Blog-A-Day Countdown to 2012: The Meltdown of a Fellow Blogger

I am really enjoying being at home.  Hanging out with Mom and being on the farm is such a welcome break from casino-life. I expected just a few days into this to want to be back on the road ASAP, but the truth is.. two more weeks doesn't feel like or sound like enough time. I'm sure after the holidays I'll be rearin' to get back to work.




It doesn't matter how many amazing sights you see traveling..
Home is always so beautiful. <3

I'm waffling about the blog post I've just typed out below. I make it a point to never write anything overtly negative about coworkers, players, casinos or events. It just doesn't serve much of a purpose, and it generally leaves a bad taste in SOMEONE'S mouth. This blog post is about a fellow blogger, and a lot of my perceptions will come across as negative. I'm going to go ahead and publish this though, simply because his blog speaks for itself.. and absolutely nothing that I've written isn't demonstrated daily in his blog.

Blog Countdown to 2012: #12

Tony Big Charles' Big Meltdown

If you're here, you're a blog reader. So you'll understand when I say I have a list of blogs I stay perpetually glued to. My list includes a lot of the ones you all likely read as well.. Monk's of course, Kai's (though he never, ever updates it). A girl I worked with in my early twenties who is absolutely CONVINCED she is dying of some catastrophic grouping of diseases and blogs EVERY single detail of her impending demise. (Doctors continue to tell her she's batshit crazy, but she's convinced all of them are wrong, perpetually.. but I digress). I would link to hers, but she damn near banned me from exercising my voyeuristic tendencies once before for kindly suggesting she see a shrink. I learned my lesson. (And how to get multiple IP addresses so I could continue to lurk) Oh the pains I go to, to feed my need for information.  Anyway, I have a different reason for reading all of them.  Some are train wrecks in slow motion, while others are humorous.. informative.. insightful and even brilliant. I probably read 20 different blogs a day, plus a daily browsing of all the blogs on the Gulf Coast Poker Network.




The blogs on this site are solid gold. And not just because I'm on there!


This year I met a rather unusual blogger, while out in Vegas. His name is Tony Big Charles, and yes, I realize I am probably the last blog reader on Earth to not know who he is. His blog, aside from being one of the most well read in poker, is an anomaly.  It's painstaking to read. Mind numbing, and sort of like shooting yourself in the foot with a nail gun over and over again. And yet, I can't stop checking it... Two, sometimes three times a day. To understand why, I must first tell you a bit about Tony. I should also mention that it isn't always the blog itself that keeps me glued, but the comments from other readers. Pure f'ing comedic gold, his commenter's are.

Taken from All Vegas Poker. Mr. Big Charles himself. Looking rather tired.

Tony Big Charles is a poker player. Actually, that's probably a loose interpretation.  He's a gambler who also plays poker. He blogs about the trials and tribulations of life as a sort-of-homeless low-limit grinder. I don't mean your typical low limit grinder either.. I mean, literally.. he plays $1/$2 and below. $2/$5 if he's REALLY feeling froggy, and usually only in extremely short burst.

Tony defines himself as autistic, and as a natural card counter. He has a penchant for slot machines and an insatiable lust for that which eludes him most... Women. My description of Tony might make it sound like I don't like him.  Which really isn't the case at all.  I'm not sure how I feel about Tony.  He makes me sad, mostly, but you can't stay sad for long.. because 99% of the woes that plague him are self-inflicted.

I met Tony while dealing at the Riviera, during my brief stint passing through there. He was in the 7 seat, and I was struggling during my first or second shift dealing, ever.  The players were talking about his blog, and with me being the only female at the table, he honed in on me and asked where I was from. I told him, and he said "Oh, I read a blog by a girl from down there. From Tunica!" I knew instantly he was talking about me, but I was so focused on remembering to burn and turn without looking like a rookie that I didn't make much mention of it. He managed to put two and two together a few minutes later. "You're that girl! You're that girl blogger. I didn't know who you was, but now I do."

Really, our association had begun much earlier. I'd written a post about sex and the female poker player. Something about a genitalia buffet. I'll link it so you can read his comment.  Me being a relatively pleasant southern gal, when he shared with me his story of a lifetime of loneliness, I offered up that I was certain there was someone out there for him.. and that perhaps I would someday introduce him to the beautiful female poker players down here in the South.  Of course, this is before I knew him in person.. and I made the offer without ever expecting to be called on it.

Hey, I have Claudia Crawford down here in the South to count among the poker players..
And she's gorgeous! But already attached. Sadly.

Here we were, Tony Big Charles and I in Vegas, at the same poker table.  He immediately launched into tales of paying girls $100 to sit behind him and rub his shoulders.  Stories of hookers and degenerate females trying to take his money.  Anecdotes I wouldn't have believed, if I wasn't hearing it myself. Without stopping for a breath, he shared personal stories from my blog.. which granted aren't too personal if I'm typing them up for the world to read.. but not necessarily something I'm prepared to discuss while wearing my "Dealer" name tag.  I was literally just trying to not drop the deck, or push the pot to the wrong person.

It was socially awkward, and I escaped rather quickly. Happy to have it behind me, and certain it'd be the last I'd see of Mr. Big Charles.

Fate wouldn't have it that way though, and as I made my way towards Reno to deal my first even on tour, Tony also decided to relocate. For the entire duration of the event. This wasn't a weekend tournament either.. but a month long extravaganza where we'd spend many hours within three feet of each other, every single day. 




Suddenly it felt like the SMALLEST little city in the world.


I'd deal to him, listening to how he interacted with others (with about as much grace as a cat trying to swan dive), and then I'd go back to my hotel room and comb through his blog with the intensity of a college student cramming for finals.  It became a quirky obsession that I learn about the different blog readers leaving comments, and whether they were pro-Tony or anti-Tony. Either rooting for his imminent failure or for him to be a success story.. rags-to-nicer-rags if you will.

Each day I would awake with new-found commitment to sharing a kind word with him, or genuinely befriending him.. the altruistic nature I want to believe I possess superseding the superficial, and allowing me to make a connection with someone who clearly, so desperately needs a real friend. And then he'd blurt something out, while I'm shuffling, about my personal life and proceed to tell me that a decision I'd made was stupid or didn't make sense. I'd forget, of course, my humanitarian plight and instead fantasize about strangling him. Momentarily. It always passed.

Tony's story is overwhelmingly sad and inspiring. Both for the wrong reasons. I am unclear on all the details but the cliff notes include years of homelessness, mixed with a few rousing tales of sleeping on the roof of casinos and camping in sleeping bags outside Foxwoods.  One girlfriend, who he met in a mental ward of some nature, that he managed to procreate with.. before she left him for a "black guy". He seems to have a general distaste for "black guys", perhaps because of this.  He gave his son to his Mother, the child's grandmother, to raise.. and appears to have very little involvement in either of their lives. He now bounces around hotels rooms, primarily between the IP Vegas and the 4 Queens or CircusCircus, with his entire net worth stuffed into his sock. This, dubbed his "sock roll", is public knowledge as he updates daily exactly how many pennies he has to his name.

