Easy Living in North Alabama

Well, since we have someone staying at our house...someone who my dogs LOVE...and who loves them as much, and since Cheryl doesn't have to be back to work for a couple weeks, and I'm a bum without an official job, we have decided to spend as much time up here with all here relatives as possible.

Carley is getting passed around like a little hot potato. I've managed to come down with a cold...so I'm trying to keep my face away from hers as much as possible, but honestly, its tough!

Sunday we had our first radio show...and aside from the volume level on my headset being way too low...I think it went pretty well. It was our first show, and Scotty and I talked about the good and the bad as far as what we need to work on in future shows. I got a lot of nice comments from some people who tuned in, and of course, the one standard comment from 'the hater.' I'm almost starting to think maybe the hater is the same person...since every message from him (who knows, maybe her) sounds identical. I published that comment, and took the high road, thanking them for taking the time to tune in at least.

I've been spending a lot of time on Facebook...reading all the posts of friends and acquaintances that are trekking to Vegas, and then playing in the first week's worth of events. I've made an interesting observation...and I kind of predicted this would be the case.

I knew the first week was going to be tough on me...reading posts with those excited to be getting there...and the anticipation of playing for bracelets and million dollar prize pools. That feeling of being on the outside looking in would, and has...naturally caused me to feel a little envious. But having been there the past 7 years, it's not like I don't know what it feels like. It always starts out very positive, and optimistic.

But I knew...if I waited long enough, that I would start seeing the posts that always seem to follow:

"played 12 hours...5 from the money, and lose with AA to KK when the guy spiked a king on the river."

"had 4 times the average at dinner break, came back and lost 5 races in a row vs. small stacks...got it in with 99 vs. QJ....Q on river. Busto."

On and on they came. And you could sense the pain, the heartbreak, the disappointment that always comes from playing big tournaments. And within a week of being there, I would say 75% of the people you know that are out there taking their swings...are chasing a deficit. And fighting with the mental demons that poker always instills in you. 'Stay positive. Keep getting a good night of sleep. Take that all-important day off if need be. Don't let people know you're running bad. They feed off it. Ride it out.' It's nothing you haven't heard or experienced before. 

Now there are those like Jeff Timms....who has gone out and cashed 3 of his first 4 tourneys he's played, including a win in one of the nightly's at Rio...who knows which one? There are so many. The 7? The 10? Win? Or a chop? Whatever...some guys get out there and run great from the time their plane lands....and hey, that's awesome for them. As long (hint hint) as they can stay away from the craps table and keep their winnings in their bankroll!!!

I think that sitting here 1738 miles away from Las Vegas and all the excitement, stress, thrills, disappointment of the 2012 Summer Poker Convention is good for me. My baby is next to me almost every minute, my wife and I have discovered a newfound appreciation and love for one another, and I've come to terms...or am at least trying to...with the notion that my days as a full time monkey chasing the circus....uhhh...I mean circuit...is coming to an end. I've had lots of possible 'feelers' on the 'real job' front. And that is exciting.

I sent out an email to all the people (1800+) who play in my various pools telling them I have gone ahead and decided to run a pool for all the major golf tourneys. They've been hounding me to do all three, and not just the Masters for years now...but because of the 7-week Vegas grind every summer, I just haven't been able to. So they are pretty excited about that. Next up, US Open in two weeks. I also told them I was going to be doing Vegas for about ten days...July 5th-15th...and would be putting together a Poker Shares Package...that would allow me to play the final $1k at Rio (which I expect should get over 6,000 players), one or two off the $1k Megas into the Main...and then the Main itself. I have had 7 or 8 emails already asking for information on it...so I have very few concerns that I will have any trouble funding that trip and those tourneys. Think I am going to sell a total of 60 to 65% of my action. When I figure out exactly what I'm going to do on that...I will post it here, for any of you folks who think you would like a 'Monkey Sweat' this summer. Even you, hater!

Okay...well that was just a quick little update for everyone that cares! I am getting ready to go and see my nephew Trey's baseball game today. I threw him some batting practice the other day, along with his brother...before we went and saw 'The Avengers' at the local theater. Thought it was pretty good. Hulk had to be my favorite character in the movie.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU GRINDING YOUR FACE OFF IN VEGAS!!!

Monkey