On the Grind All Day

2012

2012-01-22T21:02:00.000-08:00

Damn,

Doesn't feel like it's been so long since I've updated. Things really haven't gotten much better but at least things are starting to settle down a bit. Things have taken a drastic turn for me and I feel like this is where I get and put my life back together. I'm condemplating keeping this blog up and running but don't really feel the need to since I don't play poker anymore (can't online) and my Family has gotten drastically smaller.

I'm thinking I'll do one last post and then maybe switch up the entire focus of the blog. We'll see where 2012 takes Lydia and I. To all the people that love me and read this blog (any???) I love you all and hope 2012 is as great a year for you as it will be for me.

Strange

2011-04-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

Weird Day...

I'm sure I ruffled a few feathers with the last post, but there's a reason I didn't delete it...I don't give a fuck. I know there's a lot of people looking from the outside in and thinking a lot of things I'm sure...once again, see above...

Today was just weird. Not really much else to say about it. Hope everyone has a really really good day tomorrow

Be ez everyone.

FML

2011-04-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

For real...

I'm fucking over this...I've made a life decision that obviously everyone thinks is wrong...well I made it with my daughter and mainly myself when I made it. I can't do it. It is not a healthy situation for me to be in.

What I don't understand is the lack of support. For fucks sake. I'm talking to a select few...if you don't have encouraging words (not just be a man and buck up) SHUT THE FUCK UP! if you don't want to be in my life, be fucking gone!

My daughter is my main focal point...This is all for her, I'm not going to be an unhappy parent for the rest of my life. some things just don't/will never change. This is my life, I'm taking control of it.

Sorry this had to be a blog post, but I'm fucking sick of people not listening. If you would like to be in my life then be positive. No negative energy! All you haterz be FUCKING GONE!!!

I'm out

wtf

2011-03-27T21:45:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the last one...For some reason won't let me edit or have paragraphs? maybe it was meant to be...lol, sorry for the random thought read if anyone reads it...

Update

2011-03-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

Well...this blog really isn't about poker anymore as it's not possible to play in Washington State (fucking GHEY!!!) so whatever...thought I'd update maybe one last time, although it's always good to rant somewhere... Things are pretty chill I guess, the kid is ldo the main focus of everything and she's definitely starting to become a little spoiled (my kid? no way!) One thing parenting is teaching me is patience, I'm a whole lot better than I was three + years ago...definitely room for improvement but still much better and more relaxed :) Trying to start and get things more in order in my life. Just have a more set schedule. Wake up at certain time everyday type shit...things I don't usually do because I have a casino employee work schedule (lack of a schedule...) basically just becoming a little more like a grown up. I'm fighting it, but it looks inevitable, lol. Still PT at work and it sucks. Hopefully FT comes way quick, but I never know. thinking about maybe moving to nights and getting a random day job... I've really been into music lately. I always have been into it, but I'd rather just surf the net and read and listen to music then watch tv...just seems like there's nothing really worth watching and I can catch up on sports in an hour on SC...Damn I'm sounding like a grown up again. Not much otherwise really. I don't even know if anyone looks @ this anymore...Might be my last post, if it is...Be easy everyone.

Fall

2010-10-26T09:46:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

I'm a little pissed atm. I was just starting to get back into playing poker online and grinding. Then I get this damn email from start saying sorry WA state is fucking gay and you can no longer play online poker in WA...WTF, that is just rediculous, how can someone decide for me what I should or shouldn't be doing. I was under the impression that this is a "free" country, but as I've grown older I've realized the goverment is just a bunch of idiots trying to play bully and tell us what to do...ok, rant over.

The kid is doing amazing, in preschool going strong. She comes home everyday with some new knowledge and both the wife and I are like "wait a minute, where did you learn that", the kid is a sponge!

Looking forward to all the holidays spending time with family. It's always nice to see things as a grown-up (poor attempt, lol) and see all smiles and joy on the kids faces, makes you almost forget your old...meh fair trade imho.

Well kind of sad since by the look of it the "poker" portion of this blog died...I haven't tried FTP so I've yet to see if it is still possible over there...

Have a great Halloween everyone.

Summer

2010-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well Summer was kind of on the shitty side to be honest...but meh i guess.

The main high point of the summer was the kids birthday party. I did a ton of work in the yard and really liked the way it turned out. I love spending time out there now enjoying...lol, growing up is funny.

I changed jobs, and for at the moment at least it was a huge mistake...Don't get me wrong, I hated Fastenal with a passion. It's a really really fucking lame company, but anyways....

The casino is going well and I love it, but it has been a difficult switch to this point...since I'm PT atm I'm really at their mercy, so the next two weeks I only work 2 days...way no good for attempting to feed a family. Fuck. Hopefully shit works out like it sometimes seems to happen...I'll hold my breath.

Life seems like a struggle right now. Seems like I've made a few bad decisions (changing jobs, not going to a different Casino, my project) but the kid seems to be good and enjoying life, so for now at least maybe I'm doing something right (all though that's honestly all my wife's doing...) so I guess it's a break even atm.

I've been playing a little poker when I get home in the morning.. My BR is up to a whole $25 on stars now. I'll be at 10nl in no time...lol

I'm out. Later

Changes

2010-07-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

Been a while, thought I'd do a little update.

Biggest change to date is that I've changed jobs, well almost...I start back at the Casino next Friday and I'm extremely excited about it. I'm looking to a lot of less stress, and more $, total win win.

The last job just really wasn't for me. I never truly liked it. They did give me a solid job during a tough period for a lot of people (myself included) so for that I can't complain, but the company itself has some issues. I don't want this to be a company bashing post so all I'll say is good people (at least my GM/and a few others in the District) working for a company that has the wool pulled over every ones eyes...well at least a good portion, I'm happy to be gone, but I'm sure I will miss the stability of it at times, but that's about it.

I'm trying to make a few other life changes that are slowly coming along, and then sometime not at all...For the last 3 weeks or so I've been extremely lazy. I think it had a little to do with having short timers syndrome at work and not wanting to do anything. I realized it a day ago and finally snapped out of it, so that is always good.

My back and neck are killing me, and I've lost $3 playing 2nl so I think I need to be done...

Later

It's Official

2010-04-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yup, I w/d everything I had on FTP on Saturday. I still have a $75 tournament ticket on there so unless I can randomly luck box a huge win/decent cash to get me back up that will be the end of me playing online for a while...

I still have $33 on Stars that I will be starting to grind the extreme micros to build a roll up, but honestly that does not sound fun at all so I'm sure I won't be doing that really either...

I don't know I just kind of lost it. I always thought I'd play poker, I love it and still do, but it became way too much of a grind towards the end. I knew I had to play and should play to get the monthly w/d, but at the end I just didn't feel like playing at all, and as I said needing my BR definitely helped make a decision that I might not have been able to do otherwise, who knows.

I'm sure I'll miss it in 6 months or so, but if things work out the way they should/could I'm sure I won't really care much. I'm also really looking forward to being out in the sun and playing golf a lot this summer. That will just be an added bonus.

I'll be doing random updates when I go play live or something (planning on doing this at least 1-4 times a month, whenever I'm can have a free weekend night...)

Have a good one everyone. Later

I Think It's Goodbye

2010-04-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

I think it's finally come to that time...I'm saying goodbye to poker. I need my poker BR to get started in something I'm very excited about to say the least.

I have really not been in the mood to play poker and haven't put in any volume. I figured it was time to just hang it up for a while. It also didn't make a difference though because I was going to have to take my BR out regardless leaving me done anyways. I haven't asked anyone for a stake, and honestly probably won't...idk, I will really have to see how things are as far as spare time goes, that will be the deciding factor on if I ask for a stake...

I'll still be updating the blog I'm sure, just not as frequently or about poker...meh, maybe I won't. idk.

Later

Leaving

2010-03-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

What's up everyone.

I'm really not in the greatest of moods atm so bear with me if I'm short and to the point on this post...

I'm leaving in about an hour to head down to Tacoma for a work training thing. I will be honest that I'm really not a big fan of these trainings because it turns into a bunch of speaking in front of groups, in an indirect way, which I'm not a fan of to say the least, but they are always a good learning experience after all is said and done. Every one I've been to it's been the same thing actually. I get all nervous about the whole situation and then all of a sudden it's over and I'm thinking how much I got out of it..

So that's what I'll be doing all week. Worst part about it is I have to share a hotel room with someone I've never met before...wtf???

Poker really has been non existent lately. I think I've only played 4 days out of the whole month...too busy and my back has really been hurting me lately. It hurts to sit for more than 25 minutes, which really isn't helping...and my laptop is all jacked up so I can't take that and play on this week. So needless to say it's going to be a long boring week....

My mental really isn't all there atm. I really don't know what else to say I guess. I think I'm still in the speechless stage...

Well, have a good weekend everyone. Later

Almost settled

2010-03-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

What's up everyone?

Things are starting to get back to normal around the new place. If you walked in and saw the place you'd swear we were completely moved in, everything is put away, place is clean (for the most part) and it looks like a home...Then you'd go into the garage and realize we still have a ton of work left...lol, standard I guess.

Only played once since we've had Internet connection (just got it on Thursday night), I will say that my new poker office is ridiculously sick. My wife let me have the 3rd bedroom to do with whatever I please, so I put my desk and computer in the room. My leather recliner, a TV (need to buy asap) w/ my xbox 360, and PS3. OK Seriously, do I need to ever leave this room other than when going to the bathroom??? I seriously doubt it.

I played golf this morning with my brother in law, and it was such a good time. . I got a membership for my birthday to my favorite course in the area where all my old golf buddies were. It's been at least a year since I've last gotten to play. Within 30 minutes of being there I had already ran into two of my old foursome.

I really didn't play that well. I missed it all day long except for a few good swings, but I when I missed I still hit the green or had a very easy chip. I shot 40 (for 9 ldo) and had 3 3- putts, so needless to say there is a ton of room for improvement. I'm definitely looking forward to getting out, being active doing something I love, and of course to keep my interest up, there's always the club championship and weekend foursome games to keep my mind focused...So hopefully it all works and I get time to hit some/chip during the week.

I started a stretching program since I'm going to being so much more golf related activity in the coming months. I really am sore already from this morning. I really don't want to have to sit out for a month or two because of my back, so I'm planning on working hard, starting my diet (after slacking off from Vegas and moving), and walking when I play and hopefully I'll at least be in golfish shape by July...

So now we've settled in a bit and things are starting to look forward to get back to grinding. I have so many things that I need/want to buy for the house that I think some extra $ from poker would be perfect right about now...

Have a good week everyone. Later

Moving

2010-02-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

What's up all,

As the title suggests we are moving this weekend. So if anyone wants to help a guy out let me know!!! (lol, ya right I know, still gotta ask though...)

Well I have to get back to it, just figurd I'd throw this out there...

Later all

Back and tired

2010-02-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

What's up all,

Just got back from Vegas, it was an interesting trip and if I wasn't so tired I'd do a trip report...maybe next post.

Just a few random Vegas facts, came home a loser (1st time in over 4 years), didn't really play poker at all (the reason for number 1), finally met the man, myth & legend SplitSuit (very cool, sorry about the Chowder!) and experienced a Vegas I never really have before...

Well it's nap time, I'll fill in the blanks later...Hope everyone is doing well. Later

Countdown

2010-02-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

What Up all.

Well thankfully my birthday has come and gone and I don't have to deal with that anymore...IMO after your 21st birthday then they don't really matter much...We didn't really do anything for it, which was my wishes so that's cool. I got two of the sickest presents ever! My wife is taking me to Vegas, and I got a golf membership from my parents. So needless to say I'm way pumped!

Poker has been dec. I slacked off in the 1st three weeks of January so I won't clear my entire bonus. which sucks but, meh what do you do...

I've been playing decent, just seems that I am losing the big pots I get involved in. Good thing is I've been ahead in the majority of them with the others being I missed my massive draw...So I guess without the coolers and suck outs I'd be having a pretty decent month.

We leave for Vegas on Friday. It's going to be a blast, SS and I are getting together for dinner or something. We're staying at Planet Hollywood and I've never stayed there before so I'm looking forward to that...I desperately need a vacation and since Vegas is paradise it just adds up to a great weekend. It's been way too long since I've been there (almost 2 years) so I can't wait...I'm in vacation mode already.

Have a great week everyone. Later

Ocean Shores

2010-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

So it's the official go to Ocean Shores with the wife's' family weekend. I'm really looking to getting away from it all and just relaxing. Should be a good time. Other than the fact there's no Internet so I can play cards, I'm really excited about relaxing, it's always good to take a break.

So I've started to dabble in the whole "RUSH" poker on FTP. I will honestly say that it makes me honestly a worst poker player...the bad part about that (other than the obvious...) is that the games are actually good and I'm making money at it...Lately I've been playing 9 tables of 50nl and 2 tables of RUSH 25nl...IDK what to think but I like winning so I'll probably stick it out until something changes.

I'm also starting to learn PLO. I figured it was time to learn something else, as I've experienced Hold'em burnout a little bit. So I purchased my first book and plan on reading it over the weekend. Should be a fun/rewarding challenge.

Well have a good weekend everyone. Later

End of Month

2010-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

So Today was end of month at work. End of month is always different...sometimes you're not happy and feel like you didn't do your job. sometimes you hit your goal and feel satisfied but not overly happy, and then there's days like to day, when you (personally) have the best month ever at this location (beating my old record, lol)... and everyone is happy and we have a BBQ at work...seriously I hope there's way more days like this in my future...

Kid is doing better, we found out she has Krupe (spelling???) and that unfortunately for her, she inherited her dads' asthmatic symptoms (way no bueno), so it makes it even harder on her. We got some breathing machine that helps her and gives her medicine for her lungs to start healing, so she's on the mend, and has definitely getting better, (thank God!).

Poker has been really weird...The month ended out crazy hot, then a complete 180, then ran way hot for about 5 days, not I've dropped 4 BI the last two days...wtf?!

Worst thing about it my red line...it's just a steady declining line (down 4 BI), and I'm usually a somewhat break even red line, it might dip down one month or be up one month, etc, but it hasn't looked like this in a long long time, I have a feeling it might be because the games have been too good as of the last week, and I've been trying to be too aggressive when I could just relax a bit and still get paid off and steal a few, etc etc...hopefully it'll be nothing a lesson can't fix...

I'm still up on the month, but it's not an impressive w/r at all...I just need the next two days to be good ones (massive sessions on sat and sun...), and the month will be a good success rather than, a moderate win...

Well that's it I guess, have a great weekend everyone...later

Weekend/ WBCOOP

2010-01-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

What's up all. Hope everyone is doing good out there. I often wonder if anyone actually reads this...

Nothing major going on. Things are going well at work and I'm crushing my goals this month, so I'll look good and actually make a little more than normal so it's a win-win all the way around...

Poker has been pretty good. I've definitely been playing much better. I really have no idea why but I haven't put in any amount of volume at all. I've only played 9k hands mtd, the weird thing is I've played 85% of the days...random I guess I'm just only playing 45 minutes to an hour long session, rather than the normal 2 hours min, so that probably explains it. So now that I've dug myself into a hole I have to put in some serious volume so I clear my bonus.

I've also signed up to play in the "World Blogger Championship of Online Poker". It's a free series of poker tournaments, that is free to all bloggers!, so sign up today and I'll see you there. (follow the link on the right and it will take you to where you need to go)

Well have a good weekend everyone. later

Seriously???

2010-01-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

What's up everyone.

