My friend Bill and I have been playing poker together for a number of years now, usually with the same core group of people with a few “outsiders” mixed in now and then for variety (and to fill an empty spot on the table). Bill is an excellent poker player. He counts cards, knows the odds, and can do some impressive calculations in his head. So it’s the rule more than the exception that he generally walks away from the table ahead for the night.
Last night we had an impromptu poker game and instead of our usual five-dollar buy-in and dealer’s choice, we made it ten dollars and just straight Texas Hold ‘Em. You might know the game from the popular World Series of Poker tour on ESPN, as well as The Travel Channel’s World Poker Tour.
We’ve played this a few times and Bill usually comes out the winner, not surprising considering his skills with the cards. And last night it came down to the two of us. Jeff, after losing his stack had left and gone home early. Christy, who was next out, stayed and was our dealer for awhile (thanks again Christy!). Eventually she had to go home as well. This turned out to be the latest we’ve ever played. Christy threw in the towel around 2:30 this morning.
I was bound and determined to win last night, as I’ve yet to win a Hold ‘Em tournament. Because it was winner takes all, the pot was forty bucks, and I wanted it! But it was grueling: I had a chip advantage over Bill and was being patient, just picking at him, fifty cents here, two bucks there. I would be doing fairly well, and then he’d put in a big bet. I’d have something halfway decent (or think he was bluffing) and call him on it, and he’d win.
About 3:15 A. M., we got down to where I had about a 3 to 1 chip advantage (just a guess, really). The cards were dealt and I had pocket tens ("pockets” refers to the two down cards for those of you who don’t play poker). I bumped the blind by a buck, Bill shrugged and said “All in” (meaning he bets his entire stack of chips) and I quickly followed. We flipped the cards over: he had a king and a non-suited low card. My two tens were looking good. Here came the flop: King, King, seven. Of all the luck. He’d not only matched his kings, but twice. The rest of the cards were junk, and Bill doubled up on his chips.
I still had the advantage though. Two plays later, I was dealt pocket Jacks. Again I bumped the bet. This time, Bill bumped me back. Now it was my turn to pounce. All in was my call, and Bill followed suit. Thankfully, my pocket Jacks had what it took and I won the game.
Finally.
Trying to get to sleep was a nightmare. I kept replaying the hands in my head, scolding myself for being too easy to bluff, and not being more aggressive. I last looked at the clock at 4:08 A.M. I told myself not to look anymore. I awoke at 7:15, and was into work by 8:30. Man, is today going to be a looooong day.
Buy hey. I won Texas Hold ‘Em. Look out Unabomber. I’ve got my sights set on you!
So this guy's been IM'ing for a few days now...this was one of the more conversational ones...
j killer92 (4:12 PM): hey robo j killer92 (4:13 PM): or should i say homo j killer92 (4:13 PM): yo bitch Shad (4:15 PM): So, I'm guessing you don't have anything better to do than harrass me, eh? j killer92 (4:16 PM): u could say Shad (4:16 PM): Pretty damn pathetic man j killer92 (4:17 PM): Least i have a high school education u dumb fuck Shad (4:23 PM): Wow...high school, eh? I'm very impressed. Means you know all your letters and numbers, eh? j killer92 (4:23 PM): that was not funny homo j killer92 (4:23 PM): u fuckin bitch j killer92 (4:27 PM): w/b Shad (4:27 PM): Heh...I thought it was funny. People I've shown this too thought it was funny. And I'm sure when I post this to my journal, my readers will find it funny as well. j killer92 (4:28 PM): that was gay j killer92 (4:28 PM): bitch j killer92 (4:29 PM): curse 4 once bitch Shad (4:30 PM): why? Shad (4:30 PM): What's the point? j killer92 (4:30 PM): curse bitch\ Shad (4:30 PM): you get so irratated without me cursing that it's not even needed Shad (4:31 PM): And quite amusing as well j killer92 (4:31 PM): just curse damnit!
I’ve been meaning to write about our most recent trip back to Arizona for my grandmother’s funeral service, but work, along with other miscellaneous things, kept getting in the way. As usual.
