Laxie through the Looking Glass

[Laxie]

All house laundry nearly done and they've been given strict instructions not to leave a full lot of it for me when I get back.  No reason why they can't do one wee load a day to help keep on top of it.  Not holding out huge hope, but I've put the memo out there...fingers crossed.

Packing nearly done too.  As I'm checking a bag this trip I can pack way more than I'll actually need.  It's the old 'just in case' syndrome.  Gets me every time.

Next I must print off flights tickets which will be of abso no use when I get to the airport because their scanner is never able to read my printer copies.  Yes, I'll mention this at check in during my first visit of the day.  And they'll duly ignore me.  I'll check my bag, head up for security and be refused entry because their scanner can't read my ticket.  No shit.  Then they'll send me back down to the check in desk to be issued a hand written ticket.  Cheers.

When I head back to check in to collect what I told them I'd need in the first place, they'll greet me with a smile and write out said ticket without hassle.  Truth be told, deep down they're probably laughing hysterically and trying to muzzle their amusement.  They know I've still to get through security - and we all know how well I do with that!

While I was typing all of this out, it occurred to me I've no idea where my passport's stashed at the minute.  With all the cleaning done around here in the last week, I would have thought I'd stumble across it at one point or another.  Damn.  That's just hit top of the 'to do' list.  

[Laxie]

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii - passport found!!!  [ ] never in doubt.   

Was tearing round the place looking for it when Sinéad walked in. 

"Mom, what are ya doing?  Yer like something possessed." 

"I'm trying to find me fecking passport!"

A minute or two later, she arrives with the passport.  "This one?" 

Last week when I was tidying the house, I grabbed hold of the passport and put it in a safe place.  But I made a point of telling Sinéad where that place was in case I forgot.  Good job someone around here was paying attention at the time, because I sure as heck wasn't.

[Laxie]

Tomorrow night's dinner in the oven now.  Stocked up on groceries for the crew and dog food for Lily and Cassie.  That'll hold the lot over while I'm gone.  Just need to do a bit of ironing and I'm good to go tomorrow.  Really looking forward to what should be a most excellent trip!  Brace yerselves....she's nearly there.

[boldie]

Immense updates Laxie, a joy to read this diary (even though some of it is remarkably sad news)

[Laxie]

Immense updates Laxie, a joy to read this diary (even though some of it is remarkably sad news)

Glad you're enjoying it me ol' hairy midget. 

At first I'd intended to keep it all light and fun as that's how ye mainly see me...laughing and messing about.  But figured no harm showing both sides of the coin now and then as it's real life.  That said, despite the bumps along the way...I reckon I've it pretty good. 

[Laxie]

One area I don't run very good with (apart from airport security) is household laundry.  Got through the lot and was tackling the ironing.  Quite pleased with meself for getting through it.  As I was nearing the end, I noticed a distinct lack of clothes belonging to Brian.  So when he landed home I asked him, "Brian...please tell me you didn't leave all your uni clothes in your suitcase when ya saw me doing the laundry?" 

I had it all divided into piles (darks, lights, colours, etc.) along the upstairs hall floor.  It was like an obstacle course to get from one end to the other.   There was NO WAY anyone could miss it.  With that in mind, his reply..."Ummmm, I forgot."

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I'm not done doing laundry yet.  Sigh.

[TightEnd]

1pm Newcastle

Ducks, fags, Jacks and Lax...............


The festivities start early before the 5 a side football

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

What a fab week-end!!!  A lovely bunch of people and we had such a laugh.  Will gather meself for proper updates and a few photos later today, but was deffo another one for the memory bank.

[Dingdell]

What a fab week-end!!!  A lovely bunch of people and we had such a laugh.  Will gather meself for proper updates and a few photos later today, but was deffo another one for the memory bank.

I was pleased to hear you got a medal (wtf) but devastated you were not at the paddy Poker gig. Would have loved to see you railing in the background of the live feed!

[Laxie]

What a fab week-end!!!  A lovely bunch of people and we had such a laugh.  Will gather meself for proper updates and a few photos later today, but was deffo another one for the memory bank.

