Sports chatter in Las Vegas + parking issues solved...

Hockey has never been a big deal to me. It's probably because I didn't grow up around it. I've tried a few times through life to watch games but just can't stay focused. It has always been football and basketball for the village idiot. But now, things are different, I am thinking about jumping on the Golden Knight's bandwagon:

Everyone in town is enjoying the Knight's inaugural season. They are sporting one of the best records in the NHL. They're steadily becoming the darling's of Las Vegas, and that is saying a lot. Anyhoo, the Knight's started the season as 500-1 long shots in a couple of places around town. The odds shrank considerably. The most recent show them as 8-1 to win it all.

I can tell you this with all certainty...the Knight's are the most heavily wagered team in the NHL. That's what the books are saying. The guy who runs Westgate said, and I quote - "The Golden Knight's bring in five times more action than any competing NHL game. They are bringing money to the book that is unheard of for hockey. Not only the town, but a lot of non traditional fans are taking up with the Knight's, and they have some of the best minds in hockey running the show," end quote.

I have decided attending a Golden Knight's game is going to be one of my resolutions for 2018. It will be easy to get to. The Knight's have a deal with the transit authority for game day pickups. Basically, I can get on a bus for two dollars and they will drop me off at the front door of the arena. I can get on the same bus after the game and they will drop me off a block from my condo. Las Vegas is smart in how they move people. I will give the town that much. I recently heard the Raiders solved the lingering parking issues for the new stadium. What they are going to do, apparently, is build walk ways over or under the 15 so people can park at the resorts - 2018 is shaping up to be an interesting year for things in Las Vegas. I am eagerly looking forward to it.

The owls of Greenwood County...

A buddy of mine from high school posted a picture of an owl on his timeline. The pic got me thinking about another mutual high school friend who actually had a pet owl. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen:

Slim was in my graduating class. We have been friends since the sixth grade. Growing up in rural Kansas you are apt to meet people like Slim...good people, salt of the earth people. Slim was/is a farm boy through and through and one night back in high school a bunch of us were gathered at his place for a soiree. He asks me if I had ever seen an owl close up. I hadn't - "You are in for a treat city boy," he tells me as he walks into the other room - "Hold on for a second." I then hear him say in a soft tone - "How are you doing buddy. I got someone I want you to meet." He waves me into the room and lo and behold there is a baby owl sitting on a blanket in the closet. Looking back, I think it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen - "Where did you get this at Slim." Pet owls were not the norm, but Slim was not your normal guy - "He fell out of the nest in the hay barn and I picked him up." I ask what the name is - "I named him Ollie. The two of us are best buddies."

Ollie the owl brought Slim some recognition from his peers. There was a league photography contest and Slim took a picture of Ollie and added a gold sheer to it (not sure if I am saying it right)...Anyhoo, it was the neatest picture I had ever seen. This was way before all the technology was around - The picture ended up bringing home a first place ribbon.

Turns out Slim wasn't the only guy in town with a pet owl. My buddy Org had a pet owl as well. Hooter was a party favorite and solely responsible for thinning out the stray cat population in town. I didn't know him to well, but I remember him -  So I guess the point of this entire post is I must enjoy seeing owls. It brings back fond memories.

Some good news + Economy talk with Mad Max...

I have some good news to report today. My fathers ablation was a success and the doctor has given the green light for him to resume his active lifestyle - Everyone is pleased with the diagnosis. It is good to hear he will be ready to roll when K-State comes to Phoenix for their bowl game:

I chatted with Mad Max the other day. He's liking the direction our economy is going now that we are headed into 2018 - "I will admit this about your idol. He knows how to get the economy going. I really think 2018 is the year we see some of his efforts pay off. The tax cuts are the greatest thing that has happened to this country in thirty plus years." Mad Max is Trump man numero uno. I don't know why he always refers to Trump as 'my idol.' He's the one with the crush on him.

"You know what Mad Max?" The two of us have our philosophical differences every now and then, but we both are square one with the belief Trump is the best guy for the economy - "I told you from the get go the reason I liked Trump was his position on China and how we weren't getting a fair shake with them. He said he was going to do something about it and I would like to see him keep his word now that he won the job." 

Mad Max is in the energy business and Trump's visit to Asia last month resulted in kudos for energy - "I told you we were digging again after your idol came back from China last month. You and this China man bullshit...I hate to say this, but it turns out you have been right the whole time about these motherfuckers." Until recently, Mad Max and I had differing views on how important Asian consumers can be...he thought not much - I have thought Mount Rushmore from the beginning.

20 dimes moves to the neighborhood...

