What's my name again?

We all have experienced it. Can't remember where you put your car keys or your phone that you just sat down? How about walking into another room for one reason or another and then not having a damn clue why you went in there? Yup, it's been that kinda week for me. Talk about the epitome of absentminded. WOW! Been like that since Monday and not a damn clue why either. Funny, though, when I have been sitting down at the computer to play cards, I can concentrate like nobody's business. But if I'm not playing cards, I think my Beta fish, Rover, has a longer attention span. Kinda fun, in a way. No clue what I might think of/do next though. Like my own sideshow. :giggleamoungstmyself:

Thru all of this, I was able to finish one of my books, "Mastering No Limit Hold'em" though I did have to reread some of it a few times this week. I found it very solid in strategy, though it advocated a VERY tight strategy which I found to be a little too bit restrictive, but I will say this. If anyone were to follow the strategy outlined in the book, they will be a winning player in the games it was written for (Fixed-cap NL buy in cash games). Now I have to go find another book from my Wishlist :coughhintcough: . Either that, or maybe I'll reread "Theory of Poker". Dunno.

Random thought here...Whenever I sit down to play online, I usually turn the TV off or to ESPN on mute, and open up my extensive music library on the computer and choose one of my "Poker" playlists. Now, if you've read my profile, it says that I like just about everything, just depends on the mood. This is so very true. But when I play cards, I'm as eccletic as they come. Currently the playlist loaded has everything in it from Audioslave, BB King, Violent Femmes, Sugarland, Black Crowes, Train, Grand Funk Railroad, Corey Hart, Everclear, Chris Isaak, Fleetwood Mac, and of course, The Outfield. I say "of course" regarding the song "Your Love" by The Outfield. I mean, come on. Is there anyone who doesn't at least like the song, if not love it? I really don't know what it is about that song (maybe Tony Lewis' voice?), but that song still kicks ass...as much now as it did back in the mid-80's, imo. Who's with me?!?

Anyway folks, I want to thank everyone who has been coming to the site. Even though most of you choose not to leave comments, it's nice to check the hits and see that many of you have this saved in your favorites list as well as getting upwards of 70+ hits a day on days I post. Even though I'm one damn funny fella in person, that doesn't seem to translate into print as well. I guess I'm more 'real-time' funny. In spite of this, I'm glad you folks are coming 'round to read. Most of you know that I'm writing this to document my trip into the world or professional poker, but also so that y'all can read and live vicariously thru me. There has been one surprising and added advantage to writing this here blog...when I find myself in a tough spot in a hand, I sometimes will think of all of you and don't want to embarrass myself, therefore, I am making smarter plays. Hey, whatever works, right? ;)

Keep in mind that I'll be out of town this weekend, but I promise to have a trip report upon our return. Sorry, no poker this trip. Next time, I'll make the trip up to Oklahoma and see what kind of havoc I can wreck up there. This trip is all about family, fun, and BASEBALL!!!. Granted, it's not my beloved Cincinnati Reds, but hey, baseball is baseball. Minnesota at Texas. Not to be sacrilegious, but walking into a big league ballpark is like walking into church for me. There are precious few places/things I love more than going to a ballpark and watching baseball. So, until Sunday, have a damn fine weekend and go Reds!

Life's too short

It's late and it's been a LONG week (last day off was last Sunday, next day off is this coming Friday) so I'm a lil' bit run down. But, the ends justify it. Gotta love that 7th day of work being double time. All in the name of building the bankroll & savings. Sacrifice now for the benefits down the road, but man, this is no way to live. Working 60+ hours a week. Life's too short to "waste" all your time working. Why should we have to work most of our best years just to enjoy the last few years of our lives? Something just doesn't seem right to me there. The grind that most jobs are, are just that, a damn grind. I guess that's why I am making the change this spring, eh? I'll sacrifice temporary security for happiness. Security ain't that damn important.

So, as I guess this is a "poker" blog, I probably should update y'all on how hard that horse is abuckin'. Last night, I played brilliantly (amazing how some days it's so clear and others, I feel like I have never played a day of poker before in my life). But, good to see that the poker gods have a sense of humor...just when I'm feeling better about my play, this hand comes up:

Last night in a live ring game, 2/5NL, I called to see a flop from MP with Ah 7h, along with 3 others. Flop comes Jh Th 7c. I bet and get called. Turn brings a beautiful 4h, for the nut flush. I bet a pot sized bet, get raised another 50, and I push. Guy calls me with Kh Qh and what does the river bring???

9h

Just had to laugh. I mean come on, a 1-outer? Murphy, you sick sonabitch, screw off! I'm not going to let that slow me down. I know I played great. And to prove that point, I am getting rewarded with good results crushing the Party Poker $25 NLHE (6 max) game. That, and I'm trying to take some of what I'm reading about tournament poker and apply it in the form of cheap SNG's (sit-n-go's: single table tourneys). Just the little $10+$1. I am amazed at the absolute horrendous play on those. I could sleep the first 30 mins and make the top 4 or 5 (Top 3 get paid). Needless to say, I don't remember the last time I didn't ITM (in the money). But I do find that my heads-up play has a ways to go...far too many 2nds and not enough 1sts. But all in due time.

In my last post, I mentioned Poker Academy Pro 2 . I have asked the Great Pumpkin for it, but alas, unless he comes around the first week of Sept. he may have to get me something else...not gonna waste another 2 months without it.

Anyway, I am heading down to Dallas next weekend to visit family and go watch a ballgame. God do I miss going to baseball games :sigh:. No better game than baseball, not even poker. So, though no one knows how to post here, all of you reading this are going to have to get by w/o a few days of updates. :bigdamnhinthere:

Hopefully my lil baby bro doesn't beat me up too much when we play a lil nickel/dime poker...confidence is still shaky ;)