Bam-Bam in Bedrock

2011 < 2012....

2011-12-30T09:25:00.002-05:00

2011 brought about much change for Bedrock.

-New Home
-New Employer
-New Life
-New Adventure
-New(er) Outlook on Life
-Less Friend Time
-Less Writing (insert grain of salt here)
-Less damn near anything in fact

Well.... except work.

You see the changes of 2011 brought out the real work monster within me, one not seen for nigh on two decades. I've always been a "worker" and honestly, it's something I take a great deal of pride in. Although the business cards read Management and to many I share the day-to-day drudge with there's an "upper" in there somewhere, when you take the time to shake my extended hand you'll know, I do not do very well with the whole 'riding a desk' thingy. My strategy for success has always been the same you see and for the most part, the reaction has proven to be quite favourable over all. I believe it's because they know when I say, "Together, we can get things done." fellow workers know that I'll get down and dirty to help the team out.

Changing a culture of 25+ years has not gone without a few hiccups of course, but they were to be expected and honestly, they were anticipated and dealt with accordingly. If there's one thing my Asian mentors truly managed to educate me successfully in it's this;

While a wise person will embrace it, PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS RESIST CHANGE!

Although I can't really say too much right now about anything, Peb's and I are getting ready to do a whole lot more embracing in 2012. For you see the both of us quite proudly, are persons. Some of you know small bits and pieces of our future and to me, that's because I trust you, l̶i̶k̶e love you or in general, just find you to be of the person persuasion yourself.

For us 2012 will bring with it more challenge, more change, more adventure and quite naturally, more work. But with all that comes the one thing that only truly hard work can offer, much more opportunity and as a person, I'm really looking forward to it all! So despite a lack of time to drop in here and bastardize the English language for you my dear reader, 2011 has actually been a terrific year in total for Bedrock. Despite actually having to pick the whole town up to relocate it!

To Peb's and I 2012 represents more change and with that of course, will once again come more work. So who knows when I'll get the time to share the details with you back here? Certainly not this kid! I'll just promise you that I will, each and every time an opportunity presents itself. In the meantime kids I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and most prosperous new year and remember, when given the opportunity to show your inner person take it! That way you can always ensure that you're letting the people around you; only see your better side!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

WPBT Day #2.... I can has Jeannie?

2011-12-08T13:10:00.005-05:00

Wednesday – Day #2

After a delicious breakfast at Bellagio, Peb’s and I headed down to Freemont Street. This was about when we found the two sure signs that Vegas is struggling bad.

1) We had The Deuce all to ourselves and
2) It was the same at Binions.

Seriously, we had five cocktail servers drooling over our every move. We've owed Mainstreet Station a few bucks since our last visit and for whatever reason, it was the only place with more players than staff at the time. So we figured we’d give them a chance to make some of their cash back from us. BOY DID THEY! We ran worse than pathetic and after losing the bulk of our planned bank roll, we bailed on the game and headed back to the strip. Usually it’s me that can’t take the loss and has to head back to another table, this time however, Peb’s suggested ‘a quick run into The IP to take a stab.’

I agree and sit down.

My first five hands go like this;

Trip 8’s for $150 + dealer pairs for a boat and $165 +$315
No brainer pocket Queens +$20
No brainer pocket 10’s turned trips +$50
Dealt Ac-Kc-Qc for a mini-royal +$250
Trip 2’s +$150

Now that’s $785 the easy way!

We made the decision to take the money and run.
(read: The Peb’s is wise!)

We started making plans for a great night out, featuring an authentic Mexican meal and Margaritas at Diablo’s Cantina in The Monte Carlo. Here's my two words, for their use of the word, “authentic”.

Bull crap!

That's a little harsh I guess, as it wasn’t really terrible. It just wasn't what I was hoping for. Despite the great ambiance and excellent service, the food could have been from TGI Friday, Chili’s or any of the other boxed food chains available. Had I known that was coming it would have been fine, but since I had my expectations lifted under false pretence, it was more than a little disappointing.

We closed off day #2 with a shot at the penny slots, which has long been a favourite for us both. As is almost always the case when there’s $0.30 a pull on the line, Peb’s ran so friggin’ hot it was incredible. Peb’s as you may or may not know, is a victim of PSBF and despite the diseases severity, she manages to live a fairly normal life otherwise. Oh, you didn’t know? I’m so sorry dear reader. PSBF is short for Penny Slot Bonus Featureitis. It generally flairs up in those carrying it, once a machine recognizes that a carrier is sitting down within its grasp. The machine will start to play loud music, whistles will blow, bells will ring and possibly if the carrier does it right, even television or movie clips will start to show up somewhere on the large format screen above. There are often excessive clanging noises, as if the machine is paying out in the old style, despite the fact that it currently only dispenses a paper slip as a prize. The machine itself matters not! Carriers of PSBF have the ability to hit every possible combination of bonus features any machine may happen to have. Let me give you a few examples, now let’s see… over her run around the casino floor, I think I saw every character in the Wizard of Oz, all of the Star Wars characters AND the ships they fly through space. I saw each of The Village People AND heard the songs they are known for, along with every actor to have ever played Batman and of course, all of the ones who’d played a Villain as well.

Hmmm… I feel like I’m missing something. UH, Ummmm…. OH, right!

I also saw all the characters from Lord of The Rings, Sex in The City, The Rat Pack, Goonies, Dirty Dancing ( 1 & 2) Little House on The Prairie, I Dream of Jeannie and although I think it said That 70’s Show, I’m pretty sure it was ALL of the actors, in ALL of the TV shows, EVER made in the 70’s. Truly, Peb’s PSBF was in full lock mode, as she couldn’t miss a single feature. I think she and her disease turned that single $10 bill into a little slip of paper, that had a 3 digit number on it. And it started with a 4.

It was rainy and cool as we started to head back to our Hotel, so I hailed us a cab. I knew we were pointed in the wrong direction when I did it and most certainly, that is NEVER a good thing with the Vegas Cabbies. Although our little jaunt cost me $15 door to door for what was basically a U-Turn, my Peb’s stayed warm and dry. Money well spent to me.

With that our Day #2 was over and all that was left for me to do was, dream about a young Barbara Eden being given to me as a gift, courtesy of a very generous and slightly hammered Dean Martin. I knew he had to be hammered alright because as he left me with the beatiful Jeannie, he just kept screaming…

WHEEL…..OF…..FORTUNE!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by….

WPBT: Day #1....

2011-12-07T09:45:00.003-05:00

First off two apologies;

1) For each of those frustrated,

Listen…. I honestly DO get the whole, “how do we find you?/how do we contact you?/what’s your number Bammer?” run of comments and concerns, that seem almost never ending during any of the gatherings I get the chance to attend. But honestly, I’d rather participate in what’s going on than tweet, text and read about it, while it IS actually going on. I initially came to this realization during my first WPBT. That was when it became quite apparent to me at least, that I was so concerned with making plans and telling the world about them on my phone, I was actually missing out on several key moments with a few of the kids I was really hoping to meet up with in the first place. I not only vowed never to make that same mistake again after my return home that year, but I have also now attended every single gathering since that point, TOTALLY unplugged. A decision that wasn’t really that easy to make to be certain! I went into it knowing that I could miss out on something special being thrown together and posted on Twitter, as an invitation to the masses to attend. So once again during this WPBT there was no phone, no tweets, no #hashtags and no dial-A-shots for me.

2) For those that gathered for Bammer’s Happy Hour Friday,

I just plain fucked up. No excuses, no good reason, no absolution for me. I was so into the after-golf drinks and companionship with others, I just plain lost track of the time. If there is one truly positive side to this apology for those that made the effort to show up at my party however, please know this. I STILL feel like shit for not hooking up with you all.

Now onto the action!

I took Peb’s in early this time because knowing what was coming our way starting with the Thursday night arrivals, I just plain wanted a couple of days with her and quite selfishly I can admit, I wanted them all to myself. We started the day with The IP and a little Let-It-Ride. I get asked about, or hear the comment so often, “You go to Vegas and its The Imperial Palace for you, really?” YES REALLY! If you don’t get why I love the place, may I suggest a quote from a friend that has made all 7 Winter WPBT’s and actually helped me understand the IP’s draw.

“I don’t know, it’s like a comfortable pair of shoes I guess.”

When we sat down and handed our cash to the dealer, the pit boss makes his way over to the table, extends a hand and says, “Well, well, welcome back Pebbles and Bam-Bam!” With a rather wry smile he continues, “Do you two plan on taking all of our money again this year?” Did I mention that he said this BEFORE we were able to present our players cards? Or that we hadn’t sat down at the IP for two years! Then about ½ an hour into our first session, there was a dealer change. I looked up from my drink to notice something vaguely familiar about the young lady behind the table and as she took the time to look up herself, “HELLO Pebbles!” came out with delight. It was Mandy, the dealer that we went on one Hell of a run with over a period of two days during the WPBT that same two years ago. Not surprisingly, (to me at least) five hands in, Mandy deals Peb’s a 3-Card straight flush for $200.

“Drinks, Cocktails. Drinks, Cocktails. Drinks, Co….. BAMMER! PEBBLES!” were the next words we’d hear. Two years ago, nearly to the day, Rena was slinging her drink tray our way with a baby on board. She remembers the tip I gave her after a big hand and my comment, “The first round of diapers are on me.” We catch up and share some laughs about her first two years as a parent and as if nothing had changed except for her lack of another being inside of her she asks, “Scotch?” When Rena returned with our drinks, I hoisted my glass in her direction with a resounding “Cheers!” It took a moment or two after my first swig but then it hit me, this was NOT an ordinary Scotch! “Rena dear, what have you done?” I asked bemusedly. “You guys are so great, I wanted to surprise you. I went out back and had someone go up to The Hash House for me, do you like it?” she asked as she beamed. That girl took the time and effort to have an 18 year old Macallan poured just for me.

We played for hours. The players at the table changed over a couple of times. One by one the dealers wished us, “good night and good luck.” and even the lovely Rena had to finally make her way home, back to be the Mom of her child. Yet there we sat, comfortable in our old pair of shoes, the place known as The Imperial Palace.

Our walk back to The Monte Carlo was filled with smiles, smooches and reminiscing about the hands that made or broke our bankrolls. As is often the case, more often than not, we combined our rolls to find that after all the hours of play and tips; we had exactly $10 of profit between us. On the walkway bridge between The Aria and Cosmopolitan, there was a girl playing a 12-string Guitar. VERY well I might add! Now I’m not that big on the charity pool that can be Vegas, where a guy with a puppy in a cage or the one with a sign that reads, ‘Why lie? I need Beer’ never seem to change over the years but hey, this young lady was actually willing to work for her cash. So naturally, to me at least, the nights profit went right into her guitar case. It may be just me of course, but I thought her smile was well worth it.

And with that, our WPBT day #1 was in the books.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

WPBT in 3 sleeps....

2011-11-26T17:00:00.002-05:00

The mind races at the thought!

Peb's and I will be starting our WPBT on Tuesday.

Plans so far include;

Dinner/Smooches with CK, The Wife and The Doc!
Horsey Fun on Friday night!!!!!
Crush the Thursday 10AM game at O'Shea's AGAIN!
Storm The Castle, followed by Let it Ride near'ish The Geisha Bar.
See a few of the folks that make me smile the way I do.
Golf with the best friends known to mankind.

Then if we get a chance, try to have a little fun with friends.

If you can't make this WPBT I emplore you, find me at the next Mastodon, BASH or Okie-Vegas. Not much would make me happier, than buying you a drink or twelve.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Looking for a few good WPBT'ers....

2011-11-20T22:44:00.003-05:00

I've crushed one, two, three or ? of these, since I discovered the WPBT. Seems fair to me at least, that I should offer up an open invitation to dethrone me.

Thursday December 1st. at 10:00AM during the WPBT, I challenge all comers to take my title as luck sack extraordinaire.

Who knows?

We may just have a live "mookie" yet!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

2011 WPBT help....

2011-11-18T15:50:00.003-05:00

So apparently my disconnect with our world of late, knows no limits.

I read just now that there will in fact be a Last Longer Team Challenge at this years WPBT. (ARE WE THERE YET?) As I am undoubtedly the last one to become aware of this, (through no fault of ANYONE but my own) Peb's and I are now screening applicants for our third.

Interested candidates may leave a comment below and before the screaming of unfairness begins, highest B.A.C. will be the tie-breaker, should there be more than one of our friends still available.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Like most, (I hope) I remember....

2011-11-10T23:42:00.002-05:00

Since nothing has changed and NEVER will, here's how I feel about Rememberance/Veterans Day.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, I'll sit and reflect on everything I have, and everything I can do. I'll thank the ones truly responsible, in my own personal way.

I'll look to the Heavens and thank those that may be there. Through courage, effort and a belief in doing the right thing.

I'll look to the East and thank those that are still doing exactly that.

I'll go to our Memorial Square downtown, to personally thank those that have done their best on our behalf.

Today is the opposite of all of the things that Hallmark can't make me do. Like telling me when to show my love, or determining when I should bestow a gift upon a loved one.

You see to me, today is a day that actually deserves my attention.

I always try to remember and honestly, I can become pretty upset with myself for taking my freedom for granted. Today however, I dedicate to remembering as much as I can.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

For those that have given and those that continue to do so, I remember. For what ever it's worth, know that you'll always have my sincerest thanks and highest gratitude.

I remain steadfast in my belief that if you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

What's a "BLOG?"....

2011-11-03T22:19:00.003-04:00

Forgive my absence; I’ve managed to keep myself a little busy.

NEW LIFE
NEW CAREER
NEW PROVINCE
NEW HOME
LOST FRIENDS
LOST NEIGHBOURS
LOST HOME

New hope.
New friends.
New outlook.

I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve asked in chat, in comments or as a humorous sidekick, (in my mind) of a good friend, “What’s a BLOG?”

Well, here’s my opinion.

A “BLOG” is whatever the hell you want it to be.

There are Writers, then, there are Readers.

The disparity between the two, well, is what we make of it.

Let’s face it, I write shit.
It just happens though, as I put fingers to keyboard.

I expect far less than the 1 percentile in this whomever forsaken world to give a crap, but hey! They are my thoughts.

I wouldn’t trade one single moment of where this space has taken me. I may be a Mastodon but you know what? There are others of the species out there!

Perhaps over the coming years, I may put fingers to keypad more often but until then I ask you, “What’s a BLOG?”

Answer: It’s what makes me happy!

Who knows?
There's the whole WPBT thingy coming up soon.

I may get into this whole "BLOG" thing, all over again!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Stack and a Story #50....

2011-09-19T19:34:00.005-04:00

*EDITORS NOTE* We at the desk cannot be held responsible for the crap that follows! Even if it's crappier than usual, the kid doin' the typing is just starting to remember how this whole thing works.

It's never been a secret that I love BadBloods now famous, "Stack and a Story" posts.

First off though I have to admit, I was crushed by the Casino brass not allowing me to take an actual shot of my stack. It really makes the thought behind the theme of the whole thing rather pointless, don't you think?

Anywho....

I played a little known game called NLHE over the weekend, perhaps you've heard about it? They say it's all the rage these days. I wouldn't know myself of course, being far too busy with all the goings on uh... going on.

Anywho....

I gave it a whirl in a $1/$2 game at the local establishment. It was a nice quiet little table with 7 players in total. Not too big, not too small. Expecting the worst and hoping simply not to embarrass myself, I sat in with my shorty buy-in of $100 Canadian. Two bright, shiny, very Pink and very crisp Canadian $50 bills to be exact.

Things ran pretty much as I had expected at first, where I fold, fold, fold, fold again, fold a few more trillion times and then just to be sure the Poker Gods were really with me, fold in the dark in the BB.

Oh all right! There were a FEW hands where I actually played with the other kids. Not that many for certain though, just enough to have made a bit better than a double up of my stack. Then on my $8 defence in the BB holding a soooted big slick, I happened to have flopped something called "Broadway," with a re-draw to the entire city of Manhattan. There was a fair chunk-O-change in the middle by the time the turn card came out but alas, I'd hit the first Royal in my not-so-illustrious career in NLHE. Nothing I could do or think of was getting another single penny anywhere even remotely close to that pot.

A bit later on as I was hearing some crap about "you never count your money, when your sittin' at" blah-blah-blah running through my head, I realized I was up a few more bucks than I'd first thought. Hit and Run perhaps? Justify the sad-sack move to myself as I ponder a December Gathering budget?

"I could do that" I think I actually said out loud.

Then once again in the big blind, I tossed out four little chippies to defend with two pretty little red cards. Yeah I know, they were 5's! But it was $8 and I seemingly had so many chips. A flop came out and you know what? I didn't hate it too terribly much.

5S - 5C - AH

The three of us in the pot just checked it down quite contently. The turn was something like the 8 or 9 of Diamonds I think, but it was all a bit of a blur after I saw two players happily toss a funny little bet and call of $50 each, right there into the center. The River card though, it made a bit of a bigger splash than I first expected.

It was the Ace of Clubs!

One thing lead to another, then another and before I knew it, two players were sitting there just waiting on me to act. "Are you still in the hand Son?" asked the dealer.

Was I ready to lose all of my stack against what surely had to be Aces?

"I Call."

I only wish that the Casino would have let me take a picture of that stack that I had assembled into a monument to The Imperial Palace that night, it would've made this story POP just a little more.

Unfortunately I was denied that pleasure so this my friends, this will just have to do.

That's MY Stack and!
That's my Story.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

For those concerned....

2011-09-15T21:56:00.002-04:00

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The thing is....

2011-07-26T00:22:00.003-04:00

1) I shot an 80 today on a PAR 73 7,683 yard, "Championship" Course.
2) I did #1 at Fred's side.
3) If you had told me two years ago that #2 would have happened, quite honestly, I might have called you a name or two.
4) I have hopefully made dinner plans with Mr. & Mrs. Chako.
5) I think Oklahoma would be lovely in August of twenty-twelve.
6) I think #5 for several reasons. Of course one of them is KAT.
7) Did I ever tell you about the time I golfed with Fred today?
8) #7 RAWKED!
9) I think I'd like to "gather" with a few good friends at the MGM on Friday night. Maybe throw $20 each into a silly little pony racing game and have a free drink or twenty something?
10) I now run a company that hired me ummmmm, five or so months ago.
11) Trust me, see #7.
12) #4 makes me happier than a kid should be allowed.
13) #9 sounds like a little too much fun.
14) #13 is why I know it's going to happen.
15) I love being us.

So The Thing is....

a) If I ever grow up, I want be JUST LIKE FRED!
and of course....

b) Invitations are open for #9.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Online Poker SUCKS....

2011-06-29T00:17:00.003-04:00

Without YOU !

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Angle-Shooting from the Hip....

2011-06-25T00:42:00.003-04:00

I continue to write still of course but honestly, it's all just crap.

