May 30, 2004
Grandmaster
How many people know someone who is in a magazine? How many people know someone who is on the cover of a magazine? Well,I was poking around on Tae Kwon Do Times' website and just for kicks, checked out their back issues. What do you know? I found a copy that has many pics of my Grandmaster...now that is cool!
Tomorrow I print out the order form and order that copy!
May 25, 2004
MY Cuisine Reigns Supreme!
Take the Which Iron Chef Are You? Test!
Created by Elyse
I found this great quiz at Random Thoughts
Late Night Chips
Hard Rock $5 Carson Daly 2004
05-20-04
I catch the show every now and then. I remember the last time he visited Vegas...every show was great. This time the Hard Rock is taking care of him with his own chip. A cool looking chip at that. I kinda like what the HR is doing with the pictures on the chips. First the Sting chips and now the Last Call chips. It'll be interesting to see what the HR does next.
The Chip Collector's "Bible"...
...well one of them anyway!
This is the book that all chip collectors wait for and it's been 2 years since the last one came out. We're talking 2 volumes with over 22,000 chips from Nevada alone! Not only are values posted but the value trend for the last 6/7 editions...now that is handy!
Once again, the KMW boys have outdone themselves!
Lord of the Rings
Ok...so the DVD was released last night but I didn't get mine until today. Of course I watched it...loudly!
There is a little booklet inside the case with all kinds of cool stuff relating to the movie...pendants, brooches, swords, etc. I remember seeing the booklet before in the other DVDs, but that was after the kids did their number on it so it was in pretty bad shape. If you like LOTR stuff, you need to check this site out. Mind you, these are not cheap trinkets. The swords average about $300 and rings from $300 down but just looking at them in the booklet and then looking for them in the movie is fun.
Check them out at:
Keeping the Mailman busy!
The chips are rolling in fast and furious! I've received the Calder Race Track set...very nice! The Twin Spires logo on the 50 center is awesome!
A Golden Nugget No Cash Value and a sweet Hollywood Park 1st Anniversary also hit home.
I've won a couple of Thunderbird $1 Host chips. This is a set of 31 chips that had the Pit Bosses names on them, kinda lke a business card only a chip. Some of them are quite rare and can bring some bucks. The 2 I won were pretty cheap. I also won a $100 Castaways, that's one I've wanted for a while.
I put up a few chips on eBay, hopefully they'll sell for a bunch and I can send the money with my brother to Vegas.
The new Chip Rack is out and better than ever. Two volumes this time...wow! There's just too much info for one volume.
May 18, 2004
A Nice Span!
New Releases
Golden Gate $5 "The Bridge" 2004
05-17-04
I don't think this is a Limited Edition, looks like a new house chip and a nice one too! Nice colors and what a great picture. I don't remember posting a Golden Gate chip before but if this is what they intend to issue, I look forward to more.
More notable releases:
Poker Palace $5 30th Anniversary Chip
05-14-04
Binion's Horseshoe Sam Farha $4 Chip
05-17-04
Mondays are looking better!
Well now...for the record, I'm beat! A tremendous workout during the regular class, lots of movement no stopping and I was selected to warm everyone up.
During Adult Leadership, mention was made regarding Master Sun's request that I be Demo Leader...very cool as I said before. Also,we are voting for the new President of the Leadership Class. There are several women who want the position, any one of them would be excellent officers, but then Mr. French tossed out 2 more names...Mr. Kyle and me!!! That was a surprise! I have no intention on running for the office...not now anyway. Perhaps in a year or 2, after I have earned my Black Belt. I would like to be on the tournament committee. I think that would be awesome!
We spent some time belting up...I earned all of my stripes for my purple belt...heh,heh...I just received it Saturday. That's what going to Leadership does for you. I could test for Brown Belt right now, but I can wait. I want all of my techniques perfect, not just adequet.