So I finally got my mouse. It has been almost a year long process that ended up with me getting one from China (wtf?!), the mouse I've used for the last 6 years is really the only mouse I've had, and I guess my hand has just molded to it, I've went threw at least 6 mouses and none seem to allow me to play for more than 30 minutes because I start to cramp up.

I have not been in the mood to play lately because the mouse I was using really hurt my hand and I couldn't concentrate at all because the buttons didn't work properly....I got the mouse on Thursday and it's like a new world has opened up. lol. I actually can sit for more than an hour and play and not get tilted and have a throbbing hand...

I've been grinding again and it's really fun again. I honestly had no idea how pissed my mouse was making me. I was concentrating on the pain and cramps of my hand rather than the screen and all my tables. I'm actually concentrating on the action and my results are soooo much better (sample size I know...) that it's refreshing. So needless to say I'm pumped that's taken care of.

My daughter is not a happy camper right now...poor kid has an ear infection and strep throat. I don't think I've seen her cry as much as she has the last two days in her whole life...it's really a sad hopeless feeling, definitely not fun at all. She's on antibiotics so they should start kicking in really soon and hopefully ease her pain and heal her infections...I'm hoping she's back to her normal silly fun self by the days end...we'll see.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Later

2010

2010-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, I just realized how lazy I was this year...I didn't put any of the study time and thinking about the game that I should have...I didn't accomplish any and honestly probably digressed a little in my game...Good news is I realize it and need to get off my ass and handle this! A lot of these will be life goals which go hand in hand with all the poker ones.

2010 Goals:

1.) Healthy Living...not start a diet, etc, actually change my eating habits and start to get active to help me keep up with my kid!
2.) Have Fun Playing, I am guilty of not actually having fun since October '09. That needs to change, and if it doesn't I need to take a look at poker.
3.) Detach myself from money while at the poker table. This creeps into my game and I get nervous and it makes me not play the way I should...this is my biggest leak to fix!
4.) Move over to Stars: I'm looking forward to a change of scenery. The only thing I'm really going to miss is my level. I have been playing there for so long that I will miss all of the little free bees that I received from it.
5.) Study time. Session review being the biggest thing. Take sum HH lessons from SS, more time thinking about the game as a whole.

That sums it up really. As I look at it now I didn't realize how complacent I got, and as the game changes and gets tougher my results suffered. That is what I have to blame for drop in WR this year. It's no ones fault but my own. Well I'm fired up now that I realize that all the losing has been my fault and not just coolers, being unlucky, and thinking I can't play anymore.

Well Hello 2010!!! I'm feeling fresh, and rejuvenated and as I get healthier and more active that will only grow...

Good luck in 2010 everyone.

Happy Almost New Years

2009-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone.

Just lounging and thought I'd do a little update. Christmas was unreal, the kid got so much stuff we still haven't opened 'em all up yet...it's honestly a little ridiculous, but she had a ton of fun and loved opening all the presents, so tyvm to all that had anything to do with that (yoo too Santa).

Poker has been non-existent. I've only played 2 days in the last 2 weeks. I really just haven't been into it and I want to be completely refreshed for January. I haven't started my goals for 2010 yet, I'm planning on doing them on Jan. 1st. Even though it's technically the new year then, I count Jan. 2nd as the first real day of the new year, so the next post will have a goal theme.

I'm honestly not really looking to doing that post just for the simple fact that I don't think I accomplished one of my goals this year. I don't remember exactly what they were (1st problem), and I just really wasn't into playing cards this year. Some of it was due to the game changing, not focusing enough and putting in enough effort which in turn made me not play well, which is a vicious cycle and it all leads to me needing to getting real about poker and what I want out of it.

Well have a safe night everyone. I hope all your dreams come true in 2010.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone.

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. Yesterday was a hectic one (I had to work in the am which really pissed me off), but the kid had fun and loved opening presents so it was a wash.

So funniest story ever, in the middle of being frantic and late and getting all the presents in the car, I left my cell phone on top of our car and we proceeded to drive off...so if you happen to see a Blackberry that's in about 3 pieces pick it up and lemme know...lol super standard, o well though really who needs a phone newayz.

Haven't played poker at all, and it's been a nice break. I really just haven't been into playing atm and I've been listening to myself and not forcing myself to play (which never turns out well when I do) a lot of it also has to do with the fact that I broke my mouse and haven't found a replacement that is acceptable, so I did some digging and found the exact mouse I had (honestly at least 5 years old) and ordered it. It's truly the only mouse that really fits my hand and allows me to play for more than an hour at a time, which is really important since I'll be trying to clear my bonus, then jump over to stars...

Well have a wonderful day with friends and family everyone. Merry Christmas.

Waiting

2009-12-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

So I'm waiting for my car to warm up and figured I'd do a post.

It's crazy snowy outside and my defrost doesn't work tell I hit 40 mph...this should make for an interesting drive to work...

Poker has been a damn roller coaster again. I know what is going on and what my problem is, but I still can't seem to shake it. Changing old habits are obviously hard, but with the game changing I have to stay ahead of the curve, which means more study, and less worrying about results.

I'm planning on playing for another week solid then I'm going to take the rest of the year off. I think it will help rejuvenate me not to mention give me a break since I'm going to put in major hours in January. I'm not going to think about poker during that time and I think that will be very beneficial. I read my goals for 2009 and I was depressed to say the least. I didn't hit one of them, but I was a winner for the year so meh I guess, but not hitting my goals is not acceptable to me...I just need to work harder in 2010.

Well I better start heading to work. Man I got a case of the Mondays...Later

Ready for the Weekend

2009-12-04T18:52:00.000-08:00

Sup everyone.

This was a hectic week, but it went unbelievably fast, I can't believe it's Friday already, but I'm not arguing...It was a nice change to be by myself at work and be "the boss" I felt I handled it well and feel I will be that much more ready when that steps comes along...

Poker is coo, had a convo w/ SS over aim and he opened my eyes to a few things. I really have been going about my playing style/strategy the wrong way, so if I can clear that up things should be cool. I have definitely been feeling like the game is getting way harder lately. It is December and the games tend to get very good in about a week all the way threw early January, so hopefully that will make things a bit easier...

The game sure is evolving rapidly though, just makes table selecting really really important, it's always been an important part to poker, but lately as the games get tougher and tougher it's that much more important. Other than that it's just sos, I just really need to make sure I'm hyper focusing and things generally always work themselves out...

Enjoy the weekend everyone, I'm going to get some PS3 time in, because it's still basically brand new since I only played for all of an hour last week, when the kid was taking a nap...Later

Over Already???

2009-11-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

So this weekend went way too quickly for a 4 day one...

Shopping was fun, I got a bunch done and am at least over 50% done which is a really nice feeling. I went down to Seattle and it was nuts, toys-r-us wasn't that bad, but Best Buy was just down right silly...but I bought myself a little something (haven't done that in a really long time so I decided it was ok to do), then went to the outlet mall and got some stuff. Over all it was a pretty fun day even though I had to wake up at 3am...

Haven't really played poker this weekend much at all. I have some money on Stars now and I've been playing there. Only 10nl as I only have $100 on there and am just trying to get used to the software and everything. I didn't realize how much slower it is than FTP, it's a huge difference. I'm still playing at FTP as my main place atm, but I just wanted to get my feet wet and get everything set up for when I do make the switch in February. The software is definitely something to get used to but it will just take some time....

I've spent the last 2 days trying to get my PS3 hooked up (my present to my self) and I finally just got it hooked up so I'm going to get some time in while my daughter takes a nap.

Have a good week everyone. Later

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T09:35:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I hope everyone enjoys there day and time with their friends and family. My family is doing the usual...watch football all day and then do dinner with the wife's family. My wife is frantically baking atm, so the kid and I are about to watch some football, which is pretty much the best Thanksgiving tradition ever.

Poker has been a roller coaster. I made a huge w/d and depleted my BR to lower than it's ever really been. I then proceeded to play like shit, lose, tilt and then lose some more, so I'm in bit of a rebuilding stage. I think things are turning around as I played yesterday and it really felt good again, small sample size I know but it was good to feel confident again.

I had a chat with SplitSuit online and he really opened my eyes to a few things I was doing (or better yet not doing), he always sets me straight. I am definitely thankful for him as a coach, and I am thankful that he is a friend also, w/o him I honestly wouldn't have gotten threw a few months of bills (threw coaching, and in turn poker profits, not loaning us $ or anything), which in turn made me not stress more than I do on a regular basis. So thank you SplitSuit, much appreciated as always.

My wife, she does/has put up with more than I can even imagine. She is an amazing woman who without I'd be lost. She tells me to not be a dumb ass when I need to hear it, gives me my pep talks when I need them, and does such an amazing job with raising our daughter, it's unreal. She basically works 2 FT jobs with doing hair and our kid, I know I'm not good at telling her how much I appreciate her, (I'm definitely not good at that, sorry), but boo, I luv u and I'd be lost without you.

My kid, I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am for them. My daughter lifts me up, when ever I see her face after a bad day at work/whatever, just to see her yell DADDY!!! when I walk in the door is enough to make my heart melt. She's taught me so much about not being selfish it's not even funny, I look forward to every moment I spend with her.

Have a fabulous day/weekend everyone, I'll be one of the crazy people out at like 3am tomorrow, so watch out if you get in my way on a sale item...Later

Ready for the weekend

2009-11-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.

Been a pretty hectic week at work, and I'm only about to get busier. I landed a pretty big order and I'm going to have to jump threw a bunch of hoops to make sure it goes off smoothly. At least there is a long weekend so there's a light at the end of the tunnel, plus it's way better to be busy at work than the alternative...

Poker has been pretty dec. I've been playing much better as of late, and with the exception of last night, where I lost every big pot I played, my results have shown it...That's nice also because in this silly game we play that's definitely not always the case...

I'm going to start playing learning a new game, 7 game was fun and all, but it really hasn't clicked with me yet. Not to mention the fact that I'm moving over to stars and I'll just have to learn something new. PLO is probably what I'll be taking up, I'll probably leave a few hundo on FTP and just play my PLO there so I can get a bit of a double wammy with bonuses and points and whatnot...

I just started to read up on the whole Dec. 1st thing, and I'm a little scared to be honest. Hopefully it will be like it usually is and everyone was scared for nothing and we just find ways around it like always...only time will tell on that one...I truly don't understand how anyone can tell me what is acceptable to do and not do with my money...gotta love the "land of the free", that could be premature and I hope it is, but it's so ridiculous to me that I potentially couldn't play on the Internet if I feel like it, and that's not acceptable to me...

Have a good weekend everyone. Later

meh

2009-11-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

what's up everyone.

So today I had one of those days that you are depressed and just not happy with the way things are going...I don't know what to do/say about my job, it's fun and all, but I will never make good money at it (maybe, and that's a big maybe) in 10-15 years and I'm sure that will require 60+ hours a week...so needless to say I was just irritated all day.

Then I started thinking about something I haven't done for 10 years, which is kind of funny that it even came into my mind, (I'm sure it was the music I was listening to...) and I had it all planned out...Kinda scary that it would come into my head, but not that big a deal really cuz I'd never do anything to risk my wife and kid, so meh just a day dream I guess...

One thing I'm so sick of is the "rich get richer, while the poor get poorer" way that the world is. It pisses me off so much the way things are. I'm sick of money, the necessity of it for my happiness, and the over all idea of it...I have an amazingly beautiful wife and daughter, and I know I have it so good compared to a TON of people, and that should be how my thinking is on a daily basis, but unfortunately it's not, it's always about paying this, or wanting/affording that. I guess this is just the way that the "provider" lifestyle is???, and I should just try and get used to it...

Poker has been dec, I started playing shorter sessions and it's really helped my focus. I noticed that if I play a session much longer than 1 hour my play deteriorates rapidly the more and more I get passed that 1 hour time frame. That's helping a lot to say the least...

I'm really looking forward to the move to Stars. I really need a change of scenery and like a previous post said, I'm so sick of all the SSers I could punch myself, fuck rake back, I'll take game selection, and more players! Throw in the fact that after six months to a year it will be just a good a deal, and it's really a no brainer. I'm going to be putting my first deposit on in about a week and start to make the transition. I'm in the process of finding all the mods and getting them set up, so it should be fun to get everything set up and in order...

Well I feel better, I vented. Have a good rest of the week everyone. Later

Sick of SSers

2009-11-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

What's up everyone.

Had a lesson yesterday w/ SplitSuit yesterday, and it went well. He always reminds me of things that I forget or things that I need to hear. That guy knows so much about poker and can read hands so well it's kinda stupid...he also talked me into something that I've been thinking about for a while now...

I'm so sick of all the SSers on FTP that it's driving me crazy. I'm so sick of getting on a table only to leave 15 minutes later cuz all of a sudden there's 5 SSers....so ridiculous. The deep tables are ok, but lately it just seems to be a reg fest. So I've decided to move over to Stars.

I can live without rake back, plus once I build up some play it will equal out/ be better for me in the long run anyway. So I'm going to play threw January 2010 on FTP then move my BR over to stars and start playing there in February. I think I'm going to move a little bit over there right now so I get things set up and have everything ready to go when February comes around. That will give me enough time to set up mods, and get my HUD set up and everything else figured out. I'm just so sick of dealing with all the damn SSers that I'm done with it, not to mention Stars has twice the amount of people and it's kind of a no brainer...I'm looking forward to a change of scenery.

This weekend actually sucked. I woke up Saturday with a bad soar throat and it hasn't gone away...I feel a little worn down so I've just been lounging and resting all weekend really, so hopefully I wake up tomorrow rested and not feeling ill, cuz working is never fun when you're not feeling 100%...

Well nothing else really going on. Have a great week. Later

November Already???

2009-11-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

What's up everyone.

I seriously can't believe it's November already, that just seems redic to me. What in the hell happened to summer? O well I guess, just sucks we won't see the sunshine tell March or April...lol

Poker has been better, I've really started to session review, and it's definitely helped. I've noticed I've been pretty spewy. I also noticed that I've just become complacent and really not "worked" on my game. I just got used to playing making a w/d, then repeating the whole process...so I've been reading and studying and visiting 2p2 more than I have in a really long time, so needless to say I hope to see things turn around soon. I have a check up lesson w/ SS on Saturday so that will help also...

So I've been so addicted lately. My friend came over and figured out my ipod and we got all my old music off it and onto my new computer. In the process he showed me a few things and I've gotten so much music in the last few days it's stupid. I honestly have to much, I'll be driving and can't figure out what I want to listen to cuz I have way too much...not a bad problem to have I guess...

Well have a good Friday everyone.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T12:08:00.001-07:00

What's up everyone. It's been a few so I'd thought I'd do a little update especially since my last post wasn't of the happiest nature.

Life is meh, I guess, just as everything ups and downs. Nothing too severe, just did a lot of reflecting after my uncle passed and have thought a lot about life and what I want etc...Nothing really new I guess.

Poker wise, yesterday was the first time I played in a week, the time off definitely felt good. When ever I take a break because I'm getting pissed at results and just thinking about the money factor, I realize how bad I've been playing. I didn't think poker at all for a week and just kicked it with the wife and kid (which I'm sure they liked) when it was my "poker time".

The only real thing I did was get back to reading a poker psychology "My Worst Poker Enemy", which helped a lot. I read threw the book about 2/3 of the way and then decided to re-read NLTAP. So I got back to reading the psychology book since I was obviously a basket case...Time off always makes me look at the big picture and makes me realize how bad I was playing, and how results oriented I was being.

