Robert Eckman's Personal Blog

Spring Update

2009-04-25T00:58:04Z

Well, it's been a while since I've updated my Blog... I am just too busy or tired to do it. I've also been somewhat really reclusive lately and whatnot. Vague, I know.

For starters, I bought some new Ice Skates last week. The Bauer One95s (The current top of the line model) for over $400; the most I've spent on a pair of skates since the last time I bought skates (then, Bauer Supreme 7000s) some eight years ago. I figure that I'm really only spending $50 a year for one of the best skates you can play in. The difference is clear when I step on to the ice with my new skates. Nothing to dish about my old skates, they were great and done me a great service, but they were completely worn out from my constant use of them. In the end, the blades needed replacement again, and they aren't avalible anymore unless I got a new liner (the thing that holds the blades) which would cost at least $80 or 90 to install. Plus it needed rivets, had peeling leather, and well, after skating in them for 3 times a week, year after year, you get the idea. It was time for a replacement... and since I intend to keep skating till I drop, I figured a little upgrade would do no harm.

Well, four games into my new skates, and I've got eight goals; scoring at least one talley in each contest. Who says you have to feel pain and get blisters on your feet when breaking in a pair of new skates? I haven't had any pain what so ever, thanks to having my skates baked so that it forms to my feet. I've got my balance quite down, but these put me slightly higher, so I haven't found found my perfect push off and power stride yet, but I'm quickly narrowing that down. I go a lot faster in these definately! I'm able to do a lot of things faster now, that I'm almost having trouble catching my breath. Maybe my confidence is too high on these skates, but I feel like I can really fly in them.

But I do have to say, the laces that came with the skates feel like they're made of steel, because they rip into my fingers when I'm lacing up. I like to have my skates laced real tight, but when I pull on these laces, the fabric actually cuts into my fingers, but they stay tight the whole time.

Now all I need is a new stick (ack, there goes a hundred bucks) as I suspect my current one is nearing it's breaking point after four months. But hey, whatever! I enjoy playing my favorite sport, Hockey!

Career change (from IT to Web Dev)

2008-12-22T11:00:16Z

Once again, I haven't been posting much of anything on this thing, but my oh my; a lot has happened since my last post!

Well, they say you shouldn't blog about work, but I'm confident enough that it won't come back to haunt me.

First of all, I finally decided to leave my Manpower position in the Datacenter at SMDC for greener pastures. I was frustrated there for many reasons, but I'll keep them private for now. However, since everything I do is a learning event for me; I picked up some real good work experience and gained some valuable lessons while there. One thing for sure, I can appreciate how difficult it is to run a datacenter... so many variables and things to worry about, you have to be organized and pay attention to every detail if you want things done right. I feel bad for them now, because since I've left, they have had to do more with less. I heard that a temp they hired after me apparently worked for only one day before quitting. And a quick look at the job posting today shows 3 open positions now instead of none open when I worked there.

Since December 1st. I work at 50 Below as a Senior Builder and I really enjoy it! I am so fortunate to have found this job locally and so quickly in such a dismal economy here. I work on websites for our clients, and already recieved positive feedback from one of our clients. I enjoy it so much, that it doesn't even feel like work! And the difference from my old job and my new job (pardon my pun but) is literally night and day! Not only do I get to bed each and every night, but I enjoy coming to work in the morning. In fact, I take the bus since it's right downtown and parking is expensive. Riding the bus is something I'm used to doing in Seattle; so since I've started riding again, I've been able to read more often. The people there are very friendly and I feel really appreciated. Case in point, my birthday which was last week... I got a card signed by the whole department, and a cake! Sure, I was one of 3 birthdays that week, but I didn't tell anyone about my birthday, so I was genuinely surprised to get a card. In fact, this job most closely resembles my old job at Microsoft. Sure they're not as "rich" as Microsoft, but they have talent and ideas and the know-how. They also have opportunities for advancement to those willing to seige it. I'm not saying they're perfect, (hell, no company or person is perfect), but they have a lot going for them, and I really enjoy working there.

Well, that's about all the time I've got for now to blog. Hopefully I won't regret this post.

