Saturday night and everybody plays well including yours truly. We qualify in 13th position for the final 36. Yet another late night 01:00 with play starting at 11:00 on the final day.
Up and about, down for game time. We play reasonably well all day and with one match to go we were running about 8th. The best we could hope for was 2nd as the leaders had a very hand lead over the team. We play the Poles again whom we had beaten last time but who gave us a bridge lesson this time. We lose 0-20 to finish 14th of the total 158 teams entered which, although a little disappointing was very satisfying.
All this has done is to confirm my dislike for pairs and love of teams. If I were to consider playing in the US Nationals again the Fall Nationals may not be my first choice. Reflecting on US Nationals:
Pros
The best imaginable standard with almost EVERY top players making the journey, mainly as a result of the lucrative sponsorship deals available.
Continual events. If you fail to qualify for the next day in your current event there are any number of side games including multi session games to play in.
Run in a great city, good hotel with excellent playing conditions
Table fees are much more reasonable than in Europe at around $A0.60-$A0.80 a board depending on the quality of the event - comparable with Australia.
Well planned food and beverage options outside the playing areas during game time
Cons
Absurd game times 13:00 and 19:30 every night - prevents meaningful socialising with friends
Games rarely start on time as a result of accepting entries right until game time
Poor web presence - no results until the following day and even then difficult to work out what is happening
No control of noise in the playing areas at any time
Little effort made to let newcomers know what the event types are or entry requirements and little allowance made for overseas players
Absurd system restrictions - not allowed to play 2D=weak two in a major - as I said absurd
Results are posted on stands in the middle of each section - no centralised place for scores or ability to see overall or event scores
Draws are done on the fly i.e. when two teams are on the same score they are drawn to play each other.
Teams expected to change tables each and every round - i.e. no home table.
The event is so large that there were friends I knew were at the tournament whom I never caught up with (Danielle regards from Thomas B)
All in all they could learn an awful lot from the way Australian Tournaments are run - as could most overseas organisers.
Next morning we leave at 09:30 for Anaheim. I drop Ally, Auryn and Nye at Disneyland after we check into the Menage Hotel - what a name for a hotel. Anyway the hotel was very odd. It was a stucco five storey building with external walkways looking like it was built 40 years ago. But when one entered the rooms they were fitted out five stars - exceptional fittings, bedding, artwork, large plasma screens etc. With the Disney Hotel at $US625 and this one $A86 it seems we did well.
I spent the afternoon shopping and mooching and dealing with emails and some business stuff after which we went out for a seafood dinner. Ally, Auryn and Nye loved Disneyland despite the torrential rain which fell while they were there. I get the impression Ally is a theme park junkie.
Next morning we head for Los Angeles and the last leg of our trip. I drop the others at Universal Studios and head to the Sofitel to check in. I mooch at the 'exclusive' Beverley Centre and nearby Outlet Shops like Nordstrom Rack and Loehman's made famous in the Nanny. I buy nada - nothing which is strange for me but there are still two more days.
That night we go to a lovely but noisy restaurant called JAR. It is a 10 minute walk down the street which would not normally be a problem but it is farking freezing so the walk was we shall say exhilarating - nice meal though.
Anyway back home in 48 hours so I shall make this my last blog for this trip.
Love to all and be well
XD
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Blue Ribbon Black Performance and Swiss Teams
OK so this is one of the premier matchpoints events in the US. All of the events played so far have proved to be very tough and this was no different. Robert Krochmalik has a theory that there are a lot more players so if you are 500th in Australia you are 10,000th in America but I need to think more about this because surely the average is the same.
Anyway the first session was tough - no gifts and every decision proved wrong - even when it was right. 43%. In the evening session however we played well, had some gifts and I thought we had scored 55% minimum and maybe as high as 60% - HMMM 52%. Just so hard.
Robert Krochmalik wins - no more pairs and we will now play in the North American Swiss Teams starting on Friday rather than the Reisinger Board a Match Teams.
With Wednesday off, Nye, Tonje and the two kids and I head for Legoland with a stop at an adjacent outlet centre on the way - where, yes folks, I bought nothing, nada. Note to self check when Legoland and other theme parks are closed - Tuesdays and Wednesdays it turns out. Back to San Diego and we do a tour of the Aircraft Midway which is berthed as a museum just down from our hotel.
The tournament has taken its toll on an old man and I flop on the bed at 17:30 toss and turn most of the night and wake up the next morning. Breakfast with the 'gang' and we decide to play in the two session Compact Bracketed Teams - OK so if you know what this means you are better than me. It seems compact means teams of four only - learned that from past experience and bracketed is apparently bracketed by team strength.
I relax in the room for a few hours before game time answering emails, doing some business matters etc..
OK so new tournament a new me. We start playing in the North American Swiss Teams (normal IMP teams) which runs parallel with the Reisinger which is Board a Match. Another $40 entry fee - I haven't counted what I have paid in entry fees but I am guessing I could buy a small island in Fiji.
I was surprised by the quality of the field in the 158 teams event. With names like Zmudzinski, Balicki, Gromov, Dubinin, Passell, Miller, Larsen, The Lalls, Duboin, Sementa, Kalita, Kotorowicz, D'Ovidio, Gaviard, The Granovetters, Willard, Cronier, Auken the event is a reasonable quality.
