Poker tips for future Reno-goers:
* You'll find a preponderance of "2/4" games -- they are basically the same as slot machines. It might be "hold'em", but get serious.
* The morning tournaments at the casinos aren't serious either.
* When you are "the cooler", just stand up and cut your losses -- no matter how tempting it is that this is the only city anyone's ever seen "one-deck" blackjack.
* More later...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Destination: RNO
A little taste of the flavor of where I'll be...
Incidentally, should be the funniest movie since Borat - no question.
Incidentally, should be the funniest movie since Borat - no question.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Journalism rule: do not make yourself part of the story
ESPN Sportscenter feature #1 today: the fact that the production crew lost track of who was winning the 1979 Daytona 500 on the final lap.
ESPN Sportscenter most cited fact of broadcast: Southern Illinois vs. Butler was first ever Bracketbuster game between two ranked teams. 'Bracketbuster' is an arbitrary term coined by ESPN themselves.
Keep it up, dickheads.
ESPN Sportscenter most cited fact of broadcast: Southern Illinois vs. Butler was first ever Bracketbuster game between two ranked teams. 'Bracketbuster' is an arbitrary term coined by ESPN themselves.
Keep it up, dickheads.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
College Baseball 2007
Reprinted from Collegebaseballinsider.com.
Feb. 15
Up All Night
By Ritch Price
Kansas Head Coach
Editor's Note: Kansas and South Dakota State faced bad weather in Lawrence, Kan., over the weekend. Cancel the series? Not a chance. The Jayhawks and Jackrabbits rented out the Metrodome and played through the night - rather morning - on Saturday and Sunday to get the games in. CBI asked KU coach Ritch Price to share some thoughts...
Our starting pitcher, Andy Marks, may have made the greatest 4:30 a.m. start in the history of college baseball. He held South Dakota State to just one run on four hits... he was absolutely special...
rest of the story.
What an awesome story to kick off this year's college baseball season.
For those of you who aren't familiar with college baseball, I'm sorry. You're missing out on baseball's secret little pearl. At the major college level (Division I), there are about 260+ teams battling for 64 NCAA tournament spots, which are then divided into 16 regionals, which are then paired down to a "Sweet 16" if you will, who then battle to play in the greatest event in amateur athletics, the College World Series.
A little background on the sport:
There are some low-quality Division I programs that are seriously short on talent. They are like the 16-seeds in the NCAA tournament for basketball - often times playing at a lower class than their counterparts, even though technically they are still classified as "Division I". However, for the remaining 150 or so schools (all of the BCS conference schools, with additions of Big West, MVC, Big South, Southland, WCC, to some extent the Mountain West, and some indys) the level of play is around the "High Class A" level - teams are well coached, fundamental, and play hard-nosed team-oriented baseball. Raw talent level is sometimes slightly below an average minor league team, but you won't see a minor league team come close to a good Div. I college team when it comes to team-baseball, competitive nature, and spirit. Good Div. I college teams will ususally produce 1-3 major leaguers before they are said and done, which is about on par with a Class "A" affiliate. In a four-year span at a good college program, I've had the honor of playing with 19 professional baseball players and probably 4 who will end up having major league careers.
The funny thing about college baseball is the vast disparity in its popularity according to geography. At SEC, ACC, Big South, Big West, and some Southland Con. schools, baseball is often times viewed as the biggest sport behind football and basketball, and at many of these schools, ahead of basketball. In the north, schools in the Big Ten, MAC, A-10, Big East and others often times struggle to even gain major notoriety from their own universities, let alone make much revenue/attendance wise. Where the disparity between the two regions arises, interestingly enough, has little or nothing to do with the quality of play or talent level, but instead the time of the year that the sport is on the calendar.
A large chasm between the way southern schools are treated and the way northern schools are treated has developed ever since the sport became much more regimented in the late 70s - early 80s. When "regional" tournament bids no longer held any geographical connection, southern schools began to earn more and more bids to the NCAA tournament based on better winning percentages. These percentages are directly tied to the ability to play much more home games than a northern school can play, and also the fact that a southern school can start it's season whenever it wants to after Jan. 1st. A northern school must travel in order to play at any time before mid-March because of weather.
