Well so much for that. I found out on Friday night as I was practicing that I wasn't able to play in the tournament for the regional qualifier on Saturday :( You need to be on a current active roster and I'm not. Our team has participated in this league for over 3 years now and after a whole lot of drama (more than just your normal league drama) and a league operator who can never seem to keep his shit together - we quit. We moved that night of play to another league that most of us already play in. We actually like the new league with this team. We get to play a bit different style, play new faces and it doesn't seem so redundant.
On the other hand....its things like this that make me wish I still played. There are so many opportunities to play in Nationals with the league we left.....and I've basically given it all up. I'm in the process of debating which is worse? Playing for a league who's operator in our area CANNOT stay organized, playing against opponents who absolutely have nothing better to do than bitch, playing for a league who has cheated our team out of money, but yet getting to participate in tournaments, qualifiers, nationals........
OR
keeping my dignity and playing pool for and with others who actually respect the game. Now this league does have opportunities to play for their Nationals. Its just not as large of league and they're not as dominant in the industry.
I feel like I've invested A LOT of time and money into this part of my world. I guess its just frustrating to know that for as hard as I've worked....its not as attainable to be able to play and try to see where I stand against others.
I guess I'll just have to keep working at it - get better - and kick some ass elsewhere ;)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
to play or not to play.....
That IS the question!
I found out this morning that they're holding a qualifier TOMORROW for fall regionals - singles. Yes - they only gave 1 days notice. Ugh!
Well due to low funds and a bunch of byes for league I haven't played a whole heck of a lot in the last two weeks. So what's a girl to do? Do I practice tonight and go for the gusto tomorrow? I mean - what's the worst that could happen? I lose? Ugh - I hate that!!! On the bright side - I guess I would still have decent practice in for the week. And I was planning on practicing some tonight anyway. Or I can practice tonight and show up tomorrow with my "A" game and win......hhhhmmmmm.........
Decisions, decisions.
I guess I wouldn't be having second thoughts about this if I had actually played a little more this week. When I don't play for awhile I tend to think that every time I get to a table I'll mess up. My confidence drops to -20 below. I would feel much better knowing that I was playing well. I have nothing to gauge myself off of right now.
Also, they're going to be playing the qualifier at a local pool hall which consist of nothing but Diamond Tables. I actually much rather play on diamonds verses the crappy bar boxes at another pool hall we normally have to play our local league tournaments on. But shoot - 95% of my practice happens at my little neighborhood bar which has bar box tables. Decent ones....but nowhere near a Diamond bar box!!!
What would you do?
I found out this morning that they're holding a qualifier TOMORROW for fall regionals - singles. Yes - they only gave 1 days notice. Ugh!
Well due to low funds and a bunch of byes for league I haven't played a whole heck of a lot in the last two weeks. So what's a girl to do? Do I practice tonight and go for the gusto tomorrow? I mean - what's the worst that could happen? I lose? Ugh - I hate that!!! On the bright side - I guess I would still have decent practice in for the week. And I was planning on practicing some tonight anyway. Or I can practice tonight and show up tomorrow with my "A" game and win......hhhhmmmmm.........
Decisions, decisions.
I guess I wouldn't be having second thoughts about this if I had actually played a little more this week. When I don't play for awhile I tend to think that every time I get to a table I'll mess up. My confidence drops to -20 below. I would feel much better knowing that I was playing well. I have nothing to gauge myself off of right now.
Also, they're going to be playing the qualifier at a local pool hall which consist of nothing but Diamond Tables. I actually much rather play on diamonds verses the crappy bar boxes at another pool hall we normally have to play our local league tournaments on. But shoot - 95% of my practice happens at my little neighborhood bar which has bar box tables. Decent ones....but nowhere near a Diamond bar box!!!
