It Didn't Help

When I am frustrated I feel a need to expel what is inside of me. For years I would have this lash out at the most inopportune times. It would create a family dispute where one never existed. I was, in essence, acting like an ass. These days I just write. Lucky you.

When it gets down to brass tax, I think I'm frustrated at my own decisions in life. How did I get here? It's like that Talking Heads song. You know the one I'm talking about. "Is this my beautiful wife?". If those aren't the exact words they're close enough. I'm not looking anything up on the internet today just to be backed by fact. This is all feel, juts like I wish I played golf.

Money is a funny thing. We all try to lessen its value on each of us, but it is the only real value. Without it one cannot pay the electric bill, or the mortgage, or the cable bill, or the internet bill, or the phone bill, or the text message bill, or the data plan bill, or the health care bill, or the water bill, or the gas bill, or the food bill, or the soccer association bill, or the tackle and flag football bills, or anything.

Crime is caused mostly by people wanting more money. I read somewhere that writing first came to be so people could have a record of who owed who what. That is pretty funny, when you think about it. Writing was invented by accountants? Caveman accountants never had to worry about the cost of fuel oil.

So, what's important? Well, shelter is a must. Food is good. Water is necessary. Electricity is a basic need in today's world (how much is at question). Transportation is required. Education is a necessary expense (going upward all of the time). All other expenses are just electives.

Inflation is getting me. It's burying me. Everything seems to have gone skyward in price over the past 3 years, except MacDonald's and that darn dollar menu. MacDonald's falls into the food category. It is one of the compulsory items. macDonald's is not compulsory. I wish I had an electric company that could figure out how to make money by charging me 2005 prices.

Green energy is expensive. But, it's worth it. That's what I've been told by SNL, and they must know otherwise they could not be so witty. I wish a company would sell me a windmill that could make me enough energy to fuel my house on a daily basis. The technology is probably available, but the cost must not be profitable to try and sell at wal-mart. I can put up a basket ball hoop, can't they build a windmill I can install and plug into my home? I suppose not.

Wouldn't you think they would have come up with an alternative to cow's milk that is less expensive than cow's milk, by now? How can it be cheaper to buy a cow, feed the cow, collect the cow's milk, keep it cold, ship it to the milk factory, follow all of the regulations to guarantee its safety, bottle it, ship it to stores, always keeping it cold, and finally into the consumers hand, than it is to mix a synthetic up in some lab that doesn't have to be kept cold? Couldn't they make it white and have the consistency of real milk? That makes no sense to me, at all.

We like milk. We like real, 2% milk. Purists, we are. So stupid.

Don't even get me started on the automobile. I'm not sure why we don't have cars that will travel 100 miles on a gallon of gas. I'm pretty sure it has to do with regulations, but I don't know. The combustible engine was invented over a 100 years ago. What's up, scientist? How about you guys do something to benefit real people instead of telling me about how a crow may be the smartest animal other than man? Interesting fact, by the way. I saw it in PBS, so it must be true.

My family has a big house because we have too much shit. Carlin did a bit about that, and he nailed it. Anyone remember that? He talked about how we keep getting bigger houses so we have somewhere to put all of the shit we collect throughout our pathetic lives. I think he is right. Right now I'd like to throw everything out, burn down the house, and live in a lean-to.

This has been a bitter essay. It is poorly written. I don't even feel better afterwards because there is no resolution. I feel sick about having to go make money. I hope not many people talk shit today because the pressure release valve on my neck may not be suitable to handle the build up. This endless rant, disguised as an expulsion of feelings, did not help.

At least I have my health. Oh, I pulled my calf muscle yesterday trying to do the right thing. I should have just stayed in front of the football games on tv. There is a reason for everything. That's what I'm told, anyhow. Man, I'm really in a bad mood.

I got to run. I have to make some money so I can afford to buy more shit. Yup, still pissed. It didn't help.

The Sounds are Music

I awoke with a lurch. You know, one of those eye openers that has you feeling like you must get up, and now! I don't know if I was dreaming, or just afraid I was missing something, but that initial feeling of MOVE made me feel even more tired. I was right where I was supposed to be, in my big bed with the sounds of the family getting ready to take on the day as background music.

I live for the sounds of the morning. A yell upstairs. I grumbled reply. The shower turning on. The espresso machine sounding off with its steamy yell for service. The toaster popping off. The drawers to the dresser closing gently. The coffee cup being placed on the nightstand. I'm not prepared for a day when those sounds will be lessened, or when some of them go missing altogether.

I turned the tv on and channeled in my favorite morning show. It was 7:30. I'll just lie here a while and listen to the noises, and listen to that hot looking Brzezinski woman speak nicely of the President.....

I awoke again. No jump this time. No noises, just silence, except for that Brzezinski talking about something, and then of course they must go to a commercial. It was now 8:30, and the family had gone to work and school. The coffee was there, and it was still very good, even lukewarm as it was.

I sat up and took a long sip of coffee. Man, she makes good coffee. I began to think about the past month and poker, and how much fun it all turned out to be. After week one I was beginning to think the rails had come off, but there is one constant in poker. Things will change.

The first week was horrendous as I went winless for five sessions. It was doubly troubling because I had just purchased a plane ticket to Vegas. When the day to leave came along I was still making the trip, but going to be under-bankrolled. In other words money was tight. I was going to Vegas, and money is tight. You do see the problem, yes?

I never had a losing day in Vegas. The city was alive for me once again. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I became quite jaded towards Las Vegas after some trying times a few years ago. Much of the issue was caused by yours truly, but hey, if they beat you up enough you may just stop coming. Thankfully that has all changed.

The rest of the month has been more of the same back in Jacksonville. Sit down, win some money, talk some shit, drink a beer, and head for the house. I like home more than I like vegas. There, I've said it.

What am I going to do when the kids are grown? Better than that, how am I going to keep M occupied after the kids have grown? Sounds like a lot of work, for me.

Saturday morning sounds are different than weekday sounds.

Out.

Vegas, Now

It's been so long since I've written anything. Should I discuss poker? Poker is a means to an end. It's one I enjoy but it is only to scrape together enough money to be able to do the things I find important in my life. It's the same as the job you have, no matter what that may be. Besides, right now, poker is really pissing me off.

August was rocky. Up and down, ahead and behind, and always wondering how I can keep it up. I swear I nearly gave up the game completely in about mid-August. The pressures are immense at times, and it becomes a very real chore to have to drag myself to the poker room. Today is one of those days.

I can rationalize the time away from the table as necessary because I will be playing in Vegas for about a week. Southwest has incredible fares and fly direct from Jax. I plan to play many hours of poker. I've also packed a second dufflebag to be able to carry the money I am going to win. If I sound like I am psyching myself up it's because I am.

I should be psyched to go to Vegas regardless of the situation, but four losing sessions in a row have me questioning things, again. This has happened many times before, and will happen many times in the future, but it really makes things difficult. I imagine the President has these same doubts, and my kid's teachers at school, and the boxer as his opponent's fist is about to collide with his face. We just try to overcome, right?

Speaking of collisions... The Republican debate is tonight. It's strange to me that Rick Perry is leading the polls. He used to be a democrat, and he didn't recently change to Republican. He flipped in the 90's, I think. He is exactly what the Tea Party does not like, in my opinion, a career politician.

I wonder why no one seems to want to change the tax system? In poker the house makes money by taking a rake out of each pot. If you don't play the hand you theoretically don't pay any rake for that hand. I would argue that in reality the rake comes out of the blinds for each and every hand and everyone pays equal amounts of blinds, but I guess that is debatable. Maybe a clearer way to say it is you don't FEEL like you have paid the rake unless you are involved in the hand.

If you fold before putting any money into the pot then you have not lost anything. Of course, you can't win by not playing hands.

Why can't the tax system be just like that? You wouldn't even have to FEEL it.

Why not if you spend money, you pay a sales tax on each purchase? You have to spend money to make money, and the more you make the more you spend, and the more taxes you would pay. It would just feed off itself, painlessly, like a tick that has burrowed it's head into the fatty tissue of your thigh. You don't even feel it, but that tick is drinking your blood.

How is it our current tax system is so complex and confusing that we have to hire professionals to help us avoid paying too much in taxes? Is there anything more ridiculous? Who sold that gem to the American public? If the professionals we hire are not too help us avoid paying MORE than our share then they are certainly to help us avoid paying AT LEAST our share. So, using that logic we have an open profession in the United States assisting in the criminal activity of tax evasion.

Does anyone see a problem with this?

Just do the Fair Tax already. Quit screwing us over, please. There are ways to do the Fair Tax so those below the poverty line actually pay nothing in taxes. Look it up, if you care.