The service was very nice. My Uncle Eddie got up and talked about my grandmother’s life, and much of it I’d never even heard. How she eloped with my grandfather. How she wasn’t allowed to be married while in Nursing School, and when word reached the administration that she was married, how she was expelled. It was like discovering a whole different side of my grandmother.
My cousin Kim, being the oldest of the grandchildren, was next to speak. She took all of our memories of summers spent at Nana’s and recounted them to the people at the service. It was wonderful and emotional and I miss her even more after listening to everything I’d forgotten. If I can get Kim to send me what she wrote, I’ll post it here.
Aside from the services, it was really a nice time. It was great seeing all my family together again, and I had a good time catching up with everyone. My in-laws were coming through town on the day of the service, so they brought the kids (who have been staying with my in-laws since the end of June) and Gail and I got to visit a bit.
I also got to drive my Aunt Nadine’s Mercedes SL 500. Ooooh my. Talk about a damn cool car. It’s a hardtop convertible, and when the top is down, it’s just sweet.
Gail and I also made it to Chandler Harley-Davidson, where we got to see some of the new models. She also sat on a Duece again, and is now looking at accessories for one like she was getting it. Just the fact that she’s thinking of getting one makes me all a-tingle. First thing’s first: the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class!!!
Haven't had one in awhile, so I figured I'd post this one, even though it's not up to par...
PoKemonMasTuR173 [3:00 PM]: yo hu dis Shad [3:00 PM]: what? PoKemonMasTuR173 [3:00 PM]: Who is this Shad [3:00 PM]: No one you know PoKemonMasTuR173 [3:01 PM]: How wud u no Shad [3:02 PM]: Because everyone I talk to knows how to speak proper English and doesn't go by the name "Pokemon Master" with caps in all the wrong places Shad [3:03 PM]: So good bye, and have a nice day PoKemonMasTuR173 [3:03 PM]: Shuddup wite boi Shad [3:04 PM]: It's "Shut up", "White" and "Boy"...geez, learn how to spell.
Looks like I’ll be heading back to Arizona a lot sooner than expected. My mom called last night to let me know that my grandmother had passed away.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am that we got to spend time with her just this past month. It was wonderful to see her, and she seemed in great health and spirit. I guess that’s why when my mom called to tell me the news, it came as such a shock. I think I’m still in a bit of shock. It certainly hasn’t sunk in yet.
After the service, my mom and aunt (and uncle I’m assuming) will be taking my grandmothers ashes, along with my grandfathers (who died 18 years ago) to South Dakota, where she grew up. There they’ll bury her in the Black Hills, which is beautiful country indeed. It’ll be a good final resting spot.
Hurricane Charley, which originally was supposed to be quite the downpour, turned out to be nothing more than an afternoon of soft, steady rain. Today has been beautiful, with a slight breeze and a very comfortable 75 degrees. I should be outside mowing the lawn and such, but yard work is yard work.
With Gail being gone (she’s out in Arizona visiting her parents and then she’ll be back with the kids on Thursday), I’ve been mostly just hanging out and watching TV. Being a slug in other words. Before leaving, Gail instructed Marcia to take me shopping at J.C. Penny’s, as they are having a sale. I actually bought clothes for myself. Which is odd; I never buy clothes for myself.
Hopefully the problems with the hardware that hosts my website has been fixed. Apparently the hard drive went south, and after that was replaced, the RAID controller went. Lots of fun.
It would appear that storms of all sorts have to be weathered.
The end of the school year is the herald of vacation for millions of people across America, and so it is with my clan this year, 2004. It’s not often we get to travel on vacations together, with either myself or Gail having to work, but this year, with the help of generous in-laws, we all managed to take time together to fly out to visit family and friends. It was also a time to reacquaint ourselves with the majesty that is the Southwest.
After a 2 hour delay, we arrived in Phoenix at midnight local time, meaning it was 3 a.m. back home. The kids (and adults) were exhausted. Fortunately my aunt and uncle were there to pick us up and usher us sleepy travelers to their house, with soft beds and the promise of not needing to be up before lunchtime. Naturally, my internal clock decided that 6a.m. was plenty of sleep-in time, so I was awake with the roosters.