This picture actually comes up when you google Sock Bank Roll. Apparently, it ISN'T such a bizarre concept. Weird.

He says he's essentially scared of his own shadow.  He lives in perpetual belief that someone plans on shanking him in his sleep, and that monsters lurk under the bed. And yet, any girl can come along and con him out of limitless amounts of money in exchange for attention or a little physical affection.
Tony seems sometimes, to be so overwhelmingly helpless, while at the same time being perfectly capable.  He blames others for every bit of misfortune that comes his way, and expects his "friends" to take responsibility for every need he has.  If he can't figure out how to operate a can opener, he asks his readers if someone can please explain it to him. If he goes on tilt and loses a bunch of money in the video poker machines, it's a readers fault for telling him about a promotion.  He constantly asks for advice, and when honest advice is given.. he picks and chooses what he likes about it, argues with those trying to help him, and generally disregards all of it. For someone who has so little, he has an enormous sense of entitlement and very little about his nature that shows true kindness or generosity towards others.

And yet, through his blog, I have been absolutely awe struck.. time and time again. Among the following and loyal readers, I see the tireless efforts of others to help him. To do HIM kindness. To shepherd him when he's wayward. Granted, he has a healthy crowd rooting against him.. but what really strikes me is the hearts of those who repeat, like a broken record, kind words urging him to succeed. Readers who have given him rides, and second hand clothing. People who have shared their time when he's been in a bind. Virtual friends who overlook the negative and pray for him. Poker players who wouldn't hesitate to beat him out of a healthy pot, should the opportunity arise, check on him and respond to him on a daily basis; simply because they are called to care about another human being who perpetually teeters on the brink of self-destruction. A lot of them, much kinder and more patient than myself, serve as a reminder that I shouldn't be so quick to judge and instead, more apt to care.

I write this now, because for a long time, Tony has been beating the odds.  What started with just a couple hundred dollars, he managed and grew to over $15,000.  He'd been successfully living on the road for a few years without any major hitches, and seemed to be thriving in a world that's hard for someone without obstacles to overcome to make it in.  As much as some of the things he says and does grates on my very being, I was proud of Tony. I found myself slowly falling into the Pro-Tony camp.. the silent, and sometimes not so silent, readers who really wanted him to succeed. To find happiness, find peace and maybe someday find a woman who doesn't smoke crack or turn tricks, to settle down with.

The fireworks BEFORE the nuclear fallout. The worst may still be yet to come.

Then, like a time bomb tends to do, it all exploded. In a matter of just a couple of weeks.. without explanation (though not without foreshadowing), Tony went on life tilt. As one reader put it "Tony hit his panic button".  The sock-roll fell from $15,000+ to under $8,000.  Then to $5,500 or so. He left Reno, almost in an emergent state.. paying over $800 for a cab ride to Vegas. Rumors, just tonight on Twitter, suggest yet another melt-down. Tony is nearing broke, and he is out of options. After doing so well for so long, too. There is no doubt that slot machines and tilt-gambling are the culprits, and that Tony and Tony alone is to blame.

I find myself firmly in the Pro-Tony side of things right now.  I feel bad for letting his social awkwardness get to me and the times I've cracked up over a witty insult left on his blog.  He's an odd critter for sure.  One that can be rude and hurtful with the things he says, and has little to no regard for the majority of the people in his life. His contributions to the online poker community have been tremendous, though not always for the reasons I think he anticipated, but I want more than ever for him to come out of this tailspin and get his life on track. He has always been open and honest about his gambling problems, and I think it's somewhat disheartening to see the grip our industry can have over one's soul.

I don't have a clear cut solution to the problems that Tony's dealing with. The short and sweet answer would be.. "Quit gambling. Get an apartment. Get a job." But I feel like Vegas has it's talons in his heart, and he'll never be free of the destructive tendencies he exhibits. So, with that in mind, I don't have a way to close this blog on any sort of positive note. I suppose I'm just sharing my thoughts and inviting you all to read along with me, if you like. If you don't already. He is a living example at times, for everything in the casino industry. The opportunities it can provide the disciplined, and the far more common destruction that can befall those who lose control. If you're the praying, or charitable type.. I'd invite you to keep him in your thoughts, that someday he'll find a modicum of sanity and stability.

I am certain Tony will read this.  I'm not certain how he'll take my perspective, but I know he'll appreciate that I didn't mince words over it. He too chronicles his every thought on a public forum, so he understands what he's opening himself up to. Nothing I've said here, is a unique or foreign concept when talking about Tony Big Charles.  I'll give him credit for one thing though.. his blog has me hooked.

Hope you pull out of this one, TBC.

Edited to Add: In an odd twist of events, within an hour of finishing this blog post.. Tony has decided to delete his blog, twitter and facebook and "disapear" in order to break his gambling demons and start anew. This hasn't actually happened yet, but he posted about it on his blog (link above). Tony, your blog will be sorely missed by a good many of us.  Best of luck to you in trying to get back on your feet. Something tells me we'll hear from you again.. Blogging is as real an addiction as any other. Take Care.

Countdown to 2012: A blog post a day until the New Year.

I have been a terrible blogger lately.  Everything became so hectic, being on the road, and I really have no excuse.  I'm going to repent for my slacking by writing a one blog post a day until 2012. True story.

It's really the only shot I have of ever getting caught up. I'm going to do my best to do a synopsis of the last four months. I can't imagine this will be earth shattering journalism, but at the very least, it should be mildly entertaining. Here is how the format will go down.  In each post, I'll have one part poker and one part "other". Feel free to read what you like and take from it what you will.

Any specific questions you have about the games in Oregon, Nevada or Mississippi, the poker rooms or any other nuances you're curious about.. please email to JenniferGay80@hotmail.com and I will do my best to answer them. 

Look for the first of the Countdown to 2012 to crop up sometime today (Monday). Thanks for continuing to check in with me, even though I haven't been the most dedicated blogger.

<3
JG

In Oregon, Car Exploded, CatCat has moved out, Sister Goin' To War

I feel less and less like a new dealer and more like someone who actually knows what they're doing.  Which is silly really, but the transition from floor to dealer, or player to dealer was pretty profound.  It's entirely different having to only be aware of YOUR cards, or one ruling.. and being accountable for 10 people. Of which, at any given time, half of them think they're playing blackjack.

WildHorse casino: Significantly lacking in actual wild horses, but otherwise, very nice.

Pendleton is a far different type of event than Reno was. Reno was such an excellent event to break in at.  The floor people there are some of the nicest people I've ever worked with, not to mention.. they collectively had lifetimes of experience in the business.  They were patient and took their time to point out things I could do to make my downs run smoother. When I screwed up, which fortunately wasn't too often, it was never treated like a life or death situation and I never felt pressured to deal anything I wasn't comfortable with.  It helped me get acclimated.

