Monday, October 29, 2007
We Made It!!
Nick and I happily celebrated our one-year anniversary yesterday: bike ride, football, thunderstorm, movies and pizza. It was great! So far year 2 has been fun as well. More later!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Pumpkin Carving Geniuses
On Saturday evening, Nick and I went to a pumpkin-carving contest at Sergei and Janelle's. We're pretty proud of our final product:
It's a snowman! Only drawback: he doesn't look quite as cool in the dark. The props really make him fun.
All the pumpkins together. You can't tell, but there are candles glowing in each one.
I'm hoping that Sergei gets his pictures up soon - my camera battery died and I couldn't really get good pictures of all the other pumpkins but they were pretty neat! I didn't realize that our friends were so creative!
It's a snowman! Only drawback: he doesn't look quite as cool in the dark. The props really make him fun.
All the pumpkins together. You can't tell, but there are candles glowing in each one.
I'm hoping that Sergei gets his pictures up soon - my camera battery died and I couldn't really get good pictures of all the other pumpkins but they were pretty neat! I didn't realize that our friends were so creative!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday Night at the Races
AKA We're the old fogies who left first but at least we came out!!
Tonight we went to Dave's for supper (stew and tacos) and games. I "won" Bohnanza in a 5-way tie in a 6-player game. Sweet! After Bohnanza, a bunch of people showed up, and I got everyone to play Bunco. Bunco is pretty fun - it's just rolling dice over and over until someone gets the correct three-of-a-kind. I started off pretty well, but ended up finishing 9th out of 11 (Nick was 8th). Dave was the big winner but with an asterisk because his table didn't understand the rules in the first round (The rules are: Keep track of the ones that each person rolls and play until one person rolls a three-of-a-kind).
After that yet more people showed up and we split into groups and played separate games. Nick and I played a game that will hereby be known as "The Other Train Game." TOTG has even simpler rules than the train game, if you can imagine that. I ended up winning the first two rounds and then tying with Bob overall. Fun night!
Tonight we went to Dave's for supper (stew and tacos) and games. I "won" Bohnanza in a 5-way tie in a 6-player game. Sweet! After Bohnanza, a bunch of people showed up, and I got everyone to play Bunco. Bunco is pretty fun - it's just rolling dice over and over until someone gets the correct three-of-a-kind. I started off pretty well, but ended up finishing 9th out of 11 (Nick was 8th). Dave was the big winner but with an asterisk because his table didn't understand the rules in the first round (The rules are: Keep track of the ones that each person rolls and play until one person rolls a three-of-a-kind).
After that yet more people showed up and we split into groups and played separate games. Nick and I played a game that will hereby be known as "The Other Train Game." TOTG has even simpler rules than the train game, if you can imagine that. I ended up winning the first two rounds and then tying with Bob overall. Fun night!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Cold and Rainy
Cold and rainy yet again today. I've been using the heated seats in my car all week. I wish the rain would go to some other part of the country that needs it more than we do!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sloppy But
We won again!! Must have been a crazy week last week! Today's game was pretty rough though - the refs took away a couple of TDs and Brett threw some interceptions. Doesn't matter though because we are 5-1!!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Porn, Porn, Porn, $20!!
This past weekend Nick and I went to Vegas for the second time this year. This trip had a completely different purpose however: to celebrate the marriage of my cousin Cindy and her new husband Ryan :) We flew in Saturday morning and settled into our fancy-dancy room at the Bellagio. It was probably the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in. We didn't spend a lot of time there, but it was definitely fun to do! After a quick trip up to the Monte Carlo to see if our favorite 100-Hand Poker machine was still there (it was) we met Cindy and Ryan, Sandy and Bob, and Mike and Michelle at the Riviera (where they were staying) to ride the Deuce bus up to Freemont Street, something Nick and I missed the first time we were out there. The light show was amazing - not at all what I expected!!
Nick and Karin outside the Bellagio. We ran into Sandy and Bob on the street in front of it and had them take this picture :)
Our fantastic bathtub at the Bellagio! It was heavenly.
