Hell hath no fury like Boris scorned. Tonight was pretty good, we shipped the $1k ($10 buy-in deepstack) for $350 and got 5th in the $750 for like $80. Extremely shortstacked going into the FT of the $1k but ended up chipping up, then winning a huge flip of TT v AQ. HU wasn't too long. May post a bit/some thoughts/maybe a story. We rebuilding, slowly but surely.

Online Roll: $5940
Live: $3946





-Boris

How about a story?

Mitbrothel:

Have you ever had that friend that whenever you hung out, bad things seemed to happen to you? Where, “but for” hanging with them, you never would have done it? Yes, there are a good portion of people who actually do bring you down, but I find a good amount of the time they are an easy scapegoat to blame things on for your indiscretions, to self-soothe. I had a good friend like this, where I continually placed the blame on his “bad influence” on me, when in reality, it was my own self-destruction exacerbated by his own righteous path of self-destruction. When those two combine, it’s combustible.

We called him Mitbrothel, because it sounded similar to his last name, and because of his love for Indonesian maids and Filipina prostitutes. Mitbrothel was a big lovable oaf from Canada. Mitbrothel was a man of the world, having run his own rickshaw business, working as an international tour guide (I suspect sex tourism, as he never went into much detail), various stints in South America and Asia teaching English, and his love of a good cross country bike ride. Mitbrothel was also an addict, and it took me a little later than I would have liked to realize this. Mitbrothel was an addict in every sense of the word; he lived fast with everything, followed by long post-sinning repentance and isolation. Mitbrothel is also about 8 years older than me. Incredibly bright, but incredibly susceptible to one bad night ruining a career, relationship, and his health.

The first time I ever met Mitbrothel, was through a group of friends, in the MTR (Hong Kong subway), where he was licking chocolate sauce off a girls face on the subway platform. I later found out he had just met her for the first time that night, from a Craigslist ad. I was actually disgusted at first, at the type of person he came off as, but there was something so incredibly interesting about him.

A side note I’d like to mention is about living abroad. I think a lot of people who have lived abroad can relate to the fact that once you are in a land far away from your home, you tend to gravitate towards persons who are familiar. Familiar does not mean similar nor likeable. Familiar is something that you recognize that makes you feel closer to home. This isn’t always healthy, because living abroad, you end up spending a lot of time with persons who are merely familiar, who you actually have little in common with, really are not fond of, but do it out of a hope of filling that home-sick loneliness. I have had many volatile relationships that I entered into out of familiarity and not being able to separate familiarity and likability. Don’t forge a relationship merely because you both are from the same city and have once been to a Red Sox game before. Wait for the people that have something to offer, are good people, and build you up. Living abroad, there is a much smaller pool to select from, so there is a high proclivity towards gravitating towards the toxic and the ****heads. I became somewhat of a ****head at points because of this.

Mitbrothel and I began hanging out regularly. He liked to drink and chase women. This was familiar to me. Mitbrothel lived in Wan Chai, the notorious red light district of Hong Kong. He lived right in the heart of Wan Chai; think The World of Suzie Wong – he lived it. Mitbrothel also lived one floor above New Makati, the Indonesia, Filipina, Southeast Asian hooker, go-go bar, so nights were always interesting. Mitbrothel and I, being poor in the Orient, would go eat with the hookers every Friday in the early afternoon, because there was a free lunch buffet offered. When I think about it, I actually think the buffet was strictly for the hookers. I just imagine some young, worn down Filipina girl spending her entire week slaving away as a maid (very common in Hong Kong), heading over to New Makati to work her night job, absolutely famished, and seeing some idiot white kid grabbing the last momo at the buffet. If any New Makati prostitutes are reading this, I apologize.
Looking back, I see how good of a person Mitbrothel was, just how incredibly off a healthy path of living. I was on that same path. I ended up distancing myself from Mitbrothel not long after a night that may be the lowest point in my life. It isn’t a good feeling to wake up one day and wonder how you strayed so far from the vision your 12-year-old self had for you in the future.

