Circumstances got me thinking about my last band, Active Hero. I remember in my mind thinking that the band was out against me, and they just wanted me out of the band. Well, part of that may be true, but upon scrutiny, I completely understand why.
I may not be able to fully explain away everything, but I turned into one of the biggest butts I know when Active Hero was formed. And I know where some of it came from: my ego.
I got absolutely egotistical. And it was all because I was a great bass player. I'm not trying to boast when I say that, because I'm by no means anywhere near there anymore. But I had been playing for a decent time now, and it become one of the only things I did. So, during jams and after concerts, people would come up to me and tell me that I was great. And used to (in '03, during the Stick Shift period), I would just say thanks and that's it. Nothing. Come '04 (Active Hero era), I would be humble and deny it, but deep down inside I was thinking, "Yeah, that's right!" It was my ego brooding. After Stick Shift broke up and Shaun Hernandez, Kyle Rogers, and I were trying to get Draumatikpauz going, I was going to sing. But Shaun kept telling me to go back to bass, because that was where I truly shined. Shaun was saying what he was supposed to say, it wasn't meant for these intentions, but all it did was fuel my ego.
And I won't sit here and lie and say I wasn't a good bassist. Because I was. But I made myself out to be a better bassist than I really was. And that made me feel like I had a certain "Superstar Quality" over everyone else. And that's the worst disposition you can ever have in anything. I mean, here's some stuff that I would normally not do, yet was what I was doing in Active Hero:
1. Tell whoever was taking photographs at the show to make sure to get great pics of me. I would even go so far as to tell them what poses I wanted in the pics, and would show them signals I would give for them to take the picture.
2. If I could hear enough of any instrument that my bass started to blend in, I would get pissed and demand that the bass be turned up. This would in turn drown out all other instruments, and they would get pissed and tell me turn down the bass, which would make me even more pissed. Then I would argue with my bandmates until they gave into my demand to keep the bass up. I have a recording where the only things you can hear are the vocals and the bass. Sick, and not in a good way.
3. I would pack four changes of clothes: one for the ride to the show, one for the acoustic worship set, one for the rock set, and one for the ride home. That's right! I got so cocky, that I had to have costume changes!
4. I tried to write parts in the song on all the other instruments in the band, which I had zero expertise in, and then would get angry at everyone when they would not use my parts which I had no right to suggest in the first place.
5. The bandmates have no clue that I did this, but I wrote a list of pros and cons for each member of the band, including myself (I think the sole reason I included myself was to not look like I was griping about everyone else). I wrote a ton of pros about myself and a few cons. Then I wrote a few pros about everyone else, and a bunch of cons. I was actually going to present this list at the next band practice. Thankfully, there were no more for me, because I would've hate to have seen how this would've went over now.
6. Shows were not going to be played unless they were on my terms. Some of these terms included that there was not to be more worship than there was rock. If there was, I would threaten to boycott the show until they cut some worship songs out. If I felt rushed (as in, there was no time to set up my THREE basses, amp, fiddle with my tone for 30 minutes, sign autographs, and change clothes) between different shows, I would not play. This was actually the reason I left the band. And if I hadn't quit, I wouldn't have been surprised if I was thrown out. See, we were slated to play one show at 1 PM. Then we were to tear down (as in, the band tearing down the heavy stuff, and me tearing down my stuff, changing clothes, and taking whatever light stuff and loading it up), and play a show an hour and half away at 7 PM. In my mind, this just wasn't acceptable. This caused a major argument between me and Phil, one of our lead singers, who had been one of my best friends for years. We wound up not speaking to each other for forever. Two days after this argument, I told them I was leaving the band, but would play with them on the last two shows. Well, come later, I fell back on my word, and told them I would only play the last one, because it was closer to home and I was strapped for gas money, and the fact that I still felt playing that first show then migrating to the other was simply unacceptable. This caused a huge argument with the drummer, who told me that I might as well not show up to play at all. He actually got so mad at me that he threatened to throw my amp out into the middle of his front yard, and let the weather destroy it.
I did show up at the last show, partly because I wanted to see the other bands, partly cause I wanted to hang with friends, but mostly cause I wanted to heckle Active Hero and show my butt some more.
I really did some stupid stuff. But, after trying to start new bands, and failing, because so many people had heard the horror stories of working with me, I gave up. I got served a dish of humility that I needed. And it took me a long time to eat it. I would not give up my ego that I was the greatest bassist in the area. And it burned me more and more that I could not get in a band, and screwed me up so much inside that it still hurts.
I write this not only to remind myself of my mistakes so that I don't repeat them, but to also warn aspiring musicians of the pitfalls of playing and getting recognition for your abilities. Do not go down this road. It may feel good, but it will get you nowhere except for where I went. And in reality, during that whole time, I was more miserable than I'd ever been in my life. I put too much faith in my abilities and myself that I lost sight of God and anything else that mattered. Then you know, God silenced that gift for a while, and completely burned me out of playing. It was sad. Thankfully, my ego has diminished. And now my gift is returning. And hopefully, it won't need to be silenced once more.
