“I wish I’d drunk more champagne.”
Dear Gentle Readers,
That statement - - and it’s my favorite ‘last words’ testament - - was uttered by the renowned economist, John Maynard Lord Keynes.
Isn’t that a splendid exit sentiment!
Lord Keynes, on his deathbed, didn’t carp about un-bestowed international awards. He didn’t wish he’d made more money. Nor did he comment about his universal renown, both positive and negative. He merely stated a simple longing to have allowed himself to have had more fun.
To have had more fun.
So … to pool.
What would the prototypical pool player declare in a similar setting? (Let’s set aside the grimness of his impending departure, if you don’t mind.) What would his closing declaration embrace, pool-wise …
> A yearning to have bet it up bigger?
> A lament about how much he’d gambled away?
> A sense that his life choices made Napoleon’s decision to visit Russia in the Fall look … well, savvy?
> A bit of slap and tickle that he passed on? Or didn’t?
> Pride in his accomplishments?
> A wish that he’d practiced more? Been more attentive to his family? Had a real job? Or at least a different job?
> Or would he reflect on the simple pleasures of a life well lived? One lived on his own terms? One lived doing that which he loved so much?
Of course I realize that it’s impractical to generalize. Each of us has her own unique laments and her own idiosyncratic satisfactions. But I do wonder if a few pithy and well chosen words of reflection could summarize a typical pool player’s … um, closing thoughts on his career.
(Yes, I am indeed reminded of the words of one pool commentator, “It’s easy to be a professional pool player. Your wife divorces you and you sleep in your car.”)
That aside …
There are some thoughtful pool players in this forum. Articulate. Experienced in pool and in living the life.
Reflecting upon your judicious responses to these meager inquiries of mine is, of course, my life,
Sunny
Dear Gentle Readers,
That statement - - and it’s my favorite ‘last words’ testament - - was uttered by the renowned economist, John Maynard Lord Keynes.
Isn’t that a splendid exit sentiment!
Lord Keynes, on his deathbed, didn’t carp about un-bestowed international awards. He didn’t wish he’d made more money. Nor did he comment about his universal renown, both positive and negative. He merely stated a simple longing to have allowed himself to have had more fun.
To have had more fun.
So … to pool.
What would the prototypical pool player declare in a similar setting? (Let’s set aside the grimness of his impending departure, if you don’t mind.) What would his closing declaration embrace, pool-wise …
> A yearning to have bet it up bigger?
> A lament about how much he’d gambled away?
> A sense that his life choices made Napoleon’s decision to visit Russia in the Fall look … well, savvy?
> A bit of slap and tickle that he passed on? Or didn’t?
> Pride in his accomplishments?
> A wish that he’d practiced more? Been more attentive to his family? Had a real job? Or at least a different job?
> Or would he reflect on the simple pleasures of a life well lived? One lived on his own terms? One lived doing that which he loved so much?
Of course I realize that it’s impractical to generalize. Each of us has her own unique laments and her own idiosyncratic satisfactions. But I do wonder if a few pithy and well chosen words of reflection could summarize a typical pool player’s … um, closing thoughts on his career.
(Yes, I am indeed reminded of the words of one pool commentator, “It’s easy to be a professional pool player. Your wife divorces you and you sleep in your car.”)
That aside …
There are some thoughtful pool players in this forum. Articulate. Experienced in pool and in living the life.
Reflecting upon your judicious responses to these meager inquiries of mine is, of course, my life,
Sunny
