You might have heard of Jihad Jane. I'm sure it made national news, but mostly I've been following it via our local media because it happened in these here parts.
To me, without really reading much of the gals background, it seems more of a cry for attention. Boredom and/or stupidity if you will. Someone with nothing else to do, nothing to relate to, so, why not do something where she will be liked and acknowledged.
Taking all things in perspective though, it seems as if most of the people I speak to about it look at it is nothing more than a joke. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What a dope! What a loser! What a clown!".
I know, you here these snippets and immediately think, "must be talking about waffles"... but alas, no. These remarks are towards some unknown who perpetrated an almost unthinkable act. Along with the fact that it was by someone who doesn't fit, at all, the so called profile of someone you would think would do this. For one, a female. Secondly, a suburban, supposedly middle class female.
Is this really funny. Am I missing something here? This is some serious shit. From a seemingly half hearted attempt to grasp something meaningful in an otherwise meaningless life (reportedly), to conspiring to have someone waxed because they offended an entire religion. Good Lord. Take up knitting or something. Even I poke fun at it, but is it really that funny? Or silly? Someone get this chic some meds. Or better yet, smile at her. Jesus.
I've been gathering some G2 (intel) on the impending card rooms here in PA. AC Part III is in the works but I don't want to just make random statements that are nothing more than supposition. Things have happened here in PA where some of the Casinos have made their first attempts at filing for table licenses. So far the first round of applications haven't included Poker tables. I'm sure that will happen shortly, but some press releases have shown that the PA casinos will initially go after the higher margin table games like black jack and roulette before investing in Poker. Early indications point that there are several reasons for that. First is the fact that regs for poker dealers hasn't been established yet, or are in the works. Second is that the other games obviously offer a higher margin than poker.
As soon as I am done my research, I'll have solid facts to support my thoughts. It's shaping up to be very interesting. That is the approach that these PA casinos are taking and their strategy they have seemingly embraced.
I now must sign off - for the greatest sporting event in the history of the world is about to start. I MUST PREPARE...
P.S. Last night was brutal. Destinations where missed, unexpected, and salty. I hate bad drunks.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Ahhh Politics!
I get it... I owe the final part of why AC will win. I've been BUSY! (exactly as Luther says it in 48 hours) and will get to it post haste.
But before then, I would like to point out how local politics, MY local politics, are just as corrupt and shallow as federal politics. I can gather that it is most likely this way across our great land. It seems as if those in power generally have the inclination that politics equals personal discretion on how much they get to do whatever the hell they think is apropos for them and their little circle jerk of friends.
Entitlement for achieving such a high level of "prestige" if you will. Check out this little story I found in our local newspaper. For all you national readers out there, and also for the record, County Commissioner James Matthews happens to be Chris Matthews' (of CNN) brother.
There is so much more to this story and if you are local, you probably know it already. If not and wish to choose to understand it a little more, I 'll give you the gist of it...
Montco had a policy of RFP's for service... The Dem's came in and decided to NOT offer RFP's befor awarding contracts for goods and services and just so happens that one of those companies was a heavy donator to the campaigns of those dems. The dems then blame the repubs and so on and so forth. Oh, and one of those commissioners is now running for Governor of the state. Beautiful.
I ask my neighbors about this in casual conversation as we attempt to settle down for the night discussing our children's going on's and quirks. No one really seems to give a shit as it doesn't have an effect on their daily lives. Part of the reason I guess why these idiots get away with what they do. One neighbor stated, I don't even vote anymore because, "What's the point?".
Well, let's think about that... In all honesty, what is the point? I can get all patriotic and American. Voting was always ingrained into our heads growing up as a privilege and right that makes our country what it is. Voting was a duty. However, in today's climate, I can at least understand the apathy. I don't condone it, but I understand it.
Part 3 of why AC will win is coming. Here is part I and Part II if you'd like to catch up. PA will have their share of poker players and the market, but AC will do things to stay not only competitive, but on top of the Mid-Atlantic poker heap.