I couldn't begin to tell you just HOW MUCH I enjoy reading your posts but honestly, I'd be lying about the whole "reading" them thing.

I'd say that dropping out of our little community is killing me but honestly, I still think that there's hope for me yet.

I try to make creative excuses but honestly, there just seems to be no time.

I see a December Gathering in my future but honestly, no one's bothered to tell me the plan.

And that kids.... is MY angle.
*above self linkage SHOULD help me keep my card. ;)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Proof that I own FaceBook....

2011-06-20T23:58:00.003-04:00

Is this me or WHAT?

I am ALWAYS select sex!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Bettman's NHL = A JOKE....

2011-06-07T16:36:00.002-04:00

Four games for probably the cleanest PURE Hockey hit in the entire game?

Playing Hockey at any level means you've learnt two important things.

1) Keep your head up!
2) Hit with your body. That's why they call it body checking!

Late hit?

To quote Mike Murphy, ( NHL senior vice-president of hockey operations ) "I had it close to a second late. We have our own formula at NHL Hockey Operations for determining late hits, and it was late."

"close to a second."

In the world's fastest game?

One idiot gets away with biting another player, nothing.
The Easton logo will be permanently engraved in Kessler's back, nothing.

Bettman has turned OUR game into a joke.

JUST.A.JOKE!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The NEW online Poker....

2011-05-27T23:20:00.007-04:00

Check out the Players numbers here kids....

I tried as BamBamCan, then as me.

Same result.

I miss you guys.
BUTT, not as much as you gals!

Now, my mookie/Dank buy-ins are wasted on the idiots.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

No you Poker sucks! No me, Blog's OK....

2011-05-23T00:20:00.009-04:00

Lately it seems to me, that poker has kicked my ass.
Worse than anything imaginable by you lot.

Let's try checking shall we?

BamBamCan: (is in the BB and) checks
FLOP: 2d-5c-2c
mymothersan8pe: bets $555
youRapeein: raises to $2655 and is ALL IN
BamBamCan: raises to $7465 and is ALL IN
mymothersan8pe: calls $6910
SHOWDOWN
mymothersan8pe: shows 5d-5h
youRapeein: shows Ac-10c
BamBamCan: shows 2h-2s
Turn: 2d-5c-2c[Kc]
River: 2d-5c-2c-Kc[5s]
mymothersan8pe: shows 5d-5h for four of a kind fives
youRapeein: shows Ac-10c for an Ace high flush
BamBamCan: shows 2h-2s for four of a kind twos

Flat out aggression?

Screw that!
I've learnt to fold a pair of 1's pre-flop!

But reducing my writing here,

may have been the best thing I've EVER done for this blog.

Honestly though, I really miss you kids at the tables.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I beg you Gary Bettman....

2011-05-21T00:03:00.003-04:00

GET OUT OF OUR GAME!

As a Brewers fan I was quite naturally concerned about the damage that Allan could do to the game of Baseball. As it always is with Beer, the greed was WAY stronger than "The Bud."

Baseball now lives on in parks that are empty.
With players AND owners wondering, "what went wrong?"

For once it wasn't simply "The Bud" that ruined the party. In fact despite that it pains me to admit it, Selig just may save Baseball from its cash whores. The guy might actually somehow manage to make the game of interest to the real fan once again.

But then there's Gary.

I submit quite simply dear Gary the short, NO miniscule! List of players exempt from The Hockey Hall of Fame today, should your UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE, did I mention idiotic? Rules about physical contact in Hockey apply.

1) John Stewart
2) Gordie Howe
3) Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr
4) Joseph Richard Sr.
5) Robert Hull

All weak links in the Hall of course, I understand.

Perhaps in your supreme advisor roll of the last decade or so, I should go with a few players of more recent vintage?

Say these five?

6) Jethro
7) Ron Stevens?
8) Rod Langway
9) Allan MacInnis
10) Cameron Neely

The rules of Hockey before you Gary;

Smash the Hell out of the guy:

a) with your shoulders up
b) your elbows down (sorry Gordie!)
c) NEVER leave your feet
and
d) at all cost it's best to avoid the head and of course, hitting from behind.
e) SCREW RULE d), if the idiot is stupid enough to present himself in such a manor that makes it possible.
f) Head's up as you play AT ALL TIMES!

60 minutes
28 penalties
19 power plays
11 5 on 3's

Gary....

Really?

Get the fuck out of OUR game ASSHOLE.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I'm not quite dead yet, in fact....

2011-05-14T23:18:00.004-04:00

I feel like a new man!

I'd do the rather natural, guilt-free, some BS and/or other crap, for taking so long to post around these parts and all but hey, this kids been busy!

I suddenly have 210 more neighbours than I did before and honestly, (don't tell them, OK?) I really don't mind.

From no town living to small town living, it really only takes three simple things to make a difference.

1) Attitude - Yours, as much as theirs.

I've already made friends by;

a) Trying to lift more than one kid should ever try to do.
b) Opening two Beers at once, knowing full well that the second one wasn't for me.
c) Having the tools and know-how for the job, despite only being told what the Hell the job was a mere 45 seconds before the actual job.
d) Welcoming any new experience along the way.
e) Smiling.

2) A sense of belonging.

Most will try to tell you that you need to "feel it" from "the locals" before you get to experience it. My advice to you? Tell most of them to shut the fuck up!

Join in and have fun is one option.
The other you can wait for until you die.

On that one item kids, may I suggest that you choose wisely.

The last one is perhaps the most important, no matter what situation you may find yourself in.

3) Be yourself.

The very best way to be the you that you want others to love is really quite simple.

Be the you that you actually are.

Nobody makes me as crazy about you in that really insane and insatiable way....

as YOU do.

I've lived nearly 50,000,000 years practicing all three of those simple things but coming here to this Eden on Earth, I believe in them more now than I ever have.

Here's hoping my friends, you're somehow able to run like me.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Advice from a Pro....

2011-05-03T10:01:00.003-04:00

After reviewing the entire selection available at a small store in Minnesota, I went with this advice.

"May I suggest the aged Whiskey Sir?"
~21 year old clerk

:)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

My (rather poor) imitation of Otis....

2011-04-22T10:22:00.006-04:00

Its often the ironies that go along with that whole, "small world" cliche, that get to me the most.

The occasional "I can't believe you know Don too, WOW!" from someone I've met in my world travels, is never wasted on me.

Often my favourite is the glance, re-glance in passing, say at an airport or Casino or even once as bizarre as it sounds, at a concert in Tokyo, Japan. The glance is almost always eye to eye immediately. Then you both try to shake it off as a trick being played on you by your brain. It has to be right? I mean, what are the chances of seeing someone you know that well, somewhere where you'd surely never know anyone at all? Then the re-glance occurs and suddenly, you both come to the same conclusion. IT IS HAPPENING!

It's a damn small world indeed!

Four or five years ago, I hopped on a plane headed for Las Vegas. The goal was simple, I was going there to meet up with a few folks that I had only ever read about and what I'd read about them of course, was also written by them. You see, they were these 'Blogger' folks.

My first real addiction in the world of our blogs was Otis and I can admit that to this day, it's still the must read for me at every update. During the trip that year, Otis was one of the first of our type that I met. Funny enough looking back at it all now however, despite my desire to garner some form of literary knowledge from the master himself, I merely asked Otis a stupid question. All of that knowledge right there in front of me and what part did I want to get out of him? "Uh hey. Where's BadBlood?"

I've drank, dined, pokered, pai-gowed, let-it-ride, casually observed naked women, migrated, tried to move him to Canada, talked and once even, almost fell down with Otis ever since that day and quite honestly, I am a better man today for it all.

With the sale of The Cave just day's away now and the really big move across this great nation of ours looming closer and closer, I had written a bit about the only real home I'd ever known. It wasn't quite To the man buying my house exactly, instead it was this....

Welcome Home!

I know at first it seems a daunting task to buy a house, but fret not. For the journey that this little cave is about to take you on will surely surprise and amaze both you and your loved ones, hopefully for years and years to come. Ready for it or not, you've just found Home.

Now I'll warn you and hope that somehow it will sink in for you, but I already know that it won't. When you go into the crawlspace to check the sump pump every Spring, the third floor joist in is of the 2 x 10 variety, NOT a 2 x 8! I'm not exactly certain why that is but the fact remains, it sits a full two inches lower than the rest. You WILL hit your head on it every single time! The lump will become a hardened and permanent reminder over the years of course but somehow, you'll still manage to forget about that two inches before the next trip down into the dark.

Be ready for nature! Yes there will be Deer, Coyotes, the occasional Bear and the sound you will be hearing every night for as long as you are here, are the local Wolves. A full moon Summer night on the back deck with a Beer, Scotch or beverage of choice with your loved one, will allow the howls to enter your very soul. Usually as if by some magic, just when you think they won't be coming around that night, they'll be even closer than ever and the pulse of the cries can be felt in your breast. If you think of it, say Hi back for me once in awhile would you? Now of course, they aren't the only forms of nature you are going to see. You see, you now live in an area in the country a mere 20 minutes outside of town. This area is also known as, The Pet Store Recycle Bin!

This time of year is the best and worst of it all. Its just long enough after the season, where all of the joy and novelty of the new Christmas Pet has completely worn off. Be ready for Cats, Rabbits, Snakes and even the odd Gerbil to be making the treks across the front or back yard at any time. Hell, its nothing to sit out back and watch 'Hoots' the Barn Owl swing down into the grass, only to come up with a Hamster at this time of year. Oh and don't worry about the place getting over run with any of them either. Hoots has a way of taking care of that for you as well!

The reason that there are stairs all around the deck is simple. Actually, there are two reasons, but who really wants to hear about how stairs make it a much shorter fall for drunk friends? Once you set your butt down in the big comfy Muskoka Chair out there, I think you'll find the real answer. The idiocy of the mandatory rail height requirement makes it impossible to enjoy the view. All you can see of course, is railing. What I do for living is look for potential grey areas and plug them up. In the case of the deck and the view I wanted, I used the same grey area to my advantage. There is no law for stair railings, or for the amount of stairs a deck can have and VOILA! A deck with a view of Heaven.

Um... do you like Flowers? I hope so, because soon you are going to have them everywhere. Don't count on me to let you know exactly where they'll be because honestly, I don't really know myself. Every year my Wife and I, well, we did something kind of silly. We would plant a new "secret garden" somewhere on the property. Now as you can tell, we like our grass so don't worry. There will not be Geraniums popping up in the center of the yard in a week. But the outside perimeter of the property should be in full bloom by the end of April, then last until somewhere around the end of September. Don't ask me what the hell kind of flowers they are either, I haven't the faintest idea. I just know that every single year for 11 years in a row, I planted a whack of seeds and bulbs all over the place. I also know that they are very, VERY pretty. On a side note to the flowers, take the time when you can, to notice all the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds that love them too. When I was doing it right, they would land on me for a rest between feedings. Really a magnificent feeling.

Someday upon much closer inspection, you may have found a small drywall repair in the living room. Nothing big, just a small patch about 24 x 24 inches. A table leg made its way through there somehow and low and behold, I did my first solo work with drywall, tape and plaster. I looked at it myself last weekend and you know what? I think I did a pretty darned good job, even if I do say so myself. But I know its not perfect and someday I'm sure, you'll wonder who the hell did such a crap job on it. Now you know.

I left you a surprise too! Its my 'Welcome Home' gift to you Sir, if you will. You'll need to go out to the garage to find it though, consider it a "guy" thing from me, to you. You see once, long, long ago, that garage was full of more naked and partially naked women than almost anyone, (even AlCantHang!) could possibly imagine. I think it was a phase I was going through or something, possibly a third puberty. Anywho.... I felt the need to leave the very first picture I ever put up out there for you. Do with it what you will but maybe, just maybe, you may find yourself going through something similar yourself over the years. I just thought I'd help you get a head start on your own little project.

Any chance that you fish? You probably really don't want to tell anyone else, in fact, I think you're the first one I've ever told. But the creek that runs behind the house holds a little secret. Its probably the best Brook Trout fishing river in the area! I don't remember if you have kids or not but if you do, or know some that you really love, put some line on a stick and a small hook and a Grasshopper for your bait in the water with them. NOTHING fights like a one-pounder caught on a stick, right there in your own backyard! Now technically I know that its the neighbours backyard and all but honestly in your new Home, this is probably the one area that you'll find the most grey area imaginable to be honest. Yes you have neighbours and also yes, they live a fair bit away from you. But what you'll find out over the Summer is, they're damn fine people you'll want to be around more. So when its all done just right and everyone is comfortable with everyone else involved, the property lines become nothing but something you need to discuss, if you are in fact selling the property that they are on. Hopefully my friend, you won't have to worry about that, for a long, long time. This is also where I should probably mention to you, purely out of fairness and the goodness of my heart that your new Home, just happens to be the center point of the community. If its a lazy Summer evening and everybody feels like sitting around and shooting the shit over a cold beer and some Guitar music by the fire, it'll probably happen around your new fire pit!

I could write and write about your new Home for days, let alone hours. For you see your new Home is actually the first real Home, I've ever had to leave. Of course I've left dozens of buildings behind, but with nary a care in the world about any of them. I've gone through friends in more countries, cities and towns all over this big old flying rock than you good Sir, could probably comprehend. But through that all, I've never once had to leave my neighbours behind.

I'll be back for one last visit to the cave this coming Thursday and despite my best efforts to be a big boy and hold them back, I think I should probably tell you one more thing about your new Home. It is with the utmost of certainty that I can tell you that the recent water stains in the corner of the back deck, were from the last tears I ever shed at my Home.

My friend, enjoy your new Home. May the Hamlet of Utopia live up to your every expectation along the way also, as it certainly did for me.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Hello online Poker, meet blase....

2011-04-18T23:06:00.004-04:00

Could I give a shit financially?

UH no.

Do I feel robbed of my rights?

UH no.

The pain of losing online Poker?

I've had worse slivers!

The one thing that DOES have me riled up about the horseshit going on with Tilt and Stars though, is the loss of connection with you folk.

Like a good friend moving across the country for any number of reasons you both know that status quo is definitely, a thing of the past. You say it won't happen and often, you both do what it takes to stay in touch in one manner or another, for as long as you can. You both just go into it knowing that "long," may only last a few weeks at best.

As always, THIS GUY gets it.

Also as always, FOXY says it best.

I can't pretend to write like either of them. I'm just fortunate that I get to read them both and you know what?. That's what I like about us.

ALL OF US!

I could give a shit if we do it on Facecrap, Twitshit, IM or email but what I'll miss the most about this political and criminal nightmare we all chose to partake in is quite simply, the 'us' part.

$11 ~ $22 a week to hopefully get an hour or so with a few good friends I'd;

a) met
b) met often
c) grabbed their butt
or
c) never met at all but just can't wait.

Add in the chat, blog material and occasional funny friction and you know what?
I'm ALL-IN.

To those friends that make a living at telling us how it is in the world of online poker in North America or around the world, know that;

1) Your efforts have never been wasted on us, your friends and followers.
2) We all wish nothing but the best possible result for you, heading out of this ridiculous mess.
3) We're thank full to have had the chance to read your work. Some out there had NO idea! You want pity? Pity them!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I am, therefore I brag....

2011-04-16T21:15:00.002-04:00

Fuck running good at cards....

Bow down to whatever God you may happen to pray to.

Beg Al-Ala!

Request Raj!

Spew a Heavenly Father!

Whatever it takes kids!

RUN LIKE ME ONE TIME.

Did I ever mention that I run not bad in friends?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

L.I.N.K.S....

2011-04-09T03:33:00.002-04:00

Just the thought of Brudder RIGGS writing again oughta' make you bitches smile like me!

Since her BUTT and Breasts are QUITE MAGNIFICENT as they always have been, oh, you can trust me! We should throw a big invisible party for what? All 34 and 3/4 C'ish of us?

She's so good at deception!
Poker player you know.

Probably actually 36B I know but as an expert in push-up technology and all, a man just can't admit that he.... you know?

Knows!

All we need to do now my dear is find some silly little Poker Room for The Doc and Peb's! ;)

Silly side note?

I have to admit I'm totally crushed that any Italian chick would admit, "mine are soft."

Random thought just came to me.

I feel LINKS!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Another Blogger game bites the dust....

2011-04-06T21:52:00.002-04:00

Well, at least for me.

My last two VJ's were less about Poker and fun with friends, and far more about trying to get away from another on-line Douche bag extreme. Now you should know, none of DB's crap was aimed at me. Now if you were a "Girl," "Black," "Hispanic," or lord forbid, "Canadian," you were fair game. HEY WAIT! No wonder I was so disgusted! I AM ALL of those!

I did have to laugh at this comment though;

HEFFMIKE: Funny how, (insert random Douche Bags name here) can tilt Bammer too.

It's far from tilt HEFF! It's knowing when you're in the presence of true Douche bag greatness, and still being smart enough to walk away. My time means something to me so, I have no time to waste on such trivial matters.

Sorry Jos, not worth it to put up with the idiot.

Hope it's still fun for you though.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The Regina 411....

2011-04-01T19:20:00.002-04:00

Purely out of the goodness of my heart, here is almost everything you need to know about Regina Saskatchewan.

1) It's 'breezy.'

2) When you google Canada's Worst Driver, a picture of Regina should cover it all.

3) They do have rules of the road just like anywhere yet some, may seem a bit foreign to you at first.

The rules:

a) A STOP sign in a shopping mall parking lot was put there by the mall itself. It's not like a "real" STOP sign.
b) In a similar vein to a red light at a busy four lane, four way intersection, the lines on the road are "merely suggestions."
c) Don't get me started on combining the two. You see here in Regina we ALL know that some "Idiot" put all those lines on the parking lot pavement. "That idiot ain't the boss of me!"
*side note to mall parking lots. Leave your cart wherever the Hell you want. Ìt`s not like its going to roll downhill or anything.
d) Tandem two trailer and particularly the triple trailer trucks, always have the right of way! That is unless of course, you happen to want to be where they are. Then all bets are off.
e) Manitoba drivers are the worst! Just ask all the poor folks from Regina that have actually crashed into them.
f) When considering a right hand turn off of an extremely busy five lane highway, ensure to stay as far left in the lanes as possible. FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE! Then simply cut her a hard right when you are certain you've almost missed your exit.

Of course I feel the need to explain sunny and warm Friday afternoons to you as well. When the two combine for one perfect day, all the other silly rules get thrown out the window and you only need to abide by one very simple little rule.

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

Now let's see, where was I?

Oh yeah, Regina facts.

4) If you want directions here in town on a cold and blustery day, always ask a local. They know stuff! Any local can be quite easily found as well, as they will surely be the one driving around town in a T-Shirt with the window all the way down.
** Do NOT ever, EVER approach said local when they are actually behind the wheel of anything!

