I find it amusing when people ask me where I get my ideas for motivating players. The answer is: in the moment. My approach to problem-solving is the same as my approach to the game. When a problem arises, I try to read the situation as accurately as possible and respond simultaneously to whatever's happeningI realised I enjoy being in the moment to be tested by it. I learnt several things during my stay with P*. With his perspective as a poker player and student, we had many discussions on the subject of gambling, life and the way we think (human behaviour and personal beliefs). What I came to appreciate was the importance of "living in the moment", particularly poignant as the year closes and my journey wraps up. Not only to look back and reflect but to also feel "present" in spite of the complacency and distraction that can overwhelm during eventful times.
WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: Episode 219 - Norm Macdonald
NORM MACDONALD: The only time I went to a psychiatrist was for gambling, cuz how do I get the f*ck out of this. He said "the reason you gamble is to avoid life". My thing was "Isn't that why you do anything in life? To f*cking avoid it"
MARC MARON: (agreeing) It's just too painful
MACDONALD: ...you just lose by uh, its just like any escape... When I watch a game and I've got a bunch of money on it then I can understand what's going on. There's nothing ambivalent about what's going...
MARON: (adding) and there's stakes
MACDONALD: and there's stakes. You know exactly the rules. You're completely involved. You're completely escaped from your life. The real, real fear...
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| 'Sacred Hoops' by Phil Jackson |
Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior
This is a book about a vision and a dream. When I was named head coach of the Chicago Bulls in 1989, my dream was not just to win championships, but to do it in a way that wove together my two greatest passions: basketball and spiritual exploration.
On the surface this may sound like a crazy idea, but intuitively I sensed that there was a link between spirit and sport. Besides, winning at any cost didn't interest me. From my years as a member of the championship New York Knicks, I'd already learned that winning is ephemeral. Yes, victory is sweet, but it doesn't necessarily make life easier the next season or even that day. After the cheering crowds disperse and the last bottle of champagne is drained, you have to return to the battlefield and start all over again.
In basketball as in life true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way. Of course, it's no accident that things are more likely to go your way when you stop worrying about whether you're going to win or lose and focus your full attention on what's happening right this moment
...
Life like, basketball is messy and unpredictable. It has its way with you, no matter how hard you try to control it. The trick is to experience each moment with a clear mind and open heart. When you do that, the game – and life – will take care of itself.
In order to recognize tilt we need to be present. This is a matter of exercise and great results can be achieved long-term. The most intensive kind of exercise is meditation, which is pure presence...- Other people's stories - Tales of: Adventure
A less intensive way of exercising is implementing small routines in daily life... "If you sweep the yard, sweep the yard. If you cut a carrot, cut a carrot" is a Zen saying which refers to this. Usually when we cut a carrot we are somewhere in the past or future, only when we cut our finger are we present. If we are fully present from the beginning we won`t cut our finger - you could say the same for tilt. If we are fully present we dont tilt
Heart Strings (Ed Sheeran interview)
by Hattie Collins for RWD Magazine
How's life hanging out with Example, performing at Nobu with Clare Maguire, for Princess Beatrics...
The grass is always greener - but I do have the best job in the world. I enjoy my job so much and it's so fun. But there's lots of downsides to it.
What's the toughest part of the job?
Well I'm still sofa surfing - not because there's no money, it's that there's no time to go look for a flat. It gets to 2am and I'm like "F**k where am I going to stay tonight?" That's not a nice feeling. Or being told you have a day off and there's a last minute studio session or gig, photoshoot etc... you just keep going...
But there's no point complaining about stuff like that because two years ago I would have given my left leg to do that. Life isn't always as peachy as everyone thinks it is, but it is also really good...!
And the toughest lesson you've learnt?
Probably having to realise that not everyone's going to like you. I used to read all my press - I've stopped that now...
I'd think "Why would you say that?" I picture myself as a nice person - I'm probably not! - but I try to treat people how I'd like to be treated...
Master Shortie actually gave me a bit of advice. I get like one bad tweet for every 200 good ones and I'd tweet back at them. He asked me why and said "You've got 200 fans saying they love you and one guy saying he hates you?". Why don't you use that tweet to ignore him and reply to a fan and make their day?"...
Instead of focusing on the hatred, it's better to focus on the love and who likes the music. It's good advice.
Stephen Merchant - Would you fall for this man?- Other people's stories - Tales of: Adventure
by Stephen Armstrong for ES Magazine
Stephen Merchant is one half of the UK's most successful comedy duo... He and Ricky Gervais are among the richest comedians in the world... And yet he still can't get a girlfriend.
One New Year's Eve, for instance, he was standing in Trafalgar Square when a good-looking girl reached up to tap him on the shoulder (he's 6ft 7in) and asked, 'Are you going to be here for a while?' In a second his whole night changed. 'Here we go,' he thought. 'This is it.' He was no longer crushed in the cold; he was a handsome winner about to get some New Year's action. 'Because me and my friends are all going off,' the girl continued, 'and we want to arrange to meet back here, at you.'
He sighs as he relates the story... 'People think all fame is the same but being on BBC Two from time to time does not make you Warren Beatty. I honestly can't impress that upon people enough.'
Surely once he'd picked up a Golden Globe, live on television, women found him more attractive? 'No,' he says firmly. 'But I have become more confident in my own skin. That's the difference.'...
I was 15 when my dad came in from work one day - at the time he was in the building trade and he was very stressed - and said, "You don't want to end up doing this, son" he recalls. I decided to become the next John Cleese. Ridiculous. But, well, I've done it. It's good, isn't it? But now what do I do? I've jokingly said that everything I'm doing now is filling up the hours before I die, but I do feel that slightly. I have no religious beliefs so this is the ride. This is it. So I'm just like anyone I suppose, trying to fill out the days in the most interesting way possible.'
I'm only smart when I'm with someone, when I'm single I become dumb again
I'm pretty lucky no one else wants these things
- "Yeah. But that doesn't mean I wanna hear about it"
We all have to make choices
Vagrant with fishing gear(!?) admonishing kids making out