We recently tried to do a show at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, but right at the time we tried to approach them with a pool exhibition concept, the veterans had a controversial happening which made front-page news. It kind of shut the communication down, as other things were more important, like getting the veterans decent quarters.
Every Christmas, we go to a local nursing home and hang out with the residents, and Keith has done several charity pool tournaments within driving distance to our home.
When I first joined this forum, Blackjack, I offered to send to the first 10 responders a free autographed picture of Keith at Christmas time, trying to connect with the pool fan base on this forum. I received quite a few PMs stating they really would love to have a picture of Keith. I sent out 133 of them at a cost of 7 bucks apiece. The Postal Priority cost $3.75, I think at that time.
Shortly thereafter, a poster stated that these were probably all fake and that they were worthless. It really hurt my feelings, after all the trouble, time, and expense we went to sending them out.
There comes a time when you can only expend so much money, Blackjack, speaking as a pool player household.
The tournament trail was a financial burden. I now know that in the United States, you have to pick your tournaments wisely.
I am still working on other American pool-related projects, when time allows. When I'm done, I think it will be worth my time and effort. Satifaction of a job well done will be my payoff. And it will be a job well done to the best of my ability.
JAM