susiewoosie

Well about bloody time

2010-07-07T14:17:00.003+01:00

I finally get a straight flush...

It was a couple of weeks ago when Jules persuaded me to try the Bluff club out in Swords (I doubt I'll be back) but at least the game garnered me my 1st straight flush - well about bloody time.

I was in SB, (1st level) crappy hand, 10d, 4x (os) - whole table limps in, by the time it gets around to me, i just call the blind. BB min raises and when the whole table calls, I do too.

Flop comes out nice with a flush draw and straight flush draw - I bet out to try eliminate players, BB calls me and rest of table folds. Turn is a x and I check. On the river I then hit my Queen high straight flush - I put out a reasonable bet, BB re-raises me (I prayed he would) and i re-raise him again. He ponders for a while then folds..... his bloody aces! Dude... he obviously tried to slow play them and me with my crappy 10, 4 hits a straight flush

That was within the 1st level and err.......I was gone by the 2nd level (!) All my raises were getting called and was being hammered by some absolute shite hands which were sickening (meh)

I hear...the dealer doesn't?

2010-02-15T10:23:00.003Z

Played last night in the Jackpot (€30, 10k, 20min, and best of all- a nice start time of 7pm)

Was SS when it was down to about 12 players when I was on the BB with 800 - it goes around to SB who throws in 1k on top of his 400 - but I could've sworn he had said "call" - I queried with him and asked "Did you call?" he mumbled "no" - I didn't hear him and looked to the dealer "he said call".... so I mucked my cards (unplayable to the raise)

UTG looks at the SB and asks "Did you say call, because I thought you said call too"

Dealer looks annoyed and said to UTG and myself "he said call" - only for the little f*cker in SB to go "yeh, actually, I did say call......sorry" UTG flat calls 800......

......And I had already mucked..... I kicked up a fuss and had a bit of a gripe -- hate stupid thicks like this on the table. Especially annoying when I'm the one that's bloody Deaf and I heard him say 'call' and dealer didn't....

As it happens - I would have check/folded with the flop that came out --

(So not the point)

went out in 9th....

Good starting point to 2010

2010-01-12T13:02:00.002Z

I played the Bruce Poker Pub League last weekend in Galway at the Clayton Hotel and came 9th to get €1500 -- pretty chuffed with that. It was a good game and I'm pleased with how I played - one or two comments after suggested I shouldn't have pushed my ss in with Q9os - I still stand by it and was just unlucky to run into Kings.

183 players played and 45ish lasted until the 2nd day - I was chipleader on my table on the 2nd day (not overall, but at least in the top 10) and only got these chips after a massive bluff against mr. gus (he was reading a gus hansen book during the tournament) the day before with A8os.

I was getting plenty of chips when my shitty BB hands were not getting raised - and when I checked to see the flop and hitting top pair/2 pairs and cracking some beautiful hands - well, it was their own fault for not raising pre-flop.

Overall, I thought the tournament went well, well organised (for the ME anyway) - a few drunk players towards the end of the 1st day were off-putting for some but I have the beauty of turning my hearing aid down and just smiling when they're talking shite to me

This was probably the biggest game I've played - I'm only a newbie afterall - and I really enjoyed it - esp the great dealers dealing (no self dealing), long blinds, lovely stack size and not TOO many stupid players playing any two hands

Since I've started playing poker - the best hand I have won with is only Quad Queens (never hitting a straight flush or royal) and I figured last weekend I might just crack this (considering I would be playing a lot more hands than normal) but that was not to be...

Meh - I'll see them one day...

Played in Hartstown last night (Dublin Poker Nights) and came 4th - made a stupid call with a low pair and got rightfully beaten by Derek and his flushdraw - whilst I didn't go out at this stage, I was able to hang on, build my stack up a little and got beat by Benny and his AQ which knocked my 55s out

I learned a lot last weekend and look forward to applying it to any games in the future - without doubt (and what I've known all along), the cards may help you win, but its how you read the other players that ensure you definitely win.

Its a good start to 2010 - I just hope it stays that way.

no grit, no sense

2010-01-07T17:00:00.004Z

It took me 3.5 hours to get home on NYE from the city to blanch (no taxi's, no nightlinks)

It took me 5.5 hours to get home last night from the city to blanch (with a detour to give a hitchiker a lift to ratoath) (no grit, no sense)

Going to Galway on Saturday morning - how ironic would it be if I get there quicker than I would from the city to blanch!

Ja, I like

2010-01-05T00:01:00.004Z

Celebrity Big Brother is back - and i am not ashamed to say it... I'm a fan.

I get so much stick for liking it - and think I've only missed one episode in its entirety.

I was in college studying Politics when it 1st started and was reading about the Stanford Prison experiment and could really identify with elements of this with BB and then in 2001 I saw the brilliant German movie "Das Experiment" which is all about the stanford experiment and since then, with each BB getting more evil, i absolutely love it...

I've worked in TV as a researcher and can see how the mind of a producer works behind the camera - dissecting a persons personality (ruthlessly) to ensure you get maximum TV entertainment - and whilst the programme i worked on wasn't that exciting, i just love how the contestants in BB can be manipulated and how gullible they can be all in the name of fame.

CBB is even more hilarious - especially when the term "Celebrity" is bandied around so loosely - When CBB brought in Chantelle - that was just a work of art.

My favourite BB was definitely BB2 (the year of Brian Dowling) and like all BB fans, i have my favourite moments - the kind you see on E4 late at night "The top 67 top BB moments" - I'm a sucker for those shows.

People scoff when I tell them i like BB - I genuinely do, more so from a psychological point of view (and don't get me wrong, I'm no psychology expert) but when you see how the people align themselves, see their unconscious actions and general human interaction, etc. - its TV heaven.

BB ends this year and I for one.....salute it!

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas in Irish Sign Language

2009-12-17T11:09:00.002Z

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas in Irish Sign Language

I would've been happy with 2nd place!

2009-12-16T17:41:00.005Z

I've been unintentionally playing in a Pub League the last few weeks in Hartstown (Robbie's Dublin Poker Nights) on a Monday night - the usual pub style format €50+€10 and for some reason, I've been doing ok the last few weeks and cashed a fair few times and gained enough points to play the Bruce Poker Pub League Play offs (Top 2 players in league automatically get a ticket, 3rd ticket is played out by the top 3rd-12th players). Event is held early January in Galway.

I wasn't that bothered about winning a ticket - I played more because it was a free game but I could see how serious some of the players were and how much they really wanted to go so did feel slightly guilty but for some reason, I'm able to read these players a little better than anywhere else I play (probably because i have played so much with them) - and knowing that I can read them - I'm well aware they can read me so, I have mixing my play up BIG time, varying the hands I play, position, re-raising, calling, slow playing etc etc etc and this tactic seems to be working as the players when they try to guess my hand - were all mostly wrong.

But as I say -- its only because I know these players well at this stage that I'm able to progress to the FT -- The same applies with the lads from Irish Deaf Poker - some of them play the exact same way every time they play and its not just myself that can read them like a chick flick - some of the better players such as Julianne, Justin and Ciaran are the same.

Anyhows - I won the ticket in Hartstown - but sorta felt guilty! Especially as I really wasn't that bothered if I won - I was actually aiming for 2nd (we all chipped in €20 to ensure a prize for 2nd) and with this in the pot, I was rooting for this.

Finally I was on the bubble with Mark and Tony - I kept pushing with any decent hands only for them to fold....fold....fold... so eventually got my stack up to 2nd chip lead - when I got QQ and pushed all in - a call by Mark with AJ sent him out and I suddenly realised I was a decent chip leader.

I was robbing the blinds for the next few hands and I had a monster chip lead that i said to myself - no way am I making a tit of myself and losing this to Tony - even though I could see Tony really wanted to go to Galway....

I kept getting Ace Rag and with my chip lead, i kept pushing....and pushing....and Tony kept folding which was the wrong to do (in my humble opinion) - he more or less blinded himself out and then finally when he calls an all-in, it means.... its Galway here I come.

(with erm....Derek and John...)

Dear Arsehole

2009-12-12T04:04:00.002Z

Dear Arsehole

I'm awake at 4.05am because you robbed my wallet tonight whilst out at a Xmas party with work mates,

You stole my wallet which contained my house key - and whilst i don't think anything in my wallet indicated where i lived, I am sitting wide awake in my apartment with a barricaded door waiting til 9.30am before the locksmith comes,

I could have got a locksmith at 4.30am (3 hours after requesting one) but it was half the price at 9.30am so i figured, I'm already broke from a shitty week with brakes failing in my car and forking out money to get that fixed,

I need an avenue to vent my peeveness -- but be aware, dare break into my apartment tonight and I'll stab the fucking life out of you, you worthless piece of motherfucking crap

Thanks for dumping my wallet at the other end of the pub, you kindly emptied out my cash for the night, took most of my coins, took my house key and to top it all off, took a piece of my hearing aid - you left my my cards but as you spend MY hard earned money that i work hard for - i hope your conscience rots at you -- i know it won't, you probably do it as a hobby preying on women in pubs -- you're an asshole you white round neck jumper stupid looking twat

Grrr-fucking-Grrr

Black Ice Me Arse

2009-11-30T19:33:00.003Z

Why do they call black ice, black ice?

A more fitting name would be

"Dangerous fucking frozen water that you can't see that when you're tyres are bald, you're likely to die ICE"

Guess who got 3 new tyres today

Gripe, Gripe, fucking Gripe

2009-10-14T00:25:00.003+01:00

I teach a literacy class for Deaf people who want to pass the Driver Theory Test so when I am out and about driving - i tend to find faults in various kind of drivers

- Would ye INDICATE when you're overtaking a bike

- Would you NOT indicate when you have overtaken a bike and going back into your lane

- Would ye INDICATE properly whilst on a roundabout

- Would you not think your driving a tank when in fact 2 cars could squeeze through the space you're trying to get through.

- When you're trying to go right - and no-one will let you out - do what i do and FORCE yourself out - don't wait until someone decides to do their deed of the day and decide "Hey, there looks like a car that needs to go right, I'll stop and let them through" People are selfish and I'm late for work sitting behind you.

- Don't beep your horn at me - it wasn't an emergency!

- An Amber light is not an invitation to continue driving - it means STOP - not rev your engine.

- When your driving - would ye get off my arse - its big so leave some room.

- If you have to put make up on or shave - would you not wait til the light is green and I'm behind you - do what i do when I'm putting on mascara - time yourself (and tip - put the mascara in your bra to warm it up whilst in the car)

- Don't give me the birdy - keep your hands on the wheel

- Don't scream obscenities - i can lipread (you dick)

- Don't give yourself arthritis in 20 years by crouching your body to the right of your car with your right hand on the left side of the wheel - I'm thinking of your health. Ibrufen is good if you need it. I know a dealer.

- When I'm on the roundabout - I'm not playing chicken - I'm genuinely on the roundabout to get to the other side - not to avoid hitting you.

- The stop sign actually means STOP - not crawl pass the line

- the revving of the engine at the lights is pointless if your beside me - i'll beat you every time - i press go on my dodgem automatic car and away i go.

- close your windows when playing music - it annoys me that i can hear your shite

- be aware that i spy on you when your behind me in my rear view mirror - i can lipread

- When I'm behind you, would you move quicker - i have things to be doing.

- When your filling up your car with petrol - would ye mind not browsing for sweets - I'm outside waiting for you to move your bloody car.

