What were they thinking???? And who would think that after a couple weeks I would be going through NPL withdrawals??????
Why don't we take a moment and see what may have caused such a problem. And remember this is not a serious topic but hopefully an enjoyable one and you can see the humourous side of things.
BEFORE NPL
Prior to joining NPL I would take my lovely wife Donna out for the occational dinner with family and or friends and have a couple of glasses of wine. Or, we would have a nice casual dinner at each others place and open a couple of bottles of good wine and enjoy the evening. After dinner we would sometimes have a nice Port or Brandy or a cuppa to finish off a good night.
DURING NPL
When I look at my first season with NPL I see it as a leaning curve.
Initially I was not familiar with all the benefits related to the Flight Card sytem. 
I was not a heavy drinker so I would just have one or two bottles of coke. I would also have dinner at home with my family so I was unable to benefit from additional stamps for a hotel meal. 
I slowly realised that for me to gain the same advantage as my competitors I needed to get my Flight Cards stamped to enable me to get additional chips. My life style was about to change dramatically from that point on.
I started pre-ordering four half Brandy and Cokes using the receipt system.
However, it didn't fill my Flight cards and I also found I was unable to drink them all as I was getting a bit tipsy. So I decided to forego my dinner with my family and eat pub food plus a couple of full Brandy and Cokes to fill my Flight Cards.Now, I was able to compete on the same level as my peers with the same initial chip count at least. I decided to play at the Parafield Gardens on Wednesday, Para Hills, Thursday night and Sunday at Roulettes.
WOW............. 3 venues in one week compared to the pre NPL occational outings was a dramatic change for me and my family. Donna was so supportive towards me having another interest and I suppose it gave her some free time too.
Unfortunately at the end of the first season my best venue finish was 6th so I didn't make the finals.
The positives were that I made a lot of new friends and also became a member of the two Community run venues. The second season set up was slightly different and I was able to change my style of play and had great results.
I found if I was running late I could forego my meal and just hit the booze I was able to finish with a first; at the Gardens, 3rd; at the Hills, fourth; at Roulettes and 28th in the top 50. Can't wait for the finals. 
THE DOWN SIDE OF NPL
Now when we make arrangements with friends or family I have to consult my "games venue book"
We went out with friends the other night and they sat back in shock and horror to see me scoffing down my hot meal and throwing down a couple of Brandy and Cokes and asking the waitress to confirm my receipt. XMAS BREAK????
Now after 2 nail biting weeks I am trying to get my fix from online poker on "Full Tilt"
But there's no booze in our house or cards to fill and most of the people on TILT don't speak English????I was suffering so bad with my withdrawals from not being able to play a live game or flush my alcoholic brain with booze or stuff myself with food that I resorted to the UNTHINKABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I PLAYED .......APL ....... AT GLOBE DERBY
