The Cavendish and Home

Thursday night is the traditional Calcutta Auction where the pairs are auctioned off and usually the highest bidder then sells down a lot of his action. Players must make an opening bid of $12,500 for themselves and in this case eight pairs were sold to themselves for the minimum bid. Any pair not buying themselves, have an obligation to purchase at least 10% of themselves and up to a maximum of 40%.

In the past the auction had raised in excess of $1.0 million but this year the amount was a disappointing $614,000 reflecting that the entries were down from 48 pairs to just 36 but the quality of the field was excellent as many of the 12 pairs they lost were not likely to be heavily contending.

My ‘real’ work starts on Thursday night when I have to take all the photos, something I do throughout the entire tournament (see http://cavendish.bridgewinners.com/photo-gallery) and run the online and ballroom presentation of the bidding for the auction. Not hard work but means I don’t get to socialise as much as I would like – or eat for that matter at what is a great buffet dinner.

Friday morning and ‘game on’. The main event starts at 10:30 and I have to set up the computers, webcams and make sure everything is working and will continue to work. This year we have five operators for just two tables and with the other four so very keen I find that I am not scheduled to do any actual operating. We develop a plan to use one of the operator’s laptop computers for a third table for the Saturday and Sunday so I work just two sessions in the end.

A very "frummer" friend of mine arrived for the mini event which is played on the weekend and I accepted his invitation to come to his room after play for Shabbat Kiddush which I did and normally do when he is around as I get to meet people I might not otherwise meet. In fact there were three other people there including a childhood friend of Bob Richman's. The food was amazing all dropped off by a local friend of Matt's including excellent Gefilte Fish, dips and spreads. He normally has a fridge full of Kosher food and a microwave in his room to make his observant life easy. His problem is he can play cards on Shabbat (I never understood this) but need somebody to open the electronic lock on his hotel room!!!

The tournament is very exciting. As seems to be normal Levin/Weinstein are doing well and head out to a strong lead with just one session to go but there are many pairs on their heels. The tournament was probably won by Woolsey/Stewart on the second last board at the table was operating when West, Alex Smirnov opened 4H, North amazingly passed holding

S KQ9653
H 8
D A1065
C 97

Next hand bid 4S meant as a cue bid
                      KQ9653
                          8
             A1065
                          97
4 S                                             A107
KJ97642                               AQ
K832                                     Q97
3                                               A10652
                            J82
                            1053
                            J4
                            KQJ84

and West passed thinking it was natural. As I commentated why bid the ‘obvious’ 4S when the opponents will play it there.

Anyway, the last session was followed by a presentation late lunch where I took more photos and left immediately thereafter to drive back to Phoenix. I sped most of the way so hope no speed cameras and made the normally 4:45 journey in 4:05 arriving back at 9:00pm

I knew if I stayed in Vegas I wouldn’t do much except perhaps another big meal and this way I had two full days in Phoenix before heading home.

Anyway just finished spending two relaxing days here including a Teppan dinner and I cooked Fish and chips last night for the ‘family’. All packed and probably overweight – luggage that is and heading home in a few hours.

See you all soon
XD

Sin City

Monday morning and off to Vega$. It is an easy but incredibly boring drive to Las Vegas 4.75 hours of dessert with small spots of beautiful cactus but mostly boring desert. There is almost nowhere to stop on the way but I do take a 10 minute break. They have now built a fast crossing of the Hoover dam which avoids possible 30 minute traffic jams.

I arrive around lunch time and check in telling the receptionsist that I would like a room on the second floor, near the entry to the convention area and preferably on the pool side. Of course without telling me he puts me on the third floor, car park side and as far from the lift as possible. I simply couldn't bother but you wonder if they listen or care.

