In January alone, Obama was able to raise a record $36 million, a figure more than both Hillary and McCain combined. The beauty of this figure is Obama hardly had to physically fundraise the entire month, as 200,000 of the 300,000 donors were first timers, and 90% of the online donors gave $100 or less.

Truly a digital grassroots (Astroturf-roots?) campaign, Purple is the color of the day, despite NYT’s David Brooks sour outlook:

“Up until now The Chosen One’s speeches had seemed to them less like stretches of words and more like soul sensations that transcended time and space. But those in the grips of Obama Comedown Syndrome began to wonder if His stuff actually made sense.”

Well, even in the grips of this alleged Obama burnout, the voters obviously are not feeling the effects of the fervent support for the most inspiring candidate since JFK. As the exit polls show, more people than ever are supporting Barack, and obviously do not care about a silly plagiarism attack by Clinton’s camp.

I, for one, am still incredibly excited by the man, and what he stands for. Sure, the tingling chill doesn’t come as readily as it did when I was witness to his speech in New Hampshire, but that is fine. It is more than fine, because the Senator can now focus on solving the issues that have inspired not just the nation, but also the world. Look, he was even ahead of the game on terrorism!

Kinetic purple is not only here to stay, it seems to be rising, ready to bathe this country in a unified, strong hand-up. Americans are ready to get reacquainted with the American Dream, and Barack Obama is just the man to lead us in that direction.

I play poker on my desktop, in my room. During these cold winter nights of New England, I usually have a down duvet to keep me warm, however my right arm is always exposed to the air, as I need to keep the mouse hand free to make those $$$ decisions. (It’s my own little corpse arm, letting me know I’m still alive… much like how I always get one answer on tests incorrect, just to maintain my humility) However, at the start of this season, I was able to get my hands (not literally) on a space heater, which I positioned directly below my mouse – - too easy.

What happens when your decisions at the table cause your internal temperature to rise? When you get all your money in with AA against a disguised set of threes, or they get there on a draw to your top pair? Suddenly, you find yourself sweating, your face flushed, and you begin to strip off your blankets, shoving your blessed space heater to the corner.

Those moments are fun.

Classic Seesaw of a Hand …I miss recess

Preflop: Standard preflop raise with suited paint, especially when both players on my left are tight/passive

Flop: I flop good, top pair + straight draw, but my passive oppenent check/min-raises…warning bells should go off hear, as two pair, set, of even made straight are possibilities when a player like this CMRs. I flat call, I’ll see turn with position.

Turn: Not necessarily a bad turn, it’s a scare card for him or a counterfeit card. I check behind for pot control, thinking I will call 33% of pot bet or less on river.

River: Gin for me. Now he’s filled up with an underfull house, thinks his straight will get paid by three Jacks, or will be willing to call off a lot for a chopped straight. I bet for value, and his KQ goes down to the up/down flop/turn/river.

Interesting 3-way pot

Preflop: Because these two players are both tight and short, I flat call instead of 3-betting because one of them is likely to reshove and do I want to play AQo that hard?

Flop: I think I’m great hear, and when he continuation bets small, with a flat call my villain #2, a raise is automatic. The RR all-in AS WELL as the CALL is obviously warning bells, but the amount is so small I think AQ is priced in.

P/F Raiser had QQ, which explains the small c-bet on flop. I have no idea what villain #2 was thinking with AA, but discussion with a friend showed a possible different avenue in my preflop play:

If I disregard their playing styles and reraise like normal with AQo, then most likely QQ will RR all-in, with a snap call by the sneaky AA, and I can definitely get away from this hand preflop, only losing $30 or so instead of $75. This does require the second player to have a hand worth over-shoving to a 4-bet, which I think is rare. My friend has always been consistently aggressive though, so this is his line. Regardless, I don’t think anyone can get away from this post-flop.

Biggest hand of the day

This hand began with a aggro-regular raising in MP. The button, another regular position-player, 3-bets. He could have a wide range here, and to me it looked like a isolation/squeeze play. Now, a fourth raise with AA I think would set off bells in both of these players heads, but the OVERBET is different. The overbet looks like a resteal, a second squeeze, to try and push out the other players, because thus far, both of the raises are standard position bets, with wide wide ranges of hands.

I decided the overbet would be much more likely to get a call, and JJ went for it. Luckily, it held.

Good luck at the tables!

The “Nuts” in poker is the best possible hand given the cards available in a specific situation. It is a fitting slang term developed over the years for a game dominated by whiskey, guns, and testosterone. You most certainly needed big clanking family jewels to play in the saloons in the Old West, where you were one crooked comment away from getting a six-shooter pointed at you, nuts or no nuts.

Fortunately for us, poker has become a lot less dangerous and a lot more popular, flooding the programming on television channels such as ESPN, The Travel Channel, The Game Show Network, and even mainstream NBC.  These tournament airings offer a lot of money, a lot of fame, and a lot of adrenaline.