But before then, I would like to point out how local politics, MY local politics, are just as corrupt and shallow as federal politics. I can gather that it is most likely this way across our great land. It seems as if those in power generally have the inclination that politics equals personal discretion on how much they get to do whatever the hell they think is apropos for them and their little circle jerk of friends.
Entitlement for achieving such a high level of "prestige" if you will. Check out this little story I found in our local newspaper. For all you national readers out there, and also for the record, County Commissioner James Matthews happens to be Chris Matthews' (of CNN) brother.
There is so much more to this story and if you are local, you probably know it already. If not and wish to choose to understand it a little more, I 'll give you the gist of it...
Montco had a policy of RFP's for service... The Dem's came in and decided to NOT offer RFP's befor awarding contracts for goods and services and just so happens that one of those companies was a heavy donator to the campaigns of those dems. The dems then blame the repubs and so on and so forth. Oh, and one of those commissioners is now running for Governor of the state. Beautiful.
I ask my neighbors about this in casual conversation as we attempt to settle down for the night discussing our children's going on's and quirks. No one really seems to give a shit as it doesn't have an effect on their daily lives. Part of the reason I guess why these idiots get away with what they do. One neighbor stated, I don't even vote anymore because, "What's the point?".
Well, let's think about that... In all honesty, what is the point? I can get all patriotic and American. Voting was always ingrained into our heads growing up as a privilege and right that makes our country what it is. Voting was a duty. However, in today's climate, I can at least understand the apathy. I don't condone it, but I understand it.
Part 3 of why AC will win is coming. Here is part I and Part II if you'd like to catch up. PA will have their share of poker players and the market, but AC will do things to stay not only competitive, but on top of the Mid-Atlantic poker heap.
Friday, March 5, 2010
ahhh... Sandwhiches!
I don't think that there should be any doubt about my affection for sandwiches. Any kind of sandwich. I love to cook, and I like cooking complicated, but the sandwich is always number one in my heart.
Cuban mufalatto, Italian hoagies, chicken salad on a croissant or bagel, steak sandwich with blue cheese, or whatever you think will make it happen for you at any given time.
But see, living here in the South Eastern part of PA we have a specialty. More precisely, Norristown, PA. Tommy Lasorda, Peter Boyle, Mike Piazza, even Maria Bello hail from this area, and all could tell you about this one sandwich delicacy.
It's called a zep. That's right, a Zep. In Norristown, there were two places to find a zep. Lou's and Eve's. It has been a hot contested battle for years about who's is the best. Recently, there has been a third contender brought to the surface... Sessano's. Sessano's is home to some very good Italian pork, but they also, among my circle of friends, have been entered into the ring of Zep warriors.
OK, so what is a zep? Very simply, provolone cheese, cooked salami, onions, tomatoes, oregano, oil, on a long or round roll. Done and done. It's the simple things, really.
How could something so simple be so different? Why are there only three competitors? Well, actually, you can get a zep at any place that sells sandwiches. It's just that these three are the best. I have found some differences, and have pin pointed why they are different and which one I prefer the most.
Eve's is the grandmother of all things Zeps. when they first opened their shop, it's all the sold. Zeps, potato chips, and sodas. That's it. Lou's has been selling them longer, but he also had a full service shop. Sessano's has only been open for a few years, but man do they do it right.
The differences are quite unique. Lou's cuts his onion much thinner than Eve's. Eve's bread is better. Sessano's uses a slightly different mix of oil that offers a little bit more of a twang, but still keeps it within the "Zep" category.
Why am I pining over Zeps all of a sudden? because it's friday and I can't eat meat. Well, I can, but my son said something about it while I was getting ready to purchase something I had waited for almost two hours (once I made the decision on what I was going to have for lunch).
Of course, Eve's sells tuna zeps, which are just as tasty. Just not the original...
Cuban mufalatto, Italian hoagies, chicken salad on a croissant or bagel, steak sandwich with blue cheese, or whatever you think will make it happen for you at any given time.
But see, living here in the South Eastern part of PA we have a specialty. More precisely, Norristown, PA. Tommy Lasorda, Peter Boyle, Mike Piazza, even Maria Bello hail from this area, and all could tell you about this one sandwich delicacy.
