an average length of 460 (average approach: 8 iron)
4 par 4's of length 590, 620, 650, and 690
That's 7990 yards. And perfectly fair for the pros.
Aug 11, 2009
Gambling on Video Games
Thank you Dudeman for this story. I can only imagine Other Brad's reaction if he was losing a game he had money on against Keith, who was running out the clock in the 3rd quarter. Priceless.
Should video gamers be allowed to bet real money on their gaming skills (or lack thereof)?
BringIt.com thinks so and hopes to capitalize on the concept. As reported by the Associated Press, the site, which is apparently legal in 39 states, will end its beta phase any day now.
BringIt says that the service it provides is not a form of gambling because its outcomes are based on skill, not chance. From the AP report:
It's free to sign up, provided you are at least 18. The site makes money by taking a 10 percent cut from people's wagers and a $4 fee from winners when they withdraw their loot.Founder and CEO Woody Levin, 30, said most of the players on BringIt play for small amounts of money, $5 or $10...
BringIt supports the PlayStation 2, the PS3, the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Players challenge each other on the site, but play on their consoles. BringIt holds players' entry fees until the game is finished. After the game is done, it verifies the results and credits the winner, minus the service fee.
Arizona is one of 11 states in which BringIt is illegal, but the Phoenix New Times suggests - with tongue in cheek - that it could be a potential source of tax revenue:
Who knows? Maybe Levin and BringIt will someday steer as much money toward Arizona politicians as the racing industry does, and then Arizona video nuts can clean out each other's bank accounts -- with the state taking its cut, natch.
ESPN The Magazine has an in-depth interview with BringIt's Levin, who mentions that bets can be as high as $100,000.
Should video gamers be allowed to bet real money on their gaming skills (or lack thereof)?
BringIt.com thinks so and hopes to capitalize on the concept. As reported by the Associated Press, the site, which is apparently legal in 39 states, will end its beta phase any day now.
BringIt says that the service it provides is not a form of gambling because its outcomes are based on skill, not chance. From the AP report:
It's free to sign up, provided you are at least 18. The site makes money by taking a 10 percent cut from people's wagers and a $4 fee from winners when they withdraw their loot.Founder and CEO Woody Levin, 30, said most of the players on BringIt play for small amounts of money, $5 or $10...
BringIt supports the PlayStation 2, the PS3, the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Players challenge each other on the site, but play on their consoles. BringIt holds players' entry fees until the game is finished. After the game is done, it verifies the results and credits the winner, minus the service fee.
Arizona is one of 11 states in which BringIt is illegal, but the Phoenix New Times suggests - with tongue in cheek - that it could be a potential source of tax revenue:
Who knows? Maybe Levin and BringIt will someday steer as much money toward Arizona politicians as the racing industry does, and then Arizona video nuts can clean out each other's bank accounts -- with the state taking its cut, natch.
ESPN The Magazine has an in-depth interview with BringIt's Levin, who mentions that bets can be as high as $100,000.
Aug 10, 2009
Ah, memories
Got out the old Monopoly board to teach Freddie and Warren the grand old game of Monopoly. Their first few attempts at trading were hilarious.
Warren (to Freddie): "I'll trade you my "Get out of Jail Free" card for all of your $500 bills!
Freddie (later, to Warren): "I'll trade for your railroad (he already had 3, needed the 4th) for $50!"
I helped engineer a 3-way trade involving the 4th RR, Virginia, North Carolina and Oriental.
(This brings back memories of playing Monopoly with the guys at my first job at TASC....I think people still talk about the 4-way trade I held up because I inisisted on receiving Reading RR and not Short Line. No one freaking lands on Short Line!)
I was so busy explaining all the rules that, during the first time I went around the board, I landed on Free Parking - but I forgot to put $500 in the Kitty! Dammit.... Layup and I always put $500 in Free Parking to start the game. I did that at college and several people looked at me funny. Doesn't everyone put some sort of bonus in there?
Aug 5, 2009
Wall Street Gooch
I have a serious question for Wiz here.
We all hate the "gooch" - for example, you have 20 at the BJ table and someone leans over and says "Congrats on the win"! Of course, the dealer winds up getting a 21 to deflate you - and you are legally allowed to punch the person who congratulated you in the nuts.
Now - does this extend to Wall Street? From P&G's quarterly report analysis:
The results contrasted an upbeat report from German rival Henkel (XETRA:HNKG-P.DE - News), which said its business would not get any worse this quarter after a decline in raw material prices and cost-cutting helped it beat estimates.
I mean, really? Wiz - is this CEO of Henkel stupid or smart? Should you publicly come out and say it "can't get any worse"? What does Wall Street think of this?
We all hate the "gooch" - for example, you have 20 at the BJ table and someone leans over and says "Congrats on the win"! Of course, the dealer winds up getting a 21 to deflate you - and you are legally allowed to punch the person who congratulated you in the nuts.
Now - does this extend to Wall Street? From P&G's quarterly report analysis:
The results contrasted an upbeat report from German rival Henkel (XETRA:HNKG-P.DE - News), which said its business would not get any worse this quarter after a decline in raw material prices and cost-cutting helped it beat estimates.
I mean, really? Wiz - is this CEO of Henkel stupid or smart? Should you publicly come out and say it "can't get any worse"? What does Wall Street think of this?
Aug 3, 2009
Two quick questions
1. If your "friend" compares your pre-shot routine to something done by a Tourette's Syndrome sufferer - is that an insult or a compliment?
2. Four words:
Flo: Hot or Not?
Jul 30, 2009
Beer choices
I think I saw the beer selections for the "Beer Summit" tonight at the White House, with the attendees being President Obama, Prof. Gates and Sgt. Crowley. Here's my first impressions of the choices. If I have them wrong, please correct me!
Pres. Obama - Bud Light. Safe choice. This beer still is seen as a domestic beer, even though the company got sold last year. I think this beer has to be in the top 2-3 when one tries to name a beer that represents America in 2009. (Miller Lite may be another one).
I know he's trying to show he's linked into the working class with this pick - but I would have loved to see him go even more in that direction with "Old Milwaukee Light" or, heaven forbid, "National Light".
Beer Choice Grade: A-. Although I'd love to set a line - "Number of Swigs that Pres. Obama takes of Bud Light tonight after the cameras are off.". I'd say 1.5.
Prof. Gates: Red Stripe. A bit puzzling. Does anyone over 30 drink this? Does Prof. Gates have any Jamaican roots? I truly can't see him - even after 7 or 8 beers - running aorund his house yelling "Hooray, Beer!"
Am I missing something, or is he the exact opposite of the target audience that Red Stripe is going after?
Still, not too frilly or "academic", and I bet that factored in.
Beer Choice Grade: C+.
Sgt. Crowley: Blue Moon. Really? Wow. We've all watched cop shows in the past - and there is usually one scene an episode where the off-duty cops hang out at a bar. Let's just say you never see any fruit in the beer during the scene.
I mean, for God's sake, this is Layup's favorite beer! He is as far from blue collar as you can get! Is he really going to have an orange in his beer for the photo op tonight? Please - no.
Beer Choice Grade: C-.
Pres. Obama - Bud Light. Safe choice. This beer still is seen as a domestic beer, even though the company got sold last year. I think this beer has to be in the top 2-3 when one tries to name a beer that represents America in 2009. (Miller Lite may be another one).
I know he's trying to show he's linked into the working class with this pick - but I would have loved to see him go even more in that direction with "Old Milwaukee Light" or, heaven forbid, "National Light".
Beer Choice Grade: A-. Although I'd love to set a line - "Number of Swigs that Pres. Obama takes of Bud Light tonight after the cameras are off.". I'd say 1.5.
Prof. Gates: Red Stripe. A bit puzzling. Does anyone over 30 drink this? Does Prof. Gates have any Jamaican roots? I truly can't see him - even after 7 or 8 beers - running aorund his house yelling "Hooray, Beer!"
Am I missing something, or is he the exact opposite of the target audience that Red Stripe is going after?
Still, not too frilly or "academic", and I bet that factored in.
Beer Choice Grade: C+.
