UPS Delivery Delay
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I recently made an order of some storage boxes for my trading card
collection from BCW supplies. Since this order was for supplies and not
actually tra...
3 days ago
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
My Thought of Day 10/28/09
Success is not what other of think it is, but what you think it is.
Luck daily number: 4810
Sent from my iPod
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Random Thoughts on the NFL
I’ve been giving a lot of thought of what I want to post here. I think it’s just going to be my rambling thoughts. Today, I’m going give you little take on the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As you may know, the owners opted out the current agreement that ran through 2013. The opt out took 3 years off the agreement, so it now runs thru 2010 season. Also, the salary cap portion of the agreement runs through this season. I affect, 2010 will be an uncapped year.
The players feel the owner want to lock them out in 2011. They would be willing to continue under this contract.
The owners have an agenda (who doesn’t?). First, they want to reduce the portion of revenue that goes to players (The Cap). It is now at about 57.5% defined gross revenue (127M per team). There is a formula to go with that. To see a more detailed explanation go to Ask the Commish.com. I’m talking in big picture. Second, they want cost certainty. In other words, a rookie pay scale. There are other issues I’m sure, but these are biggest.
I think the cap is good for football, so it should stay. The percentage is going to need to be negotiated. I don’t see any overt trouble with any NFL teams. There are teams in trouble in all the other major sports. While the owners would like to make more, they are good shape right now.
The players should give in a rookie cap. I think it should be base on draft position and average player salary at defined position. The number one pick would get a say 60% of the player average plus a defined bonus, like 10M dollars. Then it would drop down through the 1st round. The only limit on the 2nd rounds and later should be that it couldn’t exceed the lowest 1st round pick. In return rookie contracts would be limited to 3 years and be partially or fully guaranteed. There should a restricted free agency in the 4th year & full free agency after 5 years. Compensation for the restricted free agency would be reduced than what it is now.
I think it is also time for partially guaranteed veteran’s contracts. It should be based on years of service. So any player cut would get something. The NFL needs to reward the veteran players more.
Of course, this is just an outline of the big picture. I can think of bunch of questions (Define avg. player salary. What about previous rookie contacts that run 4 or 5 years now? Ect.)
Let me know what you think!
As you may know, the owners opted out the current agreement that ran through 2013. The opt out took 3 years off the agreement, so it now runs thru 2010 season. Also, the salary cap portion of the agreement runs through this season. I affect, 2010 will be an uncapped year.
The players feel the owner want to lock them out in 2011. They would be willing to continue under this contract.
The owners have an agenda (who doesn’t?). First, they want to reduce the portion of revenue that goes to players (The Cap). It is now at about 57.5% defined gross revenue (127M per team). There is a formula to go with that. To see a more detailed explanation go to Ask the Commish.com. I’m talking in big picture. Second, they want cost certainty. In other words, a rookie pay scale. There are other issues I’m sure, but these are biggest.
I think the cap is good for football, so it should stay. The percentage is going to need to be negotiated. I don’t see any overt trouble with any NFL teams. There are teams in trouble in all the other major sports. While the owners would like to make more, they are good shape right now.
The players should give in a rookie cap. I think it should be base on draft position and average player salary at defined position. The number one pick would get a say 60% of the player average plus a defined bonus, like 10M dollars. Then it would drop down through the 1st round. The only limit on the 2nd rounds and later should be that it couldn’t exceed the lowest 1st round pick. In return rookie contracts would be limited to 3 years and be partially or fully guaranteed. There should a restricted free agency in the 4th year & full free agency after 5 years. Compensation for the restricted free agency would be reduced than what it is now.
I think it is also time for partially guaranteed veteran’s contracts. It should be based on years of service. So any player cut would get something. The NFL needs to reward the veteran players more.
Of course, this is just an outline of the big picture. I can think of bunch of questions (Define avg. player salary. What about previous rookie contacts that run 4 or 5 years now? Ect.)
Let me know what you think!
Monday, August 10, 2009
My Last in the Dessert
Monday, 9:00am
At McCarran Airport
Sunday was a better day for gambling. I still lost, but only a few dollars. I finished down $287.00. But that include $50 in sports bets on the Pats & Bruins. $40 really. $10 I put down on the NY Giants for Al at work. Not bad for the week.
