Lots of good fortune passed my way this past week and meeting Efren and breaking bread with him was just one of the many great things that happened this week.
As I arrived at the Louisville airport, headed home, I exchanged best wishes to Niels, Lee Van, Roy Steffenson and Rudy Luat along with some other pool players. At the gate, I was sitting and reading a Discover magazine, I noticed Luat and Van Van talking to none other than Efren who was sitting near the gate I was at. They spoke for a few seconds and Efren raised his body looking toward me and waved a hello. I waved back and nothing more was said or done. I went back to reading the article by Carl Zimmer, talking about mind expanding and google as well as research being done right now on brain implants and drugs to enhance our brains. I could use some brain enhancement at that moment in time as I was exhausted from ten days of pool and fun.
When they called for seating I didn't notice Efren getting on the plane but just as I stepped inside the jet, I could see Efren seated low in his seat toward the back of the plane and i fumbled around for my digital camera which I had not used all week at the Derby City Classic. He was asleep and I wanted to get a picutre of him napping. As I approached him, he appeared to be completely asleep and just as I snapped the shot, he opened his eyes grinning widely, looking sheepishly to his left to see if anyone else was watching me taking his picture as he always appears shy in these situations.
My camera was set on MOVIE, so I got a little snap shot of his sheepish grin and smiling eyes rather than a snoozing KING. I nodded and went on to my seat and just as we were about to take off I noticed that no one was seated next to Bata, so I took the opportunity and jumped into the seat next to him. I quickly said, "A backer always likes to sit next to his player on plane rides like this". He laughed loudly and grinned warmly and we settled in for the take off. After we were in the air, conversation started between us and we talked of many things, family, pool, destinations and the future. It was a fun time and we spoke for nearly half the flight to Atlanta, where we both had connecting flights.
We even talked about a joint "business" venture which he was in complete agreement with and I will share those details at a later date, because if it comes true it will be the ultimate for me and pool in general. His willingness to partner with me made me feel very good inside and I hope that I can help him achieve some additional goals in his life as well. He is deserving of all of our love and appreciation. I don't think he has a mean bone in his whole body.
One thing that I will share is that Efren is writing a book. Yes, that's right Efren is writing a book and it will likely be published by the end of the year if everything remains on schedule. Puyat is behind the efforts of the book and it is sure to be a best seller. I can't wait for this one. Maybe he will give me a sneak preview and let his new friend write some more accolades for him. :smile: I didn't tell him I was on the back cover of Jay's new book Pool Wars but if I had he would have probably already have me signed and contracted for.
Anyway, Efren proved to be a good conversationalist and although because of my hearing loss, I may have missed a few words here and there. For the most part, he communicated with me just fine. We talked about family, friends, pool players and the future. The plane's humming didn't do me much good but I got the gist of everything. It was a fun trip and we both visited the Sandman for half of our flight for much needed rest.
He also mentioned something about going to Texas for a tournament similar to the Derby City Classic. He said it was in Houston and SOON but I didn't get any details about it at the DCC. He requested that I be his backer on any mini-tournaments that might occur in the future. You never know how far a drink of water will take you. :smile:
Hopefully, the journey will continue and I will see more of him and you in the future.
JoeyA
As I arrived at the Louisville airport, headed home, I exchanged best wishes to Niels, Lee Van, Roy Steffenson and Rudy Luat along with some other pool players. At the gate, I was sitting and reading a Discover magazine, I noticed Luat and Van Van talking to none other than Efren who was sitting near the gate I was at. They spoke for a few seconds and Efren raised his body looking toward me and waved a hello. I waved back and nothing more was said or done. I went back to reading the article by Carl Zimmer, talking about mind expanding and google as well as research being done right now on brain implants and drugs to enhance our brains. I could use some brain enhancement at that moment in time as I was exhausted from ten days of pool and fun.
When they called for seating I didn't notice Efren getting on the plane but just as I stepped inside the jet, I could see Efren seated low in his seat toward the back of the plane and i fumbled around for my digital camera which I had not used all week at the Derby City Classic. He was asleep and I wanted to get a picutre of him napping. As I approached him, he appeared to be completely asleep and just as I snapped the shot, he opened his eyes grinning widely, looking sheepishly to his left to see if anyone else was watching me taking his picture as he always appears shy in these situations.
My camera was set on MOVIE, so I got a little snap shot of his sheepish grin and smiling eyes rather than a snoozing KING. I nodded and went on to my seat and just as we were about to take off I noticed that no one was seated next to Bata, so I took the opportunity and jumped into the seat next to him. I quickly said, "A backer always likes to sit next to his player on plane rides like this". He laughed loudly and grinned warmly and we settled in for the take off. After we were in the air, conversation started between us and we talked of many things, family, pool, destinations and the future. It was a fun time and we spoke for nearly half the flight to Atlanta, where we both had connecting flights.
We even talked about a joint "business" venture which he was in complete agreement with and I will share those details at a later date, because if it comes true it will be the ultimate for me and pool in general. His willingness to partner with me made me feel very good inside and I hope that I can help him achieve some additional goals in his life as well. He is deserving of all of our love and appreciation. I don't think he has a mean bone in his whole body.
One thing that I will share is that Efren is writing a book. Yes, that's right Efren is writing a book and it will likely be published by the end of the year if everything remains on schedule. Puyat is behind the efforts of the book and it is sure to be a best seller. I can't wait for this one. Maybe he will give me a sneak preview and let his new friend write some more accolades for him. :smile: I didn't tell him I was on the back cover of Jay's new book Pool Wars but if I had he would have probably already have me signed and contracted for.
Anyway, Efren proved to be a good conversationalist and although because of my hearing loss, I may have missed a few words here and there. For the most part, he communicated with me just fine. We talked about family, friends, pool players and the future. The plane's humming didn't do me much good but I got the gist of everything. It was a fun trip and we both visited the Sandman for half of our flight for much needed rest.
He also mentioned something about going to Texas for a tournament similar to the Derby City Classic. He said it was in Houston and SOON but I didn't get any details about it at the DCC. He requested that I be his backer on any mini-tournaments that might occur in the future. You never know how far a drink of water will take you. :smile:
Hopefully, the journey will continue and I will see more of him and you in the future.
JoeyA
You keep tellin' us all about these great books..... and we never get to read em.
