China - Harbin

Harbin

Arriving in Harbin was strangely unfamiliar, even though I was there 18 months ago. It's such a contrast to what I am used to. Also, this time the weather was bearable. Rather than having -25'c, it was a sweat inducing +25'c and the airport was actually slow paced and not crowded. Weird.

Looking over the river, while speedo man eyes me up

Getting a ride to my girlfriends dads apartment, the real China came out of hiding. Car horns blasting, running of red lights, cutting off people, people cutting off us, redundant seat belts, and pedestrians not giving a shit that they are cm's away from death. It's wild. I could never drive there.

Card games with a huge rail at every table

Harbin, for a city of ~6 million, there aren't a lot of white people. It's not a city where tourists visit, or a big business hub for the western world, and as a result I could literally count on my fingers how many white people I would see in a day. It is pretty cool. At first I disliked it as any attention makes me feel uncomfortable.  However, they are not being rude, and I get a kick out of how people stop what they are doing to eye ball me as I walk past. It does get a little bizarre when randoms are taking photos of you, but I do the same to them!

Biran's uncles Art & Tea shop where the best calligraphers gathered for a show. I was there to be white and have my photo taken. Some cool, and skillful artwork!

Me at an art expo getting special treatment because they thought I was a loaded, international buyer. Sorry guys, you can't bribe my 'translator' (Biran) to get me into your shop.

Lots of small little shops around. Selling puppies on the street. Pets. They are pets.

Spending time with my Biran's family is always cool. They seem to get a long really well and always put each other first. They're very generous to put up with me for a week, and I appreciate it.

Myself, Biran, and the family, having dinner 

On the way to the Airpot. Typhoon Decides to bid  us farewell. Another sketchy car ride.

Next stop Shanghai.

Oh Hi,

Shit, I don't know where to begin. I don't even remember what has happened, it's been so long since I last posted.

I had a look at my previous posts and thought it was an amusing read, and a good way to keep track of my life doings. That was the main reason I started blogging, to keep an archive of my adventures, and to share a little bit of what goes on. Also, I feel like it could be fun and motivating to get this blog back up and running.

I'll try to remember what has happened.

• Black Friday - I did a post about BF, but it threw me off course and had a big affect on me. It demotivated me. Others couldn't play, and used it as an excuse to not play myself. I'm not exactly sure of the reasons why, but stress levels were way too high, and as a result I was questioning being in the poker industry.
• Pocarr Temp Shuts Down - After BF, with the majority of the team being in the US, we figured it was best if we closed up shop for the time being.
• Canucks - Sigh. 'nuff said
• Vegas/Canada Trip - Traveled to North America during the Summer. Still bummed on poker, not motivated at all to play. Questioning what I want to do with my life. I sold all my action for the ME to MaxKatz, but decided not to play as I was hating everything poker and figured I would insta spaz bust. Overall, it was good. Had a family reunion in BC, and was awesome to hang out in our log cabin with fam that I haven't seen in years. 
• Flat From Hell - I posted pics in previous blogs, I was stoked to move in, but it ended up being a nightmare. One flatmate was impossible to live with. Everything had to be his way and was just an overall weirdo. The other, well, fuck, he beat up his girlfriend in my en suite, then I had to talk him out of suicide. Then a few hours telling the Police about how my friend bashed his girl. Not Fun! 
• Depression - Looking back at it all, I was not in a good place. The stress and uncertainty was cutting into me. I would sleep too much, be reclusive, have no interest in poker. All signs of depression.
• Rugby World Cup - Hooray! Something cheerful and not dark. NZ did a great job hosting. Had an amazing set up downtown where people could drink and watch the games. Everyone, from all countries were having a blast. This could have been a turning point. I moved back home and let the stress subside. 
• Poker Flat - As the new year came, I set goals, was getting back into playing, had a small stable set up with Camzace and Missoracle. I was ready for 2012. Camzace, Look4waldo, myself and my gf moved into a nice little house. We were quite productive and had a lot of fun, but Waldo, unfortunately, had to cut his visit short and take care of his injury ridden family. Productivity was cut as I had a business idea, but it's nothing more than that, an idea, right now.

• Pocarr Reopens! - Alex 'BigMac Msusyr24' Carr, and Jack 'daripaa / Ilovetrains' Oneil came forward with the idea of reopening. Sold! We planned on reopening in a few months, but within weeks we were taking applications. We have a great bunch of guys, and I am learning a lot being part of the team. 
• China Trip v2 - Just got back from my second trip to China. Again, it was a great time and opened my mind up even more. I will post about it more later.

I am sure I am missing a lot, but that's a good start. I didn't mean for it to be dark and cheerless. Thanks for listening to me moan, anyway. It's been a good therapy session. I assure you I am in a good space now, and there were plenty of fun times scattered in there that I failed mention. :Sun:

Grand Canyon

Vegas

RWC

NZ