The Freemont Street Experience gang
Random mural we saw on the outside of one of the downtown casinos. Go Packers!
One of the scenes from the light show.
Sunday we got up bright and early and headed over to the Imperial Palace for the wedding. Everything went quickly and smoothly. Cindy looked just radiant in her dress. After the ceremony we hopped into a limo with Cindy and Ryan and Matt and Jodi (best man and his wife) and rode out to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign - something we also hadn't seen before. Our driver was very friendly and knew a lot about Las Vegas. When the ride ended, we ate a group brunch at the Imperial Palace before the bride and groom disappeared! Mom and Dave and Sandy and Bob walked over to the Wynn with Nick and I. It's one of the newest and fanciest hotels in Vegas and we wanted to be slightly more dressed up when we went. The coolest part? They had a circular escalator inside! Of course we rode up and down it just so we could say we've done it.
Cindy and Ryan, post ceremony.
Standing at the Las Vegas sign - our limo driver took the picture for us.
Circular Escalator!
After changing out of our wedding clothes, we met up with Mom and Dave again to watch the Packer-Bear game at the Monte Carlo Pub. Unfortunately it was a case of the Jekyll and Hyde Packers. They looked really good in the first half, even getting a running game going, but fell apart in the second half and lost by seven. It was a huge disappointment and the worst part of the trip. Nick and I did win $10 playing slots afterwards though.
We also caught the fountains on our way back to the hotel. I think we watched them about 10 times while we were there.
Monday and Tuesday we were pretty much on our own. Cindy and Ryan were off doing honeymoon stuff and everyone else had left the great state of Nevada. Monday we gambled a little and saw the white tigers at the Mirage. We wandered into the Flamingo casino and found that they had a flamingo habitat, so we got to see real flamingos too! From there, we walked to the Paris and "Mon Ami Gabi" to eat supper outside on the sidewalk with a great view of the Bellagio fountains. We watched the second quarter of the Dallas-Bills Monday Night Football game (can't believe that Dallas won after 6 interceptions!!) then went to see The Producers starring Tony Danza!! Neither Nick nor I had seen it before and it was excellent! 90 minutes long with no intermission and completely enjoyable the entire time.
The white tiger.
Flamingo habitat. The guy on the right was photographing that dark-colored bird the entire time we were there. He was practically in the water trying to get a shot!
View from our dinner table (yes the fountains can shoot higher than the hotel)
Tuesday we ate at the #1 buffet in Las Vegas 2007 - it was fantastic! I couldn't even eat my way to all the different cultural stations they had (it was the Spice Buffet at Planet Hollywood). They also had areas where they would make pizza, a brat or a hamburger to your specifications. The burger was delicious. I didn't try anything else custom-made but the pizza they had out was some of the best ever. I would defiantly recommend this buffet to anyone going to Vegas. My greatest gambling coup also came at Planet Hollywood. While waiting for the buffet to open for lunch Nick and I each put $5 into 10-hand poker machines. Nick ran out of money and I had enough money left to bet the max possible (10 hands at 12 cents each). I got 5-of-a-kind on the flop! That was a $10 payoff- enough to get us back to even :)
After lunch we didn't have much time left, but we buzzed on over to the Tropicana to see the Titantic exhibit that was there. It was really neat, I'm happy we went. They had lots of artifacts that have been brought up from the wreckage on display. The coolest part was the re-creation of the Promenade deck. You went through a swinging door and out onto what looked and felt like the actual deck of the ship. They had it overly air-conditioned so it was only about 50 degrees, a fog machine making fog where the water would be, and little Christmas lights on a dark background where the sky was. Unfortunately no pictures allowed but it was pretty sweet!
