Join My New Pool Group

I created a new group at blogcatalog.com called "Blogging Pool/Billiards." I recently discovered that posts at blogcatalog get good coverage from google so I thought it might be a good idea to join a pool group. To make a long story short, there weren't any. So, I formed my own. Now, I need members. Visit it here. Primarily a place for those who have pool blogs or sites, it will be a place to ask questions, discuss problems and observations, to swap ideas and to make announcements.

Otherwise, everything's good. I recently told someone somewhere that I would continue playing as long as I keep improving. Well, I have no thoughts of quitting yet. I've been playing almost every day and my game shows it. Of course, I can't fire in shots like I could when I was 16, but even that aspect of my game is getting better. The only thing standing in my way right now is the lack of players down here willing to play for a little something. I refuse to engage in matches where nothing's at stake. I'm convinced that kind of nonsense hurts my game more than it helps. Those who refuse to gamble are the same guys who wonder why they choke when they play in tournaments. "It's because you're not used to playing for anything!" I tell them. But, they won't listen and prefer to supply their own excuses. Anyway, like I said, I drive to the pool room (either Capone's or DJ's) every day and, unless I run into someone with a little gamble in them, play by myself for about an hour concentrating on the basic stuff - staying down, stroking thru the cue ball, etc. It's working.

Here's an item of interest for those in the market for a new cue:

John Bender Cues

John Bender, a friend of mine from NJ, and a cuemaker who has worked with Richard Black, is now making custom cues on his own. Visit his site and send him a message.

Life Goes On

I’ve been away for a few weeks. Had to fly north. My mother passed away on March 11, 2006 due to complications following what was supposed to be a routine heart valve replacement and a single bypass. If the surgeons are to be believed, their part went well. It therefore appears that she fell victim to poor aftercare. Two outfits I would like to warn you about in this regard are Kessler’s and Merry Heart. I wouldn’t let these people watch my dog… if I had a dog. They definitely aren’t getting anywhere near my cat. But mom’s gone and speculating on how things might have turned out if she had received the same kind of care Bill Clinton or David Letterman received after their heart surgeries will not bring her back.

Anyway, her passing not only left me in a state of mystification, but also brought me a bushel of responsibilities. Attending to those is what kept me up north. When things reached the point where I thought my presence was no longer required, I came back home.

Obviously, I had no time for pool but I did run into a couple of my boyhood pool shooting buddies. One still plays, the other traded in his cue for a guitar. Hope he doesn’t miscue.

I flew home on the 6th of April and next day, Friday, looking for something different to do, I went to one of my favorite bar tournaments. Miraculously, I finished second, just a shot away from splitting the pot. As it was, 2nd paid 50 bucks.

Also, as a reward for breaking my ass those five weeks, I decided to treat myself to a new cue. Nothing fancy, just a Falcon Sneaky-Pete I found on my website. No wrap, just wood to hold onto. I’ve played with it a couple times since UPS dropped it off - it hits pretty good. Of course, I won’t be taking it to the bars – I’ll save it for the pool room.

Five weeks is too long to go without shooting. Not only is my stroke all screwed up but I can’t remember what it is I’m supposed to be keying on. Lost without a compass. I’m hoping it will come back to me.

To all my pool shooting friends, thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers.