1F

That is right...For those of you wondering about the title of this blog post it is currently 1 degree Fahrenheit in Clifton Park NY. I'm not going to do the Celsius conversion right now. I spent all last Saturday and Sunday converting miles into Kilometers and I'm taking a vacation from higher level math :)!!!! Actually it was easy being a retired runner. I know 10k is 6.2 miles and a marathon (26.2 miles) is about 42 kilometer so converting miles to kilometers was pretty easy. Heck I used to mark every 5k of the marathon I directed for our Canadian runners. Of course when I ran track and field in high school we ran in yards and miles.

Back to the weather. I hate the cold and snow. Sounds funny coming from someone who was born in NY, went to college in Vermont and Colorado and who skied from age 4 right on into their 30's. We just got dumped on with snow last week and if you read my prior post it delayed my Eh-Vegas Departure till Saturday AM. Then we got dumped on again on Wednesday for another 8 inches or so, and now my desktop weather alert states that we are due for more snow. 4 to ten inches in fact. Im ready to go where the chilly winds don't blow.

Coupled with the cold, I came back from Eh-Vegas only to promptly lose my voice and am battling a chest cold. Now some of you know I do customer service on the phones pretty much full time for a major health insurance carrier in the dental division. I talk 9 hours a day usually Monday thru Thursday and 4 on Friday. This was not possible for me to do on Wednesday and Thursday. Fortunately rather then burning sick time I was able to do my old Bangalore'd job of Reworks. My voice is now 50% back and improving but I am coughing up a lung. I took today off because literally I cant be hacking in customers ears and I have a horrible dry croupy cough with lots of ahem.... phlegm and mucous. I stood in the hot shower for a good long time to help loosen everything up. My teeth hurt too some I'm sure my sinus's are the little culprits. Yes, I feel a little bit better then death warmed over. And I cant hear worth crap. Poker tonite should be interesting. I suppose I should bring some hand sanitizer to avoid passing germs onto my fellow league mates.

Normally, I am as healthy as an ox from strong sturdy Italian stock where the women live well into their 90's. And I rarely whine or complain. I rarely ever call in sick. So for me to take a precious day off I'm definitely not feeling great. I'm sure I was probably run down from the Kidney infection and the hectic Eh-Vegas weekend pushed me over the edge. So this has probably put a damper on my plans to go see MaxCreek tomorrow nite out in Averill Park.

Instead, Ill probably play me some online poker and work on ordering some plants, seeds etc for my upcoming gardening projects. Bugsy's Club is having their own little online championship. I was fortunate enough to satellite into and then cash in a guarantee their last year on my first foray on that site to earn about $225. Think Ill use some of that money which is sitting their to play some of those tourneys.

Battle of the Bloggers III: I've crunched the numbers and realize its probably negative EV for most of us. It would require over $1000 of straight up buy-ins assuming no tokens won. KOD has an interesting post about who he thinks is capable of inking some of those seats. I agree with his assessment on my ability. I for one have lately been much more successful on PokerStars then Full Tilt. I think I'm more comfortable with PokerStars blind structures then Full Tilt. So, I'm not sure what my plans are for this Battle. I have made the leader board freeroll each time and did pretty well in BBT 2 (improving on my finish in #1) without playing a full slate of events but I haven't cashed in the freeroll and my winnings do not exceed my buy-ins.

I just think that some of the players have me pegged as only playing premium cards when that is not true at all (I wont even tell you what small suited connector I love to treat like pocket aces and raise with it, thank you Rizen for the idea). I think my biggest issue is folding too much post flop instead of floating and C-betting amongst the bloggers. And I don't get paid off on my good hands sometimes because you think I have it. I don't always and Ill have you know that I have started check raising or repopping on the come with my strong draws (say mid pair and nut flush draw. I also have found that I get my biggest payoffs with hands like the Mookie or 78s or 89s or 45s etc.

And you can't say anything about the BBT3 without giving a big hats off to the man himself: AlCantHang. I had heard that Al was one of the sweetest guys you'd every meet and he is old school blogger aka a legend. I got to meet him this past weekend, and it is true. He is just one of the most down to earth real people out there. I'm looking forward to the Bash this year for sure. And the BBT3 wouldnt be what it is without Hoy's, MD's, Mookie's, KOD's and Riggstad's tourneys. Thanks guys. Dang Ive met you all now except for Mookie!!!

