On The Road Again with Perfect Aim....

[JoeyA]

No name change needed.

The problem in changing the name is that I think Gene has already "forged" the name, PERFECT AIM. Gene has already established his brand and changing that NAME would require a major marketing effort that would not justify the improved DVD sales (IF ANY)
The name PERFECT AIM has been established already to a GREAT EXTENT. Pool is a small, sub-culture and will most likely remain so and Gene is connected to PERFECT AIM for life.

Personally speaking as far as earnings are concerned and product sales are concerned, I think Gene's full (in person) lesson of PERFECT AIM is the more effective way for him to profit and not DVD sales. In most pool DVD sales, a lot of what is attempted to be communicated, is sometimes not made completely clear and that creates a whisper of discontent sometimes bellowed and that creates more confusion to prospective buyers.

Gene likes to travel and while the FULL in person lesson costs more than a simple DVD, you get what you pay for. I think GENE is a better instructor of PERFECT AIM than he is a DVD creator. Also, DVD's are often re-sold at discounted prices, further depressing the creator's earning potential.

The Full in person Perfect Aim lesson is FAR MORE VALUABLE than any DVD sale for the consumer.

On top of all of this GENE is a TOP, TOP PLAYER, with the ability to answer practically any student's questions and guide that student to improved play by quality one-on-one instruction.


JMO.

JoeyA

Chef Jeff has been in marketing for 34 years & I've been in advertising sales off & on for quite a few years myself.

I don't think anyone is actually saying that Gene should change the name because it's not 'perfect' & I don't think anyone is demanding anything.

It's about increasing Gene's DVD sales. There is a perception of the buying public that if something is overstated there must be something wrong with it. It's not about common sense or anything like that.

It's even been shown that people buy more often if there are sevens in the price. Like even $9.77 vs $9.49 or $977.77 vjust s $950.99

In the old days, people did not trust men wearing brown & many today still do not trust those with beards.

The title Perfect Aim implies that it is just another aiming system or method, which it is certainly not & that requires & wastes much time explaining that.

If a better name that more appropriately fits what it actually is can be found then it would most probably increase Gene's sales.

I think that was the intended point.

Best to ALL,
Rick

 

[chefjeff]

begin NPR
I am only writing this because using the word 'dishonest' to describe anything about Gene's Perfect Aim instruction is, well, dishonest. Perfect Aim is just a name, not a claim. "Perfect" as a verb means "to make (something) completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible.".

See the wiggle room in the word 'perfect'?

When I say 'that was a perfectly good shirt, as my wife totes it off to Goodwill, she and I both know I was not taking about true perfection. When I work on perfecting my aim, I know there's room for improvement. When I make a perfect pool shot, only an expert slo-mo camera can tell if it is perfect.

Perfect does not equate to perfection, the unattainable quantity - at least not in this age of advertising and marketing.
(snip).

I think words mean specific things because words DO mean specific things.

I'm trying to help. Under promise and over deliver is a better strategy, imho.

Jeff Livingston

 

[ENGLISH!]

The problem in changing the name is that I think Gene has already "forged" the name, PERFECT AIM. Gene has already established his brand and changing that NAME would require a major marketing effort that would not justify the improved DVD sales (IF ANY)
The name PERFECT AIM has been established already to a GREAT EXTENT. Pool is a small, sub-culture and will most likely remain so and Gene is connected to PERFECT AIM for life.

Personally speaking as far as earnings are concerned and product sales are concerned, I think Gene's full (in person) lesson of PERFECT AIM is the more effective way for him to profit and not DVD sales. In most pool DVD sales, a lot of what is attempted to be communicated, is sometimes not made completely clear and that creates a whisper of discontent sometimes bellowed and that creates more confusion to prospective buyers.

Gene likes to travel and while the FULL in person lesson costs more than a simple DVD, you get what you pay for. I think GENE is a better instructor of PERFECT AIM than he is a DVD creator. Also, DVD's are often re-sold at discounted prices, further depressing the creator's earning potential.

The Full in person Perfect Aim lesson is FAR MORE VALUABLE than any DVD sale for the consumer.

On top of all of this GENE is a TOP, TOP PLAYER, with the ability to answer practically any student's questions and guide that student to improved play by quality one-on-one instruction.


JMO.

JoeyA

Hi Joey,

I agree with everything you say regarding the Gene in person vs the DVD. But...