Back to poker. Poker is life, guys. You win some, you lose some, but everyone has a fighting chance. Notice I didn't say equal chance. Nobody is equal at the poker table. Everyone is different, and everyone plays poker at a different cognizant level. One can move up the ladder or down the ladder, what happens is up to the individual. "Get better, or go broke trying" ought to be our country's motto as it is poker's motto, at least in my mind.

I'll tell you one thing, there are no handouts. There are no physicians labeling your bad play as a "disease" and offering you free government therapy sessions. Oh wait, maybe that's what gambler's anonymous does. Do stock traders go to GA when they are on a losing streak? I wonder.

So, watch out for Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. I don't trust those two. I don't think they speak from the heart. I may be wrong about them both, but I have a Doctorate in People Reading and Bullshit Exposure. It took me 15 years and thousands of dollars to obtain that degree, so respect me.

I just laughed aloud, to no one, as I wrote that last sentence. Vegas Baby!

Codsey out.

Does Revolution Equal Freedom?

If one is in the know, and understands that quantitative easing will lead to higher commodity prices (inflation), it is reasonable that same one would also understand the effect of those higher prices on the poorest of this world. In the US we spend about 6% of our disposable income on food, in Egypt it is closer to 80%. So, since the people in the "know" realize what the outcome will be under their own fiscal policies I have to wonder what the end game is for this line our federal government, under the leadership of Pres Obama and the money of George Soros, has chosen to take.

Let me see if I can guess and we shall see how close I can come because the "revolutions" in the Middle East are in NO WAY spontaneous. There is no way you will ever convince me the White House and the fiscal decision makers had no idea their policies would lead to revolt.

Instability in the Mid East will lead to much higher gas prices here in America. I've heard numbers of $5/gallon by 2012. Gas prices of $5/gallon here in America will lead to a major decline in the economy. $5/gallon gas translates into about 350 Billion dollars being moved from the American economy into the economies of the mid east. That will mean more business failures here in America (because we will all have less money to spend on restaurants and x-box's), which will result in massive unemployment. It will be catastrophic.

The loss in tax revenue facing each locale, state, and the country as a whole due to an increase in unemployment (higher than the current 10%) will lead to additional cutbacks in public spending. Further cutbacks will lead to additional outrage as people lose their pensions and benefits. The outrage will be coupled with protests, and because there will be no immediate fix, it will lead to violence.

After the violence begins, what do you foresee? I see Marshall Law and a stranglehold on our Rights as Americans.

So, do you believe that I can figure this out sitting here in my living room while our leaders believe the revolutions in the middle east are spontaneous? Really? It's all just happen-chance?

We have scientist who can create one mathematical equation that encompasses the "theory of everything" in this universe. Yet, our leadership will have us believe they have no idea the results of inflation in the price of food will do to the stability in the middle east. This all was just by chance, and isn't it wonderful?? (note the sarcasm here, please).

George Soros, who is he and why do I mention him all of the time? Well, please read the following written by James H. Walsh, a formal Federal Prosecutor about George Soros and his "open society":

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/7/25/104735.shtml

Have you all ever heard of something called "The Shadow Party"? Probably not since ABC, NBC, and CBS would never dare to look under this rock. Take a look at the following written about the man, the myth, the legend, George Soros and his direct ties to the democratic party:

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=977

Pretty wild stuff, right? Almost too crazy to believe. But, I ask you... what is more believable, that no one would have any idea that our policies would in fact lead to upheaval and revolution? Or, that it is part of a plan to bring an end to capitalism and the greatness of the United States?

I guess we will decide during our next election cycle, if we have one. A nationwide State of Emergency, with curfews and restrictions on information, mobility, and personal freedoms is not hard to imagine. I sincerely hope I am just an idiot with aluminum foil for a hat, but I fear I'm actually sane.

You know, I was talking to a couple of soccer moms at my daughter's JV soccer banquet/dinner, and do you know neither of them even had any idea about what was going on in Wisconsin? "Ignorance is the enemy" -- A friend of mine said this on facebook just the other day. Please don't help the enemy. Stay informed. Keep and open mind about EVERYTHING! Don't take me at my word, look it up for yourself. The internet is a wonderful thing with information at our beck and call at levels never experienced before. Information is power. You can be powerful.

I love America and the freedom it offers. I'm not giving it up without some sort of struggle. We have had our faults, for sure, but no one has been able to show me a better way. Show me the numbers, prove to me how socialism and unions lead to a stronger America. If you can try I will at least listen.

It's a C Filled World

It was back to Biloxi last week. I played exclusively in the cash games. I played mostly 2-5 NL but also a few hours of 1-2 NL. I stayed away from the 5-10 games. There is no max buy in on any of the no limit games in Biloxi. Because of that all of the games play bigger than the same blind levels in Jax. I was pretty sure I didn't have the scratch to sit down in the big NL game in Biloxi. 2-5 was going to be big enough for me and my bankroll.

The 2-5 was tighter than I expected. It's possible all of the fast players were in the 5-10, but there was still plenty of money in the 2-5 game. Most people had 500+ in their stacks.

I started off the week playing very tight. I was trying to make hands and trap opponents into big bets in later streets. I rarely had a hand, however. Plus, an interesting thing seemed to be developing. Everyone was playing tight. There were nearly no pre-flop raises.

Wow, poker was changing. I thought it maybe just a trend that Jacksonville was experiencing, but it seems to be at least a southeastern thing. Maybe it's a nationwide trend, or a trend rippling throughout the entire poker world. I don't know, and I don't care.

The tight players are learning to trap the speed demons. There are now more tight players than years past because they have survived. The speed demons don't have as many of the complete idiots as there is a larger percentage of people who, although being tight players, still understand the value of a hand.

But, with all of the tight players the games become terribly slow. Each pot is small, and hands are routinely checked around. Once that happens one has to either make hands or make moves. I was fortunate and started making hands and having it happen often enough to look like I was making moves. I was getting paid off.

In one particularly passive game I was raising in all of the pots I entered. We played bigger pots, and on my terms. Things were running smoothly and had more than doubled my money. This was good times. The drinks were free, and I'm sure there is a requirement of at least a C cup to be a cocktail waitress at the Beau. Life is good.

Three guys left in quick succession from the 1,2,and 3 seats. They had been short and had gone broke or almost broke one after the other. Three new gents sat down.

The new guys looked familiar. I had played with them all before. They were fast players. There was another new guy to my right. I picked up 10-J of clubs. There was one limper to me so I raised it up. Everyone folded and it came back around to the new guy, he raised it another Hundred. I folded quickly, without thought.

In a way it was good that happened. His re-raise made me slow down a bit. I tightened up and decided to sit back watch and see what was going to happen with this new batch of fellows. I expected fireworks.

I wish I had a story about a wild hand that was played. One where a pile of money was in the middle and someone was faced with calling all of their chips, but alas, no such tale.

These guys were on lockdown.

The game is certainly changing. I racked up and left the game for another.

There was a tale I had heard about a guy in the 5-10 game the night before who had lost 30k. The next day a guy pointed him out. The man he pointed out was the guy in the three seat of my game earlier that week. The story was he got drunk and was pissing it away thousands at a time. I have no idea if it's true or not. If so, he was playing vastly different than when I ran into him. I guess he loosened up.

Biloxi was fun. The ride was good over and back. Well, there was a tire change along the way, but it went forward without much incident. It was a good time. Of course, it is better to be home.

Since my trip I haven't won a nickel here in Jax, but it'll change, I think, I hope, I pray.

Poker- A hard Way to Make an Easy Livin'. I don't know who first said it, but sage advice they spoke. Maybe it was Doyle. I guess it doesn't matter much. I've got to go get the cards in the air.

Codsey out.

What do I get?

Hi there. Norton here. Every once in a while I find a need to hijack this guys blogs and facebook accounts so I can make sure he remembers to think about important things going on in the world.

As you know I declared myself Emperor of these, the United States of America, a little while ago. I disbanded the decision makers in Washington. They didn't go home. Along the way, however, we had a national election.

You all know the outcome. The country made sweeping changes at moving our country from a left moving agenda, at least fiscally speaking, towards a right moving agenda. The debates on the social issues that so deeply divide the Far Right and the Far Left are still yet to come. But, fiscally speaking we seem to be coming to a consensus.

We must improve the economy. We must create jobs. We must control the ever expanding national debt (it went over 14 trillion, that's 14,000 billion, this week). Higher taxes and increased regulations limit the expanse of the economy. Again, raising taxes will slow the economy. Therefore, we must reduce government spending. Once the economy improves revenue for the Government will increase. That extra revenue must be well spent. The debt is an issue for all.

