7 lbs of beefy goodness
Out of the bag
Sans 2 lbs of fat and silver skin
7 steaks, Chain and little roast.
Behold my beautiful Loin
Ever since I watched the "Tender is the Loin 1" episode of Good Eats I've been wanting to try my hand at a tenderloin. With our friends Tracy and Matt coming over for dinner I had the excuse to go get my Pismo and go to work.
7 lbs of beefy goodness
Out of the bag
Sans 2 lbs of fat and silver skin
7 steaks, Chain and little roast.
7 lbs of beefy goodness Out of the bag Sans 2 lbs of fat and silver skin 7 steaks, Chain and little roast.
Dinner: 12Aug08 Split Pea Chicken
This meal is a couple of mistakes piled upon each other. It began with the Chicken. We have come to love the Foster Farms chickens that come in the plastic wrap 6-pack. They are vacuum packed so we just throw them into the freezer and pull out as many as necessary as needed. Each pack has about 3 thighs (although we occasionally get only 2), which is a good portion for us. Anyway, the last time I was at our favorite warehouse membership store I looked into the coffin cooler, saw the word "Thighs" and grabbed a package. It was only last night as I pulled out two packages that I noticed that these were "Boneless, Skinless" thighs, and not the usual bone-in, skin-on that we usually like. Mistake number 1. The second mistake was that the previous night when I started thinking about what to make for dinner, the missus pulled a bag of split peas out of the pantry and suggested I use them. I'm pretty sure she said Split-peas, but for some reason I googled "Chicken Lentil." After some searching I came upon a recipe that sounded pretty good. All the recipes kept on talking about red lentils or brown lentils, but never mentioned green lentils. Undaunted, I carried on.
The recipe didn't call for bacon, but what recipe isn't better with Bacon? So I started with two rashers (I love that word) of bacon, chopped. Once the bacon browned and released its fat, I fished them out and browned half the chicken, about 4 minutes each side. I fished out the first batch and then browned the second.
After the chicken was done, I browned one large onion, chopped thin and then two small carrots, also chopped thin. When they were nice and soft, I threw in 2 cloves of minced garlic and stirred for about 30 seconds before adding one can of chicken broth and about 1 cup of the split peas that I had been soaking in warm water. I brought that to a boil and then simmered for about 25 minutes.
I then added the chicken, bacon and accumulated juices, along with some Cumin, Basil and a can of diced tomatoes. I wanted this to thicken a bit so I simmered, uncovered for about a half an hour. Season with Salt and Pepper and voila. The result was a chicken stew of sorts. I served with some slices of crusty bread and mashed potatoes. This would probably be better on a cold winters night but wasn't bad for a summer dinner.
Goodbye old Friend
When we came home from Japan I found that my rubber band ball of nearly 10 years had succumbed to the evils of Ultraviolet radiation. As you can see, many of the outer rubber bands disintegrated, leaving a real mess on top of my desk. Unlike some who start with a tennis ball, that was pure rubber band through and through. Sadly the ball has moved on to the rubber band ball heaven, wherever that is. We will miss you.
Watermelon anyone?
On our last day in Japan we made a quick trip out for some last-minutes shopping. On our way down one of myriad of subway corridors we came across this watermelon. For a mere 420,000 yen (approx. $400) you could have this beaut. Now I like watermelon, but for $400, this better be the best damn watermelon I ever (and will ever) taste.
Future Indicator?
Hopefully this is no indication of my son's future. Here he is practicing his up-against-the-wall stance, ready for the frisking. Maybe it is fitting because already I'm thinking his middle name is T-R-O-U-B-L-E. H is pulling himself up to, and pushing against, everything these days. His favorites right now are the Fridge and the door pictured here.
8 months
Where has the time gone? Yesterday was H's 8 month birthday. Only 8 months and already he has 3 strollers and a backpack carrier. How many modes of transportation does this guy need? It's been an amazing 8 months. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Every time I pick him up and look at him I just can't believe he's going to grow up to become a walking, talking sentient being.
You know you're a parent when ...
You take the piece of apple that your baby has been gnawing on for the last five minutes and eat it even though it is covered in his drool.
Photos
An artsy-fartsy black and white pic of the H-man.
