blonde poker forum

Congratulations to all the winners so far. Especially to this dude Rasta Fish. After joining Blonde a couple of weeks ago and making a few posts he's done swell to make the list of outstanding contributions to Blonde Forum 2012.

Has one of my fav posters smashedagain ever been included? Currently in Marrakech and was expecting to see a monument in his honour or his face on the bank notes or something, but nobody ever heard of him :(

its a mix of contributors to the forum/members who have achieved in poker in 2012 or a combination of the two

Rastafish qualified for what is a personal list by me on both accounts, in my opinion

Smashedagain was in the 2011 Advent calendar

yeah. Bet you regret that now :)

So is the advent calendar a personal list of yours Rich?  
I have to agree with Mantis on his point and it would also be a shame if Mantis doesn't make your list for the 2nd year running.

Yes the list is down to me

I have to get a long list of about 50 down to a shortlist of 35 and an actual list of 24

Oh ok Rich I didn't realise they were your own personal choices. My own personal choice would be a thread where candidates are nominated by members and voted for by members which I think would be a much more interactive, democratic and neutral affair than you selecting personal choices. For example I don't think BBC Sports Personality of the Year would be as popular if Gary Lineker just chose the winner himself. It is fair to say your personal choices will be made up largely of DTD players who you interact with and so will by it's nature be biased.

Members using words like humbled, embarrassed, honoured etc because Rich chose you as a personal favourite seems less appropriate than if a raft of your fellow members and peers voted. Hope people don't think I'm pissing on anyone's bonfire or that I'm muchly concerned if I'm one of Rich's personal forum favourites. Lord knows I'm not the most popular poster so wouldn't personally benefit from such a system. Just flying my flag for interaction and democracy and would like the chance to vote for my own personal choices. Think it would improve this aspect of the forum and it would be fun for members.

Happy Xmas Blonde.

Although the principal of what you say is probably sound, i like it the way it is. Rich gets up close and personal with so many more blondes than anyone, and gets to know the personalities. So very often these are not just what people post on blonde, its all of their expolits.

It could be done this way, but it would involve a shed load of extra work in a voting process, then completely lack any element of surprise when it came to the daily picks

There's no bias in it either there are plenty of people on the list I have never met, or have never been to DTD.

Its all about "doing that little bit extra" forum contribution or poker achievement,or both, and everyone on the list qualifies on that

Anyway, its just meant to be a feel good exercise where the major challenge is to reduce it down to 24 picks from many more I could include. Hopefully everyone included gets a smile to see their write up, and if someone isn't included it doesn't mean anything negative. Just not enough days to go round!

Completely happy for someone else to lead it or manage it as they see fit next year. If the consensus wants a public vote, I am sure that can be done too.

Also nomination and a vote would take away the surprise element.

To use your SPOTY analogy, with no nominations Laura Trott, Greg Rutherford and Charlotte Dujardin might have been a bit more excited on Sunday night.

Mantis... I think you are a great poster and make an invaluable contributions to Blonde with your observations ,sharp wit,controversial view points all cemented with your great writing ability...

...So I respectfully suggest rather than contest the voting procedure...why don't you get with the spirit of the thing ?... Who knows what might happen if you're good this Christmas !

I hope Mantis is tomorrow's pick.

Mantis = Forum posting hero

Is there something we dont know?

Hey guys, advocating democracy over autocracy isn’t a negative. We aren’t living in North Korea you know. Suggesting ideas to make this more interactive and inclusive for members isn’t a negative.

If the objective of the thread is to give people a smile then for example nominating 10 members for 24 categories gives 10x the number of people that smile. If you register a vote for your pick but the winner isn’t revealed until the day well the element of surprise is still alive and well. Every member can be engaged in the process if they so desire and can make nominations and register their own personal opinions. We did have something like that on the go at one stage and I thought it was really entertaining. As I recall I got many votes from fellow members for most annoying poster :)

Personally I wouldn't vote for members who don't qualify for the staking board cos the poker achievements thing is like how many hendon mob flags a player has, something Blonde hero smashedagain gets slated for. My own inclusion doesn’t make any of the above points less valid or relevant or I would have waited to see if I was included before making them. I know deep down Rich loves me so it’s all good. If people don’t think it’s a good idea then ok. Now that I have satisfied my appetite to register my holistic opinion on this matter enough said, please keep calm and carry on.

In the category of most missed poster I would vote for Greekstein.

I like the idea of the categories thing, remember it too. It worked well.

Certainly will be considered for this time next year, either instead of or in addition to an advent calendar which I might throw across to a team as its certainly not meant to be autocratic!!

I love the idea that this is an autocratic system in the same way North Korea is.

Found the balance there, perfectly.

It's a bit of fun and there only seems to be one dissenting grinchosaurus, who, rather than waiting until December has passed and then proposing an alternative system for 2013, has decided to do so now.

Whoever is up tomorrow now will question whether they have any form of popularity beyond TightEnd and have to wait to see whether enough other blondites post underneath with their support, lest they doubt their suitability.

I'm not questioning the validity of your point; just its timing and perhaps its phrasing.

Tighty has his finger on the pulse of Blonde.

Love the way it is.

Agree.

And agree with Tal's post too.

Mantis strolls casually along the line between controversial poster and troll.

Here he has nonchalantly, but quite deliberately, stepped into trolldom.

The advent calendar is a bit of fun, which everyone treats as such.

It doesn't matter how or why people are chosen.

Just enjoy it or don't open the thread if it really bugs you.

ding ding ding, we have a winner

Watch this space, & give me a few minutes please, we have already agreed so to do.

Was going to post something along these lines.  Seems you can't even make fun posts these days without someone complaining.

Some interesting points have been raised as to how selection for the blonde Advent Calendar could or should be made.

Some like it "as is", some may prefer a different method.

The current method is that Tighty selects a "long list", which he then seeks feedback from the other Mods as to suitability. Agreement on this year's Entries by the Mods have been almost unanimous, Tighty (with only the very minimum of nudging from others) seems - in our view - to have got it spot on, most especially as to some of the yet to be revealed spots which I very much doubt would ever have been voted for, but I'm pretty certain everyone will agree are most apt.  It is NOT a popularity contest (at present) it is designed with other purposes in mind.

However, not everyone agrees on this system, which is fine & dandy, & so maybe now is the time to decide how (or even if) it moves forward in 2013.   

What is clear - imo - is that now is not the time, & the actual 2012 Advent Calendar thread is not the place, to discuss it. Doing so detracts from the "feel-good" factor which is the whole idea of it, especially for those selected. We really are keen to ensure the feel-good from it is not diluted.

Very shortly, all Posts on the 2012 Advent Thread which debate the suitability & means of the current selection means & criteria will be moved to this thread.

Thanks.

Threads like this shouldnt even be necessary!

Mantis an his love of politics gets us here!  Very bad for blonde IMO that we cant just enjoy the feel good threads when they come around!

There are things that a taboo around here. I would never post that its raining here In Scunthorpe in Taximans "sun is always shining" thread.

I like Mantis coz he takes some of the heat off me for a bit but don't ruin the Christmas calendar. Obv tighty has to scrape the barrel a bit this year because he put most of the real heros in last years calendar. ;)

+1

Embrace The Spirit

Just my luck that Tighty has gone offline & I need him to move the Posts.

I'll have a bash shortly, but if both threads disappear, you know who to blame.....

FFS, how do I get myself into these spots?

funny lot poker players.
get knocked out of tourney after 10 hours play, leave quietly go home.
lose £100 in cash hand, reload without sound.
aces beate by 67 , take it in yer stride.
not happy with criteria for advent calender........ kick up merry fk :D
HAPPY XMAS all

 :D

I don't even know how or why you'd want to nomintate people to be behind a little door anyway?  It's not the poker player awards, it's little drops of chocolate.

The Advent Calender is a bit of fun that has started to mean something to those picked. Its just a bit of recognition at the festive time. There are people chosen this year that I haven't heard of, but that doesn't mean I'm going to start an uproar because of it.

As somebody said on the main thread, Tighty has his finger on the pulse of Blonde (more so than anyone else ainec). Now with Tighty asking other mods also, what more could you want?

Its a bit of fun. Why not just enjoy it?