This has lead to two distinct injustices: One, southern schools are allowed to inflate winning percentages by playing more home games, and then in turn playing each other later in the season (often 'conference season' games), which is a good way to inflate their "strength of schedule" and have a disproportionally strong impact on the "objective" statistical measurement of the quality of an NCAA team, its Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). This index is used to justify the selection of NCAA baseball tournament teams, and often times seen on ESPN when they are showing a "resume" for an NCAA basketball team. (basketball has a similar RPI index, except in basketball it is much much harder to say that the number is skewed). The second injustice, which has perplexed many for a while, is that NCAA baseball is the only NCAA sport without a uniform starting date. This is equivalent to MLB teams just starting their seasons whenever they want. With a clear competitive advantage to be had by starting earlier, southern teams often take advantage of playing northern teams that are not only on the road, but usually playing for the first time outdoors all year.
Thus, records of good southern baseball teams often turn out to be 40-16, 35-21, etc.
The records of good northern baseball teams often end up being 34-22, 29-27..etc.
Then, for decades, selections for the NCAA tournament have included one representative from each conference, and 30+ "at large" bids that are awarded based upon record, conference record, and RPI-type statistics. With 2 of those 3 factors being clearly skewed in favor of southern schools, they have dominated the college baseball landscape for some time now.
Landing strong recruiting classes.
Getting undeserved NCAA bids.
In general, making northern schools hate them.
The time of change has begun, however. One of the two injustices, the non-uniform start date, has been altered and will take effect next season. Everyone has to start on March 1. Oregon St. (in the northern part of the country) is the defending national champion. Norte Dame, Ohio St., Michigan, and St. John's have began to establish themselves as NCAA tournament regulars, whether or not they win their conference.
But, in the end, the northern schools still hate the south. The southern schools don't like having their empire being taken apart slowly. There are 56 regular season games, 32 conference tournament titles, 16 regional titles, 8 College World Series spots, and one national champion. In baseball terms, its a drag race with some civil-war type hostility brought into it. NOT TO MENTION the various rivalries and amazing major-league lineages that so many of the schools bring to the table.
Oh, and did I mention there are still metal bats (although SERIOUSLY toned down from what they used to be - think restrictor-plate racing in NASCAR times 5)?
It's too bad college baseball isn't more popular - it's alot cooler than arena league football that's for sure. Maybe we can convince the NHL to go on another strike? One or two more years of major TV coverage of this sport, and there will be more to it than the college world series in the eyes of many. Heck, one day there might even be a video game (-;.
Feb. 15
Up All Night
By Ritch Price
Kansas Head Coach
Editor's Note: Kansas and South Dakota State faced bad weather in Lawrence, Kan., over the weekend. Cancel the series? Not a chance. The Jayhawks and Jackrabbits rented out the Metrodome and played through the night - rather morning - on Saturday and Sunday to get the games in. CBI asked KU coach Ritch Price to share some thoughts...
Our starting pitcher, Andy Marks, may have made the greatest 4:30 a.m. start in the history of college baseball. He held South Dakota State to just one run on four hits... he was absolutely special...
rest of the story.
What an awesome story to kick off this year's college baseball season.
For those of you who aren't familiar with college baseball, I'm sorry. You're missing out on baseball's secret little pearl. At the major college level (Division I), there are about 260+ teams battling for 64 NCAA tournament spots, which are then divided into 16 regionals, which are then paired down to a "Sweet 16" if you will, who then battle to play in the greatest event in amateur athletics, the College World Series.
A little background on the sport:
There are some low-quality Division I programs that are seriously short on talent. They are like the 16-seeds in the NCAA tournament for basketball - often times playing at a lower class than their counterparts, even though technically they are still classified as "Division I". However, for the remaining 150 or so schools (all of the BCS conference schools, with additions of Big West, MVC, Big South, Southland, WCC, to some extent the Mountain West, and some indys) the level of play is around the "High Class A" level - teams are well coached, fundamental, and play hard-nosed team-oriented baseball. Raw talent level is sometimes slightly below an average minor league team, but you won't see a minor league team come close to a good Div. I college team when it comes to team-baseball, competitive nature, and spirit. Good Div. I college teams will ususally produce 1-3 major leaguers before they are said and done, which is about on par with a Class "A" affiliate. In a four-year span at a good college program, I've had the honor of playing with 19 professional baseball players and probably 4 who will end up having major league careers.
The funny thing about college baseball is the vast disparity in its popularity according to geography. At SEC, ACC, Big South, Big West, and some Southland Con. schools, baseball is often times viewed as the biggest sport behind football and basketball, and at many of these schools, ahead of basketball. In the north, schools in the Big Ten, MAC, A-10, Big East and others often times struggle to even gain major notoriety from their own universities, let alone make much revenue/attendance wise. Where the disparity between the two regions arises, interestingly enough, has little or nothing to do with the quality of play or talent level, but instead the time of the year that the sport is on the calendar.
