I played alongside Gbecks, Jagtalon and others this afternoon/evening.  It was a walk down memory lane.  I have always felt it was very important having a group of friends to play alongside with.  Even though I live with my brother, a very good player himself, I miss living/playing with the guys.  They are a very talented group.  We have learned a lot from each other and it is nice to recollect on old times and be amongst the group again.

I have one day left in Lawrence until I go back to Los Angeles Wednesday morning.   It’s been fun Lawrence.

It was a miserable weekend.  Actually, it could have been worse.  Tailgating was great, but we just didn’t show up in the first half.  I’ll give them credit though; they didn’t give up.  It was gracious effort and I am very proud of them.  I went over to Garrett’s this afternoon, planning on catching fire in online poker tournaments, but it was to no avail.  I busted in the turbo satellite (55) and 750K guarantee (216).  I nearly cashed in the 20K guarantee on Poker.com, but I fell (5) places short of the money losing with AK v. AJ.  The Steps are nearing its completion and I gave it one last effort.  I had a 4, 3 and 1 and I also bought into (2) Step 4s with FPPs.  I played (3) Step 5s, but I fell short of Step 6.  I had a near miss, losing with AT v 98.  If I had won the pot, I would have been 2nd in chips with (4) players remaining and twice the chip stack of 3rd.  I don’t have my spreadsheet, but I lost approximately $1,300.  However, I purchased (3) Step 4s with FPPs, so it wasn’t a large loss at all.  I had (3) chances in Step 6.  As I have said many times before, “I’ll have to wait till next time.” Poker has not gone nearly as planned.  Therefore, adjustments are a must.  I canceled my other trip to Las Vegas in December.  I have to buckle down and refocus.  Things haven’t been easy, but it doesn’t mean things can’t turn around.  My friends keep reminding me things I’ll turn things around and I am confident I will soon.  I have an extended vacation (January 21st), so I have plenty of time to get things back on track.  I am not completely lost.  I will recover.  It is not an accident my players succeed; I’ll be a threat again soon enough.

I am extending my stay in Lawrence until Wednesday.  We can’t have the best attendance record at school

Cheers, Lawrence

I am running on pure adrenaline, as I have been awake for 36+ hours.  That’s procrastination for you.  I surpassed the previous record by far.  Last night, at 10 P.M., I finally got to work.  I had a paper due at 11:00 and another due at 7:00 P.M..  I also had a class presentation at 7:00 that I also had not started.  Throw in a doctor’s appointment at 3:00 and a meeting with my web designer at 4:30 and it was quite a busy day.  Thank God for adderall (sp?).  I crushed the papers and our group demolished the presentation.  Alright, I’ll have to give that a… hold it for a second.

I was in a great mood and still functioning when I got a text message from Ryan.  Ummm hello Saint Mary’s.  Holla!!!

Linky

Step 4 –> Step 5

Step 4 –> Step 3

Step 5 –> Step 5

Step 5 –> Step 5

Step 5 –> Step 4

Step 5 –> Step 4

Step 5 –> Love

Step 6 –> Sigh…

It goes without saying, today was a disaster.  I lost with TT v AJs in Step 6.  The real heart breaker was in a Step 5.  I was chip leader 3-handed and was dealt KK in the small blind.  Button raised all-in, I called and lost to JJ on XXXXJ.  I was crippled to less than 1K and lost 2 hands later w/ 55 v 95s against the same guy.  Only a Step 4, 3 and 1 left…

I successfully procrastinated in the last week, leaving myself (2) papers to write tonight and prepare for a class presentation.  Unfortunately, I have a doctor’s appointment and a meeting with my web designer between class, so it will be a long day.  I have another presentation on Wednesday.  Then, the extended weekend begins.  I have an alumni function Wednesday night, Thanksgiving in Orange County on Thursday and off to Lawrence Friday morning.  I’m sure I’ll go out all Wednesday evening and after I get back from my cousins on Thursday.  Friday and Saturday consists of drinking and partying, obv.  It should be a great weekend.  Maybe some good fortune will rub off on me this weekend from the boys back in Lawrence.  If so, I should break my obligation to not play tournaments the rest of the year and make a final table on Sunday.  We’ll just wait and see.  Back to school stuff, I won’t be sleeping for quite a while.