It's called a zep. That's right, a Zep. In Norristown, there were two places to find a zep. Lou's and Eve's. It has been a hot contested battle for years about who's is the best. Recently, there has been a third contender brought to the surface... Sessano's. Sessano's is home to some very good Italian pork, but they also, among my circle of friends, have been entered into the ring of Zep warriors.
OK, so what is a zep? Very simply, provolone cheese, cooked salami, onions, tomatoes, oregano, oil, on a long or round roll. Done and done. It's the simple things, really.
How could something so simple be so different? Why are there only three competitors? Well, actually, you can get a zep at any place that sells sandwiches. It's just that these three are the best. I have found some differences, and have pin pointed why they are different and which one I prefer the most.
Eve's is the grandmother of all things Zeps. when they first opened their shop, it's all the sold. Zeps, potato chips, and sodas. That's it. Lou's has been selling them longer, but he also had a full service shop. Sessano's has only been open for a few years, but man do they do it right.
The differences are quite unique. Lou's cuts his onion much thinner than Eve's. Eve's bread is better. Sessano's uses a slightly different mix of oil that offers a little bit more of a twang, but still keeps it within the "Zep" category.
Why am I pining over Zeps all of a sudden? because it's friday and I can't eat meat. Well, I can, but my son said something about it while I was getting ready to purchase something I had waited for almost two hours (once I made the decision on what I was going to have for lunch).
Of course, Eve's sells tuna zeps, which are just as tasty. Just not the original...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
2010 Olympics
These Olympics where very weird. Curling took front stage. Hockey was awesome. Tragedy. Entertainment. These Olympics were all about Canada. The most Gold medals ever. Vancouver. Parties in the streets, and awesome awesome hockey.
It was weird to see an awesome game, come to such a climax, first getting into overtime, and then ending on such a soft goal. But such an incredible game.
Norway took a ton of medals. The US set a record for most medals. (although I usually don't recognize silver and bronze medals - that's just me).
Did I mention the Hockey? Congrats to Canada for hosting such a wonderful event, an incredible hockey team, and a wonderful show of spirit throughout the games themselves.
It was weird to see an awesome game, come to such a climax, first getting into overtime, and then ending on such a soft goal. But such an incredible game.
Norway took a ton of medals. The US set a record for most medals. (although I usually don't recognize silver and bronze medals - that's just me).
Did I mention the Hockey? Congrats to Canada for hosting such a wonderful event, an incredible hockey team, and a wonderful show of spirit throughout the games themselves.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
In sports today...
I apologize for not getting to part three of the AC express. I will have that wrapped up and posted by Friday.
In the meantime...
I would just like to point out a few things in the sports world...
1) The Ravens officially have two murderers on their team now. One on each side of the ball.
2) Tiger Woods is about to confess and apologize on Friday, live from the PGA corporate offices. *sigh... If I were him I'd shut the hell up and let the Grand slam and 14 wins he puts up this year do the apologizing.
3) ESPN had a lead in to the Eagles Kevin Kolb trade rumors. If this is the case expect Kolb to be traded to Cleveland by the end of the month. And scratch your head about what the Eagles plan to do for a Quaterback for the next 10 years.
4) Phil Helmuth wrote a blog post on his cardplayer blog about getting therapy about his issue with handling fame. Apparently there are two Phil's. Then just this week on High Stakes Poker, he blows up, whines about bad luck, and quits the game saying he would get Phil Ivey for TWO million at some point! Epic therapy Fail!
5) Bam wrote a post about the Olympics and the death of the Luge guy. I agree with his points and added a comment myself.
That is all...
In the meantime...
I would just like to point out a few things in the sports world...
1) The Ravens officially have two murderers on their team now. One on each side of the ball.
2) Tiger Woods is about to confess and apologize on Friday, live from the PGA corporate offices. *sigh... If I were him I'd shut the hell up and let the Grand slam and 14 wins he puts up this year do the apologizing.
3) ESPN had a lead in to the Eagles Kevin Kolb trade rumors. If this is the case expect Kolb to be traded to Cleveland by the end of the month. And scratch your head about what the Eagles plan to do for a Quaterback for the next 10 years.