"Goddammit 20! How the hell you been?" Last night I was fortunate enough to be hanging around a Las Vegas original. The one and only 20 dimes - "I live in the neighborhood now Rob." I first met Twenty at a gig on Rainbow a little while back...I like him - "Come on in and take a load off my man. We got some catching up to do."

20 goes back and forth to SoCal on a consistent basis. He was back in town for the holidays and staying at a place right down the road from mine - "The place looks nice Tornado." He calls me Tornado in homage to my Kansas roots...I like it - "I tell you what Twenty. It sure is good to see you. You always bring a lot of positive vibe with you. I sure can use it." 20 is a guy who looks at a cup half full. He's a positive guy all the time and I am hoping his enthusiasm will run off on me.

We spend the evening reminiscing a little about the past and talking heavily about the future - "Tornado, what is it that you are doing for money right now?" I tell him I am broke as a joke and need to make some money - "You are too smart to be broke Tornado. I bet I can help you make some money." He shares a few proven strategies with me, I say - "Do you want to know something 20? I like your pitch. Make it happen!"

Twenty is interesting in many facets. When I look at him I see the embodiment of a person who wants to be successful, and he is a hell of a nice guy - "Goddammit 20! It was good to see you," I tell him as we bro' hug and prepare for his exit - "You just remember that we are neighbors right now Tornado, and neighbors look out for one another," is his parting words.

Larry Bird wannabe's + a trip to Houston + the crystal ball

I saw a picture of a lifelong buddy of mine on Face Book today. He is doing what he has always wanted to do for a living and I am proud of him for it. Anyhoo, after viewing his picture for a moment, the memory of the first time we met came back to me:

I was twelve years old and attending summer basketball camp at Kansas State when I first encountered him. We were two Larry Bird wannabe's from neighboring towns - "This kid sucks. He can't make a shot to save his life." He had the audacity to question my abilities, and he did it in front of a group of my fellow Madisonites. I was enraged by his lack of court etiquette and thus took the basketball I was holding at the time and promptly launched it at his head...he ducks in the nick of time - "Go get that ball son!" He yells as I watch it roll halfway across campus - Who would have thought such a cherished friendship would begin like that?

Bute and I went back and forth today on a few things. He lives in Houston and owns an air conditioning company and wants to explore some next level ways to increase his business - "When are you going to come to visit me? You come out any time you want. I have some ideas I think will fit right into your way of doing things." Bute's a fan of the blog. We took an earlier turn at things and it didn't go how either wanted, but that was then, this is now - "Bute - How does the second or third week of January sound for a visit?" Bute has always been a go-getter. Now he is putting off some contagious enthusiasm - "Sounds good to me. Give me the exact time and dates and will do it up." Looks like I will be headed to Houston in the near future. I am looking forward to it.

Beating the Raiders at home was no big deal. I take that back. It snapped a four game losing streak, so yeah it was a big deal. I'm just not impressed much is what I am trying to say. Even if they win the division and host a playoff game and are lucky enough to win in the opening round...it is off to Pittsburgh or New England and season is over. That is what my crystal ball is telling me. I hope my crystal ball is wrong and this is the year we finally see a parade. I'm not going to get worked up about it either way.

The porn star next door...

If you walk on to the porch at my condo and look to the left fifteen feet - you will be looking directly at Megan's porch. She is the porn star next door. We chat frequently from our respective porches and last night I was fortunate enough to make her acquaintance once again:

"I enjoyed the post you did about me. When you do the next one I want you to make it much dirtier." Megan is a wonderful gal and I tell her such from the porch, she says from hers - "You know us California girls. We like to have a splendid time in life." She reminds me so much of Roxy that I don't even know what to say, actually I do know what to say - "Megan, I am sure about two things in life. The first is I have never met a homeless guy who likes the Patriots - the reason they tell me is always the same - 'They're cheaters!' - The second thing is California girls are the best!" I then ask her to give me something juicy for the blog.

"I grew up with sand in my ass. Two blocks away from the beach in Orange County. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Being I am a California girl I was in the business for a while when I was younger, and it was a lot of fun. I moved to Vegas in my twenties and the party continued for a few more years, and then I had my son, he changed things quite a bit for me," she then smiles and adds, "I still have plenty of my moments, but it's not all about me anymore." Megan has had her ups and downs in life, you know, just like everyone else - I ask -"So how long have you been working the bar scene?" Joel and her were friends from the scene and I first met Megan at a bar she was working at in the neighborhood. I would have never guessed she would become my next door neighbor...small world.