Sgt. Crowley: Blue Moon. Really? Wow. We've all watched cop shows in the past - and there is usually one scene an episode where the off-duty cops hang out at a bar. Let's just say you never see any fruit in the beer during the scene.
I mean, for God's sake, this is Layup's favorite beer! He is as far from blue collar as you can get! Is he really going to have an orange in his beer for the photo op tonight? Please - no.
Beer Choice Grade: C-.
Jul 27, 2009
Jul 26, 2009
Odds and Ends
Some topics to set the stage for lively discussion this week before July turns to August - and that means NFL time!
1) I always learn something when I gamble. Don posted a message 3 weeks ago about Hollywood - I joined him on that trip and again on Saturday when our round of golf got rained out. Some notes:
- I'm beginning to doubt my "rule of 20" - come to the table with 20 x the minimum bet. So, on a $10 table, that's $200. However, $200 doesn't last long when you are playing the pass line with single odds, a $12 6 and 8, and a Ken Green look-alike is ice-cold in rolling the dice.
- The Horn High Ace-Deuce is sooo 2008. I am able to easily resist that temptation now. However, if someone next to me whispers "the field is on FIRE!!!!", well, I lose my willpower.
- What kind of shitty casino won't let you re-split aces???? Actual hand at Hollywood on a $15 table: I was dealt A-A against a 3. Yes, please, I will split!
Got an A on the first. I looked at the dealer. She said - "sorry", and then dealt me a 2 on the second ace. So I'm stuck with 12 and 13 , and when the dealer did not bust, I was furious.
2) Pop Quiz! I'm so out of practice that I had to consult Don's card on these hands. What do you do on:
a. A-8 vs 10
b. 9-9 vs 7
c. 2-2 vs 2
d. 5-3 vs 6
e. 6-4 vs 9
f. A-3 vs 3
3) Driving to work the other day, pull up behind a car in the other lane...I notice he has a Steeler sticker on his back window.
I mutter something about being an inbred illerate --- but there was another sticker on the other side. A Penguins sticker.
Well, at least he is consistent. Must like his women toothless too.
Then I check his license plate. It was a Pennsylvania plat.
"OK", I say. "Give him a break. He's a transplant and is true to his local roots. Can't fault him for that".
Then I check out his license plate frame.
"Major League Baseball" at the top.....
"New York Yankees" on the bottom.
What a complete douchebag fraud. Only thing worse woul dhave been a Boston Red Sox frame. No jury made up of any males would have me convicted if I rammed into the car.
4) Janice is starting to get addicted to "NYC Prep" on Bravo.
Really? Have we really run out of reality ideas that we have to go to a prep school now?
1) I always learn something when I gamble. Don posted a message 3 weeks ago about Hollywood - I joined him on that trip and again on Saturday when our round of golf got rained out. Some notes:
- I'm beginning to doubt my "rule of 20" - come to the table with 20 x the minimum bet. So, on a $10 table, that's $200. However, $200 doesn't last long when you are playing the pass line with single odds, a $12 6 and 8, and a Ken Green look-alike is ice-cold in rolling the dice.
- The Horn High Ace-Deuce is sooo 2008. I am able to easily resist that temptation now. However, if someone next to me whispers "the field is on FIRE!!!!", well, I lose my willpower.
- What kind of shitty casino won't let you re-split aces???? Actual hand at Hollywood on a $15 table: I was dealt A-A against a 3. Yes, please, I will split!
Got an A on the first. I looked at the dealer. She said - "sorry", and then dealt me a 2 on the second ace. So I'm stuck with 12 and 13 , and when the dealer did not bust, I was furious.
2) Pop Quiz! I'm so out of practice that I had to consult Don's card on these hands. What do you do on:
a. A-8 vs 10
b. 9-9 vs 7
c. 2-2 vs 2
d. 5-3 vs 6
e. 6-4 vs 9
f. A-3 vs 3
3) Driving to work the other day, pull up behind a car in the other lane...I notice he has a Steeler sticker on his back window.
I mutter something about being an inbred illerate --- but there was another sticker on the other side. A Penguins sticker.
Well, at least he is consistent. Must like his women toothless too.
Then I check his license plate. It was a Pennsylvania plat.
"OK", I say. "Give him a break. He's a transplant and is true to his local roots. Can't fault him for that".
Then I check out his license plate frame.
"Major League Baseball" at the top.....
"New York Yankees" on the bottom.
What a complete douchebag fraud. Only thing worse woul dhave been a Boston Red Sox frame. No jury made up of any males would have me convicted if I rammed into the car.
4) Janice is starting to get addicted to "NYC Prep" on Bravo.
Really? Have we really run out of reality ideas that we have to go to a prep school now?
Jul 23, 2009
Is it march yet?
Recap of the last two days out in Vegas at the Monte. Sorry Don for posting right over yours, but who would of thought that we would have this many gambling blogs in July.
I had sent out this manager, Peter, who is in his late 20s for two months to help out the Vegas operation. He is one month into it and he is struggling. He is staying at the Signature at the MGM and basically told me that he is tempted every night to go gamble. He works late now, and then goes and works out to try to keep himself out of the casinos. He has dropped 30 pounds because he is in the gym so much, but in the end it hasn't done him any good since he is tempted to head down around 10:00pm to just check out what's going on. Poor guy, but I'm still jealous.
Now Peter is a really good guy and a pretty big gambler. I have played Poker, Pai Gow, and BJ with him and he would probably be a great fit for the March trips. Until I told him I was going to go play craps after a solid session of BJ. He joins me and just watches for about 5 minutes. I pressure him to saddle up to the table and he does so, but is just clueless on how to bet. Almost like he has never played. $5 on the 6 please...Um what? He gets a little embarrassed and says he has only played a couple of times and really doesn't like it. WHAT?????? How does this happen to an otherwise solid gambler. How did I not see this coming. Very disappointing. I don't think the group would of let me down if I brought him out in March and he did this in front of Don and Mike. Almost like how the group hasn't forgiven Wiz for bringing out Peter the Molester this last trip.
Now my last Peter story. So Peter and I find an empty $10 BJ table and sit in the middle seats with one chair between us. Nice dealer and a pretty solid shoe. So after about 30 minutes, this crazy fat lady comes up to the table and squeezes in right between Peter and I. I give her the stink eye and grunt outloud as I move my chair away from her. And instantly she brings a terrible vibe to the table by openly complaining after every card she gets. "ohhhhhh, I got a seven." And I must of got two BJs while she was there with her saying each time "I never get blackjacks." Ugh she was miserable. The final breaking point was when we all got 13s and 14s against a dealer 6 and then the dealer turns over a 10, with her saying "ohhhhh, he is going to turn over a 5." Of course the dealer turns over a 5 and I yell "For fuck sake lady, you are terrible." with me picking up my chips and leaving. So no Don you are not a bitter gambler, just people are idiots.
Finally lets talk about the idiots at the craps table. Last night after another solid run at BJ, I jumped in on a table just warming up. A decent looking female was just starting her role as I jumped in. On my side of the table there were 6 people; 3 girls, 1 young guy, an old guy, and myself. So the one girl starts to roll and gets hot. She rolls for about 20 minutes. So the next girl rolls, gets hot and stays hot. I'm pressing my come bets and start to make some pretty solid money. I look around and other than the old guy, nobody's stack is getting bigger. I look and see the girl next to me is only betting the pass line. The younger guy has a bet on the pass line and one other number. I then look up and really only the old guy and myself has money out on the numbers. What the hell are these people doing? After about an hour of great rolling, nobody was excited except for the old man and myself. How sad.
So left Vegas a winner. What a great feeling. I wanted to stay longer but too much shit hitting the fan back in LA. I already miss Vegas. Came home and asked Carol when we can go back out and she said this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe time for a quick impromptu trip.
I had sent out this manager, Peter, who is in his late 20s for two months to help out the Vegas operation. He is one month into it and he is struggling. He is staying at the Signature at the MGM and basically told me that he is tempted every night to go gamble. He works late now, and then goes and works out to try to keep himself out of the casinos. He has dropped 30 pounds because he is in the gym so much, but in the end it hasn't done him any good since he is tempted to head down around 10:00pm to just check out what's going on. Poor guy, but I'm still jealous.