What would you do?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
knowing is half the battle
My other half and I play together - A LOT! Whether we're playing league nights or spending the day just practicing. I usually go with him even on nights I'm not on the team and he's cheered me on a few times too. He's a much better player so I learn a lot. Half the reason I think I get better is from playing with and watching him. The better he gets, the better I get. (Most of the time) Here's the problem.....I'm stubborn, very stubborn. I have to ask questions, be shown a shot that works and why. But I by no means like to be "told what to do". (hey- I'm only human). He's the opposite - "do what I say and you'll figure it out"!
Um, no! I wasn't asking those questions for my health.
As a lower player, I'm going argue, ask questions, and want to know why. I think its natural. Wouldn't we lower players not ask if we knew what we were doing....or knew what the hell you were talking about?!?!?
When people talk to my bf and I about pool in general, I've always said: He's the technical one - I'm the creative one.
I'm sorry, is there something wrong with that?
When I say technical....he learns very different. He needs to be told something once and he will practice that shot, safe, whatever it is - over, and over, and over until he gets it and knows why. He can read something and then execute. If he doesn't know the answer or why to something, he will research, read, and read some more. He remembers shots that he misses and will practice until he gets it. There is nothing wrong with that.
Now I on the other hand......
Creative. I need to be shown whatever it is we're talking about. I need to touch, feel, see....all of it. I want to be told where to hit and how to hit. I want to see it done before I even try. I can read something if it speaks to me. If its technical - I lose interest and start skimming. I also remember shots that I make. I feel like they work and the more I do them, the more comfortable I become and better I'll get with them. Only the major, MAJOR, game winning, heart pounding misses do I remember. And I'll never take that shot again. Why? Because it didn't work out. And I HATE to lose, remember?
We've argued time and again about how and why each other plays. Because we don't see things the same way - we just go around in circles.
So he comes across this article the other day and tells me to read it. It comes from Tom Simpson: An industry figure, who has been playing since he was 12. He's a professional billiards instructor (BCA master instructor) who runs his own clinics.
Holy crap - it is EXACTLY what my bf and I have been trying to say to each other and seem to continue to argue about when it comes to teaching, learning, and playing. Now....its just in terms that we can both understand.
It probably doesn't hurt that someone else is the one saying it all so now we believe it ;)
You can read the article HERE along with many other great articles from him. Everything I've read from him - just makes sense. Definitely get your read on with him.
Um, no! I wasn't asking those questions for my health.
As a lower player, I'm going argue, ask questions, and want to know why. I think its natural. Wouldn't we lower players not ask if we knew what we were doing....or knew what the hell you were talking about?!?!?
When people talk to my bf and I about pool in general, I've always said: He's the technical one - I'm the creative one.
I'm sorry, is there something wrong with that?
When I say technical....he learns very different. He needs to be told something once and he will practice that shot, safe, whatever it is - over, and over, and over until he gets it and knows why. He can read something and then execute. If he doesn't know the answer or why to something, he will research, read, and read some more. He remembers shots that he misses and will practice until he gets it. There is nothing wrong with that.
Now I on the other hand......
Creative. I need to be shown whatever it is we're talking about. I need to touch, feel, see....all of it. I want to be told where to hit and how to hit. I want to see it done before I even try. I can read something if it speaks to me. If its technical - I lose interest and start skimming. I also remember shots that I make. I feel like they work and the more I do them, the more comfortable I become and better I'll get with them. Only the major, MAJOR, game winning, heart pounding misses do I remember. And I'll never take that shot again. Why? Because it didn't work out. And I HATE to lose, remember?
We've argued time and again about how and why each other plays. Because we don't see things the same way - we just go around in circles.
So he comes across this article the other day and tells me to read it. It comes from Tom Simpson: An industry figure, who has been playing since he was 12. He's a professional billiards instructor (BCA master instructor) who runs his own clinics.
Holy crap - it is EXACTLY what my bf and I have been trying to say to each other and seem to continue to argue about when it comes to teaching, learning, and playing. Now....its just in terms that we can both understand.
It probably doesn't hurt that someone else is the one saying it all so now we believe it ;)
You can read the article HERE along with many other great articles from him. Everything I've read from him - just makes sense. Definitely get your read on with him.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
you've lost that lovin' feelin....
