Casino Night 2011

There are two things that Thrashers fans can always count on in the new year...a slumping record and Casino Night! Casino Night is a blast and it goes to a good cause, the Atlanta Thrashers Foundation. Thrashers fans and douchebags who have no idea what is going on get gussied up and head to the beautiful facility of Opera in Midtown for some black jack, roulette, food and drink.


I was going to actually eat this year, I figured I might as well get a meal out of my $150 ticket price. They had BBQ sandwiches. Not really what I want to chow down on when dressed to the 9s. They also had some seafood stuff. Blech. I don't eat seafood. The smell almost made me sick. So I had to drink my money's worth!


I really am a shameless cougar, even my Casino Night dates are getting younger and younger. This year my date was Marisa. (I thought this sweater would cover more, apparently not. Hello bra straps.)


I was happy that Byfuglien's table was right up front. My game plan was to hit his table early as I assumed it would be one of the harder tables to get to. I also wanted to get pictures of the players on stage in their ice cream man suits so it worked well.


And now something that has become a tradition for the Casino Night Post..."what the guys are thinking." I honestly didn't think they were that funny this year. I just couldn't think of anything good.



So be sure and click on the pictures to enlarge them and read what the guys are thinking.



It's hard sometimes to come up with funny things that are not mean spirited. Especially for me.



So I started the night out at Big Buff's table!



I didn't stay as long as I'd hoped. I had to leave while I still had a shirt! Big Buff sucked all the money right out of my hands. He was learning how to deal, so he wasn't as generous with the helping/cheating as the other players. The eye candy was nice though.



I walked around a bit and went to Johnny Oduya's table. He was sitting out with the guests playing. I was very jealous. I decided to go find Marisa at Bergfors' table.



Bergie was an awesome dealer. I told him Buff took all of my money and he said he wasn't surprised. His helper/dealer was awesome, too. I wish I had gotten his name. I quickly replenished my fake funds at his table. Marisa stayed there all night. She, Bergi and his girlfriend hit it off. Both said they are crossing their fingers hoping he does not get traded. I also decided that he is a nice guy. He seemed a little aloof and cocky before. I think it's just the way he smiles.



It's Johnny time! I made my way back to Johnny O's table and he was dealing. Well, he was standing behind the table. His helper was doing all the work. And, if you are wondering, Johnny is a red wine drinker. Tres chic! I look like I'm about to cry lol.



As I'm moving Johnny into photo position, Zach comes up. His table was right beside Johnny's. I said "let's get a picture with both of you." Zach is such a kidder!



Ha! People of Blueland material here. Johnny checking his phone while his dealer does the work.



I left Johnny's table and walked around for a while taking pictures.


Captain Andrew Ladd.



Toby had crazy eyes at the roulette table.



Nik knows the key to good hair is hydration.



Photo Ops presented themselves here and there. Here is me and Modin.



Me, Marisa and Modin! That's all the tickets I ended up with! You think you are doing well and have tons of chips, you cash them in and end up with like 4 tickets. I saw chicks with so many tickets they were wearing them. How'd they do that??




WHOA Overflash! Me and Bryan Little.



Me and Nik.



Me and Pavs.



As I made my way back to Buff's table, I noticed something different. He had changed coats! Most guys took their coats off because it was sweltering hot. Dustin had changed his. And if you think he brought a more fashionable one to change into...



WRONG! He swapped coats with this in the lower right hand side.



Me and Sopes.



Me and Chris Mason



A vision of loveliness! Me and Ron Hainsey.



Anthony was feeling good.



Me and my new best friend, Tim Stapleton. He's so cute, he's always worried he's going to be the shortest one in the picture (what he told Marisa). When you took a pic with him he hugged you like he was a long lost friend.



I got Boults!



And I got Slater...but no Thor. My Greek Gods line was incomplete! It was so good to see Slater! Due to the concussion symptoms, they wouldn't even let him have a table :(



Me and the pocket Swede, Toby Enstrom.


As usual, I made it into a few of the official photographs on the website.


This is an aerial shot from before the event started. I circled myself in the front trying to get a good spot for pics. Also circle is my awesome date Marisa who saved my seat at Buff's table.



I was happy about this picture because it's the only one in which you can see my favorite part of the dress, the bottom.



Funniest picture of the night...me leering at Johnny Oduya.


I feel like I should be in this video. "Hi, I'm Virginia Flowers and this is The Creep."