However, this series, new to PSA, is not going to focus on the celebrity of the game, but rather the nuts and bolts of everyday card games. As a regular player both online and in casinos, I have found hand analysis to be helpful in evaluating decisions, noticing trends, and improving my poker skills. Hopefully, this will be a constructive addition to those looking to improve their skills, or as the case may unfortunately be, looking at what NOT to do.

I currently play 200nl and 400nl, where the average wins range from $150 to $500 a day. Since I started at 10nl three years ago, my game has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. January’s goal is $3k, currently at +$1,685.

Just as an aside, if you are new to the game, these links contain helpful tutorials and even a chance to play for Play Money to get your feet wet:

Pokerstars Tutorial (largest online site in the world)

Wikipedia’s Texas Hold’em Page

Cardplayer Magazine (News and info)

So, the day’s biggest loser: http://www.pokerhand.org/?1951312

Pre-flop: I have a fairly tight image here, and raising as ‘first to act’ shows strength. I may flop good, but it isn’t necessary, as I will be betting the flop about 90% of time regardless.

Flop: A standard continuation bet. I’m not thrilled about my top pair, as my 8 kicker is often beat in a showdown. However, this player is aggressive, and he could be floating the flop to steal on turn, or calling with flush draw/strong king.

Turn: I give him the opportunity to try and buy the pot, as my check here looks weak. With only $52 left, my check/raise all in has about zero fold equity. It is a bad move, given that he effectively put me all in with his half-stack bet.

Biggest Winner: http://www.pokerhand.org/?1951345

Pre-flop: Early position raise, I flat call in position hoping for more players and to flop a five. If it is heads-up, I have position and can evaluate is post-flop betting.

Flop: Flop is gin. No real draws, so I elect to flat call his continuation bet, hoping he catches up on turn or decides to 3-barrel bluff.

Turn: He bets again on this brick of a turn. I raise for value, looking to get called by AJ-QJ, AA-TT. He tanks, shoves all in, obviously thinking I’m trying to bluff raise him. It’s fun to get it in when your opponent is drawing dead.

That’s it for now, good luck at the tables!

In recent years, the Internet has slowly become the prime source for information. News information started with newspapers, and then progressed to radio and television, so the use of the Internet was a natural advance. Sites such as Digg.com and YouTube.com are user-controlled sites, where the “common people” decide what is most important. Digg posts political items, technology news, and recreational sites, all of which are voted on and commented about by people whose only qualification is knowing how to use a computer. The same elements hold true for YouTube, the video sharing site. We now have a significant portion of our society getting news straight from the source: personal interviews, home videos of events, unedited eyewitness accounts, and so on. It has truly become a democracy of information. In fact, a big story several months ago broke on YouTube. John Kerry was giving a speech on a college campus, when a student in the audience became agitated and was promptly “tasered” by law enforcement. Given the nature of human reaction to words on a page versus video images, the public outcry was far greater that it would have been in the past. Literally hours after the incident, millions of people could watch the direct account and form their own opinion on the matter, a luxury not previously held by the general public. Couple this with the fact that it appears that the “victim” in the video deliberately stared the incident with hopes of gaining popularity via YouTube, and a clear picture is forming. While the events of that day seem tainted by this misuse of technology, there remains a certain element of liberty in websites such as this. This availability of information to the common people, without the use of a filter by corporations or a bias by reporters, has allowed a truer sense of freedom of information. Another comparison to this contrast can be seen in the Disney film, Newsies. The robber barons of the newspaper industry are able to control the news, and therefore public opinion, of various happenings, such as the newsboy strike. However, the commoners are able to print their own news, effectively getting the truth out, and completely bypassing the elite’s hold on information.

An additional facet to this information-sharing concept is the blog, a derivate of web log, an online personal entry. In the past, the interview was the most common tool the allowed the public a view into a celebrity, authority figure, or opinionated activist. Now, technology has provided a window into the psyche of people in the spotlight that is truly unique because it is their own words, in their own hand. National Public Radio recently did a story on the newly-developed blog of the director of Homeland Security. Normally a bureaucratic position, we were suddenly aware of his thoughts on policy, as well as his family life and personal activities. This concept is so new, that National Public Radio set up a phone interview with the director, asking him point blank if he did in fact write this blog himself. If he is to be believed, then this cutting-edge personal touch has added an authenticity and realistic element to how we see people outside our personal circles. The concept has spread beyond well-known figures, and anyone and everyone who has something to say is putting fingers-to-keyboard. Recent counts have the total number of blogs to be over 106 million. This proliferation of personal details and individuals’ information leads into the potentially negative aspects of instantaneous data.

