A Snapshot Update, Christmas to January 20

Time to update my blog and get back on my regular schedule after a month of goofing off. I've not updated my blog since the middle of December...so, it's time to get back on track. Here we go...A Snapshot Update in Pictures.

Tombstone, Arizona Territory

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 2007

I thought about flying back to Texas for the Holidays, but decided I didn't want to fight the crowds at the airport. So, instead, I went back to the Old West and drove to Tombstone in the "Arizona Territory."

In the early days of the Arizona/New Mexico territory, Tombstone was a thriving mining town and center of government for the expanding territory. The capital was later relocated to Phoenix after Tombstone fell on hard times, having suffered two devistating fires that nearly destroyed every building in town. In addition, the mines played out and the town was all but abandoned. Then the Earp brothers came to town. The fight at the OK Corral became a celebrated duel in the streets of Tombstone and Boot Hill Cemetery became a tourist attraction. Tombstone now survives soley on tourism. The "town too tough to die" lives on for those of us who treasure the Old West and want to feel what it must have been like to live in the days of Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp.

I stayed in a hotel on Fremont Street two blocks south of the OK Corral. I checked in on Christmas Eve and stayed two nights. On Christmas Day, the town was quiet except for me and few other tourists. We had the streets of Tombstone to ourselves. The ghosts of dead cowboys and Apaches were present as we walked the streets.

Here's an exerpt from my personal journal:

"I left Tucson yesterday morning, drove to Benson, then on to Tombstone and arrived before noon. My first stop was Boot Hill Cemetery just north of town. The cemetery is on a hill, overlooking a beautiful view of the mountains to the east and a valley below.

I then drove on to Tombstone and walked around the old western town before deciding to get a room at the Adobe Lodge on Fremont, a block east of the famous Allen Street where all the saloons gunfights took place in the 1880s. It’s a great location to stay, with all the attractions within easy walking distance. I ate lunch at the Longhorn Restaurant, walked the town, attended a reenactment of the shootout at the OK Corral, and bought some jewelry. The weather was cool, but very pleasant with a warm sun. I ate a light supper, just a “Tombstone Club” sandwich at the Cashman Café, a historic site across from the old mine, on Toughtnut Street. The old lady who runs the place was a character, with a deep German accent, and a very friendly and funny demeanor.

This morning, being Christmas Day, I wasn’t sure if any place would be open. Luckily, the Circle K gas station on the edge of town was open, so I bought some cereal, milk, and donuts for breakfast. I also bought a sandwich from Cashman’s last night and have it yet to eat.

I just walked for about an hour and half through the deserted streets of Tombstone. A few tourists joined me in walking around the town unmolested by the usual tourists you see here on a daily basis. No businesses were open, but for the old mine. Remarkably, they were offering tours of the mine today. While sitting on a bench resting myself, a Mexican gentleman rode up on his bike passing out flyers. He said he opened his Mexican restaurant today because he knew everyone else was going to be closed. I wished him luck, and will pass on the opportunity to eat there.

My impressions? The OK Corral is all about western myth and history. It is fun to think about what happened on that October day in 1881. More than 25 shots fired in less than 30 seconds, ending up in the death of three men and the wounding of a couple more. Wyatt Earp was the only one who came away without a scratch. The stage play/reenactment was like something you would find at a Six Flags or other tourist park: a mixture of bad acting, humor, playing with the audience, and cheesy entertainment. Walking through the corral where the actual fight took place was rather eerie. I enjoyed the Fly’s Photo Shop, located next to the corral. Doc Holiday was staying in a room provided by the Fly’s when the fight broke out just outside his window in the corral. The “HIstorama”, a cheesy and outdated multimedia presentation on the history of Tombstone was a little silly. Narrated by Vincent Price, you’d thing they would have updated the presentation by now. The show is in a small theater and is included in the $7.50 price you pay for the shootout reenactment and tour of the OK Corral.

Tombstone itself, is the real attraction. The three or four blocks of Allen Street running north and south look like an old western town. You can take a stage ride tour, eat in historic locations like the Longhorn Restaurant or Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. Numerous retail stores selling everything from jewelry to Stetson hats line both sides of the street. Plaques located throughout the town designate the places where historic events took place."