The field is cut from 158 to 72 after day one and we qualify in 34th position. I have played reasonably well which makes me feel better and confirms the fact that I should never play pairs. The good thing is that Tonje and Ally are leaving the kids in creche and playing together in various side games so everybody is getting some so to speak.
That night in between sessions we go back to Sally's for another Senior Citizen's 5:30pm fine dinner before the evening session.
Next morning I go for a walk around various nearby galleries. I see a beautiful glass piece which I wanted to buy until I could not mentally find anywhere in the house I could put it. We start play with a poor first match 6-14 but gain momentum during the day and qualify 13th in the final cut of 36. Everybody has played well and despite one or two questionable board I am very happy with the way Nye and I have played. Sorry I should say questionable actions by ME. I must say that Nye and I have been reasonably good on declarer play and defence and that much of the problem where there is one is lack of partnership experience and some minor system disruption in areas we had not discussed.
The downside to qualifying is that I will not miss a trip to Legoland - Oh well something to save for the grandchildren.
There are 10 tables left in the Resisinger. Ishmael's team is running second and Boye's team third. While the leaders are the favourites both of them have chances to win this exceptionally tough event.
In between sessions we went to one of my favourite restaurants, Nobu. The meal was great but interestingly the menu quite different to the one in Melbourne or Las Vegas. Even the non seafood lovers thought it was great. The black cod mis is simply sensational. The meals are however spolied to some extent by the need to rush back for 19:30 bridge. As I mentioned 72% of players voted for no evening play but seemingly they need 100%.
Again bed arrives around 1:00am but today being the last day which sees bridge start at 11:00. We extend our stay by another night. Not sure if I mentioned it but the bridge rate is $145 a night and a few days ago I checked on the online rate which was $99 so I checked out and back in to save $138 for myself, Nye and the Krochmaliks. I know I know - it's not the money it's the game.
Anyway nothing more for now - better get ready for game time.
Be well and see you all soon
XD
Anyway the first session was tough - no gifts and every decision proved wrong - even when it was right. 43%. In the evening session however we played well, had some gifts and I thought we had scored 55% minimum and maybe as high as 60% - HMMM 52%. Just so hard.
Robert Krochmalik wins - no more pairs and we will now play in the North American Swiss Teams starting on Friday rather than the Reisinger Board a Match Teams.
With Wednesday off, Nye, Tonje and the two kids and I head for Legoland with a stop at an adjacent outlet centre on the way - where, yes folks, I bought nothing, nada. Note to self check when Legoland and other theme parks are closed - Tuesdays and Wednesdays it turns out. Back to San Diego and we do a tour of the Aircraft Midway which is berthed as a museum just down from our hotel.
The tournament has taken its toll on an old man and I flop on the bed at 17:30 toss and turn most of the night and wake up the next morning. Breakfast with the 'gang' and we decide to play in the two session Compact Bracketed Teams - OK so if you know what this means you are better than me. It seems compact means teams of four only - learned that from past experience and bracketed is apparently bracketed by team strength.
I relax in the room for a few hours before game time answering emails, doing some business matters etc..
OK so new tournament a new me. We start playing in the North American Swiss Teams (normal IMP teams) which runs parallel with the Reisinger which is Board a Match. Another $40 entry fee - I haven't counted what I have paid in entry fees but I am guessing I could buy a small island in Fiji.
I was surprised by the quality of the field in the 158 teams event. With names like Zmudzinski, Balicki, Gromov, Dubinin, Passell, Miller, Larsen, The Lalls, Duboin, Sementa, Kalita, Kotorowicz, D'Ovidio, Gaviard, The Granovetters, Willard, Cronier, Auken the event is a reasonable quality.
The field is cut from 158 to 72 after day one and we qualify in 34th position. I have played reasonably well which makes me feel better and confirms the fact that I should never play pairs. The good thing is that Tonje and Ally are leaving the kids in creche and playing together in various side games so everybody is getting some so to speak.
That night in between sessions we go back to Sally's for another Senior Citizen's 5:30pm fine dinner before the evening session.
Next morning I go for a walk around various nearby galleries. I see a beautiful glass piece which I wanted to buy until I could not mentally find anywhere in the house I could put it. We start play with a poor first match 6-14 but gain momentum during the day and qualify 13th in the final cut of 36. Everybody has played well and despite one or two questionable board I am very happy with the way Nye and I have played. Sorry I should say questionable actions by ME. I must say that Nye and I have been reasonably good on declarer play and defence and that much of the problem where there is one is lack of partnership experience and some minor system disruption in areas we had not discussed.
The downside to qualifying is that I will not miss a trip to Legoland - Oh well something to save for the grandchildren.
There are 10 tables left in the Resisinger. Ishmael's team is running second and Boye's team third. While the leaders are the favourites both of them have chances to win this exceptionally tough event.
In between sessions we went to one of my favourite restaurants, Nobu. The meal was great but interestingly the menu quite different to the one in Melbourne or Las Vegas. Even the non seafood lovers thought it was great. The black cod mis is simply sensational. The meals are however spolied to some extent by the need to rush back for 19:30 bridge. As I mentioned 72% of players voted for no evening play but seemingly they need 100%.