I realistically need to take at least 2 days off for every 14 days straight I play. I think that's the thresh hold of my grinding capacity. I looked over my sessions and I could identify exactly where my play took a 180...so I think more consistent breaks will help this problem from occurring regularly...

I also started to session review after I play each session, and that's been very helpful so far. It's what made me realize in the first place I was playing horribly. I looked over sessions on back to back nights and was like "o holy shit, I'm playing horrible and need to take a break and relax" it's amazing what happens when you step back and look, rather than just have the thoughts as you're grinding in your head. I usually take a 15 minute break after I'm done playing, grab some water and then session review, and I think it's going to be a extremely valuable in getting out of my 50nl rut...

So, I'm probably going to get struck by lightning for this...The lady that stole from us got caught! lol, stupid bitch. She stole a credit card and racked up the charges and got caught, man I hope she goes to jail, I'm sure she'll get out by claiming she's crazy (probably not far off), but o well, at least everyone realizes now she's a psycho bitch...

Looking forward to tonight, my mom is having her annual Halloween Bash, so the kid should have fun, this is her first year that she'll actually have somewhat of a clue what Halloween is, so that should make it even funner.

Have a Fun and Safe night everyone.

In a Funk

2009-10-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

What's up everyone.

Been a shitty couple of weeks...my uncle passed away (he's in a better place so that helps, but it's never easy to lose anyone...), my Grandpa just had surgery to remove cancer from his face, the wife has a few family members that are sick, just not a very good start to October...

The ceremony for my Uncle is this Saturday, so the whole weekend will be about family and that will be nice. I've noticed as you get older you get busy and generally don't see each other except for holidays or when something bad happens, which is definitely not how it should be. It makes me kind of sad actually, but I guess that's just what happens...

I'm assuming that poker has seen a direct hit because of this...I'm definitely way more irritated with all the running into tops of peoples ranges. Honestly that more than anything is tilting me lately...The suck outs are something you deal with just cuz you know it's going to happen, but when they have a certain range, and you're always running into the top of it in big pots is really getting to me. It's definitely tilts me more than anything. Of course I have a huge amount of pressure on me atm to play well as we desperately need a w/d (lol of course, so much for moving up) and it's tilting me/making me irritable when I don't win.

I think it'll be good to take a few days off. I'm getting to the point where I'm getting mad about losing and that's when I need a break. Usually I let beats and losing roll off me like everything else, but when I start getting actually mad and that "wtf r u kidding me, fuck poker" attitude I know it's time to take some time off..

I guess I'm just pretty irritated in general atm. I had a big life reflection while I was driving home from work today, and it wasn't a good one. I was just thinking about life and work and what "this" all really means, and I honestly didn't have an answer of what's the point...

...but then I came home and saw the wife and kid, and I was temporally relieved. I still don't know though. I'm just getting sick of things, life is too short to not be happy with your job or money or whatever it is. I feel like I need to change something to become happy, problem is I have no idea what it is. It's very possible this is just the temporary downswing talking and adding more fucking $$$ stress, but idk...I seem to have a lot of these types of moments lately.

I know that it's all due to one issue, and it drives me crazy, furious, and sad all at once, and realistically I probably will never be fully happy with my life until it gets resolved...but (here's where it gets really good) it honestly probably never will, and everyone is going to die pissed off and bitter...fucking awesome. Well for now and until that day comes that it gets fixed (which it won't) fuck everything...

Later everyone.

My Amazing Wife

2009-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

What up everyone...This is probably tl;dr but o well...

So as the title entails this post is about my wife, I was worthless for 2 weeks (back injury left me on the couch unable to move) and my wife had everything on lock. She cooked, cleaned, took care of our kid, and still had time to go to work and get her hair cutting on...Thanks boo, I know I'm not good at it, and don't say it enough, but thank you very much, you are very appreciated and all your hard work kept the house in working order...

She also was the boss of the house and every time I tried to get up and do something for myself, or help her out (cuz I felt way worthless and like a mooch) she basically said WTF are you doing?! you sit down and do nothing (which without a doubt made me relax and get better much quicker than I would've otherwise), I'll handle it, I will say it was nice for a while being waited on but it got old, not being able to do anything for myself.

The back is meh atm...it's still hurts (mainly from sitting down) and I'm still having to take a pain pill at night after a day of work and sitting in the work truck and @ the computer...I was all excited to go and see this "spine specialist" my Dr. referred me to, and I learn all it is, is some pain clinic that helps you cope/deal with the pain...wtf, how is this going to help anything??? how is just masking the pain going to help me get over this disorder or whatever they diagnosed me with? that one kinda irritated me today, guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Poker is at a somewhat turning point for me...I've decided (I'm pretty sure I've done this before but o well) to refocus my efforts. I read a few articles that really made me sit back and reflect on what I am getting out of poker and what I want from poker...

I've gotten into this pattern/rut of just wanting to get my $500 w/d every 2-3 weeks and have that be fine, but after reading these articles I realize I'm not really getting any better, I'm not pushing myself to play against better players/ or take a shot in a bigger game. I'm just searching for the easy tables, or the biggest fish, rather than really trying to accelerate my game and get to 100nl-200nl by December when the games get way better.

So I'm going to try and not make a w/d (I would really say I'm NOT period, but bills are bills and w/ a kid sometimes you just need extra cash...) I'm going to really start and hyper-focus (good looking out SS) on my decisions, and most of all I really need to start assigning ranges to villains and play accordingly (my biggest leak). I figure w/ a month and a half of good solid playing and really focusing and studying my hands after each sessions/ talking with others about them, that I will be more than ready to make the jump to 100nl w/ shots at 200nl in December.

This is my long term goal (not a really long time frame but long enough I guess) that I'm really going to focus on. Every non-family oriented moment I have is going to be dedicated to poker and studying. I'm also going to read for 15-20 minuets each night before I go to bed (this may be lol funny, cause it's so short, but it has taken me 2 years to read 1/2 way threw 3 books...think about that lol).

So I've got my goal in sight and now I'm going to do the work to achieve it!

Have a good weekend everyone, and I better see you at the party on Saturday!

Damn, This Sucks

2009-10-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.

So this has been the sickest few days ever...I'm so fucking sick of poker atm it's not even funny...I've lost 12 BI in the last 2 days, I've had 6 coolers and then a little tilt into the mix and I'm back to feeling like I don't even know how to play this fucking game anymore... FUCK THIS IS PISSING ME OFF!!!

Seriously, I've run in so many top of there range it's ridiculous, I don't think I can take one more suck out or me flopping huge and them having the only hand that beats me...fuck I'm so mad right now. I hate these parts of the "long term" when it just feels like I can't do anything right and I feel like I don't even know how to play...

Of course I made a w/d right before this happened so now my BR is way below normal...so wonderful, but standard for me I guess, I can't really ever just run good for a more than 2 weeks at a time, that's way too much to ask...

To top it all off I'm back to the real world tomorrow, I have my MRI at 8:15 am then I'm off to work. My back is still hurting like crazy but there's not much I can do about it...I wasted all my leftover vacation time since I had to stay home for 5 days from work now, so that's cool. Like I said...Standard

Later

Pain, Branching Out, & Stupid Bitch

2009-10-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

What's up everyone.

So my back is completely messed atm...I went to the ER around 1:30 am on Wednesday. They did a UA and it came back nothing. It basically feels just like it did when I had a slipped disc about 2 years ago. It hurts to do anything and I'm just hanging out on the couch doing nothing...which is only cool if you were to have the option of doing something if you wanted to...

I missed work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and according to my doctor she wants me to be out until next Wednesday. I have a MRI then and should have a somewhat better idea of what is going on and if surgery or anything else is needed...

I can sit for about 1/2 hour at a time so my poker sessions are cut to around 40 minutes before it hurts so bad I can't stand it. I usually time when I just have taken the pain pills they gave me and it makes sitting a little more manageable... but I can't put in a session that's 1 hour + so that's definitely frustrating. I'm just playing 3-4 small sessions to at least get a little volume in...

Poker has been going well though...I think these little sessions have been causing me to focus even more and I've started this month out pretty good. Last month ended on a pretty shitty note so it's always nice to see it going the other way...

I've had a lot more time on my hands to do some reading and thinking about the game so that's nice. I've noticed an area that is a huge leak for me and if I can plug it up I think I will see immediate improvement, which is nice since I've been playing well with my new style and my win rate has been very decent lately.

I've still had to make some w/d from FTP so my BR isn't growing as much as I'd like...not that big of a deal, but I'd really like to start playing 100nl in December when the games get good (usually at least), and in order for me to do that I need to be comfortable with my BR (for me minimum of 30BI...) but I figure if I can just hold off on a few w/d in October and November then all should be well and I'll get there (barring some unseen incidents of course)...

I also am thinking about starting to play 7-game a little more seriously. I usually play it on the weekends when I'm up late and not doing much. I definitely need to start learning other games, and that seems like the perfect fit since your getting just about every other game that's played with some regularity. I'm thinking I'm going to set about $200 aside and have that for a "7-game" BR. I was also toying with the idea of putting $200 on stars and playing mix games over there, but there variation isn't exactly like FTP so I'm guessing I'll just stay there and have a couple hundred extra at all times...I just figure it's time to start thinking more about other games so I can start to play them as well, not to mention the more you learn the better all around poker player I'll become (ldo), which in turn should make my strongest game even stronger.

So it looks as if the whole house keeper stealing our shit was even worse than I anticipated. Turns out she also stole my wife's watch that I bought her (only about $300 but still it was a nice watch), she stole a bottle of perfume (we're finding other things missing all the time, so who knows what else..) and to top things off she stole diapers from my daughter...this is the thing that set me off, if the crazy bitch wants to steal from us whatever, but when she steals from my daughter of something that she needs, that really pisses me off...we ended up filing a police report but nothing will ever come of it since we don't have "evidence". I really hope I never see her because I don't know if I'll be able to control myself if I do... (not hit her or anything of course...just probably make a scene with a lot of name calling and yelling...)

Have a good weekend everyone, and GO BEARS!

So Angry

2009-09-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

what's up all.

So I came home yesterday to a clean house (always nice)...A wife's friend (well former friend) cleans our house on Friday. She really wanted to since she doesn't have a job and it worked out for us since the house got clean. So I get home yesterday and things seem weird, I have chronic back pain and I had just gotten home from the chiropractor and I was soar so I went to the medicine cabinet to get a pain pill....

hmmm interesting they're gone and the medicine cabinet looks as if it's been rummaged threw, I think well wtf I know they were here last time I remember. It's been about a week since I last needed one...So I search the house and cabinet and they're just gone...I get on the computer and realize something else is wrong...the history has been totally deleted (obviously she didn't want us to see what she did)...she even did her resume on our damn computer...

I think it's so ridiculous that we were helping her out since she is jobless (hard to see why...) and she needed money...our own fault for actually trusting someone now a days...but seriously to throw away a friendship and a job (not that well paying...) for some pills is really baffling to me, but I guess as they say...some are sicker than others.

poker has been good, red line still going strong, I didn't have a chance to play last night because of the above situation made me so mad I figured I'd be way tilted and just lose all my $, so I took last night off, which also sucks since now I won't hit iron status on the FTP, just Gold status which kinda sucks since I'm trying to get that TV and now that's been pushed a month back...but meh I guess

I've been playing good and things have been clicking, I think I just need to get a little better at VB on the river and my win rate will jump up to where I want it (9+BB/100, I'm currently at 8BB/100).

Have a good weekend everyone, except for you Noelle...

Not So Fast...

2009-09-19T09:05:00.001-07:00

Well it looks like I might have jumped the gun a little bit too early on carpal tunnel. I kind of wanted to get a second opinion. My neck and shoulders have been in extreme pain lately. It's been causing me extreme discomfort and ibuprofen isn't helping at all...The surgeon I saw said that a pinched nerve in my neck could very possibly cause the symptoms in my wrist that I'm having...

So i decided to go to the chiropractor (never been to one before). He did some little tests and whatnot and basically told me that my spine is not happy...He did a quick adjustment and then made an appointment for me on Monday to get xrays and look things over. I have to say though after the adjustment I felt a lot better. I'm looking forward to the fact that I might not have to get surgery which is always nice. We'll see what happens...

Poker has been going pretty good. My red line is now actually positive after 14k hands, and that is such a huge change I can't even begin to describe it...My win rate has obviously jumped threw the roof (even with running 5 BI under EV) this month. I feel like I'm playing really well right now...

I've even started to dabble in tournaments...with the FTOPS going on I bought into one and then won two satellites into another...I played pretty well and noticed that my new found aggression really works well in tournaments. I finished 200 and something in a 10k + entrant tournament. Which might not sound great but for a guy who really doesn't like tournaments or know much tournament strategy it was respectable I thought. I was in the top 10 in chips from about place 500 on but really screwed up a hand and lost 65% of my stack and really never recovered...so we'll see I might start to try and satellite my way into some more events. I also like how I can buy in with points so it doesn't affect the BR at all....

I've been doing a lot of thinking about jobs and happiness and I really wish I could play for a living. I know I could handle it mentally, but financially since I'd need at least 3 months of living expenses saved up I truly doubt it will ever happen...which makes me a little sad, but o well...not much I can do about it. That's another reason I've started shot taking in tournaments, just so I could possibly make that big score and pay off some bills and be able to put 3+ months of living expenses away...just a dream atm but nothing like dreaming big I guess...

Have a good weekend everyone. Later

It's Official

2009-09-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

So it's official (it already was really) but I have surgery scheduled. October 13th is the day. Then I'll have the rest of that week off. Which really sucks since we're going to be doing nothing but o well...Sounds like I might be able to play poker. I guess they fit me with this little brace where I can still use my fingers and hand, but just can't move it horizontally....so we'll see.

Poker has been good so far this month. i haven't really been putting in a ton of volume. I've only played around 9k hands so far. I've been putting in my daily grind but some how it's only adding up to that amount which seems like not much at all, but we'll see at the end of the month if it all adds up.

I have to say I've been playing extremely well. I looked over my stats from last month and i was down around $220 in non-show down winnings. This month to date I'm down about $15 in non-show down winnings. That's a dramatic difference to say the least. I honestly don't even know what I'm doing differently. I am definitely being more aggressive in situations, but other than that I really think it is just hyper-focusing on villains ranges and playing accordingly, also dropping down to 9-10 tables from 14 has been such a huge eye opener. I rarely have those moments of total insanity where 7 tables are beeping at me and 2 of them are weird/tough situations, so that's definitely helped a ton to say the least.

Nothing else really going on, the wife and kid are doing good. The kid is actually getting so big and doing so many new things on a daily basis it's pretty
ridiculous. She had one of her "silly times" in Costco and it was hilarious (prob not for my wife at the time) check out her blog for the whole story...it's too long for me to type and my hand is starting to hurt...it's definitely my daughter in a nutshell though...just being silly and bringing everyone along for the ride.

Well, have a good weekend everyone. Later

Great Way To Spend a Vacation

2009-09-08T18:31:00.001-07:00

So it looks like I'm having surgery....had an appointment with the surgeon today and he told me the only options left was for surgery...o well I guess. It would have been nice to not have to spend a week sitting doing nothing but it looks like that is what's going to happen...

The Dr. said I'm not supposed to really do anything or use my hand for anything. So basically it's going to be the lamest time off ever...o well I guess not much can be done about it.

Poker has been basically sos, nothing really new to report. I think I'm getting a little to obsessed w/ my red line though. It's really the only stat I am checking after my sessions and then go over hands that fall into that category. I guess it's just giving me something else to concentrate on...

