Christmas Blues

Damn I guess I should start shopping soon. I hope people buy me nice presents. That's all for now.

Oops

Memoirs of a Geisha is not here until December 23. Rats.

Memoirs of a Geisha

I can't wait to watch this one. Ziyi Zhang is a hottie, and Michelle Yeoh ain't too bad to look at as well. It's about time there was a movie out there worth watching.

Also for Syama

Watch Video:

I'LL BE THERE (Mariah Carey)

Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

For Syama

Oh, girl I've known you very well
I've seen you growing everyday
I never really looked before
but now you take my breath away.

Suddenly you're in my life
part of everything I do
you got me working day and night
just trying to keep a hold on you.

Here in your arms I found my paradise
my only chance for happiness
and if I lose you now I think I would die.

Oh say you'll always be my baby
we can make it shine, we can take forever
just a minute at a time.

More than a woman, more than a woman to me
more than a woman, more than a woman to me
more than a woman, oh, oh, oh.

There are stories old and true
of people so in love like you and me
and I can see myself
let history repeat itself.

Reflecting how I feel for you
thinking about those people then
I know that in a thousand years
I'd fall in love with you again.

This is the only way that we should fly
this is the only way to go
and if I lose you I know I would die.

Oh say you'll always be my baby
we can make it shine, we can take forever
just a minute at a time.

More than a woman, more than a woman to me
more than a woman, more than a woman to me
more than a woman, oh, oh, oh.

More Than a Woman -- Bee Gees

The Boss is Back

I was trained from Tuesday to Thursday for daytime managing. It was overwhelming at first, as I had to know (and remember) a lot of things. Of course I was slow at first but hopefully that will change quickly. By the third day the manager on duty pretty much let me run the show and I think I did relatively well. Perhaps I could have left some tables closed as it wasn't that busy. Every day will be different depending on how many players show up and what they play.

My first official shift has been changed from December 31....to this Sunday! I am required for a relief shift from 4:30pm-12:30am. This is intimidating because they haven't even trained me for night duties yet, so it will be a challenge. But I must show them I am capable.

I hope everyone is well. Happy Thanksgiving to Johnny and my American friends. Hello to Tiff, Sam, and whoever reads this.

In the Beginning

As I expected I won't be getting a lot of managing shifts (for the rest of the year at least) since there aren't a lot of people on holiday. My first scheduled shift is...December 31. Nevertheless, it's almost certain I'll be called in at sometime during the next 6 weeks or so. Meanwhile, training begins this Tuesday-Thursday at the unrecognizable time of 9am. Obviously my training begins with the daytime procedures. Next week will be the nighttime procedures. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

Meanwhile I've been inundated with encouragement from people everywhere: family, friends, coworkers and many Internet buddies. Now I must prove to them I'm capable of doing my job. Thanks again everyone!

A Time to Work, A Time to Play

The party at the Capricorn was wonderful. Well, it was just people drinking but why not? I was given various types of shooters that I drank without really realizing what was in it. Wow, good stuff. It was a great time and of course now I'm feeling the after effects. Well it was worth it.

And now, it is time to begin the next stage of my life, one with more seriousness. I have a lot of apprehension and dread over my position. It's not really the work itself. I know that will be challenging but I'm confident I can do well. It's getting respect from coworkers and to be taken seriously that scares me. The guy who jokes around, is SOOO nice (as everybody says) and dresses in drag on Hallowe'en, can be be a successful floor manager? Time will tell. At least I know that I have a lot of wonderful friends to guide me... Syama, Vandy, Kity.... they mean so much to me.

Third Time Lucky Indeed

It's so surreal that in the middle of a depressing day for me that I would get the most amazing news I could. The wait is over. I got the promotion. Thanks to my buddy Johnny for all his encouraging words. Now I take the next big step in my life.

RIP Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero the wrestler passed away yesterday. Yes, he was "just a wrestler" and wrestling is fake and all that shit, but he was the hardest working of them all. We spend all our time worshipping actors and actresses and you know what, they are all fake too. But some of them work harder than others. Eddie was one of them. Yes, he was just an actor, but damnit he was a great one.

