I need to overhaul my blog page. I really don't want to start a second blog, considering that I can barely keep up with just one. But, I really want to keep track of my new project. More on that in a minute.
Exercise. I've now completed the first 4 weeks of the insanity program. This week is 'recovery' week, which just means that you should be on the verge of exhaustion instead of 48 miles past it. It's still a tough workout, but it's more of an isolated program to relax your muscles and still have your heart rate up. Kinda like yoga, except not so mind-numbingly boring. (No offense if you're into yoga, I just can't grasp it).
I haven't noticed much weight loss, still hovering around 185. But that's okay. I definitely feel better and notice that my endurance is stronger. I'm still getting up at 4:30am to do the workouts which sometimes is tough, but I get through it. By the end of the week though, I'm ready for bed early. Next week starts the 'max' days. I think we stopped right around this point last time...we might have done a couple of days. But I honestly have no idea what's in store with those. My wife is starting those ones today, so I'll see what she thinks.
Cars. I love cars. I love tinkering with them, learning about them, figuring out ways to make mine better. My first car was a 1981 Toyota Celica. I loved that car too. Of course, in my infinite youthful wisdom I decided to sell it because I thought I could have more fun in a car that had more aftermarket support. I missed that car, and all the potential that it had. So about a year ago, I started toying with the idea of selling my s2000 and finding another Celica like I had owned long ago. It wasn't until I really started researching that I fell in love with the first generation Celica (1971-1977). The style of car is beautiful.
So I began looking into those ones as well. My original plan was to import one from Japan. Japan has some sort of rule about cars over there where after a certain amount of miles, they aren't allowed to drive them without major overhauls. Something like that; I don't know all the details. Anyway, you can find them for relatively cheap and with super low miles. Plus, right hand drive. And with the U.S. laws about 25+ year old cars, importing them is relatively easy. The problem is paying some dude to put the car on his boat and bring it over. The price quickly quadrupled from the price of the car, including all the documentation needed to legally register it over here. Although looking at how easy it was to register this car, I think I could do it myself. Maybe next time.
So I scrapped that idea because I just couldn't pay that much for it. So I sold my s2000 in June and really started looking for a 1st gen Celica, while also not giving up totally on the Japan idea, in case I could find a cheaper way of getting one. Searching for a 40 year old car and finding one, as you can imagine, is not easy. Well, finding one is somewhat easy. Finding one that isn't demolished with rust or missing half the car is not. I expanded my search to the 48 states and Canada. There were a few that didn't require all new everything, but most were pushing 10k because the owners knew the value.
I finally found one locally and snatched it up. It's almost rust free. There are some surface areas that will need to be replaced, but all the usual spots are clear; fender wells, trunk space, engine space. At least from what I can tell. I haven't had the chance to start teardown on the car yet, so hopefully that rust free feeling will continue.
Don't have a lot of details yet on what's next, we're still in the planning stages. But having the actual car was a big step in the plans. Now we can move forward with the fun stuff. No matter what, I'm super excited to work on this for the next however long it takes. Plus, I'm super lucky and grateful to have an understanding wife that lets me indulge in my hobbies.
Now I need to change up my blog a bit to organize car stuff and other stuff. That's all for now.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Work OUT!
I am starting my 3rd week of working out. I've already lost 26 pounds and it's AWESOME.
Okay, that's not exactly true, but maybe at the end of this I'll be able to say that. I haven't really seen much of a drop in weight. At any time on any day, my weight will fluctuate by5 pounds or so. If I weigh myself in the morning the scale tells me I've lost about 5 pounds since starting Insanity. If I weigh myself at night, the scale bends in half and begs me to get off of it. This glass of wine probably isn't helping, but whatever it's good.
I've been doing good with my diet. Costco has these mini heads of romaine lettuce, perfect for lettuce wrap sandwiches. Today I had 6 for lunch. Probably not the moderation that I'm supposed to do, but they are so small! They were good though. A slice of ham, roast beef and chicken, with some tomato and bacon, and some mayo/dijon spread. Other than eating healthier, the main reason is that it's just too damn expensive to work in South Lake Union. There are a lot of good places to eat, but only two that are close enough to go to when you're in a hurry. I'm getting tired of Jimmy Johns, which is kind of ironic since I am making lettuce wraps to replace the Jimmy John's un-wich that I usually get. (The un-wich is their lettuce wraps).
