Bunch of random updates. Today was the 5k 6m, but I opted not to play. Possibly a good decision; the NBA finals is going on right now, and I didn't want to miss it. Heh.

Video below is from sometime last week. Just kinda random but possibly some may enjoy it. *Note that the microphone is AWFUL for the first minute. But it gets better, so if you stick it out, you get rewarded.



Other then that:
-Yesterday JC and I went to a cooking class. It... Wasn't really what I thought it would be. I didn't like the main course at all (salted cod) or the desert (some raisin thing) and the wine pairings were "meh". (All whites except 1) But it was a good experience.

*What happened is earlier in the day, Isura Jc and I went to the "Sunrise Cafe", which is close to our house. I went there a lot 2 years ago - very good place for breakfast. In any event, we saw a deli next to Sunrise that we had never been to before. So, we went there for lunch. Lunch was solid, and I saw a sign for a cooking class, which was being held that night. Soooo... We signed up! There were only 2 spots open, but we convinced them to open 3 seats. (For Alex)

You see... JC and I knew Alex would never go to a cooking class. So we concocted a scheme; it was held at 6, and we'd say, around 550, "hmm, we feel like getting some Italian. Want to come Dubby?" 100% he'd go, then we'd wind up at the restaurant with 1 car, we'd have the keys, and bammo, he's stuck there.

However, somehow, (Alex went to bed really late so when we got back from lunch he was still sleeping... Or so we thought) he overheard jc and me explaining our plan to Isura (or whomever was home). I guess my voice carries... So, he didn't go. Yeah, cool story.

The cooking class wasn't what I expected. I thought we'd actually GET to cook. Instead, we just watched the cook do all the preparation etc. Which was OK, but again, I wanted a more hands-on experience.

-I've been playing a lot of chess. Ryan and Morgan are incredibly good - just under "master", as a matter of fact. They've been helping me out, and as a result, I've gotten much better from where I was even just a week ago. For instance, I now know various things like "the perk defense". About this, there was a Las Vegas Chess Tournament that took place a few days ago. Ryan started 3-0-1 (his draw was a result only because he took a bye in order to watch USA's 1st game vs England) so he was actually poised to possibly win. (The prize pool was actually pretty good for chess; Ryan is in the division just under Master, 2000-2200 IIRC, and it's 5k for first) and then he ran into a buzzsaw... He took this picture only because, well, it's funny:


Yes, Ryan fell to a 12 year old. Kid is probably a genius though, so I guess he can't feel too bad!

-The house has been a story of 2 directions. Alex has been dominating; he took 9th in the 1500 6m for 30k, and followed that up with 26th in the 2500 for 15k. So he's keeping the house goal very much alive and well! But... Ryan, JC, and I have not done well. I saved my previous 2 sessions in terms of note keeping on my phone, but I'd rather not post all the hands. The fact is I played well but ran badly - boohoo, I haven't won an allin in either tournament/my equity in cash hasn't been realized.

Because of that, I decided not to play the event today. (Although the C's being on was def a solid secondary reasoning) So, between JC, Ryan, and myself, we've kinda wiped away all of Dub's progress. I think Isura/Morgan/Travis are up a little bit, but I don't think the aggregate is that positive. So basically even though Dub is destroying people, we're below pace.

-I've been playing a fair amount of FF13. It has been a good distraction after a really really really awful live session, and now I want to beat it. I'm ~midway on disc3, so probably 3 more days or so and I'll wrap it up.

-After starting well on CCR, (not paying the first few meals) I've literally lost the past 4 in a row. Luckily they've been on the smaller scale (like breakfast, the 'cooking class' w JC, also a Japanese place off the strip that was recommended called "Sen of Japan" w/ Vanessa, Dub, Jc, and Travis - I do not recommend, it's not better then Naked Fish but a bit more expensive) but regardless it wiped away all my prior built up equity. So, I just hope I don't get completely owned like I did last year.

So... That's about it! Other then that, C's are up 6 right now and I'm feeling a mix of huge uneasiness/worry but also happy we're going into the 3rd up 6. Later all!