It's all a blur

It's all a blur... no really.  Ever since the announcement from JR that he was moving to Austin,TX at the end of this month, it's like life's been kicked into overdrive for me.  In addition to planning on a drive with him to Austin to haul his worldly possessions, his going away party which was this past Friday night, I've also found myself in the role of event planner for the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  This was one of the many roles previously filled by JR that it just seemed logical that I'd fill.  I have no regrets... BUT I would just say that he is owed a tremendous thanks for all the level of effort that he put forward to this, getting it off the ground in the first place with the original Pop Evil/Spider Rockets concert which he put together what seems like ages ago!  It was a helluva trail he blazed so long ago, these will be some big shoes to fill but as I've continued to tell Big Ric of Results Radio and 103.1 The Bear, I will give my absolute best to make it all come together.  Let's just all hope that my best is good enough!  : )  If Big Ric tells me to do something... I'm doing it, without question or hesitation.  So, if somewhere along the way I fail to explain my actions or get too demanding of those around me, let me apologize in advance... but know that I'm just trying to make these events as great as they've been so far, and just keep the ride going for as long as we can.  Maybe even leave our new fan base BEGGING FOR MORE!!!

On the immediate radar for the continuing concert season, on July 30th, we have RED coming to play.  This is on its way to be yet ANOTHER sold out event!!!  JR will still be around for this one, but I'm shadowing him so closely at this point that if he stops too quickly I'm going to run into him!  Beyond RED looming on the horizon is Bearfest Resurrection on August 28th.  This is an ENORMOUS production!  I don't think anyone can even fathom it, including all of us who are working to make it happen.  There are 5,000 tickets printed for this outdoor concert!  Big Ric has put together a lineup of national talent that is amazing.  The fact that these bands are coming to Parkersburg, WV is mind-boggling!  This is not a large town, but this is really happening people!  Our current lineup includes headliner Saving Abel!!!  Then, the others on the Main Stage include: Cavo, NonPoint, Bobaflex, Taddy Porter, American Bang, Black Sunshine, and Atom Smash.  On the 2nd Stage, which will alternate during transitions: Noise Auction, State Your Cause, Zeroking, Jinx'd, and In Another Life. I'm looking at every square inch of available space to get people parked, fed, and sufficiently hydrated!!!  Anyone ever given thought to exactly how much beer that many rock fans can put away in a 12+ hour event day!!!  I have...

Virtually on the heels of this we are currently in negotiations for a mid-September concert (back inside the club this time, thank goodness.)  I'm not at liberty to announce anything about that lest Big Ric, "...gut me like a fish!"  (did i get that quote right?) There are also some glimmers out on the distant wasteland of the future that may bring some fantastic opportunities our way.  These are indeed exciting times!  I was always happy to be a part of it... just seems that my levels of intensity have been taken up a few notches!  My adrenaline levels have GOT to be off the chart!  I must confide, I hope I'm found worthy in the end (whenever that is.)  I'm honored to be here... and honestly, I wouldn't change a damn thing about the situation, despite the fact that it's all a FRIGGIN' BLUR!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Main Event, we have a November Nine!!!

Yes, I'm a horrid, lazy, pre-occupied blogger!  But it was my vacation and the beach and many beers took up ALL my time.  Somewhere along the line with the aid of the sun I think I really have crossed a race boundary or two.  The whole family, along with the Jacksons, Morrisons and Wolfes had a fantastic time!  One day of rain threatened to keep us from the beach, but it cleared up and we still managed a few hours baking on the sands.  Beyond that it was just beautiful!  I got in several runs on the beach and just soaked in every once of sand and surf that I could.  Clearly, I'm an ocean kinda guy... maybe there is something to this Aquarius thing after all.  But enough about my beach-time.

When last I left off the WSOP was still weeding down the Tournament of Champion entrants in search of a winner...  I'm ecstatic to report that Huck Seed emerged as the winner of the $500,000 top prize!  An amazing victory in a stellar field of poker's best players.  Congratulations Huck!!!

Event #49 the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em finally played down to a winner and crowned Michael Linn as its champion and coughed up the $609,493 top prize and bling!  Congratulations!

Event #50 $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha found a winner in Chance Kornuth as he took down the $508,090 top prize money.  A quick scan of the winners also reveals that Robert Mizrachi scored a cash and even Annette Obrestad managed to eke out a cash in the event.  But congratulations to "Chance."

Event #51 $3,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em awarded the top prize to Ryan Welch $559,371.  He managed to best the 965 player field to bring it home.  Congratulations on this first bracelet.

Event #52 $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed was not for the meek at that pricetag, but 191 ponied up the entry.  In the end 21 year old Dan Kelly took home the $1,315,518 top prize and the bracelet!  Another quick scan of winners and I see Daniel Negreanu managed to triple his cash in the event, finishing in 11th place.  But congratulations to Dan Kelly on this victory.

Event #53 the $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout found 548 players competing for the top spot, but in the end Brendan Taylor emerged victorious and $184,950 to the good, to go along with his new bracelet.

Event #54 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em crowned its weary champion Marcel Vonk who managed to best the 3,844 player field and take down the $570,960 prize and the WSOP bracelet.  Big Congratulations!

Event #55 $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship found a familiar face to crown champion in Daniel Alaei.  He takes home $780,599 for the victory and his third WSOP bracelet.  Congratulations!

Event #56 $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em finally wound its way to a close and Tomer Berda took home the $825,976 top prize.  Congratulations on the victory!

The $5,000 Ante Up for Africa Tournament was won by familiar face Phil Gordon who graciously donated his $130,641 win to the worthwhile charity! Out in the 2nd spot was Shannon Elizabeth...  Congratulations to all who cashed and even more so to all those who gave it all back!

And then came the grand-daddy event!  Event #57 the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Championship!!!  It's still playing its way down to the final 9 as I write this... 7,319 players began the journey, only 747 of them would take any cash home for their trouble.  They would play for days on end in hopes of becoming one of the final 9 and then disbanding only to return in November to play it down for all the world to see and provide the ESPN climactic spectacle on the air!  And as I am here writing this I was reading that there were 10 players left but just now Brandon Steven has been eliminated in the 10 spot with only a $635,011 pillow to soften the blow of missing the final November Nine!  Still remaining in the hunt which will resume are:

Jonathan Duhamel, John Dolan, Joseph Cheong, John Racener, Filippo Candio, Michael Mizrachi, Soi Nguyen, Matthew Jarvis, and Jason Senti. The top spot of $8,944,138 looms far out on the horizon for one of them.  The 9th spot will offer roughly a $811,823 payday.  Yeah, I think I'd very much like to HANG ON!!!  Congratulations on coming this far in it guys.  We will see you ALL in November!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Sick Puppies Concert 7-7-2010

Fantastic show last night at the Cleveland, Ohio House of Blues by headliner Sick Puppies!  Also appearing were My Darkest Day, It's Alive, and Janus.  Thanks to the phenomenal hookup of 103.1 The Bear's "Big Ric" we got to do a meet and greet with not only the guys from Janus, but then later with the Sick Puppies as well!  I was most impressed with the stage presence and performance of the Sick Puppies.  Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Shimon Moore (middle) delivered a charismatic, adrenaline soaked performance which had the whole jumping!  Newest member/drums Mark Goodwin hammered the drumset from start to finish, with even a bongo-esque interlude in there for good measure.  The lovely and talented Emma Anzai (surprisingly soft-spoken) delivered a blistering performance on bass and added her own heat to the stage!  : )  The most memorable songs for me were Odd One with lyrics of "hey it's gonna be okay, hey we're gonna laugh at this one day!"  There's a life anthem in there somewhere!  Of course pulse pounding "You're Going Down" and the funny romp that Shimon delivered on a pseudo cover of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" with some 'teeth' was just fantastic! 

I had an absolutely great time and met some extraordinarily talented people last night and sincerely hope I get the opportunity to do it all again in the future!

Long, dark, lonely drive home included an unexpected detour and running the gas-tank down to just a few fumes.  Good times, with good friends Jamie, Big Ric, and of course Uncle June! 

I'll get caught up on the WSOP soon, I promise gang, but life has just been a blur lately!  I leave late tomorrow night for a much needed Myrtle Beach vacation!  Hope all is well with each of you!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Bittersweet

We headed over to play poker last night at the Yanok's.  Teresa and I both made points and some cash, I in the first game and she in the second.  You know we have to spread it out a little!  It was another great fun-filled night over there with all the great people we get to hang out with. 

