Talking Super Bowl with my best buddy.

"Goddammit Joel! This is their year best buddy. We have to go to the parade. I'm ready." I have an on again, off again roommate, his name is Joel, who just so happens to be my first cousin and new best buddy - "I don't know why you keep saying that. There is a long way to go before the Super Bowl gets here. Tilt your head to the left." Not only is Joel my best buddy, he also doubles as my barber - "I tell you what best buddy. They are strong at the QB spot right now. Stronger than I can ever remember. And the players. Jesus, this is the best crop of players I have ever seen. And I have been watching Chief football for thirty plus years best buddy," my enthusiasm was at a fever pitch as I watch a clump of hair hit the floor.

Joel is going through some changes in life right now, but I got to admit to everyone. He's like the best looking guy in town and women line up around the block for him, but he is sick of that and wants something new. One more thing, I have never seen anyone put as much emphasis on diet as him. I lost ten pounds the first two weeks he lived with me, Unfortunately, I put it back on when he was in San Diego - "Best buddy, I heard they were forming legislation for online gaming in a number of states. 2018 will be a banner year for online gaming if all goes as I think it will." The two of us share a passion for sports entertainment, and quite frankly sports entertainment can be very profitable if done correctly - "I know dude, we've seen first hand how much money there is. It's just they're certain things I am focused on. I have to think about my health. Turn your head to the right." I comply and a few moments later another clump of beautiful hair is on my lap.

"Have you talked with uncle Ned lately?" Uncle Ned is on the Ferry side of the family. Currently, he is living in a care center in Kansas and is as feisty as ever. "Yeah, I talked with the bozo the other day," I then add, "He was bitching about Trump and this and that. But otherwise everything is the same with him. He's looking forward to seeing us someday." He finishes shaving the back of my neck and instructs me to take a look in the mirror - "Excellent best buddy. You can always add barber to your resume. I will vouch for you." I sweep the tide of locks from the patio floor and empty them in the trash. After finishing the talk returns to Chief's football.

"If they can avoid the injury bug I really like their chances. You also got to keep Alex playing at a tremendous level. If he goes down it would make things harder." I agree with Joel wholeheartedly, losing the QB1 spot would be tough, but from everything I'm seeing Mahome would be a suitable replacement - "The kid has a rocket launcher for an arm. And they're plenty of play makers to get the ball to. Look how well Deshaun Watson played. Mahome has that kind of ability, with a bigger arm." Joel has always been a Bear's fan, even though he grew up in the heart of Kansas City - "Ditka & Payton!" He tells me every time I question his loyalties.

KC opened up at -3 and have risen to -5 as of now. As well as they are playing and being at Arrrowhead. I'm laying my money on Andy and the crew. I know there are other people who like sports entertainment as much as me. I would like to know what you're thinking. Best buddy & me in picture below.

Best buddy is back in town..

I've had an off and on roommate for the last two months. It's my cousin Joel. He is leaving Las Vegas after eleven years and moving to Florida in a few weeks in order to help my sister with her business. Anyhoo, he'd been in San Diego at a cleanse the last few weeks and returned late last night:

"Best buddy is that you?" He's not my best buddy, not even close. I refer to him as such because it makes me feel good in some strange way. So when he is staying at my abode it's 'best buddy' - "Yeah, I'm back man. How are things going?" He says in a tired tone. I give him the rundown on the last two weeks and then we start talking about the massacre - "Bute told me Teresa's cousins were at the festival when it happened and ran like hell when the gunfire erupted. They were alright. Thank goodness. Did you know anyone who was there when it happened best buddy?" - "Not that I am aware of," is his answer.

We chat about the weather for a minute and then I ask how the cleanse went - "For the most part the same," he then adds, "It seemed like you could smell a lot more marijuana in the air versus the other times I have gone." The reason he visited San Diego was to attend a cleanse. Which, from what I gathered - means a lot of meditation, wheat grass, yoga and a whole bunch of other holistic therapies. Best buddy was tan and fit. This was his third go around at a cleanse and my curiosity had piqued as to what actually goes on there. So I ask him to explain it in a little more detail.

