In just a few short days another decade will come to an end for me. Don't get me wrong turning 60 is always better than the alternative.
Turning 40 and 50 weren't such a big deal, seems I was busier in life and hardly noticed it happened. In my twenties we were raising two children and moving every two to three years. A challenge on every level. My hair began turning grey in my twenties but being the clever cosmetologist that I am, no one really knew.
Turning 30 was actually kind of fun. I would now feel like a grown-up even though I had been a mother for ten years. People take you more serious when you're not a twenty something and will listen to your opinion. I still felt young and looked young but began noticing there were a few creaks and cracks in my knees.
Moving on to 40. The grey hair has consumed all parts of my body. Again Miss Clairol and I are best friends. My weight crept up to an unacceptable point on the scale and I was powerless to to counteract it. I wore mom jeans but had no idea that they weren't cool. I knew I was losing the cool factor because I couldn't name the artist singing on the radio and was wondering how my daughter turned twenty!
50 came in quietly, we were living in Pennsylvania in an old historical farmhouse on the Naval Reserve Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove where my husband was the commanding officer. We were so busy with the demands of his job that I temporarily forgot that my 50th was a big one. My husband was even out of town for it and I remember our good friends Kathy and Robyn took me out to a special Italian dinner for my birthday. It was around this time that I lost my father to cancer so birthdays weren't very important. It was during the last half of my fifties that I discovered I no longer knew any of the guest musical artists on SNL and knew only about 1 in 4 of the guest hosts.
During the last nine years since my 50th, we moved back to San Diego, my husband retired from the Navy and we moved to Seattle for his new job with Boeing. Six months after moving back into our home in San Diego I had a ruptured appendix for which I spent eight days in the hospital. After moving to Seattle I had a pulmonary embolism. Strike two. Both health issues could have done me in. Not my time yet but my fifties were adding up to be a challenge. A joyous break from stress and strain was when I became a mother-in-law to the most wonder girl that I have known since she was two. She and our son make the most wonderful couple, loving, smart, generous and fun. To add to the blessing was having our long time friends be our in-laws.
Just when I thought fifty something wasn't so bad I decided to take on the challenge of adding-on and remodeling our home in San Diego by myself, while living in one small bedroom and one bathroom (no kitchen). All while my husband worked and lived in Seattle. Nine months of construction was almost strike three for me and finishing the project almost put me in the looney bin. Now we have our dream home and have been able to share it with our family and friends ever since.
The best part was yet to come when my husband figured out a way with Boeing to be able to work out of our home in San Diego. We then made, which was our last move, from our apartment in Seattle back into our newly renovated home in San Diego. In the 33 years that we have been married, we have moved somewhere around 15 times (you lose count after ten). The only way he will be able to move me from our home in San Diego now will be FEET FIRST!
Which brings me back to turning 60. Here are the pros and cons. I was able to cash in a small 401k and go to Las Vegas. I get 10% off at Ross on Tuesday and can get a senior discount at many other places. I no longer care that I can't wear high heels, cause sneakers are the cushions of the Gods. I don't feel compelled to change the world, work at a job to feel productive, lose weight to be competitive (just healthy), cook, or wear a bra (while in the house, of course). I enjoy just sitting watching a sunset on our patio, sleeping til whenever in the morning and playing poker every chance I get.
Cons, of course, include aches and pains - every day, memory loss, no will-power, feeling inadequate while caring for elderly parents, and understanding that time left is getting precious.
So knowing that - I will continue to live life to the fullest, appreciate the time I have left (a lesson learned after the appendix/blod clot thing) and try to be the best that I can.
I am raising a glass of Talbott Chardonnay to all my family and friends and asking you to join me on Mrs. Bee's Wild Ride for the next few decades. Sixty, here I come - to be truthful I usual travel between 70-80mph anyway. So 60 may be a speed limit but it's too slow.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY FIRST SIXTY YEARS SO SPECTACULAR!
