Ok, this may be long as thoughts come to me but here goes start to finish of Team CSI's latest trip.
So I left my litle home in Phoenix, Az it was 72 degrees and when I landed in Detroit is was a tropical 19 degrees. I know I should have been more mentally prepared for the change but I just wasn't. I went out side for a smoke til my bags arrived and thought I was going to die of freezer burn or something.
I finally meet our ride that is going to take us to the hotel and location of the event. We now have to wait for Earl, Hillbilly and Archer to land and take us all. So as I get talking to the driver (Mike) he says "yeah we got a little hike ahead of us" I didn't think much of it at the time and then Earls plane looks like it has landed. However he is not coming out or answering his phone. So I went to the info desk and explained the situation and they paged him while waiting I get chatting with the people at the desk and tell them we are heading to Alpena. They looked at me a litle strange and say "Well you guys got a hike" Seems that a hike is a popular phrase up there. Still no Earl. Finally Earl answers the cell phone and says he's in Chicago still and was delayed and would be landing in 2 and a half hours.
Mike (The driver) says "well we have 2 cars let Johnny and Hillbilly go and we can wait for Earl". Ok I am a loyal Team CSI member and will wait for my guys to all get in safe. So "What we gonna do?" I ask. "How about the bar" mike says. I like this guy already. So off we go to the bar and begin chatting to the attractive bartender (FEMALE before you start). We tell her why we are here and where we are going. Just guess what she says.... you got it "Wow you guys got quite a hike ahead of you eh?" So now I have to ask Mike "about how far we got to drive to the place?" he says "About 5 hours" "WTF man? am I getting punked right now?" "No if the weather holds up maybe 4 and a half" I look outside and the snow is going sideways so its not looking good.
Anyway, Earl finally arrives and we head out. Earl tells me "I have been in 7 blizzards in the last 2 weeks you know and I'm getting sick of the snow" I assured him that Phoenix was our next stop and that the weather was going to be better. "T-Wheels you tell me all the good stuff don't ya and keep the bad stuff until I get there?" I had nothing but a smile.
After chatting about everything under the sun on the way up to Alpena we are on a trip that takes less time to get to Manilla and its cold (Did I mention that??) We finally get into the town of alpena and its a nice little town a little like mayberry in winter and Its now 10.30pm and I need a beer. I instruct our driver to take me to the store and next thing I know we are getting pulled over. One of our lights was out and cause to pull us over, So here comes Barney and wants our ID. North Carolina, Arizona and Michigan. "What you guys doing tonight" he asks we explain and in true barney fashion he says "ok, get ur light fixed". Great news, we didn't have any warrants between us I guess he could just tell by looking at us.
So we get to the hotel and find out that the hotel had booked up and that Earl and I were going to have to share a room. We look at each other as if to say "who's gonna crack first and kill the other" . Hey what we gonna do? So we get to our room and actually did very well to my suprise. I am suprised because in the past Earl has fired me 5 times and threatened to kill me 7 times all in the same day so I just felt it would not go so well.
I went right to see Rita Karip the promoter of the event and one of the sponsors that I knew was around, by the wat Huron Distributors (Budweiser) Jim and StateWide Billiards Greg and the Holiday Inn Were the ones who not only sponsored the event but did ALOT to help with the whole thing. I am very greatful and thank them all for everything they do.
Day 2
I am up bright and early to go over the Team CSI exhibition and make sure the table is in place etc with the best viewing available for the spectators. Then as I am being as cool and professional as I can be HEEERREES Johnny. Archer comes into the room and can't help himself from picking at me as he usually does. Poking me in the side as he knows I am a little ticklish, pushing me and just doing what he does to me. That broke the ice again as Rita has worked with Johnny and I in the past and she just seems to enjoy our banter. So i think I have taken the initial picking and I will probably be left alone forthe most part the rest of the trip. I am actually feeling pretty good about everything as the venuee was great the event was set up and looked great Team CSI looked great and rested I mean what could go wrong right?
