tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151213952024-03-06T22:44:07.219-08:00Never Play Cards With a Man Called DocThe best you can hope for in this life is that your delusions are benign and your compulsions have utility. -- Scott AdamsDrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.comBlogger815125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-13055101919161874242018-08-29T22:12:00.001-07:002018-08-29T22:12:57.628-07:00Yo, does anyone read blogs anymore?<br />
<br />
-DrCDrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-84169563456304975182015-03-06T23:03:00.001-08:002015-03-06T23:03:58.237-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-6341442376502603992013-09-17T15:00:00.002-07:002013-09-17T15:00:56.499-07:00Macau Trip Report - 2013Once a year I take a crazy trip with my old Army buddies. We are in the "life is short - better travel now" phase of our lives. 2 years ago it was kayaking in Canada. Last year was hang gliding in Rio. This year was chasing Komodo dragons in Bali.<br />
<br />
We first flew into Singapore. What a clean, almost sterile, city. Great golf and great sight-seeing with an amazing $1 billion garden right outside the Sands hotel where we were staying. What a contrast to Bali, which was a paradise, although the touristy areas were pretty dirty. We joked that if the same level of filth was seen in Singapore, someone would have been shot.<br />
<br />
We finished the trip in Hong Kong. Now that's a great city. It's a shoppers paradise. Every name brand you can think of, and many you have never heard. We stayed at the Peninsula Hotel, home of the 14 famous bespoke green Rolls Royce's. I was hoping to get a ride, but it never materialized.<br />
<br />
The boys weren't interested, but I could not turn down a chance to get to Macau, especially since I was that close. I left the hotel at 3 pm. After negotiating the taxi and ferry system (bring your passport!), I was on a one hour jet boat to Macau. The biggest poker room is at the Wynn. I got there at 6 pm and the lists were long. Still, I was seated at the lowest no limit game by 7 pm. Their lowest is 50/100 HKD (Hong Kong dollars) and there highest is 300/600. After the exchange rates, that's the equivalent of 7/14 to 40/80. In other words, their lowest game is bigger than my regular 2/5 NL game.<br />
<br />
I found the play very conservative. The only re-raises that didn't come from me were people holding aces or kings. I didn't see a single bluff. I made 2 good plays and 3 bad plays before I had to go. I was down a little, but I really feel like this is a very beatable game. Much more so than in the California poker rooms, which are also quite beatable.<br />
<br />
Only one poker celeb I recognized - I think he goes by viffer, but I may have that wrong. Bunch of neck tattoos. I recognized him from Poker After Dark as well as HSP.<br />
<br />
To those that may inquire, I did not get a massage in Macau. I've heard great things, but travelers's gut kept me far away.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-63222025688762019332013-04-16T13:25:00.001-07:002013-04-16T14:10:57.934-07:00Thoughts on BostonI know, two blog posts in less than 24 hours after no posts in 4 months. Forgive me - it's been a crazy 24 hours.<br />
<br />
There are many others who have spoken their mind on the events in Boston - <a href="http://craakker.blogspot.com/">Michael</a> and <a href="http://www.rapideyereality.com/">Brad</a> come to mind. Between their blogs and Facebook posts, you can better experience the mental machinations of writers who do this better than me. Even Brad's "No..." on Facebook was more profound than anything I could say. But I will say this, my experience in Iraq taught me that security is an illusion. It's a good illusion because it helps us live our lives out from under the covers, but it's true. Anything can and will sneak up and get you.<br />
<br />
I have a rental property. My tenant, a lovely lady in her 50s, died in her sleep last night from a ruptured aneurysm. Just one more example that if they don't get you from the outside, they might get you from the inside.<br />
<br />
I always take moments like these to hug loved ones and make sure I'm appreciative for the things I have. You should, too. I am a little perturbed at the folks on Facebook and Twitter who chastise people for re-posting or re-tweeting graphic images. "You should have warned us!" they cry. Well, guess what? The folks on the ground didn't get any warning and it's fair to say they suffered far worse than your psyche. See the images. Internalize them. Remember them. I want you see. You NEED to see. Just don't let them keep you getting out from under the covers.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-5945764801054092142013-04-16T01:47:00.002-07:002013-04-16T01:47:14.521-07:00Busted"Pardon me, sir. Can we have a word with you?"<br />
<br />
It's a little intimidating when you're playing poker and hear these words. I'm sitting in the 4 seat and I slowly turn around, certain that the deep voices are not referring to me. Oh shit. There are 3 large guys in security uniforms standing right behind me and they are most certainly looking right at me.<br />
<br />
Um, can I play my blind?<br />
<br />
No, we'd rather like to talk to you now.<br />
<br />
Now I'm in crisis mode. What did I do... um... recently? I know I got pissed when some guy named Brian pulled my hand out of the muck and exposed my cards after I folded. I was pissed and it got a little heated. I may have accidentally knocked my chair over while standing up to protest. I may have raised my voice just a little bit much, and perhaps suggested we settle this outside. Not in so many words, mind you, but it could have been inferred. Did it really take 3 security guys to tell me I was no longer welcome in the casino? Surely they would have done that the night of the incident, right?<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I'm a nice guy. If you read this blog, you probably know me. You know I'm a nice guy. I try to be nice to people. I enjoy tipping dealers because it always brings a smile and a thank you. It makes them feel good and it makes me feel good. That's how I'm wired. When I complained about the guy that pulled my hand out of the muck, another player that I didn't recognize branded me a trouble maker. Several other players jumped to my defense and said, no, not only does he usually not complain, but he's correct that this other guy was way out of line. He has a right to be pissed and it's amazing he's in control at all. Okay, maybe that last part was an exaggeration, but they were thinking it, dammit.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
So, I stand up and face the security team. Mike, I know he's Mike by his official name tag, "Mike. Head of Security," is holding several pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 paper, one of which has a picture. MY picture. It's my smiling face and my jacket and my hat. And it's on a piece of paper that has my name and a note that says, "DETAIN ON SITE."<br />
<br />
Mike says, "Do you know why we are questioning you?" Fuck. This feels WAY worse than the speeding ticket I just got. I've gotten speeding tickets before, which really is my only run in with the law. I know how to act in those situations. Always be respectful. Call people Sir and Ma'am. Hope that they let you off. These boys had no intention of letting me off.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
