Crack of Dawn

The next two weeks I am on morning shifts (either 7:15am or 7:30am start), a bit of a change from the mostly midshifts I've been accustomed to. While it will be a lot tougher to wake up at 6:30 or so in the morning, it also means that after work I'll have time to do things like taking a pretty girl to dinner and/or a movie. It'll also be good to see the daytime managers because I haven't for awhile.

Hockey Leaks

For all you hockey fans out there, you may or may not be interested to know that I am now the blogger for the Montreal Canadiens on Hockey Leaks. The blog itself will have posts from thirty different bloggers; to see mine click on the Montreal Canadiens label, but make sure you read the other teams too! While my first post is one of sadness, I hope the future will be bright for my beloved team. See you there!

Birdies

It'd been a LONG time since I'd done any form of exercise. Yes, I could argue that all the walking I do as a floor manager can be construed as "exercise" but perhaps it's not the same. Anyways, yesterday, Amy managed to get me to go play some badminton with Andrew, Suzanne, and two of Andrew's friends. I didn't embarrass myself as I thought I would but right now I feel like "fill in the blank". Obviously I didn't stretch enough. Nevertheless it was good to do something other than moping around at home.

P.S Go Habs Go

Susan Boyle

I don't know how many times I've watched the video in the last two days but every time I listen in awe at this beautiful voice. And it's not just the voice it's also the story of how a 47-year-old Scottish lady who has never been kissed has become the singing sensation of the planet. The song she chose "I Dreamed a Dream" is about as appropriate as could be. Each one of us can learn a lesson of how anybody can fulfill his or her dream if she only takes that first step.

Dreams

Britain's Got Talent

I can't watch this show but I heard about this amazing performance so I did a search. Wow, what more can I say? Spectacular!

Fast & Furious

Did I write the title of the movie correctly? What was the first movie called? THE FAST & THE FURIOUS? Gee, what originality they used. Will Part 5 (ooh, will there be a part 5) be called just Fast? Poor Vin Diesel. He realized that he had no movie career outside of this franchise (although perhaps a sequel to the Chronicles of Riddick would be better). Nothing much about this movie, fast cars, that's about it. I'm just waiting until movies such as Star Trek and Transformers come out.

Observe and Report

After catching up on things with Joe over dinner we decided to watch this "Dave Letterman"-recommended movie starring Seth Rogen. It was his usual gross humor, and while there was nothing special about the flick, it was OK. I'm not sure about seeing Anna Faris as a blonde bimbo character; she didn't seem to fit into her role. And then since it was only 9:30 we decided to walk into the other theater to watch....

Masters

I just finished watching the sudden-death playoff of the 2009 Masters. Wow. Congratulations to Angel Cabrera, and also my heart goes out to Kenny Perry. He led for so much of the tournament but in the end, one errant shot was disastrous. It was great to see how two 40+ golfers could withstand the charges of the younger generation (including stellar efforts from two guys named Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson). This was one for the ages indeed.

Hockey Playoffs

The time is near once again for the NHL playoffs, and time for another great story. Can the Red Wings do it with arguably one of the weakest goaltending tandems in a while? Can the Habs do it on the 100th anniversary of their existence? After all, they are 24-7 all time in playoff matchups against the Bruins. Can the Sharks finally show heart in the playoffs? What will all those Canuck fans who gave up on their team three months ago do now that their team is one of the hottest heading in? Tune in folks.

P.S. Go Habs Go!

Randomness

And so ends yet another work week for the random guy in the universe. Things are a bit more relaxed at work but unfortunately morale is not too good. We are still feeling the aftereffects of the world "crisis" but hopefully things get better, especially with the upcoming Olympics and the building of the Canada Line. We shall see.

Ill

What had originally seemed to be a great weekend is turning into a solitary time recovering from a bout of the flu. I'd thought my 7:30am shift on Friday would mean I could spend time in the evening with someone but throughout the day I started to sneeze and realized that I was starting to get sick. Lo and behold this morning I barely made it to work for my 3:30 shift. I was not in good shape and went home early. Work or stay home, tough choice. I hope my rest tonight will result in being refreshed for my two days off.

Vegas Recap

Well, that makes it 4 times in 10 months (and twice this year) that I've been to Vegas. While in the past I've spent most of my time gambling, these trips have been mostly about going to shows and fine dining. So for those thinking about going I present to you the best and worst. Feel free to email me if you have questions.

Best Show: It's a tough one. I've seen Donny and Marie three times now (and yes folks, the ticket was $260+ each time but the chance to meet and talk to one of the sexiest looking 49-year-old ladies in the world made it worthwhile) but I'd have to say the Danny Gans show at the Encore was awesome. He's that good.

Worst Show: Hands down it is Criss Angel's Believe. It doesn't help that before Joe and I watched the show we talked to ten people and they all said it was a bad show. It sucked. You could see the wires and to say it was a Cirque du Soleil show is an insult to Cirque du Soleil. Plus it's over $100. NO.

Best Afternoon Show (and Best Value): If you like magic, then go see the Mac King show. It's great value and the guy is pretty good too. It's a small theater but he's amazing with his closeup magic.