I was pleased to hear you got a medal (wtf) but devastated you were not at the paddy Poker gig. Would have loved to see you railing in the background of the live feed!

Was a coin flip tbh once I binked that Laddys tipping comp.  But being the tight git that I am...decided it made more sense to play lots of poker tourneys in Newcastle with lots of friends, then to play just one side event (for the same price) with only a few friends.  How was I to know those few would tear up the main event at the Open!  lol  

Yeah, the rail would have been unreal in Dublin, but have to say - Newcastle was surprisingly unreal too.  And no clue how, but I haz an APAT medal now.  

[Laxie]

Newcastle isn't a place I'm generally keen to head for.  It's a proper pain in the backside to get to for a start.  Add fruit loop locals into the mix who like having full on brawls in the streets after their few drinks and it's a big no thanks from me.  That said, this was an APAT event and I'd lots of dear friends going so would be a shame to miss it. 

Getting there turned out to be grand.  Enter my guardian angel, Ger, and all was sorted.  Flew over on the Wednesday night and hitched a drive with he and the wee man to Newcastle Thursday morning.  We arrived at the football pitch around 1pm and were met by some of the early arrivals, including Tighty who framed me in the picture above.  That's the tale I'm going with anyway. 

The football was a random thing someone threw into the mix.  Yeah, I know - wtf was I thinking playing football?  No worries.  'Play' would be a very loose term to be fair.  Can confirm...I'm deffo rubbish in goals.  Least after a fair bit of JD anyway.  Never mind.  Was good fun.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

With the footy done and dusted, it was time to dust ourselves off at the hotel with showers and a change before heading to the casino for the first of the team events. 

A few lead ups to the event - Glenn (Bigfella) started it with this...

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11827701/getting-ready-for-newcastle

Then Ger came out with this one...





I was playing for the Ireland A team which had Ger Smyth Jr., myself, John Murray (Captain) and Brian Frew

Click to see full-size image.

Ireland's B team had Ger Smyth Sr. (Captain), Maxine McKinlay, David Pilkington and Des of the Duffy's 

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

After going through the rest of the Day 1 pics, yer getting no more from that.  I was grinning like an eejit all night ffs.  Good thing it was an entertaining night, because I played pure rubbish throughout.  No question.

Anyway, bring on Day 2 and a quieter Laxie.  Did genuinely try me best on Friday and was just getting fierce unlucky, but managed to scrape through enough points to finally help the team a bit. 

By the time all was said and done, Ireland A team had managed the bronze.  We haz medals.

Click to see full-size image.

England's B team got the silver

Click to see full-size image.

And last but also first - Wales A team took down the gold

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

PS Credit and thanks to APAT updates for the pics because we'd have none if ye counted on me.   

[Laxie]

Saturday kicked off Day one of the UK Amateur Championship.  Was playing well for a really long time.  Mostly by not being at the table often.  I'd gather a few chips in a hand or two, walk away for a bit (sometimes up to 30 minutes), then sit back down long enough to gather more. 

The APAT people on my table knew not to get involved when I was in a hand because I either had it or was hitting well when I put chips in.  The Newcastle locals weren't so convinced and paid me off for ages. 

Granted, I did manage one binktastic moment that nearly saw me getting thumped by a Newcastle woman who resembled a poodle.  Least that's what all the Lads were saying.  I had a feeling she was at it and the flop scared her, so a goodly lot of chips got in there on the flop.  On the turn the rest went in. 

She was 'kind of' at it on the flop.  All diamonds and an over to her pair of 9's.  She'd no diamond and while I'd only a pair of 8's pre...one of them was a diamond.  I'd a gut feeling I'd get there in the end and there were just too many chips in the middle when she shoved the 9 turn for me to fold.  I'd have been down to dust and I just knew I'd get there.  River a diamond, obv.  She went abso mental at me for busting her set of 9's and threw her last couple of chips round the place before storming off in a huff.

All the while, myself and Ger stayed off the drink.  We really were trying to take it serious and we were up there with the chip leaders.  That's when Rich walked over to my table and handed me this...

Click to see full-size image.