Sorry guys....I feel kinda silly to even do this...but here goes..
I have really been putting in alot of hrs on the table here lately to do the best that I can at the US Amateur Qualifier in Shreveport La in Sept. I coach my sons soccer and baseball teams and my mind has really been fried lately with dealing with all the parents, and dealing with the kids...good kinds though...they just like to play around a bit 2 much for me...but hey, they are kids. I have been playing 8 and 9 ball with my son trying to teach him the game, my 16yr old nephew has shown an interest in pool, and his 16th birthday was May 2nd...so I have him a Schon Sneaky Pete that I had...I work at the Regional Veterans Affairs office and thats a pretty stressful job in itself....With all the stress I have had, I was really worried about the ACS tournament that I was going to play in on April 24,25.
Mind you, the tournament started at 7pm sharp..Sand Springs is at least 1hr away..and I got off work late, had to go get my wife and son, drive to Sand Springs and pay for the room at the Hampton Inn...as I was pulling up and my cousin was calling me on my phone saying that i had 5min or I had to forfiet my 1st game...CRAPPPP...so i rush and get the family checked in, go across the street to the pool hall...i barely get inside the door and the tournament director met me and pointed me to my table...(I had 30 seconds to spare)...Well, with rushing around....tired from the days work...and just being stressed smooth out....here is what I accomplished that weekend...
http://www.pooltulsa.com/2009 results Singles.htm
I played alot of really good players..and I went undefeated, but I it would have been just as fun even if I hadnt done so well.
The tournament directors husband (Mr. Keith Costigan) came up to me and said it was a pleasure playing against me, and that he wished everyone was as good of a sport as I was and it was refreshing seeing someone play that could make it so fun...To me, Him saying that just MADE my weekend....I think pool should be fun, and should be played with respect.
There was a situation where I could have cheated and won...I didnt, I instead did what was right knowing that it could cost me the game...Later, someone else I didnt even know came up to me and wanted to shake my hand..didnt have a clue what for..he said he seen what I did and wanted to thank me for being such a good sport and being honest because you dont find that very often..I so very much appreciated that and will never forget it.
I just love to play pool, hate all the drama it can sometimes bring, but try not to let it get me down. I think we should be role models to the younger kids and try and promote our sport, not bash it into the ground. I APPRECIATE AZ and everyone associated with it...This is such a good outlet for me and is very entertaining as well..
Thanks AZ..I appreciate each and every one of you guys and gals!
Shawn
