As is becoming normal, it has been another long while in between updates...A myriad of reasons are easily available, but I suppose first and foremost I was getting a severe case of burnout...I was playing too many hours without really being in the mood, and consequently, I was playing a less than optimum game of poker...ahhhh bullshit, I was playing like crap...Burn out, playing poorly and running bad is indeed a lousy combination!! I pretty much took about 10 days off, and really enjoyed not playing during that time. In the last few days, I have played a little, no more than 2 games at a time, playing pretty well, and actually having a bit of fun at the same time. I even had a cash in a small SNG the other day...

The job is also taking more time, but I am not complaining as my partner and I have had a couple meetings in the last few weeks, and are getting closer and closer to a money management deal...This of course will lead to the hedge fund, and if that happens, literally the sky is the limit. If it was all about the money, I really wouldn't care, but it's a challenge, and without one, you may as well curl up and die. I suppose this yet another reason I continue to work on this crazy game of poker!! Speaking of work, it has been pretty hectic lately as my partner and his wife are expecting their first child any minute now. There seems to be some complications so I can only hope for the best; I am sure all will turn our well, but it is a bit nerve-wracking... On a happier note, my poker buddy reviewed a few NL 100 hands and actually didn't have TOO much to say LOL...

I have short ribs braising, and fresh asparagus needs to be cooked---Gettin' hungry...That and a couple glasses of some good Australian red will do nicely...

It is a strange thing about these blogs...I had all good intentions when I started this thing, but I must say---I really admire the folks that stick with it...I had presumed I would be blogging at least once every other day, and eventually become a small part of the blogging community! I think it's too damn much work for me, but we will see.

All the various blogs I read are interesting...Some are pure poker, some are more personal, and whether we want it or not, they are also a small window into one's personality...here is a small view through my window... Although I can go for weeks or months thinking and reading about nothing but poker, recently it has been a struggle to maintain any real enthusiasm. The reason ??---BOOKS ! I have been a reading machine, and it has cost me some bucks, as my concentration for the games has been lacking, and my earlier need to improve has been on the wane as well. In a strange and curious way however, I have no doubt the reading and the thought processes that accompany a curious mind will make me a better poker player down the road.

I have also become more and more interested in my "day job" , especially since my partner and I are getting closer to putting a hedge fund together. If you have to work, you may as well enjoy how you spend your day, and I have never once been bored in almost 20 years! The markets are as endlessly fascinating as the game of poker, and the parallels are amazing as well. The recent poker results are lackluster at best, as it has been a struggle to book a win at damn near any game at any site. The tide will change as it always does, and I have a buddy who is helping me look over some hands with some astute observations. I rarely disagree with his comments, but whether I do or not is not the point; it is the thinking and the analysis after the fact that I find important and enlightening. It was however, pretty humorous to hear him say I play too tight from time to time!! I am gonna quit writing this now, put the book on a shelf, and go play some damn poker! I need the bonuses, and to win a little to get back to my 6K comfort zone...Wish me luck...

Oh yeah, the calamari I cooked last night was awesome!! I used some ground macadamia nuts to make a simple butter and wine sauce...yummy....

The Good and the Bad

The BAD is first!

Poker---Feb was awful...I didn't play my usual hours the first 2 weeks of the month, so I was way behind on my "usual" bonuses...I don't think I was on my game 100% either, so that may have cost me a few bucks as well...I have not added it all up, but there is no doubt last month will be a loser, even after the few bonuses I picked up...Last night was brutal, in that I got stacked off at the 200NL game at Stars...It was rather annoying, and I think it was a horrible beat. I need to run the numbers, and see if that is correct; If it was REALLY horrible, I will post it later...Basically, nothing went right all month-mediocre play and running like shit to boot...

The Good
I am 51 years old and have rarely been sick a day in my life ( I have NEVER ever missed a day of work)...About a month ago, I started feeling like shit (for days on end), so after 10 or more years of never seeing a doctor, I decided it was time. I had some ideas as to the problem, but hell, you never know... I came clean and told him all the gory details... I was rather amused at the Dr's response when I told him the amount of alcohol I consumed---he said "per day?" I said "yup, and that's why I'm here, so lets get some blood tests and see how bad I have messed up my liver! "
Bottom line is---the liver function was only "mildly elevated" which means all is well, so everyone is stuck with me another 30 or 40 years or so. I'm gonna cut down on the whiskey, and keep it to an occasional couple of beers, or some wine. My cholesterol is in great shape and all the other tests came back normal. The blood pressure is a bit high, but that can be caused by excessive drinking as well, so it bears watching. All in all I am a happy camper, and other than a couple glasses of wine last night (my little celebration) I haven't had a sip in 3 weeks, and I feel great. All I need now is to lose that 25 pounds... I feel great, I feel focused, and March will be my biatch...

GL all...