31 DEC 06
November
Ah, politics. I never started out to be a political blogger, but I’ve also never been one to hold inside what needs to be said. John Kerry pissed me off. It later turned out that I really think he botched a joke (as opposed to calling me a idiot for not being smart enough to stay out of Iraq), but it lead to a pretty good post.
Sometimes, I think of something and I can’t let it go (no pun intended). Finally, I decided to write it down thinking, “Surely, no one else has the problem of when to pee while playing poker?” Boy was I wrong.
I love poetry and wit, but only when they are brief. If I have to work too hard to translate the words, I get bored and miss meaning. That’s why I love The Onion for its wit, and why I loved this short poem by Samuel Menasche. It has such profound meaning in such a short space.
Scribe out of work
At a loss for words
Not his to begin with,
The man life passed by
Stands at the window
Biding his time
I stayed a little political in November (it was hard not to with the election results), and then taught you all how to tell The Perfect Bad Beat Story. How come you haven’t learned?
I also started to get paid for blogging this month by signing up with Review Me. In a never-before-seen comment, I give you, right here and right now, my review of Review Me:
The folks at Review Me are criminals and sham artists. They will never get another review from me. They were sending my money to the wrong PayPal address. Here is the entire email they sent me when I asked about it:
Hi,
Very sorry, but we are unable to reinitiate past payments.
Thanks,
ReviewMe Support
support@reviewme.com
I finished the month by once again apologizing to my wife. At least I got the Vegas trip approved, right? Too bad it nearly cost me my marriage. Okay, that’s overstating it a bit, but trust me – it was ugly and it was my fault.
December
December brought World Poker Blogger Tour (WPBT), and Trip Reports One, Two and Three. What an awesome experience. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that thoughts of this trip will carry me through my impending deployment to Iraq. Thanks again for the memories and stories.
As I approaced the end of the month and the end of 2006, I decided to let you all share in my Midlife Crisis. Folks, I am really struggling with this, but it’s been cathartic to share it with you. There is no end in site, but the revelations are coming fast and furious.
First – here is the Wikipedia description of a Midlife Crisis (don’t you just love the Wiki?)
My favorite part?
Acquiring of unusual or expensive items such as clothing, muscle cars, jewelry, gadgets, etc.
And so, we are down to this. 2006 was an incredible year. 2007 will be interesting, even though I will spend a significant portion of it in the desert. I know that going to war and going to prison are very different, but that’s how I’m approaching this. I’ve never been to prison, but if I was sentenced, I think I would mentally prepare myself for the dead time and focus on the end. In this case, the end may be in doubt. I’m told it’s “just 6 months,” but the Army is notorious for changing things at the last minute. Think about it for a minute. What would you rather have?
Option 1: You are told you are deploying for a year, but you get to come back at 11 months.
Option 2: You are told you are deploying for 6 months, but you get extended to 7 months.
On the surface, Option 2 is 4 months shorter, but can you see how much more difficult it is mentally?
I will end this year on two notes – one political and one personal.
First off I give you my thoughts on Iraq. Saddam is dead.
Saddam Hussein execution. Warning! This video shows to the end. It’s crappy, but it’s important.
I’m a little conflicted here. I personally want him dead. I’m glad he’s dead. He deserved to die. I’m just a little worried that things will get worse in the short term – like, just when I’m boarding the plane to head East.
Lastly, it’s time for a little revelation.
I first heard about this concept on a couple of old posts from Iggy and Wil Wheaton. The question we need to ask ourselves as poker players is this:
Why do we play poker?
Folks, I am stuck over $15,000. Now, I am very fortunate that this will not affect the way I live my life. I can absorb this loss and move on. But, what have I gotten for my 15 large?
I had one helluva time playing cards. My heart beat like crazy. I got some great stories and met some interesting people at the casino.
I met you all through poker. Surely, no value can be placed on that. I never would have known about the WPBT if it wasn’t for poker and blogging, and that would be a shame.
But, at the end of the day, why do I play poker? My big revelation is this: Poker has been an ego thing for me. I got so much pleasure when I was winning that I lost site of the big picture, and it affected my game. Poker, at least limit poker, is a grind. I needed the action and played too many hands. By putting myself in too many drawing situations, and not having the bankroll to sustain when the odds don’t come my way, I decimated my bankroll. I now have two options – rebuild the bankroll, or take a break from regular poker.
Guess which one I’m headed towards?
I know my wife and family will be happy. I spend too much time away. I have decided to limit my poker to home games, Vegas and freerolls (unless Stefan comes into town – then I’ll be forced to hit the Muckleshoot once again).
So the big answer and the big revelation is this. Why do I play poker?
For the wrong reasons.
It’s time to fix that.
Starting right now.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
2006 Year in Review (July thru October)
30 DEC 06
July
This month brought the Ozzfest giveaway to a close. I got some incredible offers for my free ticket offer:
I would piss myself and stay in those pants for 3 days just to hear System of a Down for 1 minute…
The eventual winner sent me a great email and pic from the concert, and he kept his word and thanked me on the liner notes from his band’s new CD. Check out Proto-Leviathan.
But July also saw the WBPT. As I said in my 101 Things About Dr. Chako, I could not wait for this event. I may have done a few things wrong (like not meeting many of my blogging heroes), but I would correct that at the next event.
This was my first attempt at a trip report, and it chronicled my time on the “Deuce” and meeting one helluva crowd.
Timmy: Dad, what kind of birds do you like?
Dad: I don’t know, Timmy. I guess I like colorful ones like parrots or fast ones like falcons.
Timmy: No Dad. I meant do you like alive ones or dead ones.
Pause.
Dad: I guess I prefer the live ones, Timmy.
