UEFA Champions League Final Betting Ticket

Title: Betting Ticket for the 2006 Champions League Final
Date: 5/17/06
Category: Bad Ideas
Current Status: Painful reminder of why I don't gamble

So, the first time I ever went to Las Vegas was in May of 2006. I'm still not a fan of Vegas, and really have no desire to go back, but I'm kinda glad I saw it at least once (I was forced to go back one other time about a year later).

The day we were leaving, my beloved Arsenal (aka "The team that always does better than 95% of all the other clubs, but never wins anything") was playing in the UEFA Champions League Final in Paris against stupid ol' Barcelona. Since I had some time, I thought it might be fun to try and find a place that was showing the match and, what the hell, place a bet on my Gunners.

I started wandering from place to place asking if anybody was taking bets on the match. We came across another guy who was looking for the same thing and we sorta teamed up. Barbary Coast (which really looks like late 60's dump) was taking bets. But that's not where we watched it. Oddly enough, the Paris Hotel & Casino was the place we decided to watch the match. We were able to place bets and watch the match. So, in a stupid way, I got to watch the match "in Paris."

I don't like gambling. I'm not opposed to it in any sort of moral sense... hell, I think we should have it in Texas (why should Oklahoma and Louisiana get money that should stay here?)... I just don't enjoy it. Besides, I have an obsessive personality and I really don't need to learn to enjoy something that preys on obsessive personalities. But, I figured... hey, when am I ever going to be in Vegas again when my favorite footie team is playing a major tourney final. I figured just having the ticket would be an interesting souvenir. So ponied up $10.

So anyway, the match comes on and me and this guy we met are sitting there watching it (Leigh wandered off to do some shopping or something). We're chatting back and forth and I discover that he's originally from Dallas, but lives in L.A. cuz he wants to be an actor (how original). He was once on the game show Distraction and is also a member of Drew Carey's LA Soccer Hooligans or something. I wish I could remember the guy's name, but I have no clue. He said he was rooting for Arsenal, but he figured Barca would win so he put money on them.

Our flight was in the afternoon, so I had to leave at halftime. Actor guy offered to hold onto my ticket in case Arsenal won and then he'd mail me the winnings, but I just decided I'd rather have the ticket anyway (it turned out to be a moot point since Arsenal lost).

Man, I hate Vegas....

Rock n' Roll Paper Plate

Title: Total Foxes Set List
Date: 6/2/07
Category: Concert Trash
Current Status: In the dishwasher

Gal's Panic... one of the most awesome bands ever. An Austin based band from the 90's that had some ska overtones and waaaaaay too much energy.

In 2007, Jerm Pollet and Lance Fever got the band back together and played a reunion gig at Emo's in Austin. It was fantabulous. The wife went with me and while she stood in the back, I proceeded to worm my way through the pit and grab a front and center position in front of the band. I also managed to increase my tinnitus and become a disgusting glob of stinky sweat. But hey, it's rock n' roll!

There were three other bands on the bill that night: The Total Foxes (starring Jerm Pollet), The Catfish Hunters (featuring Jerm Pollet), and Dan Potthast (from MU330). I enjoyed all of it, and bought many CDs that evening. But that wasn't enough... oh no... I had to get autographs! I had nothing to write on of course, but fortunately, I found this paper plate that The Total Foxes put their set list on! I had to borrow a pen too, as I was horribly unprepared, but I got Jerm and Lance to sign one side and Dan Potthast to sign the other! Wheeeeee!!!!

I do remember the first time I saw them... they opened up for the Grown-Ups at the fondly remembered Mad Hatter's on Magnolia in Fort Worth. I thought they were crazy... crazy enough that I enjoyed seeing them again in Dallas at (I think) the Orbit Room. I don't remember much about that show except that Ray and I spent an hour or so sitting in the back of the club doing stupid crap. There was fire involved at one point... fire that should not have been occurring in the club.

I didn't get to see Gal's Panic when the did another reunion (fundraiser) show a few months back. *sniff* Maybe next time.