I took the first step to getting my teeth straightened up. I had to choose between: “orthognathic surgery” which basically means to break my jaw and bring it out to get rid of my overbite and make room for all my teeth OR pull one tooth to make room, and keep the overbite. I chose to just pull the tooth. I had that done this week, and it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. Just a little inconvenient cause I had to avoid eating basically everything the first day, because it hurt too much. I healed pretty fast though, so it wasn’t too much of an issue. On top of that I had a bad cold for over a week now. It went away, and I didn’t have a fever, so I’m sure it wasn’t SARS

It’s been a while since I’ve had any techie updates. Mainly because I haven’t really done anything in the tech realm with my rack. I finally got around to getting a rackmountable case for my gateway machine. It’s a 2U supermicro. A little expensive but totally worth it. This is my second dealing with Supermicro, and they completely impress me. My first was the Alienware computer I got, and when I opened it up, everything just made sense. This time it was just the case, but all the screws came separated in little baggies. (m/b, hard drive, chassis screws) They even included cable ties and all that. I thoroughly recommend Supermicro for all your computing needs. If I have the cash, I’ll coninute to use them. I haven’t finished putting together “orthrus” yet, but will soon. Until then, I went ahead and shut down ALL the computers in my apartment. The silence is almost unbearable! The new orthrus should be ready to go by next week some time. This is just the transplanted gateway. After this, I’ll only need to get a new DLT library to be completely rack-o-licious!
Still playing poker. I’ve won the last couple times out. Feeling good about my play. Going this weekend again to hit the Memorial Day weekend crowd. Hopefully I’ll hit another insane table. There are some wackos out there, I love it!

My sister got engaged 2 weeks ago! I knew back then, I just forogt to write something about it. She is getting married to the “boy” after dating for a pretty long time. I think they are looking at early next year for the date. I guess I have to start calling him “Ryan” instead of “the boy” now. I met him a few times, seems like a good guy. My sister is also a responsible type, so she’ll be ok. Only thin I am worried about.. I can NOT imagine her with a child. Not pregnant or anything, you just always think about children when you hear “marriage”. I don’t think I can be a proper uncle anyway, living this far away! I was also a little jealous of my friends when they had family around. I’d have to look into moving around there if I hear “news” Not that I need an excuse to leave MA and go back to Texas.

Got seasons 1 and 2 of the Family Guy. I have to say, I like that show alot more than the Simpsons. It just seems the humor is more targeted at me than the Simpsons. Weird, huh? Also got a few more Poker books. Study study study!
I only went to Foxwoods once this week. I should have gone on Thursday night, cause I didn’t maintain my schedule. I woke up at 9am today, and I have to stay up until 7AM tomorrow. Might have to resort to coffee. I try and keep my coffee intake to a bare minimum, so when I need it, it really hits me. I think the last time I had coffee was over 2 months ago. Alright, gonna stop rambling…back to work.

This week I went to Foxwoods a few times. Had alot of fun and learned stuff too! It is a good diversion to keep me awake so I can keep my night schedule. There is a whole group of regulars and a whole culture out there. I think I got on the wrong side of the regulars with my novice playing. I called and raised a few times I should have folded, and pulled out some miracle hands that cost them quite a bit. I just maintained my normal quiet self, and let them get all emotional. I think that got on their nerves even more. I just need to build my game up better so I can take advantage of that. On the subject of game building, it was just as I suspected. Topics in the books I have read are sticking more, now that I have a few sessions under my belt. It’s making more and more sense. I’m going to try and stick to 4/8 games and lower so my Baccarat bankroll will last longer. I’m still 2170 up. Hopefully that can handle my learning and the normal swings. I created a “Poker History” content item on this site. I probably won’t write about each an every trip here, just post a summary on that page. I still have confidence I can beat this game!
By the way, I normally prefer Mohegan Sun as far the facilities go, but Foxwoods just has the greatest poker room. Lots of people, lots of money, they take rate cards at the poker room. That’s as good as it gets!

Finally went to Vegas. I had a great time. My only problem with Vegas was the lack of humidity, bloody nose every morning. Did a bunch of gambling, but ended up pretty much even. (up $16 if you count my souvenir chips as cash)
Rundown: won $300 at slot machines at the Palms. Lost $100 at single-deck Blackjack at Binion’s. Then lost the rest playing 3-5hour sessions of Poker at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur and Bellagio. (Actually broke even at Bellagio) I’m going to start keeping a poker history on here somewhere. Should show how/if I’m learning.
I didn’t take near enough pictures. I need to go with one of my picture-happy friends next time. The few I took I posted in the album. The Blue Man Group was something else. Totally worth seeing. Bellagio was the nicest hotel I saw, and the best poker room (next to Binion’s of course, but that place is just intimidating)
I finally started playing poker. I have to say it is pretty enjoyable. Playing baccarat, I got pretty bored after only 1 hour or so, but I can handle poker for 5 or more hours no problem. Should be a good hobby. It is a skill and mind game, and I feel pretty confident that I can learn it well enough to make some money. Hopefully I can maintain an interest long enough to learn what I need to know.