Well that's it for now nothing else really going on...hope all is well.

Up late

2009-09-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.

Not really tired and kinda bored so I figured I'd do a little update. Long weekends are always nice to say the least.

Poker has been going pretty dang good so far this month. I really feel like I'm playing better than I ever have, and feel like I'm starting to understand the game and think about it on a different level than I ever have before. My red line is positive for my last 8K+ hands (ya ya not much I know...) and that is such a dramatic turn around from where it was it really only makes sense why I've had the results I've been having lately...

I was really looking forward to moving up in stakes by December (w/ shots @ 1/2nl) but unfortunately I had to make a big w/d since the wife had a bad week at work and we needed some extra funds (very lucky we had the option really...) I was basically set up for .50/1 nl but that plan will have to wait a bit. Hopefully I can maintain the pace I'm at and move up late October but we'll see.

I'm trying to figure out a way to start putting in more volume (I only play around 25K hands a month), but I really don't think I can figure anything out... I really don't want to add more tables since I see such a huger difference in my play when i get past the 10 table threshold, and I don't really think playing more hours is possible since the wife probably wouldn't be happy I would I'm taking even more time away from her, that I'm basically out of options...The weekends are nice and I can put in more time when the kid has a nap, I like being able to play 2 sessions a day (about 1 1/2 hours each), so I guess atm I'll just have to be content...

Hand wise nothing is better...still bothering me on a regular basis. I have an appointment w/ a surgeon on Tuesday to see what the next course of action is. I was a little apprehensive about surgery but now I really don't care, I just want it to be done and not hurt/ache/be annoying anymore...

Other than that nothing much going on. Hope all is well everyone and enjoy the rest of you long weekend. Later

Damn you Carpal Tunnel

2009-08-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

So it's what I feared...looks like it's surgery for my carpal tunnel...I have to make an appointment with a surgeon on Monday and we'll go from there, but my Dr. said that since it hasn't gotten better in the last 4 weeks of doing exercises and wearing the brace then it doesn't look good. I guess I'm alright with it I just want this to be fixed and not have to deal with it anymore...(as I'm typing this it really isn't a pleasant feeling, playing poker doesn't make it feel very good either)

So meh I guess, only shitty thing about it is, my Dr. told me that I won't be able to use my hand for at least a week, it's in a cast type brace and you can't move it for a certain amount of time after the surgery which sucks, since in theory I won't be able to be real productive at work since I have to write down orders, type, then use a mouse for sourcing...wonderful, not the potential vacation I was looking forward to...

Poker has been going pretty good. For the first time I can remember for the last 15K hands my red line has been break even/ a little positive. It probably doesn't sound like a big deal to most of you but I've always had a extremely negative red line and now that it's breaking even/a little positive I'm very happy. I had a sweat session the other week w/ someone who really made me look at it and think I'm not playing the best I could and getting the most out of my game. (letting the $$$ affect my decisions like I get in a habit of doing). So that's definitely making me feel good about my game, no more just throwing $ away in non-showdown pots, which is very +++EV...

Well have a good weekend, my hand is killing me so I can't really type anymore. Later

Weird Weekend

2009-08-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

So poker wise this was an extremely weird weekend. I played very well for about 1/2 the sessions I played this weekend and then did really stupid stuff the other 1/2. It's been really weird lately cuz I've really been playing good the last week or so and have actually started to detach myself from the whole money aspect that I've always been so hung up on...(the wife has a job now so poker $$$ isn't really a major part of needed income anymore...)

I've been doing things that I've always know were right but just couldn't get myself to do them because it could sometimes be (to me) spewy, even though it was a +EV move I most of the time just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger, err press the button...

So idk if it's a focus thing or what, whenever it is my time to play I'm always into it and ready (if I'm not then I don't play) so it's just a little strange...A few of the stupid spots I got into were just villain had top of his range, but still it was a roller coaster this weekend, over all I'm up for the weekend but it was definitely not what it should have been.

I was messing around last night late and played some 7-game and I have to say I'm really a fan of it...I played HU (which I've never done before) and it was definitely a fun time and good mix of games. I'm thinking I'm going to start and branch out a little bit and become a "more rounded" player and start to dabble in other games. I've played a decent amount of PLO, but other than that, nothing else of significance. So I'm going to try and play a little bit of that on the weekend when I have more time to play and study, I'm also going to pull out SS2 and read all the other sections that I just briefly skimmed over since I've always just been a NLHE player...It's always good to learn new things!

I have a DR. appointment on Thursday, it's been a month since I've been diagnosed w/ carpal tunnel and this is my appointment to see what the next step is. I can honestly say it really doesn't feel any better and still aches quite regularly (yes I've been wearing my brace and doing the exercises)...I don't really know how I'm going to feel if I need surgery, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when/if I come to it...

Well tomorrow is Monday (LAME!!!) and I need to get to bed. Have a good week everyone.

Unplanned Break

2009-08-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.

So I just got back from my work training. Training is always good imo, so it was nice to get out of my comfort zone and do some new things and get new ideas from other people doing the same thing as me...

I will say that I was extremely upset because the hotel I stayed at was supposed to have high-speed Internet, and supposedly the server crashed on Saturday and they hadn't had it fixed (and i was there Monday-Wednesday) so I had to take a break when I have been playing extremely well as of late and it definitely threw my rhythm off...

Then last night my wife and I went out kid less (always a nice switch) and I actually got to play some live poker (for the first time in over a year). Needless to say I was shocked as I had forgot how bad the live players truly were...I was extremely bored and did a few stupid things, but it was so easy to read players it was unreal. I was up $73 for an hour and a half of play (1/2 NL) so dec I guess...

Well when I came back to the Internet today it was like a different world. I was still in that mentality of "ur horrible and have nothing" and it definitely cost me a BI or 2, I was able to keep up with all the action and tables, but it was definitely a different world. So I think I can say, for me, that Internet poker is definitely the right fit for me...if I had 5-6 hours to play live every night then maybe I wouldn't mind, but I really feel that Internet poker is better suited for me...

So now I just need to really start hyper-focusing again and things will fall into place. I was playing very well before my unscheduled break and I don't think it will take long for me to get back to that point.

I realized while I was gone and thinking about everything that I will have enough points to get the TV I want for our front room w/ my FTP points in November, so needless to say I'm definitely looking forward to that...

One good thing that happened while I was in training was I found paradise... If you smoke cigars, and have never been to a cigar bar before (which I never have) then you can not pass up the chance to go to Smokey Joe's in Fife, it was unreal. Seriously the COOLEST place I've ever been in my life. Add on the fact that they have free wi-fi, and needless to say I can see myself going there to grind on weekends (even though it's 2 hours away from where I live). Everyone was so knowledgeable (even the waitresses) about cigars, it was just a really really cool place, and I can't wait to go back ASAP.

Hope all is well everyone. Have a good weekend.

Weekend

2009-08-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Anyone else love days off? Only bad thing is that weekends tend to go way quickly when you're married and have a child, meh i guess.

I just realized that I have some vacation time coming and have to use it before the end of the year, so I'm now trying to figure out when I want to use it. I originally was planning on taking a week or two in December, but can't since the boss is having a kid and is taking his vacation around that time...I don't really want to go anywhere, maybe I'll just take some time in September and get somethings done around the house before winter comes...

So it turns out that I actually do have Carpal Tunnel, I'm wearing a brace atm. Looks like I have to wear it for a month, then if that doesn't work out, looks like surgery. I've been doing some exercises that I found online so that's definitely helped. I guess I really don't care how it happens, I just want it to be fixed, if it requires surgery that would definitely not be coll but as long as it will heal properly and be 100% afterwards that's fine with me...

Poker has been pretty dec lately. I'm actually down 4 BI on the month, I'm down 6 BI in EV atm so i guess at least I'm getting it in good...I've definitely noticed that I'm more relaxed at the table and no worried about losing. I was letting the $ affect me which just made me crazy when I lost and made me play a little passively, which is not a good combo at all...

Coaching has been going good. Just signed up my second student, they're planning on taking the intro session at the end of August or start of September so that will be nice to look forward to. My 1st student says that he is making good progress since our session and he really sounds like he's picking things up quickly, so I don't doubt with more lessons and studying we'll have him bumped up levels in no time.

One major thing: If you don't have rakeback and play poker online, you're costing yourself BIG time...tworags.com is now offering rakeback! If you don't have an account at any of these sites but are thinking about it, you NEED rakeback, it's amazing how much it really helps when you're building your bankroll.

I know rakeback has helped me in the months where i break even to show a little profit and then made my good months that much better. The best thing about rakeback is that no matter what stakes you play you get it, so this is crucial for all you up and coming poker players to help build your bankroll, and move up more quickly than you would without it. If you have any questions about rakeback, or anything else for that matter, just email me: mpimpjuicem@comcast.net

Here's the link for the your rakeback, it shows all the sites that are supported, just follow it and get started building your Bankroll TODAY!!!

Well have a great weekend everyone.

August

2009-08-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

So August is here and I'm really looking forward to this month. I just had my first session with my first student and I think it went well. The first session always is fun (at least I think...lol) because you get to get into the students head and see where their decision making process is at. That was definitely fun, and I enjoyed it, as I hope they did as well, but since they wanted another session I'm assuming they did.

I think coaching will really help me think more in depth about the game, after the lesson I put my normal grind in and it really went well...I played really solid and made/noticed sum value spots that I've been missing. My bet-sizing was pretty damn sick also, so needless to say I'm excited about coaching...It's really the best of both worlds I get to help others while I'm learning, and thinking about the game more...total win win.

I just put the sickest order for cigars to finally stock up my humidor that the wife got me for Fathers' Day, (ty FTP mid-year bonus...)I spent the majority of the bonus but it was definitely worth it. I got a box of my absolute favorites (Olivia Serie V) to this point, a box of my second favorites (Gurkha Regent) so far, then 15 extra Gurkhas' to try out and see how I like them...needless to say I'm way pumped to get them and fill the humidor.

Tomorrow could potentially be a huge day at work, and I'm really hoping it is. By the sound of it I have a customer that wants to get one of our special programs and if they do I will totally look like a rock star, and make more $ all at the same time. We'll see how the day goes.

Well that's about it everyone. Hope all is well. Have a good week.

Getting Focused/New Goals

2009-07-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.

So July has at least been a little better and things are on the upswing, but it's still been a very slow process...I feel like I'm playing 100 times better than I was in May/June so that's a very big positive for me.

I've been thinking a lot lately about poker and what I would like to get out of it and I realize that for my family to live the life I want for them/they deserve to I need $$$..., and the only really way i know how to earn any extra money atm (second job sounds like a way no good idea) is obviously poker. I've been making good money lately but i want to go for the jugular. I mean significant amounts that will help take the everyday stresses of bills, food, etc etc away from me, and the wife...

So I'm on a mission to become ridic good...I'm planning on studying, reading and of course lots more on the forums...I just see poker as a way to a better life and I really need to concentrate on things and focus on what I'm doing/ trying to do, and things will work out...all I need to do is put in the work and the results will work themselves out...

At a suggestion of SplitSuit (and my wife...) I've decided to start coaching. I'm taking on "protege" candidates and actually already have one lined up by the sound of it...I'm really looking forward to helping people and help them try and realize their goals, and since I taught golf for 4 years I figure I at least have a little bit of a head start in the teaching game than starting completely fresh...

I'm taking on 5nl and 10nl players who are looking to move up threw the ranks, and of course are serious...I feel like I can help build a solid foundation for players that will help players learn the game and move up at there own pace (whether that be accelerated or more methodical). If this interests you can email mpimpjuicem@comcast.net or just send me a pm on 2 plus 2 forum (mpimpjuicem) if interested, or if you just want more info.

I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow that I'm extremely nervous about...my right hand and forearm has been giving me fits lately when i grind or use the computer. I seriously hope it's not carpal tunnel, but given the fact that I dealt cards for 5 years I'm worrying to say the least...hopefully it goes OK, and I'll just have to wear a brace or something...

So it's been crazy hot in WA this last week and I've loved it...reminds me of Palm Springs, CA and the desert. Man I miss that place, it was my paradise for a year or two, my how life changes though, at least I live on a golf course (ish) now...

Other than that not much going on, hope all is well everyone...Have a good rest of week.

Where Has the Time Gone

2009-07-22T22:03:00.001-07:00

So my daughter turns 2 tomorrow...it's definitely a trip to think that it's been two years since she's been born. Seems like yesterday we were in the hospital scared as hell, pondering how much life was going to change. I can't believe how amazing she is, every time I see that kid my heart melts. She truly is the most amazing gift I've ever been given...Thank You Boo

Poker wise things are dec I guess. Just grinding as usual...I've noticed some areas of my play that concerns me. I think they are my most common leaks that I always fight. After I get the bonus cleared I'm planning on cutting down the tables to 8-10. I think this will help me focus just that extra bit and take better notes on the players, which I noticed is not one of my strong suits...

So if I can sew these up and really start thinking more 2nd and 3rd level, I'll be at 100 in no time. The goal to get there kind of took a break after May and June being so shitty, but I still have a while to get there and start taking shots @200nl before the end of the year...No need to rush things.

I'm also starting to get my confidence back which is nice...playing this silly game unsure of yourself is really not a good idea. I started a diet and i must say it's allowed me to be more alert and aware at the tables...which sadly is a big reason i decided to lose weight...my kid and to be healthy first but i knew it'd help my poker mind frame also...I don't know how much I've lost so far since i didn't weigh myself when i started but I'd guess it's at least 10 lbs...so that's always nice...

So I've discovered the wonderful world of mods...and needless to say I've been somewhat obsessed the last week (sorry boo). I think I've finally gotten my table exactly where i like it. The table, background, cards, and chips are all done. Now I'm just trying to figure out if i wanna switch up anything else. I really like the blacked out look and might black out some more buttons...but other than a few little tweaks I'm done and i have to say i love my new set-up. It's so much easier on the eyes it's unreal...

Well have a good rest of the week everyone, I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of you this weekend at the party...later

Update

2009-07-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Nothing really major going on but i thought I'd give a little update.

Poker has been going pretty dec, I've really started to realize how bad i was playing in my "downswing"...I've just been really hyper-focusing and concentrating on decisions. I've cut out all the extra stuff out, like looking at the web/email, and things are coming together. Just goes to show you how much thinking really is involved with poker...imo

I still don't really know how i feel about the whole stealing blinds thing...I do believe it's important to an extent, but i really don't know if it's all it's cracked up to be...obviously if there's someone on my left that will let me abuse them all day long then I'm going to steal with any 2, but I've realized there are just some people you can't try and steal light from consistently...big shock there, wow i must have not been thinking at all...

Work has been pretty cool. Definitely starting to get the hang of it, and it's starting to be fun. I'm starting to get all of the people in my zone and that makes it easier to talk make them realize I'm not just another salesman...

Well guess that's about it. Have a good week everyone.

Alone

2009-07-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

So my wife and kid are gone for the weekend and I'm baching it. i really don't have anything planned except for a golf tourney tomorrow am and poker the rest of the time. i'm planning on grinding pretty hard.

Poker has been a roller coaster ride again....I did it to myself though. I'm technically winning for July, but i needed to make a withdraw for an emergency bill so i left myself right at my min, BI's wise...the next session proceeded to be horrible and i dropped 3 BI in like 100 hands. So i was in shock a little bit just sitting there under rolled for the first time in since i can remember... So I've just been playing pretty conservative and not been doing anything really stupid or making many plays just to get the confidence up and the BR especially...so hopefully i can grind out some profits this weekend, i just need to be patient and realize that it's about the long run.

