Me...win on FTP? don't worry.......

nothing big but hey...it's a restart.....

MiscellaneouSunday

Live bloggin' 'bout nothing in particular today. I had a busy weekend so i'm glad to just hand out and watch the Patriots and other football games. It's raining here today so I don't have to feel bad about the two daughters being inside all day long.

I went to play the Friday night tourney at the HPT (uh...somebody forgot to pay a bill for this one...somebody should just make a blog for free....AHEM!) and I did make the final table. I was the short stack so I didn't have much of a chance to get into the money. Not a bad record at the HPT....3 tournies 3 final tables. I've never won but I'll take that ratio anyday. My last hand was As-8s...by far the best hand but Q high hit and the three way pot was dragged by the vaunted Q-4o. I made the comment "that was the biggest pot dragged by the worst hand I've ever seen in a live tournament....(chuckles all around)" I had to get up early so I didn't get into the cash game afterwards. There were also a few relieved faces after Biggestron didn't show (he runs good in this tourney....real good). Come to think of it neither did this guy (AKA Rakefeeder)or this guy (AKA evil Wonka)...at least this guy has a good excuse! Mike (AKA mlotti on FTP)was a gracious host as always and the HPT people were more than happy to see another semi-familiar face. It reminds me of the WPBT/Winter gathering crowd quite a bit. It's all about fun and the love of the game.

Saturday the wife and I were able to get up to the Newburyport area for good food and drink. My parents offered to babysit. We went to eat some appetizers at a great place called the 'Merrimac River Grille' and then walked over to 'The Grog'. We saw a half decent cover band and had a great time. Gotta love going to a coast town like Newburyport before the weather gets too cold. Come to think of it...it's a good place to go even when it's cold and snowy. I've spent a lot of time up in that area between Newburyport and Salisbury Beach this year....and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday : Started the day beating the bag outta 135 Donkeys to get a buy in to this tourney.



LoL...you only get 300 chips for the 20 FPP buy in. I got 25K FPP's from my top 20 finish in the BBT4 and I only had a few 26 dollar tourney tokens and no cashed to show for it. I buy into this one and play somewhat similar to a Push-fest and have get a 5K FPP buy in out of it....not too shabby to start my day! This also gives me something to do a week after I get my hernia surgery done the 9th of Oct. I'm getting surgery to fix an umbilical hernia that started to bother me sometime in 2000. It's developed into this freakish looking bulge where my belly button used to be...hence the umbilical thing. Let me tell you that it is quite uncomfortable to have people stare at your belly button while on the beach. I kind of had fun with since I knew I'm finally going in for surgery. It looks like a golf ball is behind my belly button or something. I guess they are going to use local anesthesia and put a mesh screen to keep the hernai from popping out again. It's weird but it finally popped out for good about a year ago while in work. I sneezed and made a weird sound and grabbed my stomach at the same time. The guy I work with just looked at me and said "What...did you get shot in the stomach or something" me : "no but it felt like it"....it was a really odd feeling but my family members and wife have been telling me just to get it fixed for the last year...so I am.

Patriots : WTF 6 trips to the red zone and only one touchdown. Tom Brady must....MUST have injured his shoulder during the pre-season. That hit he took from
Haynesworth must have messed up his shoulder...he's overthrowing everybody today.
They lead by 9 and just got the ball back so we'll see. It's really weird to see them not be that offensive juggernaut that we're so used to watching. Nothing lasts forever and we've been through Detroit Lions-like franchise seasons in the past. Not that I think it'll ever be that bad ever again but I do remember the 1-15 and 2-14 seasons.
....now playing 2 dollar 1R1A on FTP....go me....
....keeping an eye on other NFL games via this site...it's probably the best....
....Brady to Baker....nice!......it's about time somebody caught the ball...jeez...
....oh....it looks like the Lions might break their futility streak...and oh those poor Cleveland fans....good luck with Manginuis...good luck...he's getting the bad karma that was coming his way from 2 years ago....
.....Tampa Bay gets shut out....UGLY all around.....those poor Tampa fans....ugh!!!
.....Patriots win...Patriots win...now going over to the Detroit game....go Detroit!
.....My god...the second longest losing streak in the NFL is about to end...they haven't won since 2007!.....
.....oh no Lions....oh no.......
.....Since December of 2007....woohoo....happy for them for once....
.....Rex Ryan is a total Douche Bag just like his daddy......
.....Wow...Minnesota must be happy with Favre...especially after today......
.....the dreaded Yankees just went up 4-2 on my Sox....bastards....
.....Next year is going to be an interesting one in the fantasy baseball leagues with all the Performance enhancing drug busts etc.
.....Joe Morgan is at best the worst baseball commentator......
.....QQ, KK, and AA rarely win on FTP....seriously.......
.....freakin' Yanks....I hate the Yanks.....
.....I don't hate Mariano Rivera though...he is a class act....
.....Somehow I'm still in this 2$ 1R1A...go me.....
.....The fantasy football teams just aren't doing much today...it is frustrating...
.....in typical FTP fashion...I am short stack...I push my T2900 with 9's in early position and get called by K's...my 9's flush out on the river though...this is foreign and new to me...sucking out at FTP...I've been doing it all day!
.....oh...by the way....both of us hit our sets as well on the previous hand....
.....Just won a huge pot pushing my 8's into the BB's 7's to stay alive again....
.....Down in flames...my A-Ko can't hit against 9's.....