Rest in peace, Latino Heat.

And Again I Wait

The interview is all said and done and once again I come home regretting that I could have done a lot better. Now I must wait and see...

Destiny Awaits Again

The interview for relief floor manager is Thursday at 2pm. Destiny and fate are in my hands.

Marilyn's Back

Wow has it been a week already? As a matter of fact, I ended up dressing up as Marilyn Monroe and of course I won the Best Costume contest. I also realized how a lot of men are just pigs (but we won't go into that). I may or may not post a picture of the great costume. OK back to work now.

Hallowe'en

Well it's that time of year, and all staff at my casino are encouraged to dress up and be eligible for prizes. Last year I got first place with my Austin Powers outfit. This year I was deciding among three: Michael Jackson, Elvis and....Marilyn Monroe. Then Vandy dared me (in fact, she double-dared me) to go as a Playboy bunny. So today I bought some cheap ears, bowtie and cuffs. Now if I get enough guts to get a top, fishnets, and shoes (and wig?) I'm set. This is worse than Fear Factor. I still might "chicken out" and stick with your basic Marilyn Monroe, but we'll see. The things I do.

The Legend of Zorro

With nothing to do on a Friday night (except have a quick dinner with Kity and her son Derek), I decided to go see The Legend of Zorro, starring the utterly divine Catherine Zeta-Jones (and that Antonio Banderas fellow too). The movie was quite predictable and pretty corny, but who cares. Catherine Zeta-Jones was in it and that's good enough for me.

Back to Work Blues

After my six-day mini-vacation, I returned to work and was faced with total mayhem. Because of the Coquitlam overstaffing, over half of the dealers on the tables were new, and I must say, poorly trained. As a result, most of the night was spent correcting dealers' mistakes (hopefully I didn't miss any). It was total stress. Vandy was yelling at me (and she had every reason to). I truly hope the Coquitlam expansion is finished on schedule (and even that's 3 weeks away) because I don't know how much more I can take of this. Oh, and somewhere in there I have to prepare for my impending interview.

Third Time Lucky?

It seems that there is a posting for promotions to Relief Floor Managers once again. So now the weeks of uncertainty and nervousness will begin again. First I must decide if I want to apply, knowing full well that I may be turned down again. It's a foolish reason not to apply, but being passed over is a really shitty feeling. However, not applying means I have NO chance of getting promoted. So we shall see.

Back from my Trip!??

The two days of seminars are over at the River Rock Hotel, and as a result, so are my two nights at the hotel. The hotel itself was beautiful (reminds me of a Whistler lodge) and my suite was huge. It was a one-bedroom suite with two TV's (!) and overall a nice layout. I took some pictures with an instant camera but I still have pictures left to take so you'll have to wait.

The seminars were quite informative and I enjoyed them. I guess my reservations are if the staff will "buy into" the whole program. Let's hope so.

OK, I still have 4 days off so we shall all talk again. Hello to my buddy Johnny and anybody else reading.

Business Trip?

Only one more day until I sort of have 6 days off!??! On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, I will be attending a customer service training seminar at the River Rock Hotel. Being that they are VERY early in the morning (8am and 9am) I've decided to stay at the hotel Monday and Tuesday nights. Is it a waste of money ($99/night)? Perhaps, but I also consider it a mini-holiday so I can relax. Syama is also going and will be staying with me the first night. And no to whatever you're asking. Don't even bother asking.

After that I will have my regular days off on Thursday and Friday, followed by two "leave of absence" days. We are severely overstaffed as a result of the delay in the Boulevard Casino (Coquitlam) expansion. So in essence I have 6 days off from work. Considering the large amount of rookies we have, I'll be quite happy to be away from "the office".

The Crimson Room

This was a cool game that had me addicted for a while (until I solved it). Yes, the solution is all over the Internet if you want but what's the point of that? Good luck.

Crimson Room