Dear Gentle Readers,
In the world of food, (my world!) that Japanese loanword, umami, means the fifth taste -- roughly translated as ‘pleasant savory‘ in addition to salty, bitter, sweet and sour. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
This is top-of-cerebrum to me because a certain Los Angeles restaurant chain (which I adore!) has recently established a beachhead in NYC. Not too far from my own place in the Village, in fact.
Umami Burger will make it here or not.
Either way, the idea of a rather ethereal quality -- as it might apply to a few select billiards players -- intrigues me. Could that elusive umami essence explain, at least in part, how certain pool champions evolve and prosper?
For your consideration ... what are the success benchmarks in our beloved sport? In our very best players?
Let me stumble-start:
> Talent. (Duh.)
> Desire. (Hunger.)
> Perseverance. (SVB.)
> Nerve. (Several.)
> Creativity. (Sigh. My honey, Efren)
We can argue about adding and subtracting from that list (money, spouse, luck, stakehorse, timing, etc.) -- but for the narrow focus of our umami-discussion -- let’s consider whether there could also be an almost-intangible component for success. For winning.
If so, what would the manifestation of that mystic ingredient look like, what would that semi-indefinable ‘pleasant savory’ component be for pool?
I dunno! In fact, I don’t know if it even exists.
But … I’d be interested in your take … in the wit and wisdom of your reality-based and experienced-based opinions.
Thanks in advance for your gracious and generous, non-sarcastic, replies.
Damage control is my life,
Sunny
P. S. It’s not all pixie dust. These burgers are ‘painted, dusted and sprayed’ with Umami-brand products.
Hmm … well, pool has chalk, powder, wax, etc. Deodorant, too, I would imagine. One would hope.
In the world of food, (my world!) that Japanese loanword, umami, means the fifth taste -- roughly translated as ‘pleasant savory‘ in addition to salty, bitter, sweet and sour. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
This is top-of-cerebrum to me because a certain Los Angeles restaurant chain (which I adore!) has recently established a beachhead in NYC. Not too far from my own place in the Village, in fact.
Umami Burger will make it here or not.
Either way, the idea of a rather ethereal quality -- as it might apply to a few select billiards players -- intrigues me. Could that elusive umami essence explain, at least in part, how certain pool champions evolve and prosper?
For your consideration ... what are the success benchmarks in our beloved sport? In our very best players?
Let me stumble-start:
> Talent. (Duh.)
> Desire. (Hunger.)
> Perseverance. (SVB.)
> Nerve. (Several.)
> Creativity. (Sigh. My honey, Efren)
We can argue about adding and subtracting from that list (money, spouse, luck, stakehorse, timing, etc.) -- but for the narrow focus of our umami-discussion -- let’s consider whether there could also be an almost-intangible component for success. For winning.
If so, what would the manifestation of that mystic ingredient look like, what would that semi-indefinable ‘pleasant savory’ component be for pool?
I dunno! In fact, I don’t know if it even exists.
But … I’d be interested in your take … in the wit and wisdom of your reality-based and experienced-based opinions.
Thanks in advance for your gracious and generous, non-sarcastic, replies.
Damage control is my life,
Sunny
P. S. It’s not all pixie dust. These burgers are ‘painted, dusted and sprayed’ with Umami-brand products.
Hmm … well, pool has chalk, powder, wax, etc. Deodorant, too, I would imagine. One would hope.