I've been thinking about strat lately, and I've really started to think about blind stealing...I'm re- reading NLHE T&P, and i read his section that while it's importantish it's not necessary. So I've decided to not steal quite as light as i have been and see where that gets me...thoughts?

Well have a good weekend everyone.

I heart 3 day weekends!

2009-07-02T19:06:00.001-07:00

what's up everyone. I'm super excited about a much deserved 3 day weekend. The best part about it is I didn't even know until last Friday that I was getting one...My boss never said anything about it and I just assumed it would be business as usual and it was just bad luck that the 4th fell on a Saturday this month, but I was just informed that we do indeed get it off...hells ya

So I'm planning on getting up earlier than work time and going golfing..WTF, it's funny how much I hate getting out of bed in the morning to go to work, but give me the chance to go golf and I'll wake up even earlier...It's gunna be a nice day so it will definitely be a fun day. Now here's to hoping I don't hack it around and can muster up a dec round, but it will be fun none the less.

Poker has been going a lot better. I finally realized I just wasn't paying any attention to the hands, my decisions, or really anything that was poker related. Which needless to say is way no bueno. So I've really started to just hyper-focus (ty SS) and things are starting to get a little more like normal. Which is just in time since I have to put in about 10k hands more than normal this month to make the mid-year bonus...but it will be well worth it since the BR will be replenished and I can start actually making some withdraws...

Have a fabulous Friday everyone.

WTF!!!

2009-06-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

I can't even take it anymore. This is getting unreal. I don't even know what to do anymore. May and June are officially losing months, which I can't stand. I know that in poker you will never win all the time or even close to it, but this is driving me crazy.

This losing streak is causing me serious stress both financially and mentally. I don't even know wtf to do anymore. I'm to the point where I feel like I don't even know how to play poker anymore. I looked over the sessions, and there are a few hands where they just had the top of their range, a few coolers, and a few I just played like a jackass...

I just don't even know where to go from here. I'm clueless. I play poker to make money and atm I'm not doing that, and it is causing me an extremely large amount of unnecessary frustration and stress, which I don't need atm...

The worst part about all this is that my BR has shrunk drastically. I still have 30 BI but, i used to have 40-50, and since July is the month to clear my mid-year bonus which i desperately need to help bump my BR back up, I have to play a shit ton in July...like I said before I'm going to take the next two days off and then start grinding July 1...

I think this is the first real losing streak I've had online. Two months of frustration is not fun. I'm sure some of you will read this and be like "buck up it's only 40K hands" but this is causing my life stress that I don't need or want...man I hate $!!!

later all, have a good Sunday.

Frustrated....again

2009-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sup everyone. Hope your all having a good Saturday so far.

So I'm currently still on a bit of a downswing. My last four sessions I've basically broke even, but it's really been odd. I'm usually pretty consistent and don't do anything too stupid, but lately I either play really good (up 6 BI in two sessions) or really really horrible (down 6 BI in the other two sessions...).

So I'm planning to play tomorrow and then take the rest of the month off, especially since i will be needing to put in serious volume in July to clear my mid-year bonus. So I'm thinking that a break (even if it is only for 2 days) will help me relax a bit and give me some extra study time. I've also planned to tighten up a bit since nothing else has worked to this point. The main thing i need to change though is the fact that if i feel like I'm not into playing i just need to not play at that time. The session where i play poorly is basically me not wanting to play but i do anyways just to get the points for the day in...huge mistake!

I've also been in kind of a funk lately. I don't really know why just feel kind of blah. I'm sure i have an idea what it has to do with but who knows. There seems to be a lot of little things that i get frustrated with and i know that adds up a little each day... Life is a silly thing, and i definitely don't want to turn into a grumpy person the older i get, but it definitely feels like that's the road I'm headed down.

I'm sure the downswing has a little do do with it, but i try and not let poker affect my moods that much, I'm usually pretty good at not showing emotion, especially with the kid around, i wouldn't want her to see her dad in a sad/unhappy mood.

Well have a good weekend everyone.

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone at tworags.com. I will be cross posting on tworags from my blog sight http://mpjm.blogspot.com/, so that's where you can find all of my previous blog posts.

Just a little about myself: I'm a Married 30 yeard old with an amazing almost 2 year old daughter. I used to play live exclusively, but when the kid arrived, my days of staying at a casino all hours of the night were up, since poker was a large part of my income I needed to make a change...so i decided to get into online poker. I had played previously online before and had moderate success, but I soon realized that live play does not=online play.

I started out by depositing $200 onto FTP in July 07, and started out at 25nl...(good bankroll management) and haven't looked back since. I've went threw a huge transition and have really become a solid player (well at least I think lol). I currently am a 12-14 tabler of 50nl with the occasional shot at 100nl also. I truly love poker and the added benefit it has of providing my family with extra income is a nice bonus also.

Happy Fathers Day everyone. I hope all the fathers out there have a wonderful day.

I'm not planning much for the day. probably just going to watch the U.S. Open, play a little cards, then smoke a really nice cigar that is in the new humidor my amazing wife got for me for Fathers Day. It's seriously the best humidor ever!

Have a wonderful day everyone.

I Luv Fridays

2009-06-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Seriously is there really such a things as a bad Friday? i doubt it....

Poker has still been a crazy roller coaster lately. I've started to re-read a book i actually forget the name of atm, that deals with attitude and playing poker and swings. there's a section specifically about downswings and dealing with them. So that's helped out immensely to this point.

I did notice i was making some mistakes that only added to the downswing, I was getting frustrated and didn't focus 100% on each hand and decision which ultimately killed me more than just bad beats and coolers.

So needless to say i definitely feel rejuvenated mentally. I'm looking at things a lot clearer and just need to focus 100% on the hand and decision at hands and things really will take care of themselves, I've learned that in a downswing rational thinking kinda goes out the window. When you lose 5 BI in a session it's hard to remember that making correct decisions is all you can really do as a poker player...

This weekend should be pretty fun, well minus the yard work, and normal house hold chores that comes with buying a house...a very good friend of mine moved back from California and we're thinking about golfing this weekend potentially. He played professionally for a while but had to give it up unfortunately when his back went out. I used to be able to keep up with him so we'll see what time has done. neither of us have played any real amount of golf so it could be lol...

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

one step forward, two steps back

2009-06-12T17:28:00.001-07:00

so things were going good, and i was back to the normal grind. starting to make money and the BR was finally growing once again. but (of course) i didn't listen to myself, and i played when i shouldn't have, then got cold decked twice, then tilted off 2 more BI. the two tilted BI weren't really horrible had a huge draw in one but the fact that i even saw the flop had to do with tilt, then i just played one so aggressively and was actually shocked to get called by TPTK on a very scary board, but what do you do i guess...

so now the plan is to really start to try and hyper focus again. since trying the new LAG style i've really gotten some new situations that i'm obviously not handling well...so i'm planning on cutting down to 6-8 tables and really look at all my decisions and then do a comparison of sessions and see how much time is affecting my decisions. so that's the experiment for now.

i deff need to relax and just play. i'm not desensitized to money enough. i'm looking at the $ aspect of it and that's what i'm doing wrong atm. i just need to realize things are fine right now and i just need to play and use my chips as the weapon that they are...

well have a good weekend everyone.

update

2009-06-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

hey everyone,

nothing really new just thought i'd do a little update.

poker has actually been better. i emailed my mentor (SplitSuit) and asked some questions. he seemed to say all the right things and calmed me down quite a bit. as usual he pointed out what happens every time i get on a downswing...so i just needed to snap out of it and all has been ok since. i'm at least playing better and thinking of ranges again and not "how am i going to lose the pot this time". so that's a nice change of pace...tyvm SS much appreciated as always!

other than that sos i guess, just family, work, poker, and sleep going on atm. the house is shaping up nicely and things are coming together. if we can get some things accomplished this weekend maybe we'll be able to throw a house warming/poker party, which are always fun.

well have a good rest of the week everyone.

doom switch

2009-06-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

ok, so whoever has flipped my doom switch, i would GREATLY appreciate it if you would flip it back off...

seriously this is honestly insane. i just can't seem to win, everything is still going wrong, playing good and getting sucked out on, then i play like shit and still lose...it's really starting to become unbelievable. the layoff helped and refreshed me and i'm not really getting upset anymore but this is starting to wear on my mind and Psyche. of course this means i have no confidence which i'm sure makes some passive play creep in, but damn this is insane.

real world wise things are pretty good. my mom came over and completely finished all the putting away at our house... it was like a huge weight was lifted instantly. still have a few of the little things to do and finish up but other than that we're good. so THANK YOU very much mom!!!

if anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on what works for them when you're on a downswing PLEASE let me know, this is honestly driving me crazy.

have a good weekend everyone.

June

2009-06-01T17:40:00.001-07:00

so with all the craziness of moving i haven't really updated at all so i figured i would.

moving officially sucks, it's just a really big pain in the ass. we at least have everything in the new place, and the important rooms done (bedroom, kids playroom) so at least that's taken care of, other than that it looks like a bomb went off in here, but we're slowly getting things accomplished night by night so hopefully we'll be officially moved in in a week or two.

poker wise there's nothing really to report at all. i haven't played for about 10 days, i needed the layoff and realized that i'd need to put in large volume in june and especially july because of the mid year bonus. so i decided a break would be the best thing for me. i played for about 30 minuets on saturday night, and it was ok. nothing too major. i'm definitely feeling better and energized about everything so i think the layoff is exactly what i needed.

June really hasn't started off that good though. work has been meh, and my boss decided to give me a pep talk today (and he doesn't know how to motivate btw)and basically put me in a worse mood than i already was, then to top it all of i get a speeding ticket in a school zone for $189, WTF!, that's just ridiculous, damn school zones, but the rest of the day was ok, so hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come...i have a feeling june is going to be a good month. i'm definitely due for some things to go my way.

well have a great week everyone.

worst month ever

2009-05-20T14:13:00.001-07:00

so may has been my worst month ever playing poker to date. things were going pretty smoothly and have been for a while now, but with the nature of poker you will inevitable run into some bad moments aka variance. this month truly has been sick, i'm not sure but i think i'm down around 8-10 BI, which has really hurt the BR this month. it's smaller than it's ever been and if and when i do start to play again i feel like it's not enough to play 12-14 tables again...it's a little less than 30 BI which is generally my minimum.

i really don't know where to go from here as i'm super rattled atm about everything that has to do with poker. i know i need to take a break but i truly rely on this money and that's where things are getting complicated...

i've lost all my confidence, which to me, is very important when i play poker. if i feel like things are going well and i'm playing well i can usually weather a storm, but i'm just clueless with this one, it's really been draining. there's not much i can do about it, and will have to take at least a week off while we wait for the cable and internet to get hooked up at our new place. so hopefully that rejuvenates me...

i do know that i need to start and work on a having a positive frame of mind at all times though. i'm deff pessimistic as i've been told a lot recently (especially by my wife), also that i have unreachable expectations which probably goes hand in hand with being negative...so i'm going to really try and realize what i have and how amazing my life is and not look at the few negative aspects..

luckily i won't have a lot of time to play the next week and a half with moving and waiting for the cable to be hooked up...so this will give me a chance to refresh and take a step back...

well have a good week everyone and if any one wants to help out we're moving this weekend and could always use sum extra help...

fun day ahead

2009-05-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

what's up everyone. nothing too major but o well...

so basically my weekends from now until july are basically taken up...i never realized how much work goes into a house...today is an all day painting extravaganza and we will probably not be finished today either, the carpets are being cleaned on thursday so we will be moving furniture and whatnot next weekend. (a little hint for those of you that would actually wanna help a brother out...)but it's coming along and it will be so nice when we get all the furniture in and we'll be able to actually move in and live there.

poker wise...meh, pretty lame actually. i've realize lately that i'm letting the $ aspect of it get to my head and that's affecting my play. i'm thinking well i can't afford to lose a stack so i'm going to fold, obviously that isn't good at all. i played a little better on friday night and took last night off so we'll see if i play tonight or if i decide to take another night off...i just need to start being my normal aggressive self and not this passive calling station that is scared to lose his $!

well have a good week everyone. we're off to painting.

happy mothers day

2009-05-10T13:58:00.001-07:00

first off let me say to all the mothers out there a very happy Mothers Day!

so we officially got the house, the deal was way too good to pass up. so now we just need to get some financing and everything set up and then it's officially ours, but for now we're renting it (starting June 1) and going to be doing some work to it and getting things in order. I already have my "poker office" all figured out, and it's gunna b sick. basically it's just a den with a tv and a couch and a computer but i'm gunna make it my own little man cave type place...so needless to say we're extremely excited about all of this, and can't say thank you enough to the people making this a reality for us (the home owners)

poker wise things are dec i guess. i've been playing pretty well, but i've been losing the all-in pots lately and that deff hurts the win rate and overall profits, but i'm definitely playing better as a lag and really seeing my game jump up a level. so that's definitely a good thing because now more than ever i need some serious $...

well have a wonderful day everyone, but especially all the mothers out there...

may

2009-05-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

what's going on everyone. may has a potential to be a very busy/stressful month. looks like we have found a house (we weren't even really looking lol) and now add one more thing to stress about. but it truly is too good a deal to pass up and the house is pretty unbelievable so it's cool. there's even a place for my "poker office" so needless to say i'm super pumped and stressed all at once...awesome.

poker is meh, been on a decent losing streak, mainly just sick coolers, and suck outs, but some bad decisions because of it. i'm definitely starting to get more comfortable in my new lag style though, and when i'm not getting coolered or sucked out on the win rate is pretty dec, hopefully i can bump up soon and start making some significant money, but we'll see. i've come so far in the last six months i feel good about my game, but with the house and everything potentially i feel a little more stress to perform and really start to bang into it...

other than that not much going on. hope all is well everyone. later

going fishing

2009-04-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

so the annual fishing trip starts tomorrow which i'm very excited about. i'm definitely looking forward to some quiet time and some relaxing without thinking about bills and money...so that will be a nice change. i'm going to take my laptop to hopefully get a little play time in, but i don't know how good the internet is over there so i just might take a break. we'll c

while i'm over there though i'm planning on writing another article for SplitSuits site, so that should be pretty cool. we'll see how it comes.

poker has been meh. i've been on a downswing for the last 5 days, had a good session last night though so that helped. it also helped that my sessions weren't that big of losing sessions. only about a 1 BI losing session each one. so last night almost eclipsed the whole thing which is nice. still trying to get used to the laggy game. it's still a challenge (ldo) and i'm trying to be more aggressive and get away from my passive nature...but overall it's been going pretty well imo.

well have a good weekend everyone.

sos

2009-04-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

nothing really new at all but just thougt i'd do a little update.

work has been pretty decent, i'm starting to get the hang of it and i'm excited about the potential i have in my zone and the growth i can make...which in turn will make my bosses happy so it's a win win...

poker is going pretty dec. i'm lagging it up and things are pretty good. i still have some leaks that i just learned of after "thinking about my game" (TY SS) and ways to exploit my own play. so i have some more thinking and studying to do. i think i'm going to try and read NL T&P while i'm on the fishing trip, or at least start reading it again before bed...

i realized i'm really not putting in any study time other than a lesson here and there and a session review every week. that obviously isn't going to get the job done, so i'm going to try and study very hard when i can, no excuses but being a father and husband takes a lot of time that i can't and don't want to give up...but i should definitely be able to study for an hour on the weekends at minimum, which i haven't been doing, so that's a start...