Funny moments of the night:

• An older lady got her picture with Ladd and then gave him a big kiss on the cheek. I said to him "you got some sugar on that one, didn't you?" He laughed and said yeah.
• Buff dancing. (No, he wasn't rapping)
  
• Burmi was trying to make his way on his crutches through the crowd. I said "you need someone to make a path through the crowd, don't ya?" He laughed and moved his crutches like he was going to start hitting folks with them.
• Slater told me to call Stapleton something but I can't remember to save my life.
  

The money shot of the evening though came with Buff. I had a question I wanted to ask him. I forgot at the table. I saw him later, but could never tear him away from the ladies. (BTW, he had a lovely young lady with him, tall blonde) I didn't think I was going to get my chance, but I noticed him by the exit and I was leaving any way. So I went up said "Buff, I have a question for you. Was it as awkward for you to be IN that interview with J.R. as it was for us to watch it?" Buff had enjoyed a few adult beverages and they acted as a truth serum and I didn't get the friendly PC answer you'd expect from athletes who are trained on how to answer questions. He looked at me, grimaced and nodded saying "yeah, it was." I told him "I was stunned. It was horrible. And then Weekesie! A forward?? He should know better!" Buff nodded his head and agreed. I thanked him for his time and told him I'd see him at the game. THAT was worth $150.

As usual it seemed to last 10 minutes. I can't wait for next year! (AND YES THERE WILL BE A NEXT YEAR)

*EDIT* Forgot to say, there were some of the Real Housewife Of Atlantas there. I wouldn't know, but someone pointed them out.

I Told You That Was A Big Ass Picture Of Hainsey!

My Casino Night date, Sonya, got a picture of some of the prizes you could win. Note the ginormous picture of Hainsey I mentioned in my previous posts. It's half the size of an ice girl!





She also got this amazing picture of Bogo. I got the same one, but unfortunately mine focused on some jack ass behind him and it was blurry.

More Casino Night Pics

They now have a 2nd album of Casino Night pictures on the web site now. You can see me and Sonya taking it all in. Marissa is front and center in the pic, too.





Here is me an Sonya at Nik's table. She looks so pretty and is smiling at the camera. I look like Leprechaun from the movie clutching my schillings. It IS blackjack, I'm probably trying to do math.

2010 Casino Night

I can't believe it's been an entire year since last Casino Night! My friend Shauna and I had such a good time, we vowed to make it a standing date. Unfortunately Shauna wasn't able to make it this year. I'm a decent looking girl and a good time though, I found me another date! I did promise Shauna that I wouldn't let Sonya get past first base though!


The Casino Night was once again held in the phenomenally beautiful night club, Opera. I guess I didn't hang out with Darren Eliot enough this year, because I didn't have any big pictures on the website, but you can see me and Sonya in this shot.





So we arrived at the event in the freazing cold and had to stand in a little hallway to wait and get in. More freezing ensued because it was by the door. Finally we were unleashed upon the gaming floor. We looked around, mapped out the tables and where the players would be. We also looked at some of the silent auction items. I didn't plan on bidding. I'm unemployed, it's ludicrous I'm there in the first place. One of the items being auctioned off was a GINORMOUS picture of a close up on Ron Hainsey's face. It was like the size of a piece of art you'd hang over the sofa. I was at the bar when Ron came up to get a beer. I said "Ron, that's a big-ass picture of you. " Sonya said "That's a whole lotta Hainsey." He seemed embarrassed and said it was the PR guy's idea and mumbled something else and left. It was pretty funny.


About 20 minutes after they let everyone in, they introduce the team in numerical order. (be sure and click on the picture to make it bigger to see the thoughts and conversations)





The other half of the team.





Well let me first start by saying, I was not a good photographer this year. By the time the guys hit the tables I was working on my 2nd vodka/cranberry in about 20 minutes. My pictures aren't NEARLY as good as last time, but I had a really good time!


First, Sonya and I (after we refreshed our drinks) walked around looking at the tables, seeing who was busy and taking pictures.
Nik Antropov dealing black jack.





Me and the sharpest dressed bird in town, Thrash. I said "you are my facebook friend" and he nodded. We are tight.





The guys are very helpful and generous when dealing. Todd peaks under the card to see if the player wants to hit or not.





My best picture last year was of Marty Reasoner, but this was as good as I got this year.