I played some 3 card poker at the Casino. I lost the $60 I started with. So I had a fast food breakfast. Then made my sports bet then head back to my room to check in. I check in at 10:16 for a 10:15 flight. My pass was B-1. One minute. Well, I’m alone, so it doesn’t matter too much. After check in, I went to the ticket place.
I was going to buy tickets for Blueman Group, but the only show was 10:00pm. I didn’t want go that late. I bought a 6:30 ticket for the Torments of Kings at Excalibur. Then I went to NY NY to ride the Rollercoaster. I was determined to not chicken out this time. I never have been on a regular rollercoaster. I did go on Space Mountain at Disney, but I don’t count it because was total darkness. I was fun, but too short. I considered re-riding, but my legs were rubbery. I did buy the picture though.
After that, I went to Excalibur to get my tickets. While there I played some Blackjack. Came away a few dollars up (62 vs 65). At about 2:00, I headed back to the Monte Carlo to crash a bit. At 4:30, I went back to the Excalibur to the show.
I was in line for the Show and there was loud guy trying to figure out where to get tickets. He had a large plastic jug of a drink. It was 100oz cocktail from a place called Dick’s Last Resort. How do I know about AJ’s drink? Yes, he sat next to me during the show. The show itself was pretty good. Lots of good riding and stunts. My king, the Emperor of Austria lost and was killed early in the big melee of good and evil. AJ kept getting up and making an ass of himself. All in good fun I suppose. I pity the city of Seattle though.
An open seat was waiting for me at the $5 blackjack table when I got back to hotel. It was the most fun I had. Everybody at the table was engaging. Two women from NJ, an older guy, a guy for Oklahoma. One of the women’s husband and son came in and out. The guy from OK was funny. One time he would be $5.00, the next bet would $100. He was betting normal until he girlfriend showed up. Then he started betting big. He was winning so he continued even after she left. For me it was up and down. At about 10:30 called it quits up $33.00.
Well that’s it from Las Vegas! Next Year San Diego! 2 weeks!
At McCarran Airport
Sunday was a better day for gambling. I still lost, but only a few dollars. I finished down $287.00. But that include $50 in sports bets on the Pats & Bruins. $40 really. $10 I put down on the NY Giants for Al at work. Not bad for the week.
I played some 3 card poker at the Casino. I lost the $60 I started with. So I had a fast food breakfast. Then made my sports bet then head back to my room to check in. I check in at 10:16 for a 10:15 flight. My pass was B-1. One minute. Well, I’m alone, so it doesn’t matter too much. After check in, I went to the ticket place.
I was going to buy tickets for Blueman Group, but the only show was 10:00pm. I didn’t want go that late. I bought a 6:30 ticket for the Torments of Kings at Excalibur. Then I went to NY NY to ride the Rollercoaster. I was determined to not chicken out this time. I never have been on a regular rollercoaster. I did go on Space Mountain at Disney, but I don’t count it because was total darkness. I was fun, but too short. I considered re-riding, but my legs were rubbery. I did buy the picture though.
After that, I went to Excalibur to get my tickets. While there I played some Blackjack. Came away a few dollars up (62 vs 65). At about 2:00, I headed back to the Monte Carlo to crash a bit. At 4:30, I went back to the Excalibur to the show.
I was in line for the Show and there was loud guy trying to figure out where to get tickets. He had a large plastic jug of a drink. It was 100oz cocktail from a place called Dick’s Last Resort. How do I know about AJ’s drink? Yes, he sat next to me during the show. The show itself was pretty good. Lots of good riding and stunts. My king, the Emperor of Austria lost and was killed early in the big melee of good and evil. AJ kept getting up and making an ass of himself. All in good fun I suppose. I pity the city of Seattle though.
An open seat was waiting for me at the $5 blackjack table when I got back to hotel. It was the most fun I had. Everybody at the table was engaging. Two women from NJ, an older guy, a guy for Oklahoma. One of the women’s husband and son came in and out. The guy from OK was funny. One time he would be $5.00, the next bet would $100. He was betting normal until he girlfriend showed up. Then he started betting big. He was winning so he continued even after she left. For me it was up and down. At about 10:30 called it quits up $33.00.
