When half of my players flaked on my home game last night, Sam, Dylan, Chad and I decided played a heads-up tourney.
Me vs. Dylan, Sam vs Chad. Winners battle for all the money.
Dylan had me on the ropes for most of the match. But I fought back a couple times and finally eliminated him. Chad lost to Sam, so I was to take on Sam D for the money.
It didn't take long.
I held KTo. There was a bet and a call.
Flop: KTJ
I bet, he raises, I go all-in, he insta-calls.
I show KT for two pair.
He shows KJ for a bigger two pair.
I say, "damn, I need a ten"
Turn: blank.
River: Ten.
I had him by one chip.
He promised to never tell this bad beat story EVER.
And since for me it was a GOOD BEAT story, I reserve the right to say it as many times as I want. This would be the 4th time since last night. :)
Cash game followed; Irwin and Christian show up for some no-limit $.25-$.50. I played wildly, calling with shit, raising with shit. Having fun. But Sam was having no fun. Dylan just rubs him the wrong way, so basically every word out of Dylan's mouth was followed by a disdainful comment or at least rolled eyes from Sam.
That sort of sucked, but I understand. Some people just can't play poker well with others. Especially after taking a bad beat like he had earlier, it just leaves bad tastes in the mouth.
Chad played his usual hyper-aggro, kill-Joe game. He came after me with a flush draw and pushed all-in when I held trip-sixes. We got it all in on the turn and sweated his nut-flush draw. My set held up, and he was felted.
"God, I was hoping to see the diamond and see you on tilt." He says.
Fucking bastard.
He deserved it a felting by me. It was about friggin' time.
Poker is fun for me lately. I've been doing well on Full-Tilt, my bankroll is slowly building. My game has improved. I'm confident I can beat the spread limit game at Garden City, and am ready to climb the poker ladder some more. I'm certain I can be a bigger winner in some of the larger games (relatively), but the roll needs to fatten to do that. So with some determination and a little luck, I know I can accomplish that.
Peace in the Middle East.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Watchmen
The guy who directed 300 is going to be making The Watchmen.
The Watchmen is the godfather of adult graphic novels. Not "adult" in the XXX sense, but adult as-in: complex story, gritty flawed hero characters, brutal violence, compelling plot and dialog.
If you've never read The Watchmen, and have any interest in reading a genuine comic classic. Get it.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Lost buy-ins
First losing session at Garden City last night. Spread limit.
I dropped two buy-ins after several hours of play. Overall I think I played well. Maybe a bit too tight, but after being up for a while, I brain farted and raised a pot knowing I was beat. I played the hand so bad I almost want to just quit playing altogether. But we all know there's no way I will do that.
Lesson learned... Keep the pot small with small hands, Only be in a big pot with a big hand. ALWAYS.
I dropped two buy-ins after several hours of play. Overall I think I played well. Maybe a bit too tight, but after being up for a while, I brain farted and raised a pot knowing I was beat. I played the hand so bad I almost want to just quit playing altogether. But we all know there's no way I will do that.
Lesson learned... Keep the pot small with small hands, Only be in a big pot with a big hand. ALWAYS.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Good vs. Bad fats
Here's a cheezy illustration I made for an upcoming article on the differences between the "good" fats and "bad" fats and its effects on the heart.
The concept of the good fat fighting bad fats was courtesy of the ole' Chizz-diggler.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Mookie
Mookie tonight. Wish me luck. I'll need it.
** 9:40 pm pst**
I came in second out of 38 players.
Overall I played ok. I did suck out a couple times at crucial moments...
Getting second place was a miracle.
Me and Zeem heads-up lasted two hands.
Full Tilt Poker Game #1991308447: The Mookie - O Canada (14783474), Table 4 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:38:54 ET - 2007/03/15
Seat 3: Zeem (43,939)
Seat 9: Joe_13 (13,061)
Zeem antes 100
Joe_13 antes 100
Zeem posts the small blind of 400
Joe_13 posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Joe_13 [Td Kc]
Zeem raises to 1,600
mookie99 (Observer): sick beat earlier
Joe_13 calls 800
*** FLOP *** [Kh 2d Th]
Joe_13 checks
Zeem checks
csquard (Observer): gl zeem; hope you don't need it...
*** TURN *** [Kh 2d Th] [Ah]
Joe_13 checks
Zeem bets 3,000
Joe_13 raises to 11,361, and is all in
Zeem calls 8,361
Joe_13 shows [Td Kc]
Zeem shows [4h 3h]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 2d Th Ah] [3c]
Joe_13: nice
Joe_13 shows two pair, Kings and Tens
Zeem shows a flush, Ace high
Zeem wins the pot (26,122) with a flush, Ace high
Zeem: gg
Joe_13 stands up
mookie99 (Observer): gg guys...