When I was about 12 years old, I stole a bottle of juice from the local store. It was thrilling, but my conscious got the better of me. After asking my dad 3 different ways if he ever stole anything, he put 2 and 2 together and confronted me. "What did you steal?!" I broke down immediately. "How did you know?" I sobbed. I stole a juice! I'm so sorry. He made me go apologize and pay for the juice. I also had to clean up the parking lot of the grocery store every day for a week. It was a great lesson and it marked the beginning and end of my career as a thief. Or so I thought.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Sir, you owe us $500.<br />
<br />
Um, huh?<br />
<br />
We know what you did, and now you owe us money. $500. Now, please.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
There are many things that go through your mind at a time like this. Can it be true? Did I sit down at someone else's stack? Did I bluff the wrong person? Was I angle shooting? While I'm trying desperately to sort this out, Mike says, "Marlene overpaid you and you just took the money. You didn't know?"<br />
<br />
***<br /><br />It's 2004 and I'm just starting to play live. After a big night playing 10/20, I was coloring up and the chip runner gave me $500 more than I paid for. I knew I shouldn't have gotten the extra $500, but what are you supposed to do when someone dumps a load of cash in your lap? I didn't really know what to do, so I did nothing. It was wrong and I felt guilty about it, but that's what happened. When the floor came over an hour later and asked for the money back, I didn't put up a fuss.<br />
<br />
But now, I truly had no recollection of taking more than I should.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Here's the problem, if you can call it that. I figured out what was wrong with my game. Seriously. Long time followers of this blog know all about my epic losses. Well, I turned it around in a big way. So big that I truly wasn't paying attention when I was coloring up. It was an innocent mistake. I was up over $2K and asked for 2 grey chips, the $1000 chips at the Bay 101 casino. I had a mix of $100 chips and $5 chips and after racking up, they paid me for an extra rack and I didn't even notice. I watched the whole thing on video in the security office and it was obvious. I happily admitting the error and paid the overage immediately. Good thing, too. Marlene was going to be suspended if I didn't, and I would have felt terrible. After the whole sordid affair, I found Marlene and apologized profusely. I tipped her generously and campaigned (successfully) to cancel her suspension.<br />
<br />
Still, I'm a little shaken by the whole thing. How is it possibly that I didn't notice an extra $500? Have I become so jaded to the dollar amount that it didn't matter? Is that a good thing? Is that related to why I'm winning lately?<br />
<br />
Who knows? All I know it that I can't sleep tonight (it's 1:40 AM as I type this), and I can't stop thinking about it.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-42544926050010024402012-12-19T01:44:00.000-08:002012-12-19T01:44:08.135-08:00The End of the World - 2012I wrote an email with no "to" address. It was a will of sorts. I did it before I left for Mastodon 2012 based on the non-zero chance that I might die during the festivities. I think the email is still in my draft folder, actually. I survived, making the necessity of the will somewhat less important, but I won't delete it just yet. You see, the world is ending on Friday.<br />
<br />
Of course, this begs the question, why write a will that no one will read? If we're all dead, then it's kind of a moot point, innit? Well, technically that's true. Unfortunately, I have some bad news for you. You're all not real. You're just a construct in my mind. The only real thing in this universe is my existence and my perception. I know, this comes as a bit of a shock, especially since you are under the (mistaken) impression that you are, in fact, real. You're not, but you shouldn't let that get you down. Being something created especially for me is actually an honor. Of the billions and billions of people on this planet, only a few actually got to know me. If you are reading this, you are one of those creations. Congratulations! I'm sure you can take some satisfaction in the astronomical odds of being one of the lucky few.<br />
<br />
Since you are all just figments of my imagination, you are in for a bit of a shock. Just as there was a non-zero chance of me dying at Mastodon, there is also a non-zero chance of me dying on Friday. In fact, this whole Mayan thing may have be pre-ordained before I was "born" in order to signal the end of this simulation. You see, if I die, existence is no more. "End simulation," to quote Star Trek. Don't fear the end though, you all played a big part in my game.<br />
<br />
It's not a traditional game with winners and losers, of course. In the future I come from, I imagine that the only reality is one of the mind. Resources have been depleted. Famine and pestilence got rid of the rest. The lucky few were able to take advantage of the superb technology to allow some (like me) to go back in history and live at a time where true happiness could be attained. That time was the years 1967 through 2012. "But I remember time before 1967!" some of you might be saying. Sorry, you only think you remember that. Those memories were implanted in your program to give you more realism - for me, of course.<br />
<br />
So it comes down to this. If I pass this Friday, thank you all for playing your parts and staying in character. If all goes well, I'm going to ask the mods to send me right back to 1967. I'd like to do this one more time. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, that's not entirely true. I'd like the chance to tell Maggie M that walking behind her up the stairs in 1982 and staring at her Jordache jeans was a spiritual moment for me. I wonder how that would alter my timeline...DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-92171843328331257942012-06-12T11:35:00.000-07:002012-06-12T11:35:08.448-07:00WSOP - Part Deux<a href="http://pokerdoctor.blogspot.com/2012/06/wsop-2012-trip-report.html">See here for Part 1.</a><br />
<br />
Mizrachi needs no intro for most readers of this blog. He's phenomenal. He's also known for being really patient. That's not what I saw. He was in almost every pot when he first sat down and would raise or reraise aggressively. This included 4 or 5 betting pre-flop in multi-way pots. I was unfamiliar with this strategy in LHE, but it seemed to be working for him, often winning without a showdown. <br />
<br />
Apparently I was the only one who noticed. Most everyone else got out of his way. I vowed that the next time he raised I would three bet. It didn't take long. He 4 bet, even though there was no one else to get out of the pot, so I 5-bet capped his ass. He lead the flop and I raised. He reraised and I capped. He lead the turn and I raised. He reraised, and at this point, I decided to look back at my cards. I only had AK and it was an uncoordinated low card board. Shit. I just called. He checked the river and I checked behind, proudly showing my AK. He took one look back at his cards and mucked. <br />