To Bryce, Phil, Jeremy, & Aaron, if you guys ever read this: I apologize from the deepest spot in my heart. I expected the utmost respect from all of you because I had put myself on a pedestal in my mind, and I gave you a complete lack of disrespect at the same time. I pretended to be something I wasn't in the band: a born-again Christian preaching the good news, when in reality I was trying to preach how great I was. You guys deserved none of that. Moreover, I strained and made completely unrepairable damage to relationships that could have blossomed into a brotherhood. I'm truly amazed you guys put with me as long as you did.
If I could have the summer of 2004 to do over again, I would do it all differently. But I don't, and I'm thankful for the hard lessons I had to learn because of it. Because it has taught me so much of what not to do. I know I can never take back the hurt I caused, and I know none of us can ever forget what I have done to you guys, but I mean every word I just said. From the depths of my soul, I ask your forgiveness for the wrongs I committed.
That was a long time coming, and I needed to get it out.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
And I'm not even racist...
But seriously, if I have to talk to another Eastern Indian on a tech support line again, one of us is going to die. And considering I'm about 5,000,000,000 miles away from them, it looks like I'm the best bet.
I swear to God, this is just ridiculous. All these computer/technology companies are outsourcing all their tech supports to India, to "save money," AND THESE DOUCHEBAGS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING! HOW IN GOD'S NAME DOES THAT SAVE YOU MONEY, WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THESE GUYS 1 MILLION TIMES BEFORE ANYTHING AT ALL WORKS?!?!?!
In my mind, wouldn't that LOSE money? Wouldn't people lose faith in your product, and stop buying them?
Well, obviously, they're paying these idiots wooden nickels, because they don't give a crap what they say, just as long as they can entangle you in their indian english doublespeak, and sound partially intelligible. Some don't even go for partially intelligible. They just babble on like rejects from the nut house, and you're just sitting trying not to lose your mind in the process.
Honestly, I just spent on the phone with a guy telling him, "Yes, my internet provider is SBC," for 10 minutes after he asked me what my ISP was, and I said, "SBC." Then I had confirm 5 times that I had done what he told me. Then if I said I had already done something, he would tell me to do it, only in different wording. Really clever. I would never understand that it's THE EXACT SAME PROCESS! No, I'm an absolute idiot, and you are the great destroyer god Shiva!
And clearly, Eastern Indians have no use for sleep! It does not matter what time I have to call tech support, they are always there trying to spread their incoherent and pointless technobabble.
Now, I'm in Live Chat (after connecting directly into the DSL modem), and this idiot is giving me the same runaround.
In fact, here's the transcript:
I swear to God, this is just ridiculous. All these computer/technology companies are outsourcing all their tech supports to India, to "save money," AND THESE DOUCHEBAGS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING! HOW IN GOD'S NAME DOES THAT SAVE YOU MONEY, WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THESE GUYS 1 MILLION TIMES BEFORE ANYTHING AT ALL WORKS?!?!?!
In my mind, wouldn't that LOSE money? Wouldn't people lose faith in your product, and stop buying them?
Well, obviously, they're paying these idiots wooden nickels, because they don't give a crap what they say, just as long as they can entangle you in their indian english doublespeak, and sound partially intelligible. Some don't even go for partially intelligible. They just babble on like rejects from the nut house, and you're just sitting trying not to lose your mind in the process.
Honestly, I just spent on the phone with a guy telling him, "Yes, my internet provider is SBC," for 10 minutes after he asked me what my ISP was, and I said, "SBC." Then I had confirm 5 times that I had done what he told me. Then if I said I had already done something, he would tell me to do it, only in different wording. Really clever. I would never understand that it's THE EXACT SAME PROCESS! No, I'm an absolute idiot, and you are the great destroyer god Shiva!
And clearly, Eastern Indians have no use for sleep! It does not matter what time I have to call tech support, they are always there trying to spread their incoherent and pointless technobabble.
Now, I'm in Live Chat (after connecting directly into the DSL modem), and this idiot is giving me the same runaround.
In fact, here's the transcript:
Venkateswara (51143): Hi, my name is Venkateswara (51143). How may I help you?I swear to God, I'm not racist. Anyone who knows me knows that. And if I met an Eastern Indian, who was nice to me, I would be nice back. Who knows? We may end up being friends. But if I was to find out he/she worked in Technical Support for Linksys, Adelphia, SBC, or any other technical support I've ever had to call, I will kill him dead faster than it takes me to blink.
Venkateswara (51143): Hi Corey! How are you doing today?
Venkateswara (51143): Please explain me the issue you are experiencing with the Linksys product.
Corey: This is regarding case # 051230-000095, i am still having problems connecting to the internet via my router, my router is completely configured, but not working
Corey: i can however, connect via my dsl modem
Venkateswara (51143): Please give me a few moments to review the incident details.
Corey: ok
Venkateswara (51143): Thank you.
Venkateswara (51143): Thank you for your time and patience!
Venkateswara (51143): If I understood correctly, you are unable to go online through WRK54G. Is that correct?
Corey: correct
Venkateswara (51143): Ok. I'll try my level best to resolve the issue for you.
Venkateswara (51143): Before we begin, I need to ask a few questions that will help me assist you better.
Corey: ok
Venkateswara (51143): Could you please let me know the name of the modem, which you're using?
Corey: the dsl modem?
Venkateswara (51143): That's correct.
Corey: speedstream
Venkateswara (51143): Alright.
Venkateswara (51143): Are you chatting with me from a computer connected by an ethernet cable to the modem directly?