Best Food on a Budget: Fatburger of course! Well, not when Joe and I went. They do make the best burgers in Vegas and if you dare, join me as one of the elite who have eaten a Tripleking Burger (that's 1.5 pounds of meat! WOOOOOO!).

Favorite Steakhouse: Bally's Steakhouse, and make sure you ask for James because he's by far our favorite waiter. The restaurant has 50% off entrees if you get a coupon from Tix4Tonite, you can't beat that. By the way, when you go to Vegas always check out the Tix4Tonite booths for deals on shows.

Best View: While the view from the "fake" Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is nice, nothing beats going to the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio. It is 50 floors up and the patio has a panoramic view of Vegas. Simply breathtaking and great for taking princesses to.

Handy Airline Tips: On the third trip back from the airport, I inadvertantly left my bottled water in my carry-on, as well as a lighter that I was going to give as a souvenir. No no. On the last trip, Joe was worried about his Gillette Fusion blades that he bought. Those were OK, but unfortunately his bottle of Listerine was a weapon of mass destruction and had to be removed. Silly.

Most Beautiful 49-Year-Old: Oh I did that one already.

Duplicity

Clive Owen as a spy, what a stretch for him. This Clive Owen-Julia Roberts pairing was quite good, and the movie was quite enjoyable. It did end up getting a bit predictable in the end, but there was some good chemistry between the two. It's nice to see Julia Roberts back in business.

Knowing

While in Vegas, Joe and I managed to catch one movie, the new Nicholas Cage thriller Knowing. The story was quite interesting, but unfortunately once "the secret" came out, everything went downhill. It is unfortunate that the storyline couldn't have been thought out a bit better.

Returning to Reality

I haven't posted since my return to civilization after my trip to "that place" March 22-26. It was a nice relaxing holiday that would have been better had I not lost on the gaming tables. But I got to see my favorite show (and person?) in Vegas (no need to ask who that is) and caught some other nice shows too. Now I've seen every Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas except for O.

Unfortunately it looks like there will be no more Vegas trips for a while. I've taken way too many holidays for the year and will have to start saving money again.

Save the Last Dance For Me

I miss you baby.

Natasha Richardson 1963-2009

I am saddened by the sudden and tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson, the wife of Liam Neeson. She died in a freak accident while skiing in Montreal. Sometimes your time comes far too soon, and without warning. May she rest in peace.

Olympics Bleh

When Vancouver/Whistler was awarded the 2010 Olympics I was of the opposing view, and that hasn't changed. In fact, I hate what it's done to the city. First a lot of businesses on Cambie Street had to close down due to all the construction of the almighty Canada Line. We hear of the unbelievable underbudgeting of security and other costs. It's quite obvious the traffic "plan" is a farce; things are bad enough as it is. And now we hear that Hastings Racecourse will be closed down for a month because of security concerns. Thank you VANOC for screwing around with the lives of 200 workers who will receive no compensation. I can't wait to see all the extra taxes we'll have to pay. How long did it take to pay off the Olympic Stadium in Montreal again?

Movies

I had dinner with Joe then we watched two interesting DVD's. The first one Miracle at St. Anna's, a very powerful movie from Spike Lee. While I'm usually not a fan of war movies, this film was more than that. The ending was bittersweet but was well made. Then we saw Man on Wire, a documentary that won the recent Oscars. It was a documentary on Philippe Petit, the Frenchman who wirewalked across the Twin Towers of New York way back in 1974. Wirewalking, something I'm sure I'll never do in my lifetime.

Upcoming Movies

Upcoming movies that I can't wait to see.

Watchmen
Star Trek
Duplicity
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Wake Up

Sleep is such a precious commodity and for most of 2009 I have not been able to get a lot of it, or rather I've been getting it sporadically. But the last week or so things have been getting better. Thank you to a special someone who has the kindest heart in the world.

Chop

No, this isn't a review of some new slasher flick. It is the name of a new steakhouse that opened up in Richmond two months ago. It was a very nice surprise perpetrated by Amy, and it was greatly appreciated. The restaurant was simple in design but the food was not bad (perhaps not in Gotham's or Morton's leagues). I had the 18-ounce Prime Rib and the cut was very nice. I ended with my usual Creme Brulee which unfortunately had raspberries in it, resulting in an unusual taste. Nevertheless, I recommend this place.

Coraline

There was a big shakeup at work and as a result, my days off changed from Wednesday Thursday to Tuesday Thursday. Joe wanted to see this 3-D movie so I thought what the hell. While the story was pretty "childish", the 3-D effects (with the cool glasses) were amazing; times sure have changed since the olden days in terms of 3-D. I was quite impressed, even though I took a little nap in the middle of the movie.

FML?

I came across an interesting website. It's both hilarious and depressing. Maybe it's time I contribute. Enjoy.