<br />
I would do this to him 2 more times within the hour, both times winning at show down. After that, we never hooked horns again. I'd like to think it's because he was intimidated, but I know better. <br />
<br />
At each break, I kept thinking, wow, I made the next break. I made dinner. I made level 5. Suddenly it was after 1 am and I knew we would end the day within the hour. Time for power poker. Everyone else was shutting down, so I took that as a time to raise more aggressively. It worked for a bit and I chipped up to about 22,000, before running into a guy with an acutal hand on the last deal of the night. I finished day 1 with 20,700 and felt like king of the world. <br />
<br />
Then I get a tweet from <a href="http://www.rapideyereality.com/">Otis</a> who tells me congrats, you are the chip leader at your day 2 table. 2nd place it Alan Goering. Well, I suppose I shouldn't too surprised. Most of the amateurs were falling away, leaving a lot of known pros.<br />
<br />
Alan's style on day 2 was the exact opposite of The Grinder. He rarely played pots and often check-called. If checked into, he would usually bet and most often had the goods. Humberto "The Chark" Brenes sat down in the 1 seat (Alan was in 2 and I was in 6) and before long, told me that I raise too much. I took a few pots off him before I ran my AK into his AA on a King-high board. Before that, my chip stack got up to about 41,000.<br />
<br />
Alas, then things started going south. Nothing memorable, just a lot of draws getting there against my made hands. Could I have played better? Sure. I got overaggressive with Ks-8s when I flopped a huge draw and had to give it up on the river. Same with 88 and 33, when I got counterfitted on the turn and river. Bah. <br />
<br />
I finished 91st, 9 away from the money. <br />
<br />
It was an incredible experience, one I hope to duplicate in the future. I will likely avoid NL. LHE was great, but I really want to play Razz. I hear there's a Brat out there who thinks he better than me.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-8377371709966886162012-06-09T15:44:00.003-07:002012-06-09T15:46:02.518-07:00WSOP 2012 Trip ReportI made no promises that I would blog again, but <a href="http://www.pokerperambulation.com/">I was asked nicely</a>, and I do have some thoughts about my experience. I signed up and played Event #13, the $1500 Limit Hold 'em event starting Tuesday June 5th. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order:<br />
<br />
Stayed at the Hard Rock in the HRH tower. Tried <a href="http://taopoker.blogspot.com/">Pauly's</a> trick (fold up a $20 and hand it to the clerk while asking about upgrades). It turns out the clerk was actually the hotel manager who refused the dough, but still gave me a sweet suite.<br />
<br />
My room number was 10826. After going to the 10th floor twice, I was unable to find my room. While trying to convince the hot, tattooed staff member that I'm actually a pretty smart guy, she patiently explained that the "1" was the tower number and the "08" was the floor. The room was 26. Of course, how silly of me! At least she could have said that everyone makes the same mistake, but no. She left me feeling like I was the only moron who couldn't figure this out. But she was hot.<br />
<br />
Everyone at the Hard Rock, staff and guests, have tattoos. I was severely under-tatted.<br />
<br />
I walked past a craps table with an obvious 1st time shooter (switching hands, pulling the dice totally off the table while talking, etc), so of course I turned $200 into $600 on a 45 minuted roll. Should have been pressing harder. Yes, he hit every point. <a href="http://www.donahue.org/">No, I didn't have a fire bet</a>.<br />
<br />
Dropped the cash for the buy-in. They seemed surprised to see cash. Apparently many folks sign up with chips.<br />
<br />
Went straight to play some high-end limit. There were about 30 tables of 20/40 and higher and ALL were filled, many with a waiting list. So I played 2/5 NL, a game I do not feel great about, while I waited. Within 20 minutes, I was up about $1800 and actually WALKED AWAY.<br />
<br />
I got to bed early so I could be rested for the event. In other words, before 1 am.<br />
<br />
I was up at 6.<br />
<br />
Decent breakfast at Lucky 24/7 in the hotel. Then off to the Rio for some cash games. You know, in order to relax. Broke even just before my event, which started at 5 pm.<br />
<br />
Tons of Twitter messages were a HUGE inspiration. Cards were in the air on time and I began chipping up right away. I got used to folding 20 to 30 hands in a row and then getting very aggressive when I had cards. I won several pots with AK over AQ or AJ where we both had just Ace high. Saw the river more often than not, so you needed the cards.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, things started going south when several draws got there against me in really big pots. I never slow played or check raised up to this point. I was just playing ABC poker. It was working, too. I probably should have shifted gears sooner, but before I knew it, I was down to 150 chips (we started with 4500). I got all in with AQ. 6-way action insured my demise. But wait... I win the main pot? Really? Now I've got 900 and get it all in on the very next hand with KK. That holds, too? Triple up! Suddenly I am back in this thing and feeling pretty good.<br />
<br />
And then Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi sits down three seats to my right.<br />
<br />
To Be Continued...DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-58691825619132939562012-04-28T23:43:00.000-07:002012-04-28T23:43:51.037-07:00When we left off..We were just discussing a great poker game and peeing Marines. A few things have happened since then that may have been blog-worthy, but I got it out of my system with Facebook and Twitter. As such, this medium is neglected and probably needs to die. That said, I have an occasional need for a more creative outlet in long form.<br />
<br />
Today I drove out and back to Yosemite. Living in California certainly has it's upside and this is one of them. I highly recommend the pics I put on Facebook. They sum it up far better than anything I could write here. I was being pulled in several different directions this weekend, but a day away from my smart phone, facebook, twitter, WWF and mostly IMs was just what I needed. My kids think I'm cool. That's all I need.<br />
<br />