Well that’s it from Las Vegas! Next Year San Diego! 2 weeks!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Taking a Bite out Las Vegas & it taking a Bite out me!
Sunday, 8:00am
Friday night was interesting. I drove over to the Stratosphere for the show. I guess I got there around 7:30. With the show at 10:30, I had plenty of time. The first thing I did was sign up for the Ultimate Rewards program. I know I say I don’t like slots, but they had Star Trek Slots. The actually have episodes (levels). The only one I remember is the Enterprise Incident. But it had characters, ships, logos and equipment. Like all slots matching gave you points. I don’t know how, I could figure it out. It was a penny machine, but you end up betting like $1.00 per button push. I burned through my $10 pretty quick. I was supposed to get $5.00 in play, but the machine didn’t read my card correctly. I would have had to put in more money to get it.
I did sit a $5.00 Blackjack table & put down $40 dollars. This was the best time. There was guy playing $25 bets. If it was only the two of us, he would play two hands. The dealers were also friendly. I got up with my $50. So I did break even for the night.
At the Stratosphere, there is an observation tower. Normally there would be Outdoor and Indoor viewing, but the Trek Convention had rented out the indoor part for a party. The also have two rides. Insanity will spin out over the city 866ft up. You would be looking right down at the ground. The second, X-Scream, puts on a rail. From the top of the rail you get shot down. Again out over the city. At this point I was a bit depressed. The seats are in groups of 2. I chickened out. The view was nice, and I did get photos.
Back down stairs, I grabbed a pretzle. While eating, I saw the actor who played Tuvok on Voyager. Man did the looked spaced out. At the check-in desk, there was another actor. I know the face, but can’t place the B-movies he’s been in. My bush with fame,
By that time I was time for Bite!
My ticket was the back of the theatre, but the head usher took pity on me and sat me in front. I sat with a couple with 4 boys. (Yes). They where either foster kids, adopted or for 4 years straight this women was pregnant by racially diverce fathers. The kids, youngest just 18, were all in school and had saved up and paid for the trip themselves (including the parents and 2 sisters). So what ever you think about this woman for taking four young men to burlesque show, she did something right. (& they are adults in their own rights).
Bite is erotic (meaning breasts) vampire show. A king vampire needs to find his true love. There are 5 vampire dancers who strut around topless (20% of the time). Cat was the hottest. Meow. (I have pictures, not topless). At one point, 6 or 7 people get picked out the audience to go up on stage. 4 of there are plants. A couple does acrobatic thing on a rope. The other one is singer, OK. The last one is king’s true love. Each in turn is turned into a vampire. There was another woman doing acrobatics on two suspended lengths of clothe. She would wrap herself up and tumble down. Some magic and stage fight scenes (pretty bad) were tossed in for good measure. It was worth the $30.00.
After the show the cast (females) posed for pictures. I’ll post them sometime.
Saturday wasn’t the greatest of days. I did go yards saleing, and bought about $20 worth of stuff. I forgot all the papers for the other things I wanted to do in the city. When I got back to hotel at noon, I really didn’t feel like heading out again.
I played Blackjack. I lost $250.00. My worst sitting yet. But I did have 50% off coupon for the Spice Buffet at Planet Hollywood. So I took a walk down there. Food was good and for $11.50, it was worth it. I also sat at Pleasure Pit to play more Blackjack. In the Pit the female dealers are dressed in these Red Corsets showing off there bust line. It was a nice view while losing another $100.
On the way back, I collected a bunch of Las Vegas Hooker cards. I have about 200. At the hotel I relaxed a bit, and sorted my Hooker cards. I cleaned up bit went down to the casino. I watched some the Rays-Mariners & Dodgers-Braves games. I stopped at the Pick 6 table. While I did really want to gamble any more I figured it was only $20. Pick 6 is that big spinning wheel you see at carnivals. You can 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 40 to bets. They spin the wheel and where it stops determines the winner. Of course, I lost. I watched some other games 3 card poker, let it ride and roulette. Those other table games seem too complicated. And there is really no ‘skill’. I know roulette, pretty easy. Spin the ball, if it stops on you number you will. Play 35-1 to boot. But I got down the all the little side bets. Turns out that house has almost 6% advantage on the game (Blackjack the house advantage is 1 to 1.5%). It is worst game to play, but the big payout keeps ‘em coming back. Maybe I’ll play some on Sunday.