FML

Back to the 80's

Today I had a supervising shift. It was interesting (and somewhat scary) that there were three hourly floor managers supervising today, in addition to the salaried managers. My shoulders are aching because I haven't "stood" for an hour for a while. I remember how important it is to keep moving. Anyways, it was a pretty good stressless day at work. The band at Lulu's Lounge was playing 80's music for most of the evening, and a lot of great songs too. It brought me back to the days at the Holiday Inn when I would have the casino music on channel 902 or 905. Unfortunately there was no ABBA but they played enough disco-era songs (Heart of Glass for example) and that was good enough.

Shoot 'Em Up

After watching The International, I decided to watch this previous Clive Owen DVD at Joe's. If I haven't said it before, I'll say it again. Clive Owen should have been James Bond, not Daniel Craig. Again he never smiles and again he never shaves and again he is a fine actor. While this movie was quite violent, a number of characters had fantastic oneliners. Paul Giamatti is his usual fine self, and Monica Belluci is delicious. There's even a side joke involving carrots that I'm sure somebody would enjoy.

Pink Panther 2

I remember when I was young I would love to watch Peter Sellers doing all those Pink Panther movies. He used to have me in stitches with his humor. He was the bumbling detective but somehow always managed to solve the crime. There have been a number of attempts to recreate the role, and this is Steve Martin's second attempt to make a decent movie. He failed. While I respect Steve Martin as a comedic actor, there are certain roles that should never be done, and Inspector Clouseau is one of them.

The International

Clive Owen is one of my favorite actors today (I still think he should have been chosen to be the new James Bond instead of Daniel Craig) and I don't usually miss a chance to see his movies. This movie was a classic thriller similar to the older ones. Clive has that rugged look that's perfect for the part. He never smiled, he looked like crap, but it worked. He will be in a movie with somebody named Julia Roberts in March, called Duplicity. That will be a must-see as well.

Triskadekaphobia

I think that's spelled correctly but that's the fear of the number 13. Yesterday was the dreaded Friday the 13th, which of course was followed by the equally dreaded (to some) Valentine's Day. Just thought I would share that with everyone.

Tough Times

Ever since Joe and I came back from Vegas the casino industry in BC (well, the casino industry in general) has been full of gloom and doom. I've had to say goodbye to some very fine people who are no longer part of GCC... and that includes my good friend Joe (as well as many others). I just want to give my best wishes and regards and hope things turn better for them. I've known some of them almost half my life, and it's sad to see them go but with the unstable economy, one never knows what will happen.

Sadness

Some days as a floor manager you have to do tough things and today was one of them. We had to say goodbye to some great people, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Cough

The last few days I've been stuck with a nagging dry cough that I obviously caught at work. It's not exactly painful but it's ongoing and I hate it. Perhaps I shouldn't be at work but I've worked on worst days for me. I'm not the only person with this cough, but hopefully I will be better soon. I've been taking Benalyn and I also bought some cough medicine.

Wow, what an exciting post!

Memories

I miss Vegas. I miss $120 Wagyu Beef. I miss 6-Card Pai Gow and Mississippi Stud. And I miss Paper Roses.

Paper Roses

From 1976, wow, time sure flies and that singer is just as beautiful today.

Post Vegas

I've had two days to recuperate from my memorable time in Vegas. Things are getting back to normal now and I must admit my outlook on life is a lot better now. Do I have Marie Osmond to thank for this? I guess going to her and Donny's concert TWICE really put a smile on my face. Sure, I'm not exactly rich now but it was such a wonderful time I hope I can replicate it again. Tonight I was laughing and smiling in the blackjack pit. Even though the economic downturn has a lot of people nervous, there is not much you can do but go to work each day and enjoy it.

Vegas: January 28

The afternoon event was the Bodies Exhibition which was a weird but really interesting "show". It was also quite educational as I learned a lot about the human body. We had our usual dinner at Bally's Steakhouse where Joe and I planned the rest of the evening. I happened to walk by a lady selling individual roses for $10 each. Yes!

So at 7:30pm for the second night in a row, Joe and I were seated at the very front. I could literally jump right on stage (and believe me, I've dreamed about doing that). The concert started again and at one point Donny looked down and saw Joe and I and actually said "What are you two doing here again?". Even Marie looked down and saw us and pointed at Joe's forehead.

Near the end of Marie's solo part, just before she sang Pie Jesu I stood up and held my little rose up. She looked down and said "is that for me?". The whole showroom did their "awwww" and I felt like a teenager again. She joked about having eight kids and being single. Boy if I even thought I had a chance....she gave me a hug and I stole a kiss from her. I'll never forget that moment.

At the second meet and greet, we were one of the first people in. Donny's first words were "there they are!". We got some more nice pictures and promised that we would be back, although it probably would not be for a while. But it was the time of my life. Thank you Donny and Marie.

Vegas: January 27 (Bedtime)

Our original plan was to watch Jersey Boys the next night. But Joe and I were talking about what a wonderful time we had at Donny & Marie. We joked about going to the show again, and spending $280 each again. Then we decided it wasn't a joke and at 1 in the morning we called the Flamingo Box Office and ordered two more tickets. Hey, we kept going back to Bally's Steakhouse because it was so good, why not go to a show that we enjoyed? I joked to Joe that Donny and Marie were going to flip if they saw us in the front row again.

