The Dirty 30

So today's the day.  I'm finally in my 30's.  I'm not sure if I feared this day or not.  Probably not.  I think there was a time where I felt like this was old, but I really don't feel that way anymore.  I would like to get my ass in gear and find an actual career path that leads to growth and more money, but everything else is pretty damn great.  There's not too much I actually want for my birthday (plus my friends and family have done a great job with gifts this year) but here are some other things I would definitely like on the 30th anniversary of my birth:

1) NFL LABOR AGREEMENT - Sign it!!!  I want the lockout ended so we all can be sure that we'll be able to spend Sundays watching NFL Red Zone and betting on the Detroit Lions to cover.  Not to mention how terrible it would be if Fantasy Football was affected.  This cannot happen.  For my birthday, I want NFL labor peace.  Make this happen. 

2) Transformers 3 - It is nice that Summer blockbuster movies have a tendency to release around my birthday.  Regardless of the quality of the plot in the Transformers movies (not great), these movies do offer phenomenal special effects and a level of nostalgia that is unmatched for me, personally.  I grew up a huge Transformers fan and I will continue to be one until I die- much like my love for the Cubs.

(I have tickets for tomorrow at 8:45pm- let's do this.) 

3) Speaking of the Cubs... Let's get them a win against the San Francisco Giants today!  After losing both games in their double header yesterday, the Cubs may have reached a low point in their season.  Give me a ray of happiness on my actual birthday and then you can go back to competing with the Astros for next year's #1 draft pick. 

4) Adele - I would prefer to not hear "Rolling In The Deep" once today.  I've stated before that it is a great song, but it is SO overplayed that I'm sick of it and never want to hear it again.  I know that's impossible, so how about just for today, give it a rest.

Fuck- it was already on the radio this morning.

5) Stone Temple Pilots, July 8, at the Peppermill Reno -  I'm officially going.  They better bring it with some "Army Ants," "Piece of Pie," and "Meatplow."  It's going to be fucking awesome. 

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And that's pretty much it.  Not too much to ask for right?  If you're already 30, feel free to leave me advice on which arthritis creams work the best or what type of fiber products you eat to keep yourself regular.  I need all the advice I can get. 

Going, Going, Back, Back To Reno, Reno

Since my birthday is on Wednesday, I get to call my shot and bring the Mrs. and a few of our friends up to the Peppermill in Reno- quite possibly my favorite place on Earth.  Why do I love this place so?  Well, I'll tell with you with a few succinct points:

- It's a freaking casino!  Not like the pseudo-casinos of California Indian Gaming ilk.  It is a real Craps, real Sports Betting, fully loaded Nevada casino.

- The comps are fantastic!  I'm not sure how we got in to the "free room" club so quickly a few years ago, but boy do I love getting free rooms.  We've now also been able to build comp levels to sustain at least a free room and a free meal.  I have to be honest, I doubt Harrah's is hooking things up so quickly for our level of play.

- It's just been named a 4 star resort!  That's just a fun fact.

- It's a green energy resort!  This affects me zero, but it is another fun fact.  They are the only casino resort to use geothermal energy to power their resort.  They parlayed a multi-million dollar drilling project into efficient and green power.

- The dealers are friendly.  I can name a number of dealers who I personally love being around.  At Craps, Don, Phillip and Erik are pretty cool dudes.  At Poker, Anthony, Tyler, and pit boss Jeremy are always fun to joke with.  I'm glad I get to know respectable folks while gambling away my rent (kidding, of course.)

- GREAT Sports Book.  I've been at plenty of shitty sports books.  Harvey's in Tahoe comes to mind.  The Peppermill's Sports Book is comfortable and perfect for NFL Sundays.  It is highly recommended.

So Highway 80 awaits and we're ready to roll out.  I can't wait- if nothing else, I know we have Spa/Caldarium passes for Saturday to sweat out the top shelf booze we'll be drinking.  As Bart Scott would say- "CAN'T WAIT!"