I had just finished final exams. Strung out, sleep deprived, and thirsty. I think some of my worst nights have happened after going out not in a proper mental state. Doing so can lead to worse decisions than you would ordinarily make, because you were already a bit out of your ordinary self going into the night. Mitbrothel, a group of friends and I, ended up in Wan Chai, drinking the $1.50 Coronas at Carnegies, and bouncing back and forth between there and the Queen Vic; a bar where the oldest of Brits went to solicit young Southeast Asian women over a few pints. The Queen Vic actually has some good lunch deals and great trivia nights, so if ever in Hong Kong, check that out. Mitbrothel and I ended up getting tuned up, as we usually did, and ended up as the only two out of the group in Wan Chai at 3am. Nothing good happens in Wan Chai after 2am. I’ve been put in a headlock by a large Samoan woman during Rugby Sevens and escorted out of the dive-iest of dive bars at 7am, met Julie (another story), and watched a kid bleeding on the ground from his neck after taking a broken bottle to his neck from a Nepalese gang (PS – Don’t **** with the Nepalese or Indians in Hong Kong, they have absolutely nothing to lose because Hong Kong prison is still probably better than going back – they also are in packs and will come swarming out of nowhere).

Standing outside of Carnegies at 3am, a large Zambian prostitute walked by trying to pick up any business as her night was winding down. Mitbrothel, in jest, pulled her aside and told me to come over. He introduced us, and next thing you know, her and I were in a cab back to my place. I don’t remember much from the night, except being so drunk that I threw up in the shower. I also couldn’t remember if I wore a condom or not. I like to think I did, but being lashed to the point of blackout, absolutes are never the case. Things were done in the Boom-Boom room, with little recollection, and I woke up in an absolute sweat the next morning (AC wasn’t turned on) wondering if last night really happened. It didn’t even feel real. I didn’t even have a feeling about the night, just numbness, due to putting myself in such a compromising position, affecting my safety and my health. Zambia also has one of the highest HIV/AIDs rates in the world, and well being a prostitute only heightens that chance. Yeah Mitbrothel introduced us, but I was the one who pulled the trigger. It took me too long to realize that this was me voluntarily making the decision, not Mitbrothel causing me to.

I spent the next month as a hermit. Waiting out the timeframe to go for yet again, another HIV test. About a month later, I went back to the health clinic for another HIV test. There is a sense of shame going into a health clinic for an HIV test when the secretaries know you’ve been in there not too long before for the same thing. I got a rapid test, and was to receive the results the next day. The next day, I called Mitbrothel up, and headed over to his apartment, where I waited for the news. Once again, I received a phone call from that same secretary who didn’t speak much English, and was told that I tested negative. Boris lived to see another day. Mitbrothel hugged me, and told me, “When life gives you lemons, make lemon-AIDS.” That was the last time I talked to Mitbrothel until about 6 months, when we reconnected on Facebook.

And that was hopefully the last time I thought I may have contracted HIV.

-Boris

Took the last 3 days off. Feeling pretty refreshed and looking forward to getting at it tomorrow. Decided on Taiwan and buying my ticket by Tuesday. Also have a legal job interview in Taipei coming up, not sure anything will come from it, but if it does, that would be pretty awesome.

Been swimming lately as a workout, and it is absolutely awesome. Also playing on two teams for soccer starting next week. Hung out with Poopy Hands today and had a nice little day.

In regards to moving, I would say I'm pretty nervous. I have always been pretty gung-ho about picking up and moving somewhere, but the last 2 years has made me too comfortable, and there is something tough about leaving such a comfortableness. I know once I get there, I'm going to be so glad I did it, it is definitely just a little overwhelming thinking about first getting there. Here's to kicking comfortable in the dick - don't let it hold you back from doing something great.

Ps. The Boris AIDS trilogy has ended.

