Interesting mail means a prize for someone!

I have gotten some rather interesting mail lately. I had someone offer to buy my house for 60k CASH! Yeah, when I am desparate enough to accept such a paltry sum, I will call him. I also like the realtor who sent the letter saying that some people expressed an interest in buying my house. I find that funny too. Someone drives by and thinks, Hey, I want that house!

I had some crazy nut job neighbor put a news article on my door suggesting I grow some flowery plant along a fence. I don't know why cuz I am not quite the flowery plant type of guy.

I got the annual begging notice from a charity. That is the one thing I loathe about charities. They keep coming back, wanting more. Hey, let me give it on my own. Don't assume anything. This particular charity got money from me 2 years ago. Last year they sent this "invoice" as well. This one will go where the other went as well. Garbage. Never assume I will give you more.
But my favorite was the coaster. Yep, a drink coaster showing someone drinking a martini on the front and 3 olives on the back. There is a web address where I can sign up to win a free martini party. If I win I can bring along 20 of my friends. My guess is that we will be hit upon for money but for free booze, I think we can handle it. So the first person that guesses what organization is having the drawing, wins a prize. Don't know what the prize is but it will be worthing at least $2.50. Yes, a whole two and a half bucks. I know everyone will want a piece of this sweet action so guess away.

How to celebrate one year doing this.

Does everyone celebrate a year of blogging by making good coin? I hope so. Here is an outline of what I did yesterday.

Woke up around 6:30. Toss cat off bed for purring too loud. Lay around for 40 minutes. Get ass out of bed. Make coffee and get paper

Log into PokerRoom. Sign up for freeroll and lucky dollar. Suck at both, getting knocked out within first 20 minutes in each.

Log into Noble Poker. Why? I don't know exactly but play satellite to $10,000 guaranteed freezeout. Play like crap but win.

Make mental note to be home at 4pm.

Watch WPT on DVR. Find it funny how the guy had a nice lead, didn't necessarily blow it ( the Grinder played well) and yet still won. He was more deserving though the crowd was annoying. I thought it was very disrespectful to the 3rd place finisher.

Watched Deadwood. Don't have the last episode. Pissed off. Maybe HBO will show it again?

Took a shower and headed to the bar to watch the Indy 500. Got into the pool and knew I was done when I got French drivers.

Drank a lot of beer. I think 5 32oz cups. Ate some ham sandwiches with a healthy dose of horseradish. Good stuff.

Got home at 3:50 to play poker. Just about begin to cry at 3:51 when I see I have no beer in the house. Do I have time to go to the liquor store. No. I sulk in front of the pc.

Played poker for 3 and a half hours. Came in 2nd. Made 2k. Yep, $2000.00

Was giddy like a school girl at some loser boy band concert. Went out to meet people at church festival. Drinking for Jesus has begun. Band is solid. Light Up is very good.

Get buzz back up. Refuse to see gay band at other festival. Come home.

Make wings. Eat, but sad I don't have beer.

Still happy about big win. Need to get into Event #2 at WSOP. Can't register online. Hopefully, can register day of event, but there is a chance I cannot. Given the opportunity, I will play in the $1500 buy in on Friday.

Log on to Noble to make sure I did win. See huge balance sitting in my account. Still happy. Hoping I can get into the WSOP event. Must take advantage of situation.

Go to sleep.

One year later....

One year ago, I embarked on this journey of alcohol induced silliness. Today is the first anniversary of While Drinking, I...

So Happy Birthday, anniversary, Blogday, Year On, whatever it exactly might be, to me!

I have no clue how many posts there were. The "counter" on the dashboard stopped at 166. The profile shows 213 but I know it is more. How many? Someone could go and count if they want. I have typed close to 100,000 words. Just over 98,00 to be exact. Of those, maybe 10,000 were of substance or useful. Maybe. I even invented some new words along the way. Most importantly, I have given back to the community with some much needed advice columns. I will try to get those posts separated and linked to the side.

Scarily enough, I have inspired not one, not two, but three people to start their own blogs. What the hell are they thinking? Must be the "if StB can do it, I sure can too" attitude.

I even started a separate blog, Beer City Poker, just for my attempts at poker playing. You can go read how I just made $800 in a tourney.

Bet yet, is some of the people I have met online, and will get to meet in person in less than a week. Vegas should be more than a blast. All possible because of this.

So in honor of this celebration, go out to your favorite watering hole, belly up to the bar, and raise a toast While Drinking. Tell the bartender to put it on my tab. Drinks are on me!

Twins!!! Am I right or am I right?

I got permission to post this from my former co-worker. He thinks it is going into my memoirs. Well, it kinda is.

From the first day I met him, maybe a year ago, he always reminded me of Beaker. So I got the pictures and put them side by side. Too funny!

Can't believe I am working

My whole work situation has been resolved. In the 11th hour, an offer was made and I accepted. Of course this has no implication on my Vegas trip. The trip is swirling in my head, making me begin to jones for some dice.

Human head has a good post today. Made me think about liquor consumption while in Vegas. I will probably hook up with the ACHE crew soon after I check in. I am not the consumer of SoCo that Al is and do not claim to be. But I will toss a couple down with him. This leads to my drinking tip of the day, one I feel is pretty valuable while socializing in Vegas.

Do not drink out of your league.

This tip is twofold. First you choice of liquor and second the amount involved. Simply put, know your limitations and stick to it. If you are not one to grab a bottle, tip it up and guzzle a number of swallows, then why the hell would you do that in Vegas in front of a bunch of people you just met? If you can drink a lot of Jack, then go ahead and do so. If Bacardi and Cokes are your thing, enjoy. Beer could be the ticket for you. Do not crossover to the dark side and change in mid stream because everyone else is drinking something else. I doubt any one will force you. Besides, there is nothing wrong with saying no.

Me, I am a beer man. I can drink a lot of it when I am in the right mood. I also enjoy Maker's Mark with ginger ale. I can usually be found for about 6 hours playing Pai Gow at TI, sorting cards and drinking my whisky. Thus, I do not have any intention to suddenly try to match Al bottle for bottle on SoCo, nor any other liquor. As I said, I will have a tumble or two, but Lite is my ticket. I suggest you do the same. Drink you drink. Experiment with something else but consume in your boundaries.

Stay within your limits and you will have a good time. Isn't that the point of Vegas?

I had a good time last night with some former co-workers. Was done at Saz's, a venerable rib house in Milwaukee. Was there for happy hour, enjoying some Sprecher Amber. Saz's happy hour is quite pathetic, I must say. Looks like $2.50 tappers of Miller products, a couple cents off of mixers and some cheap wine. They put some cheese and stale crackers out as well. Sad. We ordered some appetizers later on. My advice is to stay away from the friend eggplant. I thought I had taken a bit out of a piece of chewey meat. Not good at all. Little value in the happy hour there. Many better places to go.

But the Sprecher went down well.

But I Love Las Vegas

If you have never heard Dean Martin sing "I Love Las Vegas", you are missing out on a great tune. I know the time for Vegas is drawing nigh (where did that fancy talk come from?) when Deano voice sings in my head. I subconsciously fire it up on the pc when playing cards. Then I go back and play it again, and again, and again. Then I listen to Frank and Sammy sing a killer version of "Mack the Knife". Yep, I tend to listen to some Rat Pack, not a lot, to feed the monkey bouncing around inside me, jonesing for touchdown at McCarren. One week and I will be there. And I am planning for a trip in August. Who wants to go then as well?

I am a bit surprised about the reaction I receive from many of my friends when I tell them what I am doing out there this time. There are the usual questions. What are you going to do? Going to Vegas to play in a poker tournament. I am surprised I have received no reaction on that. Doesn't even faze them.

Who you going with? No one. Going to meet a bunch of people I have never met out there to play poker, drink and gamble til I drop. No response. I would think that someone along the way would say something to the likes of "How do you know who these people are? Will you recognize them? What if they are jagoffs?" The answer to those questions is easy. I don't. Some, maybe. They could be, but I highly doubt it.

