Time for a Break

JimmyQ · 05-10-2008, 02:34 PM

Well, I've had the worst 4 months of my handicapping career, several close calls (potential big hits) but that doesn't mean anything

I'm coming off of probably the highlight of my short handicapping career in last year...a couple real big scores, two top 3 finishes in the 3 NHC events I participated in....a first time qualifier in the NHC.(And boy did I get my clock cleaned in the finals

I haven't even been able to enter a qualifier yet this year b/c of a lot going on. I have a lot of question marks in my life right now, with me temporarily living in New York, while my girlfriend of 4 years and our 2 dogs are back in Las Vegas. At the end of August, my current employer will expect me to make the permanent move to the Big Apple as they'll move all of our household goods, relocate us, etc but I'm not feeling it, and if I choose not to move I'm gonna be out of a job. I'm 33 years old and I'm in a place (Henderson, NV) that I absolutely love. The mountains, the canyons, the sun, the sportsbooks, etc. I was on vacation this past week and spent it at our place in Henderson seeing my girl and dogs every day. It is gonna make me real unhappy and sad when I jump on that plane Tuesday morning and leave them and this great place we live. I think all of this has been weighing on my mind so much that I need to start worry about "real" life problems and getting those figured out before I spend my time trying to figure out the late pick 4 at Hollywood. My theory is to find a place you would love to be and then build your foundation (life, career, job around it) instead of building my life around my job. So my plan is this....take the next 3.5 months off completely from wagering, although I'll still watch on TVG and read the DRF etc.....but really turn most of my attention to marketing myself and getting my resume out there for potential employers in the Las Vegas area. I also want to use this time to get my current frame of mind right. Anyways, has anyone else ever taken a break from the game? If so, how long and did it help?

Any advice would help....thanks for letting me get my thoughts out on the board...it helps just to write (type) everything. This is a great site and there are a lot of great horseplayers and people hanging around here.

JimmyQ

mfactor · 05-10-2008, 03:01 PM

Reading your post leaves me to believe that you have your priorities straight. I would stay

right in Henderson, send out those resumes and know that it will all work out. I made the

move from Philly to the Bay Area 18 years ago, best thing I ever did. I also took breaks from

wagering at different periods, new born child, concentrate on work. I always came back

refreshed and seemed to do quite well 3 months off the bench!!!! Good Luck Bro

although I don't think you need it.

petespocketfull · 05-10-2008, 03:16 PM

like i said before-

"vegas to new york - thats like moving from athens to beirut.

hope your boss gave you a fat raise because your cost of living just went up and now the state is gonna tax you.

come back as soon as possible."

welcome back

***Slew*** · 05-10-2008, 03:20 PM

Great time to do it with all of the signal wars, takeout hikes, and IMO worst all around product in memory. The last couple of years I have easily been 70/30 horses to sports betting ratio. So far this year it's been 90/10 the other way, and the gap is growing by the week. And it's not by lack of desire or trying -- I monitor a lot of tracks almost everyday.

I remember reading your quote, Pete

. It can be a scary time to be without a job, but I would trade a little uncertainty (which can be liberating) for misery any day of the week.

NVEmil · 05-10-2008, 03:21 PM

If you're still not "feeling it" by July then by all means come on back would be my first thought. You're doing the right thing by setting up your prep for that right now. A lot can change by August but if you get the paperwork and mindset right for a job change you'll be ready. I work in Henderson and live out towards Hoover Dam so I know what a change you might be experiencing there on the East Coast. You sound really grounded so you'll be good.....just leave your mind open, homesickness can play tricks with your mind.

P.S. A break from the pari-mutuel wars will make you better when you get back in (I've found)

Breakage · 05-10-2008, 03:35 PM

I took 10yrs off.

After college I played full time for abt 8 months and made abt half of what could using my college degree,

so I took 10yrs off and actually ended up back here by accident.

Off meaning played the big cards of course and that was abt it.

Lost all my stuff incl place of employment in a hurricane,
decided to give the gambling thing another shot,
and thankfully got hooked in with the smart guys.

wlechmar · 05-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Jimmy,
We all have life moments. Horses should not be your maker in life. I would not post my problems on this site. Grow up and do what you have to do in life and don't look for sympathy.

Bill L.

***Slew*** · 05-10-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlechmar

Jimmy,
We all have life moments. Horses should not be your maker in life. I would not post my problems on this site. Grow up and do what you have to do in life and don't look for sympathy.

Bill L.

Why the cheap shot?

Breakage · 05-10-2008, 03:43 PM

It is bad advice.

I have learned a few things fr the internet,

one is that there is always someone where you want to go and where you have been,
if you can find these people and get some insight it is worth a lot.

Afleet · 05-10-2008, 07:12 PM

Ive taken summers off before and played golf on weekends and went to the range during the week instead of gambling; playing in 4 man scrambles, fun and clears the mind (golf takes all your concentration-at least my game does

JimmyQ · 05-10-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afleet

Ive taken summers off before and played golf on weekends and went to the range during the week instead of gambling; playing in 4 man scrambles, fun and clears the mind (golf takes all your concentration-at least my game does

I figured I will need to pick up a new interest or hobby to satisfy my free time....I hope this time off will also allow me to get in tip top shape and enjoy the summer at a few Yankees games while I am in New York for the time being....to all thanks for the advice

JimmyQ

teritoo · 05-11-2008, 07:38 AM

good luck for the future.

