Aruba Aribe!

Yummm Aruba Aribe mmmmmm....it’s been almost 2 weeks since I've been back from Aruba and I’m already counting down the days until next year’s trip. Aruba is the best tournament of the year and this year was no different, except that I was there working rather than playing and partying like I did last year. Though I did make sure to find time to hit the beach, down some cocktails, and lose some money at blackjack and drunken 3am $1/2. UB did not slack on any of the parties this year throwing an amazing opening party in which almost everyone at some point either by choice, force, or bribes from Phil Hellmuth wound up in the pool. I was thrown in wearing a white floral dress and no bra : ( by Bryan Devonshire and Matt Graham - thanks again guys! Phil threw his annual private party at his suite with plenty of Dom Perignon and Debos (a watermelon drink inspired by UB pro Gary Debernardi) to go around. There was also a special performance by The Dan Band and a rap battle between The Poker Rapper and Jeff Madsen. It was more of a rematch since Poker Rapper crushed Madsen in a freestyle battle at the opening party. There was the Icon booze cruise UB hosted which was basically a sausage fest of online players swapping poker stories, downing sugary drinks, and dancing very very badly. You could tell by the awkward movement they called dancing that they actually spend little time on their feet and too much time at the computer. Then there was the closing party which wrapped up with The Dan Band and even more people in the pool, though this time they were joined by some furniture that was tossed in by an unnamable drunken poofta. Then of course there was the contest between the Binger Bros over who could throw the most people into the pool, nick got me : (

Most of the time was spent at the Radisson but if you go make sure to try some of Aruba’s amazing restaurants. We had an awesome dinner at Eagle Rock recommended by Jimmy Mordue who joined me along with a very chill Layne Flack, sexy Eddy Sabat, Tara 'mouthbabies' Nobui, Dave Fox, Liv Boeree, Matt Brady and about 10 other players. I'm pretty sure we were the largest table at the restaurant and by far the biggest tab of the evening. A few other good choices to try are Madame Jeanettes and Pinchos bar and grill which rests at the end of a pier right above the water. Make sure to order grouper, it is the best fish on the island! As for drinks there’s the obvious Aruba Aribe, an amazing fruity type long island that will knock you on your ass! Yumm!

I was all set to leave Aruba on Monday but lucky for me Copa Air overbooked my flight and I volunteered my ticket to score a $300 future flight credit, 3 nights free at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Aruba and $55/day in food vouchers which I spent at the awesome swim up bar our hotel had. In those 3 days I won some money at blackjack, snorkeled, swam, drank, and got bit by an iguana. Overall my trip was a ten and I can’t wait to go back again next year!

Since I've been back in LA I've been stressing about a halloween costume and playing like crazy. I did some training with the Maven at the end of the WSOP and want to put my newly learned skills to the test. I've always loved playing which is why I got involved with pokernews to begin with, though working in poker has made me put it aside some. I hope to have some good news soon and will post updates as they come, so far so good! Wish me luck!!!!