I have been doing my workouts in the morning. I wake up at 4:30 to do the exercises, which are about 40 minutes. That gives me enough time to get ready and make lunch. But just this week I started driving in to work instead of taking the bus. It has actually cut my commute time by nearly an hour on a good day. The bus route goes down 2nd ave from basically Seattle Center to the Stadiums. On any day sports games, run-a-way trucks causing cars to explode or some crazy meth lady yelling at parked cars can cause traffic to come to a stop. On those good days, I leave work at 4 and get home around 5:45. Today I left at 4 and got home at 4:45.
Anyway, getting sidetracked. Because I can get home earlier, I am going to switch up my workouts to the evening when I get home. I'll be able to sleep in a little more and actually make breakfast before I leave instead of eating at one of the places that thinks they need to charge $9.00 for half an omelet because of where they are located.
The exercises are great though. If you're looking for an workout routine, I would recommend Insanity. Don't get me wrong, it is hard. And it takes a lot of self motivation to do it, or if you have someone else to do it with you that helps too. But once you get past the first couple weeks, it's great. The intensity is so high with this program you always come out of it feeling like you really got an excellent workout.
I know that I feel better just in general. At least on the days where I needed to run to the bus, I don't feel like I'm going to die the whole way home. (See previous blog entries). It's still too early to see any real results in the mirror or on the scale, but my general fitness level feels higher. We have 51 days left until Hawaii. And while the workouts aren't going to change my Irish...uhhh...slightly white complexion, at least I can feel a little better about myself while I'm turning my skin into a nice shade of lobster.
If anyone has questions about the program, let me know. I think it's great, and will probably continue doing it and probably try to incorporate p90x in the next round to get some weightlifting going on as well.
Okay, that's not exactly true, but maybe at the end of this I'll be able to say that. I haven't really seen much of a drop in weight. At any time on any day, my weight will fluctuate by5 pounds or so. If I weigh myself in the morning the scale tells me I've lost about 5 pounds since starting Insanity. If I weigh myself at night, the scale bends in half and begs me to get off of it. This glass of wine probably isn't helping, but whatever it's good.
I've been doing good with my diet. Costco has these mini heads of romaine lettuce, perfect for lettuce wrap sandwiches. Today I had 6 for lunch. Probably not the moderation that I'm supposed to do, but they are so small! They were good though. A slice of ham, roast beef and chicken, with some tomato and bacon, and some mayo/dijon spread. Other than eating healthier, the main reason is that it's just too damn expensive to work in South Lake Union. There are a lot of good places to eat, but only two that are close enough to go to when you're in a hurry. I'm getting tired of Jimmy Johns, which is kind of ironic since I am making lettuce wraps to replace the Jimmy John's un-wich that I usually get. (The un-wich is their lettuce wraps).
I have been doing my workouts in the morning. I wake up at 4:30 to do the exercises, which are about 40 minutes. That gives me enough time to get ready and make lunch. But just this week I started driving in to work instead of taking the bus. It has actually cut my commute time by nearly an hour on a good day. The bus route goes down 2nd ave from basically Seattle Center to the Stadiums. On any day sports games, run-a-way trucks causing cars to explode or some crazy meth lady yelling at parked cars can cause traffic to come to a stop. On those good days, I leave work at 4 and get home around 5:45. Today I left at 4 and got home at 4:45.
Anyway, getting sidetracked. Because I can get home earlier, I am going to switch up my workouts to the evening when I get home. I'll be able to sleep in a little more and actually make breakfast before I leave instead of eating at one of the places that thinks they need to charge $9.00 for half an omelet because of where they are located.
The exercises are great though. If you're looking for an workout routine, I would recommend Insanity. Don't get me wrong, it is hard. And it takes a lot of self motivation to do it, or if you have someone else to do it with you that helps too. But once you get past the first couple weeks, it's great. The intensity is so high with this program you always come out of it feeling like you really got an excellent workout.
I know that I feel better just in general. At least on the days where I needed to run to the bus, I don't feel like I'm going to die the whole way home. (See previous blog entries). It's still too early to see any real results in the mirror or on the scale, but my general fitness level feels higher. We have 51 days left until Hawaii. And while the workouts aren't going to change my Irish...uhhh...slightly white complexion, at least I can feel a little better about myself while I'm turning my skin into a nice shade of lobster.
If anyone has questions about the program, let me know. I think it's great, and will probably continue doing it and probably try to incorporate p90x in the next round to get some weightlifting going on as well.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Exercise...To the extreme
I rock a mic like a vandal. Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle.
What a dumb song.
Quick one tonight. I didn't get a chance to work out this morning. We had errands to run and swim class this afternoon. The classes were a half hour behind schedule. When out class finally started, no one had shown up for the next class so we just kept going until the next one. Bonus!