And A Friday shout-out to two of my gal pals: CK31 and Donkette (the other Lori who spells her name the same or I should say the right way). CK hooked my up in the girly chat with Donkette and we could be twins from our backgrounds/heritage to our loves for cooking and gardening. Have fun in AC gals. Wish I could join you but another long drive is just not in the cards!!!

And dont forget Saturday's with Dr Pauly on PokerStars at 4:20PM. The game is Omaha Hi.

EH Vegas -OH Canada Weekend

Well it is once again snowing here in Upstate NY. 4 inches falling and more to come. Same scenario as when I was preparing to leave for Canada last week.

Last Thursday I hadnt heard from the Boys (Al or Riggstad) I had exchanged a few emails with CK and called her Thursday nite. I had never met CK, had never spoken to her but I can talk to just about anyone and figured we would hit it off. And I was right but more on that later. She was going to take the train into Philly from NYC and meet the guys there to begin the journey. I thought two things: They are going to have a long long drive and the back ways could be treacherous. Originally they had thought of coming up thru Albany but decided the shorter way would be thru Binghamtom up 81. Sometime on Friday afternoon before they were exiting PA, CK called me from the car and said meet up in Syracuse. This sounded good at first until I realized I would never make it Syracuse in time with the roads the way they were during high traffic time. Heck Albany airport was closed. Plus I hadnt packed and my cat sitter/neighbor hadn't come over for the key. SO I called CK and the guys back and said 'I'll wait for the roads to clear and head out first light tomorrow"... Which I did.

I got up to a text message that Trent, my sub had won week #22 of the APL the nite before, inking me into the Tournament of Champions. Plus that pretty much cemented a top ten finish for me. I still have bad finish and three tourneys to improve that with but thats a story for another day.

You gotta love the Grateful Dead Dicks Picks or downloads for long drives. I listened to All three discs of this particular Dicks Picks and repeated a little. Then I listened to All the Road Running (Emily Lou Harris and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits-awesome)

I hit Buffalo/Niagara Falls in record time stopping to refuel once after topping off my tank at the start. Plus I had to stop about every hour and a half to pee. With my recent issues I cant hold it long and was told not to try so I stopped as needed.

Customs on the Canadian side was a breeze I went over on the Lewiston bridge, the same one VinNay was hassled on. I have a recycling tub in my car and I was just asked what was in it (Illegals my dear) no old newspapers to bring to the dump which was one errand not completed. Where are you going??. Toronto. Why?? Dinner with a friend.. Staying Over? Yes one night definitely, perhaps two. She nodded and I was waved thru, coverted some cash into Canadian Called Kat and Carol to give an approximate arrival time

The drive into Canada had a lot to look at. The Lake was visible on my right alot of times. There were vineyards to look at and signs to read, Tim Hortons to ponder and lots of shopping all the way into Toronto on the QEW. I am really good with directions but MapQuest is a little confusing at times. I passed Astin's exit and got off the next one. I was headed the right way but couldnt find University (I was on it but no signs telling me this). I turned off the route I was on stopped about ten people to ask directions before finally getting a Toronto downtown local and not a tourist. I asked where University was looped around and got back on it the wrong way heading to the lake which I knew wasnt right, this was after calling CK who had no idea which way to go as she slept thru most of this navigational dance. I did a U Turn illegally (there were a few of those this weekend) and got back too where I needed to go and finally got/found Sutton Place when I finally had an unblocked view of the building and was able to find my way there.

I head up to the room and am greeted by CK/BWOP. Now I no CK from self description is Korean but for some reason I expected her to be a towering Asian gal. Maybe because some of the short male bloggers have referred to her as tall or stateuesque so Im thinking Evy Eng height. Nope CK is about my height and petite. I liked her immediately. Having been on many a dead tour I have no problem bunking/traveling with friends of friends. LJ can vouch for CK and so can MiamiDon and thats enough for me. And it was great getting to spend as much time with her as I did.