There is no doubt that knowing details of events and happenings across the globe is a useful by-product of the Information Age. There is also no doubt that knowing how and why activists, political figures, business leaders, and even common people do the things they do is a valuable trait of the Information Age. However, the necessity of information begins to change when the “macro” focuses into the “micro” parts of our everyday lives. The people we see, our friends and family, are actually being hurt by this information saturation. To begin with, iPods are storage and playback devices for music, pictures, and video. They are able to hold upwards of 40,000 songs and hundreds of hours of video. However, this capacity to listen and watch at any time of your choosing means that you are switching focus from the outside world to a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Headphones are already inhibiting conversation, putting a stop to the natural interactions we have with the people around us. This voluntary exclusion to “the routine” was initially thought of as a positive, but we will soon see it as detrimental. We will no longer engage in conversation with co-workers and counterparts, choosing instead to insulate ourselves with this white noise. Our sense of community is breaking down, and we will lose those elements that make us feel a connection to things around us. Gone are the small-talk conversations that made up commutes, the polite nods and greetings in elevators, the talk of weather and gas prices while waiting in line. These elements are part of what make us human, the collective “moaning and groaning” that actually brings us together. Family car rides, famously depicted in movies such as “National Lampoon’s Family Vacation” are comical for the very reason that people can relate to the frustration and laughter associated with being stuffed into the family station wagon. We now look back on those times with fond memories, memories that will rapidly disappear as we lose focus on our surroundings. The little details that make our lives unique and special are being voluntarily edited out in favor immediate access to the hottest new music and the latest sitcoms, distractions that may alleviate the boredom at the time, but ultimately ruin our social structures.

Yet another tool for information sharing is the cell phone and its capacity for text messaging. It can be a useful form of communication, but only when procuring the bare essentials. There is no capacity for emotion, and even vocabulary and grammar are starting to suffer with the shortened, rapid-fire phrases. Shortcuts such as “u” (you), “lol” (laughing out loud) and “ttyl” (talk to you later) are becoming commonplace, standardized phrasing, a kind of heartless habit to friends and loved ones. Most of the time, a person who claims to “lol” is, in reality, not laughing, but probably busy multitasking with their iPod or Internet. Conversation has evolved into an empty ritual, where feeling and emotion is lost, replaced with “emoticons” like , which further standardize communication. There is a new language being established, and vital parts of our humanity are being lost in the translation. We will soon start to miss out on the little things in life that are truly appreciated. I have often heard of long-married couples fondly remarking on the “quirks” that make their partner special to them. This same concept can be applied to loved ones, friends, and even acquaintances that we talk with solely through impersonal mediums such as texting. We are giving up our own “quirks” that make us who we are, forgoing our own special details that we bring to a relationship, all for the quickening of information sharing. Who knows how many relationships will forever remain undiscovered because we cannot truly know and appreciate someone through the computerized interactions of technologies today.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, is the popularity of online social-networking sites, such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com. Facebook was created by a college student looking to organize his friends and rate the physical appearance of his female counterparts. In recent years, the website has evolved into a class of communication and information by itself, with millions of users worldwide. Profiles of users can contain activities, interests, favorite music and movies, personal quotes, religious and political leanings, and even your relationship status. In essence, all of the information that makes up a person can be on display, so that a friend of a friend can potentially know all about you, even though they are in fact a stranger. Beyond information, the site’s capacity for photo-sharing, event listing, and group creation work to keep everyone up to date on your daily life, vacations, and current activities. There are two personal experiences that highlight these phenomena. First, my hair has been steadily growing for some time, and can now by tied in a pony tail. It is a wholly new look, so much so that I would expect a comment from friends and family not seen in months. However, after meeting with several friends now living across the country, not a single one mentioned my long hair, and the only reason was because they had been well informed due to the ever-updating Facebook photos. The second example that shows how personal information is detailed constantly is my recent car accident. I totaled my car on my morning commute, and put the photos of the car wreck on to my profile. I no longer have to explain the damage, describe the accident, or talk about my injuries, as the whole report of the occurrence is in a virtual news-feed, readily available to all of my friends. We will begin to hear crickets at social events, awkward bursts of conversations that end abruptly. “Did you hear about…” will be cut off with responses like “Yes, I saw that online, you can read about my thoughts on the comments section”. We are turning into a society of automatons, a society where laughter is becoming obsolete, as stories and experiences are usually regarded as not quite as funny the second time around. People are wasting their emotions on themselves, silently typing a “lol”, squandering the pleasure of sharing the information face-to-face.