I went to Vegas by myself in December and enjoyed it. I had no one dragging me down, forcing me to leave a good game. Not that I will always go by myself but that won't every hold me back. Now I have a chance to go "meet" new people. One can feel they know someone just by reading their blogs. You can get a feel for who they are. Heck, you already know their interests, so I don't think hanging with someone I have never met in person will be an issue.

At Up For Poker, they ran a series of questions about who you want to toss back a drink with and talk poker, writing, tacos, etc. I won't go through the whole list but will paraphrase a bit.

I am looking forward to shooting the shit with and tilting glasses with Al. That should be quite a time. I also want to drink with the Human Head and Bob. I like their perspectives on things. Somewhat like mind but different enough to talk about and more importantly, learn new things.

There are a handful of others such as BG, Dr. Pauly and Iggy. I separate them from the group only because I really respect the writing/work they do on their blogs. They are daily reads because of the talent they have and how one can relate to what they do. I know they may be hounded by others and well, I don't want to be the drunk idiot that tries the approach of acting like a long lost friend that they have known forever and make an idiot of myself. I recall a post BG and Pauly had about people acting like they are part of the group. That rang with me. They had good points in it that I agree with. The majority of these people don't know me from the next guy shuffling chips at a table so I will just keep it cool. I guess somewhere along the line shit will just happen so I am simply not gonna sweat it.

There are others I would like to yap with of course. One would have to be Grubby. If you don't read his blog, you are missing out. Where else can you live vicariously through a Vegas resident? Great stuff. I wouldn't mind talking with Hank about working for an online poker company. Music with Badblood would be good, as he may turn me on to some bands I may like. I know somewhere over the 5 day period I will probably have Linda dealing to me over at the Bellagio. I also look for an opportunity to talk with Felicia. She can't be as bad as she lets up to. Hell, I like people that can be blunt.

Best of all, I will meet some people I either read in passing or not at all. That may be the best part. The way I see it, anyone who can think up a thought such as storming a casino's poker room with 100 people on a Saturday night can't be bad. They must have watched too many Batman TV shows as a kid to come up with this. Pure evil genius that could only have been inspired by the Joker.

Other things that will happen:
Playing 6/12 at the Mirage. Just may be my favorite game in Vegas.
Maybe an Omaha 8 game with Al. I like Omaha but I just am not that good at it, yet.
Pai Gow at TI. 8 hours of drinking Makers and ginger ale. Must remember to eat this time.
Drinking Cabo Wabo at the after party.
Checking out the Wynn.
Playing some nickel slots to amuse myself with the bonus games.
The nightly tourney at Mandalay.

At least that is some for now. There will be others added in throughout the next week.

I have no set schedule which is cool. I figure by 7ish I will be checked in at the Imperial Palace and ready to go. Those who would like to meet up and enjoy a cold one, let me know. Send me an email at StB31@hotmail.com

I just have to go through a torturous 7 days now. This rant looks like crap but so be it. I am going to Vegas so I don't care.

Efilnikcufecin- A wardance with an old friend

The other day I was looking for a CD to play in my car. I knew what artist I would grab instantly because of this little ditty. But I wasn't quite sure which disc. My eyes were immediately drawn in to one.

"I'm the walking doom!"

Yep, more Anthrax. Among the Living. But what amazed me was how it sunk in right from the opening riff. Before I knew it, a smile was coming across my face as I drove and the music came pounding out of the speakers. I probably hadn't played this in at least 3 years, having owned it for easily over a decade. It brought back memories of when I had it on cassette, blasting it in college.

"Which one of these words, don't you understand? "
I remember a friend back in the college days who hated it when I played Anthrax. He was a KISS fan. Lived it, breathed it, bled it. He didn't like the hard and fast stuff like Megadeth or Metallica (back when they were good). Me, I was just getting into it. Funny how I always liked Anthrax more than either of the aforementioned other bands. Something here was different to me.

"Tell me a story"
As I drove the last couple of days, I also became aware that it took me so long to finally see Anthrax live. Offhand it was only a couple of years ago when they opened up for Judas Priest. I felt like I was 20 years old, banging my head away just outside the mosh pit. Yep, back in the day when moshing met something before some punk little kids stole the concept and started moshing to stuff like Blink. The music powered out of these huge speakers leaving my ears ringing for a day. But it was great.

"Wardance!"
With the warm weather, it has been great driving around with the top down, good music playing. Weaving in and out of traffic simply because I can. Listening to Indians and thinking of how I never cared about the political tone of the song. I didn't care. I don't necessarily agree with it either but the song rocks. I think I played it 3 times after having beer and wings last night. It gets the blood flowing.

"There's nothing I hate more, than all these plastic people"
I have enjoyed pulling up next to the ghetto cruiser or mini van, watching the soccer mom roll up the windows or the rap guy turn up his music a bit more. I like the reaction you get from playing music that isn't necessarily mainstream. Yeah, there may be other bands that play music like Anthrax but they have the same sound. They don't have the riff that I hear in every disc.

This morning, Among the Living was replaced with Persistence of Time. It just about was the Sound of White Noise, which will probably be next. I really should pop these onto the pc and download to my Palm (yeah, I may be the only person who uses a Palm Pilot instead of an Ipod. Hey, it was free!) so I can take them along to Vegas.

What I would suggest to you is go look at the music you have and pull something old out and give it a listen. I have done this many a time with Poision, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and others. Before you know it, you are listening to the next album they put out and then the next and next. So grab that disc that got a lot of play back in the 80s or 90s and enjoy it once again. The memories alone will be worth it. Just make sure no one sees you singing along looking like a big dork.

Drinking for Jesus 2005

Yes, it is that time of the year again. Time to start thinking about the Drinking for Jesus Tour 2005. For the uninitiated, DfJ is the sampling of many different church fesitivals in the greater Milwaukee area. Why go to church when you can just hit the festivals? I give as much money in beer sales as I would give in offerings so I figure I might as well get a couple of beers out of it. The good Lord must approve because he still has His people throwing these shindigs every year.

This year, I have decided to include other non-denominational events as part of the DfJ tour. But how can you equate something like Dan Jansen Fest or Summerfest to a church festival? I see it as two ways. First, Jesus would have wanted it that way. To spend more time with my brothers and sisters enjoying the moment. What would Jesus do? He would buy us the first round, that's what he would do!

Second, I think we invoke the Lord many times while at other fesitivals. For example, I am sure if you listen, you will hear these phrases:

"God, I need another beer!"

"Christ, the line is long for the portopotties"

"Lord, did you see the jugs on her?!?!?"

See it is true. God is with you where ever you go. Thusly I must include others place of non-worship as part of Drinking for Jesus 2005.

So I consider this past Saturday to have been the warm session for DjJ 2005. Went down to a little thing called Hartfest. Situated in a parking lot in Hart Park in Wauwatosa, it didn't consist of much. One beer tent, one stage, and food. That be all. I thought this was the bigger Tosafest but was mistaken. It was just a ok time. Caught the end of the first band, Old Mill. I would say they were just ok. Didn't catch enough to give a better report. They played the typical rock you hear at these things. Basic guitar riffs, nothing overly talented. I must say I just about busted a gut when the guy started singing Lita Ford. Um, dudes should not sing Kiss Me Deadly. Nuff said. I also laughed watching these guys. The lead guitar was trying to get the moves down, but just looked like a goof. Later the Love Monkeys, Milwaukee's most overrated band, played. Yawn. They were good maybe 10 years ago. Now, just a band for those who don't try new music, or have no taste, go to see. Yeah they bring in a decent crowd by their 15 minutes of fame are over. Put a fork in them.

I am bumming a bit this morning as I just realized June 2 is a Thursday not a Wednesday. That means one more work day until Vegas. Crap! Maybe tomorrow I have the Vegas post with the shoot-me-an-email-to-swap-number-and-meet-up-somewhere-and-drink-massive-quantities-of-alcohol-on-the-first-night stuff. And for those keeping score at home, 9 days.

Abhorred!!!

Not often I get to use a word like abhorred. But it sums up this article I saw from MrCantHangs.

WARNING: The article is not for the faint of heart or lover of liquor.

Being drunk blah blah blah part 2

I like going to trade shows. Hours of entertainment are there right before your eyes. It is better than the freak show at a circus. Plus, you might get free beer.

