I hate Walgreens!!!!!!

I've never liked the WAGS by my house, but it's RIGHT by my house and I hate driving out of my way to find a new one....so I ONLY go to WAGS when there's a great deal going on....and this week, there's a GREAT Moneymaking (MM) deal on Splenda...and I loves me some Splenda!

I called out sick yesterday from work and figured since it was nice out, I'd venture out to do some errands. Had to drop off a Blockbuster.com DVD into the mail (at 2:30pm yesterday...got the email bright and early this morning that they received it back AND that my next DVD is on the way! Wow! that's quick!), hit WAGs and hit the ATM for our money for the week to put in our envies (yup, we use the envelope method, it works GREAT!). So here's what happened at WAGs.

I had a $1 CAT to use by yesterday so I went before it expired. I also wanted to get some Stayfree (MM after Register Rewards (RR)) and the Splenda. They didn't have what I used for Stayfree (not even a spot for it) so I went to find the Splenda, figuring it would empty...full stock! YES! That's pretty much the best part of the story. So I grab 3, then head to the pen and pencil aisle for a filler for the CAT. Find a pencil sharpener for $1.19...that works. The splenda was $2.99 and I had a $3 q for each one, making each free and then the $1 cat making me pay the .19 plus tax....or so I thought.

So I got to the register....one open and the people are having an issue. It was an older woman with her even older mother. So I'm next in line. Cashier comes up to the next register and says 'I can take the next in line' So the even older mother pretty much runs me over to get in front of me as I casually stroll over to the next register (as I'm next in line, right?) to buy some folders or something. Wait, you're in line over there, and THAT cashier was helping you. There was some issue with her envelopes, either for pictures or prescription, I don't really know, wasn't pay too much attention. So the cashier rings her up as I text my BFF what happened...he laughed...thanks lol

So now it's my turn. I give her the coupons BEFORE she rings it up. Normally it's a guy up there that always tries to sell me the 'product' of the week (normally candy that I don't need). And when one time I asked what the purpose was to promote it, he proudly stated 'So I can get more money in my paycheck' Please. No thanks. Never ask me again please. So she puts them down and rings up the 3 splenda and the sharpener. She's half paying attention b/c the OTHER cashier is still having issues with something....so now, the old lady not only took up her line, but mine as well by cutting me off, then going back to the other cashier and complaining, now holding me up even more b/c MY cashier had to walk over to the other one to help her....geesh. Meanwhile, there's a line forming behind me. Great. So she starts to ring up the coupons. First one beeps, she pushes a button and I guess it goes through. 2nd one goes through, no beep. Third one beeps. Then she looks at the receipt, then back at the coupon then inspects the Splenda. She then says "Oh, you can't use this coupon (just one) because it's more then the product is.' I say, 'So just mark the coupon down to $2.99, it's only a penny difference...it's not like I'm asking for the penny back' So she says 'Oh I can't do THAT' in a tone like I just asked her to go kill a bunch of schoolchildren. So I say that I've seen it done before (at CVS and Shop rite). So she won't budge. The manager is outside getting boxes or something, so that won't help..besides, the other cashier needs the manager and now NOBODY can check out. So i say 'Okay, fine, give me the coupon back and take that one Splenda off' "oh, I can't do that either.' 'Why not?' 'Because these two are 2.99 and with the $3Q, it takes the extra $.02 and puts it to this one (pointing to number 3) and if I take this one off, then I have to take them all off because the coupon is worth more and the overage goes towards the other same product' WTF???? 'You know what, charge me the full price of that 3rd splenda, give my the 3rd coupon back and I will call the corporate office and talk to them b/c you don't know your own coupon policy and I won't make these poor people wait while your manager does something outside to come help both cashiers' So she does...the total came to $4.52. hmmmmm, weird...the 1st 2 splendas were free, the third was 2.99 and the sharpener after the coupon would be .19....so that's 3.18, where's 4.52 come from....I just give her cash looking to figure out the rest in the car.

So I grab my stuff and my receipt and walk to my truck. I get in, close the door, then realize how HOT it was! So i opened the door. I look over 2 spots and there's a doggy in the car....windows rolled up and car off...dog was panting like crazy! UGH, really people? Same thing happened two weeks ago, and I went OFF on the lady when she came out. I'd really like to put those people into a freaking wall. I'm a very nice and forgiving person, but when it comes to animals like that, I think I'd beat the crap out of these people, then let them sit in the car all bruised and hurt in a car in the heat with the windows up....jerks! And the one two weeks ago had the audacity to yell back at me! HA! If I didn't need a clearance for my job, I prolly would have hit her a times....just to spite her....but anyways, I digress. So I saw the guy going into the store that left the dog in the car...mental note taken.

