World Series of Poker

A friend of mine placed in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas so I showed up to watch it all go down. The event was held at the Rio Hotel and was packed with some high-profile poker players. Sadly, I didn't recognize any of them at the time or I probably would have been able to appreciate it more. At the time, I only got interested because my friend was playing. Now I know that at the very least, I saw Humberto Brenes.

When I walked in the room where the World Series was taking place, it was eerily quiet and all you could hear was the nervous shifting around of chips. It was pretty interesting to watch as some people emerged victorious and others left upset and empty-handed. I think the initial buy in for the WSOP was $10,000. Oh... and my friend didn't win but he went out, guns blazin' aka ALL IN!

Afternoon Warmth

Warm light. Dark shadow. The reflection of the apples in the window. There's just something about this picture for me.

Click on the image to enlarge. The smaller size honestly doesn't do the details any justice.

Long Day

ThisClose

This picture of Tom Cruise is a little dated, it's from the movie premiere of "Mad Money" starring his wife, Katie Holmes along with Queen Latifah and DIane Keaton. I was actually pretty sick and had gone into Westwood Village to a drugstore to get some cough syrup and other fun stuff when I realized the premiere was going on. I usually have my camera with me. Yes, even to go to the drug store. I wanted to go home and just sleep but I thought, OK, I'll give it a couple of minutes just in case "they" arrive and then be on my way. Well, in less than 5 minutes, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes showed up in their SUV to the sound of screaming fans.

She is skinner than I thought and very tall and you could tell he was trying to hang back and let her have her moment. I thought it was actually quite nice. You'd think a star that big would always want the spotlight but he seemed happy letting her do her thing. At one point, he came over to the other side of the street where the fans were hoping for a closer glimpse, from behind barricades. He started at one end of where the fans were and walked down clear to the other end -- at least a city block. He signed autographs, posed for pictures and was actually very calm and kind to everyone. I snapped this picture just because he was thisclose and then went home and went to bed!

Click on the picture if you want to see Tom Cruise's pores.