Random Spewage

The song/post titles are not mandatory on the weekends, though if Dep Leppard had a song title approximating "Random Spewage," I'd certainly have used it.

Played my first live tournament last night, a 12-table affair at a casino that looks like it might not be able to hold 12 tables. Not a badly run gig. Walked out of there thinking it was about my level and could beat it with a little luck. Buy a "little luck" I mean actualy getting some fucking cards for the first hour and/or the last hour I lasted.

The first hour was a re-buy and I took the double off the top (1000 chips for $20 added to starting stack of 300). Needn't have bothered. Those chips did nothing but gather dust. Best hand during the re-buy period was A7o. Dropped T150 or so in blinds and took the double add-on, another T1000 for $20.

Finally got some cards in the next 45 minutes, dragging pots with KK, and two Big Slicks. Was up to T5000 when the antes kicked in. And I again went dead. Actually saw a couple flops with medium suited connectors, but no love. No Ace-big. No pocket pairs. By the time the break rolled around, I'd been blinded/anted down to T2700 and staring at one orbit to make a move (500/1000; 100 ante). Folded three hands until I took a stand with KQc. A minimum raise in front and the guy wasn't happy I pushed, even though it was only 300 for him to (obviously) call. He was stealin' with K2s. Natuarally, he flopped a deuce. So rigged.

I think I accomplished what I wanted. I focused on every hand, got the rhythm of the game, tried reading players/counting the pot even when not in the pot, focused on my body language. There weren't any plays/players against whom I felt over-matched. In fact, I felt I could out-play a majority of them if given the chance. I'm also a better dealer than half the ones we had, as I not only helped out with the math on side pots, but once saved a player from taking a premature walk. Two nimrods were all in with shit (Q8o vs. J4o; seriously) and the board read 979A7. J4 got up to leave, the dealer pushed the pot to Q8 and started to muck the cards, when I slammed my hand on the board saying, "The board plays!"

As I said, I think I could take these guys. I was at least a little more observant. On a related note, it was a solid time. Some good-natured players and conversation.

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Haven't played any online poker since Tuesday (though that'll change in 45 minutes). The Boy and I spent this exceptionally hot May day out and about, an afternoon that included the following exchange:

AJ: (Crossing his arms) Daddy, I want to be grown up.
Me: Don't be in such a hurry, buddy. Being a kid is much better than being a grown up.
AJ: But I want to be like you.
Me: That's sweet. But you should enjoy being a kid.
AJ: Yeah, but if I'm like you I can smoke cigarettes.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 signifying feeling like the biggest asshole in the world, I spent about a half-hour at 20. Guess I will have to quit. After Vegas. I'm feeling better about it now. A cig always calms me down.

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Went to the bookstore today and picked up "Harrington on Hold 'Em." I'm only 30 pages in and I'm already digging it. I'm gonna read it a couple times in the next 11 days. Also picked up "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" by Chuck Klosterman. Been wanting to pick this up for a while, but kept forgetting. Suffice to say, Chuck's the guy I want documenting my generation, not Douglas Fucking Coupland. Best way to get on my bad side is to say "Gen X." Don't even think it!

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An open letter to the California Department of Transportation:

Dear assholes,

I don't mind you closing down an entire freeway. I'm aware it must be done. And midnight is the right time to do it. But, there are A LOT of people who aren't exactly familiar with the Pedley area. In fact, I would suggest that anyone who doesn't live in Pedley would fall into that category. As such, herding us off the freeway, closing all the freeway on-ramps within a five mile radius AND NOT GIVING US DETOUR SIGNS is bad manners. That's 45 minutes of my life I will never recover. And if I sustain irrepearable kidney damage because a a crucial urination was delayed for said 45 minutes, I'm gonna have your asses.

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What to do now? What to do, what to do...

12-pack of Newcastle. Check.
Fresh Pack of Cigs. Check.
Crazy $11 Re-Buy on Stars. Check.

Giddyup.