Between Cinco de Mayo, gay pride week, DeLaHoya vs. Mayweather, and mega stars in concert, this will be one of the busy weekends in Vegas all year. What does that mean for you? The most disorganized episode of TAI ever!
Listen as the boys ignore the worthwhile topics and concentrate on Pam Anderson’s new love innterest, the new shitty show at Caesar’s Palace, and an intense debate on Renee Zellweger’s puffy face.
There are a few redeeming qualities, such as the first in a series of “comp tutotials” by tai’s own p_enut, the contents of Hawkeye Bradd’s prize package revealed, and a presidential candidate so bad it will make you wish George W, could run for a 3rd term. Ok, so one’s that bad.
Email: Brian Mollica brian@notiowa.com and Tommy Dutch tom@notiowa.com Give us a call 206-203-Iowa
Thanks for the shout out on the podcast and the warm welcome on the boards. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I am a Vegas virgin but I am making my first pilgrimage this weekend May 11-15th. Most of it will be spent as a “sibling family reunion” which will be ok but not exactly free and easy vacation time. Most of them leave early Sunday or early Monday though so Sunday night and Monday my best guy friend and I will be free to play. Does anyone have a suggestion for an inexpensive ($25-$45 total) steak place, preferably mid-strip? Any suggestions for tight budgets would be appreciated.
Play for Sunday: New Jersey +6 over Cleveland
After a Jazz win last night (I wanted to take them on the money line, but I pussed out) I finished round one hitting 75% of my bets, which is obscene. But fear not, there’s still plenty of time to piss that money away. I like the nets tonight for the simple fact that the Cavs have been resting for over a week, and it may take a game to knock the rust off.
Record:58-36-6
Playoffs: 9-3-2
Tony may have had a doctor’s note, but Dutch and I are just lazy, so we’re taking the week off. Please post all disgruntled messages here. See you Friday.
So last night while all of the straight men in the world were watching the fight, I went to see the Producers at the Paris. It was Hasselhoff’s last night, and I’m pretty sure he was wasted. I think I made the right choice.
Did anyone else catch the reference to the possibility of a 3rd show weekly?
Dude, I am hereby volunteering to lead the 3 show campaign to help get me through the middle of my non-Vegas weeks. Any ideas to compel the boys to step up?
A paypal fundraising drive?
A scallop laden plate for Dutch flown in fresh from Maine?
A free “murder” tattoo to help Brian in his 2-4 games?
Or should we just leave the coercion up to mofobes, the international playboy who is local, gives compelling lectures, and seems to have unlimited financial resources?
Tell me what we need to do. I’ll be in town in July to make the drop of whatever envelope contents are required!
-chris duhon’s nemesis
I just listened to your latest pod cast and heard that I unknowingly scheduled my family reunion during Vegas Gay Pride week. What a hoot! Surprise siblings! My older brother would never say anything but if he figures it out he’ll be sure I did it on purpose. Anyway thanks for the heads up. My virgin trip should certainly be interesting.
Ms. Mo – Sterling Brunch looks great.
Mofobes – Well done on another win.
I think the week off may be due to Tommy being in lock up with all the extra police on the strip for the fight. He just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.
BMo – Hey I like NYNY but I suppose I’m not looking at it in a gambling sense. I enjoy the bars there. Also I think the 19 year old may be informing people of Las Vegas about you.
OR – If you head downtown at all the 777 brewery in Main Street Station happy hour Mon – Fri 3 – 6 pm is great value.
I have booked to be back in mid to late November but dipper won’t be coming this time.
187 days until YoTime gets back. B-Mo, Mofobes get ready
OR – It is north strip, but the best value I have seen for excellent steakhouses is “The Steakhouse” at Circus Circus. The casino is a dump but the restaurant is an oasis. Steaks will run in the $30-$40 range but include a potato choice, vegetable, and salad. All very high quality. At most of the strip steakhouses you will pay that and more for an al a carte steak.
A good one mid-strip that is a little lower priced is “The Range Steakhouse,” at Harrah’s. A bit more expensive than “The Steakhouse”, but still quite a bit less than most. Also a good view overlooking the strip.
I took my first trip to Vegas about 7 years ago, and have been back about 30 times. Enjoy your trip.
Dutch – Did you get on with fiddy cent or did you stay away from betting on the fight?? How was the atmosphere see any problems?
