Zihuatanejo

Date: Wed, Aug 27, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Sorry there's just been that little rant boiling up inside me, now for a while. I just think there ought to be something else to shoot for. There was a a song by The Godfathers called "Birth, School, Work, Death" that I liked back in my post modern/alternative rock phase in college, (circa 1988,) that summed it all up a little like this:

Yeah I been high and I been low
And I don't know where to go
I'm living on the never never never
This time it's gonna be forever
I'll live and die don't ask me why
I wanna go to paradise
And I don't need your sympathy
There's nothing in this world for me
Birth, school, work, death
Birth, school, work, death

No, don't start emailing, calling and linking me to a damn suicide hotline, I'm a little more level-headed than that (most days.)


I guess this notion that I had about reading that Jimmy Buffett book "A Salty Piece of Land" and getting my "island chill" on, is having a bit of an effect. It's conjured up a lot of pleasing/relaxing imagery in contrast to the daily grind. I keep dreaming about the final scene from Shawshank Redemption in which Red finds his old friend Andy on a beach, Zihuatanejo on the coast of Mexico. The place looks peaceful. The kinda place where your hair will bleach white from the sun, and you'll turn the color of a Chicken McNugget. To quote another song, this time Big Red's leading man Kenny Chesney, "the sun and the sand and a drink in my hand, with no bottom..."

Is it too late to take up sailing... and switch to island time? In a bit of a mood...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Oh yeah... it's a lot like that.

Date: Mon, Aug 25, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Adding Insult to Injury

Date: Sun, Aug 24, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Getting back in the swing

Date: Sat, Aug 23, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Since returning from the beach it's been rough to get back in the swing of things. It's kinda like detox, and needing a vacation from the vacation. On Thursday I had to pick Whitney up from cheerleading, right when we got home, and then turn around and head up to Parkersburg South High School for her Orientation. Yes, my baby girl is now in high school, stop reminding me. I'm still struggling to understand how there's going to be enough room for all these kids at South, in spite of all of the renovations and additions to the school over the past couple of years. Of course, I'm not sold on the whole "middle school" concept either. But we'll just have to wait and see. I wish the kids and the administration the best of luck!

Later that evening Big Red and I headed for the Eagles and met up with JR and Nikki and Frank also showed up after a while. I drank a few, and then a few more. We both had a little slot machine time and came out on the plus side, including our bar tab!

The next day, Big Red had to head back to work... haha! : ) I slept in a bit, but then got started on the pile of laundry. Later in the day I took Whit to practice between other chores. The evening was a quiet one and the whole family spent it together in front of the tv, reading, and listening to Cole play with his wrestling action figures. No they are NOT dolls!

Today, was South's Meet The Team festivities at Erikson All-Sports Facility. Long drawn out process, that should really be condensed. But I did get to see my daughter perform and so that was a good thing.

Since getting back today I've been wading through the blogs. Wow, I had a lot of catching up to do, since there were nearly 400 "unread" items to check out. It felt nice to get back in to the frame of mind of reading through these postings again, and sharing out some items and skimming others.

I did talk to Frank today, who didn't in fact head to Tri-State "Casino" on Thursday, but settled instead on Friday. He and Vince and Theresa all headed down to see all the goings on. Frank let me know that he made like $350 and that the place was full of fishies! He's trying to talk the wife into letting him go back tomorrow (Sunday) for another go at 'em. He did tell me that the management of the room left a bit to be desired, and wasn't up-to-par. He was upset by the chaos, particularly since they've had so long to prepare and could have easily taken some pointers from Wheeling and Mountaineer to the North, but it appears that would have been too much to ask. I'll wait for Frank's trip report on his blog to see what other goings on he encountered. Eventually I'll make the trip myself and offer up my impressions as well.

Time to get back to the pile of laundry folks...

Regards,

cheer_dad

To all you nay-sayers...

Date: Thu, Aug 21, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Well you thought the day would never come. Two outa Three ain't bad huh!?! Well what's been nearly a year in the making is finally going to happen. "What's up, cheer_dad," you ask, "what's the earth shattering news?" Well according to this article http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x1846891047/W-Va-racetrack-given-OK-to-offer-poker/index.html?printview=true Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center will FINALLY be opening its doors to offer poker to the masses! That's right people the third West Virginia casino will finally be offering something other than slots and dogs. This comes nearly ONE YEAR after the initiative was passed by Kanawha County to allow the casino to open poker and table games at the existing casino. Wheeling Island and the Mountaineer jumped on that bandwagon long ago and has thrived at least as far as my personal observations and the various articles have thus far suggested. I wish Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center good luck, and yes eventually I'll be down to give it a go, but I'm still a little irritated that it took so long to make it happen. The people of Kanawha County were none to happy either, and even the Governor weighed in on it you'll recall from a previous post I threw out here on the blog. But anyway, today's the day following 2 days of successful "charity" poker tournaments to get the ball rolling, the Lottery Commission gave their blessing and a quiet sigh of relief which says, "sheesh, it's about friggin' time Tri-State!!!" Anyway, read the article, and make plans to visit this new poker room when you can. My buddy Frank, was headed down to indulge in the madness of the first day/night, this evening. I haven't talked to him since I left for vacation so I'm not sure how all that's panning out.

