JenLeoLIVE!

Married for one week

"Now that we're married," John started the first night back in our Vegas apartment, "there's going to be some rules around here."

My eyes opened with terror.

"Rule No. 1: You're not allowed to stop being fun."

"Rule No. 2: You have to do everything I say."

"Wait," I interrupted, "How do you spell annulment?"

I woke up the next morning feeling a little strapped down. At first John was surprised I said that, then he said, "Good."

As my first bit of wife-rebellion I went out and got my hand and toe-nails painted blue with glitter on top. It didn't work, we both really liked it. Looks like I'm obeying Rule No. 1.

So, there you have it. I spent the first week in a daze, still entertaining guests, avoiding email, slowing getting back to work, and planning our Roadie. After the WSOP ends we'll go to L.A. for a quick b-day party, then up to Seattle to house sit on this awesome cattle ranch about an hour south of the city. It's our friend Jenn's parents place and they're off to Ireland for a month. We won't be there that long but it's going to be fun exploring Puget Sound as Mr. and Mrs. C and going to Mariner's games with our friends Steve and Sarah.

That's all for now. Please don't call me Mrs. Caldwell. It makes me feel old. We like the Happy Days version of Mr. and Mrs. C. I saw Otis; last night, he highly approves.

CURRENT: Las Vegas, NV

NEXT: Los Angeles to Tenino, WA

Jen Leo vs. Jennifer Caldwell

OK, so I'm starting to get stuck. I've always planned on changing my name in the traditional sense, but keeping it Jen Leo for writing purposes. So, what's a girl to do when filling out contact info on, lets say, special email offers for hotel websites? I just signed one Jen Leo and I wasn't sure which name to use. I suppose I'm safe until we go to Social Security, but there seem to be lots of gray lines here.

Most people don't flinch at all when I say I'm going to change my name to Caldwell. Then there's the odd few that act very surprised. It's funny really.

But let me say loud and clear that I will have to insist that those that have already been calling me Leo continue to call me Leo. Dan Buczaczer, Scott Gimple, Dana Welsh - - it's usually just my college friends. But still, they must continue it.

So there you have it. Leo will be my nickname to a select few, Jen Leo will be my writing name, and Jennifer Caldwell will be my money and mail name.  Let me know if you can think of any particular instances where I'll have a tough time figuring out which one applies to which.

CURRENT: LAS VEGAS
NEXT: LOS ANGELES, CA

Getting settled and honeymoon thoughts

I don't really feel like writing right now, but I just wanted to let you know that everything is fine and John and I are both in Las Vegas for the time being. He's working getting ready for the WPT Championship $25,000, and I'm here getting my routine down. Life moves more smoothly when I work at the same time every day and mornings are better than afternoons.

I have plenty to talk about. But let me get my schedule solid and then we can turn to the fun bits.

Regarding the wedding, things felt in control for a minute, now they don't. We have to find a place for the ceremony still. We did have the very first reservation ever for the Golden Nugget chapel, but then they told us that they only hold 30 people. As much as John would love that size of a wedding, we need a bigger place. So, now I have to hunt that down, while still staying true to the restaurant for our cocktail reception.
We also have to nail down our registry and shower and party invites are starting to go out.

Today I'll be researching HoneyFund.com.  Hopefully we won't have to plan the whole vacation right this second. John says December is the best time for him to take a honeymoon. I'm sort of ok with that. I like the idea of us having a longer honeymoon exactly how we want it in Australia and Bali, but that would push out the kids agenda till next year. I definitely do not want to be pregnant on my honeymoon. That said, we aint getting any younger. So, should we squeeze in a quickie honeymoon sometime after the WSOP? Probably not, but it is one of the things I'm thinking about. And that was a rhetorical question. We don't have much choice with the way John's work schedule is. There's your bone for tolerating me not writing more of a proper catch up about things like finding a wedding dress, our new sport, and where we've been out to the past two nights.

I'm also behind on correspondence. This irks me.

But really, even though I'm rattling off my to-do list to you, thing are actually well and fine right now. Busy, happy, and >>  << this close to being caught up on things.

CURRENT: Las Vegas, NV
NEXT: New York, NY (Friday - Monday)

This week's news

WORK: Sorry I've been off the grid lately. Just trying to find my rhythm at the Daily Deal Blog. Man am I finding some travel worthy deals. Though not nearly as exciting as an all-inclusive resort break in Cozumel, I'm hoping to cash in on a less than $300RT ticket to New York City next month to spend some pre-wedding time with my cousins.