Now Peter is a really good guy and a pretty big gambler. I have played Poker, Pai Gow, and BJ with him and he would probably be a great fit for the March trips. Until I told him I was going to go play craps after a solid session of BJ. He joins me and just watches for about 5 minutes. I pressure him to saddle up to the table and he does so, but is just clueless on how to bet. Almost like he has never played. $5 on the 6 please...Um what? He gets a little embarrassed and says he has only played a couple of times and really doesn't like it. WHAT?????? How does this happen to an otherwise solid gambler. How did I not see this coming. Very disappointing. I don't think the group would of let me down if I brought him out in March and he did this in front of Don and Mike. Almost like how the group hasn't forgiven Wiz for bringing out Peter the Molester this last trip.
Now my last Peter story. So Peter and I find an empty $10 BJ table and sit in the middle seats with one chair between us. Nice dealer and a pretty solid shoe. So after about 30 minutes, this crazy fat lady comes up to the table and squeezes in right between Peter and I. I give her the stink eye and grunt outloud as I move my chair away from her. And instantly she brings a terrible vibe to the table by openly complaining after every card she gets. "ohhhhhh, I got a seven." And I must of got two BJs while she was there with her saying each time "I never get blackjacks." Ugh she was miserable. The final breaking point was when we all got 13s and 14s against a dealer 6 and then the dealer turns over a 10, with her saying "ohhhhh, he is going to turn over a 5." Of course the dealer turns over a 5 and I yell "For fuck sake lady, you are terrible." with me picking up my chips and leaving. So no Don you are not a bitter gambler, just people are idiots.
Finally lets talk about the idiots at the craps table. Last night after another solid run at BJ, I jumped in on a table just warming up. A decent looking female was just starting her role as I jumped in. On my side of the table there were 6 people; 3 girls, 1 young guy, an old guy, and myself. So the one girl starts to roll and gets hot. She rolls for about 20 minutes. So the next girl rolls, gets hot and stays hot. I'm pressing my come bets and start to make some pretty solid money. I look around and other than the old guy, nobody's stack is getting bigger. I look and see the girl next to me is only betting the pass line. The younger guy has a bet on the pass line and one other number. I then look up and really only the old guy and myself has money out on the numbers. What the hell are these people doing? After about an hour of great rolling, nobody was excited except for the old man and myself. How sad.
So left Vegas a winner. What a great feeling. I wanted to stay longer but too much shit hitting the fan back in LA. I already miss Vegas. Came home and asked Carol when we can go back out and she said this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe time for a quick impromptu trip.
Lumiere
Seriously now, you name your casino Lumiere and place it the St. Louis, solidly in the mid-west. Just exactly who is your marketing director?
1) Overall, a nice place. 2 blocks form the downtown hotel and a view of the arch.
2) Direct from the web site. “And now, you can enjoy gaming without limits. The $500 loss limit* has been eliminated, so you can have a big-action gaming experience with all the non-stop excitement Lumière Place was built to deliver!” Wow.
3) Note to fellow gamblers. I DO NOT CARE about the long shot straight flush you hit months ago. I DO NOT CARE about the bad beat you had last week. I DO NOT CARE. Can we talk about the weather? How about sports?
4) Had a brief stint at a BJ-3 card poker table. You play BJ but can place a sucker bet on 3 card poker involving your 2 cards and the dealers up card. Pays 9 to 1 for a straight, flush or trips. Why do I mention this? I noticed at the top right of the table a reference to the game being patented. How does this happen? Someone explain how this is patentable? What is unique and not obvious?
5) Lady sitting next to me was having a discussion across the table with a gentleman trying to explain proper BJ strategy. I think she had a 13 against a 5 and was concern that no one else had taken a hit and thus, maybe she should hit. FIND A GUN so I can shoot my brains out. You are wasting my time.
6) I fear I’m becoming a bitter gambler. I need help …or maybe just a table of folks that “get” it. Can we move March to say, November?
Jul 21, 2009
Obama ratings: plummeting among 5-8 year olds
The boys' favorite TV show is, by far, "Wipeout". (For whatever reason, iCarly is second). They can't get enough of it, and will watch each episode at least 3-4 times.
I had to give them the bad news tonight: tomorrow, they will have to wait until Thursday to watch Wipeout since it won't be on at 8.
"Why not? Why can't we watch Wipeout?"
Well, because President Obama is talking to the nation at that time.
"About what?"
Well, health care......
Long pause.....
"We don't have to watch that, do we?"
No, no you don't.
"Doesn't he know Wipeout is on at 8 that day?"
I guess not.
"Well", they said, disappointed. "I guess we can wait a day to watch it."
I saw an opportunity to recruit some activists. "Would you guys like to write a letter to the President telling him how disappointed you are that you can't watch Wipeout?"
I got 1 yes and 1 no.
I had to give them the bad news tonight: tomorrow, they will have to wait until Thursday to watch Wipeout since it won't be on at 8.
"Why not? Why can't we watch Wipeout?"
Well, because President Obama is talking to the nation at that time.
"About what?"
Well, health care......
Long pause.....
"We don't have to watch that, do we?"
No, no you don't.
"Doesn't he know Wipeout is on at 8 that day?"
I guess not.
"Well", they said, disappointed. "I guess we can wait a day to watch it."
I saw an opportunity to recruit some activists. "Would you guys like to write a letter to the President telling him how disappointed you are that you can't watch Wipeout?"
I got 1 yes and 1 no.
Put it all on red.
A flurry of activity on the blog here which makes me happy. Gets me a little motivated to post.
Interesting fact to just me: Laura informed me that of our old college group, there have been 10 babies, with 9 of them being girls. If we could actually wager on the gender of my baby, I'm sure Wiz and I would of put the house down on Carol and I having a baby boy. And in typical fashion we would of lost as now we are at 10 out of 11 being girls.
Ethical Question
I have an ethical question for the group. Mer and I are in a Sunday golf league in Cleveland that has a club championship. There is a qualifying round and three subsequent rounds. I will be on vacation for the second post-qualifying round and will have to forfeit my match if I make it that far. Is it appropriate for me to enter the competition knowing that, if I advance, I would have to ultimately withdraw? Mer says f___ the rest of the league and that I should sign up. He hopes I knock out the defending champ in an early round so he does not have to face him.
Jul 20, 2009
Vegas
Heading out to Vegas tomorrow. Staying at the ole Monte. Ahh the memories. Over/Under on how many Brittany songs they still have playing.
Layla will have a female playing partner in Blackjack
Found out late last week that Carol and I are having a little girl. Don't want to gooch anything yet since it really isn't official. With three nephews I was sort of hoping for a little girl. Thinking that I could train her to kick my nephews asses in poker as well as show her how to properly roll craps.
But this weekend I went out and found what seems to be the Talbots for little kids clothing department. I bought a very nice and sensible pair of slacks and a blouse in a size 3-6 months. Compare this to Carol's 10 dresses that she already purchased. My daughter will not be wearing any dresses. Khakis or capris are the only thing that will be allowed in my house. Nothing above the knee.
But this weekend I went out and found what seems to be the Talbots for little kids clothing department. I bought a very nice and sensible pair of slacks and a blouse in a size 3-6 months. Compare this to Carol's 10 dresses that she already purchased. My daughter will not be wearing any dresses. Khakis or capris are the only thing that will be allowed in my house. Nothing above the knee.
Jul 19, 2009
Exercise/Fitness Question
Before we start, I don't think I have ever been as depressed on the outcome of a golf tournament than I was after today's action. It was - sad. Deflating. Disspiriting. The valiant effort of Watson came up just a bit short in regulation - you knew there was no chance of him winning - and, really, you can't call it a choke. Ok, the last putt was terrible - but he hit a perfect drive and a perfect 8 iron in. Is it really a "choke" to see the ball bounding over the green into a difficult spot? He made great contact - maybe too great? - and it was on the right line. Was it the wrong club? It was one foot - if that - from history that we will never see again in our sporting lives.
Anyway, a semi-serious question for you fitness gurus out there.