OK, I have successfully moved all the Posts across, & triple range-merged them where appplicable.

Was dead easy, really.

Tikay don't forget you will need to change the thread title on 1st Jan

As far as I'm aware this advent calender was Tighty's idea which he started last year.

It was nothing to do with anyone else so keep it that way imo.

It's Tighty's thing so let him do as he pleases rather than interfere like a bunch of moronic fuckwits.

Brilliant

As if I would......I de-merged a whole thread without mishap, (in a manner of speaking) I'm sure I can manage that.

 :)

This is a shame.  I enjoyed the advent calender both this year and last year and allowed me to put faces to names.

It seems that Tighty is getting grief for what is a time consuming task done off his own bat that most people have enjoyed :(

I really like it Tighty and hope you do it again next year in the same format.

That bolded bit wasn't clear originally, Tighty said they were his personal picks (not that it matters either way) and it has now come to light that he confers with the Mods in his selection process, maybe that might alter some peoples opinion on the matter now.

I disagree with it being a bad time to discuss any issues on the subject , if Mantis would have raised his points after not being selected for the 2nd consecutive year, then it would have looked like it would have been sour grapes, which I dont believe to be the case with Mantis.
Now if he does get in this year, we have to wonder if its only because of the sympathy vote. I hope he gets in either way (Woodsey too for that matter)

Mantis don't be a Calvin.

(http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/246/169/691.jpg)

FFS leave the fkn thing alone, Nadolig Llawen x

Last year I didn't consult at all, just went ahead like a bull in a china shop :-)

this year I had a lot more names, I gave the mods the long list and asked for opinions to help me narrow it down. Opinions were given.

the final list was mine, and I've changed my mind a few times on the final choices


Genuinely though, I could have put 50 people in

Some of the people wouldn't get anywhere near the final list in a forum vote but are still in my opinion interesting choices (see next few days), so perhaps there is scope to resurrect the forum awards/multiple categories thing (as Mantis suggests) as well next year

Somehow I agree with everyone..

Mantis is doing a Mantis, Camel came and Camel'd him out..

Meanwhile Tighty is working like a trooper and TK is running round clearing up the debris.


I like the idea of categories for a little extra banter, but also like the surprise of the current setup.

I'll leave it to y'all to sort out.

Hi Craig,

For the record, the ENTIRE list for 2012 has already been selected, so views on any current debate will not affect who is in.

Hope you are well, & things are tickity-boo in India.

Nothing to stop you doing an alternative advent Mantis.

Hi Tony
Im well thank you.

 Im in UK at the moment for Christmas with the family and I also have to re-new my visa as Ive jumped ships (literally  :D ) and will be joining another cardroom there.

Hope you are well and Merry Christmas

Is there a list of who the mods are anywhere.  I would love to know who is involved in all the decision making that is going on and who is responsible for not including Mantis.

I once got Tighty a glass of coke.......will that get me in?

Not sure what all the fuss is about TBH.....there is only 21 days this month anyway. There isnt even going be a next year at all!!! Some of you folk on here should keep up with the real world rather than be lost in a Forum virtual world.

 ::)

Another really good post for the collection.

Jason, you're the moderator of moderators - you're the Palpatine pulling strings in the shadows.

lol. Well I know that you are a mod Andrew and tighty is paid staff, Tikay & Kinboshi are admin, Celtic and Ironside both claim to be mods but don't actuall know if they are being serious or not. Other than that I never see anyone posting with the bit on the side saying moderator. How am I supposed to moderate the moderators if I don't know who they are.

Edit: think Sharplea used to be a mod too

Mantis had to post on this topic now as next week he is committed to an event trying to take some of the fun out of Christmas for kids and then putting an end to all the uproar at New Year

Where it says "Users Online" at the bottom of the forum

Names in blue=mods
Names in green=staff
names in red=admin


You can also see who is who from the members list

I have ordered it by post count. Just look at the "position" column

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?action=mlist;sort=posts;start=0

Maybe after the 25th Mantis can do an alternative Advent Calender, for those who woulda, coulda, shoulda been in this years.
 I stand by my nominations of Woodsey & Mantis, even though after tikays cryptic disclaimer reply to me, I think Mantis is a certainty now. I really hope people appreciate it is for his contribution to the forum and not an act of sympathy

Who said he was - or was not - included?

FFS at this thread.  Please don't change anything.  Such a great/original/lighthearted thread last year and glad its continued.

Ginger is still a mod, any bad choices for the advent thread, blame her.

Just FYI Tighty, regular members cant view the members list, and as far as I'm aware, have not been able to since 2007 (when I joined)

Oh, ty Adam

back to red, blue and green then on the Users Online list...

I still cannot believe you accepted your position on the advent calender, knowing your stance on  poker award ceremonies and such.....













added  :) incase anyone thinks im serious

no one has said he is not included yet. Obv if and when he is not included then we can discuss it on this thread. Can't be many days left to squeeze both Pleno and Aaron in tho.

Don't forget Frankie

i am hoping i am in for boxing day

Wait for next year's nomination imo

FML hopefully i will still be alive then sometimes i feel i am on deaths door but never mind out on the town in 10 minutes to party like its 1999

proberly

Cost me a quid (well it would have done if I'd not grimmed Vinny) when Mantis didn't make last year's calendar.  Pretty sure he's just kicking up to try to avoid being included again to stitch me out of 50p I've got on this year.

Why not just continue with the advent calendar as is for general recognition for the members and then do the awards bit by voting. There's room for both IMO.

Are grown up adults really having this discussion? I'm pretty certain Mantis is the Chris Morris of blonde, nobody gets him.

I doubt they will include Frankie seeing as he is a liar*

*sourced  from Herbipedia

OK people everybody take a deep breath...and relax.

If the advent thread is "a bit of fun" why are people getting all offended and being so serious about my suggestion? A suggestion TightEnd said he liked and would consider. It's like I've just burst into a funeral and started dancing on someone's grave, or like I've just thrown a fox into a chicken coup and everyone's going crazy clucking around. Blonde sensitivity reaches new heights around the festive period it seems. Craig nails it as always because he knows me and knows I'm not negative like that.

Just a few quick points or I will be here all day.

a) My suggestions being classed as uproar, moronic and taking the fun out of Christmas lol beggar belief. I just can't seem to get used to the over sensitivity of the badass poker players on Blonde. It's just a bit of fun remember.

b) I stressed that I wasn't intending to be negative and congratulated the winners, but the same old people just love to jump on my perceived wrong doings and make me out to be somebody I am not. Any kids watching at home don't believe the anti-Mantis propaganda. I am passionate about equality and inclusion and just wanted to make that point.

c) Browsing through my last posts I see me congratulating Nakor for a brilliant post, saying I miss Greekstein, contributing some well written holistic stuff to the lifelong partners thread, admiring Tom's grinding bike commentaty, telling a new member he played his hand well on PHA, making jokes, saying Flintoff did well in boxing and that Jess Ennis is sexy etc etc etc. I am pretty much being positive always about all kinds of people and just getting involved in forum life. Some troll.

@ outragous76 – you troll me relentlessly. You never show up and +1 for all those good posts you just troll me for what are rare controversial ones. You also troll other members in the same vein. I remember you saying Herbie was looking very silly etc last week. That is actual trolling. I don’t do that.

@ Camel – The advent thread is a bit of fun. I don’t troll staking threads commenting about high mark-ups etc because that is somebody’s business and more serious than a bit of fun. I suggest you take your own advice and keep your nose out of their threads if you don’t like what you read before getting on your high horse and dishing out that advice to me.

@ Tal – The North Korea reference is obv a joke. I am sorry you didn’t get it. Craig is so right about timing etc. And this terrible fate that awaits the next winner, taking the gloss off etc, well I could be the next winner. Do you see?

I could go on but wtf Merry Xmas Blonde.

Btw in the category of Best Staking Thread I nominate outragous76

I started the "blonde awards" thread for a couple of years (well i copied and pasted what Booder started) and when the advent calendar started last year I thought it was far better way to do it, so therefore didn't bother with the awards thread.

I think Tighty does a great job with the nominations and write ups. Having awards/accolades decided by the general masses is not necessarily the best way to do things. Often the biggest most respected awards are never decided by the general public, the Oscars etc.

