Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Las Vegas, June 2010
It’s that time of the year for the World Series of Poker (WSOP), so I’m off to Las Vegas. I registered for two events, Event 11 (a normal, $1500, Texas Hold Em event) and Event 16 (six-handed Texas Hold Em). This may not have been the best time to play at the WSOP. I seemed to be running BAD as of late. I’m not sure what it is, but I just can’t seem to play very well. I thought the longer you play and practice at something, the better you get. It seems to be going the opposite for me.
So I arrived the day before event 11 and try to brush up my game at the local daily tournaments. I didn’t place in the money. I seemed to be knocked out near the bubble. I tend to win a couple big pots, and then just piss it away trying to knock-out other players, or get mixed up with another big stack chasing a hand that never gets there. Either way, I don’t win anything.
Now it’s time for the WSOP. I start playing by chasing stupid hands, and before I know it, I have a short stack. I pick up a couple hands and I’m back to an average size stack at the first break. But then I can’t seem to keep it. Before I know it, it’s gone and I’m out of the tournament. I have dinner at the hotel and am given a ticket to see Bruce in the USA. A Springsteen tribute band that is playing at the hotel later that night. I also have a few coupons for free drinks. Maybe this is what I need.
I went back to my hotel for a couple hours to rest, and I thought I would be late for the start of the show, but am actually early. The show started off okay. It wasn’t Bruce, but this is my music, and I generally act like I do at a Springsteen show, singing along, hand gestures, etc. And it took folks a little while to warm up, but they got into it too.
Then I called the waitress over and ordered a coke. She brought it back, and asked for 5 bucks. I presented my coupon for the drink. She didn’t seem to know what it was about and leaned over me with her tray. The prompted her to spill an entire glass of red wine down my pants leg. Heather informs me that it doesn’t come out. Great… She came back later and said something like, ‘…it got all over me too…’ Sorry to hear that, it’s a part of the hazards of the job, I didn’t know it was a hazard of the customer. As you can see, nothing really goes right on this trip.
The next day, I play in a couple more daily tournaments, with nothing to show for it. It’s Saturday, so I go down to Mandalay Bay for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. Dinner is fine. But on the Tram ride back, a bachelorette party is on there. I’m minding my own business but one of them asks me, ‘Mister, will you take our picture?’ Yes, I am now the geezer that takes the pictures. I know she didn’t mean anything by it, but it just confirms that I’m now a geezer in most kid’s eyes.
More tournaments on Sunday. I’ve decided that I really have to tighten up and only play premium hands. While this may sound like a simple concept. It’s very difficult to implement when playing live cards. But I do my best. While I still didn’t cash, I did get a lot further. So that’s the plan for Monday.
Monday, and event 16 at WSOP is upon me. I start out with this in mind. But I get Q-T and have to play it, but sure enough, I loose. And a couple more hands like this. Next thing you know, I’m short stacked again. I sit back and try to tighten up. Finally getting Q-Q on the big blind. The first to act raises to 300, one caller. I come over the top for 900. He shoves all in. I have to call and he turns over A-K. The board hits, 3-K-K. I’m dead, and just for good measure, a 3 comes on the river to give him a full house. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m not staying in Vegas any longer.
I’m writing this on my flight home. I leave as soon as I could. I’m just so frustrated that it’s not worth staying. Teri asks, are you having a good time anyway? Well, NO! I hate losing, and it’s not any fun to lose. The weather is brutal, so hanging out at the pool isn't any fun. I guess this will give me opportunity to get the garden in shape, and clean up the bedrooms for the baby.
So I arrived the day before event 11 and try to brush up my game at the local daily tournaments. I didn’t place in the money. I seemed to be knocked out near the bubble. I tend to win a couple big pots, and then just piss it away trying to knock-out other players, or get mixed up with another big stack chasing a hand that never gets there. Either way, I don’t win anything.
Now it’s time for the WSOP. I start playing by chasing stupid hands, and before I know it, I have a short stack. I pick up a couple hands and I’m back to an average size stack at the first break. But then I can’t seem to keep it. Before I know it, it’s gone and I’m out of the tournament. I have dinner at the hotel and am given a ticket to see Bruce in the USA. A Springsteen tribute band that is playing at the hotel later that night. I also have a few coupons for free drinks. Maybe this is what I need.
I went back to my hotel for a couple hours to rest, and I thought I would be late for the start of the show, but am actually early. The show started off okay. It wasn’t Bruce, but this is my music, and I generally act like I do at a Springsteen show, singing along, hand gestures, etc. And it took folks a little while to warm up, but they got into it too.
Then I called the waitress over and ordered a coke. She brought it back, and asked for 5 bucks. I presented my coupon for the drink. She didn’t seem to know what it was about and leaned over me with her tray. The prompted her to spill an entire glass of red wine down my pants leg. Heather informs me that it doesn’t come out. Great… She came back later and said something like, ‘…it got all over me too…’ Sorry to hear that, it’s a part of the hazards of the job, I didn’t know it was a hazard of the customer. As you can see, nothing really goes right on this trip.
