I was chatting with the Penguin this morning, congratulating him on his getting a job with a poker company in far away Malta when it hit me:
Meh.
See, today (the 10th, so maybe yesterday for you) is my birthday. I turned 35.
Meh.
Poker is kicking my ass lately and it’s just not even fun anymore. I’m not thinking of quitting, so don’t worry, I’ll be able to regale you with further adventures, but right now it’s just not even fun. In the grand scheme of things it’s not a huge amount, a few hundred dollars, but I just can’t seem to have a winning session lately. I know it will turn around, but in the interim I just don’t look forward to playing.
Meh.
Work is boring. I have no challenge and I’m not able to do what I am really there to do. In theory I’ve got 2+ man years of development to do, but I’m not able to actually do any of it. Part of the company looks favorably on the “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission” theory. The part I work for is decidedly not like that. Therefore I sit around while others have meetings that accomplish nothing and I fall behind in my skill set.
Meh.
The upside is that I do work with some good people. Within 10 minutes of showing up at work today my old boss (from 3 years ago, who still works here) calls and wishes me a happy birthday. So do a number of other people. Ten of us went and had a great and fun lunch.
My life insurance agent called by 8:30. I got emails from other frieds. I got emails from two casinos (but no extra bonuses 
). Hell, I even got a call from some British bloke from The Gaming Club (a CALL! Yes, it was legit, they sent an email saying they would be calling) about a “VIP Freeroll”. OK, that wasn’t for my birthday, but…
Yea!
My current boss? Nothing. And I talked to him 3 different times during the day.
Now, I’m 35 and I don’t need to be wished a happy birthday to make me feel good, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed it except that when somebody you worked for 3 years ago mentions it (along with a bunch of other people), then you kind of notice it. I mean, how hard is it to put it in your calendar? That’s what computers are for, learn how to use them.
Meh.
The real upside is that I have a great family. My son and wife along with my brother went to my parent’s house for a nice family dinner and cake. We had some good conversation and it was a great time. My lovely wife got me:
*
*
*
My mom and dad got me a Smart Spin storage system which I’m actually pretty excited about. I also got some cash which I may use to get a
Yea!
Basically what this all comes down to is that family and friends ultimately are what’s important. My day went from Meh to Yea in about 20 minutes due to them. Thanks.
To be ToP is a book you can make use of at any time. I wish I had read it much much earlier than I did. Certainly its one of those books you’ll go back to time and time again, but anyone who wants to be a student should read it ASAP!
Happy birthday, CH!!!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday old man… comforting/scary thought: Jesus only started his poker career 8 years ago, so you have a lot of poker ahead of you!
ToP is more a reference book than anything. It’s similar in style of writing to the other Skalansky books, so if you’ve read those, you know what you’re getting into. I agree with one of the comments: if you’re a student of poker, this is a book to read.
I concur with all favorable reviews about “The Professor, The Banker, and the Suicide King” - wonderful account of the biggest poker game and really a nice and quick read. I’m looking forward the next installment.
Regarding your bad spell at the tables: you thought you would win every session?
If your game is good and you are managing tilt, etc., you’ll start seeing some winning sessions before long.
HBD!
$113 for a remote? Does it have a hole in it?
That’s a scary thought. If he won the WSOP after only 2-3 years of play, then I’m way behind.
*sigh*
Hehe, I know all about losing streaks, just read the archives. It’s just been a while since I’ve had one this long.
Thanks for the info on the books!
Ha! It’s better than that! It’s web programmable and can do macros. Basically the 3 remote, 7 step shuffle that I have to do now to watch a DVD (switching from my TV to DVD) would be gone. It would also allow other people to come over and actually watch TV without having to stare at the pile of remotes and try to figure out what to do. Right now I have to leave written instructions.
Of course, people don’t come over that often, so it’s more for my sanity.
Thanks!
Happy belated, Chris!
Meh.
Happy Birthday old guy!
I hear you about the remote, I get calls at work from home if my mother or mother-in-law is watching Little Drizz and can’t get his Thomas the Tank Engine DVD going because of the 4 current remotes we use.
EXACTLY!! This is a non-trivial issue IMHO. Less so for me now that my son is older, but when my son was younger it was HUGE. Glad I’m not alone in this.
Of course, now it’s just the geek factor, but I’ll keep trying to use the excuse of “others” if I need to
Happy day after your birthday, Chris! Never underestimate the value of a birthday acknowledgement, heh.
SG-1 is a huge favorite of mine (although now that [sigh] Jack is virtually out of the picture….) but Battlestar Galactica is just about the best tv goin’ right now….
Definitely! BSG is so good it’s not even funny.
Jack is great. I talked to a friend who likes Sci-Fi but was kind of iffy on SG1. He didn’t like Jack. I just went, “Huh?” Jack was great.
Although the woman from Farscape isn’t bad either…(at least on the eyes
).
Happy 35th CDH. Just remember, you’re still one of the few bloggers to be mentioned in the same breath as Paul Phillips and Daniel Negreanu.
Uh, yeah! When you are a Professional Poker Player this is a common thing.
35 eh? That’s only 23 hex! Go out and party!
I just went through a month long losing streak in July that ate about 20% of my bankroll, and you’re right, it isn’t fun. I’m just starting to crawl back out of it now. Hang in there.
Happy birthday! I just got a smart spin - LOVE IT!!!
happy belated bday! have a scotch on me.
Happy belated as well.
Treat yourself to some extra lotion when you crank one out tonight.
No matter how dreary the poker may be right now, you can rest easy knowing that the fact that Star Trek TNG is your favorite show basically makes you a good human being
Happy B-Day!
Happy “late” Birthday, Kid!!!
Haven’t been able to get into Farscape - a little too sci-fi, if there is such a thing.
I’m digging SG-Atlantis, too - Friday nites = sci fi nite (thank the stars for DVRs - can go play poker then watch my show, skipping all the commercials along the way - makes Maudie happy :))
Anyone else need me to induce a mid life crisis?
Happy Birthday! Sorry about being a couple days late.
Ha ha…you’re a month older than I. Huzzah!
Happy Birthday! My 32nd is on Sunday. Meh.
35 and 4 days by now, the euphoria must be wearing off… I’m actually happy to ignore birthdays at work these days, at least for another 4 years (I’m 11 years older than you, junior) - and come to think of it, I don’t plan to be anywhere near an office that day. A tropical island might be more appropriate…
dont worry, youre plenty smart enough to get through Theory of Poker. its boring as shit though. HBD.