Mantis, like me, you love hyperbole for comic effect. Only an idiot would think you genuinely compared the running of the advent calendar to the way North Korea is run.

To make it effective - and we are all guilty of this (my feet have more than enough teeth marks) - it has to be done in the right way and that includes timing.

I'm not convinced the status quo is objectionable (in before Francis Rossi ponytail gag) but you've in a roundabout way proposed an improvement going forward. Great. If anything defines someone as a valued contributor, it is that.

Not everyone wants to persecute and no one should be made to feel that they are being victimised. Nevertheless, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Who'd be a Mod, eh?

Aside from Bradley Wiggins...

 Next year we could have a voting line similar to the X Factor and charge £1 a vote and make Blonde  £millions in the process.
Also have a panel of judges who have to promote and defend their nominations to the Blonde audience.
Each week we could also vote off a nomination to build the suspense until the grande finale

This and maybe, just maybe, Blonde could be independent again.

Sorry, did I just say that out loud?

If I was Tighty (thankfully I'm not) sometimes I would be sitting here and thinking WTF!!! but then that's what I get for being in charge of a nursery school  ;)

Never met Mantis so no bias either way, I really do enjoy his input on blonde, but on this occasion in my opinion he has got it wrong.

old Skooooooool..... lol

to be fair everyone thought the same just dare not post it :) when people who obviously dont browse / or use the forums starting getting in its lol.

which of the the entries in either year don't actively use the forum?

None, I think.

Do we have a list of both years? Would e nice to see overview

Yes, both are in the other thread, as someone asked to see them.

Jayzuz, talk about making a drama out of nothing.  ;D

(http://www.recoverygraphics.com/albums/TFTA2/thanks%2520(50).gif)

2011 list, not in order

George2loose
nirvana
Stuart Hopkin
Brummieboy
mouth
Evilpie
GreekStein
Flushy
Geo the Sarge
cambridge alex
eso kral
dave shoelace
redarmi
neverbluff67
Lil Dave
gatso
mondatoo
smashedagain
skolsuper
Rupert
julian
Sharplea and Joobie
Taximan
Reece

Dubai 1
Berlin runners 2
Deadman 3
Mere Novice 4
David3103 5
Lil Dave 6
Tal 7
NigDawg  8
Milligan 9
Honeybadger 10
horseplayer 11
The Camel 12
scotty2hatty 13
Rastafish 14
hector62 15
Gascoignes 19
BobaFett 17
Marky147 18
redsimon 16

5 more to come

From what I remember, this list, with the possible exclusion of Jake, would definitely tick the boxes of active and often on blonde etc.

Yes Patrick

Jake used to be more active on the forum, did a well on here etc.

With respect to Deadman pretty jokes that he is in but wte, super nice guy and most people on blonde really like him and see him alot. Hopefully in 2013 he does post alot, really like him.

Rest also pretty cool although Blonde Poker should probably be named Blonde Poker and Sports forum imo, but wte :)

Yeh, I know and a stupidly phenomenal year too.

Don't get involved mate, I'm still trying to get you in this years . Also BobAlike hopefully makes it too.

Pick an award...

The Brit Awards don't recognise real music
The Turner Prize rewards art that anyone could have made
The Booker Prize is only interested in pretentious, inaccessible claptrap
The Oscars are obsessed with history and sentiment
The BAFTAS are populist and frightened of taking risks

There's probably a thread on a forum somewhere criticising the Millies for being nothing but a vehicle for warmongerers.

All these opinions are valid, however much the majority might disagree.

This is different in the sense that it's nothing more than a celebration of the past 12 months on a forum. We're now six pages in on a debate about a debate about it, 11 months from when any changes would take effect.

It doesn't need to be personal, and comments - however phrased - don't need to be taken personally.

You're getting mugged off.  Vinny as a mod knows who is and isnt in the calendar

I have just got in; read the first couple of pages then got incredibly bored so if my reply is "out of order" please feel free to respond - just my view....

The Advent Calender is some real, feel good, forum based fun which Tight introduced last year - and tbh did an amazing job; it got people talking, engaged in the forum, feeling good about Christmas and posting on Blonde.

As such, he has repeated this year; his own work, his own time and some pretty well thought through and quite touching comments and observations on blonde members who he often doesn't know; Marky being a great example

I would imagine, most normal people - open the thread, smile if its someone we know and recognise, maybe add a reinforcing comment where we personally recognise someone and enjoy the read - when we don't know someone, it may enlighten us to a new poster, a new part of the forum or just learn a new story.  Personally it lead me to Taximans thread last year I had never seen - and what an inspirational thread it was - I would never have seen it if it wasn't for the advent calender, as is the same for many others.

We then get on with our daily business and lives - and focus on things that matter

Now forgive me if I get this wrong - however I think there are some people in life who just recognise a good thing, PM the person doing it with some "good ideas or suggestions" for 2013 and appreciate it for what it is....other can't seem to do that.  Come on, if this was SPOTY or the Xfactor, well fair play - however its not, its our forum and someone doing something good and positive.

I struggle to understand how some people conduct themselves on here; why not do it in the way you would in real life and directly to the person involved?  Its like creating a scene for the sake of it - and in my view however it will be defended as "freedom of speech and our forum" - its just trolling disguised with a would-be purpose.

Anyway, rant over.  Tighty - great job on the calender, its fun and better than what we had a couple of years ago - and its become a "good" addition to the blonde community.  And if anyone has any ideas on how to improve it - why not discuss them with Tighty and get involved and offer to do something next year to improve it.

Mantis is probably sitting at home in a big Chesterfield chair, puffing a large Havana cigar, chuckling mercilessly that his post has now generated 7 pages of dismayed replies.

wp sir wp

probably a roll up - you need 20 pages to put a cigar on

I made it to page three and read this - genius, wins thread

(http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq167/Andr4w/ciger.jpg)

You're still not getting in.

LOL thread.

fine as it is. i think it wouldn't be as fun if the whole thing involved voting and a shortlist.

change nothing for 2013 :)

I love Mantis as much as the next guy (he's a ledge)

but this thread? Really? absolute joke 7 pages, lololol please delete it abso worthless drivel, not a single worthwhile post in this thread!

I've always thought it would be nice to have a 'blonde of the month' thread. Just like the yanks have employee of the month. Voted for/individual/panel decision doesn't bother me just means a few more people get their name up in lights before December. Thoughts? Been done before?

Yes, I've often thought that. Done with a light touch, plenty of humour, & a bit of ribbing & banter, it'd be good fun, a laugh. (We could, say, have done Posh Boy at the end of November & congratulated him on his monthly profit).

Don't suppose you need many guesses as to why we could not do it though.

Sorry I was being sarcastic :( should have left it alone..

mine would be you would have Alex win it every month :)

Except November, obv. :)

meh. Always get some haters :)

my list would be - in no particular order.

Boltpp
Greekstein
Mantis
sovietsong
Claw75
thecamel
horneris
SuuPRlim
titaniumbean
aaron1867 Pleno1
rookieITB
ScottishDave mondatoo
scotty2hatty
redarmi
AndrewT
EvilPie
StuartHopkin
Daveshoelace
Amatay
Girdy
Eso Kral
Red Dog
sovietsong
Dubai
TheClaimer (his mate not "action man")

If i could have 26 i would prob include ChipRichard.

edit - missed monda off.

edit 2 - wtf is wrong with me, missed BiTB off!

fu

Oh, and you put yourself in twice!

agree with the glow but, this is purely a bit of fun and some banter. I can only see the most needy souls being disappointed if they arent included.

I prefer TightEnd's list...

kinda like soviets list. Its more like a bad boys of poker.

haha, <3

Yeah I quite agree people shouldn’t feel disappointed. By the same token people shouldn’t be disappointed if their bit of fun 'special day' is 'ruined' by big bad Mantis.

I have made the point before that I see the forum purely as media, a place where people come for information and entertainment. This perspective originates from the fact that a) my friends don’t hang out on Blonde and b) because my profession is managing businesses. This perspective sometimes leads me into conflict with those members who use Blonde purely to be friendly or for social reasons.

