I love the game

I love the game of poker. Oh, I have cursed it more than once, but I have always loved it. I used to watch my uncles play when I was a kid, dying to have a seat at that table. I have played in a home game that has been going on for almost thirty years. It is not the type of game where people are easily bluffed or even fold with any regularity. We do not play for blood--though we did at one time.
I had a roommate in college that lost his tuition money at acey-ducey. We play to kill time and shoot the shit. I win way more than I lose, but mostly because I am wiling to fold a loser. The stakes are lightweight, but no body's out for blood, so it is real tempting to stay in too long sometimes.

The science of playing on line is a little different. But the bloggers that are out there sharing their outlook and experience make it that much more fun. I love reading about poker, I like writing, though I do not feel qualified in any sort of way to be giving out advise--other than: If you aren't having fun, don't do it. There are a lot of ups and downs out there on the poker table, and there are too many other ways to spend your life and time to do something that is not fun.

My goal is to steadily build a bankroll while keeping the fun in it. (haha, whose isn't) I played on line for two years and for all of my efforts I was damn near even at the end of it. Here goes round 2.

Life is good

My lovely bride and I went sailing over the weekend--the first day of the three day lesson on basic keel board sailing was very windy-ideal conditions. The second day was very cold, and the third day was a little wet, but I really learned a lot and got a lot of hands on experience. My lovely bride and I were joined by another novice on a Colgate 26. I am not even experienced enough to be called a novice, but both our fellow student and my bride have had some sailing experience. We very much enjoyed the class, and are excited to take the next portion of the class -though we will wait for the warmth of spring to schedule the next portion. We took our lessons at Ocean Sailing Academy in Charleston. Our instructor was very patient, knowledgeable and proficient. We were very impressed. I do not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who is looking to learn or to sharpen their sailing skills.

Fat, Happy and Content(or gratitude on a day to give thanks)

Sometimes I walk around life not realizing just how good I have it. Generally, when I take stock of my personal inventory, I can't help but realize what a really lucky guy I am. I have a wife that I adore, and even better, she's kinda partial to me, too. I have happy and healthy siblings, and am blessed with quality friends. My mother is still in good shape, and though my dad died a couple of years ago, he is still missed and loved very much. I have my health, my lovely bride has her health.

We have a nice house (well, us and the bank). We have two good kids who are in their twenties and not living at home for the moment--though this is apt to change at any given time. They both work and go to school, and are genuinely good people. They make their mother proud, and that makes me greatful.

We had a nice day with my mother, my wife and my step daughter. My step son is in California visiting his father and some other friends. I have attempted not to over eat, and perhaps for the first time in my existance--I think I have succeeded. Oh well, there is at least six more weeks of this. Whew!! Next year I really am joining the gym!!! (I aint taking no bets though)

A moment of Silence

Earlier this month there was a tragic fire in North Carolina. Six USC students and one Clemson student died at a beach house they were visiting for the weekend. A very sad day for all of their family and friends. Tragedies really puts things in perspective.

One of my and my lovely Bride's favorite people in the whole world lost her niece in the fire. She (the niece) was obviously well loved, and well respected, by her family, her friends, her employers and her teachers. A promising life was cut short.

Her aunt is quite a shining light herself. She is well respected in her profession, and socially, she is the kind of person who makes you feel like the world is a better place for her being in it- a genuine good hearted soul with her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Tragedy has struck and many hearts are filled with sorrow. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Many of us stand on the sidelines wishing we could do something to help sooth some of the heartbreak.

If I could I would share about how I watched my parents bury my brother. At the time it sucked. How the sun did rise again and the flowers bloomed again despite the sadness that seemed like it would never give way. We were lucky in some ways--in the end it brought our family closer. How I was eventually able to look with gratitude for the time I got to spend with my brother, How that gratitude made the bitterness a little easier to deal with. Basically, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But, I do not want to sound trite or insensitive either. Grief moves at its own pace.

I have come to look at loss and death more with a kind of duality of feelings that one would not normally think of as being complimentary--joy and sorrow. Joy for the life that was shared and experiences lived. Joy for the privilege of having been able to share that life. Joy for the love that life brought to me and to others around me. Sorrow for the immediate loss.

Hopefully the family and friends who lost these loved ones so sadly can find some peace of mind, heart and soul in their moment of pain. They are in our thoughts and prayers.

Shiver me Timbers

This weekend I am taking sailing lessons in Charleston Harbor from my good friend Ned Goss at Ocean Sailing Academy. It is a 3 day whirlwind course on basic keel boat sailing. I will be certified (as opposed to certifiable) come Monday--America's Cup here I come (certifiable as opposed to certified).

This is an adventure that I am undertaking with my lovely bride, Cameron. While I am truly the novice here, Cameron grew up sailing all kinds of boats in all kinds of weather. She just isn't certified (no jokes here--I might be crazy, but I aint stoooopid).

We have a vision of one day retiring and traveling from coastal town to coastal town via our very own airstream of the sea.

A Beginning

I type slow. Still, it seems to work out, because I think slow, too. I can't spell, but I am damn good at spell checker (when I remember). I love poker, but I have been out of it for a while (other than my 25 yr plus home game) Now that I have lately come to discover the blogging world of poker, my interest is aroused. The many poker bloggers out there who write from so many different perspectives, have whetted my appetite for both the blog and the game. Therefor, I hereby toss my ante and my keyboard into the pot.

Who knows, this might be fun!!!