Poker Media Mid Life Crisis

[DaveShoelace]

Inspired by Andrew T and my recent enjoyment of Pleno1's blog, I've decided to do one of these.

My name is Barry Carter, I am 34 from Sheffield. I have worked in the poker media as a writer/editor/marketing guy for about eight years. I am the news editor of PokerStrategy and co author of The Mental Game of Poker 1&2 (With Jared Tendler).

Ok spam out of the way. I thought now would be a good time to do one of these diaries. I have a few blogs, but they are all kinda 'work' blogs with a business intent behind them. I start this one because I love Blondepoker and I am at an interesting cross roads in my life. The problem is - I currently have everything I've ever really wanted and am really happy.

The last two or three years have been a real rollercoaster. My Dad died nearly three years ago suddenly and unexpectedly. Shortly after I released my first book - on Black Friday, literally the worst day in history to release a poker book. I got married last year in New York to my lovely wife Gina. Soon after the wedding Gina had a really shitty year with jobs, losing one and struggling to find a new one. This year Jared and I finished and released our second book. All the while holding down a mostly full time job for PokerStrategy. The books and jobs did well, and as a result I was able to finally buy my first house in April.

So the last three years I was always either working my bollocks off, saving for the house or dealing with something quite major in life terms.

Now after all that time I find myself content and very happy - and I have no idea how to deal with it. I love being married, I love my house, I love my job and have some interesting things on the horizon, I have a great dog, good friends, the family are doing well, health is ok etc. I really am pinch myself happy and am highly motivated to work really hard to hold onto what I have.

But it feels weird. I'm a bit of a workaholic and am not sure to do now I have free time and less stress in my life. I keep jokingly singing to Gina the song 'I just don't know what to do with myself' because I find myself getting bored easily.

So I thought a diary would be fun. Maybe it will help me find a new hobby, or something new to get stressed about (which I secretly crave).

Ask Me Anything! One of my great qualities and flaws in life is that I am way too honest when I am asked something, so that in itself could prove entertaining.

[celtic]

In first. Glglgl.

[pokerfan]

Is it true you invented the shoe lace ?

[DaveShoelace]

Is it true you invented the shoe lace ?

No

The nickname DaveShoelace did come from that, kinda.

Once for a 'laugh' I checked into a hotel under a false name. This was obviously years back when hotels didn't always require a credit card for a reservation. Between my friends and I, somehow we thought 'Dave Shoelace' was a funny name, and it stuck. We had a back story that Dave Shoelace's ancestors invented the shoe lace.

In hindsight it's not funny.

[Knottikay]

Ask Me Anything!


Can I have a free copy of The Mental Game of Poker please. I will even let you sign it for me too. TY.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Inspired by Andrew T and my recent enjoyment of Pleno1's blog, I've decided to do one of these.

My name is Barry Carter, I am 34 from Sheffield. I have worked in the poker media as a writer/editor/marketing guy for about eight years. I am the news editor of PokerStrategy and co author of The Mental Game of Poker 1&2 (With Jared Tendler).

Ok spam out of the way. I thought now would be a good time to do one of these diaries. I have a few blogs, but they are all kinda 'work' blogs with a business intent behind them. I start this one because I love Blondepoker and I am at an interesting cross roads in my life. The problem is - I currently have everything I've ever really wanted and am really happy.

The last two or three years have been a real rollercoaster. My Dad died nearly three years ago suddenly and unexpectedly. Shortly after I released my first book - on Black Friday, literally the worst day in history to release a poker book. I got married last year in New York to my lovely wife Gina. Soon after the wedding Gina had a really shitty year with jobs, losing one and struggling to find a new one. This year Jared and I finished and released our second book. All the while holding down a mostly full time job for PokerStrategy. The books and jobs did well, and as a result I was able to finally buy my first house in April.

So the last three years I was always either working my bollocks off, saving for the house or dealing with something quite major in life terms.

Now after all that time I find myself content and very happy - and I have no idea how to deal with it. I love being married, I love my house, I love my job and have some interesting things on the horizon, I have a great dog, good friends, the family are doing well, health is ok etc. I really am pinch myself happy and am highly motivated to work really hard to hold onto what I have.