When we got home, I had tried to convince myself that the swim class was a good enough workout for today. But considering my daughter is only 15 months old and we don't really do a lot of actual swimming, I decided to suck it up and just do a workout tonight.
This last week I've been doing p90x. It's a good and very challenging program, but I feel like it just isn't giving me the workout I really want. The weights are good, and i push myself with the weight level, but I was a good workout. So, in all my infinite wisdom I decided that I will switch it up tonight and start Insanity.
Now, if you're unfamiliar with Insanity...it is a pure cardio program. High intensity, long interval training. It incorporates some muscle toning routines...like pushups and stuff. But there are no weights. Here is a promo video of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W-aNTrq_a4
It truly does kick your butt. It's such a good workout though, and exactly what I wanted. I'll admit that I took more breaks than they did, but I pushed through and did what I could. I remember the first time we did this one, and I seriously felt like I was going to puke half way through it...and we had already finished p90x. Tonight I felt the same. I know I wasn't pushing as hard as the first time though.
I think I am going to stick with Insanity for this week. I might switch the two programs weekly. Do weights one week, do intense cardio the next. I think that will be a good break up in the intensity while also switching up the muscles.
That's all for tonight. Go Seahawks!
What a dumb song.
Quick one tonight. I didn't get a chance to work out this morning. We had errands to run and swim class this afternoon. The classes were a half hour behind schedule. When out class finally started, no one had shown up for the next class so we just kept going until the next one. Bonus!
When we got home, I had tried to convince myself that the swim class was a good enough workout for today. But considering my daughter is only 15 months old and we don't really do a lot of actual swimming, I decided to suck it up and just do a workout tonight.
This last week I've been doing p90x. It's a good and very challenging program, but I feel like it just isn't giving me the workout I really want. The weights are good, and i push myself with the weight level, but I was a good workout. So, in all my infinite wisdom I decided that I will switch it up tonight and start Insanity.
Now, if you're unfamiliar with Insanity...it is a pure cardio program. High intensity, long interval training. It incorporates some muscle toning routines...like pushups and stuff. But there are no weights. Here is a promo video of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W-aNTrq_a4
It truly does kick your butt. It's such a good workout though, and exactly what I wanted. I'll admit that I took more breaks than they did, but I pushed through and did what I could. I remember the first time we did this one, and I seriously felt like I was going to puke half way through it...and we had already finished p90x. Tonight I felt the same. I know I wasn't pushing as hard as the first time though.
I think I am going to stick with Insanity for this week. I might switch the two programs weekly. Do weights one week, do intense cardio the next. I think that will be a good break up in the intensity while also switching up the muscles.
That's all for tonight. Go Seahawks!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
p90x update - Day 3 and 4
So I started p90x on Tuesday. So far it's been 2 days of weights and one day of cardio. Tomorrow is yoga. I hate yoga. I don't have the attention span for it. I barely have the attention span to read my email. And, this workout is 90 minutes long. I remember from the last time that we didn't like it, but we struggled through it. I'll still do it though.
I do feel like I'm not getting enough of a workout with it though. The weights are fine, and it's really hard. But sometimes I feel like if I'm not dripping with sweat then I'm not doing enough. Lifting weights just doesn't generate that much. I will keep at it though, but I'm contemplating switching over to the Insanity program and just doing cardio.
Today was our Microsoft company meeting at the Key Arena. It was scheduled to go from 10-4. So I spend the last week planning out my bus route to and from and the best options that I could find. I've been told that I'm slightly O.C.D. about stuff like that. haha. So of course, the meeting runs an hour long. I didn't plan for the meeting to go an hour long, so I don't know when the next buses run. I do know that my regular bus runs every half hour between 4 and 5:30, plus one extra at 5:15. I also know all the stops it makes.
Steve Ballmer wraps up and I make a bee-line to the door. I had been looking on my phone for the best route to get from the Key Arena to 2nd Ave and Bell St. It doesn't look that far away. (Famous last words). My normal walk from my office to the bus stop is about 6 blocks. This is more, but it doesn't look like much more.
I leave the Key Arena at 5:04pm and the schedule online for my bus says it will be at 2nd and Pike at 5:17pm. Pike street is 7 blocks away from Bell street, and if there is no traffic or lights it take about 3.5 minutes to get there. I estimate the bus will be at 2nd and Bell by 5:15pm.
I get to the monorail station at 5:06pm and realize the only way I will get there is by running. I definitely wore the wrong pants for this, but at least I don't have a bag to carry today. So I run. Less than 10 minutes to get there. This is MUCH further than I had anticipated. The combination of nice pants, dress shoes and a sweater is not a good one for running.
