Fast Cars and International Mystery

I saw pictures of a ripped up Ferrari Enzo a couple of weeks ago and was fascinated by the wreck. It is hard to believe that he walked away from the accident with basically a bloody nose. A coworker brought in a newspaper article that did a follow-up story, but I found a better recap at wreckedexotics. I cannot believe the guy had 2 Enzos and a Mercedes SLR! Check it out for a fun read.

A Day at the Georgia Aquarium

Stacie and I took a day off of work last week for our anniversary. We wanted to make it an in town event to save money. Our original plan was to go rollerblading in Piedmont Park in the morning, have lunch downtown and then go over to Sweetwater State Park and canoe during the afternoon. The weather didn't look promising so we decided to do an indoor activity. 5 minutes later, ha ha, she suggested going to the Georgia Aquarium. I was suprised because she said she was done with aquariums. We have been to quite a few, in fact we went to one on the morning of our wedding and she didn't think there would really be anything new to see. I have been dying to go since it opened because it is a) the largest aquarium in the world b) in our backyard and c) they've got freakin' whale sharks!

We started off the morning relaxing and actually worked in one errand before lunch at La Fonda. Lunch was awesome! I forgot how much I loved this place. I used to go more when I lived closer to it in my younger party days. After lunch we drove downtown to the aquarium. We had a 30 minute wait to get in and when we did, it was packed. It was an impressive display. As expected, my favorites were the Ocean Voyager and Cold Water Quest. I would have enjoyed it more if I didn't feel quite as rushed due to the crowd. The Ocean Voyager display had things that I had never seen and would probably never see in my life. I have seen stingrays before, but to be in an acrylic tunnel below them as dozens fly over in formation was really cool. The whale sharks were just absolutely enormous. After the crowds have died down by next year maybe I'll try it again. If you're ever in town, it is definitely worth visiting.

My First Mookie

I did the Mookie for the first time last night. It is pretty much the same fun crowd as WWDN on Tuesdays. I decided to rotate between tight and maniac.

The first example of maniac was raising Xanthius all-in on the turn when I had nothing but the hammer. He had me dominated except the river gave the board 4 clubs. Guess who had the 5th and guess who didn't? That gave me a quick rise in the standings and I did a few steals when I had the opportunity. It was hard to steal with smokkee on my left and ArtofSuckout on my right. I tried another steal with the hammer and FatBaldGuy reraised pretty big so I had to let it go. Then he showed the hammer, LOL.

The only time I had Aces was UTG and I raised but got nothing but the blinds. Maybe that is a good place for a small raise or limp and then reraise if someone raises later? Later, I got to see the flop for free from the BB. I held 6,2o and the flop came out 2,2,7 with 2 of the same suit. I bet out and got called. By the turn (same suit) I was all-in and was called by someone that had already made his flush. My luck held when the river throws out another 7 giving me the full house over his flush. That was riduculous on my part. I wasn't paying attention and didn't see the fruckin' frush.

I finally went out when I tried a steal UTG with A,Jo and Mellissa (Kuulei) raised. I re-raised all-in and she called with her pocket tens. I never improved and went home in 22nd. I probably should have just called her raise and then bet big with the flop. I don't know if that would have helped but I could have folded to a reraise at that point. This is why I am still learning. Until then, everyone can enjoy my chips.

100 Things about Brian

I enjoyed reading Kat's lists so I'm doing my own.