- When you get a car-wash, would you get the cheaper one - the more expensive ones take longer and I'm behind you in the Q

Just because you drive a land rover, it doesn't mean you own the road - it just means your kids grow up fat because they won't walk to school.

and my last irk or gripe even - I don't CARE if you have a "Baby on board"; that doesn't give you a leeway to be a fucking idiot on the road.

Woo...rant over.

Having a break

2009-10-10T23:51:00.004+01:00

Haven't been playing much poker the last month - just bored with it - and its an expensive hobby to be bored with so i figured - if I'm THAT bored - take a break - and i have, drastically.

My other main hobby is probably Photography - but like poker, i have my ups and downs and like poker - its an expensive hobby (well not so much now since the age of digital cameras) but with about 12 manual cameras in a box in my bedroom gathering dust and being placed in a will for my friend Baloo - i figured - get back into it and for the last month or so, i have been bringing my camera out and about and getting inspired again.

I need that inspiration from Poker - is the only inspiration winning? Well I'm thinking D'uh (its definitely needed from time to time i guess...)

My inspiration when i take pictures is that i produce a good bloody pic - it may not be to everyones taste but if i like the pic, then I'm happy ( a bit like how i play the cards - some will disagree how i play, raised, checked, slow played, etc but if I like how i played it, fuck off anyone else)

I don't think I'll ever not play poker - Its like my camera - it will wait patiently until i get inspired

Some random pics of mine below:

Movie muses...

2009-09-14T23:08:00.006+01:00

I love my movies - i have fair few planted all around my apt - to the point, i need to move to accomadate them all...

I've been going to see more movies at the cinema - some good, some bad, some cute and some ok - tonight i went to see (500) days of Summer - kinda cute, editing is great and it had a good soundtrack - the kind you consider buying but don't....

Movies for the Deaf are kinda restricted to early Saturdays and late Mondays - www.yourlocalcinema.com has a list of where you can watch english subtitled movies in Ireland... when i say Ireland, i mean just Dublin and Waterford - and when i say Dublin, I'm lucky if the movie is subtitled in Cineworld and UCI - and I'm lucky if its not the exact same movie

Its a pain in the arse but after 3-4 years, you get used to it - you also get used to the subtitles breaking down and walking wearily down to the manager to get your money back and a free ticket - for 6months, i went to the cinema at one point on free tickets - and even with that, would be giving them away

Tonight i wrangled a concession ticket - they stopped giving them out to the Deaf who came on Mondays for some reason - i suppose they do provide accessible cinema so why should we get concession prices - but every now and then you get an idiot behind the desk who doesnt want to offend a group of Deaf girls and gives the concession -- i call it selective disability - a bit like my deafness

Tonight i bumped into a JC - a friend of mine, we saw him as we walked in and the 4 of us walked up and plonked ourselves down beside him until we noticed the cute guy he was sitting beside - the poor guy was on a date and because this was the only subtitled movie available in Dublin thats not Saturday morning at 10.20am - he was surrounded by people he knew

Did we move? Did we heck.... i had good seats....

It reminded me of when i went out with the ex - how i used to be mortified going to the only Deaf cinema showing once a week and how i could see 20 odd Deaf people in the audience looking and going "Would you look at your one there..." -it was pretty embarrassing -- after a while it didnt matter but at the beginning - sheer hell.

I've ventured into the odd foreign movie with english subtitles - and whilst some of them are good ("The experiment" - german - brilliant - zehn/zehn) - i have a soft spot for the mainstream movies.... i remember being blown away by Kill Bill - being left open mouthed at the end of the shawshank redemption, squealing with excitement when Kaiser Soze unmasked himself - i like my movies.... but bloody hell, do i have to watch them on Saturday mornings 10.20am or Mondays 9pm???

Fishy indeed

2009-08-23T23:01:00.003+01:00

Fancied a game on Friday and tried out a JJP Mania game in D15 - "Salmons" - more cos it was local.... I had done a fair bit of driving on Friday and the thoughts of driving into town for a game did not appeal whatsoever...

Salmons was without doubt the worst game i had ever played in - i got called by stupid hands and got beat by stupid hands - i had doubled up relatively early in the game but everytime i raised (heavily i might add) i was getting called... - no-one would re-raise, just stupidly flat calling and winning...

To prove that i wasn't raising with stupid hands, i would show a select few of my cards to indicate "Seriously... I'm not raising with shit.." but this tactic didn't work... Maybe because most of the players didn't recognise me (i.e. trust me) or maybe because i have a vagina (who knows) - but i felt so GRRRRR when i ended up out of the game -- to be fair, my exit hand was beaten by a well deserved hand but overall.... bloody hell - NEVER AGAIN will i play in Salmons - fish by name, fish by bloody nature!

ffs

...The toilets were clean?

2009-08-20T00:27:00.003+01:00

Ventured into Atari's revamped 'casino' tonight in Tallaght... The decor has changed drastically - swanky till your hit with a wave of slot machines...

It really brings the place down imo - i know its bringing in the cash for the place, but it just felt like it made slot machines 'acceptable' -- "We're swanky now.. we even offer expresso coffee...come and make yourself bankrupt on THIS machine"...

I know people think I'm a mug for playing poker - some might be right considering I'm running in the minuses - however i really don't like the idea of playing with a machine... your life depending on when a machine decides you win or not - where at least in poker - for me anyways - you can watch people, try work them out, have a look at a few fellas across the table (hey, im single, why the hell not...and there are more fellas in poker than ladies.....)

My point being - why play online when you can play the real thing.. but anyways - going off point - Atari... the toilets...were....CLEAN........ i was pretty shocked - i was expecting to see a squashed former utility room with a cracked toilet basin, webs in corner, seeing " I love anto" on the wall (kinda started wondering about Anto.. did he love your one back....what did he do for a living...was he a male toilet cleaner, was this how his GF sent him messages as opposed to leaving notes in his lunch box - did she scroll over the toilets he cleaned? aww... anto....), and i was expecting the toilet not to flush...................but no............the toilet flushed..........the place was clean....

All they need to do now is leave this brush by the door and the toilet will stay sparkling.....

I wonder how Anto is...

A round of applause for the nazi....

2009-08-16T19:08:00.003+01:00

I called a fat american a Nazi this morning - he deserved it.

After a stupid 3 plane trip from Orlando to Dublin - i was half asleep standing at baggage claim when i noticed a lot of people looking in the direction of my 2 friends and myself who were standing halfway down the bag conveyor belt - They were looking over my shoulder and i tentatively turned around to see a large man in yellow gesticulating and making box shapes with his hands - it was then i realised my hearing aid was off so switched it on only to get a snotty fat american accent "I have been trying to get my bag that has gone around the belt 3 times..."

"er... I'm Deaf.... sorry - my friends and I didnt hear you..." - he replied in a snotty fashion telling us to move - despite there being room further up the belt and because of his attitude, i said no and turned around only to have him berate my friends and I in a very loud voice that was garnering attention from other passengers - i turned around and started snapping at him that he was being rude and if he was to continue like that - to move the fuck away. I informed him again that we hadn't heard him when he was trying to get his bag because we were Deaf ( at the same time pointing to my ears to emphasise the fact)

He replied "You should wear a band on your arm so..."(to highlight I'm Deaf)

And i flipped... I flipped so much that he walked away and with some smug satisfaction, i assumed i had 'won' - especially when i was getting appreciative nods from fellow passengers only to then see the bloke return with a Security guard - i laughed because at this stage, there was plenty of room for any passenger to get their bags and now this eejit who was at least 6 foot and towered over my 4'11 stance - i told the security guard - "we hadn't heard him as we were Deaf" and he was like "Sir...they didnt hear you... there is room over there.... get your bag from there" -

....but no, the stupid American wasnt happy with this - and started going off on one.. i ignored him and watched out for my bags - he kept going on....and on....and on... to the point i lost my rag, told him i didnt want him beside me and to MOVE AWAY - WE'RE DEAF WE DIDNT HEAR YOU -YOU NAZI! (i got hot headed and was still peeved that he wanted to brand us like we were in a jewish concentration camp) - there was a lot of tut tuts happening and people were pointing their finger at the guy - the security guard told him to stop being so childish and that everyone was tired and just wants to get their bags to go home - my friend Jen clapped her hands in appreciation and this was followed by a round of applause by about 20 people all at baggage..... it was one surreal moment

Security guard walked away - but nazi was still being aggresive... other passengers threatened that if he didnt leave us alone, they'd call the Guards - this was getting interesting but as the guy had kids and a wife with him, we didnt want to aggravate the situation any more.

Travelling as a Deaf person was interesting the last couple of weeks - we had an air stewardess on finding we were Deaf bent down to eye level to privately instruct my 2 friends and I how to put on a plane belt - she also motioned the whole health and safety spiel - whilst on her hunkers and other passengers behind her trying to source their seat - we just smiled politely thinking "patronising cow...."

From Philly to Dublin, the desk clerk motioned for us 3 to come to the flight desk to enter the plane - she led us 3 into a corridor towards the plane and locked the door behind us - because we're Deaf, we somehow had to be led onto the plane before anyone else and sat for the other passengers to come along 5 minutes later -- I'm still puzzled as to why she did this..

My good friend Cathy wrote an interesting piece back in Jan 2008 about being Deaf and travelling - click here ....

Dirty Dirty Dirty

2009-08-05T10:14:00.003+01:00

When I was last in the Fitz a few weeks back, i noticed posters in the loo encouraging players to wash their hands vigourously (esp because they're handling chips and cards -- er, you should be doing it anyways)

But last night when i was playing - one of the players had the mankiest hands i had ever seen at a table - I'm sure he's a clean bloke below all the dirt and grit - but for petes sake - it was sickening -the dirt under his fingernails were black

I was admiring some of the clean fingernails on the table but was grossed out with this player that i got a mild case of OCD and kept going to the loo to scrub my hands and when he was ejected from the table i was pleased.... i don't normally take pleasure when someone loses but for fecks sake...............

WASH YOUR HANDS!

2009-04-27T15:10:00.003+01:00

irked....slightly.

2009-04-02T01:12:00.003+01:00

Small game on in the clonsilla tonight - what with the match that was on - ended up only being 9 players.

I was doing well - chip leader most of the game

I kicked 6 people out of the game....

and didnt cash.........

On the bubble and i get a pair of 9's... at this stage my stack was going down....down......down so pushed all in - Conol calls me with A5os and hits a straight on the river

Normally I'm like...ah... good game.. but i was irked... ya'd think after eliminating 6 out of 9 players you'd cash...

nup... not me.

sunday madness

2009-03-30T00:18:00.004+01:00

I normally play the DPN bell game on a Sunday - its a night that suits me - never really have anything planned on a Sunday night what with work the next morning - i would have done the obligatory family dinner and instead of sitting at home on a Sunday night by myself - i usually have a game.

DPN numbers on a Sunday have been falling so wasnt that keen on going - Jules mentioned she was in the Jackpot for a team event and to come rail her - wasnt too keen on watching someone else play poker as my poker playing the last few months has been plain shite. not just a little shite.. but absolutely-give it up-shite so ventured into a "its my last game for a while" mode....

So played the €27+€3 at the Fitz tonight - and split three ways with myself being named winner as i was chip leader - i needed the win but like a donk, i played half of it on the cash table and subsequently lost most of it - when will i learn.

