Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[MereNovice]

Nice Sig, Mr Mere.

Frequent poster, now. bis in die

I came up with that "Sig" over twenty years ago. If I had copyrighted it, I would be a rich man now. Some coffee franchise seems to have "nicked it". I was particularly proud of it at the time.

There are some things that I do twice a day but I can't promise that posting here will be one of them.

[tikay]

Nice Sig, Mr Mere.

Frequent poster, now. bis in die

I came up with that "Sig" over twenty years ago. If I had copyrighted it, I would be a rich man now. Some coffee franchise seems to have "nicked it". I was particularly proud of it at the time.

There are some things that I do twice a day but I can't promise that posting here will be one of them.

Wise choice of sig, but I suspect it may pre-date even you. Slightly.

[RED-DOG]

I'm pink, therefore I'm spam.

[MereNovice]

I'm pink, therefore I'm spam.

Like it.

I'm not sure about being predated with Bibo ergo sum - I'm pretty old.

[sofa----king]

Tony
what's the structure ect for the sky thingy on the 24 th July
also how do I buy in ect

[RED-DOG]

Tony
what's the structure ect for the sky thingy on the 24 th July
also how do I buy in ect

 

[tikay]

Tony
what's the structure ect for the sky thingy on the 24 th July
also how do I buy in ect

Ahh, at last, come in James Fisher. Direct buy-ins are not available, it's Online Qualification only.

Ring me on Tuesday, bud, & I'll discuss it with you. Have to careful what I say here.

Taxi for James Fisher, Taxi for James Fisher.

[RED-DOG]

Have to careful what I say here.

Me too....         

[tikay]

Well, that's it, the long wait for this year's Vegas trip is over, & I set off at 6am in the morning for the Virgin flight ex-Gatters.

I got confirmation that I had the gig way back in Jan or Feb, & was delighted, since when I've just kept my head down & tried to do my job as well as I'm able. It's an expensive do to send me out there, return flights in Premium Economy, a Room/Suite at the Rio for 15 or 16 days, per diems, etc., & I think this is the 7th year in 8 I've done Vegas. Never take these things for granted, I love the annual Vegas trip, despite loathing the City itself.

Been a bit hectic getting ready for it.

Spent Monday at Big Sky, & had lunch with a friend/suit from Sky Sports. I was curious as to why Andy Gray & Rich Keys did the SS World Cup coverage from Los Angeles of all places, & she enlightened me. We also discussed ITV's World Cup coverage, upon which we both held "views". We usually meet once a fortnight, & dine in the Restaurant/Canteen, but we went for a barbecue instead.  The Sky Group have some most creative ways of looking after their staff.

I was not exactly thrilled when she suggested the barby, as my memories of them involve eyes stinging from smoke, alcohol over-indulgence, & small-talk, but it was fine, & we nattered away for an age. Very pleasant.

Played Online from my Hotel in the evening, & at Midnight, after my PTP shift ended, drove back home, arriving at 2.45am.

Messed around at home on Tuesday morning, sorted the cat, got some new clothes, & was back in Feltham by 5pm, worked Online again until Midnight.

Was in the office at 6am this morning, have cleared an absolute mountain of paperwork, sorted my desk out, too, then went into the Studio at 1.15pm, & recorded "The Club", "Cash Unlimited", "Primo Final", & "Cash Unlimited", & we finished at about 7.15pm, & I've been playing Online this evening. On Wednesday's I have two tikay-badged Tourneys, so could not miss them. No luck in either. Also wrote two Blogs today, one for the Site, & another which is for a "Staff Only" Sky-Bet Website.

Managed to get 14 more "followers" signed up to my Twitter page, in readiness for Vegas-based WSOP Tweets, & registered 77 clicks on my bit-link. not spectacular, but solid enough.

Will pack when I get back to the Hotel, & that'll be that. As long as I don't oversleep in the morning.

[tikay]

Went for my final weigh-in on Sunday, & came in bang on the number - 11st 7lbs. Was absolutely made up.

The last 18lbs took 8 weeks to shed, but it was never difficult. I'm completely mystified by the mumbo-jumbo I read & hear about dieting, there are books, websites, crackpot theories. Eat better, cut the crap, zero-tolerance, job done.

I decided to remain on the Diet until Thursday, so I can better enjoy my symbolic fried brekkie at Gatters tomorrow, which I promised myself 4 months ago.

But I eased up, & have reverted to "normal" latte consumption, & have upped my food intake, but only more of the same, no junk, no carbs. They can wait until tomorrow. In a weird way, I'm missing the "hard" diet already, I really loved the challenge, as I'm normally so weak-willed.

So it's goodbye Mr Diet-Bore, &, almost certainly, upon my return from Vegas, hello to the "I packed-up smoking" bore.

[AndrewT]

I was curious as to why Andy Gray & Rich Keys did the SS World Cup coverage from Los Angeles of all places, & she enlightened me.

Sky Sports has World Cup coverage?

That was money well spent.

[tikay]

Had so many "good luck", "enjoy", "be safe" texts & e-Mails today, I'm quite touched.

A very emotional moment tonight, when a dear friend approached me a little awkwardly, & handed me one of those posh gift bags. It was his way of saying "thank you", he's had a torrid time recently, & I just did what any mate would do, gave him some time, & chatted. The gift was "only" £30 or £40 or whatever, but he's not right flush at the mo. I was nearly in tears, so was he. Grown up men, eh?

The pressie was a Boxed CD set by Bill Bryson, "At Home", which I will really enjoy on long journeys, & I believe you can play these things on Computers, so I can listen while pokering.

It's a 14 (fourteen!) CD set, so must be days of listening on them - seems great value, & what a superb gift idea.

[tikay]

I was curious as to why Andy Gray & Rich Keys did the SS World Cup coverage from Los Angeles of all places, & she enlightened me.

Sky Sports has World Cup coverage?

That was money well spent.

It was Sky Sports News stylee, just comment & blathering from what I saw. But in the corner of the screen there was this weird "LIVE from LA" thingie, which intrigued me. It was some sort of Fox News tie-up, I gather.

[tikay]

I was a little premature with my harsh judgement of the Chris Evans book the other day, it's better than I suggested.The writing style is just like his talking style, & it's hard to adjust to that after reading, say, Bill Curling's wonderfully polished style.

But he tells it as it is, & is far more humble & self-deprecating than I ever realised. He works hard, too, too prepare for his Shows. He's messed up a lot of things, & accepts it, no excuses.

The Chapters are way too short to get absorbed in, but I'll finish it, I think. Quickly, though.

3 out of 10, then.

[tikay]

I am forever exercised by the difficulty of wearing competing hats, in this case, blonde, SP, & DTD. It IS very awkward.

Over the last week, I've been able to rationalise this a bit, & so I went to the Mods last night & made a request/proposal, which they accepted without any dissent, &, it seemed to me, much enthusiasm.

It's a bit complex, so I'm going to Post my proposal to them on here in a mo, subject to some edits which are necessary for purposes of discretion.

I hope it all makes sense.