Life Rush

           Holy cow! What an exciting summer this has been. I feel like my blog readers are going to start to hate me soon because all I do is gush about how awesome my life is, but seriously, it’s pretty damn cool lately.

I didn’t really think things could get any better after the kick ass premiere and the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the documentary. Then, Full Tilt Poker came along and offered me the opportunity to represent them in the Main Event. To say this was exciting news for me is a massive understatement.

<---see I'm excited!

 

 

Back in the good old days, when I was building my bankroll up on Full Tilt Poker, my dream was to someday be sponsored by them. Like a Bronx kid grows up and wants to wear pinstripes, I wanted to “grow up” and wear a FTP patch. Then, Black Friday happened and like many of my other dreams, that one went out the window. Even when Poker Stars acquired FTP, it seemed completely unrealistic to think they’d want anything to do with an American player, when the American market is (for now) closed to them. So needless to say, this opportunity was a very unexpected surprise.

Now, this Main Event deal was presented as a one-time deal with no long term implications. It isn’t a FULL sponsorship, but still, it’s a 10k buy-in into the biggest, most exciting poker tournament in the world. What’s not to love??

 

This is the part of the blog where I’m supposed to tell you I went super deep in the tournament and I’ll be back to play in November for a shot at the title and the ultimate fairy tale ending. Unfortunately, the actual story is I didn’t play particularly well, nor run well and I busted out on day one. Booooooooo. My dreams of making a deep run and having Full Tilt present me with a long term sponsorship offer were for the moment, gone. 

          But wait!!! There’s more awesomeness. Even after my poor showing in the main event, FTP decided I looked really nice in that patch and they want me to wear it again to the UKIPT Full Tilt Poker Festival in Galway, Ireland.

 IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I hope my excessive use of exclamation points is accurately conveying my feelings towards this new development. I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland but kind of assumed it would be one of those things I’d do many years down the road. Now, I only have to wait a little over a week longer. Weeee!!

Random story regarding this: When the FTP rep first asked if I’d be willing to travel to Europe for the UKIPT Galway series I snap said yes. I was so excited, I’m not sure I listened to a word he said after that except that it was still a secret and I shouldn’t tell anyone. I don’t think he realized A). how excited I was and B). I’m a woman. Not telling anyone wasn't really an option! But, I didn’t have a chance right away because we went directly from dinner to the WSOP screening of the documentary. I spent the entire time during the film (I’ve seen it about 10x now), daydreaming about going to Europe. Then, after the film was over, and as soon as I possibly could, I shared my secret with my friend Jay. After giving him the details he’s like “Sweet! So where in Europe are you going?” I then realized, I had been sitting on this news for around three hours and I had no idea where exactly I was going. We quick googled “Galway” and my exact words were “Oh my f*&#ing God, I’m going to IRELAND!”

 

    So, again, this is another one time deal with no long term obligations on the part of either party but for right now, who cares? I’m going to Ireland! If nothing more comes out of the relationship I’ve developed with Full Tilt Poker, I can still walk away with a positive feeling. This is a life experience I otherwise wouldn’t be having and for that I am (again) humbled and grateful.

             If anyone has any tips on what to see/do in Galway or ideas on how I can start liking the taste of beer in the next week, let me know!

Until next time friends,

Danielle

BTW:

- For those of you tired of my use of the words “excited, awesome and happy,” I plan on balancing my blogging range soon with a post about sick puppies and bacon shortages. Stay tuned for future super sad stuff!