4000 Days of Writing

Day - 917

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Continues to be busy at work. Continuing my poker studies. Lots of good strategies to absorb. What I enjoy most about poker is the emotional discipline and patience that comes with consistently playing well. You have to accept what is in the short term and think long term. That can be challening at times. I'll keep track of my results for the first 100 hours of play and beyond. 1000 hours of play might be a good indicator of where I'm at and how effective these strategies are taking hold. We'll see.

Day - 918

Monday, June 21, 2021

Busy busy busy at work today. Mondays seem to be that way. No time to practice poker. Las Vegas is my next trip!

Day - 919

Sunday, June 20, 2021

What a wonderful day yesterday. We slept soundly and got up early. It took a while to move the suite furniture back in position.

Before heading home, we had bagels and coffee outside our room. We left the Madonna Inn around 11. We easily could have stayed another day with everyone. One day simply wasn't enough time to hang out. Maybe we can do this every year!

The drive back took around 4 hours, maybe less. We got home and chilled the rest of the day. Awesome weekend!

Day - 920

Saturday, June 19, 2021

We went for breakfast early in the morning, then checked to see if Target had a bathing suit for Alice. She found something that would work.

We explored downtown while the rest of the gang arrived. Back at the hotel, we hung out with Ari, Connor, and yesterday's crew while eating sandwiches, chips, and cowboy cookies. No diet this weekend!

We had our informal graduation celebration in the Madonna Inn rose garden at 6. I was emcee and delivered a short, punchy, rousing speech to the new graduates. It was fun!

Alice before graduation ceremony

Madonna Inn Emcee

Recent Covid Graduates

The Dean of Deep in the Pocket Presenting Diplomas

Presentation of Diplomas

Dean Deep in the Pocket and Connor jamming

Miles, Sophie, Eric, Chellan, Trey

Outside our compound

The after-party

Up till midnight

Playing games

More partying

Day - 921

Friday, June 18, 2021

It's our first official Juneteenth and we're off to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. We left SF around 10 and stopped for lunch along the way. Lunch was about 15 minutes from the freeway. We should have passed San Jose because after lunch the traffic got heavy and we were suddenly in sit-and-go traffic.

Eventually, we made it to the hotel, about 4 hours from SF. This is an old, funky, iconic California hotel with each room different and representing a unique theme. We had the Austrian Suite, which would serve as the party room for the weekend.

We met Richard, Lisa, Miles, Sophie, Sydney, and Maddy at a wonderful outdoor restaurant downtown. Delicious food and great company. After dinner, we hung out at the hot tub near the swimming pool. So nice. Looking forward to everyone being here tomorrow.

Austrian Suite at Madonna Inn

Inside Richard & Lisa's room

Sweet Alice

Walking to the pool

In front of our wing at the Madonna Inn

Dinner with Maddy, Sophie, Syndey, Lisa

Miles and Maddy

Richard and Lisa

Day - 922

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Preparing for our weekend in San Luis Obispo and the Madonna Inn. Made two batches of cowboy cookies for the occasion.

Day - 923

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Up at 5:45 for my 6 a.m. meeting with my fellow racquetballers. Still a little sleepy. I listened to a few poker podcasts while at work and went to the Oaks Card Club today for the first time since Covid. The plexiglass is up and everyone was wearing masks. I lost $167 today, hitting next to nothing. I only played with $100 behind. It will take a while to get used to sitting at the table again. Once I'm comfortable, I'll play with more money behind. My trip with Thom to Las Vegas is two weeks and three days away.

Day - 924

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Super busy at work and lacked energy for much else. Went to bed early.

Day - 925

Monday, June 14, 2021

Flying back home today. Actually worked for a few hours at SeaTac, then continued working later in the afternoon. What a great trip!

Day - 926

Sunday, June 13, 2021

It's not a Pacific Northwest trip without a full day of rain.

Rain equals games and good talks!

Day - 927

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Before leaving for Seattle, Kevin and I went to Neal's where his mom celebrated her 90th birthday! Kevin and I had a great walk along the Bay before the party.