This used to be our dining room, but it was invaded by a bunch of mats and baby furniture.Boys Day
Here is a picture of the boys and the flag pole for Boys Day. May 5th is Children's day in Japan. It used to be Boys' day and Girls' Day used to be March 3rd but they combined the holidays some time back. Anyway in Japan you are supposed to fly a Carp wind sock for each family member. So there is the Daddy Carp (Black), Mommy Carp (red) and baby carp (blue). The kit that was given to us is meant to be attached to some metal fence but since we don't have a metal fence I spent a good part of the day looking for some way to plant the flag pole. Pain in my a**. But since someone took the time and trouble to get us the set and cart it all the way back from Japan it was the least I could do. Besides, once I got everything set up it was pretty neat to look at. H was facinated by the socks blowing in the wind.
Two pics
The other day we were wondering what our son would look like if he decided to become a Hasidic Jew. Now we know.
Here is H getting his first taste of rice cereal.Remembering two amazing people.
Today is the 4oth anniversary of MLK's assassination. There is no question that he was one of the great orators of American history. This morning on NPR I heard the story of the speech Robert F. Kennedy's gave that day in Indianapolis to a largely black audience. The police advised him against making the speech and even refused to give Kennedy a police escort. That he decided to go anyway and the speech he gave was amazing. I don't know how long it took him to prepare the speech but witnesses say that he didn't look down once while giving it.
I can only hope that H, who turns 5 months today, will grow up to be half as accomplished and eloquent as either one of these people.
I can only hope that H, who turns 5 months today, will grow up to be half as accomplished and eloquent as either one of these people.
For your consideration...
Apparently some people actually bookmarked this blog and check it occasionally for new content. Rather than type a lot, I'll depend on that whole "picture is worth a thousand words" cliche and just give you a picture of H sporting a new hat.
-tmo
If there was any doubt
This is proof beyond a doubt that H is my son. Just 4 months old and he's already trying to get at the booze. Almost brought a tear to my eye.LIke Father, Like Son
OK, it may not look like it here, but H's feet look a lot like mine. His toes are shaped a lot like mine. Of course, T says that his feet don't smell like mine, but it's only a matter of time.
Go see the Doctor
When you think about it, where is the last place you want to be when you, or your baby, are sick? In a room full of other sick people. But there we were, sitting in the ER surrounded by other sick children. The ones with the bandaged extremities didn't worry me, but the kids with the green snot oozing from their noses were particularly worrisome.
Being Sunday we really didn't have many other choices. Our baby had a cold and was wheezing and the nurse told us to go to the ER. Luckily we live in a city that has a Children's hospital that is not too far away. Because it's a children's hospital and because it is not really centrally located, the ER is not packed with people who don't have insurance and are using the ER as their primary medical caregiver. That's the good part. The bad part is that you have to look at sick children. It breaks your heart to see little babies in obvious distress and discomfort.
Lucky for us, H just has a cold and should be fine. Granted, spending three hours in the ER is not an ideal way to spend your Sunday, but thankfully it was just 3 hours and not overnight or worse. Plus I scored some free syringes.
Being Sunday we really didn't have many other choices. Our baby had a cold and was wheezing and the nurse told us to go to the ER. Luckily we live in a city that has a Children's hospital that is not too far away. Because it's a children's hospital and because it is not really centrally located, the ER is not packed with people who don't have insurance and are using the ER as their primary medical caregiver. That's the good part. The bad part is that you have to look at sick children. It breaks your heart to see little babies in obvious distress and discomfort.
Lucky for us, H just has a cold and should be fine. Granted, spending three hours in the ER is not an ideal way to spend your Sunday, but thankfully it was just 3 hours and not overnight or worse. Plus I scored some free syringes.
You know you're a parent when ...
A "fun" night out on Saturday is a room with 13 babies and thier parents.
Last night we had a class reunion for our parenting class. 13 of the 15 couples came out with their kids to a little show and tell. H was one of the oldest babies at 11 weeks and the youngest was only 4 weeks. The smallest baby was 5 lbs. 7 oz. and the biggest (also the youngest) was 9 lbs. 9 oz. All the babies were adorable and parents were in various states of sleep deprivation.
Wierd dream
I don't normally remember my dreams but this morning I had a very odd one.
I was driving around but couldn't remember where I lived. In the dream I was in college because I remember thinking to myself that it was Sunday so the housing office wouldn't be open to help me. And then I stumbled upon a friend and I remembered that I lived close to him. So I went up to him to ask him where I lived but he was a total stoner who was in no condition to help me. The funny thing is that in real life this guy was the farthest thing from a stoner. At the end of the dream I was walking around the neighborhood trying to find my house.
Any dream interpreters out there who knows what it means?