I here a voice sounds like WC Fields "I hear you been looking for me T-Wheels" I don't even need to turn around to know whos waiting for me. Its Jimmy Mataya, sporting sun glasses (inside at night) 'hey Floyd" Whats happening?" We chit chat a while and Earl comes to set up his shots for the exhibition that night, and Corey and Hillbilly. We are all just catching up and talling stories etc and along comes the Alpena Fire Chief. He is in full uniform stripes on the sleeve and everything and so I think he is here to shut us down. I go over to say hi and just be nice as I want to help if possible and make him feel welcome. I told him "listen, please come to the show tonight as my guest" He turns with a wide eyed look and said "Are you kidding? I can't believe these guys are all actually here" I would not miss it for the world and I need to talk to you about Adam Smith" Ok, So he wants Rita Karip and Team CSI to help him auction a cue that has alot of autographs on it and all the proceeds go to Adam and id girls daughter to help them through this hard time.
Obviously I tell Team CSI, Corey, Hillbilly and Earl and with no hesitation they ask "What can we do?" The fire Chief (Big pool fan) wants us to go to the fire station to pick up the cue no problem is the answer from all. So we make arrangements for the next day.
We get to the evening exhibition in the evening and I am not sure on the attendance numbers but I am going with almost 200 were there. All were happy and excited to see the exhibition. Everyone had fun and we were given some Budweiser balls from Jim of Huron Distributors that the guys signed and we gave them away. We also had a really nice framed picture from Nightshift clothing tat all the guys signed. That was auctioned off.
It was a great success and everyone had a great time. Thanks to the promoter and sponsors. I will probably repeat that agin but I am really greatful that these people are out there supporting the sport and making it all happen.
Day 3
So the next day we head out to the fire station. Everything I am about to tell you is on video and Rita Karip of the Michigam players Promotion will probably put on Youtube. We also have pictures of this.
The guys were like kids all over again, around fire trucks (most boys dream as a kid) We got to have fun and play. First the Chief suggested we go down the firemans pole (Again keep you filthy comments to yourself) Suprisingly Earl and Corey said "Hell yeah lets do it" Hillbilly had a little hernia issue that was best for him not to. So we all go upstairs and get to the pole. Earl heads down, Corey heads down, A fireman heads down and its my turn...... Oh man, I am terrified of heights, I look down and I just cant do it. I am getting pressure from the guys especially Earl tocomedown I keep heading over to do it buit can't bring myself to get too close. So on the video when you seee it may be cut but apparently I am a Fing PUs&^%Y.
Next thing the chief suggests is that we get up on the big Cherry picker firetruck and let it take us all up to the 95ft top. Now 95 foot may not seem too high to most of you but until you see how hi that actually is you may not realize. I decided not to go up in it as there was not enough room for 4 of us
The guys all git their safty gear on and headed into the basket. They were all having a great time until they realized how high they were going with the wind swaying the crane, that all told me they weren't scared but the look in their eyes makes me feel different. When you see the video you can make your own minds. Anyway a great time was had by all and for a great cause.
We played later in the team Challenge that had the sponsore have one of the CSI Team on their team, I didn't have a team as I suck at the game of pocket billiards so I ended up with 4 others who could play but were not on a team. I actually did well I won my first match 3-2 against Mark Justis won is a very good player and I was not really supposed to win. Mynext match I won 3-0 Whoo hoo I am on fire
we endedup going to a tie breaker and 3 people had to play a single rack. I make 6 balls on the break (8-Ball) and had a pretty easy out. I was kinda stoked with myself as Ronnie Wiseman came and said "Wow thats was awesome. you can't even play how u do that" Earl came and said the same thing as he was sweating my match inbetween his matches. Felt good even though we ended up losing. My team mates were all cool and really enjoyed their company. We alsmost had it, we coulda been contenders.
One guy came up to me and told me "Hey, I'm the best player in the country" I said "really?" he said "yes I just don't play real good in the city" lol, I will remember that one.
Last thing I almost saw history I think as I have never seen this happen before. Ronnie Wiseman's team didn't use him until they really needed it. They must have been pretty good cos he got all the way to the semi finals without playing a single game. We were joking about the chance that he could actually win a tourney without hitting a ball. He said "Hey if we win I will be able to say I won a tourney and didn't miss a ball the whole time"
Well thats about it. Again thanks to Rita and the sponsors for making the whole thing happen and if you are in Michigan and you see one of Michigan Players promotions and Rita Karip please enter it is sureto be ran very well. If I remember more things thatI can tell you I will post it as I know e laughed alot I just can't remember what they all were.
