Work, Poker and the Sopranos

Monday and Tuesday was workful; Lynette and I returned to Kon which was delicious. My new favorite food is Seabass. i had suprisingly delicious Oolong Seabass at PF Changs (drowned in tea) back in Ct a couple weeks ago. This place had some different ginger Sea bass I think and it was equally good. We got so much yellowtail it was absurd. All the rolls were delicious. We got 2 rolls, yellowtail w/jalapenos, salmon, tuna and shrimp sashimi, wonton soup, seaweed salad, and indian pancakes. Everything was so freaking good it was absurd. I was freaking dying from being so stuffed.

Tuesday we lunched at mozzerellas which took long but made a mean tomato cream sauce and an equally mean American Chop Suey (aka Beefaroni). Instead of elbows they used round cylinders... I don't know what they're called!!!! They're short cylinders, not penne, not ziti... no stripes, they are equally wide as long.

On the way back from RI, we tried but failed at catching the 5:57 Acela, so we ran down and I asked a cute girl w/ear spacers if we had missed it. SHe told me she was goin to New Rochelle and flashed her ticket. I Realized when people do this now, I should figure out that I need to read all the info on it other than what she's showing me and memorize it all... like WHAT HER FREAKING NAME IS... and surprise her w/the info... maybe that would be interesting? Who knows. When I'm around girls I want to holler at I think I get louder than usual and try to draw more attention to myself; not sure if this is a good strategy. Any comments? I try to draw attention to myself and seem more positive.

Anyway, we realized Lynette bought New York Penn Station tix probably because most asians when they say Newark... it sounds like newAHK... with a huge syllable on the 2nd part of the word. We went back up to get it changed and mine got changed to metro park which was nice. WE ended up going back down and I should've just stepped up to the girl whose name I should've gotten, but didn't immediately, then offered my diesel hoodie to her which she politely declined. Is this a good move?

We ended up sitting in Bus class so I coudln't talk to her, but I may have even f'd it up too much anyway w/the shirt comment, so whatever. I'm getting a bit more aggressive, but not good enough. I ended up watching 3 episodes at least of Sopranos on the way back (i'm in the middle of season 5 and it's just an awesome series). I love how it's about psychology and male chauvanism (poorly spelled) more than anything. The psychology of tony and his henchmen is really funny; people get jealous about anything and they story is just awesome. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't watched it. That's for a different post.

While I've been home I hung w/Martin and Laura on Wed. We planned on golf but it was too windy, so we played Madden instead. I freaking beat him once!!! We ordered 4 muskateers pizza (they like hawaiian and I do as well). The pizza is freaking good. Great sauce, and a great crust; not too much cheese.

Today I played some poker after work and ate dinner at Ruby Tuesday which is grossly overpriced for pretty good but small portions. I ended up asking the waitor for a suggestion and he said parmesean chicken... I thought it'd be w/veggies but it was only a chicken parm that tasted good but had a bit too much cheese. I almost choked on my food 3 times! Their lemonade is good (mango pieces in the bottom), but freaking is $3.30!!!

I've been on fire in poker lately, lets go w/that in another post as well. I"m really tired and hungry; so i"ll extinguish the hunger w/a good night's sleep.

TOmorrow I MUST find a folding table for my house. I'm hosting poker sunday... 3PM COME OVER!!!!!

Redzone and Fantasy Football Noise

Saturday I didn't do anything; I relaxed, caught up on sleep and played poker. I've been doing well lately, on more of an uptick, although I don't play enough to really know how well I'm playing.

Sunday I woke up and watched the Giants dismantle the chiefs; it wasn't even close. Luckily, the Red Zone channel made its debut during the domination that I didn't find necessary to watch. The redzone channel provides live views into every game that's going on at that time; it will search for any game where a team is inside its opponents 20 yd line (or the red zone). If there is no team in the red zone, obviously it will hope to search for the most exciting game. What I found odd was it would broadcast the giants game faster by a couple seconds than the actual broadcast of the Giants game in NYC.

There was a free preview of the redzone channel Sunday and it was pretty amazing. There was just so much action all the time. They would cycle between games and I'd have picture in picture (PIP) with the giants game on the big screen and redzone channel on the little screen; I'd swap them whenever giants go on commercial or when something exciting was happening on redzone. I think whoever came up with that was a genius and obviously plays fantasy football. I heard it's like $6 a day which isn't terrible, but when yo uthink about it, that's $24 a month and my whole TV bill is $70/mo.