But it feels weird. I'm a bit of a workaholic and am not sure to do now I have free time and less stress in my life. I keep jokingly singing to Gina the song 'I just don't know what to do with myself' because I find myself getting bored easily.

So I thought a diary would be fun. Maybe it will help me find a new hobby, or something new to get stressed about (which I secretly crave).

Ask Me Anything! One of my great qualities and flaws in life is that I am way too honest when I am asked something, so that in itself could prove entertaining.

Ninja Edit - Replace all of the above with "I'm ready to become a father."  It's practically screaming it!

Question: Have you ever considered using the phrase "I'm Barry, from Sheffield" in a poker room environment?

[outragous76]

I am 34 .

call

[DaveShoelace]

Ask Me Anything!


Can I have a free copy of The Mental Game of Poker please. I will even let you sign it for me too. TY.

Sadly no, nice try though.

[DaveShoelace]

I am 34 .

call

Christ, do you know the worst thing? I'm actually 33 still.

That's a sign you are getting old, you get your own age wrong.

[DaveShoelace]

Inspired by Andrew T and my recent enjoyment of Pleno1's blog, I've decided to do one of these.

My name is Barry Carter, I am 34 from Sheffield. I have worked in the poker media as a writer/editor/marketing guy for about eight years. I am the news editor of PokerStrategy and co author of The Mental Game of Poker 1&2 (With Jared Tendler).

Ok spam out of the way. I thought now would be a good time to do one of these diaries. I have a few blogs, but they are all kinda 'work' blogs with a business intent behind them. I start this one because I love Blondepoker and I am at an interesting cross roads in my life. The problem is - I currently have everything I've ever really wanted and am really happy.

The last two or three years have been a real rollercoaster. My Dad died nearly three years ago suddenly and unexpectedly. Shortly after I released my first book - on Black Friday, literally the worst day in history to release a poker book. I got married last year in New York to my lovely wife Gina. Soon after the wedding Gina had a really shitty year with jobs, losing one and struggling to find a new one. This year Jared and I finished and released our second book. All the while holding down a mostly full time job for PokerStrategy. The books and jobs did well, and as a result I was able to finally buy my first house in April.

So the last three years I was always either working my bollocks off, saving for the house or dealing with something quite major in life terms.

Now after all that time I find myself content and very happy - and I have no idea how to deal with it. I love being married, I love my house, I love my job and have some interesting things on the horizon, I have a great dog, good friends, the family are doing well, health is ok etc. I really am pinch myself happy and am highly motivated to work really hard to hold onto what I have.

But it feels weird. I'm a bit of a workaholic and am not sure to do now I have free time and less stress in my life. I keep jokingly singing to Gina the song 'I just don't know what to do with myself' because I find myself getting bored easily.

So I thought a diary would be fun. Maybe it will help me find a new hobby, or something new to get stressed about (which I secretly crave).

Ask Me Anything! One of my great qualities and flaws in life is that I am way too honest when I am asked something, so that in itself could prove entertaining.

Ninja Edit - Replace all of the above with "I'm ready to become a father."  It's practically screaming it!

Question: Have you ever considered using the phrase "I'm Barry, from Sheffield" in a poker room environment?

We really don't want kids, no inclination at all yet.

No to your other question, everyone would think I was Barry Nev

[George2Loose]

Do u dye the middle of your hair so u look like peep le pew?

[DaveShoelace]

Do u dye the middle of your hair so u look like peep le pew?

No that's natural, had it since I was 9.

School nicknames included the one you just mentioned, Grandad, tippex head, streak, skunk and barry the badger bastard

[tikay]

Gotta love someone who is happy

Good luck Barry, in this & everything you do.

Happy is good.

[Acidmouse]

Yeah dont have kids they spoil most of the fun!


I remember when u posted about your Dad, very moving.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Do u dye the middle of your hair so u look like peep le pew?

No that's natural, had it since I was 9.

School nicknames included the one you just mentioned, Grandad, tippex head, streak, skunk and barry the badger bastard

If only online screen names weren't restricted in length!!