So I left my litle home in Phoenix, Az it was 72 degrees and when I landed in Detroit is was a tropical 19 degrees. I know I should have been more mentally prepared for the change but I just wasn't. I went out side for a smoke til my bags arrived and thought I was going to die of freezer burn or something.
I finally meet our ride that is going to take us to the hotel and location of the event. We now have to wait for Earl, Hillbilly and Archer to land and take us all. So as I get talking to the driver (Mike) he says "yeah we got a little hike ahead of us" I didn't think much of it at the time and then Earls plane looks like it has landed. However he is not coming out or answering his phone. So I went to the info desk and explained the situation and they paged him while waiting I get chatting with the people at the desk and tell them we are heading to Alpena. They looked at me a litle strange and say "Well you guys got a hike" Seems that a hike is a popular phrase up there. Still no Earl. Finally Earl answers the cell phone and says he's in Chicago still and was delayed and would be landing in 2 and a half hours.
Mike (The driver) says "well we have 2 cars let Johnny and Hillbilly go and we can wait for Earl". Ok I am a loyal Team CSI member and will wait for my guys to all get in safe. So "What we gonna do?" I ask. "How about the bar" mike says. I like this guy already. So off we go to the bar and begin chatting to the attractive bartender (FEMALE before you start). We tell her why we are here and where we are going. Just guess what she says.... you got it "Wow you guys got quite a hike ahead of you eh?" So now I have to ask Mike "about how far we got to drive to the place?" he says "About 5 hours" "WTF man? am I getting punked right now?" "No if the weather holds up maybe 4 and a half" I look outside and the snow is going sideways so its not looking good.
Anyway, Earl finally arrives and we head out. Earl tells me "I have been in 7 blizzards in the last 2 weeks you know and I'm getting sick of the snow" I assured him that Phoenix was our next stop and that the weather was going to be better. "T-Wheels you tell me all the good stuff don't ya and keep the bad stuff until I get there?" I had nothing but a smile.
After chatting about everything under the sun on the way up to Alpena we are on a trip that takes less time to get to Manilla and its cold (Did I mention that??) We finally get into the town of alpena and its a nice little town a little like mayberry in winter and Its now 10.30pm and I need a beer. I instruct our driver to take me to the store and next thing I know we are getting pulled over. One of our lights was out and cause to pull us over, So here comes Barney and wants our ID. North Carolina, Arizona and Michigan. "What you guys doing tonight" he asks we explain and in true barney fashion he says "ok, get ur light fixed". Great news, we didn't have any warrants between us I guess he could just tell by looking at us.
So we get to the hotel and find out that the hotel had booked up and that Earl and I were going to have to share a room. We look at each other as if to say "who's gonna crack first and kill the other" . Hey what we gonna do? So we get to our room and actually did very well to my suprise. I am suprised because in the past Earl has fired me 5 times and threatened to kill me 7 times all in the same day so I just felt it would not go so well.
I went right to see Rita Karip the promoter of the event and one of the sponsors that I knew was around, by the wat Huron Distributors (Budweiser) Jim and StateWide Billiards Greg and the Holiday Inn Were the ones who not only sponsored the event but did ALOT to help with the whole thing. I am very greatful and thank them all for everything they do.
Day 2
I am up bright and early to go over the Team CSI exhibition and make sure the table is in place etc with the best viewing available for the spectators. Then as I am being as cool and professional as I can be HEEERREES Johnny. Archer comes into the room and can't help himself from picking at me as he usually does. Poking me in the side as he knows I am a little ticklish, pushing me and just doing what he does to me. That broke the ice again as Rita has worked with Johnny and I in the past and she just seems to enjoy our banter. So i think I have taken the initial picking and I will probably be left alone forthe most part the rest of the trip. I am actually feeling pretty good about everything as the venuee was great the event was set up and looked great Team CSI looked great and rested I mean what could go wrong right?