In addition to the great football weekend, my fantasy team has been doing well and started off in dominating fashion. Most of my players played at 1 and Daigo gave me updates as I rode the Acela to Rhode Island for work. Vernon davis (free agent pickup) had another td and gave me a healthy lead going into the night steelers/chargers game by about 20. I got to the hotel right when the first half ended and Rashard Mendenhall was putting up huge numbers. I was up 40 and was seemingly cruising to victory. I called justin and had a lengthy convo about life.

I went back to my computer and found some messages from Manolo and Daigo telling me I was really close to losing. I looked at the score; it had changed from 21-0 Steelers at half to 34-27 Steelers (I believe) after a TD by rivers. I started to sweat because I was only up 3. Anand had Rivers and Gates vs. my Mendenhall and Santonio HOlmes (Santo) combo. The sweat was gettin pretty unbearable; luckily the steelers were driving and the game seemed in hand; i was up 3 and all I needed was the Steelers to run the clock out.

After the 2 min warning, a steeler got injured and helped stop the clock; now instead of gettng the ball at max 10 seconds left, the Chargers would get it w/at least 45sec!!! Unfortunately, the steelers turned the ball over and I thought i was definitely going to lose; luckily the steelers sacked, forced a fumble and recovered it all in one play and the game was over. I escaped w/a 5 point victory (due to some mendenhall runs after the TD).

The next day I woke up and found out I only won by 2 points. Fortunately after adjustments to ESPN scores, I won, and I realized now if the steelers didn't turn the ball over and didn't go to mendenhall or Santo, I would've lost!! Unreal right???

Weekend of poker

So my weekend has been about poker, albeit only about 2-3 hours. It's been the first weekend I haven't travelled back from work. I've basically caught up on shows that I dvr throughout the time I"m away. Those shows consist of America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC), How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), World Series of Poker (WSOP) and Poker After Dark (PAD).

ABDC is a sick show. It's just exciting every time you watch it; each crew is awesome in their own way and there's a real hip hop aspect to the show. Season 4 was awesome; there was a bboy group (always very athletic and fun to watch) a popping all girl group (really sick things they can choreograph), and a latino(a) group that could do lifts and such (really sexy dancing and really interesting moves that make you say DAMN). I really found myself saying damn at least 1 time every 2 episode. THat's OUT LOUD. Some of the stuff the groups do is really amazing. I also love the judges. Shane Sparks is so hood as well as Lil Mama. They both say ya'll did ya'll thing so much. Shane loves the ladies too which is hilarious. JC is great because he usually has the most introspective things to say and he even tries to be hip hop too which i love.

HIMYM is just a hilarious show that talks about things I love doing-Ripping my friends and hitting on chicks. Doogie Howser is just an amazing actor. I heard he's gay and he still plays that players role so so well. The other actors are great too. It's just hilarious all over the place and I wish I talked like that in regular life.

WSOP is not a great show, but at least you see the biggest tourney in the world. It's fun to watch all the different players interact and see how people won. It's actually not as good as PAD but the commentary is better. I like Lon MacEarhan and Norman Chad better than Ali Nejad... but I do LOVE Leann Tweeden for obvious reasons.

PAD is great because you see a lot of hands even "meaningless" (meaning no action) hands so you can see how people are playing in an entire session and how they are perceived. My favorite player to watch is Tom Dwan because he is an ultimate thinking player and when he goes over analyses in his post week interview, he goes into great length about hwat he was thinking and why he was making certain plays. It's really amazing he gives up so much information about his game; I think it's because he's so good he can outthink anyone anyway. Phil Ivey, albeit great, doesn't really give much away. I'm not sure if it's on purpose, or he just doesn't want to waste time being interviewed; just would rather play. A funny comment just happened during an episode I'm watching currently. Pat antonius who married Maya Gellar (who knows, she's slammin as the pic shows) said that he had to ask Maya about doing something and Phil Ivey just started laughing at him and asked if he had to get her permission to leave the house. They all had a good laugh.

I also went out last night w/Daigo, Amit, Nisha, Kristina (hope that's how you spell it) and her broseph Greg. It was a great time in MoTown althoguh I didn't hit on girls which was poor. There was a set of cougars that Daigo told me I should holler at but it was kinda too late as they had been by our side for a while. Note, hit on chicks immediately.

