I was so early for the finals it was ridiculous. I have this thing about showing up when I am told… even when I know they are just saying that to make sure we are all there with plenty of time to spare. I left work and made my way to the driving range. I hit about 25-30 balls with my 8 iron trying to visualize the same type of shot I had hit the day before to get me to the finals.
After the range I jumped in my car and made my way downtown. One of those yellow cabs jetted out in front of me and cut me off. The cab number was 15. For some reason or another that number pops up more than any other. I am not sure if I am looking for it more or what. It’s my number in baseball, and most other sports that I have played in the past. Oh, and it’s my birth date, and the month happens to be September.
I park, get my shit together and make my way down and around the back of Canada Place and see the floating green sitting there once again. I really felt like this was going to be a very special day. Either way, I felt very lucky to have a chance like this and wanted to make the best of it.
There were about 35 finalists. The format was a bit different than the first day. We only received two golf balls for the first round and all we had to do was keep hitting the green. Last man standing would win the car. Second place was a trip for two to New York to watch a Rangers game, third place was a full set of Taylor Made sticks, and fourth was a trip for four to Whistler to do some snowmobiling. My focus was obviously winning, and nothing but… sure the other prizes would be nice, but the car was the big one.
My first shot of the two was a bit nerve racking. I was second on the list, so there wasn’t any time to screw around here. I tried to create a routine and be consistent. I figured it was my best shot at being calm and not letting the crowd bother me too much. Once we got going there were probably over one thousand people watching from up top, where the beer and wine were flowing, and laughs and heckles continued to increase as the night went on.
I stuck with the 8 iron the entire time. I hit my first of my two balls into the left water just I had done early on the day before. The crowd groaned because it was the million dollar shot that I had just let slip by... oh well, move on. I was second on the list to hit for the entire competition. So I knew if I was going to go deep in this thing there was a good chance that I would eventually be the first guy to tee off in each round.
I was able to suck it up and hit my second one on the green just right of the pin. The crowd hooted and hollered as anticipated... Lola and the Thordogs led the cheers and things were off and running. 26 guys managed to hit the green in one way or another in the first round and we were on our way.
Except, they stopped the competition right then and there and decided that the team event would go next (as planned I suspect) and get out of the way of the finale. The team event took much longer than they had wished. By the time we started round 2 the sun was starting to fade and the shade was creeping up by the minute. As predicted, the guy who went first in the first round was already out. So that left me to tee off first in every subsequent round. I tried not to let it bother me, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t. That was just another element that I was going to have to deal with and shut out of my zone. I wanted to remain focused no matter what the circumstance.
Round 2 and all rounds after that allowed us only one ball each. That’s it. Hit the green and you stay in, miss the green and you are done.
The TV cameras were out, the music was pumping and the crowd was getting their drink on. I stepped up took dead aim… and then backed off. I just didn’t feel like I was set up right. The crowd groaned and the chatter was continuous. Nothing different, just amplified by the sheer number of people that were now all focused on the competitors… and at this moment they were all focused on me.
Never have I been so nervous. Never have I had that feeling of adrenaline pumping through my body so intensely during a golf shot. We were down to 25 left and I had already backed off the shot once. I took dead aim and of course, pulled it again! It was heading to the left back portion of the green, the wind was still blowing at us and as the ball descended I thought my night was over… but it held on and somehow grabbed some land! I was safe and moving on.
The next round would unfortunately be my last. We were down to 15 (ironic?) and the wind had completely died off. I considered hitting a 9, and right now as I sit here I still wonder if I should have pulled out the 9 and gave it a try. In the end I went with the 8 iron and I, once again, pulled it left. This time I wasn’t so lucky and it eventually hit the water. I was in shock, but at the same time very satisfied with how I did. Of course winning was the only thing that mattered, but this experience was something that I will never forget.
In fact, I’m already planning on finding my way in next year. I know it was there for the taking, I just didn’t get it done.
The final two guys battled it out, and hard. In the final show down neither of them wanted to lose. It took 12 rounds of hitting the green (or both missing) before one guy missed and the other guy didn’t. Nuts. I am not sure I would have been able to withstand that type of pressure, but I know I wouldn’t be backing down… not ever. Next time, there’s always next time.
A buddy of mine was there and took these pictures:
My approach
The backswing
The finish
Oh and I made it into the paper too... so far, no autograph requests LOL.
It was quite the way to start an awesome weekend. More on that later.
Thanks for all the support and good wishes, I appreciate it.
15.9.08
12.9.08
Qualifying Update
What a rush.
When I arrived at Canada place I had minutes to spare. I wanted to arrive on time, but really there was no rush. So I register and they give me a handful of items like food comps, beer comps and a ticket for my choice of sunglasses. I've been looking for a new pair for a while now, so it was a nice surprise to be able to pick out a pair before we got down to business. I don't wear sunglasses while I golf, or even when I practice. That's just me.
So the shot was 164 yards to the pin and there was about a 3 story drop. It looked like more, but I went with it. The wind was coming off the water from left to right. There is a bunker along the front right portion of the floating green. I decided that I would aim right at the corner of that bunker and let the wind and my natural fade bring it back to the pin. If I pulled it long, I would still be ok, and if I bailed out right I might still catch the front portion as well.
The format was simple. The first step was to hit the green with one of my three designated golf balls. If I did that, I would advance to the next round. There were about 45 guys in my "pool b" and they were taking 10 players to the finals from our heat. I thnk there were three heats.
First goal: hit the green. You get one minute to hit all three golf balls. There is actually a buzzer that sounds if you are over the time limit. My first and second shot were hit in the exact same spot... the water. I hit it right where I aimed, but when I pulled it a bit left it just didn't make it. Knowing that I had one last shot to move on, this time, I took dead aim. I hit my 8 iron right at the stick and it drifted off a bit but still managed to land on the green about twenty feet short right. Phase one complete.
Second goal: finish in the top 10. This time the rules were different. I had to place in the top 10 out of the remaining 16 players (yes, only 16 players hit the green out of my pool). A lot of guys were nervous, and shanking it left and right, long and short. I was confident that I could hit the green for a second time and move on to the finals tomorrow.
There was a warm up area just off to the right where I would go and warm up when I was batting in the hole (3rd up). I took that time to focus and do some breathing. It's something that I started using when I read an article about it before the culb championship. It has really helped me calm down and focus solely on the next shot.
So they call my name and I head up to the tee just as I had before. This time I decided to take dead aim once more. I hit my 8 iron and it never left the pin! It landed 5'2" from the pin and I ended up finishing 2nd furthest from the cup in that round. Phase two complete.
Nothing but the pin tomorrow as Bambam put it. There is a million dollar first shot too. That's right, if I hole out on my very first shot tomorrow I will pocket a million. Sick to think about really. I mean I've never had a hole in one. But you just never know.
My focus is actually winning this thing. Sure the million would be super sweet, don't get me wrong... it would change our lives. But really, what are the chances?
Why not? You just never know.
First things first. Take dead aim and try my best.
When I arrived at Canada place I had minutes to spare. I wanted to arrive on time, but really there was no rush. So I register and they give me a handful of items like food comps, beer comps and a ticket for my choice of sunglasses. I've been looking for a new pair for a while now, so it was a nice surprise to be able to pick out a pair before we got down to business. I don't wear sunglasses while I golf, or even when I practice. That's just me.
So the shot was 164 yards to the pin and there was about a 3 story drop. It looked like more, but I went with it. The wind was coming off the water from left to right. There is a bunker along the front right portion of the floating green. I decided that I would aim right at the corner of that bunker and let the wind and my natural fade bring it back to the pin. If I pulled it long, I would still be ok, and if I bailed out right I might still catch the front portion as well.
The format was simple. The first step was to hit the green with one of my three designated golf balls. If I did that, I would advance to the next round. There were about 45 guys in my "pool b" and they were taking 10 players to the finals from our heat. I thnk there were three heats.
First goal: hit the green. You get one minute to hit all three golf balls. There is actually a buzzer that sounds if you are over the time limit. My first and second shot were hit in the exact same spot... the water. I hit it right where I aimed, but when I pulled it a bit left it just didn't make it. Knowing that I had one last shot to move on, this time, I took dead aim. I hit my 8 iron right at the stick and it drifted off a bit but still managed to land on the green about twenty feet short right. Phase one complete.
Second goal: finish in the top 10. This time the rules were different. I had to place in the top 10 out of the remaining 16 players (yes, only 16 players hit the green out of my pool). A lot of guys were nervous, and shanking it left and right, long and short. I was confident that I could hit the green for a second time and move on to the finals tomorrow.
There was a warm up area just off to the right where I would go and warm up when I was batting in the hole (3rd up). I took that time to focus and do some breathing. It's something that I started using when I read an article about it before the culb championship. It has really helped me calm down and focus solely on the next shot.
So they call my name and I head up to the tee just as I had before. This time I decided to take dead aim once more. I hit my 8 iron and it never left the pin! It landed 5'2" from the pin and I ended up finishing 2nd furthest from the cup in that round. Phase two complete.
Nothing but the pin tomorrow as Bambam put it. There is a million dollar first shot too. That's right, if I hole out on my very first shot tomorrow I will pocket a million. Sick to think about really. I mean I've never had a hole in one. But you just never know.
My focus is actually winning this thing. Sure the million would be super sweet, don't get me wrong... it would change our lives. But really, what are the chances?
Why not? You just never know.
First things first. Take dead aim and try my best.
11.9.08
VW Ultimate Shoot-Out OMG
Ok so yesterday I alluded to some golf news that I was waiting on. I had received an email from my club's head pro asking me if I was interested in participating in the above mentioned shoot-out... Obv. Obv. Obv! It wasn't a guarantee as they had not received confirmation that I was in. I waited and hoped, and waited some more. Well this morning when I got to work I had the following email waiting for me (as hoped):
Re: Individual Shoot-Out
Dear Competitor,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with all of the relevant information and details to ensure that you have a memorable experience at the 2008 Volkswagen Ultimate Shoot-Out. The following information is for those who are entered into the Individual Shoot-Out.
The Individual Shoot-Out
A field of 200 amatuer golfers will be competing in this year’s Volkswagen Ultimate Shoot-Out that will see the winner drive away in a brand new Volkswagen Passat. The format of this event is simple; hit the green and you stay in, miss and you are eliminated. The last golfer standing wins!
Qualifying Time
There are three qualifying times on Thursday, September 11th.
YOU ARE IN QUALIFYING SESSION B – 11:15AM TO 1:15PM. PLEASE SHOW UP AT
LEAST ½ PRIOR TO TEE TIME.
Registration
You are already pre-registered. Simply show up at least 1/2 hour prior to your qualifying time.
Event Finals
The event finals take place on Friday, September 12th at Canada Place at 5:00pm. The VWUSO Individual Event will see 28 finalists battle it out for the new Passat! The format for the finals will be a simple “last golfer standing” competition. Similar to qualifying, each golfer will get a minimum of three shots. Those golfers hitting the green will continue to advance until we have a winner.
We are expecting a gallery of over 2000 people this year so make sure and this will surely add to the excitement and tension!
Do I even have to tell you how pumped I am? I immediately took the day off work and notified my friends and family. Obviously my first goal is to qualify for Friday's finals. I don't want to look any further ahead than that. One shot, one day at a time. Just like any other tournament.
I went to the range after work, and plan on going back tomorrow morning before I head downtown. I've got a couple of buddies that work down there that will be meeting me there, and hopefully Lola will be albe to join me as well.
Somebody pinch me now. I can't wait.
Stay tuned for an update tomorrow night...
Re: Individual Shoot-Out
Dear Competitor,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with all of the relevant information and details to ensure that you have a memorable experience at the 2008 Volkswagen Ultimate Shoot-Out. The following information is for those who are entered into the Individual Shoot-Out.
The Individual Shoot-Out
A field of 200 amatuer golfers will be competing in this year’s Volkswagen Ultimate Shoot-Out that will see the winner drive away in a brand new Volkswagen Passat. The format of this event is simple; hit the green and you stay in, miss and you are eliminated. The last golfer standing wins!
Qualifying Time
There are three qualifying times on Thursday, September 11th.
YOU ARE IN QUALIFYING SESSION B – 11:15AM TO 1:15PM. PLEASE SHOW UP AT
LEAST ½ PRIOR TO TEE TIME.
Registration
You are already pre-registered. Simply show up at least 1/2 hour prior to your qualifying time.
Event Finals
The event finals take place on Friday, September 12th at Canada Place at 5:00pm. The VWUSO Individual Event will see 28 finalists battle it out for the new Passat! The format for the finals will be a simple “last golfer standing” competition. Similar to qualifying, each golfer will get a minimum of three shots. Those golfers hitting the green will continue to advance until we have a winner.
We are expecting a gallery of over 2000 people this year so make sure and this will surely add to the excitement and tension!
Do I even have to tell you how pumped I am? I immediately took the day off work and notified my friends and family. Obviously my first goal is to qualify for Friday's finals. I don't want to look any further ahead than that. One shot, one day at a time. Just like any other tournament.
I went to the range after work, and plan on going back tomorrow morning before I head downtown. I've got a couple of buddies that work down there that will be meeting me there, and hopefully Lola will be albe to join me as well.
Somebody pinch me now. I can't wait.
Stay tuned for an update tomorrow night...
10.9.08
Live Poker WTF, FF wolf
When Lola mentioned that she was going to go away for 2 nights with her sister and mother to Whistler, it immediately got me to thinking about one thing and one thing only....
Live poker and Monday Night Football!
It's been a while since the crew at the club have gotten together to sling some chips and drink some beers. Monday's bachelorism was the perfect reason to take advantage of the first week's MNF games and do just that.
I arrived at about 6pm, just in time to make one last beer order before the bar closed. Of course, we always bring reserves for when the bar shuts it down, but I always try to buy a few to support the club... and disguise the fact that we brought our own...
Anyway, poker really didn't get started until about 8pm, which was way later than I had hoped. Guys showed up late, as they normally do when it is still light out. Being the first MNF of the new NFL season, I expected the turnout to be pretty weak, and it was.
Only 6 guys ended up throwing down $20 twice.
The first time around I got taken out by a beat that is pretty standard. I am in the BB with 57s. Two limpers and the SB completes. I check.
The SB checks the flop of K-5-7 rainbow. I lead out and bet the pot (8BB) with my bottom two pair. It folds to the SB and he pushes for another 12 BB. I call, he flips up KJd. I say "why didn't you raise with that hand?" tap tap.
He says "I'm a feel player, I just do whatever comes to me at the time. I felt like just calling there."
Sure enough a King hits on the turn and I am crippled. I push 10's on the next hand and get outflopped and can't fold when I see the Ace. Smart.
I did much better in the second game, chopped first and went home $20 richer.
The hand that vaulted me into the chip lead was one where I actually used my poker brain and called purely on odds. The guys always give me a hard time because I am perceived to be a "math guy" in their eyes since I have a finance background. It's pretty funny, and I often try to exploit that image by making "calculated bets" and getting my opponents to fold their superior hands. It's fun.
Anyway, I raise from UTG (4 handed now, details are fuzzy) with K8d. Two callers and the flop comes out with two diamonds. I had 3-1 and made the call when EP pushed his stack (less than pot) and I make the call knowing I am going to hit a diamond. No delay, it hits on the turn and I tighten back up.
Millertime and I chop first place. Good times. I was there for about an extra hour than I wanted to be, but winning money always seems to make me fall asleep much more easily.
----
Live blog alert! As I type this post up I am two tabling some $0.25/0.50 and the following hand took place:
Seat 3: XhY ($16.50)
Seat 7: Orkistraitor ($62.85)
Seat 9: Schaubs ($61.45)
loada08 posts the small blind of $0.25
Schaubs posts the big blind of $0.50
Dealt to Schaubs [Ac Kh]
RareDonkeyFish folds
XhY raises to $1
Orkistraitor has 15 seconds left to act
Orkistraitor raises to $3
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $2.50 - smooth call felt like the right call here out of the BB.
XhY calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Ah 9h As]
Schaubs checks - so weak.
XhY checks
Orkistraitor bets $6.50
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $6.50
XhY folds
*** TURN *** [Ah 9h As] [6s]
Schaubs checks
Orkistraitor bets $22.25
Schaubs raises to $51.95, and is all in
Orkistraitor calls $29.70
Schaubs shows [Ac Kh]
Orkistraitor shows [Qs Ad]
*** RIVER *** [Ah 9h As 6s] [8d]
Schaubs shows three of a kind, Aces
Orkistraitor shows three of a kind, Aces
Schaubs wins the pot ($123.15) with three of a kind, Aces
Cha Ching! LOL so easy. I wish.
----
Ok I am back.
Anyway, the weekend went well. Fantasy Football is in full effect now, so Sunday was basically all that. Football, football and more football. I won my two matches and also survived Don's pool when the Patriots managed to hold on for dear life (pooooor Tom... waaaaa.... poooooor Boston!... yeah right eh!). I sure am glad I got that pick out of the way...
I did well in pickem's too, which is nice. I usually start off pretty weak as I get into the season. I made some dumb dumb picks, but also predicted a couple of upsets. So it worked out well. I managed to pick off 10 and 9 wins in my two pools. ya me.
