John,
For those of us that know John Schmidt (the person, not the player, not the screen name) we knew how to take that message and several of us had a good laugh about it.
In this day and and age, via this forum, we have access to communicate with the following:
John Schmidt - 2006 US Open Champion - 2009 DCC 1-Pocket Champion
Danny Harriman - 2009 DCC Straight Pool Champion, Bank Pool Champion
Grady Mathews - a legend, multi-time World Champion, and one of the best ever IMO
Ray Martin - Multi-time World Champion, BCA HOF member, author of the greatest book ever written about our game (99 Critical Shots w/ Rosser Reeeves)
Robin Dodson - 2 time World 9 Ball Champion, BCA HOF member
Darren Appleton - 2008 World 10 Ball Champion
Darryl Peach - 2007 World 9 Ball Champion
Great players such as Dick McMorran, Leil (JR) Gay, Pat Howie, Donnie Mills, Chris Bartrum, Tony Crosby, Monica Webb, Shannon Daulton, Sarah Rousey, Melissa Herndon, Melissa Morris, Dan Barouty, Steve Lipsky, Nick Vandenberg, Neil Fujiwara, Jimmy Mendoza, Oscar Dominguez, Markus Juva, Karl Boyes, Charlie Bryant, Shawn Putnum, The Beard, Keith McCready... if I left somebody out - it wasn't on purpose - these just off the top of my head - but we have access to these great players on a daily basis - some participate more than others - but they are here.
25 years ago, if you wanted to ask a question to Buddy Hall or Keith McCready, it wasn't that easy. From where I was, I had buy a plane ticket. These days, you just come on Azbilliards and send a PM or start a thread and you can talk to a world champion or HOF member.
I think that at times we forget how lucky we are.
I appreciate your posts, John. You represent the game in a positive way - genuinely. Those of us that know you and support you understand your frustration at times. It is that piss and vinegar that drives you to win. I admire you for the way you conduct yourself in life more than I admire anything you could ever do at the table. That is mainly because I know the hurdles you have had to overcome while enroute to your success. You are more of a champion in life than you are a champion at pool. In the end, that's all that matters - and if someone doesn't want to take the time to get to know you before they judge you - screw 'em!