Timmy: I like the dead ones.
Given a choice between Huge Junk and Laura Prepon, we all know who I would choose. Honest, I had no idea who she was.
I also went to Alaska where I would pen the short story, “Fairbanks.”
August
This month included a great cruise, with a little donkey poker thrown in (who the hell has a 10% rake no max?! Royal Caribbean, that’s who!).
In my Experiment, I further chronicle the downward spiral of my bankroll, yet I was able to do something about it. I ran a $20 buy-in to a local tournament to nearly $3000. Yep, I gave it all back to the poker community. Can you feel the revelation coming?
I also found You Tube this month. Tommy Emmanuel. You can thank me later.
My rise to blogging fame culminated this month with the publication of my short story in the incredible online magazine Truckin’. I can’t thank you enough, Pauly.
Fairbanks.
October
This month I started out comparing myself to Daniel Negreanu. I was serious. Somehow I forgot about a key difference, namely the direction of our respective bankrolls. Actually, in an interview with CardPlayer magazine right before the final table of the recent 5 Diamond Classic, Daniel mentioned that he was broke. Somehow I doubt it, but it makes me feel a little better.
My wife (who I’m currently pissed at for leaving a mean comment on my first Year in Review post) wrote a hysterical rebuttal to my Fairbanks story. I’m forced to admit it was as good (better?) than the original.
The rest of my posts this month can be summed up as either realizing that I suck at poker or that I’m good a sucking out. Two great traits of donkeys, in case you were wondering.
The month ended with this bit of prose:
Still another summer has spilled from my hands as a precarious pile of plates that topples to the floor. I gaze at the ruin, and wonder what wonderful opportunities were missed.
October
I start to hint at my impending midlife crisis. I hadn’t yet named it, but I knew something was wrong.
I found out that I would be headed to Iraq.
I follow this with another top 10 (yet morbid) post called If You Are Reading This, I’m Already Dead.
I also realized that I have actual readers, based on tons of comments I got when I announced my impending deployment. Thanks guys and gals. As you know, I’m not doing this for you, but it sure is a helluva ego stroke to know that you read my stuff and support me as a soldier and doctor.
I hinted at Taking a Shot. This is really the beginning of the end. In retrospect, this is an obvious cry for help. This post is no different than a losing gambler staring at a craps table and saying (sometimes outloud), “Okay, last chance. I’m gonna break even right here. Right now.” There are only two outcomes.
90% of the time, the bankroll disappears.
10% you win big, only to give it back – usually sooner than later.
I wrote my funniest post ever, called A Nickel Please.
Finally, I wrote my most important post ever on the 20th anniversary of joining the Army, called 20 Years After.
Now, you’re gonna have to wait for November and December because my plane is boarding.
July
This month brought the Ozzfest giveaway to a close. I got some incredible offers for my free ticket offer:
I would piss myself and stay in those pants for 3 days just to hear System of a Down for 1 minute…
The eventual winner sent me a great email and pic from the concert, and he kept his word and thanked me on the liner notes from his band’s new CD. Check out Proto-Leviathan.
But July also saw the WBPT. As I said in my 101 Things About Dr. Chako, I could not wait for this event. I may have done a few things wrong (like not meeting many of my blogging heroes), but I would correct that at the next event.
This was my first attempt at a trip report, and it chronicled my time on the “Deuce” and meeting one helluva crowd.
Timmy: Dad, what kind of birds do you like?
Dad: I don’t know, Timmy. I guess I like colorful ones like parrots or fast ones like falcons.
Timmy: No Dad. I meant do you like alive ones or dead ones.
Pause.
Dad: I guess I prefer the live ones, Timmy.
Timmy: I like the dead ones.
Given a choice between Huge Junk and Laura Prepon, we all know who I would choose. Honest, I had no idea who she was.
I also went to Alaska where I would pen the short story, “Fairbanks.”
August
This month included a great cruise, with a little donkey poker thrown in (who the hell has a 10% rake no max?! Royal Caribbean, that’s who!).
In my Experiment, I further chronicle the downward spiral of my bankroll, yet I was able to do something about it. I ran a $20 buy-in to a local tournament to nearly $3000. Yep, I gave it all back to the poker community. Can you feel the revelation coming?
I also found You Tube this month. Tommy Emmanuel. You can thank me later.
My rise to blogging fame culminated this month with the publication of my short story in the incredible online magazine Truckin’. I can’t thank you enough, Pauly.
Fairbanks.
October
This month I started out comparing myself to Daniel Negreanu. I was serious. Somehow I forgot about a key difference, namely the direction of our respective bankrolls. Actually, in an interview with CardPlayer magazine right before the final table of the recent 5 Diamond Classic, Daniel mentioned that he was broke. Somehow I doubt it, but it makes me feel a little better.
My wife (who I’m currently pissed at for leaving a mean comment on my first Year in Review post) wrote a hysterical rebuttal to my Fairbanks story. I’m forced to admit it was as good (better?) than the original.
The rest of my posts this month can be summed up as either realizing that I suck at poker or that I’m good a sucking out. Two great traits of donkeys, in case you were wondering.
The month ended with this bit of prose:
Still another summer has spilled from my hands as a precarious pile of plates that topples to the floor. I gaze at the ruin, and wonder what wonderful opportunities were missed.
October
I start to hint at my impending midlife crisis. I hadn’t yet named it, but I knew something was wrong.
I found out that I would be headed to Iraq.
I follow this with another top 10 (yet morbid) post called If You Are Reading This, I’m Already Dead.
I also realized that I have actual readers, based on tons of comments I got when I announced my impending deployment. Thanks guys and gals. As you know, I’m not doing this for you, but it sure is a helluva ego stroke to know that you read my stuff and support me as a soldier and doctor.