Zeem stands up
sjpc yabi (Observer): gg!!!
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 26,122 | Rake 0
Board: [Kh 2d Th Ah 3c]
Seat 3: Zeem (small blind) showed [4h 3h] and won (26,122) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 9: Joe_13 (big blind) showed [Td Kc] and lost with two pair, Kings and Tens
I didn't even see the three flush. Blinded by the flopped two pair.
** 9:40 pm pst**
I came in second out of 38 players.
Overall I played ok. I did suck out a couple times at crucial moments...
Getting second place was a miracle.
Me and Zeem heads-up lasted two hands.
Full Tilt Poker Game #1991308447: The Mookie - O Canada (14783474), Table 4 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:38:54 ET - 2007/03/15
Seat 3: Zeem (43,939)
Seat 9: Joe_13 (13,061)
Zeem antes 100
Joe_13 antes 100
Zeem posts the small blind of 400
Joe_13 posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Joe_13 [Td Kc]
Zeem raises to 1,600
mookie99 (Observer): sick beat earlier
Joe_13 calls 800
*** FLOP *** [Kh 2d Th]
Joe_13 checks
Zeem checks
csquard (Observer): gl zeem; hope you don't need it...
*** TURN *** [Kh 2d Th] [Ah]
Joe_13 checks
Zeem bets 3,000
Joe_13 raises to 11,361, and is all in
Zeem calls 8,361
Joe_13 shows [Td Kc]
Zeem shows [4h 3h]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 2d Th Ah] [3c]
Joe_13: nice
Joe_13 shows two pair, Kings and Tens
Zeem shows a flush, Ace high
Zeem wins the pot (26,122) with a flush, Ace high
Zeem: gg
Joe_13 stands up
mookie99 (Observer): gg guys...
Zeem stands up
sjpc yabi (Observer): gg!!!
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 26,122 | Rake 0
Board: [Kh 2d Th Ah 3c]
Seat 3: Zeem (small blind) showed [4h 3h] and won (26,122) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 9: Joe_13 (big blind) showed [Td Kc] and lost with two pair, Kings and Tens
I didn't even see the three flush. Blinded by the flopped two pair.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Weekend at the beach
Chad hooked us up with a weekend on the beach this weekend. It also happened to be the most beautiful weekend of the year. Perfect temperatures, awesome sunsets and a shitpile of beers = big smiles.
In exchange, we helped Chad paint a couple rooms at the beach house.
We also played some drunken short handed poker that night. My goal was to play the worst hands possible. I managed to play a few "good" hands, but for the most part, I was calling or raising with absolute gargage hands like K4o. In all I ended up making about $10 at the end of the night, only to lose it the next day after getting knocked out first on a $10 turbo tourney.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Bubbled
I got knocked out 5th in the Mookie last night. Read the live updates at Mookie's blog.
The tournament paid to 4th place.
I got lucky a couple times. By now the bloggers must think I'm the biggest donkey. Which is just what I want them to think. (Insert villainous laughter)...
Next week.
The tournament paid to 4th place.
I got lucky a couple times. By now the bloggers must think I'm the biggest donkey. Which is just what I want them to think. (Insert villainous laughter)...
Next week.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Spread 'em
I spent a couple hours at the $3-100 spread limit game at Garden City last night.
First notable hand I played against a thick african-american dude. He looked tired. He'd probably been there a few hours. He was continually rubbing his eyes, yawning etc.
I raised from late position with AdQh. He called. The flop came down 648 rainbow. I bet he calls. Turn comes blank. He looked to be drawing. Maybe he had a low pair. I figured I might be able to push him off his hand. I bet again, he thought a bit and called. River came an ace, pairing me. I bet 1/3 the pot. He goes into the tank for a minute and calls. I flip over the Aces, and he mucks.
Later, he limps from early position. Two more players limp to me in the cutoff. I raise with AdJc. He calls. The flop comes down with three diamonds. He thinks for a bit and sticks in the rest of his chips. I'm getting just better than two to one, and with the nut flush draw, I reluctantly call. The turn and river blank. I miss completely. I figure him for at least a pair and flash my ace. He nods. My ace good?? He mucks and leaves the table.
Later a weak-ish young player to my right limps. I raise with A9s. The flop comes down 10,7,6 with two spades. He bets out $30. I say raise, and push in $100 more. He thinks for a moment and mucks.
A bit later I pick up some big hands but am unable to get more than a couple blinds. At that point, a couple new players show up at my table, and I donk off a bunch of my stack leaving me almost even. After four hours of play, and after being up $250, I break even.