On saying that, when i did play the FO - you may as well renamed me "Aces kid" with my middle name being kings - for throughout the whole FO, i got four AAs, seven AKs, two QQs and one KK - not to mention the countless AQ and AJs - all my AAs and AKs worked so was great to get to the FT - i normally dont like to split - i paid to play a game and figure, the best player should win - but ANYTIME i get asked to split, its like a psychological blah..... anytime i said no - i ended up getting the last prize - so when i heard the "wanna split" tonight.. i was a little disheartened, i was chip leader.. but then again i was mental tired and starving so said yeh... the other two lads then gave me the option of more of a cash prize considering i was chipleader and just again.... i just said yeh... ah i shouldn't complain...

Played in Dunboyne last Friday - its a nice game and just hope that numbers pick up more for it - i was doing really well - i had been playing a little too loose of late so decided to play a little tighter and it worked - i got called a "big fucking fish" on my 1st hand when i had 2 overcards and called a raise - it was quite a minimum raised and when we both checked the turn and i hit one of my overcards on the river - i called the bet - only to be retorted that i was a stupid fish and "fucks sake.. i may as well go home and watch coronation street" - i know i didnt do anything wrong - i had raised pre flop and wasnt letting my two overcards go - and it worked -- he put me on edge for a while but this worked, cos the whole table thought i was some mad loose cow - so when they played into me, i won most of the pots.

I got to the final table - and the blinds were starting to rape me - got AA which i regret i didnt slow play and then in a stupid move - so out of position, i raised with K9os and jules went all in with her AK - i stupidly called - shouldnt have called but i was getting worried about the blinds and knew if i folded, i was weak anyways - she naturally took the pot when she hit an AK on the board --- i soon was out when i pushed all in with my short stack of A9 and got beat.

I turned around and plonked myself onto the cash table - my first hand is AK, and with there being raises...reraises, i went all in - i lost the main pot and the side pot which im still fuming about - bloody 8, 10os - and the 8 takes the side pot. Guy that took the 8 pot made a smart comment, i just retorted that he was a donkey - petty but hey, he called me a fish, and whilst i may be a fish, at least i can grow in the big bad sea of poker - and well, he'll remain a bloody donkey - eeyore is what im calling him now.... bloody eeyore.

......and for the rest of the week......... Mmm... I'm on a weeks holiday - well deserved - and kinda a little sad, its probably the 1st week i have EVER taken off work since 2003 - i normally take a few days off at random points of the year..... and seeing as i havent had a holiday since 2002 (yes, im that sad) - im relishing my week off - pay bills, spring cleaning, get car sorted out and play a coupla games... ah bliss.

Brain teaser

2009-03-04T19:33:00.000Z

Cleaning out my desktop and forgot i had a folder titled "potential quiz questions" - i have organised a fair few table quizzes in my time for various fundraisers and every now and then when i come across something, i remember it and put it into this folder...

So go on.... have a guess who these might be - obligatory easy ones are in here too.......

Oh a hint............. they are 'celebrities'

Get them yet?

a bit o' this and a bit o' that....

2009-03-03T11:23:00.000Z

Playing has been up and down the last few weeks - still playing in the same old places but one new location I'm liking is DPN's Dunboyne game on Friday nights

I've only played there once the last few weeks - but its definetely a game I'll attend on a Friday night if free

More info on the structure can be found: here - 10k starting stack, good blind stucture and a late bar in a cosy hotel - what more could you ask for?

My 1st attempt at the game - i was getting good cards, doing my dutiful raises/calls but was getting nothing on the flop and when i did try to play, i lost nearly every hand - lost a big stack with Queens - i don't think they have ever done me well....

There were 4 tables, good standard of play and a cash table with not such a good standard of play - got a bit rowdy last time but when you mix booze and free flowing cash - thats what happens!

Only negative i have on the room itself - it was blooming freezing - so will be bringing a hoody next time!

Playing in a Satt (for the ladies open) on Friday with the Irish Deaf Poker lot - they have been coming on leaps and bounds since i left the committee - Ciaran has done a great job with setting this club up - new members are joining all the time and its great to see - well done Cee - Looking forward to the Irish Deaf Poker open at the jackpot too - shame its at the Jackpot - the location doesn't do justice in comparison to last year at the Fitz

Some good Deaf ladies players coming out of IDP - hoping they'll do the Ladies Open - With Stephen from Poker Ireland coming on Friday, I'm hoping they'll get inspired!

Played DPN Hartstowns last night - came 5th/22 - didn't mind, i won my money back - Paul and a very loud guy named Ming split 1st/2nd - Benny bought new guy Ming along, I have a feeling he's gonna brighten up the game for a while....

Thought I'd share a bit of waffle....

The Hash Brown war

2009-02-26T18:18:00.000Z

Whatever happened to "The customer is always right"?

Currently embroiled in a ridiculous and stupid row with my local Centra shop - Before Christmas i was occassionaly buying Hash Browns from their hot food stand (I'm a veggie and it was the only quick fix option that i could get when i was late for work - I do try to have my porridge in work but lately i have been rubbish with getting out of bed)

Anyways - they (Centra) started mixing their hashbrowns with their meat products such as pudding and sausages...and it was getting to a point, that anytime i went in - i couldn't order a HB as it was smothered in meat...

After a couple more times, i started commenting to the girls behind the counter - erm, could you separate the HB's.... i can't eat them....

A cow of a lady 'manages' behind the counter and snapped back that she didn't have to... i didn't let it lie and snapped back how ridiculous she sounded and soon sent an email to Centra's HQ (which happens to be Musgraves or is it Musgroves..anyways) - and eventually get a call from the manager saying how she could help

Separate your meat and non meat products.

You'd think that was a simple request - but no.

"Ooohh.. i don't think we can do that....."

"Erm...why not..."

"its not how we do things in Centra"

"Just separate them!"

"I'll have to talk to my superior"

A while later i get another phone call saying that the staff have "agreed to keep 2 hashbrowns separate especially for you"

I was MORTIFIED! absolutely mortified - and basically did a rant about ALLLLL the other vegetarians that live in the area - they might not want to have their food smothered in the bloody and gore of a dead animal (yes, i know... i went overboard) told them it was frankly not good enough....

I went in on the last day of work before Christmas and being late for work, starving - i ran in to avail of my 2 hasbrowns in a special pot ESPECIALLY FOR ME.... yeh, there was no special pot and again the products were mixed...

Maybe because it was going to be a busy day in work...maybe because i was late... maybe because i got out of the wrong side of bed - but bloody hell, i unleashed myself like a crazed cheetah saying they were idiots - and how i had never in all my life heard of such a thing where a customer made a simple request, they couldn't oblige - told them out straight they could stuff their hashbrowns and how i'd never buy anything from them again

You may laugh - but seriously - have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?

I didn't let it lie - fuck them - so i wrote to the department of agriculture and food - the food Quality department (!) and i got a reply....

Centra has won.......

They do not have to separate their food products

Arses.

I'm on an email group with some vegetarian group - their answer? "just dont go there..."

For fucks sake!

Who knew a coupla hash browns could cause this much problems.... currently investigating where i can go next.. I'm like a rabid dog and not gonna let this drop.....

work...........grr

2009-02-19T11:05:00.001Z

Played the Jackpot €40 FO last night – did ok, came 4th but bloody hell I’m tired today – played from 9pm-3am so its not a FO that I want to frequent too often what with having work the next day. I was getting lots of pocket pairs, As, 10s, 9s, 2s, 3s and 7s and they were all standing by my side and helping me take down the pot -and knocking out a fair few players including Ciaran with my 10s and Tommy with my 7s

I got lucky on the FT when my A5 flopped a 5 beating an AK and again a while later my K3 all in when I had a 3 on the flop gave me a good advantage to work my stack up. My final hand – K9os – I hit a 9 on the flop and although an ace on the flop too – I hit out a hefty bet a I felt my opponent didn’t have the A, he didn’t - turn brought a K so I went all in – opponent called and beat me with a flush on the river – I was a little surprised he called my large all in with a flush draw but it worked for him so fair dues

About an hour into the game, my AQ was squashed by a K10 straight and I was down to 600chips – the 30min blinds still only at 75/150 ensured I could hang in and wait until I got a decent hand – I ended up with KJ, 2 players had called Tommy’s raise – so I felt there was optimum value on the table – I’m not a fan of the KJ but I went all in with my remaining 600chips and won – Tommy lucked out with a side pot and it meant I was back in the game – I was still SS so held out yet again and just kept doubling up nicely to put me onto the FT

Of all my hands last night that won (and even from last Sun €60 DPN game at the Bell) – I think I had one flush – but was winning mainly with 1+2 pairs – didn’t hit trips or even a straight – it just seemed to work out just nice..

One thing I have noticed big time in comparison to when I first played, I’m not letting big raises intimidate me – I used to fold like a cheap umbrella but now gritting my teeth and either flat calling or re-raising (and I have to admit, I fecking love it… took me a while to get to this stage but I’m loving it….)

Its been nice having money to play with – when I haven’t won, I naturally have to cut down but now I have a decent wad to play with… so lets the games…commence.

Bugger… have to work 1st….

I'm a moany cow...and i like it.

2009-02-05T21:23:00.000Z

I got a letter in the post yesterday.. i was expecting it.... a bill for the TV license - now e160

Now... whats the problem there- sure we all have to pay it - right?

Why does ANYONE get a TV? they get it to watch stuff ON the TV..... a bit of RTE, RTE2, TV3, C6, etc....you also pay for your radio as part of the TV license...

So while the hearing person living next door pays their TV license - he has the pleasure of listening to his radio.......getting FULL and complete access on his TV...

but me... er NO

http://www.rte.ie/tv/subtitles.html

"RTÉ offers an unrivalled subtitling service to Irish television audiences. During peak time – 6.30pm- 11.30pm – RTÉ subtitles up to 90% of programmes on RTÉ One and up to 60% of programmes on RTÉ Two"

the above statement from the RTE website is fiction from a fictional book called bullshit - when RTE decides to grace the Deaf community with subtitles - they fuck on them so many times that it comes to the stage that i rarely watch RTE...missing subtitles after breaks being a prime example.

Don't get me started on Tv3... i couldn't tell you what programmes are on that station as i never have it on... hold on and ill put it on now.. its now 21.33...and i see Kurt Russel.. NO idea what he's saying.. he's in a police station looking at some missing people flyers on the wall.. Mmm who is he looking for... he's now in a diner... a man sharpening a knife stands in the foreground.. i see lips.. i see lips moving.. yeh definitely lips moving... Hmm... can't understand a bloody word thats being said....

Why? Cos TV3 has decided that Deaf people shouldn't watch this movie... then again - the movie looks shite so they're probably doing me a favour....

C6 has decided not to grace the Irish Deaf community with subtitles... i don't think i even have that channel tuned in.. hold on and i'll check...ah there it is.. on channel 14....between the other 2 channels i dont watch.. Setanta and Tg4

Do you honestly think its fair that i pay a TV license?

If you're blind, you can get a 50% concession on your license - but if you're Deaf - you don't - is that fair?

The TV Licensing group ....I imagine a round table filled with Enda Kenny lookalikes going - "ah sure, can't Deaf people lipread?... ah fuck them... they can pay the full whack and we'll pretend that the TV license is for owning a TV and nowt to do with the programmes on it.... lets make up a new law "The wireless telegraphy Act of 1972" and fuck the Deaf!

Now before you think that i want to pay NOTHING for my Tv license - that's so not true - I want to pay a percentage - so for 24 hour of programming, if my (irish) TV is only subtitled 70% of the time - i only want to pay 70% of the fee.