Vegas: January 27

After our usual lunch, we went to the Price is Right Live show (for the third time!). Unfortunately neither of us got on the show, even though the dreaded $130 tabletop wine cooler was one of the items up for bid. Oh well.

Dinner time was spent at our favorite restaurant, Bally's Steakhouse, with our favorite waiter, James. He has been at that restaurant for 33 years, and he's shared many stories of the past greats entering the doors, Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc. I'm really glad that Joe and I discovered this restaurant.

And so, it was at about 7:30pm that we made our way to The Flamingo Showroom so I could justify spending $280 to watch one show. I laughed at the fact that Joe had seen the show twice already, spending $150 and $280 respectively. And then the curtain opened and I saw Marie Osmond. And my jaw dropped and the world stood still. She looked absolutely beautiful and suddenly I was transported back in time 30 years ago when my Grandma and I would watch the Donny & Marie show on TV. I had a little crush on her back in those days and it was so wonderful to bring back those memories. While she may have had weight problems in the past, she just looked simply HOT. Wow. And she could sing too, not just her usual hits but she was very diverse. Who would have thought that during her Broadway medley she would sing All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera (my favorite musical of all time)? She also sung Pie Jesu, one of the most haunting pieces ever. Marie Osmond singing opera? Well she could, and she did very well. I felt like a screaming teenager at times and even a few times she would look at me and smile. Joe even got a kiss on his bald head from Marie (one of her trademarks near the end other show).

Now to justify spending $280, there was a meet and greet afterwards. I managed to get one or two poses, and politely asked to kiss one of my childhood idols on the cheek. She said yes.

Oh yeah, Donny was there too.

Vegas: January 26

After waking up a number of times in the night due to my stomach flu (or whatever it was) I wasn't in the best of shape (in fact this occurred through most of my trip) and didn't start our day until the early afternoon. We didn't even go to an afternoon show, and ended up playing a bit in the Flamingo. We opted for a simple Fatburger for dinner (great for my upset stomach but you only live once). At night we did catch two shows. First there was Louie Anderson, another act that I've followed for many years. I've always liked his sense of humor. Then we caught Mystere, one of the original Cirque du Soleil shows. As usual, the acrobatic feats were amazing and I really enjoyed it. With the exception of Criss Angel Believe, all the Cirque shows are highly recommended.

Vegas: January 25

I totally underestimated the drive to Bellingham and almost missed my 9:45am flight to Las Vegas. I ended up being the second-to-last passenger on the plane but I managed to settle in just before liftoff. I got to the hotel by about 12:30 and had lunch with Joe. After lunch we decided to see Nathan Burton and his Comedy Magic in the afternoon. It was a pretty enjoyable show. Afterwards we decided to go to the Rio before our next show. We had dinner at the Voodoo Lounge. Wow, what a view! The restaurant was located on the 50th floor, with perhaps one of the best restaurant views of Vegas. There was also a patio that allowed us to see the best city in the world.

At this point I will note our first big expense....FOOD! While there was the normal "steak" fare, the various $35-$50 cuts of steak that are everywhere, I looked at the "Australia #8 Wagyu Beef" and so did Joe. The last few times we never got a chance to eat REALLY good steak. We found out it was $15 an ounce! Joe went easy and opted for 5 ounces but I went for 8 ounces because, well, I had to. And the steak was worth every penny. Absolutely delicious. Afterwards Joe also ordered Bananas Foster for dessert, which came with a nice fire show. It was quite the experience that ended up being $300 for the two of us! Bleh, it's Vegas.

After dinner we went to the Penn & Teller show, which I'd been dying to see for a long time. I've enjoyed their magic for many years and I finally got the chance to see them live.

Last Chance Harvey

At last, a somewhat happy movie! I'd been "cursed" with a number of terribly sad (but well-made) movies and really wanted a good pick-me-up movie. Tonight's selection fit the bill and once again demonstrated the great acting abilities of both Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. It was a short but beautiful story, perfect for my holidays.

Off

I'm off for 9 days! It's a well-deserved rest for me after all the stress both at work and at home. I will spend four days in beautiful Vancouver before making my way to Sin City for some more shows. I'll be joined by my cousin and her husband, as well as another coworker. It will be fun. Maybe this time I'll get to play Plinko.

???

Was there a full moon tonight? I just had one of those weird days at work, things happening that usually don't happen. Well, there's one more 8-hour shift before my mini-holiday at my favorite place in the world. All will be well I hope.

Goodbye Grissom

Amidst all the events happening all around me, there was also the fact that tonight was the CSI episode that signalled William Petersen's last show as a regular. After 9 years, it was time to move one. The show just won't be the same without him, even if they are "replacing" him with Morpheus, oh I mean Laurence Fishburne.

The ending was somewhat of a surprise, as I kind of expected him to end up with Lady Heather. But this one made sense too.

And now back to reality.

Half

There is a lot of negativity in the world today. The world economy is at an all-time low and there are no signs it will pick up in the near future. Nothing is certain anymore and all one can do is to wake up each day and see what happens.

