There comes a time

[ironman]

There comes a time for most when you must ask, "am I still competitive or just hanging on"? This question has been nagging me for about two years now and I suppose it is time I truely address it. My answer, it has come time.
This is not a "poor me thread" nor am I a victim of time. This game has been the major part of me my entire adult life and it is a life filled with incredible adventure, wins, losses, scuffles, hustles, scores, and a lot of things nobody would even believe. If I had it to do oveer again, yes, I would do it again.
Something happens to different people at different ages and times and I guess it happened to me a couple of years ago. I'm just not as comnpetitive as I used to be. I won so many big matches in my life on Heart alone and now that is not what it was.
I gave this up in 93 and returned in 2000 thnking it would just take some time and practice and I would be right back in the thick of things. Well, I had some flashes, but something during the vacation went away to not return for any lenght of time. My attitude and perspective had changed and I wasn't nearly as hungry for the wins. Things I wused to do so well, had vanished or became such labor.
I know this won't be easy, but I'm done. Maybe I state it here in some way to hold myself accountable to see it through. I'm not sure.
My involvement in the game now will be strictly that as a promoter. I will continue with the tour and pour much more energy into it than I have in years past. That I owe to myself and the game.
Pool is a good game with lots of good people who love it and want to do good thigs for it. The dark side of the game is so overly stated and exaggerated these days. Todays characters are nothing like those of the days past.
SO there is my rant. I resign, as Costner said in the movie, "for love of the game".

 

[JoeyA]

There comes a time for most when you must ask, "am I still competitive or just hanging on"? This question has been nagging me for about two years now and I suppose it is time I truely address it. My answer, it has come time.
This is not a "poor me thread" nor am I a victim of time. This game has been the major part of me my entire adult life and it is a life filled with incredible adventure, wins, losses, scuffles, hustles, scores, and a lot of things nobody would even believe. If I had it to do oveer again, yes, I would do it again.
Something happens to different people at different ages and times and I guess it happened to me a couple of years ago. I'm just not as comnpetitive as I used to be. I won so many big matches in my life on Heart alone and now that is not what it was.
I gave this up in 93 and returned in 2000 thnking it would just take some time and practice and I would be right back in the thick of things. Well, I had some flashes, but something during the vacation went away to not return for any lenght of time. My attitude and perspective had changed and I wasn't nearly as hungry for the wins. Things I wused to do so well, had vanished or became such labor.
I know this won't be easy, but I'm done. Maybe I state it here in some way to hold myself accountable to see it through. I'm not sure.
My involvement in the game now will be strictly that as a promoter. I will continue with the tour and pour much more energy into it than I have in years past. That I owe to myself and the game.
Pool is a good game with lots of good people who love it and want to do good thigs for it. The dark side of the game is so overly stated and exaggerated these days. Todays characters are nothing like those of the days past.
SO there is my rant. I resign, as Costner said in the movie, "for love of the game".

And I thought I was going to get a chance to whack you before you retired again. :grin:

There is nothing wrong with changing paths. Sorry I didn't cross yours earlier in my "career". :smile:

Best of luck in the promotions department, Lewis. I'm sure I'll be at one of your tournaments down the road.
JoeyA

 

[grindz]

No matter how much people say it.....

in the end you're just competing with yourself, and as we get older our egos just don't need to prove it to others or ourselves. It's the part of aging that only time will give you. It's a Good place, calm and peaceful, and only the occassional 'whipper snapper' whose ego is trying to assert itself will challenge it.

Enjoy it and wherever your game goes from here.

td

 

[ironman]

And I thought I was going to get a chance to whack you before you retired again. :grin:

There is nothing wrong with changing paths. Sorry I didn't cross yours earlier in my "career". :smile:

Best of luck in the promotions department, Lewis. I'm sure I'll be at one of your tournaments down the road.
JoeyA

Whack me????? This is twice you have leaned in this direction.
Just to show that I ain't scared and that I ain't too smart, here is what I will do, one more time.
We have a Fast Eddies Tournament in Lafeyette the 15th and 16th of November. Once that is done, I will meet you wherever between Lafayette and New Orleans as long as we make it worth while. This has to be completed by the 18th as I must be in San Antonio on the 19th.
My conditions are that we play on a decent gold crown, in a safe place, and put up at least $2500. Preferably we play like 5-6 ahead.
I'm not mad here or trying to sound like BA or anything like that, I just like challenges and love being hustled.
Another suggestion is if you come to Lafayette, we could do this on Monday at White Diamonds, Chris Millers place. Chris is a great guy and runs a great operation.
As the Grat Ronnie Allen always said, "you got me"!

 

[Johnnyt]

It's a very sad day for any life-long pool player to call it quits. When I couldn't play the way I use to after some heart attacks and strokes I was very bitter. The sadist day of my life was when my Dad died, but the day I quit pool because I couldn't get better than a C+ player and quit, has to be right up there with that.