A large chasm between the way southern schools are treated and the way northern schools are treated has developed ever since the sport became much more regimented in the late 70s - early 80s. When "regional" tournament bids no longer held any geographical connection, southern schools began to earn more and more bids to the NCAA tournament based on better winning percentages. These percentages are directly tied to the ability to play much more home games than a northern school can play, and also the fact that a southern school can start it's season whenever it wants to after Jan. 1st. A northern school must travel in order to play at any time before mid-March because of weather.
This has lead to two distinct injustices: One, southern schools are allowed to inflate winning percentages by playing more home games, and then in turn playing each other later in the season (often 'conference season' games), which is a good way to inflate their "strength of schedule" and have a disproportionally strong impact on the "objective" statistical measurement of the quality of an NCAA team, its Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). This index is used to justify the selection of NCAA baseball tournament teams, and often times seen on ESPN when they are showing a "resume" for an NCAA basketball team. (basketball has a similar RPI index, except in basketball it is much much harder to say that the number is skewed). The second injustice, which has perplexed many for a while, is that NCAA baseball is the only NCAA sport without a uniform starting date. This is equivalent to MLB teams just starting their seasons whenever they want. With a clear competitive advantage to be had by starting earlier, southern teams often take advantage of playing northern teams that are not only on the road, but usually playing for the first time outdoors all year.
Thus, records of good southern baseball teams often turn out to be 40-16, 35-21, etc.
The records of good northern baseball teams often end up being 34-22, 29-27..etc.
Then, for decades, selections for the NCAA tournament have included one representative from each conference, and 30+ "at large" bids that are awarded based upon record, conference record, and RPI-type statistics. With 2 of those 3 factors being clearly skewed in favor of southern schools, they have dominated the college baseball landscape for some time now.
Landing strong recruiting classes.
Getting undeserved NCAA bids.
In general, making northern schools hate them.
The time of change has begun, however. One of the two injustices, the non-uniform start date, has been altered and will take effect next season. Everyone has to start on March 1. Oregon St. (in the northern part of the country) is the defending national champion. Norte Dame, Ohio St., Michigan, and St. John's have began to establish themselves as NCAA tournament regulars, whether or not they win their conference.
But, in the end, the northern schools still hate the south. The southern schools don't like having their empire being taken apart slowly. There are 56 regular season games, 32 conference tournament titles, 16 regional titles, 8 College World Series spots, and one national champion. In baseball terms, its a drag race with some civil-war type hostility brought into it. NOT TO MENTION the various rivalries and amazing major-league lineages that so many of the schools bring to the table.
Oh, and did I mention there are still metal bats (although SERIOUSLY toned down from what they used to be - think restrictor-plate racing in NASCAR times 5)?
It's too bad college baseball isn't more popular - it's alot cooler than arena league football that's for sure. Maybe we can convince the NHL to go on another strike? One or two more years of major TV coverage of this sport, and there will be more to it than the college world series in the eyes of many. Heck, one day there might even be a video game (-;.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
blinktwice4y, MIDI, and the Internet
So you'll need to read the whole story for you to participate.
An average dude who likes to check out new music on the Internet is using a day off to surf around YouTube. While trying to find a piano tutorial for Ben Folds' songs, he stumbles upon a great cover of...
The Luckiest.
Impressed by the cover so much, he gets totally distracted from finding tutorials. He clicks on the user's name in the corner of the screen to find out more about him.
He finds another great cover...
Everlong
And unlike "The Luckiest", everyone who reads this page has probably heard Everlong. Just about everyone that clicked on the video probably thought the guy was awesome now, too.
Back to the story, the guy then does some research and finds all of the stuff out he can on the musician, and that's when we really get to meet "blinktwice4y".
blinktwice4y isn't just talented - he's also aspiring.
Many of the videos posted on his page aren't covers. They are original work. So the guy clicks on one of the songs to check it out, and finds..
Sentimental
At this point, the random dude thinks this guy is no joke. In fact, the random dude is not the only one who thinks so. Far from it.
Enter Dwight Mallory.
Otherwise known as "dustypuppy" on YouTube, Dwight is a musician, piano expert and technician. He's also good with production and technology, and he decides to take Sentimental and give it a band to play with...