So where was I? Oh yeah, sitting at the DirectTV booth drinking their beer 4 ounces at a time. I wasn't picky at this point. Whatever someone grabbed, I drank it. I had drank 3 cans of Lite already (24 ounce cans), plus a High Life and had chowed down on the free fried food one of the the biggers companies was distributing. Don't know the name of the company but I did enjoy the poppers, fried mac and cheese, onion rings, pot stickers, etc. What a way a to start the day. Beer and deep fried food. Only thing I needed was a poker game which NTN was doing on the other side of the convention hall. Heard Phil Gordon would be there too at some time.

I did see some guy with the Haywood Jablome tag. Nice.

As we drink the beer I notice the 3 people seated at the end of the "bar". Cute blond wearing a pink top. Also had the leopard print pink thong going on too. I approved. I like these people because they were doing the same thing we were. Getting blitzed on free beer. But they had a better advantage by being at the bar. They were right by the little stuffed footballs that DTV was giving out. So they are tossing them all around to people. Throwing footballs across to anyone who wanted one. Cracked me up. Even made me jealous.

After a bit, it did get boring so we took off from there and headed towards the Coke set up. Heard they were serving mixers down there. Sure enough, bottles of Bacardi and Jack are being turned up and drained out. I had a couple Full Throttles and vodka. Don't see why that is so popular. I also had some Southern and Coke (Sorry Al, they would just give the SoCo straight, they insisted on adding the coke).

From there it was on to the meat area for more food. After a little more walking it was decided we should head back to the train station and hit a bar there. I think the place was called Snuggers. That doesn't matter to me. As long as they had cold beer, they could call it anything they wanted. Serving us was a huge black guy. Very nice guy who believed giving samples was a standard rule. Tried the Sam Adams Summer Ale. Very good. Next tried the Goose Island 312 Ale. Tasted pretty hoppy. Must be an IPA. Grabbed some more beer for the train and before we knew it, it was time to go.

I see why the trip is made. It is a good time. Something different. It also reminds me of the times I went to Vegas to work the financial conventions. It is better to be on the visitor side than the exhibitor side. Mainly because you can drink while there. It also reminds me of the great movie idea I had a couple years ago. Tradeshow. A day in the life of some guy working a trade show. I am telling you it is gold!

I still think my site looks messed up. From my view, which I have checked on a couple of different pcs, the side bar has fallen to the bottom. When I click on comments, it looks correct, but not on the main page. I don't know what I did to mess it up. At the very least, it may be a good reason to change the look. Any ideas on a good place to hit for a new skin is appreciated.

So you think I am drunk? Part 1

Yeah, maybe I was, or am now, but I had a great day. To make it a point of record I cracked my first beer at 7:16 am CST. What I on a mission? Hell yeah! I made sure I didn't drink any coffee in fear I would spend a lot of time in the traveling crapper on the train from Milwaukee to Chicago. On the train, there were a couple more 24oz cans to keep me satiated until we hit the restaurant convention in Chicago.

That is where hell set in. We had to wait an hour and a half for some city ordinance to expire so we could drink. Hell on Earth! So we ate every fried food you could think of. Onion rings, fries, pork rolls, potstickers, deep fried mac and cheese, poppers- if they made it, we ate it! There was a lot of grease going around with the deep fried foods. And that was just breakfast.

At the stroke of 11am, we hit the Bud booth (yes, I had to lower my standards) for a beer. I tried the Select and really didn't understand the hype. It sure the hell ain't as good as Miller Lite.

So we headed over to the Direct Tv bar area where they served Coors Light and Killians Red. Now this was better. Beer that was tolerable plus we could plunk our asses on a bar stool. And that is what we did for the next 3 hours.....

To be continued because I cannot type much more. Typing while drinking doesn't necessarily work.

Falling on the sword

IF anyone can help with a technical issue I seem to be having, it would be greatly appreciated. Somehow my sidebar has dropped to the bottom of the page. Don't know exactly how it happened but I can't seem to fix it. I have looked through the template and don't notice anything that may have changed. Then again, what do I know. If anyone has run into this and knows a solution, please let me know. There could be beer in it for you.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled post...

Not much was happening last night. I headed up to Club Garibaldi to meet up with some friends. One from work, the other two from another bar. I started with the Anchor Steam. Pretty good, but not as good as the Spotted Cow which I would switch to after a couple pints of the Anchor.

There was a party going on in the hall. Funkiest bunch of rednecks walking into the place. I guess the joke was to make up their own t-shirts about whosever (is that a word?) birthday it was. Bottom line: too many chicks wearing shirts too tight for their bellies to handle. Ugh!

So we took off to a buddy's house. This is where I took one for the team. He only had Milwaukee's Best left, maybe a dozen cans. I told him I would drink the MB. He was willing to hit the liquor store to get better beer but I wouldn't hear of it. Someone had to drink it and I was willing to hurl my body on the grenade so that others would have better, fresher beer to drink at a later time.

The things I do for my friends.

My pants are too tight

Wearing jeans to work on a Friday is a good thing. However, when you grab that last pair of clean jeans just to realize it is the regular fit kind (I like the loose fit, more room), you kinda lose the whole point.

Simply put, I feel like my boys are being pushed up to my lungs. Who the hell wears jeans like this anyway? You always need some breathing room for the guys so who the hell designed these things? Makes me want to go out and get a new pair during lunch. That or walk around in my shorts. How I wish I had a private office on a day like this.

I discovered someone taking me seriously the other day. Days later there is this comment:

Anonymous said...
I don't think the governor can veto a city ordinance you brainstem. try a little civics 101.

Well, I can track down who anonymous is. Someone that goes to UWM. I think I may know the person via Badger Poker. Need I say more? Of course the governor cannot veto a city ordinance. It is called sarcasm.

sar·casm(särkzm) A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.

Then again, you probably voted for him. What did you get out of it, lies and a higher tuition. Nice.

Plus, is being called a "brainstem" that bad? The brain stem (can be one word or two, I prefer two) serves a vital purpose connecting the spinal cord to the forebrain and cerebrum. I guess Mr. UWM is actually complimenting me on my service to the community via this blog.

You may buy me a beer.

Speaking of beer, who else could use one? I am sure it would help untighten my pants.

Speaking of no pants, it is less than two weeks from Vegas. I will post the obligatory"what I am looking forward to in Vegas" post next week. Right now I need to focus on work.

Yeah right. I have something else that is bothering me. One of the crappy local radio stations is offering a prize package that includes a years supply of Lite beer. The link on the site does not work so I cannot find out what their definition of a "years supply". I heard of a "years supply" of gas being defined as so many miles the other day (which wouldn't quite be a year for me). But what is that quantity. It would differ for so many people. I would have to think it would be at least a case a week, if not a bit more. If you had that infinite amount of drink, wouldn't you drink more? Thus, the intake of beer would increase thus increasing the value of the prize. Think of the parties you could throw. You should be allowed to give the beer away. It is your supply.

Ok, I must work. Why do I think I am going to the bar for a burger for lunch now?

Morbid fascination

I finally got around to washing my dishes. I usually let them stack up and do them on a Saturday. There aren't that many to wash so they can wait a couple of days. I never did them this past weekend. I was too busy exploring the bottom of beer glasses, an expedition that would have put Lewis and Clark to shame. Alas, the bottom of a beer glass is just glass. *sigh*

If I had known it would rain today, I would have just set all the dishes outside and let the rain do the work instead of me splashing them down with the hose. So what if the neighbors think I am nuts, I got my dishes done.

Do you like watching people fail? I don't mean in a sick sense where you are rooting them on to fail. I mean just watching someone, knowing that no matter what you say or do, it will not have an influence on the train wreck that is about to happen, so all you can do is watch with morbid fascination as they crash and burn. Face it. That is why reality TV is so popular.

During football season, it was watching this fat, retarded looking beast that looked like a koala wobble up to get plate after plate of food. We even started pools on how many trips she would make. It wasn't a pretty sight. But you couldn't help but watch this person disgrace themself.

