I really didn't think this game could get me hungry again, but it has. I will give you some insight into how bad I got the bug the first time.
I started playing when I was 17. I would go in and dilly dally around mostly until a wiseass beat me and that got it going. I got a job at that pool hall. I read all the books. I was sleeping every other day to maximize playing time. Before there was Cue Table Layout when the hall would close I would lay in bed with a notebook doing my own layouts all night long.
I then moved to NC. Once I was old enough to play in APA I joined and it got worse. I couldn't handle losing to someone that let me get to the table one time. I was soon playing more than ever and getting better than ever. Then at the age of 23 I got a DUI. When that happened I decided that if I were to be caught driving without my license it would not be leaving a bar. Since every hall around serves beer that would include pool halls. Sadly the week I lost my license I had also played my final match against a former pro. I played him a race to 10 in 9ball. In that race to 10 I either broke and ran, or broke, got nothing, he missed the 1 and I ran out for 10 straight racks.
I got my license back a year and a half later after some prodding by a cop who caught me driving (I figured after a year without being caught....why bother getting a license). I didn't have the desire to play anymore. Then last year (9 years after I lost my license) a friend asked me to join the league to help out. I figured yea why not....it'll get me outta the house. I came in once a week to play. Sometimes I'd win and sometimes I'd lose, but I didn't care either way. One week I lost making it two weeks in a row. I had never lost two in a row and all the sudden I am hungry again.
Since then I have bought three new sticks, various tip/shaft tools and a new case. I play every chance I get, download various billiard clips to burn to DVD and think about improvements to stroke, play, stance etc when I am not doing that. I don't ever remember myself being this determined or focused in improving my game.
In the fine words of Paul Newman
"I'm back!"
I started playing when I was 17. I would go in and dilly dally around mostly until a wiseass beat me and that got it going. I got a job at that pool hall. I read all the books. I was sleeping every other day to maximize playing time. Before there was Cue Table Layout when the hall would close I would lay in bed with a notebook doing my own layouts all night long.
I then moved to NC. Once I was old enough to play in APA I joined and it got worse. I couldn't handle losing to someone that let me get to the table one time. I was soon playing more than ever and getting better than ever. Then at the age of 23 I got a DUI. When that happened I decided that if I were to be caught driving without my license it would not be leaving a bar. Since every hall around serves beer that would include pool halls. Sadly the week I lost my license I had also played my final match against a former pro. I played him a race to 10 in 9ball. In that race to 10 I either broke and ran, or broke, got nothing, he missed the 1 and I ran out for 10 straight racks.
I got my license back a year and a half later after some prodding by a cop who caught me driving (I figured after a year without being caught....why bother getting a license). I didn't have the desire to play anymore. Then last year (9 years after I lost my license) a friend asked me to join the league to help out. I figured yea why not....it'll get me outta the house. I came in once a week to play. Sometimes I'd win and sometimes I'd lose, but I didn't care either way. One week I lost making it two weeks in a row. I had never lost two in a row and all the sudden I am hungry again.
Since then I have bought three new sticks, various tip/shaft tools and a new case. I play every chance I get, download various billiard clips to burn to DVD and think about improvements to stroke, play, stance etc when I am not doing that. I don't ever remember myself being this determined or focused in improving my game.
In the fine words of Paul Newman
"I'm back!"
