Long overdue Christmas photos!! Yes, I know it has been a long, long time. Ima be sorry now, a'ight? Anyway, its been busy since South Beach. Flew back to San Fran just to hop a plane to the UK and ran from city to city almost every night for work over the first two weeks there. Managed to avoid being sick (and I was terribly clobbered by a cold at the end of the year) during the trip, only to get home and almost keel over. I missed my work holiday party (a Bond themed Fancy Dress party) so I don't have any interesting pictures of myself or piggy in Bond-themed costume wear. I was going to be Jaws and I was to be accompanied by a very sexy 70s Bond Girl, but, alas, I couldn't get up from a one hour power nap to try to rally the strength to go on. From there, I recuperated a bit and then shortly thereafter it was off to Missouri for Christmas. We had a great time staying at the Lil' Otter's house in the new room in the basement and spending Christmas with her family and friends. Piggy got delayed on the way in and ended up in Salt Lake City overnight (of all places) and I myself was delayed getting in till almost 1 am. We danced around weather issues but ended up making it through fairly well with only a short period of good 'ol Missouri "ohmygawd" icy coatings. Even that could not tamp down the Christmas spirit and we had a heck of a night with good food, great people and much shared love. Truly a time to realize how blessed I am to have these people in my life and things working out for me the way they have. And now what you've all been waiting for...the photos!!

Cute, cuddly and fuzzy is always welcome.

The new art studio is all set up!

Dad all wrapped up for Christmas.

Two heart breakers!

Pawpaw and MaeMae

Proud of the finished tree!

You must be THIS intense to play the Wii.

A really, really, late Holiday update. Wherein I finally upload those now out-of-date holiday pics...but not the New Year's photos. I have to leave you wanting something. ;) Anyway, this should fulfill the promised photos from this blog post and explain the work holiday party a bit better.

All holidays need their grinning idiot...here is this year's. I'm a very happy boy here doing an early Christmas gift exchange with Piggy before heading out to a nationwide Christmas home crawl to Missouri, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York.
My good buddies in St. Louis and their new baby girl along with the Lil' Otter, Piggy and Myself hitting the Red Robin! Big 'Ol Burgers, and better yet...balloons.

They had an awesome Santa at Grant's Farm, home of the Budweiser Clydesdale Team and much Holiday Merriment including A Christmas Carol with a Chinese Acrobat Team, Carolers, tons of lights and free refreshments! Unfortunately, the picture got a little creased, but its still a great shot...even if the Lil' Otter is in a rose patterned camo outfit!
Here is the Piggy and I in Marthasville getting ready for the big family event there. Nice huh?

My job is fun. Sometimes its a fiesta. In this case, a Holiday Mexican Fiesta Fancy Dress Party. Yep, they are creative aren't they? Well, here we have Zoro and his lady.

More of the team in serapes and toting Margaritas.

Santo Nicolas y su esposa Irlandesa. Colin is so much fun he gets to come to parties even after the group he work with was "resized". We are always happy Colin is there!

More drink toting party-goers!

Everyone having a great time here!

Ahhhh, que romantico! Y...que mustachio!

The rough-neck cholo crowd. Well, the checked the guns at the door so we let them in.

The rogues gallery.

Welcome to the front door of the Holiday Home of the Otter and Piggy. That is me hiding back there.

The stockings (and various stuffed piggies) hung by the chimney with care!

Our pretty little live tree...playing Xbox Live.

The holidays were a heck of a road trip and (as usual) turned into one of those vacations you need a vacation from, but it was worth it to reconnect with my family, friends and of course, Piggy's family as well. Thanks to everyone that took the time to stop and I hope we see you again soon...OUT HERE IN CALIFORNIA!! Seriously...why am I traveling back into the cold....COME OUT HERE PEOPLE!!

Oh, and on the poker front, the good news is that things have turned around. My Native people at Harrah's in St. Louis helped pay for trip expenses and then a trip down to LA put me in a soft seat in my favorite game there and BAM, I have a bankroll again. Add in a final table a couple of weeks ago, and we have AMMO! Just send the lawyers and guns for the Warren Zevon trifecta and we will be ready to mount a full scale takeover of my little poker universe.

PS -- A great bit of work has gone on at www.lifesabluff.com including a video interview by yours truly with 2007 WSOP Player of the Year Tom Schneider. Check out the video at the site under "interviews."