I was driving around but couldn't remember where I lived. In the dream I was in college because I remember thinking to myself that it was Sunday so the housing office wouldn't be open to help me. And then I stumbled upon a friend and I remembered that I lived close to him. So I went up to him to ask him where I lived but he was a total stoner who was in no condition to help me. The funny thing is that in real life this guy was the farthest thing from a stoner. At the end of the dream I was walking around the neighborhood trying to find my house.
Any dream interpreters out there who knows what it means?
Our first night out
T and I had our first night out alone since the baby arrived. For those of you counting, that's 10.5 weeks. Not so bad considering we bumped into some acquaintances who were out for only their second time since the birth of their child 9 months ago.
We attended Teatro Zinzanni (http://www.zinzanni.org/). For those of you in the area, it's a great night of dinner theater. Of the 3 or 4 shows I've attended, I think this was one of their better productions.
Surprisingly I was not a nervous wreck and managed to enjoy myself. I did check my cell phone a half a dozen times during the night just to make sure I didn't miss a call, but Q is an able babysitter so I was able to sit back and enjoy dinner and the show.
We attended Teatro Zinzanni (http://www.zinzanni.org/). For those of you in the area, it's a great night of dinner theater. Of the 3 or 4 shows I've attended, I think this was one of their better productions.
Surprisingly I was not a nervous wreck and managed to enjoy myself. I did check my cell phone a half a dozen times during the night just to make sure I didn't miss a call, but Q is an able babysitter so I was able to sit back and enjoy dinner and the show.
Don't do it!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/wr_nm/britain_facebook_dc_2
" LONDON (Reuters) - The makers of word game Scrabble have asked Facebook to remove its popular online version "Scrabulous," which they say infringes their copyright."
That would be a sad day.
" LONDON (Reuters) - The makers of word game Scrabble have asked Facebook to remove its popular online version "Scrabulous," which they say infringes their copyright."
That would be a sad day.
It was bound to happen
I finally had my first bogglific dream, or maybe it was scrabulous, whichever. It definitely means I've been playing too much. Both are addictive. luckily, unlike crack, they aren't illegal or expensive.
Things they don't tell you in parenting class
Disclaimer: This falls into the "Too Much Information" realm so stop reading here if you don't want to learn one of the dirty little secrets of parenting.
So T and I took a course on child birth preparation (which I highly recommend, by the way). It was a 6 week class and covered a lot about the whole child birth process. At the last class the instructor covered a lot of things about post partum that no one ever talks about. It was like learning the secret handshake that would admit us into the secret society of parents. I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say that there are a lot of aspects of childbirth that you never see in the movies or on TV.
That last paragraph was just fluff. This is your last chance to turn back.
The other night when I was changing H's diapers I came to this realization: I probably touch H's testicles more than I touch my own and more that I ever imagined I would touch any other male's. Just like changing diapers, I never even thought about it; it just came naturally.
So T and I took a course on child birth preparation (which I highly recommend, by the way). It was a 6 week class and covered a lot about the whole child birth process. At the last class the instructor covered a lot of things about post partum that no one ever talks about. It was like learning the secret handshake that would admit us into the secret society of parents. I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say that there are a lot of aspects of childbirth that you never see in the movies or on TV.
That last paragraph was just fluff. This is your last chance to turn back.
The other night when I was changing H's diapers I came to this realization: I probably touch H's testicles more than I touch my own and more that I ever imagined I would touch any other male's. Just like changing diapers, I never even thought about it; it just came naturally.
My son likes Bob Marley
The baby was fussing this morning and nothing I tried seemed to work. In an act of desperation I turned on the iPod and played a little Bob Marley. Out like a light. At least I know he has a sense for good music.
The projectile poo
Before you have a child you hear stories. They border on the realm of urban legend; stories people like to tell to scare parents to be. The stuff that bad family comedy movies are made of. There is no way your 9 lb. little bundle of joy is going to violently eject something the length of his body. It just doesn't seem possible.
Until it happens.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. We have reached another milestone. And again, I was luckily not the one to learn the hard way so to speak. I won't get into details, but I'll just say it brightened up my morning.
Until it happens.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. We have reached another milestone. And again, I was luckily not the one to learn the hard way so to speak. I won't get into details, but I'll just say it brightened up my morning.
Facebook is sucking my soul
I noticed that a friend had added a little boggle app to their page so I decided to give it a try. IT'S LIKE CRACK!!! At just three minutes a game you can just get a quick hit. But more often the case you play five or ten games. I can't stop. Help!!!
the littler things
It's funny. When I burp, I get scolded by T. When the baby burps, we both get excited and praise the baby. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get excited over someone's burping, but there I am saying "good job, buddy!"