Maybe Charlie Sheen had it right, winning is more fun than losing. I play poker and there are precious few times that you actually make the final table and win a tournament. When you do it makes all the pain, grief, frustration, etc. worth it. After "losing", usually because of a bad beat or suckout, you promise yourself that you are "giving up the game"... "it's stupid... and there is too much luck involved". I have personally given up the game at least 50 times. It lasts until someone calls to invite me to play.
There is no poker player alive that will tell you that winning a poker tournament is all about skill. You have to have big moments of luck to win a tournament. The bigger the tournament - the more luck involved. You also need for your best hands to hold up and not get beaten by stupid/worse hands. This is usually where I get wronged. Almost every tournament I've been knocked out of came when I was beaten holding the best hand.
I will also admit that you probably learn more from the times you lose than the times you win. Same in life, we learn more from our mistakes than our achievements.
My family will tell you that I have gone through many "hobbies" in my life like crafting, jewelry making, antiquing, but they soon died out leaving us with a garage full of craft stuff, furniture and what nots. Poker has kept my interest for over seven years, which is an all time record. As most of you know I have played poker/cards since I was a child some 50+ years. My mom and dad were good players, my dad may have even been great player if Texas Hold 'em had been around when he was. My mother, however, has the luck factor. She is totally unbeatable when she has her mojo working.
I recently spent two months with her in Sacramento while she recuperated from the new hip she received. While it was tough going in the beginning she was looking forward to our annual gambling trip to Reno at the six week mark. At the beginning of week five she was still using her walker. We talked about the fact that she may not be ready for Reno the following week. Lo and behold the walker was put away. She was ready to go the day we left for Reno almost running to her favorite video poker machine when we got there.
Anyway I digress, the inspiration for winning comes in many forms. The love I share with my husband, children, family, friends and home can in no way be displaced by anything else... but WINNING a poker tournament comes close (temporarily).
True WINNING and WINNERS are my husband, children, family, and friends and they are everlasting. This is the winning I truly cherish. Who needs to win poker tournaments? I Do :)
I'm sure by now most all of you have seen a video or two (YouTube) or otherwise of a "Flash Mob". I have admired many of them myself and have been astounded by the groups of people of all ages and capabilities who come together in all environments and perform a beautifully chorographed dance to the surprise and pleasure of unsuspecting onlookers.
I like to preface the next sentence with the following: I AM IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM A DANCER. The next statement is: I along with my daughter-in-law and about 100 poker ladies recently participated in a Flash Mob at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 1st. I initially thought when I received the invitation "oh this will be fun". Then I started receiving the video tapes with the choreography for practice. It lasted 3 1/2 minutes but it seemed like 3 1/2 hours. It was very cleverly done by dividing up dance routines by songs. It contained four songs which included: "Y'all Ready For This", "All The Single Ladies", "Poker Face", and "It's Raining Men". I started haphazardly and realized quickly I needed professional help if I really wanted not to look too inept. My son and daughter-in-law were coming to visit so I coerced my daughter-in-law, Jen, who has taken dance and is a natural talent, into training me and participating with me in the "mob".
We trained at home and laughed more than danced but had great fun and workouts with the videos. The rest of the group had live rehearsals in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles. We couldn't go to either one. So we practiced at home and left for Las Vegas the day before the event with high expectations of fun and frivolity.
I was really going to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker (Ladies Event) as I have done the four years prior. My husband, son and daughter-in-law came to support me and have some fun in Las Vegas as well.
The day before the "Flash Mob" I played in a tournament at the Golden Nugget where I picked up our official "red scarfs" to be used in the mob the next day. During a bathroom break I heard music in the casino playing "All the Single Ladies" and my body automatically went into the routine as I danced my way into the bathroom - almost giving away the secret mission.
The next morning we started with a healthy breakfast before making our way down to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) convention center floor. The Ladies event began with a beautiful tribute to the Ladies of Poker. While the tribute was going on we noticed ladies walking by with their red scarfs ever so slightly showing from under their shirts and we smiled slyly at each other knowing we were soon going to be part of this memorable day.
