Wow, I didn't realize I had neglected this journal for so long.
Things have been going well with my game - I just took down second place last Monday in Flatline, and last night I took second in a one table sit-n-go without even trying on Full Tilt.
I am reading other players exceptionally well right now - probably better than I ever have in my life. I'm paying people off if they min-value bet me, just to get information; then I'm using that information later to bet correctly and/or to push people off of hands. I've even managed to push off some spectacularly bad calling stations in our league, because my reads have been so precise.
I can truly see for the first time now - and I guess it's only come about because of experience; that if I truly wished to become a professional poker player, I actually could.
The good news is, I would never want to. I love the game to much and have way too much fun when I play.
More importantly, I like taking long breaks away from the game now. I recently went to Vietnam for 10 days for work, and barely thought about cards. It was wonderful. Then I sat down a week after I got back and promptly destroyed my friends online - with nary a good starting hand in my possession throughout the tournament.
Yes, I'm very comfortable now. I feel like I'm just barely scratching beneath the surface of the game, but that surface is so rich with understanding and knowledge of poker, that I'm sated with satisfaction, realizing that my ability has stepped up to the next level.
Good times.