So all in all, I played ok. I should've been able to capitalize on my big hands more. I should've laid down an A7 to a shortstack pre-flop all-in... He had rockets. I could've gotten away from some resteals.
I have noticed that after a couple hours of play, the chips no longer feel like cash. They start to feel like chips. My nervousness is pretty much gone.
As long as I continue to play my top game, tight-aggressive, make good reads, apply pressure, and make good lay downs, this game has potential for me.
NO BAD BEATS NO BAD BEATS NO BAD BEATS
First notable hand I played against a thick african-american dude. He looked tired. He'd probably been there a few hours. He was continually rubbing his eyes, yawning etc.
I raised from late position with AdQh. He called. The flop came down 648 rainbow. I bet he calls. Turn comes blank. He looked to be drawing. Maybe he had a low pair. I figured I might be able to push him off his hand. I bet again, he thought a bit and called. River came an ace, pairing me. I bet 1/3 the pot. He goes into the tank for a minute and calls. I flip over the Aces, and he mucks.
Later, he limps from early position. Two more players limp to me in the cutoff. I raise with AdJc. He calls. The flop comes down with three diamonds. He thinks for a bit and sticks in the rest of his chips. I'm getting just better than two to one, and with the nut flush draw, I reluctantly call. The turn and river blank. I miss completely. I figure him for at least a pair and flash my ace. He nods. My ace good?? He mucks and leaves the table.
Later a weak-ish young player to my right limps. I raise with A9s. The flop comes down 10,7,6 with two spades. He bets out $30. I say raise, and push in $100 more. He thinks for a moment and mucks.
A bit later I pick up some big hands but am unable to get more than a couple blinds. At that point, a couple new players show up at my table, and I donk off a bunch of my stack leaving me almost even. After four hours of play, and after being up $250, I break even.
So all in all, I played ok. I should've been able to capitalize on my big hands more. I should've laid down an A7 to a shortstack pre-flop all-in... He had rockets. I could've gotten away from some resteals.
I have noticed that after a couple hours of play, the chips no longer feel like cash. They start to feel like chips. My nervousness is pretty much gone.
As long as I continue to play my top game, tight-aggressive, make good reads, apply pressure, and make good lay downs, this game has potential for me.
NO BAD BEATS NO BAD BEATS NO BAD BEATS
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Garden City
Finally sat down at the spread limit game at Garden City. It's a $100 buy-in, $3-100 spread limit, with $1-3 blinds. I doubled up right quick when AA held up to the river against a sneaky player holding a straight draw. The next few rounds I played tight, stealing 2 hands to keep my stack even. Then, during my big blind, several players limp including the small blind. I check with 65o. Flop comes 554. SB bets I call. Everyone else folds. Turn 4. He pushes $100. I raise all-in (maybe another $85). River blainks. He flips over 94o I rake a shit pile of chips.
I hate to say that I hit and run, but I pretty much did. Chad showed up took one look at the list, which was 30-40 players long and said, "yeah, not gonna happen". So I played a couple more rounds, bought the dude I crippled a couple drinks, and cashed out soon after with 4x buy-in.
Initial impression: This game is definitely beatable. There are some horrendous players. Some think they're tricky, a couple really are. Most are very transparent.
I had the 10 seat. To my left, a mid thirties caucasion guy, a prop player badge. Played solid, aggressive style. Next to him, a young asian guy. Wild hair. He wore three layers of grimy polo shirts, an a funk'dified Tan sweater. He was sweating and grinding his teeth. He played very aggressive usually all-in on the flop. Re-bought twice. Then a dark skinned gentleman; mustache, Oakley sunglasses, and a stoic demeanor. Then a young college looking kid. That is, skinny, light curly hair, argyle sweater. Probably Stanford grad student. A young philipino or islander who was a spitting image of BJ Penn. He started with a big stack but got caught bluffing a couple hands and had about a buy-in left in chips. Then and older white guy. Very friendly nice fellow who played poorly. Then the sneaky player. White, late thirties, stocky, talky. He liked to play low suited connectors hoping to draw. Liked to call out his opponents hands. Then the young hyper-aggressive player to my right. Derrick I think he said. Nice enough guy. Boisterous. Talked it up. He was showing tons of preflop bluff raises. The prop player was itching for a piece.
These guys were decent players. I would try and stay away from the prop player. But for the most part I think I could do good in this game.
In order to win at this game: Play a smart tight-aggressive game, pick on the fish, and stay away from the good players. Pot control will be crucial. Since you're starting with so little chips relative to the blinds, Picking your moments is of the utmost. Remember, big pots with big hands, small pots with small hands.
