So a poster here this week called me out for not playing in Fargo rated tournaments very often. That's a fair critique I determined. But our back and forth caused me to further evaluate the role of pool in my life. Partly because I have felt unmoored since my recent divorce, and partly because I am conscious now more than ever of my mortality and the need to use my time left on this mortal coil wisely.
So, that said, I play pool for both the inherent challenge and for the sheer enjoyment of playing the game itself. As I reconstitute my life, I am emphasizing other pursuits that did not garner as much of my attention in the past as they should have. Hiking, fishing, camping, gardening, exercising, live music and on and on will become more in focus and pool less so. And Jesus, I didn't even mention dating again after decades, which scares the hell out of me, but nevertheless will be a priority in 2026.
So where does that leave pool? I guess I'll just try as hard as I can to play the best I can whenever I'm at the table. Realistically, that will mean practice sessions alone because that is most convenient to my schedule. I hate staying up late, so tournament pool has less appeal to me. I played only two tournaments this year, actually winning a 9 ball tournament (fargo rated, I spotted the field for some reason). But I played the last track at 3 in the morning and I was ruined for the rest of the weekend.
So the funny thing I realized is that while winning that tournament was nice and all, I actually found more rewarding putting up a modest 53 run in 14.1a few weeks back. I also surprised myself and had a nice practice session in bar box 8 ball this week. Sequence began with a 3 pack, then broke dry, but ran that one out, then another B&R, then broke dry and ran that one out. 4 B&R's and two run outs. I felt pretty good about it. Of course, those are the highlights. The low light's are pretty low and are worthy of any blooper reel I'm afraid. Such is the plight of amateur players I guess.
Anyway, in a lot of ways, I remain a hot mess. Yet paradoxically, parts of my life are really great and physically I'm in better shape than I've been in for years. Why am I spilling my guts out to strangers on the interwebz? I guess it beats shaking your fists at the clouds. Well, l'll just sum up by saying pool is pretty cool and it will remain a pursuit despite it all. Like anything else, pool and life is what you make of it I reckon. They are both a choose your own adventure.
Happy holidays Boyz and Gurlz
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