Uncultured

We had a family day out yesterday; me wife, two kids and dog.

We started the day in Crosby, just north of Liverpool, to take a look at the sculptures by Anthony Gormley, standing in the sea. The dog had a nice walk, kids got to run about on the beach, and we had our picnic looking out to sea towards the offshore wind farm.

After that we moved on to Liverpool. My daughter wanted to go to the Tate Modern, and my son went along with that idea when he found out they had a den-making exhibit.

The drive to the Albert dock was a nightmare. It took three quarters of an hour to travel about 5 miles. The waterfront seems to be one huge building site, and the traffic lights seem to be doing everything they can to hold you up.

Once we got on to the dock we discovered that it had just six disabled parking spaces. Six! And there are no concessions for the disabled. I ended up dropping the family off whilst Woody and I went to find somewhere to park up and wait. I came back an hour later and found a space, and decided to let Woody stretch his legs whilst we waited. Guess what? No dogs allowed on the Albert Dock. So, back in the car to wait for the others. At least they had a good time at the Tate, where the staff were very helpful, and the den-making was great fun.

Return to the Bloggerment

Last night was the 53rd Britbloggerment on Pokerstars. So these have been running over a year now? Still lots of the same names there that were there at the start - BurnleyMik and Acorn of course, Rosie, AlEleven and Quixote8. Oh, and me too, but playing much less regularly than I was.

Congratulations to Acorn for taking it down; I came 5th, outside the money again, as my AJ went down to Cell's AK, as neither of us improved.

Things had started really well as, early on my pair of sixes met a flop of 633, and then, to my delight, two players went all in before me! That gave me the chip lead for quite a while, but it dribbled away over the next two hours.

I did manage one success last night, as I BurnleyMik put a $5 bounty on AlEleven. I took that as I rivered a straight to beat Al's pair. So I can afford to play again next week, as long as I don't donk it off at the cash tables before then!

So what time does the tide usually come in?

Eclipsed
Originally uploaded by Rambling0n

Had a lovely family day out in Southport today, where I took this photo of a sculpture at the end of the pier.

Whilst we were on the pier, I was approached by an American couple who asked, "Is the tide coming in or going out?" If you've been to Southport, you'll know that when the tide is out it is virtually over the horizon. It was like that then, and I replied "I think it is about low tide now." "So what time does it usually come in then?" they asked, "Morning or afternoon?"

I suppose living on an island you forget that some people can live a thousand miles from the coast, but it was all I could do to politely reply "It's a different time every day." From the look on their faces I don't think they believed me!

More pics

Been out and about with the camera again today. I've uploaded a load of pictures to Flickr.

One photo I think has come out quite well is this one.

Maybe it's a bit corny having a black and white photo of a black and white bird, but I like it.

Where eagles dare

Went to Haweswater yesterday, looking for golden eagles. What we actually saw was 1 crow, 1 chaffinch and 2 geese!

We set off to climb up to High Street, but at 2200 feet the wind was so strong that the kids couldn't stay on their feet.

Here's a few photos of the day.

Moving On

I've had enough. I want to do something constructive at work, not just plod along. There are so many things wrong in this Company, but nobody seems interested in fixing them, or in letting me fix them.

Last Friday I started phoning contacts I have made in the industry over the last few years. It's amazing who one knows when one sits down and thinks about it. I'm on first name terms with a director of the largest company in the industry. I know the owners of several of the smaller businesses well.

Of course none of these contacts matter if there are no vacancies. In these times no one can afford to create a position for someone; but, the word is out there that I am looking for a job. Hopefully if someone is considering expanding their team, they'll think of me. My CV has been polished 'til it gleams.

Speaking of CVs, a little addition to my interests is Athletics Coach. Turning up twice a week to watch my kids train is now expanding into helping with the coaching. Last Monday I was helping one of the top under 20 800m runners in the country. Of course he knows far more about it than me! I've sent off all the forms for the enhanced disclosure, to make sure I'm safe to work with kids, and I'm hopefully going on a coaching course with UK Athletics. Level 1 is just for assistant coach, but, who knows, maybe you'll see me at the Olympics with my proteges in 2020 ;)

Britbloggerment 48

Played tonight, and things were going pretty well. Down to the last 6, and getting a bit low on chips. I limped with A9c, and, with a flop of Ad 3h Kh, I pushed. After some thought the big stack, PhillyStein, called, and showed A6s. The inevitable 6 on the river sent me to the rail.