.....back after 2.5 hours of yelling and cleaning stuff that the kids have destroyed
.....requested 'Madagascar 2' for daughters...4 year old...she promptly falls asleep....1 year old is just happy to be awake....4 year old must be tired from being a demon child trapped in house all day because of rain....
.....Fantasy Hockey draft about to start on ESPN....I got 4th pick......
.....Sidney Crosby as first pick....not too bad......
.....Draft over...great hockey team ready to kick ass......

Guest Post-Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Hell

This is guest post I of hopefully II. My buddy J. (we'll call him J. Marshall-Law for a semi-pathetic attempt at anonymity) wrote down his thoughts on his hellish travel experience from the U.S. to Spain last August. In this guest post he details the events as he prepares to speak at a seminar in a foreign country as a representative of his place of employment. He told me about this while we were drinking at the beach house during the summer and all I could think of was the movie 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles'.....enjoy :



I missed my flight from JFK to Madrid. Those dumb-asses at American told me I'd have plenty of time even though we were delayed in Boston. Stephen's already in Alicante, and I'm still here at JFK. I got here @ 9:00 last night and spent the night in the international terminal. It was NASTY! Tried to go back to other terminals but they kicked me out at Midnight. I’m hoping to fly out at 6:00PM. If I wasn't so miserable, it would actually be kind of a funny story (the events that took place from leaving work, yesterday @ 1:00 to where I'm at right now). I have to tell you directly, although if I wrote it all down, it would be a good story to read later in life. Did I mention that, besides being filthy, I'm also incredibly itchy because the killer sunburn from hell is starting to peel. I have to shake the flakes out of my shirt, which of course is dark blue.

Of course, I'm lucky enough to be able to update this email, because one would actually need internet access to email someone. So I guess I am just writing everything down. SOOOOO bored right now. I'd try calling you, but I think it's 1 AM there now... Almost noon here and only 6 hours to go.

Wish me luck,
J

Part II:

Ok, so it was a roller coaster of emotion. First, I think I got the 6:00, then no hope. But wait! This guy thinks I'll get in on a waiting list. Wait! There's an opening! He calls American Airlines to get some needed information, and incompetence rains down. He tells me to go to the terminal to get information from the 9:00 they booked and he'll change it. I rush off to deal with workers that have no idea what I talking about, and, because I'm starting to rant and rave, they would be much more comfortable if I left.

But I need to get out of here. I can't take an extra 3 hours, making it a full 24 hours at the cesspool called JFK. I become desperate and start recounting the impact of that worker in Boston that told me, "You should be fine". There is a huge crowd behind me taking in my every word, enjoying the show. They hand me paper and say to take it back to the Iberian booker.

I jump back on the air train and get back to my terminal. I cut through a massive line to reach the dude that will get me out of this god forsaken place in the next 3 hours. He looks at the information, clicks his keyboards some, AND SAYS....... "As soon as you left for American, the space was filled."

It's too much. I have nothing left. Fatigue, filth, nausea... I have suddenly become surprisingly numb to all that has transpired. There's nothing left to do except go crazy, or just give up. I've come too far to throw away the entire trip now, but I tell you, (wife’s name omitted to protect the innocent), I was considering it very seriously. At times I would think, am I crazy? I feel like I've been away forever, and in reality, I've gone nowhere.

The booker dude takes pity on me, giving a window seat towards the front of the plane. He gives my baggage special priority stickers, and makes sure I don't have to claim my baggage in Madrid. He seemed like a trustworthy guy, Maybe gay. I take him at his word. Seeing him later in the departures terminal with a good buzz, I would later thank him and give him a pat on the back.