Starting in about December, I realized I HAD to lose some weight. I started jogging 2-3 nights a week, starting with about 2 miles and working eventually up to 3 1/2. (I also had to train for my 6 1/2 mile leg in the Marathon relay in early May).
So, in December, I weighted X. (I'm not brave enough to say exactly what X is).
During the winter, I would head to the gym after the boys were in bed, ran from about 10 - 10:30 and then weight myself. At the end, in early May, before the marathon, I weighted X-7. (We will call this Y). A 7 pound loss just from moderate exercise and no real change in diet.
Well, since that marathon, I've done nothing. Sure, I've mowed the lawn and walked the dog, but the jogging has stopped. Period.
Last week my neighbor and I played racquetball after work for an hour. I weighed myself on the same scale.
Y - 2.
How did I lose 2 pounds since May without doing anything?
Is it the summer? Doesn't any summer/winter difference get negated by all the ice cream I am eating?
Is it the fact that I weighed myself at a different time - 6 pm? Is there that much fluctuation during the day?
I'm pleasantly puzzled. Should I be happy? Or is this weight loss a mirage? (and yes, it was confirmed again today at a 5 pm weighing....)
Anyway, a semi-serious question for you fitness gurus out there.
Starting in about December, I realized I HAD to lose some weight. I started jogging 2-3 nights a week, starting with about 2 miles and working eventually up to 3 1/2. (I also had to train for my 6 1/2 mile leg in the Marathon relay in early May).
So, in December, I weighted X. (I'm not brave enough to say exactly what X is).
During the winter, I would head to the gym after the boys were in bed, ran from about 10 - 10:30 and then weight myself. At the end, in early May, before the marathon, I weighted X-7. (We will call this Y). A 7 pound loss just from moderate exercise and no real change in diet.
Well, since that marathon, I've done nothing. Sure, I've mowed the lawn and walked the dog, but the jogging has stopped. Period.
Last week my neighbor and I played racquetball after work for an hour. I weighed myself on the same scale.
Y - 2.
How did I lose 2 pounds since May without doing anything?
Is it the summer? Doesn't any summer/winter difference get negated by all the ice cream I am eating?
Is it the fact that I weighed myself at a different time - 6 pm? Is there that much fluctuation during the day?
I'm pleasantly puzzled. Should I be happy? Or is this weight loss a mirage? (and yes, it was confirmed again today at a 5 pm weighing....)
Jul 16, 2009
How not to motivate people
There is a big reorganization going on in our business at P&G - and I attended a rollout meeting where the VP's try to energize the group to buy into these changes.
At the end, they played a video to motivate us. "Unstoppable!" And to go along with that theme, they showed images from sports to illustrate that theme.
There were plenty of images of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, I'm not a Bengals fan, but this is a company headquartered in Cincinnati. There are plenty of Bengals fans around. And none of them have forgiven the Steelers for their "dirty play" - their "cheap shot" of Carson Palmer in the Jan 2006 playoff game. Carson has not been the same since that injury.
I had no dog in that Bengals-Steelers playoff game - in fact, I wanted the most emotional pain as possible headed on the loser's side, and I think I got my wish. The Bengals fans are bitter and hate a lot of things about the 21st centruy Steelers. It's not a good idea to hold them up as role models to this city.
As for me? No, I have no respect for them either. Let's look at the two most recongizable faces of the Steelers:
Hines Ward. Punk. Should be taken out at any opportunity. *
* ok, ok. If you put truth serum in me and tie me up in the truth rope (don't get excited, Leland) - I will admit that Hines is a great player and I would love to have him on my team. He loves to win and - more importantly - will do anything to win. But I can't publicly admit this as a Browns fan.
Ben Roethlisberger. Dumb ass hick.
I mean, really, what he did on his motorcycle was just as dumb as Winslow. For those who don't remember, in June 2006, Ben was not wearing a helmet and smashed into a windshield.
So - to recap:
Winslow: acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, screwed up his knee, lost a year of playing, and is ridiculed by most fans for being a dumb ass.
Ben:acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, rammed his head into a windshield, missed 2-3 games, but somehow is revered as a warrior and a hero.
What's the difference? Race? Position?
No, some Steelers should not be held up as role models.
At the end, they played a video to motivate us. "Unstoppable!" And to go along with that theme, they showed images from sports to illustrate that theme.
There were plenty of images of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, I'm not a Bengals fan, but this is a company headquartered in Cincinnati. There are plenty of Bengals fans around. And none of them have forgiven the Steelers for their "dirty play" - their "cheap shot" of Carson Palmer in the Jan 2006 playoff game. Carson has not been the same since that injury.
I had no dog in that Bengals-Steelers playoff game - in fact, I wanted the most emotional pain as possible headed on the loser's side, and I think I got my wish. The Bengals fans are bitter and hate a lot of things about the 21st centruy Steelers. It's not a good idea to hold them up as role models to this city.
As for me? No, I have no respect for them either. Let's look at the two most recongizable faces of the Steelers:
Hines Ward. Punk. Should be taken out at any opportunity. *
* ok, ok. If you put truth serum in me and tie me up in the truth rope (don't get excited, Leland) - I will admit that Hines is a great player and I would love to have him on my team. He loves to win and - more importantly - will do anything to win. But I can't publicly admit this as a Browns fan.
Ben Roethlisberger. Dumb ass hick.
I mean, really, what he did on his motorcycle was just as dumb as Winslow. For those who don't remember, in June 2006, Ben was not wearing a helmet and smashed into a windshield.
So - to recap:
Winslow: acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, screwed up his knee, lost a year of playing, and is ridiculed by most fans for being a dumb ass.
Ben:acted irresponsible with a motorcycle, rammed his head into a windshield, missed 2-3 games, but somehow is revered as a warrior and a hero.
What's the difference? Race? Position?
No, some Steelers should not be held up as role models.
Jul 14, 2009
Obama and the ASG
What did you guys think of Obama throwing out the first pitch? I didn't mind the ChiSox jacket - he's a real fan, so that was OK. Now...before I go on I want to say - I go to work in flip flops, shorts and a golf shirt - as most of you know I am hardly buttoned up with regards to my appearance. The last time I wore a tie, my son asked why I was "wearing a long string on my neck?!?" BUT....despite that, for some reason I didn't like Obama in jeans. Just felt like he should have been in something a little nicer. Doesn't need to be a tux or anything, but jeans?? C'mon man.
Jul 13, 2009
Hollywood
So, the closest local casino, Argosy, decided to trash its Brand name and re-open as Hollywood. Mike, E and I spent a brief visit (yes, 60 minutes) there last Saturday. My thoughts and notes.
1) Wow. It certainly is not a riverboat casino anymore. Lots of space and tables.
2) The traffic patterns entering the place have changed and the signage stinks.
3) If you build it, they will come. When we left, about 6:30PM on at Saturday, the line-up of cars waiting to enter was ridiculous.
4) The dealers stunk up the place. We, ok I, picked a $10 craps table. 3 of the 4 guys to my right continually were asked by their buddies …what do ya got money one. To which the reply was …I’m not really sure. The problem here is, neither they OR THE DEALER knew. Take a gun and shoot my brains OUT. I think we averaged 1 role of the dice ever 2 minutes, and I’m being generous.
5) I looked around at the other tables thinking, we should move. Unfortunately, the situation looked similar at the other tables. It’s 6PM on a Saturday night and they have inexperienced dealers on the floor. What gives!!! I will not return for at least 6 months.
6) Finished the session with a short stint, 7-8 hands, at a BJ table. Won 7 straight hands with at least 3 of them double down. Had the table to myself. Lady sits down, lays out $15, the minimum bet and hands the dealer her player’s card (for cryin out loud, seriously). I almost turned to her and asked her to not place a bet until I lost as I was on hot streak. Figured that would be rude, and lost the next hand. I cashed out.
Jul 12, 2009
F&J Poll
At the Vineyard Classic a few weeks ago, I sank a 30 foot putt on #9. Luckily, that was the hole that had a "Longest Putt" contest. I ended up winning!