well have a good weekend everyone...

wow

2009-04-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

so this weekend is me and the wife's one year anniversary. can't believe how time flies. we have a pretty fun weekend planned, going to a nice dinner and staying the night at a "romantic getaway" the super standard anniversary thing...ldo

should be a good time though. it'll be nice to do a little relaxing and whatnot.

poker wise things are really looking up. i've started to really lag it up, well for me at least 19.5/13 for my last 9k hands atm, i still have a little ways to go but i'm definitely starting to feel a little more comfortable lately. my steal % is stupidly high right now it's honestly funny, but it seems to be working...

so hopefully the rest of the month will be getting comfortable with the changes and next month will be total domination and the crazy big profits that i'm really looking for. i definitely happy with the changes and i think implementing these changes will be the last step to crushing the game.

well have a good weekend everyone...and boo, happy 1 year, and i heart u lots and lots.

home alone

2009-04-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

just a little update...

so the wife is at a bachelor party and i just dropped the kid off at my parents house so i can do some cleaning and relax a bit...kinda weird being alone in the house. not too often there's no noise in the house, so it's a little odd to have it be quiet...

poker wise, i feel super excited about my game and the direction it is going. i've been playing very well lately and things are good. i just had a lesson w/ SS, and i feel like the things i'm working on atm are going to pay huge dividends...i already am seeing some profits i never did. i'm getting myself into some spots that are a little different than i'm used to but that's definitely a good thing. i really feel like i'm on the verge of a serious win rate jump and bumping up a level.

have a good weekend everyone, and GO UNC!

home sweet home

2009-03-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

finally! it is definitely nice to be home. it was soooo good to see the wife and kid when they picked me up from the airport. the kid let out a big DADDY!!! yell when i was getting into the car, which made me melt.

the trip was meh i guess, it was definitely a good thing and i learned alot about the company and what goes into it, but way stupid cuz winona, mn would not be my first place to go somewhere... ever. there really is nothing to do and in this town alot of people don't like the company i work for or the people that work there...weird, and since it's a small town it's even that much weirder. add the fact that it's a college town and i don't think i even know what to say about that place...

poker was definitely good. i made enough to pay for the laptop so pretty cool...i definitely ran pretty good for that 10k hands but i was due anyways. i got back last night and was checking my email and my computer screen was so big it really hurt my eyes...lol definitely an adjustment. so i'm looking forward to grinding later on the normal set up...

well it's very nice to be home with the wife and kid, hope everyone has a fabulous weekend...

get me outta here

2009-03-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

seriously...i'm definitely over all of this. it was a great learning experience while i was here, but i'm so unbelievably home sick i can't stand it, all the tests are tomorrow (and i'm horrible at tests always have always will, no matter how much i study) so that's awesome. then on thursday we have this big group project do and i get the slacker group and we haven't really even started yet...so awesome.

good news though, thursday is a lax day, with only our group projects, and then we get on the bus for a 2 hour ride and back to home!!! hell yes! who figured i'd miss burlington wa, so damn much. i've always tried to get out of that town, and i'm away for not even 2 weeks and i just wanna get back...(probably might b different if the wife and kid were with me and we were somewhere cool though...)

poker wise, it's been pretty coo. i'm running at 10 bb/100 for almost 9000 hands that i've been here. so that's always good. i've basically payed for the laptop i bough specifically for this trip so i guess i got a laptop out of the deal..which is pretty coo i guess. actually i've been playing pretty well, i've only been playing 9 tables and i've noticed my decision making is way better, so i think i might just stick with 10 when i get back home...

ok have a good day everyone...boo i can't even put into words how much i miss u 2...luv u

hello weekend!

2009-03-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

sup everyone. just a little update, basically cuz i'm way bored atm but whatever.

so this week has been like information overload...my brain hurts, and so does my back from sitting the last 8 days for 12 hours a day...way no bueno. the classes have been way informative though, and i'm way excited to get back to the branch and start to implement some of the things and ideas i have learned to this point. so that's definitely a huge positive.

poker wise things are pretty good. i will probably be playing a lot the next 2 days, since i'm not going out to the bars w/ the group (ldo)...so it's going to be a nice quiet weekend with me my laptop, and the NCAA tournament on the entire weekend...way good times

i will definitely say that to this point i'm a huge fan of the laptop. it's definitely nice to be able to just lay up on the couch and relax and play. i've only been playing 9 tables so i've been able to think about the decisions a little more which i'm sure has helped me out...i definitely have some down time and find myself glancing at the web which is never a good thing while i'm grinding... not to mention the fact that i don't have my 2nd monitor and i can say that i don't have a preference to either when it comes to grinding.

well have a good weekend everyone...and boo, i miss u and the kid so much it hurts. luv u both.

winona, minnesota

2009-03-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

hey everyone, just hanging out in my apartment room and i decided to do a little update. i finally got internet working and since winona isn't the most exciting place to hang out, i'm bored...

travel wise everything was pretty chill. i got lucky and had a direct flight from seattle to minneapolis, so that's always good...but then the fun really began...my flight got into minneapolis at 2:28pm local time. the shuttle to winona didn't arrive until 6pm, i hurried to get my bags before i ate so i wouldn't stress about somebody jacking my bag only to realize as i get it that i can't get back into the part of the airport where all the restaurants and shops are...awesome. then i find out that winona is in the middle of nowhere (abot 2 hour drive from minneapolis) so we don't get into the apartment that the company has rented for us until around 8:30pm local time...

so i get to my room only to realize that i have a room by myself. no roomy, just me and i'm bored...the internet for some reason won't connect so the laptop i bought to play on the trip is completely worthless atm...and i was not happy at all while all this is happening. add the fact that i lose 2 hours of sleep going from pacific time to central and that class starts at 7:30am, and also the fact that i miss the wife and kid so much already it's ridiculous only after 1 night away and it's definitely not adding up to good start yet...

so i finally get to sleep around 1am and i sleep horribly and wake up randomly at 3:30am randomly and i'm stuck...not like can't move stuck, but stuck to the sheets...i didn't realize it but the bed wasn't put together and there is a rubber sheet on the bed (wtf?!) and i'm honestly stuck to it like u stick to leather...lol wonderful start to the trip...

class was way overwhelming as i am brand new to all of this and really have as little experience as you can imagine...so i have a lot to soak up and learn, but i gotta start some where right...

had my 1st session in a few days because of travel and no internet, and it went meh...i can really only play 9 tables on the laptop, and even then the tables are pretty damn small...but at least i'll be grinding lots while i'm here...especially since we have no class this weekend and nothing to do...

well have a good night and day tomorrow everyone...

getting ready

2009-03-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

so i'm getting ready to go to winona minnesota for work training for two weeks, and i think i can say i'm really starting to not want to go. i'm definitely looking forward to the training part and learning new things so i can get comfortable at my job. but winona minnesota? lame...it's way cold and there's nothing to do, which i guess is a plus since i'll need to study and whatnot...

it will definitely give me a lot of time to play poker though since i'll have nights free and two weekend days to myself. so i should be putting in some hands, and hopefully i'll get on an upswing and start making some serious profit...

i'm defiantely gunna miss the wife and kid though...i'm already starting to a little bit actually. two weeks is a way long time to go with out seeing your family...

i'm sure i'll be way bored on the road and will be updating pretty regularly, but we'll see... well have a good few days everyone...

headed to portland

2009-03-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

hey all. we're headed to portland rite now. we're going to the Blazers vs. Lakers game tomorrow night which i'm super excited about. it will definitely be a good time...

poker wise things have been at least on a little up swing lately. the last week has at least been in the positive, nothing major, but it's positive. i had a lesson yesterday with SS and we went over a few things which i think will really help me out. one of them is actually the most ridiculous things i've ever heard of before, but it has worked so well so far it's actually ridiculous. (i'm not telling any of you what it is, cuz i hate giving away free information, so if u wanna know take a lesson from SS...)

well we're on our way out, just wanted to do a little update. have a great day everyone.

WTF

2009-03-02T21:29:00.000-08:00

ok so this is seriously getting ridiculous. i have come to the conclusion that one of three things has/ is happening:

the first being, everyone can see my cards...this would explain why none of my cbets work, why they always fold when i actually do have it.

the second is that poker is no longer profitable. the games definitely have gotten tougher, and realistically there will be a time when everyone truly knows how to play and games will not be beatable unless you get lucky in them. with all the training sites out there and some even for free maybe this is the first step in that....

the third (which i personally don't believe is the case, but u never know...) is that i don't know how to play poker. yes i have leaks, mainly having a too passive mindset in most spots where i don't have the nuts, or am scared to commit all of my chips, but unless everyone of my opponents knows this and puts me to the test every hand (see #1).

so that's the conclusion i've come too. i just don't get it lately. it's like i've never played before. i don't remember the last winning session i've had. (i've had a few break even/ win a couple $'s) but i mean truly good winning sessions. if things don't change very quickly i really don't know how long i can take this kind of downswing/variance much longer. i'm not whining i honestly just don't get it. the last part of january and the entire month of february has been the same thing.

it's obviously started to affect my psyche because i'm logging in now and wondering how and where it's coming from this session...AA vs KK, set over set, or suck out? i really really hope this stops very soon. it's getting really old, but maybe i'm actually on to something and poker just isn't worth it anymore?....

well enough of me whining, later and have a good week every1

hello march

2009-03-01T13:21:00.001-08:00

well i honestly am excited about march. i don't know what it is but february has always seemed to kick my ass...i don't get it but whatever...

so i changed my set up a bit. moved my monitors around and changed the overall look of my desk. so it's a lot more comfortable to sit and grind now. which is always a good thing...hopefully i'll start running normally and start making some $...

well have a good sunday.

i hate february's

2009-02-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

seriously. this is getting a little ridiculous. since i stared playing poker 4 years ago. every february has been a losing month. everyone! it's so old i can't even explain it.

so i just got done playing, and after today's session i can honestly say if we didn't need the $ i think i would quit poker. i'm so sick of all the frustrations and suck outs and losing. i hate losing so much it's a shock i even came to poker...and if this shit doesn't turn around i think i'm going to drive myself crazy...or have to buy a bunch of shit since i've been breaking shit lately...my phone and keyboard were victims today, and i'm sure my mouse will be next to go.

i'm sure this is just frustration talking...i can honestly say i think i'm playing well atm though. i'm sure there are some frustration spots that i've gotten myself into but it just seems like every river makes their hand. sooooooooooo pissed/frustrated right now. like i said if march isn't a decent one and if shit doesn't turn back to normal/ and if i don't start calming down, then i think i will really have to look at poker, and really what is even the point. i can just get a pt job or some shit, becuz this is ridiculous.

have a good weekend everyone.

seriously best buy?

2009-02-21T16:18:00.001-08:00

what's up everyone. just a little update.

so i finally got my 2nd monitor today. i went into best buy with the i'm not leaving here without something attitude. funny part is i didn't even have to get mean or anything. first guy i talk to is clueless who has me talk to his boss. the boss says well just a minute... goes into the back and brings my monitor out of no where...he then tells me that it's been here since mid january and that no one received it in and has just been sitting here since then...nice work.

so i'm just like wtf r u kidding me? cool thing is that it's basically defective and they give me a new one. but i got the newer version of it and it's way nicer, which is cool, but the size of it is all jacked up becuz it's a wide screen so it's like 5" shorter than my other 24" monitor...and the color on the new one is SICK! so of course now i want a new 24" one just becuz things have gotten so much better/cheaper since i got this...o well. at least i got it...

poker wise, i've been playing pretty steadily every night and it's been going ok. starting to have fun again, but it still feels like a job kinda. just cuz i know even if i wanted to give it up for a month or two i really can't just cuz of $...o well...hopefully i'll get to play a little live in the future to spice things up...

have a good weekend everyone.

nothing really exciting

2009-02-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

what's up all. nothing really all that exciting going on.

the new job is going pretty well. i still feel completely worthless, but hopefully soon i'll figure some shit out and it will start to click. i go to minnesota for 2 weeks for training in march so hopefully after that i'll have a better grasp of things. i'm basically gotten used to the sleep schedule so at least i've figured something out...

poker wise not much to tell really. i just started playing 3 days ago on a normal/full time basis, and honestly i'm still not into it, but $ wise i don't have a choice since the new job is a pay cut from the casino. it probably doesn't help that i've run sooooo shitty for the handful of sessions i've put in. i'm only running at .39 ptbb/100 for the last 17000 hands. which is basically break even and i'm really not a fan of it. some of the beats and suck outs have really gotten to me and i'm still pretty sick of the poker in general. but hopefully the need for $ will help my focus and grinding ability...

well nothing else really going on. just been feeling kinda blah lately. lots of changes in life going on, so i'm sure that has a lot to do with it. well have a good week everyone.

today's the day

2009-02-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

well i'm officially not in my 20's anymore. not really as big a deal as i anticipated i guess. i definitely don't feel 30 though and i guess that is the important thing. we had a party last night and it was very nice. the wife went way overboard and did too much (as usual) and had decorations, cake and food all set up and ready to go. it was definitely nice and a good time. thanks to all that attended.

poker wise i've played 2 full sessions so far this month. nothing too special. i'm running pretty tight at the moment (13/10) and i'm not really a fan of it, but until i get used to playing 12 tables again i guess it'll have to do for a while. it was pretty fun again, except for the part where i was set over setted...twice, lol, nothing like coming back and running hot...

i should have my second monitor back shortly, which i'm super excited about. best buy says it was unfixable so i'll be getting a new one for free which is always a sweet deal. add that with the sweet chair my wife bought me, and the wireless keyboard and mouse my in-laws got me and i should be super set up to put in some serious $ making sessions coming up.

well have a good week everyone, and i guess that 30 really is just a number...

february

2009-02-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

what's up everyone. so it's february and things are going pretty well. starting to get into the swing of the new job...definitely not used to waking up so early yet, but i'll get used to it...

poker wise i'm still not all that into it yet, i've started watching some videos on stox (by SS of course) and trying to get a feel for it. but i truly still don't have any desire to play right now, but i need to start to make some extra $ so i'll probably start playing this weekend a little, but probably won't start playing on a set schedule again until the 15th of february just because things are so crazy w/ bday party this weekend and vday next weekend...so i'll play here and there but not full time again until the 15th.

life is really pretty good atm. besides all the normal bs....job is really going good and i'm liking it alot. the wife and kid are doing good, i still am amazed on a daily basis on how amazing the kid is and how smart she is becoming...and my wife, i truly am the luckiest man in the world.

have a good weekend everyone and if you haven't gotten or responded to the birthday party get at me so u can attend...later

much needed break

2009-01-30T00:23:00.000-08:00

what's up everyone. so i've taken the last two days off, and wow i didn't realize how badly i needed a break...i definitely played when i shouldn't have and when i was tired and that just added to my frustrations.

i definitely feel better about everything though. the last day (tuesday) i played i finally woke up and realized i was playing tilted/not very well. i played my pretty good game (obviously wasn't in a zone or anything but WAY better than i have been) so i'm ended on a good note which was very nice since i have good thought while i'm away.

so we leave for our little weekend excursion tomorrow around 11 am. definitely looking to some relaxing time w/ the wife's' family. it's always fun when all of us get together, so definitely looking forward to it. also it will allow me to take at least 2 more days off of poker...

i haven't really decided when i going to play again, it definitely needs to be some what soon just cuz of bills and whatnot. but i don't wanna rush back into it and grind a bunch and get burnt out again. i might play sunday after the super bowl festivities but i haven't really decided yet. we'll see...

