More about the week before last when Daniel and Eric was visiting me.
Daniel and Eric were in town for the week. Firs couple days they were here, the “Blizzard of ‘03″ hit. We just hung around my apartment, watched TV and ate. Next day we headed over to Boston to do some tourist stuff. (Day after getting 27.5 inches of snow) We wandered around in the snow, and I finally got to Cheers and took pictures. Next day we made it to NYC in 2.5 hours. That was a record for me. There were alot of cars on the road and all going 80 and up. So just keeping up with them, I was able to keep an 80 mph average.
We did the whole NYC thing. Took lots of pictures. I put some really good ones in the album. We hit a really great Peking duck house. Daniel was telling me that typically, you have to order 24 hours in advance for Peking duck, but this place had it available all the time. The Chef came out, carved the duck and everything. It was really cool. I have had a bad history with duck, but this has turned me around on the animal. Unfortunately it was overshadowed with the Bouley restaurant later in the day (which I already wrote about)

I have a lot to write about the last week, but I am dedicating one entry to a restaurant I visited. Daniel and Eric were in town for the week, and among other things, we went to New York City to do the tourist thing for a couple days. We went to this restaurant called Bouley on West Broadway. It’s an upscale gourmet french-type restaurant. I’ve never been to one of those before, and NYC seemed like the right place to give it a shot. We called for reservations. We scheduled a time a little early, so it wasn’t too crowded. The girl who took our reservation forgot to inform us there was a dress code, so they let us in anyway. We didn’t know about this until we were leaving and we were talking to the girl about being surprised there was no dress code. But even though we didn’t know throughout the meal, I was still feeling pretty scummy being surrounded by people in jackets and slacks. The meal was pretty expensive, but we all thought it was completely worth it. It was so good, I don’t think it would do it justice to explain what I got in just words! They have a tasting menu with wine pairings which I need to do next time. I just got one dish and dessert, but they gave us a lot of “complimentary” courses and desserts. I think now, I actually understand the fascination with french food. This chef is operating at a completely different level than the food I’m used to. It’s like hearing a virtuoso piano player for the first time after only attended elementary school recitals all your life! I can’t say enough of this place. Highly recommended! I read more about this place on the internet after we left, and found that the owner, David Bouley, is pretty famous in the cooking world. It was just plain good luck we ran into this place!

Went to Mohegan again last night. That makes it 3 trips so far. I just re-read my last message about not going that one week. Bullshit!, that was the same week as my 2nd outing. Ah!! that sweet sweet crack! After I went the second time, I gave myself a soft rule . I told myself I wouldn’t go back until I knew poker enough to sit at those tables (Instead of my typical Baccarat playing) . Last night I modified that rule to be “I won’t go back to the casinos until I know poker well enough to sit at the casino tables, or someone invites me” (I won’t initiate an outing) Last night a former coworker of mine asked me to go with him, and I wanted to go, hence the modification. So we went. I fell into my baccarat routine, and next thing I know it, I’m laying down 500 bucks on a single hand!. Luckily I won that hand, and I walked away ahead 700 bucks for the night. That brings the grand total up to 1300 bucks up. Not bad for 3 short trips!

I actually didn’t go to the casinos this week. I took my winnings from last week and deposited it. For the effort it took to deposit the money (My bank is in Texas) I’m hesitating now to use the ATM for gambling because I’ll have to go through that effort again! My laziness is saving me from gambling too much. Laziness can be a good thing! On the other hand, my laziness caused me to not take vacation last year. When my company was bought, the old company paid me for my vacation and hiked my taxable income. So now, ***editted…suggested my salary*** Roth IRA. Stupid tax law. Hopefully Bush’s new savings plans will pass. If it does, beleive it or not, he has earned my vote for the next year. He’s also hinted at revamping the whole tax system to a consumtion based tax (as opposed to income tax) He’ll probably do that if he gets re-elected. I’m crossing my fingers. The leftist media people say this stuff will only benefit the rich. I don’t consider myself rich, I’m just a moderately intelligent computer dude…. Employee/Enlisted type. Not a manager, executive, officer type…maybe a non-com at the most. and I totally see how this will benefit me! (I’m not in the military, but read alot, and see alot of parallels between the corporate and military worlds.)

Went to foxwoods. Walked around alot, and saw that it was way to crowded. Strange, even though it’s bigger than Mohegan Sun, it felt crowded. Apparently it’s more popular, and more people go there in general. The layout was more spread out and had smaller pit areas. Just an overall crowded feeling. We didn’t even bother staying. Drove down to Mohegan Sun again. Changed 500, hit the Baccarat tables, and after a few hours cashed out 1007 dollars!. So total I’m up 600 bucks from my 2 trips! I gotta quit while I’m ahead. At least stop playing Baccarat. Next time I go, I’m all poker.

Got back from Montreal. It was OK. Nothing insanely great, but it was worth the trip. Maybe I’ll visit one more time. But I have to say I still prefer Mexico so far. I’ll have to give it another shot. Beautiful french speaking women though. Too bad I can’t speak french. Oh well. Forgot my camera, so I didn’t get any pictures anywhere. One thing about Canada though. As soon as we crossed the border, the land was all flat farm land. Not unlike Texas. However, it was all covered in snow. There is something very evil about that.
Tuesday Gary and I are hittin Foxwoods. This one is the largest and most profitable casino in the US. Hopefully their record won’t hold on Tuesday!