Started playing in the early 90s. Basically lived in the pool hall during college. Never really got much better than a gatekeeper type of player - good enough to run a few balls, but always managed to choke on the money ball. Never really got into playing for money, but if we did go out looking for action, I was the guy my buddies would send in to play in order to gauge how good the other guys were.
Was always more focused on making tough or impressive shots instead of playing smart or worrying about position. Never saw an easy shot that I didn't think should be banked instead.
Spent most of my college years bouncing around changing cues like they were underwear. Think I started with a Mizerak cue from Kmart, moved up to a box store Dufferin, and onto a pawn shop Mali. Then Meucci, Cuetec (probably the Earl Strickland series), Falcon (Nick Varner line) and eventually settled on a Jim Buss.
I played with a lot of guys that also went through a lot of cues, so I feel lucky that I've had a chance to play with some really nice stuff from Schon, Joss, Espiritu, Parrot, Scruggs, and Pechauer (those are the ones that I can remember).
I guess my one "cool story" is having the opportunity to play against a pro (TK). Again, I was pretty much the worst of our local players - perhaps inconsistent is a better term. I remember he left me with a pretty tough shot (don't remember if he played safe or just missed), but it was like that "didn't leave you much," "you left enough" scene in Color of Money. I think it was on like the 3 ball. I made the shot, ran the table, left myself horrible position on the 9, rattled it and left him a hanger.
Nobody was surprised. We all got a good laugh out of it with pretty much everybody saying "yep, that's what he does." Still, I was the only person that even came close to beating him that day. Somewhere I have a pic shaking his hand and I have the biggest embarrassed smile on my face.
Played APA from 96 to probably 99. Team won our local and made the regional (I believe in Baltimore).....didn't do too bad, but ended up losing in one of the later rounds. Big shocker here, but we lost because I choked on the 8 ball.
Haven't played much since 1999-2000. Recently found my cues at the back of the closet and thinking about starting back up again. I should probably visit the eye doctor.
Anyways, thanks for coming to my ted talk.