i'll resume posting in february, which i'm not looking forward to since that just happens to be the month i turn 30 in this year...meh i guess, it was bound to happen sooner or later, just kinda snuck up on a guy.

alright i'm out. have a good weekend every1

sick of it

2009-01-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

so i've really become sick of poker...i've played way too much this month and really am just burned out, but really i'm just sick of all the suck outs and getting frustrated, it generally doesn't bother me at all, but there has just been so many this month it's driving me crazy. i honestly don't know if i'm going to play for a long time. my plan was a week but at this point i'm going to clear my bonus tomorrow and be done for a while.

it doesn't really help that i'm playing super shitty and down for the month. so basically i would've been way better off to just play normally and clear a little of my bonus and be up on the month, but since i didn't i'm only up a little bit after rakeback and bonus for the month...what a fucking waste of time. i also think losing my other monitor really hurt me, i didn't realize how much i used that/ relied on it. so maybe that will help if i decide to get back into it, but realistically i'll have to just because i will need the money i generally make from it to help out with bills and all.

so this is my second to last day at the casino and i'm a little sad, nothing major, just going to miss all the people (not the gamblers, people i worked with...)and good times i had at that place, but i gotta grow up sometime...

hope all is well...

big life changes

2009-01-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

well, i think i finally "sucked out on life"...besides my amazing wife and daughter... so my new job that was supposed to not be full time for a few months or so. magically becomes full time on february 2nd. it basically boils down to i was in the right place at the right time, which i don't think has honestly ever happened to me before...

i'm very excited about this opportunity (ldo), but of course i'm crazy nervous. i've never really done anything like this before and it's definitely a pay cut to start off with, but in 5 years i will be farther along (i hope at least) than i ever would've been in the casino business. i'm a little over whelmed about all that i need to learn and comprehend in the shortest amount of time possible...

i'm excited to have a normal schedule and not have to work nights. it will be nice to be able to be around for family dinners, and events, etc. this also should allow me extra time to play poker, which is always good, not to mention i'll be able to play at night now when the games are better than when i usually play. so all in all, i'm super pumped, nervous as hell, but super pumped.

i'm also extremely looking forward to our little family getaway we're having at the end of this month. i'm definitely looking forward to sum time away from poker and just be able to relax and not worry about anything. so that will be nice.

poker wise things have been ok. i think i'm still down for the month. i haven't checked my stats in the last couple days but i'm still pretty sure i am. probably only 2 BI or so, but still i'm down. which i'm not happy about but considering i've already surpassed my biggest month, volume wise, and honestly am a little burned out, i can't be too upset about it. not to mention my rakeback and year end bonus will be more than ever, so hopefully i have a good last week of the month and can turn the month positive plus all the bonuses and rakeback...

have a good weekend everyone.

wow janurary sucks

2009-01-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

seriously. i don't know if this downswing is ever going to end. every single time i get it in or play a big pot, they either show up with the top 1% of their range or end up sucking out on me...just ridiculous, and it's starting to drive me crazy. i've stole so many pots it's ridiculous lately. but every single time i get into a big pot i lose it some how. so frustrating.

i had my first of two session for my leak finder today. mpethybridge and i went over all my PT3 stats and it went well. we found some leaks that i honestly didn't know i had (ldo). he also basically told me that i was pretty good. (which is always nice to hear, especially right now) and that sewing up these last few leaks should be crushing 50nl in no time and on my way to 100nl. which is nice to think about. just seems way far away right now. so i have sweat session w/ SS on sunday and hopefully i can get these leaks sewed up quicks.

life wise...meh. there's an eminem song called "If I Had" that really sums up everything i have going on lately...great song

well have a good day everyone.

turning 30 life crisis?

2009-01-19T04:02:00.000-08:00

sup everyone.

poker wise still kind of on a downswing. i did realize that i've been playing extremely passively. which in turn allowed some opponents to catch up to me, since i wasn't applying any aggression, which just tilted me more. luckily i realized it early on in the session, and started to play more like i normally do. i had a good session for the rest of the time and ended up being a positive one, so that felt good.

i've been attempting to play 6max lately at the 10nl level and i've just gotten my ass kicked. i've only played 600 hands or so and i'm down almost 10 BI. holy shit that's bad, there were a couple of coolers and all but still that's just down right bad...so i realized it looks like i'm not built for 6max and am probably just gunna bag it.

so i got on here and started typing out this huge long thing about my life and turning 30 and shit that i'm going threw/feeling, but then i realized it'd just start worrying people, so i decided to just scrap it...only thing i'll say is i think the fact that i'm about to turn 30 is getting to me. i know it's only a number and all but it's just made me look at everything. so i just don't know. alot has been changing with my mental and psyche lately, and honestly probably not for the better. but o well. probably just stress.

well the wife is planning a birthday party for me (i think newayz) so if she doesn't have ur email address let her or i know what it is so you can be invited to the festivities.

have a good monday everyone.

new job

2009-01-16T00:59:00.000-08:00

so started the new job on wednesday and it's going pretty well. like any new job everything is so overwhelming right now with all of the new things to learn and figure out. definitely seems like an awesome company to work for, and everyone i've worked with to this point is way cool and laid back/down to earth which makes it way easy to like it...

it was crazy to be awake so early. i haven't seen that side of 7am in years...it was nuts how many people were actually on the road. i was like "holy shit people actually are awake at this time...lol

so far so good definitely, i'm excited about the opportunities this can possibly create for my family and i. so hopefully things keep going well and i keep picking things up quickly.

poker wise i finally had a winning session yesterday of 4 BI so that definitely helped out the confidence. i'm having a Leak Finder session with SS, and mpehtybridge which i'm extremely excited about. i'm really looking to sew up some leaks that i think are keeping me from balla status. i feel lately that i have a very solid grasp of things, and have made HUGE leaps the last 2 months (TYVM SS), and just need to sew up a few things i do in certain situations that keep me from truly crushing games.

so over all things are going pretty good. i'm definitely soar and tired just from not having any time to rest since i don't have any days off to relax anymore, but since this is going to make a huge impact on my families life and how we are able to live so it's definitely worth it. i can rest when i retire....

hope everyone is doing well...

holy downswing batman

2009-01-13T23:11:00.000-08:00

hey everyone. i'm so irritated/frustrated/pissed right now. it's actually started to become funny lately (not really though) it's been so bad.

i'm down 10+BI since saturday. it's really a mix of everything...sick coolers, deffinately some ridiculous suckouts, and shitty play. i've noticed i get that "o well here we go again" feeling and will just check call or check behind in situations where i need to be aggressive. its' really starting to get to me though. i was planning on making a w/d for some extra $ to have and now i won't be able to play 100nl at all since this w/d will take my BR down to my comfort 50nl level. just lame. makes me feel like i'll never get to 100nl.

i think i'm going to try and tighten up a little bit. don't know if i'm taking the whole LAG thing to far or what, but it just seems like i'm getting myself into some shitty spots recently, (probably a little tilt induced) so i'm just gunna tighten up a bit and hopefully things will even out here soon. i'm also thinking about dropping the #of tables a bit. just to switch it up and maybe be able to focus on decisions a little more.

i bought myself a little 30th birthday present...nothing really special just bough some nice cigars so i have them to smoke on my birthday and for the family trip at the end of this month. i'm still a little shocked i turn 30 in less than a month.

on a very positive note, the wife doesn't have chrons' or anything of the such. the tests she just had came back completely negative which is very good. hopefully she'll figure out what's going on, she has some more labs to do and then the doc said everything should get figured out. thank God it's nothing major though.

i start the new job tomorrow and i'm looking forward to it. i'm nervous (ldo) but i'm sure as soon as i get started i'm sure things will go ok.

well have a good rest of the week everyone.

start of a long week/month

2009-01-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

what's up everyone. so even though it's not my official monday (well i guess i don't have a monday since i'm going to be working 7 days a week now), they generally suck...

so i get this email from FTP about my bank transfers, and basically there sorry but they have no idea when there going to be here. they give me a lame ass 10% off my w/d back. like that is supposed to help...so much for paying rent. damn the US government is basically what this boils down to. i don't know much about politics, but one thing i don't understand is how can a "free" country tell me what i can and can't do on the internet? so ridiculous...

so i've been on a downswing lately(only 5 BI). nothing too severe but enough to realize i'm a little tilted/ frustrated lately. so needless to say i'm going to play as much as possible for the rest of the month and then take february pretty chill, starting with the little family vacation we have with all of the wifes' family.

so i posted my article on 2+2 that i did for SplitSuits' site, and while i think it was a good article it got no love on 2+2. which is actually kinda normal, i'm not part of any of the cliques on there and generally get no respect...meh, i guess i just won't take the time anymore to do anything like that for 2+2. if someone else wants me to fine, but i'm basically done w/ the forum. plus the games are getting tough enough as it is, i don't feel like making them tougher by giving knowledge away for free.

well i start the new job on wednesday and i'm looking forward to it. nervous of course but i'm excited to start some new opportunities. hopefully things work out and i can get the hell outta the casino business...

have a good week everyone.

having an accoplishment cigar and lounging

2009-01-09T01:34:00.000-08:00

what's up everyone. just a little update. this will be my last day off for at least a month so i'm lounging a bit and about to smoke a cigar.

so i was extremely productive this weekend. the wife is basically out of commission because of all of her pain, (still no news on wtf is going on, but she just had some tests on wednesday so hopefully soon). so i needed to get some things handled before my crazy 3 job regimen starts. so now that i've accomplished everything i set out to i'm about to smoke my cigar and relax (can u tell i like cigars?)

i finally finished my article for SplitSuits' site. i think it is pretty good and i don't know if i should be giving out so much information for free, but he asked me to do it and he's helped me so much how could i really say no...it's on a couple of topics that i really think i've started to grasp since really thinking about the game and since i started taking lessons from SS. so hopefully everyone who reads it thinks it's good and gets something out of it.

poker wise i've been a mad man recently. i've played so much (well for me at least) this month that i'm already at my 15k hands. which is crazy since my highest monthly total is around 28k. the win rate for that time is less than steller but i've had a few more beats than normal this month so i'm sure things will even out (well hopefully anyways) so needless to say i'm deffinately on my way to clearing my full end of the year bonus.

i think it's made the wife a little angry with me since basically i'm playing as much as possible and when ever i have a free hour here and there, but hey it's money we can use for a bigger and better life, so as soon as i get comfortable with my BR and we start using poker $ for substantial fun toys/things i'm sure she'll realize it's a good thing i know how to play poker and make $ at it.

i'm planning on taking some 100nl shots this weekend. the BR really has grown pretty well from last month and i feel pretty comfortable with the amount that i have for 100nl. so hopefully all goes well and i can find some good games to play in.

well it's cigar time now. have a good weekend everyone.

meh

2009-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

i think i was a little upset yesterday...

yesterday at work didn't make things any better, ya yesterday was just a shitty day. but it's a different day.

i'm hoping to get my computer issues resolved this week but i really don't know where to start since i am basically clueless when it comes to computers. i can function on them but when it comes to fixing and finding problems i have no clue. so if anybody can help let me know!

just wanted to put a post in where i seem happy since yesterday was such a shitty day, and i read my post this morning and was like "hmm i was a little angry"...

have a good day everyone.

life sucks sometimes

2009-01-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

hey everyone. i'm deffinately not happy at the moment so this post could be a little angry...

so i decided not to put an offer on the house in, and in doing that i pissed my wife off (which is NEVER a good thing) i was just worried about the money. the house was a very good deal and perfect for us, but i would've hated to get it and then realize we fucked ourselves over. so now i'm sure everyone is pissed at me, but you know what i really don't give a fuck.

on another shitty note something is fucked with my computer now and i can't use my other monitor which sucks because since i've been playing 15 tables i'm using both monitors, but something is messed and one monitor just turns off, which is awesome since i was playing and it randomly just started happening and i just lost a huge pot when i had KK, and the majority of the money went in preflop, and then the monitor starts turning off and i time out on the flop when i had 3/4 of my stack in. so i time out and lose the whole pot....so pissed off right now.

so i'm fucked right now. i have to put in crazy volume and don't have much time because of all the work and new job shit, and now this happens. y can nothing ever just go right? y does something always have to be fucked up w/ my life? i guess i'm just doomed.

so i'm on the phone with dell and they say it's not there problem since i bought it from best buy and to call them. they give me this number and it is disconnected. so now i'm back on the phone with dell and on hold...so wonderful. i should've just not woken up today and that would've been a WAY better option than waking up.

well that's enough of me ranting i guess, have a good day everyone.

2009

2009-01-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

well happy new year everyone.

i love this picture so damn much i had to put it on here. i know i'm biased but damn i have the cutest daughter ever, and if you tell me i don't ur lying! everytime i look at it on my computer i say "i luv u kid". man she deffinately has me wrapped around her little finger...

so i am all excited to get my end of the year bonus that i've qualified for so i can add it to my BR and bump up to 100nl. i look at it today and i have to clear 11000 FTP. HOLY shit. i think the max i've cleared in one month is 6K max. which means i have to double my load. i added 2 tables to the mix today (bringing my total up to 14) and it felt ok. i only timed out when i was changing things and my table layouts, so i was able to handle it. i noticed when i played 12 lately i was starting to get a little board and started surfing the web/chatting so it probably will make me concentrate a little more, which is always a good thing.

so with 2 jobs and basically a 3rd w/ having to play cards as much and as often as possible, it's going to be a crazy insane month...so on the days i work at the casino i've decided i'm going to have to wake up a little earlier and put in some extra time. i figure an extra 45 minuets a day should be enough to get the job done. not to mention i have to have this all finished in 26 days since at the end of the month we're going on a family retreat w/ the wife's' family... so needless to say it's going to be a very busy month, but given the fact that i'm addicted to money i'm sure it'll be worth it.

so we go to look at a house tomorrow and i'm way excited/scared. the house really probably is "the one" and the price is ridiculously good, but (of course) i'm a little nervous about buying a house. and in the midst of the busiest month ever i don't really know where will we will ever find time to move if it goes threw. but we'll c how the walk threw goes first before i start stressing myself out more than normal.

end of the month/ new year

2008-12-31T14:49:00.000-08:00

hello everyone. just a little update.

2009 already almost? damn that's kinda ridiculous. i can't believe how much time flies when you get old...

december was a very good month. actually my best month ever that i can think of. i don't have my old database, since i got my new computer, but i'm almost positive that it is me best month, especially since the other months were at 25nl and this month was at 50nl and 100nl. the games in december have been very good and i hope they stay that way at least for the first part of the month since i'm going to have to put in such a huge volume to clear my end of the year bonus.

i am very pleased with my progression threw out the year. to think of the player i was in june/july, and to think of the player i am now is truly remarkable. i look back at those times and just think "wow i really was bad, and i still made a little $" that gives me alot of motivation for the upcoming year.

i have to thank the people that help me make such a huge transformation in my game:

first VinnyVT he was the first person i started to take lessons from and planted the seeds of good TAG play and got me going.

