Some might advise me to stay silent on this thread, but I can’t do that given what I personally endured in the aughts for several years.
Some of the names on the T-shirt are people I consider pool buddies today. Years ago, though, my experiences with a few of those names were painful. What began as online disagreements escalated into repeated personal attacks, and at times the comments were even directed at my other half, not to involve him, but to affect me.
I first encountered some of these individuals on Google Groups RSB. By my own admission, I wasn’t very social-media savvy back then. When cruel and hurtful things were written about me, I responded emotionally. With hindsight, I recognize that engaging that way only made things harder.
There were also many bright spots. I met some truly good people on RSB, e.g., Smorgie, Frank, Hank, Bob Jewett, Cornerman, and others. Smorgie invited me to AzBilliards, and for a while it felt like pool heaven, sharing trip reports, posting photos, and meeting fellow AzB-ers on the road. Unfortunately, over time that joy faded for me, as some comments framed as “truths” by some of the names on that list, here on this forum and elsewhere, became deeply hurtful. I now understand those moments as cyberbullying, even if that wasn’t always the intent.
I genuinely appreciate the camaraderie that brings people together from around the country at pool events. At the same time, I believe it’s important to be mindful of how words land, especially online. Writing this still brings a tear to my eye, but it’s part of the past, thankfully. I’ll be 72 this month, and my focus now is on enjoying each day I’m given, as my expiration date draws near.