-Boris

Safe travels Boris, I wish you the best of luck mate! Look forward to hearing some interesting stories from Taiwan.

Thanks Jax, don't think my flight will be till first week of October, really lookin' forward to it. You always got a place to stay if you make it out by some chance!


Tonight was pretty funny. I rage registered the $100 GTD Freeroll on BOL since they wouldn't accept my credit card. We ended up shipping it for $18 out of 1600 people. I also got 2nd in the $1k for $220. It was a pretty brutal HU match and I made the mistake of bluffing a four card straight board against a guy who didn't lay down middle pair. I'm actually happier about the Freeroll win. Playing Freerolls are so draining. Once it got down to the FT it was pretty smooth sailing, and HU took a while after losing AQ v AJ, QQ v A7, and I think one more. But we clawed back and got at it. Gonna slowly build this BOL roll because I used to have a decent roll on there. Strange I used to be able to deposit and now I can't. They actually have some great tournaments too. I also shipped some Freeroll on Intertops for like a $300 GTD buyin ticket, so hoping to get a roll on there since I heard cash was pretty soft, also a ton of their tournies look like very small player fields, which I think I'd have an edge in. We bricked a few other tournaments, so only at $6k. Not gonna distinguish between the FF and BOL roll until we build something decent on BOL.



FF roll: $6,018
Live: $3946

-Boris

Wasn't on the good side of the all-ins today, KK <AT, AK <AT, and a few others, all right on the bubble too. Bricked everything except the $750 GTD, which we got 2nd in for $165. It is a pretty positive day though when I bricked almost everything but was still about even on the day between cash and that tourney score. 3 handed was actually really tough, but called off the shorter stack who I barely had covered for a flip with 33 vs his K8 and we spiked a 3 on the turn. Went into HU down like 4-1 in chips and didn't make any magic happen.

One thing that kind of sucks is that I can't really play live until I leave, because I need the money to book and for initial expenses when I get over and I don't think I'd be able to pull money off online in time.

Feeling pretty positive about everything and looking forward to booking the flight this week. Time to start a new chapter.


-Boris

Thought it is a good time for a little check-in. Warning: No real poker discussed, just life preparation and thoughts for the move.

My life has been everything but poker lately. I guess there is a sense of urgency to squeeze in as much time with friends and family when you realize that the upcoming move could be permanent - or at least permanently away from home. Feeling like I have my ducks in a row and feeling mentally prepared for the move. I have a phone interview tonight for a legal position in Taipei, which I'm excited for. There's a good chance it doesn't actually materialize, but the position suits my background. Regardless, I'm moving to Taipei first week of October, so I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed going into the interview.

Been trying to narrow down some apartments to get on right away, as I don't really feel like spending much time in a hotel searching - also, I can't really afford to. I guess my biggest worry, should I go over with no job offer, is not knowing how much to budget per month. After the first month, I'll be at peace, after seeing how much I will typically spend. I'm just very sporadic with my spending, as I'll be a hermit 5 days a week, then splurge a bit too much on weekends, or have a few big weekdays, while being a hermit on the weekend.

I talked to Esquire (the reigning resident Iconoclast of Taiwan), who is currently interviewing for positions in Hong Kong. He got an offer from an arbitration center for something like $25k HKD/month, which roughly translates to sub $40k USD/year. Hearing that, really reaffirmed that I can't return to Hong Kong until I'm making a salary well above that. Hong Kong is a city where you just can't be struggling to keep your head above water, because you'll be miserable, and more so than other cities, you'll be swallowed up and spit out faster. Everything I have been reading online though points to Taiwan (quality of living, expat lifestyle, etc...) so I'm excited for a new experience. Esquire also acknowledged unless he was offered something better, he was moving back to Taipei to do some contract work and find a permanent position there. I take a bit of solace in knowing that Esquire will most likely be in Taipei with me. Esquire is electric though, and him and I feed off each other, which leads to much more lechery than your average bear.

