Look for the Curb Life Motel. Its really out doorsy and the scenery is decent.
The document of our pool related road trip across the U.S. updated daily
- Thread starter Rhea
- Start date
Look for the Curb Life Motel. Its really out doorsy and the scenery is decent.
Rhea's living a life we can only dream about: No car, no cell phone, no computer nor a permanent roof over her head. I won't ask if she has health insurance for the times when she might actually need to use it. But now she can play pool and gamble to her heart's content...until the bankroll is all gone. If Rhea needs some medical attention, she can just go to the ER, like her "mentor" does.
According to JB, Rhea might meet her future millionaire hubby/backer in a diner, whereupon she'll live happily after ever. Who's to say it can't happen, right JB?
I don't think Rhea is looking for a hubby.
So we departed from Eau Claire at 8:15 AM and didn't arrive in WI Rapids until 10:35 AM. On our way there Jeff called the bar and told them we were on the way there to play in the tournament. The person at the bar who answered the phone said no problem and that the tourney didn't start until 11am.
We got there and the Tournament Director had already begun the tournament at 10 AM sharp as was the info on the flyer. We explained that we had called the bar and he acted like the bar gave us false info and said he will remove the bars number from the flyer for his future tournaments.
Anyway we were stuck there already spending travel time and gasoline so we decided to make the best of it. We went to McDonald's and ordered a few items from their dollar menu, went back to the bar and there was Kelly. Kelly is a Master player by Wisconsin standards, that equates to a high A or low AA player in comparison to the men. Her team ended up losing their 2nd match but stuck it out and played until they reached the same team that put them in the losers bracket at the end. And Kelly's team double dipped them for the 1st prize.
I ended up playing Kelly some 8 ball at the bar. I didn't play very well at first and ended up losing $25.
Jeff & I both signed up for the singles tournament they had only 12 players for that tournament 8 ball best 2 out of 3 double elimination Valley rules.
I ended up winning 3rd, Jeff won 2nd, and a master player ended up taking 1st.
After the tournament Jeff & I headed to Johnny's bar where they had 2 nice diamond 7ft tables in excellent condition, we got the establishment to open the tables.
I played Kelly on one of them and Jeff played her husband on the other one.
Kelly is by far the best female I have gambled with so far to date. She quickly beat me the first 2 races to 7 for $25 each in 9 ball. Later that night the tables turned I was in pure stroke running racks. I ended up winning the next 3 sets just before the bar closed to call it a night.
When I was finished Kelly said to me that there is no way I am still a B player, that I would be considered a Master player by Wisconsin and Minnesota standards among the women and a strong A player among the men.
Today I played Chief. Races to 8 for $50 a set 9 ball on a 7ft pro-cut diamond. I lost the first set, won the 2nd and 3rd set hill-hill, lost the 4th set, and won the 5th set hill-hill. Ended up $50 winner for today but it was a fun day playing pool with a great player from Altoona.
NYC cue dude
Banned
Speaking of pool, where is Gene? Is he in Wisconsin?
Yes Gene is in Wisconsin.
Hi Rhea;
It's been enjoyable reading your thread regarding the road trip with all of the ups, downs, who you met and how you and gene did.
I have only been able to keep up loosely lately and was wondering about a couple of things you might be able to catche me (us) up on. And forgive me if it's been discussed here already but as I said, been unable to read it all.
thought I saw in a post a little while back that Gene was done with pool, which was surprising to read since pool seems to make up so much of his life. I don't recall reading a reason why, however. Maybe it's to do with his mom's passing? maybe I got it completely wrong and he isn't finished with pool?
the other question I have is to do with the dissolution of yours and gene's road partnership?
what happened?
again, sorry if these were already covered.
best,
brian kc
Last edited:
Wasn't he shooting in the East Coast 9 Ball Championship this weekend? He was shown in the bracket on Saturday...
Gene is still mourning the loss of his mother. Don't know when or if he will play pool again. In 2 days I get on a Grayhound bus heading to Tulsa, OK to be on the road alone.