It was all a little bittersweet though since it was the last game that JR will be playing there, before he leaves for Austin, Texas and his new job come August 1st.  He, Teresa, Cole, and I (and even JJ stopped by) yesterday afternoon at the pool to soak up some rays and drink some beer.  It was a great day just hanging out and talking about good times.  We all wish him well on this new adventure... and sincerely hope that one day he returns to the 'burg.  JR, you are my best-friend, and I will miss you, but I understand that you have to do this.  Just know that there's a lot of people here in Parkersburg, WV that love and care about you and that it's not going to change, despite the distance that will separate us!  And now before I start blubberin' and getting the keyboard all wet from tears I'll end this post...

Take Austin by storm Uncle June!

Regards,

cheer_dad

And still MORE WSOP pokery goodness

Sadly, my blogging efforts as of late have been dismal failures. Eagles conventions, concerts, summer, family, friends, and well... you name it, it has all taken a seat closer to the front of the bus than has my blogging. I am sorry. But sometimes kidlets, "dems da berries." SOOOO, picking up where I left off:

Event #28: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha has crowned its champion and awarded the $315,311 top prize to Miguel Proulx. Congratulations on the win! And I see now that blogger buddy SHAMUS covered that one. I enjoyed reading through your writing as always.

Event #29: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship has completed too, and awarded Matt Keikoan a 2nd WSOP bracelet. Way to go! Some other names I'm happy see make the money on this one, Brock Parker, Michael Mizrachi, and David Chiu.

Event #30: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em has completed and the $581,851 top prize and bracelet has been awarded to Mike Ellis. Congratulations on wading through the enormous field!

Event #31: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. awarded $256,820 to Konstantin Puchkov. Congratulations on your new shiny WSOP bracelet!

Event #32: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has crowned a champion and awarded a first bracelet to Jeffrey Papola. To get there he outlasted 567 players, and then ultimately came to heads up play with Men Nguyen, who certainly made him work for it. Congrats to him!

Event #33: $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha was awarded to Jose-Luis Velador. He lays claim to $260,517 and the WSOP bracelet. Congratulations.

Event #34: $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em Championship has ended as well and unfortunately I can't say that my good friend Vince got to the winner's circle. But he's returned from Vegas with a story or two to tell though. On the other hand a winner ultimately emerged in Harold Angle. He pockets the bling and $487,994 for outlasting the 3,142 players. Congratulations.

Event #35: $10,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship found its winner in Ayaz Mahmood. Congratulations to him. It's also good to see lovely lady Vanessa Rousso finishing in the #5 spot! : )

Event #36: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em has its champion in Scott Montgomery with $481,760 to go with his bracelet. Congratulations.

Event #37: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. I was really excited about this one. And when the dust settled the bracelet and the $329,840 went to one of my all time favorite poker players, Phil Ivey! Big congratulations!

Event #38: $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em Championship has awarded the top prize of $627,214 to Valdemar Kwaysser. Congratulations on a great payday.
Event #39: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout finally awarded the $381,922 to Steven Kelly. Congratulations.

Event #40: $2,500 Seven Card Razz awards $214,085 to Frank Kassela and his second bracelet! Big Congratulations.

Event #41: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better has its bracelet winner in Steve Jelinek and $245,871.

Event #42: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Dean Hamrick takes it down wading through the 2,521. He takes the bracelet and $604,222! Congratulations!

Event #43: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship the $611,666 top spot was awarded to Ian Gordon. Congratulations!

Event #44: $2,500 Mixed Hold'em Day. AND at LONG LAST Mr. Gavin Smith has secured his place in the club of WSOP bracelet winners!!! Gavin bested a field of 507 players to take home his FIRST EVER bracelet, not to mention the $268,238 top prize! Congratulations Gavin!

Event #45: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em. Jesse Rockowitz laid claim to the $721,373 and the top prize, wading through the 3,097 player field. Congratulations.

Event #46: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better. The top spot went to Chris Bell with the bracelet and a tidy prize pool $327,040. Congratulations.

Event #47: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em continues to drag on with 9 players remaining of the starting 3,128 players. Sorry folks I'm sure you're all a great bunch a guys but I don't know a one of you... sorry...

Event #48: $2,500 Mixed Event crowned a winner in Sigurd Eskeland and gained him $260,497 along with a shiny new bracelet.

As of Day 2 of the WSOP Tournament of Champions we find 17 players remaining of the 27 who began. Mike Matusow is currently in the lead with 85,500 in chips. The top nine will take home a paycheck, but currently 17 remain.

Event #49: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em continues to roll along with 23 of the starting 2,543 players remaining...

Event #50: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha. Robert Mizrachi is currently on top of chip stack of this event. There are a total of 31 of the starting 460 players left.

Event #51: $3,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em still has 189 of 965 players remaining.

On tap to get started today Event #52: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed AND Event #53: $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout.

And with THAT lengthy recap... I'm spent! Thanks for coming by the blog.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Still more WSOP goodness...

Event #20 $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha John "Tex" Barch takes home WSOP gold and $259,919.  Congratulations to him!

Event #21 $1,500 Seven Card Stud, Richard Ashby take home $140,467 and the bling.  Congrats...

Now, the pictures on PokerNews.com truly reflect excitement in this next winner.  Event #22: $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship.  In this one Vanessa Hellebuyck  takes down $192,132 and besting 1,054 other ladies... or pseudo/wanna be ladies...  Congratulations.

Finally, Event #23: $2,500 Limit Hold'em / Six Handed, brings us a name we know and love.  Dutch Boyd takes down his second bracelet and $234,065.  Congrats Dutch!

Event #24: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em brought us a winner on Day 4 with Jeff Tebben coming out on top and taking home $503,389 for the effort.  Congrats.

And HELL YEAH!  I really should be following along much closer.  Event #25: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship find Sam Farha coming out on top with $488,237!  I like Sam, if you don't leave the blog... now! 

Event #26: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed is now in the books and has Willam Haydon as the victor!  A not too shabby $630,031 prize and bling for his effort!

Event #27: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better finds a winner in David Warga  who finds a prize of $208,682 for the effort.

Event #28: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha, is down to the final 7 looking for a winner still.

6 of 171 entrants remain in Event #29: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship.  425,969 still awaiting a winner.

Event #30: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em continues with 91 of 2,394 players remaining. 

Event #31: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.finds 72 of 828 still in the hunt.  The last noted bustout was Tom Dwan!

Event #32: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has far too many to speculate!  318 of 568 remain.

And finally I'll mention 2010 World Series of Poker
Event #33: $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha, which is for all intents and purposes "just" getting under way!

I'm dog tired!  work, run, lift, and now eagles' convention is exhausting...  Yes, I'm a delegate and so I will not be at work tomorrow, if anyone cares.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Continuing WSOP goodness, personal updates too!

I know I'm WAY behind.  There's just been a lot going on!  But here's my WSOP 2010 catch-up post...

Event #11 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em has been won by Simon Watt, who dashed the hopes of Tom Dwan's first WSOP bracelet.  Congrats to Watt for taking home the bling and the $614,248 top prize.

Event #12 $1,500 Limit Hold’em found Matthew Matros as the eventual winner taking home $189,870 for besting the field.  Congratulations.

Event #13 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em has also crowned it champion in Stephen Gee who pocketed a nice $472,479 sum. 

Event #14 $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball found Yan Chen coming out on top of the players, and taking home the gold and $92,817.  Yeah, I know it's not a whopping amount of money, but it'd sure put a dent in the ole mortgage!  Congratulations to him!

Event #15 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship has its champion in Frank Kassela, who walks away with the WSOP bracelet and a tidy $447,446 prize for first!  Others who found there way to a decent payday in the event were Allen Kessler in 2nd, Jennifer Harman Traniello in 3rd, Steve Zolotow 4th, John Juanda in 5th.

SHEESH, I really AM behind on the series recap, huh!

Event #16 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed found a winner in Carter Phillips.  $482, 774 was a nice payday for him, congrats.

Event #17 $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em was won by Jason DeWitt.  He takes home $818,959 for his trouble!  Big congratulations to him!

Event #18 $2,000 Limit Hold'em... and the winner is Eric Buchman who takes home $203,607.  Yes, you'll recall Buchman as one of the November Nine from last year's 2009 WSOP!  Congratulations on a game well played.

Event #19 $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship's $294,314 top prize payday goes to David Baker.  In reviewing the folks who got paid in this one.  Baker is to be congratulated even more: Eric Cloutier, John Juanada, Erik Seidel, Daniel Negreanu, Andy Block, Yan Chen, and even Peter Gould.  Nice job!

