Strange Night at Poker

It was a strange night at the casino. I only won three hands in three hours at the poker table, but somehow managed to make $40. I was lucky because my pocket 7's were severely beaten before the flop (somebody had 9-9, somebody else had K-K), but the flop was the beautiful 2-3-7.

Saturday will be golf day with Michael, since I have Friday and Saturday off this week because of the customer service seminar. I'll talk more about that later. Meanwhile I'm heading to bed early. Hope everybody is well.

Short Week

And now the fun begins. After one more day at work, it's two full days at the seminar on Wednesday and Thursday. I really don't know what to expect but it'll be a welcome change from all those graveyard shifts. I just hope I'll be able to relay what I've learned to the staff. I can sense that this is a good test for an upcoming promotion to floor manager. We shall see.

Nothing in Particular

It's 2:30 in the morning and I'm wide awake, so I'm going to just start typing here and see where it leads me. Grab yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and/or snack and enjoy.

I'm 50% relieved that I found a really nice basement suite to live in. It's a wee bit more than I probably can afford, but the area is nice and the landlords are great. If anybody cares (and I certainly don't), they are a same-sex couple with two children (Abby aged 4 and Dane aged 22 months). Both children are so cute (then again, aren't all children cute?). The landlords (Tracy and Janet) were concerned that the kids would make too much noise, considering my graveyard shifts and that I would be sleeping during the day. But I convinced them that it wouldn't be a problem. And I really don't think it will be. I look forward to sitting out on the porch enjoying the great summer weather (hopefully).

I'm 50% worried about my impending living arrangements after May 8. I was silly enough to give notice for May 1 not knowing that the place I found wouldn't be ready until June 1. But luckily the current tenants at my new place will probably be moving out earlier so the place may be ready the second week of May. I still may have a problem though. Friends have offered to temporarily house me, but it's my furniture and shit that needs to be stored somewhere. I'll look into temporary storage, but what sucks is that I'll probably have to hire a moving company TWICE, both to move into temporary storage and then move out of there into my new place. Oh well, that's life. Perhaps my current landlord might be able to let me stay a while longer. To be continued.

Work has been quite hectic. I've felt a lot of stress lately (exacerbated by my apartment search) in many areas. I feel a lot of coworkers are not doing their job and have gotten lazy. They also expect other people (like me) to do things for them. Why don't they just take care of the problems themselves instead of calling me to call whoever they are supposed to call themselves (know what I mean?)? It's true what they say "trust no one".

Next week (April 27-28) I'll be attending the training seminar with two colleagues (Chap Wing and Lubna) for the customer service and supervisory training "courses" that I in turn must teach to the casino staff. This is a big project for the casino, and an equally big project for me. I have no idea what the course entails, so hopefully I'll be able to do a good job.

Anna...Anna...Anna... strange but I feel that a little flame still flickers for her. There's just something about her, but unfortunately she is seeing someone, and I have learned NEVER to pursue someone who is attached. And so I must only admire her from afar. But if they break up....

Lily...Lily...Lily... I'm not sure what happened last week, but I am really pissed off at her (and Mei too). I don't want to get into it, but suffice to say that women can be incredible nags and whiners sometimes. They say things without really thinking about it. She said things which were pretty hurtful, even though she thought she was just "joking". As a result, we did not have our usual Thursday lunch. And next week's lunch won't happen because of my course. To be honest, I could care less.

And so, there is my rambling for now. I'm tired of typing and so I will rest. I hope all is well with everyone (if anyone is actually reading this). Sam, Elaine, Tiff, Be.... May the Force be with you, always.

Apprentice III

Gosh, that Carolyn is nasty. I like her.

The Search (for an Apartment) is Over

The place is mine, so now the undaunting task of packing and moving begins. There's still a minor little problem concerning mid-May that I have to deal with. I'll need temporary accommodations and somewhere to put my stuff until the new place is ready.

But at least I've dealt with #1 on my major priority list. Here comes #2 (car).

Home Sweet Home

It appears as though I've found a new place to live. It's a bit of a walk to work compared to where I am now, but it is a really nice basement suite with incredibly nice landlords. They are just calling my references so hopefully everything goes well. More details to follow.

Women

I really can't understand them sometimes. They can be the most insensitive people sometimes. They speak without thinking and when you try to explain something, they don't understand.

There's my sexist comment of the week.