4) Phil Helmuth wrote a blog post on his cardplayer blog about getting therapy about his issue with handling fame. Apparently there are two Phil's. Then just this week on High Stakes Poker, he blows up, whines about bad luck, and quits the game saying he would get Phil Ivey for TWO million at some point! Epic therapy Fail!
5) Bam wrote a post about the Olympics and the death of the Luge guy. I agree with his points and added a comment myself.
That is all...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
OK, WHY Atlantic City will win... Part II
Consider yesterday's post a set up. I think I made arguments that AC should experience some issues with lost revenues from daily players, have proven that they already have (PA slots rev higher in Dec), and the overall horseshit that players have to get through just to get there.
Bam left a comment with a little sort of disagreement. HOP seems to think he's right in the sense that, of course, properties will offer bargains and incentives in order to keep your business from going elsewhere. Heff also wrote up a very astute point of view. One that comes from personal experience considering his own barriers from where he resides.
People tend to make judgments about business decisions, especially when it's not their business and usually over look many factors. From the outside, it is obvious to most that AC will face an uphill battle. Again, supply and demand dictates that when the supply exceeds the demand, those that do the best job will come out on top. And not only come out on top, but, by the very nature of business, destroy all those others who may try to keep a little taste of the market.
What we have here however is an anomaly which resides in the very product that is being offered. Gambling. See what most people forget is the very fact that gambling breeds demand. With the Sands opening table games in Bethlehem, PA, some might think that those who lived in that area and always traveled to AC might forgo their little $100 trips down south and just play right smack in their hometowns. It makes sense, and will probably happen... to an extent. It's also safe to say that out of the 500,000 players who reside in the A-B-E area of PA (Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton) maybe 20,000 of them actually ever made the jaunt to AC. The point I'm making is that these new properties don't care about AC and taking their players. What they do care about is creating a whole new base of players to cater to. Now, I am making this case with poker being the main focus. So let's see what AC has to do to be sure that they themselves will be able to keep, if not grow, their existing business.
Let me tell you, the conversations I have had with management types down in AC have not all been doom and gloom. Sure, it's easy to panic and say "GOOD CHRIST! what are we going to do?" They all have budgets to maintain. They all see daily play leveling off already. Something that has only happened in the last year. All other previous years were growth years. That leveling off was a sign that poker may have reached maximum density.
From an industry standpoint I will tell you that those execs in AC should be jumping up and down with glee. Am I crazy? Actually I'm quite the friggin' genius. Let's look at Vegas. Vegas is in a bad spot. It's in the middle of the desert, and for most that want to play, they gotta go and spend a few days. Vegas has done a fantastic job building mecca's for debauchery and the good ole American worker, the college kids, and single 30 somethings feel as if they have reached a milestone by getting there and telling their stories of survival as if the have experienced a right of passage. The Vegas marketing machine, writers, and even Hollywood have helped with that.
AC is smack dab in the middle of the most populated section of the country. Hundreds of millions of players are within a 2 hour ride to the place. AC doesn't need what Vegas has. They already provide daily access. Something Vegas does not.
With the advent of new poker rooms being open closer to where those players that may have frequented AC will be, it's easy to recognize that those players no longer have a need to travel to AC. The properties know that. But let's not forget that most of these properties that will be opening in PA, DE, and MD will be owned by those same properties in AC. Foxwoods might be looking at the same issue. Probably why they are opening one smack dab in the middle of center city Philadelphia.
But this eludes my point. I'm not talking about individual properties here being able to lessen the losses. Atlantic City itself is going to have to take ownership. They will have to show some type of commitment to the properties in terms of adding infrastructure, commerce, and development in order to sustain viability in attracting and retaining consumers.
I will reiterate again that these new properties offering table games will grow a consumer base more than any before. Those is the areas where those properties exist that have never played before will certainly take their shots now. Believe me when I tell you there are a contingent of consumers that refuse to travel any distance to play live poker. Not to mention those that don't take it seriously enough because the ride was the very obstacle to even try. With properties being so close, those barriers go away and you will see more and more players attracted to the live tables.
