Friday, January 17, 2014

Nuances - Get Your Flop, Turn and River On!

People ask me about my fascination with poker all the time
Not really...in fact they never ask
My response
Okay, if I were to have one
It would go something like this...

Its a combination of nuances that I love
Besides the mandatory Big Three that is
The Big Three being skill, patience and luck...
Luck outnumbering the others at least two to one

Its the comfort and surroundings of the Casino involved
Fine acoustics, quality furnishings, good food and fresh air
being chief among them
Mine is Sacramento's Capital Casino
It has all this and more

Its also the dealers, tournament directors and other staff
who are typically very skilled, friendly and cheerful
The owner, and customers must be doing right by them I would say...

Regular hold'em tournament players are a big part of the experience too
They number around eighty
Supplemented by a half dozen or so new or occasional players
Its a fine group made up of business professionals, night workers
(Tournaments are typically held mid-day), retirees and others
In all, the players are a solid bunch; good sports, friendly, and tough competitors

Additional subtleties are in things like the feel of the table felt
The comfort of the chairs
The quality (heft) and cleanliness of the chips
Especially to a chip shuffler like me
The position of the television screens
some informing you of tournament details
some showing athletic and other events
Let's not forget the cleanliness of the bathrooms

All this works in concert to make me cozy
Ready to do battle on the felt
Trying to make the most out of the cards
The Game of course being everyone's purpose

Even on days when luck is not a lady
I enjoy it - I call those days "Poker lessons"
So let's get them there "cards in the air" folks!
Can't wait 'til the next one begins...









Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The Road to Palookaville

Here somewhere on this historical and magnificent memoir...or not
Road Warrior theme spun within
As a kid
As in the Air Force
As a consultant for hire

Travel diminished somewhat
Over the past couple of years
What with more demand for remote work
And less demand for being there

I am not all unhappy with that...

But then traveler status has tanked too...

Hertz from President's Circle to Gold
Okay not bad, I can handle that

United from Premier Executive to Premier
And likely soon to 'Slug bait'

Marriott from Platinum Lifetime to...
Platinum Lifetime
What?!
For life?!
Nope, they weren't kidding
It's complimentary upgrades
Priority reservations
And concierge access
At Marriott's, for life
All because some time back
I racked up over a thousand lifetime nights

I stuck it out with Marriott
For more than twenty years
A loyal road warrior
And they said "thanks"
Anytime you stay with us again
No matter how often you travel
We are going to treat you
Like the loyal customer you are

United Airlines?
I have about 900,000 lifetime miles
Been in their Premier club
For, I don't know...
How long has that club
United Airlines new, improved boarding process!
Been in existence?
Since 1979? (so sayeth Wikipedia)
Probably since then

But now what to I get when I fly with them?
Seats that crush my kneecaps
I do not, repeat, do not have long legs either
Chest trauma from fold down tray seats
Middle seats with 300 pounders either side
Flowing over the armrests
Gently squeezing the life out of you
Also, "Don't check a bag or you'll pay...a__hole!"

Yeah, I was a contender at one time
Travel perks from one end to the other
Now just a dude from Palookaville...
Cannon fodder for a United sardine can...