Billiards Digest POW-MIA CUE- BETRAYAL

[APA7]

This iz one extremely bitter N egotistical thread :sorry:

 

[trob]

This iz one extremely bitter N egotistical thread :sorry:

Tap tap tap

Btw that is one beautiful cue. Really a work art.

 

[poolhustler]

Why would someone go and dig up a three year old thread unless they have an underlying agenda or EXTREMELY BORED????

I don't get it.........

 

[pulzcul]

My salute TAP! TAP! TAP!

 

[JCIN]

A great injustice to you and the people that contributed to your cue/case honoring our POW's and MIA's.
If Mr. Mason King should show up in some other place involving
our game, well...............we will know what to do.

I know what I'll do. I'll shake his hand and say hello. I know Mason and always had a good relationship with him. When they used my photos in the magazine the checks always came on time and cleared. The first time I sent him an email offering pictures it was months before I heard back from him. To say he was a busy guy is an understatement. He was always on the square with me.

I'm sorry but calling the above situation a "great injustice" is just silly.

 

[Blackjack]

The same goes for Blackjack's articles. His Youtube videos are good, so I'd be willing to say so would his writing be.

Update:

I appreciate your kind words and support, however I really enjoy and support the BD instructional articles that are written by Tony Robles, Jeanette Lee, and Thorsten Hohmann. I think it is great that they take the time and effort to pass along their knowledge to have it available for players all over the world. They are great players, and they are great teachers, and people are familiar with them.

A few years ago I contacted BD to do a series of articles. I received an awesome response outlining what they needed for their publication and what they expected of the submitted material. Shortly after that, Tony Robles was covering the same material/subjects that I had already completed - and he did an awesome job with it, so I never followed through. I thought it was cool that we both were covering the SAME EXACT topics! Tony's a good guy, a good friend, and he has an awesome way of communicating with people. People are drawn in by his smile, his warmth, and Billiards Digest is blessed to have him on their staff!

Today, I have no interest in publishing any of my articles with BD. I would be more inclined to give my 14.1 instructional articles/diagrams/ideas to Tony or Thorsten if they need any of it - and I am pretty sure they both know that I would do my best to help them out in any way if they ever need it. I think BD has the most awesome instructional writing staff in the world, and I am available to do anything I can to make it even better (from the sidelines, of course).

 

[purpdrag]

Joey

Several years ago I submitted several article about the mental game to Billiards Digest. They replied to me stating that they already had someone writing articles on the mental game and that if I wanted to to submit articles that dealt with playing the game of pool, to ensure I submit some with diagrams. So I did.

I never heard from them so I sent another e-mail.

The reply I received was similar to the ones that you described.

Eventually, I just gave up. I figured that more people would see my stuff permanantly published on the internet - instead of having it stuffed into a magazine that you can't find on the rack anyway. I figured it was their loss not mine and I haven't looked back.

Like I said to you privately, write your own article to go along with the pictures of this special cue. Submit it to Mike Howerton and have it displayed on this website. From one vet to another vet - I fully understand why this is so important to you. You're a class act in the world of pool and BD (Mason King) should be ashamed of what they have done in this situation.

I'm assuming you are David "Blackjack" Sapolis. A while back I was having particular trouble with my mental game. I found, read, enjoyed, and benefitted from your articles on the mental game on easypooltutor.com. Thanks and good attitude about Billiards Digest.

 

[Blackjack]

I'm assuming you are David "Blackjack" Sapolis. A while back I was having particular trouble with my mental game. I found, read, enjoyed, and benefitted from your articles on the mental game on easypooltutor.com. Thanks and good attitude about Billiards Digest.

Your welcome. As far it goes with me and BD about those articles, it shows that if you give people time to respond and communicate, things do change - especially when you start to listen, which eventually opens your eyes to their perspective. In that situation I learned that no response doesn't mean "We're not interested..." it just means that the other person may be busy with their priorities, not mine. Sometimes that sucks, but if you if you stay open to that communication, eventually other doors will open that you never expected - and it all works out - and in the end everybody wins.

