Vegas, Baby

30 NOV 06

Thank you for the helpful suggestions on how to get the Vegas trip approved. Here is what you need to know:

I decided to chose option D combined with a previously unknown option E. To recap, Option D involved mentioning the trip on my blog and hoping everything turned out okay.

Trust me when I say this – Option C (Call from Vegas and beg forgiveness) would have been MUCH easier.

Here is what you need to know.

1. I’m an idiot.
2. I have the greatest wife on the planet.
3. Open communication is always the best option.
4. Quoting MacArthur – Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.
5. I am an idiot.

That being said, I’m staying at the Trop, I’ve been practicing some killer Omaha moves (take note Drizz and TheMark), and I am on a mission to step away from the tables on occasion to revel in some good ol’ bloggery goodness.

Oh. My. Goodness.

(If I wear my Army uniform, do you think it will get me free drinks?)

Advice Needed

27 NOV 06

What is the best way to ask/tell your wife that you plan on going to Vegas?

a. Buy her flowers and ask on bended knee.

b. Demand Vegas as a God-given right.

c. Call her from Vegas and beg forgiveness.

Immediate help would be appreciated.

(Alternatively, what if she just read it on your blog? Would that be enough?)

Scrubs!

23 NOV 06

The following is a paid review!

I’m very excited – my first paid review! On the advice of fellow blogger Drizz, I signed up with the ReviewMe site and was instantly approved as a reviewer. I now get paid to write these reviews (theoretically). I’m a bit conflicted, though. Here’s what you need to know before you read further:

Since this is my first actual paid review, I’m feeling some pressure to give a good review. In this way, I may entice others to ask me (and therefore pay me) for future reviews.

This plan could backfire. What if the product actually sucks and I recommend it out of a perceived need? No one will trust my future reviews. No one will want me to review their stuff because I might say something bad.

Since I’m conflicted, I’ll choose the only option truly available. I’ll be honest.

Scrubs, also known as Scrubs Gallery sells, you guessed it, scrubs! Their byline is, “Saving Cash on Nursing Scrubs and Medical Uniforms.”

Since I’m in the Army, I don’t have to buy my own scrubs. Occasionally, I like to be a little different, so I’m plopping down all the cash I will (theoretically) earn from this review and buying something from their site. Their front page seems pretty basic and easy to use. I searched for v-neck, blue and poly-cotton (for that poly-cottony goodness) and matched with this (seen in the picture above).

I chose my size (2XL - ‘cause I like ‘em big) and proceeded to the check out. Interestingly, there were no options for smaller sizes.

Some thoughts:

The site loads slowly. I’m certain this was not due to my computer – it must be something on their end.

Many of the options were only cartoons (as opposed to actual photos of the product). Hopefully this will be corrected in the future.

So far, I give the site and the experience a "thumbs-up."

I will write a follow-up review when I receive the product.

This was fun. Thanks again to Drizz for letting me know about the ReviewMe site.

Thanksgiving and the WPBT

23 NOV 06

I think I have something new to be thankful for! With only one small hurdle to cross, it looks like I may be joining my fellow degenerates and birthday celebraters on the lastest iteration of the WPBT! Who’s up for some bloggery goodness?

As some of you know, I am slated to deploy to Iraq. I was supposed to be gone already, but things seem rather… fluid right now. Believe it or not, I don’t think the delay has anything to do with the recent election, but those election results could potentially effect me in the long run. Uncertainty rules. It could that be I don’t go at all. It could mean I go for longer. I have a plan:

1. Don’t think about it.
2. Drink heavily in case plan #1 isn’t working.

Who’s with me?

Technorati!

Technorati Profile

Secrets

21 NOV 06

Recently, Otis revealed to the world one of the best kept secrets, the joys of owning Ecco shoes. Now I’d like to reveal mine:

Myzithra Cheese (also spelled Mizithra).

The secret is browned butter and shaved Myzithra over pasta. That’s it. You can thank me later.

What is your best-kept secret?

PS. In a “way-cool” moment, I got an email from Dr. Pauly out of the blue. It’s gonna be a good day, I think.

Quick Notes

20 NOV 06

I tried to post this comic, but Blogger wouldn’t take it. Check out the link.

Iggy isn’t dead – just moved. I can’t read the new site from work, so I’ll have to link it on Bloglines. Unfortunately, some posts (like the ones from G&P) don’t post in their entirety on my Bloglines. Crap.

I really expected to see more about Casino Royale in the blogsphere. I guess it was just me.

Casino Royale Review: Part Deux

18 NOV 06

In my excitement for remembering Frank Gorshin’s name for yesterday’s post, I forgot one of the most important poker related items from the movie.

