I left work early today after reviewing the milestone. We're in so so shape. But I took off to meet Kim as he found a new oyster place, oysters for a buck after 6pm.
I know I said I wouldn't go for oysters since our last 100 oyster binge, but what the heck, it was a nice humid sunny day so, we spent it outside on the patio. Took us a while to find the place since it was a smaller venue, but the oysters were impeccable. Shipped from PEI today, we definitely had them fresh. They were as good as the ones we had at Starfish.
Mmm, oysters!
Kim did a good deed though, when the bill came, they had forgotten to charge us for 2 extra plates. I wanted to pay for it as is, but he opted to be honest and tell. Heh, go figure. His reasoning was it's a small business, can't stiff 'em. If it was Starfish, yeah, stiff 'em. But can't let the little guys go under right?
Ah yes, what character he displayed here! He in fact, called MY character into question! That doesn't happen too often.
I did some work for about 2 hours in the morning, from 10 to noon or so. Glad I did it, was pretty rewarding.
Then, the rest of the day was a huge bore, drag, etc. I was so unmotivated, lethargic, purpose-less....talk about me sitting on my ass in my office. Kim kept IMing me too with those damned winks. Clearly jealous of my easy life.
Rest of the afternoon was so mundane. You won't want to know what I did. You can probably guess.
Anne got back from her trip yesterday, caught her online tonight. That was amazingly fast though, two weeks? WTF? We just had dinner it seemed.
Pete cheered me up though, it's amazing how he sees things differently than I do. Still not sure if he's right though, probably not, but made me laugh.
Pete, you are on crack. Not me.
Well, Friday was good, we went out for some good chinese food. After a long week at work where the morale was low, I needed some good cheer. Went with Kim and Jade, though Jade had agreed to go, then bailed, then rejoined. Anyway, Kim loves this place and ordered their special mega shrimp, scallops with japanese tofu, pork hock with jellyfish, veggies and...oh I can't remember. Was all good. Good chinese has been few and far between these days.
We did some shopping later, where I found some cool japanese plates, bowls, cups....basically a very classy joint. I didn't buy anything but this place is filed in my mind for when I need it. Soon....
Saturday bday shopping for another friend, we had a dinner at the Keg later that night, whole slew of us, like 14. Ordered prime rib with lobster tail. Speaking to Val, she recently went on Jury Duty and I wanted to get the low down on it. Apparently her trial was on murder, some guy strangled his wife. She was called up and questioned by Prosecutor and Defense who then rejected her, which is what she wanted. I would have loved to have been on though, see how it all happens. In any case, our judicial system isn't as great as it's cracked up to be.
Later, went back to Val's place where half watched a movie, and others played poker. Birthday boy won. One of the topics of conversation though was this japanese coffee maker. Had this bunsen burner and tubes all over to make coffee. Well, it looked cool but it took forever to make a cup!
Sunday, went and saw the movie B***** B*****. I went in not thinking I'd like it. I'd read the reviews, saw the trailers but I wasn't convinced. But it turned out to be really good. Aside from Katie. *yawn* The Gay Pride Parade was also on too, so tons of people were out this sunny day. At night, had a softball playoff game to go to, but I declined since I had missed so many games due to the business trips etc. Didn't want to disrupt the chemistry. Good thing too, as we won.
Now a look at the week ahead....another tough day at the office today, I don't think it's going to improve much. Then a short week with the long weekend. Don't have anything planned though. We may do a BBQ if the weather holds.
To get myself out of despair, I gambled $300 dollars today and lost.
I don' t feel that bad though.
Plugged some holes today, but it's temporary.
Mr and Miss have now left to become Mr. and Mrs. They'll be gone until end of next week, then pop in, before their honeymoon.
That leaves me holding and patching things while they're gone.
Oh joy.
As I wrote earlier, there was an implosion last week. So how much damage did it do?
Well, we can steer this ship, but I do think there's a leak. Can we plug it up? Or will the leak get the better of us? Slowly, I feel the crew waning. They're looking to jump overboard....yet scared there's sharks. What will they do? They're scanning for land...if they see it, they'll jump. And what will I do? Using the same terminology terms, I suppose I'm the First Mate. Aside from the Captain, I'm the last one to jump. If the ship goes down, I'm supposed to go down with it. Up to today, I was content with that.
But I couldn't sleep last night.
I'm not sure how to handle this. I went to work today, held my normal meeting and towed the company line. Yet all last night, I kept thinking of my options. I will either help steer this ship to land, with nobody onboard, and upon landing, will find myself surrounded by cannibals who will roast me alive. Yeah, these cannibals, based on the reports, won't want me on their island. I'm steering the ship to potentially a hostile environment if I continue on course.