"I've been working the scene for fifteen years now and it has been fun." I enjoyed Megan as a bartender. She's personable, she's pretty, she gives off a good vibe. I tell her such and she says - "You have got to be the sweetest guy I have ever met. How come a guy like you doesn't have a girlfriend?" I tell her I am broke and can't afford one right now, but I am optimistic things will change - "You know something Rob. You're always stoked about things even when they aren't going your way. I like that about you. You are always so positive when we talk." It is easy for me to be positive around her, but I am not always positive. I tell her such and she asks what it is that irritates me - "Watching the Chiefs play has been very irritating to me as of late. Watching Chinatown grow and not getting in on the action has been irritating to me as well. Hopefully, I correct that soon. The Chiefs are a lost cause though."

That was a good question. You know. What irritates me? I ask her the question and she says - "In the scene you have to be able to put up with a lot of bullshit or you won't make any money. I have very thick skin. I will tell you this. I hate it when some guy comes in to the bar and starts being vulgar like saying - 'I watched one of your videos and I will fuck you better than that guy.' That is the guy who usually gets the shit slapped out of him." I ask if that is common - "More than you would think. It's one of those things that come with the territory."

Happy birthday dad + start the Mahomes era now + job search

I would like to start this post off by saying HBD to my father. He turns a young seventy five today. I am appreciative of everything you do for me and am happy to see that K-State gave you a wonderful present with their bowl game coming to your back yard. You deserve it! I will chat with you real soon... Love, Rob:

It all starts with a change at QB1. I understand it's not all Alex's fault. Lots of things need correction. But start somewhere and that somewhere should be at QB1. Alex had a chance to lead us to a game tying touchdown on the last drive and came up lame. This loss should be his swan song. Put in Mahomes and see what happens. That's the overlying thought in Chief Nation. Alex will be just fine and come next year he'll have a job somewhere else. Start the Mahomes era now!

Tomorrow I am headed down to talk with my friend Joe at Amore's. I approached him a while back about doing a podcast from his restaurant. I worked there for a minute when I first got to town and we had a good looking chef named Rizzo who I would follow around and film. Rizzo is a ringer and works at a fancy joint on the strip nowadays. The point is I had a lot of fun working at Amore's and I feel if Joe is up for it I could have some more fun there. I will know more about this soon.

I don't know what to say about the Chiefs anymore, so I will say nothing. Actually, I will say that I am ready for KU basketball to hit full swing. It will help ease the pain caused by the Chiefs. What a sham! Before I go, one last happy birthday to my father - I am excited K-State is coming to town for you.

Talking Chinatown & football with a fellow Trump man...

"Now listen. All I have to do is round up a few of my colleagues and make my way through Chinatown again. The goal is to get fifty of them under the umbrella." I have been looking for not just a job, but a direction as well - I was explaining to my friend Junior a plausible course of action - "Look, if we can get fifty or so of those restaurants in Chinatown under our umbrella...I mean really under our umbrella! The potential to stack money to the ceiling starts to look like a reality." Junior has heard the spiel before, but not this intensified.

"So what is it that you think will happen when you get fifty restaurants under your umbrella. What good is that going to do us?" Junior is a fan of the blog, so I reiterate my history and connections in Chinatown so he understands I am proven and am eager to prove again - "What I would do is real simple for someone like me. I would get a few of my buddies and we would go through some restaurants and explain the pluses of selling their food online and how we can get them to platforms. We would also look to cross sell your product as well, you know, as a tag along to the restaurants." Junior sells beef jerky, and he is starting to sell a lot of it. His Asian clientele is limited and I would like to help him expand it. The key will be introducing it to them. I am confident in my abilities to do such.

"So what is the next step? How do you plan on getting fifty restaurants under your umbrella when you don't even have a job?" I have been thinking about who my best buddy is since Joel split town and since Junior & Brenda come to town so frequently, I feel he is deserving of the title. I tell him such and he says - "Okay, fat boy. How much do you need? I know you said you wanted to get a lawyer involved. Who are you going to get to go with you when you start rolling through Chinatown?" I tell him I am trying to raise two grand and the money will go straight to legal work and a new suit. I also add - "Kam & Mike are on stand by. If things are done correctly we will have fifty of them in a few months. What would a healthy slice of fifty restaurants in Chinatown bring on a reoccurring basis?" I wait a second for his answer and then I decide to answer my own question - "A lot boy...a whole lot!"

He tells me he will talk with Brenda about the money and get back with me soon. The talk turns to football - "Your team is horrible. It looks like they have thrown in the towel already. Are you embarrassed by their play." Junior is a Steeler's fan and is counting the days until they play New England - I add - "Geez, thanks for reminding me how bad they are playing. They looked like a legitimate parade team at the first part of the season and now they look like they are playing for the lottery pick in next years draft. It is not making me and the rest of the Chief Nation happy." Junior teases me about how Kansas City will never see a parade and he is looking forward to attending the parade in Pittsburgh - "Don't get too excited," I tell him - "You still have to get past Belicheater."