Now, what does this abundance of personal information ultimately mean? The kind of social relationships formed when a person could know all about you before having seen you in real life is worth consideration. The social art of small-talk or “catching up” with new acquaintances and old friends just simply is not necessary any longer. This is making living in the present and planning for the future the only worthwhile states of mind. With everything being constantly archived, there seems to be a quickening pace of activity, a persistent searching for what is around the corner. The only nostalgic looks into past experience are done at a solitary computer station, the glowing screen detailing your friends’ lives and information as coldly and efficiently as possible. The sociological path before us seems forked. We can choose to continue down the ever-increasing information path, gaining a complete view of the macro-social aspects of life while losing whatever truly personal and direct forms of communication we once had. Or, as some people are beginning to predict, we will face a “digital backlash”, a conscious effort to close online accounts in favor of traditional Q & A, revitalize handmade invitations to replace standard event information, and start anew casual face-to-face meetings instead of instant messages. I, for one, cannot help but see the benefit to relearning the micro-details of my life, even if an awareness of worldwide information is lost in the process.

I sit listening to the typing keyboards, the buzzing and chirping of cellphones, the click and whir of cameras. Above it all are the television pundits on the big screen, expressing their theatrical awe at the voter turnout, the implications of the win, and the massive outpouring of volunteer and monetary support for Obama. I can’t help but feel paralyzed in the eye of this political tornado, this kinetic Purple.

 If we’re going to continue to hand down scathing judgements of superficial appearance from our faultless thrones, we need to embrace it totally. There’s no reason to half-ass an exercise that is already demeaning. Now, the “5″ falls right in the middle of the rating scale, constituting an average, nondescript individual. And of course, no one has ever seen a “10″, because who can honestly say they’ve seen perfection. We are animals that thrive on hope, and naming a ten would be like saying there is no greener grass over yonder. So this shitty scale is actually 6-9. Four numbers to rate people with? No! I say, why are we reserving valuable numbers for people sitting on the 0-5 levels? WHY are we even wasting our time to rate these people? They’re obviously bottom of the heap scum, whether by their unseemly appearance or the rater’s inflated cranium.

 So now, the average, boring person will fall between 0 and 2. Keep in mind, if they are worth even rating, then that’s a compliment. A 2 should be grateful for the opportunity to even get a number.

 The same holds true for “Cloud 9″. This phrase is overused and should be considered inadmissible for situations like getting a job. How can working put someone on the highest absolute level of happiness? Endorphins aren’t absolutes. If I remember psychology correctly, they are released in varying amounts, depending on what the situation merits. So where the fuck did clouds 1-8 go? Sitting on a cloud at all would make me pretty damn happy. Think about it.

Now, this is a blog entry, and we do have an upcoming election with a decidedly “No Sick Left Behind (but this time we mean it)” vibe, and Sicko is Now Playing. You may be ready to jump to conclusions, but don’t get those mats out quite yet. Instead of assaulting you with yet more reason, looking at Red’s life and what his presence contributed to this planet may prove more worthwhile. Surprisingly, a lot of hope, perspective, and inspiration can be drawn from this overall-wearing farmer who grunted more than talked and never ventured out of the state.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed telethons, fundraisers, and charity drives. Recently, we were given the glorious opportunity to create a cause on Facebook: recruit your friends, donate your cash, and raise yet more greenbacks. Never you mind that it really is not clear as to where this money is going, as even you or I could create one of these triumphant causes. Do you know how to process online credit donations, provide email receipt/support, and then send to the appropriate charity? I certainly do not, and if I weren’t so golden-hearted, I may—just may—be inclined to abuse this system and the shiny-faced ‘bookers eagerly joining these causes.

But I digress. I referred to some kind of inspiration being drawn out of a man whose accent was so thick that a northerner like me often just had to nod and smile. The bottom line is this: He was a good man. This simple definition carries a much more complex explanation. He sent handmade clocks to distant relatives, surprised friends with collectible knives, carpooled with his elderly neighbors in to town, and mowed his sister’s lawn. As a liberal college student passionate about repairing the Katrina debacle, ending the Darfur genocide, and general peace-ing and harmony-ing, why would this simple man be so impressive to me?

Easy: he’s been paying it forward his whole life. It’s important to realize that the small things we do for one another can work collectively to start something amazing. So if you’re home on a Friday, buy your neighbor a six-pack. If two acquaintances begin to date, buy them a bottle of wine. If you crash on a buddy’s couch, smoke some bud with him to say thank you. I’ve yet to expand this past mind-altering substances, but I’m positive there’s something here.

I myself have started to solidify this abstract thought of kindness and general goodwill toward Man. Keeping a clean house, chatting with the (still) weird neighbor (unfortunately goodwill doesn’t override a catlady’s eccentricities), and volunteering in the town summer camp has been like a glass of red wine. Yes, it actually has given me a buzz, a tactile sense of positive change—a sense of hope.

So, do not remain overwhelmed by the size of the world’s Pro-bl-ems. I implore you! These issues can be solved just by having some perspective. A march on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue may not end injustices in our corrections system. However, playing the big brother or big sister may keep delinquents, one at a time, away from the recidivistic spiral of our justice system.

You’ve been implored. Act accordingly.