Due to Gene's health issues he may not be able to travel & teach forever & God forbid that that happens anytime soon the DVD's may be of more importance at a point down the line, not only to Gene but to anyone that will want to learn from Gene's work.

I just think a better descriptive name to disassociate it from an actual aiming system would be beneficial in the long run.

There is the phrase 'Formerly Known as Perfect Aim'. That could be attached.

Best to Y'a,
Rick

PS Did you see the PM from me regarding another subject? I would like your opinion ion that subject.

 

[genomachino]

I have 6 years invested in the name Perfect Aim

Gene, keep the name the same. Just because someone wants to nit pick the name means nothing. It's your system and your name, don't bow down to the critics . Anyone with any common sense knows it's a NAME not a description. If you change the name then EVERYONE with the Perfect in included in the name of their product should change theirs too. It's completely ridiculous to even consider it. You'll lose more than just a name if you bow down to this

JoeyA made the same point.

When I do the video downloads, that will start sometime in the near future, it will stay Perfect Aim but have different sub titles.

When a player is moving that dominant eye into the most correct position they are actually moving over that Perfect position with the dominant eye.

Striving to get there is what this technique allows you to do.

I can only show a player how to find this Perfect position, but it's up to them once they know to get and stay as close as possible to this manually attainable position.

By now players everywhere know that this works. It's just too bad they don't know how well it works unless they have had the personal lesson or bought the video and called for the free phone lesson with it.

It's going to be fun to do these small downloads teaching players one step at a time starting with really finding the correct dominant eye when you aim a pool shot.

Some will be free and some will be a small charge.

It is looking like I will be here in Wisconsin rehabbing a little longer than I thought. The good news is it will give me time to get a bunch of these done. Right now I'm not quite in good enough shape to do them but it won't be long.

I spend 2 hours at the YMCA each day working real hard. Steam room, hot tub, riding the bike and walking on the track for a mile. Then I top it off with working out a couple of body parts with light weight but allot of reps.

This YMCA is the same one that I used to work out at back in the day when I used to play on the road back in the 70's 80's and 90's.

I feel like I'm making a Rocky movie without a camera only I'm starting out from scratch almost.

Perfect Aim is here to stay and looks like it will be around for a long time. The more players that learn it the more popular it will become.

The players that suggested changing the name have some good points but I just have too much time invested in the name for now.

Thanks everyone both ways.

Have a Happy New Year and drive safe.

 

[ShootingArts]

off topic two phantom pages!

Been dealing with the one phantom page issue for awhile now, now this thread has two phantom pages at the end of it. Getting ridiculous.

Anybody else?

Hu

 

[Texdance]

I like the name Perfect Aim. I hope it does not get changed.

To me, it is a very good name for the website and for the instruction set.

Yep, it's just perfect.

:thumbup:

 

[genomachino]

The name will stay the same pretty much...

I like the name Perfect Aim. I hope it does not get changed.

To me, it is a very good name for the website and for the instruction set.

Yep, it's just perfect.

:thumbup:

It will just get modified.........

The Perfect Aim will turn into something like.

P.A.A.S.S...............

Perfect Aim, Alignment, Stance and Stroke.

There are a whole bunch of other goodies involved with Perfect Aim but for the most part this is not an aiming system but a complete and total pool shooting system.

Once the dominant eye is identified correctly the body can be manually positioned in the preshot so the Alignment, stance and stroke can just happen more naturally.

We're starting to video tape small segments of what I teach. Hardly any of these things are taught by other teachers. The secret is to just show the stuff that works. There will be other info that we will work on also. Some is already common knowledge among top players but for many other players it's hard to tell who knows these things and who doesn't. The secret is I want to just teach things that I know work for everyone and is easy to understand.

So much of the things I see about pool as far as info is really junk. It confuses real people that are trying to get better. I had a teacher try to give me some help as far as the stroke and stance about 2 years ago. it was really a joke. To someone not in the know it might have sounded pretty good but it sure wouldn't help their game much. Then I saw him play. he thought it was the way it was because he learned this from someone he thought really knew. He couldn't even apply what he was teaching and make it work.

I really get frustrated when other teachers criticize me by saying just because he can play doesn't mean he can teach. What a stupid statement. Actually retarded. Many of the good players out there really can't teach and don't have a real clue how or why what they do works, but to put me in that category is pretty reckless to say the least.

I have the most valuable info a pool player at any level could learn and other teachers try to discredit what I teach without even understanding what it is in the least.

