Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wolfy Nostalgia Post of the Week

This particular entry took me FOREVER to find. I kept looking for something titled Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit. I remember reading this post and enjoying it on multiple levels.




I give you GnightMoon blogging about luck, health, wealth, karma, and rabbits.

Kismet

Sixth grade was by far the worst year of my life, so when my English/Social Studies/Geography teacher started talking about a standby good luck charm, I was all ears. She said that if you say “rabbit rabbit rabbit” as your first words of each new month, you will have good luck for that month. I instituted this superstition immediately, and my life improved right away. Ever since I have tried to make “rabbit rabbit rabbit” the first three words out of my mouth starting each month. Although I am always paranoid of butchering it and saying something else first, I often screw it up. Sometimes I whisper to myself as I head to the bathroom at the beginning of the day. Occasionally something inadvertent happens (such as being awakened by someone and responding with speech) and I blow it. I’m not quite sure exactly how to do it, either. Wikipedia says “rabbit rabbit white rabbit” is the most common vernacular. Some of the “rules” and specifics are pretty unclear. Part of the problem is I’m always awake at midnight of the last day of the month, and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to say it right then or wait till I wake up the next day.

The first time I told this to friends, they couldn’t tell if I was being serious or making the whole thing up. I assure you, I’m completely earnest. Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit is my most urgent application of superstitious beliefs. I’m not saying I believe saying it definitely affects my life, but I can’t say it doesn’t. Like punching in that doomswitch code in Lost Season Two (please no spoilers), I’m too afraid to stop doing it.

I try to pay attention to my luck each month and compare it to how well I executed the rabbit saying at the beginning of the month. I know that in October, when I made the EPT final table, I nailed it perfectly. January was a rough month of poker and I remember butchering it horribly because people were staying at my house after the New Year’s Eve party. I rebounded in February with a flawless execution and won the Tilt 1k Monday four days into the month. In May I botched the saying, had my finger broken in a freak accident the second day of the month, and basically suffered through a month of miserable small-scale luck. I knew June would be the most important month of my life to date as far as pure luck is concerned, yet I screwed it up terribly on my way to the bathroom in a suite at the Rio. I thought I was in the clear a week into the month after two big, luck-aided early runs, but since then the poker has been a nightmare. I try to avoid whining on this blog and won’t tell bad beat stories here, but it has not been pretty. I took extra special care last night and did not say a word between midnight and when I got out of bed in the morning and said it.


In my WSOP preview I wrote “I know it is possible for the best players to have a losing WSOP. I am certain that the only way I can lose this summer is if I am extremely unlucky. Everything else has been accounted for.” Although I do not consider myself one of “the best players”, I still believe the rest of it (except for the over/unders – those were way off). Everything in that preview remains true. I have consistently played well and exhibited none of the usual symptoms of a poker downswing. There has been no stack-dumping, very little negative attitude, no tilty play, just the best poker of my life day in and day out. I made a couple mistakes in the $1500 shorthanded I finished 12th in. Since then I’ve been happy with almost every decision.


Players in a rut often say how much they hate poker. They keep playing because they feel desperate to get the money back, despite a hatred for what they are doing. I still love poker. I just hate losing. Every day I get up excited to play in another tournament, and I’ve enjoyed every one. I like playing the game as much as ever. As long as I feel that way, I’ll keep playing.

Frequent readers of this blog know how much stock I put into things like destiny, karma, “Plans”, dreams, spirits, outside forces, and so on.

Commenting on my WSOP preview, Joe Pelton wrote “under on your results vs your expectations your story arc needs a high level bracelet or an epic fail at this point…” This comment struck a chord with me as I tend to believe that everything that has happened and is going to happen is part of a preordained Plan. At this point, it makes little dramatic sense for this part of the story to end with a quiet exit from the main event. This doesn’t seem like the time for a boring WSOP to end with three cashes, no final tables, and no big result good or bad. It seems like the time for the climax – whatever that may be.

The last fortune cookie I ate, cracked right before I left for Vegas in May, said “You are blessed with good health. That is your form of wealth.” My health has been perfect throughout the World Series. Most people I know out here have had some major illness or other health issue – the Castle has had two hospitalizations so far – while I haven’t even had a sunburn. Whether you believe this is a result of kismet, variance, or simply a healthy lifestyle, I think we can all agree good health is the finest form of both luck and wealth. I am indeed a wealthy and lucky man.

****************************************************************
Comments

Tyler said...
Great post. Good luck in the main.

3:06 PM


Jeremy said...
"'Rabbit, rabbit' on the first
I hold my breath"

http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Jawbreaker/Jinx-Removing.html

5:18 PM


TheGraveWolf said...
I suggest you seek a new mantra.

Something along the lines of "Coin purse, ummmm, what's a coin purse!?"

Perhaps the first thing you should say is "This month I will not exercise Byeaaaaaaaad JUDGEMENT!!!"

Or maybe an internal dialogue?