I have heard different news organizations ask various incoming members of the Congress where exactly these cuts should fall. Wisely, none of them answered the question. What a bombshell. Do you honestly believe any of these folks want to be the first person to say who is getting a pay cut this year?

A bunch of the decision makers went back home following the elections that took place last November. They went back to their mansions. They went back to the country clubs. They went back to their property in the islands. They jumped into their limos for the disappointing ride to the airport. They had failed.

America seems proud to recall that this country was created, and served as such for over 200 years, to be the greatest single country in the entire world. Our founders came here to be free. When the monarchy in England became too obtrusive our founders revolted.

The 112th Congress was just sworn in and is due to have a reading of our Constitution. I have heard from some that this is a waste of time. Is it? How many of you have read it, lately, and had it explained to you? Do you know what's in it? Do you know the history of the of it all?

I know less of it than I would like, truly. I'm pretty sure Joy Behar knows less about the Constitution than most Americans. That may not be true, how would I know what she's read of the Constitution? But, she sounds ignorant when she says reading it in Congress is a big waste of time. Her questioning if the reading of the Constitution is Congress's way of bowing down to the Tea Party is rather rhetorical. I'll answer it for her... YES.

The Tea Party is an loosely held together organization whose members all seem to have one thing in common. They all believe in, and wish to more closely follow, what is written in the Constitution. I think the Congress is also starting to figure it out. So yes, their reading of the Constitution today is sort of bowing down to the wants of the people who elected them. Imagine that, doing what your constituents wish. A novel idea.

Some have been so bold to say that the Constitution is a racist document written by racists for racists. They site the 3/5ths compromise as proof. How could our founders put in writing that slaves equal 3/5ths of a person if they weren't all racists?

Remember something. They had to remain together because divided they would surely fall. Not all of the founders were racists. Some abhorred slavery. I could quote a bunch right now, but I won't, google it, it is fact.

Back in 1787, when the Constitution was being argued, the southern slave holders wanted the Constitution to stay out of the issue of slavery, that it was not a national issue. They would not ratify the Constitution without some sort of compromise. So, the Constitution we ended up with included provisions to protect the institution of slavery, as well as provisions to hopefully keep it from spreading.

It allowed slaves to count as 3/5's a person for the purpose of counting how many delegates a state could send to Washington. It also meant that those slaves would be counted as people. at least 3/5's of them, for purpose of a state's obligation to taxes. It also denied Congress the ability to halt the importation of new slaves until 1808, as well as forbid free states from enacting laws to protect fugitive slaves (both compromises for the south).

Now listen, at face value this sounds like we were a bunch of racists. Without these compromises we never would have remained a country. From 1787 onward the country moved closer and closer to abolishing slavery altogether until finally we had a terrible war to decide the issue once and for all in 1861.

Reading the Constitution is not enough. Today, those folks in Washington should be made to learn the history behind the words. Give them some material, provide them some time to study, and test them all. Members of congress work 123 days per yer. Read that again if you wish. 123 days out of 365. Two thirds of the time they are doing something other than what we pay them to do. I guess they use that time to get re-elected. I don't really know.

As Emperor I hereby decree one thing. Start by discussing what it is the national government is supposed to do for the American people.

Here is an example. I agree the National government should regulate private business to a point. Should the government shut down oil drilling off the coast of our states because of an accident? Of course not.

Listen, we still need oil. Oil drilling and the transport of said oil is still going on in the rest of the world. We haven't decreased our use at all. Shutting down those offshore oil wells did nothing but put a lot of Americans out of work. You overstepped your bounds, plain and simple. You did it using rash decision making at a time when you had no idea what to do. Big business is not the enemy.

Believe me, if you don't know what to do it is better to do nothing. Stay out of it. It's not your problem to fix. BP handled it through apparently no help from you. They admitted fault and completely paid for the clean up. You even kept foreign clean up ships away from the gulf. Why are you meddling?

The National Government is supposed to take in 2.57 Trillion dollars this year. How about you try to first figure out the bare necessities before you begin your cuts. Let's see... Military, yup, food to be sure your people don't starve, yup, basic shelter, yup, a meaningful education, yup, running water, yup, some sort of transportation, yup. I can go on if you wish.

"We hold these truths to be self evident. That all Men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

Recognize that? It's the preamble to our Declaration of Independence. It's what we sent King George to tell him we are pissed off and not going to listen to him any longer. We have a better way. Now, ask yourself Congressmen, what do you need to do to meet those criteria? Because I'll tell you there is the another line that reads...

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the RIGHT of the people to alter or ABOLISH it".

It's not going to be pretty. There will be riots in the streets and maybe worse. If you reign in the long arm of government spending there will be many unhappy folks. It will be necessary, however. Otherwise we will just be passing the problem on to our children or grandchildren the same way our parents have done.

If you live in the slums of some major city, I apologize to you for what you will experience. If you live with your mom, and your dad is nowhere to be found, you must understand that is not the country's fault. That is your parents fault.

You have food, and you have shelter, and you have a school to go to and a way to get there. Now, get out there and do something with yourself. We talk ourselves blue in the face claiming anyone, with enough hard work and determination, can become successful in this country.

The feelings of entitlement have to go away. You're not entitled. Your unlucky that you were born into the situation you are in but there are avenues available to you to get out. You have to want it. If you don't make it, and instead think you and yours are entitled to some free ride you are mistaken.

I know that sounds rough. But it is a far better shake than you will receive in most other countries. Other places like Cuba, N Korea, The European Union, and the former Soviet Union are finding out or have already that government can't be all things to everybody. They are failing, miserably.

Life (don't kill me), Liberty (don't arrest me for no reason), and the Pursuit of Happiness (give me attainable avenues so I at least have a chance in this life). The rest is up to me.

Norton out.

2011 Opens with a Bang!

I awoke Monday morning, the first working day of the New Year, at a very early hour. I had gone to bed the night before at a very early hour, like around 9 PM or so. I guess I can only sleep for seven straight hours before the need to relieve myself pulls me from a dead slumber. At least I woke up. Age is catching me, already. I decided it would be best for everyone involved, not only at the present time but also in the near future, if I just left M to sleep. Repercussions would follow for yours truly if I did not let her sleep until at least 6:30. These are the types of things it takes a person like me 20 odd years to learn.

Or, maybe it took 40 years to learn life is not all about me.

I quietly stole into the living room and switched on the tv. I also figured I would pay January's first of the month bills. So, after 10 minutes of that I was thoroughly disgusted. I'm not even going to waste energy bitching about it. Energy, it would appear, is extremely valuable.

While watching tv I learned about a flock of birds, about a thousand total, that died during a fireworks display. At least, that is one theory. The thinking is the birds were scared into shock by the loud blast of the fireworks. I guess that could have happened. I have to have doubts though when you consider there has never been a recorded incident of fireworks killing a flock of birds in all of history. At least, if there were an incident of it, and I guess now there will be one available to all at the click of the mouse, I have not yet heard of it.

I saw a lot of birds dead on the ground one time in my life. It was in upstate NY, near the golf course I grew up on, following a massive Microburst that wrecked the cart barn. We all thought it had been a tornado, and I suppose a Microburst is very close to a tornado, but it sent that cart barn all over the 18th green. Later that day, as I was sitting on the crapper and looking out the window, I noticed the birds.

There must have been at least a hundred lying on the ground in the cow field next to the house. The State said the deaths were caused by the ultra low pressure associated with the storm. That many dead birds makes a person think, for sure. The storm killed those birds is what we assumed, and the news agreed. Whatever, we had to postpone the first round of our Club Championship.

I decided to facebook because, really, the news pisses me off. Is anyone investigating the NYC union workers who decided to plow more slowly in order to make a statement against recent cuts and layoffs? I hope that is not true. Come on News folks, investigate on it, report on it, and even though you may put your own slant on the whole thing please give us the facts, at least. The level of investigative reporting in nearly all news media may be at an all time low.

I switched the channel to a one of those rated R, but are close to X, movies on one of the movie stations. Don't worry, I just kept facebooking, but at least the news was off. I looked for something on the military channel, or History, or NatGeo, or Sci-fi, or Comedy Central, but the movie offered the most potential.

Man, getting up early sucks. Maybe I should party more like the old days, or play poker all night, getting to sleep around 4 am. It's easy to sleep the day away after an all-nighter. Of course, again, I've learned things in 20 odd years.

I went back to bed around 6. M was warm, and soft, and smooth. I'm pretty fortunate. Since I had let her sleep earlier she was in a pleasant mood when she woke up. The day was going well.

