Just had a seriously fucked up story told to my group at work.

I often wonder how many people hobby because they perceive hobbying as being dangerous, and enjoy risky behavior. Just for the thrill of taking a risk, I think guys like that make for the most dangerous clients.

There are too many stories to count about losing everything to gambling, drugs or alcohol but I've yet to hear similar stories about the hobby. I suppose like all pleasure seeking behaviors, it can become habitual. This is really the kind of question best answered by a sex therapist.

Hobbying is like any other enjoyment in life.  Its ok to indulge just not too much.  

.. fall for a provider. Then later on that provider retires with some other lucky guy she met.
Then it's a gamble because only one person will leave the "poker table" with the winnings.  
(What a crapola when the Feds outlawed professional poker; they should have banned
the video game slot machines instead.)
heartbroken "destruction".  then one questions oneself why see providers when one
has no or very little chance of marrying an ATF and "living happily ever after"

Whore mongering and gambling are similar ways that men waste money!

all those young women running around in those tight fitting khaki pants.

Darn stoopid of your friend. Better to stick to one ATF with that money and get married when she retires. Then she can help you manage the money.

The minute something starts to negatively affect finances, work, family or friends it is time to re-evaluate.

the rent, utilities, food, etc. money for hobbying. Make a budget and stay within your means.

Addictions become problems when they adversely affect your life.

You are a nut-job. Good thing I love nuts!(Play with that statement any way you wish folks).      Considering you're outrageous, provocative and "still crazy, after all these years", personally, I still believe I know who you are.  Not a threat in any way, but you're almost transparent to me. Love the fun, crazy/sexy/cool thing. (Damn! I love that album too. Haha!)
                                Lil Dez
P.S. Whether I'm right or wrong, thanks for the entertainment!
 

Posted By: Ridgetucky

Just had a seriously fucked up story told to my group at work.  
   
 The annual day of service was today (i.e., the company hits you up for $$$ to donate to UW).  
   
 Hey I don't mind within reason.  
   
 But to really hit home the point we had to attend a conference meant to show us the benefits of donating.  
   
 Long story short this woman told a story about how her husband's gambling addiction ruined their family (house foreclosed on, job loss, had to stay in a homeless shelter for a couple of weeks).  
   
 With the help of UW managed to get her family housing, job and even got the husband help at GA.  (thankfully, she later divorced the guy).  
   
 Anyway, I thought are Hobbyists like Gamblers?  Are we causing destruction we can't see until it's too late?  
   
 Are Providers like the casinos that suck you dry (see what I did there) and then don't want you when you don't have any money?  
   
 Wow, the story was moving.  Ol Ridge would have cried but I said fuck it then decided to add an extra  
 $20 to the payroll deduction.  Can't get 2 generous I got shit to buy and Providers to fuck  
   
 Thoughts, opinions, discuss amongst yourselves.

..rather, the largest online poker companies still operating in the US on April 15, 2011 were barred from doing business, temporarily had their domain names seized, etc.

There are still "professional poker players" around (although in most cases, being a "professional poker player" = "in hock to one's backer for an amount of money too large to contemplate").

Online poker is slowly returning to the US, on a state-by-state basis.  Whether it will ever be what it was during the glory years remains to be seen.

..it's just the lack of money that's the problem.  If you had enough money, you could just do drugs and be with beautiful women for your entire life…

but only one leaves you smiling.

There are many people who can say "Ok, I am only going to spend x amount of money on gambling/providers" and stick with that, while others get the urge, and spend what they don't have. So yes, the hobby can be just like any other addiction if one does not have his/her priorities in order. That goes for providers too. Many times women (especially newbies) will see all the fast cash and go nuts buying shit they don't need, just to find out they are stuck in a rut years later because they did not save a penny...chasing that dime syndrome, I suppose. The thing is, if you're a fked up person financially, the hobby did not cause that...you came here with that mentality already, and it just escalated.  

London-  well said.  We don't know what tomorrow will bring.  I live by the Balance rule....balance out everything...short term saving, long term saving and enjoying the moment as well.   I would hate to die young with a bunch of money in the bank...There is a balance somewhere and the goal is to find it.

as long as you can get enough of it. rofl

You guys are all a bunch of pussies, For the last week my days have started with a shot of tequila, while doing my morning handicapping, right after having my early morning session with a hooker.

Moderation is for pussies!!!

Couldn't agree more.  It is not a coincidence that occupations that result in fast cash draw individuals who have fked up financial sense. I would venture a guess that usually those individuals believe the fast cash will last forever so they only plan short term.  Then when there is any little blip in the cash flow it all starts to unravel.  You are also correct that it really has nothing to do with being in the hobby.

Excellent thinking.