As you can see in the picture below, it is not close. I know where the first stop is for the bus, at 7th and Bell street. Due to construction, they have to make a detour off of Bell st and go down Wall street to 2nd, then up to Bell. By the time I run through 3 don't walk signs I make it to 2nd and Wall and I see the bus coming. It's 5:15pm. I dig out whatever I have left and try to run more. Somehow I manage to make it to the bus stop and as I turn around the bus is pulling over to pick us up.
That's all for now. I don't think I'll be doing daily posts, but I'll check in often.
I do feel like I'm not getting enough of a workout with it though. The weights are fine, and it's really hard. But sometimes I feel like if I'm not dripping with sweat then I'm not doing enough. Lifting weights just doesn't generate that much. I will keep at it though, but I'm contemplating switching over to the Insanity program and just doing cardio.
Today was our Microsoft company meeting at the Key Arena. It was scheduled to go from 10-4. So I spend the last week planning out my bus route to and from and the best options that I could find. I've been told that I'm slightly O.C.D. about stuff like that. haha. So of course, the meeting runs an hour long. I didn't plan for the meeting to go an hour long, so I don't know when the next buses run. I do know that my regular bus runs every half hour between 4 and 5:30, plus one extra at 5:15. I also know all the stops it makes.
Steve Ballmer wraps up and I make a bee-line to the door. I had been looking on my phone for the best route to get from the Key Arena to 2nd Ave and Bell St. It doesn't look that far away. (Famous last words). My normal walk from my office to the bus stop is about 6 blocks. This is more, but it doesn't look like much more.
I leave the Key Arena at 5:04pm and the schedule online for my bus says it will be at 2nd and Pike at 5:17pm. Pike street is 7 blocks away from Bell street, and if there is no traffic or lights it take about 3.5 minutes to get there. I estimate the bus will be at 2nd and Bell by 5:15pm.
I get to the monorail station at 5:06pm and realize the only way I will get there is by running. I definitely wore the wrong pants for this, but at least I don't have a bag to carry today. So I run. Less than 10 minutes to get there. This is MUCH further than I had anticipated. The combination of nice pants, dress shoes and a sweater is not a good one for running.
As you can see in the picture below, it is not close. I know where the first stop is for the bus, at 7th and Bell street. Due to construction, they have to make a detour off of Bell st and go down Wall street to 2nd, then up to Bell. By the time I run through 3 don't walk signs I make it to 2nd and Wall and I see the bus coming. It's 5:15pm. I dig out whatever I have left and try to run more. Somehow I manage to make it to the bus stop and as I turn around the bus is pulling over to pick us up.
As I'm standing there ready to puke all over the sidewalk like the crackie that I just ran past, the driver opens the door with a smile. I somehow manage to ooze my way up the steps. In all my wheezing and coughing, she probably thought I was dying from some Ebola virus. No one sat next to me, which isn't surprising since I was shivering from the cold but in an all out sweat.
I am not in shape to be running like that. I am glad that I managed to catch the bus. But I really need to keep at my exercises. And as much as felt like Mr. Freeze stabbing me in the lungs, I loved it. It was a good workout and really amps me up to keep at it.
That's all for now. I don't think I'll be doing daily posts, but I'll check in often.
Monday, September 23, 2013
p90x redux.
I was thinking about the last time that actually exercised. My daughter is 15 months old now, and I stopped exercising after my wife was pregnant. It's been about 2 years since I actually did any sort of physical work. Unless you count running about a mile to the bus stop to catch the bus, and then trying to convince myself to not vomit the whole way home or die from hyperventilation. Oh there was another time about a year ago that can only be classified as a brisk walk, which resulted in cramps by the time I got to the bus, and stabbing cold pains in my chest.
I am out of shape. No doubt about it. The first time I did p90x, I saw pretty good results. After we completed that program, we moved to Insanity. Two very different programs, but I feel p90x is a good stepping boulder to getting back into exercise. In fact, you can see my original posts somewhere on this blog. So tomorrow morning I start it up again.
My vitals are about the same as the first time. ~190 pounds depending on how much ice cream I've eaten in the last n hours. Being 5'8" ish, most scales say my ideal weight should be 160. I don't think that is where I want to be, but my goal out of this is to lose 25 pounds.
My diet has already changed mostly due to gluten allergies. But I am going further and really doing a better diet. No slipping or cheats (once I finish all the 'bad' foods that I currently have). But there are a lot of things that I can give up now. Soda, which I don't really drink now anyway. Coffee, various snacks, etc.