I've tried a lot not to think about all the bad things. I'm blessed to know some wonderful people who have shown me the positive side of life. For them, the glass is still half full.

Today I spent some quiet time (well, that happens a lot) at my favorite hangout, thinking about the past, present and future. It's hard not knowing what even tomorrow will bring, but let's hope it's something positive.

Golden Globes

While not as prestigious as the Oscars, I decided to spend a quiet evening at home to watch this year's edition, if only to see the one award that was more deserved than anything else: Best Supporting Actor. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when it was announced that Heath Ledger won. The other awards were OK I guess. It looks like I should see Slumdog Millionaire, since it won pretty much every award it was nominated for.

Yesterday Once More

Oscars

It's tough for the regular moviegoer to predict the Oscars because what I consider a good performance is not necessarily what the Oscar pickers consider a good performance. Besides, I haven't watched all the movies this year. Nevertheless here are my picks.

Best Picture

I hear a lot about Milk and Frost/Nixon but I never saw them. I'm going to make it easy and predict a mini-sweep for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Best Actor

I think it's time for Brad Pitt to be recognized for his great work. It was a unique role that he did very well.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett is one of the most underrated actresses around. While she has been recognized for her stunning performance as Elizabeth, her performance as "Mrs. Button" was just as amazing. She will have to compete with that Ms. Streep but who knows.

Best Supporting Actor

If Heath Ledger does not win then I may consider to never watch a movie again.

Best Supporting Actress

I have no idea.

Marley & Me

After seeing two pretty sad movies (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Seven Pounds) and a pretty bad movie (The Day the Earth Stood Still) I thought that tonight's selection would be a nice pick-me-up. The beginning was rather funny, although I did take a little nap (not due to the movie but rather my lack of sleep the last few nights). But the ending was quite sad. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable film, although I must say I was somewhat puzzled by the pairing of Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.

Regrets, I've Had a Few

Maybe, just maybe, the cold and snowy weather has finally gone away for the time being, and I can have time to reflect on all that has happened in the last few weeks. Would it have been different if it wasn't snowing and people weren't stranded? Could things have turned out better? Unfortunately, what's done is done.

Cycle

So far the year has been uneventful. Wake up, work, sleep (and some eating in between). With my afternoon/evening shifts it is tough to pursue a social life, which is unfortunate. Plus I'm now trying to get accustomed to all the paperwork that is a part of River Rock (and there is a lot of that). I don't have a lot of time to wind down before I have to get to bed. But I've decided to take some time off end of January.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

After ending 2008 on a high note movie-wise by watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Seven Pounds, 2009 was a disappointment as I went to watch Matrix 4. Keanu Reeves really needs to stop making all these sci-fi flicks because he is obviously typecast. I'd swear they took scenes from his previous movies (Matrix, Johnny Mneumonic, etc.) to make this really bad adaptation of the original movie. There was nothing memorable other than the fact that I finally saw the trailer for the new "old" Star Trek movie.

Seven Pounds

I ended 2008 watching this surprisingly good movie with Will Smith. I'd only heard bits and pieces of the film so I didn't know what to expect. Rather than spoil it for others, I will only say that this was an amazing performance that ALSO might be remembered come Oscar time. Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was also an amazing performance, and I'm glad I got to see both movies before the end of the year.

Forever Proud

Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens, the greatest franchise in all of pro sports, for winning their 3000th game in their storied history. I've only been around for a couple hundred of them but they'll always be my favorite. Go Habs Go.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

With all the hype surrounding this movie, I figured I'd brave the snow and check it out. There's only so much you can do at home when you're not working. The film did not disappoint. Both Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett (especially her) should not be forgotten at Oscar time. The story was beautifully written.

December 25

Oops, I'm now 15 minutes late, but Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays) and best wishes to all. For me it's been an amazing year, with so many highs and so many lows.

White Christmas, Eh?

It looks like ALL of Canada will experience a White Christmas this year, the first time since 1971. Brrrr. Today the weather was actually bearable and the snow actually stopped in Vancouver. I hope everybody drives safely or not at all. Unfortunately my friends at Fraser Downs have no choice, hope they are well.

You've Lost That Loving Feeling

Quote

"Hang on tightly, let go lightly" - Croupier (1998)

Hurt

For 42 years of my life, I've been told I'm a nice guy. Jason's so nice, so easy going, always so happy-go-lucky at work. Well on December 17 I guess I decided to become a monster. What do I do now?

I'm sorry.

The Road

It's so hard to travel down the road when there is no door in sight and you don't know exactly where you're going. I have so many choices to make. I could turn around and just stop travelling or I can continue on, but to what end?

Don't

Don't click on my profile page on Facebook and don't click on where it says I was tagged in a video (especially if you are drinking liquids or eating food).

6am

Tonight was the first of the casino parties I'd planned on attending; it was the Fraser Downs party at Newlands Golf Course (yes ironically one night after my "guest" appearance as floor manager at Fraser Downs). I was fortunate to meet some people that I hadn't seen since I left Cloverdale. Afterwards a number of us went to sing karaoke at Gabby's, a bar in Langley. As usual I semi-embarrassed myself with my renditions of My Way and I Will Survive. When will I learn? And afterwards, a few of us decided to trek over to Cascades Casino for some poker (gee I hadn't done that in months). I lost $15. Somebody will probably be mad at me in more ways than one.