We didn’t win. We didn't play our best, didn’t listen to each other, we fought aimless battles with unforeseen circumstances, we lost composure, and we didn’t win.
Saturday
8-ball city tournament
Things started off with our league operator telling us that one of our players was ineligible for play. We had made a valid effort to make sure that he had enough games in during the regular session to play in the city tournament so our team captain spent the first 20 minutes handling that situation. While in debate, our league operator also tells us that another player of ours (who happens to be my other half) can’t play! My other half is one of our strongest players.....this is not going to be good.
What?!?!?! What in the hell are you talking about?!?!?!
Our league operator tells us that he owes money. For what?! He claims that my bf’s team for another night was short on funds for the session. So you don’t let him know this – hhhmmm, I don’t know – maybe during that session! You couldn’t have picked up the phone and called us about this? You couldn’t have said this during the 8-ball or 9ball tri-annuals that happened last month and you let him play in? Or maybe during the 9-ball city tournament that you allowed him to play in 2 weeks ago? But now, during 8-ball cities where we know we are going to have the best shot at this, you want to tell him he can't play.....one of our strongest players.....hhhmmmmm....... Whatever!!!!
Things are off to a F*&%$# up start!
The tournament is modified singles and 3 out of 5 games in a wins the match. The first team we play is a strong team. They have an even spread of handicaps and all shoot well.
MATCH ONE
Game one – we lose.
Game two – we lose.
Game three – our captain plays. He’s down 0-2 and his opponent is on the hill. F!!! Well our captain, bless his heart….. doesn’t give up and comes back to win! What?!?! We’ve got a chance.
Game four - Haha. Just kidding. The pool gods decide that our captain’s game was just to tease us a bit and we lose. I HATE THIS GAME!
Since we’re in a modified single tournament, we get one more chance to play. We end up with a bye spot and advance one round. We sit around for a good 3.5 hours before our next match. We’re tired, we’re cranky, we’re hungry, and we’re losing patience.
MATCH 2
Game one – we win.
Game two – we win.
Game three – we win.
What?!?!?! Sweet deals….we come back tomorrow.
I played the first game in match 2. I feel like I played okay. Nothing great. I got lucky a few times when my opponent scratched and gave me ball in hand. I still over cut A LOT of balls and seemed to roll a little short of everything. I’m not sure if this is because I tried to slow down and play cautiously or if I just couldn’t find the umph to put into my shots.
Sunday
We’re up against a team that we’ve beaten countless times. We don’t take them lightly, but know how they play and think we should have the upper hand. Wrong!
Game one – we lose.
Game two – we lose.
Game three – we lose. GAME OVER.
I played and lost the first game. I followed balls in. I scratched cross sides. I couldn’t make straight shots. I have no clue what was wrong with me. I REALLY wanted this. Even when I was down, I thought "you can do this...you can come back". UGH!!!! I of course had faith in my team mates to pick me up. Even after our second loss....not once did I think it was over.... I thought there are 3 other players to win the last 3 games. We got this!
My captain on the other hand - lost all faith and was pissed after that second match. Hell - I knew he was mad when I lost my game. He straight said "that's it - we're done". I looked him dead in the eye and said "Really? That's some great team spirit! Have some faith! You came back and won a third match for us yesterday. What happened to believing in your team? If you dont' give a shit....then why the F are we here?" ....... and walked away! Probably not the best way to handle the situation, but I was pissed. Now at that point there was one more match, but I refused to sit with all the negativity. Of course we were down 2 games, but lets be real about the situation. No one, NO ONE, woke up that morning and said "I'm going to lose today". So have some f'n faith in your team and lets win the last 3!!!
Well it didn't happen. As soon as it was over - our captain turned in the score sheet....and walked out. Didn't say anything to us and was gone. Half of us didn't even know he left. Well there's some love, huh?!?! Don't get me wrong....I love our captain...I love our team. We're not just a pool team, we're actually friends and hang out together - even outside of pool. So I was beyond a little annoyed with his attitude. WE ALL WANTED TO WIN!!! YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!!
