Travellin' on X-Mas Eve...

12/24/08

Travellin' on X-Mas Eve...

I got into McCarran Int'l Airport about an hour an half before
my flight back to San Jose is to depart at 815 AM. I already
got my boarding pass online and decided to check in a couple of
bags curbside. I had my customary last cigarette outside and
walked into the terminal. I looked up at the Departures screens
and did not see my flight listed. The curbside check in employee
did not say anything about any delays or cancellations. Hmmm?

I got to my gate and saw that an LA flight was to depart at 655
am. It's about that time and no plane. There must be a delay.
I didn't see any Southwest employees around, so I booted up the
laptop and check the status of my flight online. Dang, delayed
to an estimated time of 840 AM (which means that it could still
take longer). I guess, I've been too spoiled. I think of all the
times that I've flown, I've had only to experience one delay.
Pretty much all my flights have been on time. I guess that's
unusual. But hey, I can't complain, my flight cost would have
been the same cost of gas, if I drove back to the Bay.

Well, that's probably the reason I booked an early flight back
home. Maybe to compensate for any delays on one of the most
travelled days of the year. At least I have some toys to play
with at the airport, my laptop (free aiport wifi, need to find
a plug - power will go out in an hour), Amazon Kindle and the
Ipod. Technology is a savior.

Getting hungry - some lady beside me is munchin' on a croissant
breakfast sandwich with bacon, she also got some of those fried
french toast sticks - mmm, mmm...I had breakfast earlier - I think,
I'll just wait until I get back to San Jose, my SB mocha should be
good until then.

Anyway, I'm glad I finished a majority of my X-Mas shopping right
before Thanksgiving. Everybody tells me that the malls and shops
are just straight crazy. I just don't have the patience for that.
You can say I'm the typical guy shopper, I already know what I need
to buy - I go straight to the store, buy it and leave. I do browse,
but when I intend to buy something, I make it simple. The only thing
I have to do now it just wrap up the presents when I get back home.

Later today, after the GF picks me up from the airport, she planned
to pass out some food and blankets to homeless people in the area.
She's has a good and generous heart. It's a good thing. It also
makes me realize, how lucky life has been for me. Well, it could be
a little luckier on the poker felt (hehe...). I mean, life could be
worse, but having that feeling of creating my own destiny, having
the support of my GF, family and friends - makes feel a certain
positivity. I still wish I had work benefits though, lol...If
things don't work out for me in the poker world, there are alot of
other things in life that I can always look forward too.

Anyway, I'll sign out for now...Need to conserve some laptop battery
power.

Merry X-Mas Y'all!!

Sho' Nuff...

12/22/08

Sho'Nuff...

Check out the trailer for the movie "Black Dynamite"...



This movie looks pretty rad. Just came up on the trailer
on the net. I may make the trek to Sundance in Park City, UT
next month to check this out and the film festival...

The movie got Charmane Star in a cameo - Pinays Representin!
Lol...

On Any Given Sunday...

12/21/08

On Any Given Sunday...

After a handful of tries, one of my 4 teamer football parlay wins!
Too bad I only bet twenty bucks at 12 to one - but hey, I should be
happy with that. Football parlay bets are like lottery tickets
anyway. At least that put me about even or a small profiteer from
my sports bets this year. Like I said before, their purpose is
to make watching football a bit more exciting. It was down to the
wire with the Saints and Lions Game. That game just squeaked in
just a point and a half under the points given at 50.5 - that was
the one that had to go pretty much wire to wire. After posting
a good pick ratio of 75%, it was fun to actually get all of them
correct.

Also grinded out some cash at limit holdem in Aliante the day
before, during a couple of sessions in the day and night.
I guess people just wanted to give me money that day. My flopped
pairs held up, when people were chasing and my made hands held up
beating second place. That is kind of hard to do at this poker
room, when half of your opponents are people on fixed incomes, that
just don't want to give any money away. I had lost some of my
profit from the tournament cash I had earlier in the week at the
Bellagio last Thursday - so it was cool to make that up and more,
yesterday. The swings can get to you, but you have to look at it
in the long run of life I guess. At least they are not big swings,
that would scurr me some times, hehe.

I will probably play one or more two sessions before I get back to
the Bay for the holidays. I will need to take care of some business
with one of the rental properties first, then off to the felt for
a cash game or tourny (I guess I haven't quit them yet).