Short little Esquire story:
I had a good buddy visiting Hong Kong, who I had lived with in Shanghai, and is just overall a good dude. I rounded up Avila (the Spanish Golden Eagle), Esquire, and Fisherman, for a little night out with my buddy. We got some dinner in Causeway Bay (shopping hub of the island), and decided to walk around a bit and drink some beers. We were just walking around CWB, and Esquire pulls the slickest of moves and the wool right over my eyes. We are near McDonald's, and Esquire looks at me and goes, "Oh ****, I forgot something, I'll be back in 10 mins, can you just grab me a double cheeseburger from McDonald's." In my head, I'm baffled, because Esquire at this time was living on Lamma Island, the land for the lost expat hippies, a good ferry ride away from Central. I have no idea where Esquire forgot something, but assumed it was at the mutual gym we worked out at. Esquire immediately bursts into a jog in the opposite direction of our gym (in Admiralty) towards Tin Hau. Now, Esquire is 6'2, 6'3, and has absolutely no ass, so he has an absolutely hilarious run. I didn't really question it though and we all went into McDonald's and grabbed some ice cream and Esquire a burger. About 30 minutes go by, and no sign of Esquire. Starting to get impatient, we decide we are just gonna head to LKF in 5 or 10 and get at it. Not soon after we formulate the plan to leave, and figure Esquire got sidetracked, Esquire comes strolling into McDonald's, sweatier than a pig out of **** and with a giant grin on his face. He wasn't holding anything, so we ask, "yo what did you forget?" Esquire just gives a sinister smile and goes, "Was on 141 earlier and needed to get the pipes cleaned and knew there were some girls in the area." 141 is the giant sex/massage website.


Anyways, spending the rest of the day applying for some more jobs and doing research on the company. Feeling pretty rejuvenated and hungry like the wolf to play some poker, but will have to wait till Friday. Hope everyone is doing well and starting September off right.

-Boris

And we booked for Taipei October 4th - lots of poker this week, time to build some rolls on other sites. Should be exciting, let's get at it.

-Boris

Today was breakeven, even though I shipped the $1k for $360. I've ran poorly in the High Roller the last two nights, losing blind on blind AJ < A4 and AK <AQ for pretty substantial stacks at beginning of unofficial FT or right before. Final table of $1k tonight was pretty straight forward. Had a pretty good chip lead the entire FT, and then went into HU with a 4-1 chip lead, and turned the nut flush, and checked it back, and the guy just straight over shoved the river with a pair of aces. Trying to build the BOL roll, played some $75 GTD or so, but ended up with like a $200 prizepool - ended up busting AK v Q9 or 13 or 14 bbs, in 13th place I think, so just was shy of some money to build that roll. Min cash for the win.



-Boris

I've definitely been a bit MIA lately. Not really playing much poker because I realize once I get to Taipei, I'm going to be going full throttle ahead for the most part with playing. I have an in person 3rd round interview when I arrive for the legal position though. It really depends on if I get an offer, and what the pay is.

Lately, just been seeing old friends and hanging out with them. Went down with a buddy to see Streetlight Manifesto at House of Blues in Boston. Crazy to think I've been going to shows with that buddy to see the same band, Streetlight, since we were 14-15. We also opened for them when we were 15, as I was in a ska band, and we had some mild success (played with Streetlight, Catch 22, Westbound Train, Bomb the Music Industry, and then a few others that I'm forgetting). Can post some pics, possibly videos if interested.

Still no place locked down for Taipei, but hoping that happens soon. Still sitting with just about the same roll as last time I posted, maybe a few dollars short. Trying to get a big wire through as well, so I'm hoping that goes smoothly.

Feelin' like I let the blog down a bit with the lack of poker content lately, but I assure you, it is coming!

-Mr. Leftward Sloping Penis

Just an average event for every kid at 15 years old

The legend of Boris continues.

Awesome Thread; really looking forward to reading more of your excellent stories and poker updates! Best of luck with the move!