That's the trip! We got back to Minneapolis around midnight, and went straight to bed after eating some Taco Bell. Until next time - Viva Las Vegas! Oh, wait, you're probably wondering about the title to this post. Well, if you've never to Vegas, there are a ton of guys who are passing out "porn cards" (size of business cards). On Monday morning, we were walking over to buy tickets to The Producers and I was looking down because the sun was really bright. Mixed in with all the porn card litter was a $20!! What a find! Nick and I gambled it all away though!
Nick and Karin outside the Bellagio. We ran into Sandy and Bob on the street in front of it and had them take this picture :)
Our fantastic bathtub at the Bellagio! It was heavenly.
The Freemont Street Experience gang
Random mural we saw on the outside of one of the downtown casinos. Go Packers!
One of the scenes from the light show.
Sunday we got up bright and early and headed over to the Imperial Palace for the wedding. Everything went quickly and smoothly. Cindy looked just radiant in her dress. After the ceremony we hopped into a limo with Cindy and Ryan and Matt and Jodi (best man and his wife) and rode out to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign - something we also hadn't seen before. Our driver was very friendly and knew a lot about Las Vegas. When the ride ended, we ate a group brunch at the Imperial Palace before the bride and groom disappeared! Mom and Dave and Sandy and Bob walked over to the Wynn with Nick and I. It's one of the newest and fanciest hotels in Vegas and we wanted to be slightly more dressed up when we went. The coolest part? They had a circular escalator inside! Of course we rode up and down it just so we could say we've done it.
Cindy and Ryan, post ceremony.
Standing at the Las Vegas sign - our limo driver took the picture for us.
Circular Escalator!
After changing out of our wedding clothes, we met up with Mom and Dave again to watch the Packer-Bear game at the Monte Carlo Pub. Unfortunately it was a case of the Jekyll and Hyde Packers. They looked really good in the first half, even getting a running game going, but fell apart in the second half and lost by seven. It was a huge disappointment and the worst part of the trip. Nick and I did win $10 playing slots afterwards though.
We also caught the fountains on our way back to the hotel. I think we watched them about 10 times while we were there.
Monday and Tuesday we were pretty much on our own. Cindy and Ryan were off doing honeymoon stuff and everyone else had left the great state of Nevada. Monday we gambled a little and saw the white tigers at the Mirage. We wandered into the Flamingo casino and found that they had a flamingo habitat, so we got to see real flamingos too! From there, we walked to the Paris and "Mon Ami Gabi" to eat supper outside on the sidewalk with a great view of the Bellagio fountains. We watched the second quarter of the Dallas-Bills Monday Night Football game (can't believe that Dallas won after 6 interceptions!!) then went to see The Producers starring Tony Danza!! Neither Nick nor I had seen it before and it was excellent! 90 minutes long with no intermission and completely enjoyable the entire time.
The white tiger.
Flamingo habitat. The guy on the right was photographing that dark-colored bird the entire time we were there. He was practically in the water trying to get a shot!
View from our dinner table (yes the fountains can shoot higher than the hotel)
Tuesday we ate at the #1 buffet in Las Vegas 2007 - it was fantastic! I couldn't even eat my way to all the different cultural stations they had (it was the Spice Buffet at Planet Hollywood). They also had areas where they would make pizza, a brat or a hamburger to your specifications. The burger was delicious. I didn't try anything else custom-made but the pizza they had out was some of the best ever. I would defiantly recommend this buffet to anyone going to Vegas. My greatest gambling coup also came at Planet Hollywood. While waiting for the buffet to open for lunch Nick and I each put $5 into 10-hand poker machines. Nick ran out of money and I had enough money left to bet the max possible (10 hands at 12 cents each). I got 5-of-a-kind on the flop! That was a $10 payoff- enough to get us back to even :)
After lunch we didn't have much time left, but we buzzed on over to the Tropicana to see the Titantic exhibit that was there. It was really neat, I'm happy we went. They had lots of artifacts that have been brought up from the wreckage on display. The coolest part was the re-creation of the Promenade deck. You went through a swinging door and out onto what looked and felt like the actual deck of the ship. They had it overly air-conditioned so it was only about 50 degrees, a fog machine making fog where the water would be, and little Christmas lights on a dark background where the sky was. Unfortunately no pictures allowed but it was pretty sweet!