We weren't quite sure where we were supposed to stand in relation to the other participants but knew from other flash mobs that it is supposed among people who are not participating. So we positioned ourselves on the corner where our husbands could hold our purses and videotape our dance. We heard the music cue and started our dance. I realized that we were by ourselves and the rest of the crowd was up front together in a group by the stage. Somewhere I missed that memo. But in true "show must go on" spirit we danced our little hearts out in the corner giving the people in the back of the room a chance to see a piece of the "flash mob".
I remembered most of the routine and looked to my partner to see what to do but gave it my all and had fun. We danced our little hearts out and had great fun doing it. The video (see here) is the "Secret Mission" ladies flash mob (just imagine us in the back in the corner doing the same thing - only better haha).
At the finish there were lots of cheers all around. That's the good news. The bad news is I went to my table to start the tournament after that all sweaty and shaky. I sat down to play some poker but within 3 hours I was eliminated. Seems this was my year to dance just outside of the group.
Congratulations to all the ladies that put it together and made it happen. For me a big thank-you to Jen my dance instructor and partner in crime. It was a blast!
Thinking maybe next year I will skip the poker and just join the mob. After all I am Italian.
I recently decided to use social networking and specifically Craigs List to try to sell some furniture. The friends I talked to about doing this all encouraged me to use Craigs List as they were very successful in selling their items in this way without making the nightly news or becoming the picture on a milk carton.
I began by doing my homework and researched current like listings for comparison pricing. It really is amazing what people are selling these days....the following are actual items I took from today's list:
1. Dog house - $150 - must have been built by Donald Trump
2. Queen bed mattress and boxsprings - $25 - its obviously a dogs life.
3. Cool Bob Marley Lamp/guitar stand - $5 - how cool can it be for five dollars?
4. Empty baby food jars...what the heck?
5. 29 food items - $8 ...guess you could fill the empty baby food jars with this mystery .34cent food
6. Perfect brownie pan - $15 - if it's so perfect why sell it?
7. Shower curtain bright - $3 - gonna cost more than three bucks to drive over and get it - guaranteed.
8. Mini boombox - $8 - this is a oxymoron right?
9. Yard sale - $2 - could be a great deal if the yard includes a house.
and finally:
10. Award Winning Handyman - no price - some wife is MAD!
People will sell anything.
I took my pictures and uploaded them into my laptop (a job that nearly ended my Craigs List experiment). The next step was to write an eyecatching listing and determine the price. I'm not sure how clever you can be when selling a 33 year old bedroom set, but I did my best.
The next day I was so excited when I saw in my spam account a reply for "SOLID OAK 5 PIECE BEDROOM SET". The inquiry went something like this:
I am very interested in your set. Please to have check sent if you give name, address, and phone. Please to take advert off craigslist. I am deaf please don't try call. Will send my men to pick up.
At first I thought "oh this poor deaf person" and second I thought I am being punked. I called my son to confer and he said " delete it right away it is a scam".
Second response was almost as bad, but high in the ick factor, when it said "when do you use it"?
Those two aside I finally got some real inquiries and one actual visit.
As of this date, I have not sold anything but have learned some valuable lessons. One is you have to post your items 2 to 3 times per day and under different categories so your posts don't get lost after 30 minutes in the barrage of posts that come after yours. It is amazing that after virtually five minutes your post is down the list by over 100. Each time you repost in the same day, you have to change the wording so that Craig (of Craigs List) doesn't block your new post for trying to keep your item at the top of the list. This is simply gamemanship and a challenge. I now don't care if I actually sell anything - the game has changed to keeping my item(s) at the top of the list.
To those of you thinking about Craigslist...do your homework, pray for guidance and safety and above all keep your expectations low.
I was playing in a large poker tournament last Saturday night when I encountered a player from another planet. One of the unspoken rules while playing poker is to stay focussed and don't let bonehead players, bonehead plays, trash talk, bad hands, etc. get you rattled. Unfortunately, a player was moved to my table that would eventually make my ears bleed.
