Anyone else ready for more debauchery?

Huh? How could this be? Some people don't like being awkwardly thrown under the bus in Frisco? Are they on the Clinton payroll? What the heck is going on?

Friends, tell me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm a pretty easy going guy. Have I not come a long way? It is pretty difficult to get on my nerves, as opposed to some people who let everything affect them. I've read articles on the web and in magazines about how you can affect your health by being quick to anger. I've also read another take on it in Proverbs 14:29.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Sometimes though, people test you and make it very difficult for you to keep your cool. It seems like I run into this situation every time I sit down at a card table with Kevin O'Neill. He's a good pal of Jerry's, and for the life of me I don't know why the dude just can't be cool with me when it comes to cards. There always has to be some kind of smart ass, snide comment lobbed my way. To wit:

1) Saying "I can't play with this dealer" and sighing heavily when I made a very simple mistake when dealing Hold Em.

2) Shitting on my ability to play, in a roundabout way, when really I had enough and just wanted to throw the game and go home after Episode #1.

3) Next time around, saying in a smart ass tone "Yeah, that was my strategy, just to be lucky" after I tried to make innocent small talk about how great his cards were the time before.

4) Last night in Kenmore (buddy's house by Consumer's), saying something to the effect of "I don't mind losing a guy" after I suggested a friendly game this time instead of betting cash (seeing as the last couple of times, $10 made people act funny).

Now, this isn't to say he hasn't been awesome off of the card table. We've chilled and had a good time on many previous occasions. I just want to make that clear, and to offer up some balance.

Some people (Jerry included) just don't understand what would stop people from betting their chips foolishly when money isn't involved, as opposed to a meaningless $10. Not that I am unable to defend myself, but I would never EVER let anyone cheap shot him without being swiftly made to look like a jerk. Is there something I don't understand?

I've gotta tell ya, this has had a cumulative effect on me, and especially after half a dozen Spatens I nearly lost my nerve. Even worse, I almost gave in and lost my commitment to completely cease ingesting green things. Oh, but don't worry peeps, I held on and that's about all I want to broadcast about it.

I don't get mad a lot, and don't believe in anger as an appropriate response to most situations. I couldn't tell you when the last time I really got mad was before last night. I told Jerry "You and I are talking tomorrow" via text and I know he likes being cool with the guy, he's KO's pal, but if it happens again I'm not going to get mad - I'm just going to offer up $10 and ask if that's the price for him to not be a shithead. More realistically, I should just avoid ever playing cards with the guy again.

Sometimes it just has to be that way, because people just can't be cool. I'm not going to let it get me down, because the good lord gave us another friggin awesome day, the girls are everywhere, I got some sweet new Ray-Bans, I have visions of taking the backroads with classic rock blaring, and the grill is officially open.

If you see this guy today, offer him Limoncello or Grappa.

Well peeps, things have been, eh, so-so. But, I am here and making the best of it. Some happenings:

- Found out my high school sweetie is getting married in July. She is one of the good ones, and I wish only the best for her.

- Went to the Brian Dux Benefit on Saturday. You all should have been there! It was a great event that did a lot of good for a friend. I have to admit, when I saw him I started to tear up. I hate seeing him that way, but it makes you remember that whatever problems or hurdles you have, they are small.

- Spent yesterday bumming it over at Merlin's with some friends, then rolling back to the apartment for a barbecue. Indie rock and good burgers were the theme of the night.

- For the first time ever, I got a spam text today. Freaking A.

Ohhhhhmmmmmmmm

Oh boy, I can still taste the Tyskie on my palate. You know it's going to be a cracking evening of entertainment when the first thing a girl says to you is that you're drinking out of her ex husband's flask. HA! It ain't his anymore - on both accounts. Later she taught me how to Polka.

And Polka I did, the irony being neither of the girls I danced with were Polish. One was Ukrainian, the other was the Buffalo mix of Irish and Italian. Everyone knows my aversion to dancing, but I actually had a great time doing the Polka. This must mean I am getting old. I don't care though, because it was seriously a fun, carefree night.

At the Terminal I saw (e:JBeatty) and his guest. It was nice to see you out and about. I should have mentioned the ice bar with the free vodka shots in it, but I'm sure you found it anyway. I hope your guest wasn't Polish and offended by my little joke concerning how the beer line was thought out. I can't help my sense of humor sometimes.