The TV license crew - if they insist that the fee is for PHYSICALLY owning a TV - why the fuck then do Blind people get a reduction - cos they cant see! So where's my reduction!

I made a new year resolution to complain more - not whine (which i can do very well ) but be a little more constructive in bringing change...they may be small and stupid to others but fuck it... i wanna complain more....

1. TV License debacle - Bring it on Eamon Ryan!...BRING IT ON!

2. The war on centra - at war with them over Hash Browns - it's a long story.....

3. Cinema subtitling

4. TV subtitling - anytime i DO watch a programme and subtitle fails - that channel gets an email of complaint

Do i sound like a moany cow - i bloody well hope so

Deaf UK Poker...and sore fingertips

2009-02-04T13:21:00.000Z

So I attended the Deaf UK Poker Open in London – sounds flashy doesn’t it… sounds almost… I don’t know… that it’s a proper bona fide Poker open… yeh….. I’m thinking no.

This was the WORST game I have ever played in – I am still appalled by some of the action that happened – I’m not saying I’m the best player in the world but when someone has the nuts and they check every time… it was just annoying.

Arrived at Dublin airport on Friday after work and got the jammiest car parking spot ever – literally at the door, and literally steps away from check in. Online check in is one the best inventions ever made – even better than poker itself… just glided though security and onto the plane

Jules and I started the weekend with Champers on the plane – barely had time to drink it as an anxious stewardess was already asking for the bottle and glass back as the plane was about to land – so shots of champers is what we had instead

Arrived at Heathrow – seen a business man in his 40’s with a receding hairline, with briefcase and looking very business like…with high heel stilettos. I followed him for about 5 mins just agog at the way he could walk in them – I was jealous – nearly ran up to him to ask “how…how… how!?”

Arrived late at Loose Cannon – weird not being able to play a game so I instantly introduced myself and offered to deal at a self dealing table – Especially as when I noticed the table was wrong in offering someone the pot for a straight – I spotted a higher straight and deemed another player the winner – Sorry Gerry! So I sat down and dealt and boy am I glad I did… I could see immediately that tomorrow was going to be…er…fun. They were overly cautious checkers and played their aces as if they were guaranteed to win with them….

Jules and I headed to the hotel soon after and after checking in, had a couple of mojitos and were visited by the local pets – a lovely large brown mouse… I mentioned it the bar man discreetly who proceeded to ignore me and walk away… Hmm… see no evil, hear no evil?

Next morning, Jules and I walk down to the club, we’re staying literally 5mins walk away - we bump into some of the lads we played with last year and have some banter about kicking ass and reminding them in a joking way that we’re here to defend our crowns… after a bit of a wait, we get inside the club and order some brekky and its another hour and a bit before we play. I was on table 12 – “the last table” and with only 7 players on our table, we were immediately broken up – I was moved onto a new table and missed 2 rounds of blinds due to being moved around. The 1st hand I played, I won and showed them my Jack that won the pot for me. The next hand however – can’t remember the hand, I think it was AQ and being UTG, I decided to raise big preflop….and the whole….bloody…..table……..called. Flop came out and I hadn’t hit anything, Small/Big checked and I put out a big bet – I wanted the pot and again….the whole….table…..called. There was a king on the flop and 2 ?? cards and I was like… bugger. The turn came out and there was no straights, rainbow cards on the table and tried to take advantage of my AQ so I put out an even bigger bet after the small/big checked….and again……the…….whole……table…….called. It was the biggest Family pot I had ever been in… I was racking my brain trying to figure out what the story was…..when the river card came out and I still hadn’t hit………I decided to check… I know… I wouldn’t NORMALLY do this.. but I couldn’t understand the players and what bloody happened…….the……..whole……..table……….bloody well…….CHECKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t believe it.. I was fuming…..breathing hard through my nose……… dealer asked us to show to see who had won – I waited and a guy opposite me had the highest 2 pair.. I mucked my cards and he looked at me and said “ahhh kneew you were bluffing……” The whole table then nodded and then knew I had to be careful for a while – couldn’t try bluff my way out of any of my hands……bugger.

I played tight as could be and won a few small pots but I was so wary and a little on tilt that my fingertips started hurting… I was in check mode like the rest of the table – when I was in a hand and hadn’t hit, I was checking along with the table… when I knew I had anything I bet – and eventually after a while the table respected my raise and folded – well about bloody time!

Julianne moved onto our table and proceeded to get aggressive with her betting – she was getting idiot callers and after a while she copped on how bad my table was… I lost a good chunk of my money when I was on AJ – I hit my J on the flop and bet big – Stephen calls me and we fight it out – he had won the pot already from the flop – giving him trip 7’s --- I was down to 8k now (starting stack 5k – had got up to 16k). A few hands later I got AA – normally hate having them as I have lost SO many times with them – Jules put out a big bet of 1800 – so decided to go all in – hate going all in against Julianne only because we have kicked each other out so many times.

….and then Julianne decided to think….the hat came down……the oversized glasses came out and I knew she was looking for any kind of clue – I don’t get nervous now when I play poker so I let her know I wasn’t nervous by showing my hands…….by taking a sip from a glass that wasn’t shaking – Jules – I was deliberately showing you I wasn’t nervous as I didn’t want you to call me. I was more than happy to take the pot on the table! You didn’t call and mucked your JJ – er, I would have done the same!

A while later I got moved to another table, I folded most of my hands here – I was on 8k again having won a coupla pots after being blinded – blinds were now 600/1200 and I was in push mode. I get AKh – thank my lucky stars and I push. Matt K decides to call me and shows his AQ. Q hits the flop and its bye bye crown. I estimate that I was about 18th/19th and out of 80+ players, normally I would be pleased but the standard was SO bad that even a WSOP champion would have had problems playing here.

I went onto the cash table – the stakes were low on this table with blinds at 25/50p – I lost my 1st batch of money, change from that mornings cash game about £35 and topped up to £60 – after a few hours of play, some banter, some vodka and shock – having a good game of poker, I left with £160 – not a lot of money but with such a low blind, there wasn’t much cash flowing on the table – I was playing loose and getting ridiculed (and me loving every bit of it) by Ciaran… An English guy who sat beside me was giving me the evil eye every time I raised his bet – after a while he tells me I kicked him out last year and he still hates me – I just tell him, its ok, I plan to take his money instead. A lot of the players remembered me from last year but I didn’t…er…remember them. A few were telling me stories from last year….that I er…didn’t remember, I felt bad not remembering… I was fast becoming the “remember that girl I was telling you about last year…this is her…” nice to know I left a lasting impression!

Overall..the Deaf UK poker open…well….left me feeling a little…erm…. Not too keen on playing next year… The club itself and the organising was much better than last year without a doubt but seriously Deaf people in the UK – will you teach your players to fold when I make a bet ;)

Ended the weekend with Coffee and cakes in Harrods – such a mental place, how can anyone pay £39, 950.00 for a watch! That’s like 1/5th the worth of my apartment! Had a welcome delay at Heathrow so I could spend my small profit – did well, got a new bag, wallet, shoes, runners and some DVDs – just a shame the plane was even more delayed on the runway when some eejit checked their bags in but didn’t turn up for the plane

Overall a good cheap weekend – I’ll have to be persuaded to come next year! 1st prize only won £650 after nearly 12 hours of play….in fact, ill need a lot of persuasion but then again, when you can get a round of drinks for £16… I might just go for the drink alone!

Thumbs up Cee!

2008-12-31T00:46:00.000Z

...Or in my case thumb up.. (if you know me, you'll know why....)

Popped over to the Crown Plaza to see Ciaran at the Leprechaun EPO - and he came 5th with €1750 - brilliant result, i would have been chuffed just to win my money back - but no, Cee moans.... Cee you did good - stop giving yourself a hard time and accept you did good...

Well done to all played - was great to see the action - shame about the final table being on a 'stage' - although the flops/hands were being called, i couldnt hear them....and couldnt see the cards.. and my heels wouldnt let me clamber onto a chair to have a peek... grrr

Played the 100FO at the LEPO side event- was getting great cards but hitting nothing on the flop and got dogged to bits - All my raises were practically reraised (heavily) and i bombed out after a table move - just never got going - Well done Jules on coming 4th - i know you enjoyed the game...and helps when you cash in too

Played rubbish on Sun at the fitz (cash) - was getting great cards (all UTG) and could only raise the minimum - and the whole table would call - and each and every bloody time got beaten by someone with stupid hands who got lucky with low flushes/straights - grrr

Roll on 2009

Well about blooming time...

2008-12-24T15:00:00.000Z

I wrote only a couple of weeks ago how i aimed next year to top €1000 in my wee poker book. I have finally surpassed the €1000 profit line - before the end of the year

When i wrote last, i went on to lose a good chunk of money; i hadn't been feeling well and now that i felt better, i noticed i was playing much better - and could spot the mistakes i had made the previous weeks. I played so much better than within only a few games, i went pass the €1000 profit.

I did well on the cash tables and came 1st in the bell

So this wee poker player is mighty pleased.

Mmm.. what will be my next target? €2000.....ah sure...why not.

No. 1's in poker........

2008-12-20T13:29:00.000Z

I’ve previously moaned about the toilets at Atari Expo in Tallaght (The poker room) and how vile they are. They truly are, you just wouldn’t believe it. With no windows and no air condition – the place not only smells, has weird marks on the walls, never has toilet paper (that’s alright, I usually carry a supply in my bra) and then to top it all off last night – the flush wasn’t working.

Seriously. The toilet needs to be sorted!

Apart from that, attended the Atari Christmas party – Jules had wrangled a free ticket and it was only €20 for me to join – so joined up I did. We were all asked to check our notes and with the digits on the notes, try make a 4-of-a-kind. A winner was selected and chosen to play Deal or no Deal. Top 3 prizes were €400, €750 and €1500. The lowest was of course 1c. Three games were played but the best one was the final D/or no D with €350 being dealt and when the boxes continued to be opened, he had held the €1500. sick. But hey, he got €350 out of it. We also played a table quiz and for me, the 1st time, Pineapple poker. I flopped a full house and got rivered. Went onto the cash table and left with a big wad in my wallet by 1.30am (for a change) My profit margin went drastically into the minus but now up €469.50 – and with one more game before the end of the year on Sunday (at the Bell) – I wont lose any more than €60.

Of all the poker games this year, I feel most at home in Atari – I don’t know what that says about me – but I tend to enjoy myself there; never feel judged and any smart arse comments are usually only about my play (fair enough) and not about anything else.

Tip for Atari – new tables for glasses (preferably wooden, they won’t fall over as often), get rid of the tiled floor and sort out the bloody toilet!

round up....

2008-12-09T21:43:00.000Z

I’ve been keeping a note of all the live games I’ve played this year: Jan-Dec 2008 – the reason? Just out of curiousity – and not to make some super duper statistical graph – but more so I can go “feck Susie.. you didn’t spend that much did you?”

I’ve played 104 live games (not all on separate days) – well up to the 7th December anyways: consisting of live poker (hold’em and cash). I play the odd time online but not enough that it would sufficiently break the bank so I never logged my expenditure/winnings on that.

The majority of the games I played were with DPN (€50+€10) and IDP (ranging from €22-€44). My biggest win was €420 and of 104 games, I cashed in on 40 of those games. I recorded all the games I played including reg fees and currently stand at +€261.50. The most I was in profit was €727 back in March and €706 in October. In August I won over €1000 however my profit/loss was at a minus so I only ever peaked in the 700’s. My aim for next year is to stand at a profit in my book at over €1000.