Picking up on tells will be big. Look for shaking hands, pulsing neck, nervous lookaway, chipglance, weak leads, reaching for chips, reaching to fold.
Advertising will work against good players. Fake a chipglance, when bluffing, fake a chipreach. Watch to see if they are studying you. Fake a pre-muck and raise. DON'T BLUFF AT BAD PLAYERS. Beware a good player calling your raise. Bluff at good players on scary boards. Check-raise more when strong. Choose a time to leave... either +/- $ amount or a certain number of hours. Get up when steaming!
Good luck. (Except for Chad)
I hate to say that I hit and run, but I pretty much did. Chad showed up took one look at the list, which was 30-40 players long and said, "yeah, not gonna happen". So I played a couple more rounds, bought the dude I crippled a couple drinks, and cashed out soon after with 4x buy-in.
Initial impression: This game is definitely beatable. There are some horrendous players. Some think they're tricky, a couple really are. Most are very transparent.
I had the 10 seat. To my left, a mid thirties caucasion guy, a prop player badge. Played solid, aggressive style. Next to him, a young asian guy. Wild hair. He wore three layers of grimy polo shirts, an a funk'dified Tan sweater. He was sweating and grinding his teeth. He played very aggressive usually all-in on the flop. Re-bought twice. Then a dark skinned gentleman; mustache, Oakley sunglasses, and a stoic demeanor. Then a young college looking kid. That is, skinny, light curly hair, argyle sweater. Probably Stanford grad student. A young philipino or islander who was a spitting image of BJ Penn. He started with a big stack but got caught bluffing a couple hands and had about a buy-in left in chips. Then and older white guy. Very friendly nice fellow who played poorly. Then the sneaky player. White, late thirties, stocky, talky. He liked to play low suited connectors hoping to draw. Liked to call out his opponents hands. Then the young hyper-aggressive player to my right. Derrick I think he said. Nice enough guy. Boisterous. Talked it up. He was showing tons of preflop bluff raises. The prop player was itching for a piece.
These guys were decent players. I would try and stay away from the prop player. But for the most part I think I could do good in this game.
In order to win at this game: Play a smart tight-aggressive game, pick on the fish, and stay away from the good players. Pot control will be crucial. Since you're starting with so little chips relative to the blinds, Picking your moments is of the utmost. Remember, big pots with big hands, small pots with small hands.
Picking up on tells will be big. Look for shaking hands, pulsing neck, nervous lookaway, chipglance, weak leads, reaching for chips, reaching to fold.
Advertising will work against good players. Fake a chipglance, when bluffing, fake a chipreach. Watch to see if they are studying you. Fake a pre-muck and raise. DON'T BLUFF AT BAD PLAYERS. Beware a good player calling your raise. Bluff at good players on scary boards. Check-raise more when strong. Choose a time to leave... either +/- $ amount or a certain number of hours. Get up when steaming!
Good luck. (Except for Chad)
Friday, February 23, 2007
Fresh-Meat
My online poker pimp hand has been pretty strong lately. I've been dominating the sit-n-goes. That is: dominating the "chump-change" tables. Since much of my Neteller bankroll had been withdrawn to pay some bills (before the shutdown) and the rest is currently in limbo, I only had $100 or so in my FullTilt account to play with. In the last couple weeks, I more than quadrupled it. May not seem like much, but my roll languishing between $80 and $200 for the last 3-4 months. I'd been either playing badly or running bad, but I was not winning much (but not losing much either). Then the other day, I had a poker revelation. When I first started playing, I was unafraid to push my stack when I thought my opponent was weak. Overbetting the pot was a useful tool in no-limit, and I had all but eliminated it from my arsenal. The convention of making pot-sized bets cramped my style. I was also playing too passively with mediocre hands. I should be either raising or folding them. Instead I was making weak calls with weak draws and weak pairs. In other words, SUCKING (not sucking-out mind you).
So I have been check-raising more, calling less, and adding a couple select hands to my pre-flop strategy. And of course playing position better. The end result is a fattening roll which will continue to fatten hopefully.
I do need to keep up the vigilance, because I'm aiming to move up in limits. Previous efforts to move up had led my bankroll to be as small as it was.
I'm itching for some more live poker though. Bay 101 and Garden City are freaking madhouses in the afternoons, with wait lists exceeding an hour every day. I just don't have enough time to sit there waiting for a seat to open up. But as I can tell, the fish are LIVE! So it might just be worth it. I've heard 7am Sunday morning is a good time to get there to play against the sleep-deprived players. I might have to try that this weekend.