5) If you'll pardon the theft of a line from Armageddon folks, its a big-ass sky out there. Trust me, some kind of eye protection is a must! Your sunglasses should be polarized and three..... maybe just to be safe, FOUR inches thick at least. It is not rare to see someone putting chap stick on their eyeballs out here.

6) When buying a new home, do not worry about the condition of the oven. Why?

a) It's probably never been used.
b) You might not even see one in a house.
c) They won't be able to tell you how it works, even if there is one.

7) Did I mention that there is a restaurant of some kind or other, on every single frickin' corner? If you can't find the guy in the T-Shirt out on the roads, just look in any one of the restaurants. Hell, he`ll probably still have his car with him, so he should be easy to spot. Its not that they don't cook a home meal here in Regina either. It really all comes down to THEY DO NOT COOK A HOME MEAL HERE IN Regina!

8) Don't bother trying to pick up a Girl from out of town at the local pub either. You'll just be wasting your time you see, as the Grocery stores are full of them.

OH and 8 b) The girl with the really confused look on her face driving around town, she's a noobie for sure! She's actually looking for someplace that sells ovens around here.

9) They already know you're from Ontario, so don't waste your breath telling them. It's the squint in your eyes, the way you "signalled" your turn, (like that means anything!) and the stupid questions you continually ask like, "If water runs downhill and this place is flatter than Twiggy, where does it all go when the snow melts?" They will only answer, "You don't have puddles out East boy?" This is where I highly recommend that you try to curb your enthusiasm just a touch, and do you best to avoid saying something like, not the size of Saskatchewan we don`t.

10) Don't waste you time with Google Maps or Mapquest. To find a place like say, oh I don't know, how about the other side of town. Simply go to the second floor of your home and look out the window. You can see everything in this town from a 12 or so foot vantage point. Did you know that perfect vision at the height of 5' 11" here in Regina, can see for exactly 8 miles along the Horizon? It's true! I tested it! Hell, you can't even see that far on a flat calm body of water.

Here's one last fact for you kids;

Bonus) Peb's is in town for the weekend and everything you know or thought you knew about Regina, is about to change dramatically.

This place is about to RAWK!

*Always make sure your cart is at a full and complete stop before attempting!
** borrowed from the Regina Department of Motor Vehicles Licensing Bureau.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Nothing left in The Dank....

2011-03-30T23:41:00.002-04:00

In quite typical fashion I:

1) got in 2 hours of work
2) got in slightly better than an hour of chat with Peb's
3) got caught up with Barney for an hour or so
4) managed to make significant changes to my invesment portfolio

All in the 3 little hours before the 8:00PM, (local) Dank.

Then 8:12PM local hit.

Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has disconnected
Dealer: BAMBAMCAN has reconnected

I'll spare you the actual details but let's just say, it ain't easy playing bad Poker like me, when the geeks have it in for you!

I resorted to jamming A-A the only three times I held it, due to disconnects. I was merely hoping to stay alive.

Natch, only to win the blinds.

Connectivity variance.

Who knew?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

BADUGI, WHAT did I expect....

2011-03-27T23:21:00.002-04:00

RAMBLER catches his miracle, despite three bets from a stand pat and drawing 2 cards, every chance he had.
Three times.

TBA prolly has a good hand, despite drawing 3 to start.

Not much makes me feel better about being me, than a little get together like tonight.

BADUGI?

YA......

I SUCK at it!

But then again, did I expect anything else?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I BADUGI, do you....

2011-03-27T18:57:00.002-04:00

It's rare that a Blogger game isn't NLHE.

FAR more rare with the exception of CEM's SKILLZ series, that a Blogger game outside of the NLHE realm is one that I am considerably familiar with.

During a rather large part of my career in several locations in Asia, I taught the Crazian's STUD. In return, they did their best to increase my knowledge of a fairly interesting variation of Poker known to them, as Badugi.

Now of course they called it Padooki, or 바둑이 for short.

The game's tonight at 9:30 EST and on FullTilt.
You think RAZZ can be frustrating?

This should be good.

I'm already entered as BamBamCan.
You can player search and use the P/W survivor to get in.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

TWEET this....

2011-03-25T22:03:00.005-04:00

Today, as I always do, I took the time to make my daily rounds.

You know, stop by every blog I can't wait to read daily.

In 2008 this process, if it was an excellent day, may take up to 3.5 hours to complete.

Well today, it took exactly 4 mins. & 51 seconds.

I know, I know!
I ain't exactly lighting the intertubles up myself right now.

BUT!

I'm,

1) 1700 miles from home
2) living out of a Hotel
and
3) on just week #3 of a new career.

Excuses?

Yeah, possibly.

What's yours?

I judge not, lest I be judged myself.

But FWIW, I can't help sayin' I miss us.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Damn KAT'S....

2011-03-20T00:30:00.003-04:00

I was hoping to be in Calgary this weekend with a few lucious friends. Instead at, (give or take) 11:00PM local, SHE has me pondering the future like no other.

DAMN KAT'S!

Unlike most, I'm WAY too friggin' busy thinking about the realtime to consider the next thing that just may come my way.

Trust me kids!
THIS is the way to go!

But!

Beautiful has a way of putting a spin on things that always gives a kid, the opportunity to ponder.

DAMN KAT'S!

Before I die huh?

Well let me tell you, I've given this some real consideration Kids.

Before I die, I'd like you ALL to run rike *me.
JUST ONE TIME!

*never could get that self-link shit down!
BLOW!

Oh and one other thing.

It's Jos, NOT JOE C.

DipShits!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I Mookied & I sucked....

2011-03-17T01:16:00.002-04:00

Dont'cha wish you had a HAWT Kat like me?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Odds are,,,,

2011-03-14T00:59:00.002-04:00

Got it in bad = 80%

Got it in good = 20%

Got it in, in a race from behind = 50/50

Got it in, in a race from ahead = 50/50

Finish second with only two buy-ins = 100%

Silly Poker!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Who does this to a kid?....

2011-03-08T21:13:00.002-05:00

The now famous (in our Blogoshpere) "Bam-is-NOT-a-geek" mentality, has taken on a whole new twist this week. Oh, and with nothing more than a few minor and new, technological additions.

I mean, we're talking about a kid who has some fairly serious issues when it comes to three different stores having three different debit machines at the cashiers, when it comes time for checkout here.

Technologically challenged is just about as polite as it gets as you know, when it comes to me.

I know it, I deal with it and most importantly, I accept the facts at hand.

This week however I have been presented with two separate Laptops for personal and work use. Both Toshiba, and both damn near the top of the line so I'm told.

Geek Yahtzee right?

Uh ya, not so much.

How does one company make two products so vastly unique from one another, yet still manage to grow in the market share it has thrown itself into?

I can't even half-assed operate one of them without a wireless mouse for cripes sake! What kind of Laptop 'convenience' is that?

Come play The MooDankie tomorrow night with me kids. Lord knows that my miss clicks will get me into all kinds of troubles for sure!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Survivor Donkey Island: The view from the mainland....

2011-03-04T10:38:00.002-05:00

So this past week I missed my first Moo Dank ie since Survivor Donkey Island got off to a flying start. I had to choose between pussies and when it comes to that, Pebbles will ALWAYS hold over on you lot!

However since the inception of this wonderful little game of chance has truly re-energized a few of the blogging types in our community, I thought I'd share an outsiders opinion of the game as it is to date.

The American Idle move ~ Numb first out.

Allow the people to make a decision and as per usual, they'll fuck it up! I wouldn't say that Numb has haters exactly, dudes always social within the group and has not often said poo. (even when it's being flung at him) Numb has some edge for certain, but don't we all? The best part of that edge though, would have been in getting his team much deeper into every one of the challenges. Would I want Numb sitting on the rock beside me when it came time to pick a winner? In Poker vernacular, I'd take that race.

The Gilligan's Island move ~ Riggstad out.

All I know is, Riggs failed to show. If it was only Mary Anne available, Ginger wouldn't have stood a chance either. Would I want Brudder Riggs sitting beside me when the big vote came? HELLs NO!

The drunk & disorderly move ~ AlCantHang out.

Obviously there was a serious lack of foil caps available in The US of A that week. As it had to be aliens controlling the minds of of the voting team, when it came right down to crunch time. I mean seriously? AlCantHang out? For reals? I'd take Al on any team I was ever asked to be a part of period! But having said that, would I feel comfortable with him beside me at the vote? UH... no. But I would try to take him at least into the merge for our teams sake. This vote was clearly made while the the right honourable and incredibly knowledgeable voters, were looped on something other than Soco & water back.

A vote in Synopsis ~ Goodbye Hoy.

I know, I know. It would be highlarious to have left it at that! But that's just not how I fling poo. The voting off of Hoy was one of great mystery to me. As I for one couldn't think of ANYONE left playing in the game that I'd rather sit next to, during the final vote. Through no fault of his own of course, its just that I could see my chances being pretty damn good against him in that spot.

The racist vote ~ Dawn Summers out next.

Let's face it kids, this was clearly the first intelligent decision made in the entire process. As a card carrying and fully blown racist myself, I understand the need to cleanse the playing field. There's just no room in the game for nice folks! I mean what the Hell would happen to this world, if we kept letting all the nice ones tag along? Seriously? I can just see it now. Everyone gets along, while the mild banter with some pretty damn funny edge to it just keeps on coming. It would be a friggin' disaster! Grab a membership card as you walk out the door kids. There's just no way we can let the nice ones inherit our blogosphere!

So now what?

I see the merge shaking things up a bit more than most expect. New alliances will, nah, HAVE! already been formed and the blindsides my friends, well they'll get pretty hot and heavy going forward.

This is gonna' be good!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

It sinks in....

2011-02-28T08:49:00.003-05:00

So I've got a great new job opportunity.... Blah~Blah~Blah

This position is really.... Blah~Blah~Blah

Amazing how well everything is coming togeth.... Blah~Blah~Blah

I'm so excited about.... Blah~Blah~Blah

I walked around the perimeter of the cave here this morning, not sure of why I was doing so. During the jaunt, I touched trees I'd planted with Pebbles. I laughed at the piece of drywall hanging from the ceiling in the barn. The one I promised Peb's, "I'd get around to fixing up. Some day." I cleared a patch of snow large enough for a Muskoka Chair, off one end of our deck. I then placed a chair down and parked my ass into it. I sat and stared at the view I'd come to love and cherish, more than any other sight in my little corner of the world. One of the kids next door seemed to somehow know, that I needed a lonely cry.

Why I sat there was for sentimental reasons for certain, as for 30 minutes in rather minus Celsius temperatures, I managed to ignore the tears freezing against my cheeks. The snow falling and collecting upon my shoulders and head went mostly unnoticed also, as that view of my world never looked so unique to me, as it did at that very moment in time.

Its just a house and a yard I told myself.
Wood, bricks, grass and trees.

There'll be a new house in your future soon Bammer, so get over it.

The sentimentality of using ten years to build a home from a house, seems so little to get yourself all worked up over. But there I sat, saying goodbye to the spoils of my labour just the same.

In one hand I hold a signed contract of intent. A document that has the power to change our lives for the better forever. In the other hand, a one-way plane ticket.
That one-way, is away.
Away from home.

One week from today I'll be starting the process all over again. A challenge that has never caused me any reason for concern in the past. But as I sat there on the deck enjoying the sights and sounds that I've truly come to think of as home, it started to sink in.

It wasn't the brick, the wood, the grass or the trees I was saying goodbye to. It wasn't the friends, family, neighbours, or even the rural route mail delivery guy at the end of the driveway that I was going to miss the most.

As much as I've travelled over the years and made the adjustments for my living arrangements accordingly, for the first time in my life it was really hitting me. What was happening to me was the clarity of the moment. I've left houses, apartments and various neighbourhoods and friends behind before with nary a thought. But this time somethings different.

This is the first time I have ever had to say goodbye to my home.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Das Goat....

2011-02-24T08:43:00.002-05:00

Making bloggaments fun again, well that just couldn't have been easy. Herding cats and all. But this kid is determined to doff his cap in the direction of one of the master herders of all time, Julius Goat.

Thanks to Survivor Donkey Island;

1) The right crowds show up.
2) Online Poker is fun again.
3) There's now occasionally something to read on our blogs.
4) Hilarity ensues at each post.
5) I get less sleep on Wednesday nights.
6) My weekly liquor bill now parallels fuel prices.

All good things IMHO.

Normally I wouldn't join a club that would allow someone like me to be a member, but this is fun. So I continue to donate.

I think we all owe Goat a big thanks for the fun because those are my principles, and if you don't like them, well.... I have others.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

What a wicked game we play....

2011-02-21T20:44:00.009-05:00

So, I invited the boys over for a drink.

Seemed the right way to say farewell.

They wanted to play some Hold'EM.

Seemed the right way to make me puke.

Even the more intelligent of you should be able to put the thousand words required, to these simple pics.

The flop bet.

The Hollywood moment.

The eventual three all-ins....

followed by....

deal your own fate.

Only one or two things left to do.

First off,

Flush vs. Boat vs. Royal.

That's the first thing taken care of.

Now to complete it!

Royal Flush, over Straight Flush, over Boat.

To everyone that has ever taken the time to do so but more specifically today, to my Brudders Donk-EH and CC,

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Losing 'it'....

2011-02-17T09:48:00.011-05:00

I honestly know when it happens!
I just don't know how to stop it yet.

Constantly putting up with the absolute tediousness of relentless Bammer, after Bammer, after Bammer, eventually manages to get to me. When it does, my weak ass performs at Hold'EM just about as good as most American "Stars" singing *their National Anthem.

POORLY!

I started out The Survivor Donkey Island/Mookie/Dank/Goat whatever, by busting Waffles with pocket 8's. His A-K did not improve on the flop, turn or river and voila, Bammer manages a quick double up. I'm not proud of all-in with 8-8 on the first hand actually but honestly, I figured it for a race and went with my gut. Just got lucky like a Donkey is all!

So by first break,

I'm in the lead.

The rule is quite simple actually, play the third in a row just like Aces.

It feels dirty when they're sooted, but chips are chips.

So after surviving dozens of Bammer's in a row, I'm still on the leader board after second break.

I've shown a total of 8 Bammer's and 5 Hammer's to the table, thus far through the second hour.

I then see monster action ahead of me, as I hold reasonable starting hands for the first time all night. Monster pots develop, as I opt to fold my not quite good enough for battle holdings.

Natch, only to see them unfold as follows.

I think this next one was my favourite!

So then they come at me again, and again, and again.

BamBamCan: [9c-3s]
BamBamCan: [9h-3s]
BamBamCan: [9h-3d]
BamBamCan: [9d-3c]
BamBamCan: [3c-9s]
BamBamCan: [9h-3h]
BamBamCan: [3d-9c]
BamBamCan: [3s-9s]
BamBamCan: [9c-3h]
BamBamCan: [3c-9s]
BamBamCan: [9h-3d]
BamBamCan: [As-10h] <--- Of course 'it' happens here.

I ran that shite into Q-Q and to make things worse, it was a player I should know much better than to do that against.

Like I said, I know WHEN it happens.
I just haven't figured out HOW to stop it yet.

So in summary I guess, not much sucks quite as bad as playing good Poker and making some fairly smart decisions along the way. Having good timing for nearly three hours or so and surviving the game, despite the cards you are dealt. Only to have the bad 'it' take control of your mind, so the good 'it' doesn't stand a chance.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

*This is a post all on its own. I just need to word it correctly, so my friends don't take it as American bashing.

Outwit, Outplay, Out 15th....

2011-02-14T08:14:00.020-05:00

My strategy for Survivor: Donkey Island was really quite simple. I'd align myself with the strongest competitor almost immediately and at my starting table, that obviously meant.... HOY!

Our agreement was made on nothing more than a quick virtual nod, rather early on in the game. Our strategy was brilliant too! I'd simply take all of his chips early on, then distribute them amongst the others as best I could. Obviously for his collection later on in the game.

As you can see, things were going brilliantly for us!

Then of course, I'd also have to make it look like I knew what I was doing on my own. This of course would be the toughest part of the game, but I felt up to the task!

First, I snatched a pot with complete air.

Then when I really needed to trust my read, I made the right play for another.

Now the hardest part of the whole Outwit thing was to get HOY's chips on his immediate left, without arising the suspicion of the others. This wouldn't be that easy. I needed to deftly pass HOY's chips over, but only when it was clear that it was nothing but good old fashioned Donktastic play on my part.

Fortunately,

Muhctim fell into our little trap!

The last step in our plan was a total surprise to all. I'd gather just a few more little chippies,

then simply slide them along to a real player, sitting on HOY's right.

This WAS NOT simple kids! I had to wait for what seemed like forever to get a sure thing loser like a soooooted Bammer.

OH and I almost effed the whole deal up earlier on! I got three Bammer's in a row and totally on instinct, I almost played the third one like Aces! Fortunately though, I managed to find the fold button somehow.

WHEW!

Now that HOY was completely surrounded by chips, I figured the win was a mere formality. It was time for The Goat to BLOW out my torch.

OH and just to show you all that you really shouldn't mess with my strategy going forward in the game,

I'm telling you, align with me kids.
I'll take you to the top!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Hell hath no fury....

2011-02-10T08:39:00.005-05:00

Normally when Peb's is in her "office," it's a rather calm and quieting experience.

Just like you see here.

After holding a 3:1 chip lead HU in this game however and just two hands later, I'd find myself requiring a dictionary for the swearing impaired.

PebblesCan shows [Ac As]
overthehil shows [6c 2s]
*** Flop*** [9d 7h 2h]
*** TURN *** [9d 7h 2h] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [9d 7h 2h 6s] [2d]
PebblesCan shows two pair, Aces and twos
overthehil shows a full house, twos full of sixes

PebblesCan shows [Ah Qs]
overthehil shows [Ac 2d]
*** Flop*** [7d 3h 2s]
*** TURN *** [7d 3h 2s] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [7d 3h 2s 3c] [Jc]
PebblesCan shows a pair of threes, Ace high
overthehil shows two pair, twos and threes

Although I truly love her fire and determination,
that was a lot closer to fire and brimstone, if you ask me.

:)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

When Vince goes home....

2011-02-08T08:54:00.002-05:00

I think all of the PACKERS WIN celebration alcohol is starting to become a distant enough memory to write. It could be close though! Bedrock threw one hell of a green & gold victory party, I can tell you that!

The thoughts I have on The Lombardi Trophy are simple. No trophy in any sport, anywhere, is more appropriately named. For no one IMHO should ever be more recognized for defining what it takes to be a winner, in a sport that requires a total team effort. Having said that, I also believe that Mr. Lombardi was more capable than any coach that has ever coordinated any team, of bringing out the very best in any individual, when they needed to be their best. And from what I've learnt over the years of my study of the man, for Mr. Lombardi, he needed your best on every down.