Now I'm back playing and am pretty sure I'll never get better than B+ on a bar box. On a 9'...forget about it. I hope you can walk away from it and be happy with just promoting...I could not. Good luck to you. Johnnyt

 

[ironman]

It's a very sad day for any life-long pool player to call it quits. When I couldn't play the way I use to after some heart attacks and strokes I was very bitter. The sadist day of my life was when my Dad died, but the day I quit pool because I couldn't get better than a C+ player and quit, has to be right up there with that.

Now I'm back playing and am pretty sure I'll never get better than B+ on a bar box. On a 9'...forget about it. I hope you can walk away from it and be happy with just promoting...I could not. Good luck to you. Johnnyt

It will be okay. There are still things to do and accomplish. At times I will regret it, but there are regrets in every decision we make.

You hang in there. B+ ain't bad by any means. No matter how badly we want, the hands of the clock don't run backwards. If so, I'd have one hanging in every room.

 

[Johnnyt]

It will be okay. There are still things to do and accomplish. At times I will regret it, but there are regrets in every decision we make.

You hang in there. B+ ain't bad by any means. No matter how badly we want, the hands of the clock don't run backwards. If so, I'd have one hanging in every room.

Your right of course and I think I'm going to take a few of my clocks down. I don't need a reminder in every room lol. Johnnyt

 

[ironman]

in the end you're just competing with yourself, and as we get older our egos just don't need to prove it to others or ourselves. It's the part of aging that only time will give you. It's a Good place, calm and peaceful, and only the occassional 'whipper snapper' whose ego is trying to assert itself will challenge it.

Enjoy it and wherever your game goes from here.

td

Well said.

 

[grindz]

Lol...

Whack me????? This is twice you have leaned in this direction.
Just to show that I ain't scared and that I ain't too smart, here is what I will do, one more time.
We have a Fast Eddies Tournament in Lafeyette the 15th and 16th of November. Once that is done, I will meet you wherever between Lafayette and New Orleans as long as we make it worth while. This has to be completed by the 18th as I must be in San Antonio on the 19th.
My conditions are that we play on a decent gold crown, in a safe place, and put up at least $2500. Preferably we play like 5-6 ahead.
I'm not mad here or trying to sound like BA or anything like that, I just like challenges and love being hustled.
Another suggestion is if you come to Lafayette, we could do this on Monday at White Diamonds, Chris Millers place. Chris is a great guy and runs a great operation.
As the Grat Ronnie Allen always said, "you got me"!

Who said 'retirement' can't be fun!! :smile:

td

 

[Black-Balled]

Well, it all depends on how you measure 'competitive'. Is it balls/ racks run or is it $?

If the prior, somebody is always going to be better, so enjoy what you do.

If the latter, there are plenty of people out there that can't play too good but match up great. Honestly, how 'well' one plays is of little consequence here.

 

[JB Cases]

You're not quitting. We all have those moments. Maybe you can't do the road, don't have the killer instinct for it anymore but don't forget that this game is brutal. It demands 100% focus to win against decent players. Just don't go into it thinking you have to match up or prove you're the best each time out.

Try to focus on yourself when you play and you'll have more fun getting back to the game for the game itself.

As a promoter I think you'll do really well but don't hang up those sticks just yet.

 

[ironman]

Well, it all depends on how you measure 'competitive'. Is it balls/ racks run or is it $?

If the prior, somebody is always going to be better, so enjoy what you do.

If the latter, there are plenty of people out there that can't play too good but match up great. Honestly, how 'well' one plays is of little consequence here.

I always had my game in a pretty good perspective and knew my capabilities. That I could live with. It got to the point where how well I played was okay, but how badly I often played was just unbearable.

There is lots of talk about the secrets to this game and IMO it's all about how you pocket balls. That is the secret. After nearly 40 years of this though, I can't believe how I could miss some balls that are actually harder to miss than to make.

 

[Maniac]

There comes a time for most when you must ask, "am I still competitive or just hanging on"? This question has been nagging me for about two years now and I suppose it is time I truely address it. My answer, it has come time.

At least you WERE competitive at one time. Me, I've pretty much sucked at pool all my life :embarrassed2: . I didn't start taking pool seriously until 3 years ago at the age of 52. Now, at the ripe 'ol age of 55, I realize that I'm probably as good as I'll ever be (and it's never been much). I do however, regardless of whether I win or lose, still enjoy the competition offered by leagues and tournaments and have no plans whatsoever in discontinuing these endeavors. The games of pool are just plain fun IMO and I can see myself playing until the age where I can either not hold a cue stick in my hands or can no longer stand on my own two feet.
One of the many things I've learned in life is that for all you have accomplished in life, there are many people throughout this world that have accomplished more and there are many people out there eager for the chance to take you down a peg or two in the food chain. A very select few, individuals or teams, stay on top for any lengthy amount of time. Evaluate yourself on a scale of 1-10 (10 being best) and I bet you will evaluate yourself on the good side of the average. I wish I could say that, as I'm sure many others on this site wish they could also.
Have fun ironman, and know that you once were a great shooter and competitor. You still have a lot to offer to the game :thumbup: !!!