Lately, my morbid fascination has been watching Poker Morgue Mountain destroy themselves. Being a person who has been known to enjoy a good game of Hold Em, I have played on a number of sites online. Never have I run into so many problems than at PM. It is terrible. Ever since they launched they had nothing but problems, especially in their multi table tournaments. Game play would abruptly stop on some tables, the site would crash, people couldn't fold their cards, a player who just busted out was dealt in. Things that only happen after you invest an hour of your time in the game and are doing well.

Those problems may have led a lot of players, if they had many to begin with, to leave. I did. I didn't trust the site so I pulled my money out. However, I would log in every couple of days just to see what, if anything was going on. I noticed they were still advertising a tournament that was over 2 months ago. That ain't good. Worse yet, there was never anyone playing for real money. No rake = no revenue. There would be 20 or 30 people logged in all playing for nothing. Pitiful.

So I was surprised the other day when I received an email informing me that they have their MTTs back up and running. They would have a series of freerolls for all their *ahem* "faithful" players. Seeing how I was already watching this flower shrivel up and die, and the fact I cannot pass on a freeroll, I signed up to play all 5.

The first one was last night. You can read about it here in greater detail. I was surprised to see that there was over 350 logged into the site. However, there were only 8 playing for real cash. Yep, 2% of your players were generating revenue. The other 98% were there for a freeroll. Of course, the freeroll tourney crashed. It was like playing a slow game of 52 card pickup for an hour. They rewarded us by giving every $2. That makes me a winner!

I still think they will not last long. They are on the respirator as it is. Only one of their pros (TJ Cloutier) was playing. I guess the other turned his back already. So it is with morbid fascination that I watch this site curl up and pass on. I can hear it now.

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.................

Maybe corn holing is part of the course

The Univerity of Iowa is offering a new class. In porn!!! Now there is a class I would have aced. Makes me wonder if the final is an oral exam?

Not to be undone, Upper Iowa University is looking to change their name to the University of Reverse Cowgirl.

I plead guilty your honor

Little did I know I was breaking the law. I was willfully doing so again and again and again. No, I am not talking about underage drinking (I plead guilty again your honor). I am talking tailgating before Brewers game. Apparently, it is illegal to do so.

I wonder if I was playing any Judas Priest at the time?

Yes, only in Milwaukee would there be such a stupid law. I also like the stupid poll next to the story asking if you would attend games. Who are the dolts who suddenly are like "Huh, I can't drink? Then I ain't goin!" Hey, stop pointing at me!!!

The common council now has to vote to change it. Why do I get the feeling that our governor will some how stick his nose in and veto it?

Who says Anthrax can't inspire?

I didn't think my prior post would be as prophetic as I thought. My cohort at work just gave notice. I feel like not answering the phone or reading emails for the next 9 days.

So instead of doing any work today, I thought about the drive home yesterday and what I was thinking. Yes, another moment of inspiration while drinking er, listening to Anthrax. I hope to have it up soon.

UPDATE:
I offer for the WPBT approval, March of the Poker Bloggers.

What do you want to do with yourself?

I find myself in a curious position as of late. My employment ends on May 26. I have a nice compensation package coming my way if a permanent position is not offered. Though it would be nice, I am not sure that is what I want.

I will be paid by the company well after I leave. If they offer me a permanent position, I would have to work the week before going to Vegas. Hmmm...two week paid vacation or one? Yeah, tough call huh . Funny thing, I don't think my boss even realizes that I have but 8 days remaining. And my co-worker is pretty unhappy and has hinted about leaving.

Yesterday I forgot to give reviews on the beer at the Lakefront Brewery. As mentioned already, I am a fan of the White. My admiration for the Riverwest grew a bit. Plus, I must say the Eastside Dark was pretty damn good too. I didn't care for the Snakebite Stout or the Cattail Ale. The stout lacked some character that I would prefer in a stout while the Cattail was too hoppy for my taste. The big disappointment had to be in the Cherry. There was none. They ran out last week. A good cherry beer is hard to find. I was hoping to try a nice fresh one. Guess I have to wait until next year.

All that beer talk is making me thirsty. Not quite the way I want to start the day.

I may become a bit of a hermit over the next couple days. I see that Poker Morgue Mountain is trying to reinvent itself. Out of nowhere came an email declaring a series of freerolls over the next 5 days. In my quest to have a good showing in Vegas I should play them to get the tourney skills up. Anything I can do to avoid doing the dishes is worthwhile.

Beer weekend

If you are not experiencing happy hour on a regular basis, you are missing out on life.

Nothing kicks off a weekend better than pouring beer down your belly and forgetting the prior work week. When a bar has two for one taps, it gets even better.

Festivities started at the Home bar. It is located on the revitalized KK Ave next to a video store. When I arrived two rather skanky looking girls were hanging out in front of the video store. I was kinda hoping they were prostitutes and maybe I could get a two for one deal from them too. But there other friends (or Johns) were walking up so I would have to take my business into the bar.

The Home bar itself is nothing fancy. Decent size bar with tables. In the back they have a beer garden- always a plus in my book- and dart boards. Strangely enough there are also two funhouse mirrors back there. When I walked in, the bartender gave a warm "Welcome Home!" greeting. I looked at her and laughed a bit. That was cheesy but effective. I then started in on my first of maybe 8 Spotted Cows. It was a 2 for 1 tap special that I was going to take full advantage of. The music selection on the box was satisfactory. Even with a crowd, it still seemed like it would be comfortable inside. Only problem I could see was getting wasted and staring at the wave shadows just above the bar. That was kinda annoying.

Slowly but surely the gang showed up. Some surprises in the group as I didn't expect E or Mike to show. Guess that will happen on a Friday. We shot the shit for a while before we decided to try the next bar down. Of course, trying to get a dozen people to leave a good bar is not easy. Thankfully (did I type that?) the happy hour special was over and it wasn't too long before all drinks were consumed. Next stop was Lee's Lounge just down the street.

Heading into Lee's was like taking a strange step back in time. They had the 70's thing going on in there, with basically 3 split levels. There was the bar area, a loungy like area and the "game room". Interesting to say the least. It was bigger on the inside than it first appeared. It had been a sports bar prior to a lounge. It had last maybe half a year. Could see why as the layout is not conducive for a sports bar unless they had a ton of tvs that were taken out.

The gang seemed to enjoy this place right away. As well as my beer. I ordered a Lakefront White just to have it hijacked by the Kims. They stole my beer right out of my hands. Wenches! So I get another and walk around the place. We find an old pinball machine in the back. No action on the flippers whatsoever. Kill some time playing that and catching up with a friend. He ended up buying the $7 beer. Yep, one bottle of beer was 7 bones. The stuff wasn't bad, quite strong, but good body. Not quite worth 7 bones but hey, I didn't pay for it. Somewhere in there I ended up drinking Pabst too.

I do recall then going across the street to the Groove. Sat down on a couch and drank my beer in there. Rule 1- bars should not have couches. I guess they were trying to pull the lounge thing off too. Anyways there was nothing really distinctive about the Groove that was appealing to me. Too dark. That is what I remember along with the couch which I spilled some beer on. Didn't stay too long there until we decided food was a good idea. Following my own guidance, we headed out to have someone else make our food before calling it a night.

Saturday was going to be a long day as well. I had to be at the brewery by 1. No problem for me as I recover well. I was at the Lakefront but no one else was. One call later I find out the organizer of this thing is barely out of bed. What a wuss! So I get a glass and begin to partake in the fine lagers and ales being made around me. Thankfully someone else showed up soon thereafter so I wouldn't be drinking alone. Had talked to K in a while. She had started playing volleyball with some co-workers at PJs. She doesn't mind the new owner of Big Mamas but wishes Pete was still running the show. A couple more showed up but that didn't matter. I was already going through the beer quite well.

Here is the deal at Lakefront. You sign up for the tour for 5 bucks. They give you a pint glass (yours to keep!), 4 drinking tokens and a coupon for another free beer at certain bars (a nice way of kicking you out). I am a bit surprised when K sits down and she has like 8 tokens. She knows the girl who is working and mentions how she always gets more beer from her. Ok. I then watch her go up and get a full pint, instead of just filling it up to the 8oz line like they are supposed to. WTF? Another guy shows up and gets a full pull. I go up and get 8ozs. I am getting screwed here!

