Thanks for this thread! It's been great to read so far.
I suppose my reflections don't go back so far due to my age, although it will be interesting looking back 25 and 50 years from now. I remember traveling with my Dad a lot when I was younger. Any time we stayed at a youth hostel, I'd search for a basement pool table. I was drawn to it, for reasons I still can't fully understand. I remember when I was young, doctors were diagnosing kids left and right with ADD and ADHD. I can and have played pool for 16 hours straight. When I was old enough to decide for myself, I quit taking all medication. I was still riddled with self doubt, because I was always told that I can't do this or that. However, pool has taught me so much, built my confidence up, and humbled me so thoroughly. It's a struggle to explain it to anyone who hasn't played. Some day, I'd like to start a youth program where I can coach kids in pool and see how many get hooked on the game. Random, but I wish there was something like that when I was a kid.
Jay, I applaud you for following the life of pool that you've been able to lead. In addition, I thank you for all you've given back. Thank's to everyone else who's shared their stories as well.
Thanks for resurrecting this thread, Jay; I missed it the first time around.......
IMHO, it's got to be one of the top 10 threads at AZB......
Regarding your original musings that 4AM morning in 2004, I'm sure many of us can reflect on similar experiences in our pool world, but none quite as varied and rich as yours. What marvelous and rich experiences you have had! It must've been fun to have seen all those legendary characters and played among them;
and not only in pool, but characters such as Stu Ungar in Poker; I wonder if you were ever around Amarillo Slim and Archie Karras in those days.......
If you had chosen a different path or career, I think you'd be wondering now what could've been, and what you might've missed out on, if you didn't follow your heart.
What hasn't been said, though, is that you have proven to be that too-rare character in the pool world, who not only enjoyed and played with so many of the best cueists around, and living that life, you were successful in making a good living while doing it.
That, I believe, shows that you had the intelligence, gumption, and foresight to navigate through a pretty tough terrain which has claimed many casualties.
What puts the cherry on top about you, Jay, is that we in the world of pool get to know about so many inside stories and adventures through your ability to articulate what you experienced. So although we may not have been there, it is fun to imagine what it must have been like. Thanks again for that!
I was thinking that the other thread I really enjoyed above most others was the one about "The Rack" in Detroit and how that was a happening in history which we shall probably never see again.
Just sitting here at 4 AM, looking at my pool table and wondering what happened in my life. I could have been a doctor like my father and my brother. I could have been many things, so why did I chose this path to follow. Maybe I was just too lazy to go to school all those years. I didn't really like being cooped up in a classroom. I enjoyed the open road and new adventures.
So here I am fifty years later, reflecting on what and who I am. I sit here in my easy chair; a pool table, my cue and the cue ball my only company. In the distance my little Bose radio chimes out soft classics. I like to dance around the table when I'm alone. I'm at peace, what more can one ask. Thanks for joining me on this journey.
I enjoy going thru these old gems.
My, how today is not yesterday...
As I look back I regret that I wasted almost three weeks of my life, sitting in those
college class rooms listening to some horse s--- from some jerk off that couldn't run
four balls if his life depended on it. I could have been at the Cotton Bowling Palace
with Billy, Alf and Jack Taylor,Little Hand,Georgia Slim,Jack Terry and all the rest.
Probably even got in some action. Thank goodness I came to my senses and got
out of there before my mind became permanently screwed up. I swallowed my pride
and went back to the CBP with my tail between my legs, fully expecting to be shunned
by my old buddies. Imagine my surprise and elation when they welcomed me back,
but also gave me a stern warning to wise up and don't do that again. It was a great
wild ride and I would do it again in a heart beat.
jack
Just sitting here at 4 AM, looking at my pool table and wondering what happened in my life. I could have been a doctor like my father and my brother. I could have been many things, so why did I chose this path to follow. Maybe I was just too lazy to go to school all those years. I didn't really like being cooped up in a classroom. I enjoyed the open road and new adventures.
So here I am fifty years later, reflecting on what and who I am. I sit here in my easy chair; a pool table, my cue and the cue ball my only company. In the distance my little Bose radio chimes out soft classics. I like to dance around the table when I'm alone. I'm at peace, what more can one ask. Thanks for joining me on this journey.
3 words you mentioned, "I'm at peace". That is a beautiful goal to strive for. I too, am at peace and I'm content!