I've kept up my daily runs, logged 174 miles in April. I knocked out a 17 mi and a 20 mi long run. Shooting for a 22+ then a 26+ at the end of the month.

Making progress on my art. I finished up my second cabinet panel and started on a third. The patterns are getting more intricate so it will be an ambitious undertaking.

I've started building some brick planter boxes in our backyard. Good to have some projects while we wait this out.

Mid-May Lockdown Update



Art in San Diego



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[504] Run 1300 miles
[49] work out 180
[115] eat healthy 360
[12] Upload 72 vids
[214.5] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Running ultra long distance is not healthy. I ran cross country in high school and I've ran a couple of marathons. I wouldn't recommend running more than 10-13 miles in one go. Puts too much stress on your body. Better yet, just walk. Definitely don't run on pavement for long distances, bad for the knees. Do a marathon if you want but after that I'd taper back your mileage to max 10 a day. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I've seen you a few times at Commerce Casino, if I ever see you there again I'll say hello. Cool artwork, keep it up.

Stanford



Quarry Lakes



Bay Bridge





I got in a 22+ mile run to Stanford across the Dumbarton Bridge and back. I also got in a run to Yerba Buena Island and back on the Bay Bridge. This week I'm planning to run up to Lake Merritt my old stopping grounds which should be 26+ miles.

It looks like some casinos are starting to open up. About 20% so far according to https://www.americangaming.org/resea...asino-tracker/ Complete shutdown is not a viable long term tactic for Vegas or Native American Reservations where casinos are such an integral economic driver. Some in Vegas are scheduled to reopen June 4th with a green light from the state government. Venetian is the only one that has announced they will offer poker that I'm aware of. Looks like the most active live poker area in the US is in FL.

I'll still be on the sidelines for a few more weeks. Going to stay in CA to finish up building these planter boxes and monitor the situation.

Lockdown Training Block



Here is a painting in progress



I assume by unhealthy you mean prone to cause acute or chronic injuries. I agree, running extreme distances is grueling and can take it's toll on our bodies for sure. I would say 10 miles on a trail is my preferred comfortable distance and setting. I want to crank up my distance periodically for the challenge and to see what my body is really capable of which is a separate motivation from just wanting to be fit. I accept the risk of possible injuries and have been fairly responsible with gradually building up my training this time around.

Commerce is my favorite card room in LA because it's the closest to downtown. Hope you are well, I'll be sure to say hi if I see ya around next time I'm down there.

2020 Goals

[559] Run 1300 miles
[55] work out 180
[125] eat healthy 360
[13] Upload 72 vids
[241.5] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Looks like Flamingo is planning to open their poker room June 4th as well. I'm curious if Bellagio will open theirs initially or not, at least short handed it will be easier to navigate between tables there. I've heard a lot of people say recreational players don't like to play short handed. I'm not sure if that is completely true, you get dealt more hands and can play looser, hopefully the rake is capped at a reasonable amount. Obviously not a good structure for super nits but I think everyone will adapt.

I like 6 handed, would definitely not play 4 handed.
-A Recrearional Player

Lake Merritt







I'm pretty excited Vegas has started to reboot this week. I'm looking forward to getting back to playing some poker after my longest break since I started playing.

I accomplished my marathon ending at Lake Merritt in Oakland, felt good the whole way, weather was cool and overcast. First time running around the lake in 8 years.

It was the first night of protests and rioting there. I'm totally against racism, police brutality and murder. My first instinct was to cringe at the looting and destruction but I understand the repressed anger and energy. Thinking back, I used to steal beer, booze and break random **** back when I was an immature high schooler so I can't judge. I think it is a perfect opportunity for the the police force to practice maximum self-restraint. As a veteran, I'm totally against deploying military against our own citizens, sends the complete wrong message. I think the government officials and police chiefs should acknowledge and address the protesters legitimate concerns and not replicate a Tiananmen Square situation.

I believe our country is on the right track from abolition, to the civil rights movement, to the election of our first African American president. I hope we continue to make gradual progress and are able to unify and learn to live in harmony. Anyhow, I seldom delve into politics but the given the current events I just wanted to give my 2 cents.

Vegas Reopening



Here is a painting in progress



Yeah 6 is preferable since every seat won't be always taken. I'm pretty skeptical that there is actually any significant protective benefit to playing with less seats anyhow.

2020 Goals

[618] Run 1300 miles
[60] work out 180
[135] eat healthy 360
[14] Upload 72 vids
[277] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

UC Berkeley



Alameda Creek



Coyote Hills





I'm finally heading back to Vegas tomorrow. Looking forward to getting back on the grind.

