I Want Some More Action!!!

[The Woim]

First off, what does dignity have to do with how you dress? And second, why single out John Schmidt?, he dresses well all the time. I know plenty of creeps who own expensive cues and dress in great cloths but they are not dignified.

Dressing with dignity is a sign of self-respect. I know that ethical stance is frowned upon today and the average person's wearing clothes bought new at the store with the grunge look is in, but not for The Woim.

Attending college is a good idea for young people, but not any more dignified than any other endeavor. That doesn't mean "criminal" endeavor, so do be too simplistic. The friends you know who dress swell and play with high end cues and are cads, well, that's because they don't possess any dignity.

Or he could be "Woim", a "Little Rascal", with "Practical Jokers", and in "Fishy Tales" (maybe a movie buff)

Good call, Mr. Madden. My nickname is based on The Woim of Our Gang fame. And I'm an old movie buff. My DVR is crammed with old movies, billiards, and some stuff my wife and kids like (Oprah, figure skatings, Hannah Montana, Drake and Josh).

Jam, I don't see much expenses in making a road trip. I could take my show on the road to Louisville, KY from my home and, adding in hotel bills, food, travelling expenses and paying for security during the match, my tally comes up to $1,500-$2,000. I didn't use backers back when I engaged in money matches. If a money player doesn't have $2,000 - $5,000 to lay on the line, then ask for a smaller wager.

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim

 

[corvette1340]

The wise man continued to count his seeds throughout his life and took every opportunity to call the pool champion a fool.

In reality, the fool had something that the wise man could never buy. It's called natural talent.

The wise man can't play a lick, but the fool has an air of freedom unconquerable, and his spirit can soar.

The wise man continues to count his seeds and dreams about what the fool can do. It's something that seeds cannot buy, unfortunately for the wise man.

JAM

lol, so you are saying that the fool's natural talent for filling buckets with apples lets his spirit soar even though he never gets ahead in life is better than the wise man who sees what it takes to make it in life and does it?
Let me tell you another story about a really good junior golfer that had all the natural talent in the world and was offered scholarships to several colleges. He even played basketball at one of those colleges along with golf. After transferring to several schools and partying away a ton of his parents money, he finally realized that golf was not going to pay the bills and sitting around on his ass definitely was not going to. Today, that same guy works his ass off and makes 6 figures and supports his family accordingly.
I have all the respect in the world for pool players and their abilities, but sometimes you have to realize that its hard to pay the bills as a pool player. I sympathize with those players, but I do not feel sorry for them in the least because they won't get out and get another profession because they are either too lazy or too proud to do so.

 

[BillPorter]

The wise man continued to count his seeds throughout his life and took every opportunity to call the pool champion a fool.

In reality, the fool had something that the wise man could never buy. It's called natural talent.

The wise man can't play a lick, but the fool has an air of freedom unconquerable, and his spirit can soar.

The wise man continues to count his seeds and dreams about what the fool can do. It's something that seeds cannot buy, unfortunately for the wise man.

JAM

JAM, I kind of liked Blackjack's little parable as it seemed to me to be a nice variation on the grasshopper/ant parable. The fool taking the short-term view and the wise man taking the long-term view. Which is the better perspective? Who knows? But it is pretty much for sure that no amount of argument or evidence is likely to produce a change in persons of either perspective. Now in my 60s, I guess I'm glad I took the long-term view in my youth. But back to your disagreement with Blackjack, I don't think there is any reason to assume that the fool has any more "talent" than the wise man. But maybe you are thinking about a particular "fool" and a particular "wise man?"

 

[sixpack]

Am I crazy or...

Jennie,

I just got off the phone with Chris and here is your answer... At the 2004 DCC Keith and Little John played partners against Chris on the bar table 7 ahead for 3 big bags plus side action. Danny was in on the bet with him and he thinks that you were talking to Danny while they were playing. Keith and Little John got up 5 pretty quick then Chris started breaking good and took it down pretty quick from there.

For the enquiring minds that want to know, Chris and Ronnie played last night, as reported earlier, and at closing time Chris was up three games playing 6 ahead. Chris is making his way to the room now to finish the set this afternoon/evening. Chris is also supposed to play Chohan 10 ball again later this week.

Saw

was the point of JAM's question to see if "CHRIS BARTRAM" who is posting in this thread would know the answer to this and hence, presumably be the 'REAL' Chris Bartram.' Of course the real CB would know the answer, so calling him to find out the answer doesn't advance that cause.

Did you happen to ask Chris if he was posting in this thread while you had him on the phone?