I quit putting Perfect aim in the aiming section on AZ's site a long time ago. it just doesn't fit in. it's in a category all by itself. Yet it does do something that nothing else does in the world. It gives a player, no matter what level the ability is, to get the correct picture to the brain.

I'm going to be doing allot of free stuff on Utube. maybe I can get a following on there and players will realize that what I'm teaching is just things that work for everyone.

I apply these things in my own game and teach them every week. If something doesn't work I don't teach it. That includes about half the stuff for sure on utube now.

Just have to play it by ear. I don't know how many years I got to help players and teach. These 3 surgeries I had in about 5 months just about did me in. My life energy was pretty low and I almost felt as though I was giving up.

I'm now working out about 2 to 3 hours a day at theYMCA and feeling better everyday. The Cyst in my throat is growing back I'm afraid so my throat is getting pretty big again. No cancer I'm sure like the last surgery but it's getting bigger just the same. When it's on the thyroid it messes with your health pretty big time. I'll have to get that taken care of for sure.

The good news is I will have some time to do some of these clips.

I'm even going to try and play in a fairly big tourney in Minnesota this next weekend. 8 ball and 9 ball. $75 entry for each one. With some of the best players around.

Sometimes I feel that I have to show how well this works by still playing at a higher level even though I'm 62 just about.

I'm done with my rant and as you can see I'm ready for a fight. Getting that swagger back and I'm going to knock allot of players out of a great tourney this weekend.

Anyway. Just want to let everyone know I'm not letting any dust settle on my cue or pool table.

Got 5 days to get ready.

 

[PoolBoy1]

Absolutely pool is a fast learning curve. I Ghost taught a few friends. Once they have that concept down it's time to work on form. Like golf, stance and head position is everything. Assuming there's a decent bridge and thought process. Every hall should have a 7ft table. Easy to learn on. Or cut a large table in half for learners. Gives more early confidence.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Go Get'em Gene.

What if anything are you doing for your throat & is it in an any way like a bile or acid build up?

Best 2 Y'a,
Rick

PS To The Readers, I would highly recommend what Gene teaches.

 

[The8reader]

awesome

Glad to hear u will be back to teaching.. ive been getting more time on the table.. really stepped up my game. Would like to get another lesson in thats for sure.. this time I should beable to keep up haha. Let me know if you find ur self in fargo area. We got two pool halls now. Both very nice. Hope all works out for u.

 

[genomachino]

Glad to hear you playing well.......

Glad to hear u will be back to teaching.. ive been getting more time on the table.. really stepped up my game. Would like to get another lesson in thats for sure.. this time I should beable to keep up haha. Let me know if you find ur self in fargo area. We got two pool halls now. Both very nice. Hope all works out for u.

That is a good idea. I have a few players that have done 2 or even 3 lessons. Each time we review what they were taught originally only to find they had drifted away from some of the things that helped them play so much better initially.

Then I always add on some other things that work well for me. Some of the tings I don't see many teachers teaching and I don't really know why.

Fargo is a great pool town and someday I would like to go over there. Once healed up I can maybe try to win one of their great tournys that they hold.

This weekend I'm heading to one of the most prestigious tournaments held every year in Faribault, Mn at the KC Club. Seco Veroni has kept this going for about 40 years now and the main man, Rich Aerdt runs it every year and does a great job.

8 ball one day and 9 ball the next. Non of this pussy alternating breaks either. Winner breaks. So if you want to have a chance in this you need to learn the most important part of the game which is the break.

$75 entry for each tourney with a great Calcutta. Limit to 32 players and is always filled up 3 months ahead of time. Felix Beardy came down from Canada last year and brought some of his buddies with him. They never even got close to the finals. These guys in MN can all play with the best.

I've been going to the YMCA and working out hard to try and get n shape for this but it looks like it's going to be pretty tough this year. Don't know if I can make it through one tourney let alone 2 in 2 days. I'm thinking about telling them to not put me in the Calcutta because I feel bad for someone buying damaged goods like myself.

I took 1st in this last year and 2nd in the other. The year before that I took a 1st and a fourth. So there will be some of the local players that will bid me up in the Calcutta not knowing my physical shape. I probably won't even buy half of myself just because I know how tough this is going to be. 7 weeks into my new knee it still feels pretty rough. The other one I had surgery on a month before that. You need your legs to play good pool. I'll get there but this is a little early to say the least as far as pulling this one out.

I'm just glad I can compete in such a great traditional event.