Thanks for the love Dave and Nainie, really appreciate you guys reading and commenting.

Had a pretty laid back day. I decided to buy some Bitcoin, never done it before. The only ****ty thing is that my card only allows me to buy $60/day. Guess I will have to call my bank about that. I then threw $50 on ACR and ate some curry chicken. I regged a $1k GTD R/A, and we ended up getting 2nd out of 170 for $187. Heads up was pretty damn long, definitely not the guy's first heads up rodeo. Ended up losing AK < AQ when he snagged a Q on the flop and we bricked the rest of the board. Pretty happy to have a little bit of money on ACR to work with now. Literally as I was typing out about almost having a $3k GTD satty seat locked up, we got KK in v AA blind v blind and busted. Definitely poor by me, considering could have just folded in.

Will definitely be playing on ACR more, or at least until I can play on Stars. Noticed that the $1k field was quite soft. One thing that had been irritating me about FF lately was some of the tournament starting chip stacks are just so little, so it really is pretty high variance late regging them. I enjoyed these deeper stacked and longer level ACR tournies, which I think is definitely on my side. Also, I don't know if anyone else gets this feeling too when playing on a site you never really play on, thinking that you might just be so outclassed on the site, that your success from your previous site won't translate over into playing on the new one. So it was definitely nice to feel like ACR is right up my alley.

-Boris

Just in reference to the Streetlight show; here's a few pics of our band. We were a goofy bunch. Played a lot of good shows and opened for some big names. Mostly spent my high school nights lying to club promoters online, telling them we could sell 100 tickets, and that we were all over 18.

Squad

We went to a Catholic High School, so we were always in ties, and pretty sure we took this right after school. Our EP was titled "Regards from Catholic School."



Huddle before the Streetlight Show



Streetlight Show @ The Station in Portland Maine w/ Against All Authority too




Crowd shot from Streetlight



Just a random pic of us playing in Gloucester, at an Art Space

Tonight wasn't too bad. Got 3rd in the High Roller for $750. Got KT in v K3 and he spiked a 3, so gg us. ACR is going alright, got 2nd in some PLO tourney the other day for like $60 bucks, so the ACR roll is slowly growing.



Had a pretty good 26th birthday with the boys. Got some breakfast, then went on a little hike around Pawtuckaway, then got some Mexican food and some margaritas. Never huge on doing much for my birthday, so it was nice and simple, something I prefer.

Leaving in exactly one week, and still no apartment locked down. Not even getting any responses from the realtors, so that's a bit frustrating. Will probably post more soon, brain is a bit fried right now, so just gonna call it an early night.

Take care guys and gals,

-Boris

The day has finally come - leaving to take the bus down to Boston in 3 hours so I can board my flight to Taipei. There's a lot of uncertainty right now in my life, but I'm trying to embrace it. Full Flush has gone MIA and the client has stopped working, leaving me out of a bit over 7k, hopefully not permanently. 3rd round interview on Thursday for a legal position, so hoping that goes well. Also, still no apartment found. But, you know what, it could all be worse - life ain't that bad.

Obviously the only response I received about an apartment was from some popular Indian scam, and then I spent way too much time just ****ing around with the guy, instead of actually looking for an apartment. Have an AirBnb booked for the first 3 days, so hoping to nail down a place after the interview.

Going to miss the boys and my mother - but 2 years has been enough in New Hampshire. Cheers to everyone starting a new adventure or those considering it. Will most likely be updating and playing a lot upon arrival after setting up a Citi Bank account.

-Boris

PS. I was reading through some articles on ISIS today and was linked to their Western print magazine called "Dabiq." I would suggest people take a read to see how absolutely bat **** insane these people are. It is surprisingly coherent and well put together - but absurd propaganda. It was just kind of a normal magazine for three quarters of it, interviewing fighters and asking standard interview questions, but then it would just derail so fast into this absurdist almost satire that was goddamn hilarious; for example. There was a great caption over a picture of some kid holding a sign that said something like, "My two moms are married," and the ISIS italicized caption said, "Young apostate succumbing to lesbian sin."

