Chip InChip InLife and Poker in Japan. Follow me through my journey as a foreigner in Japan and read about my experiences of the culture and of playing poker. 
Articles
Online Casino Blues
2008-05-24 05:51:00 One of my online friends, Earl aka Skinski, has set up a new portal bringing all the best deals on Casino sign-up bonuses and ways to make a buck off of the casinos. The site is called Online Casino Blues and is the partner site to The House Of Poker Blues.There are some great deals on the site and I already signed up through one casino to get 10GBP free and managed to turn that into 140GBP playing Blackjack. That is only one of the deals from one of the casinos; others have deals such as $500 free for an hour and you get to keep your profit after the time is up.Whether you intend to deposit or not there is no loss by signing up to a few and taking advantage of the bonuses they offer. Check out the site. More About: Online casino
Poker?!?
2008-05-17 01:50:00 It has been a long time since I have posted anything about poker on this blog and it took a win to get me to do so.Over at the House of Poker Blues Forum we were given a freeroll at Carbon Poker by skinski the boss over at the forum. The cards ran well for me today and after a monstrous heads up with YellowRoses I managed to get lucky on the river in a vital hand where she had me crushed after the flop came 10 x A and I had the 10 and she the A. Luckily I hit a King on the river to take the pot with 2 pair and then had a big chip lead. Up until that point it had swung back and forwards for a fair old time.Skinski often holds freerolls for contributing members so anyone who wants in on the action needs to get over to the forum and start putting up some decent posts to be ready for the next one. Thanks to Earl for this one and see you at the next.Other than that I started playing a few NL ring games the other day. Only in the 2/4 cent limit to get me back into the swing of things. Man...
A generous Queen?
2008-05-14 07:13:00 I came across this in the news today and it provoked a few thoughts: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080513/ten -myanmar-weather-cyclone-britain-aid-a561 14e.htmlAs I was reading it a number of thoughts came to mind:Did the Queen really decide to give a personal donation or is it PR?Where does the Queen get her money from anyway? I always thought she was kept in pocket from taxpayers loot.If she did decide to give to the disaster, why is there a need to trumpet her benevolence across the internet?The British government have pledged 5 million to the cause...where does this come from?I am going to try a throw away my cynical nature for now and assume the Queen actually decided it would be a nice thing to do and was the instigator in the donation. This leads me to wonder why there is such a need for these types of things to be glorified by the media.Princess Diana was a prime example of this in my opinion. Before she died, the media were continually on her case with criticisms and mockery... More About: Generous
The Trip Part 1 - Getting to Europe
2008-05-09 17:03:00 I did a little bit of the video editing tonight and came up with a five minute excerpt of our trip.This is before we ever get to Europe and is part of our journey from Iizuka, our home town, to Kansai Airport in Osaka.I am extremely averse to flying...I hate it. So most people would fly from Fukuoka Aiport (an hour from us) to Osaka and then just take another flight from Osaka to London. But since I really don't like to fly we had to catch a train up late the night before we were to fly and then stay in a hotel overnight before catching the plane at 10 the next morning.DISCLAIMER:As stated I am a terrible flyer. Whilst this may be so, I do not wish that to be used as an excuse for my behaviour in the latter half of the video...I am one grumpy badger. I was so focused on my impending doom on the airplane I was getting frustrated with Rieko sticking the video camera up my nose every 5 minutes for a comment. There is also some foul language which slips out near the beginning so I gues... More About: Trip , Part
Getting ready to go
2008-04-20 11:42:00 Tomorrow Rieko and I are beginning our long journey back home to the UK for a couple of weeks with an added stop over in Paris for a few days. It should be good once we get there but I really dislike flying so am not looking forward to the 12 hour journey at all.We bought a new video camera to take with us and it arrived this morning so I have been playing around with it today to see if I can make any videos. I want to serialise our trip when we get back in short video excerpts over the next month or two so I made a tester video today.The quality is really reduced when you change it for internet viewing. Anyway here it is.If anyone watches it can you leave a comment as to how quick it streamed for you and whether it was smooth or stuttering as I need to work out what size of movie is good. More About: Ready
Beefcake...BEEFCAKE
2008-03-25 13:31:00 Since it has been over 3 months since I last posted anything I doubt there are too many readers still around but I felt like posting today for the first time in a long while. Maybe the winter does that to me...it is a real motivation killer.But the birds are singing, the air smells good, and spring is here in full bloom (not quite but maybe next week).So what to write about? I am going to go with something I have found some inspiration from and has given me an idea for a future venture when times are more settled. It centres around dreams and goals and is the reason for the title of the post for who can forget Cartman's most classic line "Follow your dreams, you can reach your goals. I'm living proof. Beefcake...BEEFCAAAAAAKE!".When I was a kid I always wanted to be a vet. We have always lived with animals and I was brought up to appreciate nature. I held that dream of being a vet all the way up until I had to make the choices for my A-levels and was struggling with illness at tha...