Pendleton has a set of rules unlike anything I've ever experienced or seen anywhere else in poker. But I dig it. I like it a lot.. their rules are foreign, something new to learn and do properly, but the pace is a lot different from Reno and so far.. I like them both equally for different reasons.

Not relevant to the topic at hand, but the Oregon Coast is quite beautiful. You should visit. I am no where near the coast now, but my car is a lot closer than I am.  More on that later.

The vibe of this crew is different too, but not in a bad way.  I think dealing here will make me a better dealer. Even if the rules won't apply anywhere else, the high expectations and more demanding pace will make me a better asset to other events I deal in the future. I've been told to expect 12 to 14 hour days, events with 500 or 600 people in them, and potentially being locked in for hours at a time (For non-poker enthusiasts, being locked in means staying at the same table for long periods of time without moving or a break).  I'm looking forward to all of this. It sounds like a challenge, and I love the idea of coming "home" absolutely exhausted.

The Dealer Coordinator reminds me of Teresa Sommerfeld.  I like her already, because of this. She's funny and warm. I don't know if she's a Mom, but she has a cool-mom vibe, and I want to go out of my way to not cause her stress.

Things outside of work aren't ideal right now.  Driving into Pendleton, about five hours out, my engine LITERALLY fell out of my car. The engine mount broke, and took out an axle and a few other critical components with it. My warranty is fighting me on this, but I have a mechanic who is quickly becoming a friend, taking care of the situation.  We spent over an hour this morning on the phone together, talking about video games and computer repair.  All sorts of geeky stuff.  I'm confident that even if this doesn't work out with the warranty paying it, that my car will be better off having been fixed by this guy. So I'm not stressing about it too much.

You can't really tell from the picture, but this is NOT where an engine is supposed to be. Not even close.

Leaving the car behind unexpectedly, left us with just 12 hours to figure out how to cross a 5 hour drive.. with no vehicle.  We ended up in a high-speed hour long shuttle ride, driven by a middle eastern man with "Masha Allah" written on the back of his van (to which Josh commented "I'd wear a turban right now if it'd get us to Pendleton faster".. cracks me up), to the Portland airport, where we ended up on a plane a little larger than a crop duster enroute to work. Essentially, we had a private flight to work.. I'd just rather my jet-setting experiences not come at the expense of my car in the future.

CatCat likes a private flight, with a window seat.
Spoiled Kitty.

This experience was a lot less "Rock Star" and a lot more "Stressful" than it looks.

I had arrangements before I got to this event to room with Josh in a pet-friendly hotel.  Somewhere in the last two weeks, this all changed.  Josh's long time friend, Rocco signed up to do the event too.  They usually room together, and I kinda figured they'd want to this time as well.  I reluctantly offered to room with someone else that I don't know very well, but upon arrival.. when it became evident that the rooms only had one bed in each (the two-bed rooms were unavailable), and we'd be limited to one bed plus one air mattress.. things were a little awkward.  The air mattresses were literally flush with the beds, making it almost like one large bed.. albeit, at different heights.

My home for the next two weeks. A lot nicer than it looks. Thank God.

Now, I know this will surprise a lot of you, but I wasn't too keen on literally crawling in bed with someone I barely know. Plus my new roommate wasn't in love with the idea of CatCat. The whole situation made me uncomfortable, so I went with a different friend.. Dayan, to his hotel and booked a room there.  It's only a block away, but I feel like I've kinda been ousted from everyone I know. The upside is.. I don't have a roommate, which isn't all bad.  I'm alone for the first time in months.  The downside, aside from having my feelings hurt (regardless of how justified that is), is I had arrangements for a roommate and a place where I could have my cat.. and now I'm footing the bill for something completely on my own and my cat is staying with Josh and Rocco.  CatCat is my one constant source of comfort.  He's my buddy, he goes everywhere with me.  I woke up at least four times last night looking for him. I know he's being well taken care of, and well loved.  I know I can walk over there and see him, but right now.. the whole situation has me so frustrated that going over there at all stresses me out.

I'm not going to be in a living situation that makes me uncomfortable.  I realize that by not having a car, I'm no longer that useful to any roommate, but I'm not happy with how this has all gone down. As ridiculous as this is.. I'm in a room with two beds alone, there are two guys in the pet friendly hotel shackin' up on a bed and an air mattress.  It makes no sense to me, but I didn't plan this trip or arrange anything, so I'm not going to make any demands or inconvenience anyone.  I know that I'll be planning my trips and making my own accommodations for future gigs. 

My newfound independence has an upside though!
I walked many blocks, after midnight, in Pendleton at risk of getting mugged just to
get this tonight. Peach Arizona Tea.
A flavor I just haven't had luck finding anywhere. <3
If I'd been rooming with someone else, I would have been talked out of such a task.
But with my prize in hand, I am victorious!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not mad at any of the guys over this rooming fiasco.  I'm a woman in a male dominate field, and what works for them or makes them comfortable.. isn't always going to work for me. I'm also very prone to keeping my mouth shut (believe it or not) when something is really bothering me, rather than pushing it off on others to deal with. Josh has been an excellent friend and traveling companion to me.  Rocco is great, and the other guy seems cool.  I think the stress of my car, some family issues and not having CatCat is just wearing me down.  It'll pass, and hell.. it's only two weeks.  I can survive anything for two weeks, right?

Josh even went as far as to say "whatever you need or want me to do, so you'll be happy, I'll do".  But seriously, I'm not going to cramp everyone elses' arrangements.  So I'll be here in my surprisingly nicer hotel room, alone, missing my cat.. and looking forward to November 16th. :)

My sister texted today and said she's going to Afghanistan in a few months.  She's in the Air Force.  I'm so proud of my baby sister for what she does, but I am not thrilled about her going off to the sand box and being shot at. I love her so much, and I know my sentiments are no different from anyone else who sends a loved one over there, but this breaks my heart.  This isn't the first person I've loved to go over there.  I've attended the funerals of more than a couple as well.  I know Bex is smart, and she'll come home none the worse for wear, but it's such a different emotion when it's your sibling..rather than a husband, friend or acquaintance.

My beautiful sister. If you're in Afghanistan, please watch out for her. Unless you're a creeper with a gun.
And then, stay far far away.

My Mom was in a small accident, in a WalMart parking lot.  She's mostly okay, but being so far away was like being kicked in the stomach.  I hate not being able to cheer her up when she's going through a rough time. My family isn't big, but the way I feel about her and Bex is the same as if I had dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins.  They're my whole heart.  Add CatCat, and it's pretty much all I need in the world. Well, plus a few of you too of course.  When you have a small family, your friends kinda become your extended family.  I can't tell you how many times my connections with you all through facebook and texting have kept me optimistic.

I have to be up super early (Well, by dealer standards. Anything before noon is super early), so I'm going to jump off here.  I'll update more about my trip, and this event out here in the next post.

Even if it sounds like I'm bitching, I'm still feeling rather lucky.  I am exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do. There are things I would change, but I wouldn't exchange my situation for someone else's, even if it were shinier and prettier on the outside.

