Meadows Lane

MySpace Downsizing

2011-01-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

I coined a phrase long ago when comparing Facebook and MySpace to friends it goes something like this:"MySpace is the trailer park of the Internet"It appears many people have agreed with me over time and while Facebook is hitting an all time high with users and valuations, today I came across this article talking about how News Corp's MySpace is downsizing. I think they should have talked to me

WSOP Single Table Satellite Structures, Binion's Poker Class and The Grand

2010-05-17T19:57:00.001-07:00

Some people have asked me about tournaments during the Top 3 Poker trip to Vegas for the WSOP, so I thought I would share some of my thoughts on getting into one of the WSOP events which are echoed by one of the Full Tilt Pros I have previously met. First, you don't have to spend $1,500 to play an Event or even $10,000 to play the Main Event at the WSOP. There are a number of multi-table and

In Memory of Bertha Balan-Olenik

2009-08-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

This is the eulogy I gave in remebrence of my grandmother, Bertha Balan-Olenik on what would have been her 94th birthday and I now post it here to honor her memory."Today we gather to warmly remember, honor, and share our grief as we celebrate the life of my Grandmother, Bertha Balan-Olenik on what would have been her 94th birthday. She leaves behind a loving husband (Samuel Olenik), three adult

Writing Removed

2009-08-11T12:18:00.001-07:00

I haven't updated my blog lately and it hasn't been for a lack of desire. Over the last month or two I have been inundated with items at work, items at home and other items of a personal nature. In short I have been removed from the opportunity to write, but now I am back. Late last month I lost my grandmother and will soon post my eulogy to her as my final act of public mourning. Also, today

WSOP Single Table Satellite Structures, Binion's Poker Class and The Grand

2009-06-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

Skepticism, Mexican Standoffs, and Electronic Boarding Passes

2009-05-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am a traveler. Not your average traveler either. I am an inquisitive traveler – dare I say a “professional” traveler. A traveler always looking for new ways to enhance my journeys whether they are for business or pleasure, so at the beginning of my most recent trip when I went online at delta.com to check-in, I was surprised to see an advertisement about the ability use your PDA or

In Memoriam: Somber Thoughts on Those We Have Lost

2009-05-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today, the American Poker Invitational (API) family lost two people close to us. First we found out about the passing of Tammy Oliver's father, who I did not know, but feel badly for Tammy, Paul, her family and close friends. After losing my father as an adult I know the pain and wrenching anguish of losing one's parent. But wait, as if G-d had a bad sense of humor tonight when I arrived at The

Foundational Concepts

2009-04-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

There is a running joke between one of my good friends and myself about the "The Meadows Foundation", but I am starting to think that this joke might be better as reality. The joke began a while back when my friend, who is aware of much of the charitable work and giving that I do, said he wanted to reserve a spot in my foundation in case things went bad for him and his family. Given the way

Can't Wait for Lost Vegas

2009-04-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Now I am not saying that I created the Internet, but I did think of it well after it was actually created by the U.S. Government - and no Al Gore wasn't the inventor (more like the Department of Defense). One of the benefits of being a net head is that I read a lot of material online and one of my favorite blogs is that of Paul McGuire, a.k.a. known as Dr. Pauly, located at http://

Googling Your Girlfriend

2009-03-27T08:52:00.001-07:00

I can't and won't take credit for this idea...I read it on another blog that I found through another blog and now I am bringing it here for you to try.Go to Google and type in the searchbox "how to convince your girlfriend" and see the completions they recommend. You cannot make this stuff up!