With entry fees, motel, gas and Calcutta last year I had $800 invested before I hit a ball. If I cut out the Calcutta I will save about $300. Last year I went for about $300 in each tourney.

But nobody should ever count me out. Each and every player that I play will know they were in for a fight.

Glad to hear your playing good and I will try to make it to the first big tourney they have in Fargo if I'm not back on the road traveling and teaching around the country.

Keep knockin those balls in. .

 

[genomachino]

Getting closer to getting there.........

I played a week ago in the Jacoby Open in Nekoosa, Wi. Race to 6 8 ball.

The tournament and Calcutta netted me about 1400.

I played the team event with Brandon Jacoby and a friend of his, dave but I really felt I let them down. Didn't get out on a real easy out to win our first match against a great team from Madison.




Waited all day to play the finals of the singles 8 ball. Had to fit it into the team tournament. waited and waited all day. I fell asleep once sitting up. felt drained and thought, Oh Boy, but as soon as the bell went off I went in to full speed ahead mode. I was surprised. I'm so used to the knee pain wearing me out before. I still had pain but not like before the replacement.

I knew I couldn't drive far. Totally exhausted so I got another room.

Went back the next day and worked with some of the kids at the Junior National Qualifier that the Jacoby Cue held on Sunday.

What a great way to help build pool. Dave and Brandon Jacoby and everyone else involved are doing so many good things promote pool. it's really great to be there and see it first hand.

Came back to Eau Claire but could hardly walk on Monday. Went to the doc and he told me I needed to take it easy. He said your still healing. I guess that's why it gets hurting pretty good.

Back to the YMCA on Tuesday to work out.

Then Donivans Vending in Eau Claire, Wi was having a pool player appreciation tourney this Thursday starting with a scotch doubles. Me and my partner Mike won the darn thing.

Then they had a 9 ball tourney starting the next day and I won that.

Then the 8 ball started Friday night. 64 players. Handicap tournament.

B's go to 3
A's go to 4
AA go to 5
Masters go to 6.

great format but tough to win. it makes every player a champion. Everyone can run out a rack of 8 ball if the other guy doesn't get out.

I ended up winning that.

There was no Calcutta for any of these with the biggest added money going into the team event. $1000 added.

I couldn't play in the team. I knew better after last weekend. I'm sitting here right now with ice on my leg. Very little sleep again for 2 nights really makes it hard on the leg.

But something pretty cool happened during this last tournament on the first day. I learned how to use the balance on my right leg to really set up my body so much better and get my dominant eye in the right position. I was really wobbly before but didn't know how much until now.

I'm real excited about this because I can teach this to everyone I work with. This technique is really going to help so many players.

20 years ago before I wrecked this right knew I used to do this. Now once again after the knee replacement this is possible and makes my stance, alignment and eyes get in the correct position even easier.

I wish I could teach this to everyone that I taught Perfect Aim to. In fact if someone reads this that has had a lesson from me or bought the DVD I will take the time to help you learn this simple little technique. It will just take minutes.

Next week I am thinking about playing in the WPBA in Oconomowoc, Wi.

I think it is 10 ball and 8 ball. If I do I will take the motorhome. should be fun.

From here on out it should get better and better and it's fun getting the game back.

I didn't know how much I missed having a solid right knee until this new one started feeling better.

I might be almost 62 but look out when you play this old guy. I might just send you home.

But the main thing is I want to be able to do 3 lessons a day if there is enough players to teach.

Still at one a day just like the vitamin.

One day at a time.

Thanks for the support everyone. You've all been great..........

 

[ENGLISH!]

I played a week ago in the Jacoby Open in Nekoosa, Wi. Race to 6 8 ball.

The tournament and Calcutta netted me about 1400.

I played the team event with Brandon Jacoby and a friend of his, dave but I really felt I let them down. Didn't get out on a real easy out to win our first match against a great team from Madison.




Waited all day to play the finals of the singles 8 ball. Had to fit it into the team tournament. waited and waited all day. I fell asleep once sitting up. felt drained and thought, Oh Boy, but as soon as the bell went off I went in to full speed ahead mode. I was surprised. I'm so used to the knee pain wearing me out before. I still had pain but not like before the replacement.

I knew I couldn't drive far. Totally exhausted so I got another room.

Went back the next day and worked with some of the kids at the Junior National Qualifier that the Jacoby Cue held on Sunday.