OR – TJ’s in LV Hilton was good as well. North and off the strip but you can get the monorail to it.
Good tip on the steakhouse Scott, I remember Brian was a fan as well. A good steak is easy to find but a reasonably priced one is a bit of a challange.
Joe,
I didn’t make it down to the strip last night. Went out Friday and had to write an article for Sunday. I know our field reporter/poker pro Mofobes was down there. Perhaps he has some more insight. I haven’t heard of anything out the ordinary and by all accounts this was a very successful weekend for Vegas. Unlike most I actually enjoyed watching the fight.
Have played golf with David Binn a few times. Can’t vouch for his other attributes, but he is an avid golfer, a fun guy to play golf with, and pretty good as well. Maybe Pam is taking up the game.
I suspect that the reason for so many local donut shops is because Duncan is not there yet. It reminds me of the coffee shop situation in Tucson before Starbucks arrived. There were tons of local, quirky coffee shops until Starbucks opened and then BAM! 90% of them closed.
And incidentally, why is John Goodman the spokesman for Dunkin? He’s a really talented actor, but really isn’t he more of a donut cautionary tale?
Tommy D,
As a handicapper, how can you not admire Wayne Allyn Root? He hits 90% of his 10 star, game of the century, best bet, 20 dime, guaranteed lock of the year picks.
Root for Liberty, Root for Freedom, ROOT FOR AMERICA!!
Would have thought his running mate would be Big Al McMordie.
O.K. here comes some baseball!
I’m taking the Rockies on the moneyline for -185
This means I’m +1.5 runs and have to lay $185 to win $100. (my $185 ticket will be worth $285 if it wins)
I won’t keep track of this based on wins and losses but rather a running total of how much money I am up or down based on $100 bets. I do this because I am often on favorites and a win-loss record is not reflective of actual profit. A 60% winning percentage makes a living in other sports but it’s terrible the way I bet baseball.
Enough of that let’s get to the handicapping of this game.
There is value on Jeff Francis right now. He is 1-4 with a 6.19 ERA and linesmakers are starting to disrespect him as a result. He is a solid pitcher and has been improving each of his last four starts. He has had success over this Cardinal lineup with the exception of Pujols.
Anthony Reyes has pitched 5-6 innings and given up 3 or 4 runs every outing this year. If he repeats that performance again, I should win. In limited at bats most of the Rockies have hit him well.
I’ll explain in future posts why it is usually valuable to take the +1.5 but in the mean time check out my first baseball article on donbest.com click on the Mets @ Giants in the middle of the page. I’d put the link here but you guys know I’m retarded like that.
Dutch – Will check the article out. I was going to follow you on your bet but the monyline over here is -210 so going to stay away from it. Good luck.
Dutch – Good article. Dipper will be happy you doing a Zito game, he’s probably already on him. I’m a little dissappointed your name doesn’t appear in the EXPERTS link! Regarding the boxing I thought it was a decent fight I just wish Mayweather would fight a little more than running. He is a great boxer though.
Joe – I think Ducth meant to say RUN line. But yeah on the online sportsbooks it is -210. I think I’ll just have a sniff on the Money line at +110. I agree Francis has some upside but Reyes is destined for nothing special.
Ms Mo – I finally spent some time on your site & really liked it(like Slashdog said it is rather “hypnotic”). I tracked back to the lunch on Ausrtalia day & had a big laugh! Yeah I am upset about the Dancing with the Stars deal.I think I have a problem?
Dutch – great work! So glad your doing this baseball stuff at Donnie’s. Will be following you big time (big time enthusiasm not big time $$$(it all goes on nappies these days).
But I will be having a sniff on Zito tomorrow, he’s my fav pitcher & when he gets rolling he normally puts a big string of W’s together.
Brian – will you be posting any baseball tips? or should I just follow the NBA finals as you are seriously kicking butt.
Great handicapping buddy,keep it rolling.
OR – like Joe said TJ’s at the Hilton was GREAT! but from any one I have talked to about steakhouses, most did suggest Circus Circus like Scott J said – I have only ever heard good reports about this place.
$25-$45 is a bit rich for my blood. They’re off the Strip a bit because but Hard Rock has the legendary $7.77 steak and shrimp special. In January they had a deal where if you showed some other hotel’s room key, they’d give it to you 2 for 1. They have other specials but you have to ask for them.
Ellis Island is a major dump but they have a $4.95 steak that is a lot nicer than the room it is served in.