Current moods

2008-10-14T14:10:00Z

Well, it's that time of the year again, where the leaves turn color and begin to waver. Actually, quite a lot of leaves have already fallen, and we're only in the second week of October. It's been a while since I've updated the blog/website, so I figured now was as good of a time as any other.

I'm still working at SMDC, though still as a Manpower contractor. I've been working there for over a year now and yet I'm still a temp. It's rather frustrating for me to write about, so I'll just leave it at that. However; I know that eventually, I'll find something much more rewarding and satisfying if I keep a positive outlook.

Speaking of positive outlooks, the NHL 2008-2009 season finally started last week and the Detroit Redwings look like they're ready to defend the Stanley Cup! After a great off-season, where they picked up two great players from Pittsburg (Hossa and Conklin) and only lost two players (Drake and Hasek) to retirement, I finally got a chance to see the team in action Saturday night when they played Ottawa. For a while, it looked like they were going to lose down 2-1 in the 3rd period even though they were the better team but then Frazen "the Mule" goes and just shoots the puck into the net like magic... not once, but twice to win the game. So far, he's scored 30 goals in his last 34 games (including up to the end of the season and playoffs.) Now that's amazing!!

And speaking of hockey, I've got my TwinPortsHockey.com League going.... We're playing games already, though I have to do a bit of work on the website. Currently the pickup game schedule is as followed:
Games every Tuesday & Wednesdays at Superior Ice arena (SAHA) 10:15pm - 11:25pm
Cost: $10/per skater or pre-pay month plan at about $7.50 per game.
So far, we've had a good turnout... in fact, I may have to start limiting who can play by a first-come/first-play policy.

Eckman Computer Services

2008-04-21T10:13:51Z

Although I’m currently working at SMDC’s DataCenter, I still moonlight as self-employed computer wiz. Some of the services that I provide to my clients include:

Backup & Restore
Don't lose all those precious family photos or your business client’s data because you didn't make a backup. Allow me to create a customized & automatic backup solution plan for your home or small business computer network today!

Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware Protection
Do you currently use outdated Anti-Virus software? Do you think (or already know) that you have a virus? Are you concerned about Spyware getting on your computer? With over ten years of experience in thwarting viruses and cleaning infected machines, be rest assured that I can help you. In addition, get a year of protection from Viruses and Spyware with the installation of my top recommended anti-virus and anti-spyware software suites.

Data Migration
Want to use your old computer settings, programs, and data on your new computer? Data Migration is the answer! Service limited to Windows clients.

Hardware & Software Upgrades
Have a great older computer that just needs a tune up? Or maybe you need more storage space (hard drive) for all those pictures, music, and games. Whether it's installing a new Graphic adapter, replacing a Power supply, or upgrading your OS to a newer version; I can do it all.

Secure Home Networking Setup & Deployment
Do you have an ad hoc or home network? Are you concerned about hackers getting into your network? Keep your network secure and operational with proven techniques and best practices. Wireless network configuration included.

Catastrophic Data Recovery Service
Depending on the situation, I can provide data recovery services on crashed or formatted hard disks or flash drives.

Special Projects
Want to have your own website but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’d like custom built computer system for yourself. Or perhaps you’re a small business and want your organization’s computers to be audited for compliance and security. Whatever the project, I can help take you up the right path!

Call Robert Eckman today for your free computer service quote at (218) 310-4742! My rates and prices are reasonable and the quality of work is excellent. In addition, References are available on request. Please let me know in advance if your request is for a business or a home.
Note: These services are only available for local customers within the TwinPorts (Duluth/Superior) area.

Welcome to my Blog

2008-04-12T23:59:19Z

Hello, my name is Robert Eckman, and welcome to my Blog!

I'm not quite sure where I'll be going with this, but I hope to make this blog as friendly and professional as possible for everyone, including family, friends, clients, and potential employers. As time goes by, I'll post various informative tibits, links, and resources that I've found helpful for myself and others. In addition, there might be times when I'll comment about the NHL Hockey season, or rant about the price of gas. Either way, this Blog should help me foster and develop my writing skills as I journey thru my life.