I also participated in the FSL blogger challenge that Blinders is running once again. I finished 4th in my stacked pool and missed out on some cash even though I beat blinders... so rigged. Anyway, he's mentioned that the software will be able to accomodate the large field so we won't be broken up into groups of ten. I predict this increases my ROI as I always seem to enter early and get matched up against some tough comp.
----
Finally, this Friday we kick off the latest FCPC poker challenge. So my Friday's are booked for about 5 weeks. Top 6 of the 12 get into the $1700 final table. I look forward to the challenge, more on that later.
I also may have some golf news if things work in my favor (crossing fingers and hoping for some luck) and I will update you all on that if it goes as planned.
I should be at the Mookie tomorrow, see you there?
Live poker and Monday Night Football!
It's been a while since the crew at the club have gotten together to sling some chips and drink some beers. Monday's bachelorism was the perfect reason to take advantage of the first week's MNF games and do just that.
I arrived at about 6pm, just in time to make one last beer order before the bar closed. Of course, we always bring reserves for when the bar shuts it down, but I always try to buy a few to support the club... and disguise the fact that we brought our own...
Anyway, poker really didn't get started until about 8pm, which was way later than I had hoped. Guys showed up late, as they normally do when it is still light out. Being the first MNF of the new NFL season, I expected the turnout to be pretty weak, and it was.
Only 6 guys ended up throwing down $20 twice.
The first time around I got taken out by a beat that is pretty standard. I am in the BB with 57s. Two limpers and the SB completes. I check.
The SB checks the flop of K-5-7 rainbow. I lead out and bet the pot (8BB) with my bottom two pair. It folds to the SB and he pushes for another 12 BB. I call, he flips up KJd. I say "why didn't you raise with that hand?" tap tap.
He says "I'm a feel player, I just do whatever comes to me at the time. I felt like just calling there."
Sure enough a King hits on the turn and I am crippled. I push 10's on the next hand and get outflopped and can't fold when I see the Ace. Smart.
I did much better in the second game, chopped first and went home $20 richer.
The hand that vaulted me into the chip lead was one where I actually used my poker brain and called purely on odds. The guys always give me a hard time because I am perceived to be a "math guy" in their eyes since I have a finance background. It's pretty funny, and I often try to exploit that image by making "calculated bets" and getting my opponents to fold their superior hands. It's fun.
Anyway, I raise from UTG (4 handed now, details are fuzzy) with K8d. Two callers and the flop comes out with two diamonds. I had 3-1 and made the call when EP pushed his stack (less than pot) and I make the call knowing I am going to hit a diamond. No delay, it hits on the turn and I tighten back up.
Millertime and I chop first place. Good times. I was there for about an extra hour than I wanted to be, but winning money always seems to make me fall asleep much more easily.
----
Live blog alert! As I type this post up I am two tabling some $0.25/0.50 and the following hand took place:
Seat 3: XhY ($16.50)
Seat 7: Orkistraitor ($62.85)
Seat 9: Schaubs ($61.45)
loada08 posts the small blind of $0.25
Schaubs posts the big blind of $0.50
Dealt to Schaubs [Ac Kh]
RareDonkeyFish folds
XhY raises to $1
Orkistraitor has 15 seconds left to act
Orkistraitor raises to $3
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $2.50 - smooth call felt like the right call here out of the BB.
XhY calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Ah 9h As]
Schaubs checks - so weak.
XhY checks
Orkistraitor bets $6.50
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $6.50
XhY folds
*** TURN *** [Ah 9h As] [6s]
Schaubs checks
Orkistraitor bets $22.25
Schaubs raises to $51.95, and is all in
Orkistraitor calls $29.70
Schaubs shows [Ac Kh]
Orkistraitor shows [Qs Ad]
*** RIVER *** [Ah 9h As 6s] [8d]
Schaubs shows three of a kind, Aces
Orkistraitor shows three of a kind, Aces
Schaubs wins the pot ($123.15) with three of a kind, Aces
Cha Ching! LOL so easy. I wish.
----
Ok I am back.
Anyway, the weekend went well. Fantasy Football is in full effect now, so Sunday was basically all that. Football, football and more football. I won my two matches and also survived Don's pool when the Patriots managed to hold on for dear life (pooooor Tom... waaaaa.... poooooor Boston!... yeah right eh!). I sure am glad I got that pick out of the way...
I did well in pickem's too, which is nice. I usually start off pretty weak as I get into the season. I made some dumb dumb picks, but also predicted a couple of upsets. So it worked out well. I managed to pick off 10 and 9 wins in my two pools. ya me.
I also participated in the FSL blogger challenge that Blinders is running once again. I finished 4th in my stacked pool and missed out on some cash even though I beat blinders... so rigged. Anyway, he's mentioned that the software will be able to accomodate the large field so we won't be broken up into groups of ten. I predict this increases my ROI as I always seem to enter early and get matched up against some tough comp.
----
Finally, this Friday we kick off the latest FCPC poker challenge. So my Friday's are booked for about 5 weeks. Top 6 of the 12 get into the $1700 final table. I look forward to the challenge, more on that later.
I also may have some golf news if things work in my favor (crossing fingers and hoping for some luck) and I will update you all on that if it goes as planned.
I should be at the Mookie tomorrow, see you there?
4.9.08
What coulda been... (not really a poker brag)
It would be a poker brag if I could have actually pulled it off and won. I won my share of races at the end (twice with less than 15 to go) which is essential to going deep in these things.
Anyway, I tried to make a move on Speaker on our final hand and it back fired. When I look back and think about it from every which way I realize that raising from the SB is something that I normally would have done with any ace. This time I limped trying to mix it up and he hit his 6 on a 10-6-10 flop. I re-over shoved on the flop hoping it was actually him trying to make a move on me. Nope. He had a 6. Can't blame him for the call. It was a lot of fun to compete like that, I just wish I could have taken it down as it would have been my first Mookie win. Twice a bridesmaid now. I feel like LJ use to (well ok maybe not as often), now she's just stacking up the wins like no other blogger out there. Thanks for the rail, I know it would have been nice to pull it off...
Anyway, I tried to make a move on Speaker on our final hand and it back fired. When I look back and think about it from every which way I realize that raising from the SB is something that I normally would have done with any ace. This time I limped trying to mix it up and he hit his 6 on a 10-6-10 flop. I re-over shoved on the flop hoping it was actually him trying to make a move on me. Nope. He had a 6. Can't blame him for the call. It was a lot of fun to compete like that, I just wish I could have taken it down as it would have been my first Mookie win. Twice a bridesmaid now. I feel like LJ use to (well ok maybe not as often), now she's just stacking up the wins like no other blogger out there. Thanks for the rail, I know it would have been nice to pull it off...
2nd place makes Schaubs sad.
I know I'll get one sooner or later, I just really thought last night was going to be my night. I rant out of patience and it cost me big time. With only 16BB's in play each I knew it was going to come down to a gamble sooner or later. Next time, I'll make sure I have the goods. GG Speaker, and BaconMary and all the rest of you bloggheads.
I feel compelled to make one comment about BDR though. Even though I doubt Speaker was listening, it was very annoying to hear the crew on BDR talk about the final hand as it was still in progress. Buddydank would never stand for this. Basically, once I reshoved, everyone on the air started talking about hand ranges and who had what. They just kept going on and on.
Now I love me some BDR. In fact I think I was the last one to sign off last night after the tournament. However, I think it is bad form to be talking about the hand when it is still going on. At the time I was very annoyed because as the clock ticked down and Speaker was making a decision for the entire tournament, everyone was putting me on a hand and talking about what each of us had. It definitly could have influenced a player to make a call or a fold. I still wonder if Speaker was listening to BDR. Oh well. Fuck it. Let's move on shall we....
Let the NFL Season begin!!
What coulda been... (golf brag)
I had a start to my round like I've never experienced before. When I sat on the 6th tee waiting to hit my tee shot on the par 3 I really felt like it was going to be one of those rounds that comes around once in a lifetime. I've had my low rounds before, sure, but I've never had a start like I did yesterday.
Long story short... it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. But still, it sure was cool to have that feeling like I could shoot some ridiculous number that everyone hopes to shoot in their golf career.
So yeah, I birdie the first (10 footer). I reach the 570 yard par 5 in two when I roll my hybrid to within 15 feet. (side note: we are playing in a 4 man best ball competition where we only record the best score of the four of us, there is some cash up for grabs, so I am playing very aggressively and going for everything).
I step up to my eagle putt with the intentions of being very aggressive and just burn the edge and miss the eagle 3. I make the one coming back. 2 under after 2. The next hole, a par 4, I hit my hybrid off the tee (trying to play smart aggressive golf, sort of how I try to play poker... lol).
I'm in the left rough and the rest of team is basically out of the hole (one in the water, one out of bounds, one hit his approach into the greenside bunker) and I am left to make a par (or even better, a birdie) and keep our team afloat.
I flush my 9 iron from 152 and it lands on the front of the green as planned and rolls up to the pin to within a foot! 3 undie after 3. This is where I start to get that feeling. My team mates can tell that I am zoned in and I am ready to take this thing low.
The next hole is a par 3. 165 yards downhill, pin in the front, protected by a bunker. Down wind, so I pull out my 8 iron and hit it right at the stick. At this point I am calling for it to go in, GO IN! I say. It ends up fading a bit to the right and I have a very slick 10 foot side hill bender. I lip out! Damn. The wheels are falling off. LOL.
I make it for par and move on to the par 5 5th. I pull my drive (trying to kill every drive and take dead aim at every pin) in the left rough. I punch out to 175 yards. I pull out my 6 iron and fire it right at the pin. It never leaves the pin, it is going straight at the pin. I want it to get close, or even better, get in the hole.
It never leaves the flag stick, one hops and hits the stick! It luckily lands a few feet right of the pin. I try to recall the last time I've ever hit the pin like that, and I can't. I still can't. I rarely (see: never) hit it like that right at the pin, and then it actually hits the pin.
I miss that putt as well. Still 3 under, after 5. Meanwhile, my team has made birdies on the 4th and 5th and we are 5 under as a team after 5. At this point the hairs on my arms are standing straight up and not since the club championship have I felt that sort of golf zen before. I really felt like I could take it low, but I knew I had to be aggressive, for the team.
That aggression would get the best of me. I took a lot of risks that I wouldn't have taken if it was just for me. I wanted to make as many birdies, at whatever the cost. I ended up making 3 more birdies. I finished the round 3 over but I think it will take a long while before I ever forget about that kind of start to my round.
Our team finished 2nd overall, we won some cash (tripled our buyin... weeee) and had an excellent steak and chicken buffet.
I love days like that, it makes me want to get better and better.
I wish I could say the same for poker. Nevertheless, I'll be at the mookie tonight. Mostly to see if Waffles will make this run that he continues to hope for. A part of me wants him to lose by $1 to LJ, another part of me actually wants to see him pull off this improbably come back and win these prop bets (they aren't life changing money anyway). The waffles rant would be ridiculous if he came oh so close, and then lost to some ricockulous suckout and was laughed at by all the railbirds hoping for said disaster.
See ya there.
Long story short... it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. But still, it sure was cool to have that feeling like I could shoot some ridiculous number that everyone hopes to shoot in their golf career.
So yeah, I birdie the first (10 footer). I reach the 570 yard par 5 in two when I roll my hybrid to within 15 feet. (side note: we are playing in a 4 man best ball competition where we only record the best score of the four of us, there is some cash up for grabs, so I am playing very aggressively and going for everything).
I step up to my eagle putt with the intentions of being very aggressive and just burn the edge and miss the eagle 3. I make the one coming back. 2 under after 2. The next hole, a par 4, I hit my hybrid off the tee (trying to play smart aggressive golf, sort of how I try to play poker... lol).
I'm in the left rough and the rest of team is basically out of the hole (one in the water, one out of bounds, one hit his approach into the greenside bunker) and I am left to make a par (or even better, a birdie) and keep our team afloat.
I flush my 9 iron from 152 and it lands on the front of the green as planned and rolls up to the pin to within a foot! 3 undie after 3. This is where I start to get that feeling. My team mates can tell that I am zoned in and I am ready to take this thing low.
The next hole is a par 3. 165 yards downhill, pin in the front, protected by a bunker. Down wind, so I pull out my 8 iron and hit it right at the stick. At this point I am calling for it to go in, GO IN! I say. It ends up fading a bit to the right and I have a very slick 10 foot side hill bender. I lip out! Damn. The wheels are falling off. LOL.
I make it for par and move on to the par 5 5th. I pull my drive (trying to kill every drive and take dead aim at every pin) in the left rough. I punch out to 175 yards. I pull out my 6 iron and fire it right at the pin. It never leaves the pin, it is going straight at the pin. I want it to get close, or even better, get in the hole.
It never leaves the flag stick, one hops and hits the stick! It luckily lands a few feet right of the pin. I try to recall the last time I've ever hit the pin like that, and I can't. I still can't. I rarely (see: never) hit it like that right at the pin, and then it actually hits the pin.
I miss that putt as well. Still 3 under, after 5. Meanwhile, my team has made birdies on the 4th and 5th and we are 5 under as a team after 5. At this point the hairs on my arms are standing straight up and not since the club championship have I felt that sort of golf zen before. I really felt like I could take it low, but I knew I had to be aggressive, for the team.
That aggression would get the best of me. I took a lot of risks that I wouldn't have taken if it was just for me. I wanted to make as many birdies, at whatever the cost. I ended up making 3 more birdies. I finished the round 3 over but I think it will take a long while before I ever forget about that kind of start to my round.
Our team finished 2nd overall, we won some cash (tripled our buyin... weeee) and had an excellent steak and chicken buffet.
I love days like that, it makes me want to get better and better.
I wish I could say the same for poker. Nevertheless, I'll be at the mookie tonight. Mostly to see if Waffles will make this run that he continues to hope for. A part of me wants him to lose by $1 to LJ, another part of me actually wants to see him pull off this improbably come back and win these prop bets (they aren't life changing money anyway). The waffles rant would be ridiculous if he came oh so close, and then lost to some ricockulous suckout and was laughed at by all the railbirds hoping for said disaster.
See ya there.
28.8.08
Various
My first fantasy football draft of the season took place last night with this chica via nfl.com. I'm pretty happy with my team (lucky to get 2nd pick of course), check it out:
(2) Adrian Peterson (RB-MIN)
(23) Reggie Wayne (WR-IND) - I snapped him up fast than Fuel can say "Football blows"
(26) Steve Smith (WR-CAR) - suspended first two games, so what
(47) Reggie Bush (RB-NO) - felt like another steal
(50) Chris Cooley (TE-WAS)
(71) Lee Evans (WR-BUF)
(74) Jake Delhomme (QB-CAR) - needed a QB at this point
(95) Nate Burelson (WR-SEA) - another steal? Early on he will need to step up
(98) Ricky Williams (RB-MIA) - you just never know
(119) Vince Young (QB-TEN)
(122) DeSean Jackson (WR-PHI) - I used my entire 90 seconds for this pick
(143) Packers (DEF-GB)
(146) Kris Brown (K-HOU)
(176) Kenny Watson (RB-CIN) - buh bye Rudi
14 rounds (2RB, 3WR a must). I had second pick and I had to take AP. I couldn't really justify another RB at that spot. I tried to find a reason to take Westbrooke or Barber III but in the end, I went with the man they call purple jesus. Take a QB? Not that early. Never.
Overall, I think I have a good team. It always comes down to injuries though. Staying healthy is the key to winning these things for sure.
I'm also in a keeper pool, and that draft is coming up this holiday Monday. I've got my eye on a few rookie RB's. I'd really like to get a top 5, but with 10th pick I really don't like my chances. Everyone usually snaps them up pretty quickly (especially in keepers).
I'm also in 23skidoo's two pools, and Miami Don's survivor pool. I look forward to this one because I have never played in one before. I know there must be some sort of strategy out there that works. I know I know, pick winning teams... once. I might be on to something here... actually, I'm not going to reveal my real strategy here on this space... cuz I want all of you to crash and burn!!
Man I love football season.
-----
Bloglines - it seems so hard to keep up. I remember the old days when I was too lazy to start up some sort of blog reader and I relied on surfing the blogs, link by link. Every once in a while I'll take that ride just for old times sake.
-----
I just realized the Ryder Cup is coming up soon. Sept 16th - 21st to be exact. Lay money on Europe? No Tiger so you might have a point... It should be close... I guess time will tell.
-----
Golf tourney this weekend. 36 hole, 5 man scramble. Good times. Lots of gambling (trend?) and drinking as per in these types of tournaments. They are all about the fun, winning long drives or KP's. Reading putts for my team mates. Giving them yardage and crushing beers at a medium pace.
My next goal is to get a hole in one. I still am searching, when will it stop.
Hope all is well in your world. The next 4 months are going to fly by. Just like the first 8.
What will you do with your time?
