Broke and it aint no Joke
07-29-2015
, 05:37 PM
We all want to be happy, but some of us aren't as well equipped as others to achieve this consistent emotional state. There are so many different factors that have to be considered, and balanced, to get that 'happy' formula. Diet and exercise are key things to consider, because it's true that 'you are what you eat' - and what you drink. I eat my fair share of vegetables and macro nutrients; drink plenty of water during the week, but come the weekend I get the itch to hit the booze. So I binge drink once or twice a week, which leaves me feeling pretty downbeat afterwards, and have lost count the amount of times I've thought/said 'never again'.
Since the title of this blog is about me being broke: I may as well write about the kind of things that I do as a broke person. Over the past six months or so I've taken up chess as a hobby, almost like a substitute to poker, which costs little to no money. My online rating fluctuates around 1100-1200 for now, but my plan is to get over the 2000 mark within three years and become a titled player.
Today I have been very lazy, and decided to watch an old movie on my hard-drive that I'd never seen before called 'Colossus: The Forbin Project':
It was about some scientist who creates a super computer, which is meant to work as US government property and automate all actions related to international war. It turns out that the computer has a far more advanced AI than expected, and when Russia also make a similar computer in retaliation; the two AI communicate and merge together to create a computer force which sets out to control all of humanity.
It was interesting viewing, and definitely worth watching - considering the limitations in special effects, since it was made in 1970.
Since the title of this blog is about me being broke: I may as well write about the kind of things that I do as a broke person. Over the past six months or so I've taken up chess as a hobby, almost like a substitute to poker, which costs little to no money. My online rating fluctuates around 1100-1200 for now, but my plan is to get over the 2000 mark within three years and become a titled player.
Today I have been very lazy, and decided to watch an old movie on my hard-drive that I'd never seen before called 'Colossus: The Forbin Project':
It was about some scientist who creates a super computer, which is meant to work as US government property and automate all actions related to international war. It turns out that the computer has a far more advanced AI than expected, and when Russia also make a similar computer in retaliation; the two AI communicate and merge together to create a computer force which sets out to control all of humanity.
It was interesting viewing, and definitely worth watching - considering the limitations in special effects, since it was made in 1970.
08-11-2015
, 06:30 AM
VIEW: Luck Games are More Enjoyable than Skill games
Yesterday my uncle came round the house, and we decided to have a look in the attic for some board games. We found a game called Shut the Box, which looked interesting, so we decided to play several games w/drinking forfeits.
At first it looked complicated, but it's actually quite a simple and fun game:
"Shut the Box can be played by any number of players although it is most enjoyable with two, three or four. Some people even play the game solo as a pastime akin to patience. As played traditionally in English pubs, Shut the Box is a gambling pastime with each of the players paying an agreed amount into the "pool" at the beginning and the winner collecting the pool at the end of each round. However, it isn't necessary to gamble in order to play the game.
A round of the game consists of each player taking one turn. A player's takes a turn by repeatedly throwing the dice until the player cannot continue. Each throw of the dice is taken as follows:
The player throws the die or dice into the box and adds up the pips. The player must then cover up a set of unique uncovered numbers that add up to the sum thrown. So for instance, if the total pips is 8, the player may choose one of the following sets of numbers as long as all of the numbers in the set are available to be covered:
8
7 & 1
6 & 2
5 & 3
5 & 2 & 1
4 & 3 & 1
The player then does exactly the same thing with a second throw and so on.
Once a number is covered up, it stays covered so, eventually, the player will throw a total for which it is not possible to find a set of uncovered numbers. When this happens, the player scores the sum of the numbers that are still uncovered. So if the numbers 1, 5 and 9 are uncovered and the player throws a 4, with options 4 or 3 & 1, the turn finishes and the player's score is 15.
If anyone succeeds in shutting the box i.e. closing all the numbers, that player wins outright immediately and receives double the stake from all players. Otherwise, after each player has taken one turn, the winner of the round is the player with the lowest score.
Variants
A popular variant for two players is called the 'long game'. The player who goes first attempts to shut the box exactly as above. When the turn ends, the other player takes over the board as it is and attempts to uncover all the covered numbers using exactly the same rules. When a double is thrown, the player gets an extra turn. The player who shuts the box or uncovers the box first, wins.