It is scary for me, I am no where near ready but it is what it is.. I plan to live in Midwest City OK for a month in a motel, grinding it out at all the local bars and pool rooms. Then by Feb 1st I plan to arrive in Arlington TX to play in the OB Cues Tour.
Fortunately for me they have a 24/7 pool room, I plan to purchase 1 week at an extended stay motel and try to grind out at least food cost and weekly motel cost per week and just keep doing it indefinitely.
NYC cue dude
Banned
That's why I asked, but, it also showed his first loss as 9-0 and loser bracket loss at 7-0, so they may have been forfeits (meaning he paid but didn't play)
There was no entry fee all 64 players were the first place winners of each of the 64 qualifier tournaments they had in that tri-state area.
Since this was a closed event to only those that qualified and the prize money was so huge they probably had no choice but to list him on the bracket. They probably had no idea anyone would forfeit the opportunity to win $10,000.00 for first place.
Gene was without a doubt in the top 10% of the entire field. It was the only reason I had planned to stay on the east coast after the U.S. Open.
If you are going it alone as you say you are, maybe, you should have a plan in place where every week you have to make contact with a certain person. Doesn't matter who, just someone. That way if something did happen someone would start the search for you. Being on the road alone can not be safe.
I am on facebook every day or 2 as Perfectaimgirl
Ok...so I need to ask before someone else does.....
The story behind the kissing pic? PG13 please or else I will have to put on my Earl Muffs.
Attachments
I have a match today with Kelly Birmingham Nickl a Master player from Wisconsin. She & I will be playing even at 4PM at Lefty's. I believe the tables are valley barbox. I am trying to convince her to play a headset rather than playing races to 7. I believe since the fuel cost will be $40 and the table time is going to be high that we should freeze up at least $200 to make it worthwhile.
I believe she is going to try to get the match live-streamed.
I suggested to her that we play a 10 ahead headset for $200 and if for some reason neither of us get to 10 ahead before the close of the bar that we can just pro-rate the racks @ $20 per rack.
Anyway I just bought a Go Phone so I will have some form of communication when I go on the road by myself tomorrow.
I believe she is going to try to get the match live-streamed.
I suggested to her that we play a 10 ahead headset for $200 and if for some reason neither of us get to 10 ahead before the close of the bar that we can just pro-rate the racks @ $20 per rack.
Anyway I just bought a Go Phone so I will have some form of communication when I go on the road by myself tomorrow.
a point of clarification:
a couple of pages ago I posted a picture of a train off the tracks laying on it's side with me providing no explanation.
just figured I should clarify that I wasn't inferring either this thread, or you, rhea, were a train wreck.
I was trying to send a message to the guys who were bickering that they were derailing your thread.
certainly could have been taken two ways.
gl on your trip to OK.
best,
brian kc
a couple of pages ago I posted a picture of a train off the tracks laying on it's side with me providing no explanation.
just figured I should clarify that I wasn't inferring either this thread, or you, rhea, were a train wreck.
I was trying to send a message to the guys who were bickering that they were derailing your thread.
certainly could have been taken two ways.
gl on your trip to OK.
best,
brian kc
Let us know if it is streamed I would like to watch it.
Tip from Ken.
In the summer go North, in the Winter go South.
You are messed up ....
Best of rolls,
Ken
Lol sorry KK9...Alyssa Milano (and even Eliza Dushku) have that affect on people. I was due for some Avatar spicyness on a Tuesday.
When Pinky said she switched sides, she meant which side of the bed. Keep up brother. :grin-square:
Anywho, back to the thread. I hope Gene gets back on his feet safe and sound. It will be interesting to see how well Rhea responds to being on the road on her own. It's a lonely, difficult trail. Thanks Rhea for sharing your trials and tribulations. I hope you keep putting your stuff on the streets and wish you the best. If you "make it" alone, I'll be happily surprised and proud of you. Kick ass girl! :thumbup: