I’m home, finally! Though I did not spend nearly as much time this year in Vegas as I did last year, I’m still just as happy to be home.
I have to admit, this year’s stint was much less focused on competing and a little more focused on relaxing, managing my time better, spending time with new & old friends, and doing some great work. Truthfully, there will be plenty to time for great pool and more tournaments in the future!
This year in Vegas…
- We drove 1,547 miles round trip in 23.5 hours
- I took 275 photos, 135 of which included Frank
- We stayed 14 nights, 13 of which were in a kick-a$$ poolside suite
- I played 10 total pool matches between 3 events (that’s pretty bad, actually)
- I had 3 double-doubles from In-n-Out
- I tried 5 new restaurants (some were better than others)
- I got about 5 hours of poolside sun (3 of which were with J-Bar at the Encore – that was super fun!)
- I got 1 wicked tan
- I sold 2 Inspiration Bracelets
- I received 1 beautiful new custom Jim Murnak case
- I conducted 5 player interviews for AzBilliards.com (Sarah Rousey, Johnny Archer, Allen Hopkins, Allison Fisher, and Ralf Souquet)
- I did 11 “Samm’s on the Case” player equipment profile interviews (Sylver Ochoa, Jennifer Barretta, Mika Immonen, Thomas Engert, Liz Ford, Raj Hundal, Rodney Morris, Tony Robles, Gail Glazebrook, Alison Fischer, and Rafael Martinez)
Aurora to Las Vegas to Aurora
Aurora to Las Vegas
Las Vegas to Aurora
Early in the tourney, we got to sneak away to our favorite little secret restaurant with one of our favorite pool couples.
Dinner with Gail & Tony
I grabbed some dim sum with my NW friends.
Dan Louie, me, and Stan T. at dim sum
I also got to stop by the LV Cue Club with Summer for Julie‘s elegant service. Everything was very nicely done.
In Loving Memory of Julie Nogiec
Mike‘s team snapped off the Open out of nearly 700 teams. That was pretty exciting!
"Who Needs A Billiard Coach?!" (Jared Bailey, Dustin Morris, Jesse Engel, Brian Haffner, and Mike Fieldhammer)
Frank with the plaque
We caught Earl “The Pearl” on a good day.
Earl and me
Earl and Mike
We decided to stay an extra day after the big team win. It was EXTREMELY cold that day.
poor lifeguard
We got to visit my friend Steve at the Beef Jerky Store. He’s so great!
Beef Jerky Store
The trip would not have been complete without one final stop for sushi at Todai‘s.
mmmmmm.... sushi.....
And, we saved the best for last. What trip to Vegas would be complete without a visit to Fatboy’s pad. I love the guy! He’s a good egg, for sure!
Snooker with Fatboy
Click here for the complete non-Frank photos from Vegas
Here are the Frank photos:
Frank attends the 2010 BCAPL Nationals
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 12-22, 2010
102 Photos
you wore a DRESS?!??!!