So I listened to K and got her top tips on getting a full beer at Lakefront. Tip them. It will put them in a good mood and can distract them from the pour job they are doing. Begin a conversation with them about the beer. Again, distraction from the pour can be affective. Flirt. That is the tough one as there is only one chick working. Plus the bearded guy looked like he would ask me out if I did flirt.

So I tried the first two to no avail. Oh well, the hungover host of our group gave me his tokens so I got my fill anyway. After a couple hours at the brewery, we headed out to redeem the coupons. We decided to find one of the legendary taverns of Milwaukee- Wolskis. It is not uncommon to see an "I closed Wolskis" bumper sticker on the cars. I think those stickers are like the number of people that went to Woodstock. More people claim to close Wolskis that have ever been there. Wolskis is somewhat hidden. You need to know the general location to find it. It is in the middle of a residential street, off the beaten path. And it feels like a path as the street is somewhat narrow. The pub itself is unique. You can't help but have a great time. Nothing like it being 5 o'clock on a Saturday and you are drinking with a bar full of drunks! Good stuff.

We had our fill there before everyone decided they needed food. We headed over to G-Daddy's BBC by the UWM campus. Can't quite recall when they became "G-Daddy's" but I do recall getting kicked out of there. Well, actually I didn't get kicked out. I got someone else kicked out for something I did. The meathead bouncer booted him because I put a bumper sticker on a bar stool. Hey, they shouldn't have had the stickers laying around. I just had a beer there before heading out to a friend's birthday party.

From there it was a haul out to Waukesha to catch Johnny 3 Note and drink in celebration of Corey turning 30. I had bought a nice bottle of Old Crow to celebrate the occasion. I figure he hasn't aged enough to receive Old Grandad. Best of all, the beer was free! There I am with the 3rd group of friends over the weekend getting sloshed watching the band. Shots are flying, chicks are dancing in a cage, beer is free. It don't get any better. Thankfully the band was good too, much better set than the last time I saw them. Only problem was the party ended at like 12:30 and my ride wanted to bug out. My bender was over.

I had mistaken the booze exposition for being on Sunday. It is actually next Sunday and is not a booze exposition. It is a restaurant/bar exposition. I am wondering how they manage to go to this thing and get ripped like they do when they say that there really isn't much alcohol served except for Bud. But you don't know unless you check it out. Guess I will be cleaning out the flask just in case.

You are an evil bastard!!!

The day started off pretty well. It was nice to have the weekend here. Last night's happy hour was deemed a success. Checked out some new bars that ranked well. A review of the Home Bar and Lee's Lounge will be forthcoming. I don't remember much about the Groove. I was comfortably numb at that point.

What made my morning so good was finding my contact. Yes, I found that sonnuvabitch today. Of course, only I would wake up groggy, stumble into the bathroom to pee and then begin to look for a contact lens that was lost yesterday. I am still looking for a cover to a pot that has to be in my kitchen somewhere.

I think I looked because the contact could not have gone down the drain. It had be in the tub area. The worst case scenario was that it was on my body and fell off in the bedroom or hallway. I looked around the tub and found the bugger on the shower curtain. Cleaned it up and I can see again. I will have to go to Walgreens and return the eye patch now.

On a different note, Wig you are an evil bastard!!! That was the damn song that was, WAS, stuck in my head. It had gone away until I saw what you did this morning. Now it is back.

Thanks friend!

Plus now I will have people to this site when they look for that damn song. Boy are they in for a rude awakening. If you got here by searching 'John Denver' I have news for you. He is still dead.

Kill me now! Please, I am begging you!

I have a John Denver tune stuck in my head and I can't get rid of it!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wicked weekend this may be

Grass be damned if I can pull this one off!

I consider this to be a workout for my stomach and liver. The amount of imbibnation (some tense of imbibe I have created just for this post) that may occur this weekend should get me in the proper state of mind for Vegas. If I canWhen I pull it off.

The plan starts off easy enough. Happy hour bar hopping after work. Time to take in some taverns on Kinnickinnic Ave that have recently popped up. That's me, always helping the local community business. Festivities kick off at the Home Bar and head south whenever we feel like moving.

Saturday looks like rain (it better damn well rain!) so I am forced to head out to the Lakefront Brewery for a *ahem* tour. I can handle drinking beer all day as it rains. Later, I may head out to catch a band and drink a bit more.

Sunday should see me down in Chicago at the booze exposition. Pete has tickets to go down to the Windy City for beer, food and whatever the hell happens down there. I have been left out in the past so I do not see how I can miss it.

I think I may need to buy goats on Monday to take care of the field that used to be my lawn.

But it doesn't come without a cost. Somehow, I poked myself in the eye this morning with the shampoo bottle. That isn't a big deal but when you realize a contact lens is now gone, it is. Nothing like getting out of a shower and staring in your eye to see if it has just been dislodged to the side, dripping all over the floor. Wasn't still on my eye ball so I looked around the tub. The drain cover doesn't appear to be big enough for it go down so I check there as well. No lens in site.

So I pull out an old pair I have sitting in my medicine cabinet. I guess it pays to keep things like this. I find a contact that is about 2 years olds. I clean it up, put some solution in and pop it in my eye. Hey, I can see!

But just knowing I lost a contact and have an old one it will bug the shit out of me. I can see very well out of it and it feels fine, but just the thought may drive me mad today.

Happy hour can't come soon enough. But then again, when is that statement every false?

Laziness be gone

I knew I was in a bit of a predicament. There were some factors I had control over and others I did not. Being the smart guy that I am, I moved into action on what I could.

Now I have food, beer (Leinenkugels Big Butt Dopplebock), underwear and longer grass. I pissed out in 50th spot in my quest to play Event #2 at the WSOP. And I watched the last episode of the Amazing Race quite happy that Uchenna and Joyce won. They ran a good race and deserved to win. So did Rob and Amber. One thing that kept pissing me off during the who race this time was the petty attitude that everyone held toward R&A. It was pathetic. I don't care who they are, or if they have won already. Get over it. Stop being jealous.

Thanks to Al, I spent a good portion of the day perusing the tequila selection that will be at the after tournament party (ATP). My hat is off to the man. Anyone who can organize a party 3000 (just a guess) miles away will always get my nod. Good to see that they have some good stuff there. Though I am not a tequila connoisseur, I can drink it when there is some quality there. My personal fave is the Cabo Wabo. I am a bit familiar with a couple others on the list and may partake in a taste testing.

I will also have to remember to heed my own advice. If the tournament starts at 10, the ATP at 5, there will be some solid consumption in the middle. No matter what, I must fight the urge to become "El Champion de la Cantina!"

It also gave me a thought. Maybe the bounty on my head for the tourney could be a Yard of Margarita for the person who takes me out. That will be kicked around a bit.

And for those who look through the menu provided above, skip the last page. Tequila and coffee? Ugh!

One of the items I bought at the store last night was "Depth Charge" Espresso Coffee. Saturday morning sure will be interesting.

Some happy hour barhopping has been established for tomorrow. The newer establishments by my castle will be reviewed. I have heard good things about some of these places. Now is the time to put them to the test.

As for my grass, well, it doesn't look too good. Rain until at least Sunday. If it rains on Saturday, I just may be forced to go to the Lakefront Brewery for the day.

Onto the Political Soapbox before I talk about tequila

Milwaukee, and Wisconsin for that matter, are slowly becoming the joke of the election. According the the Journal, over 400 fraudulent votes were cast in the city. Now they do not say who those votes went to or if they swayed the election. I don't care about that.

What I do care about is my vote counting. I do not care about the minority being "disenfranchised". What about the franchised (I believe that is the correct term)? What about the citizens of this city that did not commit fraud or did not illegally vote? Because crooks were able to cheat, my vote has become diluted.

But no one is sticking up for me. Oh wait, yes, there are some. They are trying to pass a measure where you would need to show an ID to be able to vote. Sounds tough huh? But our governor is worried about those who want to cheat the system not being able to cheat the system. If you know you need an ID, get one if you don't have one. If you are not prepared when you go to the polls, too bad. Showing an ID is so easy. Anyone who says elsewise is an idiot.

