Personalized Billiard Balls & Rack
Somone shared this link with me, seems like a cute gift idea.
CLICK HERE FOR LINK

Congrats to Keith Clark and Richie M. for advancing with me to Tampa in Nov!

The story--
That time of year again!

Off to the US Amateur Championship Prelims this weekend in CT.  Good luck to everyone that is playing.  Hope to party with you in FL!  I will update you guys next week on the results.  Thanks for all the support and best wishes! 

Here is where the Men's Bracket is:  http://ct.apaleagues.com/CustomPage.aspx?q=2977

http://www.usamateurchampionship.com/

and the results are............

Quick update before I forget what happened....Format, mixed 8/9 ball (3 games of 8ball, 7 games of 9ball) race to 5
Winner takes the break or picks what game to start with.

Match 1 vs Stacey - Won
I was up 3 zero then she came back and it was hill hill.  I was able to pull the WIN though!

Match 2 vs Wendy - Lost
I broke 8ball and ran out like 5 balls then missed and she ran out.  She broke then I ran.  She took game 3 too.  Blur, blur, blur.  It was hill-hill again.  Didn't get over that hill this one.  LOST.

Match 3 vs Lisa - Won
Lost 4 straight games and she was on the hill.   First time I felt I needed to take a break so I went to wash up and take that walk.   I came back and tried to take each game seriously and be very careful with my leaves.   Broke her rhythm and came back 1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-4 and here I am for the 3rd game in a row.  Hill-Hill....  and I did it!  Won.

Match 4 vs Nicole - Won
I was up quick 3 to zero.  Then I lost a game.  3-1.  4-1.  4-2.  Then I finished up ending it at 5-2.

Match 5 vs Kristen - Won
She was tough to start.  She was playing real well and up fast.  Its really a blur, she was playing very confident and well.  She started to give me games at the end and all I remember is that I won at the end. Don't know the score.  It was close though.

Match 6 vs Tammy - Won
I knew she would be a tough player because I just saw her make the 9 ball on the break two games in a row! It started as another one of those matches if I missed she was out. 8 ball started like that.  But when we got to 9 ball, it shifted my way and I won 5 - 3

Match 7 vs Kim - Won
She was a different tough.  She played different than I do.  She took longer on all her shots which made me get eager when it was my turn and take less time to think.   Another game where she had the lead and it went hill hill.  I didn't get too easy on the 8 but hit it very hard and it went in another pocket and set me up for the 9.  4th hill-hill of the day!

FINAL Match vs Joan (Race to 9!)
Very close matches.  Went back and forth at 5-5 and a lot of safeties.  I found myself down 5-8, 6-8, 7-8...  hill hill of course!   Last game.  *sigh* I had a straight on shot with the 8 deep in the corner pocket with the 9 in the middle of the other end of the rail.  I didn't want to over english the ball like I always do and miss it trying to set up for the 9.  I just jab it and try to get out of the corner.  I ended up sliding to the other side and kind of getting the same shot but from the other side of the table as if i hit it hard but at least it wasn't on the rail or in the pocket.  I didn't check the 9 like I should of.  Didn't want cut it and let it sit too close to the pocket if I missed being so far across the table.  I should of checked it because I think it was too on the rail for the bank I attempted.  I hit it hard and it was to close so it deflected off the cue right away and went all over the place, leaving the cue and 9 for a cut shot down the table.  It was a lot of pressure and she missed it.  Leaving me a 12 degree(ish) cut shot from middle of the table.  *Breathe* I thought to myself to calm myself down.  (Bob L has been embeding into my mind by now)  With no english I just took my time while I was down and shot it slowly and took the win.  

WOW, I WON!  

Always a veryyyyy good feeling.   I put a lot of focus in this tournament this year, even though I wasn't running racks when I got there.  I had to adjust a lot playing on those tables.  It was just refelted with Aramath balls run soooo fast.  I had to slow down a lot for those who know my game.  I just didn't want to disappoint myself and all those that been wishing me luck.  I broke the "every other year curse" Paul C.  Thanks for reminding me! haha.