Joanne and Kat walked over to our hotel and we cabbed for the Female procedure which included Brunch (Eggs Benedict with peameal bacon for IG) and then some browsing/shopping in the Distillery District. We never made it too one shop that Kat had thrown out to me in chat, so no toys were purchased. I figured why go to a strip club unless someone is going to stick bills down my own shirt and I had never met Joanne or Kat in person only chatted with Kat over the last year or so. So I thought it would be more fun to get to know them both leisurely. Plus Kat said the strippers the nite before were pretty lame.

Back to the hotel where CK and I talked right up till dinner about some of our favorite bloggers, her plans for being a non-lawyer etc. Then we went down to cab to Astin's. That is when I got my first BamBam hug. he was getting into the cab, Pebbles was already in it. I said you must be BamBam. With a slightly tipsy cock of the head he smiled and said IG (as in IGGY). So I am IG to BamBam and I... G... to everyone else.

16 or was 18 invaded Astin's for Dinner. The chef in me wanted to help Astin but I know not to invade someone else's space and let the man do his thing. He had sliced a few of his fingers peeling potatoes (something Ive done) and I was ready to carve if needed but Astin deftly served soup, carved roast elk, made mashed potatoes and oven roasted veggies for us. Garlic bread came courtesy of Kat. Dessert was delicious Creme Brulee icecream with some brittle on it and gourmet Cupcakes Kat and Joanne had picked up.

It was at Astin's I met the Tuckfard crew of Donkaaaa, SuzyQ ,Carson, NutzFirth, Mr Bankwell and Pokertart,OueenK as well as Pebbles, BamBam and Im pretty sure I missed a tuckfard gal. Correct me and Ill link you up as soon as I do my links. I also met the man himself AlCantHang and Riggstad another dude who was funnier then hell but who spent too much time on his Crackberry.

There was lots of laugh, WII Guitar Hero which I didnt take a turn at. CK was mesmerized by it. Carson was the man putting everyone to shame except Joanne who held her own as the leading female player.

Then it was off to the club for some poker. I did final table but let go of some hands one I'm pretty sure Kat had me on. We only started with 2k chips. I could get nothing going after the add-on and was short to boot after taking a big hit in the hand vs Kat Plus it was kind of a turbo structure which missed a few levels my league's and club play. I was really tired and hooked a ride with BamBam and Pebbles and AL, Then CK busted and joined us.

Sunday we slept in and the CK and I went to Starbucks. In our chats I found out we both have the same favorite pocket pair 99 which of course is the IG and we both love love love Kirk Morrison We then caravaned to Casino Niagara. Kat said to me when we got out, You know IG you drive really close. Sorry gal, thats the way we roll in NYS we drive really fast and close together. Im so used to it I had no idea I was on her small cars butt with my Santa Fe. I had to pull an OTis/Pauly and pee in the parking garage. Yes indeedy I couldnt hold it and I was only 7 days off meds for a kidney infection. My teeth were swimming and I said Fawk it. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. Relief.

The gang was waiting for a table at 4PM still and since I was already 1.5 hours closer to home and rarely play cash I decided to head home to Albany. I met VinNay briefly as he had been turned back at the border the nite before.

I returned over the Peace Bridge pretty much thru Buffalo center. I was hassled at the Border too. Apparently I had rolled across the line where I was supposed to wait for the asshat/douchebag customs dude. He waved me back so I rolled back and waited and waited and waited after the car in front of me had taken off. That car was there a long time. The dude finally shrugged his shoulders like what are you waiting for and I rolled up and then he started his Gestapo shit which got me surly and peeved as I was tired and wanted to get the FAWK back into my own country.

What were you waiting for?

You to wave me forward!!

Why?

You waved me back!!

You tripped sensors you had to back up behind the line. You cheap bastards paint a line dont make us look for an imaginary one.

So why didnt you pull up when you had the green light?

I was waiting for you to wave me ahead!! Blood pressure boiling now and I wanted to punch the little Nazi. Ive been hassled by cops before in my dead days and don't find it amusing especially when I am a citizen of the US who pays this clowns salary.....

Why??

I could see this was going to go on and on in an endless loop till I finally said loudly. "Ive never driven thru customs before Only flown Im not familair with how you do things at the border!!!"". That seemed to satisfy him. Where were you? For what? where are you going? Home to Albany. Are you bringing anything back.. Yes you donk SARS which I am going to inflict on you and your firstborn you little prick. And I thought what Chad would say and giggled... Of Course I then stupidly asked the Asshat which way to Buffalo and the Thruway I got "I dont know Im not from around here." All I can think of is this clown hassles US Citizens and is a moron and has zero personality or customer service skills

God Bless the USA and the Govermment drones who call themselves employees of the Federal Government.

Time is always too short blogger folk and it was back to reality on Monday. Im now coming down with a sore throat and have plugged ears and im losing my voice. What are the symptoms of SARS?

Ive Been doing this 3 Years now!!

Happy Three Year Blog Anniversary to IG!!

I didnt post much in 2005. I dont think anyone read me much then either. I got cranking in 2006 and of course 2007 I really got rolling and met many of you KIND, Fine IIF's.... I think this will be post 248 for me total. Wish I could spend more time writing, playing, etc but Im a working gal.. No not that kind of working gal all you Eh-Vegas bound males.

I did return to the live league last Friday nite after it was mutually decided I should. Plus it was good to get out of the house considering I had no car for 5 days and was housebound with the Kidney/UTI thing. Week 21 saw me triple up rather early with a donktastic call which saw my KK suck out a flush when I needed to. The hand went something like this... Limp from a casual player on my right.. I reraise to $300 (Josh shouts thats my girl!!, they missed me my two weeks away).. Phil looks at me and says you have AA and reraises me to $900 (WTF). Hugh and I both call. So im pretty sure PHIL has AK or AQ or hes suckering me in.. flop comes down QJh and a Ten I think. Hugh bets $1000. I call not liking the board but I have a str8 draw and a back-door flush draw plus an overpair to the board and a gazillion outs. I think Phil repops to $2000... Call Call. I kind of think the new casual first time guy may have hit two pair with QJ (he did), Im not afraid of Phil at this point as Ive seen him overplay TPTK. There is so much money in there I am seeing this hand out to the bitter end and going busto if need be. The money goes all in after the turn card is flopped and I call for a heart and hit my flush (Finally I catch for once) TJ looks at me Hi-5's me and says you were so do for that. Phil showed AQ.. Yes he reraised my KK with AQ and I stacked him. I left Hugh with like $100 chips. He managed to double up a couple times.

I then ruthlessly stole with abandon taking a lot of Tracy's stack, and kept building my stack. Eric moved all-in. His hand range is huge and with my JT suited and pretty much a ten to 1 Harrington hand. I call and bust his A3 when I pair my jack and then river a straight to boot. I move to the final table as co-chip leader with two racks of chips...And then it all goes south. Tracy and Ray bust on the same hand to Bill pretty early That got Bill healthier and he and and I and Norm had about same chip stacks. It then took forever to bust anyone else.. Juddy and Karen finally went down both to Zoe I think... Zoe went on a roll with her squeeky tight fold to the final table nit play and finally busted me in 6th. I tried to many connectors and missed my flops and whiffed on an AK hand. When Bill fired I saw his tell that he had a hand and had to fold... My IG (99) finally ran into Zoe's KK and she went on to win. It was just as well. I was tired and didnt care and had run out of steam. My stamina is still lacking a little. So I blew a chance for a TOC seat

Look out this week APLers. IG has a sub and Trent will be sitting in so expect a completely different style of play. He know's I'm in the top ten (Per Ray solid 7th dropping lowest scores) even with my two scratch weeks. I am Eh-Vegas bound as soon as the boyz with CK in tow tell me what time they are fetching me. I am so looking forward to Astin's dinner. And of course meeting Kat and Joanne and The Tuckfards as well as Al, CK, And Riggstad for the first time. Astin I've met and if you read my blog no I adore him and would gladly fix up all my younger gal friends with him.

I did do two posts for the music blog over the weekend, covering one of my favorite bands MaxCreek and the upcoming Mountain Jam at Hunter Mt late May into June, but I played no online poker. I was just too tired to focus for an MTT. I do have an appointment April 4th for a regular physical with a new closer MD, and have to make an appointment with the Urologist on my return from Eh-Vegas. Not sure when I will get in to see the specialist though. I still pee way too much and any twinge in my back makes me jumpy jump but I'm off all meds.