Today was simply joy in its purest form.  I have been playing Steps throughout the week and planned to build up Step 4s and play them simultaneously over the weekend.  I entered (4) Step 4s earlier today.  Keep in mind, I have been on a terrible losing streak in Step 4, failing to finish in the Top 3 in my last (8) attempts.  Today, however, was a completely different story.  I turned (2) Step 4s into Step 5s and received replays in the other (2).  Then, I entered (2) Step 5s, (2) Steps 4s and (1) Step 3.  It was not going very well at first.  I finished 9th in the first Step 5, losing w/ JJ on a J85 board to a rivered flush against the preflop raiser.  It was very disappointing and the fact that I had approximately 1,000 chips in each of the remaining Steps with 8 or 9 players remaining and the big blind was at either 150 or 200.  The situation was bleak, but I went on a unconscious run over the next 45 minutes and won each of the Steps; I couldn’t lose a hand.  It was unbelievable.  I probably lost a single pot in the entire span.  I just couldn’t do anything wrong and won every coinflip and live card situation.  In fact, if I got it in behind I outflopped every time, not needing help on the turn or river.  It was very encouraging.

In all, I turned (4) Step 4s and (1) Step  3 into (1) Step 6, (2) Step 5s and (1) Step 4.  I wasn’t able to play any further, because I went to see Wicked with Hailey.  It was good, not great, but it was nice to get out and relax a bit.  I’ll play (Win!) my Step 6 later in the week :)  Oh yeah, Kansas #2 in the BCS.  Fuck yeah!  Cheers, Lawrence - I’ll be in town on Friday!

Last night Hailey and I went to see Bee Movie.  No, it wasn’t her choice, it was mine.  She wanted to see Beowulf, but I persisted Bee Movie was the way to go.  She wasn’t too enthusiastic and exclaimed, “We have to go out for drinks beforehand, if we are going to see that movie.”  I obliged.  We had a round at The Rack prior to the show.  I went for the standard - Crown & Coke - and she went for a Hefie (sp?).  Thereafter, we walked over to the theater.  The movie was quite a kick.  Besides the trial, it was very entertaining.  In fact, the humor went unnoticed by most of the children in the theater, so it was more for adults I guess.

Jerry Seinfeld was a riot as usual and Chris Rock’s two scenes were hilarious.  One scene was of particular significance for myself.  If you don’t already know, I am allergic to bees.  Until last September, I hadn’t been stung since I was a child.  Once [a very long time ago] I got stung on my face and my entire face swelled, allowing me only sight out of a single eye for a day or two.  Last year’s incident was a sweat.  I was talking to my grandmother on the phone (3) bees dropped into my shirt.  I spazzed (sp?) out and hung up on my grandmothe, telling her I was at battle with the bees.  One of them stung me and another flew away.  I ran into the bathroom and took off my shirt.  Sure enough the third bee flew out from my shirt.  I began to swell and get very nauseous.  Mom said I should get some Benadryl, at least I think it was Benadryl, and it did the trick.

Anyways, back to the point.  I also hate avocado.  Actually, I despise it as I have had some very bad experiences with it in the past.  So of just about everything out there, bees and avocados are among my least favorite.  Their was a scene in the movie in which a bee (Jerry Seinfeld) got stuck in guacamole on a tortilla chip and was about to be eaten by the character in which Puddy (from Seinfeld) spoke.  I would have to say this would be my kryptonite.  Luckily, Puddy didn’t each the chip.