My home game has been fun, but it needs a serious infusion of new blood. We've pretty much been breaking even every week after many hours of play. With no clear winner, (except Chad "RainMan" ) who catches gutshots like Odog catches tennis balls) the game just doesn't get the blood going like it used to. Plus, we are all a bit sick of RainMan's suck-outs.
Let me know if any of y'all are interested in playing. We could use some fresh-meat,... er,... new players.
So I have been check-raising more, calling less, and adding a couple select hands to my pre-flop strategy. And of course playing position better. The end result is a fattening roll which will continue to fatten hopefully.
I do need to keep up the vigilance, because I'm aiming to move up in limits. Previous efforts to move up had led my bankroll to be as small as it was.
I'm itching for some more live poker though. Bay 101 and Garden City are freaking madhouses in the afternoons, with wait lists exceeding an hour every day. I just don't have enough time to sit there waiting for a seat to open up. But as I can tell, the fish are LIVE! So it might just be worth it. I've heard 7am Sunday morning is a good time to get there to play against the sleep-deprived players. I might have to try that this weekend.
My home game has been fun, but it needs a serious infusion of new blood. We've pretty much been breaking even every week after many hours of play. With no clear winner, (except Chad "RainMan" ) who catches gutshots like Odog catches tennis balls) the game just doesn't get the blood going like it used to. Plus, we are all a bit sick of RainMan's suck-outs.
Let me know if any of y'all are interested in playing. We could use some fresh-meat,... er,... new players.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Mookie
I''ve made the final table of "The Mookie : Storm the Peak" blogger tournament on Full Tilt.
I've been getting lucky. Once when my JJ made a flush against KK. and another time when my A6 call on a shortstacked KK flopped big for me.
Just sucked out on another one: AJ vs AK. Sorry fella. Again.
* - Got cold decked in the final 3. Pushed all-in with K4. Maudie held 66. Her pair held up.
I've been getting lucky. Once when my JJ made a flush against KK. and another time when my A6 call on a shortstacked KK flopped big for me.
Just sucked out on another one: AJ vs AK. Sorry fella. Again.
* - Got cold decked in the final 3. Pushed all-in with K4. Maudie held 66. Her pair held up.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
INK
I've been obsessed lately with tattoos. Being an artist, naturally having some on my body seems normal. I'm not sure if it was fear of pain or of having a shitty piece on me, but I never got around to getting one. At one point, I guess I was proud to not have a barbwire or tribal armband, or a huge indian head on my shoulder. I'm certainly glad to not have any stupid mistakes permanently on my body (other than the scars from a clumsy youth.)
For the past year or so, I have been positive that I want one.
I've done a shitpile of research. I've perused thousands of images of tattoos, read every article I can find, every blog, every tattoo related forum and even watched some tattoo reality programs.
All this has fueled the fire. Seeing the work of undeniably talented artists has reinvigorated my artistic inspiration as well. The work of Guy Aitchison, Adrian Lee, Grime, Paul Booth is awe inspiring.
Ultimately, I will get a tattoo. This year will be one of big change for me and having myselfe inked for the first time will mark the occasion. So far I've visited many artists locally, and making the decision on who will be the artist is tough. The San Francisco bay area is a mecca for tattoo art and is the home to many world-class artists. Really, I am incredibly lucky to have my choice of artists.
So far I've met several artists about my concepts and have thus placed myself on the wait list for two artists. Jason Grace at Idle Hand SF and Adrian Lee at NewSkool. So far I've not received word from Adrian Lee, even though I should've been called by now. I expect to be contacted about a consult with Jason Grace within a month or two. Either way, I'm sure the work will be sick. Hopefully soon.
Here are some of the links I check out frequently:
Needled
Ink Trails
Allen Tattoo
Life Under Zen
Tattoo Blog
Inked Nation
For the past year or so, I have been positive that I want one.
I've done a shitpile of research. I've perused thousands of images of tattoos, read every article I can find, every blog, every tattoo related forum and even watched some tattoo reality programs.
All this has fueled the fire. Seeing the work of undeniably talented artists has reinvigorated my artistic inspiration as well. The work of Guy Aitchison, Adrian Lee, Grime, Paul Booth is awe inspiring.
Ultimately, I will get a tattoo. This year will be one of big change for me and having myselfe inked for the first time will mark the occasion. So far I've visited many artists locally, and making the decision on who will be the artist is tough. The San Francisco bay area is a mecca for tattoo art and is the home to many world-class artists. Really, I am incredibly lucky to have my choice of artists.