What a great way to help build pool. Dave and Brandon Jacoby and everyone else involved are doing so many good things promote pool. it's really great to be there and see it first hand.

Came back to Eau Claire but could hardly walk on Monday. Went to the doc and he told me I needed to take it easy. He said your still healing. I guess that's why it gets hurting pretty good.

Back to the YMCA on Tuesday to work out.

Then Donivans Vending in Eau Claire, Wi was having a pool player appreciation tourney this Thursday starting with a scotch doubles. Me and my partner Mike won the darn thing.

Then they had a 9 ball tourney starting the next day and I won that.

Then the 8 ball started Friday night. 64 players. Handicap tournament.

B's go to 3
A's go to 4
AA go to 5
Masters go to 6.

great format but tough to win. it makes every player a champion. Everyone can run out a rack of 8 ball if the other guy doesn't get out.

I ended up winning that.

There was no Calcutta for any of these with the biggest added money going into the team event. $1000 added.

I couldn't play in the team. I knew better after last weekend. I'm sitting here right now with ice on my leg. Very little sleep again for 2 nights really makes it hard on the leg.

But something pretty cool happened during this last tournament on the first day. I learned how to use the balance on my right leg to really set up my body so much better and get my dominant eye in the right position. I was really wobbly before but didn't know how much until now.

I'm real excited about this because I can teach this to everyone I work with. This technique is really going to help so many players.

20 years ago before I wrecked this right knew I used to do this. Now once again after the knee replacement this is possible and makes my stance, alignment and eyes get in the correct position even easier.

I wish I could teach this to everyone that I taught Perfect Aim to. In fact if someone reads this that has had a lesson from me or bought the DVD I will take the time to help you learn this simple little technique. It will just take minutes.

Next week I am thinking about playing in the WPBA in Oconomowoc, Wi.

I think it is 10 ball and 8 ball. If I do I will take the motorhome. should be fun.

From here on out it should get better and better and it's fun getting the game back.

I didn't know how much I missed having a solid right knee until this new one started feeling better.

I might be almost 62 but look out when you play this old guy. I might just send you home.

But the main thing is I want to be able to do 3 lessons a day if there is enough players to teach.

Still at one a day just like the vitamin.

One day at a time.

Thanks for the support everyone. You've all been great..........

Hi Gene,

I'm glad to hear you're back hitting them strong.

My wife just had a knee replacement Monday. She's doing fine.

I'm still working on my consistency going down looking at the right ball. I sort of revert back a bit when I get going. I see it & want to get down & shoot so I rush my look at the cue ball. Not often, but once in a while after I get on a good roll. It's like I'm enjoying it to so much that I want to finish the run & I get out of the new routine & go back to the old way.

I'm out of the box for a bit while I take care of my wife but I know it will become habit with enough reps.

Best of Everything & Stay Well,
Rick

PS Can that leg tip be PMd?

 

[BmoreMoney]

I played a week ago in the Jacoby Open in Nekoosa, Wi. Race to 6 8 ball.

The tournament and Calcutta netted me about 1400.

I played the team event with Brandon Jacoby and a friend of his, dave but I really felt I let them down. Didn't get out on a real easy out to win our first match against a great team from Madison.




Waited all day to play the finals of the singles 8 ball. Had to fit it into the team tournament. waited and waited all day. I fell asleep once sitting up. felt drained and thought, Oh Boy, but as soon as the bell went off I went in to full speed ahead mode. I was surprised. I'm so used to the knee pain wearing me out before. I still had pain but not like before the replacement.

I knew I couldn't drive far. Totally exhausted so I got another room.

Went back the next day and worked with some of the kids at the Junior National Qualifier that the Jacoby Cue held on Sunday.

What a great way to help build pool. Dave and Brandon Jacoby and everyone else involved are doing so many good things promote pool. it's really great to be there and see it first hand.

Came back to Eau Claire but could hardly walk on Monday. Went to the doc and he told me I needed to take it easy. He said your still healing. I guess that's why it gets hurting pretty good.

Back to the YMCA on Tuesday to work out.

Then Donivans Vending in Eau Claire, Wi was having a pool player appreciation tourney this Thursday starting with a scotch doubles. Me and my partner Mike won the darn thing.

Then they had a 9 ball tourney starting the next day and I won that.

Then the 8 ball started Friday night. 64 players. Handicap tournament.

B's go to 3
A's go to 4
AA go to 5
Masters go to 6.

great format but tough to win. it makes every player a champion. Everyone can run out a rack of 8 ball if the other guy doesn't get out.