I hinted at Taking a Shot. This is really the beginning of the end. In retrospect, this is an obvious cry for help. This post is no different than a losing gambler staring at a craps table and saying (sometimes outloud), “Okay, last chance. I’m gonna break even right here. Right now.” There are only two outcomes.
90% of the time, the bankroll disappears.
10% you win big, only to give it back – usually sooner than later.
I wrote my funniest post ever, called A Nickel Please.
Finally, I wrote my most important post ever on the 20th anniversary of joining the Army, called 20 Years After.
Now, you’re gonna have to wait for November and December because my plane is boarding.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
2006 Year in Review
28 DEC 06
The folks here at NPCWaMCD would like to thank you all for your support and frequent visits. It’s been a helluva year. This also marks my first full year of blogging, since I only started in August of 2005. Quite a lot has happened.
2005 ended with a couple lame cartoons, but had a pretty cute “goggy” story on my second to last post of 2005, called Cute Kid Story.
January
2006 started off with a bang as I shared a horrible start to the year with Mr. Speaker, but followed quickly with an interesting post about playing better on drugs.
Continuing a theme that would pervade many of my posts this year, I addressed my ongoing problem with managing Tilt. It’s interesting that I KNOW I go on tilt, and I KNOW it affects my play, yet I still haven’t fixed the problem. Well, maybe I have, but I’ll address that later. As an aside, I was asked just this morning to take on a HUGE new responsibility at work. The one thing “the powers” noted, though, was a concern that I sometimes get too emotional and lose my temper. “Better watch that,” they said.
January 12th launched me to blogging fame. This post, about a 7' 4" Dutch woman called Moving to Holland (and the accompanying picture) remains my most frequently visited page, and provides some very interesting Google searches leading to my blog.
I also posted my 101 Things about Dr. Chako in January and figured out how to include it on my front page. I need to update a few items. For instance, I’ve recently crossed the 20 year mark in the Army, and I may need to address that little thing about never being in combat. Well, technically, I’ve still never been in combat, but as my readers know, that’s about to change.
I ended the month snake-bit.
February
This month brought a great guest post by my buddy Bill, an outstanding physician and friend from my days in Germany. We golfed together at St. Andrews, and he wrote a story about it that he was going to submit to a more prestigious publication, but instead gave me the privilege of posting it here. I give you St. Andrews on the Fly.
I followed immediately with an intense apology to my wonderful wife. For those of you who have never been married, take a cue from this post and don’t be afraid to apologize, even if it means hanging your ass out there for all to see. Damn. I was drawing dead, and got there.
February continued as perhaps my best blogging month ever with a post called This I Believe. This was inspired by a story about Mel Rusnov on NRP, and finished with a throw away line about one of my favorite entertainers, Rob Lumbard. What made this extra cool was that both Mel and Rob left comments on the post. This belongs in the top 10 things I love about blogging. It may be number one or two.
Rabbits.
I really started catching my stride when I opened up a little of my personal life with a post called This is Not About You. The situation has since resolved, but it’s a notable post because it helped me sort out some issues, just by writing it down. At its essence, isn’t that what writing in your diary is all about?
It’s funny, because in the rest of my February posts, I kept threatening to stop playing poker.
March
Also in my top ten is my post called Where Am I Going with This? I have trouble re-reading this post.
March came to a close by living vicariously through my blogging brethren as they tried hard (and failed) to not brag about their exclusive invite to the Playboy Mansion. Can I go next year?
April
I started April with my April Fools Guest Post by Al Can’t Hang. I still can’t read his blog at work because I get “Access Denied: Dating.”
My 39th birthday saw me finally climb out of the hole in my gambling budget for the first (and last) time.
One of the highlights in April was playing at the ‘shoot with my buddy Stefan. Why did you have to move to San Antonio, dammit?! I miss those days. Who knows what 2008 will bring?
I also started bragging about my bluffs. That should have been a sign that things in poker were not going well.
May
I read some great books, flopped quads and found some great blogs this month, and further sounded my doom with the statement, “When I’m running well, I’m a conceited, full-of-myself, egomaniacal sonofabitch.”
I also took my longest break from blogging in May. I’m not sure it did me any good, but reflection (like I’m doing now by writing this post) is important. Gosh, I feel a big revelation coming on.
Oh yeah. I also killed one of the few really great voices on the internet by going to Atlantic City. Well guess what, Lady Falcon is threatening to post again! I can’t wait.
June
June brought Ozzfest and led to another top ten series of posts and events. I told how I came in possession of two VIP passes to Ozzfest and how I gave them away. I got so much pleasure out of this, it makes me wonder why I haven’t done something like it again.
Stayed tuned for the second half of 2006 Year in Review.
The folks here at NPCWaMCD would like to thank you all for your support and frequent visits. It’s been a helluva year. This also marks my first full year of blogging, since I only started in August of 2005. Quite a lot has happened.
2005 ended with a couple lame cartoons, but had a pretty cute “goggy” story on my second to last post of 2005, called Cute Kid Story.
January
2006 started off with a bang as I shared a horrible start to the year with Mr. Speaker, but followed quickly with an interesting post about playing better on drugs.
Continuing a theme that would pervade many of my posts this year, I addressed my ongoing problem with managing Tilt. It’s interesting that I KNOW I go on tilt, and I KNOW it affects my play, yet I still haven’t fixed the problem. Well, maybe I have, but I’ll address that later. As an aside, I was asked just this morning to take on a HUGE new responsibility at work. The one thing “the powers” noted, though, was a concern that I sometimes get too emotional and lose my temper. “Better watch that,” they said.