The Value of Chips

2009-03-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Whether I am playing at an API event, or at a casino I always try to keep in perspective that the deeper I get into a tournament the more value my chips have, eventually getting to a point that I can put a real numeric value to them. For many API players this might seem crazy since the tournaments are "free", but as you get deeper in API nightly tournaments or API major tournaments the closer

Crappy Company - Crappy Cars

2009-03-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

All the bailouts of automakers that the U.S. Government did a while back really pissed me off - and now this from Consumer Reports to enrage me even more!"Chrysler, which tied with Suzuki for last place in our 2008 ranking, fared even worse this year. Overall reliability of Chrysler vehicles, which was average last year, dropped to below average this year. No Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicles are

Giving Over 100%

2009-03-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

This comes from 2 math teachers with a combined total of 70 yrs. Experience.Here is a little something someone sent me that is indisputable mathematical logic. It also made me Laugh Out Loud. This is a strictly mathematical viewpoint...it goes like this: What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all

Purim for Idiots

2009-03-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

I almost called this post "Purim for Dummies", but figured I had less chance getting sued by the "Idiots" guys whose books don't sell nearly as well and can usually be found on the clearance rack of your local bookstore. Part of it seems to be the titles, which include Tattoos, Tweakers, All You Can Eat Buffets, Modeling, Astrology, etc. for Idiots. Maybe it is just that I am in a foul mood

How To Lose 20 in 10

2009-03-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

Recently I have learned how to lose 20 pounds in only 10 days and I am about to share it with you, my valued reader. Before we go further let me say that I do not endorse this method - it is painful, uncomfortable and above all unhealthy.Good. Now that we have that on the sidelines let me tell you how I lost 20 lbs in only 10 days - one word - Gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is a joint

An Insider View on Flight 1549

2009-02-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

Normally I wouldn't post an email I received to my blog, but I got this one through some trusted sources and found it amazing and compelling enough to share. It is a first hand account of a passenger on the flight - a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles who was on Flight 1549. "As many of you now know, Gerry McNamara was on US Airways Flight 1549 last week. We caught up with him to discuss the

I Just Kooza'ed On Myself!

2009-01-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza, which is in Atlanta through March 1, had me laughing so hard I nearly Kooza'ed on myself! I had the opportunity to experience Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza in Atlanta with my girlfriend. Her opinion of the show was that it was "great", but I think a bit more analysis is warranted. As an avid fan of Cirque Du Soleil I was extremely happy with the show and enjoyed the

Did Bush Do Anything Right?

2009-01-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

Last night as I sat with some friends after playing tennis the often taboo subject of politics came up and I found myself in a sea of vitriol and venom focused on George Walker Bush. The table had six people at it including myself and instead of contributing to the opinions being bantered about I decided to hold back and listen. After 15 minutes I asked one simple question to the group that was

Who's The Hero of Flight 1549?

2009-01-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

Much has been made of the "hero" of US Airways Flight 1549 that crash landed into the Hudson River after departing New Yorks La Guardia Airport. Let me first say that I agree Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III did a fine job with all the things a commercial pilot should do when his aircraft is in trouble, but with so many people labeling him alone the "hero" it leaves a bad taste in my

Another One Bites The Dust

2009-01-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

As the President of APPA I play various API venues to get to know the players and support the venues, but I will at times also go outside of API to sample other leagues games 3 or 4 times a year so I am informed when making recommendations about the future of APPA.Last Monday after my weekly tennis drills I headed up to Canton to check out another leagues game at Jocks and Jill's and came in 3rd,

Not Cirque Du Soleil

2009-01-18T22:04:00.001-08:00

As you might know if you read my blog I am a big fan of Cirque Du Soleil. Let's suffice it to say that the video below is not Cirque Du Soleil.The Amazing Faceplanting Acrobats - Watch more Free Videos

A Dark Day for Nortel

2009-01-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

I spent a fair part of my career with Nortel Networks so today's news that they company has filed for bankruptcy protection is met with mixed emotions. First, now that I work for one of their competitors I am glad since this may just open up more opportunity with my customers. On the other hand, I have a fond spot for this company and hate that poor management of this once great technology

Chips Are Not Chips

2009-01-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

Following through on my commitment to play three 1 hour ring game sessions per week I spent several hours tonight online playing a $.10/$.25 ring game on Full Tilt. Tonights lesson - chips are not chips - they are money.I started my evening with $15 starting my session about 8:00 p.m. I was up down early on and then ended up with a huge swing to the upside when I gambled a bit and my pair and