When he sat down he began talking way too much. He talked during hands, stood up after he folded and made reference to the hand being played indicating what card he folded (a big no no), took too long to make decisions, never knew what the blinds were...in other words a real amateur who had watched alot of poker on television.
This normally would be the perfect person to have at your table because they will lose all their chips to you. Unfortunately, he was not only a big mouth, but the luckiest big mouth ever. He played hands he shouldn't have and got lucky over and over. His head and bravado grew with each winning hand. It was disgusting. I had a bad run of cards and couldn't do battle. What I did do is learn from the experience, watch how the other players played and moved on.
The biggest prize during the night was a line this guy spoke during one of his diatribes. He was constantly guessing what everyone had and had the worst ability to do so. Those of you who play poker will understand the absurdity of this declaration from him: he said to another player "Did you have pocket queens?" the other player responded: "Yes" the poker savant then said "what was your kicker?".
Enough said, my evening was complete.
Recently my husband and I took our annual trip to Washington D.C. He went for Boeing work to the "Sea, Air & Space" convention and I went for....shopping, eating, cherry blossoms, sightseeing, etc.
We knew our trip was in trouble when we got to the airport and found out we weren't sitting together. The flight was oversold so we were left to beg someone to give up their seat - which they ultimately did. Okay - not bad.
We get to DC, pick up the rental car which came equipped with an "EZ Pass" which automatically pays for all toll roads so you can drive through the fast toll booth. Uh huh. I'll get back to you on that one. We then go and eat at one of our favorite restaurants before driving to our hotel. This is where you add one of three pounds I gained during the trip.
The GPS on my phone got us to our hotel but it was not helpful in finding a parking place underneath it. The parking is always challenging in DC but this underground garage was particularly difficult. Unless you are driving a smart car, bicycle or mini cooper you can forget trying to get between the two massive pillars that give you two inches on each side. Luckily we made it into a spot after driving in circles for 20 minutes. By this time we began our day at 4:00am San Diego time and it is now 10pm EST.
We drag our suitcases to the lobby and begin the check-in. The first clue something was wrong was when the desk clerk repeatedly asked our name while furiously clicking keys on the computer and simultaneously shaking his head. He finally said "could you wait just a moment please....and went into the back room. When he came back I offered him our confirmation number and after a few more clicks on the computer we were informed that we were in the wrong hotel.
We schlep our bags back down to the dungeon parking lot, get into the rental car and punch the coordinates into the GPS.
My GPS to our next hotel has us driving in circles - stupid GPS. We finally stop and ask a security guard in a parking lot if he could help us find the Embassy Suites Hotel. He gives us a funny look and points ---wait for it ---ACROSS THE STREET.
This time we pull in the front of the hotel, check-in and then drive into the underground garage before unloading the luggage. Finally happy that we have a room key in our hands we take the elevator up to the lobby where you have to then transfer to the hotel elevator. Our first stop from the garage elevator has the manager standing waiting for us, saying "so sorry Mr. & Mrs. B. we made a mistake....my heart palpations begin....we gave you the wrong keys to the wrong room. He then runs off to get us new keys. We finally get in our room and collapse.
Sunday morning we wake up at 11am and decide to go to breakfast at another favorite. The weather is cold and windy outside. We wait about 30 minutes to be seated...and then we are seated in front of the door between patio and restaurant seating. The door opens every 5 seconds and the wind takes my breath away. Can't enjoy breakfast because I am trying to keep my circulation going so as not to get frostbite or hypothermia. Some people are dining outside - without coats on! I am so San Diego spoiled.
After breakfast we move on to shopping (ahhh my favorite) now I will warm up. We stop at one mall where my husband had seen some shirts he wanted so we went back to get them. Mission accomplished - no incidents. We then planned to drive to "the Plains". The Plains is in the beautiful countryside in Virginia, west of DC where they have a quaint town with some little shops we like. Their most famous resident, Robert Duvall, lives there. We get to our destination and realize it's Sunday and everything closes early. We now have 30 minutes until all the shops close. I go into hyper-supersonic shopping mode and believe it or not, I make every store and find a cute jacket to boot.
