"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." - 1 Corinthians 9:25

No, that's not me above. Tell me for a split second you thought it was! How cool would that have been!?

I love poker. Love it. While the actual "National Poker Week" was a couple of weeks ago, today was my poker day. Every time a major holiday falls on a weekend, my work gives us a floating holiday. So today was my "Fourth of July" - which I renamed "Poker Day." Poker Day is not over yet, but as I am in between games, I thought I would update you all, as I'm sure since you're on my blog you have nothing better to do. I am not one of those cocky morons who brings $1000 to a casino to blow in front of the chicks in hopes of getting some attention. The most I ever bring is $100 - and that is $100 I am okay with losing as I have budgeted it out accordingly. This morning, my buddies Dennis, Phil, and Karina and I trekked down to Mohegan Sun ("a world at play" - not, "the wonder of it all") and entered ourselves into a $50 No-Limit Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament. There is something amazing about poker. I love how it combines both luck and skill. I love card games, and T.H.'em is by far my favorite. The cards were "in the air" at 9AM, and let's just say today wasn't my day. I got the worst cards for a while, and then when I actually got a hand - usually a King/Jack suited or something, the flop would come 2/5/9 or something bizarre, and some no-nothing would bet it like their life depended on it. I'm not going to take you through the game hand by hand, but I was eliminated in the seventh round (rounds based on blind levels.) I thought that was funny as I was eliminated in the seventh round of Majide. Dangit, I need to find a sport or activity that has a maximum of seven rounds, and then I'd be doing pretty freaking awesome! As mentioned a moment ago, my poker day is not over. My friends (who fared better than me, but still didn't end "in the money") and I just got back to my apartment, and now we're all getting ready for poker tournament number two! Tonight's game is a cheap, friendly game - my favorite kind. We have a game every week that is not about winning money, but about socializing. I think that's the other reason I love the game so much. Pre-Dan apartment poker nights, I didn't see friends much at all. When I graduated college, most of my friends dispersed to areas not near where I am now, but fortunately for the game of poker, I have made a few good new friends (well, not new anymore - we've been having poker nights for over a year now.) It's the perfect game to both play but also get to know people over conversation. I always am boggled when a friend touches base with me after years and is like "wanna go see a movie" and that's it. Seriously? I love movies, but what's the point in going out of our way to catch up if we're just going to sit in a dark room and stare at a screen. One of my awesome friends, Manda, always pairs our movie get togethers with a lunch, and that makes sense. I'm rambling now, but oh well. I need to go anyways as I have to set up a new poker table I bought for tonight's event.

And on a second note - HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT THE "I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW" FINALE TONIGHT?!?!?!?! I am just happy the winner will get their check weeks sooner than they would have before. Unless it's Justin. I am sure somewhere a pot dealer is sitting anxiously by a television set, cheering for a Justin victory as he knows he'll be the recipient of a good portion of the winnings.

Peace!