I like quickies...

Not much to say this day/week. Off to Archon 40 Convention first thing Friday. Should be awesome, with writers, artists, cosplayers, balls (OK, dances/masquerades), gaming and so much more. I need a break ... as long as this cold doesn't flare back up!

Last week's football tips went pretty well. Came out ahead, though no biggie. This week I would say key your parlays with Cincinnati, which should cover tonight. Upset of the weekend will be the 49ers over Dallas straight up. The Shamster is 1-0 on those; thank you Atlanta!

My old phone gets a reprieve until November. That's OK. I'm a bad, slow, dumb shopper. Still dunno what's best. Wish they had phones and services you could rent for a week and try out. Makes too much sense though. Burners don't get net access, do they? And that's what I want/need.

I'll be Brad in Saturday's late "Rocky Horror" showing at Archon. Leaving the fishnets home; Brandy or Jim can be that character.

Measly no-cash 5th in the PLO tournament just over, a private event by Gotta Talk Poker forum at BCP. And I'd been running so well lately in GTP's low-entry tourneys. Oh well. Lots to do before this weekend's trip!

And counting the days till Vegas!!! Get ready for me! Any suggestions where a good place to watch El Clasico on Dec. 4 in Las Vegas, a fan friendly bar with spirited supporters of Real and Barca? Viva Renaldo!

Who's keeping track?

Did I say once a day or once a month?

Wish Doyle and Vanessa would stop warring. Be nice! Turn the other cheeks! Set good examples!

I hate these colds that last over a week. I hate mornings.

Is it yesterday yet?

Best bets of the NFL day straight-up: Miami, Dallas, Green Bay, Carolina. Add Baltimore or Tampa Bay for a good 5er, even if doesn't pay a whole lot. Best longshot of the weekend; Atlanta, I see it winning outright Monday.

Don't ask me about the big Exaggerator-Nyquist horse race showdown Saturday. Wha' happened guys!?!?

Go Cardinals. Baseball. Bought NLDS tickets last night, so now they gotta survive to go up against the Cubbies next month ...

Friday night (although ill) I went to a wonderful retrospective at Fontbonne University on the sculpture work of the late Jaye Gregory. Great show. Made me miss the artist/teacher/friend even more.

See ya tomorrow. If I translate right, in dog days that's mid-October...

And away we go ...

OK, I am back. Promise at least one post a day from here until December (would say end-of-year, but with a trip and holidays, I can't guarantee month 12). Even if it's just a sentence or 4, I'll get something out.

My primary inspiration is that plans are finally stepping up on the World Poker Blogger Tour annual gathering the first weekend of December in Las Vegas. Much more info popping up in the related Facebook groups, including organizers starting to plan last-longer teams for the big Saturday event at Aria. Gotta find teammate(s). If anyone will have this forgetful old codger. Gotta figure how to get in touch with people. Hope Al and Pauly and CK and the oldtimers attend. I haven't been to WPBT gather in almost a decade...

Before my week in Vegas is a weekend at the Archon 40 Convention in Collinsville, IL, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Second time I've attended it, this time going for a fuller experience. Look forward to many writing and editing tips at workshops, plus all the parties and dances and cosplayers and gamers and Marvel comics maniacs. And a Rocky Horror show the Friday night. I need this break.

Then back to poker and Vegas planning. My goal this trip (besides lining up a job writing sports book tickets for William Hill, Caesars or someone) is to improve on the 4th-place, $800 cash in a Golden Nugget bounty  tournament on my Fourth of July trip to Sin City (I love that town!).

I'll be staying at the Stratosphere. Finally getting some good communications from the Strat folks about my stay; hate being ignored or given a runaround.

Thinks are mostly looking up ...