Unlock Me
2007-12-23 15:58:00 It is a strange thing but Chritmas is a time of mixed emotions for me and I often get a lot of soul-searching urges during the festive season. In japan as I maybe posted last year, Christmas is a time for couples and there is no real celebration. Everyone goes to work as normal and for me it is a huge nonevent.When I was younger I remember being excited for days before the big day. Now it is almost Christmas Eve and I don't have so much as a tingle. I know this year I will be spending it with Rieko and Maron but in my mind Christmas has always been more of a family celebration where people would come back home from wherever they were in the world for a couple of days of eating and self-indulgent behaviour. And, even though Rie and her family do their best to make me feel good, it just isn't the same.So todays song. I am not certain the idea behind it but I interpret the words as they apply to me and I think anyone who has ever felt lost or tormented in their identity or peace will...
Country Folk
2007-12-20 07:03:00 I mentioned one of my favourite bands, Show of Hands, a few posts back. Being that they are from my neck of the woods their songs are quite close to home when I listen to the lyrics.So I though I would put some of the lyrics up and comment on them. For no particular reason I chose to do a song called Red Diesel first as I heard it while I was walking the dog this morning and it brought back some memories. Anyway here are the words:Red DieselTerry always puts red diesel in his tankHe'd rather get paid in cash than kindKeeps his money in his pocket and never in a bankTerry writes all his records in his mindHe's got a still in the back of his shedHe'll brew you up some vintage country wineJust half a glass could raise the deadI like to think Terry is a friend of mineI like to think Terry is a friendHe's never seen a car he could not mendHis yard is full of his machinesOne night in the dark I didn't make the bendAnd Terry was the first one on the sceneWith hands as rough as a farm ... More About: Country , Folk
Smorty
2007-12-08 03:37:00 Thanks to a post over on a friends blog I came accross a new site that helps bloggers get rewarded for spending their time posting about their lives. Smorty is a site whereby you can get paid to blog through blog advertising. The best thing about this particular site however is that they pay you weekly so there are no month long waits to get you money.They recruit advertisers who wish to advertise on blogs and then offer opportunities to those bloggers who want to get paid to blog. Depending on the level of your blog you can receive varying amounts for each post you place. There are many different opportunities for people so you are more than likely able to find an opportunity that fits in with your blog so that you don't have to really compromise the integrity your site. Luckily for me the topic of my blog is 'life' and since getting by is part of life I am happy to post about most topics that don't interfere with my moral opinions.Making a few bucks here and there by blogging... More About: Mort
Bits
2007-12-08 03:27:00 One of my favourite bands in the past year or two has been Show of Hands. They are an English folk group made up of two talented musicians called Steve Knightly and Phil Beer. Steve Knightly writes most of their songs and being from the South West of England (where I grew up for most of my life) his lyrics really hit the nail on the head sometimes when talking about country living.Anyway I am on the mailing list for the band and recently a mail came out saying that Steve's 6 year old son had contracted a form of leukemia and so he won't be joining the tour of England. It is a real shame to hear such a young lad has been inflicted by something so immense so my thoughts go out to Steve and his family. I hope they find the strength to overcome the illness and take hope from the fact that the particular type of cancer his son has is often curable.On the poker front, this weekend has more 5th Street League games and with the remergence of Per onto the 5th Street forum I am hoping that ... More About: Bits
Pro360.com
2007-12-05 01:55:00 It has been a while since I have done any reviews but I found a site that fits with my blog.Pro360.com is online casino/poker room review site that goes into great depth about the different casino sites and sets out all the pros and cons in an easy to read comparison table.The section on Poker tells you whether US players are welcome, the gaming commission that regulates the site, max amount of bonus along with editor and player ratings and an in depth review of any of the sites on the table. The site covers a large amount of casinos and poker rooms so you are sure to find the thing you are looking for.Just as you can check for poker specifically, all the other games are there to search for by themselves including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Backgammon and Sports Betting. If you have 5 minutes why not check out the site.
