With the economy in the toilet and the general feeling that things are going south around me, I did manage to finish up the side work for Pokercrack.com. Roy and I both seem happy about the results and I am hopeful that this is just the beginning of things to generate a little cash here and there. I figured I'll contact Pete and see what he says about getting into this kind of thing more often.
Regardless, I also got paid for said work - but it is in my poker account. Up until last week I was planning on withdrawing the bulk of it and using it for bills and maybe a personal splurge on Foxwoods - but a couple of things have changed my mind on that front.
First off, my wife made indications that she wanted to use it for Christmas presents. While a good idea - it made me take a look at our checking account and the transactions therein. This was very enlightening and I'm concerned that if I made a withdrawal today to my checking account, I'm concerned the money would not be there next week - let alone in time for Christmas.
Second off, I worked hard for this money and would like the opportunity to use it for myself. Selfish? Certainly. In this light, I'm inclined to leave it in my poker account to try to grow it some more (since it gives me enough of a bankroll to play $2/$4 easily, $3/6 and $5/10 with a little more caution and bigger buyin tournaments). My plan since returning to poker has been to grow my bankroll and let it thrive - and I think this injection to it would help me along quite nicely - might even make a difference this year or the next in terms of getting caught up with things.
Anyway - there's other little things that I won't go into here - but I think that keeping it in my poker account for now is a solid idea. If I do decide to use it for Christmas, I can make a withdrawal closer to black friday and not have to worry about it getting used up previous to that.
Mark and I had a decent discussion about the current arrangement and I felt we accomplished alot by just talking. He plans at the worst to be out by Christmas - which I think is a solid goal at this point. He has a backup plan to stay at my mother's if things don't end up working out well enough to pick up an apartment. Lindsay doesn't think she can survive another 2 months with him - but I don't think there's much option here. He needs a place to stay, he just started another new job. We need some extra cash while Lindsay is unable to work due to her wrist. This all means him sticking around for a little longer.
Mark put together my mailbox yesterday which strikes another to-do off of my list. I need to get to the point where the laundry is caught up, dishes are caught up, etc. Once those are caught up, I really want to get to the point that I can finish up the "bill box" (where I throw all manner of bills, papers, etc) and start working on the closet. I'm still not sure what to do with all of the papers, as I don't have access to a shredder (and it would be a huge amount to shred in the first place) - and there's a lot of random crap in there that could be compromised if someone was intent on doing harm. I've contemplated dumping some dye or even water to just ruin the papers - but that has other issues (namely increasing the weight of the bags by quite a bit).
Writing of course has still not picked up. I can blame no one but myself on this front, but it is at least still in my mind.
For role-playing - I actually got in my 3rd session of my "monthly" game. We're coming up on a year since the first session - so I'm working closer to half-yearly than monthly - but what can I say? Life is busy! Online - I've got myself in an PbP game (3.5e) that moves along slowly and in a mini quest for the CoCo (4e). I also entered my first Expert DM Competition (XDMC) - 4e - which is the new MDMC's that I mentioned before. I have high hopes of doing well - but we'll see how things go.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
End of September - what will October bring?
September was a tough month for me. In poker - I was up about $500 but now, the last day of the month, I am at a profit of $6 - so I had a quick rush up and a quick rush down in the same month. Tournaments continue to treat me well, I still can't seem to get a good rhythm in ring games. My bankroll is back down to $200 or so - which is annoying considering where it was.
In October I think it will be wise to try to spend less time on it. I want to make a lot of money but at the same time, I spent a huge amount of time on it this month and while it was for enjoyment, I ended up being more frustrated than anything by it.
I should be finishing up the project for Pokercrack.com soon - which will be some much needed money in my pocket. I haven't decided yet if I'll withdraw it - but I rate it fairly likely that I will.
It appears that my forgetfulness of getting oil for the house is going to save me ~$75-100 due to the fact that gas prices have dipped a fair amount in the last week - as much as $0.50/gallon. I probably should've done a 200 gallon fill - but I am concerned I won't have enough money to do it since Lindsay's not working as much as she was. Lindsay hurt her wrist at volleyball last week and we're not sure how long it will be before she can go back to bartending.
The economy is basically in the toilet. I'm not sure how much this effects me other than I am generally concerned about where things will be in one week, one month, 6 months. I must be more stressed than usual because my exscema is acting up a fair amount more than usual. No one's made any comment on it (to which I am thankful), but it is something that I notice and it certainly bothers me.
