Thinking about poker and Vegas

Used to call me vice-grips/yeah I keep my money tight...
-Young Jeezy

Even though it's a little more than 24 hours before I leave tomorrow to go to the airport for my Vegas trip, I can't believe it's here.

I booked the $104 round-trip sale fare in May. Seems so long ago. At the time my bankroll was at a low. I'd just withdrawn money to pay off my car loan a year early. In the 3 months since, I've made that money back.

I hadn't planned on going to Las Vegas to play poker so soon. I'm more than happy with playing poker online, picking up rakeback and bonuses. When I was playing at the Commerce Casino and the Bicycle Casino earlier this month, live play seemed so slow.

But the trip was pretty profitable.

This time around, I'm hoping to have a nice, quick trip in Vegas. Play a little poker. Eat at some great restaurants. Try my hand at Sunset Park's frisbee golf course.

Yet the question remains -- what am I exactly?

"Are you a hardcore poker player?" my new girlfriend asked me last night while we walked, hand-in-hand, to dinner.

It's hard to say. I like playing poker. But I still play at recreational limits. Is it my life or is it a recreation?

I'd like to think I just work hard and am good at what I do, whether it's picking up two cards at a table, or being a runner. These are pursuits I've been doing for quite a few years now.

And hope I'll continue to pursue as more years go by.