Sentimental with backup..
And there you have it, the random dude is sold. Not just on blinktwice4y, but also on the amazingness of the Internet. The dude then decides to post a video on the internet of the music, because he likes to share. However, he can't decide which one to pick.
So he puts them up in order, and he hopes that people listen to them in order. And then he hopes that people like it, and pass it along to their friends to listen. He also wants people to check out the direct link to the artist's page, and he hopes people can keep the word going and going.
And maybe someone else will come along and rip the YouTube video onto an mp3. And maybe it will surface on myspace or limewire. And maybe then people start googling the song, or the artist, or Dwight, or whatever. Or maybe someone will pass this link along to someone else, and then onto someone else, and then onto someone who works for a label. And that person's boss eventually sees it.
And then a star is born.
And then blinktwice4y will be rich.
And everyone here can say they saw him 'way back when'.
I think this guy has a future, no?
Check it out.
Pass it on.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=blinktwice4y
Sentimental
rest your head a little while
and I will try to explain of love
and all of that
see we were young and cavalier
and we have scars and tears to smile at now
we both knew what had to be done
but it turns out I'm not that brave or strong
so you had to be the one
because you had courage all along
we were lost and never found
you were hurt and i was proud
i was never there for you
and we forgot the things we knew
sentimental though it seems
you were mine love
though I tell you I'm alright
I lie love
sweetheart this is killing me
is it killing you?
but I know that things will work out fine
so I show my teeth when I laugh out loud
and pretend that wounds will heal in time
chorus bridge chorus chorus
the end
An average dude who likes to check out new music on the Internet is using a day off to surf around YouTube. While trying to find a piano tutorial for Ben Folds' songs, he stumbles upon a great cover of...
The Luckiest.
Impressed by the cover so much, he gets totally distracted from finding tutorials. He clicks on the user's name in the corner of the screen to find out more about him.
He finds another great cover...
Everlong
And unlike "The Luckiest", everyone who reads this page has probably heard Everlong. Just about everyone that clicked on the video probably thought the guy was awesome now, too.
Back to the story, the guy then does some research and finds all of the stuff out he can on the musician, and that's when we really get to meet "blinktwice4y".
blinktwice4y isn't just talented - he's also aspiring.
Many of the videos posted on his page aren't covers. They are original work. So the guy clicks on one of the songs to check it out, and finds..
Sentimental
At this point, the random dude thinks this guy is no joke. In fact, the random dude is not the only one who thinks so. Far from it.
Enter Dwight Mallory.
Otherwise known as "dustypuppy" on YouTube, Dwight is a musician, piano expert and technician. He's also good with production and technology, and he decides to take Sentimental and give it a band to play with...
Sentimental with backup..
And there you have it, the random dude is sold. Not just on blinktwice4y, but also on the amazingness of the Internet. The dude then decides to post a video on the internet of the music, because he likes to share. However, he can't decide which one to pick.
So he puts them up in order, and he hopes that people listen to them in order. And then he hopes that people like it, and pass it along to their friends to listen. He also wants people to check out the direct link to the artist's page, and he hopes people can keep the word going and going.
And maybe someone else will come along and rip the YouTube video onto an mp3. And maybe it will surface on myspace or limewire. And maybe then people start googling the song, or the artist, or Dwight, or whatever. Or maybe someone will pass this link along to someone else, and then onto someone else, and then onto someone who works for a label. And that person's boss eventually sees it.
And then a star is born.
And then blinktwice4y will be rich.
And everyone here can say they saw him 'way back when'.
I think this guy has a future, no?
Check it out.
Pass it on.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=blinktwice4y
Sentimental
rest your head a little while
and I will try to explain of love
and all of that
see we were young and cavalier
and we have scars and tears to smile at now
we both knew what had to be done
but it turns out I'm not that brave or strong
so you had to be the one
because you had courage all along
we were lost and never found
you were hurt and i was proud
i was never there for you
and we forgot the things we knew
sentimental though it seems
you were mine love
though I tell you I'm alright
I lie love
sweetheart this is killing me
is it killing you?
but I know that things will work out fine
so I show my teeth when I laugh out loud
and pretend that wounds will heal in time
chorus bridge chorus chorus
the end
Monday, February 12, 2007
While I am on the subject...