I am still dragging my feet about working on cleaning up the house. Soon the temperatures will be dropping and I won't have much drive for it at all. I also want to get out and do more active things - I'm sometimes at a loss as to what though. Walking always seems my route - but I think more exercise intensive actions would be more useful.
Not sure what else to put down today - so I guess I'll close it here.
In October I think it will be wise to try to spend less time on it. I want to make a lot of money but at the same time, I spent a huge amount of time on it this month and while it was for enjoyment, I ended up being more frustrated than anything by it.
I should be finishing up the project for Pokercrack.com soon - which will be some much needed money in my pocket. I haven't decided yet if I'll withdraw it - but I rate it fairly likely that I will.
It appears that my forgetfulness of getting oil for the house is going to save me ~$75-100 due to the fact that gas prices have dipped a fair amount in the last week - as much as $0.50/gallon. I probably should've done a 200 gallon fill - but I am concerned I won't have enough money to do it since Lindsay's not working as much as she was. Lindsay hurt her wrist at volleyball last week and we're not sure how long it will be before she can go back to bartending.
The economy is basically in the toilet. I'm not sure how much this effects me other than I am generally concerned about where things will be in one week, one month, 6 months. I must be more stressed than usual because my exscema is acting up a fair amount more than usual. No one's made any comment on it (to which I am thankful), but it is something that I notice and it certainly bothers me.
I am still dragging my feet about working on cleaning up the house. Soon the temperatures will be dropping and I won't have much drive for it at all. I also want to get out and do more active things - I'm sometimes at a loss as to what though. Walking always seems my route - but I think more exercise intensive actions would be more useful.
Not sure what else to put down today - so I guess I'll close it here.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Work, wear and tear
I have been draining myself thin lately between work, family, poker and then all of the other crap I try to fit in my daily routine. I realized the other day that I try to work on a few things each day, but I very rarely accomplish much.
For instance, cleaning my house. I was working on the pile of papers that need to be shredded, recycled and whatever in the corner next to my computer desk. The pile overflows a 3x3x2ft cardboard box (I don't know how big it is exactly - it is one of the many boxes I used for moving crap from my condo to the house) and extends another foot above it - mostly using the computer desk to prevent a tumble of papers into my bedroom and over the floor. Anyway - I started working on it and promptly walked away after filling about 1/4 of a trash bag. I barely made a dent in it.
Anyway - I think work takes out a lot of my energy, but I'm fairly certain that I am also a little annoyed by how little the rest of my household does in terms of cleaning things up that are not regular cleanups. This is a tension point for me and is certainly something I need to bring up with my wife.
Currently, we also have a live-in guest. He's fallen on hard times, blah blah blah - but he needs to start contributing and he needs to be better about paying what few dollars we have requested of him. That - or he needs to find a place to stay himself. He doesn't put us out very much - I doubt he affects our bottom line - but he is at times very ungrateful and at times a little rude - and this is something that saddens me since I have provided him a place to stay for the last couple of months. To make matters worse, I think he quit his job on a whim last night - and I don't think he has another lined up to take its place.
Anyway - in terms of family, Gabe is doing great in school and continues to adjust to being on a schedule. This past week has been difficult because a cold has been making its way through the household - so Gabe actually stayed home a couple of times. Guenevere is having a good time as well - but its only preschool - so I'm just expecting play time stories from her. Every day though, they both sit at the kitchen table and practice their letters - something I wish we had started earlier (during the summer or even last year). They all know their letters by sight, but writing is still difficult for them.
Poker has been going a little better of late. I managed a deep finish in a cheap tournament the other day and had a monster of a session the other night at a ring game. Also, I'm pretty close to finishing the side work I have that should bring in another $1500. I think I'm planning on taking some of that money and trying a shot in a tournament down at Foxwoods - but I'll have to make plans for that and figure out when is a good time with work and such.
This weekend, I'm hoping to really get some work on cleaning done - whether it be the pile of papers, my front porch or something else. If the weather is nice, I might take the kids to the Zoo - since it is getting close to the time when it closes for the season and it will be a nice time to go (won't be too hot, won't be too busy). I'll check later if they have anything special going on this weekend.