05-10-2008, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
JimmyQ Status: Grade I Join Date: May 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,217	Time for a Break Well, I've had the worst 4 months of my handicapping career, several close calls (potential big hits) but that doesn't mean anything I'm coming off of probably the highlight of my short handicapping career in last year...a couple real big scores, two top 3 finishes in the 3 NHC events I participated in....a first time qualifier in the NHC.(And boy did I get my clock cleaned in the finals I haven't even been able to enter a qualifier yet this year b/c of a lot going on. I have a lot of question marks in my life right now, with me temporarily living in New York, while my girlfriend of 4 years and our 2 dogs are back in Las Vegas. At the end of August, my current employer will expect me to make the permanent move to the Big Apple as they'll move all of our household goods, relocate us, etc but I'm not feeling it, and if I choose not to move I'm gonna be out of a job. I'm 33 years old and I'm in a place (Henderson, NV) that I absolutely love. The mountains, the canyons, the sun, the sportsbooks, etc. I was on vacation this past week and spent it at our place in Henderson seeing my girl and dogs every day. It is gonna make me real unhappy and sad when I jump on that plane Tuesday morning and leave them and this great place we live. I think all of this has been weighing on my mind so much that I need to start worry about "real" life problems and getting those figured out before I spend my time trying to figure out the late pick 4 at Hollywood. My theory is to find a place you would love to be and then build your foundation (life, career, job around it) instead of building my life around my job. So my plan is this....take the next 3.5 months off completely from wagering, although I'll still watch on TVG and read the DRF etc.....but really turn most of my attention to marketing myself and getting my resume out there for potential employers in the Las Vegas area. I also want to use this time to get my current frame of mind right. Anyways, has anyone else ever taken a break from the game? If so, how long and did it help? Any advice would help....thanks for letting me get my thoughts out on the board...it helps just to write (type) everything. This is a great site and there are a lot of great horseplayers and people hanging around here. JimmyQ Last edited by JimmyQ : 05-10-2008 at 02:36 PM.

05-10-2008, 03:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
mfactor Status: Super Horse Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 5,158	Reading your post leaves me to believe that you have your priorities straight. I would stay right in Henderson, send out those resumes and know that it will all work out. I made the move from Philly to the Bay Area 18 years ago, best thing I ever did. I also took breaks from wagering at different periods, new born child, concentrate on work. I always came back refreshed and seemed to do quite well 3 months off the bench!!!! Good Luck Bro although I don't think you need it. __________________ Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. Ralph Waldo Emerson, (attributed) US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)

05-10-2008, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Slew* Status: Administrator Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 15,021	Great time to do it with all of the signal wars, takeout hikes, and IMO worst all around product in memory. The last couple of years I have easily been 70/30 horses to sports betting ratio. So far this year it's been 90/10 the other way, and the gap is growing by the week. And it's not by lack of desire or trying -- I monitor a lot of tracks almost everyday. I remember reading your quote, Pete . It can be a scary time to be without a job, but I would trade a little uncertainty (which can be liberating) for misery any day of the week. __________________ Wakin up feelin good and limber When the telephone it ring Was a bad man from california Tellin of a stone he'd bring And of better days From this town, we'd escape If we holler loud and make our way We'd all live one big holiday

05-10-2008, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
NVEmil Status: Grade II Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,872	If you're still not "feeling it" by July then by all means come on back would be my first thought. You're doing the right thing by setting up your prep for that right now. A lot can change by August but if you get the paperwork and mindset right for a job change you'll be ready. I work in Henderson and live out towards Hoover Dam so I know what a change you might be experiencing there on the East Coast. You sound really grounded so you'll be good.....just leave your mind open, homesickness can play tricks with your mind. P.S. A break from the pari-mutuel wars will make you better when you get back in (I've found) Last edited by NVEmil : 05-10-2008 at 03:24 PM.

05-10-2008, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Breakage Status: Super Horse Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8,508	I took 10yrs off. After college I played full time for abt 8 months and made abt half of what could using my college degree, so I took 10yrs off and actually ended up back here by accident. Off meaning played the big cards of course and that was abt it. Lost all my stuff incl place of employment in a hurricane, decided to give the gambling thing another shot, and thankfully got hooked in with the smart guys. __________________ "An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather." Washington Irving

05-10-2008, 03:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
petespocketfull Status: Hall of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: rancho mirage, ca Posts: 31,685	like i said before- "vegas to new york - thats like moving from athens to beirut. hope your boss gave you a fat raise because your cost of living just went up and now the state is gonna tax you. come back as soon as possible." welcome back

05-10-2008, 03:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
wlechmar Status: Grade III Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Groton, CT Posts: 553	New Job Jimmy, We all have life moments. Horses should not be your maker in life. I would not post my problems on this site. Grow up and do what you have to do in life and don't look for sympathy. Bill L.

05-10-2008, 03:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Breakage Status: Super Horse Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8,508	It is bad advice. I have learned a few things fr the internet, one is that there is always someone where you want to go and where you have been, if you can find these people and get some insight it is worth a lot. __________________ "An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather." Washington Irving

05-10-2008, 07:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Afleet Status: Grade II Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: prison Posts: 1,777	Ive taken summers off before and played golf on weekends and went to the range during the week instead of gambling; playing in 4 man scrambles, fun and clears the mind (golf takes all your concentration-at least my game does

05-11-2008, 07:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
teritoo Status: Optional Claimer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 148	good luck for the future.