I can hammer out a few letters about things that I hold tightly from the heart like ... this silly little game we gather from several points on a map to meet in Las Vegas for three days of losing a little bit of yourself, and gaining so much more back.
--Drizz
So much is swirling in my head regarding this year's winter gathering that I simply do not know where to start. You'd think that after six out of seven of these meet-ups, one might, understandably, become complacent, and have nothing more to report than "I went, played some poker, drank some alcohol, then came home." However, that is simply. not. possible.
Yes. I went, played some poker, drank some alcohol, then came home. But that was only a single thin, bland thread woven within a rich and colorful tapestry of people and experiences that make these trips the treasure they are. Unless you've been a part of it, it's nearly impossible to impart just what this phemomenon is, not to mention how meaningful it's become.
A little over a month ago, I'd descended to a nadir of self-pity and gloom the likes of which I'd not seen in many a decade. Without fully realizing it, I was edging my way out of this community. At some level, I think I was pushing it away before it had a chance to excomminicate me. Silly, huh? Fortunately, before I hit bottom, I'd had the sense to book my flight for the Vegas trip. If not for that single moment of clarity, I would have missed the gathering.
I made a silent promise to myself that I would banish tilt, not worry about whether I was "up" or "down," spend as much time as possible with my friends and keep an open door for new friendships to enter. I think I did a good job of keeping that promise.
I began the trip Wednesday evening, arriving a full day earlier than usual. It allowed me to acclimate and to ease into the frenzy that would begin the next day. I rang up Joseph (Poker Prof) and met up with him at Caesars. I was treated to supurb meal at Boa and a wonderfully geeky conversation about all things web, php, javascript, et al. We sprinkled in some politics and then paid respect to the passing of the great Chip Reese.
After a bit of window shopping in the Forum (one of us has a fetish for watches), Joseph took his leave. I then met up with Pauly and Change at the Bellagio Conservatory - beautifully decked out for the holidays. I accompanied them up to their swanky room and, after a glance around the digs, promptly remarked "You need have sex on every possible surface in this room." Yes. I said that. Indeed I did. I think I even made Pauly blush.
I snapped a pic of Master Pauly in his Bellagio robe:
Gracie and Sweet Sweet Pablo had arrived and we met up with them at the IP and ran into Irish Jim at the Geisha bar. With a few cocktails down, my goal of stretching the day into the wee hours tanked fast. However, my goal of leaving burden of my every day behind in Oklahoma was a success. I was sliding into Vegas mode and feeling the weight lift from my shoulders.
Day one was in the books and I was feeling a warm happy buzz that didn't leave me for the next four days.
If you want to tilt a cowboy at the poker table by telling him about the corduroy g-string you're wearing from the Wranglers surplus store - the poker table is place where lies are rewarded.
--Drizz
(to be continued, of course)
