Baby Steps

Well, I have logged 3 sessions since the absolute worst poker night of my life....the first one being pretty much break even, the second, decent and the third...ok.
So...the first one is kind of a blur...played overnight and just could never get anything going. I only had 2 big pairs and only one held up. The 2 hands that turned the session from a winning one to a losing one are as follows.
I have pocket Js in the BB. The button is this really sexy asian guy from San Diego that did his absolute best in keeping my mind on him rather than the game. He was kinda laggy in the way that most asian poker players are. He raised his button to $10($1/$2, btw), I reraised to $25. Then a MP limper who only has $85 calls. Anyway...flop is 6/5/3, 2 hearts. I bet $40...he goes all in...I call..he has QJh...turn is the Ah and its over. How can you call off 1/4 of your stack preflop...especially with QJ when you are facing a 3 bet???
The other hand is just brutal. The button raises(I could tell that he wanted to fold and then threw in $10 at the last minute). This is my mistake...I saw this and didn't take advantage of it. I should have reraised him and I would have taken the pot down right then. I have pocket 7s. This old guy calls the raise as well and it is 3 to the flop. Flop is 5/7/9 rainbow. Checked to the button. He bets $20, I call as does the old guy. Turn is a 9. Checked to the button. He bets $40, I raise to $100. Old guy CALLS! Button pushes, I call. Old guy folds. He shows 9/10, I show my boat. I just have to dodge a 9, 10 or 5. Of course, the river is a 5! The funniest thing about all of this(and I should not be surprised anymore, really) is that when I said, "nice catch sir"..he actually says..."You mean that you could beat a set?" I wish that I could have held my tongue before I (tried) to educate the fish. Of course, I had to explain to him that he did, in fact, not have a set, but trips and that I had a full house and was a 90% favorite to win the hand.

The following night, I head down to the Venetian and decide to play $1/$2 until I double my money and then move to the $2/$5. I am unsure if this is a sound strategy or not....just giving it a try. So, I am card dead for the first hour or so. Then I get up $180 by picking up pocket Js twice in a row....first time flopping a boat and the 2nd time, turning quads! The I lose $80 with pocket Qs to a flush. I should be content that I didnt pay him off on the river with my straight.
I then say fuck it, I'm just going to move, $100 shy of my goal. I sit down at a must move $2/$5 game(7 handed) I come in behind the button and never play a hand until my SB. The whole table limped in and I have 9/8h in the SB. I complete and then the BB pops it to $25...the whole table calls! SO, I say, what the hell....Flop is 6/7/10 rainbow! BINGO! I check, BB bets $100, everyone folds(DAMN!) and I just move all in. I only have $175 behind and if he has an overpair, I dont think that he can fold for that....he calls. I quietly say, I have the nuts sir. Then I leave. Up $500 for the session. I was happy.
I love the drive home when I win...I crank the radio...sing at the top of my lungs and for 30 minutes....all is right with the world.