I caught T singing Whitney Houston to H today. We might need to set some parameters on acceptable baby lullaby songs.
I caught T singing Whitney Houston to H today. We might need to set some parameters on acceptable baby lullaby songs.
Facebook has gotten hold of me
Two non-baby posts in a day.
A "friend" invited me to join facebook a few weeks back. They obviously didn't know about my compulsive behavior when it comes to things like this. I have spent an inordinate amount of time the past couple of days adding friends, poking friends, looking at apps etc. It reminds me back when I got Animal Crossing for the Game Cube. I spent all my waking hours playing with my guy. It's almost like I have two children now. Aaaaarggghhh. What have I done?!?!
A "friend" invited me to join facebook a few weeks back. They obviously didn't know about my compulsive behavior when it comes to things like this. I have spent an inordinate amount of time the past couple of days adding friends, poking friends, looking at apps etc. It reminds me back when I got Animal Crossing for the Game Cube. I spent all my waking hours playing with my guy. It's almost like I have two children now. Aaaaarggghhh. What have I done?!?!
RIP: Chip Reese
A rare non-baby related post. Chip Reese dead at 56. I never met the man. I did glance at him in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio once.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071205/ap_on_re_us/obit_reese
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071205/ap_on_re_us/obit_reese
My biggest fears
Often times I'll be sitting in the rocking chair trying to lull the baby to sleep. I can only remember the lyrics to a few lullabies so I start singing Queen, Led Zeplin, Steve Miller or whatever song I know the words to. I don't know that Bohemian Rhapsody has ever been included on a lullaby CD but it does seem to work. I don't do the head banging a la Wayne's World though.
As I sit there, did I mention that it usually is in the wee hours of the morning? looking at this beautiful child, I try to comprehend that this little guy is going to grow up to be a boy and then a man. And I try to think about what he'll be when he grows up.
Now, I know I can only do so much-- give him a strong foundation, try to teach him right from wrong, to respect others yada yada yada.. I know that ultimately I don't have a lot of control over what he'll become and what his aspirations will be.
HOWEVER, I have come up with a list of certain scenarios where I will not hesitate to disown him:
1. He becomes a conservative republican. Especially if he is anti-gay or anti-abortion.
2. He becomes a born again Christian. I think his mother and I did quite well giving birth to him the first time. If he feels he needs to be born again, well he can find new parents.
3. He becomes a corporate lawyer. Unless he donates lots of money/time to worthy charities.
4. He becomes the dictator of a country and oppresses the masses.
Besides that, I'll always love him unconditionally.
As I sit there, did I mention that it usually is in the wee hours of the morning? looking at this beautiful child, I try to comprehend that this little guy is going to grow up to be a boy and then a man. And I try to think about what he'll be when he grows up.
Now, I know I can only do so much-- give him a strong foundation, try to teach him right from wrong, to respect others yada yada yada.. I know that ultimately I don't have a lot of control over what he'll become and what his aspirations will be.
HOWEVER, I have come up with a list of certain scenarios where I will not hesitate to disown him:
1. He becomes a conservative republican. Especially if he is anti-gay or anti-abortion.
2. He becomes a born again Christian. I think his mother and I did quite well giving birth to him the first time. If he feels he needs to be born again, well he can find new parents.
3. He becomes a corporate lawyer. Unless he donates lots of money/time to worthy charities.
4. He becomes the dictator of a country and oppresses the masses.
Besides that, I'll always love him unconditionally.
Terrible (week) Twos
My friend sent me an email telling me to watch out. That the second week is worse than the first. It was like a self-fulfilling prophecy. H is all fussy but when we go to feed him he falls asleep. When we try to put him down he starts crying. This better be a passing phase or he's going to be grounded. I'm serious.
Oh, and he peed on mommy again.
Oh, and he peed on mommy again.
Things I've learned in 6 days
1. Make sure the penis isn't pointing up out of the top of the diaper. Luckily mommy learned the lesson, not daddy.
2. Make sure the diapers are snug against the legs. Again, mommy was the one who discovered this.
2. Make sure the diapers are snug against the legs. Again, mommy was the one who discovered this.
Day 6
I know every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful, but come on, this guy is pretty cute.
Things a Vietnamese mother can't eat for the first two weeks
(as gathered from my mother-in-law).
1. Nothing cold: ice water, ice cream, etc.
2. No salt-water fish. Fresh water fish are OK.
3. No rice noodles. But cooked rice is OK.
That's all I've been able to figure out so far. No doubt I'll learn more when I try to feed T something.
