What has 2 thumbs and is driving to Vegas?

This Guy.

After a very crappy week, I have had multiple solid job offers and am excited to get away for 10-14 days.. I am driving to Fresno then Santa Barbara then Huntington Beach (Orange County) then to Vegas to look at clinics in each of those areas. I have no idea what I want from a job right now and each area and job has it's own benefits and drawbacks (affordable housing vs living blocks from the ocean vs working nights vs working days vs offers to be chief of staff vs living near LA or Vegas to really give this poker thing a real shot at real, significant cash game monies, etc, etc). I will likely have to move and start again in another area, but I guess I really can't complain about the opportunities afforded me.

Then a week of relaxing at the Rio (location still tentative but it seems to fit my needs the best) and grinding some pokerz every day -- ongoing TR ITT. Very unlikely that I will make any effort during this trip to meet any ladies since I am just going to relax and regroup, but on the off-chance then crazy bitches get to be ITT as well.

Prolly mostly poker though. Stuffing 3k in my pocket and going from there.

#blendingwiththepossibilityofabonking
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Comments

  • Careful with the asset forfeiture.
  • Glad you landed on your feet.

    Or at least didn't have them fitted with cement boots for a swim in the Pacific.

    #rungood
  • already too much poker not enough couch moving ITT.

    glgl!
  • JohnnieH wrote: »
    Glad you landed on your feet.

    Or at least didn't have them fitted with cement boots for a swim in the Pacific.

    #rungood

    maybe thats why he is leaving! ???
  • trigs wrote: »
    already too much poker not enough couch moving ITT.

    glgl!

    FU trigs

    Fucking bird
  • costanza wrote: »
    FU trigs

    Fucking bird

    i guess it's that time of the month.

    stop hijacking GTA's thread.

    ban!

    EDIT: btw, is it wrong that i actually felt happy that my post meant so much to you that you had to get upset and insult me?
  • what's the drive like from LA to Vegas? I have lots of free flights to LA with points but always think it would be a big hassle to drive back and worth from Vegas.
  • pokerJAH wrote: »
    what's the drive like from LA to Vegas? I have lots of free flights to LA with points but always think it would be a big hassle to drive back and worth from Vegas.

    Will let you know I know it's around a 3 hour drive and it supposed to not be the best drive because many people do it drunk or high or tired

    I'm currently driving can someone look up a poker room in Fresno California for me
  • Whoa, that didn't turn out the way I thought it would. Copy and paste on the interweb isn't what it used to be.

    Anyhoo, got it from:

    USA Poker | United States Poker | The Poker Atlas
  • Club One Casino


    1033 Van Ness Avenue
    Fresno, CA 93721

    559-497-3000
  • GTA Poker wrote: »
    I'm currently driving and typing, can someone look up a poker room in Fresno California for me
    fyp.... and reported.. >:D
  • hey don't sell yourself short. you have two OPPOSABLE thumbs.
  • compuease wrote: »
    fyp.... and reported.. >:D

    voicetext
  • GTA Poker wrote: »
    voicetext
    ahh, nice cover up...


    so where ya at? And what's on the schedule?
  • Day 1, yesterday -- drove from San Jose to Fresno.

    I figured it couldn't hurt:

    IMAG0371.jpg

    First Subway sub since moving to Cali -- interesting note is that they seem to have way move variety of toppings here: spinach and around 5 different types of cheeses were most notable.

    Fresno pretty much reminded me of Edmonton. The central valley in California also is home to the most polluted air in most of the nation. Apparently it is also a fairly large meth centre. Great job offer where they are practically begging me to move there and run the emerg service, but I didn't move to Cali to live in Edmonton again:(

    The drive from Fresno to Bakesfield is some of the most desolate land that I have ever seen...and I have driven through almost every area of Canada and the US. I think there is some water regulation thing going on politically as there are signs from farmers along the road stating that the dust bowl conditions are caused by water cutbacks.

    Day 2, today. Just drove to Santa Barbara. I had forgotten how much I LOVEEEEE SoCal. The minute I saw the ocean from the 101 I decided that I am going to take the job tomorrow in The OC (apparently that's what the cool kids are calling Orange County) if it is not terrible. There's a good chance I may be offered a chief of staff role at that clinic as well -- we will see.

    Off right now to see the clinic in Santa Barbara. Doubtful I can take the job for what they will offer me $$ wise, but you never know. From the small amount that I have seen so far of this town it is incredibly beautiful, population approx 100k.

