Vegas Trip: Entertainment

Posted inComedy, Travel, Vegas

Last time I went to Vegas, I didn’t see any shows. I wanted to make sure I at least saw something this time. As I planned my trip, I kept checking the comedy clubs to see if anyone I knew would be in town.

A few days before I left, I hit the jackpot. Bobby Collins, one of my favorites from XM, would start at the Improv at Harrah’s on my last night in town. Perfect timing.

Even though I waited until late in the afternoon on the day of the show, I got a pretty good seat. Tickets only ran 30-some bucks so I thought I made out pretty good.

Vegas Trip: Poker is Bad

Posted inGambling, Travel, Vegas

I discovered one important thing while in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Poker is bad.

I love playing the game, but runs like I had recently really make me question why I bother. I could hardly get any good cards and, when I did, someone else would turn over a hand that would edge me out regardless of what I had.

On my last night, I didn’t have a playable hand for probably close to an hour. All garbage. Down to my last $50 or so, I get Q-10 with only five players playing. No one raises so I get to the flop, finally. Pair of 3s and something else. The turn is a 10 so I have two pair and am feeling good. River card is a 3 so I have a pretty good full house, as long as no one has a pocket pair of face cards.

We’re down to three guys now, both of whom were aggressive usually and kind of weren’t up to the river. I go all in with my whopping $24, and they both call. One guy has a 10 like me, and I could deal with splitting the pot.

The other guy had a 3. Game, set, match.

Captain Ahab Wins

Posted inAmerica, Football
Kudos if you get the Lewis Black reference. I couldn't resist since his bits on the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake saga from the Super Bowl a few years ago. He went…

Dethroned

Posted inBeach, Columns, Cornhole, Family

After 22 years, my family’s annual trek to the beach has gained a certain kind of routine.

My oldest sisters head down to the beach early to set out a cadre of chairs so we can reserve precious space on the sand.

One night, we meet at the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach to all get on the bumper cars together and take out a year’s worth of frustrations.

And we all repair to our favorite games in the arcade most nights – a few on skeeball, a few on a game we have dubbed “Lucky Duck” and the rest scattered amongst claw machines and other games to entertain the younger set.

The two years before this trip, something else has helped maintain normalcy during beach week. I won the annual cornhole tournament those years along with John, my niece’s husband.

We looked to put together an unprecedented three-peat this year. I felt so confident, I even left my championship belt back in Hanover.

Either that or I’m absent-minded and didn’t even think about packing it. Take your choice.

Last Comic Standing

Posted inComedy, TV
I really enjoyed the first two seasons of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Thanks to those summer shows, I found out about comics like Rich Vos, Todd Glass, Rob Cantrell, Kathleen…

Viva La Revolucion!

Posted inAmerica, Columns

Every generation has unique challenges. Some fight important wars. Some lead needed social change. Others discover ways to save the planet.

I have a different idea for how I can help my generation stand out in history. We have a very important task at hand, and this summer can begin our quest.

We need to make sure men realize that you just can’t wear socks with sandals.

Tom Petty: American Icon

Posted inMusic
We had a pretty quiet Independence Day. The weather didn't cooperate so our pool time was limited, and I honored our forefathers by taking a nap and grilling. Before I…