Maybe we can make a smooth transition from my last post two months ago if I start with a similar theme. As I've said in the past, when my friends come to town, I'll always try to make myself available for a handshake, hug, bite to eat, high-five, photo op., etc... :) While Las Vegas was mad with NCAA hoops in March, some friends of mine from my beloved San Marcos, America came to town. Business was hopping at the sportsbook, but I managed to meet up with a group of my friends after they dined at the Bellagio...
Sean, pictured on the left, was celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife Kate (not pictured). Sean and Kate are now owners/co-owners of several thriving businesses back in San Marcos. While I was visiting with my friends, I realized that it's now been almost four years since I've lived in San Marcos (way too long). My last job in San Marcos was working for Sean at Harpers/Slackers/The Veranda, a triple-decker bar that was the basis for many of the early stories in this blog. Pictured on the right is my friend Alma, who based on her facebook posts during and after her Las Vegas visit, probably didn't see her own house for two weeks straight. :) Her husband Joe gets the photo credit for this shot, and I'd venture to say that they had a good visit to the desert.
As I reach this point, I realize that it's not going to be possible for me to omit that I almost "literally" caused the death of a cocktail waitress while I was watching Sean play three-card poker. Long story short, I probably owe Sean a pack of Camel Blues the next time that I'm back in San Marcos... :) It was nice hanging out with the cool kids for a little while, and at the first opportunity that I find myself with extended vacation time, I'll definitely be headed back to the 512..
Speaking of cool kids, my friend Valerie (the "meme queen" for those fortunate enough to be her facebook friend) came out with a classic a while back, and I was going to incorporate it into one of my poker stories. Poker....... I've been running pretty well for most of the new year, and one case in particular involved me playing a weekly freeroll tournament at the Flamingo. This highly popular freeroll pays the top 30 each week, and in this instance I didn't pre-register and wound up being the 18th alternate. Long story short, in a field of 108 players, I had to wait 45 minutes for 18 players to bust out before being seated. However, the poker fairy was with me that day, and I scratched and clawed my way to a top-20 finish and a $150.00 cash...
That's obviously the poker fairy, and I told you that I'd work your meme into the blog (eventually) Valerie... ;) This meme is unique because Valerie isn't usually a part of the awesome memes that she posts... And speaking of being a part of an awesome photo... My second teaching and coaching position in Texas was in a town by the name of Quinlan, which is about a half-hour east of Dallas. After mailing in my resume (when mail used to be a thing), I was in Dallas watching 'St. Elmo's Fire' when I received the phone call to interview at Quinlan. As it turns out, I was interviewed and hired on the same day as the phone call. I told you that I had a good St. Elmo's Fire story, didn't I Cassie? :) One of our Quinlan kids recently met one of her favorite actors when he visited Austin...
Yes, that would be Andrew McCarthy, and he had the good fortune of getting his photo taken with Cassie. :) You can ask Valerie and Cassie, this blog post was supposed to take place SO LONG AGO... :P However, as I said earlier, I did publicly state my intention to post an entry tonight, and my friend Leanne wasted NO TIME in breaking her own personal news, just in time for my publication deadline. Two months from today, my friend Leanne will make her MMA debut!!!
Good stuff, huh? :) I've been writing for a while now, and I've barely said anything about myself. I still love my job, and working at the sportbook was busy in March, as you might expect. I worked shifts during the first four days of the tournament at Planet Hollywood that ended at 1:00 a.m., and if we hadn't closed at that time, we would have still had customers lining up to cash tickets or bet the next day's games. Our next big weekend happens with the Kentucky Derby two weeks from now. After the Derby, we have the conclusion of the NBA and NHL playoffs, and lots of baseball. I mean LOTS of baseball... As a bridge to football season in the fall, I've joined four fantasy baseball leagues this year. Having not played or watched baseball closely for several years, that meant lots of studying about a month ago. Of course the other bridge to football season will be the World Series of Poker, which will be taking place from the start of June through mid-July at the Rio. Editor's Note: If I'm not at work, you'll be able to find me at the Rio OFTEN from the start of June through mid-July... ;) And speaking of football, the three-day NFL Draft begins this Thursday. Yes, I'm an addict... :)
I honestly hate to cut this short, but I have to be at work early the next two days. I usually wake up at 11:30 or 12:30 (for a 2 or 3 o'clock shift), and I have to BE THERE before 9:00 a.m. tomorrow... :) Have a great week, and I'll see you soon!