Feel free to stop by often as this page will be updated frequently over time!

Sincerely,
Robert Eckman

New Job

2007-09-15T11:34:00Z

I did it finally... I got a job. Not some "side" job fixing computers for people I've met over the years, but a real job that makes me feel like a productive member of society (like when I worked at microsoft.) So far... I love my job!

I work at SMDC, via Manpower, as a Computer Operator in the Data Center where IT keeps all of their big computers and mission critical 24/7/356 systems like the IBM AS/400 and blade servers. My main function is support and maintence of the multiple networked systems that control much if not all of the hospital's core business data, including medical records, inventory, communications, billing, payroll, and accounting information. Basically, I perform a lot of performance and security monitoring, backup and report creation, and be on call.

What probably got me the job was my rich past experience working in a simular enviroment at microsoft. And although I'm still continuing my education, I'm at the point where I only need a couple classes and I'm done. They support my decision to finish school, and are actually thrilled with the prospect of perhaps snatching me up before my degrees. I still have future career plans, but stated a number of factors that would make me rather stay with them, including the fact that I've grown to really love the TwinPorts area. In addition, I felt truly relaxed during my interview, and imagined myself just applying for a microsoft job. I really wanted this job, and I let them know it by asking all the right questions. (In case you didn't know, interviews are more about asking questions than giving answers.) I was a little worried about the credit checks and stuff (my credit isn't that great anymore) but I was quickly tendered an offer after I learned that I had beaten out many other canadates... but mainly because I was one of the few willing to work the night shift (and supposibly the hardest shift).

My Shift is 11pm to 9:30am, and I have a log book over 20 pages long that I have to follow and fillout before I'm done. But it's really not that bad. Time flies so fast, you're done before you know it, and everything you had to do is finished too. In fact, there are some periods of low times where you get to sit back and relax for a bit while the computers do their thing. That's when I go and catch up on my studying of the system (there's much I'm still learning here... I've never done AS/400 before.) I feel smarter every day, and more confident about my situation and place in life. I also love how I'm paying all my bills on time again. And I'm not sweating about where I'm going to find money finally. Thus, I can finally worry about more trival things like will the Redwings win the Stanley Cup or whether or not if I should cook a frozen pizza, or order delivered pizza for dinner.

Hockey close call v2

2006-12-08T18:16:00Z

Well... I survived another close call Tuesday night in hockey. It's the second time in about six months that I've been struck by the puck next to or near the eye. (The same eye in fact!) The first time, It was above the eye on the ridge where my eyebrow grows. I had a big shiner for about weeks or so... But I didn't switch to a cage or shield, since it was such a fluky thing. I never wore a face shield when I first played hockey, and trying to wear one now is extremely inconvenience. After all, I've only been hit in the face by the puck relatively a few times in my whole life... and I've been playing for ten years. Yet, it happened again this week, and this time, it was a lot more serious.

I was playing defense, as a forward rushed with the puck advancing into the zone on my right. I leaned forward with my stick while skating backwards to cut off and block any shot or passing lane, and the forward attempted to deke a little, and then shot the puck, but the deke move he made put the puck on "edge", causing the puck to spring upwards on his shot (like a golf ball) rather than staying low and on target. It went straight to my face, and It was one of those split second things that you see happening, but because you're out of position, you can't do anything about it. I tried to duck/look away, but it was too late, it nailed me right in the eye. I dropped my gloves and went down immediately clutching my left eye/face and laid on the ice face down for a minute as I rode the "sting" of the shot. I had my eyes closed tightly because of the pain, and in the back of my head, I wondered if this was really it, because I was feeling really intense pain, and my hands felt wet and hot. Eventually, I opened my good eye to see if there was any blood. Boy... there was blood alright, and lots of it! I tried to open my left eye carefully, but I couldn't because of all the blood. Players huddled around me as they tried to assist me, and some were horrified by the sight of blood all over my face, hand, and ice. Quickly, we went off the ice to attend the wound and determine the extent of damage. With water, we cleaned my face and hands and eventually found the cause for the blood, a clean cut under my left eye. Once the bleeding was controlled, we bandaged it and put ice on it. I realized then that it although it was serious close call, I didn't need any EMT or ambulances. I then resumed to my normal end game routine of changing out of my equipment, putting on my street clothes, collecting money for the ice time, and paying the rink before driving myself to the ER to get stitches. Everyone wanted to help me, and I appreciated their concern, but I figured once we got the bleeding controlled, and since it was a clean cut, I could handle it from there.