Boot Hill (or is it Boothill?) Cemetery was my first stop just north of Tombstone. I walked among the graves of various Apache indians, criminals, children, and of course those who died at the O.K. Corral.

I took this photo of a painting that was hanging in the window of an art gallery in downtown Tombstone. Handlebar mustaches were common, I guess.

Christmas Eve day in Tombstone. The horses evidently don't like working on holidays. The hotel is the famous "Crystal Palace" where an Earp brother (I can't remember which one) was shot weeks after the OK Corral gunfight.

Looking east from Allen Street toward the mountains on Christmas Eve day.

I attended the last show of the day that was a reenactment of the famous OK Corral gunfight. I took this photo just as Doc Holiday takes aim at one of the Clantons. Doc was grazed by a bullet in the hip; Wyatt Earp was the only one to come out of the fight without a scratch.

The entrance to the Good Enough Mine, the large and prosperous silver mine that made Tombstone one of the most thriving mining towns of the late 1880s. Unfortunately, the mine gave out due to technical problems (something to do with water pumps and other mining stuff I really don't understand). Tombstone was all but dead after most people abandoned the place. At one time there were more than 18 mines operating in the area.

A view of the boardwalk looking north in downtown, on Allen Street. Tombstone was rather quiet on Christmas Eve day. Normally, these sidewalks would be full of tourists.

Christmas Day, Tombstone. The town is totally abandoned except for me and a handful of tourists. I walked alone down Allen Street and tried to imagine what it was like during the day when the Earps and Clantons were in town.

The Oriental Saloon, home of Wyatt Earp and his clan. Wyatt ran a card game and spent most of his time here.

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Around Town in Tucson
Bringing in the New Year, early January

The Cowboys had just clinched the playoffs and home-field advantage, so I was a happy guy when I took this photo. I had just left the Fox and Hound Sports Grille and tossed my hat on the seat next to me. Why did I take this photo? I have no idea.

Showing off my new sunglasses bought at the local Goodwill Store for 79 cents. They are Ohio State glasses and are very cool.

My favorite hangout is the Starbucks on University Drive, one block west of the University of Arizona main campus. The building used to be someone's home: wooden floors still intact.

The fireplace (there are two) in the Starbucks back room. Back in the day, this was someone's bedroom. It's a very nice place to hang out, relax, and visit with UA students.

A mural on the wall in the Starbucks...reminds me of a girl I once dated. She also was flat, cold, and expressionless.

The Casino del Sol, located west and south of downtown Tucson on the Pascua Yaqui indian reservation.

The east entrance to the Casino del Sol. The poker room is located just inside those doors beyond the trees. I spend 20-30 hours a week here, trying to become a card player like Doc Holiday, who was known as a real card shark and was regularly threatened by gun-toting losers who couldn't play very well. Luckily, guns are no longer allowed inside the poker room (at least not this one!)

A "Moment of Zin" at a Motel 6. As you can tell, I sometimes get bored.

My supplies for a stay at the motel: cell phone, plastic utensils, fresh fruit, and junk food. Living in motels can be ruiness to one's diet, so I've learned to buy fruit instead of Hostess Twinkies. I rarely eat junk food any more, choosing to eat from a grocery store or at a restaurant.

I have a beautiful drive to work, traveling along the foothills of the mountains on Sunset Road. I took this photo on the morning after a cold and rainy day...the sky was blue and the air was crisp and very clear. I never tire of the scenery here.

Homes along the foothills. One day I would like to own a home in this area of Tucson (we can only dream, of course.)

Inside the Fox and Hound Sports Grille on the day the Cowboys lost to the New York Giants. I was sick for days. This room in the Fox has huge TV screens along the wall.

My Two-Day Trip to Phoenix/Scottsdale

Carefree Arts Festival, weekend of January 18-20

These bikers were headed north on Hwy. 51 toward the little town of Carefree. There is a six mile "scenic route" from Scottsdale.

These mountains overlook Carefree. If you look hard, you can see a house on the very top of the mountain.

