Monday, May 12, 2008

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I've not been playing much during the past few weeks.

My Dad passed away at the end of last month while I was in Vegas. I flew back to England the next day and spent two weeks there with my mum, brother, and sister.

He had been ill for a couple of years, first with a heart attack, and then once he recovered from that, he was diagnosed with cancer. Obviously it's a sad time, however we are in good spirits. We are happy that he had led a full life, and that he passed away peacefully.

I'm sad when I have to talk about it, but I'm happy that he doesn't have to continue living in pain, and that he passed away strong, brave, and with dignity.

For a number of reasons I have decided to no longer update this blog. Thanks to everyone that read it.

31 comments:

espanhol said...

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. It's very sad news, but at least his pain is over and he went, for sure, to a better place.

Entiteit said...

I am truly sad to hear that.
My deepest condolences go to you and your family. I hope you stay strong in this hard time.

As for the blog, I always read it with great joy and enjoyed it a lot. I am sorry you feel this way but I'm sure you have your reasons.

Maybe you'll start it up again someday and when you do count on me as a loyal reader!

Take care and gl in whatever you do.

Enty.

Anonymous said...

I'm really sad to read this.

Stay strong and take care of your family.

JP

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear your news Mike and I wish you and your family all the best

Iain

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you & family...

Anonymous said...

Condolences and best wishes.

I will miss the blog, best of luck.

Ted said...

Very sad to here of your dad Mike. Condolences to you and the family.

As for the blog; I basically reached a similar conclusion and shut mines down.

Ian Little said...

Sorry to read about your Dad. Thanks for blogging, I've enjoyed reading.

Anonymous said...

Really sorry to hear about your sad news mate. Like you said at least you can take something from the fact that he's no longer in pain etc.

As for the blog,I really hope you decide to continue with it,it makes a fantastic readand serves as an inspiration to micro-fish like myself!

Good luck at whatever you domate.

Anonymous said...

Mike
I'm sorry to hear your sad news. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Thks for your blog. It has to be -EV for you because it has definitely been +EV for your readers. I've learnt a lot.

Ting Rose on FTP (NL25 beginner)

Anonymous said...

really sorry to hear that.

atvb in the future,

gb2

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and your family.

I've actively followed your blog reading posts many times over. I want to thank you for sharing your experience in poker and wish you well.

Take care.

dobieatwar said...

Sorry for your loss. I know the feeling as I have gone through this 4 times in the last several years.

Also, sorry to hear about you stopping the blog. I understand why you did it, it is probably the same reason I stopped posting hand analysis in forums.

Good luck, I am jealous of your results, and commend your growth as a player. I remember I used to think of you as a bad regular in early 2007, and in late 2007 you started becoming more dangerous and successful. Unfortunately, my progress has been in the opposite direction.

Goldseraph said...

Very sorry that he passed on, glad you are in good spirits though, and I hope you reconsider about the blog.

Anonymous said...

Once again echoing everyones comments Mike.
Been through a lot of illness with my dad but the silly old buggar just refuses to die ;-). Love you dad X
Hope you're well though mate and next time you're in the UK i'll head to the Gay capital for some cards and beers.
GL and take care,

Chop180

Shark Bait said...

Sorry to hear of your loss Mike.

It's been a privilege to read this blog to be honest and I shall miss it, but completely understand. Thanks for sharing

Mr Cea said...

Peace brother we will pray for you.x

Binner said...

Mate. Was good to hook up in vegas...that all falls into insignificance now tho aftr your loss. Lots of thoughts to you and your family dude. Speak soon

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear of your loss Mike. Been an avid reader of your blog from the start. Your insight into the world of poker will be missed and I've learnt a lot from you. All the best for the future and my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

tenbob said...

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Your blog has been great, and to be honest its been one of the best ones out there for a while.

Ill be keeping an eye just in case you change your mind.

Anonymous said...

My sincere condolences on your loss. I lost my dad 4 years ago and still think about him every day. It's good you're with your family and it's good you're trying to give it a place, this is very important.

All the best in these tough times.

NoTurns

Milkybarkid said...

Hey

Condolences about your Dad.

Always enjoyed the blog and good luck in the future.

Ben

Anonymous said...

Condolences, and all the best fellow poker player. I lost my mom about 4 years ago, and recently my Dad has been diagnosed with cancer (which is also why I'm preferring to post anonymously).

It sucks, and you can't help to think about it. People ask me about it, and all I can tell them there isn't really much to say. It is just kind of the way it is.

Hopefully you can find something good about the situation to charge ahead as our parental types would like us to do with ourselves (and which is what I found in the end).

I found your blog really inspiring and real, certainly a lot more then the high stakes "just made another 15k today" type of blogs. if you get the bug again please post.

Highstack said...

Mike; sorry to read about your sad news mate. If you need a chat anytime you have my number and email. Hope you and your family are all ok.

Speak soon

Rob

voiceofjoe said...

Condolences to you and your family - good luck with the future and thanks for the blogging

VoJ

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Mike. My condolences to you and your family. May I also say that I have enjoyed reading your blog, even if it was just for the tits ;). I also miss the banter between you and Highstack - some of it was absolutely priceless.

Small Stakes Poker said...

Sorry to hear about your dad
deepest condolences to you and yours

seanb said...

hi mike

Very sad news and I can only share the views of everyone else who has posted here.

All the best and thanks for the great blog.

Sean

Anonymous said...

Mike,

condolences to you and family.

And I'm sad to hear about the blog coming to an end. You've been very helpful to my game over the last year in various ways and I'd like to thank you for that.

keliwah

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your loss. I haven't seen you online lately either. Hope to see you online soon at another table of course.

Dueling Benjos said...

end of a great blog. sorry to hear about your dad. take care and good luck.