For instance, cleaning my house. I was working on the pile of papers that need to be shredded, recycled and whatever in the corner next to my computer desk. The pile overflows a 3x3x2ft cardboard box (I don't know how big it is exactly - it is one of the many boxes I used for moving crap from my condo to the house) and extends another foot above it - mostly using the computer desk to prevent a tumble of papers into my bedroom and over the floor. Anyway - I started working on it and promptly walked away after filling about 1/4 of a trash bag. I barely made a dent in it.
Anyway - I think work takes out a lot of my energy, but I'm fairly certain that I am also a little annoyed by how little the rest of my household does in terms of cleaning things up that are not regular cleanups. This is a tension point for me and is certainly something I need to bring up with my wife.
Currently, we also have a live-in guest. He's fallen on hard times, blah blah blah - but he needs to start contributing and he needs to be better about paying what few dollars we have requested of him. That - or he needs to find a place to stay himself. He doesn't put us out very much - I doubt he affects our bottom line - but he is at times very ungrateful and at times a little rude - and this is something that saddens me since I have provided him a place to stay for the last couple of months. To make matters worse, I think he quit his job on a whim last night - and I don't think he has another lined up to take its place.
Anyway - in terms of family, Gabe is doing great in school and continues to adjust to being on a schedule. This past week has been difficult because a cold has been making its way through the household - so Gabe actually stayed home a couple of times. Guenevere is having a good time as well - but its only preschool - so I'm just expecting play time stories from her. Every day though, they both sit at the kitchen table and practice their letters - something I wish we had started earlier (during the summer or even last year). They all know their letters by sight, but writing is still difficult for them.
Poker has been going a little better of late. I managed a deep finish in a cheap tournament the other day and had a monster of a session the other night at a ring game. Also, I'm pretty close to finishing the side work I have that should bring in another $1500. I think I'm planning on taking some of that money and trying a shot in a tournament down at Foxwoods - but I'll have to make plans for that and figure out when is a good time with work and such.
This weekend, I'm hoping to really get some work on cleaning done - whether it be the pile of papers, my front porch or something else. If the weather is nice, I might take the kids to the Zoo - since it is getting close to the time when it closes for the season and it will be a nice time to go (won't be too hot, won't be too busy). I'll check later if they have anything special going on this weekend.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Kids back at school, Poker and Megamek
Well, it is past the first week of school now. Gabriel started in Spanish immersion this year; Guenevere is in preschool still. Gabe's class runs 4 days per week - a full school day on Monday and then half days Tuesday through Thursday. Due to my son's special needs, and yesterday being his first full day, it appears this will be the major work point for Lindsay and I. I happened to be home when he came home yesterday and he basically tore apart the house for a bit before finally calming down. Even when calmed down though - I could tell he was still out of sorts.
Guenevere has taken back to school as well as I expected - she loves it, missed it over the summer and is upset that her brother goes to class before she does.
Grayson is not in school of course, but is teething something fierce and is likewise miserable. He is also walking full speed and has taken a bit of a tantrum approach to life. Still, he's cute - so I don't think he's in trouble... yet.
Poker continues to produce well for me and my bankroll is almost up to $300. My side project for PokerCrack.com has hit a bit of a snag - but since that's an extra $1500 in my pocket, I want to owkr hard on it to make it satisfactory to Roy.
Megamek's new cycle just started. I only have had the time to play one match so far, but in general I am happy to see it back. I'll probably not really take much part in this campaign though - there's just too much going on to justify more than a time-to-time commitment.
Guenevere has taken back to school as well as I expected - she loves it, missed it over the summer and is upset that her brother goes to class before she does.
Grayson is not in school of course, but is teething something fierce and is likewise miserable. He is also walking full speed and has taken a bit of a tantrum approach to life. Still, he's cute - so I don't think he's in trouble... yet.
Poker continues to produce well for me and my bankroll is almost up to $300. My side project for PokerCrack.com has hit a bit of a snag - but since that's an extra $1500 in my pocket, I want to owkr hard on it to make it satisfactory to Roy.
Megamek's new cycle just started. I only have had the time to play one match so far, but in general I am happy to see it back. I'll probably not really take much part in this campaign though - there's just too much going on to justify more than a time-to-time commitment.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Just a quick update
Haven't been very good about updating this with any of my recent endeavors - but better late than never I suppose.
