Hi, Robb. Hope all is well with you. I remember sitting in somebody's hotel room between pool matches with you and a few other pool peeps discussing what pool means to all of us. You were still living up in Yankee Country at the time. What struck me about you was your sincere desire to be a professional pool player. You actually wanted it more than anything and said you were planning on playing in as many events as possible, in an effort to become better and achieve this goal. I truly admired your enthusiasm.
That was about six or seven years ago, Robb, and it sounds to me like you still have that passion. Good for you! Follow your dreams, but allow yourself some room to expand in other directions, as well. Pool, as I'm sure you know by now, is a rich man's high. Unless you're sponsored or have a corpulent stakehorse, it is difficult to follow the tournament trail, especially today when so many tournaments are now being held overseas. I can count on one hand how many American pool players can afford it.
I don't have to tell you all this, as I'm sure you already know it. This forum is not a friendly environment to pro players either. Though this forum is moderated, there are multiple-identitied trolls as well as keyboard bullies who take great pleasure in ripping people apart. That is forum culture.
I hope you continue to play pool and enjoy it to the fullest. Be sure to have a Plan B as far as keeping a roof over your head. Find somebody to share your heart with. Believe it or not, there's more to life than this doggone pool racket. Some pool players have learned that the hard way. I wish you all the success in your endeavors
Here's my favorite picture of you taken at the 2005 U.S. Open. It was a glorious day, and the sun was just setting. I love the color contrast of the pink shirt and the blue background.