I play poker for fun and once I am in profit I see it as a fine thing. Of 104 games….that consisted of a few bloody good nights out where I paid in for a game (plus reg) and came home with a few bob in my pocket.

However.. its only the 9th Dec – I hope not to lose any more games so I can end the year with some sort of profit – its just a shame I’m ending only with +261.50

I thought I’d end this with a pic of yet another animal – expressing through the visual medium of a photograph on what I think of my +261.50 profit.

I’m not amused.

To tell or not to tell.....

2008-12-03T12:27:00.001Z

I played in the Fitz Double Chance last night - no story to tell about that - bombed out with a juicy flush draw that never materialised

However... An Ould man was sitting to my right and everytime he checked his cards, i had to avert my eyes because I could see them....

It was getting to the point that if i wanted to look at his cards, i could do so without making it too obvious - but when it came to it, i would avert my eyes upwards - it was really getting on my nerves -

What do you do in this kind of situation? One time in a local pub game, i told a bloke beside me.. be careful with your cards, i can see them... he responded "well stop fucking looking then..." and the whole table looked at me as if i was down on my knees under the table with a knife, cutting a hole for a glass plate so i can angle my camera up and see what he has - i just responded "Stop showing me so"

Last night, i folded a K? pre flop and as it happened, i coulda flopped a 2 pair (coulda woulda shoulda meh) but the bloke beside me, he was showing a one pair and was holding an ace - had an ace come up on the turn/river, I woulda instantly folded

And this is my dilemma - to tell or not to tell?

I know they're his cards and he should be doing all he can to protect them but at the same time, if he's not doing it... its affecting how i play - originally i thought he was 'showing' them to me - but no, he did it on every hand.

ps - he never bluffed once.

So...tell or not to tell.....?

The curse of Coolatore strikes.....

2008-11-28T18:54:00.000Z

I have had the weirdest dreams the last couple of days – I’m out sick from work at the moment with the Coolatore curse

A group of us went to stay at Coolatore House last weekend and nearly half of us ended up being ill with various illnesses ranging from colds, chest infections, sinus infections and ear infections… I got lucky; I got a double whammy of a chest and sinus infection

As a result of these infections, my body has been on major alert like an Indian armed with an AK-47 and decided that the best course of military action would be a stress inducing temperature

Temperatures give me really really weird dreams……

The last couple of nights, I have had really weird Indian type dreams where I deliriously remember sitting up in my bed and reciting “must sit up as it’s the Indian way” and every time I coughed, I had to sneeze – not too sure if that was the dream part or was me delirious in bed.

Another dream was all of us who went to Coolatore house outside the main gates with placards and signs saying “save the homeless”

Another dream was my friend Baloo’s feet being tied to a car and she being pulled along the ground and her bright purple socks being exposed – there was more to this dream that as a result, I woke up laughing – is that possible? I have woken up from dreams bawling my eyes out – but didn’t know you could laugh?

I had more dreams but can’t remember them now… hmm must do what Michael Jackson does – he leaves a note-book beside his bed and when he wakes up, he immediately writes in his book the dream he had. Most of the time, you can remember the dream immediately after you wake up but an hour or two later the dream has gone.

One vivid dream I always remember, more so for the oddness if not anything else – I remember going into my parents bathroom to use the loo and it was full of green frogs…. And my last “nightmare” was when I was 12/13 – thankfully I don’t get nightmares but my Grandfather was really ill and dying with Cancer and I dreamt I was walking into a cold storage shed – the type that stores frozen animal carcasses upside down? And there’s me walking through them all and I see my Grandfather dead and frozen being held up by a hook – not a nice memory to have but when I woke up, I was so angry that my brain allowed me to have a thought like that, that I swore I would never ever dream like that again

Went out earlier to get some fresh air and local Xtra-Vision lured me in like a hooker on easy street and I bought the new Indiana Jones – Hmm exciting Friday night…so different from last weekend in Coolatore house…. Michael Jackson house (ok ok..Where he lived for 4 months...), his TV (which he conveniently left behind...), Clay pigeon shooting, cycling a bike for the 1st time in 20 years, scaring the crap out of Conor (and nearly killing him in the process)….A suit of armour …And a bar in the basement…class.

Coolatore House- the sitting room thats bigger than my whole apartment!

Grring all over.............

2008-11-17T23:56:00.000Z

Seriously some bad beats the last couple of weeks....

Wed Night in Atari Kipo for its €27 Scalp (although €25 for ladies) and with about 28 runners, get to the Final Table along with Jules and Justin... I'm playing ok, about mid stack when i get KK.. I had been pretty card dead since my quad queens.

Justin raises the blind, fellow beside him pushes all in, and it gets to me. I wanted to push Justin of the pot so went all in. He thought about it and called me - showing over 22, the all in'er had A7(os) and me with my shiny Kings... i just knew i was gone. 2 comes up on the flop and its bye bye Kipo

IDP on Sat I'm playing a SnG and Justin being a prat is going in on every hand and having kicked 3 people of the table, i get AK and Justin is loving that he's annoying me, i can tell he wants me to go all in. i dutifully oblige and his 6,7 wins a straight.

The Bell last night with only about 16/17 runners, it was a quiet night - I was tired on Sunday but for some reason just never got comfortable when i sat down - and ended up getting extreamly tired and a shockingly sore neck - painkillers weren't kicking in - and i couldnt wait for the game to be over

I get AJ(os) on the SB, Ro raises 1200, Ciara calls ..... and with a nice pot and only 6k left - i push all in. Ro calls....and i was surprised to see Ciara calling too - one of them must have AA i thought... i look away from the flop, texting on my phone to avoid a peek when i see Ro from the corner of my eye pushing all in and Ciara instantly calling her. I look up and i see Ro holding A,10(os) and Ciara K9(os).......the flop...... is K22 and Ciara wins her 2 pair with a 9 on the river......... i just can't even comment.

I want to.....

Seriously.....

But i won't.

grrrrr

Storage Heaters and Peaches

2008-11-06T12:42:00.000Z

Oh.My.Fucking.God

Can someone explain storage heaters for me? I live in a one-bed apt over in Ongar and while “one-bed apt” usually gives the impression that it’s a shoe box – my apt is pretty spacious. It’s on the ground floor, huge patio doors, open plan sitting room/kitchen….and 2 poxy storage heaters with 2 boosters to heat the room up.

I have NO idea how to use them.

No idea whatsoever.

I have Googled, I have asked people, I have enquired and yet, still no-one can satisfy my queries.

How the fuck do I work them?

After 3 years, I have only just copped on a few days ago that when I press the boosters, and have the storage heaters on at the same time; the heat goes into the storage heater (d'oh)

When I knock of the booster – there is no heat in the storage heater. And yet, 2 days later I wake up at 3am sweltering because the storage heaters have decided to kick in and pump out heat.

My storage heaters are “off” at the moment – I didn’t have them on last night but this morning when I did the hand test (you know the one where you gently place hand on radiator to see if it’s warm and then you burn your hand off)..... I nearly burned my hand off

How! Why?

I just don’t get it!

And yes i know... storage heaters are shite - but i have no choice....

Roll on Summer so i don't need to worry about heat. Bugger, my bill is going to be massive next month.

Peaches – to skin…or not to skin?

I bought peaches yesterday by mistake thinking they were nectarines and I had a dilemma… I honestly didn’t know if you could eat them with the skin or not… I usually eat them in dessert form when they come out of a tin or when in a fruit based cake but I realised, I had never bought peaches before so didn't know....

So I emailed Cathy – my source of knowledge when I can’t be arsed to look up Google and she emailed back saying more or less – of course you bloody well can….

But I wasn’t convinced….so onto Google I go – Some American living in Asia who had never eaten peaches before was enquiring about the same thing and she got a variety of answers – one that jumped out at me was a comment someone made comparing the fluffy skin of a Peach to a cat’s tongue…. Hm.. Didn’t really need to know that.

So for anyone wanting to know – yes you can eat the skin of a peach - it might be hairy on your tongue - but yes, if you like hair on your tongue......you can eat peaches (why on earth does that last line sound crude...)

vegetables and musings

2008-11-04T19:36:00.001Z

I swore of meat and fish about 18 years ago after my caring brother decided to inflict Morrissey’ “meat is murder” video clip on me– it basically showed animals being slaughtered and since then, I just couldn’t bear the thought of eating animal flesh again.

I’m not a veggie activist, dressing up as a carrot and wandering down Grafton Street like a scientologist trying to brainwash people into vegetarianism – I did try to inflict it on people when I was an innocent 13 year old but these days – I simply say I don’t eat meat and when questioned why – I give the “do you really want to know look…”

I also happen to live alone – and it really irks me trying to cook a dinner – being a vegetarian, I like a bit of variety on my plate, however it usually leads to an overflow of cooked vegetables – i.e. tonight for example I cooked up a brown rice risotto (lovely too it was) – here are the following ingredients I used:

Onion, Mushrooms, Red pepper, Cabbage, Sweetcorn, Mixed beans (Heinz’s’ greatest invention), Brown rice, Scattered cubes of Tofu (had some left over)

After using all these ingredients, I now have enough food to feed the whole of Ongar – Hmm that’s dinner and lunch sorted I guess for tomorrow.

And PS – when a person says they’re vegetarian – don’t ask them if they eat fish – if they do – they’re not blooming vegetarian!

I just googled vegetarian and came up with this pic: Sorry…couldn’t resist…

Poker and a Swedish feud

2008-10-27T21:31:00.001Z

Had a poker filled weekend and really enjoyed it - to the point that i am taking a break for a month - have a pile of work to catch up on and well...christmas is coming up soon - DPN is having a team event on the 7th Dec and having a ticket, i'm aiming that to be my next game.

Went to Atari Kipo last Wednesday and won €140 in 3rd place in their €27 scalp game... came 3rd and didn't even get a scalp - In my first hand i went down to a measly 1500 and played tight and worked my way back up - the dealers and the other guys there are sound but my god, the place is just a kip

Fri night the Irish Deaf poker had their monthly game and with the Deep Classic on the following day, their was a large attendance of players and fanclubs - The Deaf club was just full to the brim - and it brought back memories of when it used to be a fun place to go to - played a coupla €10 SnG to warm up for Sat but bombed - i ended up offering to deal at a table however I ended up having a bit of a barney with a Swedish ass who decided it would be cool to mock me a little – I let him know I wasn’t having any of it and avoided any eye contact with him the rest of the night…

However… when I turned up at the Fitz the next morning for the Deep Classic I noticed that the Swedish who turned up….were a little frosty… Hmm I guess the bald Swede decided to turn his country against me – oh well – one guy was extremely rude to me on the table – making faces to the point that I actually found it funny – it must have been karma because my chips were going up whilst his were going down –and well, karma must really work cos Mr. Baldy Swede ended up being 1st out of the tournament........ I was getting beautiful cards and even better flops – and at one point whilst in the final 18 I was chip leader – I was getting respect from the Swedish, i.e. they warmed a little to me but by then, Stephen from the UK took half my pot in a sick beat – I can’t even remember what I had because at this stage I was exhausted; I was even drinking red bull – and whilst the fitz provided a hot meal for everyone, the vegetarian option was salad….and it didn’t exactly go well with the red bull – after losing half my chips, they soon whittled down. I ended up getting blinded out in 12th place with not getting one picture card in about 12 hands – I shoulda pushed when I was on the blinds but they were pathetic and with the others on the table calling every all in’er – I wanted to try get to 10th to get a cash prize… ah well… I was the highest female to exit… shame.