Yes, I'm ending my post at about 6:05am. Good morning.

One Night Only

Last night I was called into work at Fraser Downs instead of my graveyard shift at River Rock. It was great to see the FD staff again after my transfer to Richmond. The night went by smoothly and I must say it was a nice change from the often endless hubbub of the Rock.

Ideas

This year's Christmas shopping sure got a lot more difficult.

Ass

I hope Sean Avery never plays another game in the NHL again. He serves no purpose other than to take up space. He is the Paris Hilton of hockey. I feel truly sorry for the next NHL team to pick him up once the Dallas Stars get rid of this sloppy second.

Relaxing

I have four days off from work this week! Finally I'm beginning to collect on my "owed days" from Fraser Downs. It'll give me more time to spend with t.g.i.l. I still have a few days left of graveyard shifts before I go temporarily to mid shifts.

For Amy

Twilight - Addendum

I Wiki-ed (is this the new term that replaces "Googled"?) the author of the Twilight series and was fascinated by Stephenie Meyer's story, how the idea for the book came in a dream. It got me thinking about my lifelong dream of becoming a famous author. Perhaps the story of how a 42-year-old loner who found love on the Internet would work.

Twilight

There was a lot of late hype regarding this "teen" movie that had no well-known stars. After dinner at Earl's, Amy and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I could almost say that it was the best movie I saw all year. This was a wonderful twist on the age-old romance novel. I don't know much about the books other than the fact that four were written. I hope to see the other three become films as well.

Feelings

The passion is back at work. I feel wonderful. Yes, there are stressful times but back in the days of the COB, I thrived on stress. It was like a drug. And I guess I lost it a bit at Fraser Downs due to the lack of work. Now I feel great again.

This is all because a burden has been lifted in my social life. I'm in love. Does it sound corny and silly? Well, I'm in love, and with a wonderful girl too. We've gone through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but we're together. Now I feel great about my personal life just as I do about my work. Life is good.

Thanks baby.

Big Show Part 2

My second attempt at running the floor went more smoothly than the previous night's. Even though my feet were extremely tired in the morning from all the walking through the casino, it was worth it. All my past worries and paranoia are vanished, and it seems as if I've found that passion for work again that I've sorely missed. Tomorrow night I'm running the "weekend" floor, which means the casino will be packed. Hopefully things will go as well as they did last night.

The Big Show

After three days of shadowing, I finally got to run the floor at River Rock last night (well, early this morning) from 11:30pm-7:30am. It was quite an experience, as compared to running the floor at Fraser Downs at the old Casino on Broadway. My difficulty now is remembering all the pits and names of staff. I managed to get through the shift without any major errors. In terms of workload, I've always enjoyed the night/graveyard shifts. The lack of sleep is a different matter. I still have a lot to learn.

Quantum of Solace

No, I was not at the premiere of the new James Bond movie, as I had to work graveyards. But I was off Sunday so off we went. As a 007 fan, I was looking forward to this continuation of the James Bond revitalization that occurred with Casino Royale. Unfortunately I must say the movie was quite disappointing. While I can handle the new rugged and more violent Bond that Daniel Craig is portraying, there were none of the other things that got me hooked on 007 as I was growing up; fancy cars, gadgets, even women. There were two "Bond girls" but they just weren't the same.

Madagascar 2

I forgot to post about watching this sequel with Amy. In terms of storyline, I preferred it to the original. I could definitely relate to some of the plot developments.

Listen to Your Heart

I know there's something in the wake of your smile
I get a notion from the look in your eyes yeah
You've built a love but that love falls apart
Your little piece of heaven turns to dark

Listen to your heart
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
The precious moments are all lost in the tide yeah
They're swept away and nothing is what it seems
The feeling of belonging to your dreams

Listen to your heart
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before... You tell him goodbye

And there are voices that want to be heard
So much to mention but you can't find the words
The scent of magic, the beauty that's been
When love was wilder than the wind

Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before oh... Before you tell him goodbye

Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart (take a listen to it)
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye

Listen to Your Heart - Roxette

Because I'm a Girl - KISS

A coworker passed along this video to me a few years ago and it has been one of my favorites. Even though it is in another language (I hope the subtitles help) it is one of the most touching videos I've ever seen. Is this what true love is about?

The Road to Happiness

...is paved with crossroads and forks in the road. I only want to go across that road with one girl.

Sometimes When We Touch

You ask me if I love you
And I choke on my reply
I'd rather hurt you honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I'm only just beginning to see the real you

And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides

Romance and all its strategy
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I'm just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth

And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides

At times I'd like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I'd like to break through
And hold you endlessly

At times I understand you
And I know how hard you've tried
I've watched while love commands you
And I've watched love pass you by

At times I think we're drifters
Still searching for a friend
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again

And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides

- Sometimes When We Touch (Dan Hill)

Yum Yum

Long time no see, Miss Scarlett....