Corey: yeah
Venkateswara (51143): What version of Windows is currently being used on the computer? (for example, Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, etc.)
Corey: XP
Venkateswara (51143): Please click on "Start", then click on "Run".
Venkateswara (51143): Type "Cmd" and hit enter.
Corey: ok
Venkateswara (51143): Are you in the black window?
Corey: yeah
Venkateswara (51143): In the black window, type "ipconfig/all" and hit enter.
Venkateswara (51143): Let me know the ip address and default gateway.
Corey: 70.225.132.179 for the IP, 70.225.132.178 for the gateway
Venkateswara (51143): Do you have any other ip address on that window?
Corey: nope
Venkateswara (51143): Alright.
Venkateswara (51143): Please try the instructions on the following link to configure your router.
URL Received: http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1040&p_created=1086911813&p_sid=kdmWRkYh&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjgwJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9zY2ZfbGFuZz0xJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9Y2FibGUgbW9kZW0gd2l0aCBkeW5hbWljIGlw&p_li=&p_topview=1
Venkateswara (51143): Are you able to open the link, Corey?
Corey: no, pop-up blocker, resend
Venkateswara (51143): Sure, no problem. I will send you again.
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, here is the link.
URL Received: http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1040&p_created=1086911813&p_sid=kdmWRkYh&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjgwJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9zY2ZfbGFuZz0xJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9Y2FibGUgbW9kZW0gd2l0aCBkeW5hbWljIGlw&p_li=&p_topview=1
Venkateswara (51143): Are you able to open the link, now?
Corey: yeah
Venkateswara (51143): Good.
Corey: i've already done all of this
Venkateswara (51143): Have you reset the router for 30 seconds before trying to configure the router?
Corey: yes
Venkateswara (51143): How many computers do you have in your network? How many among them would be wireless?
Corey: 3 on the network, 1 wirelessly
Corey: 2 of these run windows xp, one runs linux
Venkateswara (51143): Are you aware of the firmware version of your router?
Corey: not anymore
Venkateswara (51143): Ok.
Venkateswara (51143): Was your router working before
Venkateswara (51143): ?
Corey: Yes. The problem happened when my surge protector was accidentally turned off. I turned it back on. The router was configured correctly, as it was when it was working. The internet worked for 25 seconds, then stopped working through the router.
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, it is possible that the router might have got short circuited when the surge protector was turned off. However, you could try hard reset /reconfigure of the router.
Corey: I did
Venkateswara (51143): Have you hard reset the router for 90 seconds?
Corey: yes
Venkateswara (51143): Alright.
Venkateswara (51143): May I know, where you're located, please?
Corey: Indianapolis, Indiana
Venkateswara (51143): May I know the date of purchase of this router, please?
Corey: September 2005
Venkateswara (51143): Alright.
Venkateswara (51143): Could you please let me know the status of lights on your router?
Corey: Power, WLAN, and 1 & 2 are lighted
Venkateswara (51143): Alright.
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, since this issue requires more direct interaction, I suggest you to contact our Technical Support department (Voice) atl 1-800-326-7114 and an agent will happily assist you over the phone.
Corey: I've already been there, and they provided absolutely no help whatsoever!
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, since it is not possible to troubleshoot the issue as you're connected through the modem, May I suggest you to contact Technical Support department (Voice) and ask for level 2 support?
Venkateswara (51143): I am sure they should be able to assist you further.
Corey: What's the difference between level 2 support and what I'm on right now
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, we are from level 1 support. Level 2 support is over voice.
Venkateswara (51143): Level 2 would provide advance technical support.
Venkateswara (51143): Do you have any other questions regarding linksys products that I can help you with today?
Corey: Then I've already talked with level 2, and they have provided no advanced technical support, they pretty much told me the same things you did. So in all fairness, there is no difference between level 1 and level 2, it's just a cooler name!
Venkateswara (51143): Corey, I understand your concern.
Venkateswara (51143): May I know the model number of your speedstream modem, please?
Corey: 060-E142-A02
Venkateswara (51143): Since, it is not possible to troubleshoot this issue over chat, as the issue involves connection of modem through the router. I suggest you to contact linksys customer service at 1-800 546 5797 option 3,3 and 6, as you have already availed our technical voice support.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Absolute testicles!
Wow, now I'm completely bummed!
Most of the time, I don't mind learning songs by ear. It's a good thing to do.
But, there's plenty of times where I just don't feel like it, or I don't have the time. So, I would always go to www.mxtabs.net, because this was seriously THE SITE to pick up tabs. The best of the best.
Well, the keyword here is was:
I had just went to this site after not being there for two weeks, and just got forwarded to a CD REVIEW SITE! THE GREATEST TAB SITE IN THE WORLD HAS CONVERTED TO A CD REVIEW SITE?!
So now I have to google everything, and go through crap sites with crap tabs to find the one tab that works. That's gonna take, what, 2 hours to do? I could write 5 songs in that time.
So now, does anyone actually know of some good tab sites?
Challenge Match 2 vs. Jake "Phenominal 1" Knight: PL Omaha
6:13 PM: Play commences.
6:17 PM: Play is over in ONE HAND. Flop comes 657, and both push all-in on the flop. Hanguk shows 8h 9d 6d Ad for the nut straight, Phenominal 4s 8s Qc 7h for the 2nd nut straight. No improvement for Phenominal.