That said, since this is a poker blog, I need advice. I've been threatening to play the WSOP for years, but this is the year I'm going. I will certainly play the Razz event. Should I also try the LHE event a few days before? Is the LHE event starting the day after out of the question? Since I've never played any WSOP event, multi-tabling is probably not in my best interest.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-51371523492209059962012-01-13T21:27:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:27:54.172-08:00Two Unrelated Things - Poker and Peeing MarinesThis should probably be two posts, but I rarely blog anymore and both are on my mind. I'll start with the philosophy stuff, because you probably won't read it if I wrote about the awesome poker game first.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>So, what should be done with our wayward Marines who peed on dead Taliban?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I will first point you to my <a href="http://pokerdoctor.blogspot.com/2011/12/systems.html">Vaclav Havel post</a> talking about systems. This is a system issue. Notice, I didn't say system failure. Why? Because soldiers have been desecrating the bodies of their enemies since the beginning of time. It wasn't too long ago that rape and pillage were considered the spoils of war. Commanders would select the best wenches for themselves and leave the rest to the foot soldiers. The capable enemy became slaves. The injured, infirmed and elderly were shot. Bodies were decapitated and heads were placed on signposts as a warning. But we don't do that anymore. Why? Mostly because of two things. First, we are no longer allowed to defeat our enemies. We eliminate a few in power and then pay billions to the future warlords. This leaves enough of them to become offended when the desecration is broadcast on CNN, leading to point two, which is that this treatment actually emboldens the enemy and becomes an effective recruiting tool.<br />
<br />
So what, you might ask, should happen to those poor Marines who were victims of the system that forced them to dehumanize the enemy in order to turn them into cold-blooded killers so they might do what our nation asked of them? Simple. Each peeing Marine should be sentenced to 10 years hard labor and their immediate leader should be put to death. Publicly. Immediately.<br />
<br />
You might think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Just because they were doing what soldiers have done for eons, doesn't mean you shouldn't make an example of them. The damage has been done. This kind of example would set the right tone and prevent future nonsense, at least for a while.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<b>The Ultimate Poker Game</b><br />
<br />
My regular game is better than yours. Why? For hands like this:<br />
<br />
The game is 2/5 NL with a forced $10 live straddle. It's still early and most players have between $300 and $1000 behind. I open UTG for $25 with AK and get called in 4 places. The flop:<br />
<br />
Q-Q-2<br />
<br />
I check. UTG +1 bets $25 and gets called in every position before it gets to me. I fold. Surely someone has the queen, right? The turn:<br />
<br />
Q<br />
<br />
UTG +1 bets $55. One fold and then it gets to doc. Doc is another physician with a wider range than me, if you can believe that. He got stuck a grand early because he got stacked twice in the first two hands (never having higher than a 9), but worked his way back to about $800. He smooth calls. The button, who started the hand with about $700, now wakes up and raises to $200. UTG +1 shows me his pocket kings and mucks (duh). Doc doesn't even tank and goes ALL IN! Button now tanks and says, "Doc, show me the 2." Without missing a beat, Doc flashes a 2 and the button snap-calls with pocket 5s. <br />
<br />
Doc then shows his Q-2 for the flopped full house and turned quads.<br />
<br />
Why, you might ask, would the button call there? He played the hand perfectly. The raise was excellent. A re-raise could only mean one thing. No one here, especially Doc, is capable of making the kind of play to represent a queen here without having the goods. Yet he called. Of course he called!<br />
<br />
Because it's the greatest poker game ever.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-51151011449161431502011-12-27T02:41:00.000-08:002011-12-27T02:41:01.462-08:00SystemsBoy will this be a terrible post.<br />
<br />
With the death of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1clav_Havel">Vaclav Havel</a>, I've been reading about him and his philosophies. Talk about your well-rounded guy! Certainly someone to be listened to, if not always agreed with. One thing sticks with me - his faith that all people are generally good. Truth be told, I believe him. So, where does evil come from? Well, if you believe Havel, it comes from systems. For some background, start here:<br />
<br />
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/12/vaclav-havels-critique-of-the-west/250277/<br />
<br />
If you believe this argument, systems are potentially the biggest evil-generator on the planet. I do believe it. The inherent flaw in most systems is that they never plan for the law of unintended consequences, nor can they. It's why a system of checks and balances is probably the best, even though ultimately doomed to fail. Why? Because of the human condition. We are programmed to want to achieve. It's why we're the dominant species. Without that drive, we'd be chimps using sticks to knock fruit off branches out of reach, not designing computers or planning for war.<br />
<br />
How many of you have thought of ways to game the system? Any system. It's in our DNA. Did you get pulled over? How about showing some cleavage and flirting a bit. Or maybe trot out your war record and try to bond. See? It works sometimes - you win! You beat the system.<br />
<br />
Some folks saw a flaw in the system and figured out a way to make tons of money without doing anything more than writing a computer program designed to move cash on tiny fluctuations in the market. Many have tried something similar - you could argue that they were supposed to. A few actually got it right. Was is fair? Fairness doesn't even enter the equation, actually. It's a system. It's not even a systemic flaw. The system was created by us. Others figured out how to manipulate it better and more creatively than we did. Tough. You could pout a bit if it helps. You could whine that it's not fair, but here's the thing - you created it! Yes you, with your laws and your elected officials and your lobbyists and your banking deregulations. Greed isn't good or bad. Greed is.<br />
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If you accept even some of this as true, what are your options? You could become a great thinker and try to lead your inherently good people and give them opportunities to be good. You could try to create a new system that equals things out (see socialism, communism), or you could study systems. That's probably the best bet. Why? Well, to understand them, of course. But also so you are better positioned to see when others are taking advantage or using it to hurt people for their own gain. Or perhaps even use it to your own benefit. Since you created it, isn't that your job?DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-30404573119632792622011-12-11T10:32:00.000-08:002011-12-11T11:03:44.692-08:00WPBT Trip Report 2011I'm am nearly 100% certain no one reads this drivel anymore. But, since I never wrote for you anyway, I might as well get some thoughts down before they fade to eternity.<br />
<br />
This WPBT had all the makings of being outright terrible. By now, you all know about my divorce with the amazing and increasingly poorly named "<a href="http://thewife-herside.blogspot.com/">The Wife</a>." It was supposed to be really awkward that we were there together, especially since only a handful of people knew. There were other negatives, too. Apparently I committed to two dinners on Friday night (or was it Saturday?). Since I would have had to pay anyway if I didn't show at the Raku dinner, I chose that one. Getting my ass chewed by <a href="http://bwop.blogspot.com/">CK </a>the next day was not my favorite thing. I missed some great company at Jaleo. A down-in-the-dumps <a href="http://katitude.ca/">Kat </a>was also a big negative. I want everyone to have fun at WPBT. No one should feel blue, not if I can help it. I never hooked up with any incredibly sexy polyglot lawyers, dammit. And then there was <a href="http://www.rapideyereality.com/">Brad</a>. What horrible news to receive right before the trip, and with his goal of running the Rock & Roll 1/2 marathon so close.<br />