WEDDING: I have no wedding updates and haven't been able to update that site either. John got us some hotel group rooms so I have to send out my Save the Date cards asap. I have two friends planning get togethers in the Bay Area and San Diego, but I'm the bottleneck there, too. I think I'll be going to Vegas this weekend so hopefully I can do some planning there. Last night we had dinner with John's dad and he graciously asked if he could help. So, we gave him the task of being the invite coordinator, when that stage happens, and I also asked him if he'd put together a list of caterers for me. Ones that are still available on 7-7-7. I have a feeling this will be a daunting task, but he seemed eager and up for it. Yay!

FAMILY: My grandma Livingston passed a way a few weeks ago. Jason and I will be driving up to Oregon together next week to help my Uncle and some of his family with the property. I haven't seen my Idaho cousins in seven years, and Jason hasn't since he was a teenager. A visit is long overdue, and I'm looking forward to it. I'll be blogging during the morning and early afternoon from the hotel, then going over to the property in the afternoon and evening to help. (Susan, Jason wants to get as much driving done as possible on Monday and thinks we might even go all the way, so no pitstop on the  way up - but thanks anyway)

HOUSING: We need to be out of here on the 31st and John leaves the 26th. So, he'll pack while I'm gone, then I'll pack and move while he's gone - to Monte Carlo for 12 days! Where are we going? No idea. Maybe Vegas. Maybe Redondo. We just have to get through the WSOP and the wedding and then we can make a more steady living plan.

That's it. Off to work.

CURRENT: Pasadena, CA
NEXT: Las Vegas on Saturday? Grants Pass on Monday

I Beat the Over Under!

After John gave me the ring and decided it was OK to cut the see-through plastic chain that kept the ring attached to my wrist at all times - he set the over under of me losing it as Feb 10. I wanted to bet him real money, but there was definitely a part of me that was concerned he could be right. A freak out, where did I put it moment, might be in the cards.

Well, I should've put my money down because I survived. I have not lost it. And I think I've only taken it off twice. So there.

What else can we bet on?

Current: Pasadena, CA
Next: Las Vegas, NV (Tue-Fri of this week)

Wifely Duties

So, I'm practicing up. On cooking that is. Ever since John gave me the ring, I've cooked at home two or three times. The first night was shish-ka-bobs and rice, yum! The next night was a green bean salad and roasted potatoes. The third night John suggested we just have apps, but when I came home with a cheese log he refused to eat.

The Grammy's are this weekend so that means some of John's music friends are in town. We went out last night to El Compadre on Sunset and saw Jack Blades from Night Ranger. Who? The guy who sang Sister Christian. Ooh ahh. I'm just glad that I didn't have so many flaming margaritas that I hit the tattoo parlor on the way back to the car.

Tomorrow night I'll be cooking again, this time for six people! Don't think for a second that cheese log ain't making a come back.

Alright, I've got work to do. LOTS of work to do. TGIF.

Current: Pasadena, CA
Next: LAS VEGAS, NV (2/13-16)

That's Mrs. Blogger To You

Well, its high time I got back to blogging don't you think?!!!

The absence is all John's fault. Let me practice saying that—It's all John's fault—like all good wives do because John put a rock on my finger last week the size of Colorado. As one friend said, "How did you Photoshop a Volkswagen on to your ring?"

Yes, we got engaged and I've been trying, between working and calling Vegas chapel folk, to call my family and friends before blogging about it. I still haven't finished, but I'm starting to get that weird haven't blogged in more than a week twitch.

So, most of the poker media that we are friends with found out before me while John was in Australia having the ring made. The rest found out on Amy Calistri's wonderful tribute to me on Calistri's Corner.

Yes, the engagement is very exciting and we're truly happy and happier. BUT, the thrilling part is that we're going to do the deed on July 7, 2007. Silly, geeky, crazy, lucky - just like us. I know what you're saying, "We haven't even met John yet!" Well, sometimes that happens. And in cases like this, you just write your love story and put it in an anthology for the whole world to see. Women's Poker Night edited by Maryann Morrison released this week. My story of why I moved to Vegas, how I met John, and what happened when I became a poker player's girlfriend is called "I'll Have a Cheeseburger, Fries, and a King of Hearts." Buy it!

But the story ends after our first trip to London.  Lou Krieger and Amy Calistri got me talking even more on their show, "Keep Floppin' Aces" on Holdem Radio last week. We were chatting about my start in poker, meeting John, my gambling roots, strip poker, the proposal—you know, the usual. It starts on part 1 & finishes on part 2.

So, yes. It's true. I am officially (and nearly legally) off the market. Holy crap, what have I done. Well, for one thing, I went straight out and bought www.777VegasWedding.com. I need to build it out yet, but you can be sure that I'll be posting regular Vegas info there soon.