I'm back in town now, having just arrived home after that long drive back from Myrtle Beach, SC. It's good to be home, but as usual there's already a lot to get done after a vacation. So rather than sitting here pecking away at the keyboard, I better get to it.

See some of you later this evening at the Eagles drawing, and others I'm sure over the weekend. It's good to be home.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Extremely tired among other things.

Date: Tue, Aug 19, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Pack the House

Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Last word from Mr. Yanok sounds like the basement is going to be full, when it comes time for the cards to get in the air. Tonight at 7:30 we'll converge at the Yanok home for the August qualifier tournament. Maybe I'll actually get around to doing well in one of these. This one would be a good one to take down too, since the numbers, the $$$, and the points will all be high. But let's not get ahead of ourselves huh...

The work day was short, as promised but I actually had to put in some actual work before calling it a day at noon. This Configuration Management thing will most certainly be the death of me. But on a positive note... we leave for vacation on Sunday for Myrtle Beach, again! Unfortunately, Whitney won't be coming along with us this time, as her cheerleading duties and schedule have re-prioritized her life. She's okay with it all though. I haven't heard any complaints anyway. What with all that teenage angst, she's probably looking forward to the time away from the 'rents! For any of you little twits out there who are thinkin' about stopping by to hang with my little girl while I'm out of town, just wipe it from your little brain! She'll be heavily guarded.

Gotta run, now and take Whit and Jordan to the Homecoming festivities. Then, poker Yanok style awaits!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Screamin' Eagle

Date: Thu, Aug 14, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Nothing but a 5 hour work day to contend with tomorrow, and I use the word "work" lightly. The week has been an absolute grind, and I don't mean in a good way, like on the felt. But working for my Uncle Sam. It's like this "Unc" you've had more than your fair share of me this week. I'm heading out for some R 'n R tonight. You think it'd be a bad thing if I planned ahead for a DD to get me to work in the morning? One plus side to it, you don't have a hangover... of course on the downside, you can't walk a straight line. Then again, how often does that friggin' task come up in the workplace. Okay, okay, I'm only kidding. I'm going to down a few tonight, but I'm not planning on it getting out of hand. To those of you who will be there tonight at the Eagles, you can however expect to see one of those minor skirmishes with the accursed Jack Daniels. Incidentally, I thought the "screamin' eagle" above was apropos! Cut me some slack here people, I've been writing myself silly at work about things I couldn't give a damn about... the cliches are all I got left. The cheer_dad is tapped out. (WTF, did I just refer to myself in the third person?)

So, tonight as I go "out on the town" to "tie one on" forgive me if I say something goofy like "smoke 'em if ya got 'em" or "do you need a nipple for that beer?" Just be sure that you "respect me in the morning" and tell me I "look like hell" or "like somethin' the cat dragged in," but somebody for damn sure better be offerin' me a little of "the hair of the dog that bit me!" It's gonna be one of those nights folks!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Do the Humpty Hump...

Date: Wed, Aug 13, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Hope you've all had a Happy Hump Day. Congrats we've nearly survived yet another day working for the man! Tomorrow night is Eagles drawing night, followed by an oh so short day at work on Friday. We're getting early dismissal due to Parkersburg Homecoming, which basically overtakes the streets, parking lots, etc... all around our building. There's just not enough to go around, and all the concession carnies start setting up on Thursday night/Friday morning in the street right behind the building, so it gets crowded quick. Aww... how terrible that they just have to send us home so early. I might just drink lunch.

Later that evening we'll converge on the home of the Yanoks for their monthly tournament extravaganza. My daughter will have some various Homecoming duties to attend to throughout the weekend as part of the South Cheerleaders. I think there's a Dilly Dunker in her future. Also this weekend (Sunday) we're leaving for Myrtle Beach, again! I joked today at lunch with Big Red and both of the Brotherses, when Laura was going over her packing list. I let her go for a while before breaking in to say simply... flip flops, trunks, beer... packing's done! Looking forward to feeling the sand beneath my feet one more time this summer, and just soaking up mass quantities of sun and alcohol.

I played a few of those uber cheapie SNG's on Bodog again last night. I fired up 3 tables, and ended up grinding out a 2nd place and two 1st place finishes. Pfffft, this game's friggin' easy. : ) These games are teaching me patience, the power of position, and to not get excited one way or the other. If you win... no big payoff, but if you lose, ehh it's just a little pocket change. Still it's MY Pocket Change though!