Addressing Weakness

2009-01-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

I feel that one of the weakest areas of my poker game is when I get into a ring game. The reason for this is simple, I learned to play poker tournament style, and the skills and objectives of the two types of poker are somewhat conflicting. Is it the same game? Sure, NL Texas Holdem - but the objectives and goals are different. In a ring game marginal mistakes do not cost you everything,

So True

2009-01-07T00:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.- Kurt Vonnegut

Smiling at SkyMiles

2009-01-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

When Delta announced they were merging with Northwest, many were skeptical - especially those of us who fly Delta a lot. It seems upon further review that the merger is going to be a good thing for SkyMiles members and today I was very pleased to see that the "new" Delta has brought back segments as a way to earn elite status. This is huge for those of us in Atlanta and other hub cities that fly

Must See Travel Web Sites

2009-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest must see travel web sites (in no particular order):1. Farecast - Predicting airfares is tough. This site makes it easier by giving you advice based on historic data if the price is likely to go up, down, or stay the same based on your travel dates.2. Happy Median - Ever have multiple friends getting together and you cannot decide where to meet that would be fair to everyone,

Best Undiscovered Web Sites of 2008

2008-12-31T12:51:00.001-08:00

It is ironic how the printed press is slowly folding their tents and going home or joining the rest of us on the Internet. PC Magazine is one of those publications making the switch and with their last print issue they did some great work on the "Top 100 Undiscovered Web Sites of 2008".This is a good list and you will find some sites that do the expected. For me sites like Jott.com, Meebo.com

How To Rob A Vegas Poker Room

2008-12-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

Like this....http://www.lasvegasvegas.com/pokerblog/archives/007012.php...but who plays at the Sahara anyways?

The Rat Pack Has Moves

2008-12-18T13:07:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Our Family's Country Christmas Dance

2008-12-18T12:59:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Definition of Politics

2008-12-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

Politics comes from two words. Poly, meaning many and tics - a blood sucking parasite. Based on this breakdown I guess many of those that represent us are blood sucking parasites.Do you need additional explanation?

Fill In The Blank

2008-11-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I go to write on my blog and after having tremendous ideas I simply go blank - like tonight. I want to write something profound, something inspiring, but I am at a loss. It is not as if there is a shortage of items to write about....I just can't summon the patience or organization in my head to put it on this screen so here is my latest blog. Fill in the blanks.

Heading to Vegas!!!

2008-11-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I won the American Poker Invitational Quarterly Invitational and August Monthly garnering the top prize of a sponsored trip to the 2009 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, NV. Needless to say I am excited about this and worked very hard to win...today everything just fell together and I was very clear and focused on the plays I made at the table. So now I pat myself on the back,

Wassup!!!!

2008-11-21T06:59:00.001-08:00

I am not an Obama fan, but I have to give this video props for its creativity and humor. Enjoy.

Meadows Lane

2008-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

In response to my good friends blog, Steele Street, I decided to create my own and utilize this Internet thing - I think it is finally catching on! In homage to Jason's naming strategy I am called my blog Meadows Lane. My first choice was eMeadows, but some guy has already reserved it to blog about his pathetic cyber life and lack of any female interest.My blog is about what is on my mind -

Inconsistentcies of Philosophy

2008-11-19T23:50:00.000-08:00

When it comes to abortion and the death penalty people are as polarized as my latest pair of sun glasses, but as you peel back the onion and start to think about the platform position of democrats and republicans it becomes clear to me that both have major inconsistency.Let's begin with abortion - probably the most polarizing discussion you can have with someone. Personally I don't think the

Mandate = Fools

2008-11-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

I am convinced that although Barak Obama won the Presidential election his ascension to the oval office was not a "mandate" for expanding the democratic parties definition of change via the pretext of the current financial crisis and election results.History buffs will be familiar with the circumstances surrounding FDR's rise to power in the 30's, but many forget that along with the positives

