"shovak"
Jim, I had a great time at my first Expo and I will cherish our meeting forever, I think? After paying my adminission for my son, grandson and myself I walked through the maze of bar boxes, vendors, tatoos, teeshirts, and there it was! I was standing at the double doors at the Nationals and for a brief moment I thought I was at the Pearly Gates, it seemed like heaven to see the greatest players in the U.S. and as I peered in off in the distance I saw Jim Shovak. I soon reverted back to reality! I proudly introduced myself as the newly appointed president of your fan club and you seemed happy to meet me.--- I watched you play during the tournament and hoped you would complete every billiard, well of course that didn't happen and I'm sure your performance was not what you hoped for but you did real good.
Your day will come so hang in there. Maybe some day all the players will fall off the stagging area and you will win by default!{just kidding}---God bless Paul Frankel!, it was scary what happened to him, he is a real tropper and returned on the final day and was in good spirits. I liked Paul's event which allows pool players to try to defeat a 3-c player and I especially liked playing a game with you. Even though I lost terribly I thought I enjoyed myself, I could be wrong about that! You showed your skill and billiard acumen and left no doubt that defeating a billiard star is no easy task. I attempted the break shot but I was a little nervous and the chalk I was using was defective and my ball rolled off slightly when it rolled across that cold spot on the table and I missed by a close margin of 8.5". I think in retrospect that I may have "Noodle-armed" it a bit. You then approached the blue battlefield of honor with a glare in your eyes as if you were on a mission from God! You quickly ran off 4 billiards, every shot precise and with perfect position. Why don't you play like that always! I missed and it was over 5- zip.------- I shall always remember playing you and now that I have been released by my therapist I will practice 16 hrs each day and hope that someday you will give me a re-match. It seems that I was inflicted with B.D.D. [ billiard deficit disorder]. My Doctor, Amile Von de Billiardo has told me that some day it will pass. It's been two days since my realease and and my new regiment of practice has begun. Some of my billiard buddies have asked what is the nature of my new expletive I blurt out every time I miss a shot by 8.5" or less. I don't even realize I'm doing that! I must not be well yet!
"Its Shovak"
" Shoot straight with angles"
Dan Bennicas
{ maybe past President of the Jim Shovak fan club}