Jump forward:
This may have cost me as I'm in Alacante right now updating this record, buck naked, but at least clean, attempting to air out the only thing I have that wasn't in my computer case... the clothes on my back. Yes, that's right. The same clothes that have wallowed in the stench of high traffic places and public bathroom for the last 72 hours. Praying from a call from the airport in Madrid. And yes, I do feel ridiculous right now. Wait! Good news. I just opened the care pack from the conference people and there's a t shirt in it. Sure, I'd be the queer guy who wears the conference t shirt on the first day, but at least it's clean. Let's take a look... uh huh... yep... says something in spanish with a small yellow heart next to it. Definitely gay. Trying it on, and yes, it doesn't even cover my sunburned, peeling belly. For crying out loud, this thing may fit (Sons name omitted to protect the innocent). The role continues.

But I digress...

I try to express gratitude, as I leave to check in and head towards the security area. Leaving behind the barren terminal I've wandered repeatedly, dragging my luggage with me the whole time, like a ball and chain. Literally, I could not go anywhere without taking my stupidly huge suitcase that I thought I was a genius for buying.


Part III

Wait... I'm leaving the terminal!? I go past security and see shops and restaurants and bars, and look... a TV! And baseball is on. I drink 3 quick beers the bar, and then go to the most expensive restaurant I find. Todd English has restaurants? Who knew? Don't worry, hon. BHS will be getting this receipt. I feel a little sick, queasy stomach from not eating , and then suddenly over indulging, at little buzzed and dizzy from drinking quickly, and a bit on edge from suddenly going from homeless-like stasis to being in a mob of people. It is the reason I stayed away from the crowded noisy international terminal.

Passing through security and being free of the terminal is everything, and after the last round of departures I have found a quiet area to type this. I'm feeling much better giving my body time to absorb some food, and am fighting the need to sleep. I want to save that for the flight and I have too much fear that I would sleep through my departure. I think I'm going back to the bar to see the rest of the game.

So back to me, sitting 3/4 naked in the hotel room I have yet to leave, with my gay half shirt. I'm dreading putting those clothes on but am quickly running out of options. Maybe just long enough to buy some stuff and then run back to the room for another shower. Had to explain the situation to Stephen, who I just made contact with. He was trying to catch the bus to the university to register and scope out our room for the presentation. He takes off after the bus when he realizes I can't make it.


Par IV

Finally on the plane for Madrid @ 9PM sharp. The flight is packed, but at least I have a window seat to put my head against for a chance of sleep. A quiet woman sits in the seat next to me as we wait for take off, and things are a bit cramped, but I really don't care. Right before take off she says something to the stewardess in Spanish and leaves. I would not see her for the rest of the flight. She must of had a friend with an empty seat next to him/her and asked if she could sit there.

But check-in guy told me the flight was booked. Did someone cancel or miss the flight as I had 24 hours ago? Was it God saying, "This guy's had enough" and brought down divine intervention to throw me a bone? At the time it seemed like a mini miracle. Once in the air we get served dinner, and mine is a beef dish served chilled. I pick at it a bit and push it over to the empty seat try. I later found out from Stephen, who took the same flight the night before, that it was not supposed to be chilled, but instead it was never warmed. At the time I wouldn't have eaten it anyway had I realized. At this point I'm not sure if the woman will return, but decide to stretch out a bit.

Sleep comes quickly, and I’m in and out of consciousness the whole flight. It passes quickly and my neighbor returns for the landing. Passing over Spain the land looks like a patch work of shades of brown and yellow square-like shapes, all connecting, and occasional dark patches, which may be small pieces of forests. Flat plains give way to crumbling hills and mountains, and it is a very beautiful and seemingly ancient terrain.

Slept most of the way to Alacante as well but did wake up for the approach. Barren and ancient hills worn by time, with scrub patches of vegetation, almost desert like. Crumbling hills roll to the sea, and there doesn’t seem to be much west of the city.

Truckin got my chips cashed in...

Please read these latest stories from Truckin' and enjoy....I wish I had to drive to write something worthy but I'm laaaaaaazaaaay! It's all good stuff from Pauly and others. Of course I'm going to be nice to Pauly until and if my Red Sox meet the dreaded Yankees in the playoffs...or if the dreaded New Jersey Jets beat my Patriots! BAH!

Truckin' -- http://mcgtruckin.blogspot.com

September 2009, Vol. 8, Issue 9
Welcome back to the September issue of Truckin'.