January 12th launched me to blogging fame. This post, about a 7' 4" Dutch woman called Moving to Holland (and the accompanying picture) remains my most frequently visited page, and provides some very interesting Google searches leading to my blog.
I also posted my 101 Things about Dr. Chako in January and figured out how to include it on my front page. I need to update a few items. For instance, I’ve recently crossed the 20 year mark in the Army, and I may need to address that little thing about never being in combat. Well, technically, I’ve still never been in combat, but as my readers know, that’s about to change.
I ended the month snake-bit.
February
This month brought a great guest post by my buddy Bill, an outstanding physician and friend from my days in Germany. We golfed together at St. Andrews, and he wrote a story about it that he was going to submit to a more prestigious publication, but instead gave me the privilege of posting it here. I give you St. Andrews on the Fly.
I followed immediately with an intense apology to my wonderful wife. For those of you who have never been married, take a cue from this post and don’t be afraid to apologize, even if it means hanging your ass out there for all to see. Damn. I was drawing dead, and got there.
February continued as perhaps my best blogging month ever with a post called This I Believe. This was inspired by a story about Mel Rusnov on NRP, and finished with a throw away line about one of my favorite entertainers, Rob Lumbard. What made this extra cool was that both Mel and Rob left comments on the post. This belongs in the top 10 things I love about blogging. It may be number one or two.
Rabbits.
I really started catching my stride when I opened up a little of my personal life with a post called This is Not About You. The situation has since resolved, but it’s a notable post because it helped me sort out some issues, just by writing it down. At its essence, isn’t that what writing in your diary is all about?
It’s funny, because in the rest of my February posts, I kept threatening to stop playing poker.
March
Also in my top ten is my post called Where Am I Going with This? I have trouble re-reading this post.
March came to a close by living vicariously through my blogging brethren as they tried hard (and failed) to not brag about their exclusive invite to the Playboy Mansion. Can I go next year?
April
I started April with my April Fools Guest Post by Al Can’t Hang. I still can’t read his blog at work because I get “Access Denied: Dating.”
My 39th birthday saw me finally climb out of the hole in my gambling budget for the first (and last) time.
One of the highlights in April was playing at the ‘shoot with my buddy Stefan. Why did you have to move to San Antonio, dammit?! I miss those days. Who knows what 2008 will bring?
I also started bragging about my bluffs. That should have been a sign that things in poker were not going well.
May
I read some great books, flopped quads and found some great blogs this month, and further sounded my doom with the statement, “When I’m running well, I’m a conceited, full-of-myself, egomaniacal sonofabitch.”
I also took my longest break from blogging in May. I’m not sure it did me any good, but reflection (like I’m doing now by writing this post) is important. Gosh, I feel a big revelation coming on.
Oh yeah. I also killed one of the few really great voices on the internet by going to Atlantic City. Well guess what, Lady Falcon is threatening to post again! I can’t wait.
June
June brought Ozzfest and led to another top ten series of posts and events. I told how I came in possession of two VIP passes to Ozzfest and how I gave them away. I got so much pleasure out of this, it makes me wonder why I haven’t done something like it again.
Stayed tuned for the second half of 2006 Year in Review.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Midlife Crisis On Hold
24 DEC 06
But just for today.
May you all have a wonderful holiday season. See you next year.
But just for today.
May you all have a wonderful holiday season. See you next year.
Friday, December 22, 2006
MCA #1c – Rocky Has a Midlife Crisis, Too?
22 DEC 06I just got back from Rocky Balboa. Wow. I’m a huge Rocky fan, and like most fans, I got more and more disappointed with each subsequent Rocky. Now we have Rocky VI – AKA Rocky Balboa. Does anyone really want to see Rocky hit some guy with his walker?
All I’ll say is this – if you liked any of the Rocky movies (and c’mon, who didn’t like the original?), then go see this movie. Stallone wears this role like an old baseball glove, and God help me, it was his ACTING that made this movie. In fact, everyone did a tremendous job, including Antonio Carver – an actual boxer.
This movie fits in nicely with my ongoing theme of having a midlife crisis. Obviously, Rocky fighting again at an advanced age has crisis written all over it. He handles it with style and grace. I still maintain that it’s easier to buy a Ferrari, but if you all really want me to become an Ultimate Fighter (weird Friends reference) instead, then so be it.
What say you? Ferrari or UFC?
Thursday, December 21, 2006
MCA #1b – Is My Crisis Premature?
21 DEC 06One of the things I love about blogging is that occasionally my posts create discussion and debate. I posted many poker hand histories early in my blogging career and got zero comments. When I posted about John Kerry or When to Pee, I got tons of comments, and ever further interesting discussion off line.
My Midlife Crisis has had a similar affect.
I wish you all could have been in the car with my wife and me to listen to our debate on this issue. Aside from being highly entertaining, it raised some key issues, not the least of which is, “Am I too young to be having a Midlife Crisis?”
As I’ve said since I was just a lad, if you have a question about life, consult the supreme authority –Wikipedia [1].
Here is what Wiki has to say about Midlife crises, with my commentary added in bold:
A mid-life crisis is an emotional state of doubt and anxiety – Hmmm… Perhaps I’m a little anxious, but I’m not doubtful.
In which a person becomes uncomfortable with the realization that life is halfway over. – Getting closer.
It commonly involves reflection on what the individual has done with his or her life up to that point – Reflection yes, but this implies that many MC’ers are disappointed with their accomplishments up to this point. In fact, I’m quite pleased with mine. I have a great wife, wonderful kids, and I get to serve my country and save lives every day. All totaled, I happy with where I am.
The condition is most common ranging from the ages of 35-50 – Ah HA!
And affects men and women differently – Amen, brother.