The course called today: I won tickets at Riverbend- the local concert venue! My choices:
- Blink 182, or
- Comedy with Kathy Griffin
Votes? My choice has already been made, but would love to see what you think....
The course called today: I won tickets at Riverbend- the local concert venue! My choices:
- Blink 182, or
- Comedy with Kathy Griffin
Votes? My choice has already been made, but would love to see what you think....
Jul 10, 2009
Cup of Geek
I am going to try and post on some tech things with some regularity - your Daily (ok monthly?) Cup of Geek. It will probably focus on smartphone and web stuff. Those of you not interested...wait, how can you not be interested??? Smartphones right now are like web in 1996!!! :)
First installment - the iPhone.
Well, I finally broke down and got the iPhone when the new 3GS came out. Had to release my assault weapon...err..4yr old old Windows Mobile smartphone - it was time. I also switched to AT&T from Verizon and I did not port my old number, as I would like to leave my past behind. I had that old 703 number forever and it was tied to my old business, etc so I would get a lot of random calls on it. I just wanted to release that number.
Those of you that are running my mobile app (dub me now) would get my updated cell phone automatically in your BB, WinMo or iPhone address book. Those that aren't - well c'mon think of my children - do you want them to starve?? Please sign up today! - its FREE :) Plus, you can win an iPhone 3GS or BlackBerry of your choice click here.
Anyway self promotion aside, I wanted to post about my experience thus far with the iPhone and AT&T. First off, I have been a smartphone user for about 7 years. So I expect A LOT of my phone. The iPhone has not disappointed in that department. It does everything very elegantly and the attention to detail, both in hardware and in software is amazing. One small example, listening to music with the headphone jack plugged in (a standard jack which is another nice feature), if you unplug your headphones the music pauses automatically. Just shows the level of detail that the designers have when it comes to usable functionality. Can't tell you how many times on my old phone I would unplug my headphones and then music would be blaring out of my speakers.
Overall, the hardware design is top notch. You can't take anything apart on it, and the phone feels like it is well constructed. I like having one USB sync cable that also acts as your charger - no need to bring two cables when you travel. Plus the screen works well indoors and outdoors. Overall, the phone feels very solid and sturdy in your hand.
Apple made an interesting choice when designing the phone. First, they decided that NO apps will be allowed to run in the background. So the phone is incredibly stable because shoddy developers (like me) can't spawn jobs that sleep and run in the background. What inevitably happens (anyone with a BB or WinMO phone knows this well) is that some of those cool little apps start leaking memory like a bitch. Then - something will lockup, crash, etc. You know the drill - if it is bad enough you pull the battery and reboot. Now the iphone gets away from that because you can't run anything in the background. Once you push that magic button to exit the app - that app and all its resources are killed.
There are times when this ISN'T desirable however. Like when I'm listening to music on Pandora (awesome app BTW) and I want to check google traffic or my email. Well I can't, because once I close Pandora - boom its dead. Or if I am on yahoo IM, same thing. So you truly cannot multi-task on the iphone. However, it is a tradeoff that I believe is worth it in terms of overall stability. BTW, just to be clear - you can run certain APPLE apps in the background (like the iPod), just not 3rd party apps. Overall, most apps "retain their state" pretty well so you just switch back and forth and its not a big deal. The new Palm Pre has an interesting take on this model - I'll have to post more about it at some point.
Random functioanlity notes:
- iPhone 3gs handles video streaming very well, and you can output videos to your TV too!
- native YouTube app is pretty addictive
- Visual voicemail is freaking brilliant
- the virtual keyboard has not been bad for me. Could I type better if I had a QWERTY keyboard - sure but the new 3.0 OS does a nice job handling input. I've been surprised at how well it handles typing, as that was my biggest stumbling block.
- The way it switches between WIFI and 3G connectivity is very smooth. Download speeds are pretty good with 3G, and AT&T is going to double the speed by year end.
- GPS with google maps is great for the navigationally challenged like myself
- emailing pictures and video is incredibly simple (MMS TXTing is disabled by ATT for now)
- there is absolutely NO BETTER mobile web browsing experience than the iPhone (Google Android is close 2nd). The Safari web browser can do virtually everything that a desktop browser can do (JavaScript, AJAX, etc) . Plus ,the iphone is so popular that many sites are delivering custom iphone versions of their sites. The "pan and zoom" features of browsing a non mobile site are far better than anything else out there. It will not do Flash, however I see that as a good thing :)
OK, now the bad part. I came from Verizon, and I can tell you AT&T's network is nowhere near as good as verizon. Call quality is much more variable on ATT, and I get occasional dropped calls. If I was a sales guy who was on the road 24x7 and making a ton of calls... it would be a tough choice. But for me, the plusses of the functionality of the device blow away the shortcomings of the cell network.
Our company gets a ton of BB devices (we are RIM partners), Android, etc so I have played around with a bunch of phones, and I really found that the iPhone was the one I liked the best (I can't stand BB's thumb scroller thingy to navigate around - I always want to touch the screen). I saw what VRZ had in the pipeline for smartphones and I just wasn't impressed - so I made the switch. BTW - those of you with VRZ, they are going to be releasing some Google Android phones at the end of the year, and will have the Palm Pre in 2010.
Anyway, at some point I'll post about all the BB devices I've seen from RIM as I know that we have some dedicated BB users on this blog.
First installment - the iPhone.
Well, I finally broke down and got the iPhone when the new 3GS came out. Had to release my assault weapon...err..4yr old old Windows Mobile smartphone - it was time. I also switched to AT&T from Verizon and I did not port my old number, as I would like to leave my past behind. I had that old 703 number forever and it was tied to my old business, etc so I would get a lot of random calls on it. I just wanted to release that number.
Those of you that are running my mobile app (dub me now) would get my updated cell phone automatically in your BB, WinMo or iPhone address book. Those that aren't - well c'mon think of my children - do you want them to starve?? Please sign up today! - its FREE :) Plus, you can win an iPhone 3GS or BlackBerry of your choice click here.
Anyway self promotion aside, I wanted to post about my experience thus far with the iPhone and AT&T. First off, I have been a smartphone user for about 7 years. So I expect A LOT of my phone. The iPhone has not disappointed in that department. It does everything very elegantly and the attention to detail, both in hardware and in software is amazing. One small example, listening to music with the headphone jack plugged in (a standard jack which is another nice feature), if you unplug your headphones the music pauses automatically. Just shows the level of detail that the designers have when it comes to usable functionality. Can't tell you how many times on my old phone I would unplug my headphones and then music would be blaring out of my speakers.
Overall, the hardware design is top notch. You can't take anything apart on it, and the phone feels like it is well constructed. I like having one USB sync cable that also acts as your charger - no need to bring two cables when you travel. Plus the screen works well indoors and outdoors. Overall, the phone feels very solid and sturdy in your hand.
Apple made an interesting choice when designing the phone. First, they decided that NO apps will be allowed to run in the background. So the phone is incredibly stable because shoddy developers (like me) can't spawn jobs that sleep and run in the background. What inevitably happens (anyone with a BB or WinMO phone knows this well) is that some of those cool little apps start leaking memory like a bitch. Then - something will lockup, crash, etc. You know the drill - if it is bad enough you pull the battery and reboot. Now the iphone gets away from that because you can't run anything in the background. Once you push that magic button to exit the app - that app and all its resources are killed.
There are times when this ISN'T desirable however. Like when I'm listening to music on Pandora (awesome app BTW) and I want to check google traffic or my email. Well I can't, because once I close Pandora - boom its dead. Or if I am on yahoo IM, same thing. So you truly cannot multi-task on the iphone. However, it is a tradeoff that I believe is worth it in terms of overall stability. BTW, just to be clear - you can run certain APPLE apps in the background (like the iPod), just not 3rd party apps. Overall, most apps "retain their state" pretty well so you just switch back and forth and its not a big deal. The new Palm Pre has an interesting take on this model - I'll have to post more about it at some point.
Random functioanlity notes:
- iPhone 3gs handles video streaming very well, and you can output videos to your TV too!