Life at the Rock

My first three shifts at the Rock have been quite overwhelming. While I didn't have full access, I took time to "absorb" the atmosphere and it's such a big change from Fraser Downs. There is so much to learn (this is the same as my last post, isn't it?). Hopefully I'll be able to get everything down pat soon. Time is of the essence.

New Beginnings

Even though I've known for some time, I had to keep my impending location change a secret. But on November 2 at 2pm, I began my new "career" at the humongous River Rock Casino. It's definitely a big change from the much smaller Fraser Downs Casino. While I miss the comraderie and amazingly friendliness of all the staff in Cloverdale, I look forward to my new challenge at The Rock. Today was an overwhelming experience and I never really was able to grasp the enormity of the casino. It will take time, and I hope my staff will accept me.

Wait

25 years, it was worth the wait. While the sound at BC Place Stadium left something to be desired, seeing Madonna live is something I'll remember for a long time.

Less Than 48 Hours

It's been a weird week, full of good things and not so good things. But all the feelings pent up inside will be let go at about 8pm at BC Place Stadium when I watch the concert with the most important person in my life. Through good times and bad, she is still there by my side. Thanks baby.

Countdown

3.5 more days until the concert I've been waiting 25 years to see. "Time goes by, so slowly..."

Newton

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction". - Sir Isaac Newton
Jason's Corollary: "For every happy event in my life, something really pissy happens to counter that".

Road Ahead

The past month has been filled with such wonderful feelings, and the month will end with more changes, especially at work. It's amazing so many things have happened to me this month. Maybe it's fitting that the month will end with the concert I've been waiting 25 years to see, with the woman I've been waiting 42 years to be with.

Vegas: October 17

Joe had to leave early (11am) as he had the early flight. So I got to spend a day alone in Vegas just absorbing everything that had happened to me, and to think about so many things happening in my life. I had lunch at the MGM Grand Buffet and just walked around. I spent my last few moments at Mandalay Bay, buying some souvenirs but disappointed that the Mamma Mia! gift shop wasn't open.

And then before I knew it, I flew home. Alas.

Vegas: October 16

SHOW 12: Price is Right Live at Bally's

Yes, we went again. And it seemed that some of the prizes were the same as the Tuesday show. We even got seats right up front. We were hoping that maybe this time. And then they called the four names for the last game. And then as if it was meant to be:

"Jason Feng, come on down!". It was like a dream come true. I couldn't believe it. I wish my Grandma were still here because she would have been so happy. Unfortunately I forgot the price of the tabletop wine cooler that WAS ON THE SHOW TWO DAYS AGO. They are $130 if anybody wants to know. And I would have been on Plinko too. Oh well, at least I got a T-shirt.

--
No show here, but I finally got to meet my friend Michael Shackleford, also known as the Wizard of Odds. He has by far the best website on casino information and odds on the Internet. Visit him at Wizard of Odds and tell him I sent you! We only met for a brief time as we had other engagements to attend to, but I'll be sure to see him again on my next trip.
--

SHOW 13: Le Reve at Wynn

While technically not a Cirque du Soleil show, this had a lot of its elements. The "stage" was water-based and most of the show involved the water, but there was also a lot of aerial performers. It was very well-done and as usual, the performers were amazing. This show was probably my favorite.

SHOW 14: Zumanity at New York New York

Thanks to Joe, we had seats at the very front, in couches. Thanks to Joe, this meant that we would be embarrassed twice during the show. Zumanity is a burlesque-themed Cirque du Soleil show. There was a guy in drag who was the host. At the pre-show, some Chippendale dude walks by us and says "oh the gay section". Wonderful. Then near the end of the show the drag queen said the same thing. Thanks Joe. But it was a very riveting show with the usual amazing Cirque du Soleil performers. Wow.

Vegas: October 15

SHOW 8: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at Venetian

I knew I would have a good time if the first figure I see at the front was that of Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately there wasn't an Audrey Hepburn figure or I would have been in heaven. I took pictures with Jenna Jameson, Angelina Jolie and Madonna (see you next week!). There were some quite realistic looking figures (and some not so realistic).

SHOW 9: Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's

Mac King was a popular magician years ago, and had appeared on the Tonight Show. He was from the old school of comedy and magic and his show was quite delightful. I commented to Joe that we'd had a lot of good luck with the cheaper shows.

SHOW 10: Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay (730pm)

Do I really need to review this one? I missed out on the show in June and I knew I couldn't do it again. Unfortunately we were in a bit of a rush and missed the end part where everybody got up to sing.

SHOW 11: Blue Man Group at Venetian (10pm)

We didn't realize Mamma Mia! would have taken so long but we had to rush to the Venetian to catch our next show. We were actually late by about 5 minutes but managed to get ourselves seated and not miss much. The Blue Man Group was a very interesting show, weird at times but overall very enjoyable. They are good at what they do.