Total damage... 7 stitches, and eventual scar under the eye. I also have some loose teeth on my top left side, and it still hurts. I have to thank my mouth guard for letting me keep my teeth, because I'm certain they would of been gone otherwise.

So.. now I'm in the market of a high quality face shield... something that doesn't distort vision or fog up. My mother and uncle insist on paying for it, so there is no excuse anymore I suppose. As much as I hate a cage/shield, I'd rather be able to see out of two eyes than just one.

hot weather

2006-07-30T11:38:00Z

My oh my has the weather been incredibly hot lately... I don't think I ever remember it being so uncomfortably hot for nearly a month ever in this wisconsin/minnesota town. Now I know why I prefer living up north. It's much more comfortable to be all bundled up nice and tight with 20 degree below weather than to be half naked sweating in 90 degree heat. I hope I don't regret that last comment, but I just don't know how anyone can manage when it gets that hot.

Not a whole other news to report. Been playing some poker online again... been a hit/miss pretty much. I'm re-learning my limits and trying to keep myself within my limits, but it's difficult. I guess I like gambling, and I don't have enough respect for the money I gamble with. Someday, it'll change.

Only other thing worth mentioning is that the summer class I enrolled for has started. One week down, two more to go. I have to work on my presentation for tomorrow and find a manager to interview before next week. The class is Principles of Management, and although I thought I knew a lot about management strategies, I am learning a whole lot more than I had anticipated. I really hope to finish with high marks, and pick up that degree in May. I don't know what I'll do after school, but just accomplishing that goal of obtaining a degree would lift the world off of my shoulders. And believe me, the world isn't very light!

spring break over and I'm sick

2006-03-26T03:05:00Z

Well, spring break is over... I didn't get nearly one quarter of the things I wanted to finish done, but I'll manage somehow. Unfortunately, caught some nasty cold or sinus and I've been sick since hump day (wednesday). It's awful! I can't breath, I can't concentrate, I can't sleep, and I can't stay awake either. How does one not sleep and not be awake at the same time? I've always wondered myself, but I've figured out the answer is a state of semi-sleepness... where you're half awake bothered by pain and the annoyances of your sickness, but too tired to actually acknowledge it into a wakeful state. I'm not sure if that makes sense but boy... that's how it's been. Sometimes it feels like it takes a lot of effort just to move my head up. Hot baths help a little (it warms my sinuses up and declogs me) but then I get reallllly tired and fall asleep and get all clogged up again. I've been taking all the over the counter stuff you need to fight it, but I'm thinking maybe I might have to see a doctor since every two years now, I seem to come down with something big during spring. If anyone wants to be my nurse, that'd be great! I won't be able to pay much, but I'll fix your computer if you need it.

New Year, New School & Lost Phone

2006-01-08T16:52:00Z

That's right... I'm in OshKosh Wisconsin now... Came down here January 2nd and registered for classes at UW-OK (Oshkosh). Currently taking ENG 210 which is Mythology Lit.