Before the DTD sponsorship we often discussed the financial viability of Blonde and the serious subject of whether the forum could survive in this commercial world independently. With my business hat on I recognise the most valuable members are those who make the greatest contribution to the forum. So my criteria for judging such contribution would be stuff like a) number of posts, b) threads started c) provoking discussion. This is because those members provide the value to my business (incidentally I only excel in c). Who may be a nice guy and who wins at poker won’t give my forum business the commercial value it needs when pitching for future sponsorship. I would want to put a smile on the face of those people who are valuable to my business first.

For example, my top poster 2012 would be pleno. Even though he is not my favourite poster he excels in the criteria set out above, as did aaron this year. However it seems if you say anything against DTD or are controversial you get a black mark. This rankles me for the equality and inclusive issues I mentioned in previous posts. I feel a kind of obligation to be a fan of DTD and the sponsorship when sadly I am not. My idea to have a big thread with lots of input would create better stats and yeah I’m sure creating better stats would involve more work. So what? Are we not looking for ways to move forward with better stats? I know Craig was joking but text voting is interesting as a revenue generator for say poster of the year.

It is a joke to me when people twist that to suggest I mean TightEnd doesn’t work hard or I'm having a pop at other members or whatever. Why on earth would I get personal about people I don’t know? It is also a joke to me when people call for threads to be deleted because removing stats is ultimately detrimental to our commercial prospects. It is also a joke to me why we haven’t discussed wtf happened to Greekstein who was commercially a valuable member. It’s all very well trying to avoid conflict at every turn but a few nice guys patting each other on the back doesn’t sell very well.

One thing I know in life is that talk is cheap and words really don’t mean all that much on their own. Lets try in 2013 not to get so offended about some words on a forum. It cannot be personal. People who make judgements about a man’s character based on a few words on a forum should reflect on how ridiculous that is. Actions are what define the character of a man.

In the category of Funniest Poster I nominate sovietsong.

fuk off back to beeston!! I thought we had some Leeds love..pft.

i'm right behind you brother Mantis.

Quite amazing how exciteable some get over a bit of festive fun.

Yeah because you'd never threaten to smash someone's face in over a few words on a forum.

In the category of most pompous hypocrite, I nominate MANTIS01.

Oh Dear.... Such Bitter Words

Merry Christmas All

Wooosh

I would be in 3 times before you made the list...

No woosh, Christopher. Just dissappointement.

i think you should definatly get in the calendar next year Vinny.

Thanks Jason. x

I think the Brown Nose category has got Jason's name all over it this year.
;)

It's not too late for this year!

Think they are referring to my magnificent calender, it is certainly too late for vinny this year & probably next year too. His attitude is appalling.

Just because you don’t get me or don't read my words properly it doesn’t make me a hypocrite skolsuper. In fact you validate my points quite frequently so I’m glad you showed up in my thread. You judged me to be “a ridiculous human being” even though you’ve never met me or have no clue what my character is like. A ridiculous human being. A few weeks ago you thought Alex was ridiculous too. Quite a habit you got there. Thing is you don’t back these statements up with any concrete explanations or evidence. I on the other hand provide a great deal of explanation to back up my points.

For example, you landed on PHA in your position as a well-respected pro and tried to bully me off the board (actions). I don’t like the concept of pros bullying amateurs on the forum learning resource so responded. I said that if you tried to bully me IN REAL LIFE I would give you a slap, and I would.

For the kids watching at home my advice is to stand up to bullies in this manner because they don’t like it. And here is skolsuper validating my point again by still whining about it many years on. James you are a typical forum example of a low value troll and you get away with it because of your poker results and support from some bum chums (sorry). This is especially disappointing as you have much more to offer the forum than that.

In the category of Luis Suarez Diving in the Box Award I nominate skolsuper.

If he pays for dinner next time I see him, he can have my spot.

Brilliant   :)

In that case your spot is safe

I have met Mantis many times in the past as we used to play in the same cardroom, I have always found him to be a nice guy and up for a laugh. Like someone said earlier in the thread, some people just don't get him

I have never met skolsuper and by all accounts by posters on here he is a nice guy, but from the posts of his that I have read he doesn't come across to me as being a nice guy

I guess it just goes to prove we can be wrong about people if we only judge them by their posts on a poker forum.

I mean TheCamel seems like a grumpy sod but I really enjoy having a beer with him, although its been a while since we last done that ,so  maybe hes changed  ;)

Mantis can own pretty hard, lol love it.

Mantis = Legend

blonde Members can decide to have Voting by all for the 2013 version, fine by me, but I absolutely guarantee that the top spot this year would NEVER get voted for. And yet everyone will applaud it, without exception, or almost so, as near as is possible on a poker forum.

Plus people would just vote for their mates etc which defeats the object of it IMO.

It's just a bit of fun, people need to chill a bit.

This.

He threatened to come to DTD and smash my face in, and apparently I'm the one bullying him. Yeah what a legend.

i don't know mantis but I would not have let that happen.

rofl marv

why is he handy or double hardz. Love Keys and love mantis posts but can't stand physical bullying.

Cheers jase  Ahrt

you just make me chuckle you muppet!

:)

I am giving out three awards tonight.

First award is to TightEnd in the Decision of the Year category. Pretty funky for me to mention aaron and you pick him the same day. I like this daring edgy TightEnd tho, who thinks like mantis, yeah and looking at your thread this candidate has generated the most responses and the heated discussion about your controversial decision has moved onto other social media. Wicked decision and smart too. The only regret for me is that his big day was ruined by Alex and I now fear his Christmas is ruined too. Alex could have waited until after the awards or say Boxing Day to tell us aaron deflated his ego one time but no and now everything is completely ruined for everybody.

Next award is to Herbie in the Most Loved Poster category. I love your work on the forum man.

Before I go to the final award of the evening let me say that one time long ago on PHA I told skolsuper I would k.o. him if he tried to bully me in real life. Over the passage of time this has now become I threatened to "smash his face in". What I would like say is.............James you've had your Luis Suarez award so time to leave the stage. And in all honesty I don't think I would need to "smash your face in" to k.o. you. I think a pair of ladies leather gloves, back handed, like in the musketeer movies would carry more than sufficient force to complete the job. However if I thought you were going to still be bitching about it years later like some old woman I would have kept that bluff to myself.

And last award of the evening in the Des Lynam Smooth as Silk category is nirvana. Because...that is ok.

Since Greekstein has left I think I can happily say <3 mantis

Also like james keys but I'm not very good at poker so find it hard to relate to him...

Can't wait to see my name in mantis' sig

I did ask the mods for a character extension in my sig. Think every thread would have more pages with all the extra space a massive sig would take up and that can only be good for Blonde. Happy to have you on board sovietsong but if Greekstein comes back you will obv have to return to the dark side.

Far too much vitriol and grumpiness in this thread.

In danger of veering off topic, too. You might need to start a third thread...

Tal I did consider giving you The Wittiest Poster award but with AndrewT around his seniority will always prevail. Best Newcomer award is all I have left to offer but you can have it if you like.

I'm easy to find if you want to come and deliver that slap mantis, you will have to come out from behind your screenname first though...

Mantis started his xmas holidays early and immediately hit the booze imo

I've met mantis & keys. A fight would be pretty awesome. Would need Karl Mahrenholz to ref it tho.

ffs so mantis is tall. Does he not work in a gym too or is that someone else? I have to say other than a couple of incidents I have been involved in I don't think I have ever seen it kick off at Dtd.... Oh beside a couple of times with Ronaldo were I jumped up to hold his iPad and the time were Frankie got the hump with some guy and wanted Sinclair to smack him and throw him out. :)

Yeah Herb 6ft3" and got a black belt in TKD some years back. But they teach you to only use the aggro skils in defence so feel reluctant to attack first out of respect. What I want to know is if I was in DTD and skolsuper tried to attack me out of frustration at constantly getting bashed up on the forum would you let it happen? Please tell me you wouldn't let it happen!!

lol.... 6ft3" you say...... Well bigger guys have tried and died.

I am pretty sure James would never attack first and with your skills you will only get all medieval on his arse when he attacks I feel we may be left with what is commonly known as a Mexican stand off :)

Things will be totally different if and when the pair of you eventually meet. Greekstein used to suprise a lot of people when he met them in person and I get it to some extent.