Another way of playing is to add the number of points each round to a player's score. A player has to drop out when that player's score reaches 45 and the last player remaining wins the game."
We played the variant where the first player to 45 loses. It was a good laugh overall, and required minimal skill as it seems to be a solved game.
Games such as poker, and chess, are very complex. Once you go deep into the strategy - and become fully immersed/consumed - it tends to suck much of the fun out of it.
Yesterday my uncle came round the house, and we decided to have a look in the attic for some board games. We found a game called Shut the Box, which looked interesting, so we decided to play several games w/drinking forfeits.
At first it looked complicated, but it's actually quite a simple and fun game:
"Shut the Box can be played by any number of players although it is most enjoyable with two, three or four. Some people even play the game solo as a pastime akin to patience. As played traditionally in English pubs, Shut the Box is a gambling pastime with each of the players paying an agreed amount into the "pool" at the beginning and the winner collecting the pool at the end of each round. However, it isn't necessary to gamble in order to play the game.
A round of the game consists of each player taking one turn. A player's takes a turn by repeatedly throwing the dice until the player cannot continue. Each throw of the dice is taken as follows:
The player throws the die or dice into the box and adds up the pips. The player must then cover up a set of unique uncovered numbers that add up to the sum thrown. So for instance, if the total pips is 8, the player may choose one of the following sets of numbers as long as all of the numbers in the set are available to be covered:
8
7 & 1
6 & 2
5 & 3
5 & 2 & 1
4 & 3 & 1
The player then does exactly the same thing with a second throw and so on.
Once a number is covered up, it stays covered so, eventually, the player will throw a total for which it is not possible to find a set of uncovered numbers. When this happens, the player scores the sum of the numbers that are still uncovered. So if the numbers 1, 5 and 9 are uncovered and the player throws a 4, with options 4 or 3 & 1, the turn finishes and the player's score is 15.
If anyone succeeds in shutting the box i.e. closing all the numbers, that player wins outright immediately and receives double the stake from all players. Otherwise, after each player has taken one turn, the winner of the round is the player with the lowest score.
Variants
A popular variant for two players is called the 'long game'. The player who goes first attempts to shut the box exactly as above. When the turn ends, the other player takes over the board as it is and attempts to uncover all the covered numbers using exactly the same rules. When a double is thrown, the player gets an extra turn. The player who shuts the box or uncovers the box first, wins.
Another way of playing is to add the number of points each round to a player's score. A player has to drop out when that player's score reaches 45 and the last player remaining wins the game."
We played the variant where the first player to 45 loses. It was a good laugh overall, and required minimal skill as it seems to be a solved game.
Games such as poker, and chess, are very complex. Once you go deep into the strategy - and become fully immersed/consumed - it tends to suck much of the fun out of it.
08-13-2015
, 12:38 PM
I did the whole 'spread the wings thing' between 2009-2013, and at times it was great - more so when I was comfortable financially, and had friends to hang out with. When I moved into a one bedroom apartment in 2013, and poker started to get worse; friends weren't hanging about as much, and I too struggled. It got to the point where I was desperately grinding all day in isolation, while smoking (away my depleted life roll) weed, and my only human interaction for weeks at a time was when I'd drive to the 24h supermarket after a miserable mtt session, and say hi and thanks to the person serving me.
I went to some factory today, as I was sent by an agency guy for an interview. It wasn't much of an interview; mainly filling in paperwork, then a brief chat about my work history. So it looks like I will be starting there soon; working on an assembly line where they produce bedding materials and pillows. The shifts will be 6am-2pm one week, then 2pm- 10pm the next week. It's not amazing, but it's work (money). I always thought that I would end up doing something great with my life, like an influental person on an international level, or a .com business serial entrepreneur. Maybe I will still do something like that, as I have several ideas in the pipe-line, but for now it looks like I will be grinding minimum wage on a full time basis until I can find something better.
On my way back from this job thing, as I was waiting at the bus-stop, I noticed an odd picture campaigning against hate speech on public transport:
I wasn't even aware that there is a word known as alterophobia, and I'm guessing the masses of plebs in the area that I live in won't know the meaning either.