Yes I'm a die hard cheesehead so I may be biased just a touch but to me, Mike McCarthy did a damn fine Vince Lombardi impression on Sunday. One after another we lost Collins, Driver, Shields, Woodson and honestly, I thought those losses just may be our demise. It only got a few seconds worth of coverage on the broadcast as per usual, but Mike McCarthy did what Vince would've done I think. He pulled together the rag-tag remains he had for a team and inspired them. Forcing them to bring out their very best. Shields was supposedly so taken with the McCarthy speech, he eventually threw his helmet back on and made a bunch of great plays, despite what was probably a dislocated shoulder at the time.

Aaron did a damn fine job picking the Steelers apart I thought and had Jordy Nelson not had the most bizarre case of the dropsy's I think I've ever seen, I can't imagine what his stats could have looked like at the end. Quarterbacks and MVP titles are rather standard fair in this NFL driven by the media types, and there's nothing really wrong with that I guess. But I'm a blue collar cheesehead at heart and not one player on the field during the entire game, was more valuable to his team and more disruptive to his opponent, than Clay Mathews. Start to finish, Clay went 150% in everything he did. I can't call out one specific Clay Mathews play that made the difference in the game but what I can do, is recognize the pure talent, heart and desire he showed out on the field, all in the biggest game of his life. He left it all out on the field, held nothing back, on any and every single play. The definition of drive, desire and a championship attitude.

After watching that game from the sidelines, I think Mr. Lombardi would have made a different choice as his MVP.

I've patiently waited for 14 LOOOONG years to once again say, congratulations Vince! You're going home again!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Funny thing this life, Part II....

2011-02-05T18:56:00.012-05:00

Typically, I'm used to *mountains and trees as a view.

Well.... welcome to the new Bedrock Bammer!

Mom says, "Always check out the neighbours when considering a move"

Good advice although fortunately, they're just like my current ones!

Dad asked, "how will you entertain yourself?"

I told him there was a plan for that.

My oldest Sister wondered, "Is there culture? You know how important that is to you."

I mentioned this old place.

"It's pretty flat out there you know Bammer." said brudder CC. "Grain elevators

road signs and nothing but the back of a semi,

pretty much making up the landscape."

Then he pondered, "Any thoughts on what type of home out there may fit your needs?"

"Ya" I said, "I think I may have found something."

"Does it have the property you're used to though Bam?" he asked.

"Not bad CC" I answered.

"What about the house though?" I heard him ask. "Is it decent at least?"

"Ya, it's okay I guess." I told him.

"You have such a great view for a full 360 here in Bedrock, are you okay with what's out there?" CC wondered.

"Considering it's Saskatchewan I guess, not too bad CC."

was my response.

"Well Brudder" offered CC, "if you and Peb's are going to be happy AND they're going to throw the average price of a Ferrari at you every year I say, you might as well run with the bulls!"

Ya, funny thing this life.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

*Mountains here are NOT like Banff, Jasper, Colorado etc.... I get that. But it is NOT as flat as a Saskatchewan prairie.

Funny thing this life....

2011-02-01T12:25:00.004-05:00

Just under one year ago I was in a golf cart in G-Vegas, talking with a friend from Seattle, about a California career move. We were discussing a major life event decision that he needed to make and hopefully, I was being a good sounding board for him to bounce a few ideas off of. It's funny though, how easy it was for me to offer an opinion on his situation.

I say that because, now its I who finds himself in the exact same situation.

This Thursday, I'll once again pack myself into a plane and head out across this great country. Over the next several days after, my life and the direction it takes will be totally up to nothing more than a couple of little decisions.

You see once they make theirs, I think the real fun starts.
For I'll be forced to make mine.

Suddenly, I find myself wishing I was back in that golf cart.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

A Day of Firsts....

2011-01-31T09:04:00.002-05:00

Peb's and I headed out for a day of fun and excitement yesterday, hoping to make a little money along the way at Casino Rama.

I bought in for $200 at my favourite Let-It-Ride table and low and behold, I'm dealt trip 3's down on the very first hand. + $195 !

Then, I never saw another winner. - $100 overall.

A Hot Hot Penny slot grabs my attention and BINGO! + $200 on the very first pull.

Then, I never saw another winner. + $60 overall.

I see a Roulette table with a board filled with nothing but black numbers. Naturally, I make my mind up that red just has to hit. I throw $50 on red and whammo! + $50 first crack.

Then, I never saw another winner. + $10 overall.

There's just something about Blazing 7's and like a moth to a flame, I can't resist the urge to play with fire. First pull = assorted 7's. + $300.

Then, I never saw another winner. + $80 overall.

A rather charming and attractive older lady takes the seat at the machine next to me.

"It's my last $5.00" she announces.

"It takes $3.00 a pull to make anything good happen" I tell her, "can I play an extra $10.00 on the machine with you?"

"Sure!" she says with a giggle.

First pull = YAHTZEE!

An attendant is required at the machine for payout. Then the attendant and the charming old girl both head off to the cashier's cage, to settle up the big winnings.

A bit later there's a tap on my shoulder and the faintest of voices says "Excuse me."

"Since I didn't actually need your $10.00" she said, "Here you go, you can have it back."

A day of firsts indeed!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Shit that makes me LOL....

2011-01-28T09:03:00.005-05:00

Go ahead, it's Friday!
You know you want to.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Just wondering....

2011-01-26T08:58:00.002-05:00

Can you tell that these guys are from Bedrock?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

JJ is right, "MEH"....

2011-01-25T08:00:00.011-05:00

JJ says, "Meh, it's OK."

Hand #1 ~

Guy jams me on the flop after calling a 4x raise;

no doubt that turn and river were coming at all.

Hand #2 ~

When Muhctim isn't scared of the board,

I feel the need to let'em go.

Hand #3 ~

Same game,

better result!

I did have a lot of fun in that PokerSlut game Sunday night though. The format was LHE (which I despise) but since Zooks and Scotty were both playing, I thought I'd donate another $5.50 to the kids. Charity is just what I do.

I pulled a HOY against SmBoatDrinks early on. Actually surprised me that I could get away with it, considering it was LHE!

But then I got Buddy

AND PokerGeek (with a much better hand! ;) )

Good frickin' times right there!

My donking around with suspect starters however, eventually lead to my demise. Big surprise huh? You can probably figure out how this hand went down all on your own.

It is entertaining though, to watch the suck, re-suck, then totally unnecessary boat over boat violence at the end. More good times!

So instead of donating, I guess I now have a few more PokerSlut buy-ins instead.

MEH.

*HUGE congrats go out to Josie, who just scored a 3rd. place finish in the first WBCOOP event. IN OMATARD of all things!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Integrity or naiveté, I'll take'em both....

2011-01-22T15:51:00.006-05:00

Among Poker players sitting at a table, there's always been one mutual agreement. In my experience, it's generally acknowledged as code.

One Player per hand!

If we were sitting down at almost any table but MGM Table #16, we'd all agree.

One Player per hand.

What makes a HUD work?

If any one of us sat down at a table and knew that we were up against it, meaning we knew there were three friends, (not ours) sitting at the same table and trying to take our chips, we'd most likely dig in and do our best to be the player we know we can be. It's really that simple no?

You're in middle position holding 10-10 and to start the hand, buddy #1 sitting UTG makes the call. Buddy #2 folds and so do the rest of the players to play ahead of you. You make a 3x raise because honestly, you want to know where you stand.

Buddy #3 is the BB and after it's been folded around to him, Buddy #2 mentions OUT LOUD, that you've raised 4 of the last 10 pots pre-flop. Buddies #3 and #1 now both make the call. You see a Jack high flop and after action all around post flop, the turn and river create a pretty big pot. A Jack high board has you feeling pretty damn good too, only to see a sooted Jack-Duece scoop a pot with a rivered two pair. Buddy#3 is now stacking your chips and Buddy #2, well he's simply laughing and hoisting a glass towards his buddy, old #3. Bad beat huh?

Live game let's face it, at least 5 players and the dealer would all say "please sir, one player to a hand."

What's the difference online using a HUD?
The stats show you, without any work on your part, what has happened and what your douchebag buddy would have said out loud.

Now if you're one of those that wants to tell me it's a different game, go ahead.
Just make sure 'online HUD user' is part of your description when you regale us all with your stories of an amazing Poker player status.

When I STUD it up for profit the last fucking thing I ever notice, is my own cards. So don't give me the 'faster game online crap either!' Did you not know you were playing a faster online game when you registered?

Cards can't think kids, but players do.

It's my opinion that in order to consider yourself successful in the game, you need to be the one tracking stats, making decisions and more importantly, the individual deciding what is required of you now. Whatever the action at the time may happen to dictate.

To me anyways, that's the difference between actual players and those that require a technological tool to garner some success.

Perhaps I play with a certain naiveté but if that comes with integrity, I'm all for it. To me, that's what card players do.

*** I will not back down but! I will clarify my opinion for several friends that I happen to know, that play at an online level where it's all about balance. Poker sites allow the crap, why not use it if you're playing at a level that can make a differance in your life? The guy beside you is using something so....

But then again, they have Nukes so....

The definition of Humanity?
We ARE our own worst enemy.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Irony's a Bitch & HUD's are just cheating yourself....

2011-01-20T14:32:00.004-05:00

Right off the top, thanks Waffles! Anyone that can make me work out the thoughts in my head should be very afraid, but also, just a little proud for covering a few of the more subtle nuances of a card players thought process.

I can't begin to think of where I should start this post. Let's see, I joined our little kuh-myoo-ni-tee with every intention of taking advantage of the free lessons and information available about NLHE. Then I met a few Bloggers and suddenly, I joined in on all our Blogger games. So despite wanting to join in to gain an advantage, I found myself becoming part of a group that treats everyone the same. If I was going to get any good at NLHE, I'd have to play my way towards improvement. I'd soon learn that there would be no taking advantage of posted information about weakness or habits and it was all thanks to one simple fact,

CARDS CAN'T THINK!

You see, if the smart player chooses to take advantage of technology and all the programs and HUD's available to make them a better player, I'm all for it. It simply means that I will have a real edge at the table the next time we sit down and play, face-to-face. What a HUD or program advantage can give you is a 'bot' decision that as a percentage on the whole, is probably the correct call to make based on Status Quo. But that's really the beauty of playing cards isn't it?

Status Quo is a moving fucking target!

Add the RNG into the equation and Hell, there will be enough $1 payments made for the bad beat stories requiring telling, to pretty much wipe out the entire deficits of North America and possibly Ireland or Greece combined.

Point is in my humble opinion, if you need a HUD to play cards you're either;

A) admitting that you're beat and need the help
B) hopelessly indecisive at gambling
C) the angle-shooter we despise sitting at a table with
or
C) a cheater that sees an advantage in using a bot

This of course is just my opinion. I'm sure there are many others out there and honestly, I'd actually like to hear them too! No matter what side of the fence you hang your hat on. Don't get me wrong here, I'm certainly no pure and white snow driven angel kids.

I just get a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing that when I do manage to win, I did it without a bot, HUD or some other type of program making me feel like I did something special. Because to me without the extra help, what I've done is every bit as satisfying as doing it sitting at a live table and honestly, is there a better feeling for a card player?

And to me anyways, that's what it's all about really. The cards can't think so when I do it right all on my own, I not only beat my opponent, I beat the game. I think the personal satisfaction from that experience is what's sadly lacking in the online genre today. I-got-tech-so-I-don't-give-a-crap-how-I-win has taken over our generation and to me, quite sadly, the next few to come along as well.

The way we're going you can say 'screw it' to the Star Trek dreams of no monetary values and might as well just say 'hello,' to a world full of douchebags just looking for an edge or an angle.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Dear Packers....

2011-01-17T09:19:00.003-05:00

My Dear Packers,

As part owner of the team, I thought I'd take this opportunity to throw in my two cents worth on the run you've had so far in the playoffs. Please DO NOT waste what could best be described as the greatest opportunity in an NFL season, for any #6 seeded team in history. I hope that you'll continue to remain a humble and workman like team as you have, and leave the superiority complex and superstar thinking to the simple minded fan, such as myself.

The other 111,500 or so shareholders and I all agree, keep on doing what you're doing! We feel that this would be the best way to ensure that you continue to

Sincerely,

Shareholder #
xxxxxx020611

(and no, the irony of my last 6 digits is NOT wasted on me)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Gambling Tale #017: Comic relief in Purgatory....

2011-01-14T08:08:00.010-05:00

The words Poker Freeroll in and of themselves, are a lot like Government Worker to me. I mean really, is there a bigger way to confuse two words of the English language just by putting them together? At least, that's what I always used to think! But after last nights Gambling Tales Freeroll I do know that it was FREE, and most definitely after nearly three hours of play I do have to admit, I feel like I just got rolled.

Okay to get a few facts straight, here are the details. The boys offered a Freeroll for 998 of their closest friends last night. If you stopped by the Gambling Tales Podcast site and had a short listen to a great conversation, you'd get the P/W and the first 1000 were in. Simple!

So as an avid listener I was one of the first in. It's just how I roll for friends. When I saw that they actually got the full 1,000 entered, I bowed a little polite bow of respect to the South. The boys I thought, must really be onto something here! It took about two full minutes to realize how smart Falstaff and Special K really were though, by opening up entirely new markets in Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan. Genius really, just effin' genius!

A minute or two into the game was when I also noticed previous winner and Pal to Oh Captain, DeeBakes was sitting two spots to my right. 'At least someone at the table could speak English,' I said to myself. Naturally though, I was moved from Dee's table almost immediately. Thus leaving me to defend myself, with nothing more than Babelfish and google translate.

The game started out pretty much as expected for a Freeroll, with $50 in the pot and 1,000 players. Meaning of course, a full 1/3 of the field was sitting out. Not that there's anything really wrong with that I guess, I do get a kick out of the tools that continue to fold to them after an hour or so of play. Can't you just picture them sitting all frustrated in their SB saying, "Damn! Why can't I just get a hand against this guy?" I certainly can! Then there's also the free blinds available to a couple of savvy players, if they both realize what's going on. It's a little thing we like to call intelligent collusion around here. Of course in a nutshell, it takes two intelligent beings to come up with such a plan. Say, oh I don't know, like, two live players. Perhaps the ONLY two live players sitting at the table, uh you know, with 7 dead spots at it or something? But for the really seasoned Freeroller, there's also plan B! This one takes all the moxy you've got but in the end, it'll be well worth the effort it takes to consistently re-raise the only other live player sitting at your table. That is of course, unless the other player gets fed up and busts you out with pocket Astins, and your re-raise, re-re-raise, re-re-re-raise jam all in strategy, finds you holding the bottom pair of 3's, on an Ace high flop. Then my Freerollin' friend, you might want to back off the gas just a touch. But don't worry, a dead stack will move in to take your place and then there's always the chatbox. The wonderful release portal where you can tell the one other live player at that table that just stacked you, what a true Donkey play he really made. So, there is that right?

I think it took three hands total to get all of BadxxScooter's stack and despite showing him the pocket Astins the first time around,

he went with the Plan B move mentioned earlier.

At a table of dead stacks for the next 15 minutes or so, I built up a little stash of chippies. Then with no one busting at my table as of yet, I was moved to another table. One with only three dead stacks. I was honestly alright with that though, as a raise pre-flop, bet flop, checked turn and OBFV on the river,

didn't seem to work out too bad at the time.

It was around second break or so, when I noticed I was picking up the BamBamCan fan club of sorts. I channelled my inner Waffles and had as much fun with it as I could.

Hell! I even managed to somehow hold back on transferring $100.00 to one player in Turkey, despite the importance of getting him "back online the game." My restraint apparently, knows no bounds.

This was about the time I was asked the most important question in all of Poker too. If the universal translator was working correctly I was asked, "bambam, is you a man or bitch?" Using all of my Poker wiles remaining, I decided to flip a coin and ultimately went with Bitch. I also managed at about the same time I think, to pick up a real railer.

His support of me quite naturally drew the wrath of the Turkish delegation and in fact, I believe he was cussed out almost immediately.

DrChako1: I was just cussed out in a new language. how cool is that!

I really wanted to chat with my Brudder for a bit, so I took advantage of the opportunity to send our new found pals over to view a few Frantic Fridays. Oh and by the way, if you need to increase traffic at your blog from Kazackawhackyland or a few Turkeys, I highly recommend this strategy! My readership went up 161% in just 15 minutes!

I only had a few goals going into this thing.

1) Have fun
2) Cash in a 1,000 player donkfest
3) Have fun
4) and most importantly, have fun

After 2 hrs. and 43 mins. of "play" I'm pleased to report, I met all of my goals for the night!

Brudder Chako asked me in the chat, "why do you subject yourself to this?" and at the time, my answer was for Falstaff. But despite never really understanding why anyone would take the time to register and then sit out the entire game I have to admit, I saw the funniest thing along the way last night. As I witnessed one sitting out player at a minimum, triple up. No not once, not twice, not even a fully Bracelet approved THRICE during the game, but four times in a row, when the blinds came around and they were all in.

Now that alone my friends, was well worth the price of admission! Because let's face it, if we can't laugh at ourselves, (and we have some damn fine material to work with!) what can we laugh at?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Fine Piece of Tale....

2011-01-13T07:58:00.003-05:00

The title just sucks you in no?
That's EXACTLY what I like about you!

The good folks over at Gambling Tales have thrown together a little game for tonight. It comes with an added bit of free cash too, courtesy of FullTilt Poker.

I'm not sure why I always invite a crowd out to these games and greatly reduce my chances of making the cash though, must be the "polite Bedrockian" thing.

The only way to get in this thing is to head over to Gambling Tales and have a listen. Even if you don't play in the game, I'm sure you'll find that the trip over there is still really worth it! Falstaff and Special K are always a pleasure to listen to and the topics they choose to discuss, just may hit closer to home than you might think!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Things that make you go Hmmm....

2011-01-11T09:18:00.003-05:00

Silly Poker!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

OH look, a game tonight....

2011-01-09T20:19:00.001-05:00

See you there.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday: The Long Time No See Edition.... (NSFW)

2011-01-07T09:08:00.019-05:00

Hello dear reader.
Long Time No Frantic Friday!

I honestly had no idea that it'd been so long, since I'd managed to sit down and bust out one of these things for you.

BAD Bammer!

It's been so long I guess, that one good friend actually accused me of losing my

and that hurts, let me tell you.

Well it hasn't been from a lack of great material to work with at all. I've just been so focused on improving my

I guess, I've let a few things slide around here.

Believe me it's no

to say, that things around these parts have been a little more Frantic than usual.

But that is not really a good excuse in my books, to have let you down for so long. So let's see if we can get this sucker back on track here, for at least one more week in a row!

Now I am just a tad out of practice here so let's see,

Ah yes that's right, Frantic Friday's should always contain a fair amount of

That should be easy enough huh?

