Hey guys,

I've nothing huge to put in here, just thought I would throw down something about what's going on in my life - education wise and poker wise.

I'm 3 weeks into an MSc in Finance in Trinity and I'm enjoying it so far. Sharing my classes with some friends from my undergrad has mean I've been able to skip right over that awkward friend making phase that I've done like 10 times at this stage and just settle right into the routine with no concerns other than the material. Having said that I have met one or two people from the course, not really spoken to any at length yet, but they seem like a pleasant bunch so that bodes well.

Finished two fairly basic modules at this point and I'm bang in the middle of a maths assignment which, helped by my undergrad, hasn't been too difficult. My hours are usually early afternoon to about 8 in the evening every day, so it doesn't leave much time for extra curricular, and it's probably not going to change any time soon. I'm ok with that.

Been trying to consider what I wanna do with my life this last 2 weeks or so, putting some time into researching it and bouncing some ideas off friends in the industry. It really is a vast, unfamiliar world the world of Finance and while lots of things seem so interesting, I have no real clue about job prospects in most areas - its definitely a sore topic in the Finance world at the moment. The only think that's really stuck in my head from trawling forums and companies graduate sections is that the CFA (chartered Financial Analyst) designation is a well thought of designation, and since the course has a direct connection to it it's been something I've been considering. Another sister designation is the CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) which runs alongside the CFA and is sitable in March of next year is connected with the course and would be another one to consider - both would lead pretty exclusively to the field of Investment Management, but that's a pretty broad area and I imagine the letters after your name wouldn't hurt your career anywhere across it. Still have to find out more.

Another career, or at least solid starting point, I've considered is trading. Like so many poker players I see the parallels and romanticise the Jason Strasser journey. There certainly does seem to be strong poker culture in the larger companies like SIG, and their development programs sound really enticing. Their employee turnover seems less so though, and as competitive as I am when I find something I love, it simply may not be the best place to start a career... or it may be terrific, again more info is needed. I know CR's Mkind recently made the move to a wall street trader so I've been trying to get in touch with him and find out how he's getting on, if anyone has a skype for me hook me up?

So that rant went on longer than expected. I could actually write ton about this stuff, but right now I feel like I don't have a good enough grasp and I need to get my thoughts right on the subject. Time is ticking for sure but I've made good progress.

Pokers

I have played a hand of cash poker in 3 weeks. I simply haven't had time and its going to continue like this, and it sucks. Honestly, I had a pretty miserable downswing where I lost like 14/17 days in a row and burned off half my roll. Rather than compound stress on stress I decided to quit until I found some time again, and this could well be until May of next year. After taking poker more seriously from May-October of this year and I think improving a lot as a player (perhaps more so as a live/general poker player and less so with my online specific skills - they always get rusty in summer) I find it a bit disappointing that I'll have to cool it again.

This summer was probably the last time I'll use poker as a significant part of my income. It's been a wild ride but I'm nearly 23 now and gambling for food seems less attractive than when I was 19. I've learned a lot from the game, and I think the life experience of succeeding at something big, at risking my own money and managing my own stress, has been pretty invaluable - I can't compare it to anything else. Its taught me about how to manage money in order to grow it, even if it's given me an unhealthy disregard for actual money. That being said, the summer fund is running out, I'm gonna be broke soon, the time is coming, and I'm going to miss poker then.

Anyways It's late on a Sunday night on what was more of the more miserable weekends of my last six months so I'll call it here. This is a poker website, so I'm really not sure what to gear my future blogs towards, but right now I can't think of anything better than what I learn about the Finance industry, so check back if you liked the first section of this blog.

Sayonara,
Chris

EDIT: Gonna throw some pics from summer down the bottom! Enjoy

BK, Gareth Chantler, ISeeDeadMoney and Jeff218 playing Ocean Holdem in Vegas!



Me eating in a tasty Brazilian steakhouse in the Mirage!



CR lead pro Stinger in my Hellmuth hat!




Gus Hansen taking a nap haha