So I start looking at my receipt, and the girl rang up the sharpener twice....really? So I take a look at the dog and it made me sad. I marched into the store and went right to the cashier as the line was gone and told her what happened. So I got my money back....as she was doing it all, the guy walked by. I wanted to say something, but not in the store....no need to cause a scene. He was older, so he walked slow...i knew I'd catch him in the parking lot. So I grabbed my money and stuff and ran out. I yelled at him. He shrugged me off. Really old man????? I wish I would have thought of a plan to make nobody leave the store so I could call the police and they'd get there before the person came out. I'd have to grab a bunch of stuff and demand a price check to the only cashier...or cause a scene by the prescriptions (where he was) so nobody can get their pills until I'm done with my rant. We'll see what happens when I go back to use my $4 CAT. And I forgot my receipt to call the Walgreens corporate...dang it!

Anyone else have issues like this at WAGS?

Borgata 1/2NL Cash

After my bust out from the tourney on Saturday, I needed to eat. See, here's my thing with tournaments that worries Hubby Mike and BFF Jerry. I don't eat when I'm in a tourney. I don't eat breakfast, I don't drink coffee and I don't eat during breaks. I know why I do it. What's worse then sitting at a table after eating and either getting tummy ache or just having the food sit in your tummy, making you extrememly tired? There are worse things, but not many (in my book). So I just don't really eat. I will grab a bagel and keep it with me and munch on it, but not much. I'll keep some hard candy to suck on to keep my blood sugar in check. And I might order a diet coke just to keep me from being nauseous. But for the most part, I'm okay. But the boys worry b/c I get extremely hungry and I can normally last for 8 hours or so in a tourney, which is a long time, on top of the hours prior to the tourney that I'm not eating. So when I busted out on Saturday, I had a headache, thought I was going to pass out and wanted to EAT....so we did....and it felt good to eat :) And we had ice cream for dessert :)

Sunday we went to breakfast, then headed to Bally's for the Price is Right Live show. Then we had an early dinner at NOW at B, then headed for the poker room. It was pretty dead for a Sunday night, especially with the BSO going on, I figured it'd be packed. Hubby Mike and I got seated next to each other at the same table. I really don't mind that....some people won't play at the same table as their friends/spouse/bf/gf, etc but I don't mind. I won a few smaller pots and made my way up pretty quickly to being up a few bucks. there was an older gentleman at my table, and I guess he looked like someone I knew, and I was like 'I like that guy' no rhyme or reason, just liked him. I got involved in a pot with him as we were all chatting. He raised to 10, and I looked down at pocket kings and I said "I'm sorry, I have to raise you' He's like 'don't apologize, you play your cards' So I did. I raised to 30 or 40, and he insta called. Flop was low cards and I bet out 50, he folded up his queens, I showed my kings. So he walked over a few hands later and was like 'I'm old enough to be your grandfather, I'm 79' Wow, I said, that's awesome that you're still playing cash! I hope to be like you when I'm your age' So he says never to apologize for raising. I normally don't, and I told him that....but I liked him, and gave my reasoning for it...I said if it was anyone else at the table (minus Hubby Mike) I wouldn't apologize, but I got a good vibe from him. So he laughed, smiled and walked back to his seat. LOL

We got involved in another pot....not sure if it was before or after our conversation...I think prior, but I'm not 100% positive. I had ace king and he raised pre flop. I called. Ace came on the flop with a flush draw. He bet, I called. Rag on flop, he bets bigger I called. River comes nothing, he bet 100 I insta called. We had the same hand. now, I hardly ever play ace king that hard. But I thought he was betting with a flush draw....and since it wasn't there I called...had the flush come out, now way was I calling 100 on the river. My gut kept telling me to call, so I listened.