Let's see what have I been doing of late, that could be considered Frantic Friday worthy?

Well the other night we had an old fashioned get together around here. There were a few friends from town, a few other folks from the big smoke and of course if you know anything about Frantic Fridays at all, there was also the

She's a pre-requisite of any good gathering around here, since she's exactly like an old jean jacket and we all know,

We did the silliest thing that night too! How long has it been since you got together with a group and played Clue? I'd forgotten how much fun that game can be, when you add a few drinks and some fun to the mix!

The amazing thing was, it was like I'd never stopped playing the game! I mean, I nailed the damn solution first try!

LIKE.NAILED.IT!

So obvious.

Let's see, what else?

Oh, my buddy Em was up last weekend. That's always cool! She even started things off on the right... UH.... foot? By recalling our favorite Frantic Friday of all time and blessing me with a

right off the bat!

I <3 my Em!

I tell you, that girl is

Soooooooooo easy on the eyes and have I ever mentioned,

OH, and something hilarious also happened over Em's visit. It seems that Em has a new man in her life right now and supposedly, the guy's an MMA Junkie. Knowing that I love a good fight, Em figured that Peb's would know all about the UFC too. Much to Em's surprise, I guess Peb's shocked her when she explained that she actually knew very little about it.

That wouldn't fly with my Em at all! She was just adamant about giving Peb's the MMA 101.

Well I can tell you dear reader, I was beside myself with laughter at the sight of this little lesson. Particularly at the point where Peb's got Em to

PRICELESS!

Okay, I have to run kids. HUGE weekend planned here in Bedrock!

I'll try not to slack off so much in The Frantic Friday department going forward, I promise. I've been working on some special material for one dedicated to the art of

They say there's a beach in that pic somewhere and yet, I just don't get it!

To say I've become very interested in these things, would be a fairly large understatement.

Don't worry kids, I'll get to the bottom of it!

;)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Stuck in the middle of Baker Street....

2011-01-05T08:09:00.002-05:00

For bringing my Peb's two of her all time favourites,
I truly hope you can RIP Gerry.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

2010 Resolved....

2010-12-30T09:08:00.010-05:00

Like the year itself was for me, this is going to be a little all over the place I'm afraid.

The Blog....

Just 148 posts ALL YEAR!
What an obvious waste of my talent for drivel.
Still managed to squeak over the 50,000 visitors mark though. So I guess there are still a few of you out there, hoping for a bit more of my regular, yet ever useless minutiae.

Very special thanks go out to Otis, Pauly, Al and of course, my Brudder Chako. All far and away my strongest referrers for the year.

Online Poker....

Good lord! Where to begin?
I'll be damned if I have yet to figure out what it's going to take, to break out of this NLHE break even player funk. I mean, seriously?

Here's a perfect one-two punch for you, to sum up the entire year of NLHE.

Hand #41 = All-in on the turn.

Then in Hand #42, I somehow survive the all-in pre-flop.

Yeah, break even baby!

Peb's crushed me on our moolah-made side bet.
(NLHE only)

So embarrassing.

Thankfully though, I still have the STUD guy. My play has been spot on pretty much, allowing me to withdraw a few required funds here and there. You know, for all the frilly and nice stuff one wants to buy his beloved wife on a whim.

Online Blogger games were pretty much a bust for me. I did manage to score one semi-major win back in the BBT5, (did I ever mention THANKS AL!) when I somehow luck sacked my way into the tournament of champions. But all in all, I donated far more often than I cashed in our little shindigs.

Live Poker....

As my favourite show of all time likes to say, "and now for something completely different!"

Live Poker is quite obviously rigged and even more apparently, totally in my favour. That should be good for total card-deadedness for the remainder of my life huh? After running so deep in the 2009 WPBT in what I want to call quite possibly, our deepest field of entrants ever, I really felt good about my play at the live tables. Then to back that up, I started the year off with a bang.

Then in a combination of live Poker and Bloggers at The Mastodon Weekend, I crossed a couple of my must to-do's off the old Bammer-Do list as well.

Then finishing up the year around these parts, I managed to survive the final table.

Work....

I'll put it bluntly, things suck!When it came to busting a nut to get a paycheque, I was only able to get in three months total all year. Just brutal! There's just nothing out there in my field of expertise and despite brudder Riggs enthusiasm about going out on my own and doing some consulting, it takes customers that can actually PAY to make it all work out. I've done my homework and the math, I'll lose my shirt right now.

I'm actually looking at a career change, just not sure what direction though.

Life....

One was taken FAR too early, while I literally held it in my hands.

While sitting around a table with twenty of my twenty-three possible family members in attendance for Christmas Eve Dinner, life as it always does for me, came down to one thing my Peb's had to say. While all of us were expressing our wants and desires for under the tree the next day, she simply said;

"Thankfully, I get one more Christmas with my Dad. Who could want anything more than that?"

Eyes were wiped dry with tissue.
Glasses were raised in toast.
Thoughts turned to Fred and his courage and strength.

Indeed, who could want any more from life than that?

All the best in 2011 my friends and as always,

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Twas just days until Christmas....

2010-12-22T07:58:00.016-05:00

Twas just days until Christmas,
when outside the house
some creatures were stirring,
a bit bigger than a mouse.

They went out through the yard,
down the treelines with care.
In hopes that some goodies
would be lying back there.

Like children we nestled
all snug in our bed,
While visions of Reindeer
danced in my head.
With Pebbles drinking Wine,
and me with my Scotch,
I wanted to see them,
not to kill just to watch.

I got dressed, went outside
and despite being fatter,
I somehow got my lard-ass,
up that old treestand ladder.
Away to the bushes
I focussed with glee,
in hopes that I'd see them,
and they not see me.

A full moon on the breast
of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day
to objects below.
When what to my wondering
eyes should appear,
But of course its the kids,
the eight tiny Reindeer.

Building strength before Christmas
they were lively and quick,
They'd need all that energy,
to pull the weight of St Nick.
More rapid than anything
my heart it would beat,
as I whispered and muttered,
"holy crap this is neat!"

"Hey Dasher!

Hey, Dancer!

Hey, Prancer

and Vixen!

Yo, Comet!

W'sup, Cupid!

Hey, Donner

and Blitzen!

From the top of the tree,
a branch had a fall.
And then dash away, dash away,
They Dashed away all!

A very Merry Christmas everyone!

And as always,

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Merry Quadmas Everyone....

2010-12-21T08:49:00.014-05:00

Nothing suspicious about this at all! Let's face it seeing Quads about 30x a night or so is quite typical actually, in a standard 52 card deck right?

Peb's noticed it first;

"Wow" she said, "The last hand was won with Quads too!"

She gives one of those excited little squeals I've come to love, as she doubles up two hands later with pocket Astins. Only to follow that up with that little moan I hate, as she's moved to a new table.

First hand in and;

Quads again!

After she busted out, she told me to take a shot at a game.

About three hands in and naturally,

it's Quadmas!

Just a few short minutes later and;

Quada Claus cracks some Astins.

Now you know you're most definitely on the naughty list, when you refuse to play nice with all the other kiddies at Quadmas.

I take a short break to answer the phone, only to return to find out that I just folded a hand that would've made Quads.

So I do what I do and laugh.

Then it just gets.... you know, totally random!

Lather;

Rinse; (7 hands later)

and a table move later repeat, just 3 more hands into the game.

I mean, doesn't everyone miss Quads four times out of ten?

Merry Quadmas everyone and remember, it's TOTALLY RANDOM you know!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

WPBT Trip Report: The Missing Man Perspective....

2010-12-17T09:16:00.010-05:00

When the anticipation of attending the yearly storming of the strip is ripped from your heart, a new and rather dangerous anticipation creeps into your head. Its the anticipation of the trip reports in the aftermath of the successful candidates appearances, that gives one something to cling to. Something that seems to hold value and something, that is supposed to make you feel at least a modicum better, after having to miss out on the fun.

Funny though, it just makes me feel worse!

Don't get me wrong here, I love reading every ones stories. I can say unequivocally, I would feel FAR worse if I didn't have them to review. It's just the whole double-edged sword thing you know? No reads at all, I'd feel so left out of all the fun. But to read about all of the shenanigans and tom-foolery, is akin to getting that first helium balloon as a kid. Only to eventually find out that once you let go of the string for just a split second, the balloon will slowly and quite painfully, allow you to watch it disappear into the far reaching blue sky.

If you've been before and couldn't make one of our little gatherings for any of a number of reasons, I think you know what I'm trying to convey. If you've never been to a gathering before, I hope that you will allow yourself to partake in all of the fun, as soon as you get the chance.

I do not believe this to be too simplified to be honest. I actually think that saying our little community ranges as far and wide as the imagination will allow you to take it, could possibly be one of the understatements of the century.

Diversity & Adversity.
Camaraderie & Debauchery.
Gentile & Futile.
Heart warming & Heart wrenching.
CEO's & The Unemployed.
Writers & Dreamers.

We have anything and everything you could ever dream up, here in our little cluster of fun.

I found it entirely ironic that as the WPBT was blasting in full force over the weekend, so was one of the worst Winter storms in Bedrock's history. Why you ask? Well here's this Missing man's perspective.

In the world as it is right now, multi-billion dollar deals are going down with neither party actually ever having to meet. At least not face-to-face. A simple 'click' is really all it takes. Homes are bought and sold, pharmaceuticals can be purchased and any other multitude of wheeling and dealing can be done, all in the same manner. Just avoid any actual contact, then 'click' and the deal is done. Hell we even call ourselves IIF's! Some that we just can't wait to see again, some we'll meet for the first time or best of all for the real veterans of this little community of ours, we'll recall all of our previous hi jinx in hilarity, while making new memories as we trudge along. All conveyed with a few simple words on a screen in front of us and then, the transaction is considered complete. All with just a simple 'click' of a mouse.

In life in general, how many of us can say that we know all of our neighbours? I'm not talking about the house next door, or even the one, two or three houses down the road from that one. I'm talking about the basic community of folks, that you've chosen to surround your family with. I don't think I'm going too far out on the limb here, to say very few is a pretty accurate assumption.

So the Winter storm around these parts was an awful lot like one of our gatherings for me, when complete strangers would park on the side of a snowy and blowing cold road, all in an effort to help pull someone else out of the ditch. Simple acts of heart warming kindness took place, where new friends were made and old friendships were rekindled. The Farmer with his snow blower attached to his John Deere, simply makes stops at each and every driveway along the way. The man across the road is carrying a bag of milk. All the while, struggling to keep his feet beneath him in the ice and snow. Why is he doing that? He knows the single mom with two children under five down the road, hasn't been able to get out now for days.

You see during the worst Winter storm in years around these parts, I walked up to a man that seemed only vaguely familiar to me and rather soon after that, we called each other friend. Only to find out that this one simple action, soon lead me to discover I had hundreds more just like him around here. It was the same with my first ever gathering. I simply walked up to a man that somehow seemed a little familiar to me, only to have called him friend ever since. And with that one simple action on my part I also soon discovered, I had hundreds more just like him in you.

So since the irony of the timing is not lost on me at all, here is my message to you. If you never have before, get to a gathering of some type. Because only then will you truly find out just how many friends you may really have, in this wonderful community that's developed.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Closing Bedrock....

2010-12-15T11:09:00.005-05:00

On account'a SNOW!

Now I am only 1,000,048 years old, so I'm not really the crotchety old "GET OFF MY LAWN" git that I've been perceived to be. But shutting down Bedrock? FOR SNOW???

SERIOUSLY?

WTF?

This is solely my personal opinion of course, but you know your population is leaning a little too far in the direction of cultural diversity, when a little snow shuts down a town based almost entirely on tourism.

UH.... 85% of which is Winter fun.

Re-fueling trucks can't get to the gas stations.
Ski hills closed because there's too much snow!
School buses pulled off the roads.
(Okay, I get that one!)
But pulling Snowplows off the roads?

It's fucking white fluffy snow!

My apologies Grandpa Barney and Grandpa Betty, we've let Bedrock go to Hell in a hand basket!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going out to have a little play!

That is all.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The 2010 Bammy Awards....

2010-12-13T10:14:00.007-05:00

Yes kids, the time has finally arrived once again. Where our esteemed panel of judges are asked to make quite literally, a few of the toughest decisions known to blogdem.

It's time for The 2010 Bammy Awards to get shelled out!

First up, Favourite New Artist.

The nominees are;

Schaubs for Double-Baby-Bump
Josie for Very Josie
&
Cloud for Twitterpoker

And The Bammy goes to....

Very Josie!

Seriously difficult decision between all three of these great blogs. But in the end, I think the judges were swayed by Josie's constant cleavage shots. And we all know how the judges around here erm... feel about boobies right!

Next, Favourite Female Artist.

And the nominees are;

Mrs. Chako for The Wife
CK for Black Widow of Poker
Kat for Katitude
&
Gadzooks for OMGWTF: Its a blog

And The 2010 Bammy Award goes to....

Mrs. Chako!

You want to hear about tough decisions? This was BRUTALLY tough! In the end it all came down to just one vote between them. ONE VOTE! Apparently the deciding factor came down to a few minor little details. CK shutting things down for a bit, well let's just say that hurt her chances just a smidgen. Zooks basically lost on a minor technicality, as the judges were thrilled to stop by and read about the PokerSlut Tour. Only to find out that it was all about some silly little game of cards. SO disappointing and yes, there were deductions for incredibly poor sportsmanship on that one! Kat's last minute move may have hurt her in the end, as the judges are rather simple minded folks, not understanding or appreciating some real talent, when it's presented right in front of them.

It was also said that the last thought going into the judging for this category, was one brief moment during a previous WPBT. A moment my friends, that SHALL live on in the memory of the head judge, until all time comes to a stop.

This brings us to Favourite Male Artist.

And the nominees are;

Joe Speaker for The Obituarium
Astin for I Can't Believe I Ate The Whole Thing
Julius_Goat for The Goat Speaks
&
Ken P. for Poker Perambulation

The Bammy goes to....

Julius_Goat!

Although this was no cakewalk either kids, it all basically boiled down to two very simple fundamentals for the judges. First off, "Humor is reason gone mad." With that thought stuck in the judges heads, it became a no-brainer once they all came to the exact same conclusion.

"I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members."

And with that, Señor Goat eeks out the win!

Next we have the category of Best Folk Performance, by a Duo or Group.

Our nominees are....

AlCantHang for The Bash
Otis for Mastodon Weekend
The WPBT for The Winter Gathering

This years Bammy Award goes to....

Otis and the entire G-Vegas crowd!

Let's face it, this one wasn't even close! First off, The WPBT was held this year without a single panel judge being present. HUGE mistake! There have also been recent rumours of course, that The Bash could possibly be making a resurrection of sorts, heading into 2011. Well kids, that's NEXT YEAR! The South-Cackalacky gang won this one hands down. Plans for the judges to repeat The Migration for years and years to come, have already been laid out. You will be seeing us my friends, as long as you'll allow it to happen!

The second last of our 2010 Bammy Awards is, Best Metal Performance.

The nominees are....

BadBlood for Metal Mondays and New, Old, Live.
Dr. Chako for Perseverance
&
Riggstad for Bangin' it Old School

The 2010 Bammy goes to....

Right off the top, Riggstad had to be disqualified. THAT.IS.NOT.METAL!

Our winner this year is, Doc Chako!

BadBlood was right there the entire way though, as he introduced our judges to some of the best stuff they'd laid ear to for some time. But in the end, it was the shear determination and intestinal fortitude of The Doc, that won the judges over.

And that my friends, brings us to our final category for the year.

The 2010 Bammy Award for, Best Performance EVAH!

The nominees are....

Falstaff for The Chosen
Pauly for Lost Vegas
&
DRIZZ for I Hear What Your Saying

And the winner of the 2010 Bammy Award is....

DRIZZLE!

If you don't own either one of those amazing books, YOU SHOULD! But in the end as it almost always does, the nod seems to go to the seriously funny. I say it in person whenever I get the all too rare chance but DRIZZ, you just make me smile all the time and for that, you win The 2010 Bammy Award for Best Performance EVAH!

Congratulations to all of our winners and for those that didn't quite make the cut, know this, neither did I !!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

A WPBT Public Service Announcement....

2010-12-08T09:49:00.004-05:00

Just in case you may have forgotten what The WPBT is really all about, here are some words of wisdom for you.

Oh and one other thing!

Do me a small favour if you would?

If it looks like AlCantHang has lost his way, please help point him in the right direction for me. Remember, Al only needs two things other than Marlboros.

Have fun kids!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Well I'll be....

2010-12-06T11:21:00.003-05:00

Calling the event “The Tournament of Champions” just feels wrong. The nine of us are more like survivors, rather than anything remotely close to Champions. For this season long battle was held in the court of hard knocks, where Free Bar Poker at its ultimate height can mean, “All-in” with A-A, every bit as much as with 2-7 sooooooted. This is the wrong kind of Bar Poker and I know what you’re thinking, ‘what can be wrong with Poker AND a bar?’ Nothing I guess, if it's done right like The Riverchasers folks do it!

Every week the local Pub, (well, as local as it gets here in Bedrock!) opens its doors and makes a little space for about 50 ~ 60 folks to grab a seat, and get their Poker jones on for the evening. The problem is that besides Peb’s, myself and the only other couple we know that show up every week, no one else is doing anything to support the Pub. To the players that continue to show up it’s “free” all the way. Why there’s more water at any given event for one of these things, than there is created by melting glaciers and global warming. For the life of them, not one can understand why the “free” Poker, will be coming to an end after this game.

Based on my results from the previous 16 weeks of play, a points system that is highly favorable for a final table appearance and a few good hands along the way, this kid somehow managed to squeak into the final table of the year with a little chip lead. I was starting The Tournament of Champions table of 9 players, holding nearly 17% of the total chips in play. Add that to my familiarity with the other 8 players sitting down in the game and honestly, I have to admit that I really liked my chances.

I drew the 7 seat and all down my right side were stacks and stacks of chippies begging me to keep them warmer than they were right now. If I was going to get a juicier spot to play the game, I couldn’t think of 3 individuals I’d rather have sitting to my right in a row. Immediately on my left however, was quite possibly the best NLHE player in the crowd. Bub finished 2nd. in the points standings, had one less win than I did and surprisingly enough to some, (not me) missed two weeks of play along the way. Bub had busted me out once, been busted by me once and over the entire season of play, those two heads up confrontations for the win, were our only real encounters with each other. We’d sat at the same table repeatedly over the weeks but somehow, we’d managed to avoid making too many really big mistakes against each other.

“I’ll race you to’em Bammer” Bub said, as he glanced past me and focused on the chips to my right.

A few commiserating announcements for the end of the season and the end of Poker at the Pub were made, with the anticipated groans of disappointment and disbelief from the water Camels. Yet they joined in the toast and held their water glasses high, making an annoyingly loud clank as they saluted the efforts of the staff and ownership of the pub.