The rest of the morning was pretty standard, and I've written about it before. I started to the poker room around 10:15. It opens at 10, but people are slow in showing up. I got into a full 5-10 No Limit game pretty quickly.

It was a pretty wild game. It was dominated by the play of one person, and his name is DP, or Double Penetration for long. He is an incredibly aggressive, and very knowing player. That, my friends, is an extremely dangerous poker player. There are a lot of people who try to play just like that.

People want to emulate that style of play because it is the most fun. You raise with any two cards, sometimes you make a good hand, but regardless you bet, bet, bet. At least, that is what it appears to be to the uninitiated.

Unbridled aggression will get snapped off by other players who are aware. The key is to be able to judge well enough as to when your opponents have a hand they are willing to take all of the way. By raising so often, and so much pre-flop, the pots become massive. If the pot becomes large enough, relative to the size of your stack, you are very quickly facing a decision for all of your chips.

DP can judge well. Others cannot. I make my money from others who cannot. Against DP I try to make a hand, and hold on for dear life. I don't play the same style as DP. It's too difficult and I have too many bills to pay. I guess I'm not good enough yet, or have a big enough bankroll to pull it off. Someday, maybe. I can dream.

I did make what appeared to be a horrible play. Of course, I ended up catching a miracle card in that hand to double up early. Here is what happened.

I had pocket queens, and I raised in early position, two people called, one of them the big blind. The flop came jack high with a spade draw.

The big blind checked. I bet 100. The third player called after thinking about it for a while, I thought he may have a jack, or maybe another pocket pair below queens. It didn't look like he had a flush draw, I thought he would have called quicker with the flush draw. It was now on the big blind. It's important to note that I dind't think this first caller had a flush draw, making it more likely the Big blind had the flush draw, if he played further that is.

I put this man, the Big blind, on literally any two cards but favoring either a pocket pair or some sort of suited cards in any range. He could also have a AJ, or maybe even KJ or QJ. I made this assumption as he was readying his play. He mumbled something to the player on his right, and moved all-in.

I thought about it for about 15 seconds, and called all of my chips with my pocket queens. I thought it was way more likely he had one pair, good kicker, or a flush draw with an overcard, then it was he had flopped a set. The third guy folded quickly.

Of course, the Big blind had flopped a set of deuces. But, thankfully a queen came on the turn, and then another queen on the river. Quads. Wow, that was very cool.

Everyone wanted to know how I didn't know that he had flopped a set. I didn't tell them out loud, but they've all played with him before as well. Now keep in mind, I have played with this man many times, and he is wild, wild, wild. If he flopped the set, then he had me. I've seen him move in with a draw, or a hand that is just awful, too often before.

After that I managed to play solid and not stick all of my money in drawing to just two outs. I flopped a full house against DP. He paid me off. He kind of has to because he knows I'm not a dip-shit. I know he could have a weak hand. If he checks to me I'm going to bet with marginal hands as well. He checked on the turn and I was lucky enough to have a monster. He had something because he called me down. I didn't ask to see.

I left before 5. I don't know how it all ended up. There was a lot of money on the table. DP can tilt, but I haven't seen it in a while. He probably busted them all. He plays too well. If he made any big hands at all, like two pair or better, then he got paid off.

Those other guys, the regulars in that game, don't like his style of play too much. They secretly want to play that way, but are unable for various reasons. I'm pretty sure they just don't like winners in their game. That makes me laugh. They like it if you play wild and loose, but you're not allowed to run over them. If you hit any hands while playing wild and loose then you are the devil.

They don't like how I play very tight and conservative. At least, that is my impression of their feelings. Just because I have headphones on does not mean I can't hear what's being said around the table, especially if I think you're talking about me, which I always do because this narcissism is still not completely cured.

So they don't like wild and loose, if you win. They don't like tight and conservative, if you win. They like players who play as they do, and lose while THEY win. I'm chuckling to myself as I write this because it is probably close to true.

Dinner was soup and sandwiches. Everyone seemed to like it. I know I did. How come I make and hour long dinner with two sides and some nice chicken or beef and the kids turn their nose up at it? I make soup and sandwiches and they eat like they were starving.

It was a good day.

Codsey out.

Happy New Year!

It is that time again. It's now a new year and with the coming of the new year comes the inevitable New Year Resolution. I think you must capitalize it whenever you write it. It's that important. I've been sitting here considering my past NYR's (New Year Resolutions, since NYR takes fewer key strokes) and am slowly beginning to get a better handle on myself. Maybe I should have left the layers of that onion alone because my eyes are starting to sweat.

How many NYR's have you managed to stay true to? I have not been faithful to many of them. I think the reason I have forgotten most NYR's by about February 15th is because it's really difficult to remain on any diet for more than 6 weeks. My Resolutions are always centered on trimming down the waistline!! I'm not sure why either.

It may be that I am too fat. True enough. I am probably in the government range for obese. But, I can ride a bike, jog a little ways, walk 18 holes of golf, and spend all day in bed (if you get my drift) without too much trouble.

I probably always want to lose weight because fit people are more popular. At least, I believe most people feel that way. Except when it comes to comedy. I haven't laughed at a single episode of Drake and Josh since that goofy kid lost his first 60 pounds. Hey, I have kids, I see things.

So, I probably want to be more popular, and since fit and healthy has been an elusive quarry I will have to find a way to become funnier. Fat and overbearing, not good. Fat and somber, downright distasteful. Fat and nagging is grounds for divorce.

See, the only way to get on in this world, and not be thin, is to be jovial. Come on, you know you laughed your ass off when Chris Farley was trying out for Chippendale's in the dance off against the muscular Patrick Swazey on SNL. I can guarantee you tried not to, but laughed anyway at John Belushi stuffing his face in the cafeteria line in Animal House.

Maybe I can just open a restaurant that serves meals in smaller proportions. It probably wouldn't make it, however. People want HUGE HELPINGS. They want to feel like they are not getting ripped off.

When you pay $7.99 for a Chinese buffet you damn sure are going to have a few extra crab rangoons so you can feel like you didn't get taken. No one wants to pay $7.99 for a plate of rice and vegetables with a cup of miso soup. That would mean we had been suckers.

At my proportions friendly restaurant I'd have to charge too much to make a sufficient profit, and people would feel cheated. The customers wouldn't understand that my 1/4 burger for $4 is better than the 1/2 pounder they would get next door for $6. It'd better for them because it is more in line with USDA recommendations. Both restaurants would have the same overhead. It would fail.

Ok, back to my Resolutions..

How can I be funnier? I could stop talking about politics. Wait, scratch that. I can talk politics but I need to pick on the right people when I do it. Obama is OFF LIMITS! Name calling is out too unless I throw in the word Teabagger.

Alright, I was being ridiculous again. Seriously, I need to make some changes. I have to play more poker, watch less television (except Jersey Shore), learn to beat my son in Halo, learn the two handed golf swing (it's a long story), and write more. Writing is therapeutic, but damned if it isn't time consuming.

Anyone ever hear of that Dragon voice recognition software? Maybe that's the ticket for me. That way I can talk, which I like a lot, and the computer can do the actual writing. I always think of this stuff after Christmas.

I want to lose weight. I'm off bread.

Codsey out.

Two Sides to Every Coin

For about two or so years there has been an active debate, kept active mostly by me, amongst the people I routinely converse. Much of it, and this is unfortunate, has centered around public employees and their role in our lives. As you can imagine, many if not a majority of my friends and acquaintances have worked their entire adult life as a public employee. A near equal amount have never been employed in any government department or agency. This has caused a definite rift. I've been thinking long and hard about the subject for a while now in an attempt to see things from the other side and hopefully temper my own thinking.

At one point I had stated I did not think a married couple, both employed by the public school system, should be better off than their private sector peers. I have changed my thinking on that subject completely.

I now believe that a married couple in these United States should most definitely have the ability and the belief that they can achieve the American dream. An educated and successful couple, whether from the private or public workforce, with proper care and planning of their investments, should be able to have the retirement homes, boat on the river, and the freedom to enjoy all of it whenever they choose.

No one would be willing to argue that the folks who teach our children, fix our roads, save our homes from fire, and protect us from evil are not worth every penny they earn, and probably more. I think that is where the misunderstanding is taking place. Please believe me when I say that I appreciate your hard work and the sacrifices you have made in dedicating your life to your chosen career. I swear to God I do.

I could not imagine walking up the stairs of the World Trade Center knowing you may never come back down. I could not imagine having to deal with parents who are assholes when all you want their kid to do is learn math. I could not imagine seeing and dealing with crime, and the conditions that surround it, on a daily basis. I could not imagine what it must be like to be thousand of miles from home, sitting on a rocky hill while others are trying to kill you, specifically you.