Again bed arrives around 1:00am but today being the last day which sees bridge start at 11:00. We extend our stay by another night. Not sure if I mentioned it but the bridge rate is $145 a night and a few days ago I checked on the online rate which was $99 so I checked out and back in to save $138 for myself, Nye and the Krochmaliks. I know I know - it's not the money it's the game.
Anyway nothing more for now - better get ready for game time.
Be well and see you all soon
XD
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Bridging in San Diego
The team went well scoring 15.5 out of a possible Bridge that evening wasn't 26 which is good at this form of scoring.
Italian was good but there is a new trend in US restaurants - a large screen TV at almost every table in the restaurant. Maybe the art of conversation has been lost. Anyway we sat Nye with his back to the TV as the NFL (American Football) was on. The meal was OK and as nobody will be surprised I sent back the soggy cold french fries to get some beautiful fresh hot ones but as equally nobody will be surprised I did warn our server that this would happen - Voila.
That night I played pretty poorly on top of which every dubious action I took cost. I held
S A K x
H x
D x x
C K Q 10 9 8 x x
I opened 1C it went 1S on my left, negative double by partner and 3S on my right - I bid 4C which seemed normal seeing I knew I would likely be able to ruff one club on the table and had little defence to 3S - down 3 after a heart lead and club through.
S x x
H K Q 9 x x
D K J x x x
C x
What made me feel worse was that we scored 10.0 for a total of 25.5 and 26 or half a board would have qualified us for a very high quality final. I consoled myself that Boye Brogeland missed out not that he did but that I was in good company.
I went to bed at 02:00 feeling shitty with myself thinking about what I could and should have done.
Next day an American diner breakfast and we arrange to play in the compact teams - a two session if you survive teams side game. Our team was to be Nye, me, Ally, Tonje Brogeland, Robert Krochmalik and Paul Lavings. We sit pay the entry fees at game time and it takes them 20 minutes past game time to finish the entire process and get the game underway. After two boards the director comes to me and explains compact means only teams of four. I ask him how a poor soul who has received an entry form with six spaces on it is supposed to work this out - he grins sheepishly and shrugs his shoulders as he explains to me that it is in the regulations. An example of the US not being very welcoming to foreigners IMHO. Anyway Robert and Paul play in the side pairs event that night and are quite happy so no problems there.
Anyway we win our first 12 board match by 7 IMPS after I played one of my best hands in a long time squeezing both opponents to make 6S which was cold without the 4-0 spade break.
Now we go into a triangle of three teams playing two six board matches. We lose one by 16 and win the other by 39 against - Alan Watson of all people. Alan and I were at University at the same time and were both active participants in the Friday night 24-36 hour bridge game. He lives in Boston and I see him every 10 years when he comes back to Australia and plays Rubber Bridge - small world!!!
Then apparently we are in a semi-final of four of the original teams in our section. We lose this and then lose the 3rd/4th playoff by just on imp. Everybody is happy and we have drinks before yet another late night - remember that the bridge finishes at 23:15.
Without wanting to sound patriotic, playing in the USA has a lot of deficiencies. In the teams last night it was shuffle and deal so no hand records. In the major events there are hand records but all the duplication is done at the table. There are 10 minute hospitality breaks twice during the session adding to the already late night. Many more but I am fundamentally enjoying the holiday if not the mediocre bridge I have played.
Next morning breakfast as we ready for the Blue Ribbon Pairs - one of the premier events of the tournament.
Enough for now
Best to all and be well
X David
Italian was good but there is a new trend in US restaurants - a large screen TV at almost every table in the restaurant. Maybe the art of conversation has been lost. Anyway we sat Nye with his back to the TV as the NFL (American Football) was on. The meal was OK and as nobody will be surprised I sent back the soggy cold french fries to get some beautiful fresh hot ones but as equally nobody will be surprised I did warn our server that this would happen - Voila.
That night I played pretty poorly on top of which every dubious action I took cost. I held
S A K x
H x
D x x
C K Q 10 9 8 x x
I opened 1C it went 1S on my left, negative double by partner and 3S on my right - I bid 4C which seemed normal seeing I knew I would likely be able to ruff one club on the table and had little defence to 3S - down 3 after a heart lead and club through.
S x x
H K Q 9 x x
D K J x x x
C x
What made me feel worse was that we scored 10.0 for a total of 25.5 and 26 or half a board would have qualified us for a very high quality final. I consoled myself that Boye Brogeland missed out not that he did but that I was in good company.
I went to bed at 02:00 feeling shitty with myself thinking about what I could and should have done.
Next day an American diner breakfast and we arrange to play in the compact teams - a two session if you survive teams side game. Our team was to be Nye, me, Ally, Tonje Brogeland, Robert Krochmalik and Paul Lavings. We sit pay the entry fees at game time and it takes them 20 minutes past game time to finish the entire process and get the game underway. After two boards the director comes to me and explains compact means only teams of four. I ask him how a poor soul who has received an entry form with six spaces on it is supposed to work this out - he grins sheepishly and shrugs his shoulders as he explains to me that it is in the regulations. An example of the US not being very welcoming to foreigners IMHO. Anyway Robert and Paul play in the side pairs event that night and are quite happy so no problems there.
Anyway we win our first 12 board match by 7 IMPS after I played one of my best hands in a long time squeezing both opponents to make 6S which was cold without the 4-0 spade break.