- native YouTube app is pretty addictive
- Visual voicemail is freaking brilliant
- the virtual keyboard has not been bad for me. Could I type better if I had a QWERTY keyboard - sure but the new 3.0 OS does a nice job handling input. I've been surprised at how well it handles typing, as that was my biggest stumbling block.
- The way it switches between WIFI and 3G connectivity is very smooth. Download speeds are pretty good with 3G, and AT&T is going to double the speed by year end.
- GPS with google maps is great for the navigationally challenged like myself
- emailing pictures and video is incredibly simple (MMS TXTing is disabled by ATT for now)
- there is absolutely NO BETTER mobile web browsing experience than the iPhone (Google Android is close 2nd). The Safari web browser can do virtually everything that a desktop browser can do (JavaScript, AJAX, etc) . Plus ,the iphone is so popular that many sites are delivering custom iphone versions of their sites. The "pan and zoom" features of browsing a non mobile site are far better than anything else out there. It will not do Flash, however I see that as a good thing :)
OK, now the bad part. I came from Verizon, and I can tell you AT&T's network is nowhere near as good as verizon. Call quality is much more variable on ATT, and I get occasional dropped calls. If I was a sales guy who was on the road 24x7 and making a ton of calls... it would be a tough choice. But for me, the plusses of the functionality of the device blow away the shortcomings of the cell network.
Our company gets a ton of BB devices (we are RIM partners), Android, etc so I have played around with a bunch of phones, and I really found that the iPhone was the one I liked the best (I can't stand BB's thumb scroller thingy to navigate around - I always want to touch the screen). I saw what VRZ had in the pipeline for smartphones and I just wasn't impressed - so I made the switch. BTW - those of you with VRZ, they are going to be releasing some Google Android phones at the end of the year, and will have the Palm Pre in 2010.
Anyway, at some point I'll post about all the BB devices I've seen from RIM as I know that we have some dedicated BB users on this blog.
Jul 8, 2009
How not to get real estate customers to your agency
So our neighborhood gets postcards in the mail from Real Estate agents looking for business. These postcards highlight a house in the development that is up for sale, or gives you a list of houses that have been sold for comparison - and, presumably, to show you what a good sale it was.
Honest to God, this is what came in the mail today:
Four Bridges Property Sales March 1, 2009 - June 10, 2009
xxxx Winter Hazel Drive Sold for 51.7% of list price in 1,552 days
Below that is a picture of an agent.
Really, does anyone proof read? Even if this is true, why would you put in on there?
Honest to God, this is what came in the mail today:
Four Bridges Property Sales March 1, 2009 - June 10, 2009
xxxx Winter Hazel Drive Sold for 51.7% of list price in 1,552 days
Below that is a picture of an agent.
Really, does anyone proof read? Even if this is true, why would you put in on there?
Jul 7, 2009
Jacko
Wish me luck today as I'm up in LA for some meetings. This place has turned into a full blown circus. I'm shocked at how many people are here for his stupid viewing. And the news coverage is just shocking. Have we forgotten about all the little boys he fingerbanged? Ugh.
Jul 5, 2009
16 reasons: Why?
You didn't think I would get very far in posting before Palin comes up, did you?
So - for those of you out of the country or under a rock this holiday, Sarah Palin will resign as Governor of Alaska effective later this month. Boy, did this set off a round of speculation as to why? Why now? Why resign?
Mickey Kaus (and - if you aren't reading his blog, you better start) has documented 14 reasons that he has heard in the press to explain the resignation. The list in italics, and my thoughts:
I can see 14 Palin theories ... and counting:
1) She's running for president;
EZ: In 2012? No way, not now. Too much damage was done with this announcement.
2) She's undergoing fame withdrawal and plans to get more attention in the lower 48;
EZ: Is she this much of an egomaniac? I guess you have to be to be in politics.
3) She wants to cash in ($);
EZ: This certainly seems plausible. Cash in now while you are still a celebrity.
4) There's another shoe about to drop;
EZ: Remind me...what was the first shoe? Wasn't she cleared of all wrongdoing?
5) She'll now run against Murkowski for Senate.
EZ: Wow. Lisa Murkowski is the Republican senator from Alaska who was elected in 2006; charges of nepotism ran wild after her father resigned in 02 and named his daughter- Lisa- to the Senate. Lisa won the full six year term in 2004, and is up for reelection in 2010.
Running against Murkowski -for Palin- would be a high stakes gamble. It's one thing to lose as a VP. However, if you lose a Senate primary - a PRIMARY - in Alaska - well, that takes you down about 537 notches. If she wins, Palin could become one of the party leaders in Washington. If she loses, it's curtains. Too risky.
6) She needs to tend to her family.
EZ: Are we that cyncial not to believe that? (Don't answer that)
7) She's bonkers.
EZ: No comment.
8) She's preggers.
EZ: Wow. No comment either.
9) She wants to "effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities."
EZ: English, please?
10) Actually being a governor in a recession is no fun. Gives you ulcers.
EZ: Ask Mr. Corzine, Schwartzenegger, Paterson, Patrick, Strickland, etc. etc. etc.
11) She worried she wasn't giving "Alaska's issues" the attention they deserve, and was being criticized for that;
EZ: Um, sure, but.....like she wasn't going to be reelected in 2010....
12) She's "fed up with politics ... the personal garbage" etc..
EZ: Sure...but if she is fed up with this, then she has no busness in a natinal office. Juneau? Cmon. You can handle it from Juneau...
13) She wants to fight back without one hand tied behind her back.
EZ: Not sure what this means....
14) The Alaska legislature now hates her;
Some bonus theories:
P.S.: Howard Kurtz is sure! "No way Palin can run for president now." ... Update: Now he asks, "How can these talking heads pop off about the meaning of Palin's resignation when not one of them saw it coming?" ... It's the return of Kurtz vs. Kurtz! ...
So - for those of you out of the country or under a rock this holiday, Sarah Palin will resign as Governor of Alaska effective later this month. Boy, did this set off a round of speculation as to why? Why now? Why resign?
Mickey Kaus (and - if you aren't reading his blog, you better start) has documented 14 reasons that he has heard in the press to explain the resignation. The list in italics, and my thoughts:
I can see 14 Palin theories ... and counting:
1) She's running for president;
EZ: In 2012? No way, not now. Too much damage was done with this announcement.
2) She's undergoing fame withdrawal and plans to get more attention in the lower 48;
EZ: Is she this much of an egomaniac? I guess you have to be to be in politics.
3) She wants to cash in ($);
EZ: This certainly seems plausible. Cash in now while you are still a celebrity.
4) There's another shoe about to drop;
EZ: Remind me...what was the first shoe? Wasn't she cleared of all wrongdoing?
5) She'll now run against Murkowski for Senate.
EZ: Wow. Lisa Murkowski is the Republican senator from Alaska who was elected in 2006; charges of nepotism ran wild after her father resigned in 02 and named his daughter- Lisa- to the Senate. Lisa won the full six year term in 2004, and is up for reelection in 2010.
Running against Murkowski -for Palin- would be a high stakes gamble. It's one thing to lose as a VP. However, if you lose a Senate primary - a PRIMARY - in Alaska - well, that takes you down about 537 notches. If she wins, Palin could become one of the party leaders in Washington. If she loses, it's curtains. Too risky.
6) She needs to tend to her family.
EZ: Are we that cyncial not to believe that? (Don't answer that)
7) She's bonkers.
EZ: No comment.
8) She's preggers.
EZ: Wow. No comment either.
9) She wants to "effect positive change outside government at this point in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities."
EZ: English, please?
10) Actually being a governor in a recession is no fun. Gives you ulcers.
EZ: Ask Mr. Corzine, Schwartzenegger, Paterson, Patrick, Strickland, etc. etc. etc.
11) She worried she wasn't giving "Alaska's issues" the attention they deserve, and was being criticized for that;
EZ: Um, sure, but.....like she wasn't going to be reelected in 2010....
12) She's "fed up with politics ... the personal garbage" etc..
EZ: Sure...but if she is fed up with this, then she has no busness in a natinal office. Juneau? Cmon. You can handle it from Juneau...
13) She wants to fight back without one hand tied behind her back.
EZ: Not sure what this means....
