Me and Ewa!

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
With the BCA Open in progress, I am finding myself going over to the WPBA website in hopes to get an up-to-date report on what's happening in Las Vegas. This website is fantastic, especially the player bios which flash on and off with a new pro player's picture and detailed history. I also enjoy seeing the men's brackets to get updates on the pro tournament, for my inquiring mind. :p

After perusing the various links, I learned a lot about the lady pro players. I don't know who runs the WPBA, but that website puts a face to the name and, most importantly, gives pool a personality, something sorely needed in these times.

What really caught my eye was seeing Ewa Laurence's bio. I was totally in awe when I clicked on her link. She has the BEST website of any pool player I have ever seen: http://www.strikingviking.com

I used to boast that I was born on the same day as Jackie Gleason and Johnny Cash, but I now have a new celebrity to add to my birthday list. Me and Ewa share the same birth date!

I am impressed with the women's governing body of professional pool. It is no wonder they have made strides and have a strong presence on American TV. Whoever is running the WPBA ship is doing it right! Bravo to the WPBA, and thanks for posting the BCA Open men's brackets for my inquiring mind.

The Striking Viking has a new fan to add to her list, and that would be me. It is no wonder she is in the Hall of Fame. She is an asset to the sport, no question about it!

AzBilliards' two Melissas (Herndon and Little), "The Empress" Ming Ng, Cutey Pie Sarah Rousey, Veteran Player Alice Rim, Sweet Jennifer Baretta, my hometown champion Sueyen Rhee, and, of course, Karen and Julie, they're all on that website with their bios and pictures. The ladies got it right, a fair and equitable ranking system, a schedule of the WPBA Tour posted well ahead of time, news clips and updates. The WPBA is going to be the change agent for pool. Leave it to the ladies to do things right (IMO)!

JAM
 
They actually just changed the format of the site. It was good prior to the change too. It looks like they will also be adding additional features too, which will be exciting. I do wish that they would post highlights of the ENTIRE tourney and not just the TV rounds. I also wish the brackets could be updated a bit speedier, but I guess these are little things, as JAM you are correct...it is a pretty good site.
 
Well done site that anyone could appreciate, pool player or not.

I especially liked the bio's (or is it "bios?"). I was wondering how the men would answer those questions lol. My favorite quote of Ewa's:

"Put your heart and passion into it [pool] but understand it’s a business and recognize how important it is to represent your sport well."

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
Well done site that anyone could appreciate, pool player or not.

I especially liked the bio's (or is it "bios?"). I was wondering how the men would answer those questions lol. My favorite quote of Ewa's:

"Put your heart and passion into it [pool] but understand it’s a business and recognize how important it is to represent your sport well."

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

It's "bios," without the apostrophe, and "well done site" should be "well-done site" with a hyphen between well and done, as it is a descriptive adjective. [Proofing is an occupational hazard of mine, even on the offs.] :p

As exciting as the WPBA site is, I really, really like Ewa Mataya's website. What an impressive career! Keith knows Ewa from a long time ago and has nothing but nice things to say about her. She has been a pro player since the early '80s and has hung in there, stuck it out on the tournament trail with all of its potholes and bumps, and made it to the top. Pisces women are strong-willed and make things happen! ;)

How nice it is that the WPBA is posting the men's brackets for the BCA Open in Las Vegas. Getting the times shouldn't be a toughie, if an attendee out there has a laptop. I'm feeling kind of lucky that the WPBA is at least providing some up-to-date news for us inquiring minds back home. You'd think that the UPA might jump on the band wagon and promote THEIR product!

JAM
 
JAM said:
It's "bios," without the apostrophe, and "well done site" should be "well-done site" with a hyphen between well and done, as it is a descriptive adjective. [Proofing is an occupational hazard of mine, even on the offs.] :p

As exciting as the WPBA site is, I really, really like Ewa Mataya's website. What an impressive career! Keith knows Ewa from a long time ago and has nothing but nice things to say about her. She has been a pro player since the early '80s and has hung in there, stuck it out on the tournament trail with all of its potholes and bumps, and made it to the top. Pisces women are strong-willed and make things happen! ;)

How nice it is that the WPBA is posting the men's brackets for the BCA Open in Las Vegas. Getting the times shouldn't be a toughie, if an attendee out there has a laptop. I'm feeling kind of lucky that the WPBA is at least providing some up-to-date news for us inquiring minds back home. You'd think that the UPA might jump on the band wagon and promote THEIR product!