As I held my Scotch up and made my now customary wink towards Sue the owner, I suddenly found myself on extreme tilt without a card being thrown in the air. Despite smiling for that one moment and winking back, her look said nothing but that she just couldn’t wait to get these losers, the hell out of her bar.
“Let’s shuffle up and deal”

As is fairly common on a weekly basis with these folks there was an UTG raise the first hand of play, a call and then quite naturally, another call. All standard fair for what quite simply, had become the worst Poker I think I’d ever been a part of.

I look down at pocket Astins and to make it even better for my comfort level, they were Two Black Aces.

“Raise”

Ad ~ 4c ~ 7h came the flop for myself and the initial raiser, who was the only one to have made the call.

“I’m all in” he said.

“I Call”

As I was stacking the fresh chips that the dealer had just pushed my way after the first hand, UTG player muttered something about a “cooler,” as he shook hands with everyone and took his water off the table. His unimproved pocket 8’s still lying next to the five cards missing them completely.

“Nice start” said Bub.

It was two complete rotations before I played another hand, holding nothing but garbage in all hands previous. Holding 10-10 and seeing an 8 high rainbow flop, I lead out for around half the pot. This got one player to fold but the other; well he made a quick and rather excitable call. The Ace on the turn was of concern to me, since the notes I have on this guy read ‘will play any Ace to the end.’

The river was a meaningless card to the board but still, neither of us put another chip into the pot.

“Ace – eight?” I asked inquisitively.

“Chop” was his reply. “That’s what I have too.”

My tens went into the muck.

The eighth player left the table at around the first hour or so. Having her K-K snapped off by 5 ~ 7 off suit but “hey, it was only a 4x raise pre!”

“Break”

Peb’s and Sue the owner were about two thirds of the way through the carafe of wine I’d bought them, both giggling like two school girls who’d just seen the cutest boy. It was really nice to see Sue laughing and smiling during a Poker event. Those moments had been rather rare over the season of play and typically when Peb’s and I head out for a drink or some grub, Sue’s the one that just can’t stop doing either. As I made my way out for a smoke, I asked Chris behind the bar to top off their carafe and grab them a little something to nibble on. She just smiled that way she does and then as always, just made it happen.

Everyone always seems to forget everything they know about Poker and the game or table that they are sitting at it seems, as the result of a 10-minute break.

“All in” and all out, went the next two players in the first four hands back. All pre-flop action, one three way pot and the best of the best that was in play, two big slicks chopping up another players stack, after his A-10 managed to whiff on all three of his outs in the deck.

Being down to five-handed, Bub and I made a little more room for one another, now that we had the space to do so.

I’d just folded a suited Bammer after some betting in the spots ahead of me, Bub just tossed a bunch of chips in front of him and made a rather large three bet. The first fold came immediately but the other player, in a hoody with shades on by the way, tanked and tanked and tanked.

“If I fold and show you, will you show?”

Bub did what he always does, just sat there stoically and said nothing.

Hoody looked back at his cards and then despite the appearance of being whomped by a good solid player, he announced all in.

“Call”

Bub’s pocket Astins survived the 7s ~ 8s they were up against somehow.

We were now four-handed and the only player I was really worried about in the game, had a fresh new pile of chips to play back at me with.

“Break”

Nothing eventful happened all the way up to break after that. The stacks were all large enough in comparison to the blinds that almost any pre-flop aggression or re-aggression, was usually met with the cards being tossed into the muck.

Very few flops were seen, most play had ended by the turn and honestly, I don’t recall actually seeing any river cards now that I think of it.

Owner Sue and Peb’s were a little on the ‘woo-hoo’ side, when I managed to find them back in the corner. That was a lot of wine for two little girls to take in for certain and, in just the couple hours they’d been at it. But they were both semi-pro I’d thought, having experience and the wisdom of hundreds of bars and pubs along the way. Then Chris told me that she’d been asked to top the carafe up one additional time by Sue, not to mention the Slippery Nipple and Cum-In-The-Hot-Tub shots they’d had because as Peb’s slurred out in my direction, “Sue had never tried either of them honey.”

The return from break this time was far better than the previous one. Meaning of course, that I got a walk in my big blind. I try to never look at my cards when that happens but as I flipped them into the center of the table, both the Ac and Ah revealed themselves. I probably would have gotten into trouble with them anyhow. I fold my small blind crap cards to a raise but Bub, well Bub makes his now standard re-raise of the action. With what seemed like very little thought but lots and lots of chip counting, about half of the newly counted stack made its way in front of the original raiser as a re-re-raise.

Online I think this stuff manages to elude my attention span or something. Sitting there live however, I take in every single nuance of the action at hand. I could tell exactly what kind of storm was brewing in front of me and one thing was definite, we were about to see a little hand on hand violence at the table.

“The actions to you Bub.”

“I’m going to raise………. all in”

I had no doubt at that point what cards Bub had sitting in front of him so I wondered to myself if the kid was good enough to get away from it, or were his cards good enough to make the call.

“Call”

Before cards were flipped up there were “good lucks” and handshakes, all the while I think I was the only one that had come to the realization that sitting right in the center of the table, was about 40% of the chips in play. One of these two players, was about to become a monster.

“Bub shows Ad ~ As and The Kid shows Kd ~ Ks” announced the tournament director.

It just sat there! Peeking out between the dealers fingers for what seemed like forever to me. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for Bub. The door card was clearly the other red King but as the cards were slowly and almost agonizingly spread out across the felt however, the middle spot was just as easily obvious as the Ace of clubs.

Bub had skill.
Bub had some luck.
Bub had position on me.
Bub had cards when he played and now more important to yours truly, Bub had a shitload of chips.

The third player remaining was the shorty. She had played solid when she won a hand but obviously, she wasn’t getting much in the way of cards to play.

All three of us remaining also just happened to be the smokers and drinkers of this final table. We asked for and were graciously given by the tournament director, our smoke and washroom breaks.

“Irony’s a real bitch huh?” said Owner Sue in unison with Peb’s, both hoisting a glass of something alcoholic but not wine, as we all headed out for our smokes.

“It is indeed,” said Bub, as he opened the door for me and the third player left in the game, his Wife.

Remember the other couple I’d mentioned earlier on that also supported the pub like Peb’s and I tried to do? Bub and Lisa are them.

As we returned back to the table for the conclusion of the game, Owner Sue was elated like no time ever before. Normally I would’ve chalked this up to the booze but honestly, it was clear that she appreciated all we’d done to try and support her for her efforts, by hosting our silly little weekly game of chance.

She had Chris bring us each our drink of choice on the house, mine being a double for a reason unknown to me at the time.

“Your Packers just beat Sue’s 49’ers.” Chris told me. Clearly in response to the look I must have had on my face, at the size of the Scotch being set in front of me.

Five hands in upon our return; I’m dealt the two red Queens. I make a big enough raise to put Lisa to the test, hoping all the while that Bub wouldn’t have anything playable to stay in the hand with. Bub folds and after taking a good look at her cards and her remaining stack, Lisa puts her card cap on the hand and announces that she will be going all in.

“Call”

Lisa’s Asian-Jew does not improve and Bub and I are about to hold our own personal tie breaker of sorts.

The tournament director said it was 64 hands, I don’t know. It was all a focused blur, if that makes any sense at all. There was small ball pot control poker and never once did either of us ever mention, ‘all in.’ Chips were swapped back and forth, as made hands toppled to hands that got there. The Blinds and Antes were frequently traded between us, as hot and cold pre-flop runs hit us both along the way also.

Somehow however though, through it all, I must have managed to take the chip lead.

On hand #64:

I remember that the pre-flop raise I’d made was called by Bub.
I remember that my C-bet on the flop was called by Bub.
I remember that my bet on the turn was called by Bub.
I remember that despite having a pretty damn fine Scotch in front of me, my mouth was incredibly dry.
I do not remember what the turn card was.
I remember that the river card was the two of hearts.
I remember betting on that two of hearts and having Bub say, “all-in.”
I remember staring at the board and trying to make sense of the play.
Now I remember the turn card!

3d ~ 10h ~ 8c ~ 4c ~ 2h

“I Call”

“Damn,” said Bub. “I didn’t figure you for the A-5 type Bammer! I flopped trips. I’ve got a set of 8’s.”

I remember feeling really warm all of a sudden.

“Pocket 10’s for the flopped set myself Bub.”

“Good game!”

“Damn good game! Can I buy you a drink Bub?”

And there I sat, a survivor.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Defining local Poker....

2010-12-03T08:43:00.004-05:00

Through absolutely no skill of my own, I've qualified for a local championship event here in Bedrock. It's a November nine style rip-off thing and with my earlier results, I guess I'll have a pretty good chip lead going into the event.

But it is local Poker and honestly to me, that can only mean one thing.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Peb's Pearls ~ #13....

2010-12-01T10:17:00.007-05:00

Hi Gang Peb's here.
Long time no, whatever it is I'm doing right now.

I wanted to share a fun little game that I play all the time with Bam-Bam with you. Well honestly he doesn't really know that we are playing the game but to me, that's what makes it so much fun.

A girls got to make her own fun sometimes right?

So as near as I can recall, we started the game when we'd first met. The game doesn't actually have a name I don't think but for my purposes of laughter, I call it the Cashier game.

The rules of the game are really quite simple.

1) There needs to be an organized shopping list.
2) Your husband needs to do the shopping, while you watch.
3) Sit back and wait for the fun.

See it's easy!

Now we all know that it was uber-easy to play this game, way back in the day. All you had to do was add some form of feminine hygiene product to said list and voila!

But those days are long gone, as the men seem to take a great deal of pride in being "that" kind of guy. You know the one I mean right? The guy that can not only stand in line and purchase the products in public but hey, he'll stand in the longest line at the store because there's a hot check out girl in that one. He'll then proceed to boldly purchase said products with chest puffed out and head held high as if to say, "Look at me. Ya that's right, I'm a provider." Half the time if your paying attention properly at the check out, the chicks like "oooh, coooo, look at you Mr. Provider."

Well let me tell you, that really took all the fun out of the game for me and like I said earlier on, a girls got to make her own fun sometimes. So I decided on different ways to play it and you know what? I think if you put your mind to it too, you could have as much fun as me playing it with your significant others. Hell, maybe you already do? BTW ~ I'd love to hear about that!

My secret seems to be in getting that one special item on a specific list of Bammers. I've gotten him dozens of times with this little trick and let me tell you something, IT NEVER GETS OLD!

Here's the latest example I have that I can sort of actually show you. Now to set the scene properly, Bam was incredibly focused on making his Chipotle Chili. It's always been a Winter staple for us but this year, I had a little fun with it!

Now it might help if you know that Bammer is TOTALLY anal about his cooking AND, his lists for getting it right. Anyone else would probably put a weeks worth of items on the list and then, head out to get some groceries at the store. NOT Bammer! He has a list for his key item and at the store as a second check, he places them all out on the conveyor in order of the recipe.

So picture if you will, all layed out nice and organized;

2 lbs. Ground Beef
1 lb. Ground Pork
3 Spanish Onions
1 Hot Cubanelle Pepper
1 jar Chipotle Seasoning
1 jar Sweet Crushed Chillies & Pepper
1 bottle Liquid Smoke
1 bottle Lea & Perrins
3 Packages of Tex-Mex Chili Seasoning
3 cans crushed and seasoned Tomatoes
3 cans Tomato Paste
3 cans Red Kidney Beans
1 Loaf Fresh Italian bread

and what was it Peb's wanted again?
Oh yeah,

1 bottle Industrial Strength Toilet Bowl Cleaner

After "Nice to see you're planning ahead" from the cashier and most of the customers in line got up off the floor, this version of the game was officially over.

;)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

We live by Rule #34....

2010-11-30T08:10:00.003-05:00

I guess it's because of my inability to attend this years gathering, but when I was asked recently by a WPBT first timer what I thought the secret to having a good time was going to be, I fluffed off the appropriate answer and mumbled something about 'just have fun.' Well despite not actually making the trip this year, I do know better than that! The secret is and will always be, to make sure you follow Pauly's Invading Las Vegas Tips.

In particular, RULE #34!

Much better clarification of Rules #6,#7 & #8 can be found HERE and honestly for these gatherings, those four are the ones that can make or break the weekend for you. (not to mention for others!)

Have fun kids!
I can't wait to hear all about it.

In other news, did you know our boy Schaubs is battling it out for an award? Well, he is! Best new Blog for multiples. If you get a second, (AND THAT'S REALLY ALL IT TAKES!) it would be hawesome if you could drop a little click in the Double Baby Bump section HERE, under best new Blog. It can't be anything but good Karma to do so and with a trip to Vegas in your plans, who couldn't use a little of that?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

No WPBT for me....

2010-11-23T09:30:00.003-05:00

There, I said it!
Well actually, I guess I only wrote it huh?

But facts are facts just the same and now I need to face the fact I guess, that I am going to have to miss out on the December gathering.

No Let-it-Ride Olympics for me this year.

No Bloggers, Booze & Balls either.

Damn, that means no Tao of Luck too!

No fun Highlight Reel.

No Run Goot for a full day!

No tale of Peb's running HAWT.

Damn! No cocktail waitress grope-a-thons either!

All that though, I think I can manage to somehow get over. What really hurts me, you may be wondering, is that I'll be missing the friends I've been fortunate enough to have come to know and love over all of our years together. That's what REALLY hurts about not making it this year.

So I have a request.
Allow me to live vicariously through you my friends.
Write ups, trip reports etc... etc...
I'm counting on you!

With that all out of the way, there's only one thing left to say;

C'mon Mastodon Weekend!

No really! Is it here yet?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Sunday Poker (a)musings....

2010-11-22T07:59:00.012-05:00

Played a whack of games yesterday. Not sure why I was in the mood to be honest, but as they say, strike when the irons hot right?

As per normal, I started the day off with some STUD. I couldn't get anything going when it came to my game, (STUD) so when I saw a nearly full table of H/L about to get underway, I stooped to the Prevo level and had a go. ;)

I joke of course! Ken knows my feelings on the split games and although I think it's safe to say we see the opposite sides of the coin as it were, I can also tell you that I totally understand his logic in this game selection. The draw to an iron clad hand is missed by so many in the split game, as newcomers almost always tend to be completely focused on the high hand. The problem I always have however is the number of lucky catches that can be made, with two levels doing the paying out. But it is what it is and based on my own self confidence with the STUD variations, I know I should kill the game.

I managed to take down the win, with no really exciting hands to talk about. Well, there was this one I guess.

I despise the 'card-flip' feature on Tilt! I was rolled up as you can see, (or NOT! The Kd ~ 4c were flipped) and with his board showing 8c,9c,Qc on fifth, his outs seemed to be to the straight and flush. Once sixth street gave me the quads I just had to push and pray, that it wasn't the STR8 Frush I needed to worry about.

Being the fool that I can be, I took the winnings and ran away to Hold'Em. Where quite naturally I went on the sickest of runs, watching my folded hands develop into pot monsters. I know that there were five or six hands in a row where had I managed to stay in on the action, I would have scooped a shit-whack of chippies.

Being me AND it being Hold'Em, naturally I took a big hit when I was sure I was good after the flop. I re-raised the guy who had been playing any Ace like it was gold. I felt great about my decision when the cards turned up going into the turn as well.

Good that is,

for the entire 3.5 seconds it took, for the turn and river to do THAT to me!

I squeeked out a minimum cash there surprisingly so sticking with the theme of me being me, I went out to find another game I could suck at. That's when I saw this one!

A game with a good cause and a good friend, how could I not play? I sent out a mass mail telling everyone about the game, with the same five minute advance notice that I had. I figured even if one or two of you made it into the game, the cause would get a few extra bucks for my minimal effort. Young Mr. Prevo actually made the game and good Sir, I'm proud of you for doing so. I honestly knew that you would.

I started out pretty good in this one too.

Not just with the hands either because if you look very closely at that shot, you'll see that I had a rather special play-by-play colour commentator too!

Karma for my good efforts however, refused to play along any further. As the cruelest of cards possible made it's way to the river on me, just a little bit later on.

Once I busted out, I went to find K.P. and see how he was making out. Once I did, I saw he had just a minor little issue, sitting one seat to his left.

;)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

You got 15 minutes!....

2010-11-21T15:41:00.001-05:00

Get in the game!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday: The Birthday Edition (NSFW)....

2010-11-19T11:14:00.016-05:00

It's Birthday day!

NO! Not mine.

NO! Not Peb's or not-so-mini-Peb's either!

It's The Wife's Birthday today kids and to me, that's a special enough occasion to do something a little different around here for a change.

You see, The Wife is one of those very special friends to me. Not that your not all special in your own ways of course, but once you've shared a few of the moments The Wife and I have together, I don't know! The bond just feels like it can never be broken.

We are and always will be, BFF's.

UH.... That's Butt Feeling Friends, by the way.

Anywho....

Normally I know that you'd all drop in to see some

doing a little sumpin' sumpin' right?

You're here because this is THE place to check out the weekly

that has become, your beloved Frantic Friday.

Let's face it kids. When all the planets align and I do my job on a Frantic Friday just right, even

will show their appreciation.

I'dunno, it's just what I do I guess.

The Wife you see, is kinda' like the mime of us Bloggers. Constantly proving that

There's also the fact that if you're lucky enough to run into The Wife at any of our Blogger functions and you see how she puts herself together, you'll soon come to the realization that

;)

I don't really think calling my BFF The Wife a

is actually appropriate though.

She does however have a multitude of exceptional talents that can and will, never be underestimated by yours truly, or anyone else that recognizes how truly special The Wife really is.

As an example, we ALL know how incredible her

abilities have paid off, for some lucky dude!

I mean really, she did all the work right?

Now he's just flying around,

Don't get me wrong here, I love the man like a Brudder!

REALLY!

I do!

But with The Wife at his side and a Ferrari to go cruising, I can occasionally get my jealousy thing going, sometimes causing me to mumble something about

:p

Anywho again.... Here on Frantic Friday's I try my best to do what I can, to provide you my dear readers, with something that I call "Wife worthy." Because beyond the kisses, the butt grabs, the hugs, the strippers, the JUST CAN'T BE PRINTED ANYWHERE ON THE NET experiences, that we've both had one or two parts in, I'll never forget the first time I actually laid eyes on The Wife.

I feel that no words can properly describe how that all went down but you know what?

It was

If you know me, you may just be shocked and amazed at what's about to happen here. But that's how much The Wife means to this kid.

For the first and probably, (hopefully!) only time ever during a Frantic Friday, I present a Birthday present that hopefully, hits the "Wife worthy" spot.

Ooooops!

Wrong one.

Sorry.

Better?

Here's a couple more just for you "M"

Happy Birthday The Wife and to everyone else,

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Ups & Downs are like....