The jobs you have are extremely important to this country. When the economy is steaming along, and everyone is getting richer, no one mentions that any of you are getting too much. Your unions bargained well and earned you guaranteed pensions and top notch benefits. Of course, nothing last forever.

What would happen if public sector jobs were privatized?

It is a bold, and most likely foolhardy thought. Would you do well or be passed by if your profession was run by a private corporation? I'm thinking that the best of you would earn more money than you currently do, and the worst of you would be let go to make way for new employees who want to make more money. So, what would be the result if that were the case?

Keep in mind that when I say "the best of you" I'm referring to the one's who put in the extra hours, take minimal time off, and produce above average results in quantifiable ways. Why are those the best? Because they save the company, or the boss, a lot of money. You get a company, or a school, or a firehouse, or a police precinct, or a road crew to have a lot of "The best of you's" than you end up with one helluva team. Guess who the boss is when you are a public employee. Guess. Yup, it's me, and you. We all pay taxes.

Any boss in the private sector compensates the best and tries to get rid of the worst. There is no other way to guarantee a quality product or service and do it in the most efficient way possible.

This is the basic theory for the founding of America. It is the principle that has made us a great and powerful country. There must be incentives in any business. The greatest incentive is the knowledge that everyone is replaceable, and at any time.

This country, based on the results of the last election, is stating loud and clear that changes are necessary. We must improve efficiency in all areas. If we simply take more money from the wealthy to fund our current operations we will ultimately cause a drag on the economy that may actually cause the failure of some governments and/or their agencies.

The public sector jobs are vital to the country. That is why we all agree to pay for them. I don't think we wish to lose any of them. Raise taxes and continue down the current path, or lower taxes and reform all of it. It's tough choice, how hard do any of us want to work?

Codsey out

There is a God, and He is Good part 4

Thursday was to be our final full day aboard the cruise ship. It has been a wonderful time, and my relaxation meter was full. We awoke and the first thing M said to me was "Are we moving?"

She was right, we were not. The ship was now anchored off the coast of Coco Cay, which is Norwegian's personal island in the Bahamas. Their was another ship anchored off our port bow, and both ships were now running shuttles back and forth from the island.

M and I ate breakfast and dutifully waited in line to jump ship for the island. The process was quite smooth and the shuttle boats they used seated about 300 people.

It was a beautiful day. The temperature was about 78, and there was barely a cloud in the sky. As the boat was docked on the island, and the front ramp lowered down, we unloaded as though we were storming the beaches at Normandy.

Of course, we knew not where we were going. Our first mistake was renting a locker to hold what few valuables we had brought with us. One caveat to the rented locker that I found to be strange and mildly disappointing... we could only shut and reopen said locker one time before we had to pay another four dollars. I found that odd. So odd, in fact, that we ended up not even using the locker and instead just hung on to our stuff.

We found what looked to be a nice spot on the beach. There are about four or five different little coves where you can sit and enjoy the seashore. The water was clear, and every once in a while one could see a small fish swim past. Of course, M did not appreciate the nature she had to share her water time with, and she vowed to not get off her floaty mat while she was in the ocean.

While sitting next to the ocean waiters would stroll by with various alcoholic drinks, on ice. If you tipped them well enough they would give you extra rum in your drink. The waiters were able to remotely swipe your card, right in front of you, and hand you a receipt, while both of you stood on remote Caribbean island in the middle of the Atlantic. Innovation will never cease to amaze me.

While M and I sat, enjoyed the sun, and watched various people venture into the cove, we noticed one man and his floaty mat gingerly walking into the sea. He was in his mid twenties, had black hair, olive colored skin, and very skinny physique. He also was wearing a white speedo swimsuit.

This swimsuit left nothing to the imagination unless you like to imagine whether he is circumcised or not. When he got into the cove, and was positioned on his mat while laying on his back, it looked like he had a small triangular sail propped up to catch any wind that might move him across the cove. I was embarrassed for him, M thought it was natural.

Yes, she did. She may have been partaking in the maui wowie too, I'm not sure.

While we both chuckled at this man and his glaring, barely covered penis, M decided it was time to get back on her floaty. She floated out into the cove, and then allowed the waves to slowly bring her back towards the shore.

M was going on about something to me. I was seated about 5 feet from the edge of the water, and as she floated towards me she was talking on and on about sails. Actually, I have no idea what she was talking about because I wasn't really listening.

Now, I'm not sure if the decisions and actions that I have taken over my lifetime were meant to bring me to that very moment, at that very time, to experience what was forthcoming. But, if so, then I can now die in peace knowing that my life is complete.

As M floated closer to the shore, and she was about to touch land, I noticed something out of the corner of my left eye. I turned my head and could plainly see a small school of about ten or so fish swimming along the shore line, heading straight for M and her floaty mat.

I began to chuckle out loud because I could see what was about to transpire. M looked at me quizzically because apparently whatever she was talking about was not meant to be funny and I was now laughing out loud.

The school got to where her floaty was beached. The school of fish could go no further. Each fish was about 4 or 5 inches in length, and when they ran into M's floaty they began to turn and roll and jump violently in an attempt to get away from this land loving intruder.

The school of fish appeared to be acting like a school of piranha, in a feeding frenzy, except there was no biting and no blood. M had now realized what was happening and began to try to get up out of her floaty. It was at this very moment that I came to fully believe that there is a God, and he is indeed more good than any of us could ever imagine.

One of those fish jumped up and out of the water, and landed squarely on M's beautiful chest. The fish bounced off from her, and harmlessly fell into the water. M jumped up and, here is how I know God and Jesus are real, she walked on water to get away from those fish!!!!

I have never laughed so hard, and for so long, in my entire life. I'm still laughing about it today. I catch myself laughing out loud when I randomly think back to the fish hitting her chest. Nothing that could happen- not me winning the WSOP, or my kids graduating, or seeing my grandchildren, or watching Tiger plummet to 197 in the world rankings- could ever rank higher than seeing M being tormented by a school of small fish.

My life is now complete. I cannot wait to go on another cruise. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Codsey out.

There is a God, and He is Good part 3

Our walk back to the ship was uneventful. The rest of that day was quite uneventful. I think we hung out by the pool. The poker room had to be closed while we were at port, in Nassau. I guess they didn't want anyone missing out on a chance to spend money in their fine town by spending time gambling. It makes sense, I suppose. Maybe the cruise ships shouldn't stop here at all. I don't much care for Nassau.

The pool deck on The Monarch was another story completely. Although, there are a couple of things I did notice. Americans are a large people, and the modern swimsuit does not cover enough skin.

It was a beautiful day, and we sat by the pool for a couple of hours before we went to dinner. At dinner I had a steak. After a day of walking through the masses, almost getting involved in a shootout, and seeing a half naked woman, I needed protein. We made a mistake that night, however. Our waiter straightened us out though.

He immediately brought us our menus, and wanted to immediately take our order. Of course, in an attempt to avoid all decisions until absolutely necessary, I needed to review the menu. Our waiter left and didn't come near us for about twenty minutes. Ok, message received.

He was busy and was squeezing us in. I don't even think we were seated where we were supposed to be. They assign seats, and approximate dinner times. It is probably necessary. Since we were on the low end of the pay spectrum we at at 5:45, or were supposed to as close to that time as we could. We paid attention to it, for the most part.

The poker that night was not good, at least not for me. I barely won a hand and lost all that I had won the night before plus a fair amount. I never completed a draw, never flopped a monster, never had a good hand hold up. My buddy, Hinderance, was in full bloom and sticking the hot pokers in my jaw again. I am an idiot. Why did I not take better care of my teeth?

I quit the game a loser that night. I went to sleep thinking about the bills that were due once we got back to Jacksonville. It was a fitful night. I love having M watch me play cards. It makes me play better, I believe. I hate it when she is there for the bad nights. She doesn't seem to show that it bothers her, but it must. I often find doubt in all of this.

Of course, there is always another hand.

Codsey out.

There is a God, and He is Good part 2

I awoke to a dull pain in the side of my face caused by none other than my arch enemy, Hinderance. Hinderance had been digging at me for a couple of days now, and he was seriously cramping my style. Today was to be a day of adventure and discovery, but Hinderance was trying to be difficult. M and I were to leave the safety of our cruise ship and tour downtown Nassau, Bahamas. We were looking forward to getting to know life in a tropical city.

Breakfast, specifically the scrambled eggs, was sublime. Did I mention how good the food was on this cruise? Let me reiterate. It was top-notch. I'm fairly certain the chef added either crack cocaine or possibly some secret ingredient they purchased from MacDonald's to make you crave nearly anything they served.

