Who me? I'm a chemical biologist

HOUSE TALK INCLUDED: A GOOD BLOG ENTRY IMO

A basic conversation with someone usually ends up turning to what that persons occupation is. I have told people from all over different jobs, some serious and some as obscure as my mind could imagine. Sometimes I tell people what I do and sometimes I say I fish Lake St. Clair for Atlantic Salmon (which don't exist), sometimes I say I'm a Supervisor of mentally retarded people (retarded people meaning horrible players). I recently busted out the I'm a chemical biologist. These days I just tell people what I really do and most say wow I didn't know people could do that for a living, what's the most you won in a day, what's the most you ever lost in a day. I typically dislike answering these questions. I find them rude.

Today I went to the Dentist and sadly have a new lady clean my teeth, shes young probably under 25 so she asked what I do for a living. I looked like shit (3 hours of sleep last night). Make a long story short I was hit with the whats the most you made in a day question. I often say quite a bit or something without getting into numbers. She says like $500, I respond with no a lot more, then I get the whats the most you lost in a day, I simply responded with I've made enough in a day to feel like I can walk on water and lost enough in a day to make me want to jump off a bridge into the water. People generally understand at that point that I don't play penny stakes like some friend of theres. Shes a nice young girl and all but sometimes questions piss me off.

How could I ever forget the most popular question: Are you on TV? Sometimes I just politely say no I play different games, sometimes I assume these people can think and tell them the differences between cash games and tournaments. Rewind to two weeks ago I go to the bank with a modest $3,000 check to deposit, the check says a financial company in Henderson, NV. The teller asks if this is my payroll check and I said no, she asked if it's investment money and I said no, she then asks what this check is from and I said I play online poker for a living. WOW did this ever amaze about 4 tellers, customers were being ignored while poker talk ensued.

On a final poker note I should state I traded in huge swings for more mentally manageable stakes and games and good and steady profit.

Now onto buying a house:

Turns out my gf and I are going to see what we can do to buy a house this Summer. We both kinda feel now is a good time mentally, financially, etc. I tossed and turned for 4 hours last night with my mind racing about house prices, down payments, first time buyer incentives, etc. My mind literally was running a marathon. Were gonna kinda see what we can get approved for without going to get approved if that makes any sense. She has a friend of a friend thats a real estate agent and I have a few contacts also. At times I feel like a financial failure because despite making good income my income is often considered horrible because it's "gambling". People don't want to loan money to a "gambler" for a house, car or whatever else one would finance. It's like my money isn't green to these people. At times I feel like people think I robbed some girl scouts that were selling cookies the way they look at me and my income. My last lease (current one the Commander) I was planning on putting down like $2,500 and having monthly payments and despite earing good enough money the guy was like you need someone to co-sign. I was simply shocked, pissed off I went to the bank, returned 20 minutes later and paid the whole fucking lease in cash. Of course I could have wrote a check but green paper looks better than a white check IMO.

Seeing as how fucked up the U.S. is I am concerned about that fucking idiot Obama making online poker illegal. What would I do if God forbid this happened? I have been thinking about this because it's important to have a back up plan. I guess I would go back to school (finish my Senior year of college) and try to get a job where my Dad works except higher up because I have school. I don't want to do this by any means but I know it's there for me if I should need it. My Dad loves me to death but it's kinda like in the show ax men or deadliest catch how it would go IMO. My father is very well respected in his trade and my Grandfather was also so I would of course feel the pressure to keep up the family name. Aside from heights and bees the only fear I have in life is not being successful. It might seem silly but I always strive for more. If I couldn't gain the respect of my fathers peers I would be heartbroken and disappointed in myself. Again, this is just an idea of a back up plan. I'm sure I would do well though because I work hard.

Moving to Canada would also be another option and continue playing poker. Probably just move like 15 minutes away from the border in either Sarnia or Windsor.

I hope I don't have to do or change anything.

We have been looking at houses and trying to decide where to move to when the time is right (by this time next year at the latest). She works in Taylor, I live in Clinton Twp, she lives in Livonia so it's difficult to find something in the middle because in the middle means Redford, Inkster, Hamtramack, Oak Park, and other similar areas.

For as long back as I can remember I have been vocal about saying I want to live in Grosse Pointe. To me living in Grosse Pointe means success. To be 24 and living in a nice home in Grosse Pointe is a great accomplishment. Before I did some real estate research I wouldn't have thought it was possible to afford to live there. With the horrible Michigan economy there are some good deals everywhere on homes.

I found an awesome 3 bedroom, new air, furnance, floors, roof, 1800 square feet, 2 story, home in Grosse Pointe Park (by the looks of the house it was around Belfore, Maryland, Berkshire). I put myself, fishing, and what I want before her needs (her drive to Taylor). She needs to understand I don't want to live in Dearborn or Dearborn Heights or any other shit town.
To make a long story short the house I seen (although multiple good deals the above home) was appraised at $360,000 two years ago and is selling for FAR LESS. Basically in 10-12 years this home will be worth well over $425,000 and the real estate market will be bouncing back. The good news for us is we can wait a little while because I don't think the real estate market will be that much different in Jan or Feb of 2009.

We bought a new 4 wheeler that is a beast, 4x4, with a snow plow, awesome suspension and a much bigger engine that are current one (that we still have). It looks like the Jacuzzi will be here Saturday which I'm excited to soak in.

I can clearly understand the stress involved in house shopping. We got into a big argument about it (all made up now), and the sick part is we didn't really even accomplish anything so the stress of looking at houses will continue for at least 6 more months. And people wonder why I smoke like a chimney.