On my way down to Oshkosh from Superior, I stopped at McDonalds in Stanley Wisconsin for a couple of burgers for the road. I accidentally left my cellphone there, and didn't realize it till about 100 miles later. When I finally reached Oshkosh, I called my phone and talked to one of the employees, and asked for them to mail it. They said they would mail it the next day. That was on a Monday. On Friday, it still hadn't arrived, so I called that McDonalds and asked if they sent it. Nope, they hadn't bothered to, and then they wanted money before they'd send it! WTF!!! It cost maybe three dollars to send it US Priority mail. I then promised to pay them, and then they said they wanted collateral! My god! Collateral for 3 dollars? They suggested I send money via western union. Cripes, it cost like ten dollars just to send money, no way I'm paying ten bucks to send three dollars! So... I thought about it for a while, and figured out how to do it. I went to the USPS website and purchased a label. It cost me all of $2.95. I saved the label picture on my computer and tried to email it to McDonalds. Now, all they had to do was print it out and put it on the envelope, and drop it in the mail slot. But noooooo..... they gave me the wrong email address, and my email got returned. So... I'm very frustrated, since I should have already gotten my phone, I decide to call McDonalds Corporate Headquarters. I explained the situation to them, and they appologized and said they'd resolve the situation right away. I then got a call from that McDonalds in Stanely and they gave me the correct email address, and still wanted that pre-paid postage label. I sent it, and they got it, and I guess my phone will be here by tomorrow or Tuesday. Still, I think the whole thing was ridiculus... I mean, don't you think McDonalds would be able to afford dollars to send something out the mail?? Don't they have a petty cash drawer? I was planning on writting a nice letter of thanks and including something like ten or fifteen dollars as a reward in return for the cell phone if they had sent it right away like they said they would... but now.... I'm not going to even bother. I tried my best to be very accomidating, since it was, after all, my mistake to leave my cellphone there. But you know, sometimes the customer is the most important thing, and sometimes, businesses or people should go above and beyond the call of duty to help others. Yet, unfortunately, this did not happen. Instead, I went above and beyond to accomidate them, by working with them as much as possible to make it easier for them to send me my phone, including but not limited to purchasing the stamp/postage online and sending it. I could understand why they'd want money before hand if it cost like 50 bucks, but not for something so inexpensive as this.

So... some of you might be wondering, "What the hell Rob? You're leaving UWS??" Actually, no, I'm just doing the J-Term/Interm, and having the class transfered over. ENG 210 will transfer into ENG 241, and covers two of my requirements. I figured I'd hit two birds with one stone.

Right now, I'm just staying with my sister and her roommates. Me and my sister have had our moments, (it's difficult for siblings to get along all the time), but we're doing well. However, I really enjoy it down here! I don't know what the heck the deal is, but the women to men ratio is like 3.5 to 1, but I'm not complaining! I don't think I'll meet anyone, since it's like six hours away from Superior.

october is here

2005-10-04T23:17:00Z

Well, since I seem to post a blog post once a month, I might as well not forget to mention that October is here. And boy who wouldn't notice october? Rain, Thunder, and Wind all here with Snow soon in the forecast.

In other news, I am looking forward to Anzu's birthday party, should be fun. School is going okay, however, I've over slept a few times this semester, and it's not good.

Hockey is comming along, and although it's slow going at the moment, I feel it's comming a long well, and that by the time I post my November Blog, it will become self sustaining.

I also should remind anyone who's reading this and lives in the twinports to feel free to message me about poker. I host a game every thursday night, and it's become sort of a special party/hangout time for everyone involved. Bring your girlfriends/boyfriends, there's always entertainment avalible for anyone even if they don't play poker.

Fall semester has officially begun

2005-09-09T15:50:00Z

Well, this semester I'm taking 18 credits in six classes. In no particular order, they are:

BUS 306 Quanititive Models Analysis for Production & Operation Management,
BUS 370 Principles of Marketing,
CIS 355 System Modeling and Design,
CIS 360 Data Network Systems,
PHSY 160 Physical Physics,
CHEM 100 Environmental Chemistry

Ack... Plus I have Hockey on Tuesday nights, and Poker on Thursday night. Dear me... anybody have a time machine I could use?

Speaking of time machines... it would be nice to go back in time sometimes

Another new month

2005-09-01T15:02:00Z

Well, another month come and gone. Still haven't found anyone to help share the big house I'm living in. You'd think someone would want to move into a nice place like this eventually. I guess the rent is a little too high perhpas, but for what you'd be getting, it's probably too low. Who knows, I'm not worried about it yet.

