Two past times I really enjoy are putting miles on my motorcycles and smoking cigars.  I find therapy in both events.  I'll tell you, when I first started enjoying both of these pasttimes there wasn't much that could keep me from getting out in any kind of weather to enjoy a cigar or a few miles on my Harley.

 I got my Harley Sporster in December of 99.  I'll tell you I rode through that winter with a smile on my face.  Granted commuting to work a few times, I'd take pleasure in following a mini-van, they're good windbreakers.  I never thought much about the weather back then.  I have a few memories of getting caught in the rain wearing a half-shell and sunglasses.  It's amazing how rain drops can find their way behind your glasses.  The sensation is akin to getting a tattoo on your face. 

Over the years, I've stopped subjecting myself to riding in inclement weather which included setting threshholds of cold.  Riding in 20 degrees became 30 degrees, became 50 degrees to I don't think I've been on my bike this winter season.  It's started to zap the life out of me.  I think partially the guys I used to ride with have since moved away or do not ride through the cold anymore.

 The point is, I tend not to get on my bike unless I know or think I'll enjoy the ride.  Has the therapy ended for me?  I used to reflect that the day may have started crappy, but 10 minutes on my bike would reset my psyche and put a smile on my face.  My sweet spot for riding now is probably 65-80 degrees where I can get away with a light jacket or leather with the vents open.

 My journey with cigars has followed a similar trend to my riding days.  I sit here reflecting today, on a day that's probably 20 degrees in Atlanta that I'm a bit bummed that I can't go outside and enjoy a cigar.  I most definately could sit outside and smoke a cigar, but I would lose a lot of the experience to the cold.

At least I have options for a few indoor lounges, but I feel remiss when I find myself at home late in the evening wanting to end the day with a good smoke.  Winter has set in.  I can't wait for Spring!

Cigars and Poker.... These are a few of my favorite things.

Of late, I find myself playing a lot of Texas Hold'em.  I enjoy just about any flavor of poker, but with the popularity of Texas Hold'em, it seems the easiest game to find.

 My favorite Sunday past time is to play in a free tournament hosted at the The Independent (www.theindependentatlanta.com).  Besides the fact that I've been calling The Independent my Oasis away from home for the last 16 years, it's cigar friendly!

I found myself enjoying a Bolivar Corona Gigante this past Sunday while the Tournament started.  The first few inches of the cigar was pretty uneventful.  Nothing in the cigar distracted me from the card play which would probably lead me to make a hasty bet!

In the first blind round I found myself with A-K offsuit in middle late position.  The blinds were 1-2 and found myself acting after an early position raise to 10.  I've played with the raiser on several occasion, while he generally plays tight early, I sensed this raise was a little weak.  I don't like to commit too much pre-flop with A-K unless pressed.  This was one of those times where I felt I needed to push a little harder.  I raised to 60 (starting chips 250)and found everyone folding up the small blind who called.  The early position raiser pushed all-in, 109 on top of the 60 I had raised.

Not really what I was expecting, but I had a decision to make.   Against A-A or K-K I'm in trouble.  Any other pair, it's pretty much a coin flip.  Against A-x I like my odds.  I decided to push all in to isolate the early position raiser.  I was a little surprised to see the small blind call.  I guess he liked his odds.

 A smile came to my face when I saw both players turn over A-Q offsuit.  I couldn't have asked for a better showdown.

I flopped a K, turned a K, the hand was over.  I was in good shape to take me down to the top 3.  I finished third in this tournament after losing with my 5-5 against Ad-4D on this board Q-8-8 Q 10.  Needless to say that Bolivar sure did start to taste better after I took down that pot with A-K.