1. Nothing cold: ice water, ice cream, etc.
2. No salt-water fish. Fresh water fish are OK.
3. No rice noodles. But cooked rice is OK.
That's all I've been able to figure out so far. No doubt I'll learn more when I try to feed T something.
First Bath
Just gave H his first bath. It was a little comedy of errors, indeed. Baby's squeeky clean and fresh as a rose- until the next poopy diaper.
Hieu's story
T woke up Saturday morning feeling mild contractions. They were pretty mild so we went about our daily business. It wasn't until after dinner that the contractions began to get a little stronger and more consistent. By 9 or so the contractions were between 4-8 minutes apart but it wasn't until Sunday morning around 3 when T's contractions were about 4 minutes apart that we headed into the hospital. She was only dilated 2 cms so they sent us home. Thankfully they gave her a shot of morphine/vistaril and she was able to sleep until around 11:00. Determined not to go to the hospital only to be sent home again, T gutted it out through ever stronger contractions until she was brought to tears and her legs were giving way. We went back around 3:30 and the triage nurse said she was dilated to 4 so we were admitted. Epidural was in around 4:30. Once the epidural kicked in T, pretty much slept for the next 5 hours.
Dr. K was on call and had a patient who was pushing for 3 hours before needing a C-section so we were left to hang out and wait for the C-section to finish. Some time around 10:00 the nurse said we were 10 cms and started walking T through pushing. The baby's head was already visible when Dr. K came in and delivered H. According to our OB, T was only pushing for about 30 minutes.
Dr. K was on call and had a patient who was pushing for 3 hours before needing a C-section so we were left to hang out and wait for the C-section to finish. Some time around 10:00 the nurse said we were 10 cms and started walking T through pushing. The baby's head was already visible when Dr. K came in and delivered H. According to our OB, T was only pushing for about 30 minutes.
Things you never thought would happen until you become a daddy
I think I've washed my hands more times in the last three days than I used to in a week. I wash my hands after touching the faucet after washing my hands. Germs now lurk everywhere. I may seriously spray everyone who enters the house with a bleach/water solution so be fore warned.
Do you see the similarities?
I found this photo of me when I was born. If there was any question whether or not he is my son, I think we can safely squash them now.
The focus of this blog is no longer me
It's probably going to be a long time until you see another poker-related post here. I've got something more precious than the WSOP Main Event bracelet. Of course, the bracelet doesn't poop, burp, cry and scream, but it isn't halfway as cute.
Baby Hieu was born on Sunday, November 4. Mommy likes to say that like his father, he arrived a few minutes early than his appointed time (his due date was the 5th). I don't see anything wrong with that.
So this post will now be the official baby blog. Check back here for pictures and stories about the adventures of baby H.
Baby Hieu was born on Sunday, November 4. Mommy likes to say that like his father, he arrived a few minutes early than his appointed time (his due date was the 5th). I don't see anything wrong with that.
So this post will now be the official baby blog. Check back here for pictures and stories about the adventures of baby H.
What I "Do"
Just in case you were wondering what I do in the ceramics studio, here is one of my latest creations:
Harry Potter is evil
No, I'm not one of those Christian nutjobs who think that Harry Potter is the work of the devil. In fact, I loved the last book. It was a great way to finish the series. Non-stop action and everything wrapped up in the end. Maybe I could have done without the splenda chapter 36, but besides that I loved it.
Loved it so much in fact that I stayed up until 4:30 Sunday morning reading the book and subsequently suffered the next couple of days. And then my wife stayed up way too late last night finishing the book. She was so engrossed that she ignored hunger pains and skipped dinner, not able to put the book down.
And that is why the book is evil.
*** spoiler warning *** don't read past here if you haven't read the book.
OK. There's no way to ever prove this, but I guessed that Harry was a Horcrux before I read the book. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who did this, but I felt pretty proud of myself when I read it. And I was pretty sure that Snape was good and killed Dumbledore on his orders.
Loved it so much in fact that I stayed up until 4:30 Sunday morning reading the book and subsequently suffered the next couple of days. And then my wife stayed up way too late last night finishing the book. She was so engrossed that she ignored hunger pains and skipped dinner, not able to put the book down.
And that is why the book is evil.
*** spoiler warning *** don't read past here if you haven't read the book.
OK. There's no way to ever prove this, but I guessed that Harry was a Horcrux before I read the book. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who did this, but I felt pretty proud of myself when I read it. And I was pretty sure that Snape was good and killed Dumbledore on his orders.