I here a voice sounds like WC Fields "I hear you been looking for me T-Wheels" I don't even need to turn around to know whos waiting for me. Its Jimmy Mataya, sporting sun glasses (inside at night) 'hey Floyd" Whats happening?" We chit chat a while and Earl comes to set up his shots for the exhibition that night, and Corey and Hillbilly. We are all just catching up and talling stories etc and along comes the Alpena Fire Chief. He is in full uniform stripes on the sleeve and everything and so I think he is here to shut us down. I go over to say hi and just be nice as I want to help if possible and make him feel welcome. I told him "listen, please come to the show tonight as my guest" He turns with a wide eyed look and said "Are you kidding? I can't believe these guys are all actually here" I would not miss it for the world and I need to talk to you about Adam Smith" Ok, So he wants Rita Karip and Team CSI to help him auction a cue that has alot of autographs on it and all the proceeds go to Adam and id girls daughter to help them through this hard time.
Obviously I tell Team CSI, Corey, Hillbilly and Earl and with no hesitation they ask "What can we do?" The fire Chief (Big pool fan) wants us to go to the fire station to pick up the cue no problem is the answer from all. So we make arrangements for the next day.
We get to the evening exhibition in the evening and I am not sure on the attendance numbers but I am going with almost 200 were there. All were happy and excited to see the exhibition. Everyone had fun and we were given some Budweiser balls from Jim of Huron Distributors that the guys signed and we gave them away. We also had a really nice framed picture from Nightshift clothing tat all the guys signed. That was auctioned off.
It was a great success and everyone had a great time. Thanks to the promoter and sponsors. I will probably repeat that agin but I am really greatful that these people are out there supporting the sport and making it all happen.
Day 3
So the next day we head out to the fire station. Everything I am about to tell you is on video and Rita Karip of the Michigam players Promotion will probably put on Youtube. We also have pictures of this.
The guys were like kids all over again, around fire trucks (most boys dream as a kid) We got to have fun and play. First the Chief suggested we go down the firemans pole (Again keep you filthy comments to yourself) Suprisingly Earl and Corey said "Hell yeah lets do it" Hillbilly had a little hernia issue that was best for him not to. So we all go upstairs and get to the pole. Earl heads down, Corey heads down, A fireman heads down and its my turn...... Oh man, I am terrified of heights, I look down and I just cant do it. I am getting pressure from the guys especially Earl tocomedown I keep heading over to do it buit can't bring myself to get too close. So on the video when you seee it may be cut but apparently I am a Fing PUs&^%Y.
Next thing the chief suggests is that we get up on the big Cherry picker firetruck and let it take us all up to the 95ft top. Now 95 foot may not seem too high to most of you but until you see how hi that actually is you may not realize. I decided not to go up in it as there was not enough room for 4 of us
The guys all git their safty gear on and headed into the basket. They were all having a great time until they realized how high they were going with the wind swaying the crane, that all told me they weren't scared but the look in their eyes makes me feel different. When you see the video you can make your own minds. Anyway a great time was had by all and for a great cause.We played later in the team Challenge that had the sponsore have one of the CSI Team on their team, I didn't have a team as I suck at the game of pocket billiards so I ended up with 4 others who could play but were not on a team. I actually did well I won my first match 3-2 against Mark Justis won is a very good player and I was not really supposed to win. Mynext match I won 3-0 Whoo hoo I am on fire
we endedup going to a tie breaker and 3 people had to play a single rack. I make 6 balls on the break (8-Ball) and had a pretty easy out. I was kinda stoked with myself as Ronnie Wiseman came and said "Wow thats was awesome. you can't even play how u do that" Earl came and said the same thing as he was sweating my match inbetween his matches. Felt good even though we ended up losing. My team mates were all cool and really enjoyed their company. We alsmost had it, we coulda been contenders.One guy came up to me and told me "Hey, I'm the best player in the country" I said "really?" he said "yes I just don't play real good in the city" lol, I will remember that one.
Last thing I almost saw history I think as I have never seen this happen before. Ronnie Wiseman's team didn't use him until they really needed it. They must have been pretty good cos he got all the way to the semi finals without playing a single game. We were joking about the chance that he could actually win a tourney without hitting a ball. He said "Hey if we win I will be able to say I won a tourney and didn't miss a ball the whole time"
Well thats about it. Again thanks to Rita and the sponsors for making the whole thing happen and if you are in Michigan and you see one of Michigan Players promotions and Rita Karip please enter it is sureto be ran very well. If I remember more things thatI can tell you I will post it as I know e laughed alot I just can't remember what they all were.