(2) Adrian Peterson (RB-MIN)
(23) Reggie Wayne (WR-IND) - I snapped him up fast than Fuel can say "Football blows"
(26) Steve Smith (WR-CAR) - suspended first two games, so what
(47) Reggie Bush (RB-NO) - felt like another steal
(50) Chris Cooley (TE-WAS)
(71) Lee Evans (WR-BUF)
(74) Jake Delhomme (QB-CAR) - needed a QB at this point
(95) Nate Burelson (WR-SEA) - another steal? Early on he will need to step up
(98) Ricky Williams (RB-MIA) - you just never know
(119) Vince Young (QB-TEN)
(122) DeSean Jackson (WR-PHI) - I used my entire 90 seconds for this pick
(143) Packers (DEF-GB)
(146) Kris Brown (K-HOU)
(176) Kenny Watson (RB-CIN) - buh bye Rudi
14 rounds (2RB, 3WR a must). I had second pick and I had to take AP. I couldn't really justify another RB at that spot. I tried to find a reason to take Westbrooke or Barber III but in the end, I went with the man they call purple jesus. Take a QB? Not that early. Never.
Overall, I think I have a good team. It always comes down to injuries though. Staying healthy is the key to winning these things for sure.
I'm also in a keeper pool, and that draft is coming up this holiday Monday. I've got my eye on a few rookie RB's. I'd really like to get a top 5, but with 10th pick I really don't like my chances. Everyone usually snaps them up pretty quickly (especially in keepers).
I'm also in 23skidoo's two pools, and Miami Don's survivor pool. I look forward to this one because I have never played in one before. I know there must be some sort of strategy out there that works. I know I know, pick winning teams... once. I might be on to something here... actually, I'm not going to reveal my real strategy here on this space... cuz I want all of you to crash and burn!!
Man I love football season.
-----
Bloglines - it seems so hard to keep up. I remember the old days when I was too lazy to start up some sort of blog reader and I relied on surfing the blogs, link by link. Every once in a while I'll take that ride just for old times sake.
-----
I just realized the Ryder Cup is coming up soon. Sept 16th - 21st to be exact. Lay money on Europe? No Tiger so you might have a point... It should be close... I guess time will tell.
-----
Golf tourney this weekend. 36 hole, 5 man scramble. Good times. Lots of gambling (trend?) and drinking as per in these types of tournaments. They are all about the fun, winning long drives or KP's. Reading putts for my team mates. Giving them yardage and crushing beers at a medium pace.
My next goal is to get a hole in one. I still am searching, when will it stop.
Hope all is well in your world. The next 4 months are going to fly by. Just like the first 8.
What will you do with your time?
21.8.08
3rd in the Dook, then 5th in the Mook
So last night wasn't a total waste of time. While I didn't get a chance to take out Waffles as I had hoped, I did manage to make it to the final table with him. Good job waffles, I believe he is only $40 away from winning a prop bet with Bayne and another one with LJ if he can stay on top.
Nothing to exciting to report in terms of how I managed a fifth place in the Mookie. I basically played very tight (like 10/7/something) and waited for some good cards. I did manage a couple of resteals which was nice as it confirmed my reads. Other than that, I won a couple of key races when guys called my pushes (1. 10's vs. A5o - ok not a race, 2. KJs vs A10o vs Hoy - turned the straight) which is always a must in these bloggaments. Having someone come in for a raise when you have QQ or AK is always nice too. It must have folded to me three times in my BB when I had a premium hand. Just bad timing, stupid RNG I hate you sometimes.
It was just nice to play good solid poker again. I still recognize I have some ugly leaks which I will continue to work on. I hate trying to steal and then getting caught, laying it down and basically spewing chips. Of course, if you keep the pressure on you can accumulate them back in time, but spewage sucks donkey balls.
Here is a perfect example of where I should just be folding this junk. Especially at a final table. I think I need to go back to what Mr. Mom taught me (or I should say I read on his blog) which was when you get to the final table, just play super uber 12 year old tight (yeah I said it, so). It will save you a lot of chips fo' sho':
The Mookie - 800/1600 Ante 200
Seat 2: Schaubs (14,820)
Seat 3: irongirl01 (14,400)
Seat 5: oossuuu754 (76,921)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (17,529)
Seat 9: NumbBono (32,330)
Schaubs antes 200
irongirl01 antes 200
oossuuu754 antes 200
SirFWALGMan antes 200
NumbBono antes 200
SirFWALGMan posts the small blind of 800
NumbBono posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [Ad Th]
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to 4,800
irongirl01 folds
oossuuu754 folds
SirFWALGMan raises to 17,329, and is all in
NumbBono folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs folds
Uncalled bet of 12,529 returned to SirFWALGMan
SirFWALGMan mucks
SirFWALGMan wins the pot (12,200)
Just terrible poker. Putting in a third of my stack with that shit hand, and then folding to pressure. If I am willing to raise, I better be willing to call a push. I just chalk it up to not playing enough. I'll get there, if I have the time!
Congrats go out to IronGirl in winning her first Mookie. As you can tell from above, she overcame a huge chip deficit to take this thing down.
Maybe this was the hand that set it off for her (I'm so nice):
The Mookie - 600/1200 Ante 150
Seat 2: Schaubs (26,370)
Seat 3: irongirl01 (8,025)
Seat 4: hoyazo (19,856)
Seat 5: oossuuu754 (47,930)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (34,054)
Seat 9: NumbBono (19,765)
Schaubs antes 150
irongirl01 antes 150
hoyazo antes 150
oossuuu754 antes 150
SirFWALGMan antes 150
NumbBono antes 150
hoyazo posts the small blind of 600
oossuuu754 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [5h 7h]
SirFWALGMan folds
NumbBono folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to 3,800
irongirl01 raises to 7,875, and is all in
hoyazo folds
oossuuu754 folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls 4,075 - I was very close to folding here, in fact I am still not sure if it was worth the chip spewage.
irongirl01 shows [Jc Jd]
Schaubs shows [5h 7h]
*** FLOP *** [Jh 4c 5s]
*** TURN *** [Jh 4c 5s] [7d]
*** RIVER *** [Jh 4c 5s 7d] [Qd]
irongirl01 shows three of a kind, Jacks
Schaubs shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
irongirl01 wins the pot (18,450) with three of a kind, Jacks
Still wondering if I made the right call there, it was right after the money bubble burst, maybe that was part of my thinking. Dunno.
So yeah a big $40 for my 5th and $16 for 3rd in the Dookie.
I'm a baller, no autographs please.
You should be asking this guy The Trooper instead... nice beat!
Nothing to exciting to report in terms of how I managed a fifth place in the Mookie. I basically played very tight (like 10/7/something) and waited for some good cards. I did manage a couple of resteals which was nice as it confirmed my reads. Other than that, I won a couple of key races when guys called my pushes (1. 10's vs. A5o - ok not a race, 2. KJs vs A10o vs Hoy - turned the straight) which is always a must in these bloggaments. Having someone come in for a raise when you have QQ or AK is always nice too. It must have folded to me three times in my BB when I had a premium hand. Just bad timing, stupid RNG I hate you sometimes.
It was just nice to play good solid poker again. I still recognize I have some ugly leaks which I will continue to work on. I hate trying to steal and then getting caught, laying it down and basically spewing chips. Of course, if you keep the pressure on you can accumulate them back in time, but spewage sucks donkey balls.
Here is a perfect example of where I should just be folding this junk. Especially at a final table. I think I need to go back to what Mr. Mom taught me (or I should say I read on his blog) which was when you get to the final table, just play super uber 12 year old tight (yeah I said it, so). It will save you a lot of chips fo' sho':
The Mookie - 800/1600 Ante 200
Seat 2: Schaubs (14,820)
Seat 3: irongirl01 (14,400)
Seat 5: oossuuu754 (76,921)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (17,529)
Seat 9: NumbBono (32,330)
Schaubs antes 200
irongirl01 antes 200
oossuuu754 antes 200
SirFWALGMan antes 200
NumbBono antes 200
SirFWALGMan posts the small blind of 800
NumbBono posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [Ad Th]
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to 4,800
irongirl01 folds
oossuuu754 folds
SirFWALGMan raises to 17,329, and is all in
NumbBono folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs folds
Uncalled bet of 12,529 returned to SirFWALGMan
SirFWALGMan mucks
SirFWALGMan wins the pot (12,200)
Just terrible poker. Putting in a third of my stack with that shit hand, and then folding to pressure. If I am willing to raise, I better be willing to call a push. I just chalk it up to not playing enough. I'll get there, if I have the time!
Congrats go out to IronGirl in winning her first Mookie. As you can tell from above, she overcame a huge chip deficit to take this thing down.
Maybe this was the hand that set it off for her (I'm so nice):
The Mookie - 600/1200 Ante 150
Seat 2: Schaubs (26,370)
Seat 3: irongirl01 (8,025)
Seat 4: hoyazo (19,856)
Seat 5: oossuuu754 (47,930)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (34,054)
Seat 9: NumbBono (19,765)
Schaubs antes 150
irongirl01 antes 150
hoyazo antes 150
oossuuu754 antes 150
SirFWALGMan antes 150
NumbBono antes 150
hoyazo posts the small blind of 600
oossuuu754 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [5h 7h]
SirFWALGMan folds
NumbBono folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to 3,800
irongirl01 raises to 7,875, and is all in
hoyazo folds
oossuuu754 folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls 4,075 - I was very close to folding here, in fact I am still not sure if it was worth the chip spewage.
irongirl01 shows [Jc Jd]
Schaubs shows [5h 7h]
*** FLOP *** [Jh 4c 5s]
*** TURN *** [Jh 4c 5s] [7d]
*** RIVER *** [Jh 4c 5s 7d] [Qd]
irongirl01 shows three of a kind, Jacks
Schaubs shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
irongirl01 wins the pot (18,450) with three of a kind, Jacks
Still wondering if I made the right call there, it was right after the money bubble burst, maybe that was part of my thinking. Dunno.
So yeah a big $40 for my 5th and $16 for 3rd in the Dookie.
I'm a baller, no autographs please.
You should be asking this guy The Trooper instead... nice beat!
20.8.08
Thorndog's YouTube debute, FF Madness
A friend of ours put this together. It's a video of our final game on Sunday. This is one of three homers that Thorndog hit that game. If it wasn't for him we would have lost by about 7 or 8. A guy we know filmed this and two hours later he was showing it to us on his iphone.
Technology rocks. I crack up everytime I watch it, the audio he put in there just tops it off... super awesomeness indeed.
Oh and that's me at the very end of the video finishing off the barrage of Top Gun high fives.
I think I have enough Fantasy Football pools now too (too lazy... actually not enough time... to figure out how to chop out all the whitespace sorry):
Technology rocks. I crack up everytime I watch it, the audio he put in there just tops it off... super awesomeness indeed.
Oh and that's me at the very end of the video finishing off the barrage of Top Gun high fives.
I think I have enough Fantasy Football pools now too (too lazy... actually not enough time... to figure out how to chop out all the whitespace sorry):
If anyone is interested in joining any of these leagues there is still room. Cost ranges from a $10 pickem' league (23skiddoo) to a $100 pickem' league that pays out weekly. Don also has a survivor football league going that is $20 that I am pretty pumped about too. Drop me a comment if you are interested in any of them.
See you at the Mookie tonight where I will gladly be donating my ten bucks as I try to take out Waffles and LJ (in that order, hee haw style).
19.8.08
2nd place makes Schaubs angry
We lost by one run in the finals yesterday. We lost to the team we beat last year. I guess you could say the series is 1-1. Fuck was I ever annoyed though. Team sports are so much more difficult than individual sports like Golf or Bowling. I mean sure there are team versions of those sports too, but you know what I mean.
Baseball is particularily difficult if you are sitting on the sidelines. We had 12 guys signed up to play and of course we could only play 7 at a time (slow pitch rules 7 guys, 3 girls). So I actually didn't sit the entire tournament until the beginning of the finals. Go figure. I would have much rather sat earlier on, but those games were very tight and blah blah blah the coach makes all the decisions as to what is best for the team.
Anyway, we couldn't do it. We almost did it, but their ghey ass pitcher on the other team did the "strategic thing" and walked two guys (myself included) to get to the girl with 2 out. Grounder and the game is over. Smart, strategic move that everyone on our team was whinning about after and all I could say to them was "I would have done the exact same thing." followed by "we shouldn't have put ourselves in that position to begin with."
There were a shitload of errors, in fact, more than all of the first four games combined. It just wasn't meant to be who knows. Repeating is always much harder and you just need to be that much more focused to get there. We weren't and it cost us.
Other than that loss, the weekend kicked ass. I'm glad ball is over once and for all for the season now, and I can get back to the golf course more regularily and keep at it. I didn't make it to the Ironman as I predicted, and I heard the winning score was 76, which was very beatable. Whatever.
I think I'll play some poker tonight, maybe even take a stab at the LPR tournament.
Have a good week suckas.
Baseball is particularily difficult if you are sitting on the sidelines. We had 12 guys signed up to play and of course we could only play 7 at a time (slow pitch rules 7 guys, 3 girls). So I actually didn't sit the entire tournament until the beginning of the finals. Go figure. I would have much rather sat earlier on, but those games were very tight and blah blah blah the coach makes all the decisions as to what is best for the team.
Anyway, we couldn't do it. We almost did it, but their ghey ass pitcher on the other team did the "strategic thing" and walked two guys (myself included) to get to the girl with 2 out. Grounder and the game is over. Smart, strategic move that everyone on our team was whinning about after and all I could say to them was "I would have done the exact same thing." followed by "we shouldn't have put ourselves in that position to begin with."
There were a shitload of errors, in fact, more than all of the first four games combined. It just wasn't meant to be who knows. Repeating is always much harder and you just need to be that much more focused to get there. We weren't and it cost us.
Other than that loss, the weekend kicked ass. I'm glad ball is over once and for all for the season now, and I can get back to the golf course more regularily and keep at it. I didn't make it to the Ironman as I predicted, and I heard the winning score was 76, which was very beatable. Whatever.
I think I'll play some poker tonight, maybe even take a stab at the LPR tournament.
Have a good week suckas.
16.8.08
Weekend fun is so close...
For the first time in my three years here at work, I've just polished off a beer... at work. That's right, times are good and I really am looking forward to checking out of here any minute now.
Baseball tournament is the main focus for the weekend. Our team is set to defend our title. It's always tougher to win it back to back... and I plan on making it a regular occurance for me in the future.
So our first game is tonight at 7pm, followed by many beers (actually I've already had one and I haven't even left work!) and some good BBQ. Then it's right back to the park tomorrow morning. It obviously depends on how we do tonight, but either way we'll be playing and drinking before noon.
Unfortunately I'll have to skip out on my clubs "third major" of the year - The Ironman. I love love love this tournament because they literally set up the course to be about as hard, as long and as fast as it possible can be. I don't have that sense of urgency to play in it this year after winning the big one, although I'd really love to squeeze in 18 at some point tomorrow.
The only other problem that will thwart that notion is the fact that I also have a wedding reception to attend tomorrow night (the Vegas wedding). So yeah, lots going on and lots of drinking to adhere to.
I hope you all have a good weekend and good luck at the tables if that's where you'll be.
Good luck to on_thg who is playing in his own Club C this weekend.
Out.
Baseball tournament is the main focus for the weekend. Our team is set to defend our title. It's always tougher to win it back to back... and I plan on making it a regular occurance for me in the future.
So our first game is tonight at 7pm, followed by many beers (actually I've already had one and I haven't even left work!) and some good BBQ. Then it's right back to the park tomorrow morning. It obviously depends on how we do tonight, but either way we'll be playing and drinking before noon.
Unfortunately I'll have to skip out on my clubs "third major" of the year - The Ironman. I love love love this tournament because they literally set up the course to be about as hard, as long and as fast as it possible can be. I don't have that sense of urgency to play in it this year after winning the big one, although I'd really love to squeeze in 18 at some point tomorrow.
The only other problem that will thwart that notion is the fact that I also have a wedding reception to attend tomorrow night (the Vegas wedding). So yeah, lots going on and lots of drinking to adhere to.
I hope you all have a good weekend and good luck at the tables if that's where you'll be.
Good luck to on_thg who is playing in his own Club C this weekend.
Out.
12.8.08
One hand does not make a life session
Why is that every once in a while I'll write a post and talk about what it is I plan on doing that evening, and then when I actually get to doing it it is not at all like I had planned? It's like I am jinxing myself, but I know that isn't true because there are other times where I mention something here on this space and it actually happens the way I planned it. Go figure.
Anyway, if I was to only talk about the good stuff and all the things that were going well then I wouldn't be writing about the true Schaubs and the blunders I can often make in the world of poker, and in life. I am not here to tell you how dominate I am, or how many tournaments I win. I simply don't play enough and do not have a large enough sample size to say with certainty whether or not I am truely a great (well this one I know), good, average or terrible poker player.
And to be honest, I really don't care at this point which one I am.
I'm not going to bore you with the details or the hand history from last night's live hand at the Rock but I will make the following notes for my own reference in the future:
Anyway, if I was to only talk about the good stuff and all the things that were going well then I wouldn't be writing about the true Schaubs and the blunders I can often make in the world of poker, and in life. I am not here to tell you how dominate I am, or how many tournaments I win. I simply don't play enough and do not have a large enough sample size to say with certainty whether or not I am truely a great (well this one I know), good, average or terrible poker player.
And to be honest, I really don't care at this point which one I am.
