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28 November, 2010

Do you play poker?

Every year I host a Girls Only Poker night.


I bring in a dealer. We go through the rules and the basic 'how to play', play some practice hands for half an hour while everyone asks questions of the dealer and I always have print-outs referencing what each of the hands are and where they rank in importance.
I organise wine, champagne, scotch whiskey, cigars, cheese and biscuits, etc.

It's a night giving friends an opportunity to play a game that they probably haven't had much of a chance to play (if at all). Many of my friends have partners that play (some playing regularly). But males and females play poker differently. I like playing poker and my sister and I learned from our Dad when we were little. But playing with boys isn't always as much fun as playing with girls.

Males take the game very seriously from the start; they are inherently competitive. Using tactics that feel like bullying (which is a big part of the game and they love). They are constantly striving to win the pot.

Females on the other hand are generally less serious. We become more serious as each starts to become comfortable with their ability in determining the hands needed to win and have started to win a few hands (positive reinforcement!). They are more likely to be involved with 'catching-up' while playing the game at the same time. And less likely to remember (or care that) there is money on the line.

Girls only poker nights are great fun. Everyone walks away with a smile and usually whoever walks away with the pot is super excited at all the 'free' coffee she will be able to buy.
Sure we are professionals and we don't play with amazing tactics (usually what we've learnt that night) but its great to be able to play the game that many of us listen to partners talk so much about.

If you've never played poker. Find some friends and one friend that knows how who can deal for you and have some fun learning something new!

25 November, 2010

God is not One:The Eight Rival Religions That Run The World and Why Their Differences Matter

My next book lined up and ready to go: Stephen Prothero's "God is not One:The Eight Rival Religions That Run The World and Why Their Differences Matter".
Said to have a "provocative agrument that, contrary to popular understanding, all religions are not simply "different paths to the same God" it will hopefully be a page turner.

It is refreshing to see that among the eight religions Stephen Prothero has included atheism, not a religion that many stand up and call a religion (that I have experienced).

Below is a short YouTube video where Stephen Prothero explains a little more about the idea behind writing the book and what he hopes the book will achieve.

08 November, 2010

A song of praise - Psalm 145

A Praise of David.

1 I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
9 The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.

10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.