Vegas: October 14

SHOW 4: Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

After breakfast at Bill's we were pretty close to Paris so we decide to go up the Eiffel Tower and see what this whole awesome view things was all about. Wow! Although the tower is only a quarter-size replica of the real thing and obviously the sights were different, the view of Las Vegas atop the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking. As much fun as it was to go with Joe, I kept thinking how wonderful it would have been to be with Amy. That's all I was thinking of.

SHOW 5: Price is Right Live at Bally's

I go back in time to 1974 when my Grandma and I would religiously watch The Price is Right with Bob Barker. It was so much fun. Although this wasn't the "real thing" it was as close as possible. I was hoping so much to hear those words "Jason Feng COME ON DOWN!". It wasn't meant to be. But Joe and I enjoyed the show so much we decided we'd come back later in the week if it was at all possible.

SHOW 6: Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Joe had told me a lot of good things about this so we went. It was a really nice attraction and worth the small admission fee (as opposed to the Secret Garden). I took some nice pictures which I'll either post here or on Facebook later.

SHOW 7: Phantom at Venetian

This is the only time that Joe and I separated, as he was off to get kissed by Marie Osmond. But I knew that this trip I had to see Phantom so after dinner he went to the Flamingo and I cabbed to the Venetian. What a beautiful hotel and what a wonderful theater. Even though I'd seen the show so many times, the Vegas experience is always the best.

When I went home I gave in and called Amy. We weren't going to talk to each other during this trip but there's only so much I could take.

Vegas: October 13

The day began at around 9am. We had breakfast at Bill's Gambling Hall (in fact, we ended up having breakfast/brunch every day here).

SHOW 1: Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage

There was nothing special about this, especially since we had to pay $15. There were some cute dolphins and some nice animals, but they were so far away I couldn't get a good enough picture of the lions and tigers. The Lion Habitat at the MGM was so much better (and free!)

SHOW 2: Greg Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater at Planet Hollywood

We couldn't find a decent afternoon show so we decided on this. It was actually pretty good. Greg Popovich was one of those old-school jugglers who could do amazing things with hoops and boxes and things like that. He also trained a lot of cats and other animals to do cool tricks. We got a good deal on the tickets so why not?

SHOW 3: Criss Angel Believe

It's bad when you step into a cab and when the cabbie asks you what show you're going to see and you say Criss Angel he pauses and says "Good luck". We'd heard nothing but bad reviews about the show so we went not expecting much. I guess if you are a fan of Criss Angel (which I am not) you might like it but the show was not much Cirque du Soleil and more Criss Angel. The best part was probably the pre-show where a number of Cirque performers entertain the crowd. I even learned a magic trick that Joe would also be more than happy to show everyone.

Vegas: October 12

Nothing much happened. I met Brett and Joyce at the airport and that was the last I saw of them. I called Joe, we met at the Carriage House (where we were staying), and by then it was 11pm so we went to FatBurger. Then I called it a night because I knew the next few days would be very hectic. And I texted Amy because I missed her.

Mixed Feelings

I should be excited about getting away from work and going to Vegas for five nights, but I'd rather be here with Amy. Nevertheless, I think the trip is a good way for us to take a breather from an amazing two weeks. There is a lot to think about. I miss you already.

Get Well Stan

One moment there were twelve of us at Boston Pizza getting ready for our hockey pool. We had just chosen the order of picking and then my friend just started shaking. Thankfully one of my friends is a doctor, but nevertheless, before I knew it, my friend was having a seizure. It's one of the most scariest things to see, especially when it is happening in front of you. But everything turned out OK, the ambulance arrived and took Stan to the hospital, where he will stay overnight. He'll be OK. The pool was obviously postponed. Get well soon, Stan.

Yes

"I wondered if it was true, if in this 21st century reality there is a person out there who could possibly be your other half." - Amy Mak

The Neverending Story

1) She emailed me
2) I emailed her back
3) We met at Starbucks, then a movie
4) I asked her out to dinner, and she said yes
5) I looked into her eyes and she looked back
6) I held her hand and she didn't let go
7) We walked along the pier in the rain
8) We kissed and held each other under the stars
9) We fell in love

And now the story continues, and so far it's been the most beautiful story I've read. Thank you for coming into my life, Amy.

The Search is Over

How can I convince you
what you see is real
Who am I to blame you
for doubting what you feel
I was always reachin',
you were just a girl I knew
I took for granted the friend I have in you

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes,
I can see forever
The search is over,
you were with me all the while

Can we last forever,
will we fall apart
At times it's so confusing,
the questions of the heart
You followed me through changes,
and patiently you'd wait
Till I came to my senses,
through some miracle of fate

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes,
I can see forever
The search is over,
you were with me all the while

Now the miles stretch out behind me,
loves that I have lost
Broken hearts lie victims of the game
Then good luck,
it finally stuck like lightning from the blue
Every highway's leading me back to you
Now at last I hold you,
now all is said and done
The search has come full circle,
our destinies are one
So if you ever loved me,
show me that you give a damn
You'll know for certain the man I really am

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
When I touched your hand,
I could hear you whisper
The search is over,
love was right before my eyes

Summary of My Night

In the words of Mr. Miyagi's dying father in Karate Kid II, "If I am dreaming, let me never wake. If I am awake, let me never sleep."