We had a nice morning, Gail and I watching the kids splash in the pool while we sat in the shade. I’d forgotten that was possible here. Back home, when it’s 95 degrees out, in the shade - thanks to the humidity - it still feels as if it’s 95 degrees. Here, shade drops the temperature noticeably, and makes sitting out with the kids bearable.
Lunch time saw us visiting with my grandmother. Hopefully she’s forgiven me for coming through last time and not stopping to see her (Before everyone gets riled up, I had a good excuse; my father was in the hospital in Flagstaff, and I was anxious to get up there). We had a nice afternoon, checking out her new house, and the clubhouse of the community she’s moved into. That evening we were back at my aunt and uncles’ for dinner, and the next morning, Gail’s parents picked us up to travel to Colorado.
We had a brief stop in Flagstaff to visit with my dad, and then it was on to Grand Junction, CO., to visit with Gail’s brother and his family. We had a nice visit, touring the dinosaur museum and dig site, and visiting downtown Grand Junction. Sunday we had a nice picnic at a park right along the Colorado River, and then Monday, our plans to go whitewater rafting were rained out. I had planned on staying with my sister-in-law, as she’d recently broken her wrist, so I didn’t feel cheated out of a whitewater trip, but I think Gail was disappointed. We were in Glenwood Springs, and it’s quite the picturesque town. I fell in love, and if I can ever manage, I just might have to look into moving there.
We traveled south on 82 into Aspen. What a beautiful, pricey, artistic, pricey, charming and pricey little town. It was chilly that day, and not being accustomed to the wet and cold weather, I was noticeably cold in my shorts and t-shirt. I thought maybe I’d get a sweatshirt or something. I checked a few prices in a few different shops, and the cheapest sweatshirt was $110.
I figured I’d just be chilly.
Tuesday we traveled on back to Flagstaff by way of Monument Valley and took a bunch of pictures. Gail’s parents went as far as Flagstaff with us, and then headed on down the Tucson the following Wednesday. Gail and the kids and I spent the next few days roaming around town with no real agenda, and spent the evenings visiting with my Dad and his long time girlfriend Laurie. We hiked down Walnut Canyon to the Indian ruins, visited downtown (It has changed so much since I’ve left), and generally relaxed. There was a forest fire burning about 20 miles south of Flagstaff, and I managed to get a couple of photos of the smoke.
Last night was spent with some old friends from college in Phoenix, and now I’m sitting here in my in-law’s house in Tucson. We’re going to a party tonight, and then tomorrow I get to visit all my old friends.
So here’s to old friends! Hope to see you all soon. And to all my new(ish) friends back home in Virginia, we’ll be seeing you all soon.
MsSinthiaSpanks (12:11 PM): Good Morning Shad (12:11 PM): Good Afternoon...who might you be? MsSinthiaSpanks (12:12 PM): You answered my Intro Questions in regard to spanking Shad (12:14 PM): Spanking? Intro Questions? I think you have the wrong person...I've answered no such questions. Shad (12:15 PM): Goodness, if the parish found out about something like this, I'd be forced to quit.. MsSinthiaSpanks (12:16 PM): AOL error Sorry to have bothered you
If I ever find myself trapped in an Urban Nightmare, I will be prepared!