Whatta great day in Michigan sports this Saturday!
Pistons drop an absolute ASSSSSSSSSS Kicking on the Bulls. How you like them apples Big Ben?
Wings take the pivotal Game 5 against the Sharks. Way to play the puck Nabby.
Tigers once again come back from behind and regain a share of 1st place in the Central. Playing the Royals is always good medicine.
Nice run at the Derby. For a horse fanatic like my wife, it was like Super Bowl Sunday.
Neckcar gets rained out so I get to actually watch the news at the right time.
Mayweather takes his 6th title from Ricky Martin in a pretty good fight. Fitty wins his cool million. Best part of 50 Cent’s involvement is the cameo he made when my buddy from the GR Fox station was interviewing Mayweather post-fight. Curtis James Jackson III jumps on Floyd’s back hooting and hollering about his money while Doty is trying to do the interview. Nobody else in Grand Rapids had Fitty Cent.
Did anyone else realize at 47:15 of this episode Brian suggests:
“If you’re angry and you feel like you’re going to hurt someone you should go to the gun store. It’s on Tropicana & Eastern, and basically you can rent a gun for a few minutes/half hour whatever you need to do and you can just go and unload on a series of targets.”
Wow I’m glad Brian didn’t say this the week after the Virginia Tech massacre… I’m pretty sure if I cut that audio clip and send it to Homeland Security he’d be MIA for a few days.
Though I can’t bust his balls too much cause I was laughing pretty hard after I heard it.
good catch dipper, I certainly did mean to say run line.
It’still -185 at Palms and is now actually -180 at Leroy’s.
Not that it does you much good in Sydney.
I hope this guy wasn’t trying to figure out what TD saw in the lights – and I certainly hope it wasn’t Homeland Security dealing with Mollica:
Man dies in explosion at Luxor
One person was killed and another was hurt early this morning in an explosion in atop the parking garage at the Luxor. Authorities say they have ruled out the possibility of the explosion being a terrorist incident.
The man killed in the blast worked inside the casino but was not an employee of the casino. A device left atop a car in the parking garage exploded, killing the man who picked it up, authorities said. “We believe the victim of this event was the intended target,” Las Vegas police officer Bill Cassell said.
He said another hotel employee narrowly escaped injury when the device exploded.
Was it Carrot Top?
“This is being treated as a homicide in which the weapon used to cause death is a non-traditional weapon.”
It was a backpack bomb…yeah I’d say that’s NON-traditional. If you’re going to wack somebody do it creatively I guess. Weird. Too bad this jackoff didn’t just head down to the ole’ gun range and blow off a few thousand AK-47 rounds aka the BMO Spa and Massage Therapy.
My guess is that somebody got after either the dude who controls the sewer that stinks up the pool area every morning or the guy who runs that generator every day we were trying to relax pooside. Nice pool, old beat up chairs, stink, and noise. Nazi with the card key tester at the gate. Don’t even try this one Dutch. Stick to the Rio.
You know who else likes to relax “pooside”? My buddy TD.
Praise the lord for baseball picks!!!
I’m taking anyone vs K.C. moneyline, everyday for the rest of the year!!
I’m probably gonna lay off baseball Dipper because I don’t have much experience betting the game. Of course that was the deal with me in the NBA this year, and that’s worked out well so far.
With that said…
Play for Monday: Golden St. +4 over Utah
This is a respect play for the Warriors. They were very good to me in round one, and I think they have a favorable matchup vs. the Jazz. They just have to avoid the hangover some teams get after a big upset.
Record:59-36-6
Playoffs: 10-3-2
Hey Guys,
Trainfan has setup a very cool site, thats worth checking out.
http://taifriends.ning.com/
And to quote the Train “Please feel free to use this site however you want – but let’s make sure the show comments, etc. are continuing to show up on the show message boards.”
Web 2.0 Changing Vegas Web Sites
I heard about this article on the fivehundybymidnight weekly podcast. VegasTripping.com did an article on how podcasters like TD and Brian are changing the landscape of reporting.
“Where traditional media depends on corporate connections and press releases to guide their editorial content, independent publishers produce content that they find interesting, without having to cow tow to editors, publishers and corporate sponsors. Not having to seek approval for every word and phrase or wait for tomorrow’s print edition means that bloggers can research, write and post information instantly – usually beating traditional media to the punch.”