We ate and departed The Monarch. As our ship had pulled into the port of Nassau we could see the local shops and restaurants along the shore. That would be our destination. Plus, M and I needed to find the children something as a gift.

Before I left the boat I popped a couple more tylenol, and put some in my pocket for later. I would not let Hinderance get the best of me. This was a vacation, and damnit, I was going to have fun.

As you depart the ship you are guided past numerous locals trying to sell you a variety of objects and services. There were taxi drivers, bottled water salesman, trinket peddlers, and of course the braiders. Apparently one of the more popular things to do in the bahamas is get your hair braided by a local island woman. I'm not sure of the fascination, but who am I to judge.

They guide you through a building, with signs promising an exit out into the streets of Nassau. Of course, one is first hounded by shop owners as your path snakes throughout this building.

They almost had me talked into renting a scooter and just riding. I could picture M and I flying down the narrow city streets, trying to remember to stay on the left side of the road, while cars zig-zagged in and out of traffic. M persuaded me that it may not be the safest of activities. Hinderance was pounding on my face. I was disappointed, but as we got onto the street I immediately could see the hazards involved with negotiating a scooter in this town.

There were few traffic lights. I can't remember seeing a traffic cop. Drivers, bicyclist, and pedestrians were left to fend for themselves, each battling for rule of the roads. We stayed on the sidewalk.

Bay street is nice. It's mostly jewelry stores, banks, and discount clothing stores. There are some restaurants, but all food and drink is overpriced as they cater to the tourists. I suppose it is their only export, tourism, but the prices they charged were as expensive, and sometimes more so, than what our Monarch charged us. Plus, our Monarch provided the highest quality food prepared by the finest chefs. Hinderance was annoyed by all of this and made sure the left side of my face could feel it.

M and I next stumbled on what is referred to as The Famous Straw Market. It is basically a giant tent, very close to the cruise ship's docks, that has hundreds of individual shop owners peddling their goods. It is the Bahamian answer to a flea market, but with extra fleas. The shops are packed one on top of the other, separated by about a three foot aisle for customers to walk through.

It was all very claustrophobic, and Hinderance did not like the situation at all. He banged away at my face as M and I struggled to make our way through the labyrinth of beads, braiders, and Bahamian bottle pickers. We got to the back of the building, looking for the exit out of this mass of sweat and tears, when we realized there was no back. Well, there was a back, but no back exit. Do these people have fire codes?

Hinderance was pissed. Hinderance was sticking sharp, fire hot steel rods into my jawbone. I looked at M and said "Let's get the flock out of here".

We were almost out of the straw market/overcrowded flea market/uncomfortably closed quartered human sweat box when I spotted a woman selling bowls. Well, I had to have a handcrafted Bahamian peace pipe. So, I got one. It cost ten dollars and I didn't even try to talk the woman down. She probably deserved twenty dollars noting she had to sit in this tent all day, every day, trying to make a buck.

We managed to make it to the street. Ahhh, the fresh smell of the ocean, fish, and there was one other smell that I could not immediately pinpoint. It took me a while to figure it out, and at first I thought the sweet pungency was somehow related to the people, but that is not right. It's the auto emissions.

While there is no cloud, there is a definite smell present. See, the leading industry appears to be taxi driver. Here's how you break into the market. Go buy a car costing the equivalent of 2k here in the US. Then, be sure it has four nearly round wheels. Finally, slap a sign on it that says "Taxi", and you are now an entrepreneur.

I get it though, they cannot do it any other way. They don't produce much. They have their beaches, people, and warm weather. Is America going in that direction? Michigan doesn't have warm weather.

Hinderance needs to stop. Hinderance wants this tooth pulled from my head. I gobble the last two tylenol. M wants to look at a beach we saw from the ship. I think it's like three or four blocks. We pass more liquor stores, jewelry shops, about three banks, and then slowly walk out of downtown, and into the hotel district.

Hotels in Nassau have large fences, with barbed wire on top, surrounding the parking lots. See, to me that is not very comforting.

As we continue down the sidewalk, towards the beach, we pass middle aged woman sweeping the sidewalk with one of those things they use at movie theaters to clean between pictures. She has an orange and yellow vest on, I believe so the cars speeding past her will see her and hopefully slow down. There is also a younger man, on a bicycle, also wearing the same vest, but he's just talking to the woman, sitting on his bike.

M and I don't think much of it accept for how clean the sidewalk is on that one block. She was doing an excellent job. The other blocks? Well, let's just say they were not as tip-top as this one. I'm not sure who was cleaning those sidewalks, or better yet when, but the guy on the bike peeked my interest.

We walked on. We got to the beach. It had minimal garbage and only a few dead fish. We walked down the the water. We decided to head along the water, back towards the ship, and see what they wanted for a lawn chair rental. The place that was renting beach chairs was a yellow shack that also had a DJ, I guess. There was Bob Marley playing, and quite loudly.

We walked long the warm water as it gently lapped against our bare feet. The tylenol was working, and Hinderance was sleeping quietly. The steel rods had been set aside as I smiled at the thought of modern medicine. Up ahead we approached a man and a woman lying on their stomachs, their feet only a couple of yards from the waters edge.

As we neared it became obvious it was two women. The reason I had erred from afar was because the one on the left didn't have a top on. They were both under the age of thirty, and shaped rather nicely, at least their backs, butts, and legs. For, at the moment, that was all we could see.

M was talking about something, as my sunglassed eyes (yes!) wandered to the right to make sure this woman didn't do anything crazy like roll over or something. Well, she didn't roll over, but she did get up on her elbows to talk to her friend. She was shaped quite well up there, too.

I looked away. I only just caught a glimpse. I knew prolonged exposure, in that setting, was going to mean blindness either by the rays of the sun or M's own fingernails. As we passed I decided I had to steal one more peak. I could not help it. I am human and have faults. M did not scratch my eyes out so I am sure she accepts this fault as minor in the grand scheme of things.

My next phrase was not well thought out.

"So, you want to rent some chairs and go sit over there?" My hand pointed back, sort of towards the spot where the two women were sunbathing.

When I saw her look I realized I may have erred, slightly. She gave me a quick "not here, this beach is gross."

I mumbled something about dead fish and garbage and we quietly walked back to the street.

Back on the street we decided to look for a drink and maybe lunch. We had to walk past the woman and the young man on the bike. It had been about twenty minutes since we had last seen them. She was sweeping, he was sitting on his bike talking, and nothing had changed. Just odd, I think. I'm not sure if he was supervising her and everything is so corrupt he doesn't have to actually do anything, or what, but it was just odd.

Even more odd was both of their refusals to clear the sidewalk so we could pass. We had to almost walk into the street to get around them. It had an odd feeling to it, that whole situation. I wanted to go back to the beach, but wisely kept my mouth shut.

Hinderance twinged a bit. Easy there, big boy. There is no more tylenol in my pocket. I'll get you some alcohol if you just don't bring out the metal rods for a little bit longer. Deal? Good.

M and I found a small, open air bar that had appetizers an sandwiches for lunch. We sat down at a table and asked for a menu. We never saw her again. What can I say? We looked at the menu for about 3 minutes, decided on beer and conch something or another, and we never saw the waitress again. She may have been kidnapped, or maybe had medical issues, but she did not return, nor did any replacement.

After about ten minutes of talking, and with Hinderance beginning to poke and prod again, I said "let's go, We'll eat and drink by the pool, on the Monarch."

M thought that was a great idea. Her demeanor would lead me to believe she had seen enough of Nassau, and was ready to be pampered again. I can't say that I blame her. Five star dining, superb service, anything you desire at the swipe of a sea-pass... why would you want to leave that?

We were walking on Bay street again, the stores and banks on our left side. The streets were packed with cars going past. I was thinking we should have crossed the street because there might be something we want to see over there when a man running from around the bank caught my eye.

He was about forty yards away, in full military garb. His camouflaged uniform was the black and grey color I've always associated with military police. He had on a black beret, He was not black, but rather looked almost Cuban. He was at least 6'3". He was also carrying an M-16 and was moving up the sidewalk, stooping slightly as he passed the large front windows of the bank.

M and I froze. People walked past us oblivious to what was happening. At the end of the block, from where the soldier had just come from, two women ran across the street. When I say ran, I mean they were sprinting.

Uh-oh. I looked to my right. We could duck between two parked cars. I looked left. We could run into that jewelry store. We took a step back.

Two men, hands on their holstered pistols, walked briskly from where the girls ran, and walked up to the doorway where the soldier was crouching. The senior man, a tall older white man, walked into the front door of the bank. The soldier stood by. The third man spoke quietly into the handset on his shoulder.