100 Things about Brian:

1. I am a Libra.
2. I don't like condiments.
3. I own a motorcycle.
4. I have been riding for over 15 years.
5. I am on my first and only marriage.
6. We were married in California.
7. I am a college graduate.
8. I have done acrobatic flying.
9. I have logged 20 hours at the controls of single engine aircraft.
10. I lost my virginity in the back of a Monte Carlo.
11. It was the night I graduated from high school.
12. I have 1 sibling, a younger brother.
13. I have never done drugs.
14. The first thing I would buy if I won the lottery - a joint.
15. I have a DUI.
16. It is the only thing on my driving record for the past 18 years.
17. I gave my date my ATM card to bail me out, but forgot to give her the PIN.
18. I am over 6ft tall.
19. I love to play poker. Duh.
20. I won the second online MTT I ever entered. I beat out 124 other people during a WWDN.
21. I have won 2 WWDN tourneys and placed 2nd in another since January, 31st.
22. I came in 2nd in a winner take all ($1400) 100 man bar tourney last year. That sucked!
23. I am not really a good player, but it is hard to find someone that is luckier.
24. I have a dog.
25. I have no children.
26. My friends are the most important part of my life.
27. My wife is my best friend.
28. I like to travel.
29. I have lived in TX, AL, GA, SC, NC, FL, KY, IL, IN, OH, KS. All by the time I was 23.
30. My father was military, but I never lived overseas.
31. I have been to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Jamaica
32. The first vehicle I bought was a Kawasaki LTD 440 while in college.
33. The first car I bought was an Acura Integra. It was white with 5sp, sunroof, and a wing. I loved it. I still miss it.
34. Our house overlooks downtown Atlanta.
35. I had spinal meningitis as a child.
36. I have never broken a bone.
37. I have had stitches 3 times.
38. My first cavity came after I was 30.
39. The night I met my wife, I did not have braces.
40. On our first date, two weeks later, I did.
41. I used to be able to run a 6 minute mile.
42. I know way too much entertainment trivia.
43. I love reading other peoples’ blogs. I started with Wil Wheaton’s old site.
44. I do not like big government or handouts.
45. I am a very generous person. Let me choose how to help, not the MAN.
46. I am addicted to TIVO.
47. I now have HD.
48. I have 3 dual tuner DirecTV TIVOs and only 2 TVs.
49. This is harder than I expected.
50. I can spell BOOBLESS on a calculator.
51. I do not own an Apple brand MP3 player.
52. I currently drive a small truck.
53. I am buying a new car in August.
54. My favorite drink is Cherry Coke.
55. My favorite dessert is chocolate.
56. My favorite beer is Murphy’s Irish Stout.
57. My favorite liquor is tequila.
58. I love science fiction.
59. I rarely read books, I would rather watch movies.
60. I absolutely hate pickles.
61. I flirted with a customer that turned out to be Curley’s (Harlem Globetrotter) daughter. He was very nice about it.
62. I can recite 72 digits of pi.
63. I sometimes exaggerate.
64. I wear jeans to work everyday.
65. I have only paid more than $3 a gallon for gas 3 times in my life.
66. I could watch funny videos until my eyes bleed.
67. I smoked an excellent Cuban cigar on my 21st birthday. Thanks Ted.
68. I have rented a Harley and driven it around Vegas.
69. I have tried wakeboarding.
70. I was never able to get up. Close, but need more practice.
71. I have bungee jumped.
72. I managed a 24x7 crew for 5 years.
73. I don’t miss being a manager.
74. I work in my yard more than most of my neighbors.
75. I’m in the homestretch now.
76. I enjoy watching the Braves play baseball.
77. I love technology and gadgets.
78. I don’t necessarily care how things work, I like what they can do.
79. I have no problem standing up for myself and telling others to jump in a lake.
80. I try to stand up for others.
81. I need to be more patient.
82. I need to be more compassionate at times.
83. I hope to reach 100 posts / 1year on my blog.
84. I am generally tidy but keep a messy desk. This drives Stacie crazy.
85. I am more than averagely endowed.
86. Did I mention I sometimes exaggerate?
87. I have easily thrown up 200 times from drinking.
88. I went to prom without a date, but rode with a couple.
89. I had a good time with the dates of others.
90. I have experienced an earthquake.
91. I love inverted roller coasters.
92. I have never seen Grease, and never will.
93. I take really long showers.
94. I do not drink coffee.
95. I lived by myself my senior year in high school.
96. I had a 4.0 that year.
97. I once got a 0.0 for 16 hours one quarter in college.
98. I don’t know much about this broggin’ stuff.
99. I really enjoyed making this list.
100. I look forward to reading yours.

More Funny Things My Coworker Says

Since she is good for these very often, I have added these to the running list of funny things one of my coworker says.

"When the wife is happy, the husband gets it easier." She meant "has it easier."

"If the shoe fits, wear it....If it doesn't apply, you don't have to try it on."

"I had to get my lawnmower U-hauled." Instead of overhauled.

While we were looking at a proposed lunch schedule with initials during specific times, she asked "Who is S.P.?" These are her initals! Those of us that were still in the room could only stand there in silence until she figured it out on her own. Needless to say she turned quite red.

This is why we love her so much. Keep 'em coming.

Oh, I'd say it was only 89 degrees

Not much happening lately. Stacie and I have started on some more yard projects. Of course, it had to be the hottest day of the year, but we already had our supplies and were ready to do the work. We did work Saturday evening and then started again Sunday morning. We had to knock off around 1 so we wouldn't over do it on a bright sunny day. Other than cutting grass, I am trying to space out the projects and take advantage of any cool dry days. With enough planning and fair weather, I am going to restain the deck within the next month.

Last Tuesday our first hummingbird of the season arrived and a second one showed up yesterday. They seemed to have come early this year, but we have had warm weather for quite a while.

We got in a small ride to visit a bike shop that our coworkers owns. Her husband and his buddy created a store / repair shop that mainly caters to Harleys and other chrome laden rides. Not much for a BMW rider like myself. I wanted to buy Stacie a riding jacket, but they were a little more leather oriented than we were looking for. We were there mainly to show our support and get in about a 40 mile roundtrip ride after dropping off the car for service.

On the poker front, I have really been stinking up the joint. I have gone out early in the last 5 blogger events. At least last night Waffles got to spank me with 9,2o after limping on his BB. Flop came 9,2,x with another 9 on the river. Oh well, almost $1K was raised during the charity tournament. I have only made money in one SNG out of the last 10. It was a first place so my losses were countered a little bit. I am at the point where I need to play less, learn/read/observe more and then see if I can bring my game up to a level where I stop my poor showings. I think even if I were to stop playing online, I would continue to read the poker blogs I subscribe through bloglines. I really respect and enjoy Waffles, Wes, and everybody else on my links. My god man, after reading Wes's last post I am amazed at his talent and gives me some hope that if I work on my education I could do better. I won't be playing WWDN Tuesday night because we have dinner plans with a group of neighbors. I was really wanting to play this week because I am a huge fan of the namesake, Change100. Hers is my favorite read based on entertainment value and poker content. If you haven't checked it out, start at the beginning and work your way forward. I could see how she could easily have a 30 minute show / sitcom about a poker playing, pot smokin', Hollywood producer modeled after her and her writings.