BnnM2 (8:38 AM): nobody think ya young ass bowwow i just wanted 2 see ya damn asl Shad (8:38 AM): no BnnM2 (8:38 AM): niggas acting stupid cause they have a s/n shad BnnM2 (8:39 AM): nigga please bang it 5 hunnitt! Shad (8:39 AM): You know, maybe if you spoke proper English, I'd be able to understand you. BnnM2 (8:39 AM): lol BnnM2 (8:39 AM): i do speak proper english nig! BnnM2 (8:40 AM): u herd me the 1st time Shad (8:40 AM): No, I heard "blah blah blah blah"....that's all I hear in my head when I read crap like "Nigga please bang it 5 hunnitt"... Shad (8:40 AM): what if I wanted to bang it 4? Shad (8:40 AM): or bang it 17? Shad (8:40 AM): why 5? BnnM2 (8:40 AM): lol BnnM2 (8:42 AM): just 4get it r u gonna tell me ur asl or not? BnnM2 (8:42 AM): it really don't matter 2 me BnnM2 (8:43 AM): where u get 17 4rm?? BnnM2 (8:43 AM): wow! Shad (8:43 AM): why not 17? Shad (8:43 AM): or 4? Shad (8:43 AM): or 40 for that matter? BnnM2 (8:43 AM): because its an saying BnnM2 (8:44 AM): a saying when u say bye bye BnnM2 (8:44 AM): or just forget it Shad (8:44 AM): So, if I want to say goodbye, I say bang 5...and if I want to say forget it, I say bang 5 also? BnnM2 (8:46 AM): like if somebody come up 2 u like what upp? yal talking and when yall leaving each other u go aight my nih bang it 5thou BnnM2 (8:46 AM): or u and say keep it ahunnit my nig BnnM2 (8:46 AM): a hunnit meaning 100 BnnM2 (8:47 AM): meanding bye like u say one or1 BnnM2 (8:47 AM): its like aight my nig keep it a hunnit BnnM2 (8:47 AM): like onehundred BnnM2 (8:47 AM): ahunnit Shad (8:47 AM): Fascinating... BnnM2 (8:49 AM): well u know "poppin collar" i try 2 pop that knowledge every way possible BnnM2 (8:49 AM): no offense r u white? BnnM2 (8:49 AM): cuz alot of americans tend 2 know about that saying Shad (8:50 AM): Guess I'm the original wonder bread... BnnM2 (8:50 AM): i aint racist or anything BnnM2 (8:50 AM): huh?? BnnM2 (8:51 AM): what dos that saying mean? BnnM2 (8:53 AM): i guess u aint talking so imma just say until next time bang it 5 hunnit!
I swear, one of these days it's gonna be the FBI or something trying to trap someone...
FlySweetGirl (9:34 AM): hi u wanna talk Shad (9:34 AM): Hi, no I don't. FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): why Shad (9:35 AM): 'cause I'm busy FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): doing what FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): ill give u head Shad (9:36 AM): head, eh? I bet you're not very good at it FlySweetGirl (9:36 AM): yes i am im the head queen Shad (9:36 AM): Is that like the head honcho? FlySweetGirl (9:36 AM): even thogh i gotta boyfriend ill still give it to u Shad (9:37 AM): Wouldn't the boyfriend get mad? FlySweetGirl (9:37 AM): idk Shad (9:38 AM): Geez....you must not really like him if you're willing to give head to a complete stranger FlySweetGirl (9:38 AM): i love him FlySweetGirl (9:38 AM): his name is jr Shad (9:39 AM): Love him, eh? FlySweetGirl (9:39 AM): yes Shad (9:39 AM): Then why are you offering sexual favors to complete strangers? FlySweetGirl (9:39 AM): u wanna talk to him FlySweetGirl (9:40 AM): please i would neva do that i just wanted u to talk to him FlySweetGirl (9:40 AM): u wanna see my nude pic Shad (9:40 AM): you want to blow me, you want me to talk to him, you want to give me your nude pic...what, all at the same time? FlySweetGirl (9:41 AM): pick 2 out of the three FlySweetGirl (9:42 AM): ill i don't put know dick in my my mouth thats disgusting Shad (9:42 AM): Hahaha...you're a trip FlySweetGirl (9:42 AM): only jrs Shad (9:45 AM): Well damn, why'd you offer then? What a tease.... FlySweetGirl (9:50 AM): u would have said yes Shad (9:51 AM): haha...think so? Shad (9:51 AM): from a...what, 15 year old? FlySweetGirl (9:51 AM): im 12 Shad (9:53 AM): HAHAHAHAHahahahaa. Shad (9:53 AM): Damn, that's funny FlySweetGirl (9:53 AM): how old are u 39 Shad (9:53 AM): 34! Shad (9:53 AM): FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): urs is probally old and hair and jr is fresh and clean and soft FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): hairy FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): * Shad (9:54 AM): well, I guess it's 34 years old. And yeah, it's hairy...puberty and all you know. FlySweetGirl (9:55 AM): disgusting jr looks nice Shad (9:55 AM): Amazing how you'd offer within 2 minutes of IM'ing me then, isn't it... FlySweetGirl (9:56 AM): i was playing cause only jr hello Shad (10:04 AM): Well, that was amusing and horrifying, but I have to go now, have a good day