Tied up my loose ends here, installed like 600 bricks in the yard. My back has been hurting a bit from crouching and moving 60 pound bags of concrete/mortar. Hopefully its just sore muscles and not like a slipped disk or something.

I completed my 3rd intricate cabinet painting, which was very time consuming but satisfying to finish.

I got in one last run at UC Berkeley, cool trails up there. I actually kept my streak of running everyday throughout my tenure in the Bay Area.

So I guess I'll assess the landscape in Vegas when I return.

Vegas and California Poker Rooms Reopening



Cabinet Panels #2 and #3 completed



2020 Goals

[671] Run 1300 miles
[72] work out 180
[155] eat healthy 360
[15] Upload 72 vids
[356.5] 540 hrs art
[94] 540 hrs music
[210] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

SF





Vegas Half Asleep



I went to skate the Embarcadero in SF the morning before flying out.

Upon arriving in Vegas what I have witnessed so far does not bode well. 100% lockdown is not sustainable economically but I think the rush to open up the Strip is a little haphazard and I think they are definitely going to have to backpedal on some aspects of operations and implement additional safety measures if these casinos want to remain open.

I was pretty surprised that there is not any kind health screenings to board flights at OAK or disembark in LAS. There is also nothing preventing sick people from entering many of the casinos here. There are signs that say don't come in if you have certain symptoms but just about everywhere I have gone I hear people coughing. Who knows what proportion arrived here sick or became sick while here. I am really worried for the customer facing staff and the other patrons.

I'm not sure what the threshold for rate of spread is tolerable to stay open for business. I realize there are so many jobs at stake and these decisions should not be made lightly. No doubt operating in the midst of a pandemic is a massive challenge. I think they probably should have opened only a few properties initially to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed safety measures. I guess we will see what adjustments are made over the next month.

Assessment of Las Vegas Strip Reopening Measures



Detail



2020 Goals

[700] Run 1300 miles
[78] work out 180
[165] eat healthy 360
[16] Upload 72 vids
[361] 540 hrs art
[103] 540 hrs music
[213.5] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Mt Charleston



Helicopter w/ Fire ******ant



Plexi Poker Table Dividers (6 max)





Should have changed out the lobby décor before reopening imo





Got to hang out with a buddy up at Mt Charleston for a bit, slightly cooler than the scorching 113+ degrees we have been seeing on The Strip.

I scoped out some on the poker rooms that are operating again. Bellagio and Aria have plexi dividers and are playing 6 max. Golden Nugget, Caesars and Venetian do not have plexi and are playing 5 handed. I've played a few short sessions but just really haven't had the drive or concentration to grind much, still a little skeptical of the safety measures. I'm thinking about possibly hopping on wsop.com to play some cash on there.

The numbers are still trending in the wrong direction here as far as hospital and ICU capacity. I really hope things start to improve soon. There has been a lot of speculation about closing down all the casino resorts again. For now the state government has decided to close all bars in an attempt to stem the tide. Many states are in bad shape but we are in an especially tough spot with an extremely high unemployment rate to go along with the grim health trend. Seems like a dilemma with no easy solution.

Las Vegas Reopening Update



Work in progress



2020 Goals

[730] Run 1300 miles
[86] work out 180
[175] eat healthy 360
[17] Upload 72 vids
[364.5] 540 hrs art
[127] 540 hrs music
[218] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Circa





Resorts World



Caesars Palace



Gateway to Downtown



A couple of the major construction projects are making progress. Circa has topped out as the tallest hotel downtown. Resorts World is also edging towards completion on the Strip.

Caesars Entertainment finalized a merger with El Dorado which is creating a behemoth of a company. It will be interesting to see how quickly things are integrated. Hopefully they won't skimp on the rewards club benefits too much.

I decided to finally take the plunge and get back into online poker again. Gunna start off at .05/.10 to get a gauge for how my poker chops stack up to the competition.

Nine Year Hiatus



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[765] Run 1300 miles
[86] work out 180
[185] eat healthy 360
[18] Upload 72 vids
[376.5] 540 hrs art
[141] 540 hrs music
[236] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

HU for freeroll glory



Paris



I've been getting my bearings on wsop.com

I am enjoying the online grind so far, I love the faster pace compared to live. I can also open a lot wider in late position because 4x less money is taken out of small pots compared to live rake+promo. I'm taking a lot of notes on players and the player pool is not super big so I am playing against a lot of the same players.