I would say that there's nothing more nauseating than hearing some dumb douchebag oggle and gush about a hot chick on TV(except, of course, hearing a woman go on and on about Matthew McConaughey). For me, I do not see the difference between noticing an attractive woman on TV and noticing one in person. Both of which happen all of the time, but overall unless you have some action planned, I don't see the point of bringing it up repeatedly.
That being said, I must now totally defeat my own opinion.
Ladies and gentlemen, the two celebrity women that cannot be on TV enough:
Jill, the Mercury Milan Girl
and Elliott from Scrubs
That being said, I must now totally defeat my own opinion.
Ladies and gentlemen, the two celebrity women that cannot be on TV enough:
Jill, the Mercury Milan Girl
and Elliott from Scrubs
I will pay you to agree with me
AEI Will Pay Scientists to Dispute Global Warming
I just want to say that the more I dive into this internet thing - the cooler it becomes.
Comments?
PS - Check out the correspondent who has filed this report. As us thugs like to say, she is a "dime". WOW.
I just want to say that the more I dive into this internet thing - the cooler it becomes.
Comments?
PS - Check out the correspondent who has filed this report. As us thugs like to say, she is a "dime". WOW.
A stick save, and a beauty
The NHL All-Star Game.
Please click on the above for exclusive video of the NHL all-star game. Honestly, its pretty can't miss stuff and you can't find this on Youtube. Great work Guerreso, or should I call you "angry T"...
Please click on the above for exclusive video of the NHL all-star game. Honestly, its pretty can't miss stuff and you can't find this on Youtube. Great work Guerreso, or should I call you "angry T"...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Tips from the pros
I can't quite figure out how this video hasn't gotten more circulation.
This is just an amazingly insightful guide to playing poker, and I wanted to share with you.
Enjoy.
This is just an amazingly insightful guide to playing poker, and I wanted to share with you.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Insight into today - "Signing Day", "XML", and "Iraq"
Most of the time its a better idea to check out stuff you can learn about/argue about/ponder about from other people than from me. Today is a great example.
Some good places to check out...
Absolute must watch on technology and information – How our lives are changing
A brief insight into the world of college athletics and recruiting. Must read. Not gospel, and not the whole story….
Recruiting is a sick business
Best Critique of Comedy Movies – degenerates as the article realizes its more of a history lesson on the evolution of comedies than actually saying something meaningful about them
Emotion Porn
Political article on Iraq intelligence, etc. Marginally important read. Not terribly great but good link to check out to see a gateway into political intelligence sources online and also a vast array of political opinion pieces.
Rawstory.com
Some good places to check out...
Absolute must watch on technology and information – How our lives are changing
A brief insight into the world of college athletics and recruiting. Must read. Not gospel, and not the whole story….
Recruiting is a sick business
Best Critique of Comedy Movies – degenerates as the article realizes its more of a history lesson on the evolution of comedies than actually saying something meaningful about them
Emotion Porn
Political article on Iraq intelligence, etc. Marginally important read. Not terribly great but good link to check out to see a gateway into political intelligence sources online and also a vast array of political opinion pieces.
Rawstory.com
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Smokin' Aces, Sun Valley Martinis, and Sushi Buffets: a trip to the biggest little city in the world.
It's almost that time of year for my annual trip to Reno, NV.
Before you out and out just ask "why?", know these important facts:
1. I won't get a chance to ski at Lake Tahoe.
2. I won't get a chance to hang with any friend(s) who even enjoy spending time outdoors.
3. There's a chance everything I own will smell like cigarettes + wet dog.
4. I'm gauranteed at least an 8 hour flight layover there and back.
Now we have that established, why in the world would I make such a trip?
***
The best way to describe the city of Reno, Nevada is to offer up a compare/contrast example. Everyone has probably heard about the Drive-Thru Wedding Chapels in Las Vegas, right? Some are "drive-thru", some are walk-in, all of them are used for haphazard legal unions that join two overserved individuals as one -- at least for the night. These are often times the oases that scared, excited young couples who run from home use to celebrate matrimony away from disapproving loved ones...etc.
Well, in Reno, they have these very same chapels. However, in the three days on earth that I have spent in that city, I never saw a couple stumble out of there giggling or laughing. I never saw two wild-eyed, lust-filled teens scamper in.
No. I saw groomsen. Bridesmaids. Half-dress/half-jean combos, cowboy hats with tuxedo pants and t-shirts with buttons. I saw best men and maids of honor. I saw family pictures and wedding vails galore.
You see, the walk-in chapels aren't used for that many exceedingly bad decisions made in haste.