Moon1: Good morning Mr. Moon!
Moon2: Mr. Moon! Good morning to you as well. And good monthing.
Moon1: heheh yes I anticipate great things this month Moon2.
Moon2: That is excellent to hear Moon1. I also anticipate great things.
Moon1: Indeed
Moon2: Indeed

1:48 PM


PunkyPickett said...
LOL. I was going to say something but then I read Wolfy's dialogue and completely forgot what I was going to say

3:44 PM


PunkyPickett said...
Oh yeah. I was gonna say that I do the "rabbit rabbit" as well... though I consider it a victory if I get it in at some point in the am of the 1st. These days my first words are usually to Dexter and so I usually botch the stricter rules. Never tracked my luck-o-meter with it though.

3:46 PM

Monday, April 20, 2009

Wolfy Recommends...

you


So, what's it gonna be, star? What are the people gonna be screaming when Jamaica takes the hill?

I say we call her, 'Cool Runnings.'

Beautiful, I like that.

Very strong.

Very nice, but what exactly does it mean?

Cool Runnings means... peace be the journey.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Wolfy Nostalgia Post of the Week

My next selection is an introduction to the GRADES posts. A few more of which will be profiled in this nostalgia series. I do not claim to have started the grade posts, only to have perfected commenting upon them. :)




From July of 2007
Grades of WSOP Grades, and other miscelleneous
WSOP Grade Grades:
Moon Grades: C-
Not nearly as entertaining as in past years. Self-delusion and grade inflation at an all time high, especially in regards to vehicular topics. Picture of Pimaster and suckiness disclaimer save this from a D or worse. Eggs over medium really the only interesting/unexpected grade given. One other thing, if you did Friday and Saturday night RIGHT then you would know Sunday afternoon is anything but relaxing. Angry asssssssssss.

Bag Grades: A-
Witty and interesting with a good mix of serious and whimsical topics. The Roberto's explanation one of the all time best. Points taken for not mentioning Cindy's fake tits. Grades almost downgraded to C for having the audacity to claim a D- luckbox after winning over four thousand dollars playing video poker - however, hilarious pictures and sheer volume of quality comments prevented this from happening.

A few extra grades that were not included or additions to grades given:

Lake Mead: A
An awesome day that saved me from leaving Vegas even earlier than I did. Amber's chicken curry is the best I have ever had.

Spud: B
An awesome guy to have around - he partied his nutsack off and slept on a single pillow with another dude in a room no bigger than a closet with 6 other dudes - sounds super tight. Points deducted for stealing the spotlight from my irish jigging techno moves with his funky chicken dance. Points also deducted for not hitting the pretty bridesmaid. Points also removed for knocking on my door at 7am to ask if I wanted to join him at the home of snaggletooth.

MasterJ: A
I cannot speak the rest of the trip but the Master provided the most entertaining poker table I have sat at in awhile. Drunk off at least 13 cosmos (seriously!) he buuuned the crap out of everyone and pissed the shit out of the dealer's in the process with his slow creep of chips and his incessant splashing of the pot.

Capo's: A
This place is freakin sweet. Friendly service and really tasty food in a very unique environment.

Cab driver who could not pronounce Capo's: B-
Could not pronounce CAH - POHS but did provide us with a lot of entertainment as he attempted to get the address from his dispatcher.

Flamingo/Cindy/Suites: A
Goddam I love this place. They treated us like high rollers and were very hospitable and attentive. My suite WAS bigger than bags - but I'm sure with time his degeneracy will provide him with one as well.

Nappy/Nappy's: A-
Was very gracious to host us all and hooked me up with a tasty dinner. Demerits for a non inflated inflatable mattress and strange taste in mexican swimming trunks.

Popeyes Chicken: A+
THANK YOU POPEYE. The popeye's rhizzle so much more satisfying than the vegan rhizzle.

Scott/Sue Wedding: A
Tasteful and short, but still with all the meaningful parts left in. Thanks for getting a DJ who actually played requested songs.

Anderbois: N/A
Cannot be graded does not compute error error error

Diamond in a Day: A+
Got wasted. Hit 4 Jacks. Made Money. Free Food. Ballers. Owned.

Weather: F
What the eff David Blaine???!?! SO hot.

Venetian Deep Stacks: C
Structure starts off super awesome but eventually develops into your typical online crapshoot. Also must deal with douchbags in person as opposed to behind a screen. bad beat.

Alphabetical Order: F... B C A D

***************************************************

GnightMoon said...
MasterJ33 at live low limit NLHE: A-
Having to take a cab to Capo's: D+
Nappy's choice in Mexican swim trunks: unnecessary and unwanted info

12:31 PM


CeCe said...
How in blazes did YOUR Crazy Aunt Stephanie find you here?!! I need your address to mail your Long Overdue gifts!! Thank GOD I don't take this long with library books and movie rentals...Hummmm, OR do I! (Laughing)
The lengths I will go to find a relative! (It's OK, you don't have to claim me...most of my other relatives don't want to either!!)
Email at cecetop@msn.com Thanks Dude.
Aunt Stephanie

1:13 PM


Bag said...
hahahhahaha

3:23 PM


Kwicky said...
Ok Wolfy, I've given it some thought. I promise to start commenting more if you promise to post more. You've got nothing better to do most of the time, so you have no excuse!!! :)

8:33 AM