May 06, 2011
A Radical Experiment in Empathy
In light of recent events, I feel it necessary to share this video.
In light of recent events, I feel it necessary to share this video.
Ep 2 of Badugi All-Stars - "Hot Like A Toaster Strudel" is now up!
"Topics include Portal 2, Tecmo's live poker experiences, more about the internet poker shutdown, and an interview with DeucesCracked member aumorgan."
You can now search for Badugi All-Stars in iTunes and subscribe there so be sure to do that so you don't miss out on such wonderful and insightful content.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/badugi-all-stars/id433967767
If you're not into iTunes, you can check out the website below and download it directly from there.
http://badugi.nixonthegrouch.com/
Post your feedback here!
NixonTheGrouch and I started a podcast called Badugi All-Stars. Yep, it's just as exciting as it sounds. Check out the link below for episode 1, titled "Chocolate Friday." If so inclined, you can subscribe via iTunes. (Note - You'll have to download the mp3 for now. Streaming doesn't work for some reason.)
http://badugi.nixonthegrouch.com/
We'll be looking to interview members of the DC community, random people on the street, Pokey (but not Gumby), and others so get an alibi ready for when we ask you.
(This song has nothing to do with the podcast. I just like it.)
Has anyone else seen this commercial lately?
Is it just me or does this commercial seem about 8 years late? My dial-up connection? My land-line phone?
If you're out of alcohol and tired of complaining, then check out this link for some helpful tips on ways to get active.
See my previous blog entry for further tips.
Online poker in the U.S. has taken a huge blow and the ramifications across the industry are still to be determined, but needless to say there will be many changes. Many are distraught to the point of drinking, whining, going crazy, and yes, even thinking of playing live poker. I don't blame any of them. I would, however, like to offer a different perspective.
The old adage is that when one door closes, another opens. I see these times as an opportunity. Poker players on average are a very lazy bunch. When previously asked to contact their representative, take an active role in expressing their beliefs, and get involved in activities that didn't include grinding, credit card roulette, and the Spearmint Rhino, your average poker player would do nothing. How many of you reading this ever even took 5 minutes to send an email to your representative?
Now is the time to change your attitude. In what may come as a shock to many of you (but probably not), the U.S. government consists of a bunch of dinosaurs who are in charge due to tenure and not intelligence. This means that email, while quick and easy, is not the best way to communicate with them. Phone calls and typed letters are not the way to go either. If you want to actually be heard, then you must HANDWRITE YOUR OWN LETTER. The PPA has already written a letter for you. I suggest using it as a rough template, altering it, and adding a personal touch to make it even better. Click on the link below and select one of the 3 options to see the letter they've written. I'll say it again just to make it clear. HANDWRITE your letter.
http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/home/
At the end of the day, your level of interest in seeing positive changes made will depend on how much you care about your freedom to play online poker. For some of you, this is a minor inconvenience and you likely won't do a damn thing about it. For others, if you actually care about your personal rights, I hope you take action. Your actions from this point forward will help define a new era in poker, both online and live.
Hopefully the U.S. government's actions have lit a fire under your ass. Hopefully we can see these changes in a positive light and use them as a catalyst for change. Hopefully you actually care enough to let your voice be heard.
Before you do anything else, take 6 minutes and watch the video below. Omar Ahmad explains the best way to go about getting your voice heard and bringing about real change.
This is a collection of my favorite inspirational videos. This is mostly for me so I have them all in one place, but I still encourage you to watch them :) Please share your favorites!
"You want more than you have now? Prove it."
"You want something? Go get it. Period."
"But it ain't about how hard you hit... It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward... how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That´s how winning is done."
"If you go to sleep, you might miss the opportunity to be successful. That's how bad you gotta want it."
"If you are not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time."
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
"The most important word in our language is Love."
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity."
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
So tomorrow may or may not be my last day of work for a little while, depending on Congress' ability to get their ish together. I'd wager a large amount on Congress NOT fixing things soon as procrastination is rule #1 in the government employee handbook. See here for a plethora of reasons on why I fully expect a no expense paid vacation in my future.
On the bright side, this sure does seem like a great opportunity to play some pokerz! If this actually does happen, I'm looking at it as an opportunity to put in some serious hands, both live and online. I'm actually looking forward to the opportunity to hit up the local casino and grind it out :)
It'll also give me some more time to work on things with http://www.bi2g.org. I'm supposed to be meeting with the PPA in the near future so that should be epic. With them as partners, this thing could really blow up Rebecca Black style. (ok not that big)
Speaking of that horrific song, this is my favorite rendition thus far:
Found this old picture while perusing some folders. As you can tell, I make sure there are NO distractions when I sit down to play a session. This was back when the term "Little Mac" meant something other than an iPod shuffle.
Poker players are coming together to change the world. If you haven't already, join the movement over at www.bi2g.org I've been putting in a ton of work on the website, with the help of some fellow DCers (Luke00016, Cooper, Steppin Razor, NixontheGrouch). In addition, I'm in talks with the Poker Players Alliance to join together and make a serious impact. Stay tuned for more!
In other news, I'm currently working out the kinks in my plans for the WSOP this summer. Looks like I might be staying at the Rio from June 27th until July 4th. Hoping to play the Triple Draw WSOP event on the 28th if I can sell enough action. I still have ~20% up for grabs ($2500 event, so each percent is $25) so if you're up for a sweat, let me know :) After winning that bracelet, I'll be hitting up the DC Home Game so hopefully I'll see many of you there. Then from July 4th to the 8th I'll be maxin' and relaxin' with the girlfriend at the Palazzo. We saw Ka and Love last year and I'm hoping to check out O this time around. Might even hit up the Penn & Teller show. If you've been to either, let me know what you thought! Here's a clip from last year's home game:
And finally, in DC news, Season 2 recently started. Among other awesomeness, it's pretty sick that we have Ansky/Blah followed immediately by Pr1nnyraiding 3 imo. And Search & Destroy is something many in the community have been clamoring for so don't miss it. If I had the time/energy, I'd be working my way through Bellatrix's math series too, but I have many items on my plate. In due time!
Oh, we watched The Fighter tonight. It was decent. I like that it was based on a true story, but I think the hype around it raised my expectations too high. Rocky > The Fighter.
And to continue the lack of organization in this post, here are a couple pictures of my poker setup. I posted them in the poker office thread and thought I'd throw them in here too :)
Ok, really need to go finish cleaning up the kitchen and hit the hay now. Busy day of rock-climbing and watching basketball tomorrow!
