"Part of the issue of achievement is to be able to set realistic goals, but that's one of the hardest things to do because you don't always know exactly where you're going, and you shouldn't." - George Lucas

View From Black Mountain





View From Exploration Peak Park



I barely surpassed my 60 hr volume goal, it feels good to have the self discipline to knock it out. One more 60 hr mini challenge will put me back on pace for 1800 hrs on the year. I think I will be pushing hard through the end of WSOP time and will be able to get ahead of pace. After that I can invest a little more time in social life, art, music and whatever else I feel like.

I got in a 5 mile run. It didn't feel difficult at all, my stamina is increasing. I'll hit up a 6 mile run this mini challenge.

Sunset Park has some really nice running paths.



I have been juggling a bunch of different books lately. I think I need to finish most of them up before I start any more.

"The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand is interesting because it is philosophy packaged in a fictional medium. I'm only about a quarter of the way through it but it is captivating. It illuminates the disparity between doing things the way they have always been done and forward thinking. I also like it because architecture is fascinating to me and I once considered it as a possible career path.

"Thus Spoke Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzche is another instance of philosophy told through a fictional narrative. I've only just started it but it seems one of the themes is that if you go against the grain many will not understand you. Some people don't see things that are right in front of them.

"The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem" by Nathaniel Branden concerns personal conduct and is very similar to "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

I'll try to post some slightly more detailed summaries/ takeaways when I complete these books and the others on my plate.



My guitar case collage came out pretty good, just going to print out a big QR code for my youtube channel and put it in the bottom left section to finish it off.

NSFW-



Here is one of my other guitar cases that has some band stickers and stencils, it has taken shape very gradually, need to get some more stickers

I'll throw it in a spoiler for the sake of suspense



I'm also going to start work on my spray paint art project, will post some pics next time.

Here is my latest vlog-



Quick correction, the last song I posted is actually "Here Today" by Sworn Enemy. I listened to their album Beginning of the End countless times back in '08 - '09 because the first night I arrived back to CA after getting out of the Army and driving cross country from NC, somebody smashed my window and stole my laptop and CD case with the majority of my collection. The few CDs left scattered throughout my car were that album, Reign in Blood, Killadelphia and a couple others that I listened to over and over whenever I was driving.

Here is a song I wrote call "Escaping the Trench" -



One of my paintings-



Mini Challenge #9

60.5/50 hrs of poker

2015 GOALS

[439.5] 1800 hrs of quality volume (average 150 hrs a month)
[73.5] Miles Run
[9] Learn 36 new healthy recipes
[90] Paint 360 paintings
[90] Take care of at least one thing on my to do list every day
[9] Write 18 songs and learn 18 covers on guitar
[ ] Take a trip to Europe
[9] Organize 36 opportunities for poker players to volunteer in LV
[4] Go out clubing 36 times, improve my social skills and become the best man I can be
[8] Read 36 Books

"If you never leave where you are, you'll never live the life you're destined for." - Grant Cardone

Flock of Paper Cranes Inside Aria



Construction of a New Arena Behind NYNY



I knocked out the 60 hr volume goal which puts me exactly on pace for 1800 hrs this year. I will be maintaining 50 hrs per mini challenge until the start of WSOP when I will really push myself and work my hardest.

I got in a 6 mile run today. It felt good, I could feel my muscles ache a little in the last mile. I am going to try and decide which city I want to run the marathon later this year.

I haven't done much in the way of poker studying in forever. Consequently, my game hasn't improved much so I am going to try and study about .5 hrs before every session. I want to bring my poker knowledge up to a peak level so I can live up to my potential. I have noticed some leaks and bad habits in my game that need to be addressed and rectified.

Here is my plan for the spray paint art project. I am basically going to do a series of all my favorite 2+2 posters. I have a few rough sharpie sketches so far. I can't wait to start creating the actual pieces. I also plan to photograph them, print them and give a copy to these 2+2ers the next time I see them or perhaps mail a few out.



Here is my latest vlog-



Here is a cover "Genocide" by The Offspring -



One of my paintings-



Mini Challenge #10

60.5/50 hrs of poker

2015 GOALS

[500] 1800 hrs of quality volume (average 150 hrs a month)
[79.5] Miles Run
[10] Learn 36 new healthy recipes
[100] Paint 360 paintings
[100] Take care of at least one thing on my to do list every day
[10] Write 18 songs and learn 18 covers on guitar
[ ] Take a trip to Europe
[9] Organize 36 opportunities for poker players to volunteer in LV
[4] Go out clubing 36 times, improve my social skills and become the best man I can be
[8] Read 36 Books

ECGrinder*

Haha nice catch, luckily they are only sketches and not tattoos. I'll be sure to spell check before the final pieces

I figured you'd catch it eventually, but didn't want you to have one of these moments:

sweet thread but on your vlogs you gotta quit using the word uhh. in your boycott venetian vlog ive never heard the word uhh so many time in 3 minutes lol

Nice clip, appreciate the heads up.



Thanks man. I've been meaning to get into a toastmasters to work on my speaking. I realize I mumble a lot, I wasn't aware I said uhh and umm so often. (Went back and counting like 30 or so haha) Thanks for bringing that to my attention I'll try to keep it to a minimum in future vlogs.

