clar, even if he has something like KJ, i cant see dropping a boat of your own. i typically wont drop a boat unless the board is dbl paired. however, i play lower. i assume you have to be wary of such spots the higher you play, as you dont another opportunity to stack donkeys as often as i do. in other words, i can afford to drop a stack here because another idiot will make a critical mistake soon enough...allowing me to gamble a bit.

in hand 2, yes, i will still call $40 on the river w/ AA as long as the board isnt connected, flushed or dbl paired. i am trying to keep the pot small. i realize that i may well be behind here, but i also see too many donkeys trying to bump me off with ragged two pairs and underpairs like QQ. problem is, i dont know where i am with your line. i like to show some aggression somewhere early on to help me define his range. if he folds, so be it. i didnt like the way the board was developing anyway. and, yes, i take a note here...if i get surprised...otherwise, i consider it a fairly solid play, and i dont note solid players. if i open my notes and see nothing...i trust him because he's either solid or unknown. either way, i should trust him until proven otherwise.

What happens if he just calls the turn? Do i make a blocking bet on the river or do i just check/call?
if i plan to b/f, and he calls...i do whatever i think gets to showdown the cheapest. it depends on what i think villain will do. does he bet large? does he bet small? whatever gets it to SD cheapest. but, if i block, and he minraises....i seriously consider dumping.