Goodbye 2008

It is the last day of the year. The year was eventful to say the least. Of the notable things of 2008:

1. I started a new job
2. We made a very controversial decision on Council that lead a group to form that will try to unseat us in the next election
3. I played in a WSOP event
4. I lost about 28% of my net worth in the stock market
5. I lost 10 pounds (not all loses are bad)
6. I stared taking Taekwondo
7. I shot par on number 1 at Oakmont CC

I am running so well in 1/2 Limit O8. I am just playing for the nuts, and it is working well. I also have started studying "Your Own Worst Enemy" again. It is insightful. With I think I will set a goal for 2009 that my online BR grows to 1k.

I am so sore from yesterday's painstorm. It was brutal. My body is also pretty sore from so much TKD in a few weeks. It will be good to have 5 days off.

We sparred last night, and I did pretty well. I really worked on attacking off of my oponents makes. Counter attack's do seem to work. During my time off, I will work on my form and one-steps. Just a little each day will do.

I have 20 hours of CPE to finish by year-end. I think I can do it.

I had a decent weekend. I played pretty good poker. I did not go for a run on Sunday, but I did manage TKD on Friday and Saturday. I do need to work on my sparring. I think I will get a few DVD's to try to improve. Otherwise, it was a pretty good weekend.

I went to our rugby Christmas party last night. It was great to see the old boys again. Gary had some "surprise" waiting for us at Pipers Pub. I don't know what the surprise was, I didn't see it, but Bill said is was some guy.

I made it to the gym this morning. I did a pains storm called "Lance". Power Cleans, Step-ups, and side lunges. It was pretty tough. With 4 workouts and 5 Taekwondo classes, it has been a pretty physical week.

The diet has been off because of the Christmas, but I haven't gone overboard.

I attempted a split jerk of 155 this morning. Notice that I did not say I completed. The weight failed to reach the top of the lift, I guess I failed to put it there. Really it was a failure of concentration rather than a failure of muscle. I was working with 135 and getting it without much problem. I attempted 145 and made that too. When I was getting ready for my 155 pound attempt, I somehow forgot where I wanted my legs to go, and I think it threw me off. The bar was probably 5 feet in the air and there was no way for me to catch it as it came crashing to the gym floor. It made an incredible noise. My lifts are getting better as I get more confident and strong.

I made it to TKD for class today by chance as my planned meeting ended earlier that it was scheduled. That makes it more likely that I will get in my required classes in before testing. Now I just have to learn my one-steps. I will work on them and the kick reverse-kick portion of the form this week.

I ran yesterday and felt good doing it. My fitness is at a pretty good level right now. My weight is also hanging at 150 like I wanted it. Where I am not doing well is sleeping. I went to be early last night, but I woke up at 11 or so and couldn't go back to sleep. I hate when that happens. When my alarm went off this morning, I heard it, but I thought it was part of a dream. Wierd. I will get to be by 10:30 every night this week, except possibly Thursday when I have the Rugby party.

I overslept this morning. I just cannot wake up early as much as I would like to. So, I only got up early once. I have managed to get to the gym during the evening and lunch though, so my workouts are on track. I will try to change the waking up thing next week.

My poker play has been good this week. Since I stopped trying to multi-table, my results have been better. I guess I knew that.

My personal productivity is pretty low lately. That has to stop. I will work on that post-haste.

Last night, I did the 50-40-30-20-10 double-under and sit-up routing. My jump rope sucked. After the workout I did 15 minutes on the bike and Tabata pull ups. Today I do Nasty Girls. This is going to suck.

I have slept in for the past two days. Yesterday I went to lunch after a meeting with a banker so I didn't get to work out. In addition, I ate like crap. I really have to watch what I eat when I go out. It seems like I am back -sliding on my eating. I will work out at lunch today and hopefully get to bed early so I can work out tomorrow AM.

I managed to place second in an O8 SNG so my bankroll is building. I need to start keeping track again. I have stopped recently.

I made my goal weight. I weighed 150 this morning. I just need to watch my intake for the rest of the month. With the Christmas holiday, I hope I can keep a clean diet. Really the issue will be exercise. I just need to keep it up.

I played pretty good poker over the weekend. I am working on a poker probability book. I will treat it like school work. Once I am through that book, I can read the second Harrington cash game book.

I got an hour on my bike yesterday doing hill repeats on Bear Hollow Trail.

I am almost finished with my Louis L'Amour book. It was an enjoyable read, as most of his books are. I just wished I was reading it in the woods.

I woke up late this morning, but I made it to the gym. I did tabata something else. Man, that was a killer workout. I was completely gassed on the pull ups and push ups. I will go to TKD at lunch. This work has been good as far as working out and diet are concerned. I am only a few pounds away from 150, so even with some Holiday events, I will be able to get there.

The weight is coming off pretty well thanks to a good diet and consistent exercise. I am well on my way to reaching 150 by Christmas. If I lose a pound a week, I will get there. It will be difficult with the Holidays coming, but so far so good. I just need to be mindful of how much I eat.

I had a terrible night of poker last night. I just made bad passive plays. I will pull off a few hand histories and study them and I will not play until Friday night.

Currently I am reading a L'amor book that is awesome, as usual. I really like his style. This book is "Last of a Breed". It is not his usual cowboy book, but it does involve a native American in the modern military.