I find myself being exceptionally chipper although I wanted to sleep in this a.m. and instead, found my eyes popping open at 6:45.  Umnhhhh!  No reason for it, my little place was chilly, my bed was toasty, but I hopped up and started my day.

I had heard, via a very reliable source, that they had heard Amir Vahedi had passed the night before at the Golden Nugget.  Today it was confirmed.  I didn’t deal to Amir much because he mainly came in during tournament time (unless that changed over the last few years since I left the hot seat dealer’s seat.  I won’t claim that we were friends or that I knew him well, I did not.  But he was never a bump in the road of a dealer’s life.  He always said hello and had a big smile and I can NEVER remember him grumbling or getting out of line. Poker needs more players like him. I am sorry his life was cut short.

*****

Out on the desert tromping grounds there are some quad runner/4X wheel/dirt back trails and roads.  About three weeks ago we had a rain that filled ever crevice and rut with water – water that is still standing in a very few spots on some of the trails (it’s dirty ice in the early a.m.).  We didn’t hike in the desert for about 10 days, waiting for it dry out, and when we did, we found a rabbit hole…a damned big one…right in one of the 4X wheel roads.  It appeared as if someone had driven over the very edge of it and that started a slight cave-in effect on the road side of the hole.  It’s a sink hole.  All of this is on BLM land and I have no idea if they care about it or not.  It’s quite dangerous for someone on a motor bike or quad – possibly even in a 4X if they aren’t paying attention.

The first picture is the area its in, the 2nd is the road bed, the third is the hole (obviously)…about 4 or more feet deep from what I can tell.  Another rain and it should be a real fissure.

Today is my first day of taking a break from hiking and/or biking in seven days.  I started the serious exercise routine on the 26th of December, took off the 31st and 1st and have been hot on it ever since – except today.  Don’t worry, when jumping on the Wii fit board to check out my BMI and weight, I gained 2 1/2 fucking pounds.  Sure, it’d better be muscle.  I haven’t upped my food intake, as a matter of fact, I’m eating cleaner and less than I have in years.  Just seeing some teensy bit of change on the lighter side would be good.  I’m irritated.  But I’m not giving up, that popping fresh dough wad is going to go.

*****

And as far as poker, Andy Beal hit Bellagio the other night.  A friendly little $1K/2k limit holdem game that turned into a 2K/4k with Jennifer Harman, David Levy, Eli Elezra, and Craig Singer.  I’m really glad I’m not dealing but it would be nice to see Craig and Andy again.  As far as seeing the other three?  I just did, they were at Suzie and Howard’s New Year’s Eve party.

I’m still playing my little 50c/$1.00 game – now I’m playing it on Full Tilt Poker too…and Absolute.  Fun – fun – fun.