Anyway, I can't wait to get back home to see the GF, family and
friends - especially noshin' on some of my Auntie Ilya's lumpia
shanghai. No need for any turkey or ham for me during the family
Xmas parties - fried eggrolls will hit the spot just fine, yo...
As a matter of fact, I also miss my Auntie Mely's rice crispie
treats as well - haven't had those for years (I will need to trek
up to Sacto for those).

Overnight Celebrity...

12/17/08

Overnight Celebrity...

Yeah right, hopefully you got my email with the link:

http://www.cardplayer.com/tv/34988

You can see me in the background, during the interview,
at right about 3:59 into the video. I finally made it
Ma! (I'm the guy looking at his cellphone in a Green
Kangol, hehe).

I was just railbirding the Doyle Brunson North American
Poker Championship WPT event, yesterday. I actually
witnessed the aftermath of the hand Phil Helmuth is
talking about during his interview. I walked into the
Fontana Lounge, where the tournament was taking place,
and Mr. Helmuth flopped right on top of this empty
poker table in front of the entrance. I couldn't
watch too long, as watching people play poker live, is
like watching paint dry. You can't see what the players
have, unless there is an all in and a call from another
player or players. It was also bubble time, meaning that
the money spots were about 10 busted players away, from
the time I left. Usually players will play tight, as they
are near the money spots in the tournament.

I wanted to try to satellite into the tournament last week,
but I've been fightin' the cold bug since last Thursday.
I didn't feel like just putting up, you know, like $15,000.00
to play in it. I've just started to recover - and now it snows!
I will have to get over my frugalness and use house heater, hehe...

Earlier today, I finally made a cash in a tournament at the
Sahara. I was going to swear off tournament poker for a
while, but the buy in was about $45.00 with rebuys. You also
started with a fair amount of chips at $4,000.00 with 20 minute
blind periods. Plus there were no ante rounds. You could also
rebuy at $20.00 bucks for the first hour, giving you $2,000.00
in chips. If I busted out early, I was going to go to Bellagio,
to watch some more of the WPT and play some limit cash games
there.

Anyway, the tournament started out with 42 people. To make a
long story short, I busted in 4th place and more than quadrupled
my original buy in. Not much of a big win, but I was glad to make
a cash in a tournament. And no, my Aces (had em' once early in the
tournament) did not get cracked - but I only made about $500.00 on
them - inconsequential in the scheme of the tournament.

The Small Things In Life...

12/14/08

The Small Things In Life...

Oh yeah, I guess that's what make things in life worth livin'
for. Right now, I'm at McCarran Int'l Airport, hopin' my
girlfriend's flight (that is to land in Vegas and she is
connect to Albuquerque - it was already delayed in San Jose)
will be delayed, so that she will miss her flight to
Albuquerque. If not, hopefully we can see eachother for
a few minutes of quality time when she lands. Funny thing
is, that she just called me and she missed the next flight
to Albuquerque. So she will stay for the night in Vegas
and fly back out tomorrow morning. Good for her, she gets
Oyster Bar at Harrah's to help with the sorrow, hehe...

LDR's are crazy. Only for the strong, I could say. There are
things that are telling me to go back to San Jose - my girl,
missing friends and family - thoughts of going back to
school to study. I just don't know at times.

I always think of worst case scenarios before I commit myself
to new goals and objectives. I mean, with the poker playing,
I haven't hit bottom. Not even close. I have posted a
profit from my bankroll, albeit a small one. But the plus
column has not been there lately. I've had to delve into the
savings for the living expenses, which is no surprise to me
as I planned for that anyway.

It is really true, when a poker pro tells you that there can
be emotional swings when playing to what equates to is just a
game. But I guess, you can say that in all aspects of life.
I can consider myself lucky that, the impending recession has
not affected me to a degree of others I see.

Like I said before, I plan for worst case scenarios - and it
hasn't come to that situation yet. I also hear other poker pros
say that you have to go broke at least once in your "career".
To me, that is not good advice - bad money management ruins
anybody, be it a poker player, waitress, claims adjuster,
small business owner or a CEO. If you don't have that, you
might as well wipe your ass with dolla' bills or twennies for
that matter.