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But if you know me, you know my philosophy - it all works out. Must have got that from <a href="http://bam-baminbedrock.blogspot.com/">Bammer</a>.<br />
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Let's take it from the top. Interacting together and separately with The Wife was terrific. There was no expectation other than an friendly kiss on the cheek and we were able to enjoy being in each others company as well as being separate. I didn't even mind fixing her back right there on the casino floor. Although, that hot chick who said, "NEXT!" should have stuck around longer.<br />
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The dinner at Raku will live in memory forevery. Seriously, 15 courses?! It was an orgy of food, complimented by excellent company. And CK actually seemed to forgive me (eventually).<br />
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It took some doing, but I think I helped Kat find her smile again. And when she smiles, wow.<br />
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And Brad. What can I say? You found your smile, too. And amidst such tragedy. The fact that I played some small part in that did wonders for my soul. I am so fortunate to call this group friends.<br />
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There were other highlights, too. They each deserve their own blog post, but since I only blog once or twice a year, this is what you get:<br />
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"Hey, that looks like Jose Canseco."<br />
"That's because it IS Jose Canseco."<br />
"Sorry sir, this table is only for those in the 40/40 club."<br />
"Well, then you're all gonna have to leave."<br />
<br />
I ran the 1/2 marathon with a bunch of guys that have become such good friends - <a href="http://badbloodonpoker.blogspot.com/">Blood</a>, G-Rob, Brad and <a href="http://pokingandpeaking.blogspot.com/">Dan</a>. The fact that I came in last of our group (7 damn seconds, AYFKM?), didn't really bother me. Thanks so much to those who stuck it out to the end to see my sorry ass trot down the finish. Walking back to Aria in the rain was no fun, but it may be the only reason I'm still walking.<br />
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I sucked in the tournament, as usual. It was cool to see The-No-Longer-Wife cash. She's got skills. I also played in a cash game with the boys that is already legendary. There were the usual suspects as well as Drizz, Iggy and Dr. Pauly as well as Marty and the poker room manager with the straining blouse. <br />
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And now, it's time to go for another jog. I usually let down (or outright stop training) after an event like this, but my boys are keeping me motivated. Let's hope it sticks.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-56001402758438027892011-08-20T12:37:00.000-07:002011-08-20T12:37:19.891-07:00Umm.. hiI'm finally over the guilt for spamming all of you when I went private with this blog. Some of you were "invited" 9 or more times. If that doesn't scream "n00b," I don't know what does. In my defense, I was really pissed at the reasons I had to take this blog private. I had great visions of dumping all of the juicy gossip on my loyal followers, but in the end, two things got me - I didn't feel like talking about it, and I was still a little nervous. I still don't feel like talking about it, although I will tell the story eventually. It's actually not all that exciting, unless you add the fact that it was pretty high-stakes.<br />
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Things around here are more interesting than I'd like. The only constant is change, and all that. I'm really only bummed that I stopped using this outlet I enjoyed so much. I glanced at my archives, and since I started blogging in 2005, I didn't miss a single month. There were some months I only posted 3 times, but it seemed like I was always creating a post in my head.<br />
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Lately, my creative outlet has turned toward music. I feel this incredible need to create. Thanks to a tip from <a href="http://pokerstage.blogspot.com/">Falstaff </a>long ago, I have the Evernote app on my phone. Whenever a song idea hits, I write it down or record it as a voice file if I'm driving.<br />
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If you want to catch up on the mundane, Facebook has most of it. For mundanity (it's a word, dammit), we did pretty good - Yosemite, caving, zip-lining, good wine, bonding with the kids, new car. Lot's of good to go around.<br />
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I'm hoping all is just as "mundane" with you.<br />
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DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-32841706581855134532011-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:002011-05-28T13:28:51.090-07:00Private Blog Test<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXr4ZNkrSzlmOh64cff6fWtXKGJFYxSrCykg2PyVzmnEXreL_s9vd35jLhAtikVVHRj2njQ24Wgq1NCpQBbjVFD0pzqmmY_saluL24po0daIxNPH7EZQWccH1OmYlQiU1Y0_p/s1600/private.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXr4ZNkrSzlmOh64cff6fWtXKGJFYxSrCykg2PyVzmnEXreL_s9vd35jLhAtikVVHRj2njQ24Wgq1NCpQBbjVFD0pzqmmY_saluL24po0daIxNPH7EZQWccH1OmYlQiU1Y0_p/s320/private.jpg" width="320" /></a>So, you all know I took this blog private. Before I did so, I subscribed to my own blog so I could read it through my Google Reader. It let me do one final edit in case I needed to make small changes before it was read by the masses. Now it doesn't show up there anymore. I'm fairly certain it's because of the privacy thing.<br />
<br />
So, two questions:<br />
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1. Can you see my blog in your reader (if you use one) now that it's private?<br />
<br />
2. Is there something I can do to make my blog more accessible to those who like to read my drivel (without changing the privacy status)?DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-83553693255163101482011-05-25T22:36:00.000-07:002011-05-25T22:36:37.953-07:00Throwing StonesWell, I've calmed down a bit and learned a little something, too. First of all, I found the offending picture. I posted it to Facebook back in mid 2010 and you know what? I can actually understand why my boss was upset. Don't bother looking for it - I deleted it.* <br />
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Bottom line - <b>I made a mistake. </b>I should not have posted the picture and I am appropriately chastised. I'm still kicking myself for being that stupid, in fact. <b>Let this be a lesson to you.</b><br />