SplitSuit (SS), he has taken my game from meh to almost balla. i still have some leaks to sew up to become truly very good (i might be there at 50 already but i wanna b great at 100+) but without SS i truly would not b where i'm at. only because of poker i've been able to pay bills these last few months with the casino being so slow and our winter storm that snowed us in for 10 days. so thank you SOOOOO much SS, you truely have been a blessing this year.

everyone @ 2+2, to everyone who made meaning full posts and truely help me get better i thank you. there's really too many to name, but thank you for everything to the 2+2 community.

i have some goals that i think are very reachable for 2009. depending on how the new job works out, i plan on putting a lot of time and effort into poker again so i start to see substantial money to use to help better the quality of life for me and my family (down payment on a house, pay off debt, etc., etc.,)

1.) end year at 200nl w/ shot takes at 400nl
2.) bankroll at 10K+
3.) learn a new game/ start playing 6max to expand my poker knowledge
4.) plug up the leaks that keep me from taking it to the next level
5.) HyperFocus (SS term)
6.) do a video/article for a training site
7.) always make the +EV moves, in poker and life
8.) start a lifestyle change: healthy eating & exercise

well have a safe night everyone. i hope all of your dreams and goals come true in 2009.

back to reality

2008-12-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

my return to reality starts tomorrow when i go back to work. i should have been back on friday but i had a horrible sour throat and went to the doc and they told me not to go back to work until sunday. that is when i shouldn't be contagious anymore. so tomorrow is back to normal.

the last ten days have really been nice. i've had so much time to spend with the wife and kid. it's been kinda nice living a somewhat normal life and being here at night when the kid goes to sleep. i do love working nights but this shows me how much i do miss on a daily basis.

christmas was unbelievable. i got the best present ever from my wife! she got me Blazers tickets when they play the Lakers in portland, so needless to say i can't wait for that to come up. the kid got so much stuff it was overwhelming. our house is now littered with even more toys, which doesn't really seem possible. i look at her and am just in aww, she's so frickin ridiculous. i know most parents are biased but i have the cutest kid in the world, and she amazes me everyday with the new things she's doing and learning.

another thing the time at home has allowed me to do is play lots of poker. i've been doing pretty well for the month, and i've deffinately noticed the games are very good right now, which i have been told happens this time of year. if only every month was like december online. i've played a bit of 100, but still don't have enough $ in the BR for me to feel comfortable to give it a consistent go. so in a way this little break has sucked because i had to w/d more than usual for bills (thank God i can play poker and make $ doing it) and if it wasn't for that then i'd be more than comfortable for 100nl...but meh i guess. it's deffinately been worth being home and being with the family, so it was worth the trade off.

i've been trying to open things up a little bit and am trying to get up to a 17/12-18/14ish type game. the last few sessions i've been running about 16/12 and have been doing well. i figure now is the time, with the games being so good, to try out some new things, especially if it includes playing more hands with donks...

have a good start of the week everyone.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T00:14:00.000-08:00

hello everyone. just wanted to wish everyone a merry christmas. i hope you all have a wonderful time with all your family and enjoy the time with your family. christmas is always busy around my house just because the wifes' family is ridiculously big so we always have a ton of stops to get to. but it's always nice, a little hectic, but good to be with family.

poker wise nothing really going on. played 100nl as a favor for SS because i was supposed to record a video for him. i was really bummed when the video that i made (which was really good) didn't get saved on my computer and was lost for good. one thing did come of this as i played more 100nl then i ever have (and in one day no less) i played around 1500 hands and it got me a little more comfortable with 100nl and the bet sizing and everything that goes with bumping up a level. so good looking out SplitSuit.

so for the rest of the month i'm actually considering just playing 100. the amount of rakeback and FTP you receive is basically double of 50 (ldo), it's just a huge jump up and given the fact that i'm going to need to get alot of FTP in the month of january it'd be a big help with clearing my bonus, but we'll see how i feel.

on a positive note i was offered a job today with the company that i have been interviewing with. i have somewhat mixed feelings about it. it is going to be a very good opportunity and very possibly can be a career for the rest of my life, but, just like when you try anything new, i'm a little nervous about the whole situation. it's a completely different life change. i feel that i have the easiest job in the world. sure i haven't been making money lately cuz of the damn economy but it's generally so easy to make money it's kinda ridiculous. i love working nights, my wife hates it of course, so i don't know what to think, but i guess we all have to grow up sometime, just wasn't ready for it to happen this quickly. the next month is definitely going to suck though. i was hired as a part time employee and then will be moved to a FT employee after i get to know the business and see if i like it. .

so january is going to be unbelievably busy. i'm going to be working 2 different jobs 7 days a week, plus having to log serious hours to clear my end of the year bonus. so needless to say i'm not going to be sleeping much in the month of january, but whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger i hear (which is funny because w/ all the shit i've been threw lately i'm probably fucking invincible at the moment).

well have a wonderful christmas everyone and enjoy the time with your families.

stuck at home

2008-12-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

what's up everybody. so i have to say snow is pretty and all, but this sucks. i'm stuck at home, can't work, and more snow is on the way...ridiculous.

so life wise things are a little better. my dad has been my personal chauefer the last few days since he has a 4wd truck. we talked some things out and i feel a little better about everything. i've learned (from him and my wife) that i keep things bottled up and don't show emotions or feelings and that is probably why i think about old demons at times.

i have been playing alot of poker lately since i've been stuck at home. been doing pretty decent. i had to make a few extra w/d (thank God for poker) because i've been stuck at home, and not working. so i am not playing 100nl anymore. which i'm a little bummed about but hopefully after this month and next month, after i clear my bonus, my bankroll will be set up for 100nl. ok so i've never done this before in my life and i feel like it's huge thing in my "poker career": i folded Kings pre-flop, yes u read that right PRE-FLOP!, this situation might have been pretty obvious. but i was impressed with myself that i had the discipline to hit the fold button....villian #1 is running 12/8 for a good sample and villian 2 is like 25/15 for a small sample.

Full Tilt Poker, $0.25/$0.50 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 8 PlayersLeggoPoker.com Hand History Converter
MP1: $62.65

MP2: $49.50

Hero (CO): $50

BTN: $37.65

SB: $60.35

BB: $44.10

UTG: $20.70

UTG+1: $52.60

Pre-Flop: Kc Kh dealt to Hero (CO)

2 folds,

MP1 calls $0.50,

MP2 raises to $2.25,

Hero raises to $8.50,

BTN raises to $37.65 and is All-In,

3 folds,

MP2 raises to $49.50 and is All-In,

Hero folds

Flop: ($85.05) Qd 4s 8h (2 Players - 1 is All-In)
Turn: ($85.05) Th (2 Players - 1 is All-In)
River: ($85.05) 4c (2 Players - 1 is All-In)
Results: $85.05 Pot ($3 Rake)

MP2 showed As Ac (two pair, Aces and Fours) and WON $82.05 (+$44.40 NET)

BTN showed Ks Kd (two pair, Kings and Fours) and LOST (-$37.65 NET)

good weekend

2008-12-15T00:27:00.000-08:00

hey everybody, just a little update:

i'm basically stuck at home lately because of this wonderful weather we're having and the fact that the casino i work at called me and told me not to bother to come because of the roads. which is honestly really awesome and really shitty...awesome because i can just relax hang w/ the wife and kid and play poker for the $ i'm missing by not working, but really shitty because i won't see the $ i've made until at least 10 days, because it has to go threw all the normal w/d bs...

so poker wise i feel like i've made huge strides the last week. i've been absolutely killing 50nl lately. mainly because of the last lesson i had w/ SS and my realization of me giving villains too much credit, and my lack of value betting in spots where i should be. i'm starting to not always give villain the nuts when they're against me and it really has payed huge dividends. on thursday i had my biggest winning day ever at 50nl. i did run slightly well, but really played well also, and that doesn't always happen. since thursday i'm up 15 BI, so needless to say i'm playing well. things really have been a lot clearer, as far as players ranges lately, and i've been value betting in spots i never have and my winrate has just soared.

i took a 100nl shot and that went well also, it's a very small sample and i did run well in it , but i'm still trying to get comfortable with it. i tried again today and just really felt a little nervous again about the money, so i stopped playing 100nl for the day and am probably gunna take it up tomorrow.

i think i made a discovery that i have bankroll/going broke issues. my bankroll for 50nl is definitely enough to where i don't feel scared about going broke and i've noticed lately the fact that i've made sum plays that i know i wouldn't have made 2 months ago. plays that i know will work and are +EV but wouldn't in the past because i didn't want to risk the $. so i think i see this in my shot takes because i'm sitting there looking at 100 on the screen rather than 50 and it nits me up a bit, but i'll get comfortable as the BR grows and the more hands i put in at 100.

life wise i don't really know what's going on anymore. i have issues in my head that won't go away, and some old demons are trying to creep back into my brain, which makes things that much more stressful. sometime i feel like i just can't do anything right, and that i don't make anyone happy. just feels that no matter what i do i'm doomed, and nothing is going to work out like i want it to/it should.

one last note (me whining/BBV) i've been on the good end of set over set 4 times in my online poker career. all the money has went in on the flop and i have only won 1 of them. how is that even possible? THREE times out of four they've hit their quads, the most recent happened yesterday and it got me thinking wtf, how is that possible? and of course i've never hit quads in the handful of times i've been on the bad end of set over set, so ridiculous!

life

2008-12-11T04:10:00.001-08:00

*parental advisory: there's a little swearing in this post...so fucking deal with it.

what's up all. just thought i'd make a little post since i've been in somewhat of a funk lately, figured maybe venting would make me feel a little better...we'll c.

so lately i just really haven't been happy i don't think. first of all my family situation is just fucked. (my mom and dad/siblings, not wife and kid...) there's an issue in my family that i don't understand and don't really wanna go into it but lets just say it could drive a guy to drink. i'm basically the middle man of what is a feud that will honestly probably be never ending. and it pissses me off so fucking much i can't stand it. why can't they just wake the fuck up and realize life is TOO SHORT for this kind of shit. it's so fucking ridiculous i wanna fucking punch myself in the fucking head, and let me tell you it's not fun. so if ur reading this please don't be angry w/ me i'm just telling you my situation and this is all so fucking ridiculous. i love you very much and just don't understand.

i also think i'm starting to get used to my role as a provider/man of the house. i've learned that sum things are better left unsaid when it will just cause grief. i feel that others shouldn't have to feel the pain/ stress i have (for those that don't truly know me i'm very stoic and generally never show emotion at all). i mean shit i'm the supposive "rock" of the family. so why should i talk about shit and give unnecessary stress/pain that i feel. might be a fucked up way to think about shit but hey it's me...my wife is somewhat emotionally fragile and i don't feel the need to tell her things that is going to cause her stress that (trust me honey) is just not necessary. like i said i'm the rock, i deal with all the shit/stress, and you handle the rest. luv u boo.

i have another job interview tomorrow and i just feel kinda meh about it. it would definitely be a great opportunity but if i've learned anything about myself it is that i don't like change. i'm very comfortable with my life (except for the above...ldo) and changing careers seems somewhat scary. my job is honestly so easy and i basically count for money. (good money for doing nothing really) so the fact that i might have to start actually working and trying to sell shit stresses me somewhat, but before i give myself the job i guess i'll see what tomorrow brings.

poker has been ok, i had a lesson w/ SS on monday and i thought it went very well. i've learned i'm basically fucking myself w/ my post flop play. i'm playing way too nitty/passively, not value betting where i should, and giving people WAY too much credit. i'm very pessimistic and it has creeped into my poker playing which is way not good at all. so this month i'm going to try and really objectively look at there likely range and commit a little more easily. we'll c if i'm way spewing at first, but i feel like that when i look at there range objectively and add the bottom/ random shit people show up with it'll work out fine.

for those of you that actually read this whole thing hug the ones u luv and never let 'em go, because life is too short to have regrets.

hmm...i actually think that worked, i feel a little better.

been lazy

2008-12-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

what's up all, it's been a super lazy month for me, well at least poker wise.

i've only played three days so far this month, kind of by choice and just not really into it. i've noticed a huge difference in the games this month (way nittier, and more dec players, probably because everyone is going for their end of the year bonus). i've been playing alot the last 6 months and i've decided (kind of subconsciously) to take this month easy. i'm still going to play enough to make my end of the year bonus, but am not planning on putting in the volume i normally do. january is going to be a big month (volume wise) in order to clear my end of the year bonus so i'm going to play a little and study and go over HH so i can identify and plug some leaks going into 2009.

i had a job interview on thursday and it went pretty well. it's for a 2B (yes that's billion) a year company, so really what could be wrong about working for a big corporation. the thing that excites me about it is that it could actually be a career. something that i could do for the rest of my life and retire.

sure dealing is fun, but i'm getting so sick of dealing with gamblers. they really are whiny, cheap, and generally assholes anyways. i've often heard that dealers burn out after a while and eventually turn to dual-rate or flooring, and i can see how that happens. only problem with that is that the casino i work at doesn't pay there floors shit, so it wouldn't be worth it at all.

have a good week everyone.

December

2008-12-01T02:55:00.000-08:00

seriously how is it december already. that is just ridiculous. it's inane how time flies by, especially when you have a child and just watch them grow everyday, and before you know it months have passed by. i still catch myself in disbelief when i look at the kid and see how much she's grown in 16 months.

november turned out to be a positive month. up almost 8 BI, but considering where i was at in the middle of the month i really can't be too dissapointed about that i guess. i'm really looking forward to grinding this month. i'm playing well and have really started to "hyper-focus" (ss term) which has really helped my decision making and overal level of play.

i'm planning on talking another 100nl shot again. i think i'm planning to do it on my weekend (wednesday and thursday) to start off. i like having a little more time and not feeling rushed when i take a shot so if i feel like playing a little longer to get enough volume i can, since i generally only play 6-8 tables it's a little slower going which actually is very nice when shot taking because i can think about things that much more. i'm really going to focus on being aggresive. in the last shot take i played very passively in certian situations which is way no bueno. but i'm pretty sure if i play like i have been, things will work themselves out.

i don't really have any goals for this month. since at the moment my goals really can't change much from last month...hyper-focusing, can't really put in more hours because of schedule...so i will again just plan on hyper-focusing that much more.

one goal outside of poker i have though is i need to start getting sum excercise. i've become accustomed to a lifestyle without much movement, and sitting in front of the computer as a second income doesn't really help either. we just bought wii fit and i've decided i have to do it at least 3 days for 30 minuetes each time. 4 would be way better, but i'll start off w/ 3 and work up from there, so tomorrow after my session i'm starting!

have a good week everyone.

happy thanksgiving

2008-11-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

hello everyone. i hope you all have a wonderful day.

so we looked at a house today that was really the first house i've actually like to this point. 3 bedrooms, 2 car garage. 2 bathrooms. really just a nice house. but (of course there's a but) the people that lived there were complete slops. the carpets are trashed, the walls are fucked, they smoked in it so it reeks (although my wife informs me that they have paint to seal out the smell) so i don't know what to think. it's right at the top of our budget also so we wouldn't really have any left over money to do any renovations/fixes, which sucks. worst part is, it's a bank repo and if we want to act on it we have to put an offer in by sunday. so i just don't know what to think.

on the poker side of things, this month has been just silly, i was down 12 BI, now i've had a decent run, and really have been playing good, an now am up a little more than 5 BI...so i'm right back where i started last month at this time. up enough to take my shot at 100nl again if i feel like. but given the time of year i'll probably have to make an extra withdraw for presents and whatnot, so we'll c. so overall it's been a pretty lame month $ wise at least.

well have a wonderful day and remember all that you have to be thankful for. days like this make me realize that even though alot of the time things are shitty or i feel bummed about things/life, there's really no need for it, because i have so much to be thankful for...the most of which my beautiful wife, our amazing daughter, and the fact that i can support the 3 of us. well have happy thanksgiving everyone.