So far I've met several artists about my concepts and have thus placed myself on the wait list for two artists. Jason Grace at Idle Hand SF and Adrian Lee at NewSkool. So far I've not received word from Adrian Lee, even though I should've been called by now. I expect to be contacted about a consult with Jason Grace within a month or two. Either way, I'm sure the work will be sick. Hopefully soon.
Here are some of the links I check out frequently:
Needled
Ink Trails
Allen Tattoo
Life Under Zen
Tattoo Blog
Inked Nation
Friday, February 09, 2007
War Books
I've been on a reading tear. Which is unusual for me. For some reason, while it may take me months to finish a fictional novel, war related non-fiction has my undivided attention. I read four very entertaining books lately all related to the topic of war. If war is at all interesting to you. Check these out.
License to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror by Robert Young Pelton
Robert Young Pelton is a badass. A civilian badass. But a badass nonetheless. He's travelled the world looking for danger, from Africa to Afghanistan, Pelton seeks out killers, mercenaries, and warlords to tell the story of people paid for their killing skills. License to Kill explores the secret society of security contractors. Where do they come from, why are they needed, what is their purpose? Do they help us, or are they a liability in the war on terror. Pelton travels with these hired guns in the world's most dangerous places to illustrate their lives and why they are necessary in modern war.
Hunting the Jackal: A Special Forces and CIA Soldier's Fifty Years on the Frontlines of the war Against Terrorism by Billy Waugh and some other dude.
Billy Waugh lives for war. From the jungles of Vietnam to the search for Bin Laden in the mountains of Afghanistan, Billy Waugh's life has been one adventure after another. His superior killing expertise, has made him the go-to guy when it comes to difficult, death defying missions. This book is brutal, captivating and would be unbelievable if it weren't completely true.
Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides
Ghost Soldiers chronicles the rescue of some of the survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. Nearing the end of the war against the Japanese, the allied POWs in the Phillipines experienced some of the most atrocious of atrocities. A team led by some of America's bravest, moved through enemy lines to save these ill-treated prisoners. Hampton Sides writes of the terror of being a POW in the hands of the brutal japanese. He holds no punches when describing some of the horrible living conditions these men endured. Ultimately, the brave actions of a few Amercians and Filipinos, led to the rescue of 500 horribly deprived men.
This book tells about heroic men doing something beyond themselves in order to save the lives of others. Well written and completely engrossing.
The Last True Story I'll Every Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War in Iraq by John Crawford
is the story of one man's war in Iraq. It's a candid story. A year-in-the-life. And a gritty, compelling read. This book illustrates the mundane days of soldiers, which are punctuated by moments of blood soaked violence. While it shows the comradarie of brothers in arms, It also tells the sad story of how war effects them.
License to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror by Robert Young Pelton
Robert Young Pelton is a badass. A civilian badass. But a badass nonetheless. He's travelled the world looking for danger, from Africa to Afghanistan, Pelton seeks out killers, mercenaries, and warlords to tell the story of people paid for their killing skills. License to Kill explores the secret society of security contractors. Where do they come from, why are they needed, what is their purpose? Do they help us, or are they a liability in the war on terror. Pelton travels with these hired guns in the world's most dangerous places to illustrate their lives and why they are necessary in modern war.
Hunting the Jackal: A Special Forces and CIA Soldier's Fifty Years on the Frontlines of the war Against Terrorism by Billy Waugh and some other dude.
Billy Waugh lives for war. From the jungles of Vietnam to the search for Bin Laden in the mountains of Afghanistan, Billy Waugh's life has been one adventure after another. His superior killing expertise, has made him the go-to guy when it comes to difficult, death defying missions. This book is brutal, captivating and would be unbelievable if it weren't completely true.
Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides
Ghost Soldiers chronicles the rescue of some of the survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. Nearing the end of the war against the Japanese, the allied POWs in the Phillipines experienced some of the most atrocious of atrocities. A team led by some of America's bravest, moved through enemy lines to save these ill-treated prisoners. Hampton Sides writes of the terror of being a POW in the hands of the brutal japanese. He holds no punches when describing some of the horrible living conditions these men endured. Ultimately, the brave actions of a few Amercians and Filipinos, led to the rescue of 500 horribly deprived men.
This book tells about heroic men doing something beyond themselves in order to save the lives of others. Well written and completely engrossing.
The Last True Story I'll Every Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War in Iraq by John Crawford
is the story of one man's war in Iraq. It's a candid story. A year-in-the-life. And a gritty, compelling read. This book illustrates the mundane days of soldiers, which are punctuated by moments of blood soaked violence. While it shows the comradarie of brothers in arms, It also tells the sad story of how war effects them.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Entertainment
A couple shows have kept me very entertained lately.