I then went onto the cash table – the red bull finally kicked in – got well over €400 (played €50 before the main event, and 2 separate €50 to play cash) – my final €50 got me up to €400 and with being wrecked – I was glad to take it home

Out of the whole day – 2 pots I won which I’ll remember are slow playing a full house with Frank – and 4 of a kind on the cash table – was dealt a pair of 5’s and a flop hit me with a 5 – I followed the checks and the turn was another 5 – I reraised and was called and the river was a king – their were just 2 of us left and he checked and I put out a decent bet – didn’t go crazy or all in because I knew I wouldn’t get called – he looked and looked and kept on looking and called me and it was just delicious throwing the cards over to claim my pot – it was rather sweet.

Overall it was a great weekend – still wrecked, didn’t win at the IDP – but then again there’s always next year…. Well done Henry, Frank and Alan and even though Henry you’re a brit – I’m still glad no Swedish won! Sorry Sweden!

I'm a Laydeeee

2008-10-20T22:32:00.000+01:00

Ladies Side Event at the IPO 2008

I played the Side Event last night – came 12th out of 55 – There were 9 prizes with an €80+€10 fee

Anyone I told that I was playing this side event – I got ridiculed – mainly by the guys “women’s only…puh!”

When I play, I like to play against a variety of styles – from the Deaf lot, the pub lot, the Jackpot lot and the Fitz lot and that doesn’t include the cash games I sometime play – so when the ladies event opened up, I decided to play as I find playing with women a lot more different than when playing with guys and lets face it, there are far more guys playing than there are girls.

One advantage of their being more men playing poker – there’s never a queue for the toilet (although the loo’s at Atari Kipo I don’t think could be classed as a loo, but maybe a piss hole) - Another advantage, there's more blokes crammed into one room...sigh....

My 1st table last night was a mixture of Brits and French and immediately as the clock started, 2 frenchies put their glasses on (oh please – I’m sorry, but in my mind I ridicule those that wear dark glasses at the table) and with their heavy accents I swear they were planning mass murder “Cull”… oh ‘call’ you say? (phew….thank god they weren’t German)

The starting stack was 4k and with a 30min clock, I was determined to dig deep but I was getting moderately good hands that I found myself ‘culling’ and the flop being of no help that I went down 1k within the first 40mins – I dug in deep and inched myself upwards…. It never really surpassed and found myself clinging in until I got to the final 2 tables – I went all in 4 times, and on my last hand…9h7h (BB) checked to the turn where I got my flush and pushed my last remaining chips only to be called by some frenchie who had the nuts – ah well.

This entry.... I’m not saying that ladies play differently to men, but for some reason I have found that blokes tend to play more rubbish hands against me – maybe they know me too well and read me and tell if I’ve good/shite cards but I found when I play with girls – its different, more…. Ah what’s the word…. They’re not taking the piss?

Last week in the Clonsilla Inn – Ciara was UTG, went all in with 2.5k, I had AJ suited and could afford the all in and called – “man” called… we flopped xxx, checked, turned x and on the river was a Q – “man” put out a tentative bet and I called it – we flopped over, Ciara with her AK, me with AJ and “man” wins with a Q7os…. And did I mention that this bloke couldn’t afford 2.5k?

Now eagle eye poker cherries can do the Coulda Woulda Shoulda on how I played this hand but that’s not the point – this “man” originally called 2 hefty bets with Q7os – c'mon - it was obvious that we had some kind of Aces! Had we been blokes – would he have called?

Roll on IDP Saturday - I really really really wanna zig-a-zig -ah WIN!

The shoulda's

2008-10-05T14:18:00.000+01:00

One think that really irks me when I play are the know it alls – “you shoulda raised pre flop… you shoulda folded… you shoulda went in…. you shoulda did it this way cos I obviously know more about the game than you do….ok, I ad-libbed the last line – but u know what I mean….

A guy in the local game I play is notorious for mouthing off with his “ ah, you shoulda….” And as soon as I hear “AAahhh…” I now knock off my hearing aid. He says it to anyone that loses a hand – er… someone has to win and someone has to lose Mr. know it all.

Or the “I woulda won that flop…” We’ve all thought it when the river card gets dealt and the cards are declared – “Ah, woulda won that one” – but why announce to the table “I woulda won” – ye had 3,7os and unless you were Ciaran, or not bluffing, you wouldn’t’a…

Ya coulda, but you wouldn’t’a…

Lipreading the “shoulda” is also very annoying – it comes with the sympathy eyes, head cocked to the side and the “I woulda done it this way” look and the scrunched up nose and the “Shh” lip pattern emerges in time to say shoulda…– hold on and I close my eyes before u finish you’re ‘da

Here's an example of the Shoulda face:

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda – meh!

Atari Expo...or Atari Kip-o?

2008-09-18T23:41:00.000+01:00

Ok,

before i say anything - I'm originally from Tallaght - so I'm allowed to say what i want here ( i think... i hope... ah feck it, i will)

Played the Wed €27 scalp at Atari Expo in Tallaght yesterday..... I like playing scalps - and hey - it was cheap...

but i was scared!

I met up with Queen Jules prior to heading in -cos frankly i wasn't walking in by myself.... i even had an escort to the loo and when i got kicked out, i got walked to the front door

Years ago i worked in Pizza Hut in the Square - and to dump the bins, we had to walk through Atari late at night out to where you dumped bins- and always remember having great craic with whoever else was with me with any spare coins in our pockets - playing truant from cleaning up in the kitchen on the games machines...

However... alot has changed

on the way to the ladies toilet - you enter the "over 21" zone...and there must have been about 100 slot machines...and i was pretty disgusted to see loads of middle aged women just whiling their time slotting in dead money and just being plain mugs. They may as well have been scratching their arses with scratch cards at the same time...

I've been thinking about it since last night - some think im an eejit for playing poker - I may not win every game but im in a decent enough profit from Jan- to now but to while your time away on the slot machines in this kip...man oh man... its hardly Vegas?

Whilst waiting on Queen Jules who braved the extremely smelly loo - i noticed signs on the slots which more or less said "Leave this machine alone, i have stepped away for a fag, and if i catch you on MY machine, ill knife ya"... ok it didnt say that... but i translated it as such...

the place just reeked of.... eugh! the toilets were also disgusting... it felt like there was a junkie behind every pac-man machine, it was dark...and frankly i was really uncomfortable! The guys and dealers at the actual game were lovely though....

the Atari Expo - hmm.. Atari Kipo? -- has a nice structure, dealer dealt, free food/booze/drink and scalps for €27... good value i think on a Wed night.... but...?

I played tonight in the bell.. €60, no dealer (dealer tonight likes to think of himself as Tom Cruise in cocktail - just keeps serving drinks all night...), i have to buy my own drink...and no scalps.... Mm...

I'm not saying the Atari Kip-o is the best value in town on a Wed night - but its cheap - handy for when i visit the parents for dinner...i mean to visit them as a loving daughter... but it somehow just felt.......eugh

Eugh!

Can where you sit influence your play?

2008-09-04T19:43:00.000+01:00

Went to the Jackpot €45 FO last night - it's an interesting game - my 2nd time there and a nice mixture of players - mostly young and i say when the college kids are back, it will get busier with more student type players

Arrived late and a new table was set up - i was given seat no.1 and immediately i was like.... but i said nothing, and sat down ready to play at seat no.1

As soon as the dealer sat i was like...........now i know why i hate seat no.1 (and no. 9)

I can never see half the table and with being Deaf, i can never hear the raisers/re-raisers -- there has been a few times where i "called" only to be told it was in fact a raise - and having put the chips on the table, i'm expected to carry out the call and add more chips than i would have

Sometimes the players will allow me to retrieve my chips and let me fold - but sometimes you get a narky players who objects - i NEVER protest at this - and succumb to the raise and just pray i win the pot

My dealer last night was non-national which made understanding him a little harder and with my hearing buggered, half my view blocked - i felt crap from the first hand. it didn't help that i lost a good portion in the first hand i played but from then onwards i just wasn't feeling the game

I've made a rule for myself - i am NEVER sitting in seat no. 1 or 9 ever again (if there's a dealer that is) - I left the Jackpot an hour and a half later after going all in with A6(os) - got called by a K6 also (os) - a king came up on the river - grrr

IDP game this Sat... no need to worry about where i sit - they never have dealers (!)

Gullible in Lahinch

2008-09-04T19:20:00.001+01:00

My schedule in work has changed recently - and I'm a hell of a lot busier - i run classes and at the moment trying to set up 30-40 classes - all starting in 2-3 weeks so any welcome breaks are VERY welcomed.

So off i went to Lahinch, co. Clare last weekend with 7 girls - it ended up being a train to limerick junction, 2 tin carriage type trains to ennis, an attempt to hitch to lahinch and then getting a bus to lahinch... a long old journey and i still don't get why we picked Lahinch - one of the girls mentioned it would have hot surfers - Mm that was probably it. Shame we didn't see any.

One thing i learned in Lahinch - the people are gullible. Friday night heading home from whatever pub, Mich, TT, Gerdi and myself wandered past a nightclub and decided to venture in and have a wee look at the "talent" - but with €10 on the door, we refused it - so off Mich went to the woman collecting the money and asked for a paper and pen

"We're Deaf, we can't hear the music, we want to come in for free" - may not be the exact wording but it was more or less what she wrote - the woman spoke with the bouncer, the bouncer spoke with the head bouncer and off we went inside..... jammy but hey! The people inside consisted of white lycra and men in shirts.... mm...where were the surfers??

Saturday we asked around for a better club - Lahinch had 3 nightclubs - after talking to a cool looking barman he suggested a club next door - so off we went, all 7 of us this time. Mich was feeling more cocky at this stage (more than likely due to the tequila) and this time in her letter wrote "In Dublin, we get in for free......" and yep.. that worked....

We left 2 mins later - the stench was unbelievable - and off we went to the last remaining nightclub in Lahinch which we were told by the barman "Everyone in Lahinch hates it - its too modern and like a club in Dublin" We tried the letter trick again and whilst we held the Q up for about 10 mins it worked right as rain again

We went inside and had a bloody good night - we were the last to leave (Deaf people tend to be the last out of a club/pub - we conveniently pretend we couldnt hear the bouncer) Cathy ended up being escorted down the stairs by 2 burly bouncers - her feet didnt touch the ground as she floated accompanied by burly bouncers - its a sight i'll remember for a long time yet!

Whilst outside, in my drunken stupor - i got talking to a guy who i apparently hounded the night before if he had any "smokes" (IYKWIM) and he had some....at his house.. so us 7 invited ourselves to his house- which felt about a mile away and had some "smokes" The only thing was, there was over 25guys in the house (mostly married guys) and a lot of Guards.... who also...like..."smokes"...mm go figure....- got home at 5 and having been at the Cliffs of Moher that day(nothing to write about - i was disappointed) i was wrecked.

All in all a great weekend - topped off by us drawing on maggie's face with whiskers on the train... in a manipulative conversation when she didn't know she had whiskers - we convinced her she made a great cat...and so she miaows at the trolly man, drinks some milk from a carton and poses in cat like form.... hilarious.. - i so nearly pee'd my pants

See ya Lahinch - thanks for the free entry into the clubs, the jacuzzi/Sauna, laughing as gerdi gets rescued by lifeguards, the cute bar man at O Looneys, Maggie's whiskers, meeting a Doctor named "Dr. Payne", red fingernails and the lovely brekky by TT - it was fun!

more pics at Lahinch Pictures

f*ck you grey haired asshole

2008-08-28T10:36:00.000+01:00

Split again in the Clonsilla last night

Stopped playing in Clonsilla as one guy in particular is a complete ars*hole - really puts me on tilt - he's loud, overbearing and a bully - He thinks because i am Deaf that i am thick and stupid and mutters under his breath - er hello - i can lipread!