So...do I jump ship for land? Try to get onto another ship? Will anyone take a first mate who's had a different crew 3 times in the last 3 years?
Already today, I know of one crewmember who spotted land and jumped off. I know of another who will jump in a month's time. And three others are looking for their own piece of land. However, I do know of another ship we could jump onto, and am exploring that option. I really want to keep the crew together and maybe the 3 that are looking can come with me. That would be really cool.
What do I do? What would YOU do? Stand by the Captain? Leave?
It's maddening....the decision to be made.
And worse, I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.
Yeah, amazing what a little leak has done to cripple our strong ship.
Arriving back on friday, got back to my condo at 5pm. Howie had my keys though, and he couldn't drop them off at the concierge. So I had to call him at work to get into my place. But....my cell phone died. So I had to charge it before I could call him. 15 minutes later, got a hold of him and he came by. I looked pretty weird standing in the lobby with my suitcase and charger plugged, watching all these people come in and go. Saw some nice looking ladies though, man, my building is stacked with hotties. I really should socialize more.
When we got the keys, basically went in with Howie, and relaxed at night. Howie had to pick up some inlaws later that night so he took off, he was going to be quite busy this upcoming week.
Saturday, got news that our company laid off some people. Shocker.
Monday, got the dirt, and more shocker, our company may close down and move elsewhere.
Morale was pretty low.
Tuesday we went to see the new place, was ok. Question was, did we want to move here?
Wednesday was my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! Did nothing that night, as we had plans for dinner Saturday with the gang.
Thursday....came home.
Friday night (tonight) went to play a poker tourney. Same setup as Vegas, $60 buy in, $50 rebuy if you get knocked out in the first hour. 1500 chips. 40 players.
Long story short, I finished 3rd, payout of $300. 1st was $1k, 2nd was $500, and 4th was $200. I played as well as I did in Vegas, though when it came to final three, 2nd and 3rd were even chipstacks at 10k while 1st had 60k over us. I didn't get many cards here to play, 5-3, 7-2, 9-6, stuff like that, and ended up getting blinded out. The guy in 1st won it after going head to head with 2nd place, an old gent. Had the old gent won, the guy in 1st played horribly, allowing him to climb back into the match by giving away the blinds. However, he did win so kudos.
As for me, I got there on playing well. I picked up many pots, betting well, and risking enough to win the pots. Some hands that put me over the top?
I had JJ, player to my right had 99 and player to my right had AA. 99 raised big blind, and I reraised even higher. But AA raised like motherload 10k or something. Pot was big, so I called, though I knew I was underdog.
Flop was K Q 8 10 A
I won with a straight and lucked out.
That basically put me in the final table, though I won a few more huge hands that didn't require huge all in bets.
Yeah, I did well, quite proud. Was fun. Not bad $60 investment to get $300 right?
I have a new poker nickname --> The Juggernaut
I've got the Poker High now, so thought I'd blog before I go to sleep.
3am....night.
The flight to Houston got us in around 11pm local time. We couldn't find the car, so um....yeah. Finally we realized we were on the wrong floor. :)
The drive home was uneventful, save for the fact that Houston has tons of lanes, eg. 6, and there's no traffic. Why the heck do they need 6 lanes when there's no traffic?
The house was close to what I remembered, save for the renovations Brendan had done. Was great...a nice comfy home, all connected and cozy. Big selling feature were these auto blinds that lock out light. And I mean lock out light!! Perfect, I gotta get them installed myself.
Introduced to the cats, Jasmine, Miss Fe and 2.0. They call him 2.0 because he looks like Jasmine!! Cool cats....during my stay there, got used to them, hell, they even slept on my bed! Good cats. Unlike Napoleon at Pete's place who constantly hissed at me. I hiss back.
Day two had us wake up early to go to Bank, a nice brunch place. For $20 we got to pick two dishes which were near Iron Chef quality! And when one of those dishes is like steak, umm....what a deal?!?! The afternoon was baseball, where we watched the Astros play. They lost, just like the Giants in SF.
Sunday, we went for Mexican brunch, with Martha's parents, who were also staying at their place. I was introduced to Pei as well, a close friend of Bren/Martha....and the sneaking suspicion they were trying to set me up with her. Lunch was ok, it wasn't suitable for me though with all the different tastes. Reminded me of when I had dinner at spanish tapas wih Ray then watched Memento...in the middle of that, I had to go to the bathroom where I stayed for the rest of the movie...yes indeed, missing half the movie wasn't fun. I had to buy the DVD couple days later to finish it!!
Anyway, after lunch, went to Pei's place, where I got to see her digs. Very nice, we actually do have much in common. Her tastes and family background is definitely something we share. She's also a trial lawyer and works insane hours like me. Oh...and she's quite the chatter.
