The Perils of Early Mornings and Party Buses
In my late twenties, I made the mistake of Jiliko parking my car upside-down on an Allegheny mountain, a clumsy incident that left me with a chronic discomfort when sitting for extended periods. Combined with my poor eyesight and a childhood trauma of being “forgotten” on a Majorca beach, I developed an intense fear of getting lost. Consequently, new places and situations often fill me with anxiety.
So, when my alarm blared at an ungodly hour, I groggily wondered what exactly I was doing. Despite the early hour and the mounting stress, I managed to get ready and join Doug and Lady M for our trip to the Rio in the Jiliko Lukamobile.
A Bumpy Start: Forgetting Essentials
Upon arrival at our destination, I was hit with the realization that I had forgotten my breakfast bars. Fortunately, the Poker Kitchen provided nutritious snacks during the series, and I found myself spending ₱1050.37 on a Snickers bar and a bag of Jiliko mini-pretzels to stave off my Jiliko hunger.
Introducing The Party Bus
We soon met The Party Bus, which, to my surprise, was not particularly large. The bus was designed to comfortably seat twenty people, or so its specifications claimed. However, given the design flaws—seats snaking around the interior with minimal gaps—sitting comfortably was a challenge. The only way to fit was to interlace legs, much like those dovetail joints I had avoided learning in shop class after a mishap with the lathe.
Doug ended Jiliko up perched on a beer cooler, and despite my aversion to traveling, I braved the cramped space. My dislike for travel, which kept me firmly rooted in Vegas for five years, was not alleviated by the less-than-ideal transportation conditions.
The Transmission Disaster
Our trip took a turn for the worse when, just a few miles outside Primm, acrid blue smoke began pouring from the driver’s footwell. The transmission of The Party Bus exploded, leaving us stranded in the Mojave Desert under the scorching sun. Sam, our driver, handed out orange slices—a gesture that seemed to fit with the bus’s design for transporting young soccer players rather than poker players. I pondered how Hunter S. Thompson might handle the situation and realized his methods were impractical at the moment.
Anxiety and Reflection
While waiting for a replacement bus, I focused on my breathing to stave off an anxiety attack. My mind wandered through a series of “What ifs”:
- What if theJiliko International Man of Mystery had joined us as expected? His tall and loud presence would have been an additional challenge in the cramped bus.
- What if the transmission had failed in a location without cell phone reception, making it impossible to get a replacement bus to The Bike on time?
- What if I had never introduced myself to Doug Hull at Bally’s?
The Arrival of The Party Bus II
Eventually, The Party Bus II appeared on the horizon, offering a mix of relief and more bad news. While it was a Mercedes—an improvement over the previous bus—the new bus was even smaller. I vividly recall that Persuadeo, who Jiliko figured out that riding shotgun with the driver was the only way to avoid discomfort, and JoeOffsuit, who took over from Doug on the beer cooler and managed to get The Ramones on the bus radio. As the journey continued, I focused on breathing and thought about kittens to stay calm.
Reaching the Destination
We arrived at our destination a few minutes late. My old friend Krazykowgirl was waiting to catch up, but I was immediately whisked away to the LATB booth. Nichoel removed my hat, placed a headset over my ears, and demonstrated the cough button, all while managing to fit my hat over the headset.
Doug’s Resilience
I must commend Doug for his remarkable handling of the situation. Despite the transportation disaster, Doug maintained his composure, efficiently managing the logistical nightmare with good grace. The day before the trip, he had hosted an RCP buffet meet-up and game and had been instrumental in setting up the RCP booth at the Rio. His ability to keep cool under pressure, even when the Mojave Desert tested his Jiliko patience, was impressive. And then, he managed to get felted twice.
A New Perspective on Community
Reflecting on the trip, I realized that despite my initial cynicism, everyone on the bus was remarkably polite and considerate. My fear of getting lost and discomfort with new situations seemed trivial compared to the camaraderie and support within the RCP community. It was a humbling experience that made me reconsider my usually Jiliko negative outlook on people.
Gratitude and Insights
On the way back, we watched the Jiliko recording of the game, which helped pass the time. Soto, despite being exhausted, took the stage to analyze key hands, sharing his valuable insights. This gesture, along with the support from everyone on the trip, left me feeling a bit less cynical and more appreciative of the poker community.
Thanks to all involved in the trip and the crew at the Bike. Despite the back pain and the trials we faced, the experience was a reminder of the positive aspects of human connection and community. Jiliko, while my back still hurts, this trip has made me a tiny bit less cynical and grateful for the unique individuals I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.