The next day, I play in a couple more daily tournaments, with nothing to show for it. It’s Saturday, so I go down to Mandalay Bay for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. Dinner is fine. But on the Tram ride back, a bachelorette party is on there. I’m minding my own business but one of them asks me, ‘Mister, will you take our picture?’ Yes, I am now the geezer that takes the pictures. I know she didn’t mean anything by it, but it just confirms that I’m now a geezer in most kid’s eyes.
More tournaments on Sunday. I’ve decided that I really have to tighten up and only play premium hands. While this may sound like a simple concept. It’s very difficult to implement when playing live cards. But I do my best. While I still didn’t cash, I did get a lot further. So that’s the plan for Monday.
Monday, and event 16 at WSOP is upon me. I start out with this in mind. But I get Q-T and have to play it, but sure enough, I loose. And a couple more hands like this. Next thing you know, I’m short stacked again. I sit back and try to tighten up. Finally getting Q-Q on the big blind. The first to act raises to 300, one caller. I come over the top for 900. He shoves all in. I have to call and he turns over A-K. The board hits, 3-K-K. I’m dead, and just for good measure, a 3 comes on the river to give him a full house. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m not staying in Vegas any longer.
I’m writing this on my flight home. I leave as soon as I could. I’m just so frustrated that it’s not worth staying. Teri asks, are you having a good time anyway? Well, NO! I hate losing, and it’s not any fun to lose. The weather is brutal, so hanging out at the pool isn't any fun. I guess this will give me opportunity to get the garden in shape, and clean up the bedrooms for the baby.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Nissan Leaf
A couple months ago I registered to purchase a Nissan Leaf. This car is all electric (not a hybrid) and gets 100 miles per charge. Today I received an update that things are progressing along and I should hear more by June 30.
While it’s not the cheapest car in the world, and 100 miles isn’t very far, for most of my driving. Where most of my driving consists of going to the train station each day and picking up Becca at daycare (10 miles total), then maybe running around to the Mall or Walmart (maybe another 10 miles). This vehicle would really suit my needs. I’m excited to be making progress on this!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What’s been happening lately…
It’s been a while since I update The Show. Most of the time my updates are over on Facebook , but honestly, I like to write a long prose now and then.
Current Job…
I don’t want to say where I work, as I need a security clearance to enter the building. It is located in downtown DC, next to where the old Convention Center is located. The work itself is God-Awful boring. And there really isn’t much of it. I work full-time, don’t get me wrong, but there isn’t anything to do. So I take the money while it’s there, who knows how long it will last. This leads to the next topic…
Poker
I’ve been playing a lot lately, essentially warming up to the World Series of Poker, that starts for me in about 3 weeks (June 3). I can’t say I have a lot of wins to show for my efforts, but it helps to practice. I’ve also done me annual effort to pick up some poker books to try to gain strategy. I don’t know if all this will pay off, but it’s worth a try. As I’m writing this, I’m playing on Full Tilt. This really isn’t unusual, especially on weekend nights.
I’ll probably write about my poker exploits from time to time. In short, I play when I can (live or on-line) and do the best I can, and try to improve over time.
Concerts…
It’s been a little slow since the Fall as for shows. Most bands don’t tour over the winter. This past week, The Donk and I went to the Pearl Jam show at the renamed Nissan Pavilion, Jiffy Lube Live. 
It had been a while since we both went to a show together, and we had a good time together. The next gig I go to will hopefully be John Eddie at Rams Head in Annapolis. I need to get a sitter for the night.
After that, Counting Crows in July (maybe?), Tom Petty in August, and Rush in September.
The Home front
I don’t remember if I posted, but Teri (the wife) is pregnant with child number 2. This time it’s a boy, and as for names, Jr. Yes, Michael Richard Young, Jr. Some people have razzed me a little about being and egomaniac, while true, I don’t see anything wrong with the name. Everyone knows how to spell it.
The due date is July 27. Although we probably won’t make it this late, and Teri is having a C-Section. Her body just isn’t built for having a vaginal birth. Next time some decent ultra-sound pictures come through, I’ll post them. Or just post pictures of the birth.
We have also had a bunch of home improvements done. The most striking is the deck area. Instead of just a deck, it’s now a fully enclosed and covered porch.
On the interior, we have a new front and back door. And we have a new fireplace. With the new fireplace, a new TV has been added. This is a Vizio 55 inch set. I’m pretty happy with it so far and I’m getting into the Blu-Ray thing. I’m sure I’ll post more on this later.
Now that everything is brought up to speed. I’ll try to post regularly. Fiber for the blog so it’s regular.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, November 02, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Poker November 9...
With the World Series of Poker, Main Event on hold until November, I wrote a short summary of the 9 players at this year's final table. This is strictly my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.