I finally made it.

In a similar boat. Started playing poker again about 6 months ago (played professionally for several years.) Was trying to get to 25K by the WSOP. Will probably be a little short, but should have 5k for tourneys and 10k for live play. Not bad considering I just came back recently.

I must say I'm very happy to have made the cut! And will surely take one. I'll be back in town next week so we'll have to catch up and grab some food. Keep crushing those hours!

Let's talk art for a moment (cause we all talk enough poker).

I browsed your website and I like a lot of your work. I think you have a really good sense of color.

But because all your work is abstract, I'll deduce that you don't have more conventional art skills.

Have you considered that maybe the best way to take your art to a higher level is to invest the time to master, say, drawing?

To me, mastery of the fundamentals in any art form allows for abstraction with purpose, as opposed to abstraction by default.

I'm not busting your balls, I'm just asking if maybe it's time you studied that staid, boring, old school art stuff.

And if that seems like a ten year project, you know what? You have the time.

All the arts are filled with people who want to be an artist but don't want to first do the necessary work, don't want to first develop the necessary fundamentals. These are poseurs. Posing like an artist is fun. You can chit chat at parties and talk deep philosophy between bong hits and maybe get laid by appearing, to naive girls, deep and sensitive.

But I don't think that's you. So, I'll ask again: have you thought that maybe, to take your art to a higher level, you should invest the time to master the fundamentals?

Unless of course you already have mastered the fundamentals and can draw like a mofo and paint like an SOB and I, not for the first time, am out of line.

And, editing for clarity: I really like your abstract art.

"No matter how wonderful our dreams, how noble our ideals, or how high our hopes, ultimately we need courage to make them a reality. Without action, it's as if they never existed." - Senora Roy

Sworn Enemy playing at LVCS



I ended up taking a few days off from poker, feeling some tinges of burnout which happens every once in awhile. The plan is to kind of take it easy this month to rest up for WSOP when I'll be hustling my hardest and giving my very best effort at logging hrs and playing solid. I got to catch a show at LVCS which is right on FSE. The place was practically empty but the show was awesome none the less and I got to hear all the songs I wanted to.

I just passed the 4 year mark since I started the thread and started playing full-time. I've been contemplating and self reflecting a lot about how far I've come and thinking about how far I want to go with this poker gig. I have a lot of poker friends that have been completely crushing it lately and it is extremely inspiring to me. I also have some poker friends struggling and going through tough times. I try to learn from everyone whether it is what I should be doing or mistakes to avoid.

One of my best friends is getting out of prison in less than a month or so, dude has been locked up for too long so I can't wait to hang out with him.

I'm going to LA for a few days in a couple weeks. Planning to hike up to the Hollywood sign, chill at Venice Beach and hit up Commerce and The Bike for a couple sessions.

Here is the first in the series. I used to be into tagging a lot but it's been a long time since I did much. I've got a list of about 20 2+2 sns I want to do eventually, so don't fret if you're a good buddy and think I left you out . I think my technique will improve once I get back in groove.



Here is my latest vlog-



Here is an original called "Paranoid Delusion" -



One of my paintings-



You sir have "arrived"

Welcome back, hope you have an excellent WSOP!

Most definitely, let's grab a bite sometime. Will do!

I don't really have any formal art training besides a handful of classes in high school. I was going to an art college in SF but dropped out after a couple of weeks for stupid reasons. I have considered taking some classes at UNLV. I used to draw a lot when I was younger.

I know I have plenty of room to improve and grow as an artist. Most of the painting I have been doing lately is for the sake of experimentation with the interplay of colors and motifs. I have done a few landscapes too.

My overly simplistic view is that photography and videography are much more efficient mediums of capturing what we see in the real world. In the previous centuries artists' renderings were the only method.

I really enjoy abstract painting because it comes from an inner imaginary and sometimes subconscious world of the mind and each piece is different and conveys a distinct message.

"The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand deals with this theme of classical vs modern too, but in the context of architecture. I have respect for the past ways of doing things but also try to keep an open mind about the future.

When I go to museums I can still enjoy the art of the past which was predominately landscapes and portraits.

I will explore some new types of art besides abstract painting. I have some geometric art I did a few years ago with colored pencils, compass, and a ruler. I'll see if I can upload a pic for the next update. I also have a set of oil pastels and would like to do some paintings in water colors and oil.

You are right and I should do some more drawing, I appreciate the thoughts.

Mini Challenge #11

5/5 hrs of poker study
23.5/50 hrs of poker

2015 GOALS

[523.5] 1800 hrs of quality volume (average 150 hrs a month)
[90.5] Miles Run
[11] Learn 36 new healthy recipes
[110] Paint 360 paintings
[110] Take care of at least one thing on my to do list every day
[11] Write 18 songs and learn 18 covers on guitar
[ ] Take a trip to Europe
[10] Organize 36 opportunities for poker players to volunteer in LV
[4] Go out clubing 36 times, improve my social skills and become the best man I can be
[8] Read 36 Books

good luck subbed

hooooooollllllyyyyyyyy ****tttt I'm honored!

i'm gonna go ahead and assume that's because you like me the best and not because i'm first alphabetically or anything

IS THIS IN VEGAS? I'm coming to see it right the f now no joke

Awesome intro to poker vlog, i love your attitude when faced with adversity. Never looking back always going after what you wanted. Great seeing you around town putting in the hours also. Keep it up!!

