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