Event #20 $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha is down to the final 4 at the time of my catching up on my reading!  Nenad Medic, Trai Dang John Barch, and Klinhammer Thibaut are all that remain all in search of the bracelet and $256,919.

Event #21 $1,500 Seven Card Stud has 6 players remaining of the 408 who started.  $140,467 awaits the eventual winner.

Event #22 $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship continues on with 71 of the original 1,054 remaining.  $192,132 awaits one lucky lady!  Of those remaining in the game I quickly recognize:  Liv Boeree, Mimi Tran, Linda Johnson, Evelyn Ng, and Lacey Jones.

Event #23 $2,500 Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has 49 of the original
 384 players remaining.

Event #24 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em, 640 players remaining from the 1,931 who began the journey. 

Event #25 $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship is just getting underway.

Sorry guys, I just have little to say.  Despite being off work for a couple days this week, I have been incredibly busy.  Even on the days at work, I've been hitting overtime hours that I could do without, but seem somewhat essential. 

The Black Stone Cherry concert at the Eagles was a phenomenal success on Wednesday, with more than 800 people in attendance.  Fantastic show by both BSC and JINXD who opened for them.  My son got to meet the members of both bands.  I hung out with a number of them myself.  What a great bunch of guys and I see great success in their futures!  Any group with such talent and a great dedication and work ethic has what it takes to go the distance. 

In personal poker news!  Last night Big Red and I played cards at the Yanok's house.  I bubbled the money on game one (got points) and then in game two, Big Red and I chopped the 2 payout spots.  Lighter than usual turnout but a GREAT time nonetheless.  I drank a lot... too much of course and got to bed way too late.  Then, at 9am my dad showed up to continue working on the screening in of our back deck.  We worked on until 7pm!  The first couple of hours I know my sweat had a beer foam to it!  I survived and the deck is looking GREAT!  I'll try to get some pix up of it. 

Tomorrow I have to mow, and work some more on the deck.  But by 9pm tomorrow night my backside will be firmly planted in front of the TV for the Season Premiere of TRUE BLOOD!!!  Don't call me at that time... I will END you!  : P 

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Event #s 9 - 15

Event #9: $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em congratulations to James Dempsey, for taking home the WSOP gold a hard won $197,470.

But then there was Event #10 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship.  Let me say a BIG congratulations to Men "The Master" Nguyen for taking home the gold and a cool $394,800!  This marks Men's 7th WSOP bracelet!

In event #11 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em only 17 players remain going at it for the top spot and a cool pay day of $614,248.  And continuing to prove his worth in the poker world, and the current chipleader is Tom Dwan. 

Event #12 $1,500 Limit Hold’em also continues to grind its way toward a final table.  10 of the original 625 players remain.  The top spot still up for grabs of $189,870.  And on top of that one... hey I know and read that guy's blog, no not that one, the other one... Terrence Chan!  Congrats and hang tough as always!

With quite some distance still to go, Event #13 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em, continues on with 590 players remaining of the starting 590. 

Event #14 $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball, has 42 of the 250 starters still in the hunt, and only 28 ever see the green...  Top prize of $92,817 and don't forget some WSOP gold and the bragging right that go along with it!

And it won't be long before the start of Event #15 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship. 

Thanks again to the PokerNews.com writing team!

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 continues Event #s 8 - 14

Event #8 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em was not the magic one for Phil... instead Pascal LeFrancois came up with the top spot, the bracelet, and the $568,974. Congratulations  on coming out on top of the pack of 2,341 players.

Event #9 $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em continues on with only 6 players remaining:  James Depsey, Steve Chanthabouasy, Mark Babekov, Scott Haraden, JJ Liu, and Armen Kara.  Hanging around til the last man standing will garner WSOP gold and $197,470.

Event #10 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship continues on with only 9 of the original 150 players remaining.  Top spot is $394,800 while going out next at $38,676 is at the very least guaranteed.  Still in the hunt I see some familiar names, Brandon Adams, Men Nguyen, Steve Billirakis, and there's Michael Mizrachi too. 

Event #11 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, 151 of the starting 2,563 players remain but hey 270 players get paid!  Of course much less than the top spot of $614,248.  Hang in there!!!

Event #12 $1,500 Limit Hold’em still has 119 of the starting 625 remaining, all seeking a top prize of $189,870.

Event #13 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em and Event #14 $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball are just getting under way as well.  Way too early to even think about a leader...

Regards,

Brian
x7716

WSOP 2010 Event #s 2 - 10+

Yes, I'm very far behind in my recap of the 2010 WSOP... but rather than belabor the point let's get on with it shall we!?!

BIG Congratulations to Michael Mizrachi on winning the Poker Player's Championship (Event #2) at this year's World Series of Poker!  He bested the 116 players who ponied up the whopping $50,000 entry, to take home a cool little WSOP bracelet and not to mention the $1,559,046 top prize!  Fantastic effort!

In Event #3 $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em the winner is Aadam Daya taking home the $625,872 top prize and the WSOP bling!  It took 4 grueling days of grinding through the 4,345 player field!  He is to be commended... congratulations!

In Event #4 $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better the new bracelet winner and pocketer of $237,140 is Michael Chow.  Congratulations!

In Event #5 $1,500 No-limit Hold'em, we have Praz Bansi coming up with the bracelet and $515,501 for the top spot.  He too waded through an enormous field of players (2,092) to claim the title!

The 358 player field in Event #6: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout was also reduced to the last man standing and we find Joshua Tieman taking home the bracelet and $441,692!  Congratulations to him!

Peter Gelencser lays claim to the bracelet and $180,730 in Event #7: $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball.  Congratulations!

Event #8 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em is still underway with only 25 of the original starting 2,341 players.  One heavy notable still in the thick of it... Phil Hellmuth.  You just gotta love to hate the guy!  He is entertaining though!

Event #9 $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em now has only 65 players remaining from the original 650.  Top prize in this one is $197,470.  Stay tuned.

When I pulled up the page for Event #10 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship, I thought I'd misclicked and checked myself again!  But low and behold, there is Michael Mizrachi's name AGAIN.  No, it ain't over but he is currently on top of the chip counts with 88 of the 150 starters still remaining.  But this won't be easy and that war is probably FAR from over with the likes of Doyle Brunson, Men Nguyen, Nick Schulman, Brandon Adams, Greg Mueller, and John DAgostino also appearing in the Top 25.

Scheduled to get underway today, June 4th are Event #11: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, Event #12: $1,500 Limit Hold’em, and Event #13: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em.  Lots of pokery goodness still to come in this year's WSOP.  Stay tuned, and please continue to follow along with the great writers of PokerNews.com, http://www.pokernews.com/live-reporting/2010-wsop/.

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Action continues Event #s 2 thru 7

And the action at the WSOP continues.  Event #2 the $50,000 Poker Player's Championship is down to the final 8 players!  On top of the chip counts is Robert Mizrachi with 3,125,000.  Also still in the hunt are David Baker, John Juanda, Mikael Thuritz, Michael Mizrachi, Vladimir Schmelev, Daniel Alaei, and David Oppenheim.  As I said before, I can't wait to see this one play out...

Heading into Day 3 of Event #3 $1,000 NLHE, there are only 41 of the starting 4345 players left.  Congrats to them all, thy've all made the money!  Can't say I'm overly excited about any of the names which remain... I'm sure they're all great people... just not "my" people!  : P  Top spot of $625,872 awaits one of them at any rate.

In Event #4 $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, there remain 26 of the initial 818 starters.  Again, everyone left now, is in the money...  Top spot payout $237,140 and some little bracelet of a trinket.  : )  A quick look at the players remaining and I see Ylon Schwartz, Jeff Madsen, and Huck Seed.  And oh NOOOOOOs where are you???!!! Say it ain't so BWoP!!! 

In Event #5 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em 223 players remain of the 2,099 who began.  Only 216 of those will be walking away with anything at all... with the top spot at $515,501.

Event #6 $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout is just getting going with a total of 122 players.  Too early to get excited about anyone in this one but a quick look at the top 10 in chip counts, and you see Chris Ferguson on top, with Jeffrey Lisandro, Daniel Negreanu, Todd Brunson, Justin Bonomo, and Johnny "frickin" Chan to do a little name dropping!  Good luck/skill guys!

Event #7 $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball will commence later tonight at 5pm Vegas time baby!

Thanks to all the coverage being provided the the talented writers at http://www.pokernews.com/live-reporting/...  You guys make it possible for the rest of us to live vicariously through you!