1. Tangerine Rockets by Paul McGuire
Lennie was an international legend. His father walked away from a plane crash and passed along some of those good luck genes over to Lennie.... More

2. The Red Pill by Sigge S. Amdal
She dropped the face and began to cry, as tensions rose around me. The waiters stopped waiting tables, people stopped talking; they were just exchanging knowing glances and judgmental comments... More

3. Fine Tuning by Milton T. Burton
He looked perplexed. I slipped my hand beneath my coat, came out with the little silenced .22 Magnum auto, and shot him right in the center of the forehead. The hollow-point bullet exited the back of his skull, making a colorful little jet of blood and brains as it went... More

4. On Scoring by Human Head
One look at the eyeliner, eyebrows, gold hoops and herringbone chains, and I knew this was the Angel we were supposed to see. As she drew closer to the door, the tattoo's left little doubt. She didn't say anything. She just looked at me... More

5. The Joys of Gambling by Johnny Hughes
Saratoga Springs, New York in August was the gambling capital of America in the 1920s, with the horses, the spa waters, large and ornate casinos, and America's wealthiest citizens in a gilded age, when money and wine were treated like water...More

N.E. Pats make their own luck......OR.......

Buffalo just snatches defeat from the Jaws of victory? Well color me unimpressed with the N.E. defense. The special teams saves the game for the Pats...we've seen it in the past and we'll see it again in the future. Sometimes the Pats can drive me nuts...but they found a way to win again. I'm watching Richard Seymour stuff the run out in San Diego right now..that's really weird. Brady was noticeably skittish in the pocket but he still threw over 370 yards or something. So this is what we know so far. The passing game is as good as any team. The defense is going to be suspect for the whole year. The Running game still is not great (Laurence Maroney is going to drive this kid insane...I'm sorry but he sucks) and the special teams are as good as can be expected. THIS ONE IS GOING TO DRIVE THE PATS HATERS BONKERS!!!!!! As deranged as Pats haters can be I can actually sympathize with the fans in Buffalo. I said the fans....not this guy....



I was actually at the RedSox game last Friday night....it got rained out by the end of the first inning. A friend of mine called me that day with free tickets in the Fleet clubhouse area or whatever it is. 165.00 dollar tickets is actually something I will not pass up on at Fenway Park...raining or not. So right after we sat down the Benevolent one called in a dial-a-shot from Canada land. I said "Bam-WOW"...the rest of the conversation was "Blah Blah blah.....(*&*(^)(*() Blah" Somehow the Dial-a-Shot is always well timed. Good stuff.

I won some ZZ Top tickets to tomorrow nights show at the Orpheum Theater in Boston. I won through a local radio station and it seemed pretty easy. I think I may just win some in the future. Funny....I haven't seen them since 1991 when Extreme opened up for them at Great Woods. This could be a great show....it seems like it was so long ago that I went to a couple of shows even within the same year. Since the little ones were born I haven't had the chance. That has all changed lately. Late summer has been a good one for concerts, sports events, and general outdoor stuff. Did I ever mention that this is my favorite time of year? Poker has been meh at best. I haven't done much in the way of cashing any significant money. I may get out to a home game at the end of the month. Maybe with the HPT peeps. I just noticed that the HPT website is down...d'oh. Here is some bizarre poker news as well.

Edit : The ZZ Top show at the Orpheum was great. I can't believe they've been around for 40 years. In the past month i've seen the Allman Bros. on their 40 anniversary tour and now ZZ Top on theirs as well. Both bands have been playing live and honing their chops since before I was born....incredible. That's why I like to see the old pros...they sound incredible and they have a ton of classic songs. The Orpheum was built some time in the mid-1800's so it's not exactly conducive to loud distorted guitars. Awesome show...if you can get some cheap tickets it's the best show in town.

9-12

Of course this wasn't in the media spotlight but it is a good sign for the future of the U.S.A.

9-11

EDITORIAL: Grounded down at Ground Zero - Washington Times

End of Summer.....

Well...summers over....and now it's time for Baseball playoffs (please BoSox...don't fail me now) and FOOTBALL!!!!! It's my favorite time of year for sports. Get yer fantasy picks and leagues setup!
I went back up to Salisbury Beach this past Labor Day weekend.....had some food....friends....family....and fireworks....and some fBeers....and some fbooze....fsun.....fwaves.....
Well you get the picture....

09-09-09

Why 09-09-09 is special....other than it gives me a reason to make a cool and cryptic looking post title. My daughter was born on 05-05-05 so maybe it's just a fascination with specific dates.....


I am going to have to post a new list of the biggest morons on the planet later...for now this will have to do.....