AimlesslyChasingAmy

For most people, the New Year brings reassessments that involve decisions like bringing in Lean Cuisine to the office.  Poker players step back and evaluate their past year’s strategies; their leaks, their game selection, and their bankroll dedication.  But I’m sensing that January is a uniquely difficult month for those with a creative raison d’etre.  I notice that for both Pauly and Otis, the month represents angst.  Time on the road (even when the road takes them to quasi-exotic destinations) has them both reflecting on the past and wondering if their creative futures can rival it.  For the artist, finding a channel may be harder than honing the talent.

My New Year’s adjustments seem far less painful by comparison.  For me, my adjustments have more to do with learning and process rather than channeling and production.  Sameness is my demon.  Discovery and investigation are my driving and guilty pleasures.  I feel lucky that I have been spared the personal angst of the truly creative, even if it means conceeding the talent.  I sincerely doubt I’d have the fortitude to endure it.

The New Year is also a common time for people to reevaluate their investment portfolios; I’m among them.  The Federal Reserve has let it be known that they will continue to have some bias for reducing interest rates.  While I’m pleased to hear it, I’m not sure there is a monetary policy path that sees us clear of a recession.  As an investor, this should, and does, worry me.  I’ve always done better than average during economic downturns, but this one has some unique challenges.  In the last economic downturn, commodities were a no brainer (see #31 in 50 Things About Me).  But commodities have had quite a run up in the last couple of years and while I think they’re a good hedge against a weakening dollar, they’re not going to be a portfolio panacea.  I’m going with booze this time.  Booze performs well during downturns - I know I’ve drowned my own share of economic sorrows with the stuff.  So my pick right now is a stock called Diageo (DEO).  Never heard of it?  They own Guinness, Seagram’s, Johnny Walker, Tanqueray, etc.  I also like it because it pays a juicy dividend, even if it sits their and does nothing.  It’s also is a pretty volitile stock within its trading range, making it a nice covered option play.  But best of all, analysts have recently downgraded it: going against the herd in a down market is almost never wrong.  I should also state that the number one rule of investing is never take anyone’s recommendation - so don’t listen to me.

Today’s blog photo theme is decidedly ”Old School”: Doyle Brunson (2007 WSOP), Billy Baxter (2007 WSOP), Sammy Farha (2006 WPO), and Hoyt Corkins (2006 WPO).

Oh.  I promised porn didn’t I?  Well I’m going let FlipChip bail me out on this one.  Everyone knows that he’s the best poker photographer in the biz.  But I tell you what: he has quite an eye for porn stars and strippers.  Check out his photos of the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo.  Oh my.