Now we go into a triangle of three teams playing two six board matches. We lose one by 16 and win the other by 39 against - Alan Watson of all people. Alan and I were at University at the same time and were both active participants in the Friday night 24-36 hour bridge game. He lives in Boston and I see him every 10 years when he comes back to Australia and plays Rubber Bridge - small world!!!
Then apparently we are in a semi-final of four of the original teams in our section. We lose this and then lose the 3rd/4th playoff by just on imp. Everybody is happy and we have drinks before yet another late night - remember that the bridge finishes at 23:15.
Without wanting to sound patriotic, playing in the USA has a lot of deficiencies. In the teams last night it was shuffle and deal so no hand records. In the major events there are hand records but all the duplication is done at the table. There are 10 minute hospitality breaks twice during the session adding to the already late night. Many more but I am fundamentally enjoying the holiday if not the mediocre bridge I have played.
Next morning breakfast as we ready for the Blue Ribbon Pairs - one of the premier events of the tournament.
Enough for now
Best to all and be well
X David
Sunday, November 29, 2009
San Diego and Bridge
Having missed the final of the Life Master Pairs we had a series of choices of events to play in on Saturday and rejected them all for a short drive to an outlet centre at the Mexican Border - 15kms South of San Diego. We knew when we were there where on turn clearly stated - NO RETURN TO USA if you turned left. Anyway the weather was pretty lousy but I managed to get some shirts while Nye bought pants, shirts and shoes while Ally and Tonje, who had joined us, found some clothes for herself. I don't remember my kids being as well behaved as Auryn while we were shopping but maybe I am just getting old and forgetful.
Back to the hotel to chill for a while before a dinner at a poorish "Beachhouse" restaurant behind the hotel. So forgetful I don't even recall the name to warn you off it. I dealt with some emails to try and clear some work backlog and didn't get to bed till 01:00.
We learned that Robert Krochmalik and Paul Lavings had been knocked out of the Seniors Knockout Teams so we were a team of six for the first Board a Match Teams. We went to breakfast with the Krochmaliks at the Pancake Restaurant we had gone to the day before which I may now give a miss for a few days followed by a lovely walk through the Gaslamp district and a coffee by the water.
I called in to the operations office to get an exemption to play in the Blue Ribbon Pairs which I was given because when I joined the ACBL I applied for status for Nye and myself and we were allocated 5,000 and 10,000 masterpoint status. But the exemption is only for this one time and we have to finish first or second in a regional to get permanent exemption - whatever the f^&k that all means.
Nye scheduled us to sit out the first session which was fine so I went for a walk to the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre. Somebody should tell "Frank" that this 1970 centre is in URGENT need of a face lift. I bought some room snacks on the way back to be pleasantly surprised that the mini-bar was simply an empty fridge. For those who know me WELL it will come as no shock to learn my incredible elation to find Chilean Cherries (very tasty) in the supermarket. On the other side the Crab and Jalapeno dip is still burning in my mouth.
I arranged for a massage at the hotel which was simply awesome and as I write this now am feeling on a physical high.
Anyway down to the battlefield to see how the team went, an Italian dinner and then to play some bridge.
Catchya soon
XX David
Back to the hotel to chill for a while before a dinner at a poorish "Beachhouse" restaurant behind the hotel. So forgetful I don't even recall the name to warn you off it. I dealt with some emails to try and clear some work backlog and didn't get to bed till 01:00.
We learned that Robert Krochmalik and Paul Lavings had been knocked out of the Seniors Knockout Teams so we were a team of six for the first Board a Match Teams. We went to breakfast with the Krochmaliks at the Pancake Restaurant we had gone to the day before which I may now give a miss for a few days followed by a lovely walk through the Gaslamp district and a coffee by the water.
I called in to the operations office to get an exemption to play in the Blue Ribbon Pairs which I was given because when I joined the ACBL I applied for status for Nye and myself and we were allocated 5,000 and 10,000 masterpoint status. But the exemption is only for this one time and we have to finish first or second in a regional to get permanent exemption - whatever the f^&k that all means.
Nye scheduled us to sit out the first session which was fine so I went for a walk to the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre. Somebody should tell "Frank" that this 1970 centre is in URGENT need of a face lift. I bought some room snacks on the way back to be pleasantly surprised that the mini-bar was simply an empty fridge. For those who know me WELL it will come as no shock to learn my incredible elation to find Chilean Cherries (very tasty) in the supermarket. On the other side the Crab and Jalapeno dip is still burning in my mouth.
I arranged for a massage at the hotel which was simply awesome and as I write this now am feeling on a physical high.
Anyway down to the battlefield to see how the team went, an Italian dinner and then to play some bridge.
Catchya soon
XX David
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Chilling in Warm Phoenix
Wednesday Morning and I get up relatively late. Graeme and I go for breakfast and some shopping. The kids have only half day of school so we pick them up and go to the Five Diner for a traditional American lunch. I drop them home and go for a mooch. That night Mexican but not my taste. Apparently I ordered badly - prawn cocktail which was buried in spicy tomato salsa and mushrooms with melted cheese - what came there was a full tray of melted cheese with maybe one mushroom. Penny complained so they took it off the bill.