Looking north toward downtown Carefree.

The views around Carefree are just beautiful. I took this photo looking northeast just outside of town.

Downtown square, Carefree, Arizona. The downtown area is imaculate, landscaped, with brick streets, quaint offices, retail shops and a very cool atmosphere.

Early morning view of the Arts Festival, featuring artists from around the nation. The crowds began to slowly arrive and by noon the streets were packed. I was early, so I had breakfast at a cafe called "The Sundial."

After three hours of walking around looking at art, I sat on a bench for a break. This was my view looking west.

Some art pieces via my Nikon digital camera. A rather artistic shot, I must say.

This artisan makes indian clothing, blankets, quilts. She was working on a piece outside her booth at the festival. Some of the artists were demonstrating their techniques at their booths.

The wine tasting pavilion was a popular hangout at the festival. I was a little tipsy when I took this shot.

The Wild Holly Gallery. I took this photo primarily because I liked the art piece; the girl looking at the woman in the brown shirt as if to say, "why don't you take me home with you?".

The wine tasting pavillion also featured live music. A guitarist, Patrick Ki, played while I was there.

The art festival in Carefree is offered by a group of artists called The Thunderbird Artists, and they set up their booths here four times a year. The Thunderbirds offer festivals throughout Arizona, providing one way the artists can sell and promote their works.

I took this self-portrait looking at some mirrors encased in glass and ceramic. Moments after I left, the mirror was sold for hundreds of dollars.

McDonald's Car Show, Scottsdale

I was headed for my motel on Saturday after leaving Carefree and I ran into a car show in Scottsdale. The car show was sponsored by McDonald's, and there were hundreds of vintage cars strewn across acres of a shopping center parking lot.

I love the palm trees sticking up in the air like paint brushes overlooking hundreds of very expensive cars.

This is a red 1952 Corvette with only 15,000 original miles. It can be yours for only $150,000.

This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan is canary yellow and decorated with enough chrome to make your eyes hurt.

Check out this paint job.

This past Sunday I sat down at a $3/$6 (with full Kill) Limit hold'em game and was immediately entertained by the loose-aggressive play going on. Low limit games are ripe with loose-aggressive play, so I wasn't surprised. Three of the nine players were close to being "maniacs", depending on your definition. As a result, most hands were raised preflop. I said at one point, "Looks like we have a $6/$12 game disguised as a $3/$6."

The truth is, I was right. When loose-aggressive play becomes a constant theme at the table, it's like arbitrarily creating a higher-stakes game. I have found it usually takes more than one LAG player to pull it off, and in this game there were three players more than willing to raise, reraise, or cap numerous pots. I played for over eleven hours, trying throughout the session to figure out the best strategy against LAG play. As I left the poker room early Monday morning, I was mentally exhausted and by bankroll was a little smaller.

So, the question is: how do you play against loose-aggresives? I've read books, looked online, visited forums, and still can't quite come to grips on how to combat a maniac who gets lucky and wins huge pots when the odds are extremely against them. Maybe that's the one lesson to be learned: LAG players will get lucky, but in the long run, over time, they will eventually go broke if they keep it up. One reason LAG play is so popular is because of the huge amounts of money you can win. Solid players just scratch their heads and are amazed when a LAG player catches another river card to take down the pot. And since I am trying to be a solid player, this last Sunday night I was in awe of some of the hands that took down pots.

What are some things a solid player can do to deal with a loose-aggressive player or table?

1. If you feel like your losing your cool, getting uncomfortable, or going on tilt, then just get up and leave or change tables. This sounds simple, but sometimes you convince yourself you can outdraw the LAGs with better cards and superior postflop play. However, solid play and odds are often useless against a maniac on a wild rush of luck. So, get up and leave.

2. Solid players must become even more solid against the LAG, tightening up their starting hand requirements and concentrating on postflop and turn play. When you go against a loose-aggressive player who is hoping for that miracle turn or river card, you better have a solid hand. Bluffing them out won't normally work.