The Dynamics of Relationships
2007-12-03 07:31:00 Whenever I allow myself time to fall into a contemplatative frame of mind a consciously examine the day to day interactions I have with other people, it often surprises me how complex and essentially distant these exchanges are. This is also true of the dialogues that other people create between each other. Whilst in recent posts I have intimated that I am not a people person, I do find a lot of pleasure in people watching. The best places I have found are ones where people have many distractions and temptations such as department stores and shopping malls.Before I go into my commentary I must make the disclaimer that I am as fallible as the next person and only use other people as a means for expressing my point because they are much easier to analyse than myself.Anyway it strikes me that for the majority of the time people are on what I would call autopilot. They exist and perform action but rely on something unconscious to guide them through the swamps of life and trials of inter... More About: Relationships , Dynamics , Nami
Beowulf
2007-12-02 13:29:00 Not much to say but I wanted to say something so will post about my day. We decided to go and see a movie and when we checked out the schedule at the movie theater it was between The Bourne Ultimatum and Beowulf . I am personally a great fan of epic historic films such as Troy, Braveheart, King Arthur, Gladiator and Alexander to name a few. Movies that portray combat with honour and valour not like the type of warfare that is prevalent now where technology is normally key in deciding the victor.Anyway, just recently I have been a bit more interested in the heritage and ancestry of the UK and have learnt alot about the Jutes, Danes and Germanic peoples that invaded and conquered all through the north and east through to the kingdom of Wessex. I don't know how to trace my ancestry but I would be very interested to find out where my roots lie. I have read a few books by a guy called Tim Severin regarding the Danish invaders and also some fiction by Bernard Cornwell on a similar subjec...
Poker update
2007-11-29 08:09:00 As the title of the blog says...this is about Life and Poke r in Japan.When I started the blog it was 99% poker related posts. I was playing everyday and logging my results. However I really don't play that much poker anymore so that side of things has slowly been disappearing from the blog. I don't know whether this is a good thing or not for my few readers but the fact of the matter is that poker has ceased to be the fun it was so I don't play anymore.Personality is in my opinion one of the most crucial aspects of playing poker long term. And my personality is just not suited to it. As a bit of entertainment on the side I will play every now and then. I play the 5th Street games with Earl from The House of Poker and the family game when it is on but I have decided that when my bankroll runs out by playing in those games then I won't be redepositing unless I really get a major urge to play again.So for the meantime this blog will be more focused on the Life side of things. More About: Update
???The leaves are changing
2007-11-25 15:36:00 The weather was great today. The sun was out and it was about 20 degrees so Rieko, Maron and I headed up to a mountain near us called Fukuchiyama to have a look at the trees changing their leaves. The trees in the mountains are a mix of deciduous and evergreen so there are some amazing colours to be seen. I think there are alot of Japanese Maples which produce some amazingly vibrant red leaves...check out these photos:Rieko and MaronThis Japanese Maple had incredible colour on it.The three of usI like this shot as it shows the contrasts in the tree colours...red, green and yellowThe BeastAfter we were done checking out the leaves I persuaded Rieko to come snake hunting with me in the forest. We didn't find any but it was good fun anyway. It really made a difference to my state of mind to get out there and away from home.Spot the snake.... More About: Changing , Leaves , Aves
