I CHOKE AS BUBBLE BOY

It's Jared's 18th birthday today. Wow, I can't believe he's 18! K. Noel and Amanda came over for breakfast and we all went to Guasti Homestyle Cafe. It was an old home before when Chino was known for its wine grapes. At least that's the story. Then, over time, it was converted into a restaurant.

The servings were huge and it was the kind of breakfast you imagine you want to cook and just get crazy over. I couldn't even come close to finishing mine meal, but I did eat about half the hash browns, all three eggs and one of the fried bologna slices as well as the four slices of toast.

Then K. Noel and Amanda left for the track while Marissa, moms and I went back to the house. After chilling for a little while, Marissa's dad picked her up and off we all went to Viejas casino where gambling is legal for 18 year olds. We dropped moms off and then drove out to San Diego State.

The campus is nice and it's got a great view since it overlooks the freeway and surrounding community. I was surprised how nice it was, but it still had that state school look to me. After driving around a little, I got some money at a BofA and then we headed back to Viejas.

But the tournament didn't start until 6:15PM so we did some shopping at the outlet stores right across the street. We went into the Nike discount store and I was very close to buying some shoes but decided against it.

Then we went back across the street, smoked a knock-off swisher, then headed in. We actually were a few minutes late since their clock was a little faster than ours. Poor Jared got out on some unlucky hands.

One hand had him with AK v A3 against a cutie. She flopped two pair and while Jared turned trips, she turned a boat. He's lucky not to have lost all his chips on that hand. But his final blow was KQs v AA and what are you going to do about that.

I actually doubled up a few times. I played about nine hands and got to two tables with five people each. But I had what BJ called a brain fart and pushed KJ when the guy next to me who was under the gun just limped in with KQ. I felt like an idiot when he called because I didn't think he would. The Q flopped and that was that.

The final table was set and I was left looking at the board wondering what the fuck I just did. I couldn't believe what happened and how I screwed up. I had 22 pink chips worth 500 and two yellow ones worth 2500. The blinds were 1000/2000. There were some guys who only had 8 pink chips. I could have just checked and waited it out.

I'm not sure what I was thinking. I guess I thought I had the best hand and I didn't actually think the guy would call me. But he did and that left me feeling so unsatisfied.

After, I tried talking to the cute sisters who also played with some encouragement from Jared. But it was a fail and although she seemed game and was giggly, I left without a number or anything. Oh well, it takes persistence and practice to get good at anything, so that's what I've been trying to do lately.

I drove home dejected, but feeling a little better after dropping Jared off at home and talking to Beejay about the hand when we got home at about 11PM. Poor moms will be tired at work tomorrow. But at least she had fun with her grandson.

(written 1/3/12)