And random thought.. Did you know the WSOP starts in 100 days (May 30th), and the Main Event in about 134???!!!???. No idea if I will be in Vegas this summer or not right now. It all depends on health and stamina and funds. Maybe Ill put hardwood floors in my condo or go to a Dude Ranch instead (something I've always wanted to do). I do plan on joining a gardening club when the weather gets warmer.

Kisses to You All

You guys and gals are the bestest is all I can say. Thanks for all the love, hugs and support sent this way during my recent moments of LIFE TILT. Life is beginning to fall in to place starting with:

The Hyundai Santa Fe is back on the road. I picked it up today and the bill came to a little over $50 and $20 of it was for gas. The catalytic convertor and Oxygen sensor were fine. My new Mechanic believes I may have let the gas get too low and sediment in the tank or water got on the line and was not letting the exhaust out. Similiar thing happened last year and the weather that day was very similar to last Thursday the day I conked out. Last Thursday I was able to get it started and drove it to the garage following the tow truck as they didnt send the flat bed which my 4wheel drive needs. The guys thought i was nuts risking engine blow-up but as it turns out no harm done. I didnt feel like waiting for the tow truck driver to go back to the garage and comeback. Did I mention Im not patient.

Saturday AM saw me spending time in the OnCall medical clinic. Remember I was on my way to the clinic when I broke down. Things only got worse. I felt better after the car died but by late Friday I had to call my mom to say I need to go to the Doctor first thing tomorrow morning. So she bailed me out as I did her New Year's Weekend. Diagnosis..Bad UTI with possible Kidney involvement as well as being dehydrated. So I'm on Bactrim for a week this time and some pain killer. After this I have to consult a urologist because of protein in my tinkle. Guess its not supposed to be showing up there and could mean issues with the Kidney's.

Saturday Afternoon saw me play Saturday's with Dr. Pauly aka the Omaha HI tourney. I hadnt played Omaha Hi in about a year. At one point I was doing very well with it but let it go to work on No limit and my sporadic dabbles with Pot-Limit Omaha8. I went out midpack after spending some early time up near the top of the leaderboard. Having the Rooster on my left didnt help. He crowed that day for sure as that bad boy took it down...Yes Rooster I'm just a B-lister. I think I also played the $5.50 guarantee on stars and cashed for a minimum amount.

AlCantHang, Riggstad, CK and Kat all conspired to get me to Road Trip for EhVegas. Throw in BamBam plugging for me to come and it looks like the AlCantHang/Riggstad wagon train will be coming thru Albany to pick me up sometime next Friday. Ive already offered my services as a designated driver. I may not drink but if you have ever seen me on the dance floor you will see there is no need for it. Yes I can dance perfectly sober, quite well I might add.

Saturday nite after I donked out of Pauly's tourney I decided to lie on the couch and get a KEANU fix. So into the DVD went Matrix Reloaded. Ive seen the Matrix a gazillion times but Reloaded and Revolutions only like once or twice. The rave scene in Zion was a little weird but I was able to relate to the Buddhist or Zen cause and effect mumbo jumbo.

Sunday all dressed up no place to go.. Deep Stack $11 NLHE on stars. I went deep played till almost 8:30 PM from a noon start finishing 46th of 1822. I had a lucky suckout midway when I ran QQ into KK but turned or rivered my set... But in the end my AA got cracked by big stacks pair of 77's that hit a set on the flop. THE HORROR. I win that hand Im back near the top in the hunt for a nice cash and final table run. 46th aint bad in that field of donkeys. As only Chad can say.... "The field aint that good at that buy-in!!" That was my second deep finish in that deep stack and I improved on my earlier finish in just about the same size field.

BFF Kim emerged from her winter of LifeTilt to come to her best friends side also. So another RoadTrip (shorter) is going to be in order for the upcoming MaxCreek shows. Come to find out shes been enjoying the music blog (as I knew she would). Now I have to get Zackary, "my nephew" and his buddies to read it. Zack is now graduated from College and he is the one who taught Aunt IG how to download from archive.org and get it into I-Tunes. I have to chuckle when I think of him being towed to CSNY, Stevie Ray Vaughn, MaxCreek and the few Deadshows we brought him too and how he'd dance as only a toddler can. All grown up.