So the November 9... let's see who we got here:
1. Darvin Moon - 58,930,000
Gotta route for him! He is from Maryland (my home state), he's a Logger, and is Country with a capital K!
2. Eric Buchman - 34,800,000
2. Eric Buchman - 34,800,000
A very good Internet player for the most part. He lead most of the final day until Moon knocked out the 10th place guy. I would think he has the best chance of winning it all.
3. Steven Begleiter - 29,885,000
3. Steven Begleiter - 29,885,000
I really don't know much about him.
4. Jeff Shulman - 19,580,000
4. Jeff Shulman - 19,580,000
The publisher/editor of CardPlayer magazine...and a total DICKHEAD! He has a serious ax to grind against Harrahs. He says if he wins he will "...throw the bracelet in the trash..." The rest of us would be happy to be there.
5. Joseph Cada - 13,215,000
5. Joseph Cada - 13,215,000
Joe is the youngest player and is kind of interesting to listen to. He is 21 and began playing when he was 17. When asked what advice he would give to 17 year olds listening, he said " Don't play poker. It's the hardest way to make an easy living." I thought this was rather insightful.
6. Kevin Schaffel - 12,390,000
6. Kevin Schaffel - 12,390,000
Don't know anything about him.
7. Phil Ivey - 9,765,000
7. Phil Ivey - 9,765,000
Obviously the Best Player in the World! But I don't think he will win this year. He's too far below average with a bunch of good players in front of him. I do think it will be a top 3 finish though.
8. Antoine Saout - 9,500,000
8. Antoine Saout - 9,500,000
The first non-American player. Good player, but short on chips.
9. James Akenhead - 6,800,000
9. James Akenhead - 6,800,000
Other then Ivey, he is the best player at the table. Also the only other non-American.
My prediction for the finish:
9. Shulman
8. Schaffel
7. Saout
6. Akenhead
5. Cada
4. Begleiter
3. Moon
2. Ivey
And the winner of the 2009 World Series Main Event......
Eric Buchman
There you have it!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Multimedia message
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Multimedia message
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I FINALLY won!
Lately I've been putting some effort into poker. For a while I just made an effort when it was time for a game. I've got some books and videos, but really haven't used them. Also several video games. But with all of this, I've been kind of lax. Since I don't really have anyone to talk to on the train for most of the ride and don't really know anyone in the office, I have a lot of time to myself.
A couple weeks ago I updated the software on my Zune media player. With the new software came a way to listen to Podcasts a lot easier. I discovered a couple of poker related Podcasts and started listening to them on the way to work. Also with the update, there are now games. One of them being a Hold 'em game. This all sort of spurred my renewed interest. I started playing the Zune game a lot and the game on the computer.
We also played the home game on 10/4. I really didn't do well on the home game, but it did get the juices flowing. I went to the game in St. Mary's on 10/11 for the first time in a while.
Cindy backed out, so I went by myself. It turned out only 5 people showed up to play. I was hoping for more, but that's life. The players were a younger guy (Josh?), the host Bobbi, and two older guys both named Mike. That made 3 Mike's at table.
Josh bet out big to start with. Everyone folded to him and he picked up the blinds. He did this again the next hand, shoving All-In. But one of the other Mike's called his bet. Josh had Queens and Mike had Kings, Josh lost. He lost the following hand and was done after 3 hands. We offered for him to re-buy, but no, he left. This left 4. I played too loose and got trapped in a few bad hands I shouldn't have played. I was down to about 4 chips. It's not looking good. I get tight, but also get aggressive. I sent all in for my last 550, I have J-5 of hearts. The caller had A-K off suit. But I hit my flush on the turn!
Okay, now I've got a little bit. Next hand, Q-3 off. I checked, flop comes Q-Q-3. Bobbi raised it! I just called. Everyone else folded out. Both checked the turn. Bobbi raised the river, I came over the top, she didn't want that but couldn't get away from the hand at this point. She called, but was crushed. I stole a few blinds and small pots for a while. Shortly I was the chip leader! Bobbi busted out to one of the other guys, this left the Mikes.
A couple hands went by and I look down at 8's. Flop came 3-8-7. I checked it. Then one of the guys pushed all in. I had him covered and called. He didn't want to see that. He had A-K. Hit a King on the turn, but that's it. This left me and the final guy. It went back and forth a couple hands, until he shoved All In. I have A-K and called him. He had J-9 suited. Flop was 5-7-K rainbow. Turn was a 9. River was 3. I won! This is the first tourney win I have had in a LONG time! It didn't pay much, but it beats loosing.
Friday, October 10, 2008
USDA Farmers Market
Each Friday from June-October, there is a Farmers Market here at USDA. While they have the normal fruits and vegetables, they also have a Kettel Corn popcorn stand. This is a big deal! People line up nearly a block long to get this popcorn. These are some pictures from the activities today.
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