Yesterday, I experienced a first in my poker career - I flopped a royal flush!  It was quite exciting.  Actually, I am incorrect.  After reviewing my screen shots on Paint, I noticed I flopped a royal flush on November 3rd.  How could I have forgotten so quickly?  So, this is flopped royal flush #2.  If I remember correctly, I have also flopped (2) king-high straight flushes in my short career.  However, this royal flush is of special interest.  I flopped it with my favorite hand - KdTd!  Oh, Lawrence.  So, sexy!  I was reminded poker isn’t as cruel as I had previously thought.  It rekindled the fire a little bit hidden within.  The fire has been diminishing in volume as of late especially with the changing of seasons.  This is my worst quarter of the year historically:  Q1 (March - May), Q2 (June- August), Q3 (September - November) and Q4 (December - February).  Q1 is by far my best quarter followed by Q2.  Q3 and Q4 have not been kind.  I don’t know what it is, but I just seem to lose something when the weather gets cold.  Ironically, however, my largest online tournament cash was in Q4.  It was a very merry Christmas indeed.

It isn’t a ‘Molly Dog,’ but it is pretty close.  I would post pictures, but I can’t figure out how to do that yet on this blog.  I don’t like the name much - Markey - but I it will do, but I was going for Maple.  Not much else to note other than I got smoked in the prop bet w/ SpaceGravy.  It only took him 23 days, not the full 30, to win 25k in $60 Turbo SNGs.  Very impressive!  Note: I bet 2K to win 1k.  Cheers, Lawrence!

It being a pleasant surprise is a massive understatement.  I am flat out flabbergasted as to the success of the KU’s football team.  It is simply amazing what Mark Mangino has done with that program.  On November, 24th, Arrowhead is hosting the annual Kansas v. Missouri football game.  Regardless of the outcomes of this week’s games, the winner of the game will represent the North in the Big 12 Championship.  It will be an amazing game.  Therefore, I will be attending.  I have already purchased my airline tickets and a ticket to the game.  It will be an expensive trip, but it is well worth it.  This will without a doubt be the most important game in the history of Kansas football and it is only fitting it is the last game of the year, with National Championship implications and against the school’s biggest rival.  Of course, my friends and I will be have an enormous tailgate party.  If all goes as planned, we will continue partying through the night back in Lawrence.  It will be a great weekend!

My Poker Stars’ DB is pitiful.  In fact, it’s embarrassing.  I played Steps today and was only left shaking my head.  My R.O.I is -67.5%.  If it included all mega satellites, it would be even worse.  I nearly qualified for the FTOPS 1K, but I was a few chips short of folding to victory.  Instead, I ran JJ into AA… obv.  I am determined to qualify for PCA, but it is going to take some luck.  I am playing pretty well, but I can’t seem to get to the finish in satellites.  I played some cash as well today.  An opponent decided to re-raise all-in pre-flop with JJ for 80 big blinds.  I only had AA; a jack on the river was only fitting.

My sister, Marla, walked in the Breast Cancer 3-day in San Diego this weekend.  It was the final of (12) 3-day walks held nationwide throughout the year.  Over 12 million dollars was raised and nearly 4,700 persons participated in the 60 mile walk in this particular walk.  Marla walked in memory of Joan Anderson, a very good friend of my mom’s who passed away a year and a half ago after an 8-year battle with breast cancer.  I have not personally been affected by loss from breast cancer, but the sight of so many whom have lost loved ones to breast cancer made it a very emotional atmosphere.  I’m glad I attended and I am very proud of my sister for having completed the 60 mile walk and take part in such an incredible event.

I have not played very good poker as of late, but I have since been inspired my Matt and Nick’s results and been playing much better over the last few days.  Nevertheless, the results have not been very good.  I have not ran very good, but I am at least playing much better.  Unfortunately, I can’t catch a break in Steps on Stars either.  It’s time to activate ‘boom switch.’  Things should come around soon enough.

Speaking of the ‘boom switch,’ I hope Kansas’ is still activated as OSU should be a real test tomorrow on the road.  One time, dealer!  We’re also having a few people over tonight in celebration of the kegerator finally being setup.  It should be an enjoyable evening.