Automakers Bailout Useless

2008-11-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

I understand why Nancy Pelosi and her crew on the "Hill" are advocating a bailout of the American automakers, but let's be real and realistic at the same time - this is not a bailout of the automakers - it is a bailout of the UAW.While we are at it why do these companies need taxpayer money anyways? Don't we have bankruptcy laws that are used by businesses to reorganize without pressure from

Advice to Same Sex Marriage Advocates

2008-11-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

It may surprise some of you that I don't oppose same sex unions, but I must admit that I am surprised that those who advocate same sex marriage just don't seem to get that marriage is not a right - it is an agreement and that they have all the same rights that married men and women possess. What they desire is an expansion of their rights to include and enforce "same sex marriage" and with the

D) None of the above

2008-10-27T17:57:00.001-07:00

To me politics is becoming much like a multiple choice test. Based on the question you determine your answer, but far too often the questions are misleading, rude or are solely in place for entertainment value and never hit the mark of what really matters in elections.A perfect example of this is the recent interview between Joe Biden and Barbara West. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out on

3 Letters or 4 - What's the Difference

2008-10-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Joe Biden and his latest gaffe.

Big Picture on Government Spending

2008-10-17T12:21:00.001-07:00

Can I Have Some Wealth Too?

2008-10-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

...or do I not qualify? Obama revealed.Read it in print here, or view it below.WTF? Ever heard of Wealth Redistribution - that is the actual economic agenda of Obama and the Democratic Party. Elect him and enjoy. I will be waiting with baited breath for my check too.

ACORN's Fraudulent Voter Registrations

2008-10-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

IT JUST GETS WORSE: ACORN Registers Mickey Mouse. That's the headline on Drudge. Again, where's the Department of Justice on this? Have they somehow overlooked these stories?

The Excitement Builds

2008-10-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Shortly I am heading to Japan for a bit of rest and relaxation with my favorite person (she knows who she is) and the excitement we both have towards this trip is palatable.Here is just a taste of some of the things we are doing while in Japan:Feeding the Deer in MiyajimaThe Great Buddha of KamakuraSeeing Cirque du Soleil's ZED

Take a Bite Out of Atlanta

2008-10-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

From BudgetTravel.com More than 70 restaurants will offer food samplings and wine tastings this weekend at Taste of Atlanta. The event will be held on the streets of Atlantic Station, a lively midtown district refashioned out of a former steel mill.Your admission price (starting at $25) lets you try dishes from a list of restaurants that includes Rosa Mexicano, Sambuca, and The Capital Grille.

And I Thought McCain Was the Fiscal Conservative

2008-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

I like reading about technology, aviation, poker, travel and politics. So a document I recently read front to back caught me a bit off guard since I generally align my values towards fiscal conservatism and social liberalism with fiscal issues taking precedent. The document, published by the US Budget Watch titled Promises, Promises: A Fiscal Voter Guide to the 2008 Election, projects the

The Real Bailout Story

2008-10-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

Funny that SNL gets so close to the truth. Great satire of Barney Frank too!!

News Stories by Presidential Candidate

2008-10-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Is there really a bias to how Presidential Candidates are covered? Take a look at this widget and decide for yourself.

Americans Don't Undersand Taxation

2008-10-08T10:43:00.001-07:00

Given the complexity of our tax code, the failure of our government to simplify the tax code or replace it with a system like the Fair Tax it isn't surprising that most tax payers don't know who pays the bulk of the taxes in the United States - confusion and sound bites are a politicians friend. Check out this exert from a recent Wall Street Journal article citing research from the Tax Policy

Political Debates Bore Me To Death

2008-10-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Last night was yet another presidential debate and it bored me to death. I found the entire thing boring. Here is how I rated it:Moderator - Tom Brokaw: Boring. Audience Questions: Boring and unimaginative.McCain: BoringObama: Only slightly more boring than McCain by a narrow marginObama was only slightly more boring than McCain because he is leading in the polls and his job last night

Obama Leads, McCain Stumbles, Biden goofs, & Palin Kept Limited

2008-10-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Obama leads in all the major polls nationally. Some large margins, some smaller, but, significant.McCain still gained ground in key states. But, he hasn't moved much to take over, and can he at this point? If you can't hold Virginia and Colorado from the Democrats, you don't deserve to win Senator McCain.Just as Al Gore lost not only because of Florida, but, because he did not hold West Virgina

Free Admission to Disney on Your Birthday!!!

