Weekend Wrapup

Wouldn’t say it was a fun-filled weekend.  Not that there was anything majorly wrong with it, just “fun-filled” doesn’t seem like a very accurate term.

Got to play some poker Friday night, which was almost called off due to Meron relapsing into sickness again.  But there was little I could do for her, so I got Benjamin ready for bed and off I went.  Might as well have stayed at home, it’d have saved me $15.

I tried to go for the aggressiveness angle that I did last time and early on it was working.  At least once I bluffed a pot when two threes came on the flop and I bet heavy, acting like I had a three when I didn’t.  The aggressiveness really started to burn me, though, as the pots got bigger.

For instance, I had a pair of queens and I bet it hard since I was in the dealer position.  Jason, in big blind, called.  Flop comes low, no face cards.  I bet big, Jason raises me.  I know, KNOW, that he has pocket kings or pocket aces.  But I talk myself into “maybe he just has A-K” and call.  When he bets big again after the turn, I fold, which I should have done earlier without depleting my stack.

The next time, I’m small blind and it folds around to me.  I try to run Joe off by betting big with A-3.  He calls, which doesn’t mean a ton from Joe.  The flop comes A-Q-X, and I bet my pair of aces.  Joe raises me big, and I have to lay it down.  Turns out he had A-Q, so it’s a good thing I did, but it still dropped the chip stack.

My final hand was the same situation.  Small blind, folded around to me.  I was hoping Joe didn’t have a hand so I went all in with K-5.  Unfortunately, he had the chips and an A-9, so he called.  A 9 came up on the flop and nothing else, so I was dealing.  I didn’t go out until 11:30 or so, but I was the first out, giving me my first Joker since the third game of the year, which is a major improvement over the 4-5 last place finishes I had last year.

Meron went to the doctor Saturday morning and found out that she likely had a virus that was going around, though it could be a bacteria that had similar symptoms.  If she wasn’t better by today, she was supposed to take one of those one-time antibiotics, which most likely would have torn her up.  Thankfully, last night she seemed to have turned the corner and is improving.  Which is wonderful not only for her but for me.  I love her, but she’ll admit she’s pretty high-maintenance when she’s sick, so between taking care of her and Benjamin, well, I just might need this Thanksgiving break!

I won’t have to incur the wrath of the “Angry Pilgrim,” whom I’ve been told visits those that put their lights up before Thanksgiving.  I noticed two houses in my neighborhood not only have them up, but are turning them on.  I definitely don’t believe in turning them on until Thanksgiving!  I didn’t get a chance, due to Meron being sick, to get out and get things ready for the lights, so I’m guessing that’ll be a Friday and Saturday project.  I need to probably pick up some new ones, since I didn’t put up any last year with us going to Ohio for the holiday.

Speaking of, I guess we’ll be watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving this week.  I can’t believe Halloween got by without watching It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and I know we have to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas every year.  The wife won’t have it any other way.

I read this weekend that the Cards have told the agent for Brian Giles that they are focusing on pitching.  I know everyone says that “you can’t have too much pitching,” “pitching and defense wins championships,” etc.  And there is truth in those statements.  However, if you don’t hit good pitching, you aren’t winning either.  The Cards need an impact bat, in my opinion, to slide into the 2 hole in front of Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen.  So what are they thinking?

Well, to be sure, A.J. Burnett is quite a talent.  Could he be reined in enough for a Cardinal clubhouse and a LaRussa-led staff?  Would he listen to Duncan and get some of that wildness out of his system?  (The pitching wildness, I mean.  I’m not sure Duncan is much on trying to get his pitchers to stop partying.)

My read on the situation is this:  Walt Jocketty most likely has a deal in place for an outfielder, assuming he can sign Burnett.  It probably involves Marquis and another player.  The outfielder is likely younger and cheaper than Giles.  I’d love to think it’s a player like Austin Kearns, who I think would thrive in St. Louis and in this lineup.

Looking forward to seeing my friends this weekend.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Shively and Andy, and though I saw Bob a month or so ago, it’s always good to see him as well.  Not sure who else will be around this weekend, though Bryan’s promised to try to drop by with that new wife of his, which I’m looking forward to meeting.  Aren’t the holidays grand?