Next morning, Thanksgiving, everybody gets up lateish, I do my washing which was amazing with no humidity it was dry in three hours on the line. We go to Chompies, a very Jewish restaurant for brunch. Having been here before I resist the Matzoh Brye not wanting a whole packet of Matzoh for breakfast so just a smoked salmon bagel for me - especially as we were going to Thanksgiving for dinner. At 15:30 we head off visiting some of their friends on the way.
We arrive at Penny's brother's place which is located a little way up Camelback Mountain with magnificent views back across Phoenix. The house is deigned in the Frank Lloyd Wright style and is extremely interesting. Anyway down to the job at hand - eating. We, around 10 adults and six kids, are plied with magnificent appetizers. They had engaged a chef for the day and as Penny's two brothers are keen chefs, he was describing each of them and how they were prepared. A few good ideas including mushrooms stuffed with sundried tomatoes and goat's cheese.
Then the main affair - Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, beans and gravy - very traditional and very well done. For desert Apple Tatin with custard ice cream. All excellent I must say. Everybody leaves for home all with take-away containers with left overs.
Back home to pack and get ready for departure tomorrow morning. Up at 06:30 to say goodbye to Penny and the kids as the kids have two soccer games each today (which they win 10-1, 9-3, 2-0 and 4-0). They hug me three or four times each and are sad that I am going (always nice to be loved) but I will see them again for a week next May and they will be staying at my place in June for a few days.
Graeme drops me at the airport where I have a smooth check-in and pay $25 for my baggage - I go to the toilet just in case they charge for that too. Plane is chockers and I am seated next to a lovely young lady and just as the doors close man mountain comes and sits on the other side of me. I find myself leaning to one side the entire flight and try to do so not to end up with a bad back but being a 53 minute flight all works out OK.
To the hotel for check-in where I run into Nye/Ally and Auryn and the Krochmaliks. We have a buffet breakfast - will be my last as I am very bad value and ready oursleves for 13:00 bridge. We pay our entry fee ($US20 a session) and start play 15 minutes late - not surprising as they take entries up to game time. They are very civilised here running a creche which allows Ally to leave Auryn there and watch some bridge. This is available during the entire tournament.
We have a 50% session. There were two boards I should have done better on but apart from that not much else we could or should have done.
The session finishes at 17:00 and restart at 19:30 so early dinner. Now this will be the regime the whole tournament - 13:00 and 19:30 sessions so not possible to have a long relaxing dinner. Interestingly 72% of players voted for no evening play but here we are with evening play EVERY SINGLE DAY go figure.
We stumble on the hotel's fine dining restaurant, Sally's which was simply outstanding being well appointed and very un-rushed. It is sushi and seafood where we shares crab cakes and tempura prawns for appetizers and I had lobster bisque and salad and we shared desserts. We will certainly be there again especially as it was very reasonable including an excellent fixed price meal for $35 which was Nye's choice.
That night I played pretty poorly and we scored 50% again and missed qualifying by 88 points or four tops. Results can be found here
http://www.acbl.org/nabc/index.php?a=2009&b=Fall&c=daily_bulletins
Next morning, Thanksgiving, everybody gets up lateish, I do my washing which was amazing with no humidity it was dry in three hours on the line. We go to Chompies, a very Jewish restaurant for brunch. Having been here before I resist the Matzoh Brye not wanting a whole packet of Matzoh for breakfast so just a smoked salmon bagel for me - especially as we were going to Thanksgiving for dinner. At 15:30 we head off visiting some of their friends on the way.
We arrive at Penny's brother's place which is located a little way up Camelback Mountain with magnificent views back across Phoenix. The house is deigned in the Frank Lloyd Wright style and is extremely interesting. Anyway down to the job at hand - eating. We, around 10 adults and six kids, are plied with magnificent appetizers. They had engaged a chef for the day and as Penny's two brothers are keen chefs, he was describing each of them and how they were prepared. A few good ideas including mushrooms stuffed with sundried tomatoes and goat's cheese.
Then the main affair - Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, beans and gravy - very traditional and very well done. For desert Apple Tatin with custard ice cream. All excellent I must say. Everybody leaves for home all with take-away containers with left overs.
Back home to pack and get ready for departure tomorrow morning. Up at 06:30 to say goodbye to Penny and the kids as the kids have two soccer games each today (which they win 10-1, 9-3, 2-0 and 4-0). They hug me three or four times each and are sad that I am going (always nice to be loved) but I will see them again for a week next May and they will be staying at my place in June for a few days.
Graeme drops me at the airport where I have a smooth check-in and pay $25 for my baggage - I go to the toilet just in case they charge for that too. Plane is chockers and I am seated next to a lovely young lady and just as the doors close man mountain comes and sits on the other side of me. I find myself leaning to one side the entire flight and try to do so not to end up with a bad back but being a 53 minute flight all works out OK.
To the hotel for check-in where I run into Nye/Ally and Auryn and the Krochmaliks. We have a buffet breakfast - will be my last as I am very bad value and ready oursleves for 13:00 bridge. We pay our entry fee ($US20 a session) and start play 15 minutes late - not surprising as they take entries up to game time. They are very civilised here running a creche which allows Ally to leave Auryn there and watch some bridge. This is available during the entire tournament.
We have a 50% session. There were two boards I should have done better on but apart from that not much else we could or should have done.
