I can’t remember the last time there were 3 (out of possible 4) game 7’s in the second round of the NBA playoffs.  With Miami being the only team so far to advance, you have to wonder if they’re actually at a disadvantage compared to the teams who end up winning game 7 of their respective series…

Some predictions:

San Antonio over Dallas

Detroit over Cleveland

LA Clippers over Phoenix.

Alas, my 1-week vacation has come to an end. Spent most of my time relaxing, hanging out (friend came down to visit), co-hosted a recital and performed some Bach and Brahms, and actually got a lot of ‘investment’ research/work done. I guess it’s pretty cool that the company that I work for has a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ vacation policy, otherwise, b/c I’m the type who would pass on vacation days and take the extra pay instead. This sorta forces me to look at other investment opportunities on the side. Overall, my vacation went very well.

Well, now that I’m refreshed, here’s what my I’ll be focusing on:

1. Business/Work: Go paperless! (well, mostly anyway). Scan your important docs into your tablet so you can annotate easier. Less clutter is always good. Use MindManager a lot.

2. GMAT: Ever since I made the stupid mistake of playing out of my bankroll (nearly a month ago), I’ve been focusing my attention on other things besides GMAT. I really need to re-dedicate myself to this, especially after shelling out a good amount of dough on a tablet PC and materials. No less than 2-3 hours a day studying for me from here on out. Scan the study guides into PDF and annotate on tablet PC. Use MindManager Pro 6 to help you organize and meet your goals.

3. Exercise/Health: Cardio 4 times per week. Weights twice a week. Eat fiber candy daily and more fruits/veggies.

4. Piano: Practice 2-3 times a week (b/c of GMAT, less time to practice). For the summer, work on Chopin Etude Op. 25, No. 7.

5. Poker: Start playing 3/6 NL. Just play your game and trust your instincts. Watch your hours and hourly rate (which is probably your most important metric).

6. Mutual Funds/Retirement: Start moving some chips into more aggressive funds for the interim. International funds are looking pretty darn good of late. Contribute to Roth IRA (max) for 2006 this week.

***** Hand History for Game (?) *****
$400 NL Texas Hold’em - Tuesday, May 02, 05:24:18 ET 2006
Table Table 106047 (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 3: Kevin_Smith_3 ( $425.10 )
Seat 5: onebighead ( $230.05 )
Seat 4: Hero ( $383.60 )
Seat 6: OakLanD42O ( $117.14 )
Seat 2: acehigh4 ( $60 )
Seat 1: luegofuego ( $400 )
Hero posts small blind [ $2 ].
onebighead posts big blind [ $4 ].

Holecards:
Dealt to Hero [ ]
CALL OakLanD42O, $4
CALL acehigh4, $4
FOLD Kevin_Smith_3
CALL Hero , $2
CHECK onebighead

Flop: (Pot: $16)
[ ]
CHECK Hero
CHECK onebighead
CHECK OakLanD42O
CHECK acehigh4

Turn: (Pot: $16)
[ ]
CHECK Hero
BET onebighead, $12
CALL OakLanD42O, $12
FOLD acehigh4
CALL Hero , $12

River: (Pot: $52)
[ ]
CHECK Hero
BET onebighead, $35
FOLD OakLanD42O
ALL-IN Hero [ $367.60 ]
ALL-IN onebighead [ $179.05 ]
onebighead shows [ ] a straight four to eight .
Hero shows [ ] a straight five to nine .
Hero wins $153.55 from side pot #1 with a straight five to nine .
Hero wins $478.10 from the main pot with a straight five to nine .