Nothing happened. People began to walk past again. We just went also. We looked into the bank as we walked by and saw people talking. We rounded the corner and there were two bank employees, black older women, standing at a side door looking out into the street. There was an official looking car, with a man sitting ion the passenger seat talking into a cb radio. I didn't see any police cars.

We quickly walked away with our mouths hanging open.

Just another day in downtown Nassau. I'm assuming those men were probably part of a privately hired security team. Maybe they were the police. I don't know. There were no sirens, there was no commotion. There was no attempt to keep pedestrians clear of the situation.

What a strange land.

I'll continue this later. I'm tired and need to go vote.

Codsey out.

There is a God, and He is Good part 1

Every once in a while I get the opportunity to experience something truly eventful, well eventful to me at least. Every once in a while the planets align, global warming calms, and the world seems to take on a new look of love and peacefulness that I am sure one experiences only a few times during his or her life. This past week may very well have been one of those periods of "Zen" for yours truly.

It began hectically enough, as life seems to be in this day and age. The wife, M, was actually on time getting home from her half day at work. That was the good news. She had told me to be packed, and be ready. Well, I was. Unfortunately, the US Postal Service was a bit tardy on this Monday morning.

M packed and insisted we give the mail person more time. She had ordered three outfits the moment she learned of my winning an Ante Up Poker cruise at our local card room, and only one had arrived. She was expecting the other two this very day. She even went so far as to drive around the neighborhood to see if she could spot said mail person.

No luck.

We loaded the car and headed out for our two hour drive to Port Canaveral to board the Monarch of the Sea. This was to be our first cruise, and all week long I had been eagerly anticipating it. That had all changed when I learned that my grandmother had been hospitalized. She is 83 and had suffered a stroke about 3 or 4 years ago that left her unable to communicate as clearly as she would like. This hasn't really prevented her from trying to let you know what she is thinking however, and that is how I know my grandmother is still the same ole gram who used to paddle my ass when I was a youngster. I love her dearly, and the news of her hospitalization made my guilt meter rise.

What right do I have to attempt to enjoy myself with my grandma going into the hospital? My mother had told me gram was fine. She may have had a minor stroke, but they would know more once they ran more tests. It made sense to go on the cruise. There was not much I could do for her, in Florida, while she was in the hospital in New York. My logical side took over and the decision was made to put our heads down and have a good time.

M was not happy about not having her new outfits. To her defense the outfits were at our doorstep when we returned, and they were really nice looking. She looks good, in anything, anyway. I still can't believe she hangs around with my overweight ass, but I am happy about it.

I thought the drive down was under two hours. I did not press M as we waited for the mailman. As we got closer to Port Canaveral I realized I may have been a bit passive in guaranteeing our on time arrival. The ship leaves at 4:30. They said we have to be boarded by 3 PM. It was 2:45 and we were not yet close enough to even be sure we knew where we were going.

We could see two ships. One of them was ours, this much I was sure of. There were two exits, one for piers 1-10, and tho other for 11-18, or something. We did not know which exit to take. I drove past the first exit and almost immediately wished I had not. As I went by I could see how the road wound around and went on right towards the ships.

Shoot.

U-turn off next exit.

Driving too fast now. I slow down and tell M to relax. M is thinking they won't let us on the boat. I am secretly thinking "good because I don't even know if this is a good idea or not". Of course, I keep this to myself.

I instead calm her by saying there is no way they won't let us on the ship. It doesn't even leave for another hour and a half. Be cool, sweetie.

We follow the signs and proceed through the parking lot arriving at the baggage drop at almost exactly 3 PM. Michelle flies out of the car and the baggage man, a portly, older, black man smiled at her and said "relax, slow down, you have plenty of time. You are here to relax ma'am."

I slip him a couple dollars and ask him where I should park. He points out an open spot quite close to where we are. Everything is fine. Crisis averted.

We go through customs. They don't check anything. There are no lines as I believe we were one of the last few to get on the boat. I think I like this.

We wander around, luggage in tow, and spot a place to buy a week long "soda pass". It cost six dollars per day. My cousin had told me to get one because it allows you to have all the juice and soda you want at meals as well as anywhere on the boat including the private island we would be spending one day at later on the trip. We got two, one for each of us.

They make it very easy for you to pay as you go. You are given a "sea pass" card. This allows you to charge anything you wish to purchase to a credit card allowing you to not carry your wallet or even any cash. It's also your room key and the key piece of identification when disembarking or getting back on the boat. This allows you to be as frugal as you wish to be. It is quite convenient.

When you purchase the soda passes you also receive two large refillable cups. You don't need these cups to get the unlimited soda but they are nice to have out by the pool. The only reason I mention these cups is because we lost one of them the very first evening. We were sure it was gone forever. Nice investment, that was.

We found our room, and boy was it small. You know what though? It had everything one would need. You spend almost NO time in your room other than to sleep, or do other intimate things, usually right before or right after sleep, a least for me. So, there you go. The room was small, but the bed was comfortable, and it was a very cozy experience. The bathroom may have been big enough for only one, but there were plenty of mirrors.

The next thing we needed to do was "muster" on the 7th deck. Everything is in decks, because it's a ship, and if you say "floors" they sort of look at you like you are a bit slow. It ended up taking me two solid days and nights to finally figure out the quickest way to get around the ship. I mean, stuff like this is how I know I'm not very smart.

After mustering, and everyone being accounted for, they pushed off from the dock. We made our way out of Port Canaveral, and out into the Atlantic. We were bound for Nassau, Bahamas and would arrive there in the morning for our first port of call.

Eventually M and I stumbled upon the Ante Up Poker magazine's Welcome Party. There were appetizers and free drinks. I decided to partake in both, as did the wife. We listened to Scott Long, publisher of the magazine, talk about some things. He introduced some gentleman who had won a World Series of Poker bracelet. He introduced the poker dealers that were on the trip. He talked about some other things, but I don't remember. I was drinking, and eating, and still taking it all in.

I heard him mention the hours the poker room would be open, and it was more than adequate. Lately I had been running bad. I had a few losing sessions. I had also played badly the last time I had sat down in a game. I really wasn't in the mood to grind out any kind of long ass poker sessions. I was looking way more forward to having fun.

I believe, but do not quote me, that there were like a thousand people on the cruise. 200 or so were here because of Ante Up. Ante Up had reserved two conference rooms to act as poker rooms. They brought very competent dealers to deal their cash and tournament games. They ran the games well, and stayed on top of things like good room managers should do.

The only criticism I would have was the proximity of the tables to each other in the cash game room. The second day an older gentleman went down when a woman tried to move in her chair so he could get by. Instead she picked up the back legs of the chair and put one of them down square on his big toe. He went down and gave a yell that sounded like he had been shot. As he went down he also scraped his arm on something. He was bleeding a little bit. I think they removed a table after that incident. They may have just rearranged them, I don't know, it seemed like there was more room after that man went down.

I won a little bit that first night playing 2-5 nl hold em. I didn't play for very long as the game was not that great. A couple of winners had changed games, and a couple of losers had gone to lick their wounds. I was winning, but I was card dead. I had an intense toothache that had been building throughout the day. So, I quit and went to bed. M was tired anyhow, it worked out nicely.

Another troubling thing was the only reason I made any money that night was because I put $300 in the pot, on the flop, with a flush draw. I was called by two pair and top pair, top kicker. It was a good gambling situation, and I hit it. I was not getting the good starting hands to really gamble very much, however. That, and the month to this point had not been very good. This was still not quite a vacation for me even though I wanted one desperately. It's like this ongoing battle I have with myself, and quite often. Sometimes card playing becomes work, and everyone knows work is not play.

M and I went to bed, a very cozy bed. I was liquored up, body numb, and very exhausted. Did I mention the bed was cozy?

I'm going to stop for now because I am sick of writing. I'll continue tomorrow, or sometime soon, with our arriving in Nassau, and our stroll down Bay Street. Never a dull moment as there was actual gun play, or near gun play, I suppose.

Codsey out.

I Think They Mean Well

Hey everyone, or no one, whatever it may be. Norton here, your self appointed Emperor of these, The United States of America. Congress did not listen. I asked them, politely, to please return home so we could install a more people oriented government. Of course they would not go.

You know how they are. They believe the bills they pass and the policies they enact are for the good of the people. I hope no one has any more sinister ideas. So, if they are doing what they believe to be best, and we elected them, then why all the hub-bub, bub?