Moving to the 7 Card Stud challenge.
6:17 PM: Play is over in ONE HAND. Flop comes 657, and both push all-in on the flop. Hanguk shows 8h 9d 6d Ad for the nut straight, Phenominal 4s 8s Qc 7h for the 2nd nut straight. No improvement for Phenominal.
Moving to the 7 Card Stud challenge.
Challenge Match 1 vs. Jake "Phenominal 1" Knight: NL Hold'Em
Will post updates regularly...this is a live game, so don't try to find me playing this online.
5:13 PM: Match starts. Deep-stacked...5/10 starting blinds with 10,000 in chips. Going to be a long battle.
5:20 PM: HangukMiguk down to 3825 on a huge bluff with an open-ended straight draw on the board. Phenominal called with middle two pair. Phenominal had to make an emergency run to pick up someone, on break until further notice.
6:03 PM: Game resumes.
6:07 PM: Hanguk up to 4620.
6:08 PM: Phenominal 1 wins. Full house vs. Hanguk's flush draw.
Starting PL Omaha challenge.
5:13 PM: Match starts. Deep-stacked...5/10 starting blinds with 10,000 in chips. Going to be a long battle.
5:20 PM: HangukMiguk down to 3825 on a huge bluff with an open-ended straight draw on the board. Phenominal called with middle two pair. Phenominal had to make an emergency run to pick up someone, on break until further notice.
6:03 PM: Game resumes.
6:07 PM: Hanguk up to 4620.
6:08 PM: Phenominal 1 wins. Full house vs. Hanguk's flush draw.
Starting PL Omaha challenge.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Year In Review - 2005
Well, now, let's just say that this year was quite interesting. Interesting enough in fact, that I have, for the first time, decided to dedicate a blog about this year. So here we go. Put your tinfoil hats on.
January? Nothing happened January! Especially not...well, I won't go there! Needless to say, my nipples looked too much like milk duds to do anything in January.
However, February provided quite an amusing experience. I'll never be able to forget, nor will anyone let me forget, the night of Lazer Tag. With the black kid. Who called me nigga. And screamed at me, "I'M A SHOOT YOU NIGGA!" And sure enough, he shot me, to which he yelled out, "HA! I SHOT YOU NIGGA!"
The day after, Sam, Jake & I was driving home, and after 5 minutes of awkward silence, Sam exclaims with a laugh, "HE CALLED YOU NIGGER!"
Yes, that goes down in the memory books.
Or how about that exact same trip when Jake's gf called, and Sam started in on the Power Rangers? GO GO POWER RANGERS! And a whole lot of homosexual things going on with Zordon and Alpha 5...ew. But funny.
AND ON THE SAME TRIP, Sam, Jake & I went to Hooters, with Sam wearing sunglasses and pretending he was blind.
I'll never forget the dialog...
Waitress: How you today, guys?
Sam: Bad.
Waitress: Aw, why?
Sam: Well...I'm blind.
Wow...that was just classic.
Speaking of Hooters...In June we ran into a rarity, an Asian woman working at hooters. Who woulda thunk it? Ironically, there was zero Asian women working at PF Changs. Go figure.
And now, the reason why White Castle is so lovingly referred to as Greasy White Whores. They whored my body off for a while. Sad, but true.
Well, then the tabloids came out, and supposedly, me and Jake went down on Fast Freddy:
And got high with Big Al:
But Big Al condoned it, so it's all okay:
Oh yeah, and I finally made money. YAY MOOLAH! Ew... I did do both though...wait...ew...ok cut it o--....
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Rough weekend
Wow, just when I thought things couldn't get more crazier.
This weekend was just rough. Jake & I just kept butting heads...on stupid crap.
I just don't get it. Stuff I'd normally just confront people about I completely blew up over. Am I getting back to the point where I can't control myself anymore?
Just great...
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Break my balls, I need a pencil
Right now, if there was one thing I could do, I would make myself absolutely have no feelings for the opposite sex. No, I wouldn't make myself gay. This isn't a struggle with my sexuality, so don't insinuate that into what I'm saying.
It's a struggle with women. Blame it on their complex emotional states, blame it on the princess complex, blame it on whatever you want. But I'm absolutely frustrated with women right now.
I mean, even after a straightening out of the circumstances that I have found myself in, I still feel a little frustrated. I put on music to try to calm me down. Right now, my arms are still shaky.
But seriously, had I not cared so much for this girl, and had she not been a girl, and if I wasn't a Christian, I probably would've just exploded. Thank God I'm not as volatile as I once was. If that were the case, I would not have any friends, and people even want to notice me of the opposite sex, and I would be jumping poker tables upon bad beats. Praise Jesus I can control that.
But seriously, I am just so frustrated. I finally cleared the air of a lot of things that needed to be said. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and say this stuff, and say it without anger.
But like I said, even after clearing the air, and hearing both sides of the story, I just feel so frustrated. I'm just trying to gain footing here. I'm starting to, and hopefully I won't lose my footing anywhere along the line.
And I didn't want to have to have this discussion right now. I didn't feel like this was the right time. But you know what? Sometimes the circumstances, and God, force you to do things at that exact that moment, and not when you think it's the right time. This was one of those times.