Harry Potter
OK, I admit I'm a Harry Potter geek. I've read all the books multiple times. I'm not the "wait-in-line-for-hours/days-to-get-the-book-at-midnight" flavor of fan, but I do enjoy the series. So when I had a chance to see a special preview in IMAX 3-D I took it.
I love the books but when it comes to the movies, I kind of feel like the guy who is pot committed and can't get away. I mean, I've watched every movie so far so I can't stop even though each movie leaves me unsatisfied. I understand that they can't include everything in the book if they want to keep the movies under 3 hours (OoP is 2 and a half, but it goes by quick) but I feel the cuts/story line changes they made with were a little too hollywood and dumbed-down for my liking. It's almost better if you don't read the books so you don't know what you're missing.
But now that I'm 5/7 of the way committed I'll no doubt see the last two movies when they come out, but I won't feel good about it.
I love the books but when it comes to the movies, I kind of feel like the guy who is pot committed and can't get away. I mean, I've watched every movie so far so I can't stop even though each movie leaves me unsatisfied. I understand that they can't include everything in the book if they want to keep the movies under 3 hours (OoP is 2 and a half, but it goes by quick) but I feel the cuts/story line changes they made with were a little too hollywood and dumbed-down for my liking. It's almost better if you don't read the books so you don't know what you're missing.
But now that I'm 5/7 of the way committed I'll no doubt see the last two movies when they come out, but I won't feel good about it.
Back to School
I spent a few hours on Sunday afternoon registering for parenting classes. PARENTING CLASSES! If you asked me a year ago if I ever thought I'd be registering for "Conscious Fathering" I probably would have told you to go somewhere unpleasant. But there I was. I've basically booked up my whole October to learn every aspect of caring for the new edition. Worst of all, some of the classes were only available on Saturday morning, traditionally my day of worship at the casino. Not that I'm growing resentful of the coming baby, hell, I'm not the one who has to carry the extra weight and go through a hormonal roller coaster, but IF I was going to resentful, this might be the cause. In truth, if anything, signing up for all those classes just made everything a little more real.
Also, last night we did the belly-to-belly thing and I got to feel the little guy kick a little more. Maybe because we were watching "Kung Fu Hustle" this guy was kicking like nobody's business. Now I have to decide if I'll ruin this guy's life pressuring him to be a professional soccer player or martial arts master. Thankfully I have a few more months to contemplate this.
Also, last night we did the belly-to-belly thing and I got to feel the little guy kick a little more. Maybe because we were watching "Kung Fu Hustle" this guy was kicking like nobody's business. Now I have to decide if I'll ruin this guy's life pressuring him to be a professional soccer player or martial arts master. Thankfully I have a few more months to contemplate this.
There can be only one.
I remember when I thought "Highlander" was the best movie in the world. While I won't make that claim anymore, there is something about a movie about a whole bunch of guys running around trying to cut off each other's heads that appeals to a guy, and you could do a lot worse than a soundtrack featuring Queen.
In the movie the remaining immortals are drawn to New York for the be all, end all. While it isn't New York, there is a Statue of Liberty in Las Vegas and an estimated 4,000-5,000 people are gathering to try and chop off each other's heads (figuratively, although I'm sure there are those who contemplate being literal) at teh World Series of Poker Main Event. And, in the end, there can be only one (at least the public is always led to believe).
While part of me wishes I could be there, and perhaps might have been had my 99s not fell to 66s, this morning when I felt the baby kick you couldn't have paid me enough to be anywhere else. As we lay there belly to belly - something that is much easier now that we both have protruding ones- I felt a little bump that was my son. I think I'll go buy him some soccer shoes tomorrow.
In the movie the remaining immortals are drawn to New York for the be all, end all. While it isn't New York, there is a Statue of Liberty in Las Vegas and an estimated 4,000-5,000 people are gathering to try and chop off each other's heads (figuratively, although I'm sure there are those who contemplate being literal) at teh World Series of Poker Main Event. And, in the end, there can be only one (at least the public is always led to believe).
While part of me wishes I could be there, and perhaps might have been had my 99s not fell to 66s, this morning when I felt the baby kick you couldn't have paid me enough to be anywhere else. As we lay there belly to belly - something that is much easier now that we both have protruding ones- I felt a little bump that was my son. I think I'll go buy him some soccer shoes tomorrow.
The first day of the rest of your life
Today was the first Monday in a long time (save vacations) that I didn't have to get up for work. It was a beautiful morning. I did get up, a little earlier than usual actually, but I didn't have to, and that was glorious.
