2008

Archive for the year 2008

The Birth of a Sports Hero

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Ching under News, Web.

Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao on his win against Oscar De La Hoya during HBO’s Dream Match yesterday, December 6. He is an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere. Talk about changing your stars!

PACQUIAO LINKS:

PACLAND – Official Web Site

Manny Pacquiao on Wikipedia

Pacquiao Video Collection

Pacquiao Bio on HBO Boxing

Pacquiao Fan Web Site

Another Pacquiao Fan Site

Nike’s Manny Pacquiao

NEWS COVERAGE:

Smaller Pacquiao Topples De La Hoya (NY Times)

Analyzing Pacquiao’s victory over De La Hoya (LA Times)

Pacquiao too fast, too strong in lopsided win (SF Chronicle)

De La Hoya-Pacquiao round-by-round (USA Today)

Pacquiao stuns “Golden Boy” De La Hoya with TKO (Reuters)

Click here for videos on Google!

Finally, finished the Twilight saga (thanks to Jenni for the digital versions). I read all four books in the span of two weeks. Can you believe it? I had just finished New Moon when we went to see the movie. I immediately attacked Eclipse the next day, and was finishing Breaking Dawn before I new it. The books flow together really well. Once you get started, there’s just no stopping until you are finished.

Here are the books in my order of preference:

Breaking Dawn — definitely the best and longest book in the series; I would tell you more about why this is my favorite but I’m afraid I might spoil the your reading experience

Eclipse — lots of action in this one; I think it will make a great movie

Twilight — don’t let the movie mislead you; the book is a hundred times better

New Moon — this is my least favorite because the beginning really upset me, so much so that I had to take a break from reading for almost two days; anyway, I won’t say anymore so I don’t ruin it

Anyway, I found out that Amazon is taking pre-orders for The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide already. I want to learn more about the characters so I think I might get it. I don’t know. For now, I think I’ll read Midnight Sun.

P.S. I’m procrastinating from finishing my poker cruise book. 🙁 Maybe I can start working on it again after Midnight Sun. That is, unless I find something else to keep me occupied.

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Quasi Cruise Reunion at Highlands

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Ching under Poker.

Been in a bit of a poker rut the last couple of months… Just not doing well at all. I don’t know if it was Blue Collar’s move to Highlands that was throwing off my poker equilibrium or what. It seemed to coincide with it, though. Now that they finally have a place that offers good food (something that was extremely lacking at the old place; they didn’t have any food period) my poker mojo defected. Ugh.

I was beginning to think it was time to move on and find another pastime. It was difficult for me to make this decision, what with how much I enjoy playing poker (and Blue Collar offered just the right cheap thrill to suit my “not quite gambling” appetite) and all, but I told myself surely I can find another hobby that will be just as satisfying. Brian and I decided to go last night, kind of as a farewell to Blue Collar thing. You know what I’m saying?

I’ll be darned if it wasn’t like cruise reunion time. First, Shane (well, he’s always there so I guess that doesn’t count) stopped by to chat with us. Then Brent showed up. He’s always there, too. He’s been there all the times that we’ve been, I think. I guess those two don’t really count.

We ran into Vic and Jen, and Shane’s wife Jen, Kurt and Kathy, and Sunny and Scott, and of course, you know most of the poker players from Wichita (Pat and Brad and others) who went on the cruise were all poker regulars so they were all there, too. It was wonderful seeing everyone. Specially, Sunny because she has such a sunny disposition. I actually wonder if she had her name changed later in life. Her name fits her personality so perfectly that it is uncanny. And Jen is always so outgoing and social. It’s difficult not to like her.

Anyway, Jen and Sunny and I ended up at the same table. Brian and Vic were at table 2, with Scott at 4. Those were the original table assignments anyway. I had so much fun last night. I actually made it to the final table, for the first time since the move to Highlands. I wanted to jump up and down for joy, but I had to stay cool on the outside so as not to draw attention to myself. Gotta look like a pro, you know, not some dumb wannabe. He he. I got knocked out 7th so I didn’t make the money, but I had a lot of fun just the same. It kind of rekindled my love affair with poker. Maybe my mojo hadn’t completely abandoned me after all?

Initially, we were thinking last night would be our very last time playing Blue Collar.. By the time the evening was over, I’m thinking maybe just the last time THIS year. We can start again next year. LOL. Human beings can be so fickle. 😉