Sometimes I wonder......
If you believe in something SO hard - then why do you change your mind about it when it's sitting in your possession?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
well, well,well, now.....
It happened. I won my first call-pocket 9-ball game! Finally. I took my time, concentrated, and studied the WHOLE table. I'm still not sure how I fee about this format, but if it will get me to learn a new dimension of this darn game that consumes me then hey - what the heck.
My opponent, same skill level....didn't seem to pleased when I won. And I wouldn't have been please either. Besides hating to lose, I took shots that if an oppenent did to me, I might have drop kick them. I combo caromed a nine between two other balls that you could barely see through and was back-cutting at, and combo banked another that took extreme low left - a hell of a stroke - and had to travel the full length of the table. I also played extremely well and ran all of my balls when it was my turn at the table on the other games. Are you f'n kidding me.....who does that? Who shoots like they've been playing their whole life. The big boys do!!! Not me! Not lil' ole me. (The girl you don't want to play cause I'm a GIRL, right). Hahaha - YAY ME :) Now - the tables sucked ASS. There was more table rolls then I had ever seen. Two tears in the cloth (not minor either). Balls with chips. Horrible racks. Could someone please fix these damn things. Hell - replace them!!! This poor bar needs some luvin'. Despite all the bad.....my head must have been in the right place, cause I played like a champ. Okay, I'm done patting myself on the back now!
As I continue my mission to keep practicing 9-ball.....I've had to switch missions this week and focus on 8-ball. The city tournament is this weekend and our team has secured a spot. Shoot - we've secured a spot the past 3 years. Never been to Nationals. We've played down to the final game twice in those 3 trips and we lost. Twice. This year.....I have a good feeling. Besides the normal obstacles of daily play - who's playing good that day, who's not - who has to work and can't play - who's PMSing - who's wife pissed them off and they shoot every shot like they're going to kill someone - who's drinking - who doesn't want to listen to timeouts .......we also ALL know how bad we all want this!!! Yes - it is up to us to get it done - but believe me, the pool gods will be hearing from me A LOT this week. Hopefully they're in agreement that maybe, just maybe, this is OUR year!
My opponent, same skill level....didn't seem to pleased when I won. And I wouldn't have been please either. Besides hating to lose, I took shots that if an oppenent did to me, I might have drop kick them. I combo caromed a nine between two other balls that you could barely see through and was back-cutting at, and combo banked another that took extreme low left - a hell of a stroke - and had to travel the full length of the table. I also played extremely well and ran all of my balls when it was my turn at the table on the other games. Are you f'n kidding me.....who does that? Who shoots like they've been playing their whole life. The big boys do!!! Not me! Not lil' ole me. (The girl you don't want to play cause I'm a GIRL, right). Hahaha - YAY ME :) Now - the tables sucked ASS. There was more table rolls then I had ever seen. Two tears in the cloth (not minor either). Balls with chips. Horrible racks. Could someone please fix these damn things. Hell - replace them!!! This poor bar needs some luvin'. Despite all the bad.....my head must have been in the right place, cause I played like a champ. Okay, I'm done patting myself on the back now!
As I continue my mission to keep practicing 9-ball.....I've had to switch missions this week and focus on 8-ball. The city tournament is this weekend and our team has secured a spot. Shoot - we've secured a spot the past 3 years. Never been to Nationals. We've played down to the final game twice in those 3 trips and we lost. Twice. This year.....I have a good feeling. Besides the normal obstacles of daily play - who's playing good that day, who's not - who has to work and can't play - who's PMSing - who's wife pissed them off and they shoot every shot like they're going to kill someone - who's drinking - who doesn't want to listen to timeouts .......we also ALL know how bad we all want this!!! Yes - it is up to us to get it done - but believe me, the pool gods will be hearing from me A LOT this week. Hopefully they're in agreement that maybe, just maybe, this is OUR year!
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