He always looks so innocent and sweet in photos. LIES.

I don't think he reads the blog, because.. well, anything longer than two sentences that isn't mostly in pictures, and he tunes it out altogether.. but I miss Scott a lot more than I thought I would.  I really undervalued our friendship.  Which is saying a lot, considering how much I valued him. There have been plenty of long phone conversations since I've been on the road, and aside from Mom, he's probably the person I'm looking forward to seeing most over the holidays. I heart that guy.  Even if he is a total pain in the ass.

<3,
J

My Itinerary: Goodbye Reno, Hello San Francisco. CatCat & Coop Color Coordinate. Fallen World Leaders and More.

I leave Reno today.  Or rather, looking at the clock, in about 3 hours.  Headed for Lake Tahoe.  I have no excuse as to why I haven't updated in almost a month.  It's funny how time slips away from you when you're busy living. Then, once a little time slips away, so much material builds up that the prospect of writing it all down seems daunting and gets delayed in lieu of watching Dexter or counting CatCat's toes.

Home for the last three weeks.. The Grand Sierra Resort, Reno NV.

I want to write all about the Reno Pot O' Gold event:  My first big dealing event on the road... The million and one misconceptions I had about dealers (from my previous perspective of a player or poker room supervisor).. but, it's almost time to get on the road and I just want to get a quickie update out there and let you all know what the plan is.

I give Reno, NV two thumbs up.

This is far more enchanting in person. Through my dirty windshield, not so much.

I've loved my stay in Reno.  So much so that I could see myself coming back here and spending more time in the future.  The countryside is beautiful, the air is chilling and the people are friendly enough.  The casinos aren't as much of a focal point here as I expected them to be, and for that I'm grateful. We didn't eat anywhere particularly spectacular, outside of the casinos, but we did visit the "Safari Zoo".

Josh's approval ratings with the cloven hoofed crowd is through the roof.

Look closely... MONKEY BABY! We snuck up on her and the baby was out running around. She got a good look at Josh, snatched her baby up by the neck and ran off to hide in her bunker.  Good momma. :)

I interrupt this blog post for a little Emu Pornography. If you're into this sort of thing, knock yourself out. For everyone else, consider this less an invasion of Emu privacy.. a more the witnessing of species propagation.
 I think the fact that I had a camera excited them.

They had a ton of exotic animals, in decent enough enclosures.  The staff seemed to care about the animals well enough.  This coming in the wake of the exotic animal release up in Zanesville, Ohio.. and really, it was just a bit much.  My heart ached for the critters living their lives behind bars. I understand the allure of owning exotics.  I grew up on a farm with exotic animals. There wasn't much this park had that we hadn't owned or had access to growing up. You think you're doing the right thing, because you love the animals.. and they're already caught/born in captivity, so what's the harm right? But really, wild animals have no business being caged.  No animal really has any business living it's life caged.  I'd turn CatCat loose if I thought he'd be able to live a life without room service. But really, he's one step away from being more civilized than Josh.

Speaking of civilized.  Notice how they color coordinate their sweatshirts? Eerie. You haven't been entertained until you've seen Josh Cooper stuff my cat in a sweater. True Story. (His idea.. not mine).

The rest of Reno passed in a bit of a blur.  The Grand Sierra Resort, where we stayed (And where I need to hurry up and check out of this morning..) has been quite good to us.  We had a really nice room, with a beautiful view of the mountains.  CatCat managed to go undetected for the entire 21 or so days we've been here.  The hotel is extremely pet friendly, so they may not have cared that he was here.. but we don't like risking it.

The hotel itself includes a movie theatre, bowling alley, shopping mall, a bevy of places to eat and a ridiculously large arcade and fun plex. One need not ever leave the building, now that I think about it.

A good chunk of the crew out midnight bowling one night.  Sad bowlers we are.. the best score was a 159. I can't remember exactly everyone that was there, but the ones I remember for sure and pictured here are Randy, Terp, Miranda, Chris, Josh, D-Rod, Josh T, Mike, Shannon, Chann, Collins, Nate, Amy, Rose, Tony, Kim, Me.. and.. I think thats it?

Josh, Tony, Josh T and Kim at the bowling alley.

Livin' The Dream

Originally, Tulsa was the next city on the agenda.  The paperwork needed to process with gaming in Oklahoma insisted I have a current passport and/or birth certificate and social security card.  I haven't had a birth certificate on me in years.  I attempted to order one from one of those express services where you pay an arm and a leg and they get it to you practically overnight.. only to be mostly scammed. (In that, I'll have a birth certificate.. just no where near in time to use it for this event).  I simply was unable to get the required paperwork together in time.

In a stroke of fantastic luck, I was hired by the Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton, Oregon for the Fall Roundup which begins on November 2nd. I've always been fascinated with the Pacific Northwest. For more than half my life I've wanted to go into the caves along the coast of Oregon, looking for critters in the renowned Sea Lion Caves.

So with a somewhat limited budget, and an end goal of Oregon.. the itinerary for CatCat, Josh and I is as follows:

• October 20th - 24th (am) - Harvey's Lake Tahoe where we'll be staying in a comped room and checking out Lake Tahoe/Olympic Village/Surrounding Areas.
• October 24th (pm) - October 28th (am) San Francisco/Bay Area - Planning to see Pier 39, Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Coit
• October 28th (mid-day) - Drive through Redwood National Park.
• October 28th (pm)- 30th (am) - Florence/Newport, Oregon. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway into Oregon, where we will tour the SEA LION CAVES!!!!! And do other random beachy-cold-Pacific Northwest-y things.
• October 30th-31st - Tillamook/Portland Oregon.
• November 1st - Pendleton, Oregon to get settled in before reporting to HR on November 2nd.

So for now, we're off.  I aspire to update more from the road this time.  The next couple of weeks will provide more downtime than the above schedule would make you think.  There is a LOT of car time sandwiched in there too. 

Other points of interest:

This photo of Muammar Gaddafi is all over every news outlet in the world right now.  Supposedly, it's the bloodied death photo of the fallen leader. The part I'm confused about, is why they're able to make this photo public information?  If I recall, when we were all screaming for a death photo of Osama Bin Laden.. (Essentially ANYTHING to prove his was in fact deceased), the resounding response was that the American media didn't feel it was appropriate to display photos of someone's death/corpse or gore of that nature. My, how we've changed our tune.  Is it Muammar Gaddafi or Moammar Gadhafi? I swear, five different news channels.. four different spellings.  I'm not entirely sure the below body IS in fact his. Whoever it is, looks definitively dead. RIP below guy. Gaddafi or not, this was not a good day for you. :(

This camera was on ONE bar. Would have been a shitty time to need to charge it. Charge your batteries, folks. You never know when a world leader is going to get slain in your 'burb and require your youtubing readiness.

This band played one night here at the Grand Sierra.  They're not amazingly talented, but they're a lot more talented that their shtick nerd getup would lead you to believe.  Plus, they were funny. <3

Nerds. So hot.

