31 JAN 07
Demetri Martin
Do NOT be drinking water when you listen to this 3 minute clip.
“If I ever attended the hanging of an amputee, I’d just start shouting out letters.”
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Brain Mush
29 JAN 07
I have possibly the worst week ahead of me. We are so short staffed that all physicians will be covering two services. Teaching will suffer (we have 19 residents). It’s all about getting the work done this week. On top of this, I have one doctor who threatened to quit if I don’t give her additional time off to go see her grandma in Florida. Nice. My tendency is to say, “Don’t let the hospital door hit you on the bottom on the way out.”
The problem is, if she leaves, I go from desperate to desperation.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. My 9 year old just requested that I get my guitar and sing him a goodnight song. I don’t know how many more nights I’ll be able to do this before it becomes… uncool.
I think it’s either Puff the Magic Dragon, or Volcano (he’s a Parrothead like me).
I have possibly the worst week ahead of me. We are so short staffed that all physicians will be covering two services. Teaching will suffer (we have 19 residents). It’s all about getting the work done this week. On top of this, I have one doctor who threatened to quit if I don’t give her additional time off to go see her grandma in Florida. Nice. My tendency is to say, “Don’t let the hospital door hit you on the bottom on the way out.”
The problem is, if she leaves, I go from desperate to desperation.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. My 9 year old just requested that I get my guitar and sing him a goodnight song. I don’t know how many more nights I’ll be able to do this before it becomes… uncool.
I think it’s either Puff the Magic Dragon, or Volcano (he’s a Parrothead like me).
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Plan B
25 JAN 07
Time to get political. If the administration isn't reading Washington Post Columnist Charles Krauthammer, they should be.
In yet another well written article, Charlie K. explains we that need another option in Iraq:
Right now there are only three policies on the table: (1) the surge, which a majority of Congress opposes, (2) the status quo, which everybody opposes, and (3) the abandonment of Iraq, which appears to be the default Democratic alternative.
What is missing is a fourth alternative, both as a threat to Maliki and as an actual fallback if the surge fails. The Pentagon should be working on a sustainable Plan B whose major element would be not so much a drawdown of troops as a drawdown of risk to our troops.
We say to Maliki: Let us down, and we dismantle the Green Zone, leave Baghdad and let you fend for yourself. We will be around to pick up the pieces as best we can.
I couldn't agree more.
Editor's Note: Blogger ate this post twice. For my RSS readers, sorry if this is a repost.
Time to get political. If the administration isn't reading Washington Post Columnist Charles Krauthammer, they should be.
In yet another well written article, Charlie K. explains we that need another option in Iraq:
Right now there are only three policies on the table: (1) the surge, which a majority of Congress opposes, (2) the status quo, which everybody opposes, and (3) the abandonment of Iraq, which appears to be the default Democratic alternative.
What is missing is a fourth alternative, both as a threat to Maliki and as an actual fallback if the surge fails. The Pentagon should be working on a sustainable Plan B whose major element would be not so much a drawdown of troops as a drawdown of risk to our troops.
We say to Maliki: Let us down, and we dismantle the Green Zone, leave Baghdad and let you fend for yourself. We will be around to pick up the pieces as best we can.
I couldn't agree more.
Editor's Note: Blogger ate this post twice. For my RSS readers, sorry if this is a repost.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Miscellaneous Housekeeping
24 JAN 07
We had some vicious snow recently here in the Pacific Northwest, but this led to some awesome sledding and a new nickname for my son.
Scarface
Also, for those of you who were worried that my midlife crisis has stalled, have no fear. Here is my new Desktop pic:
We had some vicious snow recently here in the Pacific Northwest, but this led to some awesome sledding and a new nickname for my son.
Scarface
Also, for those of you who were worried that my midlife crisis has stalled, have no fear. Here is my new Desktop pic:
Ferrari Dino
Finally, a hand from last night’s head-up Omaha 8 round. I have 4 6 7 K with two diamonds. The flop is 5 8 9 with two diamonds. My opponent (AKA, The Rock, AKA, my wife) caps the flop and when the Ace of diamonds hits the turn, she caps again. All the money was in on the river when the board didn’t pair. My nuts flush was good for high, of course.
What did she have?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Poker at the Boss’s Recap
22 JAN 07
A good time was had by all. This was clearly a social game. Buy in was $5, so no one would feel pressure. Still, it’s funny to watch a bunch of doctors hemming and hawing over $5.
Random Doctor: “I don’t know. I watch poker on TV, but I really don’t know how to play.”
Dr. Chako: “C’mon already! It’s five lousy bucks!”