Chameleon
2007-11-24 03:43:00 I have been hanging around in Japan for about 4 years now and throughout that time the thing I have learnt to do the most is change my skin in the space of a minute.It sounds like a deceitful thing but I don't mean it to be that way. In any day I am faced with an array of students ranging from 3 year olds to 60 year olds. They are from all walks of life and all have their own approach and reasons for studying English.At first I was very rigid in my delivery of the lessons and followed a strict plan. However as time has passed I have become more adept at reading the situation and adjusting my personality to fit the student. In effect I have become a great chameleon. One second I can be a child playing games, the next an intellectual debater and the next a chatting housewife. It is scary sometimes how easy it is to pretend to be something you are not...for if I were to display my true feelings and personality to the students I think I would be out of a job because 90% of the time I w... More About: Chameleon , Mele
Wedding Photos
2007-11-14 02:04:00 I have been waiting and waiting for our photos to come through from the photographer but they are still not here so I am going to use some of the ones I have from friends and family.Our wedding already seems so far in the distant past and we are settled into a new routine with the two of us (three if you count maron) getting used to each others habits. The only problem we have now is with winter approaching and the temperatures dropping...who gets to drive the car and who ends up on the scooter... More About: Photos , Wedding
Nothing much
2007-10-16 14:52:00 It has been so long since I have posted anything I think I have forgotten how to do it!!Well the wedding is done and dusted with as is the honeymoon and I am firmly back into the old routine of work. It is different having Rieko live with me and we are still finding our feet when it comes to various things but we will get there without too much trouble I think.The wedding was great and I am grateful to all the family who came over. They made it a real special occasion for me. However I don't want to do a 'wedding' post until after we get our photos through. I don't know when that will be but I am hoping it shouldn't be too long.So what to write about...I suppose October 1st was a big occasion as it was the first ever Wade family live game. We have battled it out on the cyber-felt for a while now but that was the first time we have really sat down for a live game. 6 players....1 winner and it wasn't me. Congratulations to Matt aka Da Git for beating me in the heads up with a ki...
Rummy
2007-08-26 16:36:00 Thanks to Earl bringing it up in the forum I have recently learnt how to play Rummy (more specifically Gin Rummy at the moment) and am enjoying the change of pace and stress from poker.Earl found a site and posted it on the 5th Street Forum and I went over and had a look and after reading the rules I gave it a go on some play money tables and so far am in profit. I am not certain I want to go down the route of playing for money yet as I think it may then lose some of the fun so am just going to play it for the game itself.I only learnt how to play two days ago so the rules are still settling in and the tactics are yet to come. From what I have seen it looks like a game of keen observation and a dash of luck. But it is fun learning a new game and eventually I will move on to the traditional runny and kaluki (?) versions.I just got back from the soon to be in-laws for dinner and I got out a pack of cards and taught them how to play and we had a good time messing around with the game. ...