I'm not going to bore you with the details or the hand history from last night's live hand at the Rock but I will make the following notes for my own reference in the future:
- When raising limpers, always make sure your raise is significant enough to push out those ugly draw hands or ace rag hands that can bust you in the flop is right.
- When an UTG player limps, take note and put on the brakes if you whiff.
- When an UTG player checks to you and there is an ace on the board, and you don't have an ace - don't bet unless you have a read that tells you otherwise.
- Don't bluff calling stations.
- Don't fire a second bullet against a calling station.
- Don't fire a third bullet when you know he is going to call... he's going no where!
- If you know you are beat, just check fold and save that last bet, oh and the turn bet too.
Obviously I am very frustrated with the way I played a hand last night... and it cost me. Not financially, but it makes me question how far I have really come in this game. Whether or not I have actually learned anything over the past 2 years. I mean I know the answer to that one is a resounding yes, but its nights like last night that make me take a step back and evaluate my play and the line that I took. Obviously I was trying to represent a big ace as I had c-bet when the ace fell. The calling station called me down with just A9. I had not entered a pot for a raise once in the entire hour I had sat there. Basically folding everything and stealing a pot or two to keep up. I never bluffed once, and then when I do, I get called down by Ace nine.
I guess he just couldn't put me on a higher ace. Who knows, in fact, he probably wasn't considering my holdings at all. The problem was I didn't consider my surroundings. This was 1-2 NL after all. The game is very beatable if I just actually take the time to realize what I need to do to beat it. Not bluff at pots I have no business owning. I tend to fight for pots where I've been the preflop aggressor. It's like I really feel like I deserve to have it. I mean since I raised, I obviously had the best hand PF... this is just wrong.
I'll bounce back, but I am just so frustrated with myself right now it's mind numbing. A terrible sleep was to follow as I just couldn't believe how badly I played it. It was shocking.
I am not sure where else to go with this right now so I'm just going to end it and hit post.
11.8.08
Olympic prop bet, Padrig is #2
Alan and I have just made a prop bet on total medals earned. Since I am half Canadian and half Australian I am taking the average of the two total medals earned (plus I am giving him another 3 medals from that total) vs. Japan’s total…
(Canada plus Australia)/2 minus 3 = (0+5)/2 – 3 = -.5 vs. Japan 4 (uh oh! I have negative medal count right now!)
10 small ones on the line which would have made the 100m breaststroke a little more exciting to watch last night. It was fun to watch the US 4x100 team stick it to the French last night too. What a race, what a comeback by the anchoring swimmer. Great job team USA. I love how they make such a big deal about it, but then the ladies race right before that the US girl LOST at the last second to GBR and it wasn’t really talked about much. With the men, it was replay after replay and all the hype was just too much.
I must say, NBC is very difficult to watch. It is soooooo all about the USA team it is almost unbearable. At least with CTV you get a well balanced perspective.
Padrig Harrington is obviously #2 in the world now. He’s won the last two majors in dramatic fashion. Can that guy putt or what? I guess that answers this question. Oh and yes, Nadal is now #1 in the world in my books as well.
It’s the Rafael and Padrig show!
The weekend I just had was awesome. Much rest and relaxation was had by Lola and myself over in Victoria (Vancouver Island) at a summer beach front property. Bike rides, boat rowing, prawning, reading, sleeping, drinking and an amazing dinner at the Harbour House for our 2 year anniv. were the highlights.
Good times.
Playing some live poker with Willy at the Rock tonight after work before he heads back to San Francisco. Should be a good time as per.
Still haven’t touched a club since my win. I have a match on Thursday I should start preparing for, but I doubt I will. Too much else going on these days!
Later.
(Canada plus Australia)/2 minus 3 = (0+5)/2 – 3 = -.5 vs. Japan 4 (uh oh! I have negative medal count right now!)
10 small ones on the line which would have made the 100m breaststroke a little more exciting to watch last night. It was fun to watch the US 4x100 team stick it to the French last night too. What a race, what a comeback by the anchoring swimmer. Great job team USA. I love how they make such a big deal about it, but then the ladies race right before that the US girl LOST at the last second to GBR and it wasn’t really talked about much. With the men, it was replay after replay and all the hype was just too much.
I must say, NBC is very difficult to watch. It is soooooo all about the USA team it is almost unbearable. At least with CTV you get a well balanced perspective.
Padrig Harrington is obviously #2 in the world now. He’s won the last two majors in dramatic fashion. Can that guy putt or what? I guess that answers this question. Oh and yes, Nadal is now #1 in the world in my books as well.
It’s the Rafael and Padrig show!
The weekend I just had was awesome. Much rest and relaxation was had by Lola and myself over in Victoria (Vancouver Island) at a summer beach front property. Bike rides, boat rowing, prawning, reading, sleeping, drinking and an amazing dinner at the Harbour House for our 2 year anniv. were the highlights.
Good times.
Playing some live poker with Willy at the Rock tonight after work before he heads back to San Francisco. Should be a good time as per.
Still haven’t touched a club since my win. I have a match on Thursday I should start preparing for, but I doubt I will. Too much else going on these days!
Later.
7.8.08
Live Poker... on a school night?
My homeboy Willy is in town right now and he has been on a total poker binge. He's played 5 nights in a row varying it between 1/2NL and some midnight madness tournies at the Rock. So far he is up about $2K total which includes chopping 2 midnight tournies (worth $770 per) with 55 players in each. Well done Willy! Buyins are usually around $50 and you start with 2500 chips, 15 minute blinds. Not bad, but if you don't make a move early and double up your night will be short lived.
So last night Lola and I met up and went for dinner. After that him and I planned to hit up the new casino by my place called Starlight. I'm not going to get into too much detail with hands and such only because I really don't have the time... oh and I can't remember most of the hands as usual. I never take notes when I am out playing live, however I think I might "borrow" one of the small tape recorders we have here at work next time and pull a Gus Hansen.
Anyway, Willy is playing close to 70% of the hands. Raising with air and playing an all around aggressive style that I've never seen him play before. No one will play back at him, everyone is weak weak weak. He was dealt aces twice and took down a couple of nice pots. I think he finished up about $250. I finished up $177, so it was a great night for both of us.
I hate it when one buddy wins and the other person loses. Its like, why even bother wasting time. Why don't you just give me your buy in and we do something else? Sometimes I feel that way, other times I just want to take anyone's and everyone's money. It's probably a leak because there were a few times I made some preflop folds that I may have otherwise called against some other fish. He's a solid player, and I was giving him the respect since he was only showing good hands. He wanted to show his bluffs, but made the right decision and kept his table image as an aggressive card catcher.
When the night was over I asked Willy why he was so much more aggressive than usual...?
His answer was basically - he had three buttons. He stated that he had never had two uber weak tights to his left before in a game like that. So everytime he was in the CO or HJ he would play it as if it was his button. Neither of the weak tights would catch on and they would always fold to his raises. I found it to be an interesting concept and one that works well if you can take control and be willing to fold if they push back.
One hand I do remember I will outline quickly here:
I am in SB with about $130. Two callers, including the button. I bump it to $10 with AKo. Only the button calls.
Flop comes K-8-2 - two clubs.
I took the Fuel approach and checked TPTK to portray weakness. Button bets $20. I flat call.
comments?
The turn is a 9 (non club). I check again. This time he bets $35. I push my stack of about $100 in to the middle hoping to look like a bluff. He tanks, and eventually folds showing me K-10. He stews and asks me a million questions and I stay quiet. I tell him I might let him know later when I leave.
Turns out he was the first one to leave as Willy layed the smack down on him numerous times and he weakly folded to any c-bet. Preflop calls of $20 were the norm with holdings like 66, KJc etc. Total donk fest was my observation and Willy and I basically took over the table for a good 90 minutes.
Anyway, I am just wondering if I should have done something differently. Obviously the goal was to get his whole stack, but I really think I played it poorly, because if I flat call again, I am sure I can value bet a safe river card and get him to call.
Anyway, I really didn't have to show a single hand all night, which was great. We left at about 11:15 and I was in bed by 11:40.
Good times.
So last night Lola and I met up and went for dinner. After that him and I planned to hit up the new casino by my place called Starlight. I'm not going to get into too much detail with hands and such only because I really don't have the time... oh and I can't remember most of the hands as usual. I never take notes when I am out playing live, however I think I might "borrow" one of the small tape recorders we have here at work next time and pull a Gus Hansen.
Anyway, Willy is playing close to 70% of the hands. Raising with air and playing an all around aggressive style that I've never seen him play before. No one will play back at him, everyone is weak weak weak. He was dealt aces twice and took down a couple of nice pots. I think he finished up about $250. I finished up $177, so it was a great night for both of us.
I hate it when one buddy wins and the other person loses. Its like, why even bother wasting time. Why don't you just give me your buy in and we do something else? Sometimes I feel that way, other times I just want to take anyone's and everyone's money. It's probably a leak because there were a few times I made some preflop folds that I may have otherwise called against some other fish. He's a solid player, and I was giving him the respect since he was only showing good hands. He wanted to show his bluffs, but made the right decision and kept his table image as an aggressive card catcher.
When the night was over I asked Willy why he was so much more aggressive than usual...?
His answer was basically - he had three buttons. He stated that he had never had two uber weak tights to his left before in a game like that. So everytime he was in the CO or HJ he would play it as if it was his button. Neither of the weak tights would catch on and they would always fold to his raises. I found it to be an interesting concept and one that works well if you can take control and be willing to fold if they push back.
One hand I do remember I will outline quickly here:
I am in SB with about $130. Two callers, including the button. I bump it to $10 with AKo. Only the button calls.
Flop comes K-8-2 - two clubs.
I took the Fuel approach and checked TPTK to portray weakness. Button bets $20. I flat call.
comments?
The turn is a 9 (non club). I check again. This time he bets $35. I push my stack of about $100 in to the middle hoping to look like a bluff. He tanks, and eventually folds showing me K-10. He stews and asks me a million questions and I stay quiet. I tell him I might let him know later when I leave.
Turns out he was the first one to leave as Willy layed the smack down on him numerous times and he weakly folded to any c-bet. Preflop calls of $20 were the norm with holdings like 66, KJc etc. Total donk fest was my observation and Willy and I basically took over the table for a good 90 minutes.
Anyway, I am just wondering if I should have done something differently. Obviously the goal was to get his whole stack, but I really think I played it poorly, because if I flat call again, I am sure I can value bet a safe river card and get him to call.
Anyway, I really didn't have to show a single hand all night, which was great. We left at about 11:15 and I was in bed by 11:40.
Good times.
5.8.08
I finally won! (in golf, not poker duh)
Somebody pinch me please. I’m still on cloud 9 right now and I am not sure if I’ll ever come back down. I’ve managed to finally do it. I won my Club Championship over this past BC Day long weekend (Canadian civic holiday to be exact). It was certainly a grind, one that I’ve never experienced before, and one that I will never ever forget. Ever. I must be running on adrenaline right now because I’ve had very little sleep as one can expect when they party like a champ after making that final putt.
Wire to wire. That’s what they call it when you start the first day with the lead and never look back. When I say it was a grind, I mean it. I bogied the first two holes of the tournament and somehow still felt very very calm about it. I had asked an old buddy of mine to caddy for me as he happened to be in town for the weekend and man did it ever help. He’s won the same tournament twice earlier this decade and was a huge help in me getting that elusive first win.
I’ve tried many times before. 15 years straight in fact. My first attempt was back in 93’ as a junior member. I shot 70 the first round that year which earned me a medal for low 1st round. I did that again this year, only this time I never relinquished the lead. My first round score was 69, the next lowest were three guys at 75. I had a six shot lead after day 1 and realized I had never been in that position since I first entered my Club Championship 15 years ago.
Shooting 4 under the first day was definitely the key to my victory. After starting the day off 2 over after two holes I settled in and played some solid golf. As I had said previously, my expectations weren’t that high, but I knew I could still compete. I made a good birdie on the 4th and then made an eagle three on the 5th hole to get it back to 1 under. From there, I coasted along and made 4 more birdies and a bogey. It was a great start and I knew that all I had to do was shoot two or three over the next two rounds and the trophy would be mine.
I was nervous when I teed it up on day 2. How could I not be, really. In the back of my mind I knew I could do it, in fact, I remember feeling like I knew I would do it, but I never said that out loud (jinx) to anyone. Day 2 was mentally tougher than Day 1 for sure. I did get off to a better start, but I just wasn’t making many birdie putts. I would head to the 9th hole at 1 over for the day (3 under for the tourney).
I hit my tee ball into the right trees and punched out to about 120 yards in the left ruff on this par 5. I hit a shitty wedge to the front of the green and the pin was tucked on a turtle back in the back left portion. I had about an 80 foot putt and I left it 15 feet short. I remember cursing myself for being such a pussy and not getting to the hole, if not within 4 or 5 feet. I missed my par putt, and then missed the next one coming back! I had just four putted for double bogey… I was steaming, but knew there were still 27 holes left, and I still had the lead. I calmed back down again on the back 9 (thanks to my caddy who was a huge help in that regard) and shot an even par 36 on the back to finish day 2 at 3 over par.
I now had a 3 shot lead over 2nd and an 8 shot lead over third. I was more nervous than ever and I tried not to let it show. I knew they were gunning for me and just waiting for me to make a mistake. We teed off on the back 9 first on the final day so that when we finished our 18th hole (the 9th) we were closer to the club house and all the members could be there for the dramatic finish.
So I get to the 13th (our 4th hole of the day) and it is a 175 yard par 3. The guy that was 3 back had just hit into the water and I was looking to slam the door on this thing early. I wanted to get a lead that couldn’t be touched.
I ended up pulling my six iron over the left corner and chipping it on the green. I had 15 footer for par and was prepared to take a 4 and get out of there. Mr. "3 back" made a 5 which was great news for me. However what happened next, I was really not expecting at all.
I four putted again (different day)! That’s right I made a triple bogey six on the easiest par 3 on the course… the good news was I only lost one shot (he made a 5) so mentally it really didn’t feel like I was choking at all. I basically three putted from a foot and a half. A foot and a fucking half. Ok it was a side hill slider, but still it sucked. Very disappointing, but I knew I was still in charge of my fate. I refocused and started to roll the ball like I had been doing the first two days. Ironically, it was my putting that won me the tournament. I've never putted so well in a three day span, it was a great feeling of confidence and focus.
Moving on, I made a 35 footer from off the green on my 8th hole (the 17th) for birdie and that basically was the turning point. I put it into cruise control after that and the other two guys battled it out for 2nd. I hit all 9 greens on the last 9 holes. I could actually see the hairs on my arm standing straight up as the goose bumps were wiped with my sweaty palm. I finished the day with a 77 and finished the tournament at 3 over par. Good enough for a six stroke victory.
As I type this, the trophy sits on one of the file cabinets I have in my office. Every so often I relive the story again with another passer by co-worker. I just can’t help it. It’s a relief to finally get this win out of the way; it’s something that I have wanted to accomplish for a solid 5 years now at least. And now I can finally say that I’ve done it. I’ve won a multi day tournament… a 54 hole event.
The cool part about winning is the benefits that come along with it. Not only do I get my choice of any golf bag I want, they embroider my name and credentials on there as well. Along with that I get to play in two other invitational tournaments. The big one that I look forward to is called the Canadian Club Championship. It will be a trip to somewhere in Canada early next year. They will provide me with the clothing and the money and I just need to cover some expenses. I can’t wait. It’s something that I’ve wanted to play in ever since I heard about the opportunity back in the 90’s.
I didn’t tee off until 12:45 yesterday so I needed to keep my mind off of golf… so I played some cash game poker! I spewed off 1 buyin but at the time I really didn’t care because I knew it was all in the name of me not thinking about my round to be. The final round that would cinch my first victory as Club Champ.
Wire to wire. That’s what they call it when you start the first day with the lead and never look back. When I say it was a grind, I mean it. I bogied the first two holes of the tournament and somehow still felt very very calm about it. I had asked an old buddy of mine to caddy for me as he happened to be in town for the weekend and man did it ever help. He’s won the same tournament twice earlier this decade and was a huge help in me getting that elusive first win.
I’ve tried many times before. 15 years straight in fact. My first attempt was back in 93’ as a junior member. I shot 70 the first round that year which earned me a medal for low 1st round. I did that again this year, only this time I never relinquished the lead. My first round score was 69, the next lowest were three guys at 75. I had a six shot lead after day 1 and realized I had never been in that position since I first entered my Club Championship 15 years ago.
Shooting 4 under the first day was definitely the key to my victory. After starting the day off 2 over after two holes I settled in and played some solid golf. As I had said previously, my expectations weren’t that high, but I knew I could still compete. I made a good birdie on the 4th and then made an eagle three on the 5th hole to get it back to 1 under. From there, I coasted along and made 4 more birdies and a bogey. It was a great start and I knew that all I had to do was shoot two or three over the next two rounds and the trophy would be mine.
I was nervous when I teed it up on day 2. How could I not be, really. In the back of my mind I knew I could do it, in fact, I remember feeling like I knew I would do it, but I never said that out loud (jinx) to anyone. Day 2 was mentally tougher than Day 1 for sure. I did get off to a better start, but I just wasn’t making many birdie putts. I would head to the 9th hole at 1 over for the day (3 under for the tourney).
