31 JAN 07
Demetri Martin
Do NOT be drinking water when you listen to this 3 minute clip.
“If I ever attended the hanging of an amputee, I’d just start shouting out letters.”
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Brain Mush
29 JAN 07
I have possibly the worst week ahead of me. We are so short staffed that all physicians will be covering two services. Teaching will suffer (we have 19 residents). It’s all about getting the work done this week. On top of this, I have one doctor who threatened to quit if I don’t give her additional time off to go see her grandma in Florida. Nice. My tendency is to say, “Don’t let the hospital door hit you on the bottom on the way out.”
The problem is, if she leaves, I go from desperate to desperation.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. My 9 year old just requested that I get my guitar and sing him a goodnight song. I don’t know how many more nights I’ll be able to do this before it becomes… uncool.
I think it’s either Puff the Magic Dragon, or Volcano (he’s a Parrothead like me).
I have possibly the worst week ahead of me. We are so short staffed that all physicians will be covering two services. Teaching will suffer (we have 19 residents). It’s all about getting the work done this week. On top of this, I have one doctor who threatened to quit if I don’t give her additional time off to go see her grandma in Florida. Nice. My tendency is to say, “Don’t let the hospital door hit you on the bottom on the way out.”
The problem is, if she leaves, I go from desperate to desperation.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. My 9 year old just requested that I get my guitar and sing him a goodnight song. I don’t know how many more nights I’ll be able to do this before it becomes… uncool.
I think it’s either Puff the Magic Dragon, or Volcano (he’s a Parrothead like me).
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Plan B
25 JAN 07
Time to get political. If the administration isn't reading Washington Post Columnist Charles Krauthammer, they should be.
In yet another well written article, Charlie K. explains we that need another option in Iraq:
Right now there are only three policies on the table: (1) the surge, which a majority of Congress opposes, (2) the status quo, which everybody opposes, and (3) the abandonment of Iraq, which appears to be the default Democratic alternative.
What is missing is a fourth alternative, both as a threat to Maliki and as an actual fallback if the surge fails. The Pentagon should be working on a sustainable Plan B whose major element would be not so much a drawdown of troops as a drawdown of risk to our troops.
We say to Maliki: Let us down, and we dismantle the Green Zone, leave Baghdad and let you fend for yourself. We will be around to pick up the pieces as best we can.
I couldn't agree more.
Editor's Note: Blogger ate this post twice. For my RSS readers, sorry if this is a repost.
Time to get political. If the administration isn't reading Washington Post Columnist Charles Krauthammer, they should be.
In yet another well written article, Charlie K. explains we that need another option in Iraq:
Right now there are only three policies on the table: (1) the surge, which a majority of Congress opposes, (2) the status quo, which everybody opposes, and (3) the abandonment of Iraq, which appears to be the default Democratic alternative.
What is missing is a fourth alternative, both as a threat to Maliki and as an actual fallback if the surge fails. The Pentagon should be working on a sustainable Plan B whose major element would be not so much a drawdown of troops as a drawdown of risk to our troops.
We say to Maliki: Let us down, and we dismantle the Green Zone, leave Baghdad and let you fend for yourself. We will be around to pick up the pieces as best we can.
I couldn't agree more.
Editor's Note: Blogger ate this post twice. For my RSS readers, sorry if this is a repost.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Miscellaneous Housekeeping
24 JAN 07
We had some vicious snow recently here in the Pacific Northwest, but this led to some awesome sledding and a new nickname for my son.
Scarface
Also, for those of you who were worried that my midlife crisis has stalled, have no fear. Here is my new Desktop pic:
We had some vicious snow recently here in the Pacific Northwest, but this led to some awesome sledding and a new nickname for my son.
Scarface
Also, for those of you who were worried that my midlife crisis has stalled, have no fear. Here is my new Desktop pic:
Ferrari Dino
Finally, a hand from last night’s head-up Omaha 8 round. I have 4 6 7 K with two diamonds. The flop is 5 8 9 with two diamonds. My opponent (AKA, The Rock, AKA, my wife) caps the flop and when the Ace of diamonds hits the turn, she caps again. All the money was in on the river when the board didn’t pair. My nuts flush was good for high, of course.
What did she have?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Poker at the Boss’s Recap
22 JAN 07
A good time was had by all. This was clearly a social game. Buy in was $5, so no one would feel pressure. Still, it’s funny to watch a bunch of doctors hemming and hawing over $5.
Random Doctor: “I don’t know. I watch poker on TV, but I really don’t know how to play.”
Dr. Chako: “C’mon already! It’s five lousy bucks!”
Turns out they were serious about not knowing how to play (the hand-ranking sheets at each seat were a dead giveaway). One hand illustrates this. I call from early position with K9 spades and get two other callers. Flop is Q 8 4 all clubs. I check and it checks around. Turn is a red King. I bet and both call, so I figure they are on a flush draw. River is a blank, but I have no idea where I am. Check, check and check.