I can help other Purple Belts get their stuff down pat while learning all of the Brown Belt techniques. Mark also said I may be able to test for my uniform...maybe...if Grandmaster approves of course. I'm not going to press the issue, especially since Grandmaster is still recovering. I'm looking forward to seeing him again...he is certainly an inspiration.
And I received some chipsfrom the Calder Race Course in Miami. Now I norally don't care about other race tracks but this one is special...it's owned by Churchill Downs and the "Twin Spires" logo is present on the chips. Scans coming soon!
May 16, 2004
I love Surprises
We were getting ready to go to Emma's ballet recital (busy day today!) so I checked the mailbox, just in case, and what did I find underneath a hospital bill and two pre-approved credit cards? A padded envelope!
"Well...this is cool!"
Inside were 2 Palms Derby chips, one of Secretariat and the other was of Seattle Slew. What made these chips special is that each is signed by the jockey who rode each particular horse to victory in their respective Derbys! Having an owner sign is one thing, but the riding jockey? WOW!
These were provided by a good "chipping" friend who only has a few of each chip and is getting them to a few serious Derby Chip collectors. Awesome!
May 15, 2004
I was on it today!
Conor and I are sporting new Purple Belts...woohoo! The tests went very well. Grandmaster is still recovering so his wife, Master Sun, and their 2 daughters, Sohia and Mimi were on hand for the testing.
I was asked to lead the adult Blue Belts, so I shook things up a bit. I asked the typical questions, name of form, how many movements, mental note, etc. I asked the mental note twice..."Just to make sure", I said. Then I lost them when I called out "Kima Jasae" and snapped into a horseback stance. Once the other adults figured out what I was doing, we all completed our terminology in Korean.
We then performed our poomse and I was lacing every technique with power and snap...it felt so good. I was calling out each movement loudly and the team followed just as loudly. When we finished, we were cheered by the other testers.
After I got back in line, Master Sun told me that I was to be Demo Leader from now on...cool! We then had some other questions to answer, which we nailed.
After all of the tests were finished and we were dismissed, Master Sun came up to me and told me how impressed she was with my leadership. She asked if I had prior training, so I told her of my Karate experience 20 years ago. She said she would tell Grandmaster how well I did and that I should be Demo Leader. Awesome! The old ego was certainly getting stroked!
When Conor and I were about to leave, Mimi came up to me and said she liked how I had the team go through the stances. She wants to add that to her testing! I left the do-jang feeling as good about myself as I have ever done!
I'm feeling the Hwang's spirit...big time...I don't even mind going to work today.
May 14, 2004
Chalk it up!
New Release
Riviera $5 BCA 8 Ball Championship 2004
05-12-04
Limited to 600
What a cool chip! There are times when subtle coloring is appropriate and then there are others where the more color the better. Color is good on this one. I love the design, lots of action...very busy. I may have my brother pick one of these up at the Convention in June.
Other new releases of note:
Palms Funny Cide Preakness Winner Chip Set for 2004
(2) $2.50, (2) $5, $25, and $100
05-12-04
May 11, 2004
A better than usual Monday
Decent business today and lunch was fun. While Allan and George were no-shows, Jim Gardner showed up so we had fun with some new blood. I brought my Derby chips and the Asian Moon. The food was great and as usual the hour went by too fast.
When I got home there were some new chips waiting for me...woohoo! The Aladdin and Trop Derbys are now placed in the binder.
At leadership tonight I learned that Grandmaster was in a car accident last Thursday. He is recovering quickly and will soon be back to class.
Trevor attended his first leadership class. He enjoyed it and we finished off the night with some light contact, no pads sparring just for him to get the feel for things. We each also got the chance to mix it up with Mr. French, just for a little while.
Enough for now, time to watch some Iron Chef.
May 09, 2004
Busy, Busy, Busy
A lot happening right now with work and home activities. Emma has a ballet recital coming up and Conor and I have our belt tests. Business is picking up at the store...finally. And chips, yes lots of chips.