I hit my tee ball into the right trees and punched out to about 120 yards in the left ruff on this par 5. I hit a shitty wedge to the front of the green and the pin was tucked on a turtle back in the back left portion. I had about an 80 foot putt and I left it 15 feet short. I remember cursing myself for being such a pussy and not getting to the hole, if not within 4 or 5 feet. I missed my par putt, and then missed the next one coming back! I had just four putted for double bogey… I was steaming, but knew there were still 27 holes left, and I still had the lead. I calmed back down again on the back 9 (thanks to my caddy who was a huge help in that regard) and shot an even par 36 on the back to finish day 2 at 3 over par.
I now had a 3 shot lead over 2nd and an 8 shot lead over third. I was more nervous than ever and I tried not to let it show. I knew they were gunning for me and just waiting for me to make a mistake. We teed off on the back 9 first on the final day so that when we finished our 18th hole (the 9th) we were closer to the club house and all the members could be there for the dramatic finish.
So I get to the 13th (our 4th hole of the day) and it is a 175 yard par 3. The guy that was 3 back had just hit into the water and I was looking to slam the door on this thing early. I wanted to get a lead that couldn’t be touched.
I ended up pulling my six iron over the left corner and chipping it on the green. I had 15 footer for par and was prepared to take a 4 and get out of there. Mr. "3 back" made a 5 which was great news for me. However what happened next, I was really not expecting at all.
I four putted again (different day)! That’s right I made a triple bogey six on the easiest par 3 on the course… the good news was I only lost one shot (he made a 5) so mentally it really didn’t feel like I was choking at all. I basically three putted from a foot and a half. A foot and a fucking half. Ok it was a side hill slider, but still it sucked. Very disappointing, but I knew I was still in charge of my fate. I refocused and started to roll the ball like I had been doing the first two days. Ironically, it was my putting that won me the tournament. I've never putted so well in a three day span, it was a great feeling of confidence and focus.
Moving on, I made a 35 footer from off the green on my 8th hole (the 17th) for birdie and that basically was the turning point. I put it into cruise control after that and the other two guys battled it out for 2nd. I hit all 9 greens on the last 9 holes. I could actually see the hairs on my arm standing straight up as the goose bumps were wiped with my sweaty palm. I finished the day with a 77 and finished the tournament at 3 over par. Good enough for a six stroke victory.
As I type this, the trophy sits on one of the file cabinets I have in my office. Every so often I relive the story again with another passer by co-worker. I just can’t help it. It’s a relief to finally get this win out of the way; it’s something that I have wanted to accomplish for a solid 5 years now at least. And now I can finally say that I’ve done it. I’ve won a multi day tournament… a 54 hole event.
The cool part about winning is the benefits that come along with it. Not only do I get my choice of any golf bag I want, they embroider my name and credentials on there as well. Along with that I get to play in two other invitational tournaments. The big one that I look forward to is called the Canadian Club Championship. It will be a trip to somewhere in Canada early next year. They will provide me with the clothing and the money and I just need to cover some expenses. I can’t wait. It’s something that I’ve wanted to play in ever since I heard about the opportunity back in the 90’s.
I didn’t tee off until 12:45 yesterday so I needed to keep my mind off of golf… so I played some cash game poker! I spewed off 1 buyin but at the time I really didn’t care because I knew it was all in the name of me not thinking about my round to be. The final round that would cinch my first victory as Club Champ.
29.7.08
Back to Backs everywhere
Back to Back #1: Weddings.
The second wedding took place this past Sunday. Nothing super special to report, but I found a couple of things interesting that I thought I would note here. First off, I was put to work. I was helping Lola's sister with the bar as she was hired to be the bar tender. It was an open bar, which everyone obviously enjoys and takes advantage of if they can. However the wedding was on Sunday. Bad beat for me as I wasn't about to tie one on and be super hung over for this week with baseball playoffs starting up yesterday (we lost game one 4-3, boooo). Lola and her sister are such wonderful people in that they will basically do anything for anyone if it means pitching in the help. I learned a bit that night for sure.
Anyway, we uncork the red and the white and basically just help and do whatever it is that sis wants me to do. I set up the beer in big bins and get everything organized behind the bar (via her direction) as best I can. I do an ice run (reluctantly, because I think I know how to run a bar at a wedding) and come back to have a few beers. My hands are killing me from slinging bags of ice from the near by 7-11.
I over hear one guy talking with his buddy about it being a toonie bar (for those non Canadians a toonie is a two dollar coin... a loonie is a one dollar coin). His buddy reminds him that it is not a toonie bar and that it is actually an open bar (free drinks!). Well the guy is pissed off because he has been paying $5 for two beers under the assumption that he had been tipping a dollar (cheap fucker, sis is bar tending for free as a gift and is only working for tips) and feels like he has gotten the shaft so far... He is already in for $30 and feels like he has contributed enough and decides that is now time to do some serious drinking...
I saw the writing on the wall right then and there. He was going to get his money's worth... and then some. I laughed as soon as I heard him come up with this plan. I knew he was in for a long night. Well, sooner than I thought he was chugging beers and rumbo's. He came to our table in between drinks to visit with one dude and poured himself a glass of white wine. Slammed it like it was water and moved on to the next table.
About an hour later, I spot him on the dance floor just after the various speaches and toasts. He is a complete mess. I laugh. He falls down. I point (not at him, but point him out Lola) and we both laugh some more. He is so smashed that two guys have to carry him off the dance floor and prop him up in a chair. He falls out of the chair and so on.
Totally worth it!
Anyway, we leave at a reasonable time, because reasonable Schaubs has been responsible this time (rare) and is driving drunk Lola home. We walk outside and there he is. Sitting on the stairs with a couple of people, basically slouched over in pain... icing down his swollen twisted ankle! Ouch. Bad free booze beat.
Back to Back #2: Baseball playoffs.
We lost last night. It was our closest game of the year. I made a couple of home run stealing catches in my usual left field position, but we couldn't get the bats going ourselves until the 4th inning. We inch our way back and in the bottom of the 7th we are down by 1 run and I am up to bat. I know what is coming next. Two runners on, 2 out and a girl is up after me. I get intentionally walked. It's a no brainer if you have ball any sort of ball sense and a willingness to win at any cost.
I seriously considered swinging (golf swinging) at one of the pitches in the dirt, but in the end took the walk. The bases were loaded but the girl hit a blooper and we lost by one. Yay us. Game 2 in the best of three series is tonight. It's a must win if we want to defend our title.
Back to Back #3: Golf tournament.
This weekend will be back to back to back rounds of competitive golf and I couldn't be any less prepared. Mentally I am ready however physically I have been beating myself up with baseball and beer drinking. Poolside or otherwise, I have been putting them away on a pretty regular basis these days... I need a break. I need to refocus. Golf usually helps me do that so I look forward to playing my game and who knows, maybe things will come together just at the right time. It's at my home course so all I really need to do is get the putter going. With three days to practice my expectations are pretty low, but I'll still grind it out and never give up as always.
Have a good week peeps.
The second wedding took place this past Sunday. Nothing super special to report, but I found a couple of things interesting that I thought I would note here. First off, I was put to work. I was helping Lola's sister with the bar as she was hired to be the bar tender. It was an open bar, which everyone obviously enjoys and takes advantage of if they can. However the wedding was on Sunday. Bad beat for me as I wasn't about to tie one on and be super hung over for this week with baseball playoffs starting up yesterday (we lost game one 4-3, boooo). Lola and her sister are such wonderful people in that they will basically do anything for anyone if it means pitching in the help. I learned a bit that night for sure.
Anyway, we uncork the red and the white and basically just help and do whatever it is that sis wants me to do. I set up the beer in big bins and get everything organized behind the bar (via her direction) as best I can. I do an ice run (reluctantly, because I think I know how to run a bar at a wedding) and come back to have a few beers. My hands are killing me from slinging bags of ice from the near by 7-11.
I over hear one guy talking with his buddy about it being a toonie bar (for those non Canadians a toonie is a two dollar coin... a loonie is a one dollar coin). His buddy reminds him that it is not a toonie bar and that it is actually an open bar (free drinks!). Well the guy is pissed off because he has been paying $5 for two beers under the assumption that he had been tipping a dollar (cheap fucker, sis is bar tending for free as a gift and is only working for tips) and feels like he has gotten the shaft so far... He is already in for $30 and feels like he has contributed enough and decides that is now time to do some serious drinking...
I saw the writing on the wall right then and there. He was going to get his money's worth... and then some. I laughed as soon as I heard him come up with this plan. I knew he was in for a long night. Well, sooner than I thought he was chugging beers and rumbo's. He came to our table in between drinks to visit with one dude and poured himself a glass of white wine. Slammed it like it was water and moved on to the next table.
About an hour later, I spot him on the dance floor just after the various speaches and toasts. He is a complete mess. I laugh. He falls down. I point (not at him, but point him out Lola) and we both laugh some more. He is so smashed that two guys have to carry him off the dance floor and prop him up in a chair. He falls out of the chair and so on.
Totally worth it!
Anyway, we leave at a reasonable time, because reasonable Schaubs has been responsible this time (rare) and is driving drunk Lola home. We walk outside and there he is. Sitting on the stairs with a couple of people, basically slouched over in pain... icing down his swollen twisted ankle! Ouch. Bad free booze beat.
Back to Back #2: Baseball playoffs.
We lost last night. It was our closest game of the year. I made a couple of home run stealing catches in my usual left field position, but we couldn't get the bats going ourselves until the 4th inning. We inch our way back and in the bottom of the 7th we are down by 1 run and I am up to bat. I know what is coming next. Two runners on, 2 out and a girl is up after me. I get intentionally walked. It's a no brainer if you have ball any sort of ball sense and a willingness to win at any cost.
I seriously considered swinging (golf swinging) at one of the pitches in the dirt, but in the end took the walk. The bases were loaded but the girl hit a blooper and we lost by one. Yay us. Game 2 in the best of three series is tonight. It's a must win if we want to defend our title.
Back to Back #3: Golf tournament.
This weekend will be back to back to back rounds of competitive golf and I couldn't be any less prepared. Mentally I am ready however physically I have been beating myself up with baseball and beer drinking. Poolside or otherwise, I have been putting them away on a pretty regular basis these days... I need a break. I need to refocus. Golf usually helps me do that so I look forward to playing my game and who knows, maybe things will come together just at the right time. It's at my home course so all I really need to do is get the putter going. With three days to practice my expectations are pretty low, but I'll still grind it out and never give up as always.
Have a good week peeps.
24.7.08
Chapel Karma, Willy is back, Tao of Poker is 5
We arrive at the "A Special Memory Wedding Chapel" about 10 minutes early. Just enough time to slam one last beer before the ceremony begins (although others were actually drinking inside the Chapel). Everything went according to plan and the wedding was over in less than 40 minutes from the time we arrived to the time that I stood on the street corner trying to hail a cab with one hand, while whiping the sweat from my brow with the other.
Out of nowhere a typical touristy looking fellow comes running down the street towards myself and a buddy of mine. He's wearing a tacky Vegas shirt and is sweating disgustingly more than the rest of us combined.
The first words out of his mouth (I kid you not) are "Oh man... thank God you guys are white!"
At the time, I remember thinking to myself "This must be a scam."
I mean seriously, who says that? Then out of nowhere a third buddy of mine yelps out "You must be from Texas." as he slowly faded away into the background to witness what was going to happen next. I am sure he was thinking the exact same thing as I was (scam), but made the smarter decision to take off before he could get stuck for some cash. I'm still not clear on how he actually guessed that.... no doubt I'll ask him at the reception next month.
Sure enough, he was from Texas. He flipped open his wallet and showed the two of us this quote for a new tire. On the other side of his wallet there was a folded up $100 bill. He showed us the quote - it read $116.95. He was short the difference. I even asked him to pull out the hundred dollar bill so I could confirm it was real.
We know what is coming next. The request, the begging, the promises.
He swears up and down that if we ever come to Texas, he will pay us back... whatever we want, just take his number down. I laugh and for some reason decide that he is telling the truth. I pull out $10 from my poker roll and give it to him. He is appreciative, but still short almost 8 bucks. My buddy covers the difference and the guy is forever grateful.
Not five seconds later he is down the street at a quick pace and heads off into the heat.
We look at each other and discuss whether we just got scammed. I am not convinced, but really there is no way to find out...
Fast foward another 15 minutes and there still is no sign of one last cab. The five of us decide that walking a ways down to one of the busier streets would be a good idea... in the 110 degree weather! After walking the wrong direction and finally flagging down a cab, we are rescued.
As we head past the Chapel we just walked away from (in the wrong direction) I look out the cab window to my left about 5 minutes later and I see the Texan on the side of the road with two other people attempting to change his new tire.
I guess he found enough money.... It felt good to help that guy out, even if I did, at the time, feel like I was getting scammed. I've been scammed before, and I am sure I will be scammed again one day. But this time, it worked out well.
Out of nowhere a typical touristy looking fellow comes running down the street towards myself and a buddy of mine. He's wearing a tacky Vegas shirt and is sweating disgustingly more than the rest of us combined.
The first words out of his mouth (I kid you not) are "Oh man... thank God you guys are white!"
At the time, I remember thinking to myself "This must be a scam."
I mean seriously, who says that? Then out of nowhere a third buddy of mine yelps out "You must be from Texas." as he slowly faded away into the background to witness what was going to happen next. I am sure he was thinking the exact same thing as I was (scam), but made the smarter decision to take off before he could get stuck for some cash. I'm still not clear on how he actually guessed that.... no doubt I'll ask him at the reception next month.
Sure enough, he was from Texas. He flipped open his wallet and showed the two of us this quote for a new tire. On the other side of his wallet there was a folded up $100 bill. He showed us the quote - it read $116.95. He was short the difference. I even asked him to pull out the hundred dollar bill so I could confirm it was real.
We know what is coming next. The request, the begging, the promises.
He swears up and down that if we ever come to Texas, he will pay us back... whatever we want, just take his number down. I laugh and for some reason decide that he is telling the truth. I pull out $10 from my poker roll and give it to him. He is appreciative, but still short almost 8 bucks. My buddy covers the difference and the guy is forever grateful.
Not five seconds later he is down the street at a quick pace and heads off into the heat.
We look at each other and discuss whether we just got scammed. I am not convinced, but really there is no way to find out...
Fast foward another 15 minutes and there still is no sign of one last cab. The five of us decide that walking a ways down to one of the busier streets would be a good idea... in the 110 degree weather! After walking the wrong direction and finally flagging down a cab, we are rescued.
As we head past the Chapel we just walked away from (in the wrong direction) I look out the cab window to my left about 5 minutes later and I see the Texan on the side of the road with two other people attempting to change his new tire.
I guess he found enough money.... It felt good to help that guy out, even if I did, at the time, feel like I was getting scammed. I've been scammed before, and I am sure I will be scammed again one day. But this time, it worked out well.
Once we got back we went for dinner and more drinks. Dancing. Drinks. Dancing. Drinks.
At the end of the night we hit up the Cafe for some food. After I polish off my bacon and eggs I happen to glance under the table and see a dirty old bill half jammed under the table stand... It was a $20.
A Church karma double up.
That $20 sat in my pocket for over 24 hours. The next night I see a roulette table and I notice a table that has solid black's. I'm always looking to pounce on a lop sided table for some reason... ( -ev for sure unless you have deep enough pockets). There were at least 8 blacks in a row. I pull out the twenty and throw the dirty side down on the table on red. I feel it. I know it's coming. "It's a lock" I say out loud to anyone who will listen. 20 seconds later, the ball bounces around and....
...it lands on red.
Easiest 30 bucks I've ever made...
----On a totally non-related note, Whatupwilly is back at it. He's been away from blogging for exactly two years and has finally updated his blog with an excellent post all about his experience with running away from the bulls. I hardly call it running with the bulls as anyone in their right mind would actually try to stay as far away as possible. I can't believe that some of these guys actually try to touch the bulls as they run by. Crazy! Anyway, check it out, its a great read. Anyone else ever ran with the bulls before? Not me, and I doubt I ever will...
----
Check out Dr. Pauly's site for some fantanstic news... Tao of Poker is turning 5 years old! He's going to be holding a $5 tourney on August 5th and the winner take all prize is a $5,000 seat to the Borgata Poker Open!
----
More Vegas stories to come, here or there. You'll just have to find them...
----
I've been so busy since I've been back I've only had one chance to play online poker which was last night. No mookie, I decided to play some cash games instead. I'm thinking of taking a shot or two at the next level to see how I compete. I'd be under rolled of course, but that is the whole point of taking a shot here or there. If Bayne can risk almost half of his bank roll in a 5/10 game, then I think taking a shot with 1/10th of my roll just might be within my risk tolerance.
----
When the fuck am I going to play golf again? Seriously, I have a big tournament coming up at the end of the month. It's a three day club championship and I need to take this thing down soon (I cam second last year). Often I'll play better if I've had some time off, so I'm basically using that as an excuse to sit by the pool or play baseball instead. We're in the finals early next week, and then it's straight to the golf course to get geared up and ready to play.
