Gl brother. It was nearly 10yrs ago when a few of us met up for brunch in LV. Not sure if you recall that 2p2 meet up

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Thanks. For some reason I can remember screen names (like yours) a lot longer than actual names. Those 2+2 meetups were fun, running into OG poker authors like Harrington, Sklansky and Malmuth as well as fellow forum posters. I wonder why 2+2 stopped having their annual parties? I guess nowadays we have Trooper Thursdays and MUGs with Andrew and Brad as the equivalent.

Vegas





Happy Thanksgiving all!



Here is one of my paintings



2019 Goals

[791] Run 1200 miles
[26] Upload 100 vids
[279] 500 hrs art
[162.5] 500 hrs music
[1297] 1500 hrs poker
[4] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[5] travel 6 new places

Unearth



Been to a couple shows downtown. Gwar is more than a band they have a whole insane theatrical element. Warbringer and TH were great as well. Haven't seen any of these bands live for like 10 years, and they're technical prowess has improved. Then I saw Unearth and Darkest Hour for the first time, amazing riffage and melting leads.

Went on a second date with Boston girl she seems pretty cool, hit up Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club. Decent line up, always good to laugh.

It's getting towards the end of the year, time to start reflecting and reevaluating goals. Merry Christmas PG&Cers!

Gwar



Here is one of my paintings



2019 Goals

[873] Run 1200 miles
[26] Upload 100 vids
[305.5] 500 hrs art
[178.5] 500 hrs music
[1343] 1500 hrs poker
[4] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[5] travel 6 new places

What stakes you playing these days Pure AG?

YO AG! How are ya. Drop by the Oaks sometime!

Happy New Year all, welcome to the new decade!

Here is a quick recap of how I did with my goals last year. I'll have some more detailed thoughts on how I'm going to refine my targets for this year in the next post.

2019 Goals Review



Best Paintings on the Year



2019 Goals

80%[955] Run 1200 miles
28%[28] Upload 100 vids
63%[315] 500 hrs art
38%[188] 500 hrs music
91%[1372] 1500 hrs poker
100%[4] date 4 girls
0%[ ] volunteer 12 days
83%[5] travel 6 new places

wow blogging for 8 years thats some serious dedication. Nice job. What about mental goals on working on mentally being in more control like 5m of meditation a day or something like that? I think thats important too being poker player is working on controlling our thoughts and being more focused especially for poker table.

You going to find a place to live to grind poker as a living? What limits do you grind these day? What do you think of the live grinders in 2019 compared to 2011 when you started this blog? Is it your plan to play poker rest of your life?

Banksy Exhibit





The Strip



Met this cute Asian chick off FB dating. We went to check out this Banksy exhibit, which was pretty sick. Made me want to watch "exit through the gift shop" again.

Heading to San Diego this week, gunna play at a few new poker rooms and add some chips to my collection. Only been once before like 5 years ago.

Going to Death Valley to run a race with my Dad in early Feb. Also signed up to volunteer at a race in LV in March.

A lot of my goals carry over from last year, adjusted up or down slightly.

Trail Running in Lake Tahoe



Here is one of my paintings



Mostly 2 or 3 bb games. Occasionally 5 bb games but not rolled for it.

Good man, hope you are well! Will do next time I'm in the Bay.

Yeah I keep on blogging out of habit, nice to have a journal to look back on. I tried meditation for a while, couldn't stay consistent. Running has some meditative aspects so that is my go to nowadays.

I'm not really tied down so I guess I could move anywhere with a decent poker scene. Games overall, I would say most experienced players have plugged their biggest leaks so edges are smaller. I probably will play poker for the rest of my life in some capacity.

2020 Goals

[24.5] Run 1300 miles
[5] work out 180
[1] Upload 72 vids
[9.5] 540 hrs art
[12] 540 hrs music
[28] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[ ] travel 6 new places

I finally seen a banksy a couple of years ago in person and I got to admit..I was underwhelmed

The exhibit had about 70 pieces, definitely worth a visit. It's inside fashion show mall across from Wynn.

I gotta give Banksy props. Best way to describe his work is clever. Each piece is simple and has a narrative. He is also a public relations genius. Check out "exit through the gift shop", pretty good introduction to Banksy in mockumentary style.

Good stuff, Pure, and thanks for the heads up on the Banksy exhibit. I'll be in Vegas in March and will definitely check that out if it's still there.

San Diego











Just wrapped up my trip to San Diego. Pretty cool area, reminds me a lot of SF, had fun doing a lot of exploring. Went to Coronado, Imperial and Mission Beach. Balboa Park was cool too lots of historic architecture and a variety of art galleries. Played at 3 new poker rooms, Seven Mile is the easiest to access and has the most tables running then Sycuan and Jamul are nestled up in the hills to the east.