I also just got back from OshKosh Wisconsin. There, I helped move in my sister into her new house that she's renting along with 4 other girls. I think the place is a dump, but I guess I have high standards for my sister. There were holes in the walls, stains in the carpeting, and the bathroom smelled like mold. Even broken windows and glass on the outside of the house! I took pictures of everything I could find so that she could show them to her landlord and not get charged for any kind of damages.

Right now, I'm thinking about Seattle and how much I'd like to just take off and go there again. It's tough to forget about life in a different day and age. However, I'm pretty happy with my new friends here.

umm, nice new month beginning

2005-08-02T02:23:00Z

Okay, im writing a new entry. I just got home from Brule/Iron River Wisconsin, where I went out in a one person boat and went down some small rapids. It was pretty dang fun, and of course, I got burnt into a crisp. Then when I got home, I played some poker online, and won some money (which is normal for me). I wish it wasn't so humid right now, but what can you do? Wednesday, I'm taking someone out for lunch, and I'm hoping it's the start of something nice. Friday, I'll probably host another poker game, everyone is encouraged to come and join!

Tournament Poker is a godsend

2005-06-15T04:56:20Z

first some other news

Been a while since I've made an entry... That's because I've been sort of busy and sort of inbetween things. First of all, I moved. I no longer live in that cramped room called an apartment. No longer do I hear fire trucks racing by at 3 in the morning with their lights and sirens on. No longer do I feel the desire to avoid inviting friends to my place. Instead, I live in a five bedroom home. All by myself, with an exception to Ricky (my cat) of course! So far, it's great! I can play music loud. There are no paper thin walls. I can stretch my arms out and not always knock something over. I can even invite people and have a party (like I did last friday), and not be so crowded that I'm bumping into everyone when I reach over to grab a drink. No... apartment life is now a part of the past. Hello Home style living! Oh yeah, that reminds me. I've got a real kitchen. It has a dishwasher, a big fridge, and a great oven/range cooker. There's places to put my dishes, and there's places to put my food. In the basement, there's an actual washer and dryer! Plus another fridge (dedicated to coke and booze of course). So... How did I get all this? Well, it's actually my dad's place. He decided to pack up and get a taste of the slow life in the country 25 miles out. He asked me to come in and take over the place and watch over it as if it was my own. "Someday Rob, this may be your house, so watch over it like it is yours." "Yes sir!" In the meantime, I'll eventually be getting roommates and collecting rental income for my dad, but for now, it's great to have the place to myself.

Now to the topic at hand... Tournament poker. I've been playing it very strong lately. After having an absolutely horrid month in May where I lost several hundred dollars, I was approaching a point where I felt like everything was going wrong in my life. Finals... Deadlines... Term Papers... All of those things were hanging around my head in May and it totally affected my game. In fact, I shouldn't of played at all, because I really didn't have time to be fooling around with poker when there were so many other pressing issues on hand, but I was looking to escape, and that did not translate well on the tables. Fortunately, as I got school behind me, I entered in a $5000 guaranteed tournament on Empire ($25+2) and did extremely well. Finishing 4th overall out of a field of 219 players. It helped salvage my draining bankroll by providing $438. Finally, my faith in poker and my abilities was restored.

I entered in a few more guaranteed tourneys on Empire, and did well, but fell short and made a few really bad moves. With no more wins, I took my money to the NL tables. Limit is my game, but after having a talk with Hopy (a friend), I realized I could probably play NL more profitably. With his help, I started to understand and get a good feel for the NL $25 tables. I also went ahead and opened my Party account and cleared the deposit bonus. No sooner had I cleared that deposit, I received another bonus opportunity at Party, and I went on to clear that too. Having always been an Empire player (party skin), I was used to smaller tournaments of around a few hundred players. But on Party, I saw there were tournaments with over a thousand players, and in some cases more than two thousand players. With elusive prizes for those lucky enough to make the final table, I wondered if it was ever possible for a player like myself to wade thru such a field and finish high in the money to make the whole effort count.