I caught him before muttering about Queen Jules that she was a "f*cking eejit" - he said it silently but he may aswell have screamed it out cos i could read his lips - i let him know he said it by giving him the evil susan stare (trust me, its scary) and he got all flustered

Since then he just looks at me like i have 3 heads and should be in an asylum - ok fair enough i look and sound different but fuck off man.

So off i went to Clonsilla last night and low and behold, he was there....thankfully on the other table - we met up on the final table and it was probably good he was there - i was DETERMINED he was going to be out before me and thankfully he was

Shay and I went onto split the pot -- however i wont be making the Clonsilla a regular game based on the fact its the only game i attend where i feel like a 2nd class citizen - fuck u grey haired asshole.

never underestimate the short stacker

2008-08-25T00:45:00.000+01:00

... and i don't mean because I'm only 4'11"

I went to the Bell tonight with the aim of getting any measely points to try push myself up the DPN league - was disappointed when i 'bubbled' on points last week that i swore i was gonna cling on to get any points i could get on the final table tonight (plus it was the last in the league game)...

It started off as a quiet night - 2 tables, €50buy in, €10 Reg - and did reasonably ok with starting stack of 10k - i ended up rapidly losing my chips that i swore to play tight - until i at least reach the final table... i clung in... barely.. until eventually the tables merged and i was a shocking 4.5k short stack in chips... considering the opening stack was 10k.. my ss was laughable...

A new dealer was chosen at random and it meant i could see a few more hands before the blinds were to rape me.. I was still at 4.5k when i got blinded 1/2000 - However i was able to triple up when i went all in and won... so was then able to play a few more hands

When im angry, i seem to play a little better - i was rather pissed off when i saw one of the players rip the table off by taking too much chips when he was seeking change -- but as i wasn't 100% sure if he did infact rip someone else, i kept shchtum.. but it was making me boil instead - and then when one of the guys was drunk, he was treating me like an idiot "its your go..." (er hello, im thinking...) and then later when i made a minor mistake, he went on and on and on and on to the point i was about to punch him... i was also narked that prior to sitting at the final table - the dealer was walking around getting drinks for everyone - er hello..deal would you?

Anyways - going right off tangent... was able to triple up - but was still miles behind.. but then lady luck was on my side that I was able to 'play' poker... got to the final 4 - and I was estactic - only cos i knew i had won my money back and would've crept up on the points board... anyone that admired my chips, i just kept saying "I'm here for points!"

I was SB and i had 8,5(0s) and knew the BB wouldn't raise - i thought to myself, feck it, im final 4, play them... flop showed 9, 5,6 - and i put out a bet... got callers and the turn was another 5 giving me 3 of a kind - i went all in (dont ask me how much i had) and drunk guy who irked me earlier pondered for a few mins - was getting a little antsy wondering what he had - he proceeded to go all in and it was left to us 2 - he had a Q6 - Q came up on the river but i had done enough to beat him -- i would have done had i his cards but luck was on my side...

A few hands later Tony went all in and with having k4hearts and 2 hearts on flop, i called him - a lovely 10h came up giving me my flush and beating his A/? leaving me final 2... it only hit me i was in the final 2 when Shay asked to split.. i asked dealer to count all my chips - and i was miles ahead -- knew the prize for 1st was €420 -- i felt bad but decided to see if i could win the pot... and a few hands later, i won on nothing cards...

I had gone tonight with the vain hope of winning a point...emphasis on "a" point - went on FT with 4.5 (aka ridiculously short stacked)...sweet

So susiewoosie - gg..... if i say so myself

Vera's game at Blinkers

2008-08-24T10:30:00.000+01:00

Went along on Wednesday to Blinkers (already a member having attended a FO a few weeks prior) and immediately the atmosphere was great - Queen Jules and I were early enough to get out names down on the list before the maddening Q's arrived...and they sure did arrive

Extra tables were laid out and its been a while since i seen so many poker players in one room - it was bloody fantastic

A Freeroll with re-buys the 1st hour - as soon as the starting clock was started, for an hour all you could hear was "CHIPS" followed by weary looking dealers handing you 2k for e10 - On my table, the majority of the players went all in without lookin at their cards - i had already decided that i was at least going to look at my cards before going all in and by the 4th hand, i went all in - lost it - and proceeded to go all in for 30e worth - my last hand i went in on was a Kd4d and was rubbished by Vera who happened to be sitting beside me - ridiculing me for going all in - hey, there was only 10mins to the break - i more than likely wasnt going to get A's - i won the pot with a meagre straight on the river - pretty jammy but then so was anyone else who played there all in's...

After the 1st hour, the game began to get a little better and by the time the break hit, i was 15,000+ - not too bad but not too great either but walking around the tables i could see many of the runners were short stacked so i figured it would get me through a few more hands

I lasted til about 2ish -but the blinds ended up raping me -- went all in on my final hand with AQ suited and bombed...

Sat down for a cash game prior to the main game for about 10mins and walked away with a few bob - it may sound pathetic but i left with 55e -which included buy in for cash game, 3 rebuys, 1 top up and a few euro tips to the dealer... i had a good night....

As Queen Jules and I were leaving, the smell of curry chips would have lured any dieter.... thankfully we were able to resist... We bumped into Dave, a player from our local games - he was up to about 100K - hope he did well!

I've been reading about Blinkers online - I certainly hope this is not going to take from the night - it would ruin what was a good night for me!

won a game

2008-08-14T16:52:00.001+01:00

Won a game in the local Bell game... split pot with Doyle - and i got the points... don't ask me what card i had cos i can't remember!

I do remember playing it wrong when i had pocket AA - got too aggressive with my bet - everyone folded... i even mucked the cards when i took the blinds as i just knew i had played it wrong...

Roll on IDP this Sat - been a while since i cashed at an IDP game...

It's Thursday

2008-08-07T21:07:00.000+01:00

I'm couchless... I bought a lovely new couch but it doesnt arrive til next week and as i sold my black leather suite, I'm currently sitting on a kitchen chair in front of my new kick ass TV - i relented.... i succumbed.... to the lure of the large flatscreen telly.. i bought a nice 42" - was going to get a 50" as i have the room for it - but nah, save a few bob and still have a nice TV... shame i have no couch... telly in bed for the rest of the week me thinks....

Bloody wrecked - but still gonna head out tonight for a coupla drinks with a friend home from London (damn, she's texted and said her flights delayed...) I guess it'll be 2 very quick drinks instead.. I'm tired after getting home ridiculously late from the Jackpot €45FO -- A damn good game where i came 8th - i won €50 so made a €5 profit.... i was doing great last night and raking in the chips to the extent when i had to move tables, i couldn't carry them all - always a good sign and love the faces of my fellow runners when they see me and my chips coming... they're probably eyeing them up and thinking "grand, il take them off her soon..." and most of the time they usually do!

Went on tilt when i had pocket 7's and with 222 on the flop.. most folded except the chipleader... i just knew he had a pair, knew he didnt have the quads.. i thought about...just knew he had a low pair and not a picture card... i waited.... and said feck it, if i won it, it would be a lovely pot.... called... and lost..whilst i had the pocket 7's, he had the 8's.... When we moved to the final table, i was SS and pushed all in with QQ and lost to an A8(os) who went on to win with a lucky flush...lucky sod...

Played in Blinkers (city west) last Sat with Queen Jules - its a new set up, i didnt like the €20 membership fee - the Fitz, CHL and Jackpot never requested a fee - i think the sporting does but still was irked paying the €20, esp after paying €60 for a FO that wasnt starting for another 45mins... and of course... i get lured to the blackjack and roulette... i lost in the FO but made up for that by winning back all my money plus €15.. not too bad for a night out with free hot chocolate and sambos --- can't see this place taking off - its a fair bit out and will only lure in the tourists.. but then again, "JCB" made the trip out... so im sure players will be out to get the tourists in the cash games....

usually play in the local games organised by Dublin Poker Nights - handy as they are local (Hartstown...The Bell and Clonsilla Inn) - i much prefer the Sunday nights - nice relaxed atmosphere... but after playing in Blinkers and the Jackpot (and in previous games around the city), im getting sick of the self-dealing malarky... maybe i have become lazy but the self dealing on a blind clock of 15mins that i find pretty steep is beginning to grate... last nights game at the Jackpot had 25mins on the clock with a nice slow blind level 25/50, 50/100, 75/150, so on - a bit like the IDP games but yeh.... getting irked by the dublin poker night games.. but then again, if i was winning them more often, i might prefer it :) I know the blind levels are that fast as the events are usually on in the pub....but maybe some more dealers...hint hint DPN!

Is that the time... time to go brush my teeth and 'try' make myself look presentable... a hard task, but at least i'll give it a shot...

roll on Kilkenny this weekend....

On holidays - thanks Mary

2008-07-22T18:07:00.000+01:00

Currently languising in a ward - i don't "feel" sick but do need treatment so I'm on holidays courtesy of Mary Harney and the HSE

I can see Mountjoy from my prison, i mean ward and i never realised how big the place was - but unlike there, at least im not sharing a ward with 20 criminals. I am however sharing it with grannies- i don't know which is worst.

One snarls at me (ok, she doesnt really) but i have somehow offended her.. i think its cos i wont pay €2 for the communal telly - she told a new granny on the ward today who was enquiring about the telly (dub accent) "We All put in for the tellllleee, sheee put in €2 yest-er-day and EYE putd it'd in the DA-AY befoo4e" and I'm pretty sure the announcement was for my benefit - they can bugger off - no subtitles and annoys the hell out of me cos its too loud (contradiction i know..deaf and tv annoys me - deaf people can still hear a little....) - i also think the fact that i wont go to bed at 9.30 and lights off annoys the grannies... they can bugger off. have light. will use light. will use all i fucking want light.

I love watching Greys Anatomy - and i'll miss the one that is on tonight...grrr... hopefully i am out by Friday so i can watch the repeat showing - the grannies would have a heart attack if i suggest watching telly at 10pm (i'd even chip in the blooming €2) - anyways - Greys Anatomy has dishy McDreamy, up his own arse McSteamy, the gay boy pretending to be straight, the kooking leading actress who lets face it, is rubbish and then Alex...oh alex... and who do i get here? I get a grumpy looking bunch of doctors lookin after me.

The sullen teenaged doctor (ok, im pretty sure he's not one - but he pouts and has freckles) who caught me lookin up boobs online (i'm a gossip fiend and love http://www.heatworld.com/ - hey, leave me alone, its my vice) and unknownst to me, Bex from big brother was flashing her rather big boobs, and it appeared on laptop as sullen doctor comes over to me, i try to knock page off...couldnt... and was too embarrassed to say anything...so now he thinks im a lesbian who looks up porn in hospital)-great- , a japanese doctor who called me chicken earlier? but it felt like a word he was taught by laddish doctors teasing the new student "call your patients chicken.. they'll love it - especially the vegetarians" (admittedly he's actually ok and seems on the ball in getting me repaired again)- why can't i have whats wrong with the granny opposite me - her doctors are hot - but then again, she's looking pretty scary with tubes hanging out of every orifice - I'm just glad i can pee... into a toilet bowl.