Lately, I've been getting back into poker and have been pleased to find that my game is starting to come around. August was a tough month and I was in the hole from day 1. I managed to fluctuate from down $50-100 or so for most of it - which was just frustrating. Near the end of the month though, I managed a 1st place finish in a 2-7 Triple Draw tournament and with the money from that and a couple of timely ring game wins - I was down a total of $7 for the month.
This month, however, has started off real well and I'm already up around $60 or so.
For the most part, I am concentrating on tournaments and mixing in ring games when I have the time and patience. The bankroll is still too small to take too many chances, but at least it is self-sustaining. With a solid tournament finish here and there it should grow quite well.
In non-poker adventures, I'm barely playing Maple Story anymore and have netted about 10% in the past two weeks on my main character (TelinArtho2). My wizard also has gained some, but just from Carnivals.
I've also stopped playing Megamek.net during the test cycle. The new cycle starts this weekend though - so I'll plan to split my poker time with it since it is a fun game to play - especially at the beginning of the cycle. Of course, if I make some decent money at poker - I'm more likely to stay on that activity more... decisions decisions.
I've also been trying to get myself back into writing, which has been arduous and not successful thus far. I need to really set down and put some effort into it - but I have to admit - when I do have the time (after work, after the kids are asleep, after I've unwound for a little bit), I'm pretty tired. Regardless - these are just excuses. I have at least started digging around for my past writings and have been disappointed with what I've found.
I found out that Critters.org is still up and running strong. It is a critique website for writers of fantasy, science fiction and horror and was a staple of my writing time during my college and post-college years. I haven't stopped over there since my son was born (and I know this since my profile over there mentions my son) - so its been 4+ years. My how time passes.
It is of course the end of summer and I've gotten little done around the house to show for it. My lawn is overgrown, my house is a tattered mess. This weekend, despite the hurricane that is moving in on Saturday, I'm hoping to get some solid cleaning done to prepare for the fall and winter months.
I'll try to keep posting over here when I get the chance and the time - at the very least it is an outlet of thoughts - which helps the flow for when I do write. Maybe next time, I'll post about some of the story ideas I am fleshing out in my head (to at least get them started).
That's it for now.
Lately, I've been getting back into poker and have been pleased to find that my game is starting to come around. August was a tough month and I was in the hole from day 1. I managed to fluctuate from down $50-100 or so for most of it - which was just frustrating. Near the end of the month though, I managed a 1st place finish in a 2-7 Triple Draw tournament and with the money from that and a couple of timely ring game wins - I was down a total of $7 for the month.
This month, however, has started off real well and I'm already up around $60 or so.
For the most part, I am concentrating on tournaments and mixing in ring games when I have the time and patience. The bankroll is still too small to take too many chances, but at least it is self-sustaining. With a solid tournament finish here and there it should grow quite well.
In non-poker adventures, I'm barely playing Maple Story anymore and have netted about 10% in the past two weeks on my main character (TelinArtho2). My wizard also has gained some, but just from Carnivals.
I've also stopped playing Megamek.net during the test cycle. The new cycle starts this weekend though - so I'll plan to split my poker time with it since it is a fun game to play - especially at the beginning of the cycle. Of course, if I make some decent money at poker - I'm more likely to stay on that activity more... decisions decisions.
I've also been trying to get myself back into writing, which has been arduous and not successful thus far. I need to really set down and put some effort into it - but I have to admit - when I do have the time (after work, after the kids are asleep, after I've unwound for a little bit), I'm pretty tired. Regardless - these are just excuses. I have at least started digging around for my past writings and have been disappointed with what I've found.
I found out that Critters.org is still up and running strong. It is a critique website for writers of fantasy, science fiction and horror and was a staple of my writing time during my college and post-college years. I haven't stopped over there since my son was born (and I know this since my profile over there mentions my son) - so its been 4+ years. My how time passes.
It is of course the end of summer and I've gotten little done around the house to show for it. My lawn is overgrown, my house is a tattered mess. This weekend, despite the hurricane that is moving in on Saturday, I'm hoping to get some solid cleaning done to prepare for the fall and winter months.
I'll try to keep posting over here when I get the chance and the time - at the very least it is an outlet of thoughts - which helps the flow for when I do write. Maybe next time, I'll post about some of the story ideas I am fleshing out in my head (to at least get them started).
That's it for now.
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