News from last week

I absolutely love the new job! If you haven't seen it yet, the Daily Deal Blog on LATimes.com has tamed the beast. I'm writing up travel deals for the online travel section of the Los Angeles Times. And it just might kill me. Every day I find enticing travel specials or packages or cheap flights that could transport me to paradise, but the catch is that I need to keep writing them up. So, there's no real leaving unless I front load a ton. That will change in time as we add more writers, but for now, you know I'm sticking fairly close to home.

Yesterday was a fun day because now the blog is linked up from various main pages on the LATimes.com website, like the home page, and world news section.

While I was busy with our launch last week, John was busy at the Commerce covering the LA Poker Classic. Here are some highlights for those that don't stay up to the second in poker news:

• Gavin lost a last-longer bet to Joe Sebok and had to get JS tatooed on his butt. Now we wait for the recap on RawVegas.tv
• The WPT Celebrity Invitational took place at the Commerce. One of last year's best poker parties, I was concerned about missing out on it. But apparently it didn't hold a candle to the 2006 party. There was a fair shortage of poker pros because of the NBC National Heads Up Championship filmed on the same day.
• Hanging out with the Wicked Chops boyz in L.A.
• Seeing Wicked at the Pantages with Mark and friends.

Things I did NOT miss out on:

• Teaching yet another friend to play Chinese poker who has since called it the greatest game ever and taught 12 of his friends. Pay it forward!
• Night out with Change100 and Pauly to play said remarkable game at Boardner's
• Poker home game (written up by Pauly), usually the greatest night of the week. But I got stuck at a table that wasn't feeling as fun as it usually does. Best steaks and guacamole I've ever had, though.
• My cousin Michelle and Kris's engagement party in San Diego.
• Video: John interviewing Jason Alexander
• Video: John interviewing Mekhi Phifer (from ER and mentioned in my fave song "Lose Yourself")

Anyway, big catch up game right now. I have done NOTHING for the wedding. And in case you haven't seen it, the New York Times scared off couples from getting married on 7-7-07. John asked if I wanted to change the date and I said no way. For four months until the date, the planners assume you've already done everything and are now telling you to plan your honeymoon. Umm....

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CURRENT: Pasadena, CA
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV (March 9-10)
NEXT NEXT: Grants Pass, Oregon (Feb 20-25)