Well after leaving Australia in December 2004 I finally flew home for only the second time in 8 months. My last week was spent in NYC catching up with friends and playing in my first Big Apple 9 Ball event. I didn't do as well as I had hoped but after such a long trip it was still a fun week. Shortly before the tournament started I was playing in corner billiards alone when just as I was about to leave Danny Barouty came over and asked me for a game. I was tired and wanted to leave as it was extreemly hot in NYC and it had been a long day. However I couldn't help thinking that it was an opportunity missed to play some cheap sets straight pool and learn a few things from such a great straight pool player. We had a brief chat though and Danny seemed like a fun guy to know.
The next day I finally got in touch with SJM after he had been away on his travels watching one of the womens events. He told me to get myself down to Master Billiards to meet Mrs Barretta as she was practising there and she might want a game. The next day I went down early for the players meeting and there was already a few top players limbering up. Mrs Barretta was playing the lovely Mellissa H in what looked like a reasonably serious practice game so I left them alone (for now! ;-). On the next table Mr Souqet was putting in the hours no doubt trying to put his WPC disaster behind and he looked to be playing much much better.
I had met a guy on the train not 5 minutes before because he had a cue case and I thought he might know the way. It turns out he was also from the UK and we played for a few hours. I also met Tony C for the first time and his mate Richard B aso from the UK. Over the next few days I had a great time playing with Melissa and Jennifer, and even Tony (although he sucked at scotch doubles like an industrial hoover!). It got pretty close to the bone sometimes but Jennifer and Mellissa really are two great girls who know how to have a good time (in between photo shoots of course). They also play pretty well (for girls!
) and I have to admit that Mrs B did give me a lesson or two during a particulary fortunate purple (cue case pink) patch!
The day after the tournament I played a few sets with Mrs Barretta at corner billiards and half way through our game Mr Strickland and Ms Hoppe came in and played on the next table. They seemed in good spirits and I got the impression Mr Strickland might have played a few cheap sets which would have been fun but since I already had a game I didn't bring it up. So it was fun to play in another big tournament and meet some more Az's like the lovely 9 ball chick who helped me out with my entry when I was in Asia (I still owe you a beer!). And if I was going to lose a close match to anyone I would rather it be to Danny B who's a great guy.
As I was sat on the plane at Newark airport (for two hours Grrr!) waiting to depart I wondered if I would be back for the US Open and WSP and whether it was right to leave? The funny thing was the plane was over booked and they offered a $500 travel voucher and a hotel for the night to anyone who would give up their seat! There was a time that I would have jumped at the chance and wrestled old women and children to the ground for such an offer, but after almost 8 months on the road, 11 Countries, 22 flights and memories to last a life time I decided to leave this one for somebody else!
I arrived home safetly along with my Chinese paintings and countless other keep sakes from Korea, Taiwan etc. and slept for the first three days! However it seems it won't be long until I'm back on the road after signing up to play on my first Euro Tour event in weert in a couple of weeks. This event also includes the World 8 Ball Championship qualifiers which, with only the last 2 going to the finals will be extreemly tough. I will also be lucky enough to watch the World Pool Masters in Doncaster which is only an hour down the road from my home town (so I will try and post some pics and info about that event if I can). As for the US, 24 hours ago I had decided not to go back, but having found out I can use my airmiles and get a free flight I might just have to break the bank!!!
The US Open especially sounds like a tournament not to be missed.
Thanks to everyone who helped me out and who I met on my travels, hope to see you again soon. Sorry if this turned into a bit of a novel!
PS
Every menu in NYC seems to include Burritos and Apple Pie in case you where wondering LOL!
Cheers
The next day I finally got in touch with SJM after he had been away on his travels watching one of the womens events. He told me to get myself down to Master Billiards to meet Mrs Barretta as she was practising there and she might want a game. The next day I went down early for the players meeting and there was already a few top players limbering up. Mrs Barretta was playing the lovely Mellissa H in what looked like a reasonably serious practice game so I left them alone (for now! ;-). On the next table Mr Souqet was putting in the hours no doubt trying to put his WPC disaster behind and he looked to be playing much much better.
I had met a guy on the train not 5 minutes before because he had a cue case and I thought he might know the way. It turns out he was also from the UK and we played for a few hours. I also met Tony C for the first time and his mate Richard B aso from the UK. Over the next few days I had a great time playing with Melissa and Jennifer, and even Tony (although he sucked at scotch doubles like an industrial hoover!). It got pretty close to the bone sometimes but Jennifer and Mellissa really are two great girls who know how to have a good time (in between photo shoots of course). They also play pretty well (for girls!
) and I have to admit that Mrs B did give me a lesson or two during a particulary fortunate purple (cue case pink) patch!The day after the tournament I played a few sets with Mrs Barretta at corner billiards and half way through our game Mr Strickland and Ms Hoppe came in and played on the next table. They seemed in good spirits and I got the impression Mr Strickland might have played a few cheap sets which would have been fun but since I already had a game I didn't bring it up. So it was fun to play in another big tournament and meet some more Az's like the lovely 9 ball chick who helped me out with my entry when I was in Asia (I still owe you a beer!). And if I was going to lose a close match to anyone I would rather it be to Danny B who's a great guy.
As I was sat on the plane at Newark airport (for two hours Grrr!) waiting to depart I wondered if I would be back for the US Open and WSP and whether it was right to leave? The funny thing was the plane was over booked and they offered a $500 travel voucher and a hotel for the night to anyone who would give up their seat! There was a time that I would have jumped at the chance and wrestled old women and children to the ground for such an offer, but after almost 8 months on the road, 11 Countries, 22 flights and memories to last a life time I decided to leave this one for somebody else!
I arrived home safetly along with my Chinese paintings and countless other keep sakes from Korea, Taiwan etc. and slept for the first three days! However it seems it won't be long until I'm back on the road after signing up to play on my first Euro Tour event in weert in a couple of weeks. This event also includes the World 8 Ball Championship qualifiers which, with only the last 2 going to the finals will be extreemly tough. I will also be lucky enough to watch the World Pool Masters in Doncaster which is only an hour down the road from my home town (so I will try and post some pics and info about that event if I can). As for the US, 24 hours ago I had decided not to go back, but having found out I can use my airmiles and get a free flight I might just have to break the bank!!!
The US Open especially sounds like a tournament not to be missed.
Thanks to everyone who helped me out and who I met on my travels, hope to see you again soon. Sorry if this turned into a bit of a novel!
PS
Every menu in NYC seems to include Burritos and Apple Pie in case you where wondering LOL!
Cheers
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