Poker Going Well...Finally

I played a few thousands hands of $1/2 limit on Pokerstars today as part of my 1,000,000 FPP mission and won around $300 in the process. That's the biggest victory I've had since accumulating points this way. Perhaps I've found my rhythm.

I'm off to a date tonight with Chloe. I hope things go well. She seems nice.

Writing is going well. I finally have a title for my script: Deja Bride. Deja Bride is about a woman who keeps on dating the man of her dreams until she gets it right.

Perfect!

Wish me luck.

Week 1 Weekend

Didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted this weekend, and haven't written a word of my script nor played a hand of poker since New Year's Eve. But that will change this week. Still recovering from shingles. What a horrid nuisance. Went to brunch with Richad, Lisa, and Ari and talked about college for Ari's school. I've been assigned with helping Ari with her SAT tests, etc. I have some ideas I can throw her way. Everyone is excited about Ari's extraordinary musical gift. She has an amazing world class voice. It will be interesting to see where she takes it.

Since the new year I've been very positive and happy. Staying positive is key. Negativity and cynisism leads nowhere.

Time for bed. Night.

Iowa Results

I watched the Iowa coverage on MSNBC, and the level of giddiness and electricity among the MSNBC punditry was memorable and significant. I thought Hillary's consolation speech last night was gracious, poised and classy, but when she talked about America's need for a champion to look up to for leadership, I couldn't help but think that Obama was that champion. If there is one candidate who can bring the United States back into the good graces of the international community, Obama is that candidate, and the fact that Iowa gave the rest of the country an enormous green light in placing their hopes and dreams and support squarely on his shoulders suggests to me that this country is not so foolish after all.

I haven't watched Chris Matthews recently, so I don't know the context with which he presented his case against Hillary, but after Obama's speech, Matthews was emphatic in his argument that Hillary Clinton has been on the wrong side of the Iraq war from the beginning to the present, and therefore does not represent the change that is needed in this country. He stayed with that point for minutes, as if articulating an absolute truth. It's as if the Iowa results have opened up the flood gates to those Americans who have been so completely opposed to this unnecessary, incomprehensibly tragic war from the get-go that this political phenomenon known as Barack Obama represents the change in direction Americans like me so desperately want.
The experience card was resoundingly trumped last night by the change card. The numbers are exhilarating. 57% of the under-30 vote went with Obama. Of all the numbers I saw last night, that one sticks out in my mind as the most significant.

Had Clinton been the big victor last night (and the idea that experience trumps change), I would have accepted the outcome and given my support to her campaign. As I've stated before, I love and admire Hillary Clinton, and have been enormously impressed with her campaign these past few months. But my heart in this election is grounded in change. I simply don't care that Obama lacks the kind of experience Rumsfeld and Cheney have been boasting about these past seven years. I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH GLEE THAT IOWA DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN EITHER!
I was five years old when Robert Kennedy ran for president. What I saw on MSNBC last night and what I've observed around the office today comes very close to the kind of political electricity I imaged Kennedy was generating back in '68. My biggest fear is for Obama's safety throughout the election year and the protection he needs against those forces who cannot comprehend the thought of a black president. Benazir Bhutto's death is a huge reminder to us all of the enormous vulnerabilities true agents of change face. It is my hope that his security is super-charged to a level that equals or even surpasses Bush's security. I don't want anything to happen to this man. I don't want another Kennedy situation, and yet I am convinced there are evil forces in this country who are plotting exactly that.

Last night was huge. Obama and his family were beyond radiant. They were transcendent in their beauty, in their promise and fulfillment of that little word called hope. The green light has been given and the entire world is watching this race and wrapping its mind around the thought of an Obama presidency. If that doesn't define change, I don't know what does.

This election now has my undivided attention. I am eager to see how the Clinton camp strategizes and revises their playbook between now and New Hampshire. Edwards is all but done in my opinion. His speech last night was delivered by a guy who was pissed off. The fact that he did not congratulate Obama speaks volumes about his character (along with Jeff's "insider" perspective of Edwards' genuineness). Richardson, unfortunately, was never given a chance. MSNBC framed his result in such as way that his only opportunity for a sound clip was dependent upon whether or not he would drop out. That really bugged me, given Jeff's contributions to Richardson's campaign. But I guess that's how things work in media land, and last night the media shouted it's message loud and clear: Obama is the man!

P.S. Go Huckabee Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year

Great New Year's Eve. Played poker at Tulalip. Up $300. Nice!

New Year's Eve

My 69th post of the year. I can do better in '08. At least I began one. I spent the holidays at Gwen's. Great time. Played lots of games, watched season 1 of Dexter, caught "No Country For Old Men," relaxed, slept until 8 a.m. every day, and emailed a woman named Chloe who seems nice enough. 2007 was a good year in taking a step foward toward proper mental health. I have so many problems that I'm trying to deal with. If I take life one day at a time I will have a better chance at meeting my goals. For some reason I developed a rash last week. It may have been caused by a new shirt I wore without washing it. The right side of my stomach is all bumpy and red. Nasty.

My priorities for 2008:
1. Script with Chris. Write it, finish it, polish it.
2. Poker. I've devoted enough time to this game. Get a seat in WSOP 2008. This is a priority.
3. Money to pay off bills. I need to do this, and my ticket is through poker. Play smart.
4. Write, read, watch movies. I can really focus on this better I think.
5. Exercise. I'd like to compete in racquetball, but I'm concerned my body is falling apart.
6. Non-fiction memoir. I'd like to begin one.
7. Eat healthy.
8. Downsize my apartment, fix what isn't yet fixed.
9. Connect more with friends.
10. Upgrade technology.
11. More Blog entries.
12. Waste less time.


Happy New Year

Still Losing at $1/2

Still trying to figure out the $1/2 limit game on Stars. I’m up to 3,300 FPPs but am down $350 since 6-12 tabling. I’m sure I lose a bit of equity in not being able to assess the table dynamics, but still, my decisions should be fairly cut and dry. I’m going over certain hands this week to see if I can uncover any hidden leaks. I’m trying really hard to keep my emotions in check, though it’s hard when I lose several big pots in-a-row when I’m ahead on the turn. It can be an extremely frustrating game. I like the opportunities for freerolls when hitting certain levels.

Heaven

I almost talked myself out of sending Christmas cards this year, but I put a to do list together and am now set to get them out the door by Monday. To-do lists are my saving grace. Without them, I’d get nothing accomplished. Another weekend full of stuff to complete. I’ve set my goals and hope to get them done. No distractions, please. It’s the perfect sort of weekend in that I have no obligations to speak of and a load of chores and activities to occupy my time. Heaven.