Quick catch up.
Poker- Meh not going great. Playing well just on a downswing where nothing is going right. That's MTT's for you. Some of it is overspilling in the heat of the moment but on the whole it's not effecting my game/outlook. As long as I feel like I'm playing well than that's all that counts. Will document some goals for 2012 with some poker in mind.
Family- All good. We had a great Christmas. Kids had a great time. My mum and brother came over for the meal. Shelley did a superb job with Xmas dinner. Nom. Unfortunately my Dad was in India due to my grandfather's passing earlier in the month. Not so long ago I had 3 grandparents and now I have none. It's a very strange feeling. Personally I hate reminders of out own mortality. Morbid thoughts and all that anyway..... back to Christmas! We went to my cousin's in the evening with all manor of family there. We had a great time with the kids. Will post up some pics if I can below. Always seem to breach the filesize :/
2012. I have a number of goals for 2012- probably similar to those on these boards. I shall list mine as follows:
Poker:
1) Enjoy the game!
2)Grind more. I'm not going to set myself some unrealistic or sick target primarily due to family and work but I am going to try and up the volume I put in online. I'm quite lazy and unprepared when it comes to the grind and sometimes will just switch on the lappie at 10.30pm cos I can't sleep or just for something to do. Obv this is not going to lead to optimal poker or in fact optimal sleep pattern. I'm going to plan a month in advance around shifts at work and put in a solid schedule when I do play. I will try to stick to it as much as possible but again I want to enjoy what I'm doing and not be playing it for the sake of playing. Think this will lead to better decisions and play overall
I'd also like to skype people during sessions. I know the best grinders do. I'm not up there with the best but wouldn't mind talking more during sessions rather than trying to keep half an eye on facebook so any grinders out there wanting to do this let me know!
3)Stop playing midweek in shit holes. Not to offend anyone but I do play local donkaments in Leicester. This is mainly due to boredom and to be social with the likes of AutobetKev (Kev Smith) and leethefish (Lee Williamson). I don't think this actually does me any good. We're not actually socialising as we just chat on breaks and usually it's to berate the play we're seeing. Well George and co, what do you expect? It's a tenner midweek rebuy?!? This has a knock on effect as when I do play live I can sometimes feel negative about live poker and just not focus as much because midweek live little boring comps have drained me. I want to try and cut these out completely and only play live comps worth playing however sometimes I just need to get out and stretch my legs. If this is the case I want to try and make it to DTD instead. Better structure, great club, Team Eureka are there for the banter plus crispy chicken salad!!!
4)Aim for a 50k online/live cash- Would love to add a fat flag to my hendom mob. Failing that finalling a UKIPT or a Sunday Major would be nice!
5) Play the Main Event. Don't care too much about Vegas. When I do Vegas again want to take Shelley so am just targeting playing the main. Somehow I will get there! Once I'm there I'll switch this goal to winning it
Life:
1)Eat better/Exercise more: The poker player's mantra! Once upon a time I used to actually get off my arse more than once a week and play footie. I actually played Sat and Sun football as well as training once a week. I wasn't the best player in the world but I had an engine like Giggsy. Up and down the wing with industry and speed (no first touch though). I loved it. I wouldn't mind seeing out my 30's by perhaps rejoining a Sat or Sun team but small baby steps first I need to exercise and diet that's wise and a bit of....... anyway.
time
For me, and I know I'm a fat bastard, this is not about losing weight but more to do with being healthier. I want to be able to enjoy my family for a very long time and that isn't going to happen if I continue to live the lifestyle I do. Two key step changes- no more coke or fizzy drinks, no more takeaways apart from once a week. Go walking initially twice a week. I plan on getting a bike at some point and going cycling with the kids. Also eat at sensible times and don't snack! Too often I'll eat past 10, 11, midnight. A sneaky bag of crisps or a pizza from the local takeaway. Even at work I'll drink pop instead of water and visit the snack machine for brekkie. All this crap has to stop. I've said it before, many times but I'm more determined than ever!
2) Go on holiday abroad somewhere with the family: We always manage to get away as a family but most holidays are on these shores. Probably for a number of reasons but mainly cos me and Shelley are probs a bit ignorent and like the safety of the English language. Shelley isn't the best flyer either, bless her but she's getting better. I know the kids would love to go on a flight somewhere aborad would be ideal. I'm thinking Portugal maybe but we shall see!
3)Make more of an effort to see my mum/family: One of life's mysteries. Just like I've suddenly waited for Jan to improve my life with these goals, it always takes an occasion like Xmas to see the family. My mum lives 2 mins drive down the road. How often do I see her? Not often enough. And when I do see her it's for babysitting duties for which she is ALWAYS happy to help. Bad son. Must do better. Same for my brother. We used to be pretty tight but nowadays we hardly see each other.
4) Do more non poker related stuff! Linked to the rest. I used to play pool, footie, go clubbing, socialise, go for meals. All the things a normal person would do. Now by force of habit any spare time is spent looking at two cards often in frustration and boredom. Well no more I tell you! (well sometimes I spose) but mainly no more!!!
5) BLOG moooooooooooooooooooar. I would like you to join me on this journey
So there it is. Let's see how long this new regime lasts and how it effects my poker and happiness levels. Sorry for the tl;dr
Until the next time.... (probably mid Feb)
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