3. Avoid competing against the LAG, and seek to isolate the other players on whom you have a good read. LAGs are difficult to read, they can play any two cards and raise with anything. So avoid playing against them. Discover who you can beat at the table, and target them.

4. It's often been said, "when in doubt, be aggressive." Against LAGs, it's often effective to be aggressive against them. If they raise, you reraise. If they reraise, you cap it. Just be sure you have a good hand before you attempt it. You can't show any weakness against loose-aggressives or they will eat you alive. In many cases, you must try to "fight fire with fire."

5. Against LAGs you must be willing to call them more often, especially on the river. They are using aggression to win pots, not their cards, in many cases. If they sniff out a rock-solid, but fearful, player they will attempt to run right over them. Playing too tight against a LAG is an open invitation for them to steal pots, especially on the turn and river when you have missed the flop with a premium hand. Sometime you just have to pay them off to keep them honest.

Some final thoughts. I'm from the school of "tight-aggressives" that believes over the long haul, tight-aggressive play wins money, especially in limit cash games. I don't believe that the LAG style is the optimum strategy for limit games (no-limit tournaments, maybe, but not cash games.) LAG players will have enormous swings and variance: they will win a lot money one night, and lose a lot of money the next night. They primarily use aggression and table presence to intimidate their opponents, and thus ego and personality come into play as well.

I prefer to have the odds in my favor, the edge. Thus, I might become a LAG myself at times, if the situation calls for it. It is a strategy, a style of play, a tool, that can be used as a weapon when necessary. But the LAG style of play is not the best way to play, at all times, in every game.

Marathon Session and My First Milestone

mile·stone, –noun
1. a stone functioning as a milepost.
2. a significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, or the like of a person, nation, etc.: Her getting the job of supervisor was a milestone in her career. (from dictionary.com)

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I played an 11-hour session yesterday and surpassed my first real milestone in this game: I have now played more than 1,000 hours of poker in live in a casino setting, primarily small stakes limit hold'em.

I once heard a professional player say that a person needs at least 3,000 hours of live play before considering themselves a serious player. So, I guess I'm one-third of a serious player...working my way to that 3,000 hours milestone.

When I sat down at the table yesterday at the Casino del Sol in Tucson, I had played 994 hours since I began tracking my sessions on a spreadsheet back in July, 2006. I needed six hours to surpass the 1,000-hour mark. The clock said it was 12:10 p.m. when I began...therefore, at 6:10 p.m. last night, January 4, 2008, I hit the 1,000-hour mark.

As I look at my spreadsheet, I see I have played 1,005 hours. This does not include the hours I've played online, though I no longer play online because it's too boring. Online poker gave me a way to learn the game, and I tracked over 12,000 hands online dating back to 2005. But I have no desire to sit alone in a room and play online poker ever again. I love sitting in a room full of players, the noise of chips riffling in the air, dealers joking around. Poker in its most vital, symbolic and purist form is played in a social context. A poker room with all of it's atmosphere and characters and silliness is what real poker is all about.

After 1,005 hours of play, I've logged the following stats:
*99 winning sessions, 118 losing sessions: a total of 217 sessions with a 45.6% winning rate.

My goal is to hit the 2,000-hour milestone this year. To play 1,000 hours I'll have to average 19-20 hours a week. By this time next year, I hope to see improvement in my hourly win rate. After all, the idea is to become a better player. Experience is the best teacher.

Concerning my 11-hour session last night, here's an exerpt from my session notes:

I played well for the most part. Just had no cards at all. I was tired late and got grumpy…began to complain a bit when beat…must keep a check on my emotions and not berate or complain or gripe…even when I get tired. If I start to bitch and gripe, it's a sign to think about quitting. I bought in for a total of $250, and actually was back up to about $235 late...very up and down. I could not gain any momentum. Missed flops, lousy starting hands, and others sucking out to beat me. Just one of those days.

The coldest night of the season hit us this week when temps dipped below freezing. Snows hit the upper elevations and the mountains, but here in the valley it was just cold. When I awoke and drove for breakfast into the city, fog was so thick that visibility was down to about 30 yards. As the morning sun melted away the fog, the skies cleared and I was startled to see the snow-capped mountains surround Tucson.