Hope all is well with the lot of you, and remember after Hump Day, it's all downhill to the weekend. Now if we can all just avoid ramming into some obstacle on the way down.

Regards,

cheer_dad

NDPT Points Update

Date: Mon, Aug 11, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

I'm a little bit behind, but JR did send me the NDPT Points update to get posted to the website. The link on the website is now pointing to the new and improved points spreadsheet. But in case that's just all too difficult for you to find, try this... http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=ptNl6_cpXDHlDaBaHIU7NVA&hl=en. You will note that somehow despite a horrid finish I've remained on top of the heap, albeit by only the slimmest of margins against Steve "All-In" Allman. Here's where that maximum of 10 games thing starts to kick in. Actually only 3 of us can be considered "DIE HARD PLAYERS" thus far on the year, seeing as we haven't missed a game. That'd be Big Red, Allman, and I. Yeah, we don't have a problem... we can quit anytime we want. We just don't WANT TO!!! However, Steve has the opportunity to be the only one this NDPT 2008 season to get PERFECT ATTENDANCE! Since Big Red and I will be missing the next game NDPT #12 which JR has arranged to have held at the Eagles. We will be baking ourselves on the beach, instead. : ) I know, it's a tough trade-off! So, Steve ole buddy what do ya think, can you make every single game until the end of the year. Duh, there's a no-brainer...

A number of us will be playing this Friday at the Yanok's. Then, hopefully we'll be heading out the next day, beachward bound. I really need a top finish there, to get myself in a position for the end of the year tournament. So, if we could keep the suckouts to minimum, and my case of 2nd best out of it, that'd be great.

Anyway, good luck to you all in that and in Sunday's tournament at the Eagles. Do your best to make this one, and show your support. If all goes well, we hope to continue playing there on a recurring basis.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Bodog Beginner Tournaments

Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

In other news from last night, I decided to logon to Bodog when I finally got home last night with Cole. Big Red headed to the Eagles to meet up with some of her girlfriends, while I opted to stay home, as I was in a bit more mellow mood than that. I joined a couple of the Beginner Tourneys (SNG's) again. I realized last night that these play at higher levels than I'd realized before. I noted the presence of some $8 beginner tables last night, but like I promised myself I was sticking to the lower ones until I reach a pre-determined bankroll level on that site. I won one of the SNG's and took 2nd in the other. I did lose in another one but I got my money in good and lost to a suckout. That happens, but these SNG's when played in multiples have a nice way of levelling out your losses. In fact, I moved up another $10 last night. So that helped to reduce my overall $$$ loss from the night, including JR's house.

I still agree with every move I made in last nights NDPT gathering. I lost but I guess I lost the right way! : ) Hey, I can't complain, how often do you get to look down and see quads. I was on one heckuva card roll there for a while, just too bad it had to end abruptly.

See you all on the felt again, soon. By-the-way Big Red and I will NOT be at NDPT #12 held at the Eagles as we will be leaving for the beach, along with the Brothers clan. Yes, this is beach trip number two for us for this season. I could get used to this. I hate to miss the game and I'm excited to see how it all works out for us, since we hope to add this venue to the available poker frenzy here in our little town. If all goes well, this game will likely be available on a monthly basis... So, don't forget to get out there and support this game with your attendance. Also coming up this Friday is the Yanok Qualifier for August. Actually we WILL be able to make this one, so we'll see you all real soon.

Regards,

cheer_dad

My NDPT #11 experience...

Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Oooooffff! Okay, NDPT #11 started off unbelievably for me. I caught so many cards, so many hands. But I was the first to recognize that getting cards early on in a tournament is the wrong time for it to happen. I was right. On the second hand of the night from middle position I looked down at pocket 10's. I limped, and got to see a flop, which gave me... brace yourself... QUADS!!! I actually made a little on this one. I, of course checked and let someone else do the betting for a while. I did bet the river and got paid, but I had to hold back a bit, since no one could have much of anything else based on the rest of the board. The very next hand, I flopped a set when I connected with my pocket 4's. By the river I made a boat! I didn't get called, but showed nonetheless. Four hands later, I looked down at pocket 7's and made the call against a mid position raiser. The flop gave me a set, but had also came out with 3 hearts on the board! But they checked to me and I bet anyway, and got one caller. By the turn I made QUADS again! I didn't get called, but showed again! Not long after I made another boat, but didn't get called again... No show on that one, as it was getting old. Then, somewhere along the line, Big Red got knocked out from the other table. It was time for a little table balancing. I was in the spot to move... and was moved in to the former chair that Big Red had occupied. That was a bad omen. I stayed out until I could get a read on people. When I finally entered a hand from late position, I looked down at AQ. I raised to 5X the BB, and figured I might get called by someone thinking I was just pushing. Didn't matter, I got raised preflop. I had made it 500, and was raised to 800 total. Of course I call here. I found pocket 5's in the hand of the other, and this time they held. Ouch. Then in the next two hands I was done. Pocket 3's were bested by pocket Queens, and then I was all in blind, and hit nothing. It was rough... but I wasn't surprised, I've seen it too many times, it just happens that way sometimes.