But yeah, I know I'm being very vague, but at the time, I can't really go into absolute detail. I have a feeling one day down the line I'll be able to. But not now. But when things hit the fan like this, and you get slammed with a statement like this, you would get frustrated too.
Obviously, there's nothing good that comes out of waking up before 7 AM. That time of day is seriously ungodly.
I feel so very Emo today.
It's a struggle with women. Blame it on their complex emotional states, blame it on the princess complex, blame it on whatever you want. But I'm absolutely frustrated with women right now.
I mean, even after a straightening out of the circumstances that I have found myself in, I still feel a little frustrated. I put on music to try to calm me down. Right now, my arms are still shaky.
But seriously, had I not cared so much for this girl, and had she not been a girl, and if I wasn't a Christian, I probably would've just exploded. Thank God I'm not as volatile as I once was. If that were the case, I would not have any friends, and people even want to notice me of the opposite sex, and I would be jumping poker tables upon bad beats. Praise Jesus I can control that.
But seriously, I am just so frustrated. I finally cleared the air of a lot of things that needed to be said. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and say this stuff, and say it without anger.
But like I said, even after clearing the air, and hearing both sides of the story, I just feel so frustrated. I'm just trying to gain footing here. I'm starting to, and hopefully I won't lose my footing anywhere along the line.
And I didn't want to have to have this discussion right now. I didn't feel like this was the right time. But you know what? Sometimes the circumstances, and God, force you to do things at that exact that moment, and not when you think it's the right time. This was one of those times.
But yeah, I know I'm being very vague, but at the time, I can't really go into absolute detail. I have a feeling one day down the line I'll be able to. But not now. But when things hit the fan like this, and you get slammed with a statement like this, you would get frustrated too.
Obviously, there's nothing good that comes out of waking up before 7 AM. That time of day is seriously ungodly.
I feel so very Emo today.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Mr. "King of the Hill"
So, tonight's AJPoker's 4th league game. Due to lack of sleep, I didn't participate last week, and I'm slipping in points. That's balls. Ok, so it's time to knock this one off, and get over the hump.
Unfortunately, there's one guy that things he's king of the hill. Or hump. And every week, every game at AJ, he ends up at my table, and every time, he busts me. Not just that. He adds insult to injury and busts me with crap hands.
It's happened on Absolute, on Paradise, on Titan. It never fails.
Take tonight's hand for example. I raise 4 times BB with JJ, and he calls out of the big blind. Follow my heavy protection after the flop that comes 589, he pushes all-in on the turn when a 6 comes. I sit and think, and think there's no way i'm beat here. I had put him on A9, A8 maybe. Like I said, he plays junk, and lots of weak Aces. So I call. Turns up 78o! And I'm hoping for a spade, with my flush draw, and miss. Once again, busted by this guy.
I know it's a part of the game. And I can shrug it off, and say nice hand. But it seems like now my one obstacle for winning an AJ game is busting this guy. Which drives me nuts.
Time to focus. I'm gaining plenty of info on this guy. I know I can bust him 9 times out of 10, especially with the cards he plays. I just find it hilarious that he's busted me so many times. Next time, he'll rue. I've got a solid enough read now that I won't be suckered in by him anymore.
Bust him, and I'm taking #1 baby.
Unfortunately, there's one guy that things he's king of the hill. Or hump. And every week, every game at AJ, he ends up at my table, and every time, he busts me. Not just that. He adds insult to injury and busts me with crap hands.
It's happened on Absolute, on Paradise, on Titan. It never fails.
Take tonight's hand for example. I raise 4 times BB with JJ, and he calls out of the big blind. Follow my heavy protection after the flop that comes 589, he pushes all-in on the turn when a 6 comes. I sit and think, and think there's no way i'm beat here. I had put him on A9, A8 maybe. Like I said, he plays junk, and lots of weak Aces. So I call. Turns up 78o! And I'm hoping for a spade, with my flush draw, and miss. Once again, busted by this guy.
I know it's a part of the game. And I can shrug it off, and say nice hand. But it seems like now my one obstacle for winning an AJ game is busting this guy. Which drives me nuts.
Time to focus. I'm gaining plenty of info on this guy. I know I can bust him 9 times out of 10, especially with the cards he plays. I just find it hilarious that he's busted me so many times. Next time, he'll rue. I've got a solid enough read now that I won't be suckered in by him anymore.
Bust him, and I'm taking #1 baby.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Busting Negreanu: Priceless
Well, I don't have a lot of time for details, but man, am I feeling pretty pimp right now.
So, finally I catch Daniel Negreanu setting up a SNG on FCP before registration closes. He also puts a bounty on him of a autographed FCP T-Shirt. Not bad. So I sign up, ready to play. Of course, he's in a hurry to go pick up his wife, so he sets it to turbo mode. Bad, Daniel. I digress.
Seatings drawn, and we're 4 handed, and there's the man of the hour at my table. Yay, here's my shot.
So on the last hand of the first level, Daniel gets dropped to about 50 chips when his top pair gets outkicked. And on the very next hand, he's in the SB, and I'm UTG with pocket jacks. Yes, this could be payoff. Raise standard, and he moves in, and all of a sudden, the BB raises me?!?! Something told me I was ahead, I really didn't put him on the three hands that could beat me, so I just move all-in, and if he could've beat me into the pot, he would've.