Cheers,
RC

 

[jay helfert]

A fool and wise man are in the wilderness and they are hungry. The wise man says, there are many apple trees over that hill. I'll give you this bucket if you go pick the apples. The fool goes out looking for apple trees, finds them, picks the apples until he fills the bucket. The fool brings the apples back and he and the wise man eat them. The fool says to the wise man, "I don't think you've done enough to deserve those apples. I'm outta here!"

The wise man looks at the fool and says, "Okay. Have it your way, and FWIW, you can keep the bucket."

The fool goes off on his own. The wise man stays, claims the land, and collects the seeds from the apples. He plants the seeds on his land. 10 years pass. The fool returns to see the wise man. Many things have changed. The seeds that were planted grew into acres and acres of orchards that now sustain the wise man plentifully. The fool became angry and shouted at the wise man... "You stole from me! Half of this is all mine!"

The wise man looked at the fool and said... "I concentrated on planting seeds while you concentrated on filling that silly bucket. You had the same opportunity I had, but you didn't recognize it when it was right in front of you. You chose your path, and I chose mine."

IMO, many pool players are like the fool. They are always looking for a way to fill that bucket while never understanding the importance of planting the seeds. For some, that's hard to look at, but nevertheless, it's there and it's obvious.

Great parable David. The fool was jealous of the wise man. Sound familiar.

Happens all the time. Reminds me of a certain conflict in the Middle East. Once upon a time, two tribes had a piece of land they shared. One tribe used the land wisely and built a beautiful and prosperous kingdom. The other tribe was foolish and only took from the land until it could give no more. When the foolish tribe looked around and saw what wonderful things the smart tribe had done, they wanted to take half (or all) the riches for themselves.

The fool is always jealous of the success of the wise man. It's universal!

 

[SpiderWebComm]

A fool and wise man are in the wilderness and they are hungry. The wise man says, there are many apple trees over that hill. I'll give you this bucket if you go pick the apples. The fool goes out looking for apple trees, finds them, picks the apples until he fills the bucket. The fool brings the apples back and he and the wise man eat them. The fool says to the wise man, "I don't think you've done enough to deserve those apples. I'm outta here!"

The wise man looks at the fool and says, "Okay. Have it your way, and FWIW, you can keep the bucket."

The fool goes off on his own. The wise man stays, claims the land, and collects the seeds from the apples. He plants the seeds on his land. 10 years pass. The fool returns to see the wise man. Many things have changed. The seeds that were planted grew into acres and acres of orchards that now sustain the wise man plentifully. The fool became angry and shouted at the wise man... "You stole from me! Half of this is all mine!"

The wise man looked at the fool and said... "I concentrated on planting seeds while you concentrated on filling that silly bucket. You had the same opportunity I had, but you didn't recognize it when it was right in front of you. You chose your path, and I chose mine."

IMO, many pool players are like the fool. They are always looking for a way to fill that bucket while never understanding the importance of planting the seeds. For some, that's hard to look at, but nevertheless, it's there and it's obvious.

I wish I could rep you for that, but I need to 'spread it around' first. That's been my theme here with all that IPT talk. Better to plant the seed the right way up-front and take a smarter long-term path for the sport.

 

[Matt_24]

The wise man continued to count his seeds throughout his life and took every opportunity to call the pool champion a fool.

In reality, the fool had something that the wise man could never buy. It's called natural talent.

The wise man can't play a lick, but the fool has an air of freedom unconquerable, and his spirit can soar.

The wise man continues to count his seeds and dreams about what the fool can do. It's something that seeds cannot buy, unfortunately for the wise man.

JAM

I doubt Dave was referring to Keith or calling him a fool when he shared his parable with us - but you obviously took it that way. In fact, I've seen Dave compliment Keith's talents on here many times.

No, Dave is a not a living legend like Keith, and he has never claimed to be, but I suspect he can play a "lick" - perhaps even a lick or two. He is also very generous with his knowledge, helping new players with anything that he can. Please keep in mind those things as it just comes across bad to the pool community as a whole when you post threads like these. It is no secret who this post was directed at.

It is quite admirable that you "stand by your man" (to quote the great Patsy Cline), but I don't think it is necessary here. I don't know a person on here who doesn't respect and admire Keith McCready as a threat still in any event he plays in, and as a living legend.

If I'm wrong, then I apologize but this is how it read to me.

 

[poolchic]

Did you ever get the game right with Ussery?

 

[BillPorter]

I doubt Dave was referring to Keith or calling him a fool when he shared his parable with us - but you obviously took it that way. In fact, I've seen Dave compliment Keith's talents on here many times.

No, Dave is a not a living legend like Keith, and he has never claimed to be, but I suspect he can play a "lick" - perhaps even a lick or two. He is also very generous with his knowledge, helping new players with anything that he can. Please keep in mind those things as it just comes across bad to the pool community as a whole when you post threads like these. It is no secret who this post was directed at.