Gunna stick it out at .05/.10 until I win 20 buy ins then take a crack at .25/.50, hopefully I don't get my ass kicked.

Online Grind Checkpoint



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[803] Run 1300 miles
[99] work out 180
[195] eat healthy 360
[19] Upload 72 vids
[385] 540 hrs art
[164.5] 540 hrs music
[266] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Nice view you’ve got there Carl! Good luck moving up the online micros. Seems like you’re doing the right thing in keeping live play to a minimum.

The Strip



Eastside



Sunset



I'm still focused on grinding online, slow and steady progress. I feel like I am getting a lot sharper from getting the reps in. Just gotta win 6 more Buy-ins at .05/.10 then take a stab at .25/.50.

I've been battling some tendinitis in my shoulders which is a new pain area, have had some pain in my legs in the past from running and skating and in my wrist from playing guitar. I think it's mostly from push ups and dips without stretching. I was hammering out calisthenics every morning without days off because I was trying to catch up to pace for the year. I think playing guitar and clicking the track pad on my laptop was also a contributing factor. So I've been chilling out on the work outs and I bought a mouse so I don't have to use the track pad on my laptop.

I want to get out Red Rock to explore some new trails soon. I also want to hit up Utah to check out new parks possibly at the end of the month.

Online Grind Checkpoint #2



Here is one of my paintings



Thanks man, good to hear from you, hope you are well! Nosebleeds watch out!

2020 Goals

[832] Run 1300 miles
[100] work out 180
[205] eat healthy 360
[20] Upload 72 vids
[392.5] 540 hrs art
[189.5] 540 hrs music
[301] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

Watch out Reno, watch out St. Louis we are getting our own Vegas arch







Going through a record breaking heat wave here, been a very hot and dry summer. It's a little hazy too from forest fires in So Cal.

Putting in a decent amount of volume online, achieved bronze status this month for a little extra rakeback.

Getting back into working on some new smaller art, messing around with masking tape.

Heading to St George for a couple days at the end of the month, gunna check out some of the local trails.

Online Grind Checkpoint #3



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[862] Run 1300 miles
[100] work out 180
[215] eat healthy 360
[21] Upload 72 vids
[400.5] 540 hrs art
[209] 540 hrs music
[339.5] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

St George



Snow Canyon



Circa



I took a little break from the Vegas grind to hit up St George. Got in a 10 mile hike and an 11 mile run in some awesome scenery, vid forthcoming.

I hit my 20 buy in target at 10 NL, time to inch up in stakes and see if I can still hold my own in the online realm.

My shoulders are feeling better so I will ease back into my work out routine. I am implementing a little bit of stretching to loosen up. Also not too many back to back days, recovery days are important.

Hard to believe we are 2/3 through the year. I am trying to refocus and get back on track with my goals.

10 NL Objective Complete



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[884] Run 1300 miles
[103] work out 180
[225] eat healthy 360
[23] Upload 72 vids
[409.5] 540 hrs art
[227.5] 540 hrs music
[380.5] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[1] volunteer 12 days
[2] travel 6 new places

loving the hiking/travel pics. Doesn’t help that I get jelly/sad everytime you post the Vegas pics. Miss it so much.

Keep on the grind bro!

Looking good Pure! Congrats on successfully finishing your challenge

Westside at Dawn



Calico Basin Trail



Straight Flush



I got in an early morning 14.5 mile run up to Calico Basin, I am going to increase my long runs again as we head into fall and temps gradually chill out. We just went through another heat wave with temps hitting 113, hopefully the last intense one we'll have to contend with this season.

I went to Charlie Frias Park to pick up some trash, lagging on the volunteering so far this year. Most races have been canceled or switched to virtual so not as many opportunities there. I think I'll just knock out some more trash pick up missions to catch up on that goal.

I've been getting in decent volume at 50 NL, games seem decent but occasionally too tight at off peak hours. I'm down about 3 BI so far, swinging up and down. Stakes are still so low I can stay focused on playing my best regardless of outcome. I have a good routine of using the pomodoro technique and playing in two hour blocks then taking a break. It is much quicker to start and stop sessions online compared to live. Around 10 to 20 min to fire up 4 tables and 5 to 10 min close them out. I am paying a lot more rake, clearing the sign up bonus and I should easily hit "silver" status this month to go from 8% to 20% rakeback, could possibly hit "elite" which is the top monthly tier. That would be worth 25% rakeback, if I understand the system correctly. There is a yearly tier called "champions club" which is worth 32% rakeback for slightly more rake paid than "elite" on a yearly basis which I assume is a calendar year not 12 months consecutively. The grind continues.