I thought this year was much more crowded. Here is a shot of one of the rooms. It's wall-to-wall chaos.





Slater's table was always rocking. You could people yelling and cheering.





Evander Kane dealing black jack.





After a few trips around the rooms, we decided to look for a table. That's easier said than done, most were packed. We did manage to find 2 spots at Antro's table. Each player has a pro helper for the gambling. Antro's helper was the BEST! When you sat down, she would ask you your name and introduce you to Nik. She and Nik would joke around. She would tell us to ask him questions. She also took over dealing and told Nik to go and get in the middle of us. She then took a picture with all of our cameras. Nik was a good dealer, he laughed at me a lot because while there I got like 7 "15's". He was also generous with the chips and helpful with the cards.
Occasionally the players' wives will come down and make an appearance, or as I call it, mark their territory. (God knows I would) Nik's wife came by and to say she is stunning would be the understatement of the year. She's just gorgeous.





Pavs might when the H-O-T award this year. Instead of looking like an ice cream man like most of the guys, he rocked the white suit.





After wandering around for a while, we played some more blackjack, this time with Toby Enstrom. He was very generous as well.





I don't know what the hell Darren Eliot is doing, but it's cracking me up.





Schubie was dancing and having a good time.





Word was, Kari is a hard ass at his table! He looks like he's not taking any shit from anyone.





Always a hit with the ladies, Ron Hainsey.





Slava seemed to be in good spirits. I saw him smile a few times.





Rich Peverley was much busier this year than last year. Last year he had been in town less than 24 hours before being tossed to the wolves of Casino Night.





Me and Evander Kane. I hate this picture so much I almost cut myself out of it lol.





We used my "hang around near the boys' bathroom" trick from last year and it was very successful. Before the picture was taken I told Thor "See when you hang out by the boys' bathroom, you get more dates!" I was drunk, he laughed.





You know this had to happen! Me and my beloved Moose. I had someone that offered me a seat at his table, but I never took it. Now that I know I like to play, I'm definitely playing at Moose's table some next year.





Max looking very debonair





Colby looking very funny.





Zach looking very lost.





Me and Pavs. He smelled incredible.





We were waiting to get our pictures with Zach and Colby. When it was my turned I handed my camera to Sonya and Colby made the comment "oh we have the big cameras now!" I laughed and moved my camera bag to the side. Zach and Colby saw it and kind of went nuts over it.
It's a hard case that kind of looks like a bunker. I love it because it's small holds the camera, ID, money and that's about it.





I told them it was my treasure chest, because I put all of my casino night coins in it and my camera goes in it. I knocked on it to show them how hard it was. They knocked on it too and laughed. Colby said "Can you imagine if she hit you in the head with her purse?"





Then it's time for the picture and I turn around, swing the case and almost clock Zach in the nuts with it. Ooops. Sorry pumpkin. I did say "I'm sorry." He said he was fine.





Another bathroom victim, me and Schubert.





Charles Manson...I mean Anssi Salmela was dancing by the bathroom. Easy pickings.





Now for the best moment of the night!! The tables are closed and everyone is heading to the front. Sonya says "There's Popovic, let's get a picture with him." Okay. So we go up to him. He's looking at me like he knows me. He asks me "What is your name? I see you at the games and practices all the time."
Stunned.
That totally made my night. Wow I'm easy. Just that little bit of recognition meant a lot. I mean I've only been going to practices regularly this season (since I lost my job) and he's been out a while. I mean it's not like I've made him 15 posters, have 2 of his jersey's and am a rabid fan of his...yet he recognized me and asked me my name. I'm totally getting a Popovic jersey for the next holiday and I will rock that jersey until it falls apart.


There was one poor man at the end of the night who was so drunk he was laying face first on the table. He was an older gentleman. He kept swaying back and forth and finally fell out of the chair and was laying on the floor. His wife was trying to get him up. It took her, a staff member and another guest to get him back into the chair. Know when to say when, my friend!

Can't believe it's over..AGAIN. This year my pictures sucked, but I had a better time. Who knew I enjoyed playing blackjack with the players?? Last year I just kind of chatted and gave all my money to Shauna because she knew what she was doing. Next year, I'm playing more and drinking less...okay, probably not :p
If you missed my pics of the last Casino Night, they are here:
http://gettingpucksdeep.blogspot.com/2009/01/thrashers-casino-night.html