Mid life crises last about 3-10 years in men and 2-5 years in women- Fasten your seatbelt.
There is some question whether a "mid-life crisis" is any different from "a crisis occurring in mid-life." – This was peripherally addressed with my wife. “What if,” she asked, “I was premature and decided to have another midlife crisis when I’m 50? No one will believe me then.” I guess it would be like the boy who cried wolf. Well, guess what honey? This crisis will probably last until I’m 50, so nyah nyah – I can have my cake and eat it too (well, not if I intend to lose weight).
[One study] found that the average age at onset of a self-described "mid-life crisis" was 46. Hmmm. I may be a little premature, but I’ve always been an overachiever (underachiever?).
Certain characteristics displayed by individuals experiencing a mid-life crisis often include but are not limited to:
Search of an undefined dream or goal – Oh yeah
Desire to achieve a feeling of youthfulness – I was too awkward in my youth to really want to go back there.
Acquiring of unusual or expensive items such as clothing, muscle cars, jewelry, gadgets, etc. - Ferrari, baby!
Paying extra special attention to physical appearance – Hence the weightloss
Need to spend more time alone or with certain peers – This has Vegas written all over it.
Some people claim that these older and established individuals, rather than going through their mid-life crisis, are actually in a time of their lives when they can afford to do the things they wanted to do when they were young, which may explain the indulgences in certain commodities or activities. Some individuals find hitting 40 a great relief.
That about sums it up right there. Maybe this will all be a great relief. Stay tuned.
1 - Okay, Wiki has only been around for a few years, but you have to admit, it's pretty cool.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
MCA #1 – Weightloss
20 DEC 06
My midlife crisis is precipitated by my rapidly approaching 40th birthday. In light of this, I give you Midlife Crisis Alert (MCA) number one, which will address my ever expanding waistline. As most of you remember from Las Vegas, I am a rotund black man. I guess I’ve been letting poker and other distractions take too much time away from the things I love – well, except eating I guess. I used to exercise every day. Hell, I actually enjoyed it! I played racquetball like a fiend, and would run a 10k every other week. I ran two marathons.
Now I get short of breath climbing the stairs.
I while back I did the Body for Life challenge. The book is 1% recommendations about diet and exercise, and 99% motivational speech. I did it before – let’s hope I can do it again.
Here is my personal challenge to myself. While I will never look like this photo, my plan is to drop to 155 pounds, which is what I weighed when I joined the Army over 20 years ago. Furthermore, I intend to stay below 160 pounds for my entire 40th year. You may see the occasional weight posted at the bottom of some blog entries. Feel free to watch as my weight plummets like George Bush’s approval rating after today’s speech about increasing troop strength.
Weight today: 177 pounds.
My midlife crisis is precipitated by my rapidly approaching 40th birthday. In light of this, I give you Midlife Crisis Alert (MCA) number one, which will address my ever expanding waistline. As most of you remember from Las Vegas, I am a rotund black man. I guess I’ve been letting poker and other distractions take too much time away from the things I love – well, except eating I guess. I used to exercise every day. Hell, I actually enjoyed it! I played racquetball like a fiend, and would run a 10k every other week. I ran two marathons.
Now I get short of breath climbing the stairs.
I while back I did the Body for Life challenge. The book is 1% recommendations about diet and exercise, and 99% motivational speech. I did it before – let’s hope I can do it again.
Here is my personal challenge to myself. While I will never look like this photo, my plan is to drop to 155 pounds, which is what I weighed when I joined the Army over 20 years ago. Furthermore, I intend to stay below 160 pounds for my entire 40th year. You may see the occasional weight posted at the bottom of some blog entries. Feel free to watch as my weight plummets like George Bush’s approval rating after today’s speech about increasing troop strength.
Weight today: 177 pounds.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Midlife Crisis Alert!
19 DEC 06
I’ve decided to go whole hog into my midlife crisis and share it with you. Why? Because it will be fun, entertaining, educational and eventually really embarrassing.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but right now I can tell you it will involve:
Weightloss
Extravagance [1]
Acquisition
Personal Revelation [2]
So sit back and enjoy the show. It could be spectacular, or it could be a total train wreck.
1 – The kind NOT involving a hooker or mistress.
2 – Revelations are restricted to those I’m capable of – I’m not going to wake up one day and realize that it’s my calling to be better at helping around the house. Give me a break already.
I’ve decided to go whole hog into my midlife crisis and share it with you. Why? Because it will be fun, entertaining, educational and eventually really embarrassing.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but right now I can tell you it will involve:
Weightloss
Extravagance [1]
Acquisition
Personal Revelation [2]
So sit back and enjoy the show. It could be spectacular, or it could be a total train wreck.
1 – The kind NOT involving a hooker or mistress.
2 – Revelations are restricted to those I’m capable of – I’m not going to wake up one day and realize that it’s my calling to be better at helping around the house. Give me a break already.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
WPBT 2006 Trip Report - Part III
13 DEC 06I'm playing tight for more than one reason. The main reason that I was concentrating on getting two gallons of Gatorade into my system. The esteemed Dr. Chako raised ahead of me, I re-raised with my KK. He pushed in and I called. He flipped over AA. I stood up ready to finally track down some place to lay my head when he said "Don't worry. This is how I went out of the last tournament." King on the flop for a proper 2 outter and I picked up a very nice bounty. Picture to come.
