1/60s | f4.5 | 105mm | Beautiful tulips at Leicester Square; another instance of my sharp intuition.

I use my gut feeling a lot. I am, after all, a big fan of Stephen Colbert, who once said "you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head". My intuition has served me well. People like to ask how I get such amazing photos (yes, there are some really great shots on Odds&Ends if you're too blind to notice); truth is, I don't know because I use my gut when it comes to taking photos. It tells me what would look good, what aperture to use under a certain lighting condition and things like that. When my brain double guesses my intuition, I get shaky hands and lousy shots.

In poker, I almost always use my instinct; the odd time that I did consciously use my statistical knowledge, I ended up losing and had to swear off using Facebook for one week which I didn't because no one makes me not do things I want to do, let alone a stupid poker bet (that and I can't possibly live without Facebook for even one day); my poker mates weren't too happy but the way I see it, they should be glad my gut took a backseat that night.

Another instance of my well-honed gut: I could throw in just the right amount of spices, salt and seasoning into what would become yet another culinary success of mine. And I always get the right rice/water ratio using only my gut feeling. Really, tablespoons and measuring cups are for sissies.

I trust my gut. And it's telling me to consciously guide my thoughts.