Well, I’ve been here four days now and as I looked out the window this morning, the weather finally began to resemble that of the Seattle we’re more familiar with. The gloomy drizzle outside today looked the way that I felt.
There are few things worse than that awful sinking feeling in your stomach when you wake up the morning after to realize the tournament is continuing without you. Despite my every effort this weekend to put myself in the post productive, conducive environment possible to achieve the best possible results, I was unsuccessful.
Though I don’t regret coming out two days early, I do feel bad for wasting two days of Dan Louie‘s time and spending two days away from my business, my family, and of course, the V-dog.
[That's the biggest smile I've ever seen on Nicole's face]
The very sweet and talented Ming Ng ended up beating my friend Nicole in the finals tonight. Poor Nicole played for nearly 12 hours without so much as a break to eat. I love her game! It must’ve been the lucky belt I loaned her. Well, it wasn’t so lucky for me, but it worked well enough for her. During her 7-0 slaughtering over poor Cheryl, I noticed she kept pulling her pants up. Afterward, I asked her if she wanted my belt and in perfect Nicole fashion, she said, “Sure.” I was happy I could contribute. Read the story here.
I really wish I couldn’t played much better this weekend, at least as well as I did during my practice sets with Dan. I was really a big, fat dog this weekend. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t my opponent outplaying me (until my final match against Liz). I wish I couldn’t find something to blame it on. I just simply could not stay focused. It was so frustrating!
I do know that I am not a fan of the blue circle cue ball. That’s for sure! I’ve never scratched or jumped the cue ball off the table so many times on the break before and I only played four matches. It’s just not conducive for my breaking style. That’s the very reason I don’t use a phenolic break tip. I don’t want to kill anyone.
There’s more to come on this weekend, but I don’t want to forget to thank the following people:
Thanks again to Steve, Dave, Rachel, Jennifer, and the AMAZING Parlor Billiards & the rest of the staff for the great service and for hosting our event!
Alfredo!!! Thank you for the special sweet treats!!! You’re the coolest Executive Chef I know!!!
A HUGE thanks to Suwanna for your generous hospitality and welcoming a complete stranger into your home.
Thanks to Dan Louie for ALLLLLLLLLL your time, consideration, and insight. You’re such a talented player and incredible role model!
Toshi – Thank you so much for the meals, pool at your place, and taking me to the market today and letting me do all the girlie touristy stuff I wanted, including consuming 17 oysters on the half-shell and splitting a bucket of clam steamers. mmmmmm….
Thanks to Carter & Cristina – for the usual.
Thanks to Nicole and Janet from the Great Lakes Tour for all your support and kind words today. It was an absolute treat meeting both of you and you TRULY made my week!
[Photos and a few fun pool shots from Dan will be posted here soon]
Meanwhile, Carter and I leave for the airport at 9a.m. I’m headed to MN for the Midwest 8-Ball Championships. I have seconds and a third from the past two years. I’m gunnin’ for first this week. Scotch doubles with Mike starts in the morning. YAY! I’m ready to get this losing taste out of my mouth!
“Though I don’t regret coming out two days early, I do feel bad for wasting two days of Dan Louie’s time.”
The above comment is yet another example of why I think you need to work on your mental game and your attitude towards the game. You may not have won the tournament but that doesn’t mean that you wasted two days of Dan’s time.
“I just simply could not stay focused. It was so frustrating!”
Now we’re getting somewhere. Why are you unable to stay focused? Give this some thought and let us know what you find out.
Samm – it was great to meet you last weekend. Thanks for your advice on choking up the cue; it has made a big difference w/ minimal adjustment (but time will tell if it’s a “Hawthorne Effect”).
Two days training w/ Dan is not wastable for either of you, IMHO
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