Maybe this time off is meant for me to reassess, think, write
about what one's (not necessarily my own) purpose is in life.

I think alot of us get caught up with trying to keep up with
the Jones's, without finding out what truly makes you happy.

But don't listen to me. Ask youself that question...

When Scotty Was In Egypt's Land, Let My Scotty Go...

12/13/08

When Scotty Was In Egypt's Land, Let My Scotty Go...

If you've seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off, you may know where that
line came from. For the past few days, I've been feeling like
Cameron, Ferris's best friend in the movie. I guess, it's the
ususal time of year, when I get all the cold/flu symptoms acting
up in me. I've been spewin' out mucus like a mofo' lately.
At least the symptoms seem to be wearing off.

I've been wanting to check out the poker room at Excalibur.
They had installed some electronic poker tables there for some
months now. They have a pot limit omaha game there for 0.50/1.00
stakes. Not too much to get you in trouble, but with PLO, the
pots can grow pretty well, as it is an action game. So, I haven't
played for the past 3 or 4 days, because of my condition. I don't
want to have to cough and blow my nose in between every bet.

I was surprised I didn't get sick last week. Well, it's not like
I went overboard with the drinking anyway. I paced myself, as we
are not getting any younger.

Hopefully tomorrow, I can get up early enough to put a football
parlay bet down. I also have to get in on that freeroll tourny
I've been meaning to play for the past couple of months. I won the
entry in late September or early October. It's just that the tourny
is played on Sundays every couple of weeks, and I've been caught up
usually watchin football and playin some limit holdem at Aliante or
Red Rock. I might as well take a shot this Sunday. But things may
change, we'll have to see.

Pinoy POWER!!!

12/08/08

Pinoy POWER!!!



As you may know, Manny Pacquiao just reaffirmed that he
may be the best pound for pound fighter for our generation.
He beat Mr. De La Hoya, no doubt about it. I should have
had better faith on our countryman's ability to give a good
fight last Saturday. The only bet I put down was for a
12 round draw (I was thinkin' that there may be a second
fight, due to the potential money another fight could make).
I think the 700 club lost out on this one too, lol...next
time...

The thing that really disappointed me about the fight, was
the fact that it looked like De La Hoya did not seem to be
the aggressor at any time during the bout. It seemed like
he was on the defensive at all times. Well, you may say that
he never had an opponent like Pacquiao for quite sometime.
The HBO specials that was aired weekly before last Saturday,
kinda' hyped each fighter's training and mental attitude
before the fight. I mean with De La Hoya, sparing no expense
in getting the best trainers his money and influence could
buy, I would think he would have put up a better outing
than what happened that night.

Like I said before, maybe Pacquiao was just too quick and
powerful for him at this stage of De La Hoya's life. But
hey, this fight made him some nice change - I would have
stopped the fight in the 8th round too, before suffering
any more permanent damage. He probably made like over
$35,000,000.00 gross - you can't enjoy that money, if you
have to sip your dinner through a straw for the rest of
your life.

Before the fight, a bunch of the homies from San Jose and
the Bay Area flew in on Thursday and Friday. It was great
to see Debbie, Dave S., Ron, Christine, Darlene, Leetz, Dave B.,
Chau, John John, Fiel, the Fernandez Bros (like they're a
company or boy band, yeah more closer to a bading boy band,
just kidding guys), and whoever else I forgot, oh yeah
Juan Juan (but I don't think I remember talking to you at
the club, because I was pretty gone - don't get me near
any free alcohol, because I will take advantage of that,
like no one will, ya' feel me?

I mean, I pretty much paced myself. No suca for me later
that night. It was kinda' nice not havin' to spend one red
cent to go out that night, hehe...This prefight party was at
ROK in NYNY Hotel/Casino. It was good to see everybody there
gettin' in gear befor the fight.

The next day, a bunch of us hit up M and M Soul Food Cafe.
It seemed to be a hit with the group. Fried chicken skin,
seems to make everybody's soul a bit happier. Smothered
BBQ shortribs also bring joy and Christmas spirit to one's
self as well. With a healthy dose of cornbread pancakes
and all you can drink Koolaid "red", one can actually find
the meaning of life. Anyway, hit this place up when you are
next in town, you won't regret it.