BB turns up pocket tens, and Daniel turns up J3s. Wow, I couldn't be in better shape. Well, I could've; Daniel couldn't have made my outs cased. So, if BB catches a ten, I'm almost drawing dead, and Daniel's literally drawing dead (save some diamonds). Flop comes blanks. Just hold up. Turn's a blank. One more, just hold up. River BLANK! I bust both of them and grab my bounty.
Would've been a whole lot more satisfying had I have been able to outplay him (yeah, right) post-flop, but I'll take that win!
I can still say I busted Daniel Negreanu. Fun times. Now to recoop a little bit of money I lost in these SNG's tonight (yeah, these multi table SNG's kill me!)...tomorrow.
So, finally I catch Daniel Negreanu setting up a SNG on FCP before registration closes. He also puts a bounty on him of a autographed FCP T-Shirt. Not bad. So I sign up, ready to play. Of course, he's in a hurry to go pick up his wife, so he sets it to turbo mode. Bad, Daniel. I digress.
Seatings drawn, and we're 4 handed, and there's the man of the hour at my table. Yay, here's my shot.
So on the last hand of the first level, Daniel gets dropped to about 50 chips when his top pair gets outkicked. And on the very next hand, he's in the SB, and I'm UTG with pocket jacks. Yes, this could be payoff. Raise standard, and he moves in, and all of a sudden, the BB raises me?!?! Something told me I was ahead, I really didn't put him on the three hands that could beat me, so I just move all-in, and if he could've beat me into the pot, he would've.
BB turns up pocket tens, and Daniel turns up J3s. Wow, I couldn't be in better shape. Well, I could've; Daniel couldn't have made my outs cased. So, if BB catches a ten, I'm almost drawing dead, and Daniel's literally drawing dead (save some diamonds). Flop comes blanks. Just hold up. Turn's a blank. One more, just hold up. River BLANK! I bust both of them and grab my bounty.
Would've been a whole lot more satisfying had I have been able to outplay him (yeah, right) post-flop, but I'll take that win!
I can still say I busted Daniel Negreanu. Fun times. Now to recoop a little bit of money I lost in these SNG's tonight (yeah, these multi table SNG's kill me!)...tomorrow.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
High Pressure SNG: Feel Good Win
So, with the addition of a poker room on FullContactPoker, everyone around Negreanu's camp's been abuzz.
Well, this afternoon, I got off the phone with my mom to pull up the forums and see that Daniel had set up a private sit-n-go for all comers. Unfortunately, I was a few minutes too late, and only got to watch. Oh well, he's supposedly gonna be on tomorrow, so I get my chance to bust him soon.
Well, after I watched that one, a few guys from FCP forums wanted another private SNG. So, one got set up, and we played.
Granted, this was only a $5+.50 SNG, so it wasn't a huge dent on any of us really. But I hadn't played any of these guys (knowingly).
So here was the set up
1. Some guy I didn't know
2. Suited_Up
3. Me!
4. BetterBo
5. Governator
6. Zimmer4141
Now I know the 411 on the guys I'm playing against. Zimm's a red hot player, and just won the SNG with Daniel. I also have a lot of respect for Suited and Gov. Bo, I don't know too much about.
Barring the players I didn't know, or didn't know much about, I felt like I was probably the weak link at the table.
So all-in-all, I felt like I had a small shot here. But, playing solid, and keeping my confidence, I felt like I could accomplish all.
I started off low stacked, after my pockets 6's ran up against what I think was Zimmer's KQ. I can't tell you for certain whether or not it was KQ. But that was my read, and it was a scary flop of AK5. After I bet and he check/called the flop, that's what I felt. His bet on the river pushed me out.
Later on, Zimm and I were at it again. I catch a King on the flop with K8 (as most know, my lucky hand), bet 300 out and he calls. turn comes a Jack, and I move all-in, feeling as I was ahead. I had no read to go on here, I just felt it. And all of a sudden he says in chat, "I have to call this." I feel so screwed right now. He had to have me outkicked with a king on the flop. He then says, "I know I'm behind, but I can't lay this down." Ok, I may have a shot.
He calls, and turns up KRABLAR! Oh man, I was ecstatic. No 3 materialized, and I double up, and leave Zimm crippled. No pinch pinch for you.
A couple of knockouts later, we're now 3 handed, 2 cash. I have maintained second or third steadily since doubling up through Zimmer. And I get J8 in the big blind, and it's just me and Suited, where he limps.
Flop comes QJ3. I bet out, he raised, and I moved all-in. He turns up KRABLAR! WTF?! I was laughing, and as no king or 3 turned up, I knocked him out, giving me about 4:1 chip lead against Governator, who had been sitting out for most of the game due to his dog. Well, he's back and ready to play.
Only a few hands into this, I get A5, and catch middle pair on a flip of 538 (I think it was, but I know it was middle pair). I bet enough to put him all-in (1930), and he calls, and turns up two hearts. No hearts fall, and I emerge victorious!
All I could say was wow. That was a win that gave me a lot of confidence. These were some of the more respected members of FCP. And definitely better respected than me. And I felt like I handled them well. I was catching, and was reading pretty good here. Definitely the most exciting SNG I've played, even if it was only 5.50 to play.
Well, this afternoon, I got off the phone with my mom to pull up the forums and see that Daniel had set up a private sit-n-go for all comers. Unfortunately, I was a few minutes too late, and only got to watch. Oh well, he's supposedly gonna be on tomorrow, so I get my chance to bust him soon.