Back at the hotel I can't get used to the time change and get to sleep around 3am.
Monday morning - 6am (3am San Diego time) spring break kids are outside our window waiting on their bus for their tour of Washington DC. Very loud and very annoying. I am not destined to get anymore sleep.
So off to work for the husband I decide to walk to the Pentagon City Mall. Nice little walk, nice weather, what could go wrong? Did some shopping and was getting into the groove, when the bus pulls in and unloads another group of rowdy springbreak kids. Shouldn't they be at the Smithonian? Shouldn't I? Time to go.
Tuesday we decide to go to dinner. We have to drive where there are toll roads. Oh good we have an EZ Pass. As we go through the toll booth the electronic eye shows red for "Toll Not Paid". Okay, you probably could see that coming. We then proceed to go through all the tolls and pay cash knowing a big ticket is already in the mail.
We return to our hotel and are riding the elevator up from the garage when...it gets stuck. We are trapped with Michael Correlone from New York who is busy cursing our bad luck while I am ringing the bell to tell people we are trapped. Finally the hotel staff releases us from our unfortunate circumstance. Michael gives the management a piece of his New York mind. We just laugh and are glad we are in the right hotel. Forget about it.
Wednesday is a big day. We have dinner reservations at our all time favorite restaurant in the U.S. - The Inn At Little Washington. Everything goes as planned, wonderful dinner, wonderful night. There must be a price to be paid for this.
Thursday is going back home day. Going to the airport, early as usual, the husband must be in the gate area no later than two hours prior to the flight. So we start out leisurely enough, have lunch, then go to gas up the car before returning it - BIG traffic accident stops traffic to a grinding halt. We slowly get through that, and make it to the airport and the gate with only one hour to spare - WHEW!!
Again not sitting together, have to bribe someone, it works but...crying baby in the row in front and a crying baby in the row behind. Pass me the headphones - I'll watch the movie. Oh God - It's the new Tron - decide after a few minutes its easier to listen to babies cry. What was Jeff Bridges thinking?
Back on the ground in San Diego - I kiss the ground and then everything starts to go right. Our luggage comes off first, our shuttle to the parking lot pulls up just as we get there and our drive home is a breeze.
To quote a famous little girl from Kansas "there's no place like home".
HAP"BEE" EASTER
Sometimes the call to do one's duty is simply a pain-in-the-ass, but SOMETIMES you hit the jackpot and get the best free, riproaring entertainment day that you can have while still being legal.
I have dreaded my Jury Duty for weeks now. Getting up early is not even close to being my thing, unless there is a poker tournament involved. Of course the one rainy day we've had in weeks was today. My alarm went off at 5:30 AM for a 7:45 AM show in the downtown San Diego Courthouse. Luckily I had a ride and didn't have to take public transportation which would have added at least another hour to my already absurb early morning. I avoid downtown at all costs because the traffic and parking situations are unbearable. The court does not provide parking only complimentary rides on public transportation. I was sure I wouldn't be selected to be a jurist so I made arrangements for today only.
After arriving on time, you have to go through the metal detectors just like at the airport, so I began taking off 3 of my 4 layers of clothing, jewelry, etc. Took another 15 minutes to put myself back together. There were at least 300 jury pool people so I thought "piece of cake", no way I'll get selected. Then they roll out the film telling you how important your duty is, and yadda, yadda, yadda. 20 minutes. Then Judge somebody comes in and gives you another pep talk and spirited discussion as to what to expect and thank you for your service. 30 minutes. Why can't I just read my book now, drink my diet coke and veg for the rest of the day?
Not to be, they begin calling groups of names and just when I think I'm safe I hear my name called. I follow the rest of the sheep up the escalators, take the catwalk across to the other building and report to a bench just outside my courtroom. Last time this happened to me they sent us home before even seating us. I fully expected this to happen again. Shortly after opening my book, the bailiff comes out and opens the courtroom doors. He explains when your name is called come to the door take your number and this will be your new name/number. Guess who was Juror #1? Now, generally I like being number one, but today I was hoping for - just go home.