Well, it may be that a large number of people did not exactly realize the route that was going to be taken to make things better for all of us. The economy seemed to be working along like a mirage that seems to never get nearer. It was chugging feverishly while interest rates came down, and people spent like never before. George Bush was the new president, elected among "questionable" supreme court decisions. So many people felt like the election was stolen. Polarization was strong.

But, one September morning everything changed. Islamic radicals slammed two jets into the twin towers, and another into the pentagon. Except for the suicidal bravery of the passengers aboard a fifth, the White House may have been the final target.

Everyone wanted answers. Nearly all wanted action. We wanted revenge upon those who blatantly attacked and murdered our friends, wives, children, and relatives. These enemies of America were unlike others in the past. They kill the innocent. They kill Everyday Joe just trying to make a buck, feed his family and make his way on this planet.

We went to war. People cheered. I was at a Nascar race when it was announced we had begun bombing Al Queda in Afghanistan. I cheered.

We went to War in Iraq. Fewer cheered. Barrack voted against the Iraq war. The evidence suggested Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. It was accepted.

And so began our 9 year, two front war, costing thousands of American lives, thousands of Arabic lives, and billions and billions of dollars. The economy started to slag, a bit. The spending was slowing.

President Bush sent everyone a $600 check. It had the desired effect because people spent that money. Some used it to stay afloat, and some used it for recreation. Either way, it was spent, the economy gasped, put it's head down, and chugged onward.

Interest rates were lowered again, reaching record lows. People had to be encouraged to borrow and spend. The economy grabbed at it's chest, but continued onward. Always forward, always growing.

We found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. We deposed, and eventually put to death one Sadam Hussein. His people rejoiced. Our reason for the war were unfounded, but we had done what needed to be done. Now, we had to rebuild Iraq. We had to let them vote, let them stand for themselves. We had to make them realize freedom is worth fighting for, and to be free meant struggle. The economic costs to the US increased.

The people began to become restless. How could you lie to us, Mr. President? How could you say there were weapons of mass destruction when clearly there were not? How can you spend this money on a war we did not want? How is it the Vice President shot a man while quail hunting? How is it someone threw a shoe at you? You have become a laughing stock on the late night shows Mr. President. We will find a replacement.

And we did. We elected a man who promised Hope and Change. Well, it had to be better than the last 8 years, right? George Bush was made out to be a bumbling fool who could no more make a dinner decision than a decision on the handling of the North Korean nuclear crisis.

We elected the first man of color as the President of the United States of America. A monumental occasion to say the least. At the time I was proud to be an American. While I did not agree with all of Obama's ideologies, I believe him to be a man of honor. Something else happened as well, however. Here is where things begin to get dicey.

Along with Mr. Obama, we also elected the Democrats to control of BOTH the House and the Senate. One step of the checks and balances set forth by our constitution had been derailed. The Presidents policies, as long as he had the backing of the members of congress in his own party, were unstoppable.

Before they got a chance to roll forward something else happened. The bottom fell out of the real estate market. Values of homes began to plummet. Record numbers of people were being foreclosed upon. We were entering into an economic epidemic that has not been seen since the 1930's.

The banks were in trouble. Fannie May and Freddie Mac were on the verge of bankruptcy. Our head economic czars explained to our outgoing and incoming Presidents that we had to save the banks. Both Presidents were explained the situation in detail, I would assume. Both agreed it must be done. TARP was passed, and another 780 billion went into the debt side of the ledger.

The stock market tumbled. People's retirement funds were drying up before their very eyes. They got out of the market, it continued to slide.

The banks were saved. The market leveled and began to climb. We had averted destruction, but were not out of the woods just yet.

The wars continued, the spending went on.

The economy faltered. It could not sustain the weight of it's own lust. People still could not pay their mortgages. No one was buying anything. We were scared. The automobile industry was in serious trouble. We took them under our wings. We, as a people, invested in their businesses. Congress passed Cash for Clunkers. The auto industry leveled. Crisis averted. We were still not yet out of the woods.

The economy did not pick up steam. Businesses were failing. Firings and layoffs were happening to the tune of 800,000 jobs per month. We need jobs!! was the cry of the masses.

Enter the stimulus. Another 800 billion was pumped into the economy. We were convinced by the promise of "shovel ready" projects only needing the funding to put people to work. Well, we've got the funding alright.

The economists in the president's ear said don't worry about deficit spending and the ever increasing debt. Eventually, it will be paid off, we are fine. This 800 billion dollars will save jobs and keep people spending.

Well, there has been some argument as to how many jobs were saved. Mr. Obama recently stated that there weren't any "shovel ready" projects, and in fact there is no such thing. Huh?

The people were becoming extremely restless. How can this spending continue? What future are we leaving to our children?

As though this were not all bad enough the democratic congress and executive branch were feverishly passing their laws and bills in an effort to make things better for all of us. They had a social agenda they were in the process of enacting. First up, Health care.

I can't even talk about it. My favorite quote from the "debates" about health care was Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the house, stating "let's pass the bill first, and then we can find out what is in it." Maybe I'm paraphrasing, I don't know. I was floored.

They passed it. They told us it would save money in the long run. They told us the reforms were necessary and people need to be covered. The people grew more restless.

Most people do not understand how people already paying for health insurance coverage will somehow pay less if we add 20 million non payers to the system. The tea party was created.

Now, the Bush tax cuts are set to expire at the end of this year. The top earners will pay an additional 10% in income taxes. This new number was used to help pay for the new Health care bill. If those tax cuts do not expire, then the revenue to pay for health care is not there.

The tea party went bonkers. They marched on Washington. It was brushed aside and the tea partiers were labeled as extremist and less than intelligent right wing radio listeners. Which brings us to where we are today.

The political races are fun. I have ever heard so many politicians side step the issues on peoples minds. How are you going to put Ray Ray to work so he is not sitting his ass on the sofa playing Call of Duty all day?

You have to ask yourself one basic question.

Do you believe the economy would be better off, that more people would be working, that more money would be moving around, if we tax the rich and have the government redistribute it to the lower classes, OR, if we let the rich keep more of their money and let them choose to either invest it or save it.

If we tax the rich, and the government redistributes it, it does not get invested by the rich. It does not go to research and development. It does not go towards expanding businesses. It does not go towards higher wages for employees. It does not go towards additional benefits. It goes to the government to be spent on what they see as fit.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure the national government has good intentions on how to use that money. But the middle class does not get any of it. It skips us.

If we don't get any of it, and it skips us to go directly to whatever plan the government has for it, then how are we going to pay the fines, fees, and taxes lumped on us by our local and state governments because they too are in a financial disaster? $200 per car registration in the state of Florida? Who would have thought?

How are we going to spend money on goods and services so this country climbs out of this damned recession if we don't have it to spend? How are we going to continue to support the current social programs if we, meaning the middle class, do not get to at least hold the money even if just for a little while?

It's Reaganomics v. Obamanomics. What do you believe?

I would honestly like to see the entire system overhauled. I think it is an inefficient and non cost productive way to provide for a nation's needy. How is it this great country can continue to slide south in the area of education? Could it be the system, with the current sociological set up of our inner cities, does not achieve the desired results?

What about feeding the poor? Our current system is not cost effective. There are better ways than food stamps and soup kitchens. Would it cost more to simply have the government make basic necessities FREE FOR ALL? Of course, it is not free. Taxpayers pay for everything.

How about the IRS and the current tax system? Is there not a more cost effective, more efficient way to collect and distribute tax revenue? There MUST be. What about a progressive national sales tax? Let the businesses collect it for the government, and cut out a large part of a very fat middle man.

I was at the car wash the other day. There was a police car in front of me. His wash cycle was taking a long time. He had purchased "the works" to clean his mean machine. "The works" cost 10 dollars. That is an average price for our area of Florida, and it took him about 15 minutes to complete it. Well, what if we paid a guy 15$ per hour to wash TWO police cars ever hour? I know it is probably not that easy, but it might be. Multiply that savings by a thousand counties, and multiply it again by 52 weeks, and that is quite a savings, and quite a large group of new employees.

I am sure there are brilliant people out there, in our public sector, that have many ideas. As long as saving money and creating jobs is the goal than how can it be wrong?

This election cycle, as your sitting there thinking about things, and as your mind turns to the state of things to come, concentrate on the issues. Concentrate on how each candidate plans to help make things better. Understand the how and why of what they want to accomplish.

It's easy to talk about who is a witch, and who called who a whore. Focusing on the important issues becomes almost impossible some times. Try. Really try.

Think about how you believe things work, and what overall strategies seem better than others, and then find the candidates in your area that think as you do. There may not be many.

Right now we need people collecting a paycheck. Just vote. Do it.

Norton out.