In Hoose Entertainment

So this week saw the third installment of the HB.C Poker Tournament, with 6 players (down from 8 when Brian forgot which week it was and Allan was waylaid by the start of the cricket season). But first, the rest of the week.

Monday

Sarah and I went off dancing again, this week was the Rumba and the Foxtrot. We only stayed for the one lesson. A Polish couple took the lessons this week.

Tuesday

Stayed in and watched 24 with Mahinda + Rosy.

Wednesday

Stayed in and watched a multitude of things.

Thursday

Sarah came over. I was told that Peep Show series four has started, fortunately just in time to save a repeat of last weeks episode on the sky box.

Friday

Took Sarah out to Bistro West on Burton Road. We started in the One Lounge for a cocktail (2 for 1), I had a mojito made with navy rum - nice!

We then headed to the bistro where I had a lovely lamb shank, and Sarah had a chicken kiev wih butter bean / chilli mash. Also very tasty. Much wine was consumed before we moved on for another cocktail and then home.

Nice night out.

Saturday

Started by accompanying Sarah to the car showrooms of Warrington - eventually settling on an Audi, which she’ll test drive on the Sunday with her dad (who’d initially recommended a BMW 3-series).

We raced back to Manchester and met up with, my workmates, Simon and Andrew to catch the denouement to Spurs v Arsenal (Jenas’ 94th minute equaliser rendering it a 2-2 draw) - and left shortly afterwards.

Buzzed around the house sorting out the poker table and such like before everyone turned up (Graham, Andi, Toby and Ben to go along with me and Rosy) and we had a quick cash game. (I did pretty well in the cash game, ending up £22 up - the highlight being calling an all in from Toby after a long time thinking - I had him out kickered.).

The first tournament didn’t go according to plan. The structure was such that it should last a fairly long time - but half of us (including me, First) were out before the freezeout begun!

I lost my first buyin on KK v AA, and my second with top-pair/up&down straight draw v a Set. Don’t feel bad about the plays, they were pretty inescapable.

Graham took down the first prize of £95.

Having finished so soon and with Pizza’s on the way (the Pizzas took 90 minutes to arrive, and were terrible. Needless to say, that menu has hit the bin) - we started a £10 freezeout which turned into a much better game.

I ended up third - that’s the bubble - with Andi taking down Toby for first. Again I thought I played well - I was the short stack since about 20 hands in when I lost a 50/50 hand to drop to 4k- but I worked my way back into 2nd place (out of 3, with 12k) before Andi twice double up Toby (who initially was on about 7k) and put me in trouble.

We watched some dumb film and then went to bed.

Sunday

Woke up and made a full English. Everyone left shortly afterwards and Rosy and I set about tidying everything up (it took a while!). Got the call that Sarah had got the Audi - it’s being delivered on Thursday (it’s a very nice car).

Eventually done, I relaxed for a couple of hours and went over to Sarah’s place for dinner (Telapia). Very nice.

If you’ve never had Talapia (and I’m not even sure of the spelling) - then I heartily recommend it. It’s a very fine fish available from the tesco (and probably other) fish counters.

Anyway…

Monday

Dentist for two fillings / doctor to follow / SSLC meeting - so now I’m tired and I’ve not done any PhD work yet. It’s half three so I’m going to concentrate on my conference talk (which I’m giving on the 9th of May) for a bit.

Tarra!