I went to some factory today, as I was sent by an agency guy for an interview. It wasn't much of an interview; mainly filling in paperwork, then a brief chat about my work history. So it looks like I will be starting there soon; working on an assembly line where they produce bedding materials and pillows. The shifts will be 6am-2pm one week, then 2pm- 10pm the next week. It's not amazing, but it's work (money). I always thought that I would end up doing something great with my life, like an influental person on an international level, or a .com business serial entrepreneur. Maybe I will still do something like that, as I have several ideas in the pipe-line, but for now it looks like I will be grinding minimum wage on a full time basis until I can find something better.
On my way back from this job thing, as I was waiting at the bus-stop, I noticed an odd picture campaigning against hate speech on public transport:
I wasn't even aware that there is a word known as alterophobia, and I'm guessing the masses of plebs in the area that I live in won't know the meaning either.
08-13-2015
, 01:38 PM
Just letting you know I'm subbed and hope you keep posting 
Although you may not be doing what you thought you would be doing to make your life great, there is still plenty of time to change that and do something great that you've never thought you'd be doing. I hope things turn around for you.
Also, do you write poetry often?
Although you may not be doing what you thought you would be doing to make your life great, there is still plenty of time to change that and do something great that you've never thought you'd be doing. I hope things turn around for you.
Also, do you write poetry often?
08-13-2015
, 03:07 PM
TY for the support BlazinAces.
I write some poetry/lyrics every once in a while. On my Windows 7 desktop I have the sticky notes app, and sometimes write a few bars on them. I must have enough material to do a full rap album, but I've never been much of a musician or singer.
When I was in high school we had an English lesson where the teacher told us all to write a poem. The best poems in our school were selected to be published in a poetry book that covered students in our county. I wrote a poem about a boy in our class who we nicknamed 'Rocky' (because he loved geology and studying rocks). Rocky was a small, skinny, and awkward character, as he had glasses and what looked to be a third eyebrow. He was a loner, and picked on by the more popular kids.
I remember one day when he went mad and lashed out: someone was antagonizing him by poking his shoulder, and he just flipped out; picked up the table -- struggling with his scrawny arms while letting out a desperate growl -- and tried to launch it at a group of us stood nearby. We all just laughed as he stood there afterward looking completely deflated.
I still have the book where my poem was published:
The irony is that I've been on the dole (benefits) for a while, and Rocky probably has some baller science job with tons of friends now.
I write some poetry/lyrics every once in a while. On my Windows 7 desktop I have the sticky notes app, and sometimes write a few bars on them. I must have enough material to do a full rap album, but I've never been much of a musician or singer.
When I was in high school we had an English lesson where the teacher told us all to write a poem. The best poems in our school were selected to be published in a poetry book that covered students in our county. I wrote a poem about a boy in our class who we nicknamed 'Rocky' (because he loved geology and studying rocks). Rocky was a small, skinny, and awkward character, as he had glasses and what looked to be a third eyebrow. He was a loner, and picked on by the more popular kids.
I remember one day when he went mad and lashed out: someone was antagonizing him by poking his shoulder, and he just flipped out; picked up the table -- struggling with his scrawny arms while letting out a desperate growl -- and tried to launch it at a group of us stood nearby. We all just laughed as he stood there afterward looking completely deflated.
I still have the book where my poem was published:
The irony is that I've been on the dole (benefits) for a while, and Rocky probably has some baller science job with tons of friends now.
08-13-2015
, 05:16 PM
Quote:
TY for the support BlazinAces.
I write some poetry/lyrics every once in a while. On my Windows 7 desktop I have the sticky notes app, and sometimes write a few bars on them. I must have enough material to do a full rap album, but I've never been much of a musician or singer.
When I was in high school we had an English lesson where the teacher told us all to write a poem. The best poems in our school were selected to be published in a poetry book that covered students in our county. I wrote a poem about a boy in our class who we nicknamed 'Rocky' (because he loved geology and studying rocks). Rocky was a small, skinny, and awkward character, as he had glasses and what looked to be a third eyebrow. He was a loner, and picked on by the more popular kids.