It is time we start concerning ourselves with the citizen that pays his/her taxes, goes to work everyday, gives back to the community, is simply an asset to society, instead of those rigging the election. We should not have our right to vote put at risk.

Screw the disenfranchised! If you did not get yourself properly registered, or a valid ID, then you have given up your right to vote. Don't dilute my vote.

Now let me get to my tequila...

Laziness

My prior post-drinking advice- has been given an important update.

I looked at the grass upon my arrival from a boring workday. It was my intention to cut it down after working out. I would ride for a half hour then get the mower out, cut the grass and maybe get a pizza.

As I rode the bike I thought about where I would get the pizza from. I was leaning towards DeMarini's but Papa Murphys was creepy into my brain. Good pizza at a cheap price. I can't beat that. But I really didn't want to heat up the kitchen on a nice day. I will go with DeMarini's, Milwaukee's best pizza.

After sweating away, watching TV to pass the time, I put the bike away, changed clothes and looked outside. I'll check my email before I get 'er done. Log in and see I earned a bit more of my Noble bonus. Sweet. As I sat there, I "accidentally" loaded up the poker. I will play an hour or so and then go mow the lawn. I searched for a menu for the pizza, mainly for the phone number. I couldn't find one. I knew I had a DeMarini's menu somewhere. I will relax and play cards and then I will find it.

An hour later, I look outside again. The grass isn't that long. It can wait until the weekend. A half hour later my stomach grumbles. Oh yeah, the pizza. I look for a menu again between hands, wondering why I have menus that are over 5 years old still. I look inside the refrigerator and see some brats. Those look good.

A half hour later I am eating the brats, up $25 on the soft 1/2 game, thinking the grass can wait. Afterall, there is a bonus to be cleared here. At about 7, the bad beats begin to hit and I begin to drop down. I am playing a tournament at 8 so I decide to stop for now. Besides the Brewers are on. Damn, down 2-0 to the Phillies.

I watch a bit long and the Brewers take the lead in the bottom of the 1st. It is at the bottom of the first that I look at the clock again. If I go outside right now, I can get the lawn done before the poker tournament. It will take me 15 minutes, 20 tops to get 'er done. I even go into the bedroom, grab a different pair of shorts to put on, look around for the lawn shoes and a T-shirt. I look at the clock and make a decision. Ah, screw it! It can wait until the weekend.

My lazy ass plops down in the chair and I play Dope Wars on my Palm Pilot. The tournament starts and the action goes forward. During this, I check the weather to see what the 10 day forecast is. Rain. Suppose to rain tonight and over the next couple of days. Great.

This morning, I wake up and it is raining pretty good. The grass will be nice and long. I take my shower and stumble into the bedroom. I look and see I have grabbed the last pair of underwear- both shirt and boxers. Great! I could have been doing laundry last night too!

So now I have practically no food, beer, underwear, and long grass. Laziness takes it's toll.

Maybe my lazy ass should try and skip out of work and head to the Brewers game at noon. Anyone want to go? Any Phillies fans want to place a wager?

Drinking advice

It happens to me every time I am in Vegas. Whether it occurs at a Pai Gow table or in the Poker Room, it will happen. I will go the entire day gambling my heart out, drinking Makers or Lite with nary a care in the world. Before I know it, I will stumble away, feeling pretty drunk. I check my watch. It can’t be pass 5. The time is 11. Why does my stomach feel so empty? When was the last time I had something to eat.

Yep. I go through long stretches of doing nothing but drinking. I am not advocating this but also not saying it is necessarily an evil thing. Only your body knows how it will react. Sometimes the question is when you should eat and what. I offer only guidelines that could help. Everyone is different and I cannot guarantee results that will benefit you.

Of course, the best thing you can do before going on a nice bender is to eat something. Anything. A good base is will set the tone for your drinking day. But what if you are not necessarily hungry, or the party starts before you had planned? Thus, you may not be able to eat and get a good base to soak up that alcohol. Don’t panic. Depending on what you are drinking and your own tolerance, you may or may not be affected. Hard liquor may slap you a bit silly before you know it (see tolerance again). Beer however, may not hit you like a brick. Especially some lagers. Hey, your body will get some nutrition out of it. Also, depending on the activity of which you are engaged, time can fly by before you know it. Suddenly it is closing time and you hit up George Webbs or Dennys.

But what if are in a good binge and starving? That is why bars serve pizza and other bar food. I highly advocate this approach. Get some grub in you during your binge. If they have snacks, eat them. It will soak up some of the booze. Plus it is tasty. Good food eaten while drinking becomes great food. Who hasn’t told a story about how great the mozzarella sticks were at so and so’s place after a dozen tappers?

However, you must exercise some caution on what to eat. Don’t order too much food. After a couple of hours of pounding some beer or drinks, any food can sound good. Your eyes may be bigger than your stomach. Hit the appetizers, not the meals. If you eat the full meal, you may end up renting it instead of buying it. Last thing you want to do is wake up in your car having chunked on the passenger seat. Second, be careful of the pizza. Do not dive in as soon as the pie is set down in front of you. You will burn the roof of your mouth and suddenly eating the za is more painful than delightful.

But what if your favorite pub doesn’t serve food? That is when you hit the local diner for some after bar grub. In Milwaukee, George Webbs is the best place to go. I am sure those of you that live elsewhere know of a place that is similar. Small diner-like place that has burger, fries, chicken flavored soup, breakfast items, all at a decent price. Plus they do not look at you funny when you pay the bill with wadded up singles. The cantankerous waitress can’t wait for the drunks to leave. Sounds like heaven , I know.

One thing to note though, is you must be careful with your after-bar food. Again, be selective. Clams Casino may not be the best choice. Anything that may be a bit spicy or overly greasy could end up out of your stomach and on your carpet (or on a homeless guy 4 stories below). Last thing you want is to wake up with the dreader watery mouth. We all know what that means. If you don’t make it to the bathroom, you could wake up either face down in it, or watching your cat eat what it thinks is breakfast (not that I have any experience with that one).

If you do yack, don’t be ashamed. Everyone pretty much does at one point or another. The only thing you need to be concerned with is if you hurled on someone. They may want revenge and that will not be pretty.

In summary, I offer these guidelines to help you reach a nice consistent buzz. Food is an essential but like drinking, should be taken in moderation. Get a base in first. Try to eat what you can, when you can. And get a drink when you do. You may shock your stomach otherwise.

UPDATE
I must update these guidelines as Aleta has brought up an important section that I omitted. After leaving a bar, with a need for something in your belly, always, I REPEAT ALWAYS, go to a diner. Never try to go home and attempt to make food. Chances are very great that you will fall asleep while that pizza is in the oven. You do not want to wake up having a smoke alarm go off as that pizza burns to a crisp. Worse yet, when you wake up, you will regret having try to make that za because it will be the last one in the freezer. It just happens that way. Or your mother will come in and wake your hung over ass up yelling about their being a pizza in the washing machine.

Save the cooking for professionals after bar.

I got the news today, oh boy!

Unfortunately, it wasn't what I was hoping to hear. A company I had interviewed with gave the position to someone else. Oh well, it happens.

Though disappointed, I found the reaction of the recruiter who called me and set everything up to be quite interesting. They had called me a couple of times, eagering trying to get me to stop in their offices to speak with them about this opportunity and others. After I interviewed with them they said I may not be qualified for this position but would see what they could do. I would hear from them the next day.

A week later they call asking if I would still be interested. I was so I went to speak with the company last Tuesday. I thought it went well (but apparently not well enough). I spoke with someone at the recruiters after the interview, as they requested. I was told they would get back to me by the end of the week. No, they didn't call.

So I spoke with them yesterday and was given the update. The tone is the girl's voice was what really grabbed my attention. It was empty. Uninterested. Because I wasn't going to make them a commission, the eagerness they had to speak with me was long gone. Like a stripper at a gentleman's club, once the money is gone, so is their interest in talking to you.

Aw screw them. I am going to Vegas in 23 days.