Good luck at the tables or whatever it is you are doing these days.
Later.
16.7.08
24 hours til Vegas, British Open
In 24 hours we will be landing in Vegas. Flying out of Bellingham again this trip ($99 each way via Allegiant) and the flight leaves at 930am. In a way it works out well because we will arrive at 12pm and it will give us time to grab our bags and make our way over to Harrahs. Hopefully our rooms are ready, if not I will be looking for an upgrade. I plan on using Jordan's $20 under the ID trick, so hopefully that works out. Penski's woman is shacking up with us, so I am going to try and get a suite with another bed or pullout. 2 chicks at the same time... yeah right eh. I don't live in swingtown...
The tough part will be dragging ourselves out of bed at some ridiculous hour tomorrow morning, jumping in the car and making our way accross the border with enough time to hit up the duty free (pack a 60 pounder of vodka into our bag) and pound a beer or two before the flight... life is good.
This will be my first trip to Vegas with Lola so maybe I will get a little action. All my other trips have been lacking in that department for obvious reasons. There's still a lot of firsts on my list of things to do in Vegas...
I'm just glad I don't have to listen to Fuel's snoring this time around. That trip will basically be the complete opposite from this one. In December, I went down there basically not knowing a single person. I mean sure I had met Fuel before and talked to some others via chat, but really... I knew no one. This time there will be 65 people from my area heading down there. On Friday (the ceremony day) we will all see each other and say our hellos but after that who knows how many I will see throughout the rest of the trip.
That's quite a difference. I'll say that I've probably only met about half of the people going so far... so I guess in a way I could compare it to the winter gathering in that when I went in December I spent a lot of time trying to guess who was who, and who belonged to what blog. It was kinda fun putting faces to writing styles. The picture you have in your mind never matches up to the real live person (such as waffles). Now I'll spend my time trying to figure out how they know the bride, or if they are on the groom's side. Poker will probably come secondary, however I do plan on playing with a couple of buddies who have expressed an interest in playing in a cheapo tourney. Any suggestions?
I plan on meeting up with the one and only Dr. Pauly on Thursday. I hope that works out. His writing has been the best stuff out there these days and to be able to meet up with him again would definitely be a highlight of this trip.
The other thing I am looking forward to doing in the weeeee hours of the morning is staying up to watch the British Open. Live! The time change makes it all possible, and when in Vegas it makes it even more possible to watch some live golf action taking place at Royal Birkdale. The problem is... there's no Tiger! So I guess people will just ditch it and watch something else? The die hards will still be glued to their PVR's trying not to miss a shot (easy, just hit rewind). I'm predicting another no namer to take this one down. Unless Phil steps up, which is unlikely. Either way, it will be jammed with action and drama down the stretch because there will be no fear of the Tiger lurking. I don't like the chances of any North American winning it, so I guess another Euro will take it down. I hear Padrig is injured so there probably won't be a back to back champ. Maybe Sergio will make it happen, maybe Adam Scott? Time will tell.
Anyway, boring stuff for most of the readers I know I know. So why does everyone keep coming back? Traffic has been on a consistent climb so I must be saying something right. Ahhh who cares, this is my space and I'll do what I want with it.... although I do sincerely appreciate you coming back again and again.
So as my bloglines continue to pile up with unread blogs, I'll be trying to stay inside as much as possible in Vegas. 110+ weather makes for a perfect reason to sit at the poker table for a few 2 hour (max) sessions and hopefully win someone poor unsuspecting soul's bankroll.
Have a good week everyone.
The tough part will be dragging ourselves out of bed at some ridiculous hour tomorrow morning, jumping in the car and making our way accross the border with enough time to hit up the duty free (pack a 60 pounder of vodka into our bag) and pound a beer or two before the flight... life is good.
This will be my first trip to Vegas with Lola so maybe I will get a little action. All my other trips have been lacking in that department for obvious reasons. There's still a lot of firsts on my list of things to do in Vegas...
I'm just glad I don't have to listen to Fuel's snoring this time around. That trip will basically be the complete opposite from this one. In December, I went down there basically not knowing a single person. I mean sure I had met Fuel before and talked to some others via chat, but really... I knew no one. This time there will be 65 people from my area heading down there. On Friday (the ceremony day) we will all see each other and say our hellos but after that who knows how many I will see throughout the rest of the trip.
That's quite a difference. I'll say that I've probably only met about half of the people going so far... so I guess in a way I could compare it to the winter gathering in that when I went in December I spent a lot of time trying to guess who was who, and who belonged to what blog. It was kinda fun putting faces to writing styles. The picture you have in your mind never matches up to the real live person (such as waffles). Now I'll spend my time trying to figure out how they know the bride, or if they are on the groom's side. Poker will probably come secondary, however I do plan on playing with a couple of buddies who have expressed an interest in playing in a cheapo tourney. Any suggestions?
I plan on meeting up with the one and only Dr. Pauly on Thursday. I hope that works out. His writing has been the best stuff out there these days and to be able to meet up with him again would definitely be a highlight of this trip.
The other thing I am looking forward to doing in the weeeee hours of the morning is staying up to watch the British Open. Live! The time change makes it all possible, and when in Vegas it makes it even more possible to watch some live golf action taking place at Royal Birkdale. The problem is... there's no Tiger! So I guess people will just ditch it and watch something else? The die hards will still be glued to their PVR's trying not to miss a shot (easy, just hit rewind). I'm predicting another no namer to take this one down. Unless Phil steps up, which is unlikely. Either way, it will be jammed with action and drama down the stretch because there will be no fear of the Tiger lurking. I don't like the chances of any North American winning it, so I guess another Euro will take it down. I hear Padrig is injured so there probably won't be a back to back champ. Maybe Sergio will make it happen, maybe Adam Scott? Time will tell.
Anyway, boring stuff for most of the readers I know I know. So why does everyone keep coming back? Traffic has been on a consistent climb so I must be saying something right. Ahhh who cares, this is my space and I'll do what I want with it.... although I do sincerely appreciate you coming back again and again.
So as my bloglines continue to pile up with unread blogs, I'll be trying to stay inside as much as possible in Vegas. 110+ weather makes for a perfect reason to sit at the poker table for a few 2 hour (max) sessions and hopefully win someone poor unsuspecting soul's bankroll.
Have a good week everyone.
10.7.08
Post number one ninety nine
I figure why wait with these milestones. My car is about to turn 100K. I filled up on gas on my way home from baseball and it cost me 67.50. That's alot of BB's at my stakes.
HEM is coming along. Often I find that I play my "B" or even "C" game for various reasons that are still a struggle.
All reasons are easily avoidable if I just stick to it. First off, don't try and play above your limits (that being, # of tables & bank roll control). Secondly, don't play after you've drank too much (too loosy goosy... especially during the week, after baseball or golf). Lastly, don't play if you don't have the time to commit (an hour is a good number if I am sober and focused).
I've been reluctant to post any sort of "results" or "stats" since the start of using Holdem Manager only because I've either been supersticious or lazy. Still deciding.
Anyway, sooner or later I will reflect, but I think it is still too early. Playing 300-400 hands in a sitting doesn't seem like that much to me, and it's really all I am willing to handle at this point.
The key is to have patience. Lots. Don't spew off a buyin just because.
Focus, when playing online, focus.
Sit out when the above are not in line. Live, write, read, watch tv, relax, enjoy.
Tonight I decided to sit out. Yay me.
HEM is coming along. Often I find that I play my "B" or even "C" game for various reasons that are still a struggle.
All reasons are easily avoidable if I just stick to it. First off, don't try and play above your limits (that being, # of tables & bank roll control). Secondly, don't play after you've drank too much (too loosy goosy... especially during the week, after baseball or golf). Lastly, don't play if you don't have the time to commit (an hour is a good number if I am sober and focused).
I've been reluctant to post any sort of "results" or "stats" since the start of using Holdem Manager only because I've either been supersticious or lazy. Still deciding.
Anyway, sooner or later I will reflect, but I think it is still too early. Playing 300-400 hands in a sitting doesn't seem like that much to me, and it's really all I am willing to handle at this point.
The key is to have patience. Lots. Don't spew off a buyin just because.
Focus, when playing online, focus.
Sit out when the above are not in line. Live, write, read, watch tv, relax, enjoy.
Tonight I decided to sit out. Yay me.
7.7.08
Who is the next Nadal in golf?
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about Tiger and I called him "Super Human." Shrike made a comment about not showing the love for Federer. I didn't really have a response at the time because I wasn't sure if I agreed or not. I had to think about the effect that Federer has had on the world of tennis and how much of a standout "icon" he really was becoming. Obviously Federer's record speaks for itself, especially at Wimbledon.
He is the King of the grass court, and still should be considered that way until Nadal comes back again next year and defends his 2008 title. If Nadal wins again and continues to dominate, then Federer probably isn't the Tiger Woods of Tennis in my mind. Sure he could still be called the best ever, but it wouldn't be until after his career finished that I would be willing to call him the best player to ever play professional tennis.
Tiger - well, you know how I feel about that. He's the best ever, and he still has a good 6, maybe even 10 years of total domination.
If any of you caught the men's final yesterday on the tube, then you will agree with me when I say how ridiculously entertaining, although exhausting to watch, the match was between Federer and Nadal. Some are already calling it the greatest Wimbledon final of ALL time. Almost 5 hours of tennis. Federer came back(7-6, 7-6) from 2 sets down (4-6,4-6) to Nadal and forced a final 5th set that ended in a 9-7 (no tie breaker) win for Nadal.
It amazes me that they can grind it out that long and hard and not even grab a sandwich half way through...
So I started to think. If Nadal has now knocked off the world's #1 ranked player at the tournament that is considered the games most coveted title, then is that the end for Federer? Is he done? Has the torch just been passed? Time will tell.
This brought me to my next question: Who is the next Nadal in golf?
Two weeks and one 15 foot birdie putt ago, I could have said that it was Rocco Mediate... but we all know that "he gave it to Tiger" right?
So who is it going to be? Right now I am struggling with coming up with a reasonable answer at all. I mean its not like Tiger got beat in a Major and has passed the torch. No, he won his last major on one leg and had to take the rest of the year off.
So will it be Phil? Nope.
Scott? Nope.
Ogilvy? Nope.
Conk? Nope.
Els? Nope.
Garcia? Nope.
The answer is: no one. No one will be coming along anytime soon to pull off what Nadal did yesterday. The only upset that will ever take place is when Tiger comes to the mike and says that he is retiring because of injury... not bloody likely!
Tiger will be back stronger and better than ever, only time will tell when Tiger finally gets knocked off and fades... I just think we've got a long ways to go before we start reading about that one.
He is the King of the grass court, and still should be considered that way until Nadal comes back again next year and defends his 2008 title. If Nadal wins again and continues to dominate, then Federer probably isn't the Tiger Woods of Tennis in my mind. Sure he could still be called the best ever, but it wouldn't be until after his career finished that I would be willing to call him the best player to ever play professional tennis.
Tiger - well, you know how I feel about that. He's the best ever, and he still has a good 6, maybe even 10 years of total domination.
If any of you caught the men's final yesterday on the tube, then you will agree with me when I say how ridiculously entertaining, although exhausting to watch, the match was between Federer and Nadal. Some are already calling it the greatest Wimbledon final of ALL time. Almost 5 hours of tennis. Federer came back(7-6, 7-6) from 2 sets down (4-6,4-6) to Nadal and forced a final 5th set that ended in a 9-7 (no tie breaker) win for Nadal.
It amazes me that they can grind it out that long and hard and not even grab a sandwich half way through...
So I started to think. If Nadal has now knocked off the world's #1 ranked player at the tournament that is considered the games most coveted title, then is that the end for Federer? Is he done? Has the torch just been passed? Time will tell.
This brought me to my next question: Who is the next Nadal in golf?
Two weeks and one 15 foot birdie putt ago, I could have said that it was Rocco Mediate... but we all know that "he gave it to Tiger" right?
So who is it going to be? Right now I am struggling with coming up with a reasonable answer at all. I mean its not like Tiger got beat in a Major and has passed the torch. No, he won his last major on one leg and had to take the rest of the year off.
So will it be Phil? Nope.
Scott? Nope.
Ogilvy? Nope.
Conk? Nope.
Els? Nope.
Garcia? Nope.
The answer is: no one. No one will be coming along anytime soon to pull off what Nadal did yesterday. The only upset that will ever take place is when Tiger comes to the mike and says that he is retiring because of injury... not bloody likely!
Tiger will be back stronger and better than ever, only time will tell when Tiger finally gets knocked off and fades... I just think we've got a long ways to go before we start reading about that one.
3.7.08
True Story - no poker content
Lola told me the funniest (although morbid) story last night, and I just couldn’t find a better place to share it then right here in this space.
So a "friend of a friend" of Lola’s was asked to house sit for a couple of good family friends while they were on vacation. The girl (let’s call her BN) accepted the offer as she had done before, however this time there was a catch.
The owners of the house were concerned for their aging dog. In fact, they were certain that it would pass away while they were on vacation (kinda selfish if you ask me). This concerned BN as she didn’t really want to have to deal with a dead dog, but decided that she would go ahead with the agreement anyway and hope that the dog did not pass away under her care.
She was wrong. The dog died that week.
BN didn’t really have an action plan as she had hoped all along that the dog would survive the next two weeks and the duties of dealing with the deceased dog would then be taken over by the owner.
She had to think fast… although it is my estimation that she acted a little too fast and did not think this through...
What happen next is what really surprised me the most.
She decided (in all her wisdom) that because she had no car, that she would need to figure out another way to get the dog to the Vet for cremation. This left her with only one logical choice: take the bus.
Yes, that’s right. She took the bus.
She didn’t call the SPCA, she didn’t call a cab and she surely did not call a friend. Now I am not sure if this was to avoid embarrassment or what, but if you ask me, taking the bus would be the last option on my list… but I digress.
BN wisely decides to go into the owner’s closet and pull out one of those suit cases with wheels on it. It was one of those soft sided rolling types that looks like a duffle bag. She puts the 50-60 pound deceased dog into the suit case and made her way to the bus stop. Wheeling it to the stop was easy; getting it on the bus is where the story takes a turn that I (and probably you) was not expecting.
A man is at the same stop and sees that she is struggling to get the suit case onto the bus. He offers to help and they end up sitting beside each other during the ride. They have small talk and the guy finally asks BN why the suit case is so heavy? What could she possibly have in there that would make it weigh so much?
She tried to shrug it off and ignore the question but eventually answered with: “Oh it’s my school stuff. You know, lots of books, clothing, my laptop etc.” quickly trying to change the subject to avoid him from truly finding out that there is actually a dead dog in there…
He seems to accept the answer and they continue chatting until her stop (the Vet) comes up and it is time to get off. Obviously she struggles to get the bag off, and it just so happens that the guy is getting off at the same stop as her (coincidence right?) and offers to help her with her bag again and get her stuff off quickly and safely.
They both get off the bus and she says her goodbyes and thanks the man for his help. He in turn, says no problem and they turn in opposite directions to go on their way. Her with the dead dog in the suit case, and him feeling like he did a good deed… or so you would think...
When all of the sudden the man says “oh and by the way…”
BN turns around looking for him to complete his sentence when out of no where…
HE PUNCHES HER SQUARE IN THE NOSE AND KNOCKS HER OUT.
(insert laughs here)
She wakes up and realizes what has just happened. She got scammed and he was planning all along to steal her bag!
When she woke up, the suit case was gone…
She now sports a lovely broken nose (BN) and a swollen face. I am not sure if she lost her purse, but I would assume so, who knows.
Now I’d love to see the look on this crook’s face when he gets home expecting to see a laptop and a bunch of other random crap and it turns out it is a dog’s corpse…
The only one I feel sorry for is the dog. No word on whether the dog was eventually found. I just hope it’s not in some dumpster. Fucking thief serves him right. Poor Doggie. Very sad.
True story.
So a "friend of a friend" of Lola’s was asked to house sit for a couple of good family friends while they were on vacation. The girl (let’s call her BN) accepted the offer as she had done before, however this time there was a catch.
The owners of the house were concerned for their aging dog. In fact, they were certain that it would pass away while they were on vacation (kinda selfish if you ask me). This concerned BN as she didn’t really want to have to deal with a dead dog, but decided that she would go ahead with the agreement anyway and hope that the dog did not pass away under her care.
She was wrong. The dog died that week.
BN didn’t really have an action plan as she had hoped all along that the dog would survive the next two weeks and the duties of dealing with the deceased dog would then be taken over by the owner.
She had to think fast… although it is my estimation that she acted a little too fast and did not think this through...
What happen next is what really surprised me the most.
She decided (in all her wisdom) that because she had no car, that she would need to figure out another way to get the dog to the Vet for cremation. This left her with only one logical choice: take the bus.
Yes, that’s right. She took the bus.
She didn’t call the SPCA, she didn’t call a cab and she surely did not call a friend. Now I am not sure if this was to avoid embarrassment or what, but if you ask me, taking the bus would be the last option on my list… but I digress.