Later that night, was the fight. Our whole group, with the
exception of the Sonico's, went to Mandalay Bay to catch the
closed circuit broadcast of the fight in their arena. The
arena didn't sell out, but I thought that it was a good thing,
as I didn't want to feel too cloistered in that place. Don't
get me wrong, the atmosphere was pretty good - the section we
all sat at seemed to be all Pacquiao fans.

I think after the first 3 rounds, you pretty much knew who was
gonna' win this thing. Like I said prior, I made a bet on a
draw (no winner) - but I didn't really care if I lost that
bet. I was rollin' with the Pac Man on this one. I just regret
not putting up any money on him at the beginning of the week
when he had almost 2 to 1 odds to win (no matter what round or
how he would win). Pacquiao dominated each round, until after
the 8th, where the fight was stopped by the De La Hoya camp,
conceding defeat to the Pac Man. It felt like a workout watchin'
this thing. I think I must have yelled and jumped, like I was
at ringside (as well as all the peeps around me). It was
totally radical and awesome...

The Santos, Dar and I decided to chill and get some eats at
Carnegie's at the Mirage. Had Challah French Toast with a side
of bacon (it ain't really a side, they give about a dozen pieces
of the stuff, I should have just asked for a bowl of rice and
ketchup and eat it like Saturday breakfast with mom back in
the day). Dave got a bacon cheeseburger, Debs a cornbeef
sandwich and Dar a pastrami sandwich. The sandwiches probably
had a couple pounds of meat each - hefty, that's how that place
rolls. At least you get a full meal for later on, as you can't
finish these plates, unless you been stuck on the "Lost" island
and just got back to civilization or if money is involved.
Sick...

Anyway, most of everybody left to go back to the Bay Area on
Sunday afternoon. I made a pitstop with Fiel, Fred, Deb, Dar
and Dave at Hot/Spicy Crawfish in Chinatown. It's a cajun style
restaurant off of Spring Mountain Road. My buddy Andre
introduced me to it when I first moved here. It is another
hidden gem off the Strip. You can't beat a pound of boiled
craw fish or shrimp for seven bucks. I personally did not have
that at the time (I got the chicken wings - can't live with out
fried chicken, if it's available at the place). It seemed like
another hit with the peeps, so again, when y'all come down,
you gots to go. Buffets on the Strip will not appeal to you
anymore.

That night a couple of the Fernandez Bros. were still in town
for another night, staying at the Hard Rock. They were going
to party at Body English for their last night in town. I decided
to chill for the night, as I don't think my body could take it.
I wanted to be in coma mode for the rest of the night. Hopefully,
I'll hit them up next time I'm back in the Bay or in the PI.

As for poker, busted out of the Caesar's 12 noon tourney today
and made ten bucks playing some $1/3 NLHE for an hour there.

I think I will lay off the tournys for a while and concentrate
on cash games for the time being. I am getting a little fed up
with the variance on the tourny style games. Making near the
money, doesn't make money. I'd be happier winning even just a
little during a cash session (but of course happier by winning
a lot), than bust out late in a tourny not making any cash at
all.

Happy Holidays, see y'all soon...

Back To The Grind...

12/4/08

Back To The Grind...



The GF was in town for Turkey Day weekend. It was a pleasant
change of pace from fighting for chips on the green felt
battlegrounds of Vegas.

She flew in on Thursday afternoon. After I picked her up,
I headed back to my Auntie's house for more grub. Nothing
like lechon skin, stuffing, yams, lumpia on Plymouth Rock
Day. I could only take one piece of the skin that day, I
didn't know if my "online" health insurance plan would cover
any pork related issues at the local hospital.

It was great to see my girl after about almost a month of
not seeing her. I guess separation can make the heart grow
fonder. It was also a good excuse to get some off the strip
eats, that I know she would enjoy.

I also had a couple of Uncles, an Aunt and two cousins come
out from California for a couple of days as well.

On Friday, the GF and I hit up Cupcake Lane Bakery. Had
a peanut butter chocolate one and she had a red velvet
style one. Pretty good, I don't know if the $2.50 price
each was justified, but these guys must be rakin' in the
cash. I need to do some research on that business.