Sunday night, Bren and Martha played in a softball game, so I went to cheer. They played well but their defense wasn't up to task and lost. They did win the first game though in a thrilling comeback. Did they deserve to win? Nope, but hell, they sure made it interesting. It's always fun to watch a team of 'geeks' vs 'jocks'. Celebrations are very amusing.
Monday went shopping! Bought some nice clothes/pants, followed by massage. My God, I needed that. It was a good pain she enforced on me though, as my neck, shoulders, back and lower back were tight as anything. I came to realize I shouldn't be so tight, not enough water, exercise and posture. These are things I need to focus on more. Afterwards, I was so sore....it was crazy. The massage therapist said I had the body of a 50+ year old businessman! How did I get this way when I'm single and not married? she asked. I have no idea.
Martha says I internalize my stress. After thinking about it, I think she's right. Explains my silver hair!
Tuesday was a free day, where I went to Galleria again. I drove Martha's truck which was cool. Don't think I want a big truck though, but neat to drive. Upon coming back, I tried out a yoga class, held by a friend of Martha's. Best yoga in Houston! Joy Yoga! And to my surprise, yoga gave me quite the sweat. It's damn tough. Plus I am not flexible so it was good. I think I need to do more yoga to regain my flexibility of which I haven't had since ...... 3 years old.
Wednesday we went car shopping....Bren wanted a new car. We checked out BMW, Lexus, VW, Mazda...almost all the non american cars. Oddly enough, Bren didn't fit in any cars. He's too tall and looks damn uncomfortable. So in the end, the only cars that did fit him were the BMWs...we're leaning on the 325 or M3. Ironically enough, I want to get a 325 too, should I decide to get one.
Thurs was massage part deux. Only this time, they steamed me like a shrimp before massaging me. I definitely was looser. Felt great. At night, one last dinner, we went to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian place. It's all you can eat meat, and you get this coaster where one side is green the other red. When you flip it to green, the classy waiters come to your table and swarm you with cuts of meat. They would range from sirloin, to garlic beef....all kinds, and I mean all kinds. They come with skewers and it's crazy. Not to mention they have a great salad bar too. Was introduced to Andrew too, so there were five of us for the Last Dinner! Ironically enough it was Pei and I fighting for the check, which I won.
Friday....fly home. Just like that, my vacation was over.
And when I got home, a certain bomb was waiting for me.....
Woo hoo....lots to recap! A whirlwind two weeks!
So let's start where we left off....Vegas!
Arrived 4pm, got to hotel, got my buddy to sign me up for a poker tourney at 6pm. Played it, was super nervous, was at the Spades table with almost all women, where one was particularly hot. She was a waitress at the Wynn who wants to turn pro as a poker player. She commanded tons of attention from the men at the table, as she was brunette and extremely good looking, in shape etc.
Oh, the poker? Was good, I was super nervous, and didn't do too well. Bided my time for cards, but the cards never came and pretty much got blinded out. The woman next to me was doing just as bad and we developed a camaraderie. Soon I was all in and lost, and she was down to a few chips as well.
Ironically, I come back after an hour or so and she's the winner. So, chip and a chair....as the saying goes!
We then went for food, nothing fabulous before heading to bed. We had decided to try the morning poker tourney!
Bright and early, I was at the table again, only this time, got really pissed. For some silly reason this no limit tourney was limit for the first hour. And here I was getting the good cards, only....everyone kept beating me since there was a limit raise. Grr. Didn't like it, and bowed out.
The plan now was to meet Ray, but he didn't show up. One reason was because I had phone earlier to have him sign me up at another tourney. But then my phone died, so didn't know if he was going to come back to meet me or me go meet him there. I waited, no sign of him, then decided to go there. Brendan was at a conference and couldn't get a message to him either. So I dropped my phone off at the hotel to recharge, hoping he'd check and understand. Then off to the Bell to see if Ray or Bren were there. When I got there, I found I wasn't signed up nor could I play had I been signed up since I was wearing sleeveless. My god, casinos have standards! :)
Anyway, with no sign of my buddies, it looked like we were all alone. I headed across the street and checked out that poker room. It was great! So I enrolled and played there, doing quite well. Didn't finish in the money but definitely felt more comfortable and did better than my other two tourneys. I was getting my groove on.
After that tourney, walked back for lunch, then to the hotel. Funny enough, Brendan walked in 2 minutes after. We exchanged stories, he basically trying to track me as well. With my phone charged, we rang Ray, and found he was doing the same, so we were all within minutes of each other. In any case, I had signed up for a night tourney at the same place, so the other two could come watch if they wanted.
At this tourney, I did ok...there were only 2 tables but my card luck wasn't hitting. I made it to the final table before bowing out 10th.