I remember one day when he went mad and lashed out: someone was antagonizing him by poking his shoulder, and he just flipped out; picked up the table -- struggling with his scrawny arms while letting out a desperate growl -- and tried to launch it at a group of us stood nearby. We all just laughed as he stood there afterward looking completely deflated.
I still have the book where my poem was published:
The irony is that I've been on the dole (benefits) for a while, and Rocky probably has some baller science job with tons of friends now.
I write some poetry/lyrics every once in a while. On my Windows 7 desktop I have the sticky notes app, and sometimes write a few bars on them. I must have enough material to do a full rap album, but I've never been much of a musician or singer.
When I was in high school we had an English lesson where the teacher told us all to write a poem. The best poems in our school were selected to be published in a poetry book that covered students in our county. I wrote a poem about a boy in our class who we nicknamed 'Rocky' (because he loved geology and studying rocks). Rocky was a small, skinny, and awkward character, as he had glasses and what looked to be a third eyebrow. He was a loner, and picked on by the more popular kids.
I remember one day when he went mad and lashed out: someone was antagonizing him by poking his shoulder, and he just flipped out; picked up the table -- struggling with his scrawny arms while letting out a desperate growl -- and tried to launch it at a group of us stood nearby. We all just laughed as he stood there afterward looking completely deflated.
I still have the book where my poem was published:
The irony is that I've been on the dole (benefits) for a while, and Rocky probably has some baller science job with tons of friends now.
10-09-2015
, 09:42 AM
My employers told me when I got the job that I need to get in 10 minutes early for each shift; I took that with a pinch of salt, as I thought they were just saying that so as to make their staff ready for the actual start time. It turns out they were being very serious, and actually want us to start work (unpaid) early for those 10 minutes. I found out when I went into work the other day, as I got in at 10.55am, when I was due in at 11am, and was given a stern warning about being late. I'd understand if it took 10 minutes to get ready, like changing into a uniform etc. but that's not the case, as I'm ready as soon as I walk into the shop. My plan from now is to turn up to my shifts nine minutes before start time( a minute late in their eyes lol), and keep a record on my phone in case they terminate my contract - then I can take legal action, as they are in breach of wage and hour laws (not to mention that I'm on minimum wage, which effectively makes me earn less than the min). I might get another job in the mean time tho, which will result in me leaving before they sack me.
On a non-work related note: I was round my uncles last night having a few drinks, and we played a game (w/drinking forfeits) called 'day at the races'. The aces are removed, set beside each other as a start line, and each one represents a horse. There's no skill involved, as each player picks a suit (horse), and first to the finish line wins. The rest of the deck is used to determine which suit moves, so if a diamond is peeled off the top, then the ace of diamonds moves forward one stage. Five cards are face down in a forward line, and each card represents a stage of the course.
Unbelievably, after a few games, I managed to win with the ace of diamonds, and no other suit moved from the start post. For this to happen a diamond was turned off the top of the deck SIX times in a row, and we had been shuffling the deck properly too. I took a picture as a record of this ridiculously improbable anomaly:
We worked out the odds of this happening, and it was over three million to one. I basically won the lottery, and won nothing other than my uncle having to drink his forfeit. This is probably the one time run good that I've been accumulating since I got doom-switched on poker over a year ago.
On a non-work related note: I was round my uncles last night having a few drinks, and we played a game (w/drinking forfeits) called 'day at the races'. The aces are removed, set beside each other as a start line, and each one represents a horse. There's no skill involved, as each player picks a suit (horse), and first to the finish line wins. The rest of the deck is used to determine which suit moves, so if a diamond is peeled off the top, then the ace of diamonds moves forward one stage. Five cards are face down in a forward line, and each card represents a stage of the course.
Unbelievably, after a few games, I managed to win with the ace of diamonds, and no other suit moved from the start post. For this to happen a diamond was turned off the top of the deck SIX times in a row, and we had been shuffling the deck properly too. I took a picture as a record of this ridiculously improbable anomaly:
We worked out the odds of this happening, and it was over three million to one. I basically won the lottery, and won nothing other than my uncle having to drink his forfeit. This is probably the one time run good that I've been accumulating since I got doom-switched on poker over a year ago.
Last edited by CuriousBystander; 10-09-2015 at 09:47 AM.