I'm a bore, I know.

Work, work work, work...and no poker to speak of.

Welcome to my world of late.

Apologies for those of you looking for stories of a great read and laydown, or a ram and jam hand. Won't find them in this blog entry. Truth is, I'll be lucky to sit at a table before mid April.

While I hate that feeling, I also know that it's not a big deal. Sure, I miss playing as often as I have in the past, but right now, cards aren't in the cards.

So what is in the cards?

DISNEY! A planned vacation during Spring Break. Mrs. Chipstack, Gramma Chipstack, and the kids. It will be fun, and I am looking forward to it, but I may not appear it on the outside, because of what is going on at work.

For the first time since arriving at my current job, I am not going to a major sporting event to cover the story. It is a weird feeling, because I am used to being the guy to go. NFL playoffs, NASCAR, Final Four (which is this weekend), you name it, I've been to it, and covered it. And I have loved every minute of it.

When we planned the trip, it was August. No idea that one of the teams in our state would be playing in the Final Four at the time of the trip.

Did I want to go to San Antonio? Yes. I love being at major events, and being the guy that the station looks to for the coverage that we have provided over the years.

Am I sad that I am not in San Antonio? No. Had we not had this vacation planned for months, I would be there. I would have volunteered for the trip at the final buzzer of the game that made our coverage necessary. For the first time since I've been here, I couldn't raise my hand and say, "I'll do it."

By no means is that liberating. It's my job, and I love my job and all that it involves. It's not the first time in my career that I have been away when a major story broke. For instance, in 1997, I was preparing to marry my first wife, and we were in Chicago visiting family and friends for a week. While we were there, legendary basketball coach Dean Smith announced his retirement for North Carolina (I was working in North Carolina covering that school). Biggest story to hit the state since I arrived, and I was 800 miles away. That was a sick feeling. That was also something that was unforseen (at least at the time). Stuff happens.

This Final Four trip also happened. Stuff happens, and while I hate the feeling of being away from it, I also know that taking our first family vacation is more important to me (and Mrs. Chipstack), than me being away covering the tournament.

I hope that the folks I work with understand why I am not there. It's not because I don't want to be there. It's because I simply can not be there. Something inside of me feels like I am letting them down, and I hope I am not.

I would feel worse if I let my family down, so I am glad that I can live with my professional guilt. It will be worth it once I see the kids faces at the parks next week.

To my fellow rounders, I wish you a great week--there won't be another blog entry for at least a week, and when I get back, I'll be chomping at the bit to get back to the table.

WAIT--I DO HAVE SOME POKER NEWS!

The friends at the Pub Poker Circuit contacted me. Remember, a few of us from the league played in at the one local establishment, until that establishment (notice I am leaving out their name) chickened out and pulled the games? Well, turns out I acquired enough points to earn a seat in the First Quarter Prize Tournament! The tourney is the day after the league event in April, so it will feel like a continuous session. I am stoked.

OK, off to bed, and then one more day at work, and then a drive to FLA.

I'll say hey to Mickey and Minnie for all of you, all the while thinking about peeking down at a wired pair of aces.

Good luck and good cards,
~M