14) The Alaska legislature now hates her;
Some bonus theories:
P.S.: Howard Kurtz is sure! "No way Palin can run for president now." ... Update: Now he asks, "How can these talking heads pop off about the meaning of Palin's resignation when not one of them saw it coming?" ... It's the return of Kurtz vs. Kurtz! ...
and finally:
P.P.S.: I'm waiting for someone to claim it was all the Scientologists' idea. So far, noone. But the night is young.
My mother - of all people - had the best, most plausible theory. She will be named head of the RNC in the near future (fall, 2009), replacing Michael Steele. Makes perfect sense. It reenergizes the party; it is an instant money maker for the Republican candidates in 2010 (and they are going to need money), gets her in Washington to learn while staying visible, and keeps her in the public spotlight. From here, she can run for Senate against the Democrat in 2014 (this is the seat the Ted Stevens lost due to his "non" scandal), and then gt national experience for a Presidential run in 2020 or 2024. For the 2024 election, she will only be 60 years old, so it's possible.
Back after the hiatus
OK, sorry for the lack of posting. Vacation, holidays, golf, work, etc - all getting in the way of what's most important, blogging.
Random topics (non-political) in nature:
1. I am still in shock that I can actually buy a Shaq Cavaliers jersey. Will this put them over the top in 2010? Who knows. But we would have beaten Orlando with him if we had him in June. This is 2 months too late.
2. I am holidng our family hostage; Game Show Network is now replaying old "$25,000 Pyramid" and "$100,000 Pyramid" episodes. I am quickly filling up the TiVo watching Marcia Wallace and Soupy Sales try to win the jackpot for their partners.
3. Freddie's baseabll season ended last week - we got a mail with all of the stats. He was in the middle of the pack with a .532 on-base percenatage. His ERA, however, was 57.....Layup immediately suggested he would be a good fit for the Tribe bullpen. Unfortunately, he's right.
4. I know I sound like "the Boy who cried Wolf" around here sometimes, but I am legitimately excited for the Browns this year. New coach + settled QB + revamped front 7 on defense + some talent (athough young) in the receiving core - a murderous schedule = 7-9 or 8-8 this year. I'm not predicting any more than that - but we aren't the worst team in the league (as Peter King has ranked us). Please
4a. Of course, we do play Detroit in November. If the Lions have not won by then....look out.
4b. Week 1 is Cleveland at home vs....Minnesota. If Favre signs with the Vikings, he will open up against us - and his old coach from the Jets. Expect this game to be nationally televised on FOX.
5. Ethical question: Janice and I were upgraded (twice) on our flight to CA in June; once from Salt Lake to San Diego; the other time from San Diego back to Cincinnati. Is it bad that we sat in First Class - with Martin - and let Freddie and Warren sit in coach with a poor soul who occupied the 3rd seat in the row?
6. I love WNBA wagering. That is all.
Random topics (non-political) in nature:
1. I am still in shock that I can actually buy a Shaq Cavaliers jersey. Will this put them over the top in 2010? Who knows. But we would have beaten Orlando with him if we had him in June. This is 2 months too late.
2. I am holidng our family hostage; Game Show Network is now replaying old "$25,000 Pyramid" and "$100,000 Pyramid" episodes. I am quickly filling up the TiVo watching Marcia Wallace and Soupy Sales try to win the jackpot for their partners.
3. Freddie's baseabll season ended last week - we got a mail with all of the stats. He was in the middle of the pack with a .532 on-base percenatage. His ERA, however, was 57.....Layup immediately suggested he would be a good fit for the Tribe bullpen. Unfortunately, he's right.
4. I know I sound like "the Boy who cried Wolf" around here sometimes, but I am legitimately excited for the Browns this year. New coach + settled QB + revamped front 7 on defense + some talent (athough young) in the receiving core - a murderous schedule = 7-9 or 8-8 this year. I'm not predicting any more than that - but we aren't the worst team in the league (as Peter King has ranked us). Please
4a. Of course, we do play Detroit in November. If the Lions have not won by then....look out.
4b. Week 1 is Cleveland at home vs....Minnesota. If Favre signs with the Vikings, he will open up against us - and his old coach from the Jets. Expect this game to be nationally televised on FOX.
5. Ethical question: Janice and I were upgraded (twice) on our flight to CA in June; once from Salt Lake to San Diego; the other time from San Diego back to Cincinnati. Is it bad that we sat in First Class - with Martin - and let Freddie and Warren sit in coach with a poor soul who occupied the 3rd seat in the row?
6. I love WNBA wagering. That is all.
Jun 22, 2009
Here we go again....
Back from vacation to Southern California....will blog later about all the activities, including the age-old question: "Is Chirs Berman sexy?"....
but no time for that now. We start the Cincinnati city championship this morning. Don and I are registered; I haven't picked up a club in 10 days - and I tee off in 2 hours. Follow all the action at www.gcga.org. I'll try not to embarass myself.
but no time for that now. We start the Cincinnati city championship this morning. Don and I are registered; I haven't picked up a club in 10 days - and I tee off in 2 hours. Follow all the action at www.gcga.org. I'll try not to embarass myself.
Jun 19, 2009
ESPN Golf Coverage
Hey fuckheads at ESPN, you are ruining the US Open for me. Some random thoughts while following the Open today.
- Get a better producer. If you can't provide live coverage of each hole, don't ruin it by having the announcer tell us before the shot happens that "he knocked it close". Jesus, I know NBC and CBS do it occasionally, but its starting to happen a little too much.
- Rick Reilly- I used to really like him. I have all of his books, but can he do anything other than sad stories now?
- Berman- Horrendous. Terrible. A total disgrace. On the flip side though, I don't mind Tirico and Van Pelt.
Can't get it out of my head
I have a huge craving to play craps. Maybe its because Eric is in town, but I can't shake it. Eric wants to make a run to one of the local casinos, but I don't want to play California craps, which they replace the dice with playing cards.
I would almost recommend you guys to check the San Diego police blotters this weekend to see if there is a story about two guys in pleated khaki shorts arrested at the Hotel Del for rolling dice on the sidewalk on the backside of the hotel, yelling and screaming like two little girls. Its getting to that point.
I would almost recommend you guys to check the San Diego police blotters this weekend to see if there is a story about two guys in pleated khaki shorts arrested at the Hotel Del for rolling dice on the sidewalk on the backside of the hotel, yelling and screaming like two little girls. Its getting to that point.
Jun 9, 2009
Points against Obama
Hey Republican party! You want to make inroads against Obama and the Democrats?
Forget about raising the issue about Obama taking his wife to Broadway for a night out. yes, yes, yes, it's $24,000 to taxpayers. But for God's sake, he is the President. Let him do whatever he wants for a date night. I'd get a luxury box for every Browns game - and happily charge it to the taxpayer. Most people are sympathetic to Obama here. Lay off.
But you better hammer hard on two things that occured this week.
1. GM's head marketing boss, Mark LaNeve, was asked on a call-in show about diesel cars and who GM hasn't pushed that technology here. One of the reasons he stated was that diesel is $1.25 a gallon more expensive than regular gasoline.
Hold the phone there.
That is absolutely incorrect. Right now, diesel is $0.17 less than gasoline.
Diesel costs less than gas. But - the chief marketer at GM does not know, or is not aware of this, fact. How clueless is he?
What does this have to do Obama? This is the company that we are sending another $50 BILLION TO! This is the beahvior we are rewarding!
For God's sake, let them fail.
2) Chrysler. I'm still trying to sort the merger deal between Chrysler and Fiat, but apparently there was a hold up in the Supreme Court because unsecured bond holders (like the Indiana pnesion fund) were not being paid off first; instead, money was going to unsecured bond holders (such as the UAW).
What could this cause? By putting the United Auto Workers' rights above those of secured lenders -- and in the process seemingly upsetting years of established bankruptcy law -- the government risked creating uncertainty about the rule of law, and perhaps discouraging those willing to put capital at risk in America.
OK, one may say - but why aren't all the secured holders wanting a stop to this deal? Why is it just the Indiana pension fund that is pushing for a stop here?