I won a few more hands, lost a few more...nothing too noteable. Then a kid sat down at our table....said he was a dj at Mixx and Mur Mur and his friends all play poker so he figured he'd sit at a table. Was used to small home games. Now, he didn't say this when he first sat down. I got ace jack...I raise. I'm in seat 1, he's in 4. He raises me, huh? Geesh. Guy in seat 7 re-raises him....he also hardly played a hand...so I knew I was beat...showboated a bit to make it seem I was laying down a big hand....but was steaming the new guy had the nerve to raise ME! (lol). So I end up folding then it's to new guy, and he thinks, then folds. I was like I knew what the other guy had, yadda yadda. So then he asks me what the other guy had. Now, at this point, I didn't know he was a newbie I just thought he was a one of those raising every hand kind of kid and was trying to get free info from me...heck no...so I told him "oh, kid, I've been here for hours and I'm not just giving away free info like that". Few hands later, he did something weird....I forget what he did...maybe he mucked in first position after the flop without checking or whateve.r...but we all looked at him....he looked a little nervous and after awhile he said it was his first time, etc...then I felt HORRIBLE that I was so mean to him. So from then on, I took him under my wing and taught him the ropes :)

A new guy came to our table and he was very talkative, seemed like a bully type. He first got to the table and was saying how he cashed in this event and that event, etc....yea whatever...sure you did. (I never believe people). So he raises, I re-raise with kings...he calls. Flop is Jack high, I bet out 50, he shoves all in....I ask how much he had (could be not much for me to call) but he sat down with 300, so I insta folded my kings face up, and he flipped up trip jacks. I knew he had it...that's why it was so easy to fold my kings. People were in awe that it was so easy to make the laydown. Really????? Then the one guy was like 'Bet you'd think if you had aces" Um, no insta laydown pal. I didn't know the guy that raised, or how he played, but it was obvious. And if it was a bluff, it was a good bluff, but I'm not shoving all my chips in like that with kings....very easy laydown. Then the guy was like 'wow, that shows your a good player that you can fold your kings that easily' The way I look at it, it's one hand....it's one pair. I got many more hands to go..it's not a sprint when I'm playing cash, so I'll have more hands to get involved in....but it was cool he showed his cards.

He got involved in a lot of pots, as did the guy to his left...it was worth the price of admission just to watch the hands going on....and of course I kept getting dealt crappy cards, so I couldn't even get involved, but I had wanted to!

Then where was a hand that got under my skin. I liked everyone at my table, I did...it was a cool table. Kid in seat 6 was the button. Dealer did the flop, checked around, but the dealer didn't see seat 6's cards and burned and turned...seat 6 was like wtf then grabbed some chips as he was going to bet. I saw it....he had no intention of betting....he watched the dealer pretty much put out the turn, then was like wtf....no...when you're in the hand and the dealer does so much as burn, then you say something....so anyways, he makes a big stink, so the dealer puts the card to the side as he waits for the kid to act....he bets, everyone folds...no big deal. It happens. We all make mistakes. The pot wasn't big (maybe 4 people in, no pre flop bet, so it was 8 bucks, 10 max) so it's not a big pot. But he made a big stink. I told the dealer not to worry. So the next hand, the dealer does the flop, then immediately 'pretends' to burn and turn. we all laugh, except for seat 6...he got all mad again...dude it's a JOKE! He made a FUNNY! relax. He left soon after. I told the dealer not to worry about him...eventhough the kid really ripped into him....I know the dealer so I had his back..but if the kid kept on, I was gonna ream him out....so luckily for him, he stopped. So after he left, I told the newbie NEVER to yell at a dealer....we all make mistakes so it's human nature...that kid just really irked me!

Table broke up not too long after that as it was getting late and people were getting tired, myself included...could barely keep my eyes open.

FYI, the guy with trip jacks, his name is Chris Valsamos, look for him in the Borgata blog....seems to be a great up and comer!

Borgata Spring Open Event 7: Big Stack NLHE

Saturday morning, bright and early, Hubby Mike and myself made our way down to the B for the Borgata Spring Open (BSO). I have been backing away from the ladies events and delving into playing more co-ed tournies, like the Deep Stacks, etc. I've only played 2 (this being my 3rd) and I feel I'm getting better each time, which is a good thing (minus losing the buy-in each time). I guess I got too used to playing the ladies tournies, so I need to learn to switch up more, and I also have to get out the 'cash game' mindset.

My first table was table 23 in the Signature room, on the marble, making the chairs slide all over the place. That can be dangerous. I ended up sitting next to Pokerished, which we figured out after 2 or 3 rounds. I played a lot looser then I normally do, as we got a larger starting stack so playing the early rounds in more beneficial to get some much needed information. I sat at a pretty decent starting table. Then of course when everyone gets comfy, we get moved :( I got seated at table 1, which was the table of Mike Dentale, the winner of the BSO's first event. I recognized him from the blog immediately. He was very cool, very nice guy. I figured that he'd be really full of himself, but he really wasn't, so that was cool. I was intimidated at first, but quickly got over that.

