Spain Feb 2012

These are some of my pics from Spain  in Feb 2012.

Starting a business part 1- online businesses

Starting a business

So new road in life is trying my hand in business.

One is a film company- based in the UK- the website is www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk

The other is a language company specialising in one to one lessons over Skype and language holidays.
The web address for this one is: www.eurolanguageholidays.com

Check the sites out!

I'll keep you up to date on the details, if I can (get quite busy with running the sites!)

Ciao 4 now folks..

Changed course again... Now trying my hand at business. Have done bits of business here and there over the past few years but now running two small companies. A bit about the companies/Industries I am in: I am running both a small language company> www.eurolanguageholidays.com (which specialises in language solutions for those wanting to learn languages. One to one lessons over skype - http://www.eurolanguageholidays.com/skype-lessons/what-our-students-say/ and we also run language holidays, where one can learn a language in the target country. We're doing language holidays in France and language holidays in Spain in 2012. We are also running language holidays in England for people who want to learn English in England. The second company I run is a video production company called reel film- www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk Which does promotional videos for charities, businesses and videos, as well as covering events and documentaries in Europe. www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk/portfolio - This has our recent projects.

What is a satellite tournament? Busting pros.

On Losing and Winning at the same time...

Today I played another satellite competition, a poker format where you play a cheap tournament entry fee, along with others, in the hope you will win- the winner gets a ticket to a larger, more expensive tournament.

Last week I won one of these. Today I felt like playing another. I was building my chips and got playing with Gabriela Hill. She had showed some interesting play, trapping, betting out with hands, mixing up her play. I bet out on one pot, putting her all in. I had an open ended straight draw and second pair, with enough odds at improving and being the table chip leader I thoguht putting her all in was a good move, after all I put her on top pair and thought she would not call. If she did, I had outs. She called and I hit my straight. Then full tilt alerted me that I had knocked out a pro player. Nice. Shame I had to do it with a draw.

About 230 people were playing.
I was a bout 3rd in chips with 100 left, then I got AA. Someone raised 3 times the big blind. I raised him another 4 times. I was in position. The flop was 8 9 3- He went all in. Of course I called.
He had 89. I was now down to only 11 big blinds, as the guy I tangled with had a fair amount of chips.

I went all in with 1010. Got called by AJ suited. 10 on the flop, and two hearts. He had AJ of hearts. Nothing on the turn. River was a heart, knocking me out. Heartbroken.

Still, I went out 67th I think, out of 200+ people, which is not too bad. And I played very well, despite not winning.

On opening my email Full tilt alerted me that after busting a pro poker player I get a free tee shirt. Not all bad then, especially as I only payed $1.50 to play.

Thinking of new ways to make a living

Poker is one avenue to make money, but I cannot rely on something that I sometimes make money on and sometimes lose money on. It is also more stressful the more money involved. So I need to think of something else.

Bingo! Use my talents to make some money. I have been dancing for over 8 years now, so makes sense to create a website to promote lessons with me ( I have been teaching about 4/5 years).
I've also thought of selling a few products on the site too, so will keep my readers updated on this as it progresses.

If you have any ideas on how to make extra money in your free time please do comment at the end of this post, I need the tips too!

Ciao 4 now,...

Live poker

I've been winning recently so decided to go play some live poker.

Live poker is very different from online poker, for some obvious and not so obvious reasons. In live there's an atmosphere, whether you like that or not. There's things to distract you, or things to excite you. There are people to talk to, or distract you. People can do things to put you on tilt, much easier live than online, or at least that is what I find.

One of the biggest differences is counting the pot is a bit more difficult, if you are used to online poker, counting bets, with say 4 players playing a hand can be tough.

When I went to play in a 50 seat deep stack there were some maniacs at the table.
One guy nearly went broke on the third hand with NOTHING. He was down to about 7 Big blinds, bearing in mind this was a DEEP stack. Next hand he doubled up with the quality starting hand of K6 when he hit it on the flop.

I wanted to get this person in the right spot. He had been over betting the pot, by sometimes 2 times, with nothing. I had 88. I hit an 8 on the flop, 5 players in. I bet half the pot. Then a 7 came. I think there was something like 2c 6c 8h 7s. He bets like 25% of the pot. I raise. He goes all in. I put him on either two pair, a flush draw or 59off or 45off. This was a BIG bet. I had trips.

Online I might fold. But with 8 other players giving you pressure to call or fold I made the rash choice to call. I had 10 outs to a full house. He had 4 5 off. So he had a straight. The river was a 9. I was out. I think I went out 2nd.