I settle in, unpack and get the computers eady for Wednesday - hate leaving things for the last minute. I get a text from my good friend Boye Brogeland that he has just arrived which is unsual as he doesnt play till Friday and often arrives at the last minute but he has decided that as he was knocked out of the Spring Fours in London "early" he may as well take a few days time out. Anyway that evening we got to Rosemary's for dinner - a restaurant I rate as a 9. I have sent many friends there and nobody has been disappointed.

Next day I spend relaxing by the pool for a few hours and mooch around the casino being marginally in front - soon to change as it happens to marginally behind.

In the afternoon Alex, Andy, Boye and I go to the Premium Outlet Centre. Now imagine I actually spent 2.5 hours there and all I bought was a drink. The closest I got to buying anything was a Calvin Klein leather Jacket reduced to $A135 but I couldnt convince myself that I "needed" it. OK that never stopped me before but....

Boye and I head off to our annual 'date' at Nobu. This is a restaurant that we both love. The meal included some new taste sensations including Edemame with Chili and Truffle oil - cant wait to try that cooking that one! We allowed the waiter to choose our food insisting on only two dishes the Lobster Tacos and the signature Sweet Miso Black Cod. He didnt let us down bringing each course and telling us about how it was prepared with an amazing passion and enthusiasm. There were two oysters with the most amazing dressing, salmon tartare, yellow tail with jalapeno and to top it all off a dessert sampler inclduing chocolate and sour cheery spring rolls among many other delights. Boye rated it as the best meal he had ever had and I rated it a candidate for the title.

Wednesday and work time. There is a breakfast at 09:00 by the pool at which I take all the photos and then set up everything for the online presentation BBO. This year is remarkable we have 5 operators - normally it is a struggle - so I am not scheduled to do any operating. I do however do 18 boards when Andy' Hung's friend is playing excusing him from operating. To fully utilise all these resources we are adding a third Table for the last two days. It is quite a long day with the rbidge running from 10:30 to 20:30 and even though I am not actively involve once it is set up I need to be around to make sure everything functions properly.

You can see photos from the table - a touch I have added to the event at cavendish.bridgewinners.com and tonight (Sydney Friday 11:00am) you  will be able to see live updates of the amounts bid for the pairs.

That evening - MORE FOOD. Juan Carlos Ventin a very wealthy Spnaish Businessman with whom I have become friendly mainly through fine dining joins myself, Boye (his partner) and two Swedish Players (Fredin and Wrang) for a dinner at Hank's, the fine dining here at Green Valley Resort. I must say I ordered something called a Seafood Gamble which was a cold plate of every imaginable Crustacean = oyster, lobster, crab, prawn, langustines, and many others I didn't even know. It was so filling I took half back to my room and had it for breakfast. As it was so fresh there was no problem with that at all.

The teams is won by Levin-Weinstein Jacobus-O'rourke and Hampson-Greco. As somebody noted usual Cavendish you play bridge for five days solid and at the end Levin Weinstein take home the prizes. I am there to take the 'official pictures' and am now in my room relaxing before the Auction this evening.

Love to all
XD

Chilling in the Sun

Penny and I meet for lunch at Zinc Bistro. While an excellent restaurant one of the great things about Phoenix is the Truffle and Parmesan fries which are to die for. That and a crab salad do me nicely and at $1.09 to the Australian Dollar it all comes at very reasonable prices.

I mooch around the shops before picking up the kids from school. I must say that this is one of the things I am looking forward to with grandchildren. Having the kids rush into the car smiling faces - OK smiling because no school till tomorrow or next week  but smiling all the same.

Spend a few hours catching up on some work and emails which I perhaps could have done before I left and a rest on the couch while watching replay after replay after incessant replay of the Royal Wedding.

Off to dinner at Sushi Bistro which is a Japanese restaurant I really enjoy going to. Foie Gras with eggplant, Clams with white wine and eggplant broth and the traditional Sushi and incredible Yellow Tail Sashimi. Luckily I left enough room for a new treat down the road - grab a cup fill it with any one of ten flavours of frozen yoghurt and top with as many as fifty different toppings.