This picture makes me laugh. No idea what they're so intent on, but this is what I woke up to after a brief nap one evening.  CatCat and Josh, presumably discussing the contents of the Chinese food containers, while having a snack.

Isn't offering a CatCat chinese food, sort of like offering a chicken some nuggets?

Well, I'm going to jump off here. I know it's been awhile, but I will do my best to stay more on top of things in the future.  For what it's worth though, I am doing exactly what I want to be doing and seeing parts of the country I'd only hoped to.  My next post will have more details about the actual poker tournaments and the dealing aspects. I miss Mom and Scott a lot, but I'll be home before ya know it for the holidays.

If any of you have any points of interest I need to see while cruising around the Pacific Northwest, please let me know. Thanks for your patience and for reading.

A quickie update. Laughlin, Reno, Imperial Palace and More.

We're still doing the comp-hopping.  So far I've lived at Bally's, Harrah's, Circus Circus, The Orleans, Harrah's Laughlin and now Imperial Palace this month. I've enjoyed seeing Vegas in this capacity.  It's certainly done a wonder on my love affair with the city.. it's diminishing, rapidly. Just the two days we spent in Laughlin were a breath of fresh air.. being back near water, and interesting terrain made me miss the south and being outside.  Being around the critters.  This has been a learning experience on a lot of different levels.  First and foremost being that I am definitely a southern girl!

I have a few lists, a few pictures and some brief thoughts before I scramble off to bed.

Where I am right now.  I know this picture is a bit confusing, but I like it.  What you see reflected in the window is the McDonald's behind me (Free WiFi for the win), and outside the McDonald's is The Mirage (In front) and Casino Royale (to the right). Even at 5 am, with the sun starting to creep up, this place is a flurry of activity. A McDonald's Flurry.
See what I did there? I slay myself.

Cops Las Vegas, Or Las Vegas Cops.. whichever it is.  They're always around, looking for degenerates to film.  I have a story about this actually, but it involves a drunk friend and I need to feel out how much I should change to protect the not-so-innocent before I publish it.  Standby.

We had a food credit at The Orleans so dinner at Big Al's Oyster Bar was in order.  Large bowls of mediocre food served with chunks of what can only be the world's largest Saltine Cracker pictured here. 
And an "unaware he's being photographed John Hardin".
I give this place, one thumbs up.  The company gets two thumbs up.
Thanks Josh, Jen and John. :)

For protecting your valuables. CatCat is adjusting to a life of travelin' just fine.  He likes to explore EVERYTHING. It was all I could do to convince Josh that we shouldn't leave the Cat in the safe.




...And Now..
A few points of interest.

• We leave to deal the Reno Pot O' Gold event on Tuesday.  Come see us both!   I'd like as many of you as possible to show up.. make me look like I have some street cred on the west coast. ;)
• My Mom has been going through a rough time at the farm in Cordova.  So I'm going to put a quick plug in for her.. she teaches horseback riding lessons, boards horses and has Siamese kittens for sale.  If you need any of this, or have a kid's birthday party coming up and need to rent a pony, call her at 9017547687.
• After Reno there is a possibility of a Southern California road trip.  If I don't get hired on for Oregon in November, there is the distinct possibility of a visit back home.
• Special Thanks to the Indianapolis Colts for covering the generous 11 points you were given. Cooper and his sport's betting enterprise is grateful. (As are CatCat and myself, cause we get to hear about it).

I'm really looking forward to Reno.  It will put me in a better position to figure out what the next  move is for me.  I'm honestly not sure right now.  I would love to say that things have gone exactly as planned, but hey.. they rarely do.  The Riv doesn't have the volume of business to sustain another dealer (or even some of the existing ones), so I've got to figure out what is next on the agenda.  I'm up for flipping a coin on this.  I'm fairly resourceful.  I'm sure something will present itself.  And if it doesn't, I've gotten really good at bumming around aimlessly.  Here's to goals!

Dexter starts back up next week.  Can't wait. Pretty sure this is the last season for Dexter, House, Desperate Housewives, Grey's AND Private Practice.  Which means, I may not watch TV at all next year.  Except for Glee.  Shut up. I like Glee. DON'T JUDGE ME.

Cockroaches must be on vacation..

We are staying at the Imperial Palace right now, and I'd like to publicly say that all the negative hype is overrated.  Sure, it's no Bellagio.  Or even Bally's.  And our room KINDA feels like a hospital room. And there is an odd could-be-rust-stain-could-be-blood-splatter stain on the top right of the curtains in our room.  And the window overlooks an industrial alley. But I expected rats the size of cats and cockroaches sharing my bed the way some of you talk.  And really, it's clean. And it's comped, and it's orderly. I get better TV reception on my iPhone, but to be honest, the IP Vegas is no worse than any motel 6.  Any FREE room is a great room to me. :)

A delayed birthday celebration..

My two favorite guy friends both had a birthday this week.  The same birthday, September 23rd. Josh Cooper is 27, and Scott Williams is 29.  For the 14th straight year.  I feel awful because I wasn't able to do anything for either of them due to financial constraints (And by financial constraints I mean.. being out of work for WAY too f'n long). I've got top secret plans to make it up to both of them though, and I'll be writing a blog post about it when I pull these plans off. For now though, let me just sum up by saying that you two are invaluable to me.  You both make me want to choke you 50% of the time, and the other 50% of the time, I can't imagine getting through a day without you. I heart you both, and I'm a better person for knowing you both.

This about sums it all up.. for now..

Sorry there isn't more content here.. I'm cramped on time and to do these right takes hours.  You're not missing much.  My day consists of waiting for work right now.. sleeping, eating, hanging out with Josh and CatCat, hanging out on my own, wandering around taking pictures of things that delight me and thinking a lot.  A lot of self evaluation.  A lot of playing chess on my computer. Nothing terribly earth shattering.  I'll update again once I get to Reno.  In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves. <3 <3

P.S. It was recently brought to my attention that one "Rocco" has finally discovered my blog.  Knowing this, my life is more complete. I will rest easier at night. Now if only we could get him to write a blog..

Bella's Guide to Vegas Part 1, Peppermill, The Strip, Encore, Bingo, Ortiz and Mr. Olympia.

I have discovered that I no longer need AP News, CNN or even Google.  My facebook news feed has grown to such proportions that I generally know world news as it happens, AND what everyone thinks about it as well.  Tonight was no exception, with hundreds of friends giving me a play by play update of the Mayweather-Ortiz fight.  I don't care a whole lot about boxing.. I've seen some of the great fights in Memphis (Lewis-Tyson) and I'm vaguely aware of who is good and who is great. Josh actually went to this fight with a friend, Tom, from Harrah's. An evening of men punching each other in the face is a little to testosterone-y for me, but I was happy they were so enthused about having tickets.