And we arrived!

The trip was definitely a hell-ish one, as I flew Boston to Minneapolis, Minn to Tokyo, Tokyo to Taipei.

Shoutout to all the characters along the way; Asian man with 6 inch hair hanging off the mole on his face, the Filipina lady next to me on the way to Tokyo who averaged a bathroom trip every 35 minutes, the Japanese random airport security screener who decided to full body swab and empty my bag as I was running to catch my flight that was having last call, and my incredibly gay, yet fabulous AirBnb host who shares a room and bed with his "cousin."

More updates to come - hopefully poker related after I get settled.

-Boris

Hey Guys,

I know it has been a while, but the move has been a bit overwhelming and haven't really played any poker - until today. Fired up a few ACR tournaments and shipped a 200GTD for $80 or so. I want to play on Stars and other sites now that I'm international, the biggest problem is, the only money I have is in my US bank account, and Full Flush has still not paid me the outstanding $7k+. They are also MIA, so I am not sure whether or not to just write off that money. It is a lot to me, so it is definitely tough.

The good news is I accepted the job working in-house legal at a software/IP firm which pays well. I start first week of November. There were definitely some unanticipated hurdles that seem to only be cured by a job, ie. visa, opening a bank account, getting cell phone plans. Full Flush put me in a tough position, considering I have no access to 3/4 of my bankroll.

Esquire and I had a few good nights of sin while he was here. Nothing to write home about, but really enjoyed some of those cozy hole-in the wall teppanyaki restaurants with ice cold Asahis, a few good bars, and the hot springs. He is now back in HK job hunting, so now I'm just exploring by myself.

A few thoughts about Taipei. It is a lot more "Chinese" than I remember. Still a pretty low-middle class working city, and the plight of those less fortunate is evident, more so than in the US. Being from New Hampshire, you only see these things when going into the city for a day, or going to rougher areas. It has definitely helped me step back and realize how fortunate I have been. I do enjoy the gritty-ness of Taipei though, as I used to in Shanghai and Beijing. It takes some re-adjusting to, but I find I'm starting to settle in a bit. Shoutout to the woman who threw up next to me on the street yesterday. One of the hardest things about living abroad, especially where the country doesn't speak your native tongue, are the days that you are frustrated seem that much worse. Being a foreigner in Taipei is still relatively no-man's land, compared to other Asian and Southeast Asian hubs. Also, you find a good amount of locals want the interaction to end as soon as possible, so they won't really listen to what you say, or will cut the interaction off quicker, and possibly just say things to keep face. I'd say the previous statement applies more-so to those working in the service industry - as most locals seem pretty happy to chat, especially the cab drivers. If you are trying to learn a language, one of the best tools to improve your language skills and learn about the country are to talk to taxi drivers - those guys have seen it all, and love to shoot the ****. Food is great, nightlife is great, atmosphere overall great - I'm excited for what this next chapter brings. Hopefully more poker soon. Also, still haven't found a place, but am enjoying staying on Linsen Beilu - where humanity is ripe at 4am.

-Boris

And we getting a little mojo back. Just shipped the 6-max $400 GTD for $116 on ACR. I much prefer turbos because I think my push/fold game is pretty good, and have done some work on it - always feeling pretty comfortable playing 10-15bbs now. My Sharkscope still shows something like a nice $-600 profit, due to sattying into the Sunday Million a while back and bricking it, so that's nice.

Still no apartment found, but thus is life. I mentioned previously that I had purchased some cryptocurrency; Ethereum and Ripple. Prepared to lose whatever money I put in, but I think one positive from it, is that I go on the exchange every day, read news surrounding latest developments, and it has just caused me to be more inquisitive about something (since I actually have a stake in it).