Because most (the majority) of the other secured bond holders of Chrysler are held by institutions like JPMorgan (JPM, Fortune 500), Citibank (C, Fortune 500), Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500), and Morgan Stanley (MS, Fortune 500), all of which were themselves TARP recipients and, therefore, arguably subject to considerable government arm-twisting.
Hmmm......circumventing the rule of law, and arugably playing favorites with TARP. It may take a genius to make a 30 second commercial out of this issue, but I bet it can be done.
So - what we have is Obama:
- lining the pockets of incompetent corporate boobs at GM, and
- playing favorites by picking the UAW and TARP banks over state pension funds with the Chrysler takeover.
I think the actions of Obama are starting to worry many moderates out there....
Forget about raising the issue about Obama taking his wife to Broadway for a night out. yes, yes, yes, it's $24,000 to taxpayers. But for God's sake, he is the President. Let him do whatever he wants for a date night. I'd get a luxury box for every Browns game - and happily charge it to the taxpayer. Most people are sympathetic to Obama here. Lay off.
But you better hammer hard on two things that occured this week.
1. GM's head marketing boss, Mark LaNeve, was asked on a call-in show about diesel cars and who GM hasn't pushed that technology here. One of the reasons he stated was that diesel is $1.25 a gallon more expensive than regular gasoline.
Hold the phone there.
That is absolutely incorrect. Right now, diesel is $0.17 less than gasoline.
Diesel costs less than gas. But - the chief marketer at GM does not know, or is not aware of this, fact. How clueless is he?
What does this have to do Obama? This is the company that we are sending another $50 BILLION TO! This is the beahvior we are rewarding!
For God's sake, let them fail.
2) Chrysler. I'm still trying to sort the merger deal between Chrysler and Fiat, but apparently there was a hold up in the Supreme Court because unsecured bond holders (like the Indiana pnesion fund) were not being paid off first; instead, money was going to unsecured bond holders (such as the UAW).
What could this cause? By putting the United Auto Workers' rights above those of secured lenders -- and in the process seemingly upsetting years of established bankruptcy law -- the government risked creating uncertainty about the rule of law, and perhaps discouraging those willing to put capital at risk in America.
OK, one may say - but why aren't all the secured holders wanting a stop to this deal? Why is it just the Indiana pension fund that is pushing for a stop here?
Because most (the majority) of the other secured bond holders of Chrysler are held by institutions like JPMorgan (JPM, Fortune 500), Citibank (C, Fortune 500), Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500), and Morgan Stanley (MS, Fortune 500), all of which were themselves TARP recipients and, therefore, arguably subject to considerable government arm-twisting.
Hmmm......circumventing the rule of law, and arugably playing favorites with TARP. It may take a genius to make a 30 second commercial out of this issue, but I bet it can be done.
So - what we have is Obama:
- lining the pockets of incompetent corporate boobs at GM, and
- playing favorites by picking the UAW and TARP banks over state pension funds with the Chrysler takeover.
I think the actions of Obama are starting to worry many moderates out there....
Jun 7, 2009
Odd....
Is it just me, but does it seem like every time you hear about an 18-inning game, that:
1) it's always in the National League, and
2) the San Diego Padres are usually involved?
I would wager that in all of the 18 inning games plaed over the past 20 years, the Padres have been involved in 25% of them.
1) it's always in the National League, and
2) the San Diego Padres are usually involved?
I would wager that in all of the 18 inning games plaed over the past 20 years, the Padres have been involved in 25% of them.
Pathetic?
I checked the on-line wagering site this weekend - and noticed lines for the WNBA for Saturday. Opening Day had arrived - and a full schedule of 6 games were on tap!
And yes, after doing 5 minutes worth of research, I was a perfect 3-0 on Saturday on the WNBA, and followed that up with a 1-1-1 performance on Sunday.
Mind you, I don't actaulyl WATCH the WNBA, but this may be a nice summertime diversion before the NFL comes rolling around again.
So- WNBA wagering - is this a pathetic new low for me? Or does it make me crazy.....crazy like a fox?
And yes, after doing 5 minutes worth of research, I was a perfect 3-0 on Saturday on the WNBA, and followed that up with a 1-1-1 performance on Sunday.
Mind you, I don't actaulyl WATCH the WNBA, but this may be a nice summertime diversion before the NFL comes rolling around again.
So- WNBA wagering - is this a pathetic new low for me? Or does it make me crazy.....crazy like a fox?
Jun 4, 2009
Thoughts from a Airport Chili's bar
Is there anything better than finding out that you have a 90 minute layover and finding a Chili's at the airport where you can watch TV, have a beer, and eat about 21 boneless chicken wings? Ahhh...below are some thoughts that prompted me whipping out the laptop to blog at the bar:
1. There is a fat chick sitting across from me wearing a pink Duke shirt. She of course is being very vocal about wanting the Lakers to win and all I can think about in my head is chucking my cell phone at her hoping that it would knock her out cold so I could then walk over there and kick her in the head. God I hate Duke and everything about them.
2. Poor hockey fan can't get the asshole bartender to turn one of the three TVs onto the hockey game. I've never seen such a dick before. Telling him that he isn't allowed to change it, when he has the remote in his hand. I will ask this again, where is the customer service gone in this country.
3. Sat next to an older guy who had a man purse on the plane. I was playing spider solitaire for the most part of the trip and had my headphones on, but he still decided to talk to me about how he is a master of spider solitaire. Really? What part of my body language gave you the indication that I give a flying fuck. I even did the annoyed "I'm sorry are you talking to me?" line. He went on to say that he only plays the 4 suit game since the 2 suit game is too easy. And guess what I was playing. The 2 suit. Ugh.
4. I know dudeman brought this up in the past, but I do find it very strange that Southwest only accepts credit cards on their flights to purchase drinks. Is that even legal?
5. Spent the week in Seattle, where it was sunny and 85 degrees the entire time. Wow, when its not rainy or cloudy, this place is amazing. Couple of comments:
1. There is a fat chick sitting across from me wearing a pink Duke shirt. She of course is being very vocal about wanting the Lakers to win and all I can think about in my head is chucking my cell phone at her hoping that it would knock her out cold so I could then walk over there and kick her in the head. God I hate Duke and everything about them.
2. Poor hockey fan can't get the asshole bartender to turn one of the three TVs onto the hockey game. I've never seen such a dick before. Telling him that he isn't allowed to change it, when he has the remote in his hand. I will ask this again, where is the customer service gone in this country.
3. Sat next to an older guy who had a man purse on the plane. I was playing spider solitaire for the most part of the trip and had my headphones on, but he still decided to talk to me about how he is a master of spider solitaire. Really? What part of my body language gave you the indication that I give a flying fuck. I even did the annoyed "I'm sorry are you talking to me?" line. He went on to say that he only plays the 4 suit game since the 2 suit game is too easy. And guess what I was playing. The 2 suit. Ugh.
4. I know dudeman brought this up in the past, but I do find it very strange that Southwest only accepts credit cards on their flights to purchase drinks. Is that even legal?
5. Spent the week in Seattle, where it was sunny and 85 degrees the entire time. Wow, when its not rainy or cloudy, this place is amazing. Couple of comments:
- Its stays light outside until 9:30pm and gets light at 5:15am. I kept on thinking that I slept through my wake up call each morning since it was so bright at 6:00am. Pretty nice in the evenings and you totally lose track of what time it is when it stays that light out.
- So I guess they have this law in Washington that they must post the calorie count for every item at a fastfood joint right underneath the picture of the food. So confusing since I kept on getting the price and calorie count mixed up. And honestly there isn't anything worse than ordering a large Blizzard at Dairy Queen, knowing that it is 1600 calories. But of course I still did it...every freaking night.
- Everyone there kept on complaining about how bad the traffic was in Seattle. And my group from Southern CA was just laughing it off. Um, we are still going 20 mph. That's not traffic, that's moving in LA.
- They love their college sports in Seattle. Half page picture of the Lady Huskie's softball team that won the national championship.
May 31, 2009
Joe Jirsa, Marines, and The Hills
Quiet a combo eh? Onto an explaination of the title:
- 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.
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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