I've sat here staring at the screen in shock for the entire evening, trying to think of something to say. I've yet to come up with anything I'd consider witty or inspirational, so I'm just going to ramble from the heart.
You lot are amazing. Truly. I joined blonde in May 2006 under slightly dodgy circumstances - promoting a Women's only tourney. Controversial to say the least. Yet, you didn't go on the attack. In fact, I received a good bit of support...all things considered. Organising of that tournament lead to involvement in the Women's UK Tour which took up most of 2007. Again, you had questions, but didn't go on the attack. Tikay and I had thorns in our backsides from sitting on a fence for so long, but I had tweezers, so we turned out grand.
Once the dust settled, so did I. I was so impressed with the way ye crush the tables and cheer each other on as ye go. I wanted to improve my game. To be even a patch on you. And I wanted to belong. I read the PHA on the quiet, but it did my head in at times. All those abbreviations must mean something, but WTF did they mean?! I was too new at this game called Hold Em and too new to blonde to even attempt a PHA thread, so instead I started with this:
http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=25211.0 After that, I was definitely happy with my decision to stick it out here and hoped to learn more.
Along came blonde Bash 5. It's all fine and well to chat blindly behind a monitor, but to meet so many in person?! You all know each other. You play live every other day of the week together. You're friends. How would we fit in? Well, that bash sealed the deal. You welcomed us with open arms. Rookie wore a bra...and knickers. You showed Timothy far too much pity, but we'll ignore that.
All in all we had a blast. I came home feeling on top of the moon and the next time I logged in, I truly felt I was part of the blonde family. Since then, you have all taught me so much in poker and life.
I looked at the line up of HOF members earlier today and was
speechless. Go figure. Mark it in yer calendars...it doesn't happen often. People who not only entered (that in itself would be an achievement for me), but cashed and made final tables in WSOP events?! Lads who have managed some seriously fantastic achievements in UK poker. A woman who goes through day to day struggles I'll never be able to relate to, yet improves her game on a regular basis while holding a family together on her own. A mug who throws the odd bit of stick and gets plenty back, but keeps calling for more with a smile on his face. A Dog with consistent skillz at the table who was invited to meet the Queen?! And last, but certainly not least Brendan. To be grouped with such a great man? I am honoured. There's no other way to put it.
I didn't make it to that final table last week without blonde. Railers all through the night. Who would have thought? I didn't make it without the PHA board. I was going through posts in me head as the night went on. I don't post much there, but you lot have taught me loads. I've lots more to learn, without a doubt, and reckon you're the lot to teach me.
Duke, you are a complete nutter and I'm delighted to call you my friend. I can't even put into words what I want to say here because yer so damn much better at things like this than I am and I won't do you justice. Thank you. Sincerely.
I missed my 5k milestone post, much to Kev's dismay, so count this as covering for both. I consider you lot my extended family. I care about what happens in your lives, poker or not. I cry when ye cry and I laugh when ye laugh. And I thank you more than you will ever know for your support and belief in me. Next time we meet...drinks are on me!
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