-Al Can’t Hang
So, I’m cruising around the internet reading some great trip reports, and I’ve confirmed what I suspected. I did the Blogger gathering right this time. How do I know? ‘Cause people remember me this time. Well, most people remember me. Linda Geenen put up this pic of me and Karol from IHO titled, “Unknown2,” but at least there was a pic, dammit!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
WPBT 2006 Trip Report - Part II
12 DEC 06
Editors Note: My apologies to those of you who read my blog via Bloglines. I’ve been doing some housekeeping. What I didn’t realize was that even something as simple as putting a “tag” on an old post republishes it to the “new feeds” section. You can always click on the name of the blog to get my most recent post, but that’s what Bloglines is supposed to be for. I have a few more housekeeping things to do, so please bear with me a little more.
I only have time for a short quip. For posterity, I wanted to document two hands at the Blogger tournament.
First was a simple one, but it cost me. Glyphic (last year’s winner) is at my table and playing tight. He raises to 4 x the BB in middle position and I call with pocket sixes. The flop is 9 7 4 with two spades. He bets about ¾ pot. I put him on over cards, so I decide to advertise top pair, maybe top set. I raise an extra thousand. In retrospect, this was a horrible play. Why commit so many chips just to get information? He goes all in. I fold. Later he tells me he had Queens. I’m not sure I believe him. AK spades makes more sense.
My final hand was played perfectly (ha ha). Pocket Aces in early position. I make a standard 4x raise. The legend himself, Al Can’t Hang raises to 1000. He has been playing very tight, so there are only 4 hands he could have here, and the other Aces are unlikely. It folds to me. I deliberate a little and finally push all in. He insta-calls and grimaces when I turn over my Aces to his Kings. I actually said, “Don’t worry. This is how I went out of the last tournament.”
King on the flop and IGHN [1].
Look for the gripping critique of my live play on the next installment.
1. IGHN = I Go Home Now. I know every blogger knows this, but my dad reads this blog, so I have to keep it simple.
Editors Note: My apologies to those of you who read my blog via Bloglines. I’ve been doing some housekeeping. What I didn’t realize was that even something as simple as putting a “tag” on an old post republishes it to the “new feeds” section. You can always click on the name of the blog to get my most recent post, but that’s what Bloglines is supposed to be for. I have a few more housekeeping things to do, so please bear with me a little more.
I only have time for a short quip. For posterity, I wanted to document two hands at the Blogger tournament.
First was a simple one, but it cost me. Glyphic (last year’s winner) is at my table and playing tight. He raises to 4 x the BB in middle position and I call with pocket sixes. The flop is 9 7 4 with two spades. He bets about ¾ pot. I put him on over cards, so I decide to advertise top pair, maybe top set. I raise an extra thousand. In retrospect, this was a horrible play. Why commit so many chips just to get information? He goes all in. I fold. Later he tells me he had Queens. I’m not sure I believe him. AK spades makes more sense.
My final hand was played perfectly (ha ha). Pocket Aces in early position. I make a standard 4x raise. The legend himself, Al Can’t Hang raises to 1000. He has been playing very tight, so there are only 4 hands he could have here, and the other Aces are unlikely. It folds to me. I deliberate a little and finally push all in. He insta-calls and grimaces when I turn over my Aces to his Kings. I actually said, “Don’t worry. This is how I went out of the last tournament.”
King on the flop and IGHN [1].
Look for the gripping critique of my live play on the next installment.
1. IGHN = I Go Home Now. I know every blogger knows this, but my dad reads this blog, so I have to keep it simple.
Monday, December 11, 2006
WPBT 2006 Trip Report
11 DEC 06
An amazing weekend was had by all. I did it right this time (I think), and didn’t hide from my fellow bloggers. I met, re-met and/or hung out with some truly outstanding people. I’ll have more thoughts in the coming days, but here are some early highlights:
Two tables of HORSE at MGM. Drizz was not at my table, but I was able to see his legendary huge stack of chips. He was certainly the topic of much conversation at our table, though. Something about a wheelchair, security guards and an irate (but hugely understanding) Ms. Drizz. He claims to not remember.
Playing some truly horrible donkey poker at said HORSE game and somehow managing to come away a winner.
Getting repeated dirty looks from Mr. Sore Loser (AKA Stb[1]). This was perhaps one of my top three highlights.
Having chips thrown at me IN ANGER by the Poker Princess after I cracked her set of Kings with 7 4 of diamonds in a pre-flop capped pot. I SO deserved it.
Having The Rooster correctly call out my bluffs (twice!) leading to said dirty looks from Stb.
Getting numbers and setting up a new home game with Easycure and Zeem. As many of you know, Easycure busted out Gigli [2]. Washington represent!
Getting swag from Poker Pro. Mucho thanks to Falstaff for helping set this up. How ‘bout a loan from that $60 you won from me at video heads-up? Perhaps I should ask Pablo, too…
Shooting the breeze with Michael Craig for an hour. Did I actually tell him that his first speech to the bloggers sucked? Gosh, I think I did. If I remember correctly (there were several Kamikazes involved at this point), I also told him that his second speech totally rocked (which was true) and his book was excellent.
Telling war stories with Dr. Pauly at the Geisha Bar. Always entertaining.
Watching Iggy screw with bloggers by introducing himself as Grubby. Crafty little dwarf.
Seeing the worst bad beat I’ve ever seen in my life. Since I wasn’t involved in the hand, I can tell you about it. All in preflop with pocket Kings vs Ace Queen. The board went 9, 9, 9 (with Kings going, “Yes! Full house, baby!”).
River …. 9!
In case you don’t play poker, that’s Quad 9s. Ace kicker. Pocket Kings goes home now. Bye bye.
I’m bummed that I didn’t spend more time with so many people, especially Team IHO (it was great seeing you again, Dawn and Karol), Brad (Otis), Maudie, Linda G., Veneno, Change100, Speaker and Bobby. We may be in the initial discussion phase of setting up some live entertainment for the next blogger gathering starring me on guitar and Daddy on the banjo. Any drummers or bass players out there?