Stressful Days Ahead

The next two weeks will be full of stress for me so I don't know how much I'll be blogging. I have to find a place to live (and when I do I have to pack everything up) and get ready for the customer service training thing. Then I have to make plans to get my car.

At times like this I wish I was back in High School with no worries in life other than to watch the next Star Wars movie. Wait, the next one is coming out in a month. Wow.

Saturday Night Fever Again

One of the greatest movies of all time is on MuchMoreMusic tonight, at 6pm and 9:20pm. I can't wait to go to work (early since my shift starts at 10:15pm) and dance the night away (in the breakroom).

P.S. 40 more days until Lord Vader Rises Again

I WANT FOOD

Had lunch with Lily, came home to watch some golf and then went out for dinner.... with Lily. Actually we went shopping downtown for awhile first. I tried out a few colognes for work and the lady behind the counter said something to Lily like "Your husband will like this one" while looking at me...ewwww. Actually not ewww. I'm not going to be stupid and say I never dreamed I'd be married to her. But I digress.

Anyways, we went to Boston Pizza for dinner, when I had my favorite Curried Chicken Penne. Then I went home for about 20 minutes when Michael called.... and asked if I wanted to go for a bite to eat. Who am I to refuse food? So I went for dinner (again)at Gigi's. I had a few slices of pizza and some spaghetti. I'm such a pig.

My stomach's bloated now. But I'm happy.

Oh Well

It's a no on the place downtown with two Japanese students, but the search continues. I may just stay close to where I am now, but I need a one bedroom place. The cramped quarters I'm at now are just driving me crazy.

Bleh Bleh

I was at a friend's stag party before work. Unfortunately I couldn't make the highlight of the evening, which was going to Brandi's. Tiff, you're probably not old enough to know what Brandi's is, but ask Ben, perhaps he knows....

Anyways, work has been work. I may have found another place to live downtown, possibly living with two Japanese students. Yes. I hope it works out. Then the car. Then the women. Then the wedding. Well, we'll see.

At Long Last

I have retired from chess.

Second Party

I forgot to link to pictures from the SECOND party. There was lots of drinking involved (as usual), it's amazing considering it was morning. I took it easy this time. Enjoy the pictures.

Party Pics Part 2

Back to Work

I got home at 11:30 in the morning after the party! I turned my phone off and managed to get a relatively restful sleep until about 7pm. I think I can make it to work.

My moving plans have changed somewhat. The friend that I was going to share with backed out, so now I'm looking for a place on my own or to share with someone else for May 1. I would still love to live downtown, but with the expensive rentals there I doubt I can find something. If so, I wouldn't mind living as close to work as possible. If anybody here knows of any rental properties available, let me know.

Million Dollar Baby

I finally saw Million Dollar Baby tonight. Wow, what a movie. Even though I knew the ending, it was just as powerful as if I hadn't. Hilary Swank sure knows how to pick a good role. Too bad for Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd, who were originally chosen to play the role of Maggie.

OK, time for some rest before more partying at 4am. I'm sure I won't be feeling well at work tomorrow.

Recovery

Well I drank and partied from about 7:30pm-2am. I didn't go as crazy as before, mainly because there is another party tonight after work (4am-11am!!). I have to pace myself. Everybody had a good time and as usual some of the people were a little too drunk (that's what makes it fun!). Pictures can be found at the link below...

In other news, I'm looking for an apartment to share downtown with a chess friend of mine. It's time I moved back downtown; I miss all the fun there. Then I'll get a car. And hopefully after that the girlfriend and wife will be soon after....

Party Pics

Getting Drunk

Two days off, two nights of parties for one of our maangers who is transferring to Richmond and eventually Coquitlam. Party #1: Thursday Night 7pm-2am; Party #2: Friday Night (Saturday Morning) 4am-11am. It will be interesting to see how I look (and feel) when I have to go back to work Saturday night.

Let the inebriation begin!

Nap Time NOW?

Not much too update except that Just got up from a 2-hour nap!???! Now I'm wide awake. But that's actually OK for my sleep cycle at least. I'll stay up for a few hours before getting back to bed.

Strange trivia: My TV has been off for a while week!??! I've either been sleeping or on the computer. Quite peaceful here if you ask me.

I bought a novel to read today, haven't done that in a while. The book is called "Improbable" and it's about...what else... a compulsive gambler. It's been a pretty good read so far.

What to Do?

Happy St. Patrick's Day...it's Lily's birthday as well. I have to plan something for tonight...what to do, what to do...