Update:
Been back from Florida for almost two weeks now. Yesterday I was driving to visit family and the thermometer read -2 f. But screw the cold so let's talk about Florida!!!
A bit shocked at the difficulty of healthy food options in Tampa. Only saw one store for groceries so assumed it was the only one in a reasonable 10-20 minute radius. So I kind of pigged out and didn't even do much yoga. Surprisingly, my grind ethic didn't feel too threatened, possibly due to indulging after session and just eating a small meal before hand.
Hit a scary day (luckily after being up for a bit) where I thought the game was super good and got crushed. This still left me down less than my 2/5 plo trip stop-loss though. Got to play 3 handed with massive action craver (and ran good too!)! He even announced that he would have to stop soon cause he knew he would keep getting crushed. Things turned for the worse at the main game. Still felt quite composed and playing well despite sliding downward. Then I'm somehow able to cold 4/5bet preflop with AAJx getting 800 in there. Action guy gets it in and takes it down with hand I figured to have 29%~ equity. This gave me a chance to explore the hard rock tampa casino (I loveeee casinos so much. not!)
But this casino rocked! Vintage signed guitars, records, outfits, and pictures of popular rockstars! Whoa! Everyone else on the casino floor is so locked in to spewing away their mortgages, cars, or hopefully spare money that they wouldn't even notice how odd I look. Slowly walking around the casino, not even a drink in hand, just taking in the beauty of it all.
"Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name" - The Doors.
This is the text that rises above the main hotel lobby desk area. A tribute to my favorite band. Organs and electronic keyboards! Quite the addition to great rock songs!
I suppose what really gets me about The Doors is the story of Jim Morrison. Jim literally had it all but he didn't really seem to want it. Mega rock star but he wanted to be known for his poetry. Girls would do anything for this guy but he'd rather be to himself... well... err... sometimes he did embrace it. Reminds me of the fictional character Hank Moody from Californication. Being able to capture the attention of millions of people seemingly without much effort.
Oh yeah, I did end up playing more poker. Sort of crushed it. Remember one hand where I hit running trip T's in a 5 way checkdown and bet something like 1/4-1/5 pot on the river. I was in the 8 seat and apparently the 1 set called but I swear the dealer was obstructing the view. To me it looked like everyone quickly folded (as somewhat expected unless someone else also caught trips) and I mucked. The dealer leans back and I see the 1 seat's cards. Oops. I told the guy what was going through my mind and told him I had him beat trip T's and an A kicker and he gave me almost half the pot back. I was flattered and didn't really know if I could accept it. Thanked the guy a million times and moved on.
Nit story:
Friend and I ate at Council Oaks, obviously well under dressed but the hell if I care. My eyes were set on the $12 lobster mac and cheese that Chief the brush recommended from his time being chef there. Is that a reasonable job change? Does anyone know what brushes make cause I'd feel terrible never tipping them if they are making pennies! Anyways, a steak goes for about $60~ as do most main courses on this menu. Muahuahaua $12 lobster Mac N Cheese was outstanding! Nit crush win!
We drove to Hollywood after about ten days in Tampa. Did miss the great poker and cheap, friendly, amazing hookah place there. Oh well, move on. After about two hours in the car my legs were screaming and needed to be stretched. Friggin cars!
Arrived in Hollywood and I'd have guessed it was hurricaning! High winds and lots of rain! My high though is 30-40mph~. Got a low high. Found the room, played not that much poker as Tampa, and went to Miami.
Miami was outstanding. The most incredible city I've ever seen from the car. Building were just constructed in a colorful, vibrant, and visual manner. Was sober and finally made it to Miami with a car load of tipsy mates. But... Oh... My... I had to parallel park??!?!!? Hello?!?! Growing up in a suburban town they didn't even give us one tip on how to accomplish such a treacherous task. Luckily got coached by my co-pilot and nailed it in one shot. Should probably quit poker now cause maybe my one time is since vanished!
It poured rain the entire time there so hopes weren't too high on finding a cool place on a weekday night. But Miami is big so searching we went. Found a Latin looking bar. Perfect! Perfect entryway into traveling central/south america. The art of becoming a gringo inside your own country. The place was two levels. The walls covered in vivid rainforest creatures with bright greens and oranges. There was a small stage in the middle with dancers who didn't appear to be apart of the regular crowd. Flamingo Dancers. Whoa, cool! People in the bar moved to a quick, up-tempo beat. Their hips just wailed around their bodies like they learned it along with their ABCs.
That was Miami. I pissed everyone off by getting lost in a city it was my first time in... but they got to get pissed drunk so
And the first time playing poker at hard rock hollywood.... felt like English was a second language, whoa! It sucks to understand stuff but not be able to say anything back haha.
Also went to the Mardis Gras Casino. Boy, what a hood feel. Almost like getting the Small Chuckie Cheese put in your town. Played in the juiciest 2/5 NL (wtf right so high stakes for nl!), get crushed, then game turns into a horrible 9 handed game (horrible compared to juice @6 handed.) Played some 1/2 and managed to get $180 in preflop with AK and catching a K on the turn was good enough.... have a hunch I didn't need it but who knows!
Last session was at hard rock and flat 88 on the bu cause I'm super aggro so I decide to lay down the trap. Flop is 325 and I'm bet into! But I'll keep slow-playing and call. The turn is an 8 and am HU. He checks this time so I'll spew off a half pot bet and get called. River is an 8. Put him all in, he tank folds but I ship $200 for the HH like a pro degen would drool quad draw all day. Ended up with a 5 way all in in session preflop. A few shorties but one "shortie" had $75. Other huge action lady was in for $350 about since she doubled last hand. my AA wins main pot vs her AK weee but dude with $75 had 66 for a set. Still a nice pot and nice end to Florida grind.
Enjoy!