As you know Greekstein is a hero of mine & I even had a diary dedicated to my love of him. I'm looking forward to seeing the updated sig. If you're struggling for letters you can shorten sovietsong to "sov".

If Greekstein reads this I hope he can forgive me.

I take back what i said before, abso great thread, has really picked up since we stopped talking about the advent calender!

As much as I dont like to compliment MANTIS, every time i see a thread which says "Last post MANTIS01" and literally cannot click on it fast enough!

Merry Xmas to both MANTIS and James Keys, ho ho ho and all that

Probably best for both to aim to get the first slap in though, just to be sure like, no point taking a chance.....  ;whistle;

You were the one who flipped your shit and threatened violence over words on a forum.

no offence Keys but i think you're a little too white middle class to use expressions like this.

fml you are too funny at times,
Love the "lie on the sofa if you love the darts" too

lol

You flipped your shit before I flipped my shit. In fact I only flipped my shit in response to you flipping your shit.

Anybody who wants to see skolsuper flipping his shit can read about it in the most commercially successful PHA thread on Blonde - http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=49024.0.

However, I think people should read this post from a few years ago to understand why I flipped my shit - http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=25486.msg651333#msg651333

In my mind skolsuper is The Colonel, in fact there are a lot of Colonels on PHA. It's very easy to be condescending and make others feel uncomfortable when you have ability.....and it is very immature as well. I see novice players made to feel uncomfortable all the time on that board. So my job on there was to try and make experienced players feel uncomfortable instead. You will notice I have never slated novice players on that board and generally try to advise or encourage them, I only tangle with the big boys. I vaguely remember being on aaron's side in the AJ thread even though I confess I didn't actually read his posts. I just thought why do people need to prove something to this one individual?

So James, I wondered what area in life you aren't that skilled in. After taking a look at your photo I thought well it don't look like skolsuper hits the gym on a regular basis. Hmmm fighting is probably not a great skill set for him. Now I'm not violent at all but do have some fighting skills, hence because I am better than you in this area I figured I would try and turn the tables and make you feel uncomfortable. And I think I did a good job about it too considering you are still stewing this over many years down the track. If you landed on PHA and passed on your skills to amateur players in a holistic coaching manner I would have boundless respect for you. As it is I think you are typical Colonel material.

So there is my motivation and explanation as to why I flipped my shit. Would you care to explain why you flipped your shit? And why you keep appearing in my thread bringing this up? I would suggest if that is all you have on me after many years as a member of Blonde I can't really be the ridiculous human being you suggest.

There is one person on that board who offers his advice with enthusiasm and patience and it is a joy to behold

Todays award in the category PHA coach of the Year goes to SuuPRlim

Can I just say ..it's the season of goodwill shake hands guys

(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/friendship-handshake-smiley-emoticon.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/friendship.handshake-emoticon-2864.html)

Life really is too short .....

(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/christmas/santa-dance.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/santa-emoticon-253.html)

I like the fact "next years calendar" is rapidly catching " this years advent calendar" in the post count.

Good award for lildave btw.

Pretty annoyed that I'm unable to think of a suitable way to crowbar "flip your shit" into one of my posts...

Please can you ensure that you credit the right poster for the term 'flip your shit'. A new reader may think it's a MANTIC when it's clearly an Skolsuperism.

No need to get bogged down in some mantics.

I'm often tempted to be a colonel in the 'Man Skills' thread...

What? Why are you even attempting to put up a shelf? You've got Philips screws FFS!  Any idiot knows you need rawl bolts.

Do you even know the difference between Whitworth and AF sizes, or HSS bits v augers? No. So what makes you think you have the right to go putting up shelves?

If you really want to to do this, I suggest you go back to basics. Start with Plasticine and then, after a few hundred thousand builds, move on to Lego and then eventually ease into Meccano. In five or ten years, if you work hard, you might be ready to attempt a shelf.

At the end of the day, we're here to help you, and we know what we're talking about. There are people on here who have built whole sheds.

Remember though, don't get all upset if someone calls you a retard because you tried to use a tenon saw instead of a dovetail. It's for your own benefit. It's the only way you'll learn.

I feel bad now about trying to help Ed with his woodburner.
 ;hide;

so who is the last door for this year.

if beaneh isnt on there truly is no justice!

Gotta be Jeeves.

Has to be Alex right? I think blonde are very lucky to have him

Edit just had a thought

Probs Dtd for sponsorship etc

lol how has no jeeves/beaneh been in yet?

Sir Tim Berners-Lee

Thought I had an outside chance but then realised I ain't been banned at all this year and my inclusion would only confirm everyone's suspicion that I am in the clique :)

well tbf, it abit of a joke if youre not in

Has the best in the business been in either year?

yeah last year

Jeez, this is tough, could be a book on who it is. Am stumped, my pick has already been picked.

Its someone who we all agree with so it has to be 1 of the 3 T's... Tikay Tighty or Taximan

sure was

It could be Roxanne

Lol it wont be Tikay especially after building it up himself. I mean all the fuss that would create coupled with already trying to cope with the strain of Christmas fuss would cause some kinda dithertastic breakdown. And it wont be taximan because despite the fact by all accounts he is a true gentleman and owner of a fine thread he is not the glue that holds the whole forum together.

Some very funny posts here and a wise one from RED-DOG straight out of the top drawer of his hand-crafted wall-hanging mahogany cabinet.

In the category of Member with Most Commercial Appeal the award goes to pleno1. There you go bud.

It's already been said its not a mod and it's someone who "no one would think to vote for but everyone will agree is a great choice".

So I bet it's none of the names mentioned already.

I definitely thought you would get in this years mate ,along with BobAlike & Woodsey. It looks like my read was way off  :(

i thought me and you being included last year were the contraversial picks?
Well if you don't make the top 72 posters on blonde by next year then something is wrong. Maybe like me you just have not been a naughty enough boy this year. We both must have been doing too much sucking up :)

Yeah I liked Reds post too.

A Mantis alternative Xmas calendar needs to happen next year.

So you saw I was smaller than you and decided to threaten to smash my face in? How honourable of you.

Fwiw, to red dog et al, I doubt you will ever find a post of mine with the word 'retard' in it, and I don't remember posting in the notorious Aaron AJ thread cited. You can ask Aaron if I have ever been rude to him. But feel free to believe whatever mantis makes up about me if that's what you want to do.

Whoa there Mr S.

My post just an attempt at humour. It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular.

top punning.

 Woodsy confirmed snap top 48 posters too

maybe someone like Claypole?

Nah skolsuper I didn't think you were smaller than me as you looked pretty tall, it was more the stick arms. But yeah just like you see people weaker than you on PHA and throw your weight around I wanted to see how you'd like a taste of your own medicine. And even then it was on the proviso that you bullied me first. Like I said before you don't give any explanations yourself and as always you validate my points by not explaining why you flipped your shit or why you have landed here to bring this up. Incidentally I agree it wasn't honourable but that is ok because my motive wasn't to be honourable.

Anyway, the PHA thread is there for people to read and judge for themselves who flipped their shit and who was honourable, more views the better imo

How noble of you.  BTW, while your making "experienced players feel uncomfortable" theyre deciding its not worth their time and effort to post on PHA if theyre going to get that kind of reaction.  So thanks for chasing away the very guys that make PHA "commercially attractive".  The AJ thread, since it has been mentioned, has also chased away guys who were valuable to the board.  WP to all involved

All the tantrums, fights, sulks, abuse and threats of violence that came out of the advent calendar were worth it for Tal's post.

Well Boba there’s a common expression with media that today’s news is tomorrow’s fish and chip wrapper. News is relevant for about one day and then it’s finished.

The incident you’re talking about happened about 3 years ago. So how relevant to today do you think your point is?

Back then when Blonde had the cardroom it wasn’t immediately apparent to me that the forum was in any kind of financial jeopardy. In more recent times this issue has become more obvious through various discussions on different threads and as such I have changed my posting behaviour accordingly. Commercial implications have become more of an issue to me and as such I have changed my PHA behaviour and how I conduct myself as a member.

I am quite certain you wont find any aggro posts from me on PHA over the last few years. So if it was 3 years ago or that was my current PHA behaviour you would have a strong point. As it is your point is pretty much irrelevant, however it is a good attempt.

