The royal family – holding court over
Okie-Vegas for the past 10 years.
Gary – Gcox – Cox
Gary is always great fun to hand out
with. I think when they invented the word “Good-Ole-Boy” they
fashioned it after him. He sat in the Captain’s chair, surrounded
by all of us schlubs and a fortress of Keystone Light cans and just
ruled the court, not with fear or intimidation, but with a great
smile and some really cool stories. It was fun to finally meet Brown
Dawg one of the best chocolate labs ever!
It just really speaks to Gary’s
character that he opens up his house to over 15 people and puts them
up for 3-4 days. He feeds them until they puke from too much food. He
liquors them up till the puke in dizzy awesomeness (No puking this
year so that was cool too!). He just loves to share his life with his
friends be it golfing, hunting, fishing, or just shooting the shit.
Really great guy to be around.
Sean – Tragedy – Donahue
Sean is always an inspiring person to
be around. He always thinks about other people and what they need
before himself. Sometimes he seems a little sappy, but when you
really listen to him you can learn a hell of a lot about life. He has
one of the best hearts of anyone I know. Just knowing some of what he
went through with his divorce.. and then seeing how he was willing to
open his heart up again to potential (not gonna happen) heartbreak
and pain after that just shows what a loving person he is. Personally
I am NEVER getting married again but it was great to see how happy he
is with Jo.
Shawn – Orange is the New Black (OSU) –
Sparks
Sean was awesome this weekend. He made
MULTIPLE 1.5 hours trips from Okie-Vegas central to pick up people at
the airport, myself included (twice, will get to that story later).
He let me stay at his beautiful house all day Monday while I waited
for my flight. Shawn is one of the guys who I have played more Poker
with than just sat down and talked. It was cool to see how much he
loves and defends his friends. I also was impressed by how
industrious he is. He has a zillion things going on. You might hear
his southern drawl and figure he just hangs out and lets life
happen.. but he is driven to succeed. It was great to be able to eat
at his fine dining establishment and get a little more insight about
the man.
The Queen Bee’s, proving Bloggers marry WAYYY
up.
Carrie – Queen Bee - Cox
I did not get to spend as much time
with Carrie as I wish I could. I did spend some time at her card
table.. and I was fortunate enough to be knocked out by her too.. She
took my Patriot’s bounty! She has to be a special person to allow
all of Gary’s weird poker buddies swarm her house for Okie-Vegas!
Her hospitality was awesome and the food was great! Mucho thanks to
you Carrie!
Lisa – Not a Chance Waffles – Sparks
It was great to hang out with Lisa over
the weekend. She always is quick with a gusty laugh and a quick hug.
She is also gorgeous which does not hurt. I had no idea that Shawn
and Lisa were my age. I have no idea what I did wrong in this aging
thing but those two look 10-20 years younger than their actual ages.
I had a great time drinking and chatting with her. On my bonus Monday
I got to hang out with her a little bit too before she dropped me off
at the airport. I always knew she was attractive and friendly – but
I never realized how smart she really is. Whatever direction her life
ends up taking her I am sure she will be successful. She also has
great taste in movies. Shawn you better go see Rocky Horror Picture
Show – worst case, you hate it, and you get to throw toilet paper
and shaving cream!
Jo – Obey Me Tragedy – Donahue
I did not get as much time to chat with
Jo but man is she a strong woman. I do not mean that she can bench
press Tragedy’s weight.. but strong in herself and knowing what she
wants and going after it. She is the nicest person in the world but
she also respects you – and herself - enough to tell you what she
thinks. Some people might think that is abrasive or forward but I
think it is awesome! I can see how happy she has made Sean and anyone
who does that has to be a special person. Hopefully next year we get
some more one-on-one time.
The Rest of the Court
Michael – The closer (EasyCure) – Preedin
First I have to say – I am sooooo
sorry I put the Waffles cooler on you. The first day I arrived at
Okie-Vegas I stated out loud (that really was my only sound level at
that point in the night) that I thought Michael had the best chance
to win the whole thing. This had to be the kiss of death for him. I
said this though because I had played online against him A LOT and
respected his game. Not that other people had sucky games – it was
just his seemed to make the most sense to me.
One of the best parts of Okie-Vegas
this year was to get to know the man behind the cards a lot better.
It is kind of funny because on the surface of things we do not have
all that much in common. We have different political, religious, and
marriage views (I am totally against and he just got married!