It is quite admirable that you "stand by your man" (to quote the great Patsy Cline), but I don't think it is necessary here. I don't know a person on here who doesn't respect and admire Keith McCready as a threat still in any event he plays in, and as a living legend.

If I'm wrong, then I apologize but this is how it read to me.

Tap, Tap, Tap!

 

[Blackjack]

I doubt Dave was referring to Keith or calling him a fool when he shared his parable with us - but you obviously took it that way. In fact, I've seen Dave compliment Keith's talents on here many times.

No, Dave is a not a living legend like Keith, and he has never claimed to be, but I suspect he can play a "lick" - perhaps even a lick or two. He is also very generous with his knowledge, helping new players with anything that he can. Please keep in mind those things as it just comes across bad to the pool community as a whole when you post threads like these. It is no secret who this post was directed at.

It is quite admirable that you "stand by your man" (to quote the great Patsy Cline), but I don't think it is necessary here. I don't know a person on here who doesn't respect and admire Keith McCready as a threat still in any event he plays in, and as a living legend.

If I'm wrong, then I apologize but this is how it read to me.

You're right, Matt. What I wrote wasn't a poke at anybody. It's just the way I view things in the pool world. FWIW, I wrote that in 1995. It just seemed appropriate to post it today.

 

[BillYards]

The wise man continued to count his seeds throughout his life and took every opportunity to call the pool champion a fool.

In reality, the fool had something that the wise man could never buy. It's called natural talent.

The wise man can't play a lick, but the fool has an air of freedom unconquerable, and his spirit can soar.

The wise man continues to count his seeds and dreams about what the fool can do. It's something that seeds cannot buy, unfortunately for the wise man.

JAM

Air of freedom?

Before I got married, I was financially free... good job, money in the bank, car paid off, no pressure from bills, plenty of stocks, mutual funds, pool cues, time to kill, vacations....

I can tell you from experience that financial freedom may not make your spirit soar, but it liberates you to do the things that DO make your spirit soar. Financial freedom is... nirvana. Believe it.

I lived it once... now I am fighting to get back there...

It is all a circle... who is dreaming of whom?

 

[Blackjack]

I can't play a lick?

Wait until Easter Island rolls around, I heard that I have a pretty good chance of being the top seed in that field!

 

[crawfish]

There are plenty of people out there that make fantastic money with their career that would trade it all. Trade it for sleeping until noon, entering a poolroom like an old west gunfighter winning 80% of the time. Trade it for traveling from town to town, making and blowing thousands for the action and the sake of action. Women, did I mention women? Dispensable cash helps with that end, also. Taking off and torturing most other players who don't have the time to become the player they'd love to be. Or the talent, you know, "God's gift." Living and starving from day to day. Come on, admit it, everyone. Life, starving on the road, being carefree doesn't sound that bad compared to saving, 401K, sales quotas, nagging woman or wife, etc. Oh, to have the natural gift, and the balls to use it!

 

[JAM]

I doubt Dave was referring to Keith or calling him a fool when he shared his parable with us - but you obviously took it that way. In fact, I've seen Dave compliment Keith's talents on here many times.

I never stated that Blackjack was referring to Keith. In fact, I never mentioned Keith's name or Blackjack's name.

No, Dave is a not a living legend like Keith, and he has never claimed to be, but I suspect he can play a "lick" - perhaps even a lick or two. He is also very generous with his knowledge, helping new players with anything that he can. Please keep in mind those things as it just comes across bad to the pool community as a whole when you post threads like these. It is no secret who this post was directed at.

The post was in defense of pool players who get ridiculed on this forum time and time again because of their chosen profession. You recently sucker-punched these same pool players in recent times, and I responded to your post. I wasn't defending Keith at that time either. I thought the comment you made at that time was demeaning, and I still do.

It is quite admirable that you "stand by your man" (to quote the great Patsy Cline), but I don't think it is necessary here. I don't know a person on here who doesn't respect and admire Keith McCready as a threat still in any event he plays in, and as a living legend.

If I'm wrong, then I apologize but this is how it read to me.

It is how you wanted to read the thread because it was me who responded.

I am disgusted to read post after post from members of this forum who act as if they live in an ivory tower and continue to take pot shots at pool players as if they are targets on a shooting range.

They're people who desired to pursue their dream to play competitively. Because I mention the financial burden of competing on a professional level, this then gives rise to a school of thought that pool players are dumb and/or fools because they didn't initiate a 401(k) or a retirement plan or collect the damn blessed seeds.

I'm not speaking for Keith. I am speaking for the collective body of professional pool players as a whole. You may want to turn this into a Blackjack versus JAM thread, but that was not the intent of my reply.

Those who collect the seeds may be wise, but pool players have wisdom as well. Who is to say which one is more valuable than the other?!