 

[JoeyA]

For quite a few yrs now I've been dealing directly with mfg of billiard tables here in the states and all I've gotten are zero responses of any type or most often broken promises. The billiard industry IMHO from my persepective is in a knee jerk reaction mode. They let it go in one ear and out the other or they patronize you just to put you off. They are almost like kids that have been raised improperly and now as adults are unable to act any other way. Not all of em by any means, but seemingly the larger companies, the ones that can actually make/create change.

I was told countless times that this original POW-MIA cue was something that THEY wanted to publish in Billiards Digest by Mason King. I offered them a chance to back out a couple of times with no hard feelings. Each time, I was assured that they still wanted to publish the cue and case's photos.

This went on for months. My only contact with Billiards Digest was Mason King.

When Mason was with Billiards Digest, he was the face of "Billiards Digest". He's gone and I don't hold Billiards Digest responsible for what Mason failed to do.

While I didn't resurrect this thread, it gave me a chance to express that I don't hold Billiard Digest responsible for what happened. Overall, they are a nice pool magazine as most of you already know.

I've never asked for anyone to boycott the magazine but emotions run high on things like this. I hope everyone will let bygones be bygones and get back to reading a good pool magazine.

JoeyA

 

[JoeyA]

Deadline excuse

A grave injustice? It was a mistake made by someone who is not only human, but also someone who worked on a deadline. If it wasn't a mistake the man still apologized.

You can't use the deadline excuse as and an excuse. Mason had LOTS of time and opportunity to have the original POW-MIA cue put in the magazine. He says it was overlooked but I just can't imagine how with all of the regular consistent email and phone contact that we had over several months.

Mason apologized and now he's no longer associated with Billiards Digest. It's over as far as I'm concerned. Back then, I let it drop because of a post by HangemHigh as I recall. (LOL at that screen name as it relates to this thread). Now, I am just trying to clear the air but it seems like the water continues to muddy despite my attempts to clean it up.

Mason is friends with some AZBers and I guess any mention that associates him with this faux pas, implies that a defense of him is in order?

I'm sure Mason is a fine guy and has done a lot of nice things for a lot of people. He probably did a fine job for Billiards Digest. The magazine always looked rather nice and seemed to have good content. Just because Mason dropped the ball in this particular instance doesn't make him a bad guy.

Maybe this final post can be the final post or maybe there are those who have additional points to be made?

For me, I'm tired of talking about it so hopefully, this will be the end of the thread.

 

[0ne9marine]

Joey, I only know you from here. I don't know Mason from *shinola* but BD has received their last monies from me. I would like to quote too many posts on here to do so but will go back through and give an awful lot of them green.

I would love to see pictures of the cue anyway I can, email, posted, wherever.

You know I don't hold you being a marine against you

rascal,just saw this post. got one thing to say to you,you're more USMC than Navy and don't you ever forget it.

 

[George Fels]

I apologize on behalf of the magazine...

,,,but Mason hasn't been with us for a couple of years now, and it appears your photos just fell through the cracks somehow. For what it's worth, I think you had a fine idea there. GF

 

[manwon]

They made a mistake. They apologized for it. Shit happens lol. Billiards digest is by far the best magazine on pool. I got my first issue of inside pool this year and realized how lucky we are to have such a top notch publication like billiards digest after it took me less then 5 minutes to go through that waste a paper. In 25 years of managing people I've learned there is always two sides of every story and this is no different. There was no malicious attempt to not show your cue or to lie to you but that's the way you make it sound in your original post. I'm always happy to see things that honor our veterans but honestly with your poor me attitude that I read through out this thread I'm kind of glad they went with another cue.

Yes there are always two sides story, and politics can also play a major role in decision making. I have seen this first hand, so to say there was no malice in the decision is pure conjecture on your part.

I have had many dealings with people who manage people without having all the information like it appears you are doing here, and those managers have little concern for the people that they are managing, and little loyalty from those they are in charge of.

As for having a poor attitude I think your's is lacking any tact or compassion for others and I can only imagine how you were viewed by or are viewed by the people who work under you, in fact in the military your style of Leadership could be dangerous for you personally.