Well, after I watched that one, a few guys from FCP forums wanted another private SNG. So, one got set up, and we played.
Granted, this was only a $5+.50 SNG, so it wasn't a huge dent on any of us really. But I hadn't played any of these guys (knowingly).
So here was the set up
1. Some guy I didn't know
2. Suited_Up
3. Me!
4. BetterBo
5. Governator
6. Zimmer4141
Now I know the 411 on the guys I'm playing against. Zimm's a red hot player, and just won the SNG with Daniel. I also have a lot of respect for Suited and Gov. Bo, I don't know too much about.
Barring the players I didn't know, or didn't know much about, I felt like I was probably the weak link at the table.
So all-in-all, I felt like I had a small shot here. But, playing solid, and keeping my confidence, I felt like I could accomplish all.
I started off low stacked, after my pockets 6's ran up against what I think was Zimmer's KQ. I can't tell you for certain whether or not it was KQ. But that was my read, and it was a scary flop of AK5. After I bet and he check/called the flop, that's what I felt. His bet on the river pushed me out.
Later on, Zimm and I were at it again. I catch a King on the flop with K8 (as most know, my lucky hand), bet 300 out and he calls. turn comes a Jack, and I move all-in, feeling as I was ahead. I had no read to go on here, I just felt it. And all of a sudden he says in chat, "I have to call this." I feel so screwed right now. He had to have me outkicked with a king on the flop. He then says, "I know I'm behind, but I can't lay this down." Ok, I may have a shot.
He calls, and turns up KRABLAR! Oh man, I was ecstatic. No 3 materialized, and I double up, and leave Zimm crippled. No pinch pinch for you.
A couple of knockouts later, we're now 3 handed, 2 cash. I have maintained second or third steadily since doubling up through Zimmer. And I get J8 in the big blind, and it's just me and Suited, where he limps.
Flop comes QJ3. I bet out, he raised, and I moved all-in. He turns up KRABLAR! WTF?! I was laughing, and as no king or 3 turned up, I knocked him out, giving me about 4:1 chip lead against Governator, who had been sitting out for most of the game due to his dog. Well, he's back and ready to play.
Only a few hands into this, I get A5, and catch middle pair on a flip of 538 (I think it was, but I know it was middle pair). I bet enough to put him all-in (1930), and he calls, and turns up two hearts. No hearts fall, and I emerge victorious!
All I could say was wow. That was a win that gave me a lot of confidence. These were some of the more respected members of FCP. And definitely better respected than me. And I felt like I handled them well. I was catching, and was reading pretty good here. Definitely the most exciting SNG I've played, even if it was only 5.50 to play.
Monday, December 05, 2005
PokerForumChallenge V: I feel rather satisfied
Yeah, I failed to post this on the night of the game. But yeah, Friday night was the PFC. And boy was I psyched. But earlier in the day, I was afraid I would not be at 100% to play. And well, as I have posted earlier, this would continue a long standing tradition.
The day before the PFC, I get an e-mail from Hyunsil, one of my best friends in the whole world, who also lives in Korea...halfway around the world from myself. She needed help with a report she was doing for her American Culture class. Well, I had told her that if she ever needed any help, to let me know, and I didn't let her down. She later, at about 10PM my time, sends me the questions to work on, and then tells me that she would be able to be online again at 6AM my time to run through what I had written and make sure it's what she needed.
Like I said, it's 10PM. I'm figuring I can get this done by midnight, get some sleep, and wake up to talk to her at 6.
At 3AM, I finally get the questions done. And have caught a second wind. Perfect! Just perfect. So now, I know beyond any doubt that I'd be much better off staying awake till 6, staying awake till we're done, and then sleep.
So at 6, just like she promised, here she is, and we get everything ran over. Well, then we got talking about various other things, as we hadn't gotten a chance to talk in about a week or so. The huge time difference, on top of her not bringing her computer to college with her, kind of hinders that. I need to get a phone card and call her sometime, but hey, that's another story.
At 8 or 9, she has to go, and I desperately need sleep! I finally fall asleep at 10, knowing at 8, the tournament starts.
I finally wake up at about 5:30, but would've slept longer had it not have been for the tournament. I put a pot of coffee on, because I knew I needed it. And then hopped in AJPoker's chat room and talked with the crew that was playing tonight.
My buddy Jingo & I were both on the same page pretty much, as he had to sleep during the day also, because he received a surprise phone call from a friend in Iraq. But all in all, we were both ready. I had been at a place where my focus has been at the highest it's been in a while, on top of that I was running good. In the first one, I had slept through the first 3 levels, caught cards, but had no focus. In the second one I played, I was running horribly, but had a dead read on everyone. So this would be the first one I'd go into having both.
As the PFC started, I was psyched. I played rather tight at the start, but still, when I was in the pot, I knew where I stood, and whether I could steal the pot. That kept myself hovering around the average for the first 3 levels. Then, comes the breaking point.
I started really catching. And my focus was still dead on. Knocking out players left and right. Then comes one of the funny hands of the tournament.