I happen to strongly agree with the article – and as a Internet Strategy consultant – I can tell you that most of my clients – new media and traditional – would strongly agree.
http://taifriends.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=724528%3ABlogPost%3A41
Umm, why is a person that can put together a coherent set of words like this Listening to This Ain’t Iowa?
Thanks Trainfan! Nice background on the homepage. Almost as Vegas as Lake Tony. Seeing a guy’s picture on that layout makes you think Dunes Resort in Saugatuck. If that’s how you roll, then fine bro. Like Chris Rock’s uncle used to say, “If you wanna get funky, feel free. Just don’t get that funk on me.”
Nice work on the TAI fansite Trainfan! I’m currently working on my friends of Trainfan website…
A nice tip on Colorado Dutch! Keep em’ coming. I’m loving the baseball season already.
1 for 1 Dutch well done, pity I parlayed it into the unders on the San Fran Game. 9 in the bottom of the 5th that hurts.
Haven’t received that “prize” package from the hosts yet. The neighbors reported a “suspicious looking package” in front of my door today and called the cops. I’m guessing that was from the TAI boys. I’ll see if I can track it down, if it hasn’t blown anyone up yet.
Who am I?
Isn’t that Brad Pitt’s younger brother??
wow, this board has gone crazy and i have been playing lots of poker, so haven’t had a chance to get to listen to the show yet.
i was at caesars on saturday. the sportsbooks was absolutely packed during the running of the derby when i was trying to get to the poker room. i have never seen so many people there.
after the fight, it was pretty packed outside especially right out of the poker room where it collides with hordes of hoochies outside of Pure. i saw dennis rodman going into Pure. that was enough for me and i high-tailed it out of there. very active and festive vibe, i don’t think there was a lot of trouble.
the WPT Mirage Poker Showdown is starting tomorrow, so that is where i will be for most of this week (hopefully i will be deep into tourneys) so far so, good. i went 3 for 3 in single table satellites this afternoon, so i have buy-ins to $1600 worth tourneys. first is a $540 No limit tomorrow.
Go get ‘em mofobes.
Tony you’re killing me!
This board has gone insane.
A dude really did jump off the Stratosphere this week.
Last time Brian lost a hoops game Hancock was still alive.
Train, your page is very cool, thank you.
Brad, Patience is a virtue my Herky loving friend. We did request a 2-3 month delivery period.
Remember when Dutch told everyone Fennville was a “hick town”? It still is…in a big way. But, we have been getting some good press lately.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1178433943256240.xml&coll=6
Thanks for the mention at the top of the show, no less! Let’s get together for some poker at the Wynn Thursday, May 24 or Friday, May 25, and I believe drinks on me. I have decided on 3. Enough not to be criticized, yet not so many as to be responsible for your later actions at the Palms steakhouse! I will be a bachelor those two days until the wife arrives very late on Friday. I have to warn, I am a middle aged(42) attorney. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Ok -setting up the site was not too difficult and I’m happy some of you have checked it out – however – the only way it really works is if when you go to the page:
http://taifriends.ning.com/ you click on the “JOIN FRIENDS OF THIS AIN’T IOWA NOW” link and sign your lazy asses up.
Otherwise – the idea of a social network of one is not particularly appealing – even to someone who likes himself as much as I do.
As for why I bother listening to TAI – it usually makes me laugh my ass off. And coherent words or not – finding things to truly have fun with are rare.
Fobes….3/3…that is seriously taking it strong to the hole. Talk about running good. Time to take down a bracelet.
Play for Tuesday: New Jersey +4.5 over Cleveland
This play is the lesser of 2 evils. I’m afraid of the Spurs/Suns series, and what am I supposed to do? Not bet? I like the Nets experience and even though the Cavs are the better team, I think it’s going at least 6 games.
Record:59-36-7
Playoffs:10-3-3
Good luck tomorrow Mofobes!! Take one down for TAI!!
I look forward to the TAI Mofobes poker lecture of the week!!
2 sites for this community of degenerates now??
I feel so spoiled…
Ok. I guess no one else gives a shit about a people’s movement to compel the boys to produce a third show weekly. I guess my faith in mofobes was misplaced. I’m proudly proletariat and am willing to pony up $4 paypal weekly. Anyone else willing to step up for a mid-week show? I’m dying here . . . .
-chris duhon’s nemesis
CDN- I’d be happy to pay them to get around to putting out two shows a week…