Adam Miskiewprzxcyt Library and Dramatic Circle was the venue for the Polka, and the floor was shaking up and down, up and down. The band did Polka covers of some AC/DC tunes, and also some real authentic folk music type of shit which I enjoyed. There was beer and food everywhere. On the way Josh and some others got SMOKED in the leg with a pussy willow, which I found very funny when they described the pain. Love hurts, buddy, suck it up!

I am a Dyngus Day virgin no more. Next year I am definitely taking the day after off. Why Monday, Poles? Why why why?

Overall it was a good weekend. Chelsea beat Arsenal, Liverpool lost, I got fed, and my car didn't quit on me.

My bracket is totally screwed right now. I had Georgetown and Duke in the Final 4. I still have Memphis and UNC though, so hopefully I can make a comeback in my little Yahoo bracket competition.

I haven't called that girl back after that birthday date nightmare. You know she called me up during the date when I was signing her birthday card and getting her cake, telling me to go back into the living room because she was bored? I laughed so hard when I heard that message. Ajay, you were right, I should have been trying for Girl #2 instead. Coming to terms with failure is just part of the deal I suppose.

Since everyone is talking about work...well, the mood around here is still really off. It has been exacerbated recently by a pile of issues and the fact that one of the guys has been out on vacation. Everyone's mood is awful. Conditions are not ideal, and I think I'm going to look into moving on. We'll see how it goes.

Today is Dyngus Day. What I've read suggests that many a person have found true love on Dyngus Day, although I don't know if that extends to the non-Polish. I think I'll just go and have fun and be flirty and party and be Polish for a day. That sounds pretty good. I hope that there is food at this shindig.

Ok, got to go, but I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. Be good, peeps, and don't drink and drive today if you're Polish or wannabe Polish!

I'm doing pretty darn well so far in my NCAA bracket. I got 13 of 16 correct, missing only Kansas State, UNLV and Texas A&M.

I got that St. Joseph's/Oklahoma game right, though Josh!

The rest were kindasorta gimmes. I won't win a prize if I do better than my pals, only the satisfaction of victory.

I have to give it to the man, it's f**king brill. He says everything that needs to be said. Not saying I'm ready to come into the fold, but I have a lot of respect for someone who doesn't hide behind their campaign staff, deflect, counterattack, or otherwise avoid difficult moments.

Of course, as usual for me, I worried needlessly.

The other night she met us out at my local to watch the Sabres game (she loves the Sabres probably more than I do) and she heard us talking about the nomenclature we use for all of the Nicoles in our lives (N1, N2, N3, etc...)

I should explain.

Jerry and I know a jillion Nicoles, some of them have been our girlfriends, flings, pals, and everything in between. Most of it of course being on Jerry's end because I have no game whatsoever. We know a lot of Nicoles. So we call my ex-girlfriend Nicole N5, because she is the fifth Nicole we know. It is only a way for us to keep all of these Nicoles straight when in conversation with each other. There is no malice or shady connotation whatsoever.

Of course, the object of my affection heard that and ran off to the bathroom, looking none too pleased. She thought when I said N5 that it was in fact the fifth Nicole I've bread and buttered, and I number them because of some sinister macho male reason, and I do this with all my lovers. Of course it isn't true at all, but that didn't matter.

She said, I thought you were different. She told me how disappointed she was. It was like a dagger to the chest. I would rather get kicked in the balls with spiked boots than hear that come from her mouth. I thought, damn, I got sunk by a negative trait I don't even have!!! Jerry caught wind of this and immediately straightened the situation out, lord knows I tried but couldn't explain so well when I had lumps in my throat.

Anyway....now things are better, and I landed another date. I told her that I might not see her on her birthday, so I wanted to celebrate with her on our own. Gonna take her to dinner, and I had an idea for the Albright Knox but she isn't all that down with the exhibit, not the kind of art she likes. So I'm sort of looking for any helpful ideas about what galleries are cool in the area and where might be a good idea to take a girl to see some stuff. Or, if you have an off the wall idea to help me, please do. I've got part of my plan set, but not all of it!