All I am going to say is WOW. I pursue trying to make a positive impact and the result is a negative shift in what was previously a positive thread.
1. I have been a student of this game for more than a decade, actually about 17 yrs. I am not "great" but I understand well enough to help those who have gotten stuck in their personal ascent.
2. As Scott indicated it is not easy. There is a time commitment above and beyond that which is required to learn how to become a teacher and provide others with the benefit of pool knowledge that I have discussed via phone with Mr Lee. Anyone can rambunctiously teach, but how do you KNOW the method is appropriate?
3. There is a "not to be ignored" financial investment to be fortunate enough to have such diligent education and training. I have had many people ask me to teach them to be better. I decided before I went down that road, i wanted some formal training myself other than the books, observation, and "on the table" experience.
4. This is probably the most important point I will make. I am a good player, respected in this area and also where I began playing pool. I have never been the best but well respected nonetheless. Wanting to be the best is one thing, but that is not my objective. I have a career and do not have the time to become a "champion" but i can share my years of knowledge with the refinement of an experienced and world re-known instructor. If you look through beginning of the thread, my concern has not nor will ever be about my own game. My concern was precisely this: Is what you see evidence that I can translate what I do to other players looking to improve. I already know the answer in my own heart but I was looking for some professional affirmation.
I am disappointed in anyone over looking these very simple points. Think about this one variable. An adult can achieve a high school education general equivalence diploma by taking a 6 hour test, evading 4 years of learning. They must have however learned that material somewhere. I don't agree with the GED program but the US government does. I am quite happy with my BSMET from Purdue and my 10 year career as a manufacturing engineer. I believe that by the end of the weekend my 17 years of billiard exposure, studying, and development will be worthy of membership into the PBIA>
To Mr. Scott Lee:
I apologize for the direction of this thread. I have truly been amazed at the change in tone in this thread. I regret posting anything and will refrain from future posts. It is quite obviosu that there is not total community interest to improve the game development for all who are interested without creating some level of drama. I hope you have a safe trip!
boyersj:
First, don't let what happened here have any influence on your posting behaviors. You have a mind, and should be allowed to speak it.
Second, let's understand what happened here. Your thread was going great, everything was positive, until a certain poster -- "ENGLISH" -- questioned the methodology of 1.) going to an instructor for help, and 2.) getting your own certification in the process. It was very obvious that -- and you probably don't know this because you most likely weren't here to know the history
(and he himself hints at this when he talks about "healing" from threads from 6 months ago) -- ENGLISH was once again questioning the value of "certification" and of the value/integrity of pool instruction/instructors themselves. He'll of course frame it otherwise, but those that have been reading here for a while are aware of the history.
No matter, I replied to the point, offered examples of why this line of thinking was wrong, and to make my point, I used a bit of ENGLISH's own logic against him (i.e. the 46 years thing -- no need to get into that here). The post wasn't disrespectful at all --
pointed, yes, but not disrespectful. Using someone's own debating technique and stance against him/her is, itself, a debating technique, and you see it everyday on public forums.
And that's where things went awry. When I'd had enough of doing the subsequent "red pill" thing with him, I wiped my hands and called it quits. What you saw next, after I'd extracted myself, was his attempt to twist things around onto me, as if the whole thing was my fault, and he was merely an "innocent bystander," "trying to help," batting his "innocent" eyes. Anyone who's paying any level of attention can see right through this charade.
Again, don't let something like this yellow your enthusiasm for what you're about to go through (i.e. the class and certification), nor let it affect your enthusiasm for posting here. I think Scott Lee and others here will tell you the same thing. Sure, there are certain "personalities" here (of which I'm one), and there are certain "hot buttons" for these personalities. You'll learn those as you go along here.
Oh, and another thing -- some of us have "fan clubs" (read: anti-fans), and you'll get to know those relationships as well.
I applaud you for what you're about to go through, and I wish you the greatest success and fulfillment in the whole thing. Do let us know how it goes when the process is complete!
Warmest,
-Sean
). See you in a few days...and I sincerely hope you do post your observations and opinions on this weekend (positive and negative). It is through communication that we make ourselves better teachers. Teachers also have the highest rate of retention, as we are continually demonstrating the information conveyed. One of the most important aspects of a good teacher is leaving the student with a way to identify and correct errors, and a way to measure results. The workings of the human brain dictate that we will forget 50% of what we learn today, by TOMORROW, if we don't have a way to review the information.
:grin-square: Just kiddin' ya Shaky! 