Congratulations to the winner, jjay2005. The final table finished like this:

1: jjay2005 (watford), $47.50 (50%)
2: Oenone (Scotland), $28.50 (30%)
3: Cell 1919 (Leeds), $19.00 (20%)
4: PhillyStein (Elkins Park),
5: simonjjj (watford),
6: stephenrhall (Blackburn),
7: jd8119 (Bristol),
8: zagga (East Kilbride),
9: lisam8319 (Bristol)

Pimpage (better late than never)

Come and play pot limit omaha with the good doctor, tonight at 9:20 GMT. If you've never played PLO before, all the better, I need someone worse than me!

TPTK

Congratulations to BurnleyMik and Yorkshire Pud on their forthcoming additions!

Meet Woody

Against my better judgement, We've adopted a 14 month old labrador. As you can see, he is absolutely adorable.

Training with Kelly Holmes

Last September my 8 year old daughter joined Ribble Valley Athletics Club, inspired by a week of free athletics activities over the summer holidays.

The club is particularly strong in middle distance running, with the head coach Don having previously been a middle distance runner.

His daughter Leigh, only sixteen, a few weeks ago won gold in both 400 and 800 metre events at the north of England under 20s championships. As a result of that she has been selected to represent England at U20 level. On top of that she has now been given a place on a training camp with Kelly Holmes.


My little girl has been so inspired by all this - she trains twice a week, in all weathers, indoors, on the outdoor track, and cross-country. Last week she dragged me out for a 2km run in the snow. What I think is great about her joining the club is not whether she wins anything or not, but the fabulous supportive atmosphere at the club, where you will find 13,14,15 year old kids looking out for all the younger ones, 16,17,18 year olds coaching younger athletes, and a great turn out from club members to support their team mates even when they are not taking part in an event.

A few weeks ago my daughter took part in an indoor sports hall games event, setting 3 personal bests and scoring points for the club. She was so chuffed!

If you live in the Ribble Valley/Blackburn area, and you've got kids who like sport, get them along to RVAC. Just turn up on a Monday, 6pm at Witton Park, Blackburn, or Oakhill Academy, Whalley, on Wednesdays at 7pm. Just look out for the large group of polite, healthy looking kids and introduce yourself.

Saturday with Dr Pauly

Pauly has restarted his Saturday tourneys on Pokerstars, and the name of the game is Pot Limit Omaha.

Now I have a big problem with Omaha; intellectually I know only two out of the four hole cards count, but, emotionally, I see all those cards and get over-excited, leading to big mistakes.

Last night things were going pretty well, I was well up with the leaders in chips, not making too many donkey calls, and had outlasted a few players I know, such as ResdentEvil and Katitude. Then this hand comes along -

I am dealt:

Qh 8c 8s Qd. 

I raise pre-flop and get one caller.

Flop is 

Qc 9s Jd

The internal donkey shouts "Full House" and I push all in.

One caller.

Of course I haven't got a boat, because I can only use two hole cards.  In fact I only had a set of queens.

The villain shows

Kh Kc 2c Th

I am ahead.  He has a pair and is drawing to a straight.

Turn is 4h.  No help for him.

River is Ac and he hits his straight, and I bust out.

Oops. 

I might try again next time.  Note to self - count to 5 before shoving!

Whoops, that was a long time between posts!

Hello once again loyal reader. After a gap of 6 weeks I've summoned up the energy for a post.

In the news -

1. I didn't get the job. In fact, no one was appointed, and the position has been re-advertised. I am officially not better than nothing.

2. Christmas was a nice, calm family affair. Excessive quantities of alcohol were not consumed.

3. Poker playing is, as usual, up and down. My attempt to build my bankroll from almost nothing on Mansion is stalled. I've been as high as $120, and back down to $70.

4. My wife has been back to the consultant neurosurgeon, who is the most obnoxious, arrogant member of the medical profession it has ever been my misfortune to meet. As far as he is concerned because he has fixed the slipped disc, there can't be anything wrong with her. Obviously she is just using that wheelchair for fun..... Back to the GP if I can ever persuade her to visit a doctor again after this experience.

Journey South

Off down the M5 on Monday for a second (and I am assured last) interview. A 400 mile round trip.

Update

Ok, interview over. Haven't really got a clue whether it was good or bad. I find out in the morning if I've got a second interview. If I do it will be on Monday in the home town of Rosie and the SS Great Britain.

Today's the day

Interview today.

I am much more nervous about this interview than the one earlier in the year. I suppose it is because I feel that this is the last chance with my current employer. If I don't get this job then I will start looking elsewhere.

Blue badge rant

Regular readers will know that my wife has had some major health problems. This means that if we go out shopping she has to use a wheelchairs. As a consequence, she has a blue disabled parking badge. The main problem with this is that all the disabled spaces in the car parks are often full.