Last Friday was my last day of work. For the next four months I'm a free spirit. Sure, I have to work remotely, but that's only for 2 hours a day and can be done from Starbucks (which I'm doing right now). But besides that, I'm a bum.
Of course, come November it will all come to an end. My life will be plunged into a world of diapers, vomit, bodily excretions, screaming, crying, swaddling and sleep deprivation.
In short, I have four months of freedom before 18 years of servitude.
For those of you just tuning in, we are having a child. A boy. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this one. My wife, aka "the Boss," is hosting an organism that started as a single cell and is rapidly growing into millions, nay billions, trillions? A defenseless little being that will grow up -- at times too quickly and at others not fast enough -- and one day think he's invincible and then later realize how mortal he is.
I alternate between freaking out and disbelief. I mean, my body isn't coursing with hormones and I don't have a swollen belly (fat yes, but not swollen) to remind me constantly of the impending arrival so it's easy for me to forget (or deny) my impending fatherhood. But at night as we lie in bed and watch Season 2 of LOST, I am acutely aware of the presence of the third being in the bed; the 12 ounce gorilla in the room.
-tmo
Last Friday was my last day of work. For the next four months I'm a free spirit. Sure, I have to work remotely, but that's only for 2 hours a day and can be done from Starbucks (which I'm doing right now). But besides that, I'm a bum.
Of course, come November it will all come to an end. My life will be plunged into a world of diapers, vomit, bodily excretions, screaming, crying, swaddling and sleep deprivation.
In short, I have four months of freedom before 18 years of servitude.
For those of you just tuning in, we are having a child. A boy. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this one. My wife, aka "the Boss," is hosting an organism that started as a single cell and is rapidly growing into millions, nay billions, trillions? A defenseless little being that will grow up -- at times too quickly and at others not fast enough -- and one day think he's invincible and then later realize how mortal he is.
I alternate between freaking out and disbelief. I mean, my body isn't coursing with hormones and I don't have a swollen belly (fat yes, but not swollen) to remind me constantly of the impending arrival so it's easy for me to forget (or deny) my impending fatherhood. But at night as we lie in bed and watch Season 2 of LOST, I am acutely aware of the presence of the third being in the bed; the 12 ounce gorilla in the room.
-tmo
Chasing a dream
I don't have illusions that I'm going to win the main event of the World Series of Poker, but that doesn't mean I don't want to give it a shot. Unfortunately I don't have, nor do I ever foresee myself having, $10,000 that I am willing to plop down for my shot. So a while back I noticed that the Tulalip casino was hosting a $90 buy-in event on Saturdays where the top five finishers each week would advance to a tournament where the top prize is a $10,000 and $5,00o for travel and lodging. $90 I can do. So last weekend I made the trip up to Tulalip to play.
Now I haven't played in a live tournament since last July in Las Vegas, so I was mostly playing to get my fix; that itch that needs scratching. My goal going in was to play solid poker, not make any stupid mistakes and have fun. Five hours later things had changed.
Not having been to the tournament before, I headed out early to make sure I arrived with plenty of time. Nothing would have been worse than me having drove 45 minutes only to find out that the tournament had already filled. Once registered I decided to head to the coffee shop and have a nice, big breakfast before the tourney. Unfortunately the coffee shop, that according to the sign opens at 10:00AM, was closed at 10:10 and my only option was the Buffet.
Nature abhors a vacuum and I abhor buffets (except in Las Vegas).
When it comes to food, I am a quality over quantity kind of guy; I like my food made to order, not food that has been expecting and eagerly awaiting me (for the past hour). As I glanced around the Tulalip buffet, it appeared that many of my fellow patrons did not share my senitments, judging by the ample amounts of food they had ladled on their plates. To make things worse, they didn't even have an eggs station where I could order some eggs. The salad bar was woefully pathetic but suprisingly their pot stickers were digestible. Barely satiated, I returned to the poker room to begin play.
I can't remember the hands, but I know I never got aces, had Queens at least once and Kings once. I got lucky a couple of times and somehow found myself at the final table as one of the bigger stacks. When we got down to 7 (10 places paid), a chop was proposed that I agreed to. At this point, there was only one player who I was wary of. Luckily I had position on him and managed to bluff him off one hand that set me up to take it all. I sucked out while busting both the third and second place players. In the final hand, with about 500K of the 600K chips in play I raised on the button only to have my opponent go all in. Pot committed, I sheepishly turned over 7c9c to his AdAs. 6d-8-Qd flop, 5d on the turn and a black 2 on the river sealed the deal.