I made a wager w/ SpaceGravy, laying 2 to 1 against him winning $25,000 in 30 days playing $60 turbo SNGs on Stars.  Luckily, I only bet $2,000 to win $1,000, because my chances are looking bleak.  With 11 days remaining, he only needs to earn $4,000.  I tip my visor to him and just very thankful I didn’t bet as much as I had originally planned.

My brother played his 2nd Step 6 on Stars last night, but he came up short, finishing in 7th in the 1-table.   So far, we have crushed the Steps, but have come up empty handed.  We are collectively 0 for 4 in Step 6.  Note:  we have each played a 1-table and a 2-table.  We are playing/running well in the lower steps but have yet to run like God in Step 6.  It will come soon enough.

Last note; my sister is walking in the largest breast cancer awareness walk in the country starting tomorrow (San Diego).  It is a 3-day walk and she is walking in memory of Joan Anderson - a very good friend of my mother who passed away (2) years ago.

If anyone is interested in free poker coaching, please send an e-mail. Once TheRailbirds.com goes live, you will become a V.I.P.. The only restriction is you must create an online poker account through my referral. The benefit to signing up now is that you will receive weekly hand history analysis for free in addition to the complementary amenities at TheRailbirds.com! Send an e-mail to admin@therailbirds.com (Subject: Free HHA)

Also, I am going on a date tonight for a little sushi. Unfortunately, I awoke with a big fat blemish on my forehead. Pretty standard!

I would be much wealthier if I choose not to play 2/4, 3/6 and 5/10 heads-up [and 3-handed] throughout the year.  However, I am a better adviser than I am a player.  Unfortunately, I have not heeded my own advice and I have paid the price.  My clients, on the other hand, are doing quite well.  My brother is on fire and Nick is back to his old self.  I feel I am getting better and better as each month passes as an instructor, but my playing ability is not experiencing any growth.  I’m in dire need of a fortunate run of cards, or I can shake it off and start playing like the BraveJayhawk of old.

In NFL Pick’em, Reed and I are tied w/ 40 points and my brother is trailing with 31. Today, I went with San Diego (-7.5) and New England (-6.5). It shouldn’t be a surprise that I have them each winning by (2) touchdowns. Speaking of touchdowns, how about Rock Chalk, Jayhawk! It was quite a blow out in Lawrence. I haven’t see scoring like that since Nebraska in the mid 90s. Obviously, I, nor anyone else for that matter, saw it coming, but the Jayhawks are contenders for the BCS Championship! It would be quite a thrill, but as long as Kansas goes to the Final Four in March, I’ll be happy. My Kansas/USC tickets arrived a few days ago. I’ll be taking my brother for his birthday (Dec. 2). All I am awaiting is my vanity license plate (RCKCHLK) and I’ll bet set. Cheers, Lawrence!

I have been quite occupied with school and other responsibilities, but the hiatus must cease.  It wasn’t long ago in which poker comprised of nearly my entire schedule.  Thankfully, that is no longer the case.  School is actually going quite well, but it should be with only 9 units.  Attendance is at an all-time high since high school.  Monday, however, I skipped class for a charity golf tournament.  The golf tournament was a fund raiser for Chaminade College Preparatory (my high school).  It was a little pricey, but the money will be well spent (scholarships).  Matt (my brother)  and two friends (Russell and Dwayne) were paired with Paula Trickey (actress).  Paula was a blast!  She struggled on the course, but she was quite the entertainer.  I was playing very well until I began betting at which point my game crumbled and I lost $190 on the last (5) holes.  However, I won the putting contest, so it still came out ahead!

(4) two lb. lobsters

(4) portions of shellfish side items

(2) quarts of Damn Good Chowder or Bisque

(2) sets cracker / seafood forks

(1) gold steamer can

… complements of Maine Lobster Direct

Ship it!

On Monday (October 29th), I played in a charity golf tournament for