JIMO

 

[JoeyA]

,,,but Mason hasn't been with us for a couple of years now, and it appears your photos just fell through the cracks somehow. For what it's worth, I think you had a fine idea there. GF

Thanks for the apology George on behalf of BD. It really wasn't necessary. It's over as far as I'm concerned. I guess Mason must have left about a year after he dropped the ball on this POW-MIA cue. I can only hope that the man didn't lose his job over that.

I'm glad you think it was a fine idea.

I enjoy it when people come up to me to look at the cue and suddenly realize what the design of the cue is all about. I hope the cue makes them think about all of our soldiers and the sacrifices that they make for our country.

JoeyA

 

[Lock N Load]

Hello, Manwon. You said a full mouthful! Period!

Yes there are always two sides story, and politics can also play a major role in decision making. I have seen this first hand, so to say there was no malice in the decision is pure conjecture on your part.

I have had many dealings with people who manage people without having all the information like it appears you are doing here, and those managers have little concern for the people that they are managing, and little loyalty form those they are in charge of.

As for having a poor attitude I think your's is lacking any tact or compassion for others and I can only imagine how you were viewed by or are viewed by the people who work under you, in fact in the military your style of Leadership could be dangerous for you personally.


JIMO

I do not have to say anything at all! Man oh, man you really do write a bad post or reply, meaning good, of course! I can't say any more than you have said. You handle your business Great! Thanks for your input and response!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[lorider]

Yes there are always two sides story, and politics can also play a major role in decision making. I have seen this first hand, so to say there was no malice in the decision is pure conjecture on your part.

I have had many dealings with people who manage people without having all the information like it appears you are doing here, and those managers have little concern for the people that they are managing, and little loyalty form those they are in charge of.

As for having a poor attitude I think your's is lacking any tact or compassion for others and I can only imagine how you were viewed by or are viewed by the people who work under you, in fact in the military your style of Leadership could be dangerous for you personally.


JIMO

tap tap tap. you hit it right on the money.

 

[macguy]

About three years ago I asked Mike Bender of Delta Junction Alaska to build me a cue using the POW-MIA logo and military ribbon to honor all of our soldiers and to remember the POW's and MIA soldiers. I had thought for several years how I could honor all of our soldiers in my small world that I live in and realized that I could share my passion for pool and the remembrances of the POW's and MIA's through a unique cue design honoring all of our soldiers. As a Vietnam veteran, who is only here by the grace of God, or tragic twist of fate, it was the least I could do. I first discussed this idea with Joe Ezell (a cuemaker in his own right and a friend) just after the start of the new millenium.

At that time, I had already owned a couple of Bender cues and after I realized the extent to which Mike Bender and Tracey Dunham go with their cues, I knew they were the ones to build it.

The cue took quite some time to build (three years) and some of you who have met me, have seen the cue. I play with it in all of the tournaments I compete in.

When it was completed at the beginning of 2007, I decided to have a professional photographer take pictures of it, along with the matching case that Jack Justis built.

To say that I'm happy with the cue and case is an understatement and I thank both Jack, Mike and Tracey for building this memorial of a cue/case.

I thought I would share the pictures of the cue to my world by asking one of the billiard magazines if they would be interested in publishing pictures of it.

I went straight to the managing editor of Billiards Digest and asked him if Billiards Digest would be interested. Mason King, the managing editor said that he and Billiard Digest were VERY INTERESTED in publishing pictures of our cue and that it could easily be worked into their WAND WORKSHOP, which is a part of their magazine where they showcase cues of special proportions. On May 21, 2007, after Mason King reviewed my pictures he emailed me and said that he thought they could definitely find room in the next issue of Billiard Digest to showcase the cue in their WAND WORKSHOP section. Each month that passed, I would either call Mason or send him an email inquiring politely as always, as to the status of the publishing of my cue. Each and every time Mason King responded that they were defintely interested in publishing the POW-MIA CUE that I designed with Mike Bender and Tracey Dunham.

