World Poker Tour

As I move through this new phase in my life, I am sorting through what used to make me happy, what used to turn me on, and what now does. Also what totally backfires for me now.

Used to give me a buzz:
eating almost anything
a cold can of Coca-Cola
food
herbal cigarettes (this was a long long time ago)
going to bars
drinking esp. tequila, gin, vodka, wine
pesto (mmmmm)
chocolate (mmmm)
Blue Bell
writing
reading esp. fiction
lots of other things

Given that my cholesterol, body pain and grief have become much larger factors in my life, I don't get the same buzz from booze. I love collecting wine and enjoying A glass, but it's a slippery slope after two glasses. I stopped getting a buzz, and began to get the hangover right away.

I need to lose 25 lbs. I lost 17 but gained it back. So I'm doing WW. But it doesn't give me a buzz. It's slightly annoying, but the results are worth it.

No, what gives me more pleasure now are non-caloric things.

expensive yarn
sometimes, knitting with that yarn
my walking fur pelts (dogs, two)
shooting (video games, arrows, guns)
watching Mr. Curmudgeon himself, Dr. House
and
the World Poker Tour.

Oh boy, the thrill of professionals playing Texas Hold Em, for millions in chips... the sweaty upper lips, the tells, the hushed commentary... the WINNING. Oh yeah! awesome!

Yes, it makes me happy. But wow, what an old fogey I've become. Who the hell am I?

(And where the hell did my love of reading go? is it my glasses? is it the crapification of fiction these days? all those chick novels and the pulpy airplane fodder? this dilemma - it's maddening!)