Grouch

After completing the remainder of the online and written homework and the practice exams, I thought I would have been relieved, but I wasn't. I have another long week ahead in which I have to complete two weeks of work in six days. While commuting to MCI, I was looking forward to a much deserved nap on the flight. I felt stressed, uneasy and agitated. It would only get worse. My flight is delayed nearly two hours...

I was sent a friend request from Chantel yesterday. At least the sun is trying to seep through the clouds.

Busy, Busy

Before playing in the main event, I'll have to complete two weeks of homework/studying in 6 days. Otherwise, I'd have to complete the assignments during the main event. With (6) 2-house levels each day, it would an impossible task to complete. Also, I would miss the exam if I made it into Day 6. It would not be a problem as I would just have to drop the class, but I would fall far behind in homework if I didn't have it completed prior to the main event. I also have quite a load of written homework, 3.5 online assignments and two practice exams to complete by Friday afternoon. It has to be postmarked before the post office closes on Friday. I am departing from MCI at 5:45 on Friday and arriving at 6:45 in Vegas. I didn't realize the commitment would be so strenuous. The next week and a half is going to suck...

Lawrence

Crystal's father passed away Thursday morning and I flew out to Kansas City the next afternoon. I'll be in Lawrence/Kansas City through at least Wednesday. Considering the grave circumstances, the Stanzel's are handling the situation as well as imaginably possible.

I started my online math course yesterday. It sucked. Apparently, 238 is divisible by 23. I am looking forward to playing a lot of poker over the next few weeks, but it will be difficult as long as I allot a necessary number of hours toward studying/homework.

Pray

Shortly after being informed her father, who has been battling cancer, had two weeks to live, Crystal and her family learned his brother had been killed in accident in Wichita. It is a most difficult time for the Stanzel's, especially the grandmother, who will soon lose both of her sons in a very short span. Please keep them in your prayers.

It shouldn't be a surprise...

Deep Stack Specialist

Sunday Re-cap

I played both WSOP qualifiers online. In Tilt, I fell short in the race with AK v. TT in the second hour. I chipped up to 1,500 before sending it in after two players limped with the blinds at 40/80. Limper called with 77 and caught a 7 on the turn. I hung around into the fourth hour in Stars without a single sweat of elimination. However, I wasn't able to amass a stack larger than 7K from the starting 2,500. I re-shoved from middle position with AQo without any fold equity and a player re-shoved cold behind. Unfortunately, he showed AA and I was sent packing. Since I haven't played a WSOP satelitte since April 1st, I have only spent $3,280. I'm pretty bummed.

In other news, my dad and I finished in the cellar in 'The Classic' at Valencia Country Club. It was quite a site and may have been the worst performance in the history of the tournament. We received a trophy, but it was primarily an excuse to mention our accomplishment at the banquet. I didn't have high hopes going in, as I tore a nasty blister on Wednesday (before the 3-day tournament began). I also couldn't find my swing. Let me re-phrase, I don't have a swing, but I was unable to show an brief glimpses of brilliance. It was not until the last three holes on Saturday did I find the right grip and fluid swing. As poorly as I played, I made par on the last three holes of the tournament. Lol

Molly was put to sleep on Friday. She had been struggling in the last few months, but she took a turn for the worst earlier in the week. In her younger days, she enjoyed drinking water out of a running hose and was quite a good swimmer. In fact, she beat my cousin, David, in a race about a decade ago. He was 8 or 9. She wasn't the friendliest dog, but she was also very excited after our family returned from a week-long vacation. Her favorite mementos were Micky Mouse (stuffed animal), platypus (beanie baby), milk bones and her kennel. She was 13.

Golfing

Before the WSOP qualifiers on Sunday, I will be playing a lot of golf. Tomorrow, I am playing a practice round at Valencia Country Club and The Annual Member/Guest golf tournament begins the next day and concludes on Saturday. I have the inclination I am going to pull a Ian Baker Finch, but I am not any good to begin with so a meltdown will result in an absolute disservice to the game of golf. As long as I am able to stay somewhat relaxed, I should have a somewhat decent performance. I needn't lay any odds; I'll probably suck, but at least I can calm the nerves with a constant flow of alcohol intake.

Commerce

After a brief hiatus from live poker, I played a 3 hour session at Commerce. The 5/10 NL at Commerce is quite an interesting game. The maximum buy-in is $400, but a player has the option to rebuy up to $600 after the initial buy-in. The rake is atrocious, in between hand commentary is almost intolerable and the level of play is the worst I've seen.

A few hands:

I re-raised w/ Q7cc 30 to 110 from the SB and was called by the opener. Flop came Q99. I chump lead 105 (195 behind) and called all-in. I held against AK.

I raised to 40 UTG w/ AA. We took the flop 4/5-ways. The flop came 889. I played it slow (check) and the fourth player in the pot bet 150. He was an elderly Asian gentleman and a very poor player. I called. After an insignificant turn card, I check/called 200 after deliberating for a couple minutes. I was fairly confident (70/30) I had the best hand, but I did not think he had a hand worth strong enough to call a raise. I quickly check/called 300 (300 behind) after another insignificant card came off on the river. He showed KK (?) and I won the pot. I was looking for anything but an all-in bet on the river, but I still declined to put in the remainder. I could have analyzed the hand for a few more moments on the river, but it would have been difficult putting my opponent on an overpair (especially KK or QQ) after simply over-calling the initial raise pre-flop.

It has been a while since I have posted positive content, so I will not elaborate on the hands in which I lost.

3 hours, +765 and a damn good car wash!

Break

I have played only a few hundred hands in the last several days, as I have been tired of late. Thankfully, Daniel was able to sort through the confusion with Poker.com, but the three sessions on Poker.com have not gone quite well.

I am going out for Matt Crieth's birthday tonight in Woodland Hills. Plans have yet to be made, but I am sure it will include quite a bit of drinking. Over the course of the next couple weeks, I have several errands before I can leave for Las Vegas. Although I am not in the most desirable financial situation, I will play the main event, but will most likely not playing any preliminary events.

I am currently staking (9) players and researching other potential sites in which I can prop. If all goes as planned, I will have (20) players by the end of September and (30) by the beginning of 2008. With a substantial increase in living expenses, furnishing a new apartment and tuition, I will have to budget more efficiently than previous efforts.

Gbecks & badbeatme still alive in $1,500 6-max

Gbecks is 8th (120K) and badbeatme 40th (44K) with 62 players remaining. The blinds are 1.5K- 3K. Although Gbecks and badbeatme are certainly among the favorites, I hope they don't draw a table with J.C. Tran. Either way, I expect I'll be railing the final table on Saturday! Good luck!

Fish

With the latest losing sessions in 5/10 (2.3K & 3.6K), I am quite possibly the biggest loser in the game (10/06 - present). I estimate losses between 25 & 30K.

It could be a long summer...