They are home to exceedingly bad decisions made in earnest.
This fact is by far the best way I can characterize the city.
If that description doesn't sell you on why I can't wait to get back, than maybe knowing my extensive poker plans there will be enough.
I am set up to play in a nice home "bar" game the day I land in this paradise city. It is quite different in Nevada than it is back here in Chicago, as you can imagine. The bars out there are allowed to host their own poker tournaments without having to worry about anything. From what I hear it is a nice, low-limit game that is sure to lead to lots of laughs, smoke-filled eyes, and more than two or three stories to tell in the morning -- and that's if I don't happen to be lucky enough to win.
This will be immediately followed up by three days of touring the card-rooms of Reno -- something I haven't had the privilege of doing up until this point. If it is anything like the rest of the city, I am sure it is bound to be a little bleary-eyed, confused, and lookin' for a good ole time.
Still not convinced it would be a good trip? Well, then let me tell you about the real gems of Reno - the dive bars.
We've all been to dive bars. I would say they have an appeal to most anyone who enjoys a good time relaxing and hanging out, right? The dingy appearance, the cheap food, the regulars and the characters -- who doesn't love them?
I hate to say it - but until I went to Reno, I never truly understood the meaning of "dive bar". You see, what I was familiar with, what you remember, what the world pictures when it thinks of a dive bar has nothing on one in Reno.
First of all, they are on every corner in Reno. They are between every corner in Reno. They are under every burning lightbulb in the town. They are everywhere. They really don't have names. They are signified by an open door. You can smell them coming.
Carding? Please, no one inside one of these places even knows what a Nevada license looks like, much less all of the other states that someone who works 10 minutes in the bar industry would see in the state of Nevada.
The bar stools? Resplendid creations complete with broken legs, torn padding, and video poker for every station.
The bartenders? Typically people who couldn't balance a cash register if they tried, make up the drinks as they go along, and don't know a shot glass from a glass pitcher.
The entertainment? Pool tables, darts, etc. All of which are used as props. Props? Well, you see, you never really get to use the equipment -- its more to aid and abet the current bar fight or wild-eyed ballyhoo that is going on at the time. My two memories of a Reno pool table were 1. playing 9-ball on it for 15 minutes, and 2. watching 6 Australian soccer hooligans scream, dance, hug and glom while standing atop it until one of them wasn't wearing pants and two of them were making out with a giddy 65 year-old bachelorette in the corner. Put that on the tourist brochure.
Wait, did I mention most of the customers come in through the back door?
Wait, did I mention that these bars are open 24 hours?
Wait, did I mention that day and night blend together in these places worse than in Alaska?
I didn't think so.
Wait, did I mention half the town is "tweaking"?
IS THAT NOT ENOUGH? Well then, do this. Google "sun-valley martini" until you find out what it is. You will be in awe.
Well, that's it. I know I have done enough to justify this trip. I'm sure there are going to be requests for people to come with me. I can imagine the emails flooding in.
Nevertheless, if any of you need me to list any other reason why to visit this place, I guess I would be remiss if I didn't mention my oldest friend lives out that way. And, no it isn't this guy. . This guy isn't as creepy. Not to say he isn't creepy looking. Which isn't necessarily something I look forward to saying, because it has been suggested that we look alike. I doubt it - my nose is 1/10th his size. And I don't think I am going as grey.
Actually, people might say that because we pretty much share a sense of humor and perspective on the world that is hard to explain. Maybe we formed it throwing pillows at his grandpa's bedroom door during sleepovers - just to see what hilarity could ensue. Maybe we formed it grilling out and throwing snowballs at Kevin Vogt. Maybe we formed it during Sachs family vacations, where I was the "other son". Maybe we formed it discussing politics all night long after randomly awkward social encounters with varying groups of friends in high school. Maybe because we both always felt a little out of place, we ran in completely different social circles, went to different schools, and sometimes didn't share one single life choice for years at a time. But all that said, we never forgot our latest joke or our earliest. We never thought there was a bad time to call - or a bad time to drop in. If I had to bail him out of jail and give up my house in the process, I would demand that he at least buy me a beer once I did. If I needed a wingman or an accomplice in crunch time, he would take the fall quicker than a Niagra canoe. He would be the first person to call that a gay analogy, and then the first person to offer up a self-directed insult of his own.
