March 11, 1967
Dear Diary.
Today is my birthday. I’m
8 years old! From my brother Michael, I got “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots”, and from
my brother Bob I got a “Peaches And Herb” 8-track tape, and from my sister
Wendy I got a “Lost In Space – Gun and Helmet Set”. From my parents I got
striped bell bottom pants (with patch pockets with the stripes going the other
way, just like Herman from Herman’s Hermits – and yes, Diary I know his name
really isn’t Herman). Also from my parents, I got $500 worth of shares in a
stock called ummmm…Berkshire-Hathaway or something like that? My Aunt Fanny and
my Aunt Goldie both gave me brand new crisp two-dollar bills, and my Aunt Didie
got me a “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” movie poster for my room.
8 years old! From my brother Michael, I got “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots”, and from
my brother Bob I got a “Peaches And Herb” 8-track tape, and from my sister
Wendy I got a “Lost In Space – Gun and Helmet Set”. From my parents I got
striped bell bottom pants (with patch pockets with the stripes going the other
way, just like Herman from Herman’s Hermits – and yes, Diary I know his name
really isn’t Herman). Also from my parents, I got $500 worth of shares in a
stock called ummmm…Berkshire-Hathaway or something like that? My Aunt Fanny and
my Aunt Goldie both gave me brand new crisp two-dollar bills, and my Aunt Didie
got me a “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” movie poster for my room.
Other than the dumb stock
shares (which I will sell immediately), I’m really happy with everything.
shares (which I will sell immediately), I’m really happy with everything.
But the best part was
that (after my bowling party at Shea’s Bowlerama) I went over to my friend Jeff
Stanton’s house and his older brother
Sheldon was playing poker with his friends and they let me play (probably because of my
superior math skills – I skipped grade one, after all), and I learned how a flush
beats a straight and how a straight beats three-of-a-kind, and also I learned
about optimal opening ranges, position play, pot odds, implied odds, pot
equity, fold equity, bluff-to-value ratios, and minimum defense frequency.
that (after my bowling party at Shea’s Bowlerama) I went over to my friend Jeff
Stanton’s house and his older brother
Sheldon was playing poker with his friends and they let me play (probably because of my
superior math skills – I skipped grade one, after all), and I learned how a flush
beats a straight and how a straight beats three-of-a-kind, and also I learned
about optimal opening ranges, position play, pot odds, implied odds, pot
equity, fold equity, bluff-to-value ratios, and minimum defense frequency.
And I learned that if after twenty minutes at
the table you can’t spot the fish… then you’re the fish.
the table you can’t spot the fish… then you’re the fish.
Diary, I think I love
this game Poker, and I reckon I could get pretty good at it one day, and if
someone ever invents something called “the Internet” and if they ever play
poker on “The Internet” then I’m going to play on it and win seats in
tournaments all over the world and make like a million trillion bazillion
dollars and marry the most beautiful girl in the world. Or guy, because you
never know, Diary, I might turn out to be a GAYLORD even though I’m pretty sure
I’m not. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that, Diary!
*****
this game Poker, and I reckon I could get pretty good at it one day, and if
someone ever invents something called “the Internet” and if they ever play
poker on “The Internet” then I’m going to play on it and win seats in
tournaments all over the world and make like a million trillion bazillion
dollars and marry the most beautiful girl in the world. Or guy, because you
never know, Diary, I might turn out to be a GAYLORD even though I’m pretty sure
I’m not. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that, Diary!
*****
Ah, the mental meanderings of sweet innocent youth!
I’m headed to Los Angeles for a few days. I have some
meetings with colleagues, and I’m also going to a screening of the short film I
produced (about my Mom!) called The
Sisters Tolchinski, which has been accepted into The San Diego Jewish Film
Festival!
meetings with colleagues, and I’m also going to a screening of the short film I
produced (about my Mom!) called The
Sisters Tolchinski, which has been accepted into The San Diego Jewish Film
Festival!
And somewhere in there I plan to play some poker, fresh on
the heels of last month’s 20K personal-best second place finish at The Hard
Rock Hotel Open Hearts Tournament in Hollywood, Florida.
the heels of last month’s 20K personal-best second place finish at The Hard
Rock Hotel Open Hearts Tournament in Hollywood, Florida.
If there is anything interesting poker-wise (or life-wise) to
report, I will do that here.
Check back in about four or five days.
If you subscribe to this blog (at the top of the page) it’ll
come to you automatically!
come to you automatically!
virgilgoestoeurope 
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