The three of us hit dinner next, sushi.
Then, to MGM for some blackjack. Ray needed some pointers on the game, and Brendan was just not lucky. Moi? I knew 'the book' so just played by the book. We just played $10 tables, and I got my $10 to $50, then to $100, then $200, then $400....and ultimately $800. Wooo hooo! I wanted to throw all $800 in too, but Bren said 'nah nah, no, let's go!'. Bren you spoilsport! :)
While I felt ok about the winnings (the pit boss wanted to comp me apparently which I was oblivious to) I really wanted to win a poker tourney. So we looked for one more tourney! It was at the same place I had played earlier so I signed up for it on the last day at Noon. I figured, what the heck, one more tourney before we leave for Houston.
So on day three, I arrive at the tourney and there's 70+ players, wicked! I play and I played well. I ended up hitting on all trips, taking people left right and center. One gal I sat next to, I took out, which I didn't really want to, she was a damn cutie, from Portland Michigan. Anyway, after break one, I was quite happy. Break two...wow, still doing well.....and break three, I was chip leader! (Hand that put me over the top, I had pocket 5's...other guy had KJ...flop was KJ5....he bet all in, I called, and took the table by surprise! This table was a good table too, and the pit guys were moving me to all different sorts of tables.) So with $16k in chips I was on cloud nine. Each tourney I was playing got better and better. But alas! It's 3pm now. My flight leaves at 4! I had a choice to make....stay and win the tourney (payout was $3k) or meet up with Bren at the airport? Tough call. On the next hand, I got K9. Decent hand, not a hand I would play normally. But everyone else folded and it was down to one guy, who bet all in. I said, what the heck. If I won the hand, I'd stay and finish, and catch another flight. (risk here though, since i figure flights would be super expensive last minute)
My opponent shows pocket 8s.
Flop comes K 5 4 - so I'm well ahead to win.
Turn is 8 - I lose!
Then it's a mad rush to the hotel, pack, get my bags, then meet up with Bren to the airport.
And there, I got another sign that I should have stayed to finish off the tourney. Why? Because the plane was DELAYED! ARGH! Crazy eh?
So that's how my third trip to Vegas ended....7 years later.
Not too bad eh?
Next up, Houston, we have lift off!
Day Three consisted of waking up, having breakfast (something Peter insisted I start making a habit of) before helping Pete and Sal furniture shop. They knew of a place that was about to close so everything was 60% off. They dealt with antique stuff, old and used gems. Pete and Sal had in mind an entryway desk, and decided on an asian desk theme. I looked a mirror, which peaked my interest. Didn't buy it yet though, but I still may. It would be a hall mirror for me, and this one has a nice leather frame in black or dark brown chestnut. Anyway, after checking out a sister store, Pete and Sal found the antique desk they were searching for, a nice piece that will fit well into their new digs. We put that in the car (which was somewhat troublesome) before driving back home.
On the way, we stopped at In N Out Burgers, a local Cali chain. Damn good burgers. Wolfing down a double double while talking about voice actors in video games.
Then, we headed home as Sal had a class to go to. While she went to class, Pete and I jetted off to downtown Tiburon, nice walk. It's like a resort here, very quaint shops and scenery. Reminds me of Hawaii.
Upon returning home, dinner was Hot Pot Part Two...finishing up all the goodies we made the night before. Then, stuffed with tofu, spinach, chicken balls, and all other goodies found in hotpot cuisine, we lumped on the couch to watched the movie Sideways, which was ok. The one from the night before, Old Boys (Korean film) was much cooler!
Day Four consisted of waking up late, answering email from work, then going on a search for lunch. We wanted sushi, but alas, they were closed. Apparently they all close after 230pm, so we went and did a bad thing, eat at KFC. Mmm, hot wings, chicken thighs, mashed potatoes and gravy.....that sure filled us up.
This was then followed by a scenic tour of Muir Woods. It offers hiking trails and strolling paths, showcasing trees and animals. Tiny squirrels are particularly cute.
Then we went to another scenic spot in Marin, which overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge. It's marvelous....wow, what a view. Very similar to my hometown though.
Next stop, Golden Gate Park....again similar to Stanley, but three times as big.
By this time, we went to pick up Sally, who was off work. We had planned a nice meal, but we were still so stuffed from KFC we weren't in the mood. So we went to a less fancier place for some noodles and salad.
On the way out we visited the complex we were in, lots of neat japanese books and videos. After that, we came home and that's the end of San Francisco.
Absolutely beautiful weather, good chats, relaxing times, and the breeze and views of the Bay are spectacular. This is the beauty of the West Coast.
Next stop, Vegas....but you know the saying:
'What happens in Vegas....'