The one thing that I think I'm missing in life is a camera. I've told myself over and over again that I will get one, and still nothing. I have a couple of bulky old-school cameras, but don't want to lug them around.
What a great weekend (GT and otherwise)!!!
Friday was your every day meet and greet. Played some games with people that I knew, and some new faces. It's funny how every tournament that people go to, there is a new "up and coming" person that is at least in contention. Anyway, TeamUSA shootout and Pub Champ took place. Michigan guys taking them both. Mike Demko (aka Drunko ;) ) took the Pub Championship, and Jeff McClellan took his third Team USA spot.
While waiting for things to begin on Friday, I sat at the blackjack table... couldn't get shit to fall my way. Up a couple, down a couple... at the end I just came to the conclusion that I would be better served (0verserved) at the bar rather than the table. I don't remember the name of the bar at Harrah's, but everyone seemed to flock there for at least a drink or two before gong in. Being a nice guy that I am, I took a shot with everyone that came by :) Nice to start your Friday night (and weekend) off right!!!
After things "quieted" down a bit on Friday, or maybe it was late enough that the event room closed, I went back to the casino. This is probably a bad idea in my condition, but they don't call it gambling for nothing LOL :)
I play BJ for a little while, and pretty much hovering at the same place the whole time, which is usually OK... but I want more. I go to the crapps table. I don't play craps. The game seems fun, but I have no idea what the hell to do. I know the basics, but otherwise, no strategy or anything of the sort. I start with $200, which is what I usually come to any table with. Put down a bet. They pay. I put more down; they pay more. Interesting game we have... I start yelling things out. Not that I really know, since I'm new ;) Anyway... at some point I look down and at rough guesstimate, I have about $1500-2k. Wise man say, take it and go. 0verserved man say, GIVE ME MORE DRINK WENCH, AND LET'S GAMBLE MORE. Not knowing what I'm doing, at some point I am down to about $34 (not that I'm counting). At this point some guy walks up next to me. Lots of blacks and purples in his hand. Where I am betting $5 chips, he is throwing greens and better. The guy walked me through a bunch of things (only some of which I remember), and at the end of the night, I still walk away with $500... this is $300 better than I came n with, and pad for my previous hit at the BJ table (and drinks ;) ).
Saturday I have a plan. I will not be drinking while I shoot my qualifier. The plan is good... until I get down to the room and order some bombs. The rest of the day goes along as planned. I get paired with Buskett; who is a good enough guy, but since I play with him about 1-2 times a week, I want fresh blood. Pick a random out of the crowd and switch machines. This man likes aiming juice as much as I do. Many smoke breaks, many beers, many bombs. We end up being the last two to finish our qualifier, about a course later than everyone else in fact.
After this, I take a little nap... as is required for a long night. After that, back to drinking and playing tee. Lots of drinking... end up playing with some fairly strange dude... he can shoot about as well as I am after a dozen+ bombs, a nap, and another dozen bombs :)
Finally the room closes, and we're back off to the casino. However, there is a problem. It appears that someone from Indy didn't have an ID... and someone's boyfriend was very adamant about getting her in. It also appears that someone from Minni-no-place decided to get into the action, and use some pretty obscene language, which lands him thrown out of the casino. However, when they ask you to leave, and you don’t… well, anyway. I get to go visit Toddyo downstairs. When asked who I was, and why I was down there, I look at the shirt that I’m wearing (apparently Parker’s) and tell the security guard that I am his attorney. This was the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas moment for me, since I could barely stand at this point. I am told that I will have to visit him at the jail, and that I need to leave the security area immediately unless I want to join him there. 1+2=5… well, anyway I do the math and leave. Who will go get Toddyo from the slammer??? Apparently, as many people that think this is funny, don’t really want to go to Joliet Police Station. After a few conversation, G’Sus comes through… I should expect that, since he is made from the same blood of debauchery as I am.
Next step is finding the police station. 411 – yes, where’s jail? – Hold on let me connect you – Thanks.
- Joliet Police Dept. can I help you?
- Yes, where are you?
- Huh? Like the address?
- Yes, and how I get there
- Blah Blah, some address, and getting here depends on where you are.
- I’m in front of the casino
- Which one
- Harrah’s
- Go south till you get to Somestreet, and we’re right on the corner.
So we walk a little ways, and this Somestreet is nowhere to be found.
- Ring Ring….
- Joliet Police Dept. can I help you?
- I can’t find you, I just talked to you, the street s nowhere
- Where are you now sir?
- At the corner of Blah Blah and Blah.
- Keep walking south, we’re on the next block
Finally getting to the police station… somewhat funny, since both of us have had a couple of drinks in the evening. Apparently Toddyo is still being processed, and we just need to wait.
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Time for a cigarette!!! G’Sus and I go for smoke break, and as we’re being done, guess who’s getting released… yup, our guy. So we’re walking back to the casino (which he can’t go back to), and talking about day’s events. We get to McBrody’s, which is where G’Sus, JimmyMac, and I took refuge when they ran out of Jagar last year. We stop in to celebrate freedom. We’re a bomb or two in, when the two other groups at the bar spill out onto the street. Minutes late, there is a full on brawl. G’Sus (camera in hand) is always on-time, and is recording everything. I am all ready to jump in… but seeing that I would probably end up killing someone (and since I was just at the station), I choose to just stand and watch. It is fun to watch idiots fight, mostly because they can barely land punches. The one time I am really close is when one of the guys tackles a girl into the middle of the street. Now I am of the solid belief that if this trailer park queen is jumping into this thing, and throwing punches… she is not to be treated like a lady… but there is still a little something in me.
After a while, the boys in blue show up… and things are broken up… I’m actually to close to things, and get pepper spray in my mouth. Funny how people laugh at me wearing shades at night, but better on the shades than n my eyes. Took the cops long enough to get there, especially since it took us less time to walk from the station. One of the guys (pretty much the guy that started it all… and kept it going) got it pretty good with the spray… took a few swings at the bouncer and the cop, and well, likely to spend some time in the slam detoxing. J
In any case, this is right about the time that last call is called, and we need to head back to the casino. But there is an issue… Toddyo is still banned. It only makes sense that if we got this far, we’re not stopping now. I trade clothes with him, and run point up the escalator. He’s in the middle, and G’Sus running clean-up. As soon as I get off the elevator, I start being all loud, and drunk (which is not a far stretch), and get the guards’ attention. At this time, Toddyo slips in past, and we’re good to go. After another round of beers, it turns out to be later than I thought, and sales are stopped. No beer = No fun, so I turn in for the night.
Sunday morning is a bit rough, but we’re professionals, so why stop now. There is a text on my phone. Apparently, it is possible for someone to get arrested twice in the same evening… Apparently the eye in the sky knows no limits, and Toddyo wound up in the lock-up again. At least this time, the fine men of the Joliet Police Dept. were nice enough to give him a ride back to the hotel.
After picking up a whopper (+bacon + cheese –pickles), a chicken sandwich, chicken fries, large order of fries, and a large Coke®, I drive back home… and now need to pass out.
Good to see everyone, and great times as usual.
Good night!