JAM
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Thank you so much for the corrections on my English. It helps me speak English good. lol I thought all adjectives were descriptive. hmmmm....

I agree that the UPA could learn much from this and Ewa's site. Notice how many events she is attending and contributing to (whoops, preposition)...to which she is contributing---golf events, even. Marketing, marketing, marketing is how a talent like hers gets the cash. [readers' eyes glaze over here] :(

Jeff Livingston
 
Jam,

The WPBA has been on top of it for a long time. I am surprised you didn't realize that. After all, Gremlin used to point it out all the time. But of course he would just be ridiculed for it. The reason they are on top? Because ALL of the women who wish to be called pros belong to it. Maybe if ALL of the men who wish to be called pros belonged to the UPA then that organization could be as powerful. It is time for the men to stop crying poor boy and get organized and join the UPA. Then become active in it and make sure it goes the right way.

So when is Keith going to join the UPA?

Jake
 
chefjeff said:
Thank you so much for the corrections on my English. It helps me speak English good. lol I thought all adjectives were descriptive. hmmmm....

I agree that the UPA could learn much from this and Ewa's site. Notice how many events she is attending and contributing to (whoops, preposition)...to which she is contributing---golf events, even. Marketing, marketing, marketing is how a talent like hers gets the cash. [readers' eyes glaze over here] :(

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

I am reminded of a funny line from the late Larry Lisciotti. He was in the heat of action, just won a game in a race going to 5, and was getting ready to break the balls. He addresses the table and then, with perfect timing, he pauses, looks to the crowd of railbirds and says, "Somebody stop me," just like Jim Carrey in "The Mask." Everybody cracked up, and then Larry proceeded to slam the rack with a vengeance, without missing a beat! :D

A compound [descriptive] adjective is formed by combining two or more words to form a single modifier that expresses a single characteristic. Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated, unless they follow the noun that they modify (i.e., act as a predicate adjetive). One exception to the rule is words with "l-y" endings. :p

I saw Ewa in the D.C. area putting on an exhibition maybe 20-plus years ago. She was a big hit with everybody in the pool room. I got an autographed picture, too. :D

A few years ago, I saw her again at the Super Billiards Expo when they hosted a ladies pro event. She's tall and quite beautiful, very classy and sophisticated. She was gracious to everyone who approached her. When she was putting on an exhibition at a vendor's booth, Keith and I were strolling by. She picked Keith out of the crowd, catching his glance, and in the middle of her show, she comes over to him and says, "Hey, you." Then they exchanged some pleasantries for a hot minute, before she continued to dazzle the large crowd of onlookers. Great asset to the sport AND the WPBA (IMO)!

JAM
 
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jjinfla said:
Jam,

The WPBA has been on top of it for a long time. I am surprised you didn't realize that. After all, Gremlin used to point it out all the time. But of course he would just be ridiculed for it. The reason they are on top? Because ALL of the women who wish to be called pros belong to it. Maybe if ALL of the men who wish to be called pros belonged to the UPA then that organization could be as powerful. It is time for the men to stop crying poor boy and get organized and join the UPA. Then become active in it and make sure it goes the right way.

So when is Keith going to join the UPA?

Jake
Click to expand...

That is not a good question to ask me, JJinFLA! I am happy to see the "governing body of men's professional pool" make strides, but your inquiry can only be answered by Keith. I'm not going to step into that puddle! :p

If you do ever get to ask him in person and not on this forum, you may get an earful! For the betterment of the sport, some things are better off unsaid (IMO). :)

JAM
 
One thing I don't like is that the fact the side navigation links shift as the main portion of the site shifts in length. But on the most part it conforms to W3 standards and is a very clean looking site with several usability heuristics kept in mind. It is definitely one of the better websites out there.
 
JAM said:
(snip)
A compound [descriptive] adjective is formed by combining two or more words to form a single modifier that expresses a single characteristic. Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated, unless they follow the noun that they modify (i.e., act as a predicate adjetive). One exception to the rule is words with "l-y" endings. :p

(snip)
JAM
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Cool. I think I get it. Let me know when I screw up (screw-up?) again.

btw, shouldn't it be "Ewa and Me?" :cool:

Jeff Livingston
 
JAM said:
...I used to boast that I was born on the same day as Jackie Gleason and Johnny Cash, but I now have a new celebrity to add to my birthday list. Me and Ewa share the same birth date!...
Click to expand...

