Rambling

Reading James Lee Burke to remind myself what clear, crisp, solid prose sounds like. I like his descriptions and witty humor. I'd like my writing to read so well. Today, I was hoping to pound out 10 new pages of material, but I was sidetracked with plot concerns and the feeling that I didn't know the details of my story as well as I should, which is somewhat true I'm afraid. So I spent the day thinking. Is thinking another form of procrastination? Sometimes, but I did need to think through some issues today. I meet Heather, Jackie and Connie on Friday and that should be fun. I'll try not to be too preachy. Sometimes I get that way. I'm such a fixer. Stop it. Back to the book...chapter 8 is shaping up. Lots of family drama there. Two counseling scenes, one with Nicholas and Julia and one with Mara and Julia. It's a fun way to show the differences in the two characters.

End of June

Chris read chapters 6 and 7 and enjoyed them. He can't wait to find out what happens next. I can't either. I worked on chapter 8 today. I worked on the psych scenes and wrote down ideas for school. Chris wonders if Audrey is to be trusted. In many ways the book feels like a season of "24." I love it!

Played some poker today for the first time in ages. I need to get back into it. I need to make some money. Broke out some books and watched three videos on PokerXFactor. Also did four loads of laundry today before 3, a record. Productive.

Halfway There

I'm gearing up for two months of non-stop writing. I'm halfway done with the first draft of Chapel. Now comes the good stuff. I really like this story and see all sorts of possibilities for later installments. Meanwhile, I'm firing up the poker playing again. I haven't played at all this year, which is a surprise, yet necessary. I really needed to get the book off the ground. Now that I know what's going on and where it's going, I can start playing again. I also need to think about creating a cushion, and that means dedicating myself to making some money. The priority, however, is writing and getting this novel completed. Then I can write Retro-Therapy, a script Chris and I plan to compose together. I can't wait to write that script.

Writing & Reading

I helped Gwen with one of her homeshows last week. I enjoyed it. We worked 8-hour shifts from 10-6, selling Gwen's kitchen design services. She receives several strong leads during the week. I was happy to help her out.

Back to life in Oakland, my book and poker. The edge is small for online poker. Everyone's playing fairly well; however, I am learning a lot about the game from the books I'm reading, and hope I can use my new poker knowledge at the Oaks and San Pablo and hopefully produce some respectable gains in my bankroll. I can see why players who aren't afraid of losing excel in this game.

Two- and Three-Outers

Those two- and three-outers are real killers. I don't do well when I lose contest after contest holding cards that have my opponent dominated, and yet they suck out on their three-outer. Or worse, when I have them dominated with an overpair and they get their miracle set. That seems to happen so often. I've had a losing week this week in poker, but I guess part of the skill set in cards is accepting these weeks while still trying to play the best poker possible. The players at the Oaks are not very good, but that $4 rake really affects play, especially in the late positions when no one has entered the pot. The rake really adds up. I've been playing a little bit online, but I don't feel as comfortable playing nl online. It's more difficult for me. I could do a better job of reading players when I'm in hands. I still tend to pay more attention to my own cards.

When I return from Seattle on Monday, I plan to play a consistent amount of cards. Then there's the WSOP, which I really want to try and win a seat for this year.

Learning Tells

I played a 3.5-hour session at the Oaks last night and lost $260. I couldn't win a hand to save my life, even though I was surrounded by lots of gamblers and players who played in an obvious manner. Lots of poor calling with inferior straight and flush draws. I lost my money on good starting hands with all the money in, QQ twice, AKs and AQs. I lost all four of those hands when the money was in pre-flop. I just wasn't my night.

One thing I notice is that folks with good hands stick money in the pot right away. I also notice that few people bluff but many will make horrible calls when they're on a draw. That's really a good way to make money, but giving people bad odds to make their draw. Finding out what folks have on the flop is good, and making a near pot-sized bet on the turn is where I can make my money with these gamblers.

My image at the table is tight and conservative, and perhaps a bit unfriendly. I wear glasses and dress in black clothes and say nothing. I will slowly get better and better at this game. I still have a lot to learn.

NL Cash Games

I played a session at the Oaks two days ago. It was my first session of the year playing live. I won $136 and thought I played well, but lacked focus for such a short amount of time. I only played 3.5 hours or so, but found it difficult to focus on the players. This is a skill I should develop. I had a couple of very interesting hands. One involved A3s (spades) and three spades floped, 679. Two other player were in and I was on the button. The first player checked, the second player bet $15, I called, and the big blind called. The turn was a blank 2. The blind checked, the second player bet $20, and here I wasn't exactly sure what I should do. Do I raise, do I call, what exactly is my optimum play? I decided to call, and the big blind called as well. The river did not pair the board and I had the nuts. Both players checked and I bet $35, a small value bet in a $105 pot. I got one called and took down a nice little pot. Did the second player have a set? If I had gone all in, I would have run roughly as much as smooth calling turn, but might have folded on the river had he gone all in with the paired board. Interesting hand. I play again tonight and will be playing more on the evenings to gain experience and win money.