Friday night was interesting. I drove over to the Stratosphere for the show. I guess I got there around 7:30. With the show at 10:30, I had plenty of time. The first thing I did was sign up for the Ultimate Rewards program. I know I say I don’t like slots, but they had Star Trek Slots. The actually have episodes (levels). The only one I remember is the Enterprise Incident. But it had characters, ships, logos and equipment. Like all slots matching gave you points. I don’t know how, I could figure it out. It was a penny machine, but you end up betting like $1.00 per button push. I burned through my $10 pretty quick. I was supposed to get $5.00 in play, but the machine didn’t read my card correctly. I would have had to put in more money to get it.
I did sit a $5.00 Blackjack table & put down $40 dollars. This was the best time. There was guy playing $25 bets. If it was only the two of us, he would play two hands. The dealers were also friendly. I got up with my $50. So I did break even for the night.
At the Stratosphere, there is an observation tower. Normally there would be Outdoor and Indoor viewing, but the Trek Convention had rented out the indoor part for a party. The also have two rides. Insanity will spin out over the city 866ft up. You would be looking right down at the ground. The second, X-Scream, puts on a rail. From the top of the rail you get shot down. Again out over the city. At this point I was a bit depressed. The seats are in groups of 2. I chickened out. The view was nice, and I did get photos.
Back down stairs, I grabbed a pretzle. While eating, I saw the actor who played Tuvok on Voyager. Man did the looked spaced out. At the check-in desk, there was another actor. I know the face, but can’t place the B-movies he’s been in. My bush with fame,
By that time I was time for Bite!
My ticket was the back of the theatre, but the head usher took pity on me and sat me in front. I sat with a couple with 4 boys. (Yes). They where either foster kids, adopted or for 4 years straight this women was pregnant by racially diverce fathers. The kids, youngest just 18, were all in school and had saved up and paid for the trip themselves (including the parents and 2 sisters). So what ever you think about this woman for taking four young men to burlesque show, she did something right. (& they are adults in their own rights).
Bite is erotic (meaning breasts) vampire show. A king vampire needs to find his true love. There are 5 vampire dancers who strut around topless (20% of the time). Cat was the hottest. Meow. (I have pictures, not topless). At one point, 6 or 7 people get picked out the audience to go up on stage. 4 of there are plants. A couple does acrobatic thing on a rope. The other one is singer, OK. The last one is king’s true love. Each in turn is turned into a vampire. There was another woman doing acrobatics on two suspended lengths of clothe. She would wrap herself up and tumble down. Some magic and stage fight scenes (pretty bad) were tossed in for good measure. It was worth the $30.00.
After the show the cast (females) posed for pictures. I’ll post them sometime.
Saturday wasn’t the greatest of days. I did go yards saleing, and bought about $20 worth of stuff. I forgot all the papers for the other things I wanted to do in the city. When I got back to hotel at noon, I really didn’t feel like heading out again.
I played Blackjack. I lost $250.00. My worst sitting yet. But I did have 50% off coupon for the Spice Buffet at Planet Hollywood. So I took a walk down there. Food was good and for $11.50, it was worth it. I also sat at Pleasure Pit to play more Blackjack. In the Pit the female dealers are dressed in these Red Corsets showing off there bust line. It was a nice view while losing another $100.
On the way back, I collected a bunch of Las Vegas Hooker cards. I have about 200. At the hotel I relaxed a bit, and sorted my Hooker cards. I cleaned up bit went down to the casino. I watched some the Rays-Mariners & Dodgers-Braves games. I stopped at the Pick 6 table. While I did really want to gamble any more I figured it was only $20. Pick 6 is that big spinning wheel you see at carnivals. You can 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 40 to bets. They spin the wheel and where it stops determines the winner. Of course, I lost. I watched some other games 3 card poker, let it ride and roulette. Those other table games seem too complicated. And there is really no ‘skill’. I know roulette, pretty easy. Spin the ball, if it stops on you number you will. Play 35-1 to boot. But I got down the all the little side bets. Turns out that house has almost 6% advantage on the game (Blackjack the house advantage is 1 to 1.5%). It is worst game to play, but the big payout keeps ‘em coming back. Maybe I’ll play some on Sunday.
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