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Event #1 Winner

Congratulations to Hoai D. Pham, who became the first bracelet winner of the 2010 WSOP.  He bested a field of 721 players over 3 days to finally take it down.  Pham collected $71,424 for first place.

Michael Mizrachi continues to hold a tenuous lead over the field in Event #2 The Poker Players Championship $50,000 buy-in.  This high-stakes event drew 116 players this year, up from last year's 95 player field.  These are your elite players.  The field is now down to the final 21 players.  The format of play demands experience in nearly all poker variants and disciplines.  It is a mix of Triple Draw 2-7, Hold'em, Omaha /8B, Razz, Stud, Stud /8B, No Limit Hold'em, and PLO...  In addition to Michael Mizrachi, some of the other players I recognize in the dwindling field are Daniel Alaei, Robert Mizrachi, John Juanda, Nick Schulman, Andy Bloch, Erik Seidel, David Singer, and Eli Elezra.  I'm looking forward to the ESPN coverage of this year's event, with so many big names in the field.  Top spot in the event...$1,559,046.

Event #3 the $1,000 NLHE drew 4,345 players of which only 481 remain.  Top spot payout in this event is $625,872.  Still a lot of thinning of the herd to come in this one.

Event #4: Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better began drew 818 players. of which 274 remain.


Event #5  $1,500 NLHE is just getting under way... 

Continue to follow along either here, or for the real quick scoop head over to PokerNews.com and their live reporting!!!

And back here on the homefront... Teresa, Cole, and I went out the wilds of Gilmer County to do some camping and four-wheeling and had an absolute ball.  Along for the adventure were the Jacksons, Allmans, and Uncle June did make a showing... along with several other friends and family of his. Fantastic time was had by all, and Big Red in particular surprised me with the good time that she swears that she had!  We will definitely be returning for future trips!

Hope all is well with each of you and that life is going your way!

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Event #1 has begun!

WSOP Event #1 (Casino employees $500) is now underway.  Poker madness has now begun!  Next up later today will be Event #2 the Poker Players Championship ($50,000 buyin.)  This year to later be broadcast by the ESPN minions!  Last year they left it out and the numbers dipped.  Somehow they continue to be convinced that people don't want to watch any poker other than no limit hold'em.  Idiots!  Good luck to all of you who are making your way to Las Vegas over the course of the next 7 weeks to try your hand at a tournament game or so.  No, I'm not going to make it out there, again... Work, family, life... all keep getting in the way!  : )  So, I'll live vicariously through the antics and plays of poker's elite.

To the PokerNews.com covering crew let me just say THANKS in advance for the fantastic job I know you'll do again in covering the WSOP for the world to read and enjoy!  I have a feeling my work productivity may once again suffer, for a few weeks.  C'mon boss, cut me some slack!

Regards,

cheer_dad

How'd I get THIS far behind!

The 2010 edition of the World Series of Poker starts tomorrow people!!!  How in the world did all of this creep up on me?  Oh wait, I remember now.  Friggin' WORK has taken over my LIFE!!!  AHHHHHH!!!!  But, I'm taking some definite time for me out to enjoy one of my true passions and joys in life, Poker!  Don't even try to get in my way. 

For what seems like forever, the NDPT blog is going to get back to its roots people... POKER!  Event #1 the $500 Casino Employees NLHE event gets under way TOMORROW.  Where did all the time from the end of last year's series up until now go?  Let's try not to let it all get away from me like this again. 

To all my friends, family, and most of all the NDPT Blogladytes, here comes the World Series of Poker 2010!  Hang on for the thrill ride, it never, ever seems to let us down.  Stay tuned, as always for the best of the best of the live coverage over at PokerNews.com! 

Time to get all obsessive again. 

Regards and Shuffle Up and Deal,

cheer_dad

Rock on the Range 2010

What a great time at Rock on the Range 2010!  Teresa and I met up with Frank, Chris and Uncle June then the music and mass quantities of alcohol began.  Even Teresa had a good time!  Today she was retelling the stories of the "crowd surfers," and said, "I'm 41 years old and that was my first mosh pit!"  I'm a little achy after all the tosses of the random bodies that were flying overhead!  What a great day!  We left a little earlier than planned but it was probably for the best since I had a dental appointment earlier this morning to get to.  I made it.  Of course the pricetag was extreme... getting a couple fillings replaced that were giving me fits.  I'll be working some serious OT to make up for those! 

While at Rock on the Range, we met up with other friends and made some new ones too.  Even bumped in to Doug from local band Jinx'd!  Always good to see him and the other guys.  I really liked some of the lesser known bands, including Shaman's Harvest which I found to be really good and bluesy.  I'd have to suggest them for a possible opening act at say an Eagles concert...?  : )

Really enjoying the Summer concert circuit that just kind of happened this year!  I will defintely be going back to ROTR, and really am convinced that I'm going to become a basic concert regular from now on.  There's just something about the crowd and the music that really makes me feel good!  Next up, we get our "country" on, by going to see Brooks and Dunn for their farewell tour! 

Time to get Cole ready for baseball at Mineral Wells tonight.  Have a great night everyone.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Exhaustion...

Finally sitting down today and beginning to feel just how tired I am. I went out to start mowing the grass at 10:30.  Finished that, weedeating and then thought I'd start trimming the landscaping and just spruce things up.  Just as I was looking forward to finishing up... my mom and dad show up.  They've picked today to continue working on the garden for Cole.  Not really the gardening part, but the building of the "box" and the chicken wire structure that has to be built around it to keep the wildlife of the neighborhood from tearing it up...  So if that confuses any of you... it should.  Suffice it to say that my workday was not complete.  At 5:30 we picked up the tools and I finally headed in to take a shower... remembering that I meant to put on some sunscreen at some point that never seemed to arrive.  Now, I'm tired, achy... and wondering if I fall asleep in the midst of this posting would anyone even notice, or care. 

But it's been a good, and rewarding day.  Lots of stuff accomplished! 

Tomorrow, Teresa and I are heading to Columbus, OH for Day 2 of Rock on the Range!!!  
In the lineup tomorrow are Five Finger Death Punch, Theory of a Deadman, Slash, Seether, Rob Zombie and Limp Bizkit!  I see massive quantities of beer in my future as well.  Uncle June, Frank, and Chris are already there baking their bodies in the sun, pickling their livers and well, you know just having a great time.. I'll try to report back on the antics, and if possible to avoid obscenity laws, maybe even post a few pictures.

Have a great evening all!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Good weekend

Quiet morning...  Whitney spent the night with her cousins.  Cole went back with my parents so he could hunt again this morning, so it was just Teresa and I this morning.  Slept in, I then went to get us coffee and bagels from Tim Horton's.  Just an enjoyable time...

Enjoyed the poker game on Friday night at the Eagles.  No, we didn't win... but wow what a crowd of 59 players.  I got a lot of good compliments on the way this tournament is run.  Straight, organized, and none of that "rebuy" crap that they all hate so much.  hehe!  Walt asked me if I would serve on the Finance Committee this year at the Eagles, and I told him I would.  Then, he approached me again and asked if I would serve as an officer (Chaplain.)  I'm not sure about the latter yet, but I'm leaning toward doing it.  There are certainly some good things going on at the Eagles that I'd like to see continue on, and I think my support (and that of a lot of the rest of you Eagles members who read the blog) is most certainly needed.  Otherwise the club is going to fall back into some of the old ways.  There is no future in that.  Later that same night, I talked to two of the guys from Jinx'd who showed up and were hackin' it up doing Karaoke.  They were having a good time, and everyone else enjoyed it too.  Thanks for the unexpected entertainment Doug and Luke.

Yesterday had mowing to do (actually got a little too much sun) as the shoulders feel a little tender this morning.  Also, had dad show up to setup Cole's garden box.  His plants are almost ready to go in the ground.  We'll see how his little farmer experiment goes.  But he seems really excited about it all.

Heading for a cookout later on with friends... and then I'm sure there will be a grocery run somewhere in there as well.  Oh well...  all good things and weekends must come to an end.

Regards,

cheer_dad

This is a Monday?

It just can't be... a Monday, really?  No, the statement doesn't suggest that I've "lost time" in some drunken binge or other.  Although I could totally back that up.  But the reason is, so far this has been a great Monday, and we all know my typical loathing for the beginning of the week.  Now, I was off work today (gotta love the AWS day) but I have a sense of accomplishment.  I got up, hopped out of bed and went for a run from the house to Fort Boreman Park and back again.  I didn't even pause (long) to enjoy the view from the overlook, I was enjoying the run so much.  It was under an hour's run, and it felt good.  I probably still look a bit like a Penguin Runner but hey there's a whole bunch of us out there.  Mock us if you will as you drive by in your shiny cars, and point.  But this is about me... I feel better for having starting my running regimen up again and then further coupling it with some weight training.  It makes the poker games and copious amounts of Miller Lite I indulge in from time-to-time feel a little less bad.