That's the trip! We got back to Minneapolis around midnight, and went straight to bed after eating some Taco Bell. Until next time - Viva Las Vegas! Oh, wait, you're probably wondering about the title to this post. Well, if you've never to Vegas, there are a ton of guys who are passing out "porn cards" (size of business cards). On Monday morning, we were walking over to buy tickets to The Producers and I was looking down because the sun was really bright. Mixed in with all the porn card litter was a $20!! What a find! Nick and I gambled it all away though!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Poker Oh Poker
Hey, I won this week! I had some awesome action in the first half, letting my chip stack dwindle to about 50 then tripling up against Nick and Dmitry, and tripling up again to take out Nick and Seth. After that I finished off the rest of Dmitry's stack. I might have even taken Rob out. At the final table, I sat quiet for a while, then miraculously got a 7 to finish my straight (I had 6-8-9-10 so it was a long shot) to take out Paul. Three hands later Nic thought I was bluffing and called my heads up all-in and I won! It was close though - I only had 42 more chips than him (out of 1300). I guess the poker winds have shifted.
Subway Survey
While in Vegas last weekend (post coming once I download pictures!) Nick and I stopped at two Subways to check out the prices and see how they compare. We looked at the oven roasted chicken because we know how much it is.
Prices for 6 inch Oven Roasted Chicken Sub
Current Special (MN): $1.99
MN Regular Price: $3.89
Fashion Mall Subway (Las Vegas Strip): $5.19
Monte Carlo (Hotel and Casino) Food Court: $7.99
We didn't think the $5.19 was bad, but $7.99 seemed like a lot. How much is this sub in your state?
Prices for 6 inch Oven Roasted Chicken Sub
Current Special (MN): $1.99
MN Regular Price: $3.89
Fashion Mall Subway (Las Vegas Strip): $5.19
Monte Carlo (Hotel and Casino) Food Court: $7.99
We didn't think the $5.19 was bad, but $7.99 seemed like a lot. How much is this sub in your state?
Friday, October 05, 2007
The Lonely Wives Club
Tonight Katie and I went out by ourselves while our guys were off occupying themselves (Rob in Vegas, Nick at a concert). We decided to see a chick flick, but there was a sad lack of choice. We ended up at The Jane Austen Book Club. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ended up really liking it. I thought it was very funny and interesting - and it made me want to read a Jane Austen book (or maybe all of them). I am very glad that I went with Katie though - I don't think Nick would have appreciated it :)
My Buddy
As Erin pointed out earlier, we were indeed at the game where Brett threw his 421st and 422nd career touchdown passes, surpassing Dan Marino by two. It was pretty exciting, especially since they won 23-16! We had a great time!
I found a friend before the game!
Greg Jennings celebrates catching pass #421 (James Jones caught the other)
Brett celebrates. He said after the game that he was more excited that the touchdown gave the Packers a 7-0 lead than that he broke the record. Says Jennings: "He picked me up. I think he thought I was Donald because he normally only picks Donald up."
You mean I don't hold the record anymore? Rats!
I found a friend before the game!
Greg Jennings celebrates catching pass #421 (James Jones caught the other)
Brett celebrates. He said after the game that he was more excited that the touchdown gave the Packers a 7-0 lead than that he broke the record. Says Jennings: "He picked me up. I think he thought I was Donald because he normally only picks Donald up."
You mean I don't hold the record anymore? Rats!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
My Poker Luck is Back!!