And like Carrie in Sex & The City, I seem to have my own BIG. Not sure if we will ever be totally out of each others lives, and only time will tell if we can remain friends. I just have to remember to leave myself open to the Aidan's out there.

When it Rains it Pours....

I am officially removing the end of January and the month of February from my calendar. In the span of 24 hours:

The Catalytic Convertor or Oxygen sensor on my car went. Maybe both. Car is currently in the shop and I am carless for the next 5-6 days. Thankfully I work at home and my neighbor will take me to the store and mom will come take me out Sunday.

When did the car conk out? I was on my way to Oncall for a possible bladder infection. Ive been prone to them in the past and its something I may have to have surgery for in the future.

And IG is definitely single and on the market. This one's a tough one and I am sad about the loss of someone who was not only a really good friend, who I trusted 100% but who was also incapable or just wasnt willing or couldnt let me in because of their own unresolved issues/baggage etc. This person was someone who I could tell anything too and who accepted me as me and who was completely at ease and comfortable with me but who was not used to it (his own words). But he wasnt mine to have and I should have known better. And I know some of you are thinking that this happened before but this time I think it really is the end. The tone of the email was Ms IG I have to let you go and wish you well. Yes, I know what you are thinking, pretty crappy to not have a final phone call or face to face but theres other stuff going on there which I dont care to share in the blog. And some of it I'll never no.

Needless to say, I'm not returning to the live Friday nite poker league (6 weeks left) even though it means foregoing the end of the season tourney guaranteed payouts. I did the diplomatic move and bowed out. The league means more to he then I. I had almost quit back in October but made a promise to stick it out. A promise I dont feel I have to keep anymore. Its not that I would be uncomfortable seeing him but I need my space too. Plus I wont have my car tomorrow nite anyway.

Maybe I am just destined to be single and unlucky in matters of the heart. But I think somewhere there is a sports-loving, poker playing guy who keeps up on issues and who likes to read and who loves music and who likes to go out to eat and maybe dance a little, who wants a smart sassy gal who might be a tad boring since there is no drama.

And maybe its time for the tears to flow, I think I deserve a cry after the day I had.

Hee Haw Bodonkey #1

No points for IG. 29th of 54 (a record for the Bodonkey). I blew a very nice stack (largely acquired from Waffles in a set over set fracas which saw my KK stack his 99 (the IG!!). I was a set mining queen early on 3-3. I also hit some pretty crappy hands out of the SB.)

How did I lose my chippies. Totally overplayed TT. Kajagugu raised and I called. He had been raising from EP practically three times an orbit. The board came down a Jack and two undercards. He checked. I bet, he reraised, I pushed in he called and I was shown KK and I think he even hit his set. I lost a good $6000 chips on that hand.

I fought back like a trooper. Open Jam Open Jam Jam the blinds, Repeat as needed. Won a race with 88.... I then had about T3200 ( I may have built up to a few more can't remember now) from my low of 880 or so but with blinds at 200/400 I decided to push with AK all in on a blind steal only to run into MehJacksrok (I assume thats JJOK) with AA in the blinds. Same story different day and I go out.

SIGH.....UGH....Bleck

Check out my 3rd post a few days back at the music blog. There is something for everyone there include some nice shuffles by one of our readers Justin85

http://phishcoventry.blogspot.com/

I should be heading out for a few MaxCreek shows as they will be playing local the first weekend in March as well as CREEKEND April 18t-19th at Eastover Resort in Lenox Massachusetts. Always a good time.

Im Registered for the Bodonkey Are you?

Big Woot to Smokkee for getting this up and going and nailing a WSOP seat as first prize. I'd be happy with any of the Tourney dollars too! Heck I'm happy with weekly T dollars and cash!!

As it is I'm Freerolling this. I had won $300+ tourney dollars when a WSOP seat was divided up in Tourney dollars over the 40 people that qualifed for the Rounders Radio Challenge last year. Plus I've won T$109 in those weekly bodonkey's not counting the weeks I just got my buy-in back. Really this is one of the best deals in town.