I like to pull for the underdog, and I genuinely hate Mayweather's attitude.  A poker player (Noah Schwartz) who I've interviewed a few times, lives in the same building as Mayweather, which you would think would somehow obligate him to being a fan. Home-pride and all that.  Even HE was pulling for Ortiz tonight, agreeing with the general consensus that Mayweather lacks class in any capacity. One thing that struck me, in the photos I've seen posted, of both Mayweather and Ortiz.. is how absolutely adorable Ortiz looks.  He just LOOKS like a friendly guy. Sucks that he got his ass kicked.

Your smile is a win. Even if the punch you took in the head is not. <3

Anyway, I've been comp-hopping the last couple of weeks with Josh and CatCat. Which means, essentially, living free in hotel rooms by combining our player's club offers. This combined with the absolutely desolate state of available work, significant amounts of down time for walking and an utterly embarrassing shortage of funds for typical Vegas entertainment has made me VERY familiar with a great number of casino properties here. Today, I present for your voyeuristic entertainment, the Bella Donkey Guide to Vegas: Part 1.  This will be a work in progress.


A Walking Tour of the Vegas Strip

This place should be listed as one of the man-made wonders of the world. The ebb and flow of humanity here is something to marvel at.  Every week, it's a slow moving vortex of sparkly colors and thick traffic... building up to the weekend where literally hundreds of thousands of people converge on the streets in designer footwear and cameras and stand still. Seriously. They're everywhere, and no one is moving.  At least, this is how it feels when you're trying to walk through a crowd.  In every imaginable crevice, tourist cluster together like walls in Pac Man, delighting in the human mazes they create for people who actually have somewhere to be. 

And they're all going NOWHERE. Vegas. Number 1 tourist destination for standing around.

For added variety, people who presumably have nothing better to do, dress up like childhood icons and panhandle for change.  So a walk down the strip goes something like this. Stupid Tourist, Stupid Tourist, Stupid Tourist, Barney, Stupid Tourist, Stupid Tourist with kids, Stupid Tourist, Spongebob Squarepants, Mickey Mouse, Stupid Tourist.

This one is crafty. He's managed to panhandle and do NOTHING simultaneously. The Europeans love this shit.

Every once in awhile, one of these "street performers" will up the ante and actually play guitar or beat on a bucket in pseudo rhythm..maybe with a dog, maybe without, while soliciting change. In any other city this would be an arrestable offense, or at the very least, scorned by passerby. Not in Vegas.  In Vegas, this is f'ing headline news, drawing impenetrable walls of tourist with cameras. Which wouldn't be so bad if these performers didn't cluster at the most critical junctions and set up shop.  Invariably whatever destination I have in mind is precisely on the other side of two Teletubbies playing banjos with a small harem of dancing poodles and an open guitar case ready to absorb $1 bills.

Bella Donkey Advice:  The strip is damn near magical at 5:30 on a Tuesday morning, especially in front of the Venetian. You'll have the whole place mostly to yourself.  Except for that one drunk guy, but he's always there, so don't mind him. It's even better after a short desert rain.


Bingo in Vegas

This is a terrible idea.  If you're thinking about playing Bingo, because you think it will be fun, just save yourself the $17 (plus $1 for the really cool blotter thingy, which is by far the best part of the entire experience) and go to the strip and give the $17 to Barney. Or Spongebob. It'll be better spent. 

If you're still not convinced, allow me to elaborate.  I thought Bingo would be fun.  It's inexpensive, the jackpots are huge, and old people dig it.  Which gives me a statistical advantage, because I'm faster and younger and presumably of sharper mind.

Bingo is available at almost all of the Coast properties (Goldcoast, Sam's Town etc..), the Riviera and probably a few other equally swanky resorts. Make your way to the bingo hall, which will be the largest, most sterile looking room you've ever been in. You will be the youngest person by 20 years minimum.  Even if you're 60.  I'm not kidding.. this place is an Octogenarian's wet dream.

She looks like she's sleeping, but don't let her fool you. She's a lock for the Jackpot.

Buy your card, or if you're like me and have no idea what you're doing, buy one of every color.  Take a seat. Try to make as little noise as possible, or the old people will jump on you with rabid ferocity and vote you off the island.  Ask Josh about this one. Now the easy part.. blot your dobber on the corresponding number/letter. Rinse, repeat.  When you're exactly three numbers away from the jackpot, some asshole five rows behind you will yell BINGO. This will happen every single time. For all 12 games in a standard session. It's mind numbing.  Like poker, except, in Bingo.. everyone FULLY intends to suck out on you and relishes doing so.  For that, at least, I appreciate the honesty.

Bella Donkey Advice: Bingo is designed to reward people who have survived a minimum of 8 decades on this planet. If you don't fall into that category, it's a horrible idea. Stay away.

Peppermill Resturant - Las Vegas Blvd

If ever a place was sensory overload, this place is the definition. Inside the building are large synthetic cherry trees, dripping with synthetic pink blossoms surrounded by blue neon lights and disco-ball-esque mirror effects.  Waitresses wear short skirts and glossy stockings in bubblegum pink and periwinkle blue. The food is gigantic, giving this entire place the feeling of being in a lollipop forest straight out of Super Mario World. Large LED TVs play a stream of nature scenes to the beat of cloying new-age music. Even the sugar, displayed on each table, is multicolored and over sized appearing instead to be crystals in a dispenser.

Actual view from my table. I see this in my sleep now.

Like everything in Vegas, here you can get ribs or eggs, nachos or french onion soup.. at any hour of the day. Young hipsters, bikers, senior citizens and families with children dine side by side in 1950 style booths surrounded by plastic decor reminiscent of a Disney prop warehouse.

The food is slightly better than average, and the prices are moderate by Vegas standards. If the idea of eating deep fried delights in a disco themed nursery makes you queasy, I suggest visiting by the light of day. After 8 Jack and Cokes, this place will make you wish you'd avoided LSD that summer you followed the Grateful Dead around.  It's a flashback waiting to happen.

You CAN hide those sugar crystals on the equally psychedelic looking napkin. Camouflage WIN.

Bella Donkey Advice: Worth a visit.  It's sort of a landmark, from my understanding. Don't play with the sugar dispenser.  That shit has no internal stopper and will pour out a lot faster than you imagine, and it's really hard to hide 8 pounds of huge multi colored sugar crystals. The carpet is black, so forget brushing them off there, they're really hard to chew so abandon that thought, and for women wearing pink bloomers.. those waitresses are quick to cast judgemental stares. This is all hypothetical of course. Just sayin'.

Encore Casino - Part of the Wynn Family of Resorts

If you want to know what it looks like to have a spare billion dollars laying around, visit Encore.  Reminiscent of both The Beau Rivage and Bellagio (designed by the same group), this property is pure luxury.  Add to that the fact that it's a veritable ghost town most of the time, and there is an almost eerie feel to it.  It's like visiting the top 1% of the ultra rich echelon, but everyone is out at dinner.  Light fixtures that easily cost $20K each, fall into rows by the dozen.  Expansive lobbies showcase wall art that easily span into the upwards of $100K each.  Groves of indoor trees in expensive and hard to grow varieties are coated in glittering lights under domes of impeccable skylights.