That said if experienced professionals are put off from posting because of what I said 3 years ago I figure they should try and toughen up a bit.

I have one more award for tomorrow, I will just post it and say nothing.

You grinched the Advent thread and somehow luckboxed some kind of kudos out of it. My guess is the Mods just gave up since your supercilious, talking down to people style is the last thing anyone needs in the runup to Xmas. Well played sir. Now GTFO with your self aggrandising bullshit & give the rest of the forum a break. You totally wasted the Advent thread & to see your self-congratulatory smugfest is vomit inducing.

I would have thought it would be Alex, I think he would be disappointed if not.

Haha, no definitely not. I really doubt it will be, not really done much to warrant it this year. Loads more people more deserving than me.

I don't know what the discussion is about, I think PHA is a much friendlier place now than it was 3 years ago.  

If that was down to Mantis, then we should be congratulating him, and not chastising him.

Merry Christmas all and sys.rnd.7=error Boba

Jeez really? If you really wanted to included in a blonde advent calendar to mark it off as a life achievement you could always just do your own next year ;)
Who cares if rich chose tem himself or not, it's only abit of fun. Lighten up abit.

WInning regs dont post on PHA because you have people stating things objectively and stubborn people who reiterate the same thing and the whole process becomes tiresome and annoying. Players who a lot of people would like to learn from are just swapping HH's on skype now

 :hello:

In all seriousness though, I am considering my stance on that board and others a lot at the moment.

your contributions are always excellent and appreciated. Hope you continue to post next year.

If winning regs with a natural instinct to assist others decide to withdraw their input as a result of the obstinate few, it says more about the former than the latter.

Surprised the Sicilian didn't make the cut. He's been busy so posted much less this year, saving the punting threads a fair bit.

Agree with others that pleno & mantis woulda been good additions this year - probs scrape in next year I'd guess

I'm amazed Pleno didn't get in. Surely you can be one of the best posters on a forum 2 years running

didn't get in last year apparently :(

eek, is that true?

BiTB will be Xmas day. When you open a traditional advent calender Xmas day is Jesus, I'm pretty sure pleno1 will be entry number 25.

I also want to make it clear that if the plan was to give me entry number 25 I want it to be given to pleno1 he is twice the man I will ever be

Is there anywhere to view last years list?

somewhere itt i think

cheers, will take a look.

aaron's your man to dig it out if you want ;)

It's just after I was borderline cheeky to a respected mod..

I didn't know about this, I take back my endorsement

I got it,cheers.

I wondered where Alex and Eso were along with some other good members but assumed they must have been in last years and it was a fresh list each year. Obv it isn't so it all seems a bit strange to me.

I mean there is a guy in the list who wins loads at DTD and has had a diary for a few months, I can think of some long standing posters who fit those criteria and post every day and have done for years.

The DTD bias in the relevant write ups seems to tell it's own story imo. Pleno might need to move to Nottingham to get in!

It is a completely fresh list this year compared to last, with the exception of David Nicholson

I realised after his entry this year that one of the ways to get more new people in was not to duplicate from last year, so changed a few things around

As I have said repeatedly, I have 24 days, and about 50 entries I could put in. Speaking now, I probably have a backlog of over 30 entries to go in, were it to continue. I had to make some difficult cuts, and did so.

The only DTD bias in it is that is where I update, and hear the stories and meet the people...no more than that, but there are plenty of people in both lists that I have never met or have never been to DTD


Anyway, I have been hopelessly naive, to say the least. Last year's advent went swimmingly, and was popular. Thought i would repeat it. However its been such a depressing experience for me and led to such conflict that I can say now for sure I won't be doing one again. Leave you all to your own devices next year

Two people, each with many thousands of posts, have left the forum over all of this and if you'd told me that a month ago I'd have thought you were tripping. Never ever did I think it would be taken so seriously but that probably reflects that naivety I was talking about

It was meant to be an innocent, giving, celebration of some achievements this year whether on forum or in poker.

After tomorrow, which I am quite proud about but no doubt will get fucked over pillar to post about I'm done with it

It's a great idea and you've done better than any of could've hoped to do with it. But sadly with anything like this, those that don't get their achievements and contributions celebrated, will always feel left out and unappreciated, no matter how tough or manly they are!

Merry Christmas Rich.

Yes, naive of me. Not being in one of the 24 slots doesn't mean anything negative!

Not a hint of dissension last year with any of it, especially from anyone who didn't make it in, so I went again

Live and learn

Happy Xmas Alex.

So the people who have left the forum over it are people from this year?

No hard feelings Rich - once I'm crowned Champion of Advent Calendar tomorrow I'll start posting a bit more.

That's a great shame Rich. It's unbelievable that after last years success this year has drawn such negativity. Its a bit of fun, some people just take this stuff so bloody seriouslywhen there's some serious shit going on in the outside world.

Merry Christmas

I'm not naming names, but issues concerning this thread and the advent calendar thread yes

Really, its very disappointing for me.

I remember cos was really annoyed that he wasn't in the hall of fame on blonde

Name names. Pretty pathetic. (Obv only saying this cos I made last year)

This thread is totally ridiculous and has led to the inevitable conclusion that one of the best things on blonde has been ruined by people's fragile egos. Who really gives a crap if x isn't in a fun end of year thread ( clearly lots of people)

Anyone at any time could nominate anyone to go in the Hall of Fame

Anyone at any time could write up anyone

No one did

It fell down my list of priorities, even before we had big IT problems

The last month doesn't exactly encourage me to kick start it


Anyway, none of this is a biggie in any sort of scheme of things. Just some late night frustration :-)

Understandably disappointing - day 20 aside I enjoyed all the entries as much as I enjoyed reading them last year

People jumping to conclusions a bit here, the two people didn't necessarily leave because they weren't included, maybe they just thought all the negativity or bickering over something like this was pathetic and that's why they left.

Such a shame it won't be happening again next year, was one of the best threads ever on here last year, huge huge sigh.

Yes Ray the issues are NOT not being included. Other things, related to the two threads

Don't feel bad, it is a lovely concept. What you could do is make it a nice yearly Christmas list of people that have contributed a lot or had a tremendous poker/life achievement that year. It does seem you are very restricted when it is just 25 selections. I am really sorry people have decided to stop posting, is that just coz they aren't in the list?

That is ott for me if it is but in general it is hard to feel comfy with a 'Blonde Advent Calendar' when someone gets in coz he plays at DTD and posts infrequently when say Alex, Mantis, Eso and Pleno and others too have contributed page after page of content and comment. We don't all agree all the time but it's pretty safe to say we can appreciate the people that drive the content and help convo's develop. It's difficult to relate to some guys that play poker in Nottingham but rarely post on any of the threads.

cheers

Ok, fair enough.

Deleted my post.

Still find it very difficult to swallow a genuine issue has risen from the advent calendar which that is important enough to cause someone to stop doing something they presumably enjoy. IE posting and participating on Blondepoker.

I would just like to say to the 2 forum posters who have decided to leave over the Advent Calendar


(http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-its-only-the-internet.png)

No problem Phil

The only person in the category of "guys that play poker in Nottingham but rarely post..." in either year is Rastafish, which I am quite prepared to accept might have been an incorrect choice. However I could argue my reasons for his inclusion pretty strongly too

Indeed I didn't include a few guys for precisely the reason that it was too DTD-centric to do so, compared to some forum guys

As everyone can see, and I have discovered this year, you can't win

Pretty bizarre that people keep going on about those that were in last year not being included this year, what would be the point in the same people being in every year ? That said it's pretty bizarre that anyone is going on at all about who deserves to be in more than who.

I apologise for any negativity on my part in that thread, I at least have the albeit poor excuse of being drunk.

I haven't had an advent calendar for years but when i did there was sometimes a bit of disappountment behind some doors when the picture was just a star instead of a laughing donkey or something similar. However it didn't ruin my day, I didn't maon about it and I didn't stop shopping in the place where I bought it. I'd have been a pretty sad case if I did, would't I?

exactly, i wouldn't have wanted, never mind expected, to be included for a 2nd year.