2008-09-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced today that in 2009 it will offer free admission on your birthday to its theme parks in California or Florida. "Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year. We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney parks and Resorts at a press conference today. The new policy follows up on

Beware Home Depot Customers

2008-09-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

For those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 20-something year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing

New York, New York

2008-08-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!

China's Gold Medals Found to Have High Lead Content - Phelps warned of hazard

2008-08-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

China's impressive haul of gold medals at the Beijing Olympics was tarnished somewhat today when it was revealed that 'abnormally high levels of lead' were found in the first-place medallions.The medals, which were supposed to be made entirely of gold, were instead found to be composed of 99% lead alloy and coated with a gold-colored lead-based paint.The shocking revelations roiled the Olympic

Life Gets In The Way

2008-08-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

I just realized that it is already August and I haven't posted a new blog in close to 10 days, but let's face it - life happens and mine is moving full steam ahead.At work we are beginning a new year (our fiscal year runs from August to July) and with all my new responsibilities and the organizational changes that come with it I have my hands full on that front. I have also been spending a good

Media Nailed for Bias

2008-07-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

In a recent editorial column by William Tate in Investors Business Daily the bias of media is called out towards left leaning candidates.I found this editorial funny and saddening at the same time and granted I believe Barak Obama has done a good job of making his own good luck, it would be asinine for any of my friends on the left to make a good case that he hasn't had a lot of help from the

Binomials and Poker

2008-07-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

In a March 2008 blog post by Phil Gordon called "Binomial Love" on ESPN's Poker Site he talks about the probabilities of winning and losing tournaments. Now Phil is a very smart guy. He attended very good schools and I personally know some of the crowd he runs with it doesn't surprise me that he posted a blog based on the binomial formula. What the heck is a Binomial Formula you ask? Thanks

ESPN WSOP Coverage Begins Tonight

2008-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

ESPN airs the first coverage of the 2008 World Series of Poker tonight on ESPN at 8:00 p.m., but if you are expecting to see the main event don't get too excited just yet.Tonight their coverage is of the $10,000 pot-limit hold'em event - # 1. Their main event coverage doesn't come on until September 2nd so that they can run it right up to the Final Table Pre-Show on November 4th before airing

Props Panned By Health Inspector

2008-07-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

I am not one to kick a person when they are down, or wish ill on others - so before going off the deep end and assuming I have it out for Props and Hops keep in mind that I am just posting facts...followed by my opinion. As Paul Harvey would say, "and now the rest of the story".I live in Cherokee County, Georgia - BridgeMill to be specific. I keep my boat and WaveRunner at Victoria Marina on the

HTU TLA's and FLA's

2008-07-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

I work in technology for a great company, Cisco (CSCO) - and no we don't sell food, and from the beginning of my career I bet I have dealt with more acronyms than any other career path or profession (save maybe government and medical).Long ago, my friend and former roommate, Jason Steele coined a phrase for these acronyms. He called them "Hard To Understand Three Letter Acronym's and Four Letter

WSOP Update #2: Survive 3 - Make Bank

2008-07-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

Day 4 starts with 474 players. The money broke on day 3 (yesterday) with hand for hand play starting at 10:30 a.m. PDT and #667 - a.k.a. as "bubble boy" - being some guy named Steve Chung. Wouldn't it suck to be the bubble in a tournament you paid $10 dimes to play?The news wasn't all bad for Steve. Milwaukee's Best Light ("the Beast") awarded him with a $10,000 seat in the 2009 main event. After

WSOP Main Event Update - Event 54

2008-07-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

This years main event had 6,844 entrants. It was going to be 6,845, but I was not able to undo my cracked pocket Aces; therefore, never made it into the starting field.Of the 6,844 that started a about half - or 3,068 - remained in the field as of 12:42 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, July 9th. This year players started with 20,000 tournament chips and 2 hour blinds which has led to a slower

