memoryloot

I’ve never been part of an engagement party before but my buddy Andrew had his this past weekend. It was good seeing his family as well as his fiancee’s family and help serve lunch. It was a successful get-together as well as for his belated birthday later in the evening. Even got to play poker at night. Came out up $21. I was disciplined this time and played what came to me. All in all a fairly calm weekend.

In the words of my friend Andrew, “The only thing that scares me are Scientologists.” For me its the Scientologists and Flash Mobs!

Imagine being a bystander. They were basically trying to recreate a banned Xbox commercial at the University of Florida.

Last weekend was the 2nd annual Cambodian New Years Parade in Long Beach. It was fun to see the Cambodian community of Long Beach come out and support this event. My girl friend wouldn’t have been out there if it wasn’t for my curiosity. Unfortunately, I was out in the sun too long and ended up getting sunburned. It was rather embarassing going into work Monday morning looking like a lobster. I’m finally peeling now. Dead skin everywhere. Definitely not a pretty sight. My friend Sophie was in the parade too! Here she is waving at us.

Here’s my burnt forehead.

What started out to be a bad day ended up to be fairly decent. Constant complaining from users and endless array of tasks I needed to get done. A blessing in disguise since time flew after the smoke settled. The day ended with me working out with Zeus. Well not actually with him, but I was “overlooking” his work out. I saw him when I went in the gym but just kept to myself. He’s not as muscular as he once was when he was in WWF (now WWE). While leaving the gym the two trainers who was still on duty had Radiohead’s OK Computer playing over the speakers of the gym. Finding Radiohead fans are similar to finding out someone rides. There’s a bit of excitement and then mutual respect. Yup. That’s the excitement for today. End of week is finally here!

Edit: (11:47PM) Just saw last week’s OC episode and guess what was the last song? No other than Radiohead’s Fog (Again). Excellent!

Yesterday we had our annual Earthquake drill and yours-truly was the official Floor Warden. I was a bit nervous at first because I’ve never conducted this drill before. So when 10:30 AM rolled around, I put on my yellow vest and donned the whistle. It was suppose to be 2 person running our section of the floor, me and Mikhail. When the time came, Mikhail was no where to be found! I couldn’t wait and begin blowing my whistle and yelling “Earthquake Drill! Duck, Cover, and Hold!” Mind you I gave them early notice the day before that I was going to do this and at what time. But still I got gopher heads peaking out of their cube with puzzled looks. I yelled the same phrase again and some people finally got it and ducked underneath their desk. I walked around and made sure people where duck and covering correctly. I mean if they’re under their desk, they’re good. But I actually got some people who outright refused to do it until I just stood their and pleaded with them. Someone actually said, “You know if there was a real earthquake I wouldn’t be underneath my desk!” I was like, “That’s fine.” but thought to myself, “I don’t care if you run off. I mean if flying debris hits and injured you, you’ll be sorry!” It just didn’t make sense why they were so combatitive. I don’t make the rules and quite frankly, I just volunteered because I thought it maybe a good thing to be the person responsible for the safety of people on my floor especially I heard that during the 9/11 incidents, most of the floor wardens helped people get out of the building as efficient as possible. Some people purposely left their desk and came back later. I eventually made sure I came back and have them show me the duck and cover by themselves. I mean even though its annoying it is necessary to prevent further chaos in the event of an earthquake. I guess you can’t help those that don’t want to be helped.

Murder mystery at Aphrodisiac restaurant (formerly Lunaria) in Century City went fairly well. They used props, served a dinner, and had over the top acting. It was definitely quite an experience and I would recommend going there once. I have to say I solved the case but they gave the prize to a 12 year-old kid. A new career in detective work.

We also had a delicious lunch on Sunday at Newport Seafood restaurant in San Gabriel. A 11 course meal with lobsters and crabs. It was awesome! Unfortunately I forgot to bring the camera and wasn’t able to get pictures for the event. We went to Shon’s house and had a quick poker game. I dropped $40 in a matter of 30 minutes. I was playing too loose. Too much confidence in my game. I have to reevaluate my strategy. That’s the thing about Texas Hold’em, there’s always room to learn and the checks and balances to keep you humble. I need to take a break from the game for a little bit before I test the waters again.

A great big birthday shout-out to my favorite person in the whole wide world! My girlfriend, San Adalyn Mey. Happy Birthday Sweetheart! Hope your day/weekend is filled with surprise and love from all the people around you. You deserve every second of it.

Just got back from a home game my co-worker Jeremy hosted. Texas Hold’em NL $30 buy-in $0.25/$0.50 blinds. After about 5 hours of playing I lost it all in another incredible hand. I was constantly up the entire night until this last play. I was holding a K-9 spades and the flop had a K-9. I thought I was good and was almost wanting my opponent to call me all in. This one guy, Heitor, basically the other shark on the table besides myself does call me all in. I call and he flips over cards that had so many outs. He flopped a gut shot, flush draw, and straight flush draw. The turn brings down a 8 of clubs which completed his straight flush, the biggest hand of the night. I was in disbelief. But was satisfied with the lost. I’ve been very good about stretching out my buy-in and end up losing considerably less every time I’ve played. The shark and I took turns out thinking each other whenever we go heads up. Hey may win a hand, I may win a hand or I just bluff him out alot of the time. I’d have to say some of those plays were damn good. I was so glad he didn’t call it at the time. I know this won’t be the last time facing off with him again.

I think my game has gotten much better through the years and feel good even after another losing tonight. This has been 4 consecutive losing poker sessions. I’m not giving up yet. It’s a price to play to really sharpen these skills. I’m exhausted from the crazy mind games and have a slight head ache on the way back till now. I feel poker works the entire brain. To be able to calculate odds works the left brain and the reading and feeling out a player is intense activity for the right brain. I love this game!