Anyway we're home now... but as we were leaving Mike R, took it down, for the Big Win. I believe Eric S took the second spot. Congrats guys! I'll have to wait a day or so to see how the points thing pans out. Here's where things start a changin'!!!

Thanks JR for hosting tonight, regardless of how things turned out I had a great time. Have a nice night folks...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Inconsistent enforcement

Date: Thu, Aug 7, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

An interesting article off the Reuters News Wire: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0731627620080807?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0, entitled Lawmakers urge U.S. stop action vs EU gambling firms. According to the article "Rep. Robert Wexler, a Florida Democrat, and Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat" issued letters of warning to "U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey" urging that the U.S. Department of Justice to cease criminal investigations related to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006) against companies which operate Internet gaming from European Union (EU) member nations. Specifically, they warn against investigation of activities which occurred prior to passage of the UIGEA. This "trend" if continued could "lead to a potentially damaging trade spat between the United States and the European Union at the World Trade Organization."

The article by Doug Palmer goes on to say that the European Commission launched an investigation of its own in March to determine if the U.S. "was singling out EU companies for enforcement actions, while allowing U.S. online firms to operate freely."

Recall that following passage of the UIGEA (the law which made payments by banks and credit unions to online gambling sites, illegal) a number of online poker rooms departed the U.S. market and began seeking customers elsewhere. Most notable among that group was the then giant of the industry, Party Poker. Despite this fact there are still quite a large number of available online poker options at the disposal of the U.S. market. These available options are largely outside of the member nations of the European Union. Most notably/remarkably U.S. based companies continue to operate undeterred. This fact causes most concern as it is perceived (and rightly so) as inconsistent enforcement.

As a poker player it goes without saying that I don't agree with the UIGEA and the ban by the U.S. of online poker, under the auspices of "illegal gambling." I'm not going to get into the "it's a sport" argument. It's a game, that can be best played using skill and experience, however involves a true element of chance. I do not agree with demonizing poker, and taking it away from a U.S. public which largely treated it as recreation under the guise that illegal dealings and a seedy element was all that did partake in the online arena. BUT, aside from all of that. Right or wrong and ultimately however this whole online poker thing works itself out; it is FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG to go after someone or a company for illegal conduct which was NOT deemed to be illegal at the time! I can't even get away with that kind of action against my two children. I think even they would raise an eyebrow. I'd look quite foolish. I believe that is the role which Representatives Wexler and Cohen are currently playing. They are crying foul at the activities of the Justice Department. They recognize that the implications could very well be far reaching and further damage the reputation of the United States in the international community. (Yeah, like we need anyone else in the world mad at us!) This just is NOT a fight that is worth winning. I'm not even sure what there is to win.

The UIGEA has proven to be a hot bed of controversy and I fear that its effects will continue to be felt for quite some time. But the problem isn't going away. A large part of the population in the United States continues to play poker, despite the initial impact that was felt when the UIGEA passed. It continues to grow in popularity. Poker players are not going away, their numbers continue to grow. Those are facts that the European Union and the World Trade Organization cannot continue to ignore. Still, I firmly believe that this argument will be going on for many years to come.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Quickie post

Date: Wed, Aug 6, 2008 Internet Live Tournament

Work is going by in a bit of a blur again, although it doesn't seem there's much to show for it. Weeks like that do pop up from time-to-time. Our team did take our summer employee out today for lunch, as she will be heading of to college for her freshman year. She's a good kid and she's been a great addition to our team. We hope to see her back during break and/or next summer.

My daughter has already started in to cheer leading practice. All day sessions ever since tryouts have kept her occupied and active. That's a good thing! A little bit of order in her life is a very good thing. By the way, don't be surprised when I start hitting you all up to buy the fundraiser stuff to support the Parkersburg South Patriot Cheer Leaders! You know it's gonna happen just smile and pay the girl. With my thanks of course!!! : )

We are in a rush this evening as usual, to get things squared away and go out to dinner with part of the larger crew tonight. We're celebrating both Julie's birthday and Chris and Laura's anniversary. Luckily there's a bit of a lull in the action to allow us to get there.

Don't forget that Saturday is JR's hosting turn at NDPT Tournament #11. Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it in a while... I am currently in the points lead, if only by the slimmest of margins. Regardless, you'll need the "A" game people, I'm not going down without a fight, or at least lots of alcohol... and I'm preferring Jack Daniel's these days if you're buying.

Time to call it a post.

Regards,

cheer_dad