I got a text from Uncle June, asking if I could take care of getting posters made up for the next concert event at the Eagles, featuring Black Stone Cherry  and local favorite JINX'D.  Surprisingly, that was a QUICK errand to run!  Went to Sir Speedy and got fantastic service... okay she was a brunette.  : P  (i kidding big red, i kidding!)  Great design courtesy of JINX'D bandmember Luke!  The concert is scheduled for June 9th (Wednesday) at 8pm.  Be there people, I promise you a fantastic rockin' time! 

Getting ready to pick up Cole from school, take him to the dentist, and then later to his baseball game.  The day seems to have had purpose and I've enjoyed it.  Monday is throwing me for loop here folks.  Maybe it's been my attitude all along???  Nah, it couldn't be that.  Anyway, I hope your day is going along smoothly too. 

Regards,

cheer_dad

With only a slight deviation from sanity,

I return.  Hello NDPT'ers!  The week is drawing to a close, only a Friday to face.  The work week has been trying.  (We'll leave it at that.)  But a quick 9-ish hours of work tomorrow, with a noon-time 3 mile run and the weekend is mine.  Friday night I'll be at the Eagles for the SOLD-OUT concert for rock recording artist Pop Evil, opening for them is another touring band Spider Rockets, AND as an added bonus a local favorite JINX'D.  It promises to be a phenomenal, profitable Friday night for our local Eagles Aerie.  And you know me, I love me some music... in all its many forms.  Hope you've got tickets and if you see me there please say hello, and feel free to either buy me a beer or call me a cab!  : P

Speaking of music I'm ecstatic to also report that among my other concert go-ing activities include for the summer/fall season... (the tix are purchased, the credit card's drawing interest)

Brooks and Dunn's farewell tour
Rush, the Time Machine Tour (full Moving Pictures era concert)
AND
Pink Floyd's, Roger Waters Epic performance of THE WALL!

I am truly and ever shall be comfortably numb.

Life... wow!

Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S.  In pokery type news... Tournament(s) Saturday night at the Yanok's, 7pm.
Sunday night at 7pm, the Shriners host (at the Eagles) their fundraiser tourney, 7pm.

Then, finally May 14th, the Eagles regularly scheduled tournament which has been consistently holding above the 50 player mark!  Fantastic, exciting times abound... if you just go looking for the upside of things! 

It's been THAT week...

you know the one from hell, that you feel used and abuse.  Road hard and put away wet.  Taken advantage of, getting it from both sides, rock meets hard friggin' place.  Well the hell with all that.  Bring it bitches!  The cheer_dad's not gonna roll over like some punk.  I've been rolling around on this mudball far too long to take much more of your bullshit.  My breakpoint always seems to be that hazy spot far out on the horizon but back there where you blinked, yeah we got there.  I'll be doing the driving now, sit back and relax!

The workplace has definitely got its pound of flesh for the week already.  The "upgrade" tangent we've been on is beginning to resemble the death of a star.  A massive surge of energy and light and then utter collapse, darkness, void, and vacuum (and yes it sucks too!)  BUT, the brilliant minds didn't need our help to look stupid.  They did it all on their own, unfortunately dragged us along for the ride. 

I got a little bent out of shape the latter part of today over it all, and then reached a point of peace.  You know... I'm remembering something... they still need me for this pile of monstrous work they've amassed.  The break neck pace to satisfy my own sense of worth and ability will continue at the pace I DECIDE.  I will work to the best of my ability.  No one but I can make that happen.  Their urgings and outlandish demands in hindsight as I'll show them all have only dragged down the pace.  Whatever IT is, we'll do IT in spite of them.  And maybe even to spite 'em just a little too.

I'm takin' the ownership back, the cheer_dad has spoken.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Big red decides last minute to come play hold'em at the eagles! Here we go kids...don't get scared now.
Regards,
cheer_dad

Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty

When I was a week (and a half) my mom went back to work, but she entrusted me to Mrs. Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty.  From that day through the end of the 3rd grade for 5 days a week she took care of me in her home.  All the other kids who came and went always called her Grandma Fluharty... to me, she was just mom.  She cared for and loved me, of this I am certain.  Today, I helped her family and friends lay her to rest.  She was 87 years old.  I hugged and cried and even laughed today with her "real" children, who were all older than me.  The youngest of them 9 years my senior.  I remember seeing Dennis and Connie still in the house when I was growing up, and how great they were.  Thinking back now, I think I really thought of them as my older siblings.  Their other sister Carolyn had already married but she was never far away either, and her children Kelly, Danny, and Chad were all my sisters and brothers too.  I think maybe that's why I've never really thought of myself as an only child.  After all, I had such a large family; at least they were family to me, blood or not. 

Of course, over the years we weren't always this close.  We all had lives of our own and we all lived them.  But from time-to-time our lives continued to cross.  I stopped in to visit a few times, and I think my real mom even sent her pictures of me every now and again.  When I got married it was by Beulah's husband Reverend Warren Fluharty.  It was wonderful having them both there. 

Connie (then a nurse at the hospital) checked in on my wife and I at the birth of our first child Whitney.  I introduced my daughter years later to Mrs. Fluharty, but she was still "mom" to me.  I attended a gathering to celebrate her retirement from childcare, and so many "kids" were there who had been raised and loved by her.  All of us were a testament to a life well lived, and full of love.  About 12 years ago, I was there to say goodbye to Warren when he passed away, and now today I did the same for her.  There is a deep ache tonight in my heart.  I remember her, I remember the family, I feel a sense of loss... But a full and beautiful life was celebrated today and I know she is in a better place and probably still watching over all of her children.  Rest in peace Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty... I will miss you "mom."

Regards,

cheer_dad

Take your kids to work day...

Well for once Whitney and Cole got to attend "Take your kids to work day."  They didn't come along with me, but instead with their Papaw.  I've been in class all week, or just busy as all HELL and really just couldn't bring them along.  I'm certain that they had a much better time with him.  I did get to see them a couple of times throughout the day, so that was kind of nice too.  Plus, hey they got off school for a day... as a kid you LIVE for those moments!

Class goes on for one more day, and Scott, the instructor promises it'll be a short one at that.  He's clearly streamlined the fluff of the Domino Bootcamp.  He's been a great instructor and I hope to see him return in the future! 

I have to take Cole to baseball practice here very shortly, and watch...  It's been different so far this year not being out there as the coach.  For all those times that I had doubt's about myself as a coach, or my overall ability to work with the boys... having witnessed others doing it, I was no slouch as a coach!  I showed up (on time) paid attention to my team, and tried to teach them a thing or two.  I'll leave it at that...  But this year Cole is once again doing a lot of catching and really excels at it.  He has the size and has no fear of the fastpitch aimed at his face.

Work has been busy.  I'm putting in a lot of OT, lately.  I'm worn down, and they just keep heaping it on.  But I continue to learn and survive, and am feeling like I'm starting to get up to speed on supporting a system that was completely foreign to me when I took this job.  Of course I'll get it all learned and moved to something different, again... 

Poker, what's that, is it a game?  Sounds fun, maybe I can try it someday!  That part of my life's been lacking a little.  But there's just a lot going on.  My family (wife and kids) come first, then job.  There's of course bowling and baseball and softball and I had to create a dance/cheer mix for Whitney and Hannah to teach to a Jr. High School squad.  I'm continue my running at lunch time, putting in 3-miles per day, plus some on the weekend too.  Then at least 3 days a week I'm lifting weights too.  I'm feel better, I'm being forced to tighten the belt!  : )  Yeah ME!

Hope all is well for each of you.  I miss my blogger friends... I try to stay up on you all, but I don't check in as often as I'd like just because it's the nature of things.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Pop Evil coming to Eagles

Last night it was good to get together with friends at the Eagles and drink a few beers and relax.  We attended the Comedy Show which honestly was just so-so.  I liked the comedians that they had last time.  But, you can't always have the same comedians every time.  You have to try some new people.  I think in the future that some additional review should be done before booking a comedy act.  On the plus side, they had a drawing for Pop Evil tickets and I won one of them.  The Pop Evil show will be May 7th at the Fraternal Order of Eagles here in Parkersburg, WV.  The club will be open to the general public!!!  Tickets are currently available for $10!!!  In addition to the headline band, another of our local favorites Jinx'd will be opening.  This is definitely something new that the Eagles is trying to do to attract new people to our club and hold events that people are excited about coming out to.  And no, of course this music may not appeal to everyone, but judge for yourself.  Here's a link to "100 in a 55" by Pop Evil:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcfmwfY2GOE

Or for a little more on the thrash side... : )  "Hero" at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_6n2KJlSPw&a=xwg4b4wpKxo&playnext_from=ML

Enjoy!

