Reality

One of the hardest things I find now that I've got myself onto the poker travelling scene, is going to all these different places, having a great time and (occasionally) making nice money; then having to come back home to sunny Longridge, Preston and readjust to the daily grind.

I'm bored, in all honesty. Not with poker, but regular life as I know it. I'm now no longer satisfied living in a council house (albeit owned, not rented) in Lancashire and need to do something about it. I have been presented with an opportunity that some can only dream of: I can thereotically live anywhere in the world and still work. It's a tough dilemma, but I'm sure the likes of Rob Sherwood who cottoned onto this about a year ago, would tell me to go for it.

What's provoked this is my stay in Thailand after my cash in Goa. Rather than come home on the pathetic Thomson Fly I opted to meet my friends for a 2 week break as they'd gone to Bangkok to watch a concert (so they reckon). Granted it was a holiday, but I decided to treat myself by staying in the Metropole in Pattaya, a very nice hotel with good ADSL connection in the room. To stay in this 5 star hotel with first class amenities including food, gym, pool, laundry, cleaners et al costs around £100 a week for a stay of a month, cheaper if 2 months upwards. lest us not forget the far cheaper standard of living, the beaches, sun and general cheap entertainment as well as the ability to travel all around Asia and it's great islands for pennies, it's almost too good to be true. I don't have any responsibilities here and I'm struggling to come up with reasons to stick around.

I also have the option of being able to fly out to Tampa Bay in Florida at the drop of a hat to stay with my friend. I'm thinking after WSOP, I may split my time between Florida, Thailand and the odd short stay in the UK as well as my periodical travels on the world poker scene. In 2 years, I may not have the chance to do this, so I need to take advantage whilst I can. Of course, I have to be careful that I upkeep and maintain the same table hours I do when living in Preston which is no easy task with all the distractions of living in a more tropical climate, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.

As for poker, it's on the rise here. MTTs aside, I've had a pretty shocking 2007. Some of it self-inflicted, most through bad.. *shudder*.. variance. Yesterday I had a good 'un though on the sixpaks raking in about $3k, and the cash tables seem to be grinding out a small, worthwhile profit too. The cash is more of a learning curve, especially since I'm throwing myself in at the deep end of $10/20, so I'm happy to take whatever positives I can. To be honest, the standard isn't anything to fear, the biggest threat is myself and lack of patience, but that's coming along nicely.

Anyway, just thought I'd use this entry to think aloud, and if you have any similar tales, feel free to get in touch!

Regards,
JPK