The reason we need a disabled space is not to do with closeness to the shops (though I like that when I'm pushing the chair!), it is all about the width of the space, allowing the car door to open fully, and the wheelchair to fit easily between cars.

On Wednesday we had a trip to the Trafford Centre. We found a disabled space, next to the lift, on the end of a row, so cars alongside my wife's door weren't an issue anyway. We went off and did our shopping (credit card is hurting now) and came back about three hours later.

Parked next to our car, not in a proper space but in the roadway at the end of the row, parked so close that I would be concerned getting in myself without banging the door, was another car. A car with a disabled badge. A car with a notice in the passenger door requesting people not to park to close because they used a wheelchair! How can somebody who is a wheelchair user themselves park so as to so badly inconvenience another disabled person? There appears to be a small number of disabled badge holders that give the rest a bad name. They use their parking privileges to "abandon" their cars wherever is most convenient without any thought to other road users or pedestrians, and other people won't say anything for fear of being thought uncaring.

Unfortunately I didn't have a pen on me, or there would have been a very snotty note left on their windscreen. We also reported them to the centre staff, but I suspect nothing would be done.

Why don't they fold?

Continuing my efforts at bank roll building on Mansion, I've got stuck in the $60-$70 region. I'm playing $0.05/$0.10 cash games. The problem I'm having at the moment is the idiots who chase their draws to the river. However, it does sometimes work to my advantage. The following hand is an example. I know the guy will see a flop with any rubbish (having previously been beaten by his 8 3o!

ANTES/BLINDS Hero posts blind ($0.05), .jackrymer68 posts blind ($0.10). PRE-FLOP Mejram folds, IceManQQQ folds, sebequino calls $0.10, xrajka calls $0.10, Hibachi13 folds, joza111 folds, Baggers59 folds, Hero bets $0.35, .jackrymer68 calls $0.30, sebequino calls $0.30, xrajka calls $0.30. FLOP [board cards: QS,7S,9C ] Hero bets $1.50, .jackrymer68 folds, sebequino calls $1.50, xrajka folds. TURN [board cards: QS,7S,9C,7C ] Hero bets $2.95 and is all-in, sebequino calls $2.95. RIVER [board cards: QS,7S,9C,7C,5D ] SHOWDOWN Hero shows [ QC,KC ] sebequino shows [ 8C,TC ] Hero wins $10.

SUMMARY Dealer: Baggers59 Pot: $10.50, (including rake: $0.50) Hero. bets $4.85, collects $10, net $5.15 .jackrymer68, loses $0.40 Mejram, loses $0 IceManQQQ, loses $0 sebequino, loses $4.85 xrajka, loses $0.40 Hibachi13, loses $0 joza111, loses $0 Baggers59, loses $0

Cash at Last

Played in tonights Brit Bloggerment for the first time for a while. And, for the first time ever, I made it to the money, finishing third.

I certainly had my share of luck along the way, but I don't think I made too many donkey calls. I managed to practice some of the restraint I've been learning in the cash games; I only saw 12% of flops.

I left HullJimi and BrainMc fighting it out for victory.

Update: Congratulations to HullJimi, who took the tourney down after 2 hours 44 minutes.

A right to free speech?

I went in to Blackburn town centre today with all the family. My daughter's favourite dress had had an accident involving an iron, so we were off shopping to replace it.

As we walked into the main pedestrianised area, we were confronted by two people addressing the public with amplifiers.

On the right was Jack Straw MP, Minister for Justice, and someone who, despite being a cabinet minister for many years, takes his constituency responsiblities seriously. Once a month he goes into the town centre, stands on a box, and invites his constituents to ask him questions. Whilst we were passing today he was promising to take up an issue with the Chancellor, and was going to respond in writing to the questioner. Whilst I may disagree with many of the things this government has done, and Jack Straw has been a major player since they were first elected, I cannot but admire him for putting himself out there for his constituents to harangue.

On the opposite side was a man with a board proclaiming him to be from a presbyterian church. What he was doing was rather less praise-worthy. In the middle of a very multi-cultural town, and a time once again of heightened tension due to events in Sudan, he was bellowing offensive comments about Muhammad and the Pope. So much for good will to all men at Christmas. I am pleased to say that the only person appearing to listen to him was his colleague trying to hand out leaflets. However, he may have attracted more of an audience if Jack Straw hadn't been there.

Whilst I believe everyone is free to believe what they want, I don't want my children exposed to this poison. At the moment they don't notice skin colour, and show interest in, not contempt for, the various world religions.