I don't know if I will post every day again like I did. My previous posts were done as more of a review on the actual program. But I will probably have some random things to say about it, so i'll post them here. Unless anyone is interested in some details on the program. Let me know and i'll write it up.
I took pictures but I'm not going to post them yet. I'll probably do a before/after when I'm done. Plus, I take stupid pictures.
I am out of shape. No doubt about it. The first time I did p90x, I saw pretty good results. After we completed that program, we moved to Insanity. Two very different programs, but I feel p90x is a good stepping boulder to getting back into exercise. In fact, you can see my original posts somewhere on this blog. So tomorrow morning I start it up again.
My vitals are about the same as the first time. ~190 pounds depending on how much ice cream I've eaten in the last n hours. Being 5'8" ish, most scales say my ideal weight should be 160. I don't think that is where I want to be, but my goal out of this is to lose 25 pounds.
My diet has already changed mostly due to gluten allergies. But I am going further and really doing a better diet. No slipping or cheats (once I finish all the 'bad' foods that I currently have). But there are a lot of things that I can give up now. Soda, which I don't really drink now anyway. Coffee, various snacks, etc.
I don't know if I will post every day again like I did. My previous posts were done as more of a review on the actual program. But I will probably have some random things to say about it, so i'll post them here. Unless anyone is interested in some details on the program. Let me know and i'll write it up.
I took pictures but I'm not going to post them yet. I'll probably do a before/after when I'm done. Plus, I take stupid pictures.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
My Honda s2000 is for sale. Details inside.
For Sale: 2000 Honda s2000
Miles: 75,904
Color: Silverstone Metallic, Red/Black interior
Price: $17,000
Just in time for summer! The highly desirable first generation Honda s2000 convertible. This car comes in the very popular silver exterior and a red/black interior combination. 2nd owner, non-snoker, no accidents and garage kept, this car has been meticulously taken car of with routine maintenance happening far more frequent than the recommended intervals. In October, the car is put in to 'winter-mode' and stored until May. At that time, the oil, transmission and differential fluids are changed. All other fluids are examined and changed as needed. Oil is changed at least once more over the summer.
The car comes with minimal aftermarket parts. An Apexi VAFC2 with a dyno tune put over 200 hp to the wheels and has been integrated into the center console. I have a non-modified center console if desired that can easily be installed. There is a K&N intake filter (reusable) that is cleaned every spring. There is also a replica BYS rear trunk spoiler to add that little bit of style without being obnoxious. Everything else on the car is stock. The car is hardwired for a Valentine 1 radar detector, but it can be removed or hidden if wanted. Comes with a GoPro camera mount on the center windscreen that can also be removed. Optional custom made front bumper GoPro mount available too. Lojack is also installed in the car and comes with 2 key fobs and owners manual. Includes car cover and convertible top tonneau cover.
Brakes are still in good condition; front at about 75% and rear at about 50%. Tires are Toyo Proxes 4 and will probably need to be replaced at the end of summer depending on how much the car is driven. There is a small section in the driver seat that is common with the s2000. As the driver gets out of the car, the side bolster suffers the force. Leather cleaner and conditioner cleaned and repaired most of it. (Shown in picture). The front bumper has some paint chips along the bottom where the previous owner removed the front lip. There is a small crack starting to form in the soft top from keeping the top down for so long. It is the original top, but is conditioned frequently to keep it clean. Rear window is plastic with some minor scratches and fading, but has been polished out as much as possible.
KBB lists the car at 17,672 in Excellent condition and 17,222 in very good condition. I am listing the car for $17,000. Serious buyers only, no joy rides. This post is only for Facebook family and friends, so please forward along if you have anyone interested. I will wait for a while before going to craigslist. Please contact me on Facebook if interested. This post will be modified when it goes to Craigslist.
High resolution photos of the whole car can be found here: http://bcs127.smugmug.com/Other/2000-Honda-s2000-For-Sale/
Miles: 75,904
Color: Silverstone Metallic, Red/Black interior
Price: $17,000
Just in time for summer! The highly desirable first generation Honda s2000 convertible. This car comes in the very popular silver exterior and a red/black interior combination. 2nd owner, non-snoker, no accidents and garage kept, this car has been meticulously taken car of with routine maintenance happening far more frequent than the recommended intervals. In October, the car is put in to 'winter-mode' and stored until May. At that time, the oil, transmission and differential fluids are changed. All other fluids are examined and changed as needed. Oil is changed at least once more over the summer.