"I hate how many people think 'glass half-empty' when their glass is really four-fifths full. I'm grateful when I have one drop in the glass because I know exactly what to do with it." - Gary Vaynerchuk

Cornerstone Park







I've been taking it easy pokerwise lately aka slacking, I want to be fresh to take on WSOP and put in a personal best effort.

It's kind of funny how easy it is to get out of touch with technology and the latest trends when you are not in school and influenced by peers. I've been starting to build some social networks to promote my artwork. I've never used twitter, instagram, pinterest or flickr before this year. I hadn't even checked facebook much the last few years. I still need to start a G+ page, tumblr, linkedin and another dedicated youtube channel. All in all it seems pretty easy to get the hang of and I can already see how powerful and critical these platforms are to running small businesses in the current age. It's amazing how much has changed in the last decade. It is crazy how much smartphones have revolutionized ecommerce and the world in general. I wonder how soon and how drastically VR headsets and other tech will change the world in the next 10 or 20 years.

This girl on tinder also introduced me to snapchat, which is pretty cool. Got a second date tonight.

Here is my newest aerosol piece



Here is my latest vlog-



Here is a cover of a Municipal Waste song called "Mind Eraser" it used to be my anthem back in my drinking days-



Here is a piece from a few years ago done with colored pencils-



TY sir, welcome to the party

I do think your PG&C has been the most active and entertaining over the years and is certainly one of my favorites! All of these pieces will be done at undisclosed locations. Text me if I do your SN and I'll spill the beans if you want to check it out IRL.

Thanks man, I just wanted to share how much of a fish I was and how with focus and persistence anyone get improve in any area they wish. That's the beauty of life.

Mini Challenge #12

2/5 hrs of poker study
26/50 hrs of poker

2015 GOALS

[549.5] 1800 hrs of quality volume (average 150 hrs a month)
[95.5] Miles Run
[12] Learn 36 new healthy recipes
[120] Paint 360 paintings
[120] Take care of at least one thing on my to do list every day
[12] Write 18 songs and learn 18 covers on guitar
[ ] Take a trip to Europe
[11] Organize 36 opportunities for poker players to volunteer in LV
[4] Go out clubing 36 times, improve my social skills and become the best man I can be
[8] Read 36 Books

So let me get this straight, you contribute to the community by picking up trash at parks, and then turn around and deface walls with graffiti?

Am I just too old to get this, or is this graffiti business some kind of level? i.e. those are some sort of photoshop jobs?

Yes. Well, technically you are too uptight, but the two often go hand-in-hand.

Give worm my best, tell him to stay away from grandma....

Love all the positive vibes from you, just really started reading and watching after trooper mentioned you. How often * if any*do you get burned out on the daily grind ? Do you like * now that you play to pay bills*the game of poker, or is it just a tool to live off of for you?

It's all a matter of perception. Graffiti might have some negative connotations but murals might conjure different images. Some would say it's vandalism and destructive. My intent is to create, refine my skills and pay tribute to 2+2ers I respect. I would rather look at art than a blank wall.

Aerosol spray paint wasn't invented until 1950 and wasn’t widespread until the 1980s so it is a relatively new art form. I always got pleasure from riding BART around the East Bay and seeing the plethora of graffiti lining the tracks.

I've got a few stories I might tell one of these days.

If you are curious about the subculture here are 3 mainstream artists who work in aerosol that inspire me.

Saber:



David Choe:



Banksy:



It's all good, there are many things about the older generation that I can't quite comprehend. I respect everyone's point of view.

I think there is a hole in the plot of Rounders. Why can't he just borrow enough from the professor to pay off KGB? I guess that would be anticlimactic haha.

Thanks!

Burnout happens periodically every few months. Poker is very repetitive. The best thing to do is to take some time off. I'm in one of those cycles right now, resting up for WSOP which is "fishing season" and I'll be logging a ton of volume.

To be honest poker was a lot more interesting and engaging when I was first learning and throughout my first year playing full time. Now it feels a lot more like a job, albeit with a high level of freedom and autonomy. Don't get me wrong I am extremely grateful to be able to sit on my ass playing a silly card game rather than many of the alternatives.

I try to keep the grind fun by traveling frequently to the various poker scenes in the US. I am looking forward to taking a trip to Sweden, Germany, and Italy.

I also still have a lot of potential to improve and move up, so there is still a goal to work toward.

So if I spray paint your car or your house, and call it art, you'll still be OK with it because you'll realize that it's just a matter of perception, and while it's vandalism to you, it's art to me, so it's all cool with you as long as one of us sees the artistic merit? That's some pretty twisted logic you're using.

Carry on. The world is your canvas.

Lol yea I'm sure pure is out there bombing cars and houses

Your argument has merit but the way you argue it is laughable.