I'm not saying that those who go to AC will stay in AC and the properties in the new states will survive on new players alone. However, in my next post, I will take a step outside the box and look at the possibility of what new properties will do for the poker industry itself. How it will grow playership, and what each property will need to do in order to maximize their market share. Including a plan for AC which will hopefully show you how they will continue to thrive for years to come, without having to give away the farm.
Bam left a comment with a little sort of disagreement. HOP seems to think he's right in the sense that, of course, properties will offer bargains and incentives in order to keep your business from going elsewhere. Heff also wrote up a very astute point of view. One that comes from personal experience considering his own barriers from where he resides.
People tend to make judgments about business decisions, especially when it's not their business and usually over look many factors. From the outside, it is obvious to most that AC will face an uphill battle. Again, supply and demand dictates that when the supply exceeds the demand, those that do the best job will come out on top. And not only come out on top, but, by the very nature of business, destroy all those others who may try to keep a little taste of the market.
What we have here however is an anomaly which resides in the very product that is being offered. Gambling. See what most people forget is the very fact that gambling breeds demand. With the Sands opening table games in Bethlehem, PA, some might think that those who lived in that area and always traveled to AC might forgo their little $100 trips down south and just play right smack in their hometowns. It makes sense, and will probably happen... to an extent. It's also safe to say that out of the 500,000 players who reside in the A-B-E area of PA (Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton) maybe 20,000 of them actually ever made the jaunt to AC. The point I'm making is that these new properties don't care about AC and taking their players. What they do care about is creating a whole new base of players to cater to. Now, I am making this case with poker being the main focus. So let's see what AC has to do to be sure that they themselves will be able to keep, if not grow, their existing business.
Let me tell you, the conversations I have had with management types down in AC have not all been doom and gloom. Sure, it's easy to panic and say "GOOD CHRIST! what are we going to do?" They all have budgets to maintain. They all see daily play leveling off already. Something that has only happened in the last year. All other previous years were growth years. That leveling off was a sign that poker may have reached maximum density.
From an industry standpoint I will tell you that those execs in AC should be jumping up and down with glee. Am I crazy? Actually I'm quite the friggin' genius. Let's look at Vegas. Vegas is in a bad spot. It's in the middle of the desert, and for most that want to play, they gotta go and spend a few days. Vegas has done a fantastic job building mecca's for debauchery and the good ole American worker, the college kids, and single 30 somethings feel as if they have reached a milestone by getting there and telling their stories of survival as if the have experienced a right of passage. The Vegas marketing machine, writers, and even Hollywood have helped with that.
AC is smack dab in the middle of the most populated section of the country. Hundreds of millions of players are within a 2 hour ride to the place. AC doesn't need what Vegas has. They already provide daily access. Something Vegas does not.
With the advent of new poker rooms being open closer to where those players that may have frequented AC will be, it's easy to recognize that those players no longer have a need to travel to AC. The properties know that. But let's not forget that most of these properties that will be opening in PA, DE, and MD will be owned by those same properties in AC. Foxwoods might be looking at the same issue. Probably why they are opening one smack dab in the middle of center city Philadelphia.
But this eludes my point. I'm not talking about individual properties here being able to lessen the losses. Atlantic City itself is going to have to take ownership. They will have to show some type of commitment to the properties in terms of adding infrastructure, commerce, and development in order to sustain viability in attracting and retaining consumers.
I will reiterate again that these new properties offering table games will grow a consumer base more than any before. Those is the areas where those properties exist that have never played before will certainly take their shots now. Believe me when I tell you there are a contingent of consumers that refuse to travel any distance to play live poker. Not to mention those that don't take it seriously enough because the ride was the very obstacle to even try. With properties being so close, those barriers go away and you will see more and more players attracted to the live tables.
I'm not saying that those who go to AC will stay in AC and the properties in the new states will survive on new players alone. However, in my next post, I will take a step outside the box and look at the possibility of what new properties will do for the poker industry itself. How it will grow playership, and what each property will need to do in order to maximize their market share. Including a plan for AC which will hopefully show you how they will continue to thrive for years to come, without having to give away the farm.
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