BN wisely decides to go into the owner’s closet and pull out one of those suit cases with wheels on it. It was one of those soft sided rolling types that looks like a duffle bag. She puts the 50-60 pound deceased dog into the suit case and made her way to the bus stop. Wheeling it to the stop was easy; getting it on the bus is where the story takes a turn that I (and probably you) was not expecting.
A man is at the same stop and sees that she is struggling to get the suit case onto the bus. He offers to help and they end up sitting beside each other during the ride. They have small talk and the guy finally asks BN why the suit case is so heavy? What could she possibly have in there that would make it weigh so much?
She tried to shrug it off and ignore the question but eventually answered with: “Oh it’s my school stuff. You know, lots of books, clothing, my laptop etc.” quickly trying to change the subject to avoid him from truly finding out that there is actually a dead dog in there…
He seems to accept the answer and they continue chatting until her stop (the Vet) comes up and it is time to get off. Obviously she struggles to get the bag off, and it just so happens that the guy is getting off at the same stop as her (coincidence right?) and offers to help her with her bag again and get her stuff off quickly and safely.
They both get off the bus and she says her goodbyes and thanks the man for his help. He in turn, says no problem and they turn in opposite directions to go on their way. Her with the dead dog in the suit case, and him feeling like he did a good deed… or so you would think...
When all of the sudden the man says “oh and by the way…”
BN turns around looking for him to complete his sentence when out of no where…
HE PUNCHES HER SQUARE IN THE NOSE AND KNOCKS HER OUT.
(insert laughs here)
She wakes up and realizes what has just happened. She got scammed and he was planning all along to steal her bag!
When she woke up, the suit case was gone…
She now sports a lovely broken nose (BN) and a swollen face. I am not sure if she lost her purse, but I would assume so, who knows.
Now I’d love to see the look on this crook’s face when he gets home expecting to see a laptop and a bunch of other random crap and it turns out it is a dog’s corpse…
The only one I feel sorry for is the dog. No word on whether the dog was eventually found. I just hope it’s not in some dumpster. Fucking thief serves him right. Poor Doggie. Very sad.
True story.
27.6.08
Bringing Newbies to Vegas
Ok so in 3 short weeks I will be in Vegas once again... that's right baby, Vegas. It will be my 4th time since October, so it should come as no surprise that I will be looking for new and exciting things to see and do. However, I must also ensure that those who have never been, have the time of their lives.
I want to make sure they get the full experience of Vegas... except I find it awfully difficult to do it in one little short 4 day trip. Factor in the wedding that we will be attending, and it really only leaves about 2.5 days of free time.
What I'm looking for is some advice on what places that are "must sees" for first timers. These first timers are not big poker players, so the novelty of going to every poker room would wear thin very quickly. In fact, the only time we will hit up a poker room is to donk it up at 1/2 (or 3) NL and try to get as drunk as fast as possible. I figure it's one of the best ways to get the booze flowing. Think about it, just post your blinds, fold fold fold, and drink drink drink. Play the top 4-5 hands and that is it! That's the plan for a couple of my rookie poker friend types anyway. It's either that, or find a few slot machines with an attentive waitress and tip her big early and often to keep her coming back...
Obviously eating will be a big one, so what restaurants will we visit? I've already planned for the four of us (Lola and our best buds) to go to the Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay). I went there with Fuel, LJ and Alan back in December and it was one of the best times I've ever had at a restaurant in Vegas. The food was spectacular, and the wine was amazing. The ambiance, the location, the people, the staff all make for a great experience. Maybe it was because Fuel was the wine picker/buyer but I just remember the good times and great tastes... it was a time I will never forget. The buds want to check out a famous restaurant, and really that is the only one I know of. Actually, Prime Steakhouse would be a very close second now that I think about it. That dinner with CC, Kuro, Smiz etc. was amazing as well. Any other suggestions out there?
Ok, so what about a buffet? I've only ever done an all you can eat Vegas buffet once, and that was ten years ago. Any good ones out there? Price?
What about fun stuff like rollercoasters, and rides? Stuff that the average non-gambler will enjoy. Sitting by the pool is always an option, but I've got access to a nice pool here at the inlaws place, soooo big deal right. A pool is a pool is a pool... unless it's Rehab on Sunday.
We arrive the day after the final table is decided in the main event. Not sure what that really means, or what to expect as far as people or action at the poker tables, but I know I will make time to get mine in.
That's all I can think of for now, if anyone can give me a good suggestion or two it would be a big help.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Canada's bday is just around the corner, should be a blast as always.
Later.
I want to make sure they get the full experience of Vegas... except I find it awfully difficult to do it in one little short 4 day trip. Factor in the wedding that we will be attending, and it really only leaves about 2.5 days of free time.
What I'm looking for is some advice on what places that are "must sees" for first timers. These first timers are not big poker players, so the novelty of going to every poker room would wear thin very quickly. In fact, the only time we will hit up a poker room is to donk it up at 1/2 (or 3) NL and try to get as drunk as fast as possible. I figure it's one of the best ways to get the booze flowing. Think about it, just post your blinds, fold fold fold, and drink drink drink. Play the top 4-5 hands and that is it! That's the plan for a couple of my rookie poker friend types anyway. It's either that, or find a few slot machines with an attentive waitress and tip her big early and often to keep her coming back...
Obviously eating will be a big one, so what restaurants will we visit? I've already planned for the four of us (Lola and our best buds) to go to the Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay). I went there with Fuel, LJ and Alan back in December and it was one of the best times I've ever had at a restaurant in Vegas. The food was spectacular, and the wine was amazing. The ambiance, the location, the people, the staff all make for a great experience. Maybe it was because Fuel was the wine picker/buyer but I just remember the good times and great tastes... it was a time I will never forget. The buds want to check out a famous restaurant, and really that is the only one I know of. Actually, Prime Steakhouse would be a very close second now that I think about it. That dinner with CC, Kuro, Smiz etc. was amazing as well. Any other suggestions out there?
Ok, so what about a buffet? I've only ever done an all you can eat Vegas buffet once, and that was ten years ago. Any good ones out there? Price?
What about fun stuff like rollercoasters, and rides? Stuff that the average non-gambler will enjoy. Sitting by the pool is always an option, but I've got access to a nice pool here at the inlaws place, soooo big deal right. A pool is a pool is a pool... unless it's Rehab on Sunday.
We arrive the day after the final table is decided in the main event. Not sure what that really means, or what to expect as far as people or action at the poker tables, but I know I will make time to get mine in.
That's all I can think of for now, if anyone can give me a good suggestion or two it would be a big help.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Canada's bday is just around the corner, should be a blast as always.
Later.
Holdem Manager Update
This program is great. I have nothing but good things to say about it thus far. I'm still getting use to the various stats available and to be honest, it's gonna take some time to take full advantage of them. I have lots of questions still, so I am wondering what the best way is to go about getting them answered...
Over the last two nights I've already paid for the program (actually tonight's winnings would pay for it on it's own), which is great.
My stats for today's session were as follows:
VP: 27
PF: 14
ST: 53
3B: 2
AG: 15.0
AQ: 45
CB: 91
FC: 50
I've been too lazy to go and try and find the information on what all of this means... Soon, I think I'll have to make more of an effort. For now, I'm just using what I know about the first couple of stats, plus focusing more and paying attention more. It's only a matter of time before I open up a second table and go from there.
Does anyone have a criteria for knowing when it is time to multi table? I've tried it before without much success, but now with my new found poker tool, I feel like I can probably handle it.
Anyway, here was a fun hand from today. I've started to mix it up a bit. I love stats.
Full Tilt Poker Game #6985351955: Table Cavaliers - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:30:09 ET - 2008/06/26
Seat 1: Schaubs ($144.10)
Seat 2: derMichaaa ($10)
Seat 3: Bizzlefoshizzle ($18.75)
Seat 4: greatstar00 ($19.05)
Seat 5: Oakleydawg ($16.75)
Seat 6: Waldo309 ($44.25)
Seat 7: Mrjoebodh ($47.30)
Seat 8: cellarpub ($59.35)
greatstar00 posts the small blind of $0.25
Oakleydawg posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to Schaubs [6d 4d]
Waldo309 folds
Mrjoebodh fold
scellarpub folds
Schaubs raises to $1.75
derMichaaa folds
Bizzlefoshizzle folds
greatstar00 folds
Greany sits down
Oakleydawg calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [5s 4c 2s]
Oakleydawg checks
Greany adds $50
Schaubs bets $3.75
Oakleydawg calls $3.75
*** TURN *** [5s 4c 2s] [2c]
Oakleydawg checks
Schaubs bets $11.25
Oakleydawg calls $11.25, and is all in
Schaubs shows [6d 4d]
Oakleydawg shows [As Jd] <---- great call!!!
*** RIVER *** [5s 4c 2s 2c] [6s]
Schaubs shows two pair, Sixes and Fours
Oakleydawg shows a pair of Twos
Schaubs wins the pot ($32.10) with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Oakleydawg is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $33.75 Rake $1.65Board: [5s 4c 2s 2c 6s]
Seat 1: Schaubs showed [6d 4d] and won ($32.10) with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Seat 5: Oakleydawg (big blind) showed [As Jd] and lost
And here is my final hand of the night:
Seat 1: Schaubs ($146.05)
Seat 2: ColbyD1 ($21.45)
Seat 3: WhiteWhale0928 ($59.60)
Seat 4: heXcontrol ($50)
Seat 5: Sir Paul ($55.85)
Seat 6: Waldo309 ($45.45)
Seat 7: Pinay Pinay ($28.35)
Seat 8: SammyG77 ($50)
Seat 9: Greany ($92.50)
WhiteWhale0928 posts the small blind of $0.25
heXcontrol posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [8d 5d]
Sir Paul calls $0.50
Waldo309 folds
Pinay Pinay calls $0.50 < --- the same donk
SammyG77 folds
Greany folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $0.50 <--- thought about raising, but Sir Paul was a fairly new to the table.
ColbyD1 folds
WhiteWhale0928 folds
heXcontrol checks
*** FLOP *** [6d 9s 9d]
heXcontrol checks
Sir Paul checks
Pinay Pinay checks
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs bets $2
heXcontrol adds $0.50
heXcontrol folds
Sir Paul is sitting outSir Paul folds
Pinay Pinay calls $2*** TURN *** [6d 9s 9d] [7d] <--- the perfect card.
Sir Paul stands up
prekrasnaiaelen stands up
Pinay Pinay checks
Schaubs checks <---- this would have been a perfect time to OBFV, but I checked this monster
*** RIVER *** [6d 9s 9d 7d] [Ac]
vfr-interceptor adds $50
Pinay Pinay bets $6.25
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to $16 - in hindsight I should have just shoved.
Pinay Pinay calls $9.75
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Schaubs shows [8d 5d] a straight flush, Nine high
Pinay Pinay mucks
Schaubs wins the pot ($36.35) with a straight flush, Nine high
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $38.25 Rake $1.90Board: [6d 9s 9d 7d Ac]
Seat 1: Schaubs showed [8d 5d] and won ($36.35) with a straight flush
Seat 7: Pinay Pinay mucked [Td 8h] - a straight, Ten high
GL at the tables.
Over the last two nights I've already paid for the program (actually tonight's winnings would pay for it on it's own), which is great.
My stats for today's session were as follows:
VP: 27
PF: 14
ST: 53
3B: 2
AG: 15.0
AQ: 45
CB: 91
FC: 50
I've been too lazy to go and try and find the information on what all of this means... Soon, I think I'll have to make more of an effort. For now, I'm just using what I know about the first couple of stats, plus focusing more and paying attention more. It's only a matter of time before I open up a second table and go from there.
Does anyone have a criteria for knowing when it is time to multi table? I've tried it before without much success, but now with my new found poker tool, I feel like I can probably handle it.
Anyway, here was a fun hand from today. I've started to mix it up a bit. I love stats.
Full Tilt Poker Game #6985351955: Table Cavaliers - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:30:09 ET - 2008/06/26
Seat 1: Schaubs ($144.10)
Seat 2: derMichaaa ($10)
Seat 3: Bizzlefoshizzle ($18.75)
Seat 4: greatstar00 ($19.05)
Seat 5: Oakleydawg ($16.75)
Seat 6: Waldo309 ($44.25)
Seat 7: Mrjoebodh ($47.30)
Seat 8: cellarpub ($59.35)
greatstar00 posts the small blind of $0.25
Oakleydawg posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to Schaubs [6d 4d]
Waldo309 folds
Mrjoebodh fold
scellarpub folds
Schaubs raises to $1.75
derMichaaa folds
Bizzlefoshizzle folds
greatstar00 folds
Greany sits down
Oakleydawg calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [5s 4c 2s]
Oakleydawg checks
Greany adds $50
Schaubs bets $3.75
Oakleydawg calls $3.75
*** TURN *** [5s 4c 2s] [2c]
Oakleydawg checks
Schaubs bets $11.25
Oakleydawg calls $11.25, and is all in
Schaubs shows [6d 4d]
Oakleydawg shows [As Jd] <---- great call!!!
*** RIVER *** [5s 4c 2s 2c] [6s]
Schaubs shows two pair, Sixes and Fours
Oakleydawg shows a pair of Twos
Schaubs wins the pot ($32.10) with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Oakleydawg is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $33.75 Rake $1.65Board: [5s 4c 2s 2c 6s]
Seat 1: Schaubs showed [6d 4d] and won ($32.10) with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Seat 5: Oakleydawg (big blind) showed [As Jd] and lost
And here is my final hand of the night:
Seat 1: Schaubs ($146.05)
Seat 2: ColbyD1 ($21.45)
Seat 3: WhiteWhale0928 ($59.60)
Seat 4: heXcontrol ($50)
Seat 5: Sir Paul ($55.85)
Seat 6: Waldo309 ($45.45)
Seat 7: Pinay Pinay ($28.35)
Seat 8: SammyG77 ($50)
Seat 9: Greany ($92.50)
WhiteWhale0928 posts the small blind of $0.25
heXcontrol posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Schaubs [8d 5d]
Sir Paul calls $0.50
Waldo309 folds
Pinay Pinay calls $0.50 < --- the same donk
SammyG77 folds
Greany folds
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs calls $0.50 <--- thought about raising, but Sir Paul was a fairly new to the table.
ColbyD1 folds
WhiteWhale0928 folds
heXcontrol checks
*** FLOP *** [6d 9s 9d]
heXcontrol checks
Sir Paul checks
Pinay Pinay checks
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs bets $2
heXcontrol adds $0.50
heXcontrol folds
Sir Paul is sitting outSir Paul folds
Pinay Pinay calls $2*** TURN *** [6d 9s 9d] [7d] <--- the perfect card.
Sir Paul stands up
prekrasnaiaelen stands up
Pinay Pinay checks
Schaubs checks <---- this would have been a perfect time to OBFV, but I checked this monster
*** RIVER *** [6d 9s 9d 7d] [Ac]
vfr-interceptor adds $50
Pinay Pinay bets $6.25
Schaubs has 15 seconds left to act
Schaubs raises to $16 - in hindsight I should have just shoved.
Pinay Pinay calls $9.75
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Schaubs shows [8d 5d] a straight flush, Nine high
Pinay Pinay mucks
Schaubs wins the pot ($36.35) with a straight flush, Nine high
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $38.25 Rake $1.90Board: [6d 9s 9d 7d Ac]
Seat 1: Schaubs showed [8d 5d] and won ($36.35) with a straight flush
Seat 7: Pinay Pinay mucked [Td 8h] - a straight, Ten high
GL at the tables.
24.6.08
Holdem Manager, Other Randomness, and Stuff
I finally bit the bullet and shelled out the eighty bucks for the big version of Holdem Manager. So far there haven't been too many issues with regards to installation and getting use to the software. My total stats for my entire cash game HH's look gross... even if I don't know what it all means yet, I know for sure they can be better. Not too many hands played in these lower stakes games, so there is def. some room to grow here. Stats Stats, stats, stats. I like stats.
So why has it taken me so long to actually purchase the software? I realized that you could pay with your poker funds... simple stuff!
The easy part was paying. The hard part will now be actually using the software to it's potential and improving those stats and understanding them, and the stats of others.
I look forward to the features that it offers, and the edge that it can provide.
Now I've just gotta put in the time...
----
Time is expensive... in oh so many ways.
----
Golf didn't go to well. After that 2 under par I posted was all said and done, I was first seed. Great news right? Wrongo. I was paired up against the defending champ from last year. He shot 77 in the Q and was seeded eighth. It ended up being a great match, I just f'd up a couple of shots early, and a couple more later on. I was one down with 2 to play. It was our short par 4 17th. He stiffs it and is about 8 feet. I pitch it up from about 60 and get it inside his shot.
He makes his putt, I push mine. GG me.
I had him on the ropes too. I played well on the back, but in the end he just hit the ball better, and was much steadier overall. I learned some stuff about my game, so it's all good. Just dissapointed that I didn't put in the time last week to prepare. Practice.
Practice takes time... time is expensive... in oh so many ways...
Ball game three times this week, lots going on.
Vegas soon, it's gonna be HOT.
GL at the tables.
So why has it taken me so long to actually purchase the software? I realized that you could pay with your poker funds... simple stuff!
The easy part was paying. The hard part will now be actually using the software to it's potential and improving those stats and understanding them, and the stats of others.