"Think of it as checking into a minimum security women's prison. You are not supposed to leave but no one is stopping you. You can check out if you want, but it is expensive so I would advise against it." I tell him it sounds like a rehab joint, "Some of the people who go there are detoxing, but not the majority. Most are wanting the experience of a holistic, healthy lifestyle like the one I try to live. The cleanse is designed to give people guidance towards it."

Any way, it was good to see him. I then ask if he watched the Chief's game at his cleanse - "They don't allow television there, but I saw the results on my phone. They look good." Joel grew up in Kansas City and is a Bear's fan. How screwed up is that? I could tell he was tired so I added one more thing before I went back into my room - "KC is going to win the Super Bowl this year. It is their year. And I fucking mean it this time." He says the same thing everyone says to me - "We'll see, they have a habit of getting you worked up every year and not coming through." - "Not this year best buddy. They're going all the way," is my response as I close the bedroom door and head back to bed.

Andy, Alex & what Las Vegas thinks.

"I'm telling you if Alex Smith keeps playing like this the Chiefs are going to get to the Super Bowl. If you don't believe me just take a look at what Las Vegas is saying. They started the season 22-1 and up in most places around town. They're six to one, maybe seven, in most spots as of week five. They are right there with Belicheater & the Steelers as favorites to win it all." I was chatting with my friend Keith today about KC's chances of making it to the Super Bowl - "I like it more than any other time I have been watching them play in my lifetime and that is a long time my friend," I add with more vigor.

Keith is a Raider fan and thus doesn't know what to think about things this season, but not me, I am feeling really good about our chances this year, and Alex Smith is just a part of it - "Lots of ways to get you," I say with even more vigor, "Home run hitters everywhere on offense and Alex is delivering it to them." He asks about the defense - "They can make enough plays to get by as long as the offense is playing like it is now. It all rides on how well the QB1 spot is playing. That's what it boils down to in the NFL!" - My friend Roy has been giving me the KC can't win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith spiel since the day they signed him. I refuse to believe it anymore.

"Look, I'm tired of hearing KC can't win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith as quarterback, and I am sure he is tired of hearing it as well. Everyone knows that this is probably his last year in town, so he's decided to play all out for a big contract somewhere else next year. I really think Andy has got it all worked out as well. All the backs and receivers are young and ready for prime time." Keith then mentions something that means a lot out in Vegas - "They have been some covering machines this year. 5-0 against the spread. Did you throw down on them in last nights game?" - I shake my head and say - "No, I need to practice what I preach, I know that. But money is tight for the village idiot right now. But, I'll definitely be ready to rock-n-roll on the Steeler's game." He asks what the line is - "Andy and the gang opened up as three point favorites in most places around town. I really think the offense scores enough points to get it done and the defense will make a few plays. Just like what has been happening all year."

I have an idea I have to share - I'm thinking about putting a little money on KC this weekend. Does anyone else like to do things like that? If so, let me know and I can tell you about some exciting things.

Where do we go from here?

"Two cars parked on the overpass. Rocks hit the water like broken glass. I should have known right then it was too good to last. God, it's such a drag when you're living in the past."

Even the Losers ~ Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

I was up all night Sunday watching coverage of the strip massacre. I didn't fall asleep till six. My dad called around seven to make sure I was okay, after the call I fell asleep for a few hours. When I woke I grabbed the phone and started checking on the tragedy again. I could only take so much, so I started checking other news and I read Tom Petty had passed. What was already a tough morning got worse:

"You know I was scheduled to work security at Mandalay Bay Sunday, but my boss screwed up on the schedule so I didn't know. If I would have went I would have been arriving and walking into Mandalay Bay about the time the shooting started. I was suppose to be there and at my post by ten thirty." James, who works security at a number of venues around town, was explaining to me the situation he could have easily found himself in if not for his bosses clerical error - "Thank goodness your boss screwed up on the schedule. It sounds like you would have walked right into it if not for his mistake," I say as both of us realize how fortunate he was.

