A Very Dank Birthday!

Tomorrow is Canada Day, which means that we are sitting on the eve of an extra long weekend up here in the Great White North. Tomorrow also happens to be my wonderful husband's BIRTHDAY, so the party is going to start extra early tonight!

Go sign up for the Mookie and tune in to BDR for all the fun, festivities, shots and shenanigans!

McLovin!!

WPBT Gives Back! If you haven't done so already, go join the McLovin the Kids charity tournament tonight on Full Tilt Poker. This will replace action on the Mookie tonight, and proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Full details can be found on Oh Captain's blog.

Temporary BDR Redirect

Due to some temporary complications with the BDR server, tonight's broadcast of the BBT Freeroll can be heard via the following link:

http://www.justin.tv/buddydank
or
http://buddydank.blogspot.com

No, not a video broadcast, just audio this evening.

BBT5!

The full details have been posted on so many blogs already that I am sure anyone visiting here already knows. If not, check it out directly from the source.
Many, many thanks to a AlCantHang! You guys seriously rock!

Bloggers and Donkeys and Rabbits Oh My

After the tremendous turnout at this past week's Mookie, I felt inclined enough to toss up a post as there is a lot up and coming in our little blogger world.

First, the lovely Katitude is hosting another Friday night rebuy TONIGHT - the Killer Rabbit Rebuy. Awesomeness. We will be covering the action on BDR, so don't miss it bitches . Details as follows:


Next: Riggs, Goat, and Buddy are working on a top secret project. I would give you more details but then I would have to taser you ala Chuck Bartowski and we all know that wouldn't be a pretty sight. Here is a bit of a teaser to appease you in the meantime:



Finally, Al has confirmed that there will be a BBT5. It's going to be a different format than years past, but check out his blog over the next little while as I am sure details will be forthcoming.

See you all tonight for some Bunny Slayer action, and don't forget to tune in to BDR!

Happy New Year from the Danks!

Just wanted to put up a quick post to wish all of our friends a very Happy New Year's Eve tonight! It has been quite a year for us, and we are going to be celebrating Dank-style.

For those that know us well, that means a whole lot of drinking, celebrating, and broadcasting live video for your ...ummm...viewing pleasure? For your amusement? For posterity? Whatever the reason, we will be streaming live video feed from the Dank household for the second year in a row.

If you happen to be at home tonight with nothing to do, pour a drink (or twelve) and feel free to tune in. There will be music, poker games played, recaps of the past year and the past decade, as well as a bunch of surprises.

Yes, we are dorks.

Action starts at 8pm MT (10pm ET) and we will be ringing in all the New Years Eve's across Canada and the US.

To everyone else, have a very Happy New Years and play safe!!

Wedding

Copied from Buddy's blog:

Under 2 weeks til the BIG DAY! Sept 26th!

We still have an open invitation to all our blogger friends. We have heard from a few but if you are still interested check out our wedding site and let us know.

http://www.ewedding.com/sites/beneichner

We'll be going out Friday night before the wedding to a local casino in Des Moines.

Still working on our honeymoon plans. But there is a possibility of us being in Vegas Sept 29th - Oct 3rd. We'd love to get together with anyone in Vegas during that time.

Driving back to Iowa next week. Good times ahead!

/copying from Buddy's blog.

So as you can imagine, we are getting pretty excited now with everything being so close. We are actually leaving Canada this Sunday to start the 24-hour drive back, then have a week full of last minute preparations to take care of. As Buddy mentioned, we will be going to the casino in Des Moines Friday night, the wedding itself is Saturday, and we have confirmed our honeymoon plans - Vegas Baby!

As it turns out, we have two comp nights at the Venetian, plus two comp nights at the Strat, so we will be taking full advantage of that from Monday the 28th through Friday, Oct 2nd, making the trek down there before heading back up to Canada.

If you are able to either come to the wedding, or meet up in Vegas, let us know!

An Open Invitation

September 26, 2009, BuddyDank and I will be getting married in Ames, Iowa.

Yes, that is just over three months away, so I thought it would be a good idea to get this up sooner rather than later.