While the quality of poker truly sucked out loud, there was one authentic piece of poker-related dialogue that really hit home. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there is a scene after Bond is knocked out of the tournament where he has to ask for the money to re-buy because, “I can beat this guy. You know I can!”

This hit a little too close to home, and was quite genuine.

I found a couple more tidbits, courtesy of this link toWikipedia. Don’t go to the link if you haven’t seen the movie, because, as it says multiple times on the page, the whole entry is a spoiler. See the movie first, then read the entry.

I was right about some of the movie being filmed in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, although I spelled it wrong. The Kaiserbad in Karlovy Vary was used as the exterior of the Casino Royale, with the Grandhotel Pupp serving as the "Hotel Splendide" where Bond stays during his time in Montenegro. The movie with Queen Latifah featuring the same hotel was Last Holiday. Let me say again, you should put “staying at the Grandhotel Pupp” on your list of things to do before you die.

Other scenes in the latter half of the film were filmed at the Villa del Balbianello on the shores of Lake Como.

Stunning.

I’m still trying to wrangle a trip to the WPBT, so if you can tell me what other movie features this locale, I’ll buy you the first round when (and if) I get out to Vegas (hint, the answer can be found on the link).

Bond… James Bond

17 NOV 06

Casino Royale Review follows.

I just saw this movie and here are some of my thoughts:

Daniel Craig is a much better Bond than Pierce Brosnan. There were several references to the old Sean Connery days which Bond fans should appreciate. Craig may turn out to be "Connery good."

I had a hard time deciding if Craig’s pursed-lips look was intentional, or just a result of his chiseled face.

The first half of the movie was awesome. I will put the foot chase scene against any car chase scene in recent memory. In fact, I’ll put it up against any BOND car chase scene.

The second half of the movie was good, but it ran too long in segments.

Judy Densch is the perfect M.

Italy (I think this was partly filmed at Lake Como or Magiorre) and Monoco are beautiful. I didn’t stay to see the credits, but I’d swear one of the hotels was the Grand Pupp in Karlo Vivary, Czech Republic (also seen in a recent movie with Queen Latifah). I stayed there a couple years ago. Magnificent.

The poker in this movie is horrible and predictable. “Everyone has a tell, except you…”

Craig reminds me of a combination of Steve McQueen and Frank Gorshin.

Thumbs up. Go see it.

Actual Poker

16 NOV 06

Well, if you count Razz as poker…

I played my first ever Razz game yesterday on Full Tilt. It was a Free Money one-table Limit SNG, so I’m really not putting too much stock in the results. I showed some aggression early and chipped up. Then I left for an hour. I really expected to be out when I got back, but to my surprise, I was one of 4 left, albeit the short stack. From there, I showed more aggression and became the chip leader, only to fall to a couple river suckouts.

I am a Razz deity.

Then I went back to my old standard – the two table turbo NL Hold ‘em SNG. 1st Place.

I am the king of the world!

Still, there was something missing. Oh yeah – no real money on the line = who really cares?

PS. Has anyone switched to the “new” version of Blogger? Is there anything I need to be worried about?

Hiatus Continues

14 NOV 06

I forgot that there is a life outside of the cardroom that is filled with pain and pleasure.

The pain – I just had my teeth cleaned. I wonder how many poker players neglect their health because of poker?

The pleasure – I just test drove a Lotus Elise. This is a totally impractical car. I bumped my knee of the roof (!) while trying to get in. The salesman was 6’ 7”, if you can believe that. Once I got behind the wheel, I was amazed at how fun this car was to drive. The salesman told me that he has a client that sold his Ferrari and only drives his Lotus. Perhaps… It sure was fun.

Oh yeah – I downloaded the Full Tilt software last night. I’m still not playing online poker, but it was a hoot to watch Phil Ivey, Gus Hansen and David Benyamine multi-tabling with about $300 to $500K behind.

Still not sure about the WPBT. My deployment date was pushed back, so I’m free that weekend…

The Perfect Bad Beat Story

12 NOV 06

I’m taking yet another break from poker. This break comes on the heels of watching some recorded WSOP episodes where several (most?) players remarked that they went broke numerous times before hitting the big time. Been there, done that.

On my way out after another bubble bust, I passed a player in a ring game that I had knocked out earlier from the tourney. Strangely, he asked me what happened.

Excuse me? Are you ASKING me to tell you a bad beat story?

This is unusual. Most people don’t really listen and don’t really care. This player and I are friendly, and he seemed genuinely curious (as opposed to the gloating question i.e. Ha Ha – you got knocked out, too, ya big bully. Let me hear your sob story).

My bad beat stories have been perfected. They come in three flavors:

“I ran into a set.”