Dr. Chako – top pair.
Dr. #2 – Top two.
Dr. #3 – The FLOPPED nut flush.
Is that any good?
Well, Mrs. Chako was the big winner - is that any surprise? She played well, but it was her third suckout on the river that cinched the deal. Paid for babysitting - yee-haw!
If you’ll remember, they think of me as the “poker guru,” and they walked away thinking, “I can beat that guy. He ain’t so tuff.”
Got ‘em right where I want ‘em. Now I just need to get them to up the stakes next time.
Like that’s ever gonna happen.
A good time was had by all. This was clearly a social game. Buy in was $5, so no one would feel pressure. Still, it’s funny to watch a bunch of doctors hemming and hawing over $5.
Random Doctor: “I don’t know. I watch poker on TV, but I really don’t know how to play.”
Dr. Chako: “C’mon already! It’s five lousy bucks!”
Turns out they were serious about not knowing how to play (the hand-ranking sheets at each seat were a dead giveaway). One hand illustrates this. I call from early position with K9 spades and get two other callers. Flop is Q 8 4 all clubs. I check and it checks around. Turn is a red King. I bet and both call, so I figure they are on a flush draw. River is a blank, but I have no idea where I am. Check, check and check.
Dr. Chako – top pair.
Dr. #2 – Top two.
Dr. #3 – The FLOPPED nut flush.
Is that any good?
Well, Mrs. Chako was the big winner - is that any surprise? She played well, but it was her third suckout on the river that cinched the deal. Paid for babysitting - yee-haw!
If you’ll remember, they think of me as the “poker guru,” and they walked away thinking, “I can beat that guy. He ain’t so tuff.”
Got ‘em right where I want ‘em. Now I just need to get them to up the stakes next time.
Like that’s ever gonna happen.
Friday, January 19, 2007
I Have a Big Mouth
19 JAN 07
Seriously. It’s a problem I’ve had my whole life. I remember my dad catching me in an obvious lie. It never would have been found out if I’d just kept my mouth shut, but no. I just kept talking and talking until he realized that I was trying to tell him something without actually saying it. I’m great at keeping other people’s secrets. Some secrets I’ve kept my whole life, even after any implied statute of limitations would have reasonably expired.
I just can’t keep my own.
It is with this knowledge that I can tell you about a small problem at work. Normal people (and here I’m thinking about Iggy – although I’m not sure that term applies to poker-playing dwarves) are probably smart enough not to mention their poker hobby to their colleagues. We all know what happened to Bobby Bracelet when his contemporaries found out about his blog. The lesson here is – keep work and play separate.
But I have a big mouth.
Somehow, I’ve managed to let everyone at work know that I’m a poker player. Thank goodness I’ve been able to keep my blog private. Well, I’m sure someone knows about it. After all, this is a military computer, and I have a Word document on my desktop called, “Poker Blog.” Regular readers (all two of you) know that I occasionally talk about my coworkers – sometimes in a not-so-great light.
My boss just invited me to go play poker at his house tonight. He actually said that he wasn’t going to invite me because it was supposed to be a friendly game, and he didn’t want to bring in the “ringer.”
Maybe if I let him read the blog, he wouldn’t worry so much.
Seriously. It’s a problem I’ve had my whole life. I remember my dad catching me in an obvious lie. It never would have been found out if I’d just kept my mouth shut, but no. I just kept talking and talking until he realized that I was trying to tell him something without actually saying it. I’m great at keeping other people’s secrets. Some secrets I’ve kept my whole life, even after any implied statute of limitations would have reasonably expired.
I just can’t keep my own.
It is with this knowledge that I can tell you about a small problem at work. Normal people (and here I’m thinking about Iggy – although I’m not sure that term applies to poker-playing dwarves) are probably smart enough not to mention their poker hobby to their colleagues. We all know what happened to Bobby Bracelet when his contemporaries found out about his blog. The lesson here is – keep work and play separate.
But I have a big mouth.
Somehow, I’ve managed to let everyone at work know that I’m a poker player. Thank goodness I’ve been able to keep my blog private. Well, I’m sure someone knows about it. After all, this is a military computer, and I have a Word document on my desktop called, “Poker Blog.” Regular readers (all two of you) know that I occasionally talk about my coworkers – sometimes in a not-so-great light.
My boss just invited me to go play poker at his house tonight. He actually said that he wasn’t going to invite me because it was supposed to be a friendly game, and he didn’t want to bring in the “ringer.”
Maybe if I let him read the blog, he wouldn’t worry so much.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Two Hour Commutes...
Suck!