Our Visit with the Rat Pack

2008-07-06T18:52:00.001-07:00

Here in Vegas there is evidence everywhere of the love and admiration of the “Rat Pack”. There are streets named for Sammy, Dean, and Frank all close to the strip, but what I have noticed most is that behind Elvis impersonators – impersonators of the Rat Pack run a close second. On Tuesday evening after we arrived here in Vegas, the “API Rat Pack” attended the World Series of BBQ Party at the

WSOP 2008 Not Complete Bust

2008-07-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

Written on 7/3/08.Today was the day I was going to qualify for the Main Event at the 2008 World Series of Poker, but alas it was not to be this year. By my standards I had good success this year. I definitely did better than last year when I lost 2 single table satellites and exited each early. In contrast this year I won a single table satellite tournament a couple of weeks ago enabling me to

SHE DID IT!!!

2008-06-27T14:01:00.001-07:00

My mother graduated from the Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Programs Paralegal Program last night. Our entire family and our friends are so proud of her for going after what she wanted and changing her life. I have put together a video for those of you that could not attend to see how much fun we had! Congratulations on your achievement mom!!!!

Twittering Isn't for Twits

2008-06-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Again I find myself sitting in an airport waiting on a flight back to Atlanta. I love being able to blog about what is on my mind, but have you ever heard of twitter or twittering?Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send "updates" (or "tweets"; text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) to the Twitter web site, via the Twitter web site, short

You Are Not In Kansas Anymore

2008-06-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on my drive from Memphis to Little Rock I saw something that amazed me and had me thinking in the end that "I was not in Kansas anymore." What was this thing that so enthralled me - this thing that has me scrawling a note on my virtual message bulletin board? Are you ready? No really? Here it comes....It was a tornado. Granted, this was not a large tornado and I didn't feel in danger at

Spanking the Monkey in Phoenix

2008-06-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

So right now it is close 2:14 a.m. on the east coast and I am sitting in the Phoenix airport people watching as I wait for my flight back to Atlanta - yes it is a red eye.As I was sitting here I realized I neglected to mention the training I had done on Cardrunners.com before I came out to Vegas for this trip. Where I concentrated was on end of tournament strategy and I believe the videos I

Winning at the WSOP 2008

2008-06-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Today marked a milestone for me in my ever continuing quest to become a better poker player. Why? Because today - Friday, June 20th - I won my first ever "anything" at the WSOP. It was only a single table sit and go for a $175 buy-in, but considering my showing last year this was great! In the end I chopped the prize with another player, but I had commitments to meet and was very confident I

My $240 Dish Network Decision

2008-06-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have a big decision to make - to cancel my Dish Network agreement it will cost me $240. I am thinking it may be worth it since I have 13 months left on an 18 month agreement and since I am already paying them nearly $80 a month for service. Their loss will be greater than my own in the long run (they lose $80 a month - I lose $19) or to net it out I save $800 over the next 13 months by

Mr. Customer - Bend Over and Take It

2008-06-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

You hear it all the time from friends, family and acquaintances. You see it all the time on the news. What is it you may ask? I'll tell you - "more and more companies offer a poor customer experience" - and what's more they really don't care!In the last month I have had absolutely terrible service from my television provider, Dish Network, on more than one occasion. I am constantly losing my

Tackling the Unseen

2008-06-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

If you have ever been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition you will understand what I am about to discuss. In late January 2008 my doctor told me I was diabetic - that is I have diabetes. Diabetes is when your body doesn't use, or properly use the insulin created by your pancreas to deliver glucose to your cells. My A1C was off the chart indicating I had an average blood glucose level of

Hooters and Poker

2008-06-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

So tonight I worked late and then went to dinner at Hooters. One thing I noticed about the Hooters here is that the waitresses were much younger and more attractive than other Hooters I have been too. Let's face it, Hooters is not what it used to be - or I just got a bit older and now know better - take your pick. It helps that there are 3 universities around the area to draw from and I would

Business Meeting Double Speak

2008-06-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in my office near Raleigh, North Carolina listening to a conference call that one of my co-workers set up. I have no involvement in this call...he is just taking it here because we have the room and have been working on other items for the better part of the day. What I find funny and frustrating is the double speak that is going on with his call. As far as I can tell they know

Trunk Monkey - The Date

2008-05-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Someday I will have kids and I want one of these!!!!