Rich, you don't have to justify or explain your list to anyone. It's your list, you've explained your thinking behind the entries. I'm not surprised you can't be arsed doing one next year if it's going to be surrounded by negativity and agro. I wouldn't have had the same list as you, but that doesn't matter as it's your list and your choices. There aren't any prizes, it's meant to be a bit of fun.

Very much this.

For what it's worth, I think the calendar was a great idea and a lovely feel-good thread, and although I declined to post in it this year I agreed with all the inclusions I knew and enjoyed reading about the ones I didn't.

+1


what is all this guff.


apologies Tighty.

You truly are a hero. People need to grow up. Been a lot of shit lately. No fun.

+1

I'm new to the forum.. (little drunk)

But have had an amazing year with you all.  I have enjoyed the help, banter, friendships and the randomness of some threads and posts I have seen.

I have learned so much, and improved so much.  And its all due to you guys and girls.  I've improved as a poker player and a man.


I however do not understand the bitterness I've seen in thread after thread for the last few weeks, I know there is obv history that I am not aware of, however I really do hope that everyone can find a peace and a place for some common friendly ground, if only for this time of year.


Best wishes to all and to all a good night.

With regards to Rastafish inclusion (i think thats what kicked this thread off) whilst it's obvious he hasn't been one of the most active posters on the forum, it is pretty clear IMO that he has become one of the BIGGEST PERSONALITES on blonde this year with his exploits in poker tourneys as bought to us by Rich and others through the updates.

For that reason alone I feel he is a worthy inclusion in the calender.

Sorry to hear the way you feel about it Tighty but fully understand, the whole thing has just gone sour this year!!!

Merry Christmas to you ALL

Just reread the 2011 Calendar thread, a real feelgood feeling throughout, just what Christmas should be about.

What a difference a year makes!!!

Fwiw, i've hardly been on blonde in months but have checked in every day this month to read the calendar entries, and a few times a day over the past week or so to get updates on the mantis/keys spat in case I miss the on-sale of the shit flipping live final

Youve done a great job rich, and if peoole have really decided to leave the forum over it then meh - natural selection innit.

Right today’s category is Poster of the Year and it is the most prestigious award of all.

Before that let me say I am not remotely disappointed not to be included in this year’s advent calendar. In fact it suits my character to be some kinda solo artist.

I don’t know why people announce they are not posting again before clutching their handbag close to their chest and mincing off into the sunset. Just don't post if you don't want to. Personally I am disappointed with your attitude TightEnd towards next year’s calendar. You are a big character, a constant, and the glue that holds the forum together. Everybody respects you and the work you do. But I think it’s unreasonable to expect the exact reaction you want to all your choices, which I gather would be a polite smattering of applause after each one. With a diverse mix of characters on here you can't expect to be a shepard.

Did anybody say your words were vomit inducing?

Did anybody call you a pompous hypocrite?

I get that sort of shit all the time and I will post when I want and where I want next year. So should you. And so should everyone else. You have the strength of character to suck it up, keep calm and carry on don't you?

So anyway onto the final award which is the big one, de de daaa Poster of the Year.

The winner is amazing because everytime they post it adds something to the forum, they are very valuable to this place, they make the forum very diverse and interesting, and without them we would be nothing.

My nomination in the category of Poster of the Year is de de daaa

Every Blonde Member who has contributed this year.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Is this why you left last year Claire?

Lolz - behave bedi!

Mantis - excellent post :)

yeah even I did not get slagged off last year for being in it and I had been banned twice. Its a bit of fun ffs.

This.

to be fair, I think its a good time to STOP the calendar.

If you aren't doing repeats, apart from LilDave, then it just starts getting silly.

Maybe thats why you put Simon Deadman in instead of titty, woodsey and other guys with 5k+ posts.

But whatever, Happy Christmas.

Cannot blame Tighty for wanting to pack it in after all the crap he has had to take over a great idea and a bit of fun.As an older guy all I can say to the punchy bucks on here is lighten up. Life really is to short to get tilted about who is on what list and why,what was posted on a PHA thread three years ago etc. Go and take a walk round a cancer ward or something.Appreciate what you have.Appreciate the effort that goes into these kind of projects/ideas.Think about your impact on other people. The world really needs more love and friendship.As does the poker community by the look of it.

I think this is maybe the third time I've seen you mention I shouldn't be in the calendar. Please someone just replace me with Pleno1 so he can stop whining.
Tighty said at the start of the calendar that it consists of members who contribute the most and members who achieved a lot at poker in 2012 and a combination of the two. Rastafish won everything this year, that's why he was included. If Tighty only put in the guys that posted the most there would be no surprises would there.

Merry Xmas to all blondes

Reads like you've been hacked by Jeremy Kyle/Noel Edmonds ;)



(Just kidding, obv you are right)

I'm sorry

(http://readerwoman.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/sorry-puppy.jpg)


Would take a lot more to make me happy, believe me.

(http://www.goodetimeprods.com/scrooge.jpg)

But although now you have mentioned it and posted in the advent calendar and said thanks a few times and I see again that you have less than 60 posts it may make me go on another rant....

(http://www.wordchowder.com/images/rant.jpg)

Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas Happy Christmas

For each one of your posts, I expect the same politeness back.

x

Simon, it's obvious that Tighty selected you for your live poker achievements this year. It was his choice, and a bloody good one. You and Rasta have been part of so many of the live updates and lots of people on here have followed your exploits on blonde.

You'd have made my list as well, as would Rasta. Best of luck to you and Shola for 2013, and stay in Leeds when I'm playing the deepstack ;).

i think someone  is jealous that Simon has been nominated in the poker awards as a sign of his remarkable achievement this year. :)

Thoroughly deserved entry as well. He's learnt a lot from Shola this past year or so... ;)

Posh & Becks of uk poker ftw

Pipped again by the deadmans

Pleno V Deadman HU for calendar spot imo

This would be a good hu match.

I'd rail it.

Would you offer prices?

you would have to back Pleno h/u as thats one of his specialities but would always choose Simon to play a live tourney if your life depended on it as he is better in live tournies.

Pleno might specialize in HU, but Deadman specializes in winning flips

I think Simon would agree pleno is a decent fav in a hu online match. Live might be a little closer.

A year live mirror schedule propbet would be absolutely unreal. Pleno must be a dog but I'd hate to offer him odds!

FETTTTTTDOZZZZZERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREDDDD

lol I have no problem with Simon, hes a v v v nice guy.

u dick

Online hu sng would be a meeting in middle ground imo.

Heads up, live but on laptops.

Battleships style.

They have a tournament like that at the PCA

They call it battleships.

That's the fella.

Thank fuck you're not in charge then!!

Seriously what is the problem? So many people have made themselves look like idiots in this thread over something so trivial.

I've always respected most of what Mantis writes. He says some sensible stuff quite regularly. This whole calender thing has really bought him down in my estimation. Whether it's intentional or not it just comes across as a load of pointless trolling and deliberately trying to stick a spanner in the works.

Pleno appears bitterly disappointed at not being selected whilst Simon has. Again I don't know if it's intentional but he's coming across as a spoiled little kid with an ego problem who's spat his dummy out because he didn't get a mention.

Mr Keys...... What can I say? I love the man and he knows this. We've had some fun times. Please mate, stop all this bickering with Mantis. You're not doing yourself any favours at all. If you ignore him he'll go away.

Lil Dave. Fucking love him.

Titbean. Ditto.

Tighty. Feel so sorry for you about all this bollocks. Please for the sake of the masses do this again next year. By not doing it you give in and let the idiots win. I think there's about 5 people who genuinely seem to want the advent calender to disappear or be run differently. Blonde will be a worse place if they get their own way.

lol at this thread now. All the things wrong with the starting of this thread and now you bunch of kids are wagering on a heads up grudge match which quite obviously won't happen.






How much can I bet on Pads? :)

CTS was visiting Magicninja in Montreal and we played some battleship-style (facing each other with laptops) heads-up while drinking (and cole was also playing Gus simultaneously at 2k/4k and 3-handed with Tom Dwan and Ivey at 300/600 plo lol).

We also had a bounty on 27, 38, 49, and 5T. If you won a pot with any of those and showed your opponent had to open-jam the next hand preflop and u get to choose whether u want to call or not.