Just kind of want work to start, or at least to find an apartment, so then I can have stable internet and not have to hear all the Japanese business men karaoke-ing at 4am. I'm essentially staying in the Red Light district for Japanese. Linsen Beilu.

Anyways, am hoping to play more and set some concrete goals to keep building after I am able to access my money on Full Flush (maybe I'm an idealogue/idiot).

Cheers everyone,

"Don't have a thrombo" - Austin Powers

-Boris

good stuff man keep it up

Uh oh Boris got Stars money now. Let's get at it. Will be back on the update grind, feeling the vigor deep within to get weird and wild. Shoutout to Porcine.pig for transfer.

Thanks for love ExpectedV

Updates to come - Taipei is great, work is great, let's make poker great again for Boris.

-Boris

I think this is where I get the thread back on track. Feeling like I need an update, and some motivation. I've been radio silent since I've been in Taiwan, especially since working, and I need to get some good structure with poker and the thread.

So, maybe first I should air my grievances. Type them up and nail them to the door of 2+2 for all to read.

Taipei has been overall really great. However, I will say, deep down, I like Hong Kong more, and it is the ultimate goal to get back to Hong Kong, and as soon as possible. I should give Taipei at least one year. I'm currently at work, which I was optimistic for, but about 1.5 months in, I can tell that I want nothing to do with this company. First off, I was essentially lied to about all core duties and am doing almost no legal work whatsoever, the work environment is toxic, and the business model is very scummy and scammy. The turnover rate is incredibly high, because it seems those with any intelligence realize the sheer absurdity of the company and leave as soon as possible. The pay is decent, but in no way justifies the mind drain that occurs every day with minutiae and bull****. Like everyone else, I have an atrocious boss, but will save that rant.

I kind of feel like Kenny Powers right now. "I'm sick and tired for carrying all the weight... the coaches and owners not giving me the **** I need to win. Atlanta, you're ****ing out." This company isn't giving me the **** I need to win, and to grow and learn. Work, you're ****ing out. I'm still early in my career and want to develop actual skills that are transportable. Taiwan is tough because the employer holds the door to you staying for the most part, unless you want to be a visa runner every 3 months. So, I am trying to keep the job until I can find something, or build a roll where I think I can sustain.

Now that all the negativity is out of the way. Taipei is an awesome city though, so I definitely would like to stay for a while. Life is feeling routine here, and walking home from work every day, I feel at ease and happy. Mentally, I feel so much better than I did being cooped up in New Hampshire. This is a city of phenomenal food, nightlife, activities, and women. From just being bored and going to the hot springs, to hiking Elephant Mountain right near my place, to eating at the hole in the wall Japanese Izakaya restaurants with ice cold Asahis and beef skewers, it is very much aligned with the essence of Boris.

I feel I should be candid with the thread and divulge an indiscretion that occurred my first week, which forced me to reflect and realize what I want to get out of Taipei. After getting an offer from the job, Esquire and I went out for a ripper, and ended up at a massage parlor, where apparently at some point, my fake-tittied Taiwanese masseuse had removed the condom and Boris ended up on Team Bareback. The team that he had specifically requested a trade from years earlier, and was granted relief from. The team that had caused him so much anxiety over the years, he returned to. But alas, a cat does have 9 lives, and another clean test was returned in the books. I joke about it now, but it is pretty poor form on my part for allowing that to happen, especially by getting so lashed that it didn't even register. Eventually, it will catch up to me, and this attitude is not conducive for living a normal life.

I have been kind of seeing a girl, not officially dating, but hanging out very frequently and going on dates, sleepovers, etc... It has been a long time since I've done this, and I'm just enjoying having the company of someone I actually enjoy talking to and being around. We both established that we aren't looking for a relationship at the moment, and should just enjoy each other's company for now. I'm sure it will get complicated at some point, but let a man be naive for now.

