The Professor, The Chosen One, and The Suicide Moves
The Professor
In addition to writing my own blog, I read several different blogs. Perhaps the most interesting blog that I read is Paul Phillips' (extempore.livejournal.com), in part because Paul has an interesting perspective on the world and in part because Paul's blog usually includes a lively discussion of the topic at hand. Most of the participants are there to either criticize Paul or to worship him.
In a recent blog entry (dated February 24), Paul made a reference to another blog entry by Biggestron (biggestron.blogspot.com), who apparently felt like Paul snubbed him when they met in a Las Vegas casino. A substantial portion of Biggestron's blog entry is shameless self-promotion where he talks about his education and how smart he is. Apparently, Biggestron has managed to last about 35 years on Earth, get married, sire one child, get a Master's degree in Chemistry, and earn a Ph.D in biochemistry. He even works in a top lab at Stanford University! That is, he is currently an under-paid, over-worked, educated slave known as a post-doctoral research associate. He is clearly one step below God!
In the discussion of Paul Phillips' blog, Biggestron responds that the snub was "ego-crushing." One of my pet-peeves is the fragile egos of academics. Academic types live in the esoteric world of academia, complete with their own little "celebrities". I have said this before, I think professors are some if the most childish, immature, fragile, useless, ego-maniacs in the world. The world might be a better place if we collected them all (except for me, of course) and pitched them into the ocean.
The Chosen One
I confess to reading and loving the Harry Potter books. Perhaps no one is interested, but it's my blog and I'll write what I want.
I have several predictions regarding the answers to some key questions:
1. Is Dumbledore actually dead? Is Snape actually a villain?
My answers: Yes, Dumbledore is dead. No, Snape is actually the hero.
My theory is that Dumbledore trusts Snape and that Snape killed Dumbledore because that was Dumbledore's plan. Dumbledore's commented in the fifth book that there are many things worse than death. Dumbledore also claims that the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is cursed. So why did Dumbledore hire Snape into this position? Dumbledore must have had a plan!
2. What was Dumbledore's reason for completing trusting Snape?
I can think of only one logical answer here: Snape must have helped "kill" Voldemort when Harry was a baby.
Snape knew that Voldemort was going to try to kill Harry and Harry's parents. He let Dumbledore know about Voldemort's plan, but even more... he must have helped forumulate the plan whereby Harry would have been protected from Voldemort.
The Suicide Moves
Finally, some discussion of poker... I played pretty well over the weekend, although I kept making stupid moves that totally wrecked my bankroll. I have made some really awful calls in my poker career, all of them resulting in a lost pot or a total suck-out. On Friday, I had a the unique experience of winning one of these hands.
I raised from the button with KQo and I got called by the maniac in the big blind. The flop was 2d 5c 8d. The big blind pushed all-in and I called. He had 3d 4d for a flush draw and a straight draw. He did not improve and I won.
Last night, I played really well at Full Tilt. I won about $30 playing $25 NL and then I took my winnings to the $50 NL room to play. I eventually pushed all-in with JJ after a flop of A 6 3 against a maniac who called with A5. Oops. I must admit to getting spooked by some of the conversations that were going on at the table. I am reasonably sure that at least two people were colluding; I should have just left.