You are all invited. If anyone wants to make the trip down (or up?) for the wedding, email me (joanne1111@gmail.com) or Buddy (buddy@buddydank.com) or leave a comment and let us know.

General plan is this...

Friday night is the satellite. We will be going out as a group to party / have fun / whatever. Saturday is the actual Main Event, but at a nice respectable (gives-you-time-to-cure-your-hangover-and-get-ready-for-another-one) 4:00pm. Watch NumbBono give Joanada away. See if Buddy goes all in or folds.

Reception at 5:00 in the same location as the ceremony. See, no travel time. No 5-hour ceremony in Latin or any other obscure language. Considerate, eh? We thought so. Fun and games will ensue. Yes, there will be a web broadcast. There will be singing. (With the exception of the bride - you can thank me in advance.) There will be drinking and debauchery, but only after the grandparents have left the building.

I already have confirmation from several bloggers who are going to be attending, so if you are at all able to, please consider coming as we would love to see you there!

I heard a rumor...

...that BuddyDank asked someone to marry him.

Rumor also has it that she said YES!

Leaving Las Vegas...Again

I’m cruising at 35000 feet somewhere over Colorado after a three-hour layover in Denver, and all I can think about is how much I wish I was heading back the other way.

Six days and five nights sounds like it should be a long enough trip, but it wasn’t. Though Vegas can wear you out after just a few days, I’d love to have more time to do some of the more “touristy” things that always seem to get pushed aside on trips like this. I havent seen the Bellagio fountains in about 3 years, I’ve never seen the Treasure Island show, and there are still a good number of attractions, hotels and casinos that I promise I will go visit but never seem to get around to.

That said, I wouldn’t trade a moment of the trip, except for the obvious regret of not being able to talk to everyone as much as I’d like.

So then, on to the synopsis. I left my house in Calgary on Wednesday at the ungodly hour of 5am so I could catch my flight to Denver. A three hour layover there was made tolerable due to the best little smoking lounge in the continental US. A few Bloody Mary’s, free wifi, and hitting up my IIF’s on chat helped pass the time. Finally it was time to board and I was officially en route to Vegas, baby!

I arrived in town at about 4:00, and BuddyDank and I headed to the Imperial Palace where we planned to broadcast the Mookie live. We checked into the hotel without incident and managed to get the internet set up in fairly short order. A quick trip to the store downstairs and we were set up with beer and tequila – everything needed to do a proper Mookie broadcast. Many shots were had, and after busting out of the Mook we headed downstairs to do a little gambling. This part of the story you can read here because I am too lazy to type it all out, but needless to say that first night couldn't have been much better.

The Bloggers

What can I say that hasnt already been said about this eclectic group of people. I got to see all my old friends and met a bunch that I have been waiting for months or even years to finally see live and in person, and as always not one person wasn’t as awesome as I hoped they’d be. It would take far too long (and would require too many brain cells that I killed over the past week) to name everyone, but it was great meeting Bayne, Recess, Pirate Lawyer, Muhctim, Peaker, Joshua Carlson, Yestbay, Emptyman, and all the others for the first time. (Sorry to all those I left out, seriously brain dead right now.)

Highlights

HOT HOT PENNY: Most positive EV (–EV) game in da house, at least when I was sitting there. Well, that and The Big Event

Spending a relaxing night at the Strat with Buddy and Mr. & Mrs. Emptyman – enjoying a little downtime between all the chaos

Watching Corner Gas and Bob & Doug’s 2-4. I didnt think they could get funnier. I was wrong.

Lazing in bed with Katitude for an afternoon when she came to visit and hang out with me. Add room service and a whole lotta girly talk, and it was a great way to relax and recover for a few hours.

Seeing Sweet Sweet Pablo and Gracie as newlyweds – huge congrats again!

Getting a room that wasnt in the North Forty, had hot water everytime I showered, and was right by the elevator and ice machine

Steelers taking it down!

Every slot machine I touch turns to gold

Having not one, not two, not three, but FOUR beer bitches at my disposal. You guys rock.

Not getting stabbed/killed/attacked/robbed when I was approached by two very drunk guys beside a Chinese Massage Parlor when I took a wrong turn alone down a very dark, barren street.

