Well, it went like this: I went to the tournament because my wife wanted to take me to Chicago for my birthday and thought a most excellent portion of the weekend would be me getting a chance to play some competitive 14.1 She knows that it's been almost 25 years since that last happen. Plus, I wanted a chance to see my old bud John Lavin, who owns Red Shoe Billiards, and whom I hadn't seen in over five years.
I really and truly went with zero expectation of doing well, much less winning. So going to NJ wasn't even on my mind. In addition, my Mom has had some serious medical issues, out in southern California, and I had made the commitment to my sister that I would be there to take care of my Mom while she and her husband went off to do some other things. That time coincides with NJ. So I wasn't thinking my going to NJ would be an issue and if it became one I decided I do what I did, which was basically to encourage the guy who came in behind me to take my spot and go. And that's what happen.
It was a great event except for one guy's slow play. Me, I would play some really nice patterns for a few racks and then jaw an easy one or get completely out of line for absolutely no good reason. But I had a great time. John's room and equipment is immaculate. I got to see Dennis again, Bobby Hunter, and Greg Sullivan, who was passing through. I met George Fels, which was cool. And it was really good seeing John again and rehashing past adventurous.
So it's all good.
Lou Figueroa
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