Good Saturday

Yesterday was busy and a lot of fun with family and friends.  A lot of bowling action during the day for Cole.  He bowled a 203 (his personal best) in the singles tournament yesterday!  Not bad for an 11 year old, with a 114 average!

Later we all went to the Yanok's for some much needed poker.  I finished 1st in Game #2, and actually got points in both games, so my year end stack continues to grow!  : P

We're all having a lazy day now, just lounging around.  Have  a great day all!

Regards,

cheer_dad

In the dark on the details

So, I'm still a little in the dark as to my wife's antics of last night...  I had previously mentioned getting the chips ready for last night's poker game at the Eagles, but I didn't end up playing.  I took Cole to baseball practice, and actually Whitney was at softball practice on the next field, so I migrated back and forth a bit.  Then, when we got home and we ate.  Then, I knuckled down and got in my weight lifting workout at around 9PM.  So, I never made it up to the Eagles at all.  Big Red called to inform me around 10PM that she was out of the tourney, having been felted by Uncle June.  Preflop the guy in front of her goes All-In for 550, Red looks down at pocket Aces, and shoves for 650.  It folds around to Uncle June who makes the call saying it's prolly a stupid play, but what the hell, right?  The flip over, first all-in guy, with KK, Red with AA, Uncle June 3-4s.  Flop 5-6-7.  DOH!  I had to laugh!  So, she wants to know do I want to come up and play now and she'll come home.  But I know today's gonna be a busy day for me so I tell her to go ahead and hit the cash table.

...Flash forward...

At around 3:30AM, I roll over in bed to what seems like a strobe light flashing, and bleerily make out Poltergeist is on the television.  I realize Red is not there.  I chuckle and then a few minutes later I hear the garage door and then the tip-toe steps of my beloved.  She starts in with "I'm sorry."  But I told her I didn't care as long as she was having a good time.  I listened to a few words from her before nodding off.  I think I heard that she won back her buy-ins plus like $10 for the night.  Hey, it's a profit!  : P  Anyway, maybe I'll get details of her excursion later, when she has caught up on sleep.  She did say she thought they had over 50 players again, with a lot of new faces!  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of you who showed up!

Bowling went quick this morning.  I even took a call for support from the Help Desk, from Frank "iamwolfie."  Network cut-overs are always a joy on a weekend.  I leave in a few minutes to head over to Emerson Lanes for more bowling starting at 1PM.  Doubles tourney and Singles after that.  Cole picked up his 2nd place team trophy from last week's tournament.

Tonight, I will DEFINITELY be ready for some rest and relaxation.  You may all see a little "drunken poker" played LIVE this time from your ole buddy cheer_dad.  I'll lay aside the role of Super Dad for another day.  Really considering not being there for tomorrow morning's maintenance window at work.

I'll see many of you tonight at the Yanok's tournament(s.)  I'm hoping for some music to sing-along to, and that'll go well with the lampshade on my head!

Regards,

cheer_dad

 

Nothing matters so much as...

Nothing as so very satisfying as the stacking of chips.  Tonight I got the chips ready for tomorrow night's Eagles game.  Not chips I'd won... just the simple stacking and counting of chips.  The touch and the sound of poker chips as they are stacked and shuffled... there is just something about it.  I wish I could explain or describe, but my faithful blogladytes will know exactly what I'm attempting to say.  I may not even get to play tomorrow, but there are priorities like my son's baseball and my daughter's softball practice.  What's the line?  "Nothing matters so much as family... all the rest are merely strangers!" 

Regards,

cheer_dad

the words have not been typed in many moons my faithful blogladytes but.......... tonight...... yeahhhhhhh boobies!!!
regards,
cheerdad

Busy day

Getting ready to take Cole to bowling league this morning at 10:00.  Then, he has a tournament to bowl at 1:00.  Following that, I get the "pleasure" of coming home to mow the yard for the first time of 2010.  Unbelievable how much the grass has grown.  Wonder what difficulties the ole mower will give me?

Tonight of course we'll be watching the WVU vs Duke basketball game!  Let's GOOOOOOO Mountaineers!  I don't know that we'll be going out anywhere tonight, since it will have been a busy day already.  Besides, I have to get up in the morning for work.  Server maintenance once again.  Hopefully some of the preparation here will provide us with some information following the next service crash.  We really need some good root cause analysis to point us in the right direction.  We might even keep the "wolves" at bay!  But then again I'm not so sure that everyone has the same agenda...

Baseball season has started, at least the practice phase has.  And so far, I think Cole is enjoying himself!  That's the only part I even care about.  That and I'm actually enjoying "not coaching."  It is definitely less stressful.

On the fitness front, I'm averaging 12-15 miles a week, running (which is low from my "past running life") but I'll take it.  I'm also averaging 3-4 weight training sessions a week.  Focusing primarily on upper body, since the legs get their part with the mileage...  I feel better.  And perhaps even look a little better too.  I know, let's not get carried away. 

As for poker, on this poker blog... (i know, haha) that feels like a game I "used to" play.  Life has it's ways of moving you in different directions that's for sure.  BUT, the next game is scheduled for April 9th, 2010 at the Eagles Aerie in Parkersburg.  Registration begins at 6:00pm, and gametime is 7:00pm.  We had a record 54 players last time, and we look forward to even more.  Hope that YOU are one of them!

Time to head out the door to the lanes.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Spring has sprung

Everywhere I look I'm beginning to see the signs that point to the fact that Spring is here, or is at least ramping itself up for an explosion on the senses.  The grass is greener, fuller, in need of a first mowing of the year... VERY shortly.  The daffodils in the front landscaping are already reaching for the sky, and will be blooming any day now.  There's been rain, but it's of a sort that holds the promise of growth and a general cleanup of impact of Winter.  Another sure sign that Spring is upon us, is of course my allergies are flaring up, worse than before.  But it's a give and take thing I guess. 

With the coming of Spring, Little League baseball will get under way.  Cole finally committed to another year of lacing up the cleats and oiling up the mitt.  For once... I'm not coaching.  I'm going to spectate, and just enjoy the time.  Cheer when he plays well, and offer comfort and encouragement when he doesn't.  I'm looking forward to some positive "stuff." 

Also, even though there's still a lot of school time left, you already get the sense that it's coming to an end, and that the promise of Summer vacation is on the way.  Summer is my favorite time.  Hands Down!  Sun, heat, outside, pool, ocean, sand, cooking out, time spent with family and friends.  There is NO better time! 

I've been sticking to my workouts.  I'm running around 15 miles a week, consistently, and I'm lifting about 3 times a week as well.  I feel better, and think I look a little better too.  The belt has tightened a few notches and even a few people have made some comments.  AND not obese or fat-ass!  : P  Shut it Uncle June... just shut it! 

I've played some poker, but not obsessive.  It's been ages since I've fired up the PokerStars client to donk around, but I'm sure I will again.  Life has it's seasons, and all things have their time.  In the end though, it's all my time to do with as I will.  I'm glad to have shared this and many other things with you all. 

Enjoy life, go one, get out there.

Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S.  The next Texas Hold'em Tournament at the local Eagles Aerie is scheduled for April 9th, 2010.  Registration at 6pm, game time 7pm.  $20 gets you started.  Bring more for the cash games to follow, for your adult beverage of choice, and of course don't forget to tip your bartenders!

Thanks for the Stanwick's hospitality

Thank you Chris and Jill for welcoming us into your home once again for a night of poker!  Jill you should have played, but you were whipping up lotsa great stuff in the kitchen, so who were we to argue!  I played game one and chopped with Jim for 1st and 2nd.  Big Red had earlier been rivered, and was knocked out late in the tourney.  Knowing I had to work the next day I prepared to leave after pocketing the cash, but I handed a buy in to Red for game 2 and told her to play.  I made my departure.  Next morning she tells me that she chopped the 2nd tourney with Jerry!  Good night all around for the Murrays!

The server upgrades at work went fine today, despite some network and proxy issues, and even phone switch upgrades too.  Email continues to flow and no one had to die to make it happen.  One of these days we'll actually finish this upgrade... and then what'll we do with all that "free-time?"  Yeah right, like that will ever happen.