I ended up winning that.

There was no Calcutta for any of these with the biggest added money going into the team event. $1000 added.

I couldn't play in the team. I knew better after last weekend. I'm sitting here right now with ice on my leg. Very little sleep again for 2 nights really makes it hard on the leg.

But something pretty cool happened during this last tournament on the first day. I learned how to use the balance on my right leg to really set up my body so much better and get my dominant eye in the right position. I was really wobbly before but didn't know how much until now.

I'm real excited about this because I can teach this to everyone I work with. This technique is really going to help so many players.

20 years ago before I wrecked this right knew I used to do this. Now once again after the knee replacement this is possible and makes my stance, alignment and eyes get in the correct position even easier.

I wish I could teach this to everyone that I taught Perfect Aim to. In fact if someone reads this that has had a lesson from me or bought the DVD I will take the time to help you learn this simple little technique. It will just take minutes.

Next week I am thinking about playing in the WPBA in Oconomowoc, Wi.

I think it is 10 ball and 8 ball. If I do I will take the motorhome. should be fun.

From here on out it should get better and better and it's fun getting the game back.

I didn't know how much I missed having a solid right knee until this new one started feeling better.

I might be almost 62 but look out when you play this old guy. I might just send you home.

But the main thing is I want to be able to do 3 lessons a day if there is enough players to teach.

Still at one a day just like the vitamin.

One day at a time.

Thanks for the support everyone. You've all been great..........

Geno,

First of like to tell ya im very happy to hear your up and around somewhat and doing what ya love to to do - at least to some degree.

Secondly, sorry if I missed it in one of your posts but whatever happened with the motorhome that you purchased and with the plans you had of traveling all around in it so you would have your " home away from home " and not having to ever rent a room anywhere ever again? I do remember reading what your initial plans were and IMO that would have been absolutely perfect for you / your situation. I love following all of your adventures here on AZ. I must admit over last month or so I've been too busy to keep up on everything the way id like to so what is the status / the plan for your motorhome?

Anyhow Geno glad to here your out hitting them and wish you only the best of health AND MANY RACKS RUN!!!!

 

[genomachino]

Motorhome is ready to go....

Geno,

First of like to tell ya im very happy to hear your up and around somewhat and doing what ya love to to do - at least to some degree.

Secondly, sorry if I missed it in one of your posts but whatever happened with the motorhome that you purchased and with the plans you had of traveling all around in it so you would have your " home away from home " and not having to ever rent a room anywhere ever again? I do remember reading what your initial plans were and IMO that would have been absolutely perfect for you / your situation. I love following all of your adventures here on AZ. I must admit over last month or so I've been too busy to keep up on everything the way id like to so what is the status / the plan for your motorhome?

Anyhow Geno glad to here your out hitting them and wish you only the best of health AND MANY RACKS RUN!!!!

I have a Damen Daybreaker 1996 class A. 26'. it's ready to go.

A dream is a dream until you put it into action. I've still got all the pieces in place.

Right now the knee feels like a hinge on a door that doesn't fit right. I'm doing allot of work to try and get the muscles firm and solid again and this should tighten up then.

To go right now would just be like punishment. When I go to these tournaments to play it is almost like punishment, still fun but painful.

I bought a little car to pull with the motorhome. A 2009 Chevy Aveo. Not used to a little car. Feel like I'm driving a go cart. I've had a van forever it seems.

Looking around for a car dolly. Trying to shop around for a deal. Hopefully be back on the road within a month or 2.

But for right now too much healing going on. I guess it is what it is.

For right now I'm having fun being around friends and trying to get my playing wings back. The cash is fun also. And I've been doing a few lessons each week.

It's amazing when I realized that almost half the players at this tourney this weekend have learned my Perfect Aim. And they are all playing so much better than before. Some ridiculously better with a friend Joe Olsen being the most improved player here in the last year for sure. Great sense of accomplishment right here at home.

All these stories here with the individual improvements are so cool.

Next week it's to the state tourney and then it's off to Colby, Wi to play in a 3 man team tournament with my son.

Pool creates so much fun for so many people out there.

it don't get any better than this...........

This all started with One Man a van and the road...........

 

[genomachino]

Heading to the State WSPA in Oconomowoc

Got a good 10 ball tourny that starts on Thursday. Probably alt breaks. that's OK.

Then the 8 ball starts on Sat.