That night we met up at Wayne's Sushi on Sahara. It is
always a good choice and a local fave of mine. Besides
knowing the owner, like I said before, his sushi is pretty
much the bomb. His signature rolls are pretty much all
non raw - so it can appeal to the other segment of eaters.
Don't get me wrong the sashimi he gets is always pretty
fresh tasting and his poke' is really good. Everybody
seemed to enjoy the food. My relatives even got a couple
of karaoke songs in. Free entertainment, you can't beat it,
lol...

After that, we checked out Fremont Street and got heart
attack on a tray. Fried Twinkies and Oreos. So Goood,
and So Baaddd...



Saturday, my relatives left to go back to drop off my cousins
in Riverside, where they go to school. The GF and I, headed
out to Hoover Dam for their tour. We left the house around
11 am and ran into traffic just past Boulder City, which is
about 12 miles before the Dam. Dang, shoulda' known that it
would have been busy on the holiday weekend.

It took about a half hour or so, from that point, to get to
the visitor center, so it wasn't too bad. We arrived too
early for their comprehensive tour, so we decided to just
go on their Powerplant Tour only. First you sit in a
theater, which shows the history of Hoover Dam, which was
originally called Boulder Dam, before being named after
President Hoover, who signed off on creating the Dam.







Anyway, we got to see a couple of the main areas of the
Dam. We were led down into the depths of the Dam, to
a room where one of the runoff pipes was located. After
that we got to see that actual turbines that generate the
electricity from the Dam. Still looks new after about,
70 or so years. Lastly, we went thru an exhibit area and
finished a walking tour of the exterior of the Dam
ourselves. Pretty cool, stuff. I like that kinda' stuff
I guess. The GF seemed to enjoy it as well, except for
the height of the Dam, hehe...

On Sunday, we checked out Mesa Grill at Caesar's for brunch.
Pretty good food. Nothing like melted cheese and tortilla
chips for appetizer. Oh yeah the bread basket, was pretty
much a pastry basket. I don't think there was actually any
bread in it. I coulda' just had that and coffee. I had
a chicken dish with poached eggs, with hollandaise sauce.
I wish I could of finished that, it was mighty tasty.
She had a scrambled egg frittata type thing on crisp
tortillas, with Flay's signature cream fraiche sauce. That
was really good as well.

After that, it was time to check into TI for her last night
in Vegas. Nothing like being lazy for the next few hours
in a hotel room. We lagged too much to have dinner and
just got ready to go to the Christian Audigier Nightclub
downstairs. It used to be Tangerine, but I guess the Ed
Hardy dude got his own club there. It's still pretty much
the same, except with all the skull and Ed Hardy stuff
all over the place. At least there was no cover and the
DJ was playing the jams from back in the day.

After we checked out on Monday, it was time for some
soul food. We headed out to M and M Soul Food. It was
a good thing it wasn't too crowded, I was fiending for
the fried chicken. She ordered short ribs smothered in
gravy and of course I had to get the chicken. The sides
were fried okra, potato salad, collard greens, macaroni
cheese and cornbread pancakes. Goood Stuff...



We were planning to check out the Atomic Testing Museum,
after lunch - but we were both in a food coma. We just
went back to the pad for some rest, before driving her
to the airport.

She flew out later that night. She is missed, dang I'm
getting misty, lol...

Check out this photo of her friends' daughter. Chubby
cutie, hehe...



As I said, back to the grind. I went to Aliante last night,
which was just a few hours ago to check out the action. It
looks like it has been slowing down since their opening, but
I wanted to play some Limit Omaha - hopefully they got a table
going. When I got there, they had about 4 full tables goin',
it didn't look too bad. I signed up for some Limit Omaha and
Limit Holdem (both at $4/8). No action for Omaha tonight, so
I got sat down at the Limit Holdem table.

I think the strategy here is to play tight, as a lot of the
local degenerates, will call you down with second pair or
top pair when there are definite made hands on the board.
I made about $155.00 after 2.5 hours of play, I pretty much
doubled up for that short session. I was thinking of playing
longer, but the action and players were drying up. Better to
leave making a decent profit, than to play all night and be
down. I decided to hightail it out of there, right before the
big blind got back to me. Cashed out, popped a twamp on the
Pacquiao/De La Hoya fight on the 12 round draw at 15 to 1.
Hopefully it hits. I'm thinkin' there might be a part II
to their battle anyway...

I'll go back to the grind later this week anyway...