Gratz!). However we were the ones who bookended the days in
Okie-Vegas. We were last ones to bed (except one time when we woke up
Bam, then went to bed before he came out, and then he sat out there
alone cursing us! Heh). I am not even sure what we talked about..
pretty much everything. I really had a great time hanging out with
him. Despite all our differences we had no problem having intelligent
conversations (well, the booze might have hurt that) and having a
great time no matter what we talked about. The fact so many people
who are so different can come together and be brothers is one of the
great things about Okie-Vegas.
Mark – Bam Bam - Remon
Bam is a really great guy.. So laid
back and Canadian ehh? The guy just came off pulling a one outer on
death himself .. and yet he drives a zillion miles from Canada to
hang out with his friends, drink, and have fun! Him and Pebs just
live life with gusto and do the things they want. They were saying
that their preferred mode of travel is to not make any reservations
because they might see that “Have to stay” place on the way! I
always enjoy my times with the bammer!
Karen – Pebbles - Remon
Karen is friggen awesome! I mean I knew
that before this weekend.. but her prop bets make me look like a
Church going saint. Hahaha! Loved hanging out with you Pebs! If you
were my wingman I would get laid every night! You rock so much! Keep
living life your way and keep loving Bam and showing the rest of us
how it’s done! You inspire everyone!
Kari – Dr. Kay – Kirkhart
I did not really get to talk to Kari
all that much. Sort of my track record with hot blondes I guess.
However I was very impressed at how much she cares about people. She
works as a chiropractor (I am pretty sure) and what does she do after
traveling all the way to Okie-Vegas for a little R&R? She does
free chiropractic work on people! I saw many a shoulder, back, or
knee healed under her expert hands… She did some crazy voodoo on
Jo, but I am pretty sure it’s like all science and shit, I am
seriously fascinated! It’s great to see a smart, beautiful, and
empathetic person who puts other people first. I hope she finds all
the happiness she deserves.
Kristen – Never Stop Me – Weber
I did not get to spend a whole lot of
time chatting with Kristen either but the one thing I took away about
her is that if she wants something she will go after it full force
until she gets it or dies! You rock Kristen!
Daren – I’m Getting Married – Miller
Sorry about the nickname, I am running
out! Daren is Kristen’s Fiancé. He was the perfect addition to
Okie-Vegas. Not that I know what it was like before.. but he just fit
in really well. He was really nice and fun to talk to and hang out
with. You can tell him and Kristen have a lot of fun together. I wish
them the best in their life together. It’s really great to see
someone who loves his family so much and just feels like he belongs
in Okie-Vegas! Hope to hang out some more next year.
Bill Bartlebaugh and Diane Lockwood – The
Authentic Rednecks
You gotta throw a few in there! Heh.
Bill and Diane were really fun, down to earth people. Enjoyed the
little time I got to spend with them. Diane took all my cash game
monies! I hear she can hunt with the best of them too! Enjoyed the
little time I was able to chat with Bill too!
Janet – Firecracker - Craddock
Janet was super awesome. She runs the
official Okie-Vegas bar. Tragedy had a prop bet as to if I would say
something to the effect of “I’d hit that”.. during the drive to
Gary’s house..Of COURSE Tragedy won THAT bet.. I mean that was a
total non-brainer. I do not think he meant it in a bad way, but
somehow I got the impression that Janet was some old, bent over, hag
that ran the bar and smacked people with her paddle. Nothing could be
further from the truth. She has like 1000x the energy of any 18yr old
I know.. and she is a great looking woman! Her bar is so cool.. it is
covered with the history of her and her customers having fun. She
runs the bar the way she wants. If you do not like it your out. If
she decides to close the bar it closes. If she wants to give out some
drinks she does. She is the god queen of the bar… and if it’s
your birthday she destroys your ass with her paddle.. she even broke
one on someone!!! Janet is just a fucking cool person.
Summary
This was the crew
for the 2015 edition of Okie-Vegas.. the first one I have ever
attended. Hugs and a welcome feeling was everywhere. Food. Drink.
Fun! Things I get very little of at times were the norm of the day!
Midwestern or blogger hospitality at it’s best! I had the greatest
time. Not sure if I am going to write up the actual weekend.. I might
throw together a few paragraphs.. but it is really the people that
make Okie-Vegas!