I'm sitting in the BB with 94o. Everyone limps to me, and I check. Flop comes x99. I lead out and bet, and see a smaller stack just in front of me push all-in. Two callers, so I decide to isolate and move everyone else all-in. One caller, and I have the best of it. Dropping two in one hand, I check the lobby, and I am now the chipleader with 600 left (after starting with 2000). The first caller then starts needling me about being a crap player. Well, that's what you get when you let me see the flop for free with crap hands!
Upon review, he apologized, forgetting that I was in the BB. Much respect for that. It happens.
At the first break, I hold the cheap lead with under 500 left. I felt pretty safe, but in this no one is.
I wind up shortstacked at 10K with under 200 left and get dealt Q4s in the BB with the blinds at 500/1000. Button raises to 3000, and normally I would fold. However, I felt I had a read that told me that he was just playing position to steal the blinds, as he had been doing anyway. So I push all-in, thinking he'll fold, and I could still back in to something if he did call. Well he did, unfortunately he shows AKo. Bad misread. And I get teased. Flop an inside straight draw on the flop, giving me a chance to hit a 3, 4 or a Queen to scoop, and miss all outs on the river. Thus, ending my run in 176th.
PFC III: 800-something
PFC IV: 1200-something
PFC V: 176th
Not bad? No cash. But I felt very satisfied. In a normal tournament situation, I would've cashed. However, this being a freeroll, with a weird pay schedule, I don't. All-in-all, I usually don't have total faith in myself in a large field. I need to work on that, but I just never do. But I started to gain some faith after this game. I was holding my own, something I love doing, and really felt like I played some of the best poker I have played in a long time. Very sweet.
For the record, JohnJr never showed. Clown!
The day before the PFC, I get an e-mail from Hyunsil, one of my best friends in the whole world, who also lives in Korea...halfway around the world from myself. She needed help with a report she was doing for her American Culture class. Well, I had told her that if she ever needed any help, to let me know, and I didn't let her down. She later, at about 10PM my time, sends me the questions to work on, and then tells me that she would be able to be online again at 6AM my time to run through what I had written and make sure it's what she needed.
Like I said, it's 10PM. I'm figuring I can get this done by midnight, get some sleep, and wake up to talk to her at 6.
At 3AM, I finally get the questions done. And have caught a second wind. Perfect! Just perfect. So now, I know beyond any doubt that I'd be much better off staying awake till 6, staying awake till we're done, and then sleep.
So at 6, just like she promised, here she is, and we get everything ran over. Well, then we got talking about various other things, as we hadn't gotten a chance to talk in about a week or so. The huge time difference, on top of her not bringing her computer to college with her, kind of hinders that. I need to get a phone card and call her sometime, but hey, that's another story.
At 8 or 9, she has to go, and I desperately need sleep! I finally fall asleep at 10, knowing at 8, the tournament starts.
I finally wake up at about 5:30, but would've slept longer had it not have been for the tournament. I put a pot of coffee on, because I knew I needed it. And then hopped in AJPoker's chat room and talked with the crew that was playing tonight.
My buddy Jingo & I were both on the same page pretty much, as he had to sleep during the day also, because he received a surprise phone call from a friend in Iraq. But all in all, we were both ready. I had been at a place where my focus has been at the highest it's been in a while, on top of that I was running good. In the first one, I had slept through the first 3 levels, caught cards, but had no focus. In the second one I played, I was running horribly, but had a dead read on everyone. So this would be the first one I'd go into having both.
As the PFC started, I was psyched. I played rather tight at the start, but still, when I was in the pot, I knew where I stood, and whether I could steal the pot. That kept myself hovering around the average for the first 3 levels. Then, comes the breaking point.
I started really catching. And my focus was still dead on. Knocking out players left and right. Then comes one of the funny hands of the tournament.
I'm sitting in the BB with 94o. Everyone limps to me, and I check. Flop comes x99. I lead out and bet, and see a smaller stack just in front of me push all-in. Two callers, so I decide to isolate and move everyone else all-in. One caller, and I have the best of it. Dropping two in one hand, I check the lobby, and I am now the chipleader with 600 left (after starting with 2000). The first caller then starts needling me about being a crap player. Well, that's what you get when you let me see the flop for free with crap hands!
Upon review, he apologized, forgetting that I was in the BB. Much respect for that. It happens.
At the first break, I hold the cheap lead with under 500 left. I felt pretty safe, but in this no one is.
I wind up shortstacked at 10K with under 200 left and get dealt Q4s in the BB with the blinds at 500/1000. Button raises to 3000, and normally I would fold. However, I felt I had a read that told me that he was just playing position to steal the blinds, as he had been doing anyway. So I push all-in, thinking he'll fold, and I could still back in to something if he did call. Well he did, unfortunately he shows AKo. Bad misread. And I get teased. Flop an inside straight draw on the flop, giving me a chance to hit a 3, 4 or a Queen to scoop, and miss all outs on the river. Thus, ending my run in 176th.
PFC III: 800-something
PFC IV: 1200-something
PFC V: 176th
Not bad? No cash. But I felt very satisfied. In a normal tournament situation, I would've cashed. However, this being a freeroll, with a weird pay schedule, I don't. All-in-all, I usually don't have total faith in myself in a large field. I need to work on that, but I just never do. But I started to gain some faith after this game. I was holding my own, something I love doing, and really felt like I played some of the best poker I have played in a long time. Very sweet.
For the record, JohnJr never showed. Clown!
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