After months of coasting (I think my last finish in the money was versus Ed back in May) I finally have managed to do something in a poker game. Last week I got 2nd place in the side game (lost with the same hand as the winner but he got a 4-card flush), Saturday night I lost heads up to Rob in the first hand (K-8 suited couldn't overpower pocket Js) and tonight I manged to get second in the main game! I had a pocket pair and lost on the river - the board paired twice higher than my fours and his ace was high card. Only my second set of pockets all night. But it was a great night for me and I was very happy to have some luck and get some flops going my way again. :)
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Camping In Wisconsin
A couple of weekends ago we went camping in Wisconsin with my mom and aunt and their husbands. It was fantastic! We stayed at Lake Wissota State Park, which I enjoyed far more than the campsite we stayed at in Minnesota. For one, we didn't have a gravel problem! Second, there were tons of trees; you couldn't even see the campsites on either side of us. That's how campsites are supposed to be set up (disclaimer: I still had fun camping in MN, I was just disappointed with the facilities of the place I chose). If we do another birthday camping trip for Nick I'm going to plan it in Wisconsin.
Our spacious campsite. Yes, we were allowed to have two tents on the same one.
The weather was just right too. On Saturday morning we got up and decided to take a bike ride. We rode all the way to Chippewa Falls (about 8 miles on a paved path and some roads). We then ran into some other bikers and asked them what was ahead; they told us that the Leinenkugel Brewery was only about two miles further. Of course we decided it was worth the ride! We made it there and signed up for the next tour. It was a nice relaxing hour-long break waiting for it to start. Everyone but me got to drink free samples of beer (I didn't have my ID so they wouldn't serve me even with my mom there! They gave me root beer as a consolation beverage). Nick was very excited to find that they had a creamy dark beer.
Karin and Mom waiting for the tour to start. What a fun hat!
The tour was very interesting. Leinie's is a much, much smaller facility than the Budweiser plant we toured in St Louis! I even won a key chain by being the first to yell out the answer to our tour guide's random trivia question (what is their most popular beer?). I was also amazed to find that all the beers that they sell have only been in production since the mid-1990s - they did a complete overhaul then and got rid of all the older flavors. After the tour who did we run into but the friendly bikers who had told us how to get there! They had been riding away from the plant when we last saw them, but made a big loop and just happened to be riding past it at that moment in time.
Our group outside the brewery (taken by the friendly bikers)
At first, the ride back seemed much faster than the ride there, but that ended once we got back to the front gate of the state park. It felt like we should be almost back but in fact it was two more miles of riding! I didn't think I'd make it but of course I did. The entire trip was about 20 miles; a good chunk of exercise! We made up all the calories we burned off by eating pudgy pies and s'mores though!
Our spacious campsite. Yes, we were allowed to have two tents on the same one.
The weather was just right too. On Saturday morning we got up and decided to take a bike ride. We rode all the way to Chippewa Falls (about 8 miles on a paved path and some roads). We then ran into some other bikers and asked them what was ahead; they told us that the Leinenkugel Brewery was only about two miles further. Of course we decided it was worth the ride! We made it there and signed up for the next tour. It was a nice relaxing hour-long break waiting for it to start. Everyone but me got to drink free samples of beer (I didn't have my ID so they wouldn't serve me even with my mom there! They gave me root beer as a consolation beverage). Nick was very excited to find that they had a creamy dark beer.
Karin and Mom waiting for the tour to start. What a fun hat!
The tour was very interesting. Leinie's is a much, much smaller facility than the Budweiser plant we toured in St Louis! I even won a key chain by being the first to yell out the answer to our tour guide's random trivia question (what is their most popular beer?). I was also amazed to find that all the beers that they sell have only been in production since the mid-1990s - they did a complete overhaul then and got rid of all the older flavors. After the tour who did we run into but the friendly bikers who had told us how to get there! They had been riding away from the plant when we last saw them, but made a big loop and just happened to be riding past it at that moment in time.
Our group outside the brewery (taken by the friendly bikers)
At first, the ride back seemed much faster than the ride there, but that ended once we got back to the front gate of the state park. It felt like we should be almost back but in fact it was two more miles of riding! I didn't think I'd make it but of course I did. The entire trip was about 20 miles; a good chunk of exercise! We made up all the calories we burned off by eating pudgy pies and s'mores though!
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