No scans yet but here is the update. The Asian Moon Festival chip arrived, Oh Man...it's nicer in person! This had to be one of the best looking chips of all time. The Tahoe Nugget set also made it. This is a re-release of sorts. The obverses are reproductions of some early, and very desirable, Jim Kelley's Tahoe Nugget. The reverse of each chip has a picture of Jim Kelley. A very nice commemorative set and only 200 numbered sets were made. Mine is #040/200, thanks to Chips Off the Old Block for the great deal on these chips...nothing wrong with face value any day...thanks again Terry!
May 05, 2004
The Last Dragon
New Release
Excalibur $5 Ouroboros Dragon May 2004
05-01-04
This is the 12th and last in the most interesting series from the Excalibur. I really like this set. I've said before how it plays into the Excalibur theme and the Excalibur doesn't release many other LEs except for Annversary chips or other themed chips. The Excalibur also likes to produce sets as opposed to single chip releases...smart idea. This is a set that should be readily available during the convention this year but if you're not going, like me *sniff*, then you can get them from Pete's site or Andy Hughes at NevadaCasinoChips.com.
Other New Releases of note:
Fiesta Cinco De Mayo $5 Chip Set
05-01-04
Rio Ronn Lucas $5
05-01-04
Palms Michael Andretti $5, $25, $100 Chip Set
04-30-04
This is what it's all about
A month or so ago, I posted about a chip I was looking for, the Asian Moon Festival chip. I also posted a request on the Chipboard. I received an email a few days ago regarding the chip and pointing me towards someone who may have one available. Lo and Behold, I have one coming and I'll scan it as soon as it arrives.
Collectors look out for each other. We all know we won't get "all of'em" so we try to take care of our own. With so many collectors spread out over the globe, we do a pretty good job tracking down chips. I help folks out with Derby chips all the time and some of them are pretty tough to get but what goes around, comes around. I know that I'll get help when I need it, as evidenced now.
May 04, 2004
Heading Into The First Turn
New Release
Aladdin $5 Kentucky Derby 2004
05-01-04
Limited to 500
Only three casinos released Derby chips this year...in Vegas anyway. At least all of the chips are nice. The Aladdin did very well with it's release and yes, it has the date on the reverse as well as a very nice close-up of a rose. That means I'll get one for Paul to give to Barb.
Now if the local politicians would get off their butts and get a casino downtown...*ahem* Hard Rock! I could get Derby chips for other folks! Perhaps in the future.
And They're Off!!
New Release
Tropicana $5 Kentucky Derby 2004
04-29-04
Limited to 500
So here I am, watching some K1 fighting on ESPN 2, answering text messages from one of my employees(he's a Black Belt)...asking if I'm watching K1...heh,heh. I realize that I've been lazy in posting chips, so here's a couple.
The Trop...what were you thinking? This is a very nice chip but you forgot one important thing...the Date!!! How is anyone going to know what ths chip is about unless he/she is a chip collector? Griping aside, I love the chip and one is on the way...but give things a little thought next time...please?
Someone was kind enough to share...
...some cold germs!!
!@#$%^
Man...I could have done without coming down with a cold on Derby Day. This thing hit me like a brick, causing me to go home early from work. Now before you start going "Uh-Huh...sneaked out for a little betting action eh?", nope...right to bed, got up to watch the race and then back to bed where I stayed the rest of the night and all day Sunday...yuck!
Anyway...my horse, Limehouse, gave it a run but just not enough horse there. The Aladdin released a Derby chip...very nice and I have one on the way. I put up a couple of bids on some Tahoe stuff and paid for a nice little Limited set from the Tahoe Nugget. A reproduction of sorts...pretty cool.
Ah well...just rambling tonight, put in an hour at Hwang's, though it killed me with this cold, I couldn't catch my breath and we weren't working real hard, just forms. Trevor wants to try it so I'm going to sign him up for a couple of weeks to see how he likes it.