The weather here in Seattle is out of this world. On top of 8 inches of accumulation, we had another 2 last night. My BMW got to the bottom ofthe driveway before the spinning tires finally gave up. At least I got to the sidewalk. Some excellent Les Schwab chains on the Honda Odyssey and I was off, albeit at 5 MPH. 25 miles and 2 hours and 20 minutes later, I'm at the hospital. The good news is that routine patients probably won't be able to make it here to clog up my schedule. The bad news is two fold: There were multiple accidents, several of which have probably caused new patients to be sitting in my ER, and I'm sure many of my colleagues were unable to get to work.
"Why are you blogging when you should be saving lives?" you might ask.
Good point. Wish me luck.
Editors Note: Well, they finally got me. When I try to post to Blogger at work, I get, "Access Denied: Sex." Strangely, I can pull up my website. From now on, I'll have to post from home. This sucks as bad as the weather.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Pardon the Interruption
15 JAN 07
Recovery from my dental extraction has taken longer than expected. Alternating between pain and Oxycontin makes for a poor blogger. I’ve finally turned the corner.
So, the last time we left our hero, he was in the middle of his midlife crisis. This has not magically gone away, in case you were wondering.
Phase 2 is acquisition. I WILL be getting a Ferrari, but it really doesn’t make much sense to get it right before I go to Iraq. I also have a passion for watches, so help me out. Of the three watches above, which do you prefer?
Recovery from my dental extraction has taken longer than expected. Alternating between pain and Oxycontin makes for a poor blogger. I’ve finally turned the corner.
So, the last time we left our hero, he was in the middle of his midlife crisis. This has not magically gone away, in case you were wondering.
Phase 2 is acquisition. I WILL be getting a Ferrari, but it really doesn’t make much sense to get it right before I go to Iraq. I also have a passion for watches, so help me out. Of the three watches above, which do you prefer?
Editors note: The Maurice LaCroix image would not load, but I think it's out of the running anyway, so just choose 1 or 2.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Go Away.
10 JAN 07
I’m in no mood to talk to you right now. I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Since I had trouble the last time I did this (they only took one tooth because, no matter how many sedatives they gave me, I kept moving my head), I decided to have the rest out with only local anesthesia.
You know that drill? The one they use to saw difficult teeth in half? Yeah, it’s REALLY loud inside your mouth when you are awake.
I promise to resume my good mood again tomorrow. For now, buzz off.
I’m in no mood to talk to you right now. I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. Since I had trouble the last time I did this (they only took one tooth because, no matter how many sedatives they gave me, I kept moving my head), I decided to have the rest out with only local anesthesia.
You know that drill? The one they use to saw difficult teeth in half? Yeah, it’s REALLY loud inside your mouth when you are awake.
I promise to resume my good mood again tomorrow. For now, buzz off.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Obligatory Poker Content
8 JAN 07
A scare card comes on the river. Two calling stations check to you. Why risk your tournament here?
Weight: 182 (No change from last week, but a great fondue at The Melting Pot last night didn’t help things. Still, I restarted my regular workouts. Feels good).
A scare card comes on the river. Two calling stations check to you. Why risk your tournament here?
Weight: 182 (No change from last week, but a great fondue at The Melting Pot last night didn’t help things. Still, I restarted my regular workouts. Feels good).
Friday, January 05, 2007
Sleep Deprivation
5 JAN 07
Doctors don’t get much sleep. Residents and Interns get even less, and sometimes die while trying to drive home after little if any sleep while on-call. I once fell asleep at a traffic light after working for between 100 and 120 hours per week for an entire month.
The Army’s answer – MANDATORY SLEEP DEPRIVATION TRAINING.
I am right now headed to a one hour class on the terrors of a lack of sleep.
Did I mention that the mandatory class starts at 6:30 am?
Doctors don’t get much sleep. Residents and Interns get even less, and sometimes die while trying to drive home after little if any sleep while on-call. I once fell asleep at a traffic light after working for between 100 and 120 hours per week for an entire month.
The Army’s answer – MANDATORY SLEEP DEPRIVATION TRAINING.
I am right now headed to a one hour class on the terrors of a lack of sleep.
Did I mention that the mandatory class starts at 6:30 am?
Thursday, January 04, 2007
On a Flight Last Weekend to Texas…
4 JAN 07
I read the magazine in the seat back. It’s called American Way, and there is a picture of Edward Norton on the front. As you flyers know, these magazines try to have articles that appeal to the masses, so there are usually columns about popular culture, actors and golf. Recently, poker has crept in too. Imagine my surprise when I read the following:
“The line of bloggers is huge an unkempt. Picture the kids who thought Anthony Michael Hall was a god in Sixteen Candles. Now picture them at age 23 buying into a no-limit tourney. Right. Horrifying.”