Compare this to my recent results of 2500th out of 55000 people, or 1st out of 166 people and I really notice I need to improve my live poker skills.

I guess all it takes is practice. Another difference is the price. This buy in was 10x the amount I normally spend on tournaments. I am going to try to find some cheaper games, and avoid the maniacs in the first few levels. Another lesson I learnt, just call when I am drawing to the nuts. It is better. Especially when playing against utter maniacs.

Sunday poker

Sunday Poker

Sunday is a traditional day/night for poker. It was raining, so why not?
I started playing rush poker, on full tilt and it didn't go too well.
I had AK, went all in, and got called by,.... AK.
Then 10 mins later my KK got called my AK, 'yes!' I thought.
Then on the flop was a bright red Ace.

Lastly, my A10 did not do much better. 10 was on the board. I go all in on flop, called by JJ.
So, was about 5 bucks down.

Then played a 6 player tourny. Took about 40 mins, came 1st. 7 dollars to me.
Then, the big one. The Big little tournament. 2 dollars with a chance of winning 10,000.
Only problem is that 55000 people joined in.

I wasnt having a good time, wasnt getting hands for a long time. Had to be patient for the first hour. Then about 1.5 hours in I got QQ, I was about 11000th out of the remaining 20000th people it was now or never. I got two callers. One dude, had the same stack at the table as me, around 10000. He called me with AK off suit. Then next to him one fella called =, he had about 3000, he had 22. There was a Queen and an ace of the flop. The turn and river were blanks. I doubled up.

Then a few mins later I got JJ. I 3 bet, got called by someone with a stack of 8k (I had 23ish) on the flop there was something like 3 5 7. I went all in. He had 88. I take the pot. Up to 30oddK. Then I got JJ a few hands later. Again I double up. Then I take out some small stacks. I pick and choose well. I get up to 93k in the next hour. 30th out of 4500 (around 50,000 people were already out of the compeition). I got very excited by this.
Top 30!

Then, a big stack came to my table and as I knocked out smaller stacks some medium stacks came, so there were several people with 65, 50k etc on my table. I thought I had to be careful. I got QA off suit. I only min raise, I got two callers. Flop is KQJ. He bets 20k, he has about 70k, I have about 90. I raise him. He goes all in. I have to call, but I dont like it. I should have just called him instead of raising. Either way- he had KJ. I lose this MASSIVE pot.

I'm down to 9k. I get KA, double up. I then go all in with k9, miss. Then the blinds are up to 4k, each hand is 500 for antes. I go all in with 7k, less than 3 big blinds. I have q7 of spades. Two spades on the flop. But no more. I go out 2511th out of 55,000. I don't get very much for this, maybe $7. Wasn't very happy about my performance as I should have been a bit more careful when I was doing so well.

Silly really.

Anyway, a good experience nonetheless. I just need to learn to play well when I'm doing well. I often find when I don't have a lot of chips I play better!

Good luck to you guys, hope to see you at the tables soon!

Ciao for now.

The compounding nature of life- the health things

I think it is quite easy for things and events in life to multiple..
I first learnt about compounding when I looked at the interesting example of finance.
In the example I read it stated that the multiplying of money due to interest, interest on top of interest, was called the compounding principle. Einstein called it the 8th wonder of the world. In fact, I like to think of it existing in other areas of life.

In the Middle East for example. Who would have predicted several states protesting in the streets, with so much passion and dedication they would overthrow their own dictator? I don't think anyone saw it coming in Egypt. Then Tunisia, Libya,Yemen, who next? This spread, the impact from one nation spread maybe through the internet- but it spread.

In my own life over the past few weeks I have noticed how health compounds. In around 2004 I would say I was at my healthiest. I was super strong, fit, ate well, had plenty of friends and a stunning, loyal partner. A slight knock to my health didn't really cause much of a problem, I was super healthy after all. I had a high muscle to fat ratio, meaning, my metabolism was great. I could eat fast food and not put on weight, no problem. I could adapt and turn my hand to any sport, pretty much. I think this is the same for many athletes at the peak of their fitness. Ok, they might not be able to do well at every sport ( I can't play golf at all, or can't shoot, or ride horses) but they will have an advantage over someone completely unfit in regard to flexibility, strength, cardiac fitness, spacial awareness, competitive drive etc..