So, back to our regular schedule programming, yeah? YEAH! Woohoo!

CURRENT: Pasadena, CA
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV (Feb 13-15)

John Gets Home in a Week

Ok, I'm over it. Here's a homefront recap of his absence.
The first week I was fine and excited to live the bachelor life of leaving my clothes wherever I wanted, having the glass cleaner spray out of its cupboard for easy access,  and playing way too much online poker with no one monitoring my hours (or losses).
The second week Pissyness ensued as I could see and read about everyone that was over there and day dreamed about being in Ausralia for a tourney with Pauly, Jay Greenspan, Brandon, The Blonde Ivey acting like the Blonde Gavin, and Gavin being Gavin. All was made better by a decent bender at our poker home game, and John offering to use miles to bring me to Oz. Me declining because....
The third week Fully engaged in my work. Swamped. Trying to finish everything as quickly as I can. Working harder than I have in a long time. Must clear the plate!
Fourth week Full on pity party. Ready to go get a real job just so I can afford therapy. John who? The next eight days will be checking off things on my honey do list, cleaning, and (see The Third Week).
The week he gets back, predicted: He'll be on the couch and I'll be on the next train out of here.

Bah Humbug.

CURRENT: Stupid Pasadena
NEXT: What next. I'm livid that I didn't go anywhere or do anything fun besides one day at the movies and a couple nights of poker home game. What happened to Baja? San Diego? Why the heck did I waste a full month and not do things that would've made me happy. Oh yeah, I had to work.

I Almost Went to Australia

We had an excited phone call yesterday in which the BBE suggested I use his miles to get as close to Melbourne as I could - say Auckland, New Zealand - and then he'd fly me in the rest of the way. I love the last minute rabbit pull, but you'll be shocked to hear that I turned it down. Now, I've walked miles in snow on cobblestone streets in the middle of the night carrying nearly 50 pounds of Belgian beer to get to Australia.So, don't think for a second that spending 3 days on four flights via Kuala Lumpur or Bali were beyond me. Piece of piss.

Nope, I'm actually trying to do the right thing. Stay here and work. I have three clients that need my attention right now. Um, wait, four. Two after this Tuesday. And go figure, I kinda know that if I left tonight or Monday on a plane I'd have a heap load of fun and the work would sit idle. Am I insane? This is Australia we're talking about! Showing the BBE Brisbane and the Gold Coast! My favorite thing in the world. I don't know, I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing. Maybe we can use those 60,000 ffp and go back to Brissy together when he's less wiped and I can have fun in good conscience. Dammit. I'm really going to suffer for this on the 20th when they start traveling.

CURRENT: PASADENA, CA
NEXT: SAN DIEGO - prob sometime late next week.

Update on John and Jen

JEN: I've been sick since the Christmas Eve. That means that our trip to San Diego was bare bare bones. It was good to see the fam, but frustrating I couldn't do much more than go to a movie and a few meals. The big exciting news was that my brother got engaged. It's great to see him so happy.

JOHN: Yesterday was scary. John almost had to fly in a middle seat, on United, from LAX to Melbourne with a stop in Sydney. His worst nightmare.

Now, so that you do not make the same mistake, never fly United to Oz. Take Qantas. Period. End of discussion. Aussie biz travellers will tell you the same, as they told John, only too late. John was calling United off the hook to try and change his seat (he booked on Expedia - don't do that either). All he got was the response that he couldn't change seats, over and over. No one ever told him that he might be able to upgrade to Economy Plus for only $125 once he got to check-in. All they told him was that the upgrade to Biz or First Class (I can't remember which, was $11,000). But now I've given away the happy ending. Economy Plus, only $125 each way to Australia.

He'll be there for the full month for Aussie Millions.

JEN: I'm taking full liberties of my alone time. Sleeping with Coast to Coast  (albeit with a golf club), playing all my John-restricted morning music like Jack Johnson and Bruce Springsteen, eating pumpkin pie for breakfast. And, since he's on a plane half way across the world, I'll tell you something that is most likely blog restricted as well, (John loves putting me on blog restriction!) -- we got our ring fingers sized. He's a 9.5, I'm a 7. I don't wear much jewelry, and if I do I lose it or it doesn't fit, so he claims there was no way to get an accurate read on me without doing it properly at a store. Fair enough I suppose. Looks like it'll be a pretty big year for both of us. Now, back to our regular censored programming.

CURRENT: Pasadena, CA
NEXT: Wherever I feel like it! Anyone up for tacos in Baja?! How about Hollywood Park?