3 Topics Foremost in my Mind

There are three topics which are foremost in my mind. And not in chronological order here they are:

1. Did you SEE the Sopranos Series Finale???! I was glued to the TV to witness the end of a series which I've looked forward to for more Sunday nights than I can even remember. I love mob movies, stories, books, you name it. Last night though, sort of shattered that for me. I watched every second, felt the tension mount through the hour. I saw Meadow and AJ start to get their acts together, sorta. I saw Tony visit Uncle Junior, and affirm to himself that he was gone. His mind was gone. The mafia and all memory of it was gone. Tony in a way made peace with it all. I watched Phil Leotardo get whacked...and go out with a bang, and worse still a ROLL! EWWW, squish! Then as it all built to climax. The diner interior, Meadow parking the car...the uneasy hurried glances of the guy at the counter, the pounding beat of Journey's " Don't Stop Believin'" the door to the diner opens as Meadow enters and then...FADE TO BLACK {extended pause} roll credits...end an era. The series sleeps with the fishes. Ouch...my mouth dropped open, Big Red was convinced the cable went out or that I'd accidently hit the remote, but then when the credits started to roll, her eyes got as wide as mine! Wow, what a build up...what a let down. I mean I understand it, leaving it to the imagination, but so many things were left unsaid and undone. I knew they couldn't tie it all up, but sorry Mr. Chase this was bad form. The fans were owed a bit more than this. This is the sentiment of the majority of that fan base. Of course in you mind I'm sure it was a tremendous success because it got us all talking. But for ill or naught...it's over. Bada Bing!
2. Phil Hellmuth made history in the Poker World. He broke the threeway tie between he, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan, when he won his 11th Bracelet at the World Series of Poker. The event was the $1,500 NLHE tournament. 2,500+ players did battle, and Phil came out with win. Just over like $650,000, which is nothing to sneeze at, but the honor and glory of the bracelet must have been sweet. BUT, all that's now in my mind...you'll never get the Poker Brat to SHUT UP now...EVER!!! But hey, you gotta hand it to him. He's the man. The win is his. Kudos Phil, kudos. Gotta give it to ya...well done! Additional info from the blogosphere regarding this: The Poker Brat (Phil Hellmuth) made poker history as became the first player to win 11 bracelets, which surpasses Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan both at 10 each. Phil also set the record for total number of cashes at the WSOP at 59, which I'm sure he'll keep adding to over the next six weeks. He's also made 38 final tables at the WSOP, which is just one shy of TJ Cloutier's record. Information obtained from the Tao of Poker Blog: http://taopoker.blogspot.com/ Congrats Phil!
3. Finally, Ohio County in West Virginia voted 2 to 1 to permit Wheeling Island Gaming Center to add TABLE GAMES at their dog track and slots-o-rama!!! While similar measures were defeated in Charles Town, Wheeling okay'd it! Two other counties are also set to vote on the issue for other race track and gaming centers. Wheeling says it will be up and ready to roll by Labor Day this year...that's just 83 short days away! Poker room will be up and running by then and the claims are that by October all the other casino acoutrements will be in place for an honest to goodness casino. Unreal! Now, when will I have the stones to hit the tables myself?!? I'll keep information about this posted here as it becomes available. For more information see this article: Table Games Are Coming To Ohio CountyWheeling Island Ready To Begin Construction On Poker Rooms
   FINAL RESULTS:
   YES - 7,568 (66%)
   NO - 3,956 (34%)
   100% Precincts reporting
   36% Voter turnout

Voters in Ohio County, W.Va. have approved a proposal to add table games at a racetrack.
With all precincts reporting, a referendum to allow Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center to expand its gambling offerings won 66 percent to 34 percent.
Hit hard by the decline of steel and other heavy industry in recent years, Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center has pitched the vote on table games as a chance for an economic boost, with promises of hundreds of new jobs and millions in new construction.
Bob Marshall, the track's general manager, said the track will begin hiring immediately, and could begin construction plans as soon as Monday.
Current track employees celebrated at the gaming center's showroom after the votes were tallied Saturday night.
"I'm excited and thrilled and I'm honored that the people of Ohio County have stood up for us," said Lee Ames, who works at one of the restaurants at the casino.
"I mean it sincerely when I tell you it is a thrill to be a part of this and most of all it is a thrill to be an Ohio County resident and know that we stood up and did the right thing."
Members of the First Baptist Church in Wheeling had opposed the expansion of gaming.
"We are concerned about what it's going to do to the life of our community and the negative impact it will have on families: increased divorce, child abuse and domestic violence," said Pastor Darrin Wright.
Local state lawmakers took the lead on the legislative intiative to bring the issue of expanded gaming to a public vote.
"I think the real winner today was the people," said State Senator Andy McKenzie (R-Ohio County).
"No one can walk away and say their voice was not heard."

And that's the way it is boys and girls...that's where my mind is.

Regards.

cheer_dad