DQB four times in two hours on video poker, plus countless other times throughout the trip

And I’m sure it goes without saying, being able to hang out in Vegas for six days with my partner in crime, BD.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Right now it is hard to feel anything except excessive sadness. It gets harder and harder to leave every time, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I should be landing in about 45 minutes, and have nothing but -25 degree temperatures (and a car that probably won’t start) to look forward to. On the plus side, my cats are probably going to be thrilled that I have finally found my way home, and I have missed them too. I’m back to work Tuesday morning, but fortunately only for a week as I get two full weeks off over Christmas. Hmmm.....thinking Vegas again for New Years would be a good idea! Who is in?

Thanks

So I had every intention of writing a recap of Okie Vegas tonight, but something kept stopping me. I had to dig really deep (and I am really not that deep) only to realize that no matter what I say, no matter which words I choose to describe it - you aren't going to get the true essence of what it is like to actually be there.

How can I describe what it is like to finally meet Surflexus? He is genuinely one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. He and I go back years and years, and I know his game better than almost anyone's. I was taken aback by his skill at the final table of the tournament, and felt privileged just to be among the top four standing.

Then there is 23Skidoo, who I have known for almost as long yet never met live either. We have had many moments - but there is nothing quite like finally looking your friend in the eye, putting a face to the name, and finally getting that hug that has been coming for way too long.

Maudie deserves her own special section. She was the very first blogger I ever met, way back in 2005, and I love her to death. People are wrong when they say that Ozzie's is Oklahoma's best kept secret - it is this woman.

I am not a vain person, but there is something to be said about waking up on the couch (with no hair done, no makeup, in your PJ's) feeling very insecure, yet surrounded by bloggers who really couldn't give a shit what you looked like, just happy that you were there.

There are those who show up not wanting to leave anyone behind. They have presents or bounties for anyone who happened to make it, regardless of how well they knew that person.

There is also something to be said about someone who has been your wingman (woman) for the past 3 years and forgives all that you may do, causes shit of her own, and carries on without the blink of an eye or the handicap of a very sore ankle.

There are very few people who can take the kind of abuse I deal out at the poker table gracefully, catching exactly what I needed to at the right time, regardless of how donkey my play was...and still give me a hug and not hate me for it afterwards.

There are even less people who can be so humble to not even realize that their little corner of the world is something not only to embrace, but to emulate, and the fact that they are willing to share it with the world (our world) is a true gift to the rest of us.

I don't know many people who can listen to months and months of me spewing on and on about my skill at Guitar Hero, then not only Pwning me at the game, but letting me believe that I really wasn't that far behind. Further to that, I know even less who will sit there and keep me company for hours as I debate about taking a cat named Yoda across International borders, just because I quite simply can't let her go.

Even more rare are the people that you just simply love on sight. He told me to call him Beer Bitch, and though hesitant at first, I quickly warmed up to the title as I realized I didn't have to lift an un-manicured nail to get Any. Damn. Thing. I. Wanted. You had my back, Turd Chaser, and I will forever have yours.

How is it possible to let the rest of the world know that when Double-D sings, there is an angel in heaven who wipes her brow and says "Whew - I have the day off - my work here is done"

How do you describe reading the absolute insanity that is someone's day to day life, knowing there is no possible way to relate, and just hope that you can have a somewhat intelligent conversation with this person, only to find out that he is just as cool and awesome as anyone else in the room?

I am humbled.

I am grateful.

I am in awe.

I am appreciative.

I never knew that I had friends like you, and I am thankful, more than I can express on here, and more than you will ever know. You all rock.

Okie Caviar Is Pure Gold

It was nothing more than a passing comment, but the single most profound statement I heard all weekend was "I'm here to meet my friends." Amidst all the hilarity, the debauchery, and the activity, for a few short moments I sank into a shell of thought and contemplated those words.

There was a time not long ago when we were all imaginary to each other. Nothing more than an avatar on a screen and an assumed personality based solely on what we decided to type into a little chat box that day. Somehow from there we gained familiarity with each other, and camaraderie followed in turn. Friendships developed and relationships formed. Still though, it was all on paper - or more accurately, all on screen.

