What a bummer!

Friday, 7:45am.

Yesterday, head over to the Hilton for the Trek convention. Got there at 8:30am and the doors didn’t open until 10:00. There weren’t many people in line at that point. I did talk with two fans from Orlando, Kit & Denise. Big Klingon fans. They had a Klingon wedding and during the Batlif fight, Denise actually cut her husband. I guess that was a good sign. They were not in costume. Their website is www.IKVwidowmaker.com. Also, I talked Patricia from DC. She made Dianna Troi councilor dress. She did look good. But she was an isolated Trek fan. She didn’t know about fan club or local Balt/DC Conventions. I did say I talked to her, but she really didn’t talk to me back. I guess I creeped her out.

It was $30 to get into the convention. I was very disappointed by the dealer’s room. It was small, and not a wide verity of stuff. One person was selling prop stuff for the latest movie, but it was weird stuff: Side panels, half pieces of machinery, barely recognizable computer screen. He did had photo from where the appeared, but wasn’t great. I did buy a Red Uniform Tee, but not the one I really wanted (nowhere to be found in room). And I got two sound activated Tribbles. That dealer did not bring bag, but the members of USS Las Vegas gave me one. Nice people.

One big disappointment was with the only artist there, David Reddick. He does two Web strips at www.Roddenberry.com.: Gene’s Journal, Rod & Barry. They look cool. He was doing caricatures for $25. So I decide to get one. I was going to have him do me in an Orange uniform with katanas on my back with the caption, “Did I Err?” So we started talking, but somebody he knew (He had done work her before) came over. She wanted to get one done of her son (an Adult). He blew me off, with out a word. I even gave him the benefit of the doubt and went back 20 minutes later. He was still working on the one sketch. I see a theme, maybe it was me.

Next, I went opening talk. They were supposed to a fan video thing. They showed two 3 minute videos. One stunk, the second one was OK. The Masochist Waltz. All the dance scenes and pain scenes for the series put to a composed song. I didn’t write down the woman’s web site, but she is from Alberta, Canada.

They had a Klingon panel Tony Todd , Suzie Plakson, John Schuck, Spice Williams-Crosby and William Morgan Sheppard. Standard stuff on how it was to play a Klingon vs other roles, what they were doing now and other junk. By that time it was past noon and I was hungry. I left with intention of going back for Jonathan Frakes & Michael Dorn, but my heart wasn’t in it.

I ate at Hilton buffet, again only OK. Headed back to Monte Carlo to rest a bit. I did stop at the ticket place. I want to see a show called Bite, a topless vampire revue, at the Stratosphere Casino. Of course it was dark.

At the hotel I stopped and put a bet in on the Red Sox. After I crashed and called home, I went down to casino. Stopped at a Blackjack table around 4:00, by 5:30 I lost the $100 I started with. Went to the sports book and saw the Red Sox implode once again. Was very bummed out by that time. I spent some time watching the poker action. Still haven’t got the courage to sit in. Then back to Blackjack. Again, it was brutal. Three hands in a row, I had 19 or better and lost them all. On a $15 bet I hit a blackjack only to have the dealer hit one ten showing. A push! Went though 4 dealers. Tracey was the best. I did my best with her and she was funny and engaging. Then we had this guy, Jeff. Man talk about dead. No personallty at all. Brusk abd dower. He replaced Tracy, then when he went on a break, she came back, but for only 20 minutes. I was litterly down to my last chips. Even with Jeff back, I cought a few hands. Placed some big bets at good times. Worked my way back to $110 I started this round with.

So over all, I’m break even on all my bets (including the $60 I’ve lost on the Red Sox)
I’m going to see about rent a car for tomorrow. At the hotel it $99 for the day. I’ll check the airport companies.

Good 1st Day

Thursday, 6:00am

Good first night.