JAM

 

[BillYards]

There are plenty of people out there that make fantastic money with their career that would trade it all. Trade it for sleeping until noon, entering a poolroom like an old west gunfighter winning 80% of the time. Trade it for traveling from town to town, making and blowing thousands for the action and the sake of action. Women, did I mention women? Dispensable cash helps with that end, also. Taking off and torturing most other players who don't have the time to become the player they'd love to be. Or the talent, you know, "God's gift." Living and starving from day to day. Come on, admit it, everyone. Life, starving on the road, being carefree doesn't sound that bad compared to saving, 401K, sales quotas, nagging woman or wife, etc. Oh, to have the natural gift, and the balls to use it!

Yeah, who wants a house, family, and a retirement plan?

Struggling to eat, pay for gas, and finding a place to sleep sounds like fun. Especially when you can share it with the women! Did I mention the women? Real clean numbers, good for smart conversation, taking home to Mom and Dad, and kissing (if you like Frenching an ashtray).

Who struggles more? Who is more carefree? Sure, being gifted at pool would be great... but there has to be a balance somewhere...

Being with family and friends is what life is all about. Not showing others (who also take losing personally) that you can poke balls into a hole with a stick. Trust me, I appreciate a great runout the same as a great work of art or great music... but it is only pool.

And doesn't it take balls to commit to maturation and building a secure life?

Your rose colored view of life on the road is a bit misleading.

Anyone that makes fantastic money COULD give it all up and hit the road. They could probably cash out their 401k and have a great stake that would last for years of fun.

But it is much more difficult to go the other way... to get off the road, isn't it?

 

[dimes33]

There are plenty of people out there that make fantastic money with their career that would trade it all. Trade it for sleeping until noon, entering a poolroom like an old west gunfighter winning 80% of the time. Trade it for traveling from town to town, making and blowing thousands for the action and the sake of action. Women, did I mention women? Dispensable cash helps with that end, also. Taking off and torturing most other players who don't have the time to become the player they'd love to be. Or the talent, you know, "God's gift." Living and starving from day to day. Come on, admit it, everyone. Life, starving on the road, being carefree doesn't sound that bad compared to saving, 401K, sales quotas, nagging woman or wife, etc. Oh, to have the natural gift, and the balls to use it!

lmao,"lord i was born a rambling man" you gotta love it!

 

[Aaron_S]

It is quite admirable that you "stand by your man" (to quote the great Patsy Cline)

Sorry, I know this isn't classic country music trivia week, but I thought I would point out that Stand By Your Man was actually a Tammy Wynette number.

Good rolls,
Aaron

 

[Matt_24]

Sorry, I know this isn't classic country music trivia week, but I thought I would point out that Stand By Your Man was actually a Tammy Wynette number.

Good rolls,
Aaron

LOL...well..close enough I guess? I'm from Nashville, TN...I guess I should be ashamed.

 

[BillYards]

JAM:

Point taken. For a guy like Keith, who had talent to augment his desire to play, getting a regular job would have made him wither like a flower in the dark. I get that and I am not knocking him.

I just think that "A Working Class Hero is Something to Be" to quote John Lennon.

I may not have known life on the road, but I have known what it is to be in the zone and untouchable in front of a large group of spectators and it is an undescribable feeling. I just knew that I had to be excellent at a carreer too... so that I could have the security that I needed and wanted.

And obviously pool players are street smart and wise.

They played early in life and may struggle late in life, whereas the other guys struggle early-on to relax in old age...

 

[jay helfert]

There are plenty of people out there that make fantastic money with their career that would trade it all. Trade it for sleeping until noon, entering a poolroom like an old west gunfighter winning 80% of the time. Trade it for traveling from town to town, making and blowing thousands for the action and the sake of action. Women, did I mention women? Dispensable cash helps with that end, also. Taking off and torturing most other players who don't have the time to become the player they'd love to be. Or the talent, you know, "God's gift." Living and starving from day to day. Come on, admit it, everyone. Life, starving on the road, being carefree doesn't sound that bad compared to saving, 401K, sales quotas, nagging woman or wife, etc. Oh, to have the natural gift, and the balls to use it!

Yeah, let them live that life where they don't know where the next game or the next dollar is coming from. It gets old fast. The great majority of pool players I have known in my life longed for a pro tour, where they could showcase their skills in a respected manner and not have to "hustle" for a living.

The "gambling" lifestyle is not all it's cracked up to be. Stability and security is what most people (even poolplayers) long for. Why do you think so many champions open or buy into a poolroom the first chance they get? I can only think of one or two players in the last 40 years that had no interest in playing tournaments to make their dough.

I knew by the time I was 25 that a poolplayers life was a bad existence. All I wanted was to own my own room and I had one before I was 28.