[1] – Out first from the tournament, for you newbies.
[2] - I mistakenly referred to Stb as Slb. My bad. I'm not sure who is insulted by this slight. In any event, situation corrected.
An amazing weekend was had by all. I did it right this time (I think), and didn’t hide from my fellow bloggers. I met, re-met and/or hung out with some truly outstanding people. I’ll have more thoughts in the coming days, but here are some early highlights:
Two tables of HORSE at MGM. Drizz was not at my table, but I was able to see his legendary huge stack of chips. He was certainly the topic of much conversation at our table, though. Something about a wheelchair, security guards and an irate (but hugely understanding) Ms. Drizz. He claims to not remember.
Playing some truly horrible donkey poker at said HORSE game and somehow managing to come away a winner.
Getting repeated dirty looks from Mr. Sore Loser (AKA Stb[1]). This was perhaps one of my top three highlights.
Having chips thrown at me IN ANGER by the Poker Princess after I cracked her set of Kings with 7 4 of diamonds in a pre-flop capped pot. I SO deserved it.
Having The Rooster correctly call out my bluffs (twice!) leading to said dirty looks from Stb.
Getting numbers and setting up a new home game with Easycure and Zeem. As many of you know, Easycure busted out Gigli [2]. Washington represent!
Getting swag from Poker Pro. Mucho thanks to Falstaff for helping set this up. How ‘bout a loan from that $60 you won from me at video heads-up? Perhaps I should ask Pablo, too…
Shooting the breeze with Michael Craig for an hour. Did I actually tell him that his first speech to the bloggers sucked? Gosh, I think I did. If I remember correctly (there were several Kamikazes involved at this point), I also told him that his second speech totally rocked (which was true) and his book was excellent.
Telling war stories with Dr. Pauly at the Geisha Bar. Always entertaining.
Watching Iggy screw with bloggers by introducing himself as Grubby. Crafty little dwarf.
Seeing the worst bad beat I’ve ever seen in my life. Since I wasn’t involved in the hand, I can tell you about it. All in preflop with pocket Kings vs Ace Queen. The board went 9, 9, 9 (with Kings going, “Yes! Full house, baby!”).
River …. 9!
In case you don’t play poker, that’s Quad 9s. Ace kicker. Pocket Kings goes home now. Bye bye.
I’m bummed that I didn’t spend more time with so many people, especially Team IHO (it was great seeing you again, Dawn and Karol), Brad (Otis), Maudie, Linda G., Veneno, Change100, Speaker and Bobby. We may be in the initial discussion phase of setting up some live entertainment for the next blogger gathering starring me on guitar and Daddy on the banjo. Any drummers or bass players out there?
[1] – Out first from the tournament, for you newbies.
[2] - I mistakenly referred to Stb as Slb. My bad. I'm not sure who is insulted by this slight. In any event, situation corrected.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Cardroom Supply
7 DEC 06
The following is a paid review!
My buddy Stefan just bought a $2000 poker table. I’m jealous. He’s a solid player and should make more than enough on that table to pay for that table. Despite what you may think, I don’t have money dripping out of various orifices, and I can’t bring myself to drop a couple grand on a nice table.
Yet.
That’s why it was a pleasant surprise when I was asked to do this review. Cardroom Supply has a very nice website and some really nice products. I was impressed with the quality of their front page. It seems easy to navigate and the products seem (at least in the photos) to be of high quality. I’ve been looking at various products on eBay and these seem quite similar. While prices on eBay may be better, you never know what you’ll get. Not so with Cardroom.
Once again, I was a little disappointed with how slowly their page loaded when I clicked on Weber's Elite Texas Holdem Table. If I’m not mistaken, this is quite similar to what my buddy bought. They have a wide variety of selections as evidenced by this:
The table is is avialibale [sp] in a 72", 82", or 96".
The following is a paid review!
My buddy Stefan just bought a $2000 poker table. I’m jealous. He’s a solid player and should make more than enough on that table to pay for that table. Despite what you may think, I don’t have money dripping out of various orifices, and I can’t bring myself to drop a couple grand on a nice table.
Yet.
That’s why it was a pleasant surprise when I was asked to do this review. Cardroom Supply has a very nice website and some really nice products. I was impressed with the quality of their front page. It seems easy to navigate and the products seem (at least in the photos) to be of high quality. I’ve been looking at various products on eBay and these seem quite similar. While prices on eBay may be better, you never know what you’ll get. Not so with Cardroom.
Once again, I was a little disappointed with how slowly their page loaded when I clicked on Weber's Elite Texas Holdem Table. If I’m not mistaken, this is quite similar to what my buddy bought. They have a wide variety of selections as evidenced by this:
The table is is avialibale [sp] in a 72", 82", or 96".
As they say, the tables, “are made to order, using solid oak legs and proven construction techniques to produce beautiful furniture of tremendous strength and durability. The designs reflect a blend of functionality, practicality and natural beauty.”
Tables are custom made to each order and take 2-3 weeks for delivery. I may be checking for a special delivery when I get back from Vegas.
Now THAT'S Conviction
I'm a lifelong Republican, but you have to be impressed with this.
(Sorry for the blurry camera phone foto).
See you in Vegas!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Some Final pre-WPBT Thoughts
5 DEC 06
Those poor vacationers. All they wanted to do was come to Vegas and play a little poker. Too bad for them they picked the weekend WE would be there.
Those poor vacationers. All they wanted to do was come to Vegas and play a little poker. Too bad for them they picked the weekend WE would be there.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Accused of Stealing!
3 DEC 06
So, I’m playing a little 4/8 LHE at the local cardroom, PJ Pockets. We are short handed, so two of the dealers are filling in the open seats. The dealer/player to my left announces that he has $47 to a question from the other dealer/player. He then gets up from the table for a smoke break.
