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.