About 45 potential jurors were assigned to my courtroom of which 12 will be selected with 3 alternates. Okay my odds are roughly 25%. Still feeling lucky. The bailiff tells us a few things and then the judge enters. All standard stuff. At the defendants table I notice there is only one person. I think where is the defendant and/or the lawyer? Turns out this is going to be a criminal trial with the defendant defending himself. Oh SNAP! this could get interesting. To further make the roller-coaster ride hands-free, the defendant, a legal immigrant, has a huge chip on his shoulder, not to mention doesn't speak english all that well.
For the next four hours the judge asks general questions of all of us. Do you know anyone in the room? Two people worked for the same company and knew each other, One person knew the judges father very well, then the gun questions started. Seems our case has to do with illegal assault weapons. There were several retired military people and other citizens with gun holdings. The questions were endless. This is where I almost fell asleep, except they really stressed for us not to. Then the stories about have you ever been around or involved in a shooting started. Two drive-bys, suicides, murder, muggings, carjackings, etc. I have led a blissfully sheltered life. It is unnerving to see this cross-section of society and how violence has touched so many of them. There were a few "I don't believe in guns people", several that didn't believe anyone should own assault weapons and more legal gun owners who had to list all of their guns and what training they had with them. So much info.
After gettting through the general questions, each potential juror is given a list of questions to which you must under oath answer all them publicly. The first couple - what do you do and what does your husband/partner and children do. I was truthful and said I don't do anything, but the judge wouldn't let that go. Have you ever worked? How much time to do we have? I ended by saying I play poker, it got a few snickers. The questioning then moved on to have you ever been arrested AND you have to say what for and what happened. Lots of DUIs and one guy who asked to tell the judge privately. My mind raced with that one automatically going toward PeeWee Herman. Then they ask if you had/have any dealings with anyone in law enforcement, if you have ever been on a jury and what was the outcome and can you be fair and unbiased in this case. I answered everything truthfully and was asked a few questions by the judge but got through it quickly. The next 45 people not so much, however, it was very interesting. There were a lot of professional people, (doctors, ex-military, paralegals, computer techs, corporate executives, and one poker player :)
After getting through 3/4 of the field the judge stops us for time and instructs the lawyers to asks the jurors any questions they may have. This is where the real funs begins. The defendant acting as his own lawyer, picks out several jurors to ask questions. He really never asks a question but lays out a scenerario where the police and the "system" has done him wrong". His tirade lists the intolerance of our country, legal system, religious affiliations, race and on and on. The judge sustains every objection the People make which sends him into a tailspin. The bailiff stands ready. I am fully awake now, thinking oh no, I might be on this jury. This case is going to be news worthy.
Just when I am sweating with anticipation the judge dismisses three people, the People dismiss three and the Defendant/lawyer begins. Guess who was retired first - number one again!!! I was sooooo relieved and although I got what I wanted, you can't help feeling that little bit of rejection as to why I'm not good enough. In my mind I think a middle-age white lady who doesn't own any guns probably in the defendants mind might not be sympathetic to a rabble rousing, illegal gun-toting, anti-American whirling dervish who for me has given new meaning to the metal detectors downstairs.
Let me just end by saying this, I will participate in my civic duty again and I believe that our justice system, while not perfect, is the greatest system in the world. You only have to get a taste like I did today to see to what lengths the judge went to make sure no stone was unturned to make sure this man got a fair trial and a fair jury. Her patience was tested time and again and she remained undeterred. While I selfishly feel happy I don't have to get up early, find parking or transportation, give up my free time or any of the thousand of little things that make jury duty painful I did get a glimpse into the greatness of our country and why maybe next time, I won't whine about my civic duty but rather embrace the opportunity to do just a little something for the country that has given me so much.
Besides....the entertainment is PRICELESS.