When "hey I gotta go I'm busy" means that you are actually in the middle taking customer service calls while doing a double shift after school, you know that's a good friend. When that phrase doesn't come out until 20 minutes into the story, then that's a different level. We all have friends that find it tough to squeeze time for you into their hectic lives, and they will tell you all about it. I say cheers to those few people who never say that. It's because the last thing on earth they are going to let get in the way of a friendship is time.
With that being said, on with the festivities. In slightly over two weeks, I will be living it up in the biggest little city. Remember, google sun-valley martinis.
Before you out and out just ask "why?", know these important facts:
1. I won't get a chance to ski at Lake Tahoe.
2. I won't get a chance to hang with any friend(s) who even enjoy spending time outdoors.
3. There's a chance everything I own will smell like cigarettes + wet dog.
4. I'm gauranteed at least an 8 hour flight layover there and back.
Now we have that established, why in the world would I make such a trip?
***
The best way to describe the city of Reno, Nevada is to offer up a compare/contrast example. Everyone has probably heard about the Drive-Thru Wedding Chapels in Las Vegas, right? Some are "drive-thru", some are walk-in, all of them are used for haphazard legal unions that join two overserved individuals as one -- at least for the night. These are often times the oases that scared, excited young couples who run from home use to celebrate matrimony away from disapproving loved ones...etc.
Well, in Reno, they have these very same chapels. However, in the three days on earth that I have spent in that city, I never saw a couple stumble out of there giggling or laughing. I never saw two wild-eyed, lust-filled teens scamper in.
No. I saw groomsen. Bridesmaids. Half-dress/half-jean combos, cowboy hats with tuxedo pants and t-shirts with buttons. I saw best men and maids of honor. I saw family pictures and wedding vails galore.
You see, the walk-in chapels aren't used for that many exceedingly bad decisions made in haste.
They are home to exceedingly bad decisions made in earnest.
This fact is by far the best way I can characterize the city.
If that description doesn't sell you on why I can't wait to get back, than maybe knowing my extensive poker plans there will be enough.
I am set up to play in a nice home "bar" game the day I land in this paradise city. It is quite different in Nevada than it is back here in Chicago, as you can imagine. The bars out there are allowed to host their own poker tournaments without having to worry about anything. From what I hear it is a nice, low-limit game that is sure to lead to lots of laughs, smoke-filled eyes, and more than two or three stories to tell in the morning -- and that's if I don't happen to be lucky enough to win.
This will be immediately followed up by three days of touring the card-rooms of Reno -- something I haven't had the privilege of doing up until this point. If it is anything like the rest of the city, I am sure it is bound to be a little bleary-eyed, confused, and lookin' for a good ole time.
Still not convinced it would be a good trip? Well, then let me tell you about the real gems of Reno - the dive bars.
We've all been to dive bars. I would say they have an appeal to most anyone who enjoys a good time relaxing and hanging out, right? The dingy appearance, the cheap food, the regulars and the characters -- who doesn't love them?
I hate to say it - but until I went to Reno, I never truly understood the meaning of "dive bar". You see, what I was familiar with, what you remember, what the world pictures when it thinks of a dive bar has nothing on one in Reno.
First of all, they are on every corner in Reno. They are between every corner in Reno. They are under every burning lightbulb in the town. They are everywhere. They really don't have names. They are signified by an open door. You can smell them coming.
Carding? Please, no one inside one of these places even knows what a Nevada license looks like, much less all of the other states that someone who works 10 minutes in the bar industry would see in the state of Nevada.
The bar stools? Resplendid creations complete with broken legs, torn padding, and video poker for every station.
The bartenders? Typically people who couldn't balance a cash register if they tried, make up the drinks as they go along, and don't know a shot glass from a glass pitcher.
The entertainment? Pool tables, darts, etc. All of which are used as props. Props? Well, you see, you never really get to use the equipment -- its more to aid and abet the current bar fight or wild-eyed ballyhoo that is going on at the time. My two memories of a Reno pool table were 1. playing 9-ball on it for 15 minutes, and 2. watching 6 Australian soccer hooligans scream, dance, hug and glom while standing atop it until one of them wasn't wearing pants and two of them were making out with a giddy 65 year-old bachelorette in the corner. Put that on the tourist brochure.
Wait, did I mention most of the customers come in through the back door?
Wait, did I mention that these bars are open 24 hours?
Wait, did I mention that day and night blend together in these places worse than in Alaska?
I didn't think so.
Wait, did I mention half the town is "tweaking"?