Now I know why I like PokerStars

After not seeing any decent hands at Hollywood Poker, I decided to go back and try some SNGs at Stars. It just seems like good hands come up more often. I waited patiently and when I got top trips on the flop I bet heavily into it. My opponent went all-in and I called. This is by no means a crack on my opponent, I think he made the right call on the flop. This is just to show for fun.



This knocked me down to nothing. I sat out 2 rounds and then got Ks10s and called the BB. The flop comes Ah, Qs, Js. I wanted to get a little cash so I checked the flop as did my opponent. I didn't want to monkey around too much so I went all-in when a rag showed on the turn. He called and the river was 9s. I quickly said "Shit" when he turned over AsXs for his nut flush until the dealer reports that I won with a straight flush. Oops, so much for paying attention. I didn't feel too bad, I don't think that qualifies as a suckout if I was never behind. Since I haven't downloaded the screenhunter program yet I couldn't save the hand because I already had Paint up for the quads beating my full house.

After missing capturing that hand, I did a quick save so I could do future screen shots. I was down to short stack again and I was able to check 8,4 offsuit in the big blind. Then it turned into a nice BB special. I felt if the short stack (me) did any bet on this flop, he would fold so I decided to gamble on him not catching a hand and checked. He check and then the 4th lovely 8 showed on the turn.



Luckily, my weakness ploy worked because I checked again and he bet me all-in. That put me back in the running but my luck didn't hold and I went out not long after that.

I haven't played as many games online total as some bloggers play daily, but the frequency I see really big hands on PokerStars is amazing. In about 20 total games that I have ever played on Stars, I have had quad Aces twice and a straight flush. On Hollywood Poker, I can't even seem to get a pair let alone anything to string together. I'm not trying to bring up any conspiracies, I'm just sayin'.................

I Like Animals More Than I Like Some People

I love animals. I love Dundee like she's my child. Some people can relate to that. Some can't. To each his own. But I'm an animal lover. I always have been. I cried for hours once when I was 11 and witnessed someone shooting a rabid squirrel in my back yard. I understood that the squirrel was rabid and was not a good thing to have around, but it didn't have to DIE. My heart feels for animals. I've cried through just about every animal movie that has been made, from Benji to Homeward Bound to Two Brothers to March of the Penguins. So, given this tender hearted nature I have toward animals, I HATE hearing stories of animal cruelty. If I hear the beginning of one on the news, I change the channel. I just can't stand hearing it, and I certainly don't want to see it. But then there are people who feel the need to tell me about it, even after I've said, "I don't want to hear it." They continue to talk about it. Really, I don't want to hear it. It makes me sick to my stomach, it pisses me off, and I want to cry. So don't tell me! Some things I would rather not know.

Given the choice to be around some people I know or a pack of dogs, I choose the dogs. Don't get me wrong, I'm a very social person, and I love spending time with the people I like, but there are some people I'd just rather not be around. I could give the reasons why being around animals is better than being around some people, but I won't go into that. I'll just list a few of my favorite "things I've learned from my dog:" When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. And finally, when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Smiley

Stacie and I watched a 13 Conversations About 1 Thing last weekend. We both enjoyed it and I really admired a character named "Smiley." He always had something good to say and could end every conversation smiling. Nothing could get this guy down and his dispostion had a positive impact on others around him. Not everyone could appreciate "Smiley" and this was best displayed by his boss, Gene. Gene had alot of shit going wrong in his life but could never seem to be happy about anything. Stacie and I decided it was time to become more like "Smiley" and avoid ending up like Gene.

I really enjoy my life and all of the blessings I have received. I have a nice home, the best wife, a loving, intelligent dog, a 40 hr/week job, a fun motorcycle, and money in the bank. With all of this, I bitch too often when things aren't going my way or I see people doing things that I think are stupid. I would be a much happier person if people just did things my way, LOL. I realize this is not going to happen, and thankfully so, because sometimes I am wrong. The way I handle challenges and dumbasses will help me get over things quicker or maybe even resolve the issue at hand.

I have made it a goal of mine to become more like "Smiley" and less like Gene, but I haven't even been able to go 24 hours without someone / something putting me on tilt. I am beginning to think this is impossible. Stacie does a better job with it, but she still has her struggles, especially with someone who is pure evil at times. I would have bitch slapped this person a long time ago, but Stacie is a better person than I am. I definately need to relax more, but that doesn't mean I won't stop someone from taking advantage of me. I consider myself to be a very generous person, but I have no patience for liars and schemers. If you treat me right, I will do everything possible to help you out when needed. I am fortunate to have friends that do the same for me and that is the thought I will end this entry with today. See, I am smiling already.