There was a lot of action at that table. I had won a few smaller type hands at my first table, and wanted to keep up and win some bigger pots. I won a few there, and then got involved in a pretty big hand. Don't really wanna say what I had, b/c I don't wanna give off any reads or anything, but it came down to me raising preflop and getting 3-4 callers. Flop came out queen 6 6 two hearts. I bet out, and got insta called, and the other person raised. Did someone call me with a 6? Is someone on a flush? I put on guy on a flush, one with like ace six. So I'm beat...so I fold. There was a ton more bets on the turn and river, but I missed the cards b/c Hubby Mike had come over. The one guy had Ace Queen (top pair top kicker) and the other had king queen (top pair, 2nd kicker). Wow....geesh! So for my pf bet and my post flop bet, I had just around my starting stack at 20k. At this point, the blinds were I believe 800/1600 or 1k 2k. Great....and I'm at table 1 with monster stacks. I wasn't just going to go on tilt and raise with any nice hand, so I waited patiently. On the button I got dealt pocket queens, so of course I shove. I got called by a guy in seat 10, who for some reason kept getting involved in pots with Mike Dentale. The two of them had it out for each other. Seat 10 came in late and his first hand played off a huge bluff against Mike, and from there just raked in pot after pot (sizeable ones too). So he calls me...says he'd call me with any two hands to knock me out (no offense he says). He had 7 8 or 6 7. Nothing came and I got a nice double up (plus blinds and antes).

Orbit goes around, and I'm on the button as the break starts....but the hand already was dealt out. So, on the button again, I get kings this time. I shove again, no callers, but I show the 2 guys that were still there. After the break, the blinds went up to 1500 3000 I believe, and I had about 12k or so. So any ace or two big cards, I'm shoving. I'm UTG plus two, and I look at Ace 6 suited. Sweet, I'm going to shove...guy to my right makes a raise...shoot. Guy hardly played a hand and is raising...so I'm thinking either a big pair or a big ace (either way, I don't wanna call) so I don't. Then I regret it...nobody calls so I'll never know. So I've been in limbo if I shoulda shoved there or not.

Next hand, I get king 10 off. And I'm soon to be BB....shoot shoot shoot...I hate king ten, but I also don't wanna fold, then my luck I'll get 3 6 off in the BB and then a crappy hand in the SB and I have no chips left...so I shove....got called with Ace Queen :( He flopped a queen, but I flopped a straight draw...no king and no straight and I'm out...about 7 minutes before the dinner break.

All well. I still lasted quite a while. The blinds were 30 mins so they went quick. I also outlasted everyone at table 1. All the people that were there when I sat down all busted out before me, Mike included (and the guy that had it out for him as well). So I guess that's a good sign?

No Fraudulent Coupons Here!

What a day it's been! First and foremost is my JOB. As a government worker, we are entering into possibly a government shutdown. What does that mean? For me, I still have to come to work b/c my job is considered essential. Sure. I should feel important, but I don't. I may not get paid. Some say I'm guaranteed a paycheck for working, others say it's not a guarantee. Those workers that get to stay home during this time may get paid too, they may not too. In the past, they've gotten paid for sitting home. What a bunch of BS....b/c Congress can't pass a budget...which is their job? Really? So I have to work for free?????????

THEN, there's the article about Extreme Couponing about how the one person was fraudulently using coupons. My blood boils just thinking about it. Here's the link

So I went out for lunch and did some deals! DH asked for hair gel...I keep telling him not to ask for something b/c I'll get multiples, but he never listens.

Trans #1 A & P
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79 x 4 = 7.16.
Paid 7.16 OOP, got $5 CAT and $1/2 Wipes coupon

Trans #2 CVS
12 HE and Aussie Products 2 for $5.49.
Came to $32.94 used 6 BOGO Qs came to $16.47 + tax. Used $14.98 in ECBs
Paid $3.83 OOP and got back $10 ECBs

Trans #3 A & P
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79*4=7.16
Used $1/2 q and $5 CAT
Paid 1.16 OOP and got back $1/2 q and $5 CAT

Trans #4
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79*4=7.16
Used $1/2 q and $5 CAT
Paid 1.16 OOP and got back $1/2 q and $5 CAT