Went to the sports book and placed two $20 bets on the Red Game
Over 5.5 runs after 5 innings @-105 (Meaning, I would win $19.05 on the bet)
Red Sox to win @+130

Red Sox had men on 2nd & 3rd in the 5th trailing 4-1. I lost my first bet
Of course, they also lost 6-4. 2nd bet goes down the tubes.
I did debate on the full over/under of 9.5 runs, but I want ‘something different’. Plus after I played Black Jack, I watched some the game (till the 5th).

I played Black Jack at $5.00 table. At first, I sat alone. That is bad thing to do. The game goes very fast and you can lose very fast. I was down $50 before I knew it. They were bad beats, too. One hand I was dealt 20. The dealer had 14. Of course, she drew a 7. A pregnant woman then sat down next to me, and my luck changed.

I have a system of betting. I start with minimum bets. Stay with that for a while. If I’m over my buy in (in this case $100), when I win I’ll increase my bets. At first I up it to $10, and then to $15. When I lose a single bet, it’s back to $5. But as long I’m over the base $100, I’ll again increase on the bets. I don’t always go straight from $10 to $15. I’ll play the $10 for a while, but on wins, I always go from $5 to $10.

I played for about 2 hours (goes by fast) and left the table with $254. I gave $11 that to dealers. (On a $5 Black Jack, you get a pay out of $7.50). I had 6 one dollar chips plus the table minimum of $5 = $11.

I came away the game $103 up.

After that, I was planning on heading out the Hilton to check out the Star Trek prep. I really went out side for the 1st time. IT WAS HOT. Though the wind was blowing. I didn’t really know where I was going, so spent time walking around things to get where I wanted to go. I stopped at the Coke store & M&M’s Store.
Went though the MGM Grand. They have a lion exhibit, kind of cool. I decided to stop at the Hooter’s Casino next door for $100 free slots play to sign up. As I expected it was a bit a ploy. Up played promotional machines and the minimum bet was $10.00. You only one cash if hit the top two jackpots. Though, I did OK enough to spend about ½ hour playing. That cured me of any desire to play slots. I was about 8:00pm & I was hungry. Hooter’s has a Dan Marino’s in it. I had dinner there. OK BBQ beef brisket. Nothing to right home about (Oh, wait a minute.). Dinner was $14.00 w/tip.

Note to all: I don’t drink, and with food I mostly have water. I don’t do it not spend the money, but that is the way I like.

Plans for today include brunch and checking out the monorail and Trek convention. I thinking I may spend two days there

Las Vegas, Baby

Wednesday, 1:30pm

The flight out here was fine. Typical Southwest style. Everything ran smoothly. The flight was courteous and efficient. There was incident with a bottle of water and two glasses of cranberry juice. It took place in the bathroom during a bit out turbulence. Not to worry, I was not injured and I cleaned up after myself.

I sat in the emergency row and my seat mate was Greg. Nice guy. He just got or is getting a job with FDIC. He also sells sporting goods on eBay, SportsPlus 2000 & at the Raynham Flea Market. He was a mortgage broker and does financing on high end auto sales. We’re talking 100K plus. He was heading to Reno for a classic car auction. It sounded cool.

I am staying at Monte Carlo. So far I’m not impressed. Room is pretty standard, I got a double though I wish I had single. I can live with it. Scoped out the casino. Stopped by the Sports Book. I didn’t make any bets yet. I will though, tonight.

Baseball is the only real action right now and it’s kind of funky. Take the Red Sox – Rays game. The Rays are -130 and Red Sox are +110. If I bet on the Rays, I would need to bet $130 to win $100. Cashing in the bet, the casino would give $230. If I bet on the Red Sox, I bet $100 to win $110. The odds change if the pitchers change. You can bet just on the team or the team & pitcher (the bet canceled if the pitcher doesn’t start). You can also be on the over/under. In this game it’s 9.5. The also have 5 inning bets. I’m going to put $20 on Penny & Red Sox (I get 22+20) and 20 on the over.