HBO's Rome is excellent. The first season started slow. It took me a couple episodes, but by episode three of season one, I was hooked. The characters are well developed, the story is taut and gripping. The action fast and brutal. The plot, thick, rich and delicious.
Game Show Network's High Stakes Poker Season 3 has just started, and it is better than season 2 in a couple ways. First, no prop bets. Or at least no talking about prop bets. The constant jabbering of the mysterious prop bets last season eliminated all the poker talk. Plus, announcer Gabe Kaplan's been muzzled. At least a little bit.
The play is as good as ever, and Daniel Negreanu's short appearance in the broadcaster's booth was very good. If he ever goes broke playing poker, he'll always have a career in broadcasting. This show is by far the best poker on TV.
Movies I've seen lately:
The Devil Wears Prada. Decently acted. But ultimately, not for me. This movie galmourizes the glamour world which I hate. The protagonist is a cheating, superficial wannabe, who sucks up and idolizes a complete byatch who is deeply flawed and a truly horrible person. Furthermore it perpetuates the fallacy that beautiful women are always skeleton thin. I hated this movie, and feel that audiences are genuinely worse off for having seen it.
Beerfest.
The exact polar opposite of the previously mentioned movie. This is a frat guy's movie. It features all the fun exciting games I played in as a child. From Beer Pong to Thumper to Quarters, this movie illustrates the fun of drinking beer and playing games. Two great things that go great together. Dudes will love this movie, and women will hate it. In the end, everyone will have laugh.
HBO's Rome is excellent. The first season started slow. It took me a couple episodes, but by episode three of season one, I was hooked. The characters are well developed, the story is taut and gripping. The action fast and brutal. The plot, thick, rich and delicious.
Game Show Network's High Stakes Poker Season 3 has just started, and it is better than season 2 in a couple ways. First, no prop bets. Or at least no talking about prop bets. The constant jabbering of the mysterious prop bets last season eliminated all the poker talk. Plus, announcer Gabe Kaplan's been muzzled. At least a little bit.
The play is as good as ever, and Daniel Negreanu's short appearance in the broadcaster's booth was very good. If he ever goes broke playing poker, he'll always have a career in broadcasting. This show is by far the best poker on TV.
Movies I've seen lately:
The Devil Wears Prada. Decently acted. But ultimately, not for me. This movie galmourizes the glamour world which I hate. The protagonist is a cheating, superficial wannabe, who sucks up and idolizes a complete byatch who is deeply flawed and a truly horrible person. Furthermore it perpetuates the fallacy that beautiful women are always skeleton thin. I hated this movie, and feel that audiences are genuinely worse off for having seen it.
Beerfest.
The exact polar opposite of the previously mentioned movie. This is a frat guy's movie. It features all the fun exciting games I played in as a child. From Beer Pong to Thumper to Quarters, this movie illustrates the fun of drinking beer and playing games. Two great things that go great together. Dudes will love this movie, and women will hate it. In the end, everyone will have laugh.
Friday, January 05, 2007
We're engaged
New Year's Eve, on a brisk pier at Tahoe's North Shore, I proposed to my angel. She said yes.
Before we got together my criteria was simple.
I wanted someone who was smart, funny, good looking and down with what I was into. She's a perfect match for me and we are the best couple I know.
If we ever break up, I'm going on a killing rampage.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Happy friggin Holidays
Happy Holidays.
I've got the entire week off. Nice. I caught a cold. Not so nice.
We had prime rib Christmas Eve dinner, and Eggs Benedict breakfast at the GF's parent's house. It would've been nice to have a holiday meal with my dad, but alas, he's in China... forever. At least we had some Hot Pot City with my brother and his wife. So the holiday meals were excellent. Then the GF's birthday was this week. I bought her a car stereo, her's died weeks ago. I know real fucking romantic. I'm an idiot. We made a "no-gift-pact" but I decided to buy her a gift anyway. It was a total surprise, she wasn't expecting it at all.
The cold I caught sucks real bad. It starts out with a tickly feeling in the chest. Followed by a sore throat. Then a general feeling of malaise: lethargy, drowsiness, etc. The coughing, the congestion, headaches. Then the nose stuffs, the left side, then the right, turn, left, turn, right... nasal drip. Oh it's a fun one.
Chestnut bought us a crock pot for Christmas. Perfect for some chicken soup.
To the Mi Pueblo market:
Various chicken pieces about 2 lbs.
4-5 small white potatoes.
3-4 small carrots
(by the way, these measurements are approximate, I never really keep track when I cook)
Plenty of salt and pepper.
3-4 sprigs rosemary
1 tsp curry
dried thyme
1tsp cayenne
2 bay leaves
1/3 cup of parsley
1 medium onion
3-4 sticks of celery.