I'm taking the motorhome and see how it holds up to subzero weather. it's supposed to get real cold this weekend.

And with the gas about $2.00 per gallon it will only cost about $45 to get there. Rooms i was told are $90 per night. I'll save a little money and get a good test run.

Taking off tomorrow and might stop in Madison to see if anyone wants some action. Need to get my feet wet again. get a little seasoning.

I'll also be setting up lessons on the way back to Eau Claire. Might do some right down in Oconomowoc for free on Sunday also towards the end of the tourny. All the teams will be there.

See ya all there. ............

 

[Shooter08]

Wspa

I'll see you there Geno, for the life of me I cannot find my DVD and I wanted to check it out prior to playing Friday. Maybe we can meet up at brass ring, give Jesse or myself a call. If anybody needs a reference count me in. Good luck this week. Tom

 

[Texdance]

Gene -
I am glad to hear you are doing so well and progressing in your recovery. Great news.

I just got new glasses modded for pool play. The frames are nothing special, just sized so that when down on the cue I can look through the upper portion of the lense. Matter of fact, I bought those frames for a buck at Goodwill, they were Wally $39 frames and still brand new. After donating the existing Rx lenses, I had a nice frame in which to put my new Rx billiards lenses.

The eye doc adjusted the Rx to my specs - I wanted sharp vision from about 3 feet to 12 feet. He knew exactly how to adjust the Rx to make this happen, so I did not have to try to instruct him in any way. I normally need bifocals; these pool glasses are fine for pool play but they do not have any distant focus past a dozen feet or so.

The new pool glasses let me see OBs clearly, from up close at the end of my cue, all the way to the distant ones two, three, four or more diamonds away. This is neat, it is the first time in forty years I have not had to guess-aim based on the fuzzy edge of a distant OB.

Now I have to learn how to look at the OB, which is something I never worried about before because I could not see most of them clearly anyway if they were three or more diamonds distant. I am tilting my head this way and that, trying to find the eye position that makes for good shooting and repeatable, no-strain aim.

A few months back as I was approaching age 64 I started to re-train my whole pool game, starting with Tor Lowry's great online video instruction, then studying and practicing the lessons in two books: Mark Wilson's Play Great Pool, and the Zen-like lessons in the book Pleasures of Small Motions. I am happy to say I now have a better stroke than ever before, it is compact and repeatable and easy to warm up to. I can more often can put the CB where I want it, both to make the shot and to get position after.

I need Perfect Aim so bad, now that I have a bit of a pool stroke plus some Rx glasses that let me see the OB.

 

[genomachino]

Did i give you one at oconomowoc?

I'll see you there Geno, for the life of me I cannot find my DVD and I wanted to check it out prior to playing Friday. Maybe we can meet up at brass ring, give Jesse or myself a call. If anybody needs a reference count me in. Good luck this week. Tom

I think I did Tom. If so your ready to go. good Luck

 

[genomachino]

Motorhome in the Winter time, Not a good idea....

Unless you know everything is working Perfect......

I took off Thursday from Eau Claire, not checking the weather at all. I'm a pool player. We don't worry about weather. It never snows in a poolroom or tournament.

Got there late thursday and fired up the furnace. I have a 26' Damon Daybreaker. 1996.

The LP tank holds 10 gallons. Enough to get you by for about a week if it's not real cold.

Tables are set up already but nobody is allowed on them until 4:00 PM.

I play a little at 4:00 and then go lay down for a couple of hours before the 9 ball starts.

I stay in the winners side so I don't have to be back until about 11:00 AM. It's about 11:45 so I should get plenty of sleep.

My legs hurt pretty bad so I fill up some bags with snow and cool them down for about an hour. Seemed to help. Set my alarm and went to sleep.

Woke up at what seemed to be 10:00 AM but was awful tired. Ate something and got dressed and went down to the tourny room and poured down a cup of coffee.

One of the directors came up to me and said your really early. I looked at the clock and it was only 8:30 AM. I headed back to the motorhome and tried to get some more rest but had no such luck. I was already to go mentally.

I ran my generator on the motorhome and somehow the inverter shut something of for a second and my time was off by 3 hours. Or maybe it was just the guy setting the clock too.

I played pretty good my first 2 matches and got pretty hot so I went back out and took off my long johns and the long sleeve shirt I had on. My next match I played back by this garage door and it was really cold back there. My legs started hurting and I stiffened right up. Played terrible.