Limbo
2007-08-09 03:45:00 I was listening to a Chris Daughtry song and heard the line "I'm going home to the place where I belong" and it struck a chord with me. I think most people who have made the decision to live large parts of their lives in very different cultures will tell you that there is a strange feeling of dislocation and a distinct lack of belonging.When I was studying for my degree I wrote an essay on a novel by V.S. Naipaul who was an Indian who was a victim of the process of colonialisation; a by product of the British Empire. In his novel he spoke of the state of limbo one ends up in through this process of cultural transition. You can never truely assimilate to the new culture and can never return to the old one fully. In essence you exist in a space between the two countries and never find the state of belonging most people associate with the word home.I feel I am there to a point. When I think of the word home, I know my birth home is England, my physical home is Japan, and my spiritual ... More About: Limb
The Voice
2007-08-03 03:01:00 Lots to say but no motivation to arrange the thoughts into coherant passages so the posts are few and far between.I think there are rumblings in the volcano inside me that are either precursors to an eruption or just reminders that there is alot of pent up emotion stuck down there that needs a bit of attention. Feeling a bit reckless and destructive...normally end up causing more problems for myself when I get this way so will just have to wait and see which way it goes.Think I might watch Al Gore's movie to direct some of my anger and feed the feelings of futility...what can be more futile than our relentless destruction of our own inhabitat. Even a dog won't shit in its own den...says alot about us doesn't it.By the way, I watched Dreamgirls last night as I thought it would be nice for Rieko...AVOID at all costs. The most boring and uneventful movie I have seen in years. More About: Voice , VOIC
A question for those who know
2007-07-30 04:12:00 I have decided to try and pick up some blues harmonica. I have messed around with a few harps before but never made it far. Managed to get a bend of the 4 note but never really grasped any blues licks and had a real time of it trying to play single notes and then doubles or triples after let alone tongue blocking...So we are going back to it and I am going to search a few sites to see if I can't find some free instruction pages on the net but in the meantime I was after recommendations for some people I should be listening to to pick up on some technique. I know both Earl and my dad are both readers here and both are blues fans too so have either of you two got any tips and hints for the great blues harp players? More About: Question
The day finally came...
2007-07-28 10:20:00 I have seen it happen to a few people from the forum and finally today the day came where I played poker and didn't enjoy it even a bit. The atmosphere at the table was unpleasant and the cards were worse. Had aces beaten by 10 / 8 offsuit after raising from second position with the bb calling with his wonder cards. The flop gave him a gutshot and my 3/4 pot bet wasn't enough to get him out. The turn gave him a pair of 10s and again 3/4 wasn't enough for him. And of course the river fills his gutshot upon which he bets out and I call.It isn't necessarily the bad beats that have turned me off but the general attitude of the other players. They reinforce my assertion that 90% of the people in the world are assholes. I have had misguided racist comments hurled at me repeated times because it says my location is Japan (always from people in America unfortunately) and there is no reason for me to continue playing when I don't gain any pleasure from it.I will continue with the family... More About: Finally , The D , Fina , Ally
WARNING TO ALL WEDDING GOERS
2007-07-18 07:30:00 As you should know by now if you are attending the wedding, there is a ceremony in the morning and then a reception around lunch time. Once this has finished we will be heading back from Fukuoka to Iizuka where there will be a few hours rest either at mine or Rie's families place and then we are off out for the second gathering somewhere in Iizuka (to be decided...) for a family only party.It is the plan, in a very traditional Japanese way, to continue the celebrations after this party in a place that should bring a feeling of dread to all members of the Wade family...karaoke.As a family we have many talents but singing was obviously an optional extra we decided to pass on when we were designing our DNA. We just don't sound good. However there will be an expectation for everyone to have a go and to rock out at least one tune. Hopefully enough alcohol will have been imbued for this to be a painless process but here are my tips for a successful karaoke song:1. Don't sing a song by ... More About: Wedding , Warning
Back in the flesh