My first place finish is good for T5,000 in starting chips in the final tourney. Fingers crossed.
Now I haven't played in a live tournament since last July in Las Vegas, so I was mostly playing to get my fix; that itch that needs scratching. My goal going in was to play solid poker, not make any stupid mistakes and have fun. Five hours later things had changed.
Not having been to the tournament before, I headed out early to make sure I arrived with plenty of time. Nothing would have been worse than me having drove 45 minutes only to find out that the tournament had already filled. Once registered I decided to head to the coffee shop and have a nice, big breakfast before the tourney. Unfortunately the coffee shop, that according to the sign opens at 10:00AM, was closed at 10:10 and my only option was the Buffet.
Nature abhors a vacuum and I abhor buffets (except in Las Vegas).
When it comes to food, I am a quality over quantity kind of guy; I like my food made to order, not food that has been expecting and eagerly awaiting me (for the past hour). As I glanced around the Tulalip buffet, it appeared that many of my fellow patrons did not share my senitments, judging by the ample amounts of food they had ladled on their plates. To make things worse, they didn't even have an eggs station where I could order some eggs. The salad bar was woefully pathetic but suprisingly their pot stickers were digestible. Barely satiated, I returned to the poker room to begin play.
I can't remember the hands, but I know I never got aces, had Queens at least once and Kings once. I got lucky a couple of times and somehow found myself at the final table as one of the bigger stacks. When we got down to 7 (10 places paid), a chop was proposed that I agreed to. At this point, there was only one player who I was wary of. Luckily I had position on him and managed to bluff him off one hand that set me up to take it all. I sucked out while busting both the third and second place players. In the final hand, with about 500K of the 600K chips in play I raised on the button only to have my opponent go all in. Pot committed, I sheepishly turned over 7c9c to his AdAs. 6d-8-Qd flop, 5d on the turn and a black 2 on the river sealed the deal.
My first place finish is good for T5,000 in starting chips in the final tourney. Fingers crossed.
Jury Duty
Waiting....
The room is quite plain. It calls to mind a bus station waiting room; long rows of chairs are arranged through the room. Hundreds (277 at the start yesterday morning) fill the room. Some people read, others listen to music and others fidget with cell phones. Thankfully they have wi-fi here.
Waiting....
My friends laughed at me, but I was quite curious to take part in the jury process. AW said that only people too stupid to get out of jury duty serve, but i'd like to think that's not true. As I told him, I would hope that if I ever need to be judged by a jury of my peers, I want to believe that it's not just people who couldn't come up with an excuse. Not that I really want to get selected for a jury, but
Waiting....
Yesterday I lucked out. The coordinator said he had to many jurors and had the computer randomly select 50 people to be excused. Granted, my odds are pretty good, 1 in 5.5, but I still felt like I hit the jackpot.
Coming back this morning it's interesting to see how many people are sitting in the exact same seat they sat in yesterday. If I were some sort of sociologist, this would be a goldmine for material. As it is, I just get to listen to music and surf the web. I have been inspired to listen to "the Wall" I had forgotten what a good album this is. It definitely brings back memories.
The room is quite plain. It calls to mind a bus station waiting room; long rows of chairs are arranged through the room. Hundreds (277 at the start yesterday morning) fill the room. Some people read, others listen to music and others fidget with cell phones. Thankfully they have wi-fi here.
Waiting....
My friends laughed at me, but I was quite curious to take part in the jury process. AW said that only people too stupid to get out of jury duty serve, but i'd like to think that's not true. As I told him, I would hope that if I ever need to be judged by a jury of my peers, I want to believe that it's not just people who couldn't come up with an excuse. Not that I really want to get selected for a jury, but
Waiting....
Yesterday I lucked out. The coordinator said he had to many jurors and had the computer randomly select 50 people to be excused. Granted, my odds are pretty good, 1 in 5.5, but I still felt like I hit the jackpot.
Coming back this morning it's interesting to see how many people are sitting in the exact same seat they sat in yesterday. If I were some sort of sociologist, this would be a goldmine for material. As it is, I just get to listen to music and surf the web. I have been inspired to listen to "the Wall" I had forgotten what a good album this is. It definitely brings back memories.
Blue Wave
All I know is that if I worked in a restaurant I would be very afraid if I had to serve Karl Rove, because if he used THE MATH to calculate my tip, I'd probably get stiffed big time. I hope he never lives that one down.
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