Just a random peacock sculpture.  With a 15 foot crystal covered illuminated tail. Who doesn't have one in their foyer?

And yet, no one plays here. Well, a few people do.  I'm pretty sure the guy who owns Virgin Airlines, and maybe the middle eastern family that controls most of Dubai.. but no one any of us know. The place is worth a walk through though, at least, on your way to the Wynn side where normal people hang out.  If you're feeling frisky and want to play at Encore, I suggest spending whatever gambling money you're packing on something by Giorgio Armani or Hermes first.  Otherwise, they may not deal to you.  I'm pretty sure the dealer shirts were hand tailored by the staff of Alexander McQueen.

The outdoor walk-way. Like something out of Labyrinth. But with less David Bowie.

Bella Donkey Advice: If you're a window shopper, and like gazing upon jewelry that cost more than a nice house in the 'burbs, this place is worth a walk through.  Though I didn't eat here during my visit, I'm willing to bet the buffet does not include Hamburger Helper.  Which makes it a significant improvement over most (all) Tunica properties. Edited to Add: This just in.  Encore doesn't even HAVE it's own buffet. That's how swanky this place is. Jackpot.



I hope to bring you all another installment tomorrow.  I'm up against some significant down time until I head to Reno at the end of the month.  Other notes of interest:  Scott just nabbed a third place finish in a ring event, bringing home a cool $8K plus.  Two places better and we would have been off to some random wedding chapel in Vegas. Oh well.. maybe next time.

Scott's final table information sheet. See the part that says "Favorite Poker Player: Jennifer Gay". I get made fun of even 2000 miles away.  Man I miss that guy. Even though his phone number is available on the website for his Horse and Carriage business.. feel free to nab it off here and text him telling him how freakin' awesome I am. He needs reminding. <3

CatCat and Josh are doing well as roommates.  For someone who despises cats, and for a cat who despises humans who despise cats.. they're practically BFFs. 

The boys, watchin' football.  This can't be comfortable.

The Mr. Olympia contest just wrapped up here at the hotel I'm in.. The Orleans.  I've never seen so many bulging veins and transgendered looking women in one place.  It's rather interesting what these people have managed to contort the human body into.  The hotel room, when we checked in, had a notice laying on the desk that said "Spray Tanning in the hotel rooms is strictly prohibited" and that "Upon request, sharps containers would be provided by the front desk" suggesting that you not leave your needles laying around for housekeeping to stumble upon.  Freakish, and kinda awe-inspiring.

These guys were in the Internet cafe while I was blogging.  Apparently the middle one is Shaun Joseph Tavernier, some hardcore British Body Builder. A lucky find I suppose. There are DOZENS of these guys just roaming around the property right now.  A safe night to walk outside alone, for sure! Thanks Carl Sutcliffe for the info. :)

Speaking of freakish and awe inspiring.  I have referenced these shoes a few times now in blog posts and on Facebook, but I've never seen them in the wild.  Today, on a french female bodybuilder, I present to you.. Nike high heels. Vegas. Only in Vegas.

These gems haunt my nightmares.

And here they are, in the wild.

On a serious note, a friend read me a poem recently that has stuck with me through some pretty tough moments here lately.  Words mean more to me than just about anything.. they help me put concepts into reality and pen emotions down into something tangible.  I wanted to share this with you all, though you may have heard it.  I'm hoping it strikes a chord with you too.  Thanks for reading. I'll be back soon, I promise. :)

"Dare Mighty Things"

Theodore Roosevelt

In the battle of life, it is not the critic who counts; nor the one who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done better.

The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually strive to do deeds;

who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends oneself in a worthy cause;

who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he or she fails,

at least fails while daring greatly.

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.

Life in Vegas Part 2. Breakdown, Miscommunication, Grinder Gear, New Friends and More.

I keep promising prompt updates, and I keep slacking. The truth is, this whole "move cross country" thing hasn't been as easy as a blog post could possibly sum up. But I'll get to all that.  Let's start where I left off with the last post.

I'm in Vegas. Now what?

I hit the city HARD the first week.  Josh had a week to kill until he had to jet off to the Beau Rivage to deal to all you fine people down there (Who I miss oh so much..) and during that week he took it upon himself to be my personal tour guide.  I swear he knows absolutely every single route in and out of the dark alleys of Vegas. It was rather impressive.

Oh sweet Beau Rivage.. I miss you.

Every day went something like this.. Get up at 9 am. Work all day. Get off. Go out. Lose critical brain cells.  I swear I was like a co-ed in a fraternity house, but with less shirtless college aged men and more alcohol.

When you google "Frat Party" this is one of the first images that come up. It has nothing to do with anything I did, but I find it oddly fascinating. I would party with these guys.

He told me, rather ominously, driving down the strip one night.. "You see all this? Let me know when you're over it."  I asked what he meant, and he said simply that EVERYONE loves to drive on the strip.  Until they despise it, and then they want to avoid it at all cost.

I can safely say I still adore every single glittery light, and don't mind the traffic one bit.  I want to see it all, touch it all and just breathe in the hot, tourist laden, desert air.  Of course, we're only three weeks into this, so maybe it will fade. Still, I am having a love affair with Las Vegas.

Only this relationship is sometimes abusive.

It's hard to be homesick when you're in sensory overload.  With Josh here too, it was like I had a piece of home near me all the time. While he isn't FROM Tunica, he definitely represents a familiarity and stability that makes me feel secure. Something that in my mind ties Tunica, Scott, my Mom and all of this together.

It didn't hurt that just a few days in, Jeff and Nikki Griffith of Bustout Poker Apparel fame flew out for the swanky launch party of their new clothing line Grinder Gear.  They too feel like a small piece of home, at least.. poker home, and seeing them was fantastic.  They had the most amazing suite at Mandalay Bay overlooking the best view of the strip in Vegas.  We had dinner at RM Seafood in pre-party celebration.  I got to check out the graphics for the new clothing line and they are HOT.

James Farra and Josh at RM Seafood.

Bustout will still exist in it's current incarnation, but this new brand will offer a universal significance that we can all relate to.  Their party was a veritable who's who in poker with media representatives, named pros like Vanessa Rousso, Alex Outhred and of course the unforgettable Bustout Crew. Anything Jeff and Nikki are part of I have the utmost faith in to be successful.. but this branding, I can honestly say I would support even if I didn't know the genius behind the product. It's that good. I got to see them two nights, once with Josh and once with Christina.

I will continue to provide details about the launch of Grinder Gear, as they come out.  A lot of the more exciting tidbits have required me swear to secrecy.  But trust me, you'll want to get in on the action.

The whole gorgeous lot of them.. The brains and beauty behind Bustout.