Turns out they were serious about not knowing how to play (the hand-ranking sheets at each seat were a dead giveaway). One hand illustrates this. I call from early position with K9 spades and get two other callers. Flop is Q 8 4 all clubs. I check and it checks around. Turn is a red King. I bet and both call, so I figure they are on a flush draw. River is a blank, but I have no idea where I am. Check, check and check.
Dr. Chako – top pair.
Dr. #2 – Top two.
Dr. #3 – The FLOPPED nut flush.
Is that any good?
Well, Mrs. Chako was the big winner - is that any surprise? She played well, but it was her third suckout on the river that cinched the deal. Paid for babysitting - yee-haw!
If you’ll remember, they think of me as the “poker guru,” and they walked away thinking, “I can beat that guy. He ain’t so tuff.”
Got ‘em right where I want ‘em. Now I just need to get them to up the stakes next time.
Like that’s ever gonna happen.
A good time was had by all. This was clearly a social game. Buy in was $5, so no one would feel pressure. Still, it’s funny to watch a bunch of doctors hemming and hawing over $5.
Random Doctor: “I don’t know. I watch poker on TV, but I really don’t know how to play.”
Dr. Chako: “C’mon already! It’s five lousy bucks!”
Turns out they were serious about not knowing how to play (the hand-ranking sheets at each seat were a dead giveaway). One hand illustrates this. I call from early position with K9 spades and get two other callers. Flop is Q 8 4 all clubs. I check and it checks around. Turn is a red King. I bet and both call, so I figure they are on a flush draw. River is a blank, but I have no idea where I am. Check, check and check.
Dr. Chako – top pair.
Dr. #2 – Top two.
Dr. #3 – The FLOPPED nut flush.
Is that any good?
Well, Mrs. Chako was the big winner - is that any surprise? She played well, but it was her third suckout on the river that cinched the deal. Paid for babysitting - yee-haw!
If you’ll remember, they think of me as the “poker guru,” and they walked away thinking, “I can beat that guy. He ain’t so tuff.”
Got ‘em right where I want ‘em. Now I just need to get them to up the stakes next time.
Like that’s ever gonna happen.
Friday, January 19, 2007
I Have a Big Mouth
19 JAN 07
Seriously. It’s a problem I’ve had my whole life. I remember my dad catching me in an obvious lie. It never would have been found out if I’d just kept my mouth shut, but no. I just kept talking and talking until he realized that I was trying to tell him something without actually saying it. I’m great at keeping other people’s secrets. Some secrets I’ve kept my whole life, even after any implied statute of limitations would have reasonably expired.
I just can’t keep my own.
It is with this knowledge that I can tell you about a small problem at work. Normal people (and here I’m thinking about Iggy – although I’m not sure that term applies to poker-playing dwarves) are probably smart enough not to mention their poker hobby to their colleagues. We all know what happened to Bobby Bracelet when his contemporaries found out about his blog. The lesson here is – keep work and play separate.
But I have a big mouth.
Somehow, I’ve managed to let everyone at work know that I’m a poker player. Thank goodness I’ve been able to keep my blog private. Well, I’m sure someone knows about it. After all, this is a military computer, and I have a Word document on my desktop called, “Poker Blog.” Regular readers (all two of you) know that I occasionally talk about my coworkers – sometimes in a not-so-great light.
My boss just invited me to go play poker at his house tonight. He actually said that he wasn’t going to invite me because it was supposed to be a friendly game, and he didn’t want to bring in the “ringer.”
Maybe if I let him read the blog, he wouldn’t worry so much.
Seriously. It’s a problem I’ve had my whole life. I remember my dad catching me in an obvious lie. It never would have been found out if I’d just kept my mouth shut, but no. I just kept talking and talking until he realized that I was trying to tell him something without actually saying it. I’m great at keeping other people’s secrets. Some secrets I’ve kept my whole life, even after any implied statute of limitations would have reasonably expired.
I just can’t keep my own.
It is with this knowledge that I can tell you about a small problem at work. Normal people (and here I’m thinking about Iggy – although I’m not sure that term applies to poker-playing dwarves) are probably smart enough not to mention their poker hobby to their colleagues. We all know what happened to Bobby Bracelet when his contemporaries found out about his blog. The lesson here is – keep work and play separate.
But I have a big mouth.
Somehow, I’ve managed to let everyone at work know that I’m a poker player. Thank goodness I’ve been able to keep my blog private. Well, I’m sure someone knows about it. After all, this is a military computer, and I have a Word document on my desktop called, “Poker Blog.” Regular readers (all two of you) know that I occasionally talk about my coworkers – sometimes in a not-so-great light.
My boss just invited me to go play poker at his house tonight. He actually said that he wasn’t going to invite me because it was supposed to be a friendly game, and he didn’t want to bring in the “ringer.”
Maybe if I let him read the blog, he wouldn’t worry so much.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Two Hour Commutes...