In what still strikes me as an almost inconceivable notion, as a group we began traveling to meet up with each other across various parts of the continent. Meeting in casinos and hotels, staying in each others homes. Sometimes making upwards of three or four trips a year to see each other. Following each other's lives by what we write in our blogs, sometimes knowing more intimate details about each other than we do our own families or neighbors.

This past weekend I found myself lazing in the sun on the bank of a river in the middle of a country other than my own, surrounded by people who, through any other circumstance or possible reality, I never could have known. There is no conceivable scenario that should have brought a Western Canadian to the middle of Oklahoma State to meet up with twenty or so people from all corners of the continent in the middle of July, but through a fortunate twist of fate it really did happen and I couldn't be more thankful.

It's true what they say - you had to be there, and rather than try to recapture everything that was said and done or places we went and the food we ate, I'm simply going to limit my summary to a few quick words about our host for now, and follow up in a few days with some highlighted moments that have stuck out in my mind. I assure each and every one of you though that I have hundreds more memories of you all (y'all) that I will be carrying around with me for a very long time.

On that note - Gary Darlin - what can I say that hasn't already been said about you? Thank you so much for not only letting us into your home but also into your life and allowing us to share it with you. Everything about your home, your lake, your kids, your wife, your friends, and even your pets is pure gold - just like you. (And please tell Mrs. GCox that I already have a batch of Okie Caviar made in my fridge!)

All I have to say is....

This now belongs to me.

Okie Vegas, here I come. I land in 40 hours!!!!!

Just try and keep me outta your country bitches!

Insanity Ensues

I am beginning to think that I really am a sucker for punishment.

As anyone who reads me will know, my daughter's friend moved in with us a little while ago. It was originally only supposed to be until the end of the summer, but I'm fairly certain we are keeping her for good now. In my mind she is part of the family now anyways.

Two daugthers I can deal with.

Then there is the friend who lives up the street. She is over almost every night, and in turn has taken up semi-permanent residence on our couch.

Fine. Two daugthers and a friend, I can deal with.

About a week ago, my daughter asked if her two friends (who live 3 hours North of here) could come stay with us on Saturday, meaning today. I didn't even really think about it, just agreed, figuring it would be for the weekend. These guys do that all the time, travel between the two cities and hang out at each other's houses for a few days at a time.

Well imagine my surprise then when I returned from driving daughter #2 to work this morning, to find some unknown parents in a minivan unloading suitcases full of stuff onto our driveway. Yes, the girls had arrived, and are staying for 10 days. TEN. Lord help me. Yes, my daugther neglected to pass on that little detail to me.

That brings the house count to six females plus two cats (yes, they are both female too) so I'm already on estrogen overload. Be warned, if you are a male friend of mine, chances are I will be hitting you up on chat a little more than usual throughout this duration as I have a feeling I'll be seeking out a testosterone fix or two here soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update on the new job: it is fabulous. I am thoroughly enjoying it, feel very comfortable there, and am really happy that I made the decision to go back to a structured schedule. Yes, I'm still working 7 days a week, and havent had a day off since May 23rd, BUT - believe it or not - I actually have two days off next week, two days off next weekend, and then five days off for Okie the week after. Wow - talk about a slacker, eh? I don't know how I mananged to get so many days off, but they are very much needed, I assure you.

So other than the Okie trip, what am I going to do with my four whole days off? I'd love to say that I am going to be off doing something fabulous, but the truth is I will be doing nothing more than cleaning my house. It has been seriously neglected since I've been working so much, and it is high time to do something about it. The girls do the day-to-day stuff like dishes and vacuuming, but I still have boxes that need sorting, furniture that needs placing, things that need painting, etc., etc. Rather than dreading it though, I am actually looking forward to getting everything in order, so that is a good thing I suppose.

Sadly though, today is not one of those days that I have off, so I'm on my way in to work now. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

13 days...but who's counting?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which is good because I am too tired to type:











No, I don't have my passport yet. Yes, I will have it in time.

Really.

Well, I am at least 99.5% sure. (Have to leave just a smidgen of room for err)

Just. Can't. Wait.