Mosconi Moments … Penultimo Giorno.
Dear Gentle Readers,
> “I’m playing like a rhino.” Soon followed by, “I’m disgusted.” Those Schmidt comments could well have been echoed by others. On both teams.
> Later Schmidt said to Corey, “Just go ahead and make it, I’ll figure something out.” Corey did, Schmidt didn’t.
> Isn't it interesting how sloppily played matches can be so compelling to watch? An emotional Tilt-A-Whirl.
> So many misses, scratches, botched positions … early on it could have looked as if the fix were in. Except both sides were screwing up.
> Those British accents - - players and administrators alike - - certainly contain no hint of Oxbridge. And isn’t that appropriate? Cue sports may once have been upper crust, but today’s stars, often from third world countries, are frequently, and proudly, of the proletariat.
> Parents. A Boyes shirt was spotted in the audience. Ordinarily I would have speed-dialed the Tacky Police, but it was his dad. Parent Forgiveness rules.
> Audience numbers. I heard 1200 for this Circus arena. Credible. The Master of Ceremonies cited ‘millions of viewers around the world.’ Hope that’s accurate.
> The wardrobes continue to improve. Day three featured a sort of cowboy yoke, a kind of frontier motif. (Please do try to pay attention … uniform embarrassment could well cause loss of points by abashed players!)
> Something I learned … Diamond tables have a ‘deeper shelf’ which causes balls to hang more often.
> Youthful bravado … down a couple of games, rookie Justin H. - - when asked if the US still had a chance - - declared, “We’re the favorite now.” Understandable crowd reaction.
> Grammar sidebar … one of the commentators remarked, “And the crowd know it.” I started to hurl my Funk & Wagnalls at my screen. Then realized that maybe he was using the British collective noun … e. g. ‘the jury are still out.’ You’re welcome, scholars.
Further Britishisms … ‘may have to develop it’ (break a ball out). ‘Clearance’ (run out).
Useless distinctions are my life,
Sunny
P. S. What are the odds of America coming from 9-5 down to triumph on the final day? If your numbers are propitious, I might accept a small perspiration wager.
Why? Couple of reasons … in such a short race, even with alternate breaks, anything can happen. And … Europe - - once in a while - - exhibited vulnerability. Should the US ‘catch a gear’ (okay, unlikely), well … we can dream, can’t we?
P. P. S. One of the commentators mentioned that he’d watched Niels play for two decades. Does Niels ever age? Is it some Dorian Gray soul-selling compact with Satan? If so, I may well have to withdraw my Niels-interest. Or not. How long does eternity last, anyway?
P. P. P. S. While one-pocket is my favorite game, I’m paying good money to Mosconi-watch some of the top players on the planet excel, screw up, dominate, choke … to watch them exhibit all-too-human traits. (Okay, my British stream is actually free, but my point remains. I think.)
Dear Gentle Readers,
> “I’m playing like a rhino.” Soon followed by, “I’m disgusted.” Those Schmidt comments could well have been echoed by others. On both teams.
> Later Schmidt said to Corey, “Just go ahead and make it, I’ll figure something out.” Corey did, Schmidt didn’t.
> Isn't it interesting how sloppily played matches can be so compelling to watch? An emotional Tilt-A-Whirl.
> So many misses, scratches, botched positions … early on it could have looked as if the fix were in. Except both sides were screwing up.
> Those British accents - - players and administrators alike - - certainly contain no hint of Oxbridge. And isn’t that appropriate? Cue sports may once have been upper crust, but today’s stars, often from third world countries, are frequently, and proudly, of the proletariat.
> Parents. A Boyes shirt was spotted in the audience. Ordinarily I would have speed-dialed the Tacky Police, but it was his dad. Parent Forgiveness rules.
> Audience numbers. I heard 1200 for this Circus arena. Credible. The Master of Ceremonies cited ‘millions of viewers around the world.’ Hope that’s accurate.
> The wardrobes continue to improve. Day three featured a sort of cowboy yoke, a kind of frontier motif. (Please do try to pay attention … uniform embarrassment could well cause loss of points by abashed players!)
> Something I learned … Diamond tables have a ‘deeper shelf’ which causes balls to hang more often.
> Youthful bravado … down a couple of games, rookie Justin H. - - when asked if the US still had a chance - - declared, “We’re the favorite now.” Understandable crowd reaction.
> Grammar sidebar … one of the commentators remarked, “And the crowd know it.” I started to hurl my Funk & Wagnalls at my screen. Then realized that maybe he was using the British collective noun … e. g. ‘the jury are still out.’ You’re welcome, scholars.
Further Britishisms … ‘may have to develop it’ (break a ball out). ‘Clearance’ (run out).
Useless distinctions are my life,
Sunny
P. S. What are the odds of America coming from 9-5 down to triumph on the final day? If your numbers are propitious, I might accept a small perspiration wager.
Why? Couple of reasons … in such a short race, even with alternate breaks, anything can happen. And … Europe - - once in a while - - exhibited vulnerability. Should the US ‘catch a gear’ (okay, unlikely), well … we can dream, can’t we?
P. P. S. One of the commentators mentioned that he’d watched Niels play for two decades. Does Niels ever age? Is it some Dorian Gray soul-selling compact with Satan? If so, I may well have to withdraw my Niels-interest. Or not. How long does eternity last, anyway?
P. P. P. S. While one-pocket is my favorite game, I’m paying good money to Mosconi-watch some of the top players on the planet excel, screw up, dominate, choke … to watch them exhibit all-too-human traits. (Okay, my British stream is actually free, but my point remains. I think.)