2010-11-16T09:29:00.002-05:00

Treading water!

Up = Went to dinner at the boss' house and had a great time.
Down = It was Ma & Pa Canada's way of telling me that they just couldn't afford me anymore, despite how well everything was going.

Up = Made 7 buy-ins on a hot streak of epic proportion at the local Casino.
Down = Peb's lost 3.

Up = Made three additional trips back to said Casino, all on the same funds from the first one.
Down = After the 3rd. trip failures, initial bankroll now sits at only + $85.

Up = Rumour has it that our economy is thriving and overall hiring, well they say it's back to the levels of the late 1990's.
Down = I checked and you know what? There wasn't that much hiring going on back then.

Up = I actually took the time to throw a post together for this place.
Down = It seems to be getting harder to do so.

Up = I'm married to my best friend.

Hmmm....... things are looking up after all!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I continue to remember....

2010-11-11T09:44:00.003-05:00

Since nothing has changed since last year, here's how I still feel about today.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, I'll sit and reflect on everything I have and everything I can do. I'll thank the ones truly responsible, in my own personal way.

I'll look to the Heavens and thank those that may be there, through courage, effort and a belief in doing the right thing.

I'll look to the East and thank those that are still doing exactly that.

I'll go to our Memorial Square downtown, to personally thank those that have done their best on our behalf.

Today is the opposite of all of the things that Hallmark can't make me do. Like telling me when to show my love, or determining when I should bestow a gift upon a loved one.

You see to me, today is a day that actually deserves my attention.

I always try to remember and honestly, I can become pretty upset with myself for taking my freedom for granted. Today however, I dedicate to remembering as much as I can.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

For those that have given and those that continue to do so, I remember. For what ever it's worth, know that you'll always have my sincerest thanks and highest gratitude.

I remain steadfast in my belief that if you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday: The I miss me II edition.... (NSFW)

2010-11-05T21:41:00.018-04:00

Hello my dear reader.

Long, LONG time.... no Frantic Friday!

Does it help at all if I mention that

I know, I know.
True love means NEVER having to say you're sorry!

But around these parts we've always thought that love, was a lot like Panties.

You know what I mean right?

You know what I miss the most about not throwing a Frantic Friday together at the last minute for you?

I really miss the

and of course, the all important

Trust me, Frantic Fridays have NOT gone the way of the Dodo my friends!

I'd just like to think of them as rarer and more valuable than ever, as we start to look forward to the future.

Perhaps Frantic Fridays might have to develop a more current or modern edge to them? Who knows?

Maybe this kid should truly consider the advantages of pushing the much more green and reader friendly version of

and all it has to offer?

After all who wouldn't appreciate the

enjoyed to it's fullest, all the while taking every moment to notice the

Uh.... no.
I already know that that would be about as useless as well,

Okay, how about this then.

I promise to spend the entire weekend without any sleep at all!
Focusing on what's really important to us all.

I promise to do my best to uncover all the available

in Bedrock!

After all, nothings too good for you my dear friends!

Particularly, if it's

Okay is it just me, or do really good double entendres totally RAWK!

I'll leave you now, as I head out on my totally selfless mission, with two final thoughts for the day.

Number one ~ It's always important to remember that what you're experiencing at the moment is, nothing more than a

But in the end we all really understand that truly, it's the Brunettes that please.

And as I realize that I do have to make a move to get my next mission for you underway;

Number II ~ Screw Football, Hockey, Soccer, Baseball and the others. Take my word when I say that no sport on this planet, has more potential for total happiness on the whole, than the much underrated sport of

I know that life lessons occasionally cost you 5 to 10 minutes of your time around these parts but always remember, living a full life is ALWAYS just your next experience away!

Trust me kids make the most of being on this side of the grass. Because let's face it the alternative, totally sucks huge, sweaty Donkey balls for sure!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

A few thousand words about Hold'Em....

2010-11-03T22:59:00.008-04:00

Far too tiring to actually write this crap out but then as they say, a picture....

I did play a few crap hands though.

Like busting out of the Josie, all-in Pre.

and then The Mookie, once again all-in pre.

So I'm down $22 in Race'Em but! I ended up just North of $70'ish in the mixed games for the night.

Hope you run better than me but then again in NL Race'em, WHO DOESN'T?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Hope to 'see' you there....

2010-11-03T18:42:00.001-04:00

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The Halloween perspective....

2010-10-31T20:53:00.004-04:00

I checked the stats and as a species on the whole, we're just a bit embarrassing.

49% thought tonight was all about the candy.

Another 49% were 100% certain, that tonight was about the spookiness.

1% made it clear to the entire world that it took a little bit of both, to make Halloween itself actually happen.

Then just to give us some hope as a species,

Baby "Em" showed up to make things right.

If you don't get it, you just don't know jack.

To my faithful readers, my sincerest thanks.
To those that drop in occasionally, it means an awful lot.
If you just found the place, welcome!

Tonight however to baby "Em,"

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The healing process continues....

2010-10-27T19:39:00.004-04:00

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree.

The wounds remain.

In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.”

~ Rose F. Kennedy

That Rose gal, she knew shit!

Since my 12 minutes with Matt, there have been several moments related to them. Most notably a funeral and a dozen or so self inflicted sequestering sessions, to help me sort out my own thoughts and emotions on his loss.

I’m not sure if my attendance at Matt’s funeral was the right or wrong thing to do but one thing seems apparent, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Discomfort loomed throughout the entire ceremony. There were no looks or statements making me feel as such. No, the feelings were generated from deep within my own being. Hell I couldn’t explain to myself why I was actually there, let alone attempt to answer the question from one of Matt’s loved ones, had I actually been asked at the time.

I quite simply was just there to watch and feel this kid, draw his last breath of life on this planet.

It was obvious that any form of rest had eluded him. His age appeared to have doubled since we last met at the hospital, just a few short days before. Where once just those mere days before, I was certain that I could have been him or him me. I could see and feel the pain in his heart pulling at his eyes but then again, it had only been six days since the loss of his son. It was clear through those eyes however that it was much, much more than an empty heart that made this particular man, somewhat comfortably acknowledge my existence in a horrible and very surreal situation, for him personally.

With his nod and his extended hand towards me, my eye contact seemed to fall deep into a void. A void that had once quite obviously, totally been filled full of living and everything life. For just a moment or so, I was sure I could hear my thoughts echo within the man in front of me. That hollow shell where once life and everything to do with it had been so very alive, incredible and vibrant. I wanted to say something, but what? What could I say to make everything alright for a loving Father, that had so very recently lost his only Son?

After a brief moment, he spoke first instead.

“Can I get your number Bammer?”

It had been about three months or so since the funeral, just enough time for me to process the whole situation. At least at first to me, that was how I was rationalizing my recently renewed happiness. After all if I’m happy after such a horrible event, enough time must have passed to make it right, right?

*ring~ring*

‘Hello’

“Uh…Bammer?”

I could feel my brain process at least a hundred detailed points of information in just that second. The right thing to say, something to say and not fuck it up or more accurately, correctly hold back and avoid using all those terribly wrong words, at a very critical and delicate time.

“How are you doing” was quite thankfully, forced back down into my gullet.

Matt’s Dad wanted to get together to talk. It seems his Mother was undergoing some therapy and could never find the time to talk it all out but Matt’s Dad, he just wanted to talk.

OH, and he wanted to talk to me.

A bar perhaps or maybe a small coffee shop would fit the bill a bit better, for the mood required for such a discussion. Instead and based solely on my own comfort factors that I thought I could apply to this man that once could’ve been me, I offered up the back deck.

A moment of discomfort was experienced at first, as the handshake vs. hug decision took a little bit of time. As intelligent and caring men are often capable of doing, we eventually settled on both. The strength of his heart blatantly paling in comparison to that of his hand, as we hugged the way that men are supposed to. It honestly felt a bit like a movie at first. Then it just felt like two men, both that had shared a grievous loss. My loss not nearly as clear as the loss of the man in front of me but still the same, from the expression on that man’s face at that particular time, my loss was indeed still a loss just the same.

I poured a drink for us both and then quite simply the two of us, just copped a squat out back on the deck. We then proceeded to cover Matt’s first ten years on this planet, from beginning to middle. The man in front of me became resurgent more and more, as the incredibly proud Father of his fine young Matt.

The stories became pride.

That pride soon became total joy and happiness and then it was quite obvious that this joy and happiness, very simply became a sensation of a wonderful life, despite an horrific death. This pride built in the reliving of a life left too short and totally and unequivocally, from just that one man’s perspective. A perspective far from lost on yours truly.

Rather than that drained and aging old man I’d met that day, as I made an appearance at his son’s funeral, the man on my deck was resplendent with detail and loving every single moment of it.

The transition was physically palpable as with each story his eyes, no, he himself became more and more alive with his words. His tone breathed life into every single tale, as I did my best to enjoy and truly listen to, every single one of his words.

After a few hours of stories and really getting to know one another, we eventually agreed to meet again in the near future. After all, we had ten more years of Matt’s life to go over together and honestly, no one was going to deprive either of us of that privilege or honour.

For the record, that day now takes the spot at the top of my list of things I really look forward to doing and also for the record, that day just happens to be this Saturday night in Bedrock.

*ring~ring*

‘Hello’

“Uh…Bammer, you doing anything Saturday night?”

The words simply flowed freely from my lips this time.

'I am now.'

Perhaps it's true that this kid also needs the therapeutic aspects of talking about it, every bit as much as Matt’s Dad did. (and still does?) For I know one thing for absolute certain, young Matt has left an indelible impression on me, and that just won’t go away.

Not that I ever really want it to.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Things you want the Casino cashier to say....

2010-10-24T22:50:00.002-04:00

"Holy crap!
That's a lot of zeros Bammer!!!!"

;)

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Poker 'Funnies'....

2010-10-21T19:06:00.004-04:00

I really miss this place!
You know?

Poker's kinda' been like an old, very bad, blind date.
I see her everywhere now of course and like a smart man, I initially run! Then as I look back to make sure I'm free and clear she sets her gaze in my direction and somehow, I just can't manage to avoid that damn dreaded eye contact.

I yell "beyatch" of course but you all know the truth of the matter, no one gives a crap about the screaming man.
It's in the news everyday.
You can look that shit up, I has witnesses!

So somehow I always manage to get drawn deeper into the depths of NLHE.

I think I'll try to keep it as upbeat as I can though, so here's a look at a few of the Poker "Funnies" from the week that was.

Funny #1 ~

This is the sixth hand in a 90 man knockout. The guy has disconnected for 10 seconds before the flop, 10 more after it, continues to disconnect for 10 seconds after the turn and naturally, disconnects for exactly ten more seconds before calling my river re-raise.

Had I known it was really that bad, I would've jammed him all-in!

Funny #2 ~

This guy called my 4x re-raise of his min-raise pre-flop, then checked it to the river. Where I managed to score a lil' sumpin' sumpin' and he had a choice to make.

He could re-raise my bet, fold or....

do the right thing and call, making a comment afterwards of course!

Funny #3 ~

I'd noticed a distinct connection between a few players at this one table in another of the knockout games I've been playing. Several times throughout, I'd been getting some rather condescending comments after a big'ish win or two during the game.

This pre-flop min-raise call and turn jam by me, for example.

I sense a little less than sincerest wishes there don't you?

Funny #4 ~

A little later at the same table I wondered when you sit at a table with your pals, it's prolly smarter to use some form of IM etc., when actually playing the game. Oh, maybe they were?!!! Perhaps these fellows just had issues with cut and paste?

Polysaccharid: I got crap but with your AQ you should jam him
calmex76: go for it :)

I <3 getting lucky!

Funny #5 ~

In this hand, I'm hammered!

It's late, Scotch is flowing and the cards, not so much.
But even a drunk'ish me had to take a moment and properly bow with decorum, to the splendor of the Ace high win!

Funny #6 ~

And finally a small amount of run good.
Only in my direction for a change.

Dude's bustin' my balls with re-raise after re-raise. Being a tad bit happy, (see funny #5) I've had enough and jam the stack with a one high hand.

So funny as it sounds, I just sucked out on someone else for a change.

Now THAT my dear reader, is pretty damn funny!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled, empty space in Bedrock.

Miss you all tons.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

You know what we should do?....

2010-10-06T17:54:00.003-04:00

See you there!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

A Brandy Night....

2010-10-04T19:20:00.008-04:00

Occasionally around the cave here, if you hold your tongue just right and do your best to pay attention to your surroundings, you'll run into what we have branded, A Brandy Night.

It starts with returning home from an exceptional weekend away with both, Fred and Wilma. We had issues getting insurance for Fred for a planned trip to Vegas. The immediate alternative of course became the local Casinos, of both Rama and Niagara. All three of which we could make a day trip of and be home in plenty of time for a couple hours sleep, before a nice big family breakfast. That feature alone, takes all of the fun out of the trip for Fred. It is a bit of time at a Casino, (Fred's fav) but it's just not really getting away.

We compromised.

*Pic sucks I know! Try taking good ones yourself, after emptying a bottle (or three) of 15 YR old Glen Livet on the house. ;)

Seneca Casino is right across the river in Niagara Falls NY. Close enough to get back to our all important health care but, across the border and feeling a little more like an actual road trip. Win-Win for Fred!

Coming home is always pretty special for Peb's and I. It's pretty hard to describe our love for the cave and all of it's surroundings really. Coming home to some is all about a house and familiarity and honestly, that makes me sad just a touch. It makes me wish that those that do just that, could somehow magically experience the feeling of home. Something that hits you where you really live you know? (FWIW ~ I truly hope so!)

Our evening return started with a display of colour that will always in my humble opinion, put the lights of Vegas to shame. The red, green, yellow and orange hues in our Deciduous and Coniferous area, could put any artist's pallet to the test. At least according to the local artist, our very own Not-So-Mini-Pebs.

Some out there will always pine for the slightly moist yet warming comfort, that a western ocean breeze can provide. Others fall faint at the sight of a 90 foot shadow from a six-foot Golfer at 10 PM in July, while striding a course somewhere in South Cacalacky. We once even heard a very, very kind man extol the virtues of The Aurora Borialus so resplendently, once in Alaska we were sure we'd found Mecca and all of the incredible bounty that only she the resplendent, could possibly have had to offer. Only to have that fine gentleman who became a truly good friend to us both, become as speechless as a monk once a Brandy Night, made it's way so very deep in to his soul. For the record, we both wept as we watched him.

The making of a Brandy Night

Take a warming Sunset over the backyard and add a few Willows, white & silver Birches and of course, one or two 100 year old Oak trees for perfection. Allow the setting Sun to kiss as it were, only the tippy tops of said phenomenal and can I just add, perfect woodage.

Once at that point, do your best to avoid allowing the sight of the brilliant yellow against the truly darkest and deepest red Maples you have ever seen in your life to sink in, just a touch. To take it to absolute perfection for a Brandy Night, allow yourself a moment to forget what just may be happening BEHIND your home! Trust me kids, this totally takes a Brandy Night to an entirely new level!

As the brilliance starts to fade in front of your eyes, something like a tropical Caribbean Sunset, a good Brandy Night will include the remembrance that hey IDIOT! A little sumpin' sumpin, just may be happening in your own friggin' backyard!

Something that combines the taking of and the putting in of,

the wind in your sails.

Something that makes you hold your breath for so long,

you find yourself feeling a little weak in the knees, just at the resplendent sight you find in front of you.

When you see it for yourself hopefully, you'll find it to be the perfect Brandy Night for you and your loved one(s).

All this to say my dear reader, I know I can't write worth a shit. At least not nearly good enough to put into words, how truly amazing the view tonight really was. I also know my eye for a picture is lacking the subtlety and magnification required, to truly capture the mood on a really good Brandy Night here at the cave.

But hopefully my friends you've lived a few dozen if not more, Brandy Nights of your own.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The night that was....

2010-09-27T20:23:00.007-04:00

Man, it feels like FOREVER since I've dropped into this little corner of the intertubles myself! I think I just may have been addicted to the place just a touch, based on my previous post frequency for the last three years or so.

I'm of course not going anywhere else soon, it's just amazing to me that missing a week or so hasn't had the effect that missing a day used to have, back in the day.

The weekend around here was spent gambooling on ponies, slots and of course, the golf course. The overall results for this kid however, were just slightly better than break-even.

Golf = Holes won on the last hole, Poles vowed revenge!

Ponies = STOOPID GAME FOR JERKS!

Slots = Despite my lack of enthusiasm for pulling a handle as a form of recreation, the local Lobstermania managed to make me a break-even playah for the entire day.

Lobstermania paid for the STOOPID ponies, paid for Dinner and somehow the penny slots as trivial as we all think they are, managed to pay for what may be called a "serious" tab, at each and every watering hole I happened to frequent along my merry way.

This pie-eyed piper as a matter of fact, dropped a penny slot voucher, (seriously! Paper! Just a second or so of ching-ching and a slip falls out? Is it just me, or is the music of coins hitting the tray the thing that's missing from the whole Casino vibe these days?) at the bar to cover cocktails for 12.
~FWIW my brudders, four of us on a rather exceptionally aged Macallan.

I hit a little on the BIG side!

Share the wealth with loved ones right?

Peb's ran like, well.... Peb's!

She ran a profit at Golf, HATED the (did I mention STOOOOOPID!) ponies and of course, nickle slotted her way to covering the entire day for the two of us. Well actually, she prolly covered the night for almost everyone truth be told but hey, I'd already bought everyone their wildest dream in drinks so you know, what's a girl supposed to do?

Here's part of the night, (way after the STOOPID ponies!) in pictures.

This loser,

ran with the HAWT chic,

all night long.

Lucky loser!

Brudder C.C., Queen K and of course DonK-EH, were all there for the fun.

Around here, there just is no fun without these kids!

Have I ever told you my dear reader, about.... Gueber?
(pronounced gway-burr)

Hmmmmmmm.....

Gueb's is a mix of Latino heat and Canadian cool. She's not actually my problem, she's all Brudder C.C's dilemma.

I've actually got an idea!

Which one in that picture is Gueber?

One is Brudder C.C.'s wife, the other is his Sister.
You decide!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Sunday morning nitting....

2010-09-19T07:48:00.010-04:00

No, NOT knitting!

Although I do know a pretty HAWT knitter, that I am rather fond of!

Peb's has been killing the cashes in these 90 player $3.30 SnG's, whenever she's been playing in the mornings. Not being able to sleep, I fired one up just for the hell of it.

Thirty seven hands in, I peddle the nuts for a quick double-up.

Nit = 1
Pearl = 2

Eighty six hands in and not surprisingly of late, I haven't seen another playable hand.

Appropriately enough on the 93 hand, I jam some nuts once again and end up with a triple up for my efforts.

To my amazement, it takes me all the way down to final table!

