If you are just considering starting up a relationship from a distance, then you should seriously consider long distance dating advice before you make this commitment.

Albany, NY and the surrounding Capital District have some of the best live music venues, and have been “in the game” for a long time. Check out these places for a great experience, whether you’re a music extremist, or just want to kick back with a drink and relax to some jamming.

Thirty minutes later I’m at the final table. Former players, camera crews and viewers surround the table as my heart races. After making a stupid call with a King, Ten, I’m nearly out of the game. On the next hand I’m dealt a Three, Five. One player goes all in and another guy calls. With just a few chips left, I have no choice but to go all in. We turn over the cards. The two players reveal they both have Ace, King. I nearly duck with shame when I show my measly Three, Five. Then the flop. Before I can even look at the cards, the crowd goes nuts and everyone stand-up to cheer! I just got a straight on the flop. I’m still in the game. I hold my own a little longer and end up placing fifth in the competition.

Many people start talking much more freely as consumption increases. If anyone talks for long enough, with enough liquid courage involved, the stories will stop fitting together. If you are that person, and you are called on self-contradiction, just break out your haughtiest look, and deliver this quote with a dismissive hand gesture. You may fall down, of course, but if you can remain standing, it will look impressive to those who are not designated drivers that evening.

Wicked Charleston Walking Tour (through October 22, 8 p.m.): This 90 minute tour takes a look at the dark side of Charleston: prostitutes, politicians, transvestite killers and gangsters. The tour begins at the Daughters of the Confederacy Building at 188 Meeting St. Tickets are $15. This is easily the best tour of Charleston because it’s not the basic Market, Battery, and Four Corners of the Law behind a smelly horse tour.

I constantly promote that if you are applying for a bartending job, wear an outfit that looks the same as the current bartenders of the bar. Should you be turning your application for a high-end bar, you should be sure to put on formal attire. For a t-shirt country, go casual yet appealing. You always want to look well-kept and groomed. Appearing a bit nicer than their regular bar staff sends a great message, “I am the perfect candidate for the position!” Remember that these rules are applicable even if you’re just dropping by for an application. You in no way can predict if the hiring manager will decide to screen you during your visit. Don’t get caught looking shabby!

By “opportunities” I of course am referring to potential dates for Friday night, and maybe even relationship material. It’s amazing how many people I know who focus on meeting Mr. or Mrs. Right, but they go through their day missing opportunity after opportunity to make a connection.

After an hour of dancing and no luck finding my friends at E!, I decide to meet up with my crew down the street to the bar Sidecar, which is a hosting a party for X-Dance, a festival for extreme sports films. And where there’s extreme sports, there’s extreme sports athletes. I convince the bouncer to let me sneak past the line and then follow a pro-boarder into the VIP, which disappointingly has a lack of hotties, whom had taken off for the Winter X-Games. But I’m not worried. I still have three more nights to go.