    70 degrees and sunny at my cheap hotel:

    IMAG0373.jpg

    I planned on playing some poker last night in Fresno, but lack of sleep and talking to the clinic people for 5 hours resulted in me so tired.
  • I'm jealous, I'm jealous, I'm jealous.
  • GTA Poker wrote: »
    I planned on playing some poker last night in Fresno, but lack of sleep and talking to the clinic people for 5 hours resulted in me so tired.


    Did you meet them at Starbucks?

    Were they hot, Irish females?

    Did they have a couch to move?


    Poseur. ;)
  • Did you meet them at Starbucks?

    Were they hot, Irish females?

    Did they have a couch to move?


    Poseur. ;)

    nope not pro yet
  • Day 3, Friday.

    Woke up and went to breakfast with the clinic managers in Santa Barbara. This is the most beautiful town I have ever seen. After breakfast I changed into shorts and sandals and checked out the beach and wharf.

    IMAG0377.jpg

    IMAG0380.jpg

    IMAG0383.jpg

    Merry Xmas (iz decemberz?):

    IMAG0385.jpg

    Just the nicest place I have seen in mainland North America, period. I love the clinic and the people, love the town. I feel really passionate about everything there...the $$ is likely going to be less than half of what I can make elsewhere and the cost of living is high. I'm so torn about it right now, will likely get the offer tomorrow or the next day.

    Off to The OC which is the county south of LA.

    LA is disgusting. As soon as you get close there is a thick haze making the sky grey -- I felt like I was in Escape From LA, it is seriously post-apocalypticesque. I have no idea if this haze is a constant or a seasonal thing but it is depressing.

    In my mind The OC is going to look like San Diego. Blue skies, palm trees, quaint areas, some green spaces. It looks like a continuation of LA. It is very urban, concrete and densely populated.

    I have never seen the show The OC. But for fuck sake if you name a show after a place where affluent people live it should be nice. Class action suit?

    The beach -- note no blue sky, these pics are late afternoon and are unfiltered:

    IMAG0388.jpg

    IMAG0391.jpg

    I interviewed with the clinic there and they gave me a very good offer $$ wise which could exceed the job I left. I don't think I can live there.

    4pm off to Vegas. I thought MAYBE I could beat the traffic at 4pm on a Friday afternoon. Nice try. My fault, but the timing was what it was -- fucking horrid. Traffic probably rates in my top 5 least favorite things in this order:

    Things me no like:
    1. traffic
    2. traffic
    3. traffic
    4. traffic
    5. lots 'o cars between me and my destination that are prone to inertia

    IMAG0395.jpg

    2 hours in this shit after only sleeping 5 hours last night and not eating much all day. I'm like a bipolar woman on her period, a mix between Michael Douglas in Falling Down and a sobbing flaccid mess.

    Got to Vegas a few hours ago after exceeding 100mph at times -- made the 3h trip in just over 4.5 hours. Relaxing at Place Station for a few nights (I wanted to be off the strip and Rio was way overpriced for the weekend for some reason) and then will move to the Rio for 4-5 nights. I opted for the deluxe tower room vs the courtyard room -- it is actually quite a nice, modern room. Unfortunately, the highest floor available was the 7th -- if I were higher up I would have a nice unobstructed-by-the-parking-structure view. Still, not bad. They screw you over with a $16/night resort fee surcharge when you check in and, of course, internet is never free in Vegas hotel rooms, but only $6/24h here is the cheapest I've seen.

    I've always liked Vegas aside from poker. I like the clear skies, the fresh air and the open desert. I like Red Rock and Valley of Fire parks. I'm going to see a clinic here on Tuesday which would be a 4 day a week daytime job with average pay, which is really good money in Vegas. If it is a good clinic then the debate will be Vegas which would be easy financially since it's dirt cheap to live here (could buy a nice house for 1.5x my annual income excluding poker or a very nice house for 2x) and I can make extra money with poker vs Santa Barbara which would be more of a struggle financially since cost of living is high and the closest decent poker is all the way in LA 2 hours south. I truly don't know what to do.

    I'm going to try and relax for a few days as this is all that I've been thinking of for over a week now. Hoping that a workout and some low limit 1/3 will help me relax a bit...if not, which way to the bunny ranch?

    Pokering will start tomorrow.
  • I'm sure you already know this, but I think you need to just consider overall wellness in your decision. You already left your last job because you didn't respect your workplace and didn't like where you were living. The money didn't matter much there, so I can't see why it would matter that much down there as long as you are comfortable and can do the things you want to do.

    But, I just woke up and my thought processes are still reeling in awe from Constanza's excellent advice in another thread. I did bump the couch and make it move a bit on my way to my office, which is a sure sign I shouldn't play any poker today.

