It feels like years since I posted, most probably because it has been. A lot has gone on in the world since I was last updating this site with any regularity. Loads of bad stuff has happened to good people. We all know someone who has lost a person, a business, something. I am probably going to keep my observations and updates confined to me and mine for a few reasons. Firstly, it's my site, and secondly, a synopsis of everyone else's world events would be time consuming, and somewhat redundant, so, let's stick with just me and my immediate circle and do everyone a favour.
My mum passed away in April 2021. It was at the very least every bit as painful and upsetting as you'd think something like that might be. She had two pretty OK years (considering) living with cancer after it was initially discovered, and a few truly awful weeks right at the end during palliative care. I made the choice to put everything else in life on hold and just take care of her at home, with the help of my sister who was also hugely supportive during my mum's final years. I won't dive too much into this stuff on a poker site, because it's pretty personal, and also, I don't want to. But suffice to say, it's hard taking care of, and losing a parent who was a huge part of your life for so long. For your whole life. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat, but it was utterly draining at the time, and very tough on everybody, as even the most basic of tasks became 5 x harder. My Mum was very brave, and never gave up, right to the end. This also happening snap bang in the middle of Covid/the apocalypse/whatever/ certainly didn't make it any easier for anyone, but we deal with things as they come as best we can., and we try to move forward.
I also lost Doyle, my beloved dog almost 4 years ago to the day. He was with us for 17 years, and meant everything to me. It broke my heart, and losing both my Mum, and him affected me very deeply. I've always had dogs in my life since I was a kid, and I still maintain that 100% of dogs are better than 95% of humans. Maybe I've just made some really questionable choices with people, but there we go. I still believe that the people you meet in life are one of two things: a blessing, or a lesson. I've had my share of both.
Numerous other things have happened. Legal, emotional, all of it. Plenty of bad, and a very modest sprinkling of good in amongst the angst. I had a number of immigration issues getting back into the USA after my 2019 problems, which involved a lot of U.S embassy meetings, and a lot of stress and expense. Finally, I'm glad to report it eventually got resolved, but it was time consuming and draining. Note to self: never do anything for love that is liable to get you deported... At the time, Covid was rampant, and I was also taking care of my Mum, working from home, and juggling 50 other problems in my life, so poker and travel were a very low priority anyway. I was going to get back to the U.S at some point, but there were far more important things happening in my life at the time, so poker, this site, and travel was most definitely on the back burner. I should take a moment to thank the people who have previously bought shares, who were all aware of the issues I was facing (since we kept in contact), and almost universally were extremely understanding and supportive of my situation. I've met a huge amount of sketchy, questionable, and downright awful people during my years in poker. I've never been shy in saying that the game is full of them. I have to say that the overwhelming majority of people that I've known via me starting this website, and my interactions with them, have been a pleasant contrast to the norm. I'm grateful to have made some lasting friendships that span the globe, and many years.
I've got a bit older, a bit slower, and bizarrely, still not a grey hair in sight. Go figure. Last few years I've played more golf, which I find both challenging and relaxing, as well as decent exercise, and have tried to stay away from the toxicity that my lifestyle sadly always seemed to attract, and just focus on getting by and being happy when the moments to do so arise. I've found a girl who is sweet and caring, and who amazingly seems to like me (I know). I've decided not to let her sober up anytime soon, in case she comes to her senses and makes a run for it. You'll be delighted to know that I'm still as cynical as ever, and I haven't lost my sense of humour, nor my contempt for people who are just, awful people. They normally show themselves as being awful in the end, but rarely from the outset. I'm maybe a bit better now at letting them just get on with it, and avoiding getting drawn into their drama. I've had enough of my own the last few difficult years, so maybe their problems can stay their problems and not become mine any more. I'm probably a lot more private than I used to be, but I don't see that as a bad thing, what with so many people posting every bowel movement on social media.
This trip for me involves "some" poker, plenty of golf, and a healthy amount of rest and recuperation. My schedule for playing tournaments certainly isn't anywhere near as full on as it used to be for the WSOP or similar. There are always games to play in Las Vegas 24/7. With the poker scene in the UK being (in my opinion) pretty dire for the last few years, with casino cardroom standards plummeting whilst conversely getting progressively more expensive for the player, I've stayed out of it for the most part, and I'm glad of the chance to come out here and dip in and out and just play when I feel like it, as opposed to having to grind on the treadmill day after day hoping for a huge score. I will scope out the decent value events on this trip that I plan to get involved in, and I will post a schedule of sorts and some updates shortly, but it's a much more laid back affair than in times past, and I plan to play less poker on this trip and focus more on quality over quantity.
Watch this space.