The car comes with minimal aftermarket parts. An Apexi VAFC2 with a dyno tune put over 200 hp to the wheels and has been integrated into the center console. I have a non-modified center console if desired that can easily be installed. There is a K&N intake filter (reusable) that is cleaned every spring. There is also a replica BYS rear trunk spoiler to add that little bit of style without being obnoxious. Everything else on the car is stock. The car is hardwired for a Valentine 1 radar detector, but it can be removed or hidden if wanted. Comes with a GoPro camera mount on the center windscreen that can also be removed. Optional custom made front bumper GoPro mount available too. Lojack is also installed in the car and comes with 2 key fobs and owners manual. Includes car cover and convertible top tonneau cover.
Brakes are still in good condition; front at about 75% and rear at about 50%. Tires are Toyo Proxes 4 and will probably need to be replaced at the end of summer depending on how much the car is driven. There is a small section in the driver seat that is common with the s2000. As the driver gets out of the car, the side bolster suffers the force. Leather cleaner and conditioner cleaned and repaired most of it. (Shown in picture). The front bumper has some paint chips along the bottom where the previous owner removed the front lip. There is a small crack starting to form in the soft top from keeping the top down for so long. It is the original top, but is conditioned frequently to keep it clean. Rear window is plastic with some minor scratches and fading, but has been polished out as much as possible.
KBB lists the car at 17,672 in Excellent condition and 17,222 in very good condition. I am listing the car for $17,000. Serious buyers only, no joy rides. This post is only for Facebook family and friends, so please forward along if you have anyone interested. I will wait for a while before going to craigslist. Please contact me on Facebook if interested. This post will be modified when it goes to Craigslist.
High resolution photos of the whole car can be found here: http://bcs127.smugmug.com/Other/2000-Honda-s2000-For-Sale/
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
December Vegas Trip - Part 4
While this part of the trip doesn't really fit chronologically in the post order, it fills in a bit of a back story. The last post talked about our dinner at Cut. Now I'd like to tell you about how we paid for that dinner and how the excitement continued after dinner.
A few hours before dinner, we had decided to hang out around some of the casinos and play a bit to kill some time. I wasn't having the best of luck, but I wasn't getting my butt kicked either. I was really only playing Pai Gow, 3 Card Poker and Let it Ride. I watched Kaitlyn play Roulette and slots quite a bit too. I have a rule with Pai Gow. If I lose 2 hands in a row, I get up from the table. Pai Gow is a very easy game to just sit for 10 hours and not lose much. On the other hand, it's also easy to sit for 10 minutes and lose $100. It's a game of pushes and losses, and an occasional win that you have to pay commission on. So when I lose 2 in a row, I call it quits for a while, otherwise you'll lose it all.
We had decided to stop by Harrah's and play there for a bit. I lost my 2 in a row at Pai Gow. In fact, I had only played 3 hands total. Push, loss, loss. It was horrible. So I watched Kaitlyn play let it ride for a bit and then I found an open 3 Card poker table for $5. I don't usually like playing at tables that have a lot of people, because the way they deal the cards can mess up other players hands depending on where you sit. Even though it's a $5 table, it can end up costing $15 per hand because you play the ante and the 'play' bet, and you can also play the optional 3 card bonus bet for another $5 (which I was). So pretty much $10 a hand if I decide to fold, $15 if I play.
Anyway, I was hitting a couple pairs and I think I hit 2 pairs once on the 5 card hand. I wasn't up much, maybe $40 or so. I had been playing for about 15 or 20 minutes. I looked down at my next hand and saw a 3 of hearts. I immediately began to write this hand off as a loss, because in order to really win you need to have jacks or better. Next card was a 4 of hearts. OOoooo, now this could be interesting. Last card. Sometimes I like to look a little slower. Adds to the excitement. So I slowly peek at the final card. It's red. My hope starts to grow a little. I peek a little more, and I can immediately see that it's a 5. So I at least have a straight which pays 6:1 on the ante bet and even money on the 3 card bonus hand.
The only thing that I don't know yet is if it's a heart or a diamond. I slide the card a little more, and a smile immediately appears on my face. The dealer looks at me like I'm a goon. It's a heart! I've got a straight flush. in my 3 card hand. HOLLLLLAAA!!!!! That's 40:1 on my ante bet and 5:1 on the 3 card bonus. $230 total on the one hand. Since Kaitlyn happens to be at the table next to me still playing Let it Ride, she hears the commotion and looks over and I let her know. The gals that were playing with her finish their hand and come over and sit with me. I play one more hand and it's crap and so I tip the dealer and get up and leave the table. Thank you very much, I'm gonna enjoy a nice dinner tonight on you.