Jeff and Nikki couldn't stay long, and Josh's departure was looming quickly.  So I did what any reasonable girl would do when faced with a short time line.. I didn't sleep. Hardly at all. For days. We had dinner overlooking the strip at Sugar Factory, and talked while tourist photographed monuments that are quickly becoming burned in my brain.  We saw street performers as we crossed between casinos. We played 1 am tournaments and saw sharks at Golden Nugget.  There was the tacky beauty of the $70 million canopy of Freemont Street.  A night when Christina made friends with a lesbian couple while playing $2/$4 at the Nugget, and proceeded to Karaoke live at the poker table. The bartender I vaguely remember that Josh and I befriended at Bally's, as he made us cocktails.. and a Burger King run where I was too intoxicated to actually order. I sat in what I thought was a haze at the Pai Gow table in Bally's as Frank Mayo sauntered my way, and I was overjoyed to see someone I (love dearly) and recognize in a city where EVERYONE can be swallowed up whole. Josh and I ate amazing salads at California Pizza Kitchen, late night junk food at the Orleans and walked more than 25 miles.. or so the blisters on my heels said.

The gorgeous Frank Mayo, one of my last nights in Tunica. There are worse people to run into in Vegas at 3 am.

And then it hit me, like a ton of bricks.  I can't remember what casino we were standing in, when I looked at Josh and burst into tears and said "I need to go to bed. Now."  He claims I fell asleep just minutes later, mid-conversation, in the bed across from his in whatever-hotel-we-were-in.

I know he made sure I slept uninterrupted, for a long time. In a cold, dark room, with every hint of casino shut out. Perhaps too long, as I woke up late for work.  Excellent.  We're off to a great start, new city.

Relationships.. They take work.

Josh left a day later, while I was still mostly asleep, to head off for the Deep South. I made my way to Valet to realize I had to navigate myself home.. having not driven a bit my first week here. It was time to get honest with my new paramour, Vegas, and realized.. he was kicking my ass. 

A friend from home, Mitch Harris, suggested that all I needed was a "routine".  So I took the Jack Daniels IV out of my arm and made a point to start (slowly) unloading my vehicle (it still isn't done entirely).  To SLEEP. To venture out during daylight hours for more than just work. To eat food that comes from vendors that don't accept comps. To start making friends.

Speaking of relationships and work, I realize I haven't mentioned Christina very much.  I've battled with this all night.. how I was going to blog, and how honest I was going to be. It's been a big part of my writing agenda to be brutally honest in the things I convey, with particular emphasis on failures as much as my successes.

Sometimes.. it goes both ways.

Christina Sharkady and I had an extremely close long distance relationship prior to my relocation. But face to face time, we had precious little of.  Sure we'd be in the same town at the same time rather frequently, but we hadn't spent much time outside of poker in the same room together.  I don't know what either of us expected, but I know what we got.. hasn't been without a few hitches. We have so many similarities, and so many vast differences.. and it all came together and hit us in the face once we were confronted with being friends, roommates and coworkers literally overnight.

We've had a few knock down drag out moments.  We've both had to WORK at building our relationship and remembering what drew us together to being friends. We've had our patience tested, our emotions put through the ringers, we've laughed and plotted mutual homicide simultaneously. It's been a challenge.  One that either of us would have considered walking out on a hundred times over if we weren't both so invested in this.

There were some obvious miscommunication between us both about my job working for her.  I grossly over estimated the volume of the room, and she grossly under estimated my desire to deal rather than to floor/manage/supervise. Out of respect for both of us, I won't go into a lot of details.  There will be a day when we look back at this and laugh.. I have faith. Right now, we're not there yet. It's a work in progress.  I have a new found respect for her and her life, where she's come from and where she's going. And I hope she's learned a few things about me as well.  And not just all the manners in which she'd like to strangle me.

In this case, *I* am the device.

I care about Christina.  I care about her feelings, and portraying both her and the Riviera in the most positive light possible. So for that reason, I won't go into a lot of detail about the negative but instead, will shed some light on the positive.

I love dealing. I love being in the box, putting the cards out.. meeting the guests.  I'm not great at it, yet.  I'm not awful either. At the risk of sounding egotistical, everything in life has come so easy for me in terms of learning new skills, that this has been a challenge.  Technique and mechanics take time to develop, but I'm getting there. Years of poker experience otherwise have made me better than your typical break in dealer.. but my pitch needs work. A couple more weeks of pitching cards at my cat though and I should be on par with your typical circuit dealer. If I deal to you in the coming months, be kind! <3

I'm a sucker for sparkly stars...

The Riviera doesn't get enough credit.  I'll admit, I expected more than I arrived to.  I expected a room slower than Horseshoe. I didn't expect a funeral parlor.  A lot of nights, that what we have.  Deadspread, deadspread, deadspread, break, deadspread. There is no justifiable reason for it either. The room is cozy, the people who do show up are friendly and the staff is competent. (Except for that one dealer I don't love).  Christina's floor people are some of the nicest guys I've ever met. The promotions are great, the tournaments are fun... for whatever reason though, she's literally building a room from scratch.  So here is what I need from you all.  Come visit the Riv.  Play for a few hours, check it out, and spread the word. You WILL be well taken care of.  You will enjoy yourself. I wouldn't say this if I didn't mean it.  This is quite possibly the most underrated poker room in Vegas. So it would mean a lot if you all would come see us.  Thank you to those who already have.

As things are right now, there is not enough dealing work for me at the Riv exclusively.  I have lined up a few traveling gigs.. circuit stops of one nature or another, which I will go into more detail about in future blog posts.  I'm going to travel this fall with Josh on the stops that will take both of us.  I'm terribly excited and hope to work some of these events into my Ante Up Column.

I have the pleasure of living with a few notorious poker characters.. Kevin Ferguson, Rachel Gordon and Jason "Boz" Bouslaugh.  I've met a few interesting critters since being out here.. the bizarre Christian, the knowledgeable Collins and equally talented Tom, Karsten the part-time resident from Berlin.  The Harrah's crew.. Eric, Tom and Mika. I'm making new friends and doing things I wouldn't have thought possible even three months ago.  Christina told me tonight, despite my disheveled hair and tear streaked face (stress.. it'll kill ya), that I looked fantastic.

I don't know if I believe her, but I want to.  I want to think that all of this has been helping me grow in some capacity or another. 

Vegas Jen. Doin' it up at Carnival Court.

I work tomorrow, at the Riv. Sunday night we're throwing a swanky engagement party for Kevin and Rachel.. for which I've nominated myself to prepare all the food.  There may be a mass funeral approx. 3 days later if things go awry in the kitchen. Just sayin'.

Josh comes home Tuesday, and won't be jetting off anywhere too soon again (at least without me in tow!), and I'll be genuinely happy to see him. Driving in Vegas is NOT my speciality.

I had one of those lengthy, couple hour chats with Scott today.  I miss him. If you see him, remind him of my awesomeness.  Not like he could forget, but I'd like him to have it rubbed in his face as often as possible.  Thanks. Mom has discovered text messaging, so we're finally in this century and thanks to her new iPhone, able to communicate as needed.

I do believe we're damn near caught up.  Which means, as of the next post, I can get back to bitching about poker more and my girly home-sick-ness less.  I still want your recomendations on things to go see and do in Vegas, so keep 'em coming.