I forgot to mention one of the highlights from Brewers game on Saturday. In the bottom of the 3rd inning they have a kid announce the first 3 batters for the Brewers. Game after game I wished for a kid, any kid, to rip one off instead of stumbling through the names. Finally, this girl hit one out of the park.

"Batting for the Brewers, third baseman, Russssssssssseelllllllllllllll Brannnnnnnnyan!" Perfect stadium announcer voice! I was so surprised I just about dropped my beer. Just. About. No dropping occurred.

Finally, I am working on a new drinking essentials topic. Yesterday I read Al's entry about his Key West trip and it got me to thinking. Without giving the topic away, I read his entry and realized it is a common problem. I have run into this issue a couple of times in the past, and will run into it again in the future. Hopefully, I can offer some ideas to help everyone out.

Bobblehead

Thank the Lord for vacation days. No, not today but Friday afternoon. After taking the time to get up, go to work, write one pathetic little blog entry, attend a meeting that I thought was mandatory, I skipped out at noon to kick the weekend off early. Had some Chinese with a friend and it was off to Berts to get some beer.

I was hoping they would still have the Beck's Light for a $1.99/sixpack. Gone. That was a helluva deal for a good beer. Alas, I grabbed a 4 pack of Sprecher and went to play some poker. Had to work a bonus off plus get my mind into the zone for the upcoming Vegas trip that is LESS than a month away now. I will be playing a lot of limit out there so I needed to sharpen those skills up a bit.

So I sat, drank, and played poker. Exciting stuff to read about huh? Made a bit of money, not much, but a profit before heading out to Big Mamas to watch the Brewers. Caught up with some others and drank enough 32oz mugs to drown a cow. Of course, I went home and fired up the pc to engage in another round of drunken poker. Made a big mistake here. Never, and I repeat never, play a ring game after imbibing for the previous 7 hours. SnGs are the prime game to play when buzzed up. It will usually take up enough time for you to pass out and you won't lose that much. You will likely tilt at the ring game and buy back in. Again. And again. Your pair of 5s suddenly looks like a monster to 3 overcards on the board. Don't let that happen to you. See, drunken poker doesn't always have a happy ending.

So I woke up on Saturday, a bit perturbed about my late night session. I only dumped 50 bucks but it was the principal. I should have known better. So it was time to fire it up again and recoup those duckets. Which I did. Played a MTT and some ring and got back those lost dollars. I then tore myself away form the computer to do some chores around the house.

Get the lawn mower started. Check
Wash all those dishes. Check.
Laundry. Check
Clean out bathroom drain. Disgusting. Check.
Vaccuum. Un...no check. Back to playing poker because I was reading a poker book. Funny how that happens. Whenever I read a book to strengthen my game, I get distracted and need to play. That can't be good.

I think I need to check into my bathroom drain a bit more though. I undid the pipes below to clean out the crap that was slowing it down. Thankfully, it was all above the trap. I pushed out (with a snake) some black, rubbery, hard gelatinous goop. As I said, it was quite disgusting. Worse, is that this is the second time I have done this in roughly 6 months. I can't help but wonder what is causing this. I probably should flush some of that pipe bacteria down and see if that helps.

Where was I? Oh yeah, back to playing poker. As much as everyone loves to have the fish at their table, it is just about guaranteed that you will have one session where the worst player you have ever seen will play every single hand and win. Your aces will get cracked. Your flopped straight will hit runner runner to give them a flush. Your flush will be taken down by 9 4 off suite when he fills his full house. You will watch monster pots go to the other side of the table. It will piss you off.

That was my Saturday afternoon session. 100 bones gone in an hour as I had people hit their runner runner flush with 5 3 suited, calling all capped rounds pre and post flop to hit their flush. Aces cracked by J 6 offsuit when the J hits the river. Yep, they hung in with bottom pair hoping to catch 1 of 3 outs. And they did.

Thankfully, I was going to the Brewers game. It was Ben Sheets bobblehead day. Whoo hoo! At least that is what everyone else was thinking. We got there late, about 15 minutes prior to game time. There is a huge line waiting to get in at the home plate gate. We walk up and buy our nose bleed tickets. Those were trivial. We would never sit in the seats. Miller Park is a great place to walk around and view from all different angles. Right corner. Deep center. Upper bleachers. Right behind the plate, maybe 15 yards from the batter. That might be the best view in the league (this coming form someone who has been at 3 stadiums).

As I had said, there was a huge line waiting to get in. Why? We got our tickets, walk 20 feet to our right and walked right in by the club seats. What a bunch of suckers out there waiting in line! Funnier is that a crowd of 35,000 was there probably to get the bobblehead more than to see the game. So the team made some good money.

So did some beer vendors. We walked around drinking beer. Well, a good quantity of beer to say the least. Brewers would get to Pedro Martinez but give the runs back. In the end, they would lose. Went to Fridays to get another beer when the old guy wouldn't serve us at the bottom of the seventh. This sucked because we were at the counter. I ordered 2 beers. But the old guy waited until after the manager came over and told everyone to pull the taps. I tried to argue with Roy, saying I was already here, and ordered but he was having none of it. It kinda pissed me off that as Roy told me I couldn't have the beer, the two people to his right start pouring taps to people who just walked up. WTF?

So, with our throats all dried up, barely able to walk from dehydration, we head to Fridays to see if we can get a couple in there. Score! Place is crowded, with everyone herded in by the bar. There were some trashed college kids 3 deep by the bar. Had to wade in to get the golden elixir. Talked with one dude who made little sense. But because I speak drunkese, I understood everything.

I pushed away from the bar and we grabbed a table. Knowing full well we shouldn't be sitting there, we waited to see what would happen. A waitress comes by and assumes we had been seated. Sweet. We order some nachos because I am starving. It occurs to us at this point it would be so easy to dine and ditch. Too easy. No, we paid the bill and left. We mainly wanted to kill some time to let the parking lot empty. Went back to Big Mamas and had another beer before calling it a night.

On Sunday, I did absolutely nothing. Was going to go to mothers but she was at my sisters. I could have still gone over there to mow the lawn but I wasn't too motivated. I even rationalized that it would be a mistake with all the traffic at the Brewers game. Yes, I was better off staying home and playing poker.

I know, what a bum!

Essential Drinking items Part II

It has been a while since I informed the general public of some useful drinking information. Thus, just like the flask, today's item is a must for all beer drinkers.

I am talking about the church key.

Yes, the church key. Raise your hands if you know what that is.

Uh oh. I am seeing some hands but not enough.

A church key is a bottle opener. The modern day version (as I prefer to think of it) is one that is attached to your key chain so you always can open that bottle of beer when you need one.

Now it is quite easy to get a church key nowadays as they are usually given out as promotional items. I got one the other day in the shape of a small beer bottle. Sometimes they take the form of a football, basketball or baseball depending on the season. I have them from radio stations, utility companies, import, domestics, all kinds of places.

My favorite though is the Smithwicks on my key chain. A nice brass opener. Has a bit of heft to it. Perfect size. Plus, it is a nice conversation starter.

Yes, the church key has been around for many a year. And yet a lot of people do not know what it is, or are amazed to see someone with one on their key chain. That scares me. What is so weird about someone pulling out their keys to open a bottle of beer? Happens all the time around me.

So besides having a flask, you must have a church key to pop them bottle open. We all know beer tastes better out of a bottle than a can. So unless you are drinking the hard stuff or a nice draught Irish ale, get a church key today!

I didn't plan it this way

But sometimes you are forced to play poker.

So says Mother Nature. It looks like it may rain a good portion of the weekend. Thus, I will not be able to cut the grass. Damn! Instead I may just sit inside with nothing to do.

Hmm...what to do? Play poker? If you insist!

I checked out a new site, Noble Poker, home of the next WPBT tournament (sorry Iggy, I had already dl'd from Pauly the day before). Noble isn't bad. I don't see anything that makes it stand out yet, but there also isn't anything that is terrible on there.

It would be helpful if you could open separate windows for your tables instead of clicking on the box in the corner. A place to show what your bonus status is would be good too instead of the weekly email I was told I would receive.

The play there is rather interesting. Lots of people calling down with second pair or ace bad kicker. It should be a place to make a bit of money while drinking- and bonus whoring.