And that's how Harrah's paid for our lovely dinner at one of the best steak houses in Las Vegas, and allowed me to try Waygu beef for the first time.
After dinner, we went for a walk. A few weeks ago, I had found a stuffed plush of the Bumble from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Well after doing some research, I found out that it was part of a set. So now, I had been trying to find a Yukon Cornelius one and found out that they were only available at CVS. And there are none in Washington...or even in the Pacific Northwest. Well, there is on in Vegas, so now we were walking to see if they had one. They did not, so that walk kinda sucked. But we figured that it was too early to head to bed and since it was our last night we still wanted to play.
We headed to the Margaritaville Casino next to Flamingo. We had gone there the day before and the dealers were really fun and the atmosphere was great. Kaitlyn decided to try out Roulette and so I went to the Let it Ride table next to hers. It was empty and was $5. Let it Ride is a game that you put down 3 bets and you get 3 cards and the dealer gets 2 face down cards. The object is to make the best 5 card hand. You get to look at your cards and decide if you want to pull back one of your bets. Then the dealer turns over a card and you get to decide again if you want to pull back the second. If you do, you tuck the cards and the dealer turns over the last card. It's kinda confusing, especially to try and write about it.
This game can cost you up to $21 per hand at a $5 table. The 3 $5 bets mentioned above. A $5 3 card bonus bet and a $1 bonus bet (for 5 all 5 cards).
I had been doing pretty good, winging a few hands. I was probably up about $50. I had got a few decent hands that outweighed the bad ones. And then I got a great one. I got dealt 3 of a kind. In all the times that I have been playing this game, this was the first time that I have ever got a 3 of a kind. I let that ride so I was playing all 3 hands and was guaranteed a win. I don't remember what she turned over, but the dealer was excited and we were hoping she had a pair or perhaps the 4th card to give me a four of a kind. In the end, it didn't improve on the 5 card hand. So on my $1 bet it paid me $4. Yah yah, it's not a whole lot. But on each of my 3 $5 bets, it paid 3:1. $15 each on those. The big money was on the 3 card bonus bet. 30:1. $150. Not quite as good as the 3 card poker hand, but I'll take it.
We continued on and I had a vibe and the dealer kept saying that another big hand was coming. I was on such a run, it seemed like every hand I had at least a pair. I can't remember how many times we almost hit a big hand. I'd have 2 pair and we'd be one off on a full house. And then it happened again. Another 3 of a kind. This was only about 10 hands later. It didn't take long before the guys upstairs sent in a new dealer. She said thanks, I had probably gave her $40 or so in tips. I wasn't sure if she was coming back or not. I played 1 hand with the new dealer and then got up and left. I was up $450 from just that table. I watched Kaitlyn play roulette for a little while longer and was keeping an eye on that table to see if my dealer came back. They had removed her from the table completely, because when the next dealer change came it was a different person. Oh well, I'll take my winnings home then.
We kept playing for a little while longer getting some more $1 Jameson on the rocks. Eventually we called it a night. We had to leave for the airport at 11:30 the next day, so there wouldn't be any time to play in the morning.
All in all, it was a fun trip. I hadn't been this lucky in a while, so it was nice to hit some big hands. But, I think the best part was still the Michael Jackson show. I'm so glad that we decided to go. That's all for my trip report.
A few hours before dinner, we had decided to hang out around some of the casinos and play a bit to kill some time. I wasn't having the best of luck, but I wasn't getting my butt kicked either. I was really only playing Pai Gow, 3 Card Poker and Let it Ride. I watched Kaitlyn play Roulette and slots quite a bit too. I have a rule with Pai Gow. If I lose 2 hands in a row, I get up from the table. Pai Gow is a very easy game to just sit for 10 hours and not lose much. On the other hand, it's also easy to sit for 10 minutes and lose $100. It's a game of pushes and losses, and an occasional win that you have to pay commission on. So when I lose 2 in a row, I call it quits for a while, otherwise you'll lose it all.
We had decided to stop by Harrah's and play there for a bit. I lost my 2 in a row at Pai Gow. In fact, I had only played 3 hands total. Push, loss, loss. It was horrible. So I watched Kaitlyn play let it ride for a bit and then I found an open 3 Card poker table for $5. I don't usually like playing at tables that have a lot of people, because the way they deal the cards can mess up other players hands depending on where you sit. Even though it's a $5 table, it can end up costing $15 per hand because you play the ante and the 'play' bet, and you can also play the optional 3 card bonus bet for another $5 (which I was). So pretty much $10 a hand if I decide to fold, $15 if I play.