    Oh, and I'm sure you saw this:
    http://www.canadapoker.com/aria-las-vegas-introduces-multi-table-live-poker/

    If you could give it a shot and give thoughts that would be really interesting.
  • Loving this TR. well done. Do what makes you happy! You seem to be on the right track!
  • [x] proper going proz trip reporting ITT
  • Love the updates GTA. Its nice that you have so many options available to you. Having said that, if your options are of the three you listed, Vegas seems to be the logical choice.

    The cost of living is lower, even though its less money, the job sounds less stressful, more time to yourself. You have an entire city to get to know where the best games are, that run 24/7.

    I like your approach to this, keep a clear head and you'll do what's best for you. GL.
  • I'm sure you already know this, but I think you need to just consider overall wellness in your decision. You already left your last job because you didn't respect your workplace and didn't like where you were living. The money didn't matter much there, so I can't see why it would matter that much down there as long as you are comfortable and can do the things you want to do.

    But, I just woke up and my thought processes are still reeling in awe from Constanza's excellent advice in another thread. I did bump the couch and make it move a bit on my way to my office, which is a sure sign I shouldn't play any poker today.

    Oh, and I'm sure you saw this:
    Aria Las Vegas Introduces Multi-Table Live Poker | Canada Poker | Canadian Poker News

    If you could give it a shot and give thoughts that would be really interesting.

    For the former point, I know I have to consider that -- unfortunately, overall wellness long-term has a bit to do with money:( However, I can't see myself being able to stay at a job I don't at least really like long-term. I think it will come down to Vegas vs Santa Barbara.

    For the latter info, thanks -- didn't see that. Any idea what limits they will spread? I'll call them later and check it out. Will post a BAP for it most likely.
  • BrianS wrote: »
    Loving this TR. well done. Do what makes you happy! You seem to be on the right track!

    Thank you. It has been a stressful week and a half and I rarely get stressed by anything in life. Sometimes I feel very frustrated and want to give up, but I am hopeful that this crossroads will lead to some long-term happiness.
  • trigs wrote: »
    [x] proper going proz trip reporting ITT

    I think the lack of poker makes it a tie.

    Multi-tabling live should put me over the top, however.
  • GTA Poker wrote: »
    Any idea what limits they will spread?

    Nope, only info I have is what you now have from the link.
  • djgolfcan wrote: »
    Love the updates GTA. Its nice that you have so many options available to you. Having said that, if your options are of the three you listed, Vegas seems to be the logical choice.

    The cost of living is lower, even though its less money, the job sounds less stressful, more time to yourself. You have an entire city to get to know where the best games are, that run 24/7.

    I like your approach to this, keep a clear head and you'll do what's best for you. GL.

    I haven's seen the clinic yet in Vegas, but if it is decent then it will be a difficult choice. For many reasons, Vegas is always rated one of the worst placed in the US to live. Most of those reasons are socioeconomic and they would not effect me much. And, obviously, poker makes it very appealing to me. The job will probably be ok and enjoyable but may not be a passion at all, which is ok if the people are nice and it affords me other things I really like. Vegas is also a quick and cheap SW flight to every place I love in the US.

    The Santa Barbara job will likely pay the same or a bit less than the Vegas job, but like I said COL is high and taxes are high everywhere that is desirable in California -- this is why many people leave at some point. The job could potentially be very rewarding in non-financial means. The people seem very nice at the clinic. They really respect and want me there. I would lead a small emergency department consisting of myself and 3 newer emergency vets. I could help teach these vets and could help build the practice into something great. If the practice does very well, which is obviously the goal of the practice, then in a year or two I could end-up making more reasonable money, although nowhere near the 200k I can make in Orange County (not ever really considering...likely my least favorite beach-adjacent place ever).

    As far as the area, it is perfect. I would have to live in a small condo for the first year while I gave it a shot which isn't a big deal. It truly is an outdoor town. Walking distance to the beach/wharf. A quick bike ride to the mountains behind the town to go hiking/biking. Ideally, walking distance to get groceries, coffee, etc. Beautiful city parks (with many homeless I'm told, but that's life in the warmer US). Incredible weather most of the year. I'm happiest wearing shorts, sandals and a t-shirt. It would be a simpler, scaled-back lifestyle which I have always wanted. Just the simple things and possibly some real satisfaction at work, which I haven't had in ages. Poker would be difficult to pursue other than Vegas being a 5 hour drive and LA being 2. There are a couple local casinos (30 min and 45 min away) but they don't spread much. One is this place which is 1/2 way to LA, good times:

    http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/199/poker-venues/players-casino-ventura-ca-1051720/

    I guess that playing there could be equated to the live version of playing at UB post scandals.
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