Trunk Monkey - Donut Bribe

2008-05-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

Trunk Monkey is one of the funniest series of commercials I have ever seen. Here is one I call "Donut Bribe".

The Difference

2008-05-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barak Obama were walking down a Washington, D.C. street when they came upon a homeless man.John MCain gave the man his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless man.Hillary was very impressed so when they came upon another homeless person she decided to help. She walked over to him

Gasoline Is Cheap! Four dollars a gallon is outrageous! We should be paying much more.

2008-05-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

This was posted on Slate by Robert Bryce...I think he makes some good points. Read the entire article before you comment.The next time you have to take out a loan just to fill up your tank, remember this: Four-dollar-per-gallon gasoline is cheap.There's no doubt that high fuel prices are hurting low-income consumers, and high energy costs are placing a tax on the economy that is slowing

Quote of the Day

2008-05-20T10:32:00.001-07:00

If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead. - Johnny Carson

Defining Liberalism and Conservatism

2008-05-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you have every been in a discussion with someone and all of a sudden they ask you to define a concept or idea that you are familiar with, but not intimate, it can be intimidating.I have one good friend that asks people all the time when discussing government to name and describe the roles of the 3 branches of government and it is fun watching peoples reaction (granted I am sure I had the same

TripAdvisor.com's 2008 Travelers' Choice List

2008-05-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

2008 Travelers' Choice World Destinations:1. Milford Sound, New Zealand2. Queenstown, New Zealand3. Philipsburg, St. Maarten4. Cayo Largo, Cuba5. Rhodes, Greece6. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas7. Cruz Bay, St. John8. Bridgetown, Barbados9. Banff, Canada10. Lake Tahoe, California2008 Travelers' Choice U.S. Destinations:1. Lake Tahoe, California2. Big Sur, California3. San Francisco, California4.

A Man Without Gloves

2008-05-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

Imagine a man who wore gloves throughout his life. The gloves allowed him to experience, but not truly feel the gifts and experiences he encountered. Sure, he did some phenomenal things....traveled, learned to fly, fulfilled many of his dreams in life - but never really felt the joy and completeness of his accomplishments - or more likely these were not the accomplishments he sought?The gloves

Clinton and Obama to Appear at Laugh Factory

2008-05-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Oops. I am sorry. I meant to say that Clinton and Obama make me laugh! Why? Simple - when it comes to gas proposals they are both idiots. Recently Obama began running ads in North Carolina and Indiana denouncing Hillary Clinton's "gas tax holiday" proposal ticking through a number of points of his plan - what he neglected to tell voters was that his plan is virtually identical to Clinton's

Gambling in Washington State

2008-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I just came back from Seattle and was surprised to find out that gambling is legal in the State of Washington. I mainly played just south of downtown Seattle in Renton, Tukwila, and SeaTac. I played Spanish 21 (blackjack with sucker bets), played in a holdem tournament with a $40 buy in and played Ultimate Texas Holdem Table Game.In short, I came back up and the casinos are much smaller in

Surprising Seattle

2008-05-05T09:37:00.001-07:00

I spent the last weekend in Seattle, Washington and was surprised by the experience. Maybe we should start with what I expected and why I went. I went to join some friends for a Celebri viewing of Corteo by Cirque Du Soleil - for those of you that know me you know I am a big Cirque fan. What I expected to find was granola thrown at my feet by a grunge rocker as soon as I stepped of the plane,

Hillary -vs- Obama Fight Night

2008-04-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a great game from the New York Post for all you Hillary and Obama fans. Pick your candidate and then throw your punches.http://www.nypost.com/spsections/hill_vs_obama/

Is Hillary Pushing Wright?