Enjoyed a rare nap today on the family room floor, when I got home.  The kids enjoyed the peaceful sawing of logs, interrupted their tv watching.  : P  Who's yer daddy!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Daylight Savings Time indeed

Well here I sit at the computer screen on an early Sunday morning, before 7am.  I have to laugh just a little over an honest mistake.  My loving wife set the alarm clock last night for me to get up for work (Sunday maintenance window) and took care of the "spring forward" hour too.  It seems however that the fancy, shmancy alarm clock, with its internal settings adjusted itself, as well... by timezone... Not sure, but suffice it to say, your ole buddy cheer_dad's up an hour earlier than needed!  On the plus side, some quiet ME time, and a much needed blog post huh...

Work still is pushing the limits of existence, but I'm surviving it.  We'll see what today holds... 

On a positive note congrats to the WVU Mountaineers on a fantastic nail-biter of a victory last night in the Big East Championship!  Facebook is absolutely littered with celebratory remarks from my friends. 

Hope all is well with each of you!

Regards,

cheer_dad

into the vortex

Another day (specifically a MONDAY) sucked once more into the vortex of time.  To call it mind-numbing would be an understatement.  Nearly everyone in this area was in the process of moving to a new spot in the cubicle farm.  Those who weren't moving today, are moving tomorrow or the next day (like me) and so have been fully engaged in packing up all the crap they've accumulated over the "x" number of years our backsides have called these desks, home.  With all that shuffling about, there's been little in the way of required actions.  I instead took the opportunity to catch up on some mandated training that is coming due very soon.  But talk about your real yawner of a day.  All the more reason to despise me some Monday! 

The beginning of the weekend was spent in a pokery bliss.  Friday at the Eagles.  Chris and I played host to the 54 players who showed up for the Texas Hold'em Tournament.  Becky took down that top spot, with a fantastic run of cards, the likes of which I'd love to just have happen to me once in my pathetic little poker experience.  just once...  Then, the following night we played at the Yanok's house.  I made 4th in game one, and got my money back, minus the $5 year end qualifier fee.  Of course, I donated it back into the 2nd game.  But I can't fault bad play.  I went out on a KJ, called by Jerry's 3-4.  Trip 4's will tend to win that!  : )  Hey it happens and he had the stack to make the play. 

Sunday morning came a little early for the "slightly" inebriated!  I had to head into work for our standard server/application maintenance window.  We FINALLY got to begin the upgrade process!  The delays imposed upon us, were pointless.  It went off without a hitch!  A big thanks goes to the team!  This process will continue over the rest of this month, and bleed on into April as well.  Baby stepping our way to brand-spankin' new email! 

Sunday afternoon involved laundry and lounging, and more of the latter than the former.  (snore)

I've been trying to be a little more frequent about posting to the blog and I find that I've really missed these little rambling sessions.  But lotsa extra hours at the workplace have left me a bit drained.  But some of the dark clouds are beginning to lift, both figuratively and literally.  Can you believe it, there's actually been sunshine!  The snow is gone.  C'mon springtime!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Today is a good day NOT to die!

Brief pauses in the rotation of the merry-go-round of life, make this whole thing not only bearable, but once again something that I don't want to miss... 

Life with its many conflicts and trials is just priceless.  Time to savor and drink it in.  When particularly tough... focus on the "drink" part.  No... no... but seriously know that friends are the BEST medicine ever. 

Regards,

cheer_dad

egg on my face

Sometimes I amaze even myself.  The complete and utter dunderhead that I am.  It takes a random act of idiocy to snap me around a bit and force me to take stock in myself and just how a lousy attitude is a force which will feed and fuel itself.  That is until you reach the point of meltdown and snap at the exact wrong time.  That time was tonight for me.  Worse the object of my rage was some kid who was watching the same basketball game that I was.  Now... what he was doing I have absolutely NO USE for.  In an elementary school basketball game there is no place for making distracting noises when the opposing team is shooting foul shots.  And doing so every time is a real big no-no for me too.  These kids are playing their hearts out.  They deserve our attention and respect.  This kid who I later learned was 12 did it just one too many times right in front of me.  His mother who sat a few feet away opted to let it continue.  Me... with the lousy couple of days I've had unloaded both barrels and yelled and told him to "shut up!"  In hindsight... not one of my classier, better moves.  Of course mama bear came to the defense of her cub, the boy child who had already launched into his best "I'm bad" act...  Already my mind is racing, what the hell did you just do?  Are you an idiot?  Clearly I was and am not proud of the moment.  I can offer only as a reason a few bad days bottled up, but it's not an excuse.  The incident has caused a bit of a re-evaluation.  Maybe I shouldn't focus on the negative as it simply leads to more negative emotion, and the inevitable blow up.  So, I've got egg on my face, shame on my mind, but in the end laughing at myself for being such an idiot.  Kid, whoever you were... my apologies for my mouth, but take your own inventory...  As for mom, you were right to defend, I suppose even your son... however, belaboring the point through the rest of the game to try and showcase it for your adoring friends and family... it was then that I understood the boy.  Good luck to you kid.

But I suppose no one died, and it didn't come to blows, although I think Big Red was about to break out a can of whoopass (in MY defense), as my own flare of temper was fizzling out.  To those of you who know me... that just ain't me, and it isn't exactly characteristic.  Although, I have had my moments!  Live and learn...improve.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Paint it on

It may be the only thing you can grab to hold on to your sanity, but you've gotta dig deep and smile.  All this under the gun bullshit is getting old and I mean quick!  But, you know, take heart in the fact that they keep coming to you with it, because you get the job done and they damn well know it.  Seems no one bothered to tell them that you keep going to your stars you will eventually burn them out.  I gotta tell you I'm in need a good stoking. 

But tomorrow is a new day.  They can't take away your birthday, and you can laugh at them all as their folly takes them down.  Even the laws of variance apply to donkeys in the workplace!  So, bray it up... I'll still be here.  You may have beaten me down for a time, but I'm foolish enough to believe that I can outlast you and get back up in the end of this fight.

Today was Tuesday, more like my Monday, thank goodness tomorrow's Hump Day.  Then, Thursday and Friday... leading into a great poker weekend for me and the rest of the NDPT crew.  Friday night is Poker Night at the Eagles, registration at 6:00, and gametime is 7:00.  Be there, and plan on around 50 players.  Then, as if last weekend wasn't enough, and this Friday too, but the fine folks at the Yanoks bring us yet another night of poker debauchery on Saturday!.  Bless you two!  The cheer_dad is in need! 

For now, I've got the smile painted on...

Regards,

cheer_dad

FRIDAY! : )

Oh yeah, !t's def!n!tely t!me!  The workweek is over.  Bring on a MUCH needed break.  Somebody best fetch me a LITE! (hiccup) 

This may be the last coherent statement you'll hear from me for the duration of my 3-day weekend.

Oh but wait...I just realized (thanks to the wonderment of Facebook) that tomorrow (Saturday) is the birthday of one BWoP!!!  So, I've determined to take part in some celebratory drinking despite the fact that I'm not even in the same timezone.  And remember lady... it's not older, just wiser and better!  Happy Birthday BWoP! 


Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S.  See many of you tomorrow at the Yanok's for Poker Night!

i can feel it...

it's coming to take me away from this.  Work tomorrow but the promise of a short Friday, and then a 3-day weekend.  Saturday night at the Yanok's for poker night.  It promises to be a very good night.  I can sense a lampshade may be in my future.  There will be BEER.  It will wash away the mire of the workplace.  It will restore me... it will sustain me... I need some unwind time to just...be!  To avoid solving problems, being dedicated, putting others first, and just for a change think of absolutely nothing but where the next card is coming from, and when finding a lousy hand finding peace in the fact that I can grab another cold one.  No, this weekend will not bear witness to my ability to play the game, or my ability to carry on a coherent conversation.  This one is about forgetting.  About sloughing off the muck of the job, and considering it a job, and not life. 

I feel better... just knowing that a lost weekend approaches.  I think the blood pressure might have even dropped a few points.  I'm becoming me again.  To those who gather together Saturday to play the game, I look forward to your company, toward spending time and losing ourselves to it.

"Out here we is stoned. Immaculate."

Regards,

cheer_dad

Top Dog

When you're large and in charge, the command decisions you make have far reaching effects.  That happened here today in the mere form of an email.  There were a lot of forward thinking plans talked about, and new directions are for certain in store for our little Bureau.  My team in particular will most definitely be going down some paths that we'd not even considered.  But it's the nature of IT, to change... but this one is abrupt, and included some VERY agressive timelines.  But it's good to be the Top Dog, and that's why they pay 'em the big bucks.  Right? 