Suck!
The weather here in Seattle is out of this world. On top of 8 inches of accumulation, we had another 2 last night. My BMW got to the bottom ofthe driveway before the spinning tires finally gave up. At least I got to the sidewalk. Some excellent Les Schwab chains on the Honda Odyssey and I was off, albeit at 5 MPH. 25 miles and 2 hours and 20 minutes later, I'm at the hospital. The good news is that routine patients probably won't be able to make it here to clog up my schedule. The bad news is two fold: There were multiple accidents, several of which have probably caused new patients to be sitting in my ER, and I'm sure many of my colleagues were unable to get to work.
"Why are you blogging when you should be saving lives?" you might ask.
Good point. Wish me luck.
Editors Note: Well, they finally got me. When I try to post to Blogger at work, I get, "Access Denied: Sex." Strangely, I can pull up my website. From now on, I'll have to post from home. This sucks as bad as the weather.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Pardon the Interruption
15 JAN 07
Recovery from my dental extraction has taken longer than expected. Alternating between pain and Oxycontin makes for a poor blogger. I’ve finally turned the corner.
So, the last time we left our hero, he was in the middle of his midlife crisis. This has not magically gone away, in case you were wondering.
Phase 2 is acquisition. I WILL be getting a Ferrari, but it really doesn’t make much sense to get it right before I go to Iraq. I also have a passion for watches, so help me out. Of the three watches above, which do you prefer?
Recovery from my dental extraction has taken longer than expected. Alternating between pain and Oxycontin makes for a poor blogger. I’ve finally turned the corner.
So, the last time we left our hero, he was in the middle of his midlife crisis. This has not magically gone away, in case you were wondering.
Phase 2 is acquisition. I WILL be getting a Ferrari, but it really doesn’t make much sense to get it right before I go to Iraq. I also have a passion for watches, so help me out. Of the three watches above, which do you prefer?
Editors note: The Maurice LaCroix image would not load, but I think it's out of the running anyway, so just choose 1 or 2.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Go Away.
10 JAN 07
I’m in no mood to talk to you right now. I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Since I had trouble the last time I did this (they only took one tooth because, no matter how many sedatives they gave me, I kept moving my head), I decided to have the rest out with only local anesthesia.
You know that drill? The one they use to saw difficult teeth in half? Yeah, it’s REALLY loud inside your mouth when you are awake.
I promise to resume my good mood again tomorrow. For now, buzz off.
I’m in no mood to talk to you right now. I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Since I had trouble the last time I did this (they only took one tooth because, no matter how many sedatives they gave me, I kept moving my head), I decided to have the rest out with only local anesthesia.
You know that drill? The one they use to saw difficult teeth in half? Yeah, it’s REALLY loud inside your mouth when you are awake.
I promise to resume my good mood again tomorrow. For now, buzz off.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Obligatory Poker Content
8 JAN 07
A scare card comes on the river. Two calling stations check to you. Why risk your tournament here?
Weight: 182 (No change from last week, but a great fondue at The Melting Pot last night didn’t help things. Still, I restarted my regular workouts. Feels good).
A scare card comes on the river. Two calling stations check to you. Why risk your tournament here?
Weight: 182 (No change from last week, but a great fondue at The Melting Pot last night didn’t help things. Still, I restarted my regular workouts. Feels good).
Friday, January 05, 2007
Sleep Deprivation
5 JAN 07
Doctors don’t get much sleep. Residents and Interns get even less, and sometimes die while trying to drive home after little if any sleep while on-call. I once fell asleep at a traffic light after working for between 100 and 120 hours per week for an entire month.
The Army’s answer – MANDATORY SLEEP DEPRIVATION TRAINING.
I am right now headed to a one hour class on the terrors of a lack of sleep.
Did I mention that the mandatory class starts at 6:30 am?
Doctors don’t get much sleep. Residents and Interns get even less, and sometimes die while trying to drive home after little if any sleep while on-call. I once fell asleep at a traffic light after working for between 100 and 120 hours per week for an entire month.
The Army’s answer – MANDATORY SLEEP DEPRIVATION TRAINING.
I am right now headed to a one hour class on the terrors of a lack of sleep.
Did I mention that the mandatory class starts at 6:30 am?
Thursday, January 04, 2007
On a Flight Last Weekend to Texas…
4 JAN 07
I read the magazine in the seat back. It’s called American Way, and there is a picture of Edward Norton on the front. As you flyers know, these magazines try to have articles that appeal to the masses, so there are usually columns about popular culture, actors and golf. Recently, poker has crept in too. Imagine my surprise when I read the following:
“The line of bloggers is huge an unkempt. Picture the kids who thought Anthony Michael Hall was a god in Sixteen Candles. Now picture them at age 23 buying into a no-limit tourney. Right. Horrifying.”
