I'm basically right where you are Wonder. Well, not RIGHT where you are but I was! I'm not seeing any profits or withdrawals from my roll as I'm still climbing up. I'm not gaining anything but a bigger roll...and I don't care. Right now what we need to be doing is building our roll to where we can play and withdraw regularly (as is the obvious objective). However, the more important thing is to be learning from our mistakes right now when it's less expensive.

As for being "desperate to get a decent stake"...be careful with this desperation. Maybe that's the reason you make some of the choices you make. Wanting to climb the stakes too fast results in shitty choices (I was the same way my first time around 5NL). You shouldn't be nervous when sitting down and such...the swings really shouldn't be THAT great THAT often. Also, your bankroll is used to prevent this nervousness. Don't get me wrong...I'd LOVE to make money off poker...but one step at a time (never lose sight of the steps!).

And now, the subliminals toward Spenda. It IS kind of their role to let you know when you're turning a thread into a bad beat whine. I'm going to let you know now...but I think a lot of people are starting to roll their eyes and get tired of your constant blaming of bad beats and variance for your losses. This honestly can't be the reason since there seems to be so MUCH of these "bad beats and variance." Spenda, as a moderator (and a tough one at that), is going to hammer down on these claims...which need to be hammered down on. Now that I hear of your desperation, maybe THAT'S what leads to shitty decisions (aka "bad beats). Hope you take this the right way brotha...and good luck!