When comes back, I see him playing with his chips. Finally, he turns to me and says, “I have only $40 here. Did you take the other $7?”
At first, I’m stunned into silence. “I’m sorry?” I reply. He restates that he had $47 before he left and now he only has $40. I look at his stack and sure enough, he only has $40. I didn’t remember seeing anyone mess with his stack. My stack still had exactly my $100 buy-in neatly stacked in 5 columns right in front of me. “Go check the tapes,” I insist. There are cameras all over this place. If someone took his chips, I’m sure it would be on the camera. We go back and forth like this a couple of times. I’m getting more insistent now. “Go check the tapes. You, a DEALER, are accusing me of stealing.” What I wanted to say was that if this were Texas, I’d have drawn my pistol already.
He gets up and comes back a little later without saying a word. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I’m bursting at the seams in my seat. As calmly as possible, I ask, “Did you check the tapes?” “Huh?” he replies. “Oh, the $7. I found it over at the board.”
That’s it. No apology. Nothing else.
I picked up and went home. I would not have been able to play good poker in that frame of mind.
So, I’m playing a little 4/8 LHE at the local cardroom, PJ Pockets. We are short handed, so two of the dealers are filling in the open seats. The dealer/player to my left announces that he has $47 to a question from the other dealer/player. He then gets up from the table for a smoke break.
When comes back, I see him playing with his chips. Finally, he turns to me and says, “I have only $40 here. Did you take the other $7?”
At first, I’m stunned into silence. “I’m sorry?” I reply. He restates that he had $47 before he left and now he only has $40. I look at his stack and sure enough, he only has $40. I didn’t remember seeing anyone mess with his stack. My stack still had exactly my $100 buy-in neatly stacked in 5 columns right in front of me. “Go check the tapes,” I insist. There are cameras all over this place. If someone took his chips, I’m sure it would be on the camera. We go back and forth like this a couple of times. I’m getting more insistent now. “Go check the tapes. You, a DEALER, are accusing me of stealing.” What I wanted to say was that if this were Texas, I’d have drawn my pistol already.
He gets up and comes back a little later without saying a word. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I’m bursting at the seams in my seat. As calmly as possible, I ask, “Did you check the tapes?” “Huh?” he replies. “Oh, the $7. I found it over at the board.”
That’s it. No apology. Nothing else.
I picked up and went home. I would not have been able to play good poker in that frame of mind.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
H.O.R.S.E.
2 DEC 06
I’m trying to figure out how to play all the HORSE games in preparation for the upcoming WPBT, but when I search Google, all I get is this:
I’m trying to figure out how to play all the HORSE games in preparation for the upcoming WPBT, but when I search Google, all I get is this:
Friday, December 01, 2006
Internet Poker Forum
1 DEC 06
The following is a paid review!
You gotta love a Must Read from someone named Dorkus Malorkus. He gives "A brief guide to Cardschat forum events" on the freeroll page of CardsChat AKA the Internet Poker Forum. In a set up much like other forums (2+2, RGP), CardsChat is another place for poker players to discuss hands, philosophies and bad beats. They have posts like:
PokerStars is going Huge!
and a Private Forum called
Top Secret Forum for Loyal Cardschaters
My problems:
- I can’t load the site from work.
- The site loads slowly
- Much of the information comes from overseas players who aren’t restricted. Thanks for rubbing it in guys.
There is the usual stuff like, “Verbal abuse is everywhere online,” from JimboJim, with followups like this from Sammyv1, “Sticker, [abuse] is out of hand. I had someone verbally abuse me just last night. I went back at him a little bit, but not with too much aggression. He was using the old "Your mamma" insults and the "sexual preference" insults. The play I made that he was angry about was: I called a re-raise with 9-9 on the button. Well, I hit a 9 on the flop and he had AA. Yes, he got bad beated and maybe my "call" was a little weak, but the whole table was Super-Agressive. So, yes he has a gripe cause he lost with AA, but we all do (many times in fact).
Bottom line, I’m not certain the site adds any value to me personally, but it seems quite popular. There were over 30,000 posts in the Poker General Forum, so they must be doing something right.
I’d certainly recommend checking them out. What you do after that is up to you.
The following is a paid review!
You gotta love a Must Read from someone named Dorkus Malorkus. He gives "A brief guide to Cardschat forum events" on the freeroll page of CardsChat AKA the Internet Poker Forum. In a set up much like other forums (2+2, RGP), CardsChat is another place for poker players to discuss hands, philosophies and bad beats. They have posts like:
PokerStars is going Huge!
and a Private Forum called
Top Secret Forum for Loyal Cardschaters
My problems:
- I can’t load the site from work.
- The site loads slowly
- Much of the information comes from overseas players who aren’t restricted. Thanks for rubbing it in guys.
There is the usual stuff like, “Verbal abuse is everywhere online,” from JimboJim, with followups like this from Sammyv1, “Sticker, [abuse] is out of hand. I had someone verbally abuse me just last night. I went back at him a little bit, but not with too much aggression. He was using the old "Your mamma" insults and the "sexual preference" insults. The play I made that he was angry about was: I called a re-raise with 9-9 on the button. Well, I hit a 9 on the flop and he had AA. Yes, he got bad beated and maybe my "call" was a little weak, but the whole table was Super-Agressive. So, yes he has a gripe cause he lost with AA, but we all do (many times in fact).
Bottom line, I’m not certain the site adds any value to me personally, but it seems quite popular. There were over 30,000 posts in the Poker General Forum, so they must be doing something right.
I’d certainly recommend checking them out. What you do after that is up to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)