Thanks for everyone for the support and congrats!

Update on the others from the World Class league that played in the Mens side:
-Congrats to Keith Clark for grabbing a spot from the losers bracket and Richie won undefeated!
-Nice efforts to Sandra, Emmet, Jack S and so sad to Eagle losing in double hill.

Saw this episode of Criminal Minds last night, see Penelope's necklace?

So.......   Since I'll be in Austin, TX for Labor Day weekend, I thought it would be nice to hit up some pool halls for my list or possibly go to a tournament.  I went on AZ Billiards to look up some info in the area for the time period.   I saw this thread for a tournament at Skinny Bob's in Austin.  I make sure when the Lady's division was on Sat so I can make it and it all seem like it worked out.  I am blocked from most photo site at work so I didn't see the flyer at work, so I skim through and seem like only 16 or so women so far and deadline is near.  My odds are not thhhhat bad..

Then after paying for my entry and booking my hotel I start to look forward to playing different people in a bigger tournament with no shady hole in the wall like my last southern experience.  Bored home, I went on AZ again to see if there was any update to the thread and I saw the flyer.  OMG it's like a real tournament with like pros in it.  Shane Van Boening and Gabe Owens were some of the past winner.  I'm so screwed.  But being a good sport I am, I'm going to go and take my loss like the C+ player that I am.  *sigh* 

So....   an update is an order.
My flight was direct, so that made the flight easier.  I rush through TSA in Boston and realized I didn't have my cell phone on me.  When I got to TX, I went to wait for my old purple traveling cue case to fall down the carousel but it never came.  So sad.  I told the rep and they said they will call me when it gets there.   No cues!!!  My Schon!  I went to get the car and head to the hotel.  The hotel was nice and what a great price it was too.  I got there before noon and had lots of time.  After talking to a nice gentlemen helping with the tournament, he directed me how to get to the place without GPS (thanks Tito).  I went to find the pool hall to make sure I know where it was and check in.  It was very crowded since the men started the day before.   Women's player's meeting at at 6pm so I had a lot of time to go doing some TX things.  I went to the Round Rock outlet and got my a nice hoodie, since TXian don't need stuff like that cuz it was 100+ everyday.  I also went to Salt Licks to eat since it was so famous.  It did live up to the hype.  The BBQ was very good.  It wasn't food with BBQ sauce all over it.. it was just well done food BBQ'd.  If that makes sense. 

I went back to the hotel to rest since the heat was getting to me.  Very draining.  After some rest, headed to the pool hall.  160 players on 14 tables.  Oh my.  (128 Men, 32 Women on different brackets).  I got to the pool hall at 5 to check out the scene and maybe my competition.  Watch CJW first match on the streaming table.  Made friends with two older gentlemen from the south that were very friendly.  Told them about my cue getting lost and everyone was sad for me.  I just chatted up about pool and watched the men play.  Women's players meeting started after 6 and after the calcutta, the brackets were up.  My first match was schedule for MIDNIGHT.  Wow, what a long day.  I wasn't going to wait there until Midnight being 7pm.  Sigh.  Back to the hotel I go to see if JetBlue called about my cases.  No luck.  Rested for a bit.  Headed back to the pool hall at 11.   Once I got in, one of the two older gentlemen I was conversating with me earlier approached me.  He offered to let me use his break stick.  I would put a deposit down and he would give the money back to me after.  I thought the gesture was tremendously generously and I felt so out of my element as is and I really didn't want to use a house cue.  I accepted the gesture and found a practice table to play on.  It wasn't my Schon but at this point, I had a really long day and just wanted to get this first match over with.  Match one.  I lost my first game.  I was playing so bad.   It is a blur now but I believe I lost 3 to 7.  I don't remember her name.  She was very good player.  I check on my match for Sunday and it was at 4pm.  Wow, really?  My flight was suppose to be at 6:30pm so I would have to change that and extend my stay and rental.  At least I could sleep in. 

Sunday

To be continued.