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But here's the other thing. There was only one person in my office that I "friended" on Facebook. I unfriended him sometime last year. Here's what must have happened. He saw the picture last year and must have saved it to his computer "just in case." He and I had a run-in a few weeks ago, and in a case of revenge disguised as "just trying to help," he went straight to my boss to show him the pic.<br />
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It gets even funnier (or sadder, depending on your perspective). My boss, who is in his 60s, is not quite tech-savvy. He said that he won't tell me who showed him the picture. He also wanted me to know that he checks on all of my "social network activity" all the time, just to be on the safe side.<br />
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I'm glad he doesn't understand technology, and I have no intention of disavowing him of his ruse. I promised to be careful, and you know what? I will be careful.<br />
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I'll be careful of what I post from now on, and I'll be doubly careful of that fucking rat bastard in my office.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Actually, if we're friends on Facebook, go ahead and try to find it. I've always wondered if deleting pictures actually makes them go away - especially if there were multiple commentors. You may remember it - it was a picture of someone's arm with an offensive tattoo. There was some unintentional (and potentially identifiable) stuff in the background. </i></span>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-13949099936019279772011-05-23T17:31:00.000-07:002011-05-23T20:37:05.009-07:00Goodbye<i><b>Editors Note:</b> My humble apologies if you were spammed by an invitation to this blog. I'm a noob when it comes to this stuff and in my panic to take things down, I may have clicked, "Invite"' a few times too many. Please forgive</i>. <br />
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<br />
You ever been so mad your hands were shaking? The kind of mad where it's even hard to type? Yeah, that's me now.<br />
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I'm a fairly smart guy. I've been very good about keeping my personal life separate from my work life. That includes social media. Well, today I got an angry message from my boss saying he "found" a picture of him that I posted on some social media site. He was very upset and wanted it taken down immediately. For the life of me, I could not find it, despite searching for the last 2 hours. It seems my only recourse is to delete the lot - blog, facebook and twitter.<br />
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I'm reminded of a young doctor I mentored when I was teaching. He got into some serious trouble for blogging. Granted, he said something he shouldn't have and it got to the wrong person, but it was blown way out of proportion. As a blogger, they called me to evaluate the situation and I was able to keep the young man out of jail (seriously), but his punishment was quite severe.<br />
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I thought I was smarter than that. Apparently not. I'd say more, but I'm fairly certain there's a rat out there. Instead, allow me to offer the following blanket statement:<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">This blog and all of it's contents are for entertainment purposes only. No person, named or not, is real. I made them all up. If anyone was offended, I offer my sincere apologies. Please direct me to any offending posts and I will do what I can to delete them.</span><br />
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If there are any lawyer types out there who can offer advice about how to make the above statement more official-like, please let me know.<br />
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Peace out.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-74967561477906760152011-04-24T11:01:00.001-07:002011-04-24T11:01:35.262-07:00Fake PoolI'm totally putting this in my dream house.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c7paSzXEe2Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-71128400609898484062011-04-20T14:23:00.000-07:002011-04-20T14:29:28.235-07:00Poker Content!Been a while since I posted a tournament hand, but this one is mildly interesting.<br /><br />First hand of a tournament. Blinds are 100/200 (10,000 starting chips). You're dealt Ks-Kc. Two limpers in front (why does this always seem to happen on the first hand?) and you raise to 700. Both limpers call. There is 2400 in the pot with the blinds.<br /><br />Flop: Jd-10d-4s<br /><br />It checks to you, and you bet 2000. The initial limper calls 2000 and the other gets out of the way.<br /><br />Turn: Qh<br /><br />Now limper leads out for 3000.<br /><br />What do you do? What hands do you put him on?DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-71612361659671210782011-04-15T22:39:00.000-07:002011-04-15T22:42:02.711-07:00Atlas ShruggedI understand there's a movie coming out. I probably won't see it, but thinking about it gave me a chance to revisit Ayn Rand. What follows is a link to the "Francisco d'Anconia Money Speech." It has been called the greatest 5 pages written in the English language.<br /><h3><a href="http://theautonomist.com/autonomist/moneyspeech.html">Francisco d'Anconia's Money Speech</a></h3>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-61720346794216974132011-04-14T07:31:00.000-07:002011-04-14T08:05:35.090-07:00Dollars and SenseIt's tax time. I rarely get upset or outraged at this time of year, mostly because <a href="http://thewife-herside.blogspot.com/">my CPA takes care of all the paperwork</a> and I just sign. Because of a small glitch on the part of Wells Fargo, we got a letter from the IRS saying we owe an extra ten grand on top of the taxes we already paid. It's an easy fix, but it gave me a reason to look at our taxes. Holy shit, we pay a lot. In fact, we pay more in taxes than our entire families made last year. Combined. I know, boo <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoo</span>. I'm not looking for sympathy here, just an honest discussion. I'm at work, so I don't have the time to get into this in detail, but you probably don't want to read a long diatribe anyway, so here are my issues: I'm pretty tired of hearing politicians argue over giving "tax cuts to the wealthy." It's bullshit. The "Bush-era tax cuts" are simply freezing the rate at a certain level. The argument is whether I should continue to pay 35% or if it should be bumped to 39% (I may have the numbers wrong, but I'm close enough). People spin this extra 4% many different ways. I could give a shit. You know why? <strong><em>Because I don't mind paying more taxes.