"Before I moved to Vegas I was going to PA school and worked as a paramedic. I remember vividly all the training that went into a mass casualty event. I missed a few that happened in North Carolina, but I know they are gruesome." - "James," I then take another sip of my drink before continuing - "Just think if you rolled through there when it was happening." He takes another swallow of his drink and says - "I don't know what I would have done. I most likely would have tried to help and would that have put me in the cross hairs? Thank goodness I will never know."

We change the subject to football for a minute but it drifts back to the massacre - "You know what the most indelible scene for me of this whole tragedy is? It's the windows that were blown out of the shooter's room on the 32nd floor. That is an image that will never get out of my head. It was unbelievable to me that someone could do that. Just raining bullets down on all those people. Man, I think Mad Max might be right about things."

"Don't listen to that dip shit!" He says with a hint of anger, "It sounds like it was a crazy guy with lots of guns. Everything is pointing to a 'lone wolf." We pour another drink and then I ask what he thinks things will be like now - "Vigilance!" He says in a matter of fact tone - "Everywhere you turn it will be a guard with a gun or a metal detector to pass through. This country will start to mimic Israel and all of their security procedures. Hopefully, it will be enough to slow it down. Nothing will ever stop it for good."

Justin Houston

"Sixteen, I fell in love with a girl as sweet as could be. Only took a couple of days till she was rid of me. She swore that she would be all mine and love me to the end. But when I whispered in her ear - I lost another friend."

good times, bad times ~ Led Zeppelin


It has been a difficult day and a half in Las Vegas. The mass shooting has taken its toll on the community. Nonetheless, I am proud to call Las Vegas home and could not imagine living anywhere else. I don't want to harp on it because everyone is seeing more than their share from the media. I just know things are going to change. I want to tell everyone who checked in on me I appreciate the thought and I am doing fine, a little sad, but still fine. I know Las Vegas will recover and come back stronger than ever. Enough of this. Let me tell you how I got $100 richer by betting on Kansas City last night:

Junior and Brenda were in town last week and I met them for dinner at Caesar's Palace. After finishing we mosey over to the sports book so Junior can lay down his action before he heads back to Albuquerque - "The Chiefs are 6.5 favorites over the Redskins. Do you think they can cover?" I nod and say - "Playing at home on Monday night. That's a fucking lock. I would take them all day long." Junior decided to put his money where my mouth is - "Here you go Village Idiot. I want you to buy yourself a new pair of shoes if they cover." He hands a fifty dollar ticket with a payout of ninety six if KC covers 6.5 - "New shoes time," he tells me as I hug him and Brenda and wish them a safe trip home.

"Dude it don't look like you are going to get your new shoes. That field goal just did your bet in." I watched the game last night at PT's on Durango with James and Saucier - James was not feeling it - "See I told you they were going to screw you. At least they won though. Even though that doesn't do your ticket any good." I took little solace in a KC win. If they don't cover (6.5) I lose, and they most likely were only going to win by three - "Let's get the hell out of here," I say in disgust - There was still four seconds left in the game, and unbeknownst to my friends and I at the time - KC was about to pull off a rare back door cover.

PT's is a short walk from my condo and as I am halfway home my phone rings - "You lucky motherfucker!" Junior yells, "I can't believe the Chief's covered." I thought I was being razzed at first and then he tells me what happened on the last play of the game and how Houston scored off a fumble and KC thus covered the bet - "Hold on," I tell him with a rapid heartbeat - I put the phone to my chest and yell at the top of my lungs - "Way to go Chiefs!" I then thank him for the new pair of shoes.

I was bragging about my victory to friends on Messenger and one responded, "Big deal. Low risk. Low reward. You need to set your goals higher." I agree with him in many ways, but after a day like yesterday I was elated to see something good happen. No matter how minute it is. And the Chiefs covering was just what the doctor ordered for me.

The shortest boycott ever.

I remember, vividly, the first time I encountered someone betting on a football game. I was in high school at the time and a friend and I were visiting a mutual friend of ours at a nearby university he was attending - "Run the clock out you pricks! I got this you motherfucker!" Why he was acting so uptight over a game in which his team was winning handily was a mystery to me at the time. The team he told me he needed to win (Notre Dame) was leading by four touchdowns with less than two minutes to go - "You got this in the bag. They are up by four touchdowns. What is your problem? It is impossible for them to lose." The Fighting Irish punt to the opposition with less than a minute left and the punt is subsequently returned for a touchdown. Roy goes ballistic - "You worthless motherfucker!" He yells at the top of his lungs - "I'm going to lose because those morons can't cover a punt. Fuck you Holtz!" He was referring to Lou Holtz who was coach of Notre Dame at the time. He was a high strung guy to begin with, but I couldn't help but find his behavior overboard.