Poker: I had about $220, that I traded over to Stars from ACR and am sitting at about $80 currently. I have made some deep-ish runs and just seemed to be on the cusp of something. I think the deepest I made was 14th out of 1.8k or so, and then 30th out of 3.5k. These large field tournaments can be tough to navigate. I need to be a bit more selective with BR management now. Goal for end of December is to get the BR over $1,000. I don't want to start playing cash until I'm about $2500 or so. I've tried my hand at a good amount of things on Stars thus far, the 180 mans, turbos, hyper turbos, regular tournaments, and it seems that the one's I am consistently cashing in or going deep in are regular tournaments (10 min + levels), and am biting the variance bullet currently with the turbos and hyper turbos. I guess it is a tad tough when coming home from work around 7pm and not wanting to be up till 3am. I think maybe I need to start focusing more on the 180 mans. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am all for playing longer tournaments on weekends, just during the week it is tough. But, then again, maybe I should just go for it.

I know 3/4 of this had a bit of a negative tone, which ain't good. Just a little venting, but overall feeling optimistic and need to get at it with poker. It's time to take things into my own hands, and proactively do something that can help me financially outside of work, otherwise, I could be stuck for a while. Planning on a session tonight, so hopefully goes well, will try and update either way.

I'm back,

-Boris

Today was one of those days that numbers-wise didn't go great, but felt very promising. I realized lately I can only handle about 2-3 tables at a time and play what I think is optimally. Today, I nailed down quite a few cashes just 2-3 tabling and ended up taking 4th/987 in a $400 GTD, but was only for $24. 16/363 in a $1k, for not many doll-hairs. But, overall, the play was good, and I'm feeling confident. Down to about $60 now. Definitely didn't think I'd have to be doing the micro grind again this soon, but when your back is against the wall, all you can do is just give it hell. The takeaway is to stop loading so many damn tables at once, and just really put everything in to 2-3.

Hopefully some more updates soon. By the way, if you aren't watching Black Mirror, watch it ASAP. Looking forward to a big weekend with Esquire and Fisherman.

-Boris

The weekend was pretty unfruitful. We running on fumes now for a bankroll, with only about $35 left.

Had what I thought was a pretty good run in the Hot $3.30 $5k GTD, and with 100 left, sitting with about 55 bbs, flatted an EP shove for 12bbs in MP w/ QQ hoping to induce, and some fun player who had been at my table for quite a while and had a good amount of hands on from previous tournaments rips in about 60 Biebers and we snap it off and he has AK for a classic flip and we don't hold. That was for chiplead and 2.5x 2nd place chips. Thus is the cold mistress that is turbos.

I know I keep saying this, but I feel like I am on the verge of taking something down. Until then, I need to be a bit more selective and start playing within the roll, which would be .33 cent tournaments.

Hopefully good news to come.

Had a big ripper with Esquire and Fisherman Friday night, then had a good relaxing rest of the weekend with a casual hike. Hope everyone kicks Monday in the dick and has a good week.

-Boris

Still having trouble getting some momentum going. Once I do, the thread will pick up more. The highs and the lows are equally as important, even when the lows may produce less exciting information. Down to about $25.

Had a good mentally cleansing weekend, where I didn't drink and walked around and explored the city. Went to the biggest bookstore in Taipei and read. Purchased a Chinese book to get back on some language learning, since working with all foreigners, it isn't very conducive to improving Chinese. Esquire left Taiwan for Hong Kong, so now just down to Fisherman and I. If anyone in Taipei and keen for a beer, give a holler.

Goals:
1. Realistically --> $300 BR by end of the month (even that might not be very realistic at pace I'm going)
2. Exercise 3x/week and walk home from work every day on top of that
3. Go to a meet up for a hobby I'm interested in (craft beer, cryptocurrency, sporting)
4. Individual Chinese study after work at least 30 minutes, 3x/week.
5. Stay positive and realize I have an opportunity to do something interesting and not dwell on negatives.

"Pussy, if it doesn't taste like nickels, it's probably poisoned."

-Boris