Poker has taught me a lot. To me Patience, discipline and observations are the most important tools. What poker hasn’t taught me  but life has, is to be childlike and relish the good stuff. I drove to a card casino to play an Omaha poker tournament with $25.00 buy-in with multiple rebuys in the 1st hour.  Sat between two local guys. First thing I said to myself “If they’re old and white they play tight”. Then an Asian married couple sat down “danger danger”. Couldn’t place plywood between them so if they knocked knees “oh well”. 33 people I’ve never met all wanting to make in the money. But is really about the money. No! its the rush! I live for the rush which some one had said “It’s like a drug”.  When you are in the zone nothing can stop you. Cut to the final table. 6 people left every one gets paid. Strategy is to eliminate the short stacks and collect “steal blinds”. Here is where I got into the Zone. I told myself I made it this far and I DON’T CARE. I played late position knowing people would fold. I doubled up. I knew that homegirl was going to get tired of me stealing blinds in late position and call me. When she did I had monster drawing hand. She singlehandedly double me up and she didn’t see the two 10k chips on the bottom of my stacks. Final table rules allowed no limit status so I pushed all in knowing I had a fifty percent chance of winning. The two remaining players asked to chop and I agreed. Whenever I won my showdowns I jumped up and down and did a little dance. I didnt care if I looked foolish “really a $25.00 tournament?” I jump with excitement knowing I was in the zone and I was going to use my whopping $288.00 win at the cash game and make more. Ziajian

I knew if I didn’t go today I was going to miss this wonderful treat.  It was opened Dolly Parton hours (9 to 5). $ 12 fee and the owner’s name is Mary.  88 degree pool in 51 degree weather was inviting. And to suit your jacuzzi needs there are two 102 and 104 degrees of hot mineral goodness. Met Stephanie and Michael. We had nice chat about love, location and time. They have know each other 40 years, both been  married to other people had  kids and then divorced.  Social network brought them together. “You guys are LDR’s”  “Whats that?” Long distance relationship. She lives in Santa Cruz and he’s a

local. I said in no time he will fall in love with the Ocean too. Stephanie had a idea I’ve discussed with others. Some relationships have a shelf life and  hers was about 25 years “And what you value”? she said  “Monogamy” . I said something along the lines of real estate of the heart can be an acre or a millimeter. Micheal was feeling his oats saying that you get older you notice a lot more people die.  Then another gal entered the jacuzzi and join the light banter. “I’ve been experimenting with chocolate and vegetables. Leeks and chocolate to be exact.” She deliciously describe a variety of dishes. “I sliced the eggplant and put salt to dry them out..you know. I used ricotta..” I said “sister you gotta stop I’m getting hungry”.  I booked a massage and could hear the running water creek which was nature’s  spa soundtrack. I had a hamburger, beer in a can and bottle water  $10.47. Went back downstairs and then a family arrived. The Muslim women had their bathing suits on. It’s a poncho with an attached Habib with  a colorful batik border and a  full length skirt. Swimming must be a drag. They, along with their children, look to be enjoying themselves. I love listening to the language which was pretty much the

same in English “get in the water it’s not that hot”.  There are universal truths.  All kids run with excitement to jump in a pool and husbands and wives hold each other in the water. Ziajian.