BeMused

My friend Bill and I have been playing poker together for a number of years now, usually with the same core group of people with a few “outsiders” mixed in now and then for variety (and to fill an empty spot on the table). Bill is an excellent poker player. He counts cards, knows the odds, and can do some impressive calculations in his head. So it’s the rule more than the acception that he generally walks away from the table ahead for the night.

Last night we had an impromptu poker game and instead of our usual five-dollar buy-in and dealer’s choice, we made it ten dollars and just straight Texas Hold ‘Em.. You might know the game from the popular World Series of Poker tour on ESPN, as well as The Travel Channel’s World Poker Tour.

We’ve played this a few times and Bill usually comes out the winner, not surprising considering his skills with the cards. And last night it came down to the two of us. Jeff, after losing his stack had left and gone home early. Christy, who was next out, stayed and was our dealer for awhile (thanks again Christy!). Eventually she had to go home as well. This turned out to be the latest we’ve ever played. Christy threw in the towel around 2:30 this morning.

I was bound and determined to win last night, as I’ve yet to win a Hold ‘Em pot. Because it was winner takes all, the pot was forty bucks, and I wanted it! But it was grueling: I had a chip advantage over Bill and was being patient, just picking at him, fifty cents here, two bucks there. I would be doing fairly well, and then he’d put in a big bet. I’d have something halfway decent (or think he was bluffing) and call him on it, and he’d win.

About 3:15 A. M., we got down to where I had about a 3 to 1 chip advantage (just a guess, really). The cards were dealt and I had pocket tens (”pockets” refers to the two down cards for those of you who don’t play poker ;). I bumped the blind by a buck, Bill shrugged and said “All in” (meaning he bets his entire stack of chips) and I quickly followed. We flipped the cards over: he had a king and a non-suited low card. My two tens were looking good. Here came the flop: King, King, seven. Of all the luck. He’d not only matched his kings, but twice. The rest of the cards were junk, and Bill doubled up on his chips.

I still had the advantage though. Two plays later, I was dealt pocket Jacks. Again I bumped the bet. This time, Bill bumped me back. Now it was my turn to pounce. All in was my call, and Bill followed suit. Thankfully, my pocket Jacks had what it took and I won the game.

Finally.

Trying to get to sleep was a nightmare. I kept replaying the hands in my head, scolding myself for being too easy to bluff, and not being more aggressive. I last looked at the clock at 4:08 A.M. I told myself not to look anymore. I awoke at 7:15, and was into work by 8:30. Man, is today going to be a looooong day.

Buy hey. I won Texas Hold ‘Em. Look out Unabomber. I’ve got my sights set on you!

Hurricane Charley, which originally was supposed to be quite the downpour, turned out to be nothing more than an afternoon of soft, steady rain. Today has been absolutely beautiful, slight breeze and a very comfortable 75 degrees. I should be outside mowing the lawn and such, but yardwork is yardwork.

With Gail being gone (she’s out in Arizona visiting her parents and then she’ll be back with the kids on Thursday), I’ve been mostly just hanging out and watching TV. Being a slug in otherwords. Before leaving, Gail instructed Marcia to take me shopping at J.C. Penny’s, as they were having a sale. I actually bought clothes for myself. Which is odd. I never spend money on clothes for myself.

Hopefully the problems with the hardware that hosts my website have been fixed. Apparenlty the hard drive went south, and after that was replaced, the RAID Controller went. Lots of fun…

It would appear that storms of all sorts have to be weathered…

I’ve been meaning to write about our most recent trip back to Arizona for my grandmother’s funeral service, but work, along with other miscellanous things, kept getting in the way. As usual.

The service was very nice. My Uncle Eddie got up and talked about my grandmother’s life, and much of it I’d never even heard. How she eloped with my grandfather. How she wasn’t allowed to be married while in Nursing School, and when word reached the administration that she was married, how she was expelled. It was like discovering a whole different side of my grandmother.

My cousin Kim, being the oldest of the grandchildren, was next to speak. She took all of our memories of summers spent at Nana’s and recounted them to the people at the service. It was wonderful and emotional and I miss her even more after listening to everything I’d forgotten. If I can get Kim to send me what she wrote, I’ll post it here.

Aside from the services, it was really a nice time. It was great seeing all my family together again, and I had a good time catching up with everyone. My in-laws were coming through town on the day of the service, so they brought the kids (who have been staying with my in-laws since the end of June) and Gail and I got to visit a bit.

I also got to drive my Aunt Nadine’s Mercedes SL 500. Ooooh my. Talk about a damn cool car. It’s a hardtop convertible, and when the top is down, it’s just sweet.

Gail and I also made it to Chandler Harley-Davidson, where we got to see some of the new models. She also sat on a Duece again, and is now looking at accessories for one like she was getting it. Just the fact that she’s thinking of getting one makes me all a-tingle. First thing’s first: the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class!!!