I see that Czabe didn't let me down, though I wish he would have been harsher on the Deadskins. He is totally correct too. I would be upset if the Cowboys traded for another player, who has down nothing to distinguish himself at his position, and gave him big money on a new contract even though he is currently under a very friendly contract.

Insane moves by the Deadskisn. And I am loving it! Now if only the Iggles could have a total lapse of reasoning and give in to their knucklehead.

I think the plan for tonight is to stop by Bert's and get a couple of Sprechers, play some poker and then head out to Big Mamas to see what is going on.

Next week I will have to play around and learn how to put picture up. Why? I work with a guy that looks exactly like Beaker from the Muppet Show. And I have the proof!

This is pretty boring. I need a beer.

Sweep! Sweep!

Brewers sweep the Cubs! Brewers sweep the Cubs!

Music to my ears. It was nice how they did it today too. A little long ball. Some short game. And not giving up in the end.

That would be two series sweeps in a row for the Brew Crew. It makes for an interesting weekend with the Mets coming to town.

Keep playing some good ball guys! We are more than halfway to burgers!!!

Who are the Mayonnaise Five?

And how did they earn a drinking holiday?

See, I was wondering that one myself. Cinco de Mayo. Putting my 2 years of high school Spanish to work I came up with a translation- Five of Mayo (short order chef slang for mayonnaise).

I got to wondering and did some research. Seems these five people defeated the French in Mexico. Yes, it took only 5 people to defeat the French army. I am shocked it too that many! All because they didn't like hollandaise sauce.

I don't particularly care for made up drinking holidays. For the most part, they are stupid. Why should I go out and drink margaritas because of the success of the Mayonnaise Five? Not that I am against having some margaritas today (and if anyone calls and "pressures" me to do so, hey, I guess I would have to- hint hint).

What I am against is companies focusing on ethnic holidays to their benefit. Face it, Corona probably could care less of the Mayonnaise Five. But if sells more beer for them, then they are all over it. But are they giving money to the Mayonnaise Five Foundation? Are they spreading the profits? If not, it is egg on their face. I say we give them Hell Man(s)!!!

Ok, stupid part of the post is over.

I just heard they may be another bear sighting. Close to where I work. Don't worry. Action StB is on the case with any updates.

So if you are Marquette University alumni, are you canceling your annual gift to them? The Gold? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Who came up with this great idea, the same guy running the Packers draft? Everyone is expecting them to either change the name back to the Warriors or keep the Golden Eagles and they create their own, 0ne that makes no sense. Best yet, they claim to have done a lot of research, polls, etc. over the last year and the board of trustees was unanimous in their choice. They go as far as saying that "the Golden Eagles nickname and found it boring, weak and too common". And the Gold is exciting, strong and unique? The picture accompanying the article is classic. I personally like the guy laughing his ass off in the background. Once again, political correctness has backfired and made everyone unhappy.

Well said Bill. Well said.

"When we do something good, we like to shut those Cubs fans up as much as possible," Hall said.
-Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewer.

I love that comment. It reflects the thoughts of many Brewers fans.

Save your time today

There is nothing worthy to read here.

Really, there isn't.

Yesterday was a rather boring day. I already gave you the highlights (nachose for a buck fifty). There is nothing after that.

Waded through the rest of the day at work. Did very little- which seems to be the norm now. Went home, worked out, sent thank you letter, made dinner (beer brats), played poker (boring game in which I came in 24th but probably played 10 hands total), watched the Amazing Race (finally the old bat is gone), read and slept.

Nothing exciting in there. I could rant about how the show Airline convinces me every time I watch to never fly Southwest. Don't care how cheap they claim their tickets are (which they aren't for someone in Milwaukee. Considering the cost for travel and parking to/in Chicago, you can fly Midwest and still be better off), I would not risk missing a vacation/business meeting/anything because they can AND WILL, yank you off a plane for no reason. I already mention how they are against those of us who care for a few cocktails before boarding. Yet, I saw them give some booze to a lady they hassled because it was her birthday. WTF? Are you pro booze or anti booze? Just when I thought they may be allright after the liquor giveaway, I see this. They yank a guy off the plane because they needed to get 2 of their own employees to that destination. First guy they tried to deny boarding simply said he was on military orders and needed to get on the plane. They don't question that and let him on (maybe I will try that in the future). So they go and pull someone from the plane because he was one of the last to check in. Doesn't matter that he will miss his vacation that he just plunked down 2k for. Doesn't matter that his wife and family are still on the plane. They want to get their employees to the destination instead. So much for satisfying the client.

Man that show just pisses me off. Yet, I cannot stop watching it.

Shiny shoes

I spent about 10 minutes cleaning up my shoes for an interview this morning. The shoes looks pretty shiny when I was done. If only it were a sunny day, I could sidle up to a pretty girl on the corner wearing a skirt. Smile, glance down for her smile.

Yeah, I am perv. Sue me.

Instead it is cloudy and cold in downtown Milwaukee. I had a good idea where the building was but wasn't exactly sure which one it was. Doesn't help that Wisconsin Ave is ripped up in front of the building. So I circled the block looking for a place to park and to kill some time. I wanted to be early but not too early.

Got a nice spot right around the corner. Walked to the front door only to see a sign among the construction. "Enter through loading dock". Uh, ok. I walk to the back, up a loading dock and it the back door. The people working in the mail room look at me, undisturbed. I walk around the corner and find the bank of elevators. I am curious about the little shop inside selling newspapers, soda, etc. I am even more intrigued when I notice the sign as I leave.

Nachos $1.50

If I get a job there, I could possibly enjoy the Tuesday nacho special on a weekly basis! There is a job perk you don't hear about enough.

Otherwise things went well. I learned of different aspects of the position that were quite appealing. Funny thing is, it is a company that I had previously worked for before, in different unit. That make a legacy. They have to hire me. If Dorfman can get into Delta, then I can get back into there.

Football Sunday

Or that is how it felt.

I was finished playing poker by 11 (1st in a SnG for $50 and 87th in a MTT for $3) and taking a shower. I had to be up at the bar by quarter to the hour to be ready for the game. I was drinking the first beer by 11:46. The other guys showed up. Jimmy and Brian had some tappers with me. Johnny was all hung over and drinking soda. Yes, it felt like a football Sunday.

We headed out to Miller Park. Jim had the foresight to bring some beer along. We had a couple more in the lot before heading in. The wind was blowing, making it feel colder than it probably was. Felt like late November out. Like a football Sunday.

Once inside, we headed up to the Club level. Brian had gotten the tickets from a vendor. Nice seats behind the plate. Got some beers right away. The lady tried to card us, but we laughed it off. John wasn't drinking and would be able to enjoy $1 sodas all day. The hot dogs were a buck too (Spring (?) Madness at the stadium). I have never seen someone buy a round of hot dogs until John did just that.

The final of the game was like a football score. Brewers win, 13-3. I enjoyed a number of beers during the game, like a football Sunday. I was upset that they didn't have a picture of Willy Mo Pena to put on the board. Just saying the name is fun. Willy Mo. He crushed one deep to left center. But alas, no picture. They must have had one from last year laying around.

We had a couple more beers back in the parking lot. Win was still blowing and it was trying to rain. You know you have had a good time when watching the gulls rip apart a bag of food is hilarious. One tried to keep the others away from the onion rings but failed. One by one they swooped in and got a ring and took off flying, pursued by other birds. Too freakin' funny!

Back to Packys for a pitcher. Then to Big Mamas for some more. They had a band playing trying to raise money for cancer. Why the guy wanted to get cancer, I will never know!
I headed out at 5:45 to get home to play in the WPBT satellite event. Got home just in time. But I had only 4 beers in the fridge. This could get ugly.

Long story short, I finished in 8th. Made the final table in second spot after a nice rush. Made a brief showing at numero uno, but then my aces didn't hold up and I was done. Had a good time though.

Taped Deadwood so I can watch that tonight. I fell asleep right around 10. I was then wide awake at 3 in the morning when the alcohol had pretty much wore off. I layed around trying to get back asleep. I never really did.

Just like a football Sunday