Recently, unfortunately, my luck hasn't been great. I first got ill from food poisoning in Jan 2011. Then, with bad advice from peers, I ate the wrong food. I went to hospital a second time, two weeks later in Feb 2011. I was very ill, though mainly because I had Just Been Ill.
At home while recovering I noticed pain in my teeth. I was off dairy products and as a consequence of being off dairy(they apparently help oral health, I heard this today- was a bit surprised) so had a lack of calcium. Also, I was on a strict diet, no protein really.
Anyway. I had been very dehydrated in hospital and out of hospital. So I had to take re-hydration fluids. You might have guessed what they had in them. Concentrated sugars. I was also recommended to drink lots of fizzy drinks. Result? Now I need 3 fillings, I have gum damage from over brushing (I thought I needed to brush harder and more often!)and because of the stress of my whole experience I have started to grind my teeth, unconsciously, in my sleep. For those worried about your teeth/gums here is a good article:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_9_32/ai_94639442/?tag=content;col1

I didn't write about my recent health issues for sympathy. I do not require or need sympathy. This is mearly an illustration of how something in real life, as opposed to financial life, can compound.
Health really does, as the body never really forgets what you put it through. Wow, that sounded serious! I guess, had I known about the consequences of too many antibiotics, or too much rehydration sachets, or not enough dairy, then I wouldn't have had compounded health problems. But, it is much easier in hindsight! Maybe I was ignorant,.. still...

I see myself as a positive guy and I'm sure right around the corner I'll be on the positive end of the compounding machine that is life,..

For everyone, remain positive. :)

Ciao for now...

New Youtube upload Cost of medical care

New Youtube upload Cost of medical care

I just uploaded a new video, took me over 3 hours to edit, 2 hours to upload and filming in both the UK and Thailand. Getting ill in Thailand is.... well check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OXd-XpGid4

Check it out. Like it. Share it. Email it. Love it!

ps. Good for people thinking of going traveling in Thailand/South East Asia.

Trials and tribulations of a good addict.

Recovering from two intestinal infections back at home in B'ham. After being hospitalised twice in Thailand and being forced to swallow a whole host of anti-biotics, over two or three weeks- my body is well and truly screwed.

I've been told my digestive system could be affected for up to 4 months or longer. The most hopeful prognosis is 4 weeks, and no diary, whatsoever.

So, apart from gritting my teeth when my madre eats some cheese, or worse still, cheesecake, in front of me, things aren't too bad. A lack of energy and weird ups and downs in my stomach, like there's a party I'm not invited too inside my chest, are the worst of it. Actually, the lack of strength combined with the fact that I can't, literally as it makes me worse, train or do any kind of physical exercise. Quite hard for me, as a wannabe pro bboy.

The first few weeks, especially in hospital, I watched films on HBO- possible in Thai hospitals. Back at home I've exhausted day time TV to the death. So what now? I've re-introduced myself to.... poker.

I have had a chequered career within poker. My first intro was facebook poker, where I learnt.
Going from 1500 chips, or something like that, to over 1 million. Before losing most of it and settling back to having about 75000. At that point I decided to play for real money.

Then, I joined partypoker. I was quite astonished when I managed to turn £15 into £150. In 3 days play, about 6 hours in total. I was high on my success, as most beginners get. I lost it all within 6 weeks. My first time going 'broke' (at least my poker funds were bust, anyway.).

Then, I joined full tilt and titan poker, maybe 4 months later, the cooling off period. I put maybe £15 in both. Ups and downs ensued. Followed by going bust for the second and third time.

I 'quit'. Felt good to say it. But, like all good addicts, I am no quitter.

I started playing live poker with a friend who moved to my city. And I started winning again.
I cashed in a tournament of 30 people, coming 3rd for £30. I won a small tournament at a friends, for £15. Then, I had planned to go the real local tournament, £25 buy in, £1000 or thereabouts, first prize. Flight to thailand. Guess what? Not only did I miss the casino game in B'ham, but Poker in Thailand is illegal. Game over.

Fast forward 8 weeks, 6 in pokerless Thailand, 2 for lack of energy.
I start playing 'free' poker again. Then, deposit £25, as you do.
Easy to do really.

I start winning. I go up to $48 from (40), then I join a $10 tounrnament, 1100 players. I play pretty badly and go out somewhere disgracefully shite like 900odd. Down to $38, or thereabouts.
I play a $3, 90 player tournament, today, after reading some poker books in town. As you do.
I, the quitter, come 2nd out of 90. Second place. Needed to repeat it, lame I know.
Bankroll boosted to over $80 and the quitter is back in the game.

Now just need to stay focused and not blow it all, again, for the 4th time.

Wish me luck, skill and the ability to stay as calm (think thai people calmness).

Ciao for now folks,..