The session finishes at 17:00 and restart at 19:30 so early dinner. Now this will be the regime the whole tournament - 13:00 and 19:30 sessions so not possible to have a long relaxing dinner. Interestingly 72% of players voted for no evening play but here we are with evening play EVERY SINGLE DAY go figure.
We stumble on the hotel's fine dining restaurant, Sally's which was simply outstanding being well appointed and very un-rushed. It is sushi and seafood where we shares crab cakes and tempura prawns for appetizers and I had lobster bisque and salad and we shared desserts. We will certainly be there again especially as it was very reasonable including an excellent fixed price meal for $35 which was Nye's choice.
That night I played pretty poorly and we scored 50% again and missed qualifying by 88 points or four tops. Results can be found here
http://www.acbl.org/nabc/index.php?a=2009&b=Fall&c=daily_bulletins
The way things work here is that there are continuous and multiple events going on the whole time so we may play in a single session Teams event tonight with Ally and Tonje and then play in a new main event tomorrow.
I get to bed at 1:00am after dealing with emails etc. and wake up at 07:00 to go for a walk and watch Manchester United play Portsmouth - currently 1-1 as I sign off from San Diego.
Will put in a few hands when the hand records are available.
Be well
Best
XX David
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
More San Francisco and off to Phoenix
Sunday Morning and we get an early start for the Napa Valley. In turns out that Nye's tickets for the NFL are at 13:15 and not in the evening. The downside to this was for the second time I have missed out on lunch at Bouchon, Thomas Keller's one star Michelin restaurant in the Napa Valley - oh well always good to leave something for next time I say. Second best had breakfast at the Bouchon Coffee shop. Then stopped in to see my Chelsea supporting friend at Overland followed by a visit to Dean and de Luca and a vineyard - yeah well it was the Napa. The Griffiths didn't think to much of the wine.
A drive to Oakland well timed to arrive five minutes before game time and I head back to the city stopping on the way at an electronics store where, surprise surprise I found something I didn't have and NEEDED - OK wanted.
Back to the hotel where 48 hours of computer hell began. Crashes, blue screens, no access to windows etc etc etc. I actually didn't manage to semi fix it until Tuesday evening - I hope.
Dinner that night was at Tommy Toy's Chinese restaurant - just OK and home to pack ready for tomorrow's short hop to Phoenix.
Next morning up early and a quick coffee with Nye/Ally/Auryn before a taxi to airport while they go to Alcatraz and move on to Monterey.
An amazingly relaxed flight to Phoenix - easy check in, not unreasonable security, a bowl of clam chowder to farewell San Francisco and on the plane. My friend Penny picks me up in Phoenix and back to collect her kids from school. Her kids (9 and 10) are a delight - they have that wonderful combination of irreverence and good behaviour. We go and do the soccer mum thing - 2 kids, two different venues and 2 different times - they are both quite talented players. We grab some sushi in between.
Next morning I continue to battle with my computer and by lunch time it seems resolved. Meanwhile Penny has collected Graeme (husband) from airport - he has been in Australia for family and wedding in NZ. He gets home not having slept on the plane and plasters every part of the house with Christmas lights - he is determined to be best in the street but I suspect others have the same intentions.
Off to the supermarket as I have undertaken to cook them dinner - scallops entree (OK I am in the US appetizer) eye fillet, truffle mash and snap peas for main with a rocket, Fetta and pear salad and for my finale a pavlova. It turned out quite well if I do say so myself.
Anyway off to bed not too late 22:00 after writing this blog.
Hope you are all well.
XD
A drive to Oakland well timed to arrive five minutes before game time and I head back to the city stopping on the way at an electronics store where, surprise surprise I found something I didn't have and NEEDED - OK wanted.
Back to the hotel where 48 hours of computer hell began. Crashes, blue screens, no access to windows etc etc etc. I actually didn't manage to semi fix it until Tuesday evening - I hope.
Dinner that night was at Tommy Toy's Chinese restaurant - just OK and home to pack ready for tomorrow's short hop to Phoenix.
Next morning up early and a quick coffee with Nye/Ally/Auryn before a taxi to airport while they go to Alcatraz and move on to Monterey.
An amazingly relaxed flight to Phoenix - easy check in, not unreasonable security, a bowl of clam chowder to farewell San Francisco and on the plane. My friend Penny picks me up in Phoenix and back to collect her kids from school. Her kids (9 and 10) are a delight - they have that wonderful combination of irreverence and good behaviour. We go and do the soccer mum thing - 2 kids, two different venues and 2 different times - they are both quite talented players. We grab some sushi in between.
Next morning I continue to battle with my computer and by lunch time it seems resolved. Meanwhile Penny has collected Graeme (husband) from airport - he has been in Australia for family and wedding in NZ. He gets home not having slept on the plane and plasters every part of the house with Christmas lights - he is determined to be best in the street but I suspect others have the same intentions.
Off to the supermarket as I have undertaken to cook them dinner - scallops entree (OK I am in the US appetizer) eye fillet, truffle mash and snap peas for main with a rocket, Fetta and pear salad and for my finale a pavlova. It turned out quite well if I do say so myself.
Anyway off to bed not too late 22:00 after writing this blog.
Hope you are all well.