2008-04-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

As published by the New York Daily News - found on the Drudge Report.The Rev. Jeremiah Wright couldn't have done more damage to Barack Obama's campaign if he had tried. And you have to wonder if that's just what one friend of Wright wanted.Shortly before he rose to deliver his rambling, angry, sarcastic remarks at the National Press Club Monday, Wright sat next to, and chatted with, Barbara

Groundings Explained: MD-80 Wiring

2008-04-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a recent posting at Landings.com by a poster named Larry I can explain to you why the FAA grounded many of American Airlines MD-80 fleet over the last month.First, the MD-80 series of airliners was initially produced by McDonnell-Douglas and production was continued by Boeing after they acquired McDonnell-Douglas in 1997. The planes were based on the DC-9 and succeeded by the Boeing 717

The "API" Rat Pack

2008-04-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the line someone (I believe it was Jon Atkins) nicknamed the group of guys I run with "The Rat Pack". We all came to know each other through the API Poker league and over time have forged solid friendships. Most of us are too young too know who made up the original pack so here is a short history lesson from Wikipedia:"The Rat Pack is the nickname given to a group of popular

My 2008 Travel Fun List

2008-04-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

I am an avid traveler that travels because I enjoy it and like seeing and doing things I don't normally get to do. Here is a list of some of the things I would like to do this year or next.Close to home:Zorbing in Tennesse - So you may ask what is Zorbing? Zorbing is a popular activity in New Zealand in which you tumble down a slope while inside a plastic bubble with a bit of water in it. Like

Do You Want Something To Eat?

2008-04-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

If you have a grandmother I know you have heard this before - especially if you have a Jewish grandmother like me. My grandmother is a wonderful person and I have spent the last few days with her and her husband, Sam, down in the land of retirees (a.k.a. Florida). The one thing I get asked by my grandmother more than anything is, "do you want something to eat" or some variation of the same.

CardRunners - Worth It!

2008-04-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and in the world of poker when the going gets tough it is always a great idea to take a step back and evaluate your play. Last month I played in the WSOP Circuit Event #4 at Caesars in Indiana and didn't fair well. I thought I played good, but got knocked out of the tournament in the low 500's out of 622 players. I also played some ring games and

Would the Real Eric Meadows Please Stand

2008-04-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like Slim Shady and with the help of Jason Steele I think I have found out why.It is amazing what you find out about yourself when you Google your name. In my case I found out that I own a driving school in the United Kingdom, I have donated to Barak Obama's campaign from two different addresses, have a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry, work at Eli Lilly, and those are just my

My Many Wifes

2008-04-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

Given the recent news about the various polygamist sects around the U.S. I have to believe that part of their belief structure must revolve around masochism as well. Now let me tell you a story - somewhat related. Last weekend I was invited to meet my some of my girlfriends closest friends and we set off towards downtown with 4 kids in tow. In all there were 12 of us, 7 women (4 pregnant), 4

DL + NW = Sheer Stupidity

2008-04-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

It has come to this....the traditional "full fare" carriers are entering MERGER-MANIA and so the courting of Delta and Northwest has gone beyond nudging to full fledged fluid swapping. So why is this stupid? Aren't some "low cost" airlines like Frontier having problems too? Well let me set the record straight.First - I am fond of Delta and I am not an expert air industry analyst. If flying were a

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

2008-04-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

I have a good friend named Jason Steele who is an all around good guy and very good writer. Jason has written extensively on his blog about his problems with the TSA and his run in with another Jason Steele (his real name isn't Jason it's Josh Clyde Steele -- another crooked politician) over the leasing of his web site to his political rival. Now Jason has found out that the root of all his

May the Best Aircraft Win

2008-04-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

I find it funny that Boeing has lost a $40 billion contract for tankers to Airbus, the European consortium that builds the likes of the A340, A380, and in this case the A330 MRTT / KC-45, which is a modified A330-200. This entire thing is like a calamity of errors and pure stupidity. Boeing put forth it's 767, not nearly as capable an aircraft for the tanker mission as it's 777. Airbus put