Another Final Table & A Rant About Computer Shopping
It’s funny how I took some time off from writing the blog because I was just grasping at straws to find something halfway interesting to write about. Then, I start to write again and I get so busy that I keep missing a number of topics that I’ve wanted to comment on: Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, the Eagles axing Jeremiah Trotter, a new candidate for dumbest person in the world (maybe tomorrow I can comment on the rattlesnake guys), Fred Thompson, a few ideas for Top 10 lists, how much commuting to work can drive you insane, the upcoming NFL season, the Madden 08 sham and I’m sure there is more but I have time for none of that today. At least now I have a point of reference to go back to to remind me.
Last night I made the final table of a 91-player $10 buy-in MTT Razz tournament and netted $66 for a 4th place finish. It was amazing how well the players played in the final 17 competitors. When we got down to 17 players, 11 of the 17 players were all-in at least once and had to survive to cash. Some were all-in a few times. It took 25 hands to get us down to 16 and it was pretty impressive to observe. Full Tilt has a great feature now where I can tile multiple tables and I was able to watch all three remaining tables at the same time. Full Tilt really is the pinnacle of online poker and I am happy to be back on there.
I am still debating the WCOOP Razz event on PokerStars. After my success in this Razz event, I’m more and more likely to give it a shot. It would be a gigantic bankroll setback and I’m trying to do my best with not overplaying my bankroll. Also, I have been absolutely killing the PL Omaha Hi and PL Omaha Hi/Lo low level Sit & Gos. As I’m playing here, I’m close to the money but on the fence of a second consecutive cash tonight. It would be my fourth consecutive Omaha Sit & Go cash.
I can’t get Bon Jovi’s "Livin’ On A Prayer" out of my head. Driving me insane!
Unfortunately, I am without my trusty laptop at the moment. I have decided that instead of continuing to try and find a way to make it work, after 4 1/2 years it’s time for an upgrade. Now, the hard part… the purchase. Normally, it would not be an issue but purchasing a computer has become so complicated these days. First, they are not loaded with the software packages that they used to be loaded with. Second, there are all these offers, upgrades, optimizations, safety considerations to deal with on top of the actual purchase of the laptop. I’m staring at the options that Best Buy offers on top of the actual laptop itself and you could actually double the cost of your purchase through all of their upgrades and additions. I can’t even grapple with what I need and what is unnecessary.
The one thing I know I don’t want is the Service Plan. Best Buy’s Service Plans are so enticing due to their "replace if anything happens" sales pitch. Analyzing the cost though, half the stuff I bought from Best Buy would have to break in order for me to get my money’s worth. The laptop I was eyeing tonight cost $600 and the Service Plan was $250 for 3 years. The selling point from James, the salesperson I was dealing with… I could run it over! YAY! I’ve always wanted that added protection of knowing I could be so careless with my $600 laptop (which with upgrades and optimizations he recommended, would cost $950 plus $250 for the PSP) that I could actually run it over with my car. In the last year I have run over a piece of tire from a blow out on I-95, 3 paper cups and 2 cans. I almost ran over a rabbit but he dodged the car. To date, I have NEVER run over a laptop. Actually, to date, I don’t even know someone who has run over a laptop. If you know someone who has run over a laptop, have them e-mail me at bjoseph22@comcast.net.
I did find 209 search results on Yahoo for "I ran over my laptop" including this one. Then there is this guy who seems to be fascinated by the prospect of expensive electronics being run over by a car. Then, there’s this guy who actually ran over his laptop and it is actually fine… proving that I don’t even need "laptop run-over protection".
Needless to say, I believe in being careful with the stuff I own rather than buying idiot protection. The idea of buying insurance on anything to me is always beyond my comprehension. maybe it’s the part where I start to hope something happens so I get my money’s worth OR the part where I worry if the insurance will cover whatever happens. Recently, my cell phone keypad chipped and it seems that that does not fall under my insurance coverage with Cingul…eerr… AT&T.
Anyway, hopefully this stressful laptop purchase is over soon as I’m sick of using my girlfriend’s desktop (mainly because my work laptop is right next to it and it causes me to constantly think about/do work).
As for the quest to $2,000… it looks like the night will end around $675.