XD
Saturday, November 21, 2009
San Francisco by the Bay
A beautiful morning greets me when I wake at 7:00am having slept really well throughout the night. Up and dressed and to meet a friend who lives here. We meet at what I have now called the Disneyland of Restaurants - Mamas (http://www.mamas-sf.com/) . I get there 15 minutes early at 08:15 to be greeted by a queue of about 15 people waiting to get into closed front doors. Every few minutes the door opens and a female head comes through asking for how many people and immediately shutting the door. From time to time a few people are ushered in. My friends arrives at the allotted time just as we are shown into the restaurant to be greeted by....a queue to order our breakfast. Well I soon worked out what was happening after I ordered my Crab Eggs Benedict - (sauce on the side Dr Moss) - it was superb. Justin, I am sure would have enjoyed the three different bread French Toast one of which was Kugelhopf After we finished we are shown out the exit door at the other end of the restaurant. Great Place.
We go to Baguet for a coffee where I turn down the French style h-u-g-e bowl in favour of a paper cup. My friend tells me how bad things are in the USA. A building he knows about has fallen 60% in value in the past 12 months with little prospect of recovery. The banks are not lending and when one is able to secure an offer of finance it is on ridiculous terms.
Back to my apartment where I meet up with Ally and Auryn, who have left Nye to sleep - or should I simply say they couldn't get him up, and we went to a nearby park and merry-go-round before some shopping. We catch up with Nye and plan to get the trolley car down to Fisherman's Wharf but of course it has broken down so a cab does it. Shrimp Lunch on the wharf and a lengthy walk along the waterfront in the most gorgeous winter's day is just great.
We wind up at the trolley car stop to head back but seeing the queue I leave the others to catch the trolley car while I head for the hotel and a two hour relax before what I am hoping is a good dinner.
Off to the Foreign Cinema Restaurant (http://www.foreigncinema.com)for/ a superb meal. 6 oysters (3 varieties) which were great followed by a very soft D'Affinois Cheese tapas. For main a Haddock Clam Chowder and shared dessert of Pomegranate Creme Brulee, Chocolate Pot and Egg Nog. All quite superb. Auryn, exhausted from the day's activities, slept throughout which was good and bad as he is very good company and very well behaved. He didn't miss out as we stopped at Wholefoods on the way and got him S&S - Soup and Sushi.
Back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. San Francisco. I do love San Francisco, not as a city to live but as a place with a really nice feel about it. Lovely architecture, great and stylish shops and great food varieties. I do make an effor to fly into San Francisco rather than Los Angeles for this reason.
Well early start tomorrow
Look after yourselves
X David
We go to Baguet for a coffee where I turn down the French style h-u-g-e bowl in favour of a paper cup. My friend tells me how bad things are in the USA. A building he knows about has fallen 60% in value in the past 12 months with little prospect of recovery. The banks are not lending and when one is able to secure an offer of finance it is on ridiculous terms.
Back to my apartment where I meet up with Ally and Auryn, who have left Nye to sleep - or should I simply say they couldn't get him up, and we went to a nearby park and merry-go-round before some shopping. We catch up with Nye and plan to get the trolley car down to Fisherman's Wharf but of course it has broken down so a cab does it. Shrimp Lunch on the wharf and a lengthy walk along the waterfront in the most gorgeous winter's day is just great.
We wind up at the trolley car stop to head back but seeing the queue I leave the others to catch the trolley car while I head for the hotel and a two hour relax before what I am hoping is a good dinner.
Off to the Foreign Cinema Restaurant (http://www.foreigncinema.com)for/ a superb meal. 6 oysters (3 varieties) which were great followed by a very soft D'Affinois Cheese tapas. For main a Haddock Clam Chowder and shared dessert of Pomegranate Creme Brulee, Chocolate Pot and Egg Nog. All quite superb. Auryn, exhausted from the day's activities, slept throughout which was good and bad as he is very good company and very well behaved. He didn't miss out as we stopped at Wholefoods on the way and got him S&S - Soup and Sushi.
Back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. San Francisco. I do love San Francisco, not as a city to live but as a place with a really nice feel about it. Lovely architecture, great and stylish shops and great food varieties. I do make an effor to fly into San Francisco rather than Los Angeles for this reason.
Well early start tomorrow
Look after yourselves
X David
Friday, November 20, 2009
Up Up and Away
Arrive at the airport at 14:30 for the 16:25 flight - smooth check-in but am told flight is 100% full not one empty seat. Oh well win some lose some. Now for some reason I still haven't worked out I still have some status with United airlines so Nye and I were assigned economy plus while Ally and Auryn sat down the back in regular economy. The five inches (12cms) of extra legroom was quite a luxury for me and especially for the very tall Nye. Note to self - they offer Economy plus for just $185 at the airport if there are seats available - simply ask.
I slept for most of the flight - maybe 10 out of 13 hours so that was good but departing 30 minutes late and being kept in a holding pattern for another 45 minutes at the other end ain't my idea of joy.
Relatively smooth path through immigration where everybody wears a gun and customs where everybody wears a gun. Now if anybody recalls any violence in customs or immigration halls in the USA I would be pleased to be reminded of same.
On the Skytrain to collect the car only to find that the small SUV we had booked had an open luggage area which had a sign above it saying "break in and steal my luggage" printed just above the numberplate. We switched to a Chrysler 300 which is a very nice 6 cylinder 3.5 litre tank but drives well.