Nit = 1
Pearl = 2%

One hundred and ten hands into the game I finally bust out, with some pretty re-donkulous stats.

Nit = 1
Pearl = 3 hands TOTAL!

Fascinating game this nitting, Uh.... I mean Poker.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The Blogger news....

2010-09-12T09:36:00.008-04:00

We'll start today's news with an apology.

I mentioned to Riggs and a few others that it's been a little too busy for my liking around these parts lately and honestly, that's a pretty large understatement! The end result of all the action it seems, is a lack of time to dedicate myself to flooding the intertubles with my drivel, as much as I always have.

For those of you that continue to drop in regularly, only to see the same old crap still posted at the top of the blog, many thanks and even more, my apologies for becoming a slacker.

Now on to our top story, which just happens to come from local news.

Five day old Taylor;

and her five day, 13 minute old sister Sawyer

graced the cave with their presence recently. Both new neighbours are as you can see, quite beautiful and very inspiring to the entire Bedrock community!

Big sister Emma was quoted saying,

"Baby sit for Ice Cream? DEAL!"

In Sports and Entertainment;

No real time for pokery goodness lately either but when I do get the chance, I certainly like to donate to the masses as much as I ever have. I actually had one hand recently where I was absolutely amazed I managed to get paid!

In Financial news;

My six week contract employment ended Friday. It was six weeks that put me through Hell and back and if you know anything at all about me, you'll know that I loved every friggin' moment of it!

Instead of a handshake and many thanks for the great job as I was preparing to head out of the building Friday, I was simply told, "See you Monday Son." by Ma & Pa Canada.

BEST.PRAISE.EVAH!

So I guess this kid will be remaining a little on the 'busy' side for just a bit longer. By the sounds of things as of 4:30PM Friday, perhaps busy enough to call it a full time gig and all.

I'll take it!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

I'm no Astin, BUT....

2010-09-02T00:07:00.008-04:00

It continues to run about 101F outside right now, so this heat has me thinking about tonight's dinner.

To start the meal, I headed down to the garden for what we like to call around these parts, one of each.

They would be one Cherry Bomb, one Banana and of course old faithful, the Jalapeno.

The day before I'd made a 24 hour sun-soaked fiesta salsa, with two of each in every jar.

A recipe I'd learned back in Akumal and might I add, from a very good friend. FWIW since the whole "Mayan Riviera" BS, the place has really lost it's luster to me. That's of course IMHO. But I just think the whole 'Sales' thing, is ruining the last great destinations we have on the planet. The first time I enjoyed Akumal, I did it with 16 locals and four other adventurists. The last time I visited back in 2000 something, I might as well have travelled to Disneyland.

Anywho....

I grabbed a bit of 80/20 and as per my old family recipe, I mixed it 80/20.

Chef'ish, (in my case anyway) talk for 80/20 ground beef, mixed with an extra 20% ground pork. For the foodies out there YES, the cheese is in the meat.

It was 109F out there so for Peb's and I, fries were totally out of the question! There were however some pretty damn good Louisiana Hot Sauce ripples in the cupboard, sorta' lookin' for a taste.

Oh and the oval shape of the burgers?

When the Paninis come out of the oven right at 4:30PM I always say, MAKE THE BURGER FIT THE DAMN BUN!

Yes that's the salsa on my burger and yes, it was delicious!

Who needs to actually breathe while eating anyways?

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Team Bammer.... FTW!

2010-08-31T20:30:00.015-04:00

Despite all that was at stake, I went into last night with a pretty good feeling I would win. How could I not really?

Team Bammer;

NumbBono
Poker Grump
BWoP
Doc Chako
Riggstad
Ken Prevo
Memphis Mojo
Schaubs
Heffmike
Wolfie
Josie
XKM
Waffles
Lightning
TwoBlackAces
PinkyStinky
VinNay
Cardgrrl
DDionysis
gpjacobs
NutLeslie
BuddyDank
and the ever lovely, Joanada.

The night over at FullTilt, started as most of them do.
I drag my first pot with The Bammer.

(soooooted feels soooo dirty!)

Then in the natural progression of NLHE, I drag another pot of blinds.

In style too no?

Naturally as things seem to go for me, I lose a race with slick up against a Gretzky from one of Amir's players.

Then I see big slick one more time. "Go big or........

go home!"

I can't thank each of you enough for making it such a great, and VERY enjoyable night.

Uber congrats to Jo!

Maybe there really IS something very special about that, "Dank position?"

:p

Thanks kids!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Break even....

2010-08-31T00:13:00.003-04:00

My friend Amir and I held a little game.

If you weren't there, you may have missed the best of the best on fire! If you were there, you may just know exactly what it is I think about you.

It's a blog and I know, I'm supposed to write like all clever and shit. If you've actually ever read here, you'll know I'm incapable for certain.

My heartfelt thanks go out to each of you that came out to make my 55 minutes so very much fun. 55 minutes that turned into just about let's say, around 3 hours or so shall we.

The story, the love links and most of all the great BS, will all have to wait for another day.

What a frickin' night!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

"T" minus, about 3 hours....

2010-08-30T17:51:00.006-04:00

Team Bammer is shaping up nicely for tonights big game.

Right now as it stands, it looks like there will be 14 on team Bammer and 3 fighting it out for the honour of Amir's Pokerwit site. I have to say, I like my odds!

I could use a few more on the team though, just to shore up the deal a tad. So if you have nothing on the go tonight at 9:00pm ET, I'm always looking for more talent for the team!

See you there!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

My team RAWKS.... 'cept 4 U

2010-08-28T23:16:00.005-04:00

Well "team Bammer" seems to be shaping up nicely, I guess.

If you count all those really good poker players and crap.

What I need though, is a few of the "wild cards."

You know the type! The ones that really piss you off, 'cause they play just like YOU!

Monday night, 9:00 PM Eastern.

You're either on my team, or you sucks!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday: The "Double D" Edition....(NSFW)

2010-08-27T22:37:00.019-04:00

I know, I KNOW.

Bad blogger, BAD BLOGGER!

I've let our Frantic Friday's slide a bit and I'm sorry. Sometimes though, life just gets in the way. Chalk it up to living the dream.

It's not easy being Bammer you know?

So I promised a friend I'd make him a unique Frantic Friday and you know what? Here in Bedrock we live by the motto that,

You folks know me. Normally I'd be all about something like

or something else pretty special, like perhaps the endless quest to find the

But I sense Pokah Dave is apparently all about the

When you have a pal like double D, you do what you can to help him understand that there's nothing more important in life, than understanding the need to learn to

You all know me, I'm all about the quest for finding the

I'll die pretty damn happy the day I find the

to share with all of you!

But my man double D wants to see some exceptional

Who am I to disappoint?

I'll give DD this, a great pair can make for some awesome cleavage! Don't believe me? Well then,

Yes double D, I know you truly believe it's all about breasts

Good for you too!

I mean, a man's gotta' believe in something worth while right?

I just happen to run with a slightly different desire OK?

I mean, there are a few other

that can really uh.......... hold my attention.

Did I ever mention the

NO!

I'm not 100% positive or anything, but I believe in my heart of hearts that she's trying to send me some sort of message.

I don't know, what do you kids think?

:p

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Some help with a prop bet please....

2010-08-23T20:59:00.003-04:00

Okay friends, Bammer needs your help!

And right off the top, it’s a guy thing!
There, I said it.

I know all too well that dozens of the readers here are female, but lacking all the fun bits myself, I can only speak from the male perspective and in my mind; it’s a guy thing all the way!

Since the discovery of our ability to throw rocks and swing clubs, guys have always had something to fight about. Hell once we discovered how to fight, we went looking for things so that we could. A woman, (<=== best reason on the planet to fight IMHO!) food, shelter or even just a little space to call our own, if it could be had, guys were going to go out and fight for it. The nature of the beast and all.

As infants, the introduction of a toy was always a great catalyst. Throw the cool toy between two boys and hang on, something big was definitely going to happen. Eventually it swings to a war of words, rather than a knock down drag out brawl. It doesn’t really matter what the words being used are, as long as you can one up your little buddy over there.

My Dad can beat up your Dad.
My teacher is better than your teacher.
My Hockey Mom will kick your Soccer Moms butt.

Then a switch occurs at adolescence, the toy itself becomes the fight! Bicycles, soap box cars, bats and balls it’s all the same. Less violent than fighting for the toy, guys become competitive through the toy itself.

I can go faster than you.
I can hit it further or more often than you.
I scored more whatever’s than you.

It’s a timeline through history that has been repeated over and over again. The subjects and toys will always change as we go through the motions, but boys will always be boys!

I mention this to you today, as I find myself deep into this exact situation!

My pal Amir and I started to get things going through our passion for Poker.

We should get a game someday.
Sure uh…. STUD? ( typical tendency to swing things in my favour! )
NLHE! ( Note the re-twist to his advantage! )
Uh Amir, you’re kinda’ like a Poker Pro in NLHE.
C’mon Bammer! You are learning and besides, it’ll be fun!

Being a guy, I felt like I was losing the battle here! That can only lead to the one known guy trait that has remained for all time.

Oh yeah!
I may not be any good at NLHE, but I bet my friends can beat your friends!

And now, here we are today. Two grown men who by the way, very proudly call each other friend, both looking for some other friends to do battle with. We’re calling it,

The Pokerwit vs. Bam Bloggers Challenge.

One week from right now, Monday August 30th at 9:00pm ET on FullTilt, there will be a private game for a $5.50 buy-in. It's being held just to settle the score between the two of us.

It will break down to my blogging friends vs. Amir and his Pokerwit gang.

The key here is, I believe Amir has five pros registered at the site where as I my friends, (who are really awesome at NLHE BTW !!! ) have ALL of you! With any luck at all, I see a serious advantage for me! Oh sure, Amir will bring several others from the site no doubt but hey! I HAVE ALL OF YOU!

Our private side bets on last longers knock outs and team performance will remain just that, private!

BUT…. And this is a pretty important but!

Amir is so confident that I’ll lose, he’s juicing the overall prize pool with $200 of his own American, ( surely ill gotten through some donkey player like me! ) dollars. Basically doubling the prize pool should forty or so of my closest and dearest friends, ( who by the way ARE REALLY, REALLY GOOD AT NLHE! ) decide to jump aboard my team.

I should also clarify at this point that besides what we have going on the side, there is NO COMPENSATION coming my way from this event at all. (unless I fluke into the money) This quite seriously, is nothing more than two good friends doing what they are always want to do. CHALLENGE one another. No angle, no profit and no one but friends. I know I can’t do the $50,000 in WSOP seats and the like, but I try to do what I can for my friends. If you play with the Pokerwit site and like it, let someone else know or possibly even put up a brief review. That would be great and I know Amir would appreciate the support. BUT NO PRESSURE! If you don’t like what you see, you’re some of the best I know at the game and I’m quite certain Amir would also like to hear about that.

Like I mentioned earlier this will be a private event, so here’s how to get in.

The Pokerwit vs. Bam Bloggers Challenge.

Monday August 30th at 9:00pm ET on FullTilt
P/W = Bammir

I'm already there, so player search and help me out!

Here’s the other thing in my favour kiddies, Amir’s also going to let you have access to his “Pro’s hands section” that he normally charges a fee for. That means you can get the gist of who you’re playing against, BEFORE you play them! He’d only give me a week for you to do this though so PLEASE!!!! Take full advantage and prove me right! Register at the Pokerwit site, (YES It's FREE!) under your FT name and type in Bam-Bam as your referrer.

Once you’re in

The Pokerwit vs. Bam Bloggers Challenge,

access to the pro section will be granted in just about 24 hrs. for a one week period.

So my friends, (TOTALLY INCLUDING the BEST NLHE players I know, that just happen to have all the fun bits that I like so much! ) let’s do this shall we? I’ll tell you what, I’ll even throw a buy-in bounty on Amir. Knock him out and I’ll ship you the $5.50. Just e-mail me the bust out hand screen cap for my "brag" post about you and the bounty will be on it's way.

It’s on now Amir my friend.
It's SOOOOOOOO ON !

Oh and by the way……..
My Poker players will beat up your Poker players!

Two brudders against 10 Pokerwits, U R TOAST!

:p

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Congratulations, you've been chosen....

2010-08-15T22:11:00.002-04:00

So get you azz in gear and buy a copy!

Buy it HERE, then tell your friends!

I sensed him before I saw him. I always do. I was just sitting there, minding my own business, playing a little blackjack when I felt his presence over my right shoulder.

“Hi Lucky.”

“Big A.”

I hate that. He always has to go there right away. And he’s supposed to be subtle. Ass.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

You should do Josie....

2010-08-10T21:31:00.003-04:00

Just ignore the whole "first" Wednesday of the month thing.
She is a chick after all right?

:p

I'll be honest, I'm 50/50 at best.

But you should play and as Josie says, "play smart."

With even a small modicum of luck, I'll see you there.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

As a human('ish)....

2010-08-08T00:08:00.002-04:00

We occasionally....

scare the crap out of me!

Just thought I'd share that.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Putting the CAN in Canadian....

2010-08-04T20:46:00.005-04:00

Being back in a world full of "school nights" and alarm clocks actually being used, is a rather strange and yet exciting place for me right now. After two days of what can best be described as orientation or perhaps more accurately, familiarization with the companies goals and plans, I gotta' say, I'm wound like a top!

I see :

Determination
Perseverance
Opportunity
Humility
Family

and perhaps best of all,

Genuine care and concern for everyones happiness and success, wherever life may take whomever it is on the go at the time.

In other words, a very productive Mom & Pop shop with a lovely yet serious, Canadian flare.

Two days!
Just TWO FRIGGIN' DAYS and you know what?
I think I just found my calling kids.

Energy and desire have never left the thing between my ears. You know, the thing that controls the actions I choose to take or not so much. But something about this opportunity has me all in a tizzy about potential and success, like not much before it came along.

I really miss buying Canadian because of our lack of choices, courtesy of the WalMart mentality. A theme driven so deep into modern culture that even the bargain giant themselves, can't keep up with the pressure to sell cheaper and cheaper. But you know what? By the time I'm through with this little project, I hope you'll all see that you really don't have much of a choice any more!

Rock on Ma and Pa!
This kid's about to take you to a whole new level.

Oh and one other thing.
Did I mention that the love of my life just also happens to work for this place?

A career with perks!
Ya, I continue to run good.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Been there, done that....

2010-08-02T15:54:00.006-04:00

So I walk downstairs to find my Peb's sitting at an online poker game, nothing really new there right?

"Uh hun, a $1 game.... really?"

"There's some guy that has an avatar that looks like the guy from the EPT game we watched last night, I thought I'd give it a go."

Play with a FullTilt Pro, been there!

Take most of his chips,

done that!
Oh and by the way,

She got the T-Shirt!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday : The Confusius Say Edition....(NSFW)

2010-07-30T08:37:00.030-04:00

Welcome back to another Frantic Friday kids!

I'm bringing back one of everyone's favourites this week, because of extremely popular demand. I'm sure, (since everytime any of you stop by the cave, you ask if she'll be stopping by too!) you all remember my buddy Em. Well, she's a big part of this Frantic Friday but for those of you new to all the fun, here's a refresher from BY FAR, the most popular Frantic Friday to date.

My Em took this summer off to do something pretty special. She headed a little further up north, to help out the most amazing camp. It's crammed full of hundreds and hundreds of kids, all with some very special needs. You just gotta' love this girl!

Last weekend Em invited me up to check out all of the action for myself. It was truly heartwarming to see all of the smiling faces on kids that pretty much otherwise, wouldn't have the chance to even go to a summer camp at all. This place and the people that help out with running it, really and truly were incredible.

Saturday night after all of the little ones (but me!) were asleep, all of the councilors sat around the fire and played a game that they'd been teaching the kids all summer. It's called, 'This Confucius say.'

The game apparently originated from this awesome old guy, that was helping to teach the kids a little karate. He was hilarious! Here are a couple proverbs that he threw out, just to get the game started.

#1 ~

Don't you just love it!

#2 ~

So true!

We played for hours and hours and I for one could tell, this kind of fun was really breaking the tension for all the helpers. They work hard to keep the kids happy and this was so much fun, it made me really happy to be a part of it. Of course as is almost always the case, Em and I were the last ones sitting around the fire and if you know anything at all about my Em, we were about to take this game to the Frantic Friday level!

Em started it out. "This Confusius say; buying a

is a huge waste of money. Unless of course it comes

That from the little girl I used to play Doctor with! Well actually for us it was not so much Doctor, as it was Sesame Street. I used to love playing that game with Em! You know the one, right?

From how Em started this whole shift in proverbs out, I could tell we were in for a very, very long night. I told her we should throw a little background music on, just to help drown out our voices a bit.

Em agreed. She started rushing around to get something in the player, but

;)

Once we were all set up with a few tunes, a few drinks and I'd refreshed the fire just enough to provide the proper atmosphere for the rest of the night, Em told me that it was my turn.

Now I wouldn't consider myself very good at these kind of things, but Em said that my first one was really good.

This Confusius say; Sex to a man is a lot like surfing,

Em responded with This Confusius say; to man woman are just like convertible,

Although I had to agree with that one just a bit, I did have to remind her that I was NOT all men!

"The thought never crossed my mind Bammer." she said, and I knew it to be true. No one actually gets me, like my Em and my Peb's. I always believe that I'm the luckiest kid walking this green earth, everytime I think of either one of them!

That's enough mush though, back to the game!

Em asked me to come up with a man/woman one, so I gave it a little thought. It wasn't actually that hard to be honest, since like everyone else out there, I have an opinion on the matter.

This Confusius say; Truly intelligent man wants a woman to be like a beach cruiser,

I don't know, it's just how I think!

Em was very quick to respond though, with This Confusius say; Man should always learn sex from female musician,

It was pretty hard for even me, to argue with her over that one.

It was my turn and I felt like I had to come up with something good.

This Confusius say;

I don't know about you, but I think I nailed it!

Since I was on a bit of a roll, I took the opportunity to throw out another.

This Confusius say; The crazy thing about all those Em

I've seen is, Em actually believes I noticed her $50

I have to tell you dear reader, I truly love the look Em gets on her face when I say shit like that to her!

Em and I played and played all night long. We were having another one of our moments and you know what This Confusius say;

Oh and as a true public service announcement to all of you out there reading, Em would like to remind you all that you should always make

the most important meal of your day!

On that note, This Confusius always say;

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The natch jam/call outcome....

2010-07-28T09:20:00.008-04:00

After an hour of sharing a 90 player SnG table with the same five players, I'd thought I'd seen some really solid and some truly ridonkulous plays. Some would say, par for the $3 'online' course right?

Right!

After seeing this all-in jam preflop AND call however;

I thought I'd best get a little more information about these five players.

Any guesses as to which two played that hand?

My sincerest thank for dropping by....