</em></strong> I know that sounds crazy, but it's the truth. I know I'm going to have to pay more taxes. I have no control or choice, so I might as well accept it. But it's also true that paying more taxes will not affect how I live my life. Since I don't mind paying more taxes, and I pay more than most, it does give me the ability to rant, and rant I shall. If I'm going to pay more, I don't mind telling you that I'm sick and tired of people who pay no taxes telling me I'm not paying enough. Well, let me add one caveat. I believe America has an obligation to care for the most needy, which has been arbitrarily called the bottom 10%. I'm okay with that. But how can I have faith in a system where almost 50% of Americans pay no taxes, yet tell me I'm not doing enough? <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2010/04/47-percent-don-t-pay-taxes-no-big-deal/24826/">47% of Americans Pay No Income Taxes</a> Sure, we can argue that this doesn't apply to Federal taxes, but since income tax is our largest tax, and the one that stands to go up further, it's where I'm concentrating. So let's stop with the nomenclature, and get to the substance (where is George Carlin when you need him?). I'll pay more taxes. I just want the majority of Americans to have skin the game before they accuse me of not doing my share.DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-83015802238130317262011-04-02T23:31:00.000-07:002011-04-02T23:54:14.868-07:00Epic-nessI'm not even sure epicness is a word, but I don't give a rats ass. It aptly describes my trip tonight, and I thought I'd share it with you. We, being the awesome friends we are, decided to store a car <a href="http://www.bettyunderground.com/">for our good friend</a> while she is deployed overseas. We had the extra garage space in Stockton, so it was a fairly simple proposition. After she left, we drop the car off over there and shuttle back together. I use the car once a week so the battery doesn't die, then I bring it back when she returns. Simple, right?<br /><br />Well, it IS simple, provided I follow instructions. If you've ever given me a shopping list with more than three items, you know I'm not always the best at following instructions. Many have wondered how I got through medical school with this obvious flaw, and all I can say is... well, nothing. I'm not sure how I did it either, but I have this diploma, so I must have had the ability at one time.<br /><br />Anyway, I was supposed to bring the car back this weekend, but I didn't. So today, I decided to do the swap myself. Why inconvenience anyone else for my error? I just pulled the cover off the Ferrari and found a really juicy route to get to Stockton. It's usually a 90 mile/80 minute proposition, but this time it was a 132 mile/3 hour deal. The roads were twisty as hell.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9sTHV54NXn_6UMhIOE9RJz7MnfpW6K4uhobSkQh9lY5AnVmQvQr5vY0lmRc6pmQXDtwpMaD5m_T5CUhjmDioU68pjOimi2wK_kuuqKjA9t3mEXKPNvDSBygIn_xaZslqrY_9/s1600/Route.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9sTHV54NXn_6UMhIOE9RJz7MnfpW6K4uhobSkQh9lY5AnVmQvQr5vY0lmRc6pmQXDtwpMaD5m_T5CUhjmDioU68pjOimi2wK_kuuqKjA9t3mEXKPNvDSBygIn_xaZslqrY_9/s400/Route.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245341033200706" border="0" /></a>For those that care, this is the route.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ0_5vJgFL5FVzgz3B6N_eZtnPXvFHj6aKxolOx1flFm4FtXxnxQUmRa1He8AvI2ONo6BX2R4GY8S5TXDzJqds13teqH8KUosI7Z-pe1saPv2_MFj8AN5Oq141r-MXetcMJVZ/s1600/IMAG0151.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ0_5vJgFL5FVzgz3B6N_eZtnPXvFHj6aKxolOx1flFm4FtXxnxQUmRa1He8AvI2ONo6BX2R4GY8S5TXDzJqds13teqH8KUosI7Z-pe1saPv2_MFj8AN5Oq141r-MXetcMJVZ/s400/IMAG0151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245265336591202" border="0" /></a>Along the way, there was some incredible scenery.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D1mh7SkidnBrAe6zKxbRXUgNeBfBHu3Q2I6ESeZK03Rf5SM7mZneNKS3_3Xt3kmuMkdWf4nH2NapF769g4HGNDnXs4DhzlLadRzFjGH3zA9CGUhvZ6zAdG4UnBy614infZhu/s1600/IMAG0150.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D1mh7SkidnBrAe6zKxbRXUgNeBfBHu3Q2I6ESeZK03Rf5SM7mZneNKS3_3Xt3kmuMkdWf4nH2NapF769g4HGNDnXs4DhzlLadRzFjGH3zA9CGUhvZ6zAdG4UnBy614infZhu/s400/IMAG0150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245259826411570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1zbR-xleNQQkcTcpLSbpPGuGEZxX6jtlgYNEUxJWgSYhQrPLOZfNtTztYVWaQN3DtSTgAXUIRAbK8fSa8Jj5mvs7KC6QJNXJYwkeTenVXZfkstgyEUHMCnz3HE6j2_N5dLeO/s1600/IMAG0148.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1zbR-xleNQQkcTcpLSbpPGuGEZxX6jtlgYNEUxJWgSYhQrPLOZfNtTztYVWaQN3DtSTgAXUIRAbK8fSa8Jj5mvs7KC6QJNXJYwkeTenVXZfkstgyEUHMCnz3HE6j2_N5dLeO/s400/IMAG0148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245251370250402" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONGhCrMtNYLviKQKWVV1jcX-R9qOXBjQ7TcjVlGf-B5w3kRBBfSbraV3ea_lxA-vjjNbMs9IllQ23PS3R6yG3sI_4unXakwOX7u7470mnm_AJi9a67mG5fwJXK0f4MmgYSPRO/s1600/IMAG0149.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONGhCrMtNYLviKQKWVV1jcX-R9qOXBjQ7TcjVlGf-B5w3kRBBfSbraV3ea_lxA-vjjNbMs9IllQ23PS3R6yG3sI_4unXakwOX7u7470mnm_AJi9a67mG5fwJXK0f4MmgYSPRO/s400/IMAG0149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245253561171394" border="0" /></a>I can't begin to imagine what some of these homes are worth,<br />but the view alone is a million bucks.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTepKktFhWcMJMKmyyvFB42cYAvDHSbkpo55YUlQbLUuI8kFLQHErHFehj1bHpzc_MWR_DZAYpyvS9eI9CZ9k1mWcar8TvkXLqtuYzmbcY-AmB0JeW2qb_gK46rCQDIMoXfX3/s1600/IMAG0153.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTepKktFhWcMJMKmyyvFB42cYAvDHSbkpo55YUlQbLUuI8kFLQHErHFehj1bHpzc_MWR_DZAYpyvS9eI9CZ9k1mWcar8TvkXLqtuYzmbcY-AmB0JeW2qb_gK46rCQDIMoXfX3/s400/IMAG0153.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245268401413378" border="0" /></a>And finally, I arrived at my home away from home.<br />Look at that - it's like the parking space was specially<br />reserved for a Ferrari.<br /></div>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-56225235425346115562011-03-26T09:06:00.000-07:002011-03-26T09:49:30.835-07:00Forced BloggingAs I start this post, I have no idea where it's going. I usually have a plan well in advance, but since I got called out by my brudder <a href="http://bam-baminbedrock.blogspot.com/">Bam Bam</a> for not blogging, I figured I'd better put something out quick. You rush a miracle man, you get bad miracles, or so someone once said. Here goes...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poker:</span> I've been playing quite a bit. There's a little card room where I work that has tournaments as well as 4/8 LHE and the occasional NL. I've only played the tourny once, but it's pretty soft. Buy-in was $20 with a $10 re-buy. First place is around $800, but they always chop at some point on the final table. The 4/8 game is terrible. 6 or 7 see every flop - basically gambling. I play the game while hoping for the NL to start and it's a bad move so far. Despite playing tight, I get suckered into playing big hands with no draw. There's no way to control the pot size, and I get sucked out on a lot by some dude playing TRC. The NL game; however, can be used to build your bankroll. There is at least one other road warrior in that game who I also see playing at Bay 101. It's possible he's like me and works in the Central Valley and lives in the Peninsula, but I doubt it. I think he comes out there because the game is just that good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Work:</span> Many of you know that I'm the process of buying my medical practice. Well, things are on hold for now. It's a complex story that I may bore you about over a drink or two, but for now let's just say the deal is on ice. I am remaining there at my base salary, but they are throwing in an unspecified bonus to keep me around until such time as we can make a deal. It's a good job with great people, so stick around I shall. I still wish it was closer to home. Know what I'm talking about <a href="http://bam-baminbedrock.blogspot.com/">Bammer</a>? Speaking of home...