BEE A GOOD CITIZEN
Yesterday was a fabulous moment for me. I played in and won (we chopped/six equal payments for the last six players) a tournament that was comprised of 123 ladies (albeit 6 were men)(I use the term lightly) in the LIPS (Ladies International Poker Series) in San Diego, CA. I love playing tournament poker. I am getting some good results doing it. It takes an enormous amount of patience and focus for long strenuous hours.
We started at 11am and played until reaching our agreement at 8:30pm. We had a 10 minute break every two hours, but no lunch or dinner break. I subsisted on oatmeal eaten at 8am that morning and a few pretzel sticks until I got home at 11pm last night. I cannot eat while I am playing in a tournament. It was pretty grueling but I have played for longer periods of time. The World Series of Poker is 12 hour stints with an hour break for dinner.
There were alot of familiar faces and they are recognizing me and giving me hugs before we start. I have made some new "poker" friends but these would not be the friends I go shopping with or to the movies with. Of course none of them are friends when you are at the table trying to get their chips. These are friends you can tell your bad beat stories to or, gain insight on a new player or figure out where the next big tournament is going to be.
The men who played were a novelty and some were dressed in drag. I get asked all the time what I think about men playing in a ladies tournament and my disdain has changed over the years from being mad about it to thank you for the donation to our prize pool because they never win. What would be the point if they did win? Would they have their picture taken with the caption of being the Ladies Champion? Most think it's easy money, but like I said they almost never win. I say almost now because there has been a couple instances where they did win but we immediately had their hormone levels tested and they passed: high levels of estrogen.
I won $1600 and that will keep me in poker money for little while. I am very happy with my hobby, and for the most part, it is self sustaining. I am playing in a big one next Sunday, with a pro from Las Vegas who won one bracelet (Poker Player's Champion) and came in fifth in the main event at the 2010 WSOP last year (Michael Mizrachi). Mike the Mouth Matasow may also be there. I'm pumped. I am not nervous or intimidated anymore and feel I can play anywhere and with anyone. Going to Las Vegas on Feb. 27th and will be playing in tournaments at the Venetian where I have had my biggest success.
My husband, son, daughter, friends and mother are my biggest cheerleaders and fans. Thank you for all of your love and support. Thank you especially to my son who talked me into going to the poker room for the first time where I made $50 profit and then talking me into going to my first tournament, where I made the final table. Been hooked ever since. He has given me the nerve, guidance. and game strategies that started it all.
The most precious memories of all my poker games though will never compare to the many hours my son and I have spent playing together heads-up on the dinner table playing for a dollar a game.
Thank you Ryan.
Love,
Mom
http://lipstour.com/NewsDetails.php?newsId=57
This is the link of the picture of the tournament I just won.
No I don't mean the Super Bowl or the Heisman or even the Pulitzer. I mean the greatest of all awards - The Golden Globes, The People's Choice, The SAGS and of course the diamond supreme - the Academy Awards.
The people who are close to me know that it is a very special day for me. I make sure my chores are done by 3pm so I can begin the award night rituals. I begin by putting on my pajamas, put the channel on "E" for the "pregame" show and settle into my couch.
From the moment they arrive - let's hope the weather is good - this viewing is the best part. I love, love, love seeing all the gowns, hairdos/don'ts and the sparkling accessories. My dream as a child was to be a hairdresser in Hollywood. I would have loved to have been on movie sets doing period hair. To this day I most admire the hairdo's from the 1940s. (I also wanted to be a cowgirl and ride horses in the movies, but that didn't happen either.) The first dream came partially true when I got my Cosmetologists license in 1969. Just didn't make it to Hollywood. Only Oklahoma.
At 4:30pm the channel that is showing the award show will have their own version of the pregame. The array of red carpet host/interviewers have been traditionally the Entertainment Tonight/Access Hollywood/Ryan Seacrest teams. Some of them are pretty good, some not-so-much. Of course the uber critic, Joan Rivers, (and her sidekick daughter) were fired from their red carpet job because they couldn't maintain even a semi-nice sense of decorum. Stepped on one too many important hollywood toes I suspect. They were later hired by the TV Guide channel, which flopped. They are back at "E" doing the Fashion Police wrap up show the day after the awards. I won't even mention Issac Mizrachi's stint as a red carpet interviewer.