I've stumbled upon a few great podcasts this year hosted by musicians interviewing musicians and those involved in the music sphere. Great stories and history lessons. I highly recommend these if you are into heavy music.

New York Hardcore Chronicles Live with Drew Stone of Antidote

https://www.youtube.com/user/stonefilmsnyc

No F'in Regrets with Rob Flynn of Machine Head

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9b...FRTudsVfPkFlMg

The Jasta Show with Jamie Jasta of Hatebreed

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheJastaShow

Snow Canyon State Park



Here is one of my paintings



I hope giving a glimpse into my humble world brings people a bit of thirst for adventure. I'm sure you'll be back soon!

TY, good to be on my way up the ladder.

2020 Goals

[922] Run 1300 miles
[106] work out 180
[235] eat healthy 360
[23] Upload 72 vids
[415] 540 hrs art
[239] 540 hrs music
[415] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[2] volunteer 12 days
[3] travel 6 new places

Mt Charleston





I finally hiked to the summit of Mt Charleston with my friend Karsten. Big 18 mile loop with a ton of sick views, great conditions aside from being a bit hazy. It was pretty tough with all the vert but will be back and maybe try to run some of the easier sections.

My 50 NL grind on WSOP.com has been fairly meh so far. I am slightly over breakeven 3 weeks in playing my B game. I did just earn "silver" status for the month so that’s worth a decent bump in rakeback, probably not worth the time investment to put in the volume to earn "elite" this month in my estimation. RB structure is bronze/silver/elite 8%-->20%--->25% I believe. Hard to reach conclusions yet on my earning potential but my initial feel is that games might not be soft enough to earn minimum wage ($9/hr) at least with my current ability. Players making big preflop errors or willing to stack off 100bb without nutted hands are few and far between. I have been taking a lot of notes on the player pool so I have a better lay of the land. Let's see how it goes over the next month.

Raiders are playing their first home game today at the brand new stadium that's been years in the making. I have always been more partial to the 49ers since both my parents grew up in SF but I guess the Raiders are still a secondary Bay Area team so it's cool they have followed me here. Hopefully they have a solid season and enjoy the new facilities.

50 NL Progress



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[938] Run 1300 miles
[109] work out 180
[245] eat healthy 360
[24] Upload 72 vids
[421.5] 540 hrs art
[254] 540 hrs music
[456] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[2] volunteer 12 days
[3] travel 6 new places

Gt George Trail Run

First Royal Playing on WSOP.com



Northside Sign





I read a new book "The 80/20 Principle" by Richard Koch. Lots of food for thought and is an interesting lens to look at different areas of life and assess cause and effect relationships and how we allocate our time. I had heard of the Pareto principle before but the book really goes in depth in explaining it.

Las Vegas Poker Room Options Update



Here is one of my paintings



2020 Goals

[979] Run 1300 miles
[114] work out 180
[255] eat healthy 360
[26] Upload 72 vids
[429] 540 hrs art
[263] 540 hrs music
[509] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[2] volunteer 12 days
[3] travel 6 new places

Las Vegas had a profession football team in the 90s!



Gnailedit!G

Canadian Football League expansion team the Las Vegas Posse played only one season in 1994.

Had no idea, interesting

this is definitely a man who knows how to live

What does the fox say?







Sad to hear of the passing of Eddie Van Halen. He was a true pioneer of guitar technique and guitar gear. My first pro level amp was a peavey 5150 which he helped design. His influence has it's fingerprints over all modern metal in both those respects. RIP

Cranking up the miles despite the fact that this hot weather has been lingering on. Setting a goal of running a solo 50 miler on NYE and considering signing up for a 100k race in the spring. My legs have been feeling strong so I am prepared to gobble up this intense training block.

I did some more trash pick up at the park, looking to do some more of these before the end of the year.

The live action has been picking up in LV so I will be shifting more time away from online and back into the live arena.

Calico Basin Trail Run



Here is one of my paintings



The best way I know how

2020 Goals

[1022] Run 1300 miles
[120] work out 180
[265] eat healthy 360
[27] Upload 72 vids
[434] 540 hrs art
[278] 540 hrs music
[552.5] 1800 hrs poker
[1] date 4 girls
[3] volunteer 12 days
[3] travel 6 new places