2007-07-17 13:06:00 My word has it really been two weeks since I last posted.Well since then we have decided the flowers for the wedding and chosen the style of the bouquet etc and we have also printed and sent out the remainder of the invitations to the Japanese residents.The flower meeting was almost a no goer as I was sat in the $500 freeroll that Skinski put on when it came time to go. The place is and hour and a half away and our appointment was at 11am and I was doing well in the freeroll and didn't want to sit out and leave. So I had Rieko call up the place and change our appointment time. Unfortunately I didn't make the cash finishing two places off in 5th. My AQ came up against JJ. I hit an ace on the flop and felt good then came crashing down when one of the two remaining Jacks hit on the turn. Wasn't to be. I think if I had of doubled up then I would have easily cashed and could have gone on to win it but the powers that be decided against it.Then in the family game that evening I played ... More About: Back
Bet365
2007-07-02 03:02:00 In my journey through online poker I often try out different sites to see what their software and promotions are like.Bet365 is a total gambling experience. Not only do they have some nice poker software but they also operate Sports Betting, casino and online games. The nicest thing of all is that it operates a one wallet system so all your funds are in a central wallet and you can use them in any of the available forms of entertainment.The poker promotions at the moment include a $500 match deposit bonus and entry into a $1000 freeroll for new players. They also have some incredible tournaments including a weekly $200000 guaranteed with a buy-in of just $60! There are also numerous daily freerolls for those on a tighter bankroll.I will be opening an account and playing a few hands, and if I lose I will get it back on the horses.This is a sponsored post.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
2007-07-02 02:50:00 Strange day. Over the course of a few hours I saw some great stuff and some really bad stuff.The Good : Walking the dog and as I came home, there is a big patch of shoulder high foilage in a small field next to my apartment. At this time of year there are lots of dragonflies around over the rice fields and they just fly around in random patterns. This time though there were also about 10 swallows flying in amonsgt them looking for a quick feed. I was able to walk into the middle of them and had swallows flying within arms reach in circular patterns chasing the dragon flies. It was a real wierd and nice experience.The Bad : I then got home and Rieko was watching the TV. It was a show about some famous book I haven't heard of entitled 'If the world was 100 people' or something along those lines. It basically showcased some of the lives of people in third world countries like Africa and the Phillipines. One little 9 year old lad in Africa worked down a 15 metre hole about a metre in... More About: Ugly , The U , The Good , The Ugly
Friendfinder
2007-06-29 03:24:00 The internet has fast become one of the most important things going for communication and entertainment. Endless boundaries have been overcome and the world is now completely at your doorstep at the click of a button. In the latest episode of Poker After Dark, Howard Lederer posed the question ?How did people find things out before the internet?? and whilst there are answers, none could match the convenience and usefulness of the net. Friendships are easy to make online and this also extends to dating. People have such busy schedules nowadays that finding the time for dating can be a real nightmare and this is where sites such as FriendFinder come in handy. With me getting married in a few months I don?t find the need for an internet dating agency right now but having a look at the site it is definitely a quick and easy way to start meeting some people. It is very easy to use and has a convenient search function to find people in your area. One feature I also like is the blo...
The big decision
2007-06-29 03:14:00 So Rieko and I went to the wedding dress shop for our final time the other day and I tried on a few tuxedos...not sure I suit them but you gotta wear one right.It is traditional in Japan to change your dress two or three times during the course of the reception and ceremony but being poor kids we are only having two dresses...a wedding one and a cocktail dress. I won't post any pics of Rieko up here because she sometimes gets embarassed by them but check out my tuxedos and let me know which one is the one you like the best. I am wearing black for the ceremony and then need to choose one for the reception. Rieko is going to be wearing a pink cocktail dress. The sizes are a bit strange but will all be tailored to fit on the day. Anyway here we go:What do you all think? More About: Decision
Microsoft MGX Conference
More articles from this author:2007-06-28 03:28:00 For all those with a passion for the world of computers there is the Microsoft MGX Conference coming up soon in Orlando. The MGX Conference is a week long conference for Microsoft Sales and Marketing representatives and professionals. It has a real livewire reputation and is held on a massive scale. If you are looking for somewhere to stay while you attend the conference why not try out the International Plaza Resort and Spa. It is a nice hotel within walking distance to the convention center. Not only that but they have a Microsoft MGX Special Rate. The hotel and resort are enough to keep anyone entertained for a week in themselves with 3 palm tree lined swimming pools, a lagoon pool, children?s pools, a fitness center, the L?Espirit day spa and numerous dining facilities.This is a sponsored post. More About: Ferenc 1, 2, 3 |
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