There was another 2 girls (one was SLAMMIN, an 8.5, tall, blonde, dressed well, and pretty face, not perfect but good, great body ouch). I kinda stepped up too late to them, but I made good convo (asked if they liked being speed bumps). I ended up going back up to them later and inviting to eat empanadas w/me and Daigo, they said maybe, and never came. (Note, GO UP TO GIRLS IMMEDIATELY)

There were another group of 4 older chicks daigo told me one checked me out (looked me up and down). I immediately aksed her group if they had a napkin for a piece of gum that was bigger than my shoe on the bottom of it. She instantly found one and brought it over so I grabbed her face and planted a fat one on her cheek. We started bantering and it was going well until she said "no i don't go out very often" I asked her why, and she said "because i'm married" What an odd way to answer that.

Well Raul's empanadas was bangin as usual. Saturday was just chillin at home and cleaning up my stuff as well as some online poker. My friends bitched out w/going out so I am stuck at home watching TV :(

Last 3 days of project

So the project winded down w/not much work involved. We worked on personal stuff like expenses and I looked for a new credit card. By saying looked, I mean asked Anna if she knew of any and she said she did prudent research and came up with the Hilton Honors Amex. No fees, at least 3 points per dollar on any purchases and a bonus 3 on certain ones like groceries, gas stations, hotels and others.

We ate great food at Max's Oyster bar and China pan (authentic Shanghainese). Then Went home via taxi then train on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday night Daigo offered and I obliged to hitting some tennis balls. That was actually fun albeit madd cold. We went to SBHS to hit and of course they have an open house so we have to park madd far on Fox Hill Run Rd to get to the courts. It was madd fun though, we hit around and then played 2 11 point games that I won. The 3rd 11 point game ended at 7-5 me when the lights went off promptly at 9PM, an hour after we arrived.

Thursday I woke up pretty late and it felt so freaking good. I went to Martin's to give him a pair of nike tennis shorts and a cd i burned a while ago (3+ yrs ago). Before I drove over, I took the extra 200 out of my wallet and set it on the counter so I wouldn't get robbed and have 200 extra that i didn't need on me. I had originally taken it out in preparation to go ot the casino last weekend in CT. Ironically Jeff called me as I was on the way to Martin's and asked if I wanted to go to AC!!! I decided yes although I had no money and was goin elsewhere. So he would pick me up after martin's.

I freaking played madden and HATED IT. I coudln't do shit and martin just shit all over me. It was really pathetic. I had -7 yards after the first half. I blow. We played gmen vs. gmen.

Later Jeff picked me up and we set off around 9:15. We got to AC at 11 and got the fatburger chicken sandwiches (bangin). We hit up 1/2 NL and I unfortunately lost 5.5 in ATM fees to take money out. We sat down at diff tables and I immedaitely had a hand.

1st hand 1/2 NL 60min 300max
UTG ~150
UTG+1 ~220
SB (hero) ~275

UTG and UTG +1 limp; folds around to me and I raise w/ak in SB to 11. BB folds, UTG and UTG1 call. Flop is 5qk rainbow. I decided to check to be coy and see what those dudes do and keep the pot low i think. I also figured w/3 guys on rainbow flop i could check raise (CR) depending on what they do, or just call.

UTG bets $20 into about $35. He's a young guy w/headphones and a leprechaun protector. He seems to me like a good player who calls a lot preflop w/suited connectors.

UTG+1 is a really old guy, kinda funny doesn't tlak too much, complains a lot but in pretty good spirits. He calls, then I call thinking a raise would ID my hand and I could see what they do on the turn. Turn is a blank and I checked hoping to see what they do; some people will be scared if a raiser check calls, but UTG went all in for $95. UTG+1 seems like a calling station and he thinks for 10 seconds and calls. UTG1 keeps holding his chips so I can't see how much he has; I use this opportunity (even though I put UTG on KQ) to give me a count. He matter of factly counts out about $75. I think about it and fold. UTG turns over 2 qs for a set and UTG1 turns over aces... GREAT FOLD!!!!!!!!! I had the worst hand pre and post flop!!!! During the hand I thought they called from SB and BB, so that's why i put SB on KQ, but in retrospect, the fact they both limp called from UTG, it makes sense they had monsters.

there was great banter between the 2 UTGS and the female dealer. The dealer kept making weed references and saying she was only interested in drinking. Then called the old guy old and asked him are you a real doctor or a dentist, and found out he was only a dentist hahahaha. The old guy got pissed and started ripping her. He said the only reason she asks that is cuz she's dumb.... said "I have a diet for you, tie your hands behind your back" HUUUUUUUH!!!!!!

