March 4, 2022

  • Those marvelous Ukrainian bastards!

    I hope that all those Javelins and Stingers make it to the front lines. I hope that command/control in Russia doesn't follow through on any launch orders from Putin. I hope those freedom-loving Ukrainians bloody Russia badly enough to dissuade China from wading over to Taiwan. I hope we are not on rails to WWIII.

    I was cruising along during Jackpot week, with a highlight of pocket 4s forming up to quads on 5th street while making a house for my opponent. Of the first five knocked out, I held the chips of four of them. My demise was thick pre-flop action leaving me and three others to see Ac-8h-Jh on the board. I was holding Ad-Js and was first to act. I wished to push all the Broadway draws out before they found their fifth card, so I jammed it all-in. The guy on my left called and the other two skidaddled. My caller was holding Ah-Qh. 4th street: Qd. Fuck me. 5th street: Kh. Insult to injury. That's poker. I am sure there is poker theory that paints my play as poor, but I am satisfied with the way I handled it.

    Ice Picc sent me an etouffee recipe that adds coffee into the mix and serves over grits. I don't know if I can truck with the grits instead of the traditional rice.

    As of last week, 100% Kona coffee purchased on the Big Island is running about $50 per lb. Dirk's Vodka can be had at any Texas Total Wine & More for $20 a fifth and $41 per handle. Ausab Premium Australian Abalone with Shell, Farmed, 10-count ~1kg found at select Costco locations lists at $52.99. 2nd day shipping from Australia.

    I've been streaming Blue Bloods in the background while I get other stuff done. It is amazing how often they can't make the case because the witnesses won't cooperate because they are helpless against criminal reprisal. It dawned on me that the laws in NYC do not allow for the witnesses to own and carry a gun. About 40% of that show's drama wouldn't exist in Dallas, Miami, Denver, Phoenix, Nashville, or Atlanta. I think it is ridiculous that there are places in this country where regular citizens who are worried about criminals in their midst are hamstrung in selecting a firearm for self defense. I find it disturbing that one group of US citizens feel they have the right to determine gun ownership for others.

    With historical examples of Nazi Germany and Cuba, along with present-day examples of Venezuela, and now Ukraine, I am still baffled by how hell-bent some groups continue to press for a wide range of gun confiscation. One wonders how keen Russia would have been to escalate in Ukraine if they had gun laws and ownership rates akin to the USA. There used to be a saying that the hunters on opening day of Wisconsin deer season were equivalent to the third largest standing army in the word. Over nine days in 2021, gun hunters took 175.5k deer in just Wisconsin. In 2021, around 675k deer hunters drew licenses in Michigan. Ukraine was a little late lifting their gun restrictions. I bet having a million additional sharp shooters in country would be useful right now.