Geez. And I'm stuck with Chastity Bono :rolleyes:

:cool:
 
I couldn't agree with you more about Ewa, JAM!!! She's classy, completely professional and gorgeous to boot.

BTW, I'm not surprised proofing is part of your job because (among other things) you are one of a scant handful of posters who knows that "it" can never be possessive - that "it's" ALWAYS means "it is" or "it has". Your command of the English language makes your posts a true pleasure to read (and I absolutely can't wait to read the book!). :)
 
Total Class

I met Ewa many moons ago, when she was just a babe-y and before she became a Mataya. Then again as a married lady and just this past February at the NC WPBA event. The most recent time in NC we were staying in the same hotel and I wished her luck the night before the tournament started. I'm pretty sure she didn't remember me from way back, but made me feel like she did and spoke with me for several minutes, even though it was late and she was playing Kelly Fisher the next day.

The lady is total class in every way, IMHO. And, she's still got game!

Scott
 
JAM said:
It's "bios," without the apostrophe, and "well done site" should be "well-done site" with a hyphen between well and done, as it is a descriptive adjective. [Proofing is an occupational hazard of mine, even on the offs.] :p

JAM
Click to expand...

Jam, marry me! I have a long-standing love affair with the English language and you are calling to my heart lol One thing I love about my job is editing... proposals, contracts, web content, anything! Yeah - I'm a nerd!
 
marissayi said:
I laughed so hard I snorted!
Click to expand...

I admire your candour. But I'm still going to grass you up to the authorities. In the meantime I suggest you drink plenty of fluids and carry a sample bottle with you at all times.

Boro Nut
 
I'm a tad dissappointed about the ESPN2 disappearing Ewa phenomenom. Perhaps it is just me in Japan.

Specifically, cable channel ESPN occasionally runs ESPN2 broadcasts. 45-50 min, latest is UPA Bicycle Club LA Jan 4-9 tourney, Gabe vs. Efren, now Gabe vs. Danny Basavich, eventually Corey D. against Danny... and I was almost there, leaving U.S. 5th so I wanted to stop in Bellflower so bad and stay at the hotel, or go to hard times billiards... having played UPA Bill Ferguson and catching him on a bad night winning against him in a local Santa Barbara room tourney..

About the announced super Ewa new role presence... for overseas broadcast anyway, most intro work she did was edited, and we had two 15 second chats midstream post-match-mortems with the players, the rest was Laurance and Wyche, interesting, and uhm straight on visual thong shots of the lovely blonde Julie Ann Kelley dressed in tuxedo jacket with cleavage, shorts, and courtesy of the impressive Sardo tight rack, wink, nod, curtsy, exit. She has a gig, plays it well for the camera.

ESPN is so dumb they can't yet use Ewa meaningfully. She is a lovely person, photogenic, enough to get my heart throbbing uselessly, Mitch Laurance I envy you.... but .. ESPN still presents pool snd misses the essence of.

My ideal commentary:

Wow, I can't believe he dorked that shot, it is unbelievable, at this level, it should cost him 3 games, this, the break and runout, and break and next botched chance.

I'm with you there, Mitch... all is in the open and at this level of play, it should be game/set/match for Danny against Gabe's break. 3-0.

Wow, Kelly-Anne sure racks them tight with the sardo rack, and what hips and a smile!

Nice moves, but what about this break. All in the open, it only takes one mistake for our shooter to go down 4-0 or up 2-4, assuming he gets out as he should and his break works in the next rack...
 
I agree with the posts on the update of the WPBA site. It was actually quite suprising to see. I like that the updated site isn't too flashy, or bogging for those of us that are dial-up browsers. (Yes, I admit it. haha.)

I believe that personal sites, such as Ewa's, have been properly designed to definately benefit, especially with it being quite simple.
I just hate getting online, and having to wait 10 minutes to load a flashy, unnecessary introduction. Let's not forget waiting another 10 to load the menu, and animations. So, I definately liked Ewa's site. It's too the point, and not harsh on the eyes with colors. (It also reflects who she is, quite well.)

(: Ahhh, the love of multiple medications when one is sick! *returns to la la land*

Dea
 
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