One of Many

These blogger gatherings are quite interesting things. Each year they grow, each year they improve, and each year I attend, I find myself simply unable to do everything and talk to everyone I wanted to. I guess it's the nature of the beast. Rather than feel sad about missing out on anything, I've resolved to feel content about the things I accomplished. Certainly this trip ran the gamut of emotions for me. What poker trip wouldn't? There were lows, there were highs, and thanks to a few very cool people, most of it was spent in the realm of quietly content.

I have a favorite author. His name is Stephen R. Donaldson and some of you may know him from the Thomas Covenant trilogies. He once said the following:

"Someone once told me that the difference between an extrovert and an introvert is that an extrovert feeds off the energy of others (applause, laughter, smiles of appreciation, whatever) while an introvert cannot. I've had audiences in the palm of my hand, I've had standing ovations, I've had people fall out of their chairs laughing--and there's no emotional *food* in it for me. It doesn't replenish what it takes out of me. No matter how successful I am in public, I always feel exhausted afterward"

It's taken me a while to realize that this very much applies to myself (standing ovations not withstanding). Basically, after a while among semi-large crowds, I feel the need to withdraw a bit. At blogger gatherings, it's difficult for me to maintain the energy level of those around me. So for those who met me for the first time, or even second or third, and I may have seemed "off" a bit, that's mainly the reason. Hopefully I'll learn to cope with those feelings better in the future.

With that said, Vegas trips for me are about the small things. The random small events with only a few people to share them with. Those are the memories I treasure.

So before I launch off into a trip report, here's a small shout out to some people who created some of those smaller, yet more memorable moments for me.

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Dr. Jeff and Otis with a pre-poker meal at PF Chang's before the riots ensued.

Marty whose early morning coffee delivery more than made up for his buzz-saw-like snoring.

Matching dinners with Derek at Nob Hill and a promise to come back the next day if either of us won the blogger tourney.

A small, end of trip conversation at the airport with BG.

Seeing AlCantHang for the first time in a while wandering into the Caesar's poker room.

An all too brief encounter with Bam-Bam and Pebbles. I look forward to many more from these good people.

A roulette session with Maudie, who failed to match my bets, costing her an in-tandem quadruple up.

A few minutes with Garth at the IP bar.

Watching the Rooster work his magic on a random hooker. Seriously funny stuff.

A Vegas procedure with a select few fearless bloggers (Pauly, Grubby) and one G-Vegas co-degenerate.

Finally getting to chat MMA with Ig.

Heather always cheering me up with a gratuitous feel up of the gunz.

April, fine girl that she is, complimenting me on my Vegas wardrobe (even though I know some one paid her to do it. :)

And even though it was our only contact, a simple, pretty smile from Carmen at the Venetian.

Mean Gene buying me a drink at the IP when I was most thirsty for a diet beer.

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I'll think of more as I go along, I hate to leave anything and anyone out.