2 cans of chicken broth
1 can of water
Chop all vegetation, mix.
Place everything in the crock pot and cook that shit for 10 hours.
I freestyled this recipe, but it turned out pretty decent.
Have a great New Years! I'll be in Tahoe.
I've got the entire week off. Nice. I caught a cold. Not so nice.
We had prime rib Christmas Eve dinner, and Eggs Benedict breakfast at the GF's parent's house. It would've been nice to have a holiday meal with my dad, but alas, he's in China... forever. At least we had some Hot Pot City with my brother and his wife. So the holiday meals were excellent. Then the GF's birthday was this week. I bought her a car stereo, her's died weeks ago. I know real fucking romantic. I'm an idiot. We made a "no-gift-pact" but I decided to buy her a gift anyway. It was a total surprise, she wasn't expecting it at all.
The cold I caught sucks real bad. It starts out with a tickly feeling in the chest. Followed by a sore throat. Then a general feeling of malaise: lethargy, drowsiness, etc. The coughing, the congestion, headaches. Then the nose stuffs, the left side, then the right, turn, left, turn, right... nasal drip. Oh it's a fun one.
Chestnut bought us a crock pot for Christmas. Perfect for some chicken soup.
To the Mi Pueblo market:
Various chicken pieces about 2 lbs.
4-5 small white potatoes.
3-4 small carrots
(by the way, these measurements are approximate, I never really keep track when I cook)
Plenty of salt and pepper.
3-4 sprigs rosemary
1 tsp curry
dried thyme
1tsp cayenne
2 bay leaves
1/3 cup of parsley
1 medium onion
3-4 sticks of celery.
2 cans of chicken broth
1 can of water
Chop all vegetation, mix.
Place everything in the crock pot and cook that shit for 10 hours.
I freestyled this recipe, but it turned out pretty decent.
Have a great New Years! I'll be in Tahoe.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
More nerd than meets the eye.
On the nerd tip.
Transformers, live action trailer is online. And looking pretty friggin' cool. More than meets the eye, byatch!
Transformers, live action trailer is online. And looking pretty friggin' cool. More than meets the eye, byatch!
Friday, December 15, 2006
I've discovered my optimal strategy to be a good poker player.
You have to employ a loose tight-passive aggressive game.
In other words, you have to be able to play every way.
At some moments playing loose and fast is crucial. While it is also to play tight and passive at times.
The key is knowing when to and initiating a plan of action at the right time. Based on your read of an opponent, the pace of the game and your position, you should create a strategy. Then more importantly, when the time arises, you should be able to "change gears" or in other words change strategies to maximize profits while minimizing losses. Which is the essence of being a overall winning player.
This all seems pretty elementary, but often I see players keep with their style. Often tight players stay tight. They only play good cards regardless of position, or opponents. Or worse, loose players stay loose despite having shit cards, and staying loose when they miss their flops completely.
With all this being said, it is usually the least experienced players who make these mistakes most often. They have no concept of pot odds, so pot sized bets rarely push them out of drawing hands. They also make ridiculous overbets which pretty much effectively push me out of hands when I should be staying in.
Obviously this could mean that they are just more saavy players than I think.
But more likely it's as Sammy Farha said at the 2004 WSOP when he took 2nd place to Chris Moneymaker.
"I can outplay a good player. But with a bad player, I have to have a hand."
And last night. I just couldn't pick up a decent hand.
You have to employ a loose tight-passive aggressive game.
In other words, you have to be able to play every way.
At some moments playing loose and fast is crucial. While it is also to play tight and passive at times.
The key is knowing when to and initiating a plan of action at the right time. Based on your read of an opponent, the pace of the game and your position, you should create a strategy. Then more importantly, when the time arises, you should be able to "change gears" or in other words change strategies to maximize profits while minimizing losses. Which is the essence of being a overall winning player.
This all seems pretty elementary, but often I see players keep with their style. Often tight players stay tight. They only play good cards regardless of position, or opponents. Or worse, loose players stay loose despite having shit cards, and staying loose when they miss their flops completely.
With all this being said, it is usually the least experienced players who make these mistakes most often. They have no concept of pot odds, so pot sized bets rarely push them out of drawing hands. They also make ridiculous overbets which pretty much effectively push me out of hands when I should be staying in.
Obviously this could mean that they are just more saavy players than I think.
But more likely it's as Sammy Farha said at the 2004 WSOP when he took 2nd place to Chris Moneymaker.
"I can outplay a good player. But with a bad player, I have to have a hand."
And last night. I just couldn't pick up a decent hand.
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