Now back to LV, back to the routine.

Pretty stoked that the 49ers are Super Bowl bound. Shame that the wheels fell off the Warriors after years of dominance but it's been a good decade for Bay Area teams all around counting the Giants World Series wins.

2020 Goals



Here is one of my paintings



Yw, runs through at least Apr IIRC

2020 Goals

[50] Run 1300 miles
[7] work out 180
[18] eat healthy
[1] Upload 72 vids
[9.5] 540 hrs art
[17] 540 hrs music
[77] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[1] travel 6 new places

Pacific Beach



DTSD















Got some clips from San Diego, will edit/upload when I get a chance.

My Dad is driving out tomorrow, gunna check out Death Valley, the lowest place on the continent, and run a race.

Unearth



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[65.5] Run 1300 miles
[8] work out 180
[23] eat healthy
[3] Upload 72 vids
[9.5] 540 hrs art
[28] 540 hrs music
[99] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[1] travel 6 new places

Death Valley













Death Valley is a pretty cool NP, it exceeded my expectations. There are lots of points of interest and we covered a lot of ground in 2 days. We hit up the south side of the park then camped out at furnace creek.

The race started at 8am so the temperature was great and the scenery awesome. We had a little mishap with our distance that I guess makes a memorable story.

The aid station at 3 mi mark was supposed to be the turn around. But when I reached it no one else had doubled back yet and I knew I wasn't at the front. I asked the volunteers at the aid station if it was the 10k turn around and they said "no" so I kept going. I deduced there should be a turn around marker at the 3.1 mile mark or it's actually some kind of loop course. I figured if end up jumping up to the half marathon distance that is preferable to accidently not running the complete 10k course. Eventually I see my Dad running back with another 25 yr old dude, both were just as confused as me. So I turned back with them and finished out the race along side my Dad. Two middle school girls ended up winning the 10k, I had passed them at about the 1.5 mile mark. I never looked back but I knew they were not far behind because I could hear them saying "good job" to each of the runners they passed. They turned around at the 3 mile aid station when I chose to keep going further.

I ended up running 7 miles at 8min/mile pace and logged a PR on strava. The last 3 months of 200k+ months in 2019 have me in decent shape even though I haven't focused on speed work at all. I am used to running with a backpack on so it was easier running lighter without one.

After the race we checked out the north end of the park and did a couple short hikes. It was a good time catching up with my Dad and exploring the desolation and beauty of Death Valley.

Hammer Museum



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[89] Run 1300 miles
[14] work out 180
[33] eat healthy 360
[4] Upload 72 vids
[20.5] 540 hrs art
[45.5] 540 hrs music
[116] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Some of the travels you can do relatively closely out west are sick. Love the photos man and wish you continued success! Get those poker hours up though

Sahara





A bee on my b string



Sahara just opened their new poker room, extremely posh and well appointed. Rooting for them to do well as the latest addition to poker offerings in LV.

Saw Sonic for the nostalgia factor. Decent action scenes, Jim Carrey fit his role well. Plot was thin but I already anticipated that.

New Sahara Poker Room



Here is one of my paintings



Yes there are so many great National Parks out here, can't take it for granted. Indeed, I need to get back on the grind hard and log some hours.

2020 Goals

[129] Run 1300 miles
[24] work out 180
[42] eat healthy 360
[5] Upload 72 vids
[30.5] 540 hrs art
[58] 540 hrs music
[154] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

I'm on pace with working out every other day this year. It's been a few years since a had a solid routine. My pecs, triceps and lats are coming back. It's also a different mental workout than running, more deliberate putting in reps. I can really feel it engaging my prefrontal cortex.

I'm signed up to volunteer for a race this weekend in Henderson, I'm sure I'll see a few of my Strava buddies there.

A new poker room just opened up Phoenix, thinking about checking it out soon.

San Diego Trip Part 1



Painted a landscape which atypical, Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley NP



Reference photo



2020 Goals

[165] Run 1300 miles
[30] work out 180
[50] eat healthy 360
[6] Upload 72 vids
[44] 540 hrs art
[69] 540 hrs music
[179.5] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[ ] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

DTLA Murals



RIP Kobe



Misty



Hollenbeck Park



This plague is proving a formidable opponent with no regard for borders. The Las Vegas economy is being devastated already with the cancellation of all conventions and concerts. The European travel ban and likely domestic travel limitations are a recipe for disaster. Beyond the dire health implications to the entire globe, especially less developed and more densely populated cities.

I was playing at Commerce this morning as they started to shut the whole place down, right when I got to The Gardens they were following suit. I'm leaving LA tonight to go back Vegas. I expect some poker rooms will close and some will stay open. Hard to tell how severe and the duration of all this. Just gotta adapt and roll with the punches.