I’m also going to play some Blackjack. Maybe an hour or two ($100) Then I’m going to head out to the MGM Grand and take the MonoRail. At end at the Las Vegas Hilton, site of the Star Trek convention this weekend.

My Worst Fear

It happened!

After a bottle of water & 2 glasses of cranberry juice, I need to go!

I'm sure you can guess what happened! TURBULANCE!

I was not hurt, but it took me few minutes to clean up!

Sent from my iPod

Leaving for Las Vegas

1st e-mail post.

Getting ready to head out to Vegas, Baby! Found out there's a Star
Trek convention out there this weekend! Big plus!

Slept well last night unusual for the night before flight.

Also, got a great photo of Red Sox pitcher John Lester. My niece,
Nina, took it at the game last Thrusday! I love it. I'll post it as
soon as I get back from Vegas!

Sent from my iPod

Sergio & Stan cards

My fellow Grooarian, Gary was kind enough to get me 4 ACEOs at ComicCon this year. 2 were from Sergio & 2 were fron Stan. Here they are:

New Item on eBay

Hey folks!

I've been feeling it the past few days.

On Saturday, I went out Yard Saleing.
Looked like the day was going to be a waste. I kept seeing people
leaving with the stuff I would have liked. All morning I kept telling
myself I should just go home. I picked up some books, a couple ties for
work, a lava lamp and two shelves for my new space at the Greenville
Antique Center (711 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI, (401) 949-4999).
Well, for all my mumbling about going home, I stayed out as long I
usually do. When I did decide to head home, I pasted several yard sales
without stopping. At a red light I saw another sign and just
followed it. At first it didn't seem like much. I remember the stop
from a few years ago. (Yes, we remember where we've been, even if we
don't know where we are!). I remember lots of unusual art piece and the
two gay guys having it. It was weird, because none of the art was
theirs. Anyway, this time there was only one guy, and he didn't nearly
have as much as last time. However, there was a toy box with a lot of
different stuff in it, including some Lionel Trains. Not sure what up
with that. Normally, Lionel Trains would be scooped up, even in the
less than mediocre condition these were. Only thing I could think of
that guy was asking too much for them. I asked anyway. For the box, he
want $40.00. No bad at all considering what was there. I offered
$30.00. They day wouldn't be a total waste. Here is some of the stuff I
got:

• Heller 1/72 Curtiss 75.A3 Model


• Suydam H-O Modern Factory 541


• Suydam H-O Modern Industry 543


• Lionel 1872 Engine & Tender


• Lionel 1875W Western & Atlantic Whistle


• Lionel 1876 Western & Atlantic Mail


• Lionel 6219 C & O


• Lionel 1877 Flat Car


• Lionel 6476 Hopper


• Lionel 50 Gang Car


• Great American Belt Buckle – Dodge Van #426

Like I said It wasn't all in great shape, but price accordingly, I put a retail value at around $300.00.
Not a bad investment.

Sunday, with help my sister, her son and his friend. I set up my space at Greenville, using most of the
stuff I bought to augment what I already have. I think my space (B60) looks pretty good. I'll know Wednesday how well stuff sells. Felt good about thing. The only thing is needed to list some stuff on eBay.


Monday, I had some yard work to do after work (Thanks, Ed S.). I did write a few items, but mostly I
didn't do anything.

Tuesday, I chose one my .50 Yard Sale ties to wear to work. The guys on work get on me because of them. I
just don't want to $30 or more for a tie. As I was heading into my office, I notice a marking on the tie. I hadn't seen it before. I
smiled when I recognized it. Hermes! What a name. I know I had another score. I the office I showed it off to everybody. When was able to check it out on eBay, this design was selling between $40-50. More correctly, had SOLD for that amount. Tonight, I priced a few items for Greenville and listed my tie and a game on eBay.


The game is Acquire by Avalon Hill.
My tie is also there.

John