It seemed strange that each month there were no pictures of my POW-MIA cue in the magazine and so I would check in just to make sure they were still interested in publishing pictures of my one of a kind cue. Mason assured me each and every time that they were definitely still interested and once even remarked that their business was really good and that they couldn't squeeze it in at the moment but would do so surely in the very near future, maybe the next issue.

Never once did I show any anger or animosity for the procrastination. Afterall, I am in business and understand that making a profit comes before any philanthropic or civic efforts can be made by any business who cares about remaining in business.

Even as recent as the end of 2007, actually December 27, 2007, I received an email from Mason assuring me that there was a very good chance that it would make the next month's issue in the WING SHOT/WAND WORKSHOP. That would have been February's issue..

Each month I would keep my fingers crossed hoping for the best, when lo and behold in March's issue there it is, the POW-MIA cue, just not my cue. It was someone else's POW-MIA cue.

It shocked me to see that Billiards Digest had slipped in someone else's POW-MIA cue in place of mine and I called to ask them to destroy all of my high resolution photos.

I am glad that our soliders got some of the recognition for the sacrifices that they all make and hope that the POW's and MIA's will never be forgotten.

It is unfortunate that after all of the assurances I received that the managing editor chose to change his mind without even telling me.

If Mason had been honest with me and told me that they weren't interested, I could easily have asked another billiard magazine if they would like to publish pictures of the cue.

Since I heard only assurances that my POW-MIA pool cue would be published in Billiard Digest, I could not in good conscience ask another pool magazine if they would be interested in publishing the pictures regardless of the delay.

I think Billiards Digest and Mason King did a deep injustice to me, Mike Bender and Tracey Dunham.

I cannot fathom how I could ever renew my subscription to their magazine.

It bothers me greatly when people do not keep their word to me. I make every effort to keep my word. If circumstances change that prevent me from keeping a committment I will make every effort to at least inform those affected as to what those changes are and why.

The way that Mason King & Billiards Digest have deceived me, disgusts me and makes me very angry.

JoeyA

I would like to see the cue myself. I think you are giving too much importance to the mag. Even if your cue was in there how many people really would have seen it. I would suggest you set up a website dedicated to the cue and it's story. Over time it would be viewed by tens of thousands of people if not millions. Websites have a lot more shelf life then a one month issue of some obscure magazine that hardly anyone reads. Do it right and do it forever as your legacy to this issue. You may be surprised the attention you may be able to attract.

 

[lorider]

I would like to see the cue myself. I think you are giving too much importance to the mag. Even if your cue was in there how many people really would have seen it. I would suggest you set up a website dedicated to the cue and it's story. Over time it would be viewed by tens of thousands of people if not millions. Websites have a lot more shelf life then a one month issue of some obscure magazine that hardly anyone reads. Do it right and do it forever as your legacy to this issue. You may be surprised the attention you may be able to attract.

i 2nd this. great idea

 

[Mike_S]

I would like to see the cue myself. I think you are giving too much importance to the mag. Even if your cue was in there how many people really would have seen it. I would suggest you set up a website dedicated to the cue and it's story. Over time it would be viewed by tens of thousands of people if not millions. Websites have a lot more shelf life then a one month issue of some obscure magazine that hardly anyone reads. Do it right and do it forever as your legacy to this issue. You may be surprised the attention you may be able to attract.

i 2nd this. great idea

Since you both asked so nicely...


You can see the pictures at: http://immediateeffects.com/youarenotforgotten/

 

[Eric.]

I'm kinda astounded by the original post.

I've worked with Mason King; he has used a submission from a group I'm part of, on another forum. I've never had any issues with my experience. I've also liked talking to Mason on a personal level, he's a good guy to talk to.

I wonder if the issue JoeyA is having is from an unfamiliarity with media and how the industry works. My experience with media is that when they are looking for "guest submissions" or "guest content", generally, it is an informal process. There usually isn't any contracts and both parties agree to a "handshake" on working together. That said, there are usually no concrete promises by either side. There is nothing that is etched in stone nor is any party entitled to much. In reality, stuff happens and "guests" get canceled/rescheduled/moved around all the time. It's just the nature of the beast.

That said, I feel the original post is not very flattering. It drips with egotistical sour grapes and bitterness.


Eric