To the apartment hotel only to find that they had us booked in from 20th December not November - must admit partly my fault but mainly theirs. My enquiry was for 20th November but when they sent the confirmation I apparently put Friday 20th December - which in itself should have rung a bell. Anyway they arranged for two one bedroom apartments one of which had just had its carpet cleaned due to a curry smell - it is fine.
We dropped off our luggage and went across the Golden Gate bridge to have lunch at Sausalito as well as a shmooze through some of the galleries. Now I have to say that Auryn to this point was exceptionally well behaved both on the plane and afterwards - not a complaint, cry or anything. But for some reason when we hit one gallery he became HYPER so we excused ourselves and left after which he was again great - obviously turned on by artworks.
Back to the hotel via Lombard Street with the Griffiths heading off to bed while I go to the nearby Wholefoods supermarket and buy some chowder, raspberries and blueberries for dinner and just in case I wake in the middle of the night.
Anyway here I am off to bed.
Keep well all
XD
I slept for most of the flight - maybe 10 out of 13 hours so that was good but departing 30 minutes late and being kept in a holding pattern for another 45 minutes at the other end ain't my idea of joy.
Relatively smooth path through immigration where everybody wears a gun and customs where everybody wears a gun. Now if anybody recalls any violence in customs or immigration halls in the USA I would be pleased to be reminded of same.
On the Skytrain to collect the car only to find that the small SUV we had booked had an open luggage area which had a sign above it saying "break in and steal my luggage" printed just above the numberplate. We switched to a Chrysler 300 which is a very nice 6 cylinder 3.5 litre tank but drives well.
To the apartment hotel only to find that they had us booked in from 20th December not November - must admit partly my fault but mainly theirs. My enquiry was for 20th November but when they sent the confirmation I apparently put Friday 20th December - which in itself should have rung a bell. Anyway they arranged for two one bedroom apartments one of which had just had its carpet cleaned due to a curry smell - it is fine.
We dropped off our luggage and went across the Golden Gate bridge to have lunch at Sausalito as well as a shmooze through some of the galleries. Now I have to say that Auryn to this point was exceptionally well behaved both on the plane and afterwards - not a complaint, cry or anything. But for some reason when we hit one gallery he became HYPER so we excused ourselves and left after which he was again great - obviously turned on by artworks.
Back to the hotel via Lombard Street with the Griffiths heading off to bed while I go to the nearby Wholefoods supermarket and buy some chowder, raspberries and blueberries for dinner and just in case I wake in the middle of the night.
Anyway here I am off to bed.
Keep well all
XD
Monday, November 9, 2009
How Did It Happen
I had arranged to play bridge with Nye Griffiths (for the first time) in a Willoughby Congress in August. That morning I was reading about the Fall Nationals coming up in San Diego and thought that sounds interesting.
Now to this point I had actually avoided playing in the US for a number of reasons. The system restrictions are absurd (you can't play 2D showing a weak two in either major) and in general terms my US bridge experiences had convinced me that the table experience is much less friendlier than in Australia and Asia. However I thought I would give it a go and asked Nye if he was interested and got an immediate YES!
That night I checked the airfares and was even more encouraged because return airfares to San Diego were available for around $A700 - unbelievable really, I remember not SO long ago, ok twenty years, paying that for a return ticket to Melbourne.
So everything was booked within a few days - now all I have to do is improve my bridge to make the trip worthwhile. I realise as I am getting older that my focus and game is declining and am determined in this trip to arrest the decline but that remains to be seen.
Over the course of time the Aussie peso has reached $US0.93 making the accommodation quite cheap as well so all in all the plans went well.
Had to join the ACBL as you can't play if you are not a member. The ABF are much friendlier initiating a category for foreign players and not requiring them to pay to join under that category. I also had to explain my bridge credentials so that I could be assigned a notional ranking for stratified (read graded) sessions. I have 10,000 such points and Nye 5,000 obviously he undersold and I vastly oversold.
Anyway all in hand, system cards done let's rock and roll.
Now to this point I had actually avoided playing in the US for a number of reasons. The system restrictions are absurd (you can't play 2D showing a weak two in either major) and in general terms my US bridge experiences had convinced me that the table experience is much less friendlier than in Australia and Asia. However I thought I would give it a go and asked Nye if he was interested and got an immediate YES!
That night I checked the airfares and was even more encouraged because return airfares to San Diego were available for around $A700 - unbelievable really, I remember not SO long ago, ok twenty years, paying that for a return ticket to Melbourne.
So everything was booked within a few days - now all I have to do is improve my bridge to make the trip worthwhile. I realise as I am getting older that my focus and game is declining and am determined in this trip to arrest the decline but that remains to be seen.
Over the course of time the Aussie peso has reached $US0.93 making the accommodation quite cheap as well so all in all the plans went well.
Had to join the ACBL as you can't play if you are not a member. The ABF are much friendlier initiating a category for foreign players and not requiring them to pay to join under that category. I also had to explain my bridge credentials so that I could be assigned a notional ranking for stratified (read graded) sessions. I have 10,000 such points and Nye 5,000 obviously he undersold and I vastly oversold.
Anyway all in hand, system cards done let's rock and roll.
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