2nd Annual Baggo Tournament - May 2007

Another year, another Baggo Tournament...

The 2007 Baggo tournament turned out be a huge success; perfect weather, great food, 46 contestants and even a bit of shot-gunning beers. We even had contestants come out from Chicago for the event (Jane and Todd). You can't really ask for more - besides the championship that has alluded me for two years!

Here are a few shots:

We moved the tournament to the ampitheater - we had six boards and a permit that allowed us remove anyone that we wanted from the bleacher area. Unfortunately, we let everyone stay but it added to the drama of the event

Because it was Cinco de Mayo, we had the event catered this year by La Palma. It was a great choice and the food went perfectly with the shot-gunning of beers:



The tournament was set up World Cup style - there were 6 boards and we placed 7 to 8 people at each board where everyone played two games against a random opponent. As you can see from the pics below, most people were just out to have a good time (not me):

When the dust settled, we had ourselves a Sweet 16 - the match-ups were set and the tournament took on a whole new level of energy. The crowd was going wild with anticipation:

The Sweet 16

Finally the stage was set - here is a look at your 2007 Final Four group


The finals were Tim Carlin vs. Tony Stern (Gangsta vs. Southern Gentleman). Both players had gone undefeated and were hot off of impressive victories in the Final 4. Stern jumped out to a lead that he never gave up, hitting 5 straight shots at one point. A well deserved victory and a year of bragging rights

2007 Baggo Champion - Tony Stern

Thanks to everyone for coming out. It will be hard to top this Baggo tournament but hopefully 2008 will be prove to be bigger and better. Here's the final group shot:

Whistler - March 2007

After a successful trip to Spring Training last year, we decided to change pace and head out to Whistler for a weekend of skiing and other things...

Since we only travel in style we decided to rent a limo for the ride from the Vancouver Airport to Whistler. We were able to drink which meant that Jack was very excited:

We arrived in Whistler around 5 p.m. and Basil & Co. had been there for a few hours. We walked into the first bar and realized we had to turn it up another notch. They were not "sober":

Here we are getting completely "Gnar Gnar in the Pow Pow":

The best part about skiing in Whistler? Being able to ski up to the bar located directly at the base of the mountain. We enjoyed many tasty beverages here "apre skiing":

Jean Luc, Lance Armstrong, Javie Lopez (or Rodriguez y Rodriguez), Rogie Pogie, Ro-Bert (or RB Lew), and The Beast - please note that Mustafa and Lars were not present for the picture

I really have nothing for this picture because I barely remember the meal


Here's Jack and his baby-girl. This was, quite possibly, the fastest relationship in the history of mankind. One night she loved him, the next night it was all over. And they never even spoke in between:

Whistler = Good Times

New Year's - 2006/2007

Another year, another New Year's....

We decided to drop the big San Francisco party this year and go for a relaxing weekend in Tahoe. We all showed up on the afternoon of the 29th around 3:30 and the place was completely cleaned, rooms picked, cabin decorated, bar set up, toiletries stored in proper spaces, clothes put away into drawers, wood chopped, deck swept and hors d'oeuvres served by 4:30. It made me feel old (but at least we bought a lot of beer):

After a night of Kings (Darlene lost), 1-4-24, Asshole, Red/Black/High/Low, 100 and any other games we could think of using dice and cards and drinking, we headed out for a day of skiing in great weather:

Overall, it was a great day. Lauren had a hot dog for lunch and Pan didn't kill anyone going down the hill - everyone was happy! The best part of Tahoe? Going to Sunnyside after a day of skiing, having a few drinks and appetizers, and taking a pic in front of the lake (which doesn't look like the lake at all in this picture - it looks like a white light):

Who are these people skiing two days in a row? I'm not sure but they look awesome. I mean, like, really awesome:

New Year's Eve was spent at the cabin. Because my mom has the URL to this blog I can't really get into specifics - I'll just let the pictures do the talking:

To a Great 2007!

Bay to Breakers - May 2006

I'd say this picture pretty much sums up Bay to Breakers. A nice topless woman talking to the police as they drive through a drunken mess. This years Bay to Breakers did not disappoint:


There were plenty of skits and performances along the route. This was a Britney Spears (pre-slutty stage) doing a performance for her admirers:

Although we didn't coordinate as a team, I think our overall look gave us an edge over most of the other groups out there (unless, of course, you're counting the people who build floats, create original and interesting costumes, push multiple kegs 7 miles or even wake up early enough to start the race on time and don't begin the race as close to their apartments as possible):

I just like the randomness of this shot:

The guy on the left has a bottle of vodka on one side and tonic water on the other side. The guy on the right has two 40 ozs. Which one would you pick at 9 a.m.?
A four person beer bong. Like I said, our team wasn't very creative but we are all social people and we were able to talk our way into their fun:

Oh what? What's that guy? He's just a transformer smoking a cigarette:

Another great shot that captures the beauty of Bay to Breakers. We weren't sure if this was a joke or not but they had these throughout the race. You can't see it in the picture but there are probably 100-200 beer bottles on or around the checkpoint, as well as two dancing Elvis' and a girl who looks like she just took a sip of something gross:

You're normal Sunday morning crowd walking the streets of San Francisco:

I'm not sure who won this round, in fact, I don't even remember doing this:

1st Annual Baggo Tournament - May 2006

The 1st Annual Baggo Tournament and Barbeque was a huge success (although I did not win the event). We had twenty-eight participants in a round robin bracket where each player competed in two games. The pictures below are during the "practice sessions" which show a hesitant yet excited crowd at Crissy Field:

There was an eerie calm by the water and it was unusually humid. I should have known at that point that things were not going to be normal. Tyler Ott (the bracketologist) worked his magic and names were being called out - the games began. Games were played to 11 and three boards were used at the same time...could life get any better? It was a perfect mix of professionals and amateurs. Many different techniques were used - for instance, Jack's bowling style while smoking a cigarette, Brian Pianca's perfectly upright toss, and Brian Mikalis' baby backpack form (see below):

After the initial brackets were completed, eight people finished at 2-0 and advanced to the "Elite Eight":

Kari Facas - Jill Tomamichael - Chris Odne - Steven Mikalis - Brian Mikalis - John Ott - Robert Hatton - Ruben Ruckman

While the semi-final games were being played, the suspense was killing the audience. People could barely drink their beers they were so nervous:

When the dust cleared, only two players remained standing...Brothers Mikalis. In an unprecedented move, Logan spoke his first words with a finger in the air and shouted "Daddy's #1!" I knew it was over at that point and Brian crushed me 11-2:

In the end, it was a great day. Next year we want to have a tournament of 50 people with 5 boards. Thanks to everyone who came out and participated....