Graeme is arriving back from New York late tonight so I make an effort to stay awake. Penny's sister-in-law drops over to borrow a dress because Penny has arranged a present for her brother's birthday - dinner at Hell's Kitchen - Gordon Ramsay's reality TV find a great chef show.

Anyway after greeting Graeme I am very tired so head off to bed but this time with a sleeping pill to avoid a second night of broken sleep.

Saturday morning is breezy having Blintzes I bought at Costco for breakfast. I gotta say that if I could get those blintzes in Sydney, they were frozen, I wouldn't dream of making them myself (sorry Collette).

Middle of the day and off to see Graeme/Penny's 16 year old niece play soccer but lose 4-0. The weather is marvellous (as always) 28 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Off to mini-golf (indoors) where I finish ahead of the kids (phew to embarrassing otherwise).

Hunter plays an indoor soccer game late afternoon which they win 9-8 which sounds closer than it actually was. I love the pace and skills of indoor soccer which was played on AstroTurf in an ultra modern indoor centre.

That night I take the family to a Brazilian Churrascaria steakhouse - Fogo de Chao. While I would normally avoid "chain" restaurants I had been to one in Philadelphia which was great and combined with the fact that there are 6 in Brazil leads one to the correct conclusion. http://www.fogodechao.com/ They loved it thinking it was some of the best meat they had ever tasted - and they were right.

Sunday morning and more indoor soccer with both kids playing in a 5-3 victory. This was followed by breakfast at Chompies, a Jewish Delicatessen where it takes about 15 minutes to work your way through the entire menu. I settle for a lox and toasted bagel but in traditional US style portions, I was unable to complete the task.

Went to pick up my rental car. Unfortunately this year  the Warring's third car which they normally lend me, is in the "shop" being repaired. I think the bill is up to $2,700 so don't expect to see it any time soon as the menu keeps building for the repairs.

All ready for Vegas - bring it on. Having dinner tomorrow night with Alex Smirnov and Andy Hung at Rosemary's which is certainly on my favourite 20 restaurants - think goat's cheese cheesecake.

Anyway more soon
Love to all D
In case you think the Bogan is a one off here are the other two number plates. The Harley model is known as a Fat Hog at 1450 cc's. And no I haven't been for a ride on it....

Sydney to Phoenix

I woke up on Thursday morning to torrential rain, waited for a break to take the dogs and got 200 metres from home when a torrential downpour started. Despite running home both the dogs and I got soaked. An hour later - same thing. Anyway managed to get them to their home for the next two weeks - Ally and Nye's place, about 250 metres from my place so they should be happy being in the 'hood.

I arrive at the airport thinking i have an empty seat next to me only to find that the San Francisco flight was cancelled and everybody has been added to our flight - goodbye empty seat and hello huge, oafish and rude Israeli who monopolises all of the shoulder and armrest space for the entire flight - after having an argument with the steward of course. GRRR what an unpleasant flight.

Relieved to get off the plane I faced the next hurdle, a 90 minute wait for immigration processing followed by a 30 minute security queue to get onto my connecting flight which I make with just a few minutes to spare. A regional jet with not enough room to store my on flight bag - Double GRRRR.

Anyway I finally arrive in a warm and sunny (32C) Phoenix to see Penny's smiling face in the car to pick me up. I spent the rest of the day relaxing, watch the kids do their homework and enjoying a very yummy Mexican meal cooked up by Penny.

I got to be around 10:30pm and managed to sleep through till the next morning with just a few breaks. After seeing the kids off to school and getting myself organised I go for a mooch at Costco and a few other shops while Penny is at work and have plans to meet up for lunch. I even photographed the wedding dresses at Costco for Danielle for some ideas for her forthcoming nuptials.

Anyway just wanted to let all know I arrived safely. Do you like my Phoenix wheels - check out the numberplate - hope there are no Aussies here.

Catch you soon
D