Below is a classified ad. Are you the person it seeks?

Our industry is looking for individuals, male or female. In fact, females are encouraged to apply, as special meetings are designed with them in mind. This is a fun industry in which you’ll get to interact with many, many people. These people will have varied interests and backgrounds, and we seek those who make friends easily. We also ask that you bring along with you to our industry as many of your friends as you’d like, to make you feel comfortable. You must meet the minimum age requirement by law to enter our industry. Other than that, you may be of any age (young, midlife, retired, and beyond). In fact, senior citizens are encouraged to apply. You must have the ability and desire to learn all that you can. Skills required for our industry can be learned, and will be taught from the day you start. No previous skills are necessary. Skills are acquired and improved via books, videos, and actual practice. There are no physical requirements for taking part in our industry. Rocket scientists may participate, but their IQs are not necessary for participation. The physically challenged individual is encouraged to excel in our industry. You must be able to get to our industry locations; however, if you cannot, you will be able to participate at home on a computer. At this time and in the future, all shifts are available; we are open 24 hours. Does this sound like an industry fit for you? If so, “come and join us.”

I remember sitting in my living room as a kid watching black-and-white television. I was watching the Wonderful World of Disney, and asked my father why it wasn’t in color. In fact, I was complaining to my parents that some of the neighbors had color television sets.

“When I reach the fork in the road, I see that one is less traveled. On the other hand, it has signs, directions, road maps, and statistics.” – Warren Karp

Yes, the new year is upon us and it’s time to make resolutions – lose weight, stop smoking, exercise, stay healthy, play well, and, of course, plan to go the World Series of Poker.

Wait, you say, this column is for the beginner! How can a newbie like me expect to go and play in the World Series? I’m still learning the game – and limit games, at that – let alone playing in the biggest no-limit event there is. I’ve very rarely even played poker in a casino, and some of my buddies haven’t yet. I’ve never played in and don’t understand how a tournament works, or even how I enter. So, the question is, how can a person with my playing skills even dream of going to, let alone playing in, the World Series of Poker?

I was talking to a good friend of mine, Robert Turner, and he told me about a sermon he had heard at Crystal Cathedral. It was about odds and percentages, and how “good” wins out over “evil.”

It made me think, and reflect on what we do, where we do it, and how we do it . how we act and how we’re supposed to act . How we get treated and how we treat others. In the spirit of the holiday season, I’d like to share my thoughts with you.