Handicapping and sports betting is all I do for a living.  Over the past few years I have had more people, usually guys, tell me what a lucky guy I am.  Geez, if they knew half of the story.  I have had many professions over my lifetime, from stockbroker and commodities trader specializing in options and high-risk investments to working for an international software company to doing stand-up comedy for a couple of years.  That is worth a few chapters of a book on its own. 

I come from a family of workaholics.  My Dad was a controller for an international company and did taxes for people and small business for over fifty years.  He was always working.  He loved working in our yard at our home in Kansas City, a corner lot close to an acre in size.  Living in Las Vegas, I am frickin' estactic to have over a quarter acre and a corner lot with only one home on any side of our house.  We have prime real estate with a view of the Las Vegas valley that is hard to top.  But, I would trade my parents' KC lot any day for the postage stamp that I have now. 

My wife is a professor at UNLV.  I cannot tell you how proud I am of her.  She recently finished her third book on children's literature, it was released a couple of weeks ago.  It really is a cool book.  She is a very prominent voice in the international world of children's literature.  I know listing her accomplishments would be boring, please take my word that she is an amazing woman.  I am very competitive and she keeps me striving to get a "one up" on her.

Well, back to finishing with the picks.  I am very anal in doing my handicapping wanting to read every paper, examine every boxsore, do research ad nauseum.  As a professional sports bettor I bet many, many games.  I almost always bet them early.  I am looking for lines I believe will go in the direction I want them to go.  Then, after a few days, I will either keep the bets or buy them back looking for a middle.  It normally works well, however last week I got stuck with San Jose State +16 against Arizona State.  A bad loser. 

Well, Entourage is coming on HBO.  It's late and it is a big day tomorrow.  Thank you for reading.