So I compared my buy in fees... Empire had 5k and 10k tourneys that charged between 25 to 100 for entry, while Party had 18k and 30k tourneys that charged between 20 and 50 for entry. I decided enough of paying 25+2 for a chance to win a part of 5k, and yes to paying 20+2 to win a part of 30k. The field would be large, but if I stuck to my game, avoided making mistakes, I could easily make it to the money which usually started around 220 or 180 places. Carefully, I selected my tournaments and bought into them. I didn't win the first 3 or 4 tournaments, nor did I place real far, but I watched and got a feel for the game. I noticed an interesting trend:
Large field tourneys take about the same amount of time as a smaller field tourney. About 1/3 to 2/3 the field will drop out every hour. Meaning, if you started with 1800 people, by the end of the first hour, you will probably have about 900 people left. At the end of the second hour, there will be about 400 players left. If you can make it past the third hour, you're pretty much guaranteed in the money as only 200 players or less should remain.

June 13th 7:45pm... The cable guy finally arrives at my house and hooks up my internet. 8:15pm, I browse over to party poker and see they have their 30k guaranteed starting in 30 minutes. 8:43pm, I register for the tournament with two minutes to spare. I'm in good spirits, and I'm just hoping to make it far in the tournament, but the 7.8k first prize looks good. I keep the prize amount in my head to remind me what I'm shooting for. 1872 players sign up. After two hours, I realize I'm getting very close to making the money. I'm doing okay, but I'm not a dominate chipstack. All this will change in the third hour as I finally get the cards and the calls I need to make my way up the ladder. Hour 4 rolls in and I'm already guaranteed $200, but I set my sights on making the final table which will pay $374+ minimum. Hour 5, and I finally arrive at the final table. There's an Aura of excitement, a Zen feeling of control. Here's how the first hand went down. blinds 7500/15000. I have a stack of 233,000 chips. I look down in my position of UTG+1 and see 88. I do my standard raise of 3x BB (45,000). folds to CO, who is chipleader and very unpredictable. It's my first time at the table with him. He pushes his whole stack in the pot, and the rest of the table folds to me. Decision time. Inside, I'm annoyed that this jerk has pushed on me. It almost looks like he's totally stealing and trying to push me around. However, I take a quick look at the payout, and the chipstacks on the table. Since I'm the 4th largest stack... there no reason I should risk my whole stack on a pair of 8s. Even if he has a crapshoot hand like J9, it's still a coinflip that I may win. Folding is the best option in this position since the pay out between the different places of 10th to 1st are so dramatically high. If I win, I'm in a good position to win the tourney, but if I loose, I'm out in 10th, and only collect about $374 where if I just wait for some of these smaller stacks to bust out, I can make much more money. So, I fold. My opponent tells me he had AQ. If he's telling the truth, then it is a coinflip just as I imagined. Why risk 100% of your stack on a 50/50 shot, when you can fold now, and wait for a much stronger advantage while you progress the money ranking ladder? I don't bother to tell him what I had... Final table was nuts, with all-in being made by just about every player. Nobody was willing to call any of these, until 30 minutes later when a short stack made an all in with 55 and got called by a big stack's AJ and got busted. Finally, I could feel the money coming closer... soon someone fell in 9th and 8th and 7th.
Took a while for 6th and 5th... Then 4 handed... I'm guaranteed $2240.60 now, and I feel very comfortable and in control. I open up and make more loose and aggressive plays. My 55 beats a AJo call, I have about 600,000 chips. I do a few plays, but can't get much going. Then this hand... K6o I open up for about 228k. I get called by chipleader. flop is J65. I have middle pair. I check (probably a big mistake now that I look back at it), and big stack pushes. I quickly call, because 4 handed, you can win with crap like K6 2nd pair or even Queen high junk. He shows QT for no pair and a runner runner straight draw. I'm ahead, and I'm happy as hell for making the call. Turn comes out an ugly ten. I hold my breath as I chant "King or six!" But no dice... river is a queen, and my fate is sealed as 4th place. I gasp in a muttering "No...." and then this window pops up. "Holy shit!", I exclaim as the realization of 6 hours of poker has earned me enough money to allow me to buy a brand new state of the art computer or state of the art large screen HDTV if I wanted to. In which I immediately begin to smile and dance around my room.

Thanks Poker!