Another hand: someone raised from UTG or Midddle position. I called w/4s and flopped a set 943. A guy who had bet out 3 straight times w/nothing then hit an ace on the river, bet out this time again. I called, and the action just kept going like that and I took down a nice pot w/the set. There was a straight and flush out so I just called the river.

Third hand: I had 86s and called w/4 others. Flop was 459 w/a backdoor flush draw. guy bet kinda small so I called. Turn was a beautiful 7, so I check called again. River I check called a rainbow card w/the nuts. Guy bet out 30 and I took time and raised to 75. He immediately folded unfortuantely, but I still think I got the max.

The last hand after I had been up around 90, I had been planning to raise UTG because I had been playing conservatively, pretty tight. I raised it up w/96 from UTG1 and got 2 callers. Flop was 8 high, I had a backdoor straight draw and we all checked. Turn was another 8; I got checked to and bet 20 into about 30. Fold and call followed. River was a 3rd heart; the guy checked and i immedaitely checked a pair of 6s. He rolled over 3 8s and I mucked.

We ended up leaving around 2:30 after I said what up to my man P in the Borgata poker room. He works there and I talked to him earlier when he dealt at my table. He's a cool guy and it was good seein him again.

Catchin the train

I finally smartened up and took a train to CT so I didn't have to drive. Unfortunately there are only a few from metro park to Hartford; 2PM and 6PM, so I'd have to miss the full slate of games on Sunday, or the Sunday night Giants game... easy decision.

Unfortunately I've been having trouble w/Cab companies lately in NJ. I called a while back and some girl who works at the cab company I always used talked trash about me to her coworker while I could hear her, so Sunday I called them back and spoke to the manager; she prob got fired. I Guess it really wasn't a recession to her; what else could the reason she is in a customer service oriented business and is trash talking customers? Odd huh?

Well I reserved a cab w/Scooters and they just didn't show up. Luckily my dad just left so I told him to come back and I JUST made the train by a few minutes.

The ride was easy, but I had to transfer in New Haven which was annoying. I didn't know where the next train was, and thought I had a lot of time, I slowly walked around asking people where the train to hartford was, but no one knew. I started to panic and ran to the main terminal where the big board schedule is and noted that the train was "NOW BOARDING". I freaking ran to track 4, up the stairs and made it w/like 10 min to go.

I've been thinking is it worth getting business class/first class seats on the train? There are never cute chicks in those cabins, but it's guaranteeing me a seat and guaranteed luxury? I dunno. I usually get 2 seats to myself in Business class, so I like that. But i'd obviously like it better w/a cute chick next to me to talk to.

Recently I think I've been pressing too much, but that's hogwash because I should always be on the prowl.

Anyway, Got to Hartford and the cab driver got me to the hotel in no time. I told myself I was going to holler at the front desk chick and noticed she was at the front alone when we got there, so I was pumped. Unfortunately, my man took at least 7 minutes trying to run my credit card. I was so rushed that after I cash tipped him, I gathered my things and stepped up to the front desk. My girl asked me for the form of payment and when I pulled out my cards.... I realized I DIDNT FREAKING TAKE MY CORPORATE CARD FROM THE CAB DRIVER. I had to front the bill w/my own card which sucks, but what are you gonna do.

I ended up making light of the situation by asking her how everything in CT was, how her weekend was and if she had any plans for this coming weekend. She told me "The Big E" which is this big fair in Massachusetts that everyone goes to around here. Heather confirmed it for me later. I asked if she'd like to hang out, and she asked what we would do. And then mentioned something about it being illegal??? I think hotel employees in the US aren't allowed to mingle w/guests and in this case who knows. I told her that was her choice and she said something like well you're here for 10 days, so I said oh ok, that means I should be persistent. She laughed. I wasn't really feeling it.

That was pretty much it for the day. The Giants pulled out a big win over the cowgirls. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham are turning into amazing receivers. Smith made the secondary look so bad w/his route running it was great news.