Wishing you all are staying healthy and are able to handle the ripple effects of this pandemic.

On a more positive note, I did get to volunteer at the trail race in Henderson. I was stationed at the marathon and 50k turnaround. I got to cheer on all the runners and give a little moral support with 6 miles to go. Hopefully I'll be able to volunteer at more races this year.

The Museum of Contemporary Art LA



Here is one of my paintings, 11x11" art print



2020 Goals

[191] Run 1300 miles
[35] work out 180
[59] eat healthy 360
[7] Upload 72 vids
[56] 540 hrs art
[87.5] 540 hrs music
[201] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

All MGM owned resorts are completely shutting down and the state government has a guideline for casinos staying open including "no more than 3 chairs at table games." I guess there won't be any poker for at least a couple weeks here. Planning to work on music and art during this time.

All casinos statewide ordered to close for 30 days minimum, I guess it was inevitable. Stay safe all!

I definitely have deep sorrow for all those who have lost there lives and their loved ones also those that have lost their ability to earn a living. It is really hard to truly conceptualize the scope of this ongoing tragedy. After the initial shock wore off I have been trying not to ruminate on the negatives. I have a newfound respect for those who keep the world turning: healthcare workers, grocery store workers, garbage men and logistics etc. I've decided to use this time on lockdown to focus on objectives because we may never get a block of time like this ever again, it would be a shame to squander it.

Since I have been living on the Strip or bouncing around airbnbs for the last couple of years when the Strip officially shutdown I figure it's a cue to leave LV for now. I've been visiting my family in SF Bay Area this last month. I'm here with my dad, my uncle and one of my brothers. Both are 65+ so health-wise my primary concern is to not infect them, I am being extremely cautious. I'm an introvert so "social distancing" is much easier for me than for an extrovert.

I've been keeping my schedule full with a decent variety of things.

I've been running every morning, it is only a mile from the doorstep to some great park land. Rediscovering the local trails is surreal, everything seems mostly new but I recall hazy memories of landmarks from 20 years ago.

I've been taking care of a lot of yard work, lots of the plants are overgrown so there is plenty to keep me occupied.

I didn't bring any canvas with me so I have been painting on large cabinet doors in the garage. I've also been revamping my art website and social media. I can't sell any originals because they are all in storage back in LV so I have made prints available instead.

I've also gotten back into cooking which is fun, tasty food is definitely a place of solace.

I didn't bring any of my music gear from LV but I can jam on my brother's rig. Currently learning some Hendrix and Van Halen songs.

The family has been playing board games most nights. Monopoly, Scrabble and Uno predominately.

I've been feeling burnt out on poker the last few years and not really enjoying it much so this sabbatical after ~10000 hrs of grinding is probably a blessing in disguise. Time to reflect and break the pattern of going through the motions. Time to consider alternatives for the future.

First time updating from my laptop as opposed to my phone in a long time, sorry for the TL;DR. Hope you all are faring well and making lemonade with these lemons.

Stay Safe



The Museum of Contemporary Art LA Part 2



Here is one of my paintings, 11x11" art print



2020 Goals

[326] Run 1300 miles
[36] work out 180
[85] eat healthy 360
[9] Upload 72 vids
[100] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Have you ever played Monopoly Deal? It's the card game version of Monopoly, except 100x as fun (as well as 1/100th of the time to play). Me, my wife and my stepdaughter play it during dinner every night (we did this pre-Coronavirus too, although not as much due to a more busier family schedule).

Gstaysafe!G

Dry Creek Pioneer Park



The closest I've been to picking up chicks lately



Lockdown vibes





I've been running everyday, I think I'll log more miles this month than my previous best. My long run is up to 16.5 miles and I'll do a 17+ before the end of the month.

Plugging away at my art and uploading to social media daily.

Learned a cool intro on guitar from Kvelertak. Lot's and great bands have been releasing music this year.

I'm also almost caught up on my backlog of vids to edit so that's good.

Looks like Vegas will remain shuttered for at least another month. Hoping for some kind of medical breakthrough soon. The dissonance of the situation is pretty agonizing with the physical threat of sickness and the financial and mental threat of withering businesses, bank accounts and the toll of isolation. We are yearning for the activities we all love to do together that we took for granted.

Death Valley National Park



DTLA Murals



Here is one of the cabinet doors I'm painting



I haven't played monopoly deal before, will have to give it a try. I just googled it, it is crazy how many versions of monopoly there are! There is a whole rack of board games here that we haven't playing in forever… Clue, Stratego, Sorry, etc.

2020 Goals

[389] Run 1300 miles
[36] work out 180
[95] eat healthy 360
[9] Upload 72 vids
[135] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places