Michael Montez Online

Thursday night is always busy. It’s the night of the weekly poker tournament at Sean’s place in the valley. If I can’t get into that game, Caroline and I always have something to do. Last night I had something to do.

Caroline is an avid shoe shopper, and last night she/we were invited to the “Girls Behaving Pinkly” event at Nordstrom in The Grove.

I have to say I enjoy shopping with women. Not because I’m gay or anything, but because it’s fun to watch people spend money on stuff. That’s part of the American experience. It’s not the most intellectual of all the possible alternatives for time spending, but it’s fun and should be done once in a while.

Nordstrom’s pulled out all the stops. Caroline had to call and register, then they sent her laminated passes that we had to present at the door. There were people walking around with trays of finger foods and dessert cakes, pink in theme, and martini glasses of pink lemonade. The food was pretty good. There were several places you could sit and get a full manicure and massage. I got a manicure while Caroline looked at shoes. Then we walked over to the purse section. I don’t fully understand it, but this purse cost $500. Why? I just don’t get why it was better than the $100, $200, or even $300 one, but what do I know?

Caroline ended up buying nothing and we went to dinner. Next week, POKER; if I can get a seat.

Americans try to protect their kids from so many things, it’s amazing that they seem to focus on so many wrong things.

Read this article, please.

It’s Thursday here in Southern California. The weather has cleared up a bit. The sun shines again and the birds are chirping. I like the rain; it cleans shit up. Free car wash, free lawn watering, it gets the crap off your roof and cleans out the gutters. Rain is nice. Rain is our friend. Unless you’re made of sugar.

If you are made out of sugar, rain is your enemy. A drop of water and your whole cellular structure weakens. Many drops and you slowly begin to reach saturation levels. Soon your arm falls off. The whole thing; at the shoulder. Then parts of your chest melt away, like so much loose dirt in a riverbed. You start to get lines down your body where water channels itself and carves a canyon into your sweet goodness. After a while, you are just a pool of sweet water and dog comes along and licks you into oblivion. What a shitty way to die.

So enjoy the rain, but if you’re made out of sugar, stay inside.

Where is everybody? The Internet is quiet. The office is quiet. Silence is aggravating.

I got some stuff done this weekend. Mostly laundry and such. Bought some shampoo. Bought two tires for my car with the poker money I won, thanks guys. I had Dim Sum with all the crew, except Caroline, she was working on wedding stuff and I didn’t call her. I should have called. It rained all weekend. ::WEAK:::

Friday was Denh’s last day at Paramount. So we gathered at Lola’s on Fairfax for some celebratory beverages. Then Caroline and I went to an Indian restaurant that I used to go to all the time when I worked in that area (did that make sense). Sat night we went to Chilies (like no place else) and then drove and talked. I had a nice relaxing evening. Sunday was errand day and I got most of them done.

It’s been a quiet two days so far. I am going to give my resume to Entravision again right now. LATER!!!

Last night was Poker night in North Hollywood. These guys have been playing for a while and they run a good tournament. Jon played with them first, brought in Toby, and Toby got me in. So I played last night.

They started a new point system, so no one wants to be the first one out and get the worst points. It was ruff. At the mid break, we still had nine players and I had about $$800 in chips. After the blinds were raised and an ante was added, people started dropping. I got knocked out in 5th place (6 points).

We started the second game and I felt that I had to get aggressive. I started shooting at the pot, to knock weaker hands out. It started working. I had decent cards and I was getting some action. But I could never get a good flop (not good for me at least). I quickly lost half my stack. I tightened up. One guy fell, then another. We colored up our chips and the second round began. I was in a considerable disadvantage on the short stack. My hole cards were 6, jack suited. I shot at the pot again (I wanted to go all in, but I was first to act with 6 people behind me). I got one caller and the flop came down 7, 2, 6. I checked. He bet $200, after much thought, I called. Fourth Street – another 6. I checked again. He bet $100, I raised all in. He called. We turned over our cards, three sixes against a pair of sevens. The river was no help and I doubled up. After that, I tightened up a bit.

It came down to three players, me included. I was short stacked by a lot. I need to take some risk, steal some blinds, and get lucky. All three happened. I was playing like a pro and the luck didn’t hurt. I doubled up once when I had K, Q suited against the chip leader who also had K, Q suited. My flush came on the river. Then I doubled up again with J, 3 suited against J, 10. Again, I hit my flush. I took the chip lead. The knockout came when I got Q, 10 against A, 8. The queen came down and I knocked out Dennis. Now it was heads up against Brian, but he didn’t have enough to cover the blind so the cards were dealt up. 3, 5 (my two lucky numbers) against 3, 4. The flop reveled a 5 and the game was over. $350 and 10 points.

Damn, that felt good.