BLOG UPDATE: LAS VEGAS, NV So as you all know, I officially launched last week. The first city of the tour is now complete. It was a great trip. I got to perform at Ceasar's Palace at Poetry Nightclub! I am now on my way to California.
Vegas Review:
Ahhh... The sin city. I’m not quite sure what that means, but it’s obvious this area is built off of people with a certain mindset and that energy has remained. A city that turns people into flying insects that are mesmerized by the lights. Flying towards the electric shock of their temptations. A city where people lose money or make money. Lose themselves or find themselves. Many people come here and others hit it big. I stayed right in the middle. Didn't risk losing. But somehow found myself in a position to almost make enough money to fund the documentary.
So how did I almost turn $65 into $770,000?
The picture above was taken of me playing in the 2009 World Series of Poker covered by ESPN.
Well first, it’s important to note that I came here without any intention of playing poker. I use to play for many years, because I loved the combination of math, science, and psychology. The challenge of emotional control and mental discipline. However, since I let go of my job and am low on money, I obviously couldn’t risk losing what I had trying to win more. I honor the money I have now as a tool to promote poetry and provide gas and food on the road.
However, I ran into a friend who wanted to stake me (which means he puts up some of the money in exchange for a percentage of my winnings). So I entered a $65 tournament and won it. Then a $175. Then a $275. Then he put me in a $525. Before I knew it, I was up over a $1,000 and also won a seat into the 2009 World Series of Poker. All this without risking any of my own money. What a blessing and a good friend I had :)
It’s always been a dream of mine to eventually play in it, but I had NO clue it would happen now, when I was totally broke. It’s funny how life works.
So I survived for 15 grueling hours and out of 6,000 players who entered, I outlasted 5,600 of them. (That's 90% of the field.) I was slightly disappointed for about 5 minutes when I lost, since first place paid out $770,000!!! However, I took the little money that I won with a feeling that it’s exactly what I needed. And apparently, it was! Because on my way out of Vegas…..I ran into MORE van problems!
I had to pay quite a lot of $$$$ to fix my alternator. Yikes.
Everytime I say “Ok. My van is good to go.” Something new happens. But now I laugh it off.
When I turned $65 into a $1000 by pure manifestation, I knew it was because I was going to need it for something. And boom. Here it is. Today, I’ll be fixing my van and getting some dental work done and the universe found a way to provide for me just in time.
A couple of extra cool things happened.
1. I got to record in the studio with Princess Nubia
2. I sat at a table and this guy is like “What’s your name? Where are you from”. After I said, Apollo from Phoenix. He smiled at me, pulled out his cell phone, and started reading my phone number back to me! I was kinda freaked out . I later found out that he’s an A & R from Sony BMG and knew of me from years back. What a crazy coincidence we sat next to each other.
3. I had family in Vegas who took good care of me. I got to hang out with my adorable cousins and I won tons of stuffed animals in the “claw” game. It is beatable!!!
Reflection: Wow. I now can say that I have Played in the WSOP. Met the Love of my Life. Got a record deal. Performed at the Billboard Awards. Traveled Around the Country doing what I love…and many more amazing things that have happened over the last couple of years.
I would say that it’s time to start drafting a new bucket list, because I’ve experienced everything I’ve ever wanted to and I am SOO happy and content with everything that has happened to me. I have such gratitude for all of these life experiences and they just keep coming!
Life on the road is more challenging then expected. Organizing my van especially! I feel like I have too much stuff to be honest. It's time to start unloading and reorganizing and learning how to truly live off of less.
Vegas conclusion:
I found myself almost getting stuck here in Vegas. The same way that Sedona has a way of sucking you in and spitting you out, so does Vegas, except with a complete opposite intention.
The material realm was attempting to hold me in, but I pushed through. I remain on a mission to complete the Bracelet of Light around the country. Every time I look in my rear view mirror while driving, I’m seeing a huge light blaring out the back of the van fired up!
I couldn’t imagine a more perfect beginning to my trip then Vegas. The ultimate city of temptation. Money. Power. Lust. The physical materialistic world.
It is areas like this that I most want to go into.
I, by no means, have mastered myself.
I, by no means, am above anybody on this frequency. I join them.I am them.
Same with the homeless. The lost. The addicts. All of them.
The only difference between all of us is simply what we know and how we choose to experience it.
What are the things that we had the opportunity to learn and who were we before we learned those life-changing principles of love and light?
Our free will is based on what we think is a choice, which is highly influenced by our environment.
I will pray for the lost souls of Vegas. And celebrate for the found smiles of the lights.
Now it’s time to move on from my first city and enter the amazing state of California.
I will give you an update on my Cali trip in about 3 weeks when I’m done.
I love you all and thank you for your support.
Apollo Poetry
P.S.
Excuse me. I have a public service announcement.
I'm not a crazy man and I have no political or religious agenda.
You don't know who I am and you don't need to.
The truth is that nobody in this room can see me, but you.
By the time this poem is over, you will remember what you once were.
Prior to this moment in time, your life was floating with a broken compass pointing you in every direction except inwards.
So maybe you will find the message.........in words.
Who were you before you became what you thought you were before?
What are you turning into after you become what you wanted to be now?
Has your life ever felt like a train? People coming in and out and not appreciating the ride?
Do you not see that YOU....are the conductor, conducting symphonies with trains of thoughts and mental metal orchestras
Has your life ever like a crowded street? Screaming..for somebody to hear you!
I am bleeding...for you to see me.
But words won't make you believe me.
I just might be...a fallen angel that gave you a moment of inspiration. Or it just might be...the other way around.
Because There is more to life than meets the third eye.
So QUESTION:
How old were you when you first put on a suit?
Well fighters put on spades
Lovers put on hearts
Cops put on clubs
Business owners put on diamonds.
America chose to shuffle the deck. Pick a card. Any card. Except the Get out of Jail for free one.
We need to imprison the minds of the youth.
Giving no love to our children with "work" - as an excuse.
But I challenge you now....To release that fear that you've been on holding to.
You cannot rock climb emotions, but can scale the walls of insanity.
WHO...ARE YOU...OUTSIDE of your body?
WHO..ARE YOU...OUTSIDE of this situation?
When was the last time you had a staring contest with reflections?
Do you not see how beautiful you are?
Do you ever....feel like your life is a drug addict...even though you never touch drugs.
The chemicals you're addicted to are the ones released from your brain.
Does life ever hold you down like a drowning victim?
Drowning in conviction.
Have you ever walked blindfolded through the labyrinth of misconceptions?
Trying to find the purpose of life before your last breath
I say the purpose of life, before you reach death,.. IS to give birth to yourself...
SO PUSH...PUSH....PUSH.
NOW LIVE
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