And this…
“Summertime (the nickname of one of a group calling themselves the Batfaces) quickly regrets his choice (to play in the tournament). “Worst decision ever,” he texts us. “Sitting between guy with Gorgon breath and a girl who introduced herself as Jane 100.”
Could Eric Celeste (the author and former senior editor at said magazine) be talking about our own Change?
***
One quick story before I go. We had a wonderful Mexican dinner last night at Azteca. My 4 year old has to go potty (as usual). We get into the bathroom and I hang up his jacket on the hook in the stall. When we get back to the table, he proudly announces, “Mommy! There were hookers in the bathroom!”
I read the magazine in the seat back. It’s called American Way, and there is a picture of Edward Norton on the front. As you flyers know, these magazines try to have articles that appeal to the masses, so there are usually columns about popular culture, actors and golf. Recently, poker has crept in too. Imagine my surprise when I read the following:
“The line of bloggers is huge an unkempt. Picture the kids who thought Anthony Michael Hall was a god in Sixteen Candles. Now picture them at age 23 buying into a no-limit tourney. Right. Horrifying.”
And this…
“Summertime (the nickname of one of a group calling themselves the Batfaces) quickly regrets his choice (to play in the tournament). “Worst decision ever,” he texts us. “Sitting between guy with Gorgon breath and a girl who introduced herself as Jane 100.”
Could Eric Celeste (the author and former senior editor at said magazine) be talking about our own Change?
***
One quick story before I go. We had a wonderful Mexican dinner last night at Azteca. My 4 year old has to go potty (as usual). We get into the bathroom and I hang up his jacket on the hook in the stall. When we get back to the table, he proudly announces, “Mommy! There were hookers in the bathroom!”
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Flawed Logic
3 JAN 07
"Hi. My name is Dr. Chako, and I’m an Omatard."
"Hi, Dr. Chako!"
So, I’m playing heads up HOE against an absolute rock. It’s a strange game heads up, but it beats the tedium of all Hold ‘em all the time.
We are in the Omaha 8 round, and I have AQxx. Since it's heads up, and since my opponent is a rock, raising is usually pointless. I’m on the button, so I just call. We see a flop of:
A Q 10 rainbow.
She checks, I bet and she calls. So far, I have little information, but this is pretty typical for this opponent. Did I mention she is a rock? She also never folds pre-flop to a raise, and since no hand is greater that 60% to win, I see little point.
Turn is a blank, but it puts two spades on the board. Now the rock bets. I raise. She re-raises.
Danger, Wil Robinson!
I articulate my thought process outloud. There are only 4 hands that make sense. Perhaps less.
K J
AQ
A 10
Set
My first question. I had no possible flush, but there is a chance (turns out, a good one) that she does. How much credit should I give after a rainbow flop?
#2. Since I tie AQ and beat A 10, and I’m behind on the others, do I call here? There are 7 big bets in the pot. If I’m drawing to only 4 outs, the answer is no.
Gear change. The holidays were unkind to my waistline, but I got up at 4:40 this morning and hit the bike. I did have one lapse and ate an incredible Seattle’s Finest cookie. It sure does help that the president and CEO hand delivered them to my door (thanks Hunter).
Weight: 182 (five pound MORE than my last report)
"Hi. My name is Dr. Chako, and I’m an Omatard."
"Hi, Dr. Chako!"
So, I’m playing heads up HOE against an absolute rock. It’s a strange game heads up, but it beats the tedium of all Hold ‘em all the time.
We are in the Omaha 8 round, and I have AQxx. Since it's heads up, and since my opponent is a rock, raising is usually pointless. I’m on the button, so I just call. We see a flop of:
A Q 10 rainbow.
She checks, I bet and she calls. So far, I have little information, but this is pretty typical for this opponent. Did I mention she is a rock? She also never folds pre-flop to a raise, and since no hand is greater that 60% to win, I see little point.
Turn is a blank, but it puts two spades on the board. Now the rock bets. I raise. She re-raises.
Danger, Wil Robinson!
I articulate my thought process outloud. There are only 4 hands that make sense. Perhaps less.
K J
AQ
A 10
Set
My first question. I had no possible flush, but there is a chance (turns out, a good one) that she does. How much credit should I give after a rainbow flop?
#2. Since I tie AQ and beat A 10, and I’m behind on the others, do I call here? There are 7 big bets in the pot. If I’m drawing to only 4 outs, the answer is no.
Gear change. The holidays were unkind to my waistline, but I got up at 4:40 this morning and hit the bike. I did have one lapse and ate an incredible Seattle’s Finest cookie. It sure does help that the president and CEO hand delivered them to my door (thanks Hunter).
Weight: 182 (five pound MORE than my last report)
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