Spokane

I just got back from Spokane yesterday evening. I am working on my A+ Certification and was finishing up my class time. I did get through the class and was able to pass all of the tests. Now I need to start working on the final test and become certified. What does this do for me? Well, I have been asking for years to get some training on the computers I work with. I am a Respiratory Therapist by trade and all of my computer skills were self learned. Nobody would give me any definite ways to get skills with computers. I finally looked at the group of people I have worked with before and had done some training with. New Horizon in Spokane. They do a great job and really help you get to the point of testing. I had to travel to Spokane and spend the night in the motel. Now I need to pass the tests.

While I was there I had the opportunity to go to Northernquest Casino and I was looking for a game of poker. It is also a nice place to eat since most casinos have some good restaurants and you can eat cheaply and then go play at the tables. They had a couple of tables going and then were looking for interested people in about 3 or 4 different categories. I looked at the 1/2 game and they still needed 6 people to sign up before they would get a game going. I didn't want to spend a lot of time waiting so I went and played Video Poker. I at least doubled my money at the game. I do stick with a strategy and have always done well playing that game. After that I went ahead and went back to my room.

I decided to play some online poker. I went to Pokerstars and got into an SnG table and I guess I really wasn't in to it. I played very loose and went out in 8th place. Not a good showing. I do know what I was doing and I wasn't paying much attention.

I am now at home and getting ready for travel to Dallas for the week. I have a Conference to attend and maybe in the evening if I am lucky I might look for a casino nearby.

I am not a fan of flying but will get through this. Hopefully I will have a good week. I am taking my Netbook and maybe play a little online as well.

Irwin blow up

This weekend I am playing at Wildhorse Casino in the Spring Tournament. I tell myself to have patience and play the best hands. Don't do anything stupid because the tournament will last about 12 hours and I need to pace myself in getting the chips and working my way up the chip count.

The Tournament started at Noon and I was ready and excited to be able to play again. I started on Table 15 seat 1. There were actually two people I was very concerned with at this table. My chip count went down then back up and then slowly started back down and then it went back up again. At this time our table broke and we were all sent to new tables. I was sent over to Table 24 seat 1.

When I played in the Fall Tournament last year I played at table 24 seat 2 so this table is familiar to me. When I sit down I look at the players to see who I would be going up against. In seat 6 is Marsha Waggoner. I saw her in the Fall Tournament but if you remember I played at the same table as Tom McEvoy. Along with Marsha are two others that will be tough as well.

I usually like to see flops when I have pocket pairs. Maybe I get lucky and get a set. Well, this one hand I had pocket 9's. There were 2 raises before me and so I decided to lay the hand down. When the flop came there was a 9 and after the hand finished I would have had the best hand with a set. I would have taken quite a bit of chips with that hand. I have to let that hand go and move on right?

We started with T$3000 in chips so I was at T$2625 in chips at the end of Round 3 with 50/100 blinds. We are getting ready to go to 100/200 blinds. The person in seat 7 had T$350 left and he went all in. I looked at my hand and had pocket 9's again. I look at my chips and decide in all my wisdom to go all-in. Marsha looked over at me and said "Why would you do that?" I think my mind had a brain fart and I couldn't control myself. All I needed to do was just call the raise and see where it would come out. Marsha called my all-in. I turned over the Pocket 9's and at the end of the hand Marsha had 2 pair K10 and I had 2 pair K9. Goodbye tournament.

During the tournament they have a wheel that a person spins for a gift when a professional player takes you out. I was able to spin that wheel and ended up with a blanket from the Pendleton Mill. I was told there that this was the best gift on the board so I felt lucky about that. This blanket is priced at $200 to $330. So I guess I went down there for a blanket and played a tournament. Ok, I feel a little better but no not really.

I need to learn to not make those plays. I could have seen that hand for a lot less money and who knows I could still be playing. In tournament I have to remember it is also about survival and keeping and building chips not trying to build it all at once.

Now, when I see that blanket I will always remember the irwin blowup and Marsha Waggoner. Oh yes, she is a very nice person. It was fun playing at the same table and to watch her play.

Getting Ready

Why do I hate to go to the dentist? That word is so strong and I don't like to use that word. Everytime I go I say to myself that I have been going to the same one since 1983 and he has never hurt me. Everytime I get a little bit of pain he takes care of it and I can continue.

Back when I was a young kid my parents would take us to a dentist near Palm Springs. I can remember what his office looks like. The brick glass and even how the dentist chair and office looked. I would sit in the chair and he would take his tools of the trade and then start to work on my teeth and take care of the cavities that I had. I would wince in pain some times and then he would stop look at me and tell me to stop that because this did not hurt and if I continued he would slap me. Is that why I don't like to go to the dentist? Is this in my mind and everytime I go I expect to be hurt and I am supposed to get through this? I get worked up just thinking about going and my day is just lost afterwards because I am so tired trying to get through this. Here I go again.

I have been playing quite a bit of poker lately. Mostly cash game trying to learn something new. I need to play more tournament right now since I have a game on Sunday in Pendleton and the Wildhorse Casino. I am looking forward to the tournament and hoping I do well. I am going to only play in one tournament for the Spring Tournament unless I cash in this one.

I was at the doctors yesterday and he said I was doing well with my diabetes. My A1c was at 7.4. This is alot better than the 9.4 a few months ago. I am increasing my insulin a little bit to see if I can get my FBS down a little bit more. I do well with the Lunch and pre Dinner. I have to work on the food part of it just a little bit more. I don't mind the foods that I am eating. Maybe even develop some new tastes. It's all about the numbers.

Spring is here and now the yard has to be mowed and watered. The seed I spread out in the backyard is now starting to sprout and grow. Will need to water the backyard as well now. Since our dog passed away the yard in the back is coming back around.

I also need to continue to work on my Certification for A+. I am headed to Spokane in another week to finish the class work and then its the tests. I really need to study some more. After the tournament I will turn my attention to that.

A lot to do and little time.