I look forward to the features that it offers, and the edge that it can provide.
Now I've just gotta put in the time...
----
Time is expensive... in oh so many ways.
----
Golf didn't go to well. After that 2 under par I posted was all said and done, I was first seed. Great news right? Wrongo. I was paired up against the defending champ from last year. He shot 77 in the Q and was seeded eighth. It ended up being a great match, I just f'd up a couple of shots early, and a couple more later on. I was one down with 2 to play. It was our short par 4 17th. He stiffs it and is about 8 feet. I pitch it up from about 60 and get it inside his shot.
He makes his putt, I push mine. GG me.
I had him on the ropes too. I played well on the back, but in the end he just hit the ball better, and was much steadier overall. I learned some stuff about my game, so it's all good. Just dissapointed that I didn't put in the time last week to prepare. Practice.
Practice takes time... time is expensive... in oh so many ways...
Ball game three times this week, lots going on.
Vegas soon, it's gonna be HOT.
GL at the tables.
19.6.08
Boston Fans have it so easy, Tiger is done
Seriously, how good is it to be living in Boston right now? Being a sports fan all my life, I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a city that hosts the Patriots, the Red Socks AND the Celtics. They all have become champions in their respective sports and continue to put their city on the map with each world championship ring. Crazy, crazy, crazy.
I am not sure if I would do much else other than go to home games draped in Boston gear. To live in a city with that much success for such a long period of time would be such a rush. There would never be a dull moment. Preseason, postseason. There's always a reason to watch or listen to sports talk or scalp a ticket to a game at the last minute... I mean what else is there to do? Golf??
I think I'll put Boston on my list of places to visit before I croak. Fo' sho'...
...I watched Super Bad again last night, that movie cracks me up every single time.
Now if the Bruins had any sort of management at all, they still be building around Joe Thorton instead of trading him away for a bag of pucks... if you don't have the right people in place, your team will never go places. It seems like the other three franchises have got it together, so what is the deal with the Bruins?
Patriots in 09'?
Red Socks in 08'?
That would be like winning the grand slam of sports. Holding three major championship trophies in your city all at once. Think about it. If that happens, I just might make that trip sooner than later...
Congrats Boston, you sports SUPERPOWER. Super Badass.
----
It's old news now, but Tiger is done for the season. This will cost Nike (clothing and equipment), Buick (golf bag) and Gatorade (pay attention and you will see him sipping away) a combined estimated 60-80 million dollars in brand recognition just by him being on the side lines. Crazy when you think about how much they pay him and the fact that he will not be in the spotlight again until next year. I wonder if this will be reflected in sales growth... probably not, people will continue to consume regardless... it's in our nature to spend spend spend! I wonder if we will see less Nike commercials during golf now, or if they will just jam it down our throats regardless. Either way, DVR that golf from now on and skip to the good stuff because there won't be a Tiger sighting for a while.
Who's gonna take his place? Anyone want to step up and make a splash? Is this Phil's time to shine? Vijay? Goosen? I think we'll see some new faces make their mark, if only for half a year, that might just make their career...
I am not sure if I would do much else other than go to home games draped in Boston gear. To live in a city with that much success for such a long period of time would be such a rush. There would never be a dull moment. Preseason, postseason. There's always a reason to watch or listen to sports talk or scalp a ticket to a game at the last minute... I mean what else is there to do? Golf??
I think I'll put Boston on my list of places to visit before I croak. Fo' sho'...
...I watched Super Bad again last night, that movie cracks me up every single time.
Now if the Bruins had any sort of management at all, they still be building around Joe Thorton instead of trading him away for a bag of pucks... if you don't have the right people in place, your team will never go places. It seems like the other three franchises have got it together, so what is the deal with the Bruins?
Patriots in 09'?
Red Socks in 08'?
That would be like winning the grand slam of sports. Holding three major championship trophies in your city all at once. Think about it. If that happens, I just might make that trip sooner than later...
Congrats Boston, you sports SUPERPOWER. Super Badass.
----
It's old news now, but Tiger is done for the season. This will cost Nike (clothing and equipment), Buick (golf bag) and Gatorade (pay attention and you will see him sipping away) a combined estimated 60-80 million dollars in brand recognition just by him being on the side lines. Crazy when you think about how much they pay him and the fact that he will not be in the spotlight again until next year. I wonder if this will be reflected in sales growth... probably not, people will continue to consume regardless... it's in our nature to spend spend spend! I wonder if we will see less Nike commercials during golf now, or if they will just jam it down our throats regardless. Either way, DVR that golf from now on and skip to the good stuff because there won't be a Tiger sighting for a while.
Who's gonna take his place? Anyone want to step up and make a splash? Is this Phil's time to shine? Vijay? Goosen? I think we'll see some new faces make their mark, if only for half a year, that might just make their career...
17.6.08
Are you a believer yet? Tiger is Super Human
Do you believe now Bam Bam?
The GREATEST GOLFER EVER. He would not quit. He would not give in. There is no other athelete like him. Only Mohamed Ali deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence. Period.
Pure entertainment, everytime he tees it up.
He is as close to a Super Human that we will ever get to see.
A warrior, a grinder. Never say die.
13.6.08
Double Sports Day
Yesterday I managed to play a round of golf and a game of baseball. Life is good.
I checked out of work at 11am and made my way to the golf course to attempt to qualify for the upcoming club match play. The top 16 get in and you usually have to break 80 to ensure a spot. I had been feeling good about my game lately so I wasn't too worried about not making the top 16, but there is always a chance that I could blow up and shit the bed. That is the last thing I wanted as I love match play and feel that I am a pretty competitive person in that respect.
I wanted to be the #1 seed though. That is always the goal. In fact the time that I shot 8 under (my personal best) was during the exact same qualifying tournament a few years back so I was in a good state of mind heading into yesterday's round. I arrived at the course with about 15 minutes to spare and tee'd it up with Penski.
I birdie the par 5 first hole by making about a 20 footer. 1 undie.
My next 6 holes looked like this: 3-4-4-4(birdie)-3(birdie)-4
Holy crap, I was already 3 under after 6! This was great, and I was feeling like it was going to "one of those days" where everything went just right. I felt a low score coming on.
And then I bogied the par 3 8th hole for a 4. So much for a bogey free round! (always one of my goals).
I birdie the 9th and make the turn at 3 under. Go me... no 5's on the front nine which is a first for me too.
Then I go par, par, birdie. 4 under!
I step on the 13th which is the shortest of the par 3's at our course. It measured 151 yards and the pin was tucked in the front right and was protected by a pond... which I proceeded to hit it into! Smart!! I really am kicking myself at this point because it is such an easy hole and all I had to do was fire at the middle of the green. Poor course management. Boo me.
FUCK. I really had it going there for a minute... So I make a double bogey and slide back to 2 under. Penski is layin' the heat on and is sitting at even par.
I go for the green in two on the par 5 14th and put it in the water again! Fuckin' hell!! I managed to get up and down though and sneak away with a par.
I make another birdie and a bogey and finish the day at 2 under which just might be good enough for the #1 one spot, maybe.
I grab a beer and some grub and then shoot over to the ball field. We played the #1 rank team who had only lost 1 game so far out of 10. It gets down to the bottom of the 7th and we are tied... my buddy Nicktator hits a WALK OFF home run to win! It was pretty cool to watch him bomb it like that under pressure. Sweet.
So yeah, good day, lots of sports.
Not much poker! Weird.
I did play some cash to wind down and dumped off almost two buyins when my JJ and QQ went down in flames againsts KK. Love it. So rigged. JJ hand lost to a shorty so I was going all the way, and I guess I could have layed down the QQ from the BB when it was 4 bet to me, but I pushed anyway. I know I know, I'm so good. I'm so good. 4 bets are always KK or AA right?
----
I read today that ICRUSHBLOGGERS is not really who he says he is. Very dissapointing. Why oh why do people find it necessary to be someone they aren't is beyond me. The whole thing is annoying and so high school. When that blog was first created, and we all were wondering who it was, there were basic clues that it was Hoy (Bayne and I specifcally chatted about this a couple of times), or Hoy's boys or whoever this secret clan of his is.
So basically, he had some "people" write for him, and he would play at bodog under this "bloggercrusher " handle. Big deal. I don't really get it, but on the other hand I can understand why some people would feel like they had been "had". Whatever. I just don't get how a smart guy like Hoy wouldn't realize that this would do more harm then good. I wonder if he will ever get his money out of Bodog since he created all fake account information. Why delete the blog anyway? It would have been fun to go back and look at all the old posts and read them again knowing what we know now. How his "staff" slammed all the other players. How he "was a lurker for so long and would watch the tournaments and comment on how bad the players were." Calling everyone under the sun names and just being down right mean to guys like Smokkee who was instrumental in getting this tournament off the ground in the first place. Low class.
The whole concept is just childish and I have no idea why Hoy would agree to go down that road in the first place.
Either way it never affected me because I am Canadian and can't play on Bodog. But I still support them, why not. I'd definitely play there if I could I know that much.
And lastly I hear that the guy that won the final Bodog TOC lives in Japan and won't even be making the trip! Seems like a bit of a waste. As Astin said it best, if it were a Canadian who won, you know for damn sure that they would be showing up and ready to represent the bloggers and all of those who participated in the battle for those 18 seats. Oh well, maybe next time.
---
GO LAKERS!
GO TIGER! (one over after round 1 of the US Open)
I checked out of work at 11am and made my way to the golf course to attempt to qualify for the upcoming club match play. The top 16 get in and you usually have to break 80 to ensure a spot. I had been feeling good about my game lately so I wasn't too worried about not making the top 16, but there is always a chance that I could blow up and shit the bed. That is the last thing I wanted as I love match play and feel that I am a pretty competitive person in that respect.
I wanted to be the #1 seed though. That is always the goal. In fact the time that I shot 8 under (my personal best) was during the exact same qualifying tournament a few years back so I was in a good state of mind heading into yesterday's round. I arrived at the course with about 15 minutes to spare and tee'd it up with Penski.
I birdie the par 5 first hole by making about a 20 footer. 1 undie.
My next 6 holes looked like this: 3-4-4-4(birdie)-3(birdie)-4
Holy crap, I was already 3 under after 6! This was great, and I was feeling like it was going to "one of those days" where everything went just right. I felt a low score coming on.
And then I bogied the par 3 8th hole for a 4. So much for a bogey free round! (always one of my goals).
I birdie the 9th and make the turn at 3 under. Go me... no 5's on the front nine which is a first for me too.
Then I go par, par, birdie. 4 under!
I step on the 13th which is the shortest of the par 3's at our course. It measured 151 yards and the pin was tucked in the front right and was protected by a pond... which I proceeded to hit it into! Smart!! I really am kicking myself at this point because it is such an easy hole and all I had to do was fire at the middle of the green. Poor course management. Boo me.
FUCK. I really had it going there for a minute... So I make a double bogey and slide back to 2 under. Penski is layin' the heat on and is sitting at even par.
I go for the green in two on the par 5 14th and put it in the water again! Fuckin' hell!! I managed to get up and down though and sneak away with a par.
I make another birdie and a bogey and finish the day at 2 under which just might be good enough for the #1 one spot, maybe.
I grab a beer and some grub and then shoot over to the ball field. We played the #1 rank team who had only lost 1 game so far out of 10. It gets down to the bottom of the 7th and we are tied... my buddy Nicktator hits a WALK OFF home run to win! It was pretty cool to watch him bomb it like that under pressure. Sweet.
So yeah, good day, lots of sports.
Not much poker! Weird.
I did play some cash to wind down and dumped off almost two buyins when my JJ and QQ went down in flames againsts KK. Love it. So rigged. JJ hand lost to a shorty so I was going all the way, and I guess I could have layed down the QQ from the BB when it was 4 bet to me, but I pushed anyway. I know I know, I'm so good. I'm so good. 4 bets are always KK or AA right?
----
I read today that ICRUSHBLOGGERS is not really who he says he is. Very dissapointing. Why oh why do people find it necessary to be someone they aren't is beyond me. The whole thing is annoying and so high school. When that blog was first created, and we all were wondering who it was, there were basic clues that it was Hoy (Bayne and I specifcally chatted about this a couple of times), or Hoy's boys or whoever this secret clan of his is.
So basically, he had some "people" write for him, and he would play at bodog under this "bloggercrusher " handle. Big deal. I don't really get it, but on the other hand I can understand why some people would feel like they had been "had". Whatever. I just don't get how a smart guy like Hoy wouldn't realize that this would do more harm then good. I wonder if he will ever get his money out of Bodog since he created all fake account information. Why delete the blog anyway? It would have been fun to go back and look at all the old posts and read them again knowing what we know now. How his "staff" slammed all the other players. How he "was a lurker for so long and would watch the tournaments and comment on how bad the players were." Calling everyone under the sun names and just being down right mean to guys like Smokkee who was instrumental in getting this tournament off the ground in the first place. Low class.
The whole concept is just childish and I have no idea why Hoy would agree to go down that road in the first place.
Either way it never affected me because I am Canadian and can't play on Bodog. But I still support them, why not. I'd definitely play there if I could I know that much.
And lastly I hear that the guy that won the final Bodog TOC lives in Japan and won't even be making the trip! Seems like a bit of a waste. As Astin said it best, if it were a Canadian who won, you know for damn sure that they would be showing up and ready to represent the bloggers and all of those who participated in the battle for those 18 seats. Oh well, maybe next time.
---
GO LAKERS!
GO TIGER! (one over after round 1 of the US Open)
8.6.08
Very Little of Lots
After a couple of weeks away playing and playing some more I am back. I've been trying to figure out what to write these days and it really hasn't hit me just yet. I'm sure everyone out there goes through those times where they really don't know what they want to write about next.
That's me.
I find that I am playing less and less (serious) poker these days and focusing more on outdoor activities, spending evenings with Lola and friends, and just enjoying life.
Now that the BBT3 is offically over, I'll have to agree with the masses and say that I am glad that it is finally complete. When I look back at how I did, I admit that I really didn't give it my best effort at all. I started off strong with a final table at event #1 (Don's BG) and then I only made one more final table appearance during my measly 24 attempts. I'm too lazy to figure out if I made money or not in the thing, but I do know that my total earnings were just over $400, which to me, is just fine.
It's a rather complacent way to feel at the moment. If I was really driven and passionate (read: degenerate) about poker I am sure I wouldn't be writing this right now anyway. I'd be studying HH's and continuously trying to get better at this game.
If I would've played in every event like some of the top earners in the BBT I surely would have given myself a better opportunity at a TOC seat. Congrats to Loretta and OMG in winning their seats. I am sure they will represent the blogging crew with pride. Go get some of that fat prize pool.
So where now? I know I am not quitting. I know that I want to continue to get better.
I guess I'll just keep grinding in between rounds of golf and beer. Playing and working on my game when there is time. I'll probably spend more time away from online poker for a while and concentrate on live play if and when I do play.
Golf wise things are going well. I ended up finishing 6th in the last tournament I played in. Which was enough to win myself some stuff (golf bag, hat) and win some cash in golf bets. Overall though, my game is coming along nicely. I have a couple of important rounds this week and then it is party time golf on the weekend. No "big" tournaments coming up for a couple of weeks so I'll most likely be drinking at the ball park instead of hitting the range... which is not smart so now that I type this I will make sure that I at least get out once or twice to hit some balls.
I also have another trip to Vegas coming up... we arrive the day after the final day of the WSOP.
Have a good week everyone.
That's me.
I find that I am playing less and less (serious) poker these days and focusing more on outdoor activities, spending evenings with Lola and friends, and just enjoying life.
Now that the BBT3 is offically over, I'll have to agree with the masses and say that I am glad that it is finally complete. When I look back at how I did, I admit that I really didn't give it my best effort at all. I started off strong with a final table at event #1 (Don's BG) and then I only made one more final table appearance during my measly 24 attempts. I'm too lazy to figure out if I made money or not in the thing, but I do know that my total earnings were just over $400, which to me, is just fine.
It's a rather complacent way to feel at the moment. If I was really driven and passionate (read: degenerate) about poker I am sure I wouldn't be writing this right now anyway. I'd be studying HH's and continuously trying to get better at this game.
If I would've played in every event like some of the top earners in the BBT I surely would have given myself a better opportunity at a TOC seat. Congrats to Loretta and OMG in winning their seats. I am sure they will represent the blogging crew with pride. Go get some of that fat prize pool.
So where now? I know I am not quitting. I know that I want to continue to get better.
I guess I'll just keep grinding in between rounds of golf and beer. Playing and working on my game when there is time. I'll probably spend more time away from online poker for a while and concentrate on live play if and when I do play.
Golf wise things are going well. I ended up finishing 6th in the last tournament I played in. Which was enough to win myself some stuff (golf bag, hat) and win some cash in golf bets. Overall though, my game is coming along nicely. I have a couple of important rounds this week and then it is party time golf on the weekend. No "big" tournaments coming up for a couple of weeks so I'll most likely be drinking at the ball park instead of hitting the range... which is not smart so now that I type this I will make sure that I at least get out once or twice to hit some balls.
I also have another trip to Vegas coming up... we arrive the day after the final day of the WSOP.
Have a good week everyone.
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