I brought in a shit load of DVDs and thought they would last for ages - i've been through a scary number of them so far...thank god i brought in series 1 of "24" - that'll take me about ah a day at least to watch... Watched Jaws last night, wasn't the same with the sound muted (i use the subtitles in here, don't bother with the sound as wouldnt want to aggravate the grannies any more than i have already...Da Dum....Da Dum...dum dum dum dum dum "we need a bigger boat"....ARGH)

I get my first treatment at 6am - i of course wake up wide awake at 5.30 and in order to stand up for myself, i REFUSE point blank to go to bed at 9, lights off 9.30 etc - I'm only a kid (well in their eyes anyways...what eyesight they have...)

Conan gave me an o2 yokeybob that i can look up my gossip sites - if i dont get a daily fix of my NGS (news, gossip and scandal), i start shaking - it also helps if i have a bar of chocolate to accompany me watching these pages - so courtesy of Conan (thank you conan!), i can pass some of the time waffling online and checking random stuff from stumbleupon.com, my gossip sites, online newspapers, big brother updates, facebook, bebo, blogs... and furniture (!)

Signing out from the Big Brother Hospital......The snarly granny has pulled out her suitcase...woo, she's leaving!!!!!!!!!!! "this is big brother hospital, snarly granny, you have been evicted, please leave the ward....

Ah...bliss.....

The communal TV has been switched on - i didn't pay.

it's been a few weeks...

2008-07-10T00:30:00.000+01:00

It's been a few weeks since i had a drink...and feck it, I'm off work for the next few weeks so i figured, let my mini holiday aka my TOIL from working shitty overtime since April start! (86 bleedin hours.. u'd know I was originally from Tallaght with my "bleedin"'s..... but still.. 86 BLEEDING hours.. i added a "g".. i'm from Ongar didn't u know...

....And i started with 3 bottles of wine that reminded me of the feeling of when Paddy broke my ankle.. u know who you are, you 21 year child- you broke my ankle!... the feeling aka you can break my ankle in 2 and i wont feel a thing....

Went to Clonsilla Inn Tonight for a game of Poker - why not, i was bored enough.. My bankroll has been hit hard the past coupla weeks and when i fill in my little blue book, it will show a plus 2.50... Mmm.. since winning 3rd in the UK deaf poker tournament, i've played shit!

I've won small prizes since february but nothing big...and boy oh boy do i want to win.. I know everyone is in the same boat - but i seem to do better on the cash tables and I'd rather do better in the freezeout - there's no temptation to put extra cash on the table or throw the laser card into the cash girls.... but yet, i still avoid the cash tables and all my money gets lost in the Blanch freezeouts in the Bell and Clonsilla inn! Grr.. won 1st in a IDP game last week..why can't i do that more often....

I've bought a few books lately, not to "improve" my game but i feel more to "enhance it"... i think im a good reader of players... i can read about 50% of the players about 50% of the time... "Young bluffer" is such a give-away - he thinks he's a good player but by god, he's like a jane Austen book -easy to read and a little good looking along the way.... "old man" thinks he's "all that" but i've played much better than him in any recent games.. note to self - check out Robbie's league table....

I don't deliberately play the league table.. but have feigned away from the Hartstown Inn -- too many "All in's" at the beginning that i feel it ruins the game... i like to play...and play the cards... build my stack up nice and slow and get to the final table..

Although when "Mouthy Gum" plays...grrrr........ seriously... growl (im sitting here in bed with my PJ's on, drunk on wine and growling...cos well.. i need to growl...) "gum" is the MOST infuriating player EVER.. i believe she has an other nick name.. but then again, im not surprised if every individual she plays against has a nickname against her..... i can see why....... "Gum" is INFURIATING.....she plays ANY card...and i MEAN any card.... not just any card..BUT ANY CARD... i can't make that point clear enough...ANY FUCKING CARD...regardless of whats on the flop...she shouts out that she was playing a draw - strange how her fucking draw only comes up on the turn or river.....gr... and worst of all - she "thinks" she's a good player... that's the most belitting of all.... ....I'm not saying I'm a good player... but i can read the board at least!

The people I play against vary...Queen JulesII and i have made up a range of nicknames for them all..some in English and some in ISL (Irish Sign Language) although some signs in ISL are far better than in English....and well..some of the names are more "my names" and not really known by Queen Jules II, although, i know she will know who I'm talking about...

(I DELETED ALL THE NICKNAMES!!!!!!! - didnt want to offend anyone.... ha!)

There's so many nicknames for them all.. i could be here all night.. but i won't!

I love how i can read some of them....and have been avidly buying up books on reading tells and well, watching Big Brother has been one tell lesson.. My Favourite tell of ALL time was "My ******", K J and 9 on the flop, heads up....... i had a 9 and a low kicker, short stacked and "My ******" bet my stack which was pathetic......... i pondered...looked up and his cheek just started twitching like mad.... i knew then he was bluffing and just wanted me to fold the healthy stack.. so i went all in...and he MUCKED...oh it was weeks ago and it was a bloody good feeling...a BLOODY good feeling...

Queen Jules II has a BIG tell... i'm not going to say what it is here cos i know she's reading this right now... it's only sometimes.. but i smile when i see it.. its fair to say she bluffs more than I do and plays a lot more draws than i would do (Ill play it when i have the Ace..but then again, doesnt everyone?) Queen Jules II is a bloody good player - watch out for her.... she'll take your pot!

I started playing when Glen and Anne taught me in the MTG office.. played at lunch time and then it went onto drunken apartment parties that resulted in a "no camera" ban! Although one time we did play, i ended up in Hospital.. so a "no hospital ban" would suffice too. Glen has the ULTIMATE tell.... it was glorious.... just so obvious that when he had the good hand, and well, frankly we didnt.. we'd fold... he''ll never know what his tell is, cos we'll never tell..... Anne's tell.. Mm.. I'm still working on it...Mm note to self, organise another poker night with the 2..

I think i have the WORST tell in the whole WIDE world.. i start fucking smiling!! to the point i'm showing ALL my teeth when i've pocket anything from 9 upwards! so infuriating

Played in the Clonsilla Tonight, with 3 small bottles of wine - feck it, havent had a drink since Paddy broke my ankle and came out 8th or 7th - a few measely points at least - went out on AK and pair of 8's won the pot (GG)' I'm dragging this drunk ass to bed.. roll on Sunday and some more poker in the Bell!

Mwah

movies...

2008-07-08T00:57:00.000+01:00

I like my movies - you could even say i'm mad about movies... i have a lot of DVD's.. to the extent, they could have their own room - literally

I'm no movie connoisseur; i may not have a Film degree or even know names and styles of movies - but i know what i like and don't like

Tonight I went to see "Wanted" - Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie and James McEvoy - the cast had me intriqued since i seen the trailers - Sexy Angelina, Flipping Hot Mc Evoy and my favourite one-liner from movies Morgan Freeman " Why do they call me Red.... I guess it's 'cos I'm Irish"

The movie is good... But the special effects somehow diminished the movie from what it could have been... the script was great at the beginning - An apathetic James McEvoy in his monotonous 9-5 job and seemingly useless and boring life (sounds somewhat familiar) gets to live life - sounds good... but then goes rapidly downhill...."you killed my father" becomes the theme... which had me screaming (silently) "the bastard walked out on you when you were 2 weeks old, why do you give a fuck".....and then the train scene - i was screaming (silently... i was in a cinema full of people) - the train scene!!! - erm hello Assasins? to kill one bloke - you KILL A WHOLE TRAIN OF PEOPLE...er... Selfish? - and if you haven't seen the movie - i've just ruined parts of it for you....

When Daddy Warbucks and Annie sang "Lets go to the movies" - it was to step into the mind of your imagination for a couple of hours, it seemed for Wanted, the director stepped up his own arse a little and went overboard on the SFX -- there was so much potential for this movie, it was almost as if they put too much money aside for the SFX, that when there was money left over, the rewrote a bit more for the script... just not to waste money... shame they didnt think to bring in a re-scriptwriter....

Look at Heat, Shawshank Redemption and the Usual Suspects...the script is flawless.. i am sure there was problems shooting but for the end product delivered.... it just seams together perfectly.... it's no surprise that these 3 rate as my top 3 favourite....

It has been far too long since i seen a movie thats blown me away.... are they all done with now?

ps - if you havent seen Heat, shawshank or even the usual suspects - what the feck are you doin - go on with yourself down to the shops and buy/rent them....

erm.. go would you....

S x

I'm in love...

2008-06-23T19:59:00.000+01:00

She's Great
She cleans up after me
She puts things away
She only comes to the aprtment 2 times a month
she's cheap
she has taste

I have a new cleaner! Shes flipping fabulous... i feel like i'm a cruel indian factory owner as she's only about 18 but by heck, the girl can clean!

I don't think il ever clean my apartment again............bliss

thoughts....

2008-06-22T10:48:00.000+01:00

Resting the ankle this weekend, aka having a boring weekend...

I'm probably resting it too much - i got myself a cleaner.. i got so frustrated with the dirty floors and dirty apartment, i figured a temporary cleaner might be useful

Met her yesterday and i feel like I'm doing child slavery - she's only about 18/19 years old but hopefully she'll help out and bring the apartment back to its glory... well, until the next party that is..

Back to the IDS on Monday - feels like my holiday is all over and i didnt even get a sun tan - i was sorting out my pics for facebook and realised i had actually gone away a few times this year - but it still doesn' feel like it... i need a break... badly (and not another limb breakage)

Meeting Jules for Dinner later - i'm jumping at the chance these days for a home cooked meal - My dinner yesterday consisted of Beans on toast (actually, that was all i had) with a bottle of out of date stella beer

Mm... roll on work tomorrow...

Kept meaning to....

2008-06-16T18:41:00.001+01:00

I don't know how many times i have tried to set up a blog page but i thought i would give it another lash...

I went off blogs after the infamous www.idyablog.com (no longer working) but figured, i'd try my own blog this time with my own thoughts and musing...

Broke my ankle a couple weeks back - in a sexy white cast that i am desperately trying to keep clean but I'm a notorious doodler that once a pen hits my hand, the temptation on my cast is unreal... i'm resisting... I just wished i could resist chocolate in the same manner....

Had a good weekend, met Jules after her APAT game on Sat to play a Cash game - felt a little intimidated buying in with €60 when everyone else on table was playing with hundreds - i like the cash game strategy compared to the tournament style of playing (and lets face it, my poker tournament style of game has been shit since the Deaf Uk Poker game where i came 3rd)

In theory i don't like the cash game but the reality is, i actually do ok on them! Walked out of the fitzwilliam with a cool €435 - thats handy - will pay the Car Tax thats due and a bit left over to get me on the Sky Plus road (finally.. i can record Greys Anatomy with subs...)

Doing my last week in Mind The Gap Films this week - will be back to the Irish Deaf Society from next week - feels a little weird going back but will be good to get back into a routine unlike working in MTG which has seen my waistline tighten with all the hectic schedules and the "I'm too tired to cook, feck it, i'll get a take-away" - My local domino pizza's will probably send a search party by the end of next week.

Having an early night - some Sex and the City on DVD - in anticipation for the subtitled screening of SATC... Cineworld - I'm serious, ill be getting the ES1 form from the Equality Authority if you don't subtitle... I need to know for my own sanity what happens with Carrie and Big!

Another reason i don't like blogs, i tend to waffle... mm...signing out....