I've been gone...

[JDMcNugent7]

TP sent me a PM along with quite a few others wondering where I've been lately, and this is basically what i told TP - and he said it'd be a good idea to post it.

this is just my PM back to TP explaining where i've been, and to let u all know too.

basically what happened is i got real sick as u know with allergies - missed like a month of school and during that month i could never go out - got used to being alone - and IMO got Too into poker. I didnt even really miss my friends or wanna go out for awhile - i was totally fine sitting at home on a friday night playing poker rather than being with all my friends (good thing in a way since i couldnt go out anyway- being sick an all)

Anyway i started gettin healthy again like a week b4 Spring break - which happened at the Perfect time - down there i had the best week of my life with just all my good friends and just being busy and hangin out and partying all the time and wutnot. without sounding too corny it just showed me how unimportant poker and $ really are and how way Too much of my life was goin towards poker.

I dont have a strict scheldule or anything but lately it's basically school from 8-3, lacrosse from 3:30 - 6:30 - and then hangin out with friends till like 10:30 where i come home and workout and play the guitar b4 i go to bed. So i have alot less time for poker it seems and i've prob played 4 times in the last 3 weeks, and im totally fine and happy with that. On weekends its just having fun with friends all the time and ill get some poker in early in the morning when theres nothin goin on.

didnt mean for that to get all long and everything but its weird how much happier i am now winning no $ and having fun, than winning Alot of $ and thinking i was having alot of fun.

with all that said i have nothing against poker and i plan on continuing to play it when i have time - and meanwhile its a great source of income. im just gonna mainly play cash games and less tournys for now cuz they just take too long. I just really learned that poker will always be there for me - and now i try to play only when theres nothing more productive or more fun to do and doing stuff to improve ur life is a huge step towards being happier.

[PShabi]

Happiness is the key. I'm glad you're getting a perspective on things JD. Life's not all about money. That's not to say money is bad though. It just doesn't bring happiness.

You've got a lot of life ahead of you. Be a kid, enjoy yourself, your friends, and your collective lack of "real world" responsibility. Thinking about you over the last week, I had two possible answers running through my head:

1) JD is burning out and stepping away from poker a bit.

or

2) JD went off the deep end and has himself locked away in a room, with no TP, no AIM, and is playing 18 hours/day.

I'm really glad it's #1.

[melioris]

I will never worry about you again JD. You seem like one hell of a thoughtful, well-adjusted teenager. You got your shit together much more than I did at your age. Just wait until college, GOOD TIMES.

I have also been thinking a lot about the value of poker in the grander scheme of life. Sounds like you are working out a pretty good solution for yourself. If you can, try to remember of the things you have learned thus far in your poker life. Poker teaches you to be very analytical and to think about what motivates people when they act. Both of those skills are applicable to just about every aspect of life. Except love, there ain’t no way to avoid getting your ass kicked in that department.

Oh yeah, and when you are ready to give up that silly sport with sticks and play The Beautiful Game (soccer), let me know

[badblood44]

It's funny what a simple realization this is, but how long it's taken many of us (including me) to realize. Nicely done.

[Reel Deal]

A wise old man once said...

[PShabi]

And PShabi happily repeated that old man....CAUSE I KNOW YOU DIDN'T JUST CALL ME OLD!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reel Deal]

Compared to me = no

Compared to JD = you're an old fuck

[eejit101]

Compared to JD were all old.

[Talking Poker]

hehehe.... I'm having wonderful flashbacks of when you two used to argue politics (and shabi would call you names - pretty immature for an old man). Good times, good times.......

As I said in the PM I sent you, JD.... I'm really glad to see you've got your head on straight. Poker will be there for you when you are ready for it. Enjoy life without it for a while.

[Reel Deal]

Old age and immaturity are mutually exclusive... right Shab?

[Akverno]

It's funny that you play lacrosse. That's you, me, and hawt if I remember right that I know of. I'm the goalie at the University of Idaho. Anywho, it's awesome that you took a step back for awhile. I'm with Melioris, just wait till you get to college.

[JDMcNugent7]

thanks every1, replies were good - i wasnt sure wut u all would think.

and ya, it seems like all young ppl are startin to play lax these days - ive played soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse at HS, and lacrosse is by far the most fun. I'm so glad i started to play it.