(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8374/yumyum.jpg)

(http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/8514/badsessionatsmallstakes.jpg)

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/5-1-destroyed-my-bankroll-879948/index4.html

I'm not sure if this was the original battleship thread, but its the first time i encountered it, and the thread is worth a read! Some posts in it are cool, from CTS but a lot of dross and pictures of giraffes and stuff.

Love  :)

lol who is cts and what's this gotta do with next years calendar?

Well you ruined the surprise but CTS has taken Pleno's place in next years calendar

OH god Jase.


CTS is a boss (he produced one of the bestest most enlightening videos in the early years).


That cowpig thread is probably one of the top 10 threads on the pokering internet, pretty dissapointed in peoples lack of respect for pictures of giraffes and stuff, afterall that after porn is what the internet is for.


Battleships rule, obv gonna have to have a battleships tournament next year!!!



As usual Evilpie is the voice of reason. Kudos to tighty and impolite phrases to the haters.

right on that recommendation I will give it a read. That 2+2 site bakes my brain tho with all the traffic on there.

Have another recommendation that should get you through to New years....



http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/i-am-braziliand-i-never-give-up-941263/



I AM BRAZILIAND I NEVER GIVE UP



LIKES TO SEE FLOPS



1 quote from the Braziliand hero



Originally Posted by Exodus1 
I was playing some 2-7 triple draw with him and he stood pat from the deal and bet/called every round with AA256, so probably busto


i wasn't sure if that was a hi or a high low game. and AA is nice.

So good. Love how even Sean Deeb posts saying he can help with bankroll management. Legendary.

Every time I read the thread I want to get the guy help. I also spend a good half hour just laughing out loud and being amazed at his skills.

The english non first language just adds to the hilarity and helps coin some such brilliant phrases.

Pretty much all this. Take a looong hard look at yourselves! lol WTF are you doin arguing about this stupid topic? Take a few moments to think about what you are actually doing and hopefully your will just chuckle to yourselves and think about what a plum you sound like. Chill out! Idiots the lot of ya! :)

Very true. Good thread unlike this one which is all retch and no vomit. Happy crimbo mate.

Just incase people need more proper threads to look at, and they wish for some light hearted, long winded, brilliant comedy then look no further than the 'Friends trusted me with their cat' thread from 2+2. There are only a couple of threads i've ever voted 5 star for, this is one of them.

It's been 6 years but last time I looked not all the image hosting had failed, so deffo worth a skim.


http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/friends-trusted-me-their-cat-he-died-they-want-pics-him-387/

+1 to all of this, can't believe a nice gesture of an advent calender has caused this much grief.  

I beat deadman heads up :) he even kinda complimented me

Proudest poker moment

Seeing as Eviplie came in and crushed this thread so hard and seemingly so easily and seeing as I love a good gif. Heres someone else making crushing look easy.

(http://s2.postimage.org/t3ygphf7t/23wk1fd.gif)


And here's the face i'm pulling

(http://s14.postimage.org/uk305xn01/mdr4t.jpg)


If these links don't work ima be super annoyed.



Where's your trophy paul? :p

(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmc8dyU4qP1qhpz9h.gif)

I was introducing blonde to the first documented HU battleship game! We've been discussing Deadman vs Pleno for aggggges now :)

So cts is cole south. One of the heros that took advantage of Victor Blom

lol go softplay your liar friends?


seriously though if you think working with people away from the table to improve your game is cheating, but a tacit agreement between two players whenever they are at the same table is part and parcel. then just zomg.

Spot on Matt. Too late to get into the calendar though ;)

blom was a hero at the time and even I would sit railing him. If he felt aggrieved and upset by the situation then so  I.

Did they or at least one of em have to sit out some sort of ban.

Still ain't spoke to my friend yet :(  tried a few times

I don't know any specifics of the situation so it's not for me to comment.


Online poker in and of itself brings up so many potential ethical/moral issues regarding the rules.

Many many players even those I would consider upstanding IRL DO NOT FOLLOW the rules online.


'im just going for a piss watch my tables for me'

'what would you do in this spot on the ft, I have xy.........."



Is working on your game away from the table illegal or deceitful like check raising live or bluffing a friend?

I just couldn't help  but respond to you sarcily, specifically because of the fact the live game is so full of scummers and especially as you made a whole thread about how your cheating partner had stopped colluding with you for one hand.

Can't bring myself to read past the first 6 lines of that last post. Thread enters new levels of hilarity.

Please don't quote it. If Andrew wants it deleting I will.

Just bought myself to read the rest of it.

Actually improves a lot after the first 6 lines.

Just delete the first half of mate and you're all good imo.

Merry Christmas bud :)

favourite line was...

"i know reputation is v important to you"

:D:D

Why didn't you get a trophy?

Was a 100£ or 50£ weekly tourney

Fk me, what's wrong with you lot, is there a full moon out? (http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz192/denistephenson/smileys/smiley%20text/dffdf786.gif)

Are you saying that he's grimmed you for your 10%?

i see you are going home with ducks chickens and a pig in your car. Is it a full pig?

lol. No what I was trying to say was that I have probably upset him more than I realised as he ain't responding to calls or texts and asked for the thread to be taken down. Something else just occured to me. Will pm Tighty to find out.

Christmas comes but once a year, but this thread continues to give.

Can't wait until it's my turn to have a row with someone.

Stfu

Yup 118£ for a full piggie yummy

wow that's gotta be a bigger pig then. Them suckling pigs cost a lot more than that for sure. All the sea food you are having makes my mouth water.

It might be a suckling pig not too sure
118£ is ment to be pretty cheap
No seafood this year we have meat!
Prefer seafood tho :(

Can someone tell why sovietsong wasn't in the calendar?

I think this is the real reason why people have stopped posting

Because none of the mods like him. Especially me.

bump.

:-)

I'm pretty hurt I didn't get a mention in this post. Surely u should have decided by poll to make this post more fair and democratic.

Also I post way more than keys and you've still included him and not me. I'm leaving the forum (queue (geddit) a load of people coming back))

I sent Frankie a PM enquiring if he is OK, as he is normally on here every day, & asked if he would be returning to blonde, but he has not logged onto blonde for 6 days now.

But we are fb friends. I only have two people I have never met on fb.

When you're in Leeds shall we go to nandos. We can go halal or haram whichever you prefer.

I have to pity the individuals who are seconding out with some nonsense of who should and shouldn't be in calendar. A little more lol at those who are saying they do not post in PHA, because of those who have a different opinion, it's a forum, we don't have the same opinion, if you think we should follow what someone said because they make more money than others.

All the calendar nominations each deserved their place in the calendar, some more than others & all for different reasons, brilliant stuff.

Great mixture and additions.

Like someone said, it's the Internet, no need to cry about it.

PS - Merry Xmas Blondes.

Great post Aaron. Such a blonde hero.

When I'm in Leeds? I'm not coming to Leeds until ypu come to see me, like you promised me over a year ago!

Is that offer to stay at your house for a couple of weeks still open?

Epic behaviour fails itt

Of course.

Do a bankjob beforehand, 2 weeks feeding Vinny won't be cheap m8 :)

:)

This thread makes me want to flip. On page 31 - love it

Frankie has now replied to my PM. He is fine.

But is he telling you the truth?
:)

FFS ! 23 FKIN PAGES . !
 
How the fk did this happen ?

Hicuuupp hicuupp   : )

Oh and Tighty please please dont get tilted by all this hsite . shite
 Personally i think you doing a great job and the rest cn go fk .
BTW as its an advent calendr and i always get the chocs , please can u post top man Nigdawg N08  ( i think ) on to me . 90% Brazillian cocoa fair trade waitrose tad of crunchy mint plz .
 Good man x 

I for one agree with mr evil pie
Tighty do your thing next year as you wish to do sir,I have really enjoyed it both years,
Merry Christmas to one and all... and for a fantastic advent calendar
Thank you tightend  
Xx

Just finished the thread, it's magical - pls recommend more

(http://i48.tinypic.com/svo35t.jpg)

So don't get that gif...

Whoosh!

It's from the 91 page 2+2 thread. Just thought it was a funny picture

I hate 2+2 but now & again somebody posts a link & I end up reading it for 3 hours!