“Runner runner.”

“Bigger full house.”

All of these stories are told with a shrug of the shoulders and a (hopefully) devil-may-care attitude. Interestingly, they seem to satisfy the questioner, who usually nods knowingly with a been-there-done-that smile.

So if you really need to tell me your bad beat story, it should be no longer than 5 words. After that, I’ll start charging you 25 cents a word. Seems fair.

Final Political Thought

9 NOV 06

First off – real poker content. I saw a guy call a preflop raise and then call the flop of Jc Jh 8c. Turn 7c. River 9c. Call. Call. Call.

Think about that for a minute. There is 4 to the straight flush and the board paired on the flop. He had 10h 4d for the gut-shot straight against trip Jacks with Ah Jd.

My Ah Jd, dammit.

Final political thought follows: Believe it or not, my faith in the system was somewhat restored this election. It's the strongest message we can send to the world - look how we do it, boys! Republicans aren't forming a militia and killing Democrats just because they lost (yet). Peaceful transfer of power based on a referendum of the masses - what a concept.

Random Political Thoughts

8 NOV 06

If you are coming here for profound political ideas and analysis, please go elsewhere. These are just some thoughts of a 20 year soldier and doctor.

Donald Rumsfeld resigns. Too many people I respect think this was long overdue. Buh-bye.

Liberalism did not win this election. The Democrats played Republican far better than Republicans did. Just look at Sen. Lieberman soundly beating the liberal Democrat.

As a nation, we will soon be talking about redeployment. As you all know, I am getting ready to deploy. As I’ve said before, the most dangerous time to be deployed is during the redeployment (coming home) phase.

Nancy Pelosi will try to socialize medicine. This could affect my career as a physician when I get out of the Army. I’m taking a “wait-and-see” approach. The only thing I know for certain is that Whiskytown is dancing a jig right now.

Poetry

5 NOV 06

I’m not a big poetry fan, but as I rode into work this Sunday morning, I heard a story on NPR about Samuel Menashe that left me awestruck. During that story, he read his poem Curriculum Vitae. Here is the first verse:

Scribe out of work
At a loss for words
Not his to begin with,
The man life passed by
Stands at the window
Biding his time

Borat Needs Your Help

3 NOV 06

My friend Sacha Baron Cohen is having trouble getting people to go see his movie, Borat. David Letterman was nice enough to chat with him. Apparently, some guy named Beck was there at the end.

See the clip here.

Help my buddy out. He’s kinda funny.

When to Pee

2 NOV 06

Editors Note: Regarding yesterday’s post – I’ve listened to the 10 second quote on You Tube about a dozen times, and I’ve heard Mr. Kerry put his spin on it. Believe it or not, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It is certainly possible that this was a botched joke. Still, shame on you for even attempting such a kindergarten recess stunt as trying to intimate that the reason we are in Iraq is because we have a stupid, uneducated president. Our troops, and the world is listening, Mr. Kerry. Attack his policies if you wish. Personal attacks are for the playground.

Darla is the best cocktail waitress at the Muckleshoot. Poker player can be a mean bunch. They routinely stiff the waitstaff and can be rude and tasteless. Darla rises above it all.

Darla does two things that make her stand out:

She brings me two Diet Cokes instead of one.
She brings them to me as soon as I sit down at the table – without even asking.

I always tip when a waitress brings me my Diet Coke. I started tipping Darla more, and she deserves every penny. The problem is that I have to pee like crazy within the hour. So now the question:

1. Do you get up to pee just before you post the Big Blind? In this situation, you expect to miss the blinds. You can post behind (plus the missed Small Blind), or you can wait until the next blind comes around.

2. Do you go pee when you are in early or middle position and hope to get back before you miss the blind?

3. Or, if you are Daddy, do you just pee at the table?

I’ll post my thoughts in the comments later today.

John "****head" Kerry

1 NOV 06

I was going to blog about the important concept of when to pee, but I have a burr in my saddle, so please excuse me. Peeing will have to wait until tomorrow.

John Kerry.

This is not a political blog, dammit. I deliberately avoid political issues. As I’ve said before, I don’t want the appearance of conflict of interest, so I rarely engage in political discourse. This time is different.

I saw the video here.

See it for yourself. Kerry said, “You know, education… if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

Fuck you MISTER Kerry.

My name is DOCTOR Chako. I am a board certified radiologist. I went to 13 years of higher education to get where I am today. I am headed to Iraq.

And I am GODDAMMED PROUD to be going with some of the smartest, most educated and honorable people I have ever met.

Go away. You personify the reason I could never be a Democrat.

Attention prudes: I tried writing this post without cursing, and it just didn’t work. Sorry if you are offended.