A little later I got knocked out. Too tired from not enough sleep and the deep freeze wore me out even more.

Now the 8 ball was going to start. Calcutta was at 10:30 PM that night so i rested a little. Seemed to help. I felt pretty refreshed.

Stayed on the winners side i think. The whole weekend was like a nightmare.

Went back to the motorhome and we got this blizzard thing started and the LP tank is getting pretty low. I kept it running all the time because I would go out and try to rest here and there. Now I had to tread through some snow also. Temp is now below zero so I kept the heat at about 70*. I usually like it at about 75*.

Woke up to play the next morning and I realized I was waking up all morning here and there. it's bad enough having this new knee and having to toss and turn but the light shining on the snow made it like Christmas in there. When i used it last summer some I was always under the trees. Allot of trees. It was so nice and dark.

So not only did I screw myself out of sleep with the alarm clock deal but way too much light to sleep in the morning.

Woke up and got ready to play and I really made sure the night before that I set the alarm correctly.

Got in to play and this time I was 2 hours early. I couldn't believe it.

I spent $150 in gas. About $400 calcutta money, $240 in entry fees and I'm constantly cheating myself from one of the most important things when at a tournament.

SLEEP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got so far and played pretty good. Played Chris Bondy and just played terrible. Not taking anything away from Chris. He played great. I missed getting out on 4 open racks.

I'm pooped. Exhausted.

I went out in the other room and did something I never do. I drank a can of Red Bull. It gave me a lift and I played real good my next match.

Then i played kyle. Ahead 4-2 I have to make the 9 and 10 ball with both shots being fairly short straight in. I missed the 9 ball with some spin I had no intent on using on the cue ball.

I just went balistic. I'm already upset at how my sleep management has been and was pretty sure that eventually I would self destruct. Kyle was a happy camper for sure.

Now I have to stay Sunday and don't have to play anymore. Got a foot of snow and sub zero weather. LP gas running out.

After watching Steve hayes and Billy the Kid play 2 to 3 hour matches I decided to try and make it to Madison in the storm. It had stopped snowing some and maybe I could get some LP gas there. No such luck.

I pulled into a Walmart and covered up real good with blankets and went to sleep. The furnace had quit once that day meaning it was getting low.

Once I settled down to sleep out came the guy with the little bobcat to remove the snow. I parked in a place that was blown clear so I was OK. But the Bobcat would go Beep Beep Beep everytime he backed up which was allot. At least I didn't need to play pool the next day.

Finally i fell asleep.

Woke up in the morning and I could see my breath. Cold air coming out from the registers so I waked to the front to start the motor and get a little heat from the motor heater.

Battery was dead somehow.

Got dressed and got out the tools and carried the battery into walmart. One in the building I put the battery into a cart. Searching for the right battery I realized that they had none with side posts like on my motorhome. So I bought a pair of 20' jumper cables and heading back out in the cold to put the battery back in and jump it from the 2 new marine batteries I had installed before the trip.

Once the motor got going I went over to this gas station to warm up.

Now the search was on for some LP gas. I called a few places and they didn't have anyone to run the pump. All the guys out on their runs. Then i saw a uhaul. They all got LP gas and filled up.

I am so wore out that I can't believe it. I drove to the first rest area out of Madison and slept 4 warm hours. It was great.

Then once I got home I went to my sons to unload my stuff. Then I had to drive 15 more miles to drop off the motorhome at My buddy Steves house and drive back my little car.

Today I can hardly walk. I went to the YMCA and got in the whirlpool and rode the bike for 20 minutes real light and then left. Got a sub for pool league and here I am resting.

As far as the motorhome, I don't want to see that thing for awhile. I will never use it in the cold again.

Another lesson learned. I'm playing good enough where I could have possibly won this state tourny but not with all this stuff going on.

About $900 lesson for sure. One I will never forget.

I might even buy a newer, nicer and bigger motorhome with a slide out or 2.

30' to 32' for sure. Then it will be more like home home on the road.

As far as the legs. Too much strain on the healing knees right now. Need to keep working out and get stronger. They say 6 months and the pain should be all gone. 2 more months to go.

Won a tounament the week before and the week before that. Payed the price big time with pain but nothing like this weekend.

Can't hardly wait to get all healed and start teaching and playing full time.

Moral of the story is, Don't use a motorhome in the winter time if you want to play good pool at any tournament. It might turn more into a survival mission than a pool playing adventure.

We all live and learn.