And this…
“Summertime (the nickname of one of a group calling themselves the Batfaces) quickly regrets his choice (to play in the tournament). “Worst decision ever,” he texts us. “Sitting between guy with Gorgon breath and a girl who introduced herself as Jane 100.”
Could Eric Celeste (the author and former senior editor at said magazine) be talking about our own Change?
***
One quick story before I go. We had a wonderful Mexican dinner last night at Azteca. My 4 year old has to go potty (as usual). We get into the bathroom and I hang up his jacket on the hook in the stall. When we get back to the table, he proudly announces, “Mommy! There were hookers in the bathroom!”
I read the magazine in the seat back. It’s called American Way, and there is a picture of Edward Norton on the front. As you flyers know, these magazines try to have articles that appeal to the masses, so there are usually columns about popular culture, actors and golf. Recently, poker has crept in too. Imagine my surprise when I read the following:
“The line of bloggers is huge an unkempt. Picture the kids who thought Anthony Michael Hall was a god in Sixteen Candles. Now picture them at age 23 buying into a no-limit tourney. Right. Horrifying.”
And this…
“Summertime (the nickname of one of a group calling themselves the Batfaces) quickly regrets his choice (to play in the tournament). “Worst decision ever,” he texts us. “Sitting between guy with Gorgon breath and a girl who introduced herself as Jane 100.”
Could Eric Celeste (the author and former senior editor at said magazine) be talking about our own Change?
***
One quick story before I go. We had a wonderful Mexican dinner last night at Azteca. My 4 year old has to go potty (as usual). We get into the bathroom and I hang up his jacket on the hook in the stall. When we get back to the table, he proudly announces, “Mommy! There were hookers in the bathroom!”
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Flawed Logic
3 JAN 07
"Hi. My name is Dr. Chako, and I’m an Omatard."
"Hi, Dr. Chako!"
So, I’m playing heads up HOE against an absolute rock. It’s a strange game heads up, but it beats the tedium of all Hold ‘em all the time.
We are in the Omaha 8 round, and I have AQxx. Since it's heads up, and since my opponent is a rock, raising is usually pointless. I’m on the button, so I just call. We see a flop of:
A Q 10 rainbow.
She checks, I bet and she calls. So far, I have little information, but this is pretty typical for this opponent. Did I mention she is a rock? She also never folds pre-flop to a raise, and since no hand is greater that 60% to win, I see little point.
Turn is a blank, but it puts two spades on the board. Now the rock bets. I raise. She re-raises.
Danger, Wil Robinson!
I articulate my thought process outloud. There are only 4 hands that make sense. Perhaps less.
K J
AQ
A 10
Set
My first question. I had no possible flush, but there is a chance (turns out, a good one) that she does. How much credit should I give after a rainbow flop?
#2. Since I tie AQ and beat A 10, and I’m behind on the others, do I call here? There are 7 big bets in the pot. If I’m drawing to only 4 outs, the answer is no.
Gear change. The holidays were unkind to my waistline, but I got up at 4:40 this morning and hit the bike. I did have one lapse and ate an incredible Seattle’s Finest cookie. It sure does help that the president and CEO hand delivered them to my door (thanks Hunter).
Weight: 182 (five pound MORE than my last report)
"Hi. My name is Dr. Chako, and I’m an Omatard."
"Hi, Dr. Chako!"
So, I’m playing heads up HOE against an absolute rock. It’s a strange game heads up, but it beats the tedium of all Hold ‘em all the time.
We are in the Omaha 8 round, and I have AQxx. Since it's heads up, and since my opponent is a rock, raising is usually pointless. I’m on the button, so I just call. We see a flop of:
A Q 10 rainbow.
She checks, I bet and she calls. So far, I have little information, but this is pretty typical for this opponent. Did I mention she is a rock? She also never folds pre-flop to a raise, and since no hand is greater that 60% to win, I see little point.
Turn is a blank, but it puts two spades on the board. Now the rock bets. I raise. She re-raises.
Danger, Wil Robinson!
I articulate my thought process outloud. There are only 4 hands that make sense. Perhaps less.
K J
AQ
A 10
Set
My first question. I had no possible flush, but there is a chance (turns out, a good one) that she does. How much credit should I give after a rainbow flop?
#2. Since I tie AQ and beat A 10, and I’m behind on the others, do I call here? There are 7 big bets in the pot. If I’m drawing to only 4 outs, the answer is no.
Gear change. The holidays were unkind to my waistline, but I got up at 4:40 this morning and hit the bike. I did have one lapse and ate an incredible Seattle’s Finest cookie. It sure does help that the president and CEO hand delivered them to my door (thanks Hunter).
Weight: 182 (five pound MORE than my last report)
Sunday, December 31, 2006
2006 Year in Review (November and December)
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.
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.
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.
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