great read, thank you for the posts.

As someone who has lived in Aus, UK and USA I agree with your sentiments. I have just spent 2 years in the UK. I mostly worked and played and won some live. I'm fortunate enough that I will be returning to Aus with a contract to work remotely for $400 a day (could be better, but I can't complain as having a job to go back to is more than I could ask for). I also intend to go back to UK on a tier 1. I also used to beat 200NL and 400PLO and PLO8 for 50k a year playing part time but now I am basically break even. So when I read your blog I can empathise with you. The games are just so much tougher.

My advice to you is to get your priorities right. Poker will always be there in one shape or another, but building your career is much more important, for people who are decent but not baller like ourselves. Cos lets face it, I'm not good enough to make $40+ per hour. I have friends my age 28 who make $600 a day and others a few years older making $1000 a day.

Anyway, good luck to u and I hope u get to Aus or UK again soon