"What's the problem with Roy? Why was he so upset over a game in which his team won by twenty one points?" I ask Deek as we are driving home, "It didn't matter that his team won. They didn't cover and he lost his bet," is his answer. I scratch my head and the say - "What do you mean they didn't cover? " He looks at me and says - "You really are a dumb son of a bitch. The line was twenty three and they only won by twenty one." Since that day I have not looked at college and professional athletics the same - Fast Forward thirty years:

"I am boycotting the NFL because they are all a bunch of ungrateful bastards. From hear on out I will not be watching another one of their games." I chatted with Roy today and his panties were in a bunch because of President Trump's comments about players being disrespectful by not standing for the national anthem. I'm not quite as naive as I was when I was young, so, basically, I let him know I didn't believe him in no uncertain terms - "Give me a break Roy. You have been watching football every fall Sunday for the last forty years, and betting on it for the last thirty, and now, all of sudden, you are going to go cold turkey. I don't believe it for one minute. This is not yesteryear my friend. If you are going to boycott the NFL because the politics don't align with you. Well, quite frankly, that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard."

He babbles on about how pissed he is at the NFL for allowing their 'employees' to be so disrespectful to the country and how he is sick of all the 'overpaid crybabies' and if they don't like this country they should move to another country and try to make their millions - "Okay," I say to him sarcastically, "Does that mean you are going to drop out of the three fantasy football leagues you have been in for the last twenty years? It's going to be hard to play fantasy football and then boycott the NFL at the same time. Don't you think?" There is a brief silence and then he spurts - "I don't have to watch in order to play. I will just get the stats from the internet and go from there." - "Yeah, sure," I say with more sarcasm - "Look, your idol Trump will find something else to spout off about this week and you and all the other clowns will forget about the boycott and we both know your ass will be planted in front of the TV come Sunday with the remote in one hand and a beer in the other."

Mad Max is coming to town.

"Six o'clock, TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign towers. Slash & burn, return, listen to yourself churn. Lock it in, uniforming, book burning, blood letting. Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate. Light a candle, light a motive. Step down, step down. Watch your heel crush, crushed, uh-oh this means no fear cavalier. Renegade steer clear! A tournament, tournament, a tournament of lies. Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline."

It's the end of the world (as we know it) ~ R.E.M

I think about this dumb motherfucker and all his babble when we were young, and then I look  at today's world and think - "Damn, don't tell me this asshole is right. I refuse to believe it." - Mad Max from Kansas called yesterday and the first thing he says -  "Do you know a lot of foreigners in Las Vegas? Because I can't be around them if I come out to visit." What a stupid question, and I made sure he knew it - "That's all there is in Las Vegas you dumb fuck. I've told you that a number of times. Man you really need to get out from under your bunker and come out and live a little before the Apocalypse hits," I then add, "Why the fuck are you calling me any way. I'm the one who calls you. You never call me."

"I'm thinking about coming out and seeing you in December when the rodeo is going on. I talked with my shrink and told her what you said about me needing a distraction and she agrees with you." Uncle Ned's words immediately began ringing in my head - "You are a fucking weirdo magnet. Goddammit Robbie - Don't you have any normal friends? Mad Max, Jesus, what a fucking moron." Nonetheless, I tell Mad Max I would love to see him on a few conditions - "What's that?" He asks quizzically. "Leave your 'end of the world' bullshit rhetoric in Kansas. I don't want to hear it. Oh, and keep your xenophobic comments to yourself as well." He agrees to the conditions and tells me he will be bringing his steady with him - "She doesn't trust me out there alone with you." I laugh and say - "Are we looking at another future Mrs. Mad Max?" He responds by saying - "Don't know yet. Maybe?"