Snake is probably kicking himself now that he hasnt started a blog I emailed him a list of the prizes but he was on his way back to Atlantic City with his brothers and parent to celebrate his parents belated 45th wedding anniversary. Snake is a gifted storyteller and he had some hilarious stories from Atlantic City during the Borgata Winter Open. One of the more interesting ones was a group of guys tried to get a private table going. Borgata Poker room management said no but most of the dudes got seated together anyway when they opened a table. As it was the "rules" of the table were you had to move all in whenever you got the hammer. I immediately thought blogger follies!! He said there was about $18,000 on the table when he went over to observe. Thats some serious hammer dollars!!

January sucked as far as poker went short of my live play. I lost the feel for the online game, withdrew into a little shell and was playing scared and fearful. I was not playing in the moment. I let a mistake I made in my checking acount overwhelm me. Suffice it to say in my drinking/drugging days I made a mess of my finances which took me years to work my way out of. As an accountant/finance person by training you would think I would not make goofs in my checking account. However, IG posted the same paycheck deposit twice into her register and her checking account balance was not as cushy as she thought. No checks were bounced but for someone with a fear of financial insecurity coupled with a bad run of cards, I was making horrible decisions and letting the suckouts that occur as part of this game we "love" send me messages that I should not be playing. I even cashed in my pokerstars account and had them send me a check. Yes, I can be rather RASH at times.

I wasnt curled up in the fetal position but close and stress exaberates my asthma and I broke out in hives, plus I got some weird itchy eye reaction. Coupled with never ending PMS where I think the world doesnt love me I tend to have some irrational moments. I shut down when I get like, this not really depressed just sad. Fortunately I read the right article at the right time on pocket 5's about high middle and low level players which summed up what my game had become. And I discussed what was going on with Snake and he made me get back on the horse again. He put me into two tourneys on Stars since I was cleaned out. I played well in the first Friday afternoon turbo he put me in but didnt cash but in the Friday nite 7PM guarantee I broke thru with a 220th place finish out of 3216 or so donks. (I sat out APL needing a break from the stuff going on there plus we were in the middle of rain and sleet here and since I had just cleared my mind, I decided it best not to stress myself out on the roads in 5 PM traffic in bad weather) Not oodles of cash but enough to get me moving. I then played may way into the 100k guarantee today on my first shot for an investment of $2.20. Came close to a bottom cash in that but fell short in that. I did finish #2 in a turbo $3.40 SNG Saturdy also and cashed in the 1PM $5.50 buyin today. Baby steps. All without really great runs of cards.

Even though the groundhog saw his shadow today was kind of a spring-like day. When I drove home from Starbucks and the market I saw a runner/triathlete dude hi-tailing it up the road with his chiseled little calf muscles (the only time it acceptable for a guy to wear spandex I might add) It made me want to lace up the shoes and get moving. Coupled with that is the fear of anyone seeing myself in a bathing suit this summer. I am sure many woman can relate but it is more stressful to have a guy see you in a bathing suit then Naked. Am I right ladies? I mean trying on bathing suits is probably one of the most agita producing things a woman can do. I know, I know some of you think going to the gyno is but really its being seen in a bathing suit. Lets face it naked you can at least artfully position yourself to hide any flaws you might have but finding the right suit is like a woman's holy grail. Men dont get this part of the woman's psyche and probably never will. When I mentioned this tidbit of fact to Snake he looked at me like I was nuts. This whole convo arose because he wanted me to start reading this blogger column from the NY Post. Mandy is right on in her assessments of relationships but the fact remains we always have doubts when it comes to relationship issues. Even the most secure and confident woman tries to read between the lines when we try to infer what the male species really think. Frankly most guys rarely get above Maslow's basic needs... Ie: food, water, shelter, sleep, sex, excretion and porn :) so methinks we sometimes give them too much credit. I mean, I know men are capable of higher level thinking at the poker table but when it comes to relationships I think I just have to accept that yes means yes, no means no and there is no hidden agenda going on. I mean the rational part of me knows this but the fucked up, insecure, neurotic and emotional part of me is still prone to moments of self-doubt. What does this mean? That even though I normally have my shit together, Im still flawed.

Now back to the SuperBowl...!!