Just prior to kickoff at 5pm, I pop two buckets of popcorn. Real popcorn - real butter - real salt. Nothing better. A must have.
My husband knows this is my night, do not even try to take control of the remote or switch the station "for just a minute". This action is punishable by... oh you don't even want to know.
We are pretty avid moviegoers and I am an avid televison purveyor. My selections for picking winners are quite remarkable. I preview most of the new television series and am quite adept at picking series that will do well. During the awards as they are about to announce the winner of each category - I make my prediction. I really should have my own show, or be in a focus group. I need to be getting paid for my talent in some way. I'm being wasted in my flannel pjs and soft wubby bathrobe.
In my opionion, the best Oscar host - ever - was Billy Crystal. He is funny, entertaining and not mean spirited. The opposite which was true of Ricky Gervais this year at the Golden Globes. I am usually bored by the acceptance speeches, which run too long or are self serving. Usually the English have the classiest acceptances.
So Sunday, February 27th is the big night. Now here is my dilemma, little did I know when I made air and hotel reservations for Las Vegas that it was falling on that night of all nights. What do I do, stay in my room and watch them?.....NO - that's what DVRs are for. Even my devotion has limitations.
My prediction for Best Picture: "The Kings Speech" - absolutely the best movie we've seen in a long time. Loved "The Fighter" and "The Social Network". Really feel good there were three outstanding movies this year, all worthy.
Best Actor: Colin Firth - "The Kings Speech" -have loved him since "The Pride and Prejudice" One of the most memorable performances ever. Right up there with George C. Scott as Patton.
Best Actress: Natalie Portman -"Black Swan" - predicted her stardom after her inital movie in "The Professional" 1994
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale "The Fighter" Totally transforms himself. Jeffrey Rush close second, but Christian's role was meatier.
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo "The Fighter" I came out of the movie going "I don't even know who she is or what else she has done but she will get an Oscar for that".
So, pop your corn, put on your pjs and turn on the tv and enjoy.
Two thumbs up.
NOW YOU'VE BEEN BUZZED
Yes it's that time of year again. New Years resolutions and everything. Once again it's "I'm going to lose weight this year". So... once again we are doing WEIGHT WATCHERS.
This is the third time in my life that I have seriously used Weight Watchers as my diet of choice. It is always successful if you follow it. My problem is I never incorporate the "for the rest of my life lifestyle changes" required to keep it off.
If you go back to the eightys when I successfully lost all my goal weight and became a "Key Holder", the diet was pretty basic and regimented. My son will tell you horror stories of eating dried up baked chicken and steamed vegetables with no flavor for months. Of course as a good mother he also got to eat bread, chips, hotdogs and other kid things that we didn't.
We are through our first week and, of course, my husband lost twice a much weight as me, but to be fair he exercises every day. I on the other hand really only exercise if the walking includes shopping, buying, or walking through a casino to the poker room. Last walk we took I earned a sweater and a sweatshirt from the Ralph Lauren store in La Jolla, a ring from White House Black Market, and a bracelet and earrings from a boutique. This was in my view, the perfect workout.
Seriously, the new point system from WW is easy and I joined online for 3 months. No horrific public weigh-ins or listening to boring counselers. In the old days for weigh-in I started the first day wearing every heavy piece of clothing, jewelry, boots and accessories I could manage. Each week I would wear basically the same thing but take one piece off. This worked well until I got down to the core elements so at the end it was taking off mascara, lipstick, wedding ring...etc.
I like this at home version much better and their recipes are much updated and easy to prepare and follow.
My hopes are high, the next weigh-in is Wednesday morning (stripped down - before eating or drinking anything and after going to the bathroom). My first week was 3 pounds but we all know that that is water weight and the hard stuff starts week two.
I am hoping for 2 pounds a week - FOR THE REST OF MY FRICKING LIFE!!!!
I will keep you posted in the mean time BEE FULL.
