Yodelaehoo!

Weatherwise, it's a wee bit of a bleak day here on the cliffs overlooking the oozing Mississippi. I was just watching chunks of wannabe icebergs (barely big enough to fill a night's worth of AlCantHang libations) float down the river before taking refuge here in the warm library of Principia College. Too cold outside to enjoy the peace and the view and the energy of the surrounding wilderness.

The aforementioned bleakness is only in the weather. Yes, the shamster is a tropical beast at heart, you understand. But coming up here to the campus in Elsah, Ill., about 12 minutes' drive ($27 cabfare) up the River Highway from Alton ... Ah, coming up here to Prinicipia has been one of my favorite working getaways for the past 8 or so years.

I call this place "Little Switzerland", because the campus truly looks like a village you'd find in the Swiss Alps. Tiny Elsah, at the foot of the cliffs on which the campus sprawls, well, you've seen this town in the dictionary next to the definition of "quaint." And Prinicipia, a Christian Science (I think) college, is peaceful, friendly, vibrant yet quiet, open (despite the security guard's kiosk at the campus entrance) and open-minded. I'm spiritual, not religious, but I do like it here. Even if they didn't pay their art figure models better than most universities and groups, it's still worth the long trip from home (bus, train, bus, bus, cab -- say 3 1/2 hours, not counting the time spent goofing, sightseeing and sipping coffee in Alton).

On the poker front, I've been reading blogs. Mookie has a sensational caption contest that I think I was just too late to get into. Boo. You can access his blog and the scary photo through the link in the blogs list at right. (Someday I'll learn how to do direct links in my copy; ah well...). AlCantHang gives a hilarious recount of Thursday night's Riverchasers Tournament through his bloodshot eyes. And Doyle Brunson has a new entry; I hope his doctor's visit goes well, I hate doctors (and dentists and lawyers oh my!). Well, most d d & l's; there are a few good ones (being good includes reading shamster's blog).

I head back to online poker-playing this weekend; I'm eager, and hungry for success. There are Poker Analysis Buy-In League games Saturday morning (PokerStars) and Sunday evening (Nordica); I need good showings if I'm to defend my monthly title; am currently resting 20 points behind leader DCIAssassin with 3 games to go. Saturday night is the Aces Cracked $11 weekly game at PokerStars; password is "acescracked" and it's at 2100 ET under "private tournaments", if you're brave enough to join the masters. I also might try the first step in qualifying for the NBC Heads-Up Championship at PStars this weekend. And Doyle's Room has some quickie freerolls; gotta get my bankroll over $2 so I'll have the minimum to invade the ring games. And Nationwide Poker Tour Online has its Sunday night game at Bodog, if you want more challenges and good competition. A normal busy weekend of eeny-meeny-miney-mo and lofty expectation$.

For now, one hour till work time, I'm warm enough to head back out cliffside. Gonna eat my sack lunch and watch the river and its baby icebergs flow past down below. Maybe practice a yodel or two. Wish I knew how to spell that "yodelaehoo", though; my writing skills have really atrophied. And cantankerous fingers (it's the keyboard's fault!!) don't help. But I'm moving along.

Peace love and happiness...

"Mrs. Brown You've Got A ..."

If the title rings a chime, you know what I'm up to tonight.

No poker today. Five hours of modelling at Webster University, first for a regular figure class and then (I love this group) for Webster theatre students who are forced -- er, "required" -- to take a figure drawing class to help them with (I guess) their actors' poses, lighting insights, costuming thoughts and whatever else goes through a thespian's mind. Being a once and future thespian myself ... Any explanations, Falstaff?

After the classes, a friend and I are hitting a Herman's Hermits concert at Ameristar in nearby St. Charles. Saw Peter Noonan and friends two or three years ago; he's old (who isn't?), but he's still got it. Flashbacks are fun!! Especially with short-skirted waitresses bringing the drinks. After the show, those poker tables at Ameristar are awfully tempting ...

Road day Friday of modelling and mischief in Illinois (Alton area north of St. Louis, to be semi-specific) coming up. Then it's back to the faux felt on the weekend -- after a few days away I'll be more than ready!

Congrats ck on taking out Mookie in his game last night and realizing one of your '08 resolutions! Any bloggers who want a link to their blog in my alphabetical list at right, let me know. And have a great day!!! "Something tells me I'm in to something good..."

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year everybody!!!!!!!!!

Whaddaya mean, NYE was over 3 weeks ago? Hey, I been busy! Winning, learning, working, playing the Absolute Poker 150K guarantee last Saturday, trying to remember my blogger password, ...

Anyways, I'm back, and I'm posting. Every day. Whether you like it or not. Whether I like it or not... (Sure hope posting doesn't act as a jinx to the hot streak I've been on the last month. Now I gotta sign up for ePassporte (sigh! shiver!!) so I can get some of the money offline.)

That's it for now. Working everyday this week. Last game I played was early Tuesday afternoon at Full Tilt, and I won me a $26 token. Sorry katitude (pokerkat.blogspot.com), wish you coulda won one, too; fun playing with ya as always, though!

Next action for me will be late late Friday night ... maybe. Then for sure a hectic weekend, including Quick Draw Free Rolls at Doyle's Room (read The Man's blog, link at right) and National Heads-Up qualifying at PokerStars. And the usual leagues. Shuffle up and keep dealing!