I took this picture from the parking lot of the shopping center where I work. What a beautiful scene.
The snow melted within a day or so and the mountains were back to normal. Temps are beginning to warm back up and we'll see a normal sunny day with little or no rain.

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The Philadelphia Eagles slammed the Cowboys today, giving the Pokes their second defeat of the season. If they continue to play this bad, forget any success in the playoffs.

I was driving down Broadway after work yesterday and saw this car in front of me. I had to take the photo...Cowboy fans are everywhere. They'll need to update their window, however, now that Dallas is 12-2.

Nothing much happening today, just work. The rain continues. The sun is usually out with Tucsonians involved in their outdoor hobbies and work, but for the last few days the rain has forced everyone inside. I'll be glad when the storms move out of here so at least I'll be able to find a seat at my local Sbux.

A retail UPS Store at Christmas is a madhouse. Gas may be $3 a gallon, but that and a slow economy hasn't slowed the pace of people shipping Christmas gifts around the world. I began this morning at 11 a.m. and didn't have a chance to catch my breath until mid-afternoon. It was a steady barrage of nonstop shipping, faxing, wrapping, processing, and general mayhem. We finally slowed to a snail's pace around 6 p.m. It will more of the same until Christmas week.

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I'm listening to the new album Raising Sand, a collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Do yourself a favor and listen to the entire album, for free, online at http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php .

I've not written much here, because I've taken some time off from the felt. It's been good for me. I've been playing a lot the last few months and I needed a break. I'm not sure how the professional poker player does it. The game is fun and I enjoy nothing more than sitting in a poker room with a stack of chips in front of me with a nice group of players.

But 50 hours of poker play, week after week, can be draining. While many players claim to be professionals, earning the majority of their income from poker, I believe most of them have other interest away from the table. Some have local businesses they own in Las Vegas. Others may write books or travel or attend poker training camps as instructors. The point is, they have a life outside the poker room.

I'll be getting back to the poker room, soon. And I plan on writing more about my experiences, especially about the characters I meet along the way. For me, poker is a great game because of the people you meet. But I'll always have a life and other interests to keep me sane.

It rained again today, making me wonder about the so-called desert around here. I guess it does rain in the desert, especially as the seasons change. But it's been raining for almost week now. Temperatures remain moderate, however, so I'm not complaining. The sun will be out soon.
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Tucson is definitely growing on me. I met a nice couple from Texas who have been living here for a few years (he works for the railroad and was transferred from El Paso and has kids living in Austin) and I told them, "I can see why you like living here. I'm beginning to think I want to spend winter here and summer in Santa Fe." They agreed. For them, their summer retreat is in Ruidoso, New Mexico where they own a cabin.

When I set out from Texas (seems like years ago, but its only been a few months) my first idea was to take my time while traveling to Las Vegas, thinking I might settle down in Henderson or some other town on the outskirts of Sin City. And to be honest, I may still do that. But I'm becoming more intrigued by the idea of living in two places, with some traveling about to keep things interesting.

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I'm trying to decide on what to do with my blogs. I have three blogs, but also want to begin a blog for my interest in art. Do I create another blog devoted to art? Or, do I combine all of my interests into one major site? I have five main areas of interest right now: writing, art, photography, poker, and traveling (or at least a blog of my journey on the road as it currently exists).

My photography blog, Photographium, is at http://photographium.blogspot.com. My writing blog, WriteFinger, is at http://writefinger.blogspot.com. And of course I have this blog, 1100 Miles to Vegas, which I began when I hit the road. My poker site, The Seven Seat (or The 7 Seat, if you prefer), is at http://www.7Seat.com. I'm also a former REALTOR and broker of real estate, but I'm switching my interest from sales to investing. I would also like a blog-slash-website on real estate investing. My question: what's the best way to organize all of these interests, where I can write about and promote my various hobbies?

I'm of the belief that the more blogs/websites you have, the more likely you are to catch an audience. But I may be wrong. Maybe I need just one site that plays host to all of my hobbies. I'm getting a headache just contemplating the ideas bouncing around in my head.