For Gatso and friends, 0 STTs in 1 month.

[thetank]

I've tried blog blogging (as opposed to blonde blogging) before, but lose interest after a couple of posts when I can't see the point. This time, I do have a purpose, as a padawan writer, it's like my morning exercise. I'm trying to make a wee 200-400 word addition every day.

I'm with Byron. Would love you to do a diary/blog on here as-

a) I'd like to read it

b) I'm lazy and probably won't bother if it's someshere else

Just for you, I'll pop it up here for about a month or so.

Just a warning for anyone wanting to read though, it really has got almost nothing to do with poker...

[thetank]

Day 1 - Accidental shoplifting.

I'll save people from the long version of why I'm here. Basically, I'm doing a correspondence course in creative writing, and it's encouraged me to keep a blog, so here I am with the first post.

I'm told that a writer needs to "organize their time very well."
In my experience this is code for, "there's a shit heap of work involoved," but hopefully it's something I'm going to enjoy.

I'm keen to do well, so am adopting pretty much everything that is encouraged at this stage. Keeping a cuttings file from the daily papers, looking up words I don't know and being more organized in general.

One of the other things it wants me to do is keep a notebook in my pocket at all times, so it's handy to jot down any ideas that come into my head. I was looking in Woolworths yesterday for something that might fit the bill.

The smallest notebook they had was bound in hard card. Before I spent 50p of my hard earned cash, I wanted to see if it would be a comfortable size. Without much thought, I took it from the shelf and placed it in my pocket.

That was probably not the best idea in the world, a staff member in the same aisle saw what I was doing and went to get the security guard. Thankfully I evaded arrest, and am free to do more stupid things tomorrow.

Day 1 Results : +$0 (+$0 total)
ROI : 0% (after 0 tournaments)

[thetank]

Day 2 - The joy of poo

At this point, I'd like to introduce you to my wife Coco (not her real name) and my daughter Molly, who is nearly two months old.

Until this week, Molly had been blessed with a plethora of dirty nappies. Coco fell ill last week, and the resultant dehydration had been passed onto Molly through her milk. Since then, a bout of constipation has had us all a little concerned.

The books tell you this kind of thing is normal, but as first time parents, you can't help but worry a little. You can tell when your wee girl is uncomfortable, and we were all rather on edge for three or four days, waiting for the movement. In my defence, I was 900% more relaxed about it than the missus.

When the poo finally came today, the excitement and celebration was perhaps a little out of proportion to the actual event. Sadly I missed it, being at work, but I got a call on the mobile, and was sure to pass on the happy news to all my colleagues. It's ok, they're already used to expecting the odd "boring dad" story.

My theory is that Molly was just holding it in for as long as possible to wind up her parents. Not much to do when you're a wee baby, so you have to take the craic where you can.
Just in case this hypothesis is incorrect, I've started to force feed Coco diluting juice to keep both Mother and Baby properly lubed up from now on.

Day 2 Results : +$0 (+$0 total)
ROI : 0% (after 0 tournaments)

[thetank]

Day 3 - Card Jungle

Yesterday was official, get rid of the Christmas decorations day, when room has to be found in the attic for all the dancing ladies and leaping lords. For us here in Stenhousemuir, it marks an unusual occurence. The first time in about a year we've had no greetings cards sitting on top of the television.

Coco's side of the family are definately predisposed to the sending of cards at the slightest provocation. Last year we've had a constant stream....

- "Happy Birthday" for the missus.
- "Congratulations on passing your driving test" again, for the missus.
- "Congratulations on getting pregnant" I didn't even know they did these.
- "Congratulations on your engagement"
- "Happy Birthday" for me this time.
- "Congratulations on your new job" to acknowlede the relinquishing of my status as professional poker bum.
- "Congratulations on your new home"
- "Congratulations on your wedding day"
- "It's a girl!.....congratulations"
and then of course the obligatory
- "Merry Christmas"

A busy year it has certainly been. Now we have a couple of weeks before the birthday cards for Coco start rolling in, and it starts all over again.
Who knows how crazy it will be on top of the television in 2008?

Day 3 Results : +$0 (+$0 total)
ROI : 0% (after 0 tournaments)

[thetank]

Day 4 - Team game, of two halves.

I'm currently working as an assistant manager (or ass man if you prefer) at Burger King. It's a job I don't particularly enjoy at the moment. There's no real team dynamic, people don't care if something goes wrong, so long as it's not seen as being their fault. Communication problems and mistakes are frequent, the emphasis is placed on bickering as to who messed up, rather than fixing what went wrong. I'm slowly trying to change this way of thinking, but it is an uphill struggle.

I read in the papers this morning that the first Monday back to work in January is not only the buisiest day for divorce lawyers, as people decide to split over the festive period, but also the time of year when most people leave their jobs looking for something new. Oh well, thought I, absolutely no point in looking for a new job just now, I'll stick at the burgers and chips as there will be too much competition for all the decent roles.

Sharing this with my Coco in the car, she put a positive spin on it for me. If everyone is leaving their jobs, that means there will be loads of vacancies. There's no harm in trying.

I always thought I was the optimist in our marriage. I'm usually the one who tries to work out how something can be achieved, when Coco has already written it off. I'm also usually the one who tries to get on with people that have already been deemed bad eggs by the missus.

Today I was shown that that this is not always the case. My wife is flexible enough to be the positve one when I'm feeling negative. So while it may not feel like a team at the office, I'm thankful that it still does at home.


Day 4 Results : -$0 (-$0 total)
ROI : 0% (after 0 tournaments)

[boldie]

the best stuff you've written thusfar Tank. I shall be looking forward to reading this every morning..even before TK's diary

[Suited_Jock]

nice read thomas, keep um comin.

[Eck]

Always knew you were an ass man.

[TightEnd]

LOL Here's my read with my morning cuppa for the next month!

[Graham C]

:iagree:  Good to hear from you again Tank, great posts

Best wishes to you and the family

[RED-DOG]

+EV

[Claw75]

nice one Tank.  Good move doing the creative writing course - I've always enjoyed reading your stuff and if there's any justice it'll be your writing that'll be raking in the dough in the future xx

[gatso]

aaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrr

n1 Thomas.

think you'll have plenty of fans for this one, no sure why but there's something about your writing style that sucks people in.

gg wp

[matt674]

wot!?!?!?!
























No comma? (yet)

[Dewi_cool]