IS THAT NOT ENOUGH? Well then, do this. Google "sun-valley martini" until you find out what it is. You will be in awe.
Well, that's it. I know I have done enough to justify this trip. I'm sure there are going to be requests for people to come with me. I can imagine the emails flooding in.
Nevertheless, if any of you need me to list any other reason why to visit this place, I guess I would be remiss if I didn't mention my oldest friend lives out that way. And, no it isn't this guy. . This guy isn't as creepy. Not to say he isn't creepy looking. Which isn't necessarily something I look forward to saying, because it has been suggested that we look alike. I doubt it - my nose is 1/10th his size. And I don't think I am going as grey.
Actually, people might say that because we pretty much share a sense of humor and perspective on the world that is hard to explain. Maybe we formed it throwing pillows at his grandpa's bedroom door during sleepovers - just to see what hilarity could ensue. Maybe we formed it grilling out and throwing snowballs at Kevin Vogt. Maybe we formed it during Sachs family vacations, where I was the "other son". Maybe we formed it discussing politics all night long after randomly awkward social encounters with varying groups of friends in high school. Maybe because we both always felt a little out of place, we ran in completely different social circles, went to different schools, and sometimes didn't share one single life choice for years at a time. But all that said, we never forgot our latest joke or our earliest. We never thought there was a bad time to call - or a bad time to drop in. If I had to bail him out of jail and give up my house in the process, I would demand that he at least buy me a beer once I did. If I needed a wingman or an accomplice in crunch time, he would take the fall quicker than a Niagra canoe. He would be the first person to call that a gay analogy, and then the first person to offer up a self-directed insult of his own.
When "hey I gotta go I'm busy" means that you are actually in the middle taking customer service calls while doing a double shift after school, you know that's a good friend. When that phrase doesn't come out until 20 minutes into the story, then that's a different level. We all have friends that find it tough to squeeze time for you into their hectic lives, and they will tell you all about it. I say cheers to those few people who never say that. It's because the last thing on earth they are going to let get in the way of a friendship is time.
With that being said, on with the festivities. In slightly over two weeks, I will be living it up in the biggest little city. Remember, google sun-valley martinis.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
What a way to go out - Colts 29 Bears 17
Well, at least the Bears played one of their worst games of the year.
At least they didn't have a chance to get up by 3 scores early in the game without making stupid miscues.
At least Manning didn't try to spot us 14.
At least we weren't still in the game with 11:00 to play, down 5 points with the ball, having only gained 120 yards of offense on 30+ plays.
At least we didn't almost go into the lead at halftime somehow.
2 dropped snaps. 2 deep throws slipping out of our quarterback's hand. I know from experience, if you have a smaller hand, the ball is ridiculously slippery when wet. My hands were so small the ball would slip out on the backswing everytime I tried to throw back in the day if it was wet/muddy. It's probably one of the most overlooked parts of football that can totally change the fate of a team. Teams should really have a plan for when their QB can't grip the ball. Ours clearly couldn't.
At least they didn't have a chance to get up by 3 scores early in the game without making stupid miscues.
At least Manning didn't try to spot us 14.
At least we weren't still in the game with 11:00 to play, down 5 points with the ball, having only gained 120 yards of offense on 30+ plays.
At least we didn't almost go into the lead at halftime somehow.
2 dropped snaps. 2 deep throws slipping out of our quarterback's hand. I know from experience, if you have a smaller hand, the ball is ridiculously slippery when wet. My hands were so small the ball would slip out on the backswing everytime I tried to throw back in the day if it was wet/muddy. It's probably one of the most overlooked parts of football that can totally change the fate of a team. Teams should really have a plan for when their QB can't grip the ball. Ours clearly couldn't.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Another Piano Vid: Brand New
A week goes by without a piano vid? Crazy.
An excellent job by this dude. Also, may I say I love how he plays like I do, right off the floor like Schroeder.
Brand New: All the quiet things no one knows
Also, some great weblinks to check out.
Beast Skills. Seriously.
Also, for those of you who love to understand the way the world works, here is some great science/math discussion blogs that are fascinating.
fascinating write-up on normal distributions
http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/
An excellent job by this dude. Also, may I say I love how he plays like I do, right off the floor like Schroeder.
Brand New: All the quiet things no one knows
Also, some great weblinks to check out.
Beast Skills. Seriously.
Also, for those of you who love to understand the way the world works, here is some great science/math discussion blogs that are fascinating.
fascinating write-up on normal distributions
http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/
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