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home:</span> Things here are... good. <a href="http://thewife-herside.blogspot.com/">The Wife</a> is preparing our taxes and it's clearly stressing her out. We fought terribly last year at this time and I'm afraid another brouhaha is in the works. In fact, I think we would have had it out already, but she's been sick. Like, crazy sick. She's about 92.07% better now. I'd like to think it's at least in part because I've been caring for her by treating her with manipulation and medicines (I AM a doctor of osteopathic medicine after all), but it mostly just had to run it's course. (As an aside, my whole family has been sick - all but me. I got the flu shot this year as I always do. Coincidence?) I love her fiercely, so don't worry about us. I figured our lives were too good, so I decided to add a little stress. Besides, making up can be fun.<br /><br />We have great friends both near and far, although some of our near friends are going far and some of our far friends don't come around often enough. Last night we had a great dinner with our Seattle friends Jim and Jane and their two kids. A family dinner at PF Changs was highlighted by great conversation and <strong style="font-weight: normal;">saké</strong>. The evening went by too fast. Our friend April is doing her best <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale">Florence Nightingale</a> impression and is headed back to Maine to care for her injured Grandma. IMHO, there is no greater gift you can give than caring for a sick or injured relative. It's not all sunshine and roses, but it does wonders for the soul nonetheless. And speaking of friends, if you follow me on Twitter (as most of you do), you've been hearing about #mudrun. I'm so jazzed about this it will get it's own post.<br /><br />So there you go, <a href="http://bam-baminbedrock.blogspot.com/">brudder</a>. I hope that gives you a small distraction while you're in the hinterlands. Of course, it'd be easier to tell you this in person over a scotch or two. We're a lot closer now, ya know...<br /><br />One last quote, apropos of nothing:<br /><h6 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="messageBody">Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. ~ Robert Brault</span></span></h6>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-57348466771740289472011-03-02T20:44:00.000-08:002011-03-02T20:58:23.798-08:00Updates!I'm going to conclude this post with some actual poker content, but first I must bore you with fitness stuff.<br /><br />My <a href="http://pokerdoctor.blogspot.com/2010/12/stupid-new-years-resolution-time.html">New Year's resolution</a> is still on track. As of February 28th, I completed just over 61 miles of running. That's just ahead of my 1-mile-a-day vow. I'm fairly sure I'm ahead of <a href="http://craakker.blogspot.com/">Grange</a>, but since he's suffering through an Iowa winter, I'm also certain these are my "leap ahead" months. When it starts warming up out there, he'll probably catch up. I'm still confident I can win the bet, though. By the next #wpbt, I will have run at least 300 miles. I doubt he'll have completed 600, so victory is almost assured.<br /><br />Almost.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Okay - the promised poker content. I'm still on my winning streak, and loving it. I'm making good reads and for once variance is mostly adhering to statistics. Mostly.<br /><br />It's 2/5 NL. I buy in for $200. I run it up to $1400 and I'm about to leave. A young hoodie-wearing player is the only guy at the table who has given me trouble. He seems to understand bet sizes and strategy, and we've mostly avoided each other. The standard raise at this table has been to $20 or $25. He opens in early position for $40. It's highly unusual and I put him squarely on Jacks or 10s. I look down at two black Kings and decide to smooth call. He has about $350 behind.<br /><br />The flop is Qh-8h-6h. He bets $40 into the $87 pot. I raise to $125. He goes all-in for $310 more.<br /><br />What do you do?DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-53613957447817560592011-02-25T22:15:00.000-08:002011-02-25T22:38:56.104-08:00Of Poker, and Other PursuitsI have recently been on a good run, having pulled out 9 and 12 racks from the 8/16 game at Bay 101. Well today, I beat them all. I increased my stake 21 times!<br /><br />But first, a bad beat story. It's short. Your dollar is in the mail.*<br /><br />Got aces. Flopped top set. Lost to runner-runner-flush to a guy with 10-7 off-suit who called three bets preflop AND called the flop with no draw.<br /><br />See, that wasn't so bad. That bad beat story is short enough to tweet (which should be the criteria for all bad beat stories IMHO).<br /><br />The end result was that my initial buy-in got down to 5 chips. Rather than reach for a re-buy, I dumped them into the big blind in much the same way people buy lottery tickets. Long story short, 5 limpers and I look down at AQ. I toss the extra chip into the pot. It checks around on the flop and turn. One bettor on the river gets called with pocket 6s, but I flopped an Ace and it was good for the main pot! WTF?!<br /><br />From 5 chips to 30 chips. Sweet. Let it ride! I am in the small blind and call 1/2 a bet with rags, but I flop trips. I manage to get all my chips into the pot with a few callers along the way, and <span style="" id="search"><em>voilà</em></span>, 21x. Of course, this basically gets me back my buy-in. I promptly racked up and called it a win. It almost felt better than dragging out 12 racks. Almost.<br /><br />____<br /><br />In other news, most of you know my passion for Ferrari. Before I owned the car, I did not own a single piece of Ferrari-related paraphernalia. Since that time, I bought a hat, a fleece jacket from my car club,** and a Ferrari key-chain.*** That's it. But, I've only really coveted one non-drivable Ferrari item, and never actually thought it would be mine. Until today.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6cqgyfVytwVaDk86m0IrAAJKcHQ3DBVdjI7NtFcb7BYfJklghwSRnjdUx3whMClRV04W-EiyVNnXWov2-leqtPEyHO6bVzZXptQ_4t2Xb6PKeIfBCefDwWn1yccczEWj0lta/s1600/IMAG0101.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6cqgyfVytwVaDk86m0IrAAJKcHQ3DBVdjI7NtFcb7BYfJklghwSRnjdUx3whMClRV04W-EiyVNnXWov2-leqtPEyHO6bVzZXptQ_4t2Xb6PKeIfBCefDwWn1yccczEWj0lta/s400/IMAG0101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577883053097043746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />* No, it isn't.<br /><br />**We call ourselves FOG, for Ferrari Owners Group. It's apropos because we drive around San Francisco. Cute, eh?<br /><br />***Since bequeathed to <a href="http://nickleanddimes.blogspot.com/">Drizz </a>as my bust-out prize during the last WPBT. Still waiting on your visit so we can go busting through the Palo Alto hills, buddy. </span>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15121395.post-50368662666054271762011-02-21T21:44:00.000-08:002011-02-21T21:46:26.185-08:00Dream RangersSometimes I wonder about the #wpbt. Will we still be together in 30 years? 40?<br /><br />Give this video a minute. Epic.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vksdBSVAM6g?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>DrChakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408654385168201338noreply@blogger.com4