It's certainly going to make things interesting around here for quite a while.  Am I concerned with my continued employment, not in the least.  Will life in the workplace change... oh you betcha!  Is everyone happy about it what's in store, well that'd be a no!  The gnashing of teeth will continue for quite some time.  Hang on for the ride people, there's no telling where this roller coaster ride may actually take us! 

It all makes some of the odd stonewalling on decisions lately around here, make a helluva lot more sense.  Secrets for the sake of having secrets, people c'mon what are you like FIVE!?!

I gotta head to the house...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Pause for station identification

Let's go off the air, or at least pause for station identification or better yet detach from the daily insanity of the workplace.  Those of you have visited my blog on any sort of regular basis have noted that lately my postings have been far and few between.  They've been erratic.  If you could see me as I've banged them out on the keyboard you would note the tightening of the jaw, the quickening of my breath, the ever-present scowl.  There is developing in me (and it's in the latter stages) an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.  Or helplessness at being hopeless...  Well, you know what, that sounds like a victim talking. And in the words of an old movie character friend, Worm, "...fuck all that!"  Yeah, he said it, go back and watch Rounders if you don't believe me.  Also uttered in the scene were (by Mike) "I can't lose what I don't put in the middle."  And later on (by Worm) "grinding it out on his leather ass."  These are NOT the sentiments I want to feel the need to express about my work.  FFS, life on this mud-ball we call Earth is much to short.  Why spend it being miserable?  Well, all have responsibilities, and we love our respective families and want the best for them, and so sometimes we just suck it up and take it.  But I'm really reaching that point at which I'm giving every ounce of my being into doing a good job, providing well-researched, wise decisions for my little nitch of the organization... only to have them die on the vine. I wouldn't mind so much being informed of a different office politics agenda, but having ideas dashed just "because" on a whim by parasites, well it just doesn't sit well.  I've uttered (or muttered) it before, there are those that do work, and then there are those that profit from the work of others.  In this case, it's even worse...  Some people just need to get out of the way, and let progress... PRO-GRESS! 

I tried to get this posted earlier, but as luck would have it, more nitwittery prevailed, and time was lost again.  Just more minutes that I'll never get back.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Happy President's Day

Waiting for 3:00pm to roll around.  Big Red and I along with the Brothers'es' are going for Mexican.  We've texted the Wolfe-pack, and Uncle June, but clearly we're dead to them.  sniff, sniff, single tear!  There's still time for them to join the fun and possible debauchery. 

Whitney is busying herself about today preparing a belated Valentine's Day Dinner for Jordan, the boyfriend (no, not the cousin.)  It's beginning to look like Betty Crocker and Julia Childs had some sort of bake off here in our kitchen.  That bitch Martha Stewart showed up but they sent the skank packin'.  : )  But seriously the daughter is really domesticating herself.  Of course Red had to add that if we could get her as interested in cleaning as she has been lately in cooking things would be GREAT!  Dare to dream Red, dare to dream. 

The snow is once again flying here in the 'burg.  We're rumored to be getting another 6-8 inches by Tuesday.  Scruffy the dog may have difficulty hiking a leg very soon on anything.  Maybe he'll get lost in a snow drift... but then again I'd have to be the one to go and dig his little furry butt out, so let's skip that.

Hmmm, Cole is going to Drew's house to play, amazing that he didn't bother to ASK if he could go, and Shel just showed to pick him up.  But then again, like it really matters, he would've been allowed anyway.  Hey, it's his holiday too.  Yeah, Happy President's Day... did you all decorate and put up a TREE decorated with white, powdered whigs, and filibusters?!?  I know we sure did!  : ) 

Clearly this is rambling post and I'm glad you could all share in it.  Oh and don't forget that the boys from Jinx'd will be entertaining the Eagles and BPD crowd this Friday night.  It's always a good time and hope to see you all there!  I should get ready to head out the door now...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Dude, I think u got hacked!

Well I suppose these things are inevitable... but today my email account was compromised, hacked if you will.  I noticed (at work) around 2pm today that I had sent myself a message from my Hotmail account.  Well, I thought, how nice of me... knowing something was wrong.  So, away I go to check it out.  While logging in, I get another email from a friend at work, with a subject of "Dude, I think u got hacked!"  Yes, you would be thinkin' right.  I get logged into Hotmail and there they are, 3 extra messages in the ole sent folder, systematically sending out a link (for Viagra) I think to 10 people at a time, in order from my Address Book.  How quaint.  Lucky for yer ole buddy cheer_dad that his work email has been among the recipients of my Address Book for years.  So, I was among the first to get it.  About 5 minutes after the first message went out, I get logged in and change the password and all my other security info.  It would appear that a bot was at work, rather than a human being.  But some of the other techno geeks at work and I tracked it back to an IP Address in Poland.  All I could think to say was, "I wonder how many of them it took..."  Okay, I saw the shot and had to take it.  Sorry if your ethnicity has just been trounced.  Go ahead make an Irish joke to spite me.  We shall rain down upon ye from the highlands and ye shall be smitten.  Okay, that's the best I can do on short notice.

For those of you who've followed my exploits on Facebook, you'd know that work has been a bit of a bear of late for me.  The boss out of town, me in class, and picking up a lot of slack.  I think I exhausted the keys on the Blackberry trying desperately to stay in touch with the office.  Now that things are starting to get back to normal, some of the lingering pieces of work to be done are beginning to frustrate me.  I'm not sure who knows it... I'm not sure who cares...  I'm hoping to catch a break anytime soon. 

Not much in the poker world for me lately.  Red did play last Friday at the Eagles in the charity tournament.  I stayed home with my son, for a night of XBox and such.  I guess we had a small cash game on Saturday.  I think I made $10 and got a helluva hangover to carry into the next day.  There is another of the monthly Eagles games this Friday night at 7pm.  I hope to make it to this one (hint RED) but there might be a basketball game to attend to.  As always the kids come first. 

Hope all is well with each of you.  Maybe when the dust starts to settle around here, I'll get back to a little regularity in the posting schedule around the NDPT Blog.  In the meantime, thanks for stopping by and holding out hope that I'll bang out a few lines.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Round 1

work 1 cheer_dad 0!

I'm just really tired... and it's only Monday, are you kidding me.  4 more days of class to go.  In addition still having to juggle the workload and the lobs of idiocy that keep getting winged the way of our little team.

Stayed tuned for Round 2... like Rocky, I'm more of a late round fighter.  Ah hell who am I kidding... I just wear them down by letting them beat the hell outa me.  So far, the first half of the plan is working.

Regards,

cheer_dad

The answer is 42.

I sat down to play some late night poker and ended up dropping a little over 2 buyins at my uber lowness on PokerStars.  Rammed everything into the middle preflop on one of my four tables with pocket Kings.  Called by an AJs.  He hit 'em both... So there went 1-1/2 buyins (since I was up on that table at the time.  Then pocket J's got me slapped, when my read was that the player was pushing my buttons from last position.  I guess he thought AA was good button to be pushing.  Seat open table 1! No waiting!  Sigh.  I remained oddly calm, but won't deny that old familiar feeling was at play, tilt was bangin' on the door, and I really did want to get even.  So, I played on for a while longer, but just recognized it as being tossed around by the waves.  So, I called it a night.  I'll get 'em back... like usual, but I just tire of counting those same damn nickles and dimes again!  To those of you who may have won 'em from me, could you at least shine 'em up a little before sending them back across the ole virtual felt!?!  : P

Heard last night that there is a poker tournament this weekend, being hosted by the Shriners which Big Red and I may drop in on.  It will be at the Eagles Aerie, where we usually play, but this is supposed to be a different crowd.  Who knows, we might get to meet some new people...AND take their money!  What could be better!  They're playing Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm.  I'm not sure on many details though.  So, we may be winging it.  HAH, winging... eagles... get it!?!  : )

In other news hmmm, oh there was something on my mind, oh yeah... today's my BIRTHDAY!  I'm 42.  Yet another year above ground is ALWAYS a plus, I'm fond of it.  Recall the importance of the number from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, as "the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything." 

Hope all is well with each and everyone of you!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Here I sits...

Not only do I continue to "watch" I've gone catatonic in the process as well.  There are a number of processes in the job which require simply observation and witnessing of an event.  You know, my human viewing of an automated process not only confirms that it works but keeps the blasted computers at bay, lest they eventually become like the Terminator robot overlords!  SOOO, here again I "sits" on the conference call awaiting the inevitable. 

I think my eye is beginning to twitch...

Regards,

cheer_dad