Anyway, I was hitting a couple pairs and I think I hit 2 pairs once on the 5 card hand. I wasn't up much, maybe $40 or so. I had been playing for about 15 or 20 minutes. I looked down at my next hand and saw a 3 of hearts. I immediately began to write this hand off as a loss, because in order to really win you need to have jacks or better. Next card was a 4 of hearts. OOoooo, now this could be interesting. Last card. Sometimes I like to look a little slower. Adds to the excitement. So I slowly peek at the final card. It's red. My hope starts to grow a little. I peek a little more, and I can immediately see that it's a 5. So I at least have a straight which pays 6:1 on the ante bet and even money on the 3 card bonus hand.
The only thing that I don't know yet is if it's a heart or a diamond. I slide the card a little more, and a smile immediately appears on my face. The dealer looks at me like I'm a goon. It's a heart! I've got a straight flush. in my 3 card hand. HOLLLLLAAA!!!!! That's 40:1 on my ante bet and 5:1 on the 3 card bonus. $230 total on the one hand. Since Kaitlyn happens to be at the table next to me still playing Let it Ride, she hears the commotion and looks over and I let her know. The gals that were playing with her finish their hand and come over and sit with me. I play one more hand and it's crap and so I tip the dealer and get up and leave the table. Thank you very much, I'm gonna enjoy a nice dinner tonight on you.
And that's how Harrah's paid for our lovely dinner at one of the best steak houses in Las Vegas, and allowed me to try Waygu beef for the first time.
After dinner, we went for a walk. A few weeks ago, I had found a stuffed plush of the Bumble from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Well after doing some research, I found out that it was part of a set. So now, I had been trying to find a Yukon Cornelius one and found out that they were only available at CVS. And there are none in Washington...or even in the Pacific Northwest. Well, there is on in Vegas, so now we were walking to see if they had one. They did not, so that walk kinda sucked. But we figured that it was too early to head to bed and since it was our last night we still wanted to play.
We headed to the Margaritaville Casino next to Flamingo. We had gone there the day before and the dealers were really fun and the atmosphere was great. Kaitlyn decided to try out Roulette and so I went to the Let it Ride table next to hers. It was empty and was $5. Let it Ride is a game that you put down 3 bets and you get 3 cards and the dealer gets 2 face down cards. The object is to make the best 5 card hand. You get to look at your cards and decide if you want to pull back one of your bets. Then the dealer turns over a card and you get to decide again if you want to pull back the second. If you do, you tuck the cards and the dealer turns over the last card. It's kinda confusing, especially to try and write about it.
This game can cost you up to $21 per hand at a $5 table. The 3 $5 bets mentioned above. A $5 3 card bonus bet and a $1 bonus bet (for 5 all 5 cards).
I had been doing pretty good, winging a few hands. I was probably up about $50. I had got a few decent hands that outweighed the bad ones. And then I got a great one. I got dealt 3 of a kind. In all the times that I have been playing this game, this was the first time that I have ever got a 3 of a kind. I let that ride so I was playing all 3 hands and was guaranteed a win. I don't remember what she turned over, but the dealer was excited and we were hoping she had a pair or perhaps the 4th card to give me a four of a kind. In the end, it didn't improve on the 5 card hand. So on my $1 bet it paid me $4. Yah yah, it's not a whole lot. But on each of my 3 $5 bets, it paid 3:1. $15 each on those. The big money was on the 3 card bonus bet. 30:1. $150. Not quite as good as the 3 card poker hand, but I'll take it.
We continued on and I had a vibe and the dealer kept saying that another big hand was coming. I was on such a run, it seemed like every hand I had at least a pair. I can't remember how many times we almost hit a big hand. I'd have 2 pair and we'd be one off on a full house. And then it happened again. Another 3 of a kind. This was only about 10 hands later. It didn't take long before the guys upstairs sent in a new dealer. She said thanks, I had probably gave her $40 or so in tips. I wasn't sure if she was coming back or not. I played 1 hand with the new dealer and then got up and left. I was up $450 from just that table. I watched Kaitlyn play roulette for a little while longer and was keeping an eye on that table to see if my dealer came back. They had removed her from the table completely, because when the next dealer change came it was a different person. Oh well, I'll take my winnings home then.
We kept playing for a little while longer getting some more $1 Jameson on the rocks. Eventually we called it a night. We had to leave for the airport at 11:30 the next day, so there wouldn't be any time to play in the morning.
All in all, it was a fun trip. I hadn't been this lucky in a while, so it was nice to hit some big hands. But, I think the best part was still the Michael Jackson show. I'm so glad that we decided to go. That's all for my trip report.
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