(written at 5:15a.m. EDT)

Our new 2008 US Open 9-Ball Champion, Mika “The Iceman” Immonen (only the second European and fourth non-American to ever win it)
[BEFORE & AFTER]

After a week of come-from-behinds, Rodney finally exhausted all his comebacks and lost against Filipino player, Warren Kiamco. Fifth place at the US Open is still not too shabby. Tell us how you really feel, Rodney.

Pre-match stuff before Mika and Warren’s semi-finals match.

Jay Helfert, dog sitting.

Looks like Donny was dog-sitting too. Corey didn’t like the looks of it.

The match-changing shot. Warren missed this 2 ball that he got too straight on. He tried to draw back and out for the 3 ball but rattled it. That was his last chance at the table. Mika thought he should’ve just played the 3 in the corner.

Vanessa interviews Mika before the finals.

The BcN crew.

Pre-finals Barry production. You know times are tough when there are no bagpipes or scheduled ring girl at the US Open finals. Not too tough though, because we did get to sit through Barry presenting his daughter and her family with a “free trip to Disneyworld!” Poor Mika and Ronnie just wanted to play pool already.

Jim Wych does a great job commentating, but I really wish he wouldn’t say stuff like, “you lost to a better man,” or “disappointing” to the second place finishers. It’s still a feat to come in second in the US Open and instead of making them feel like they failed, I wish he would just congratulate them on their finish and focus more on a job well done. Anyway, Ronnie Alcano finished runner-up two years in a row and I have more recorded words with him than any other interviewer in this time. He doesn’t give interviews, but he granted me two!

More behind the scenes pics.

It’s been a fun but very long week for everyone.

And, even at the poolhall…

“Hast due vergeigt?”
After Toasti set me up with Ralf, I had the opportunity to ask him the same question after he lost to Rodney on the winner side. Not that I wanted him to lose, but how could I not ask him the same question after he lost. In pretty good spirits, he smiled and nodded, “Vergeigt? Me? Yes. Yes, I did.” Poor guy.

Post-finals party at Q-Masters:

Cool menu

Holy Cow! How old is this brush? Well, at least they brush.

What a pool room! And all this could be yours for a mere $2.75mil.

When I arrived at the airport at 4:30a.m. for my 6a.m. flight back to Denver (connecting through Atlanta), I was informed that the flight was overbooked. Since I have nothing to rush back for (and at this point, what’s another day?), I decided to volunteer my seat up for a free travel voucher.

After a few phone calls and some typing, the ticket agent returned to tell me that the next available flight to Denver would leave the following morning at 6:20a.m. and I would get a free room, shuttle to/from hotel, and a $400 Delta travel voucher. SWEET! I’ll take it!

It was almost a little post-trip-mini-vacation for me. They shacked me up at the Wingate and there was even a sushi restaurant right in the parking lot! The bed was soft and they had continental breakfast, a fitness center, and a pool. What else could a girl ask for? I just vegged out in the room for about 22 hours to on/off naps, cheesy HBO movies, including some political news and Steel Magnolias (minus the stroll for Quiznos and sushi). It was just what I needed.

So, here I am, 24 hours later, sitting at gate 24, waiting to board my flight and wishing I had brought a coat. It was so nice when I left, I’d forgotten that the weather would be getting colder while I was gone. It’s currently 30 degrees in Denver right now. I hope it will be warmer when I get there.

As I reflect on the past nine days of travel, work, and outstanding pool, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunities that I’ve had. Getting to know and rubbing elbows with the champions that I admire has been a dream come true. Even though we’re buddies now, I still never forget that I’m in the presence of greatness. I hope the novelty of who they are will never wear off.

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