Maniac

 

[ironman]

You're not quitting. We all have those moments. Maybe you can't do the road, don't have the killer instinct for it anymore but don't forget that this game is brutal. It demands 100% focus to win against decent players. Just don't go into it thinking you have to match up or prove you're the best each time out.

Try to focus on yourself when you play and you'll have more fun getting back to the game for the game itself.

As a promoter I think you'll do really well but don't hang up those sticks just yet.

I think we all get to where we feel we want to prove something. That is just being competitive. But trust me, my biggest critic was always, Me.

 

[jay helfert]

Whack me????? This is twice you have leaned in this direction.
Just to show that I ain't scared and that I ain't too smart, here is what I will do, one more time.
We have a Fast Eddies Tournament in Lafeyette the 15th and 16th of November. Once that is done, I will meet you wherever between Lafayette and New Orleans as long as we make it worth while. This has to be completed by the 18th as I must be in San Antonio on the 19th.
My conditions are that we play on a decent gold crown, in a safe place, and put up at least $2500. Preferably we play like 5-6 ahead.
I'm not mad here or trying to sound like BA or anything like that, I just like challenges and love being hustled.
Another suggestion is if you come to Lafayette, we could do this on Monday at White Diamonds, Chris Millers place. Chris is a great guy and runs a great operation.
As the Grat Ronnie Allen always said, "you got me"!

Lewis, I love your style, straight and to the point! Just a word of warning about Joy Boy, he likes to talk a lot of shit, but gets a little grass in his belly when you call him on it. You may remember my threads with him last year. We had agreed to play one set each of One Pocket and Bank Pool, and I told him he could bet what he wants. Guess what, it never happened.

As far as getting old is concerned, considering the alternative I hope you get a lot older, even if it means playing less. Myself, I have taken many breaks from the game over the years, sometimes as long as a year or two without hitting a ball. I'm in the midst of a six month break right now. That's why you don't hear me woofing at anyone. What has always amazed me, is that I can come back from a long break, play every day for a week and find my game again.

I've probably done this a dozen times in my life and was able to regain my shortstop speed in days. Of course, my speed isn't that great anyway. But I can beat a banger or a big talker. :smile:

 

[ironman]

At least you WERE competitive at one time. Me, I've pretty much sucked at pool all my life :embarrassed2: . I didn't start taking pool seriously until 3 years ago at the age of 52. Now, at the ripe 'ol age of 55, I realize that I'm probably as good as I'll ever be (and it's never been much). I do however, regardless of whether I win or lose, still enjoy the competition offered by leagues and tournaments and have no plans whatsoever in discontinuing these endeavors. The games of pool are just plain fun IMO and I can see myself playing until the age where I can either not hold a cue stick in my hands or can no longer stand on my own two feet.
One of the many things I've learned in life is that for all you have accomplished in life, there are many people throughout this world that have accomplished more and there are many people out there eager for the chance to take you down a peg or two in the food chain. A very select few, individuals or teams, stay on top for any lengthy amount of time. Evaluate yourself on a scale of 1-10 (10 being best) and I bet you will evaluate yourself on the good side of the average. I wish I could say that, as I'm sure many others on this site wish they could also.
Have fun ironman, and know that you once were a great shooter and competitor. You still have a lot to offer to the game :thumbup: !!!

Maniac

Your idea of grading yourself on a scale of 1-10 just scared the hell out of me. I don't even want to think about it.

One thing I promise though is to have fun. That I have always done.
Thankds.

 

[cajunbarboxplyr]

Whack me????? This is twice you have leaned in this direction.
Just to show that I ain't scared and that I ain't too smart, here is what I will do, one more time.
We have a Fast Eddies Tournament in Lafeyette the 15th and 16th of November. Once that is done, I will meet you wherever between Lafayette and New Orleans as long as we make it worth while. This has to be completed by the 18th as I must be in San Antonio on the 19th.
My conditions are that we play on a decent gold crown, in a safe place, and put up at least $2500. Preferably we play like 5-6 ahead.
I'm not mad here or trying to sound like BA or anything like that, I just like challenges and love being hustled.
Another suggestion is if you come to Lafayette, we could do this on Monday at White Diamonds, Chris Millers place. Chris is a great guy and runs a great operation.
As the Grat Ronnie Allen always said, "you got me"!

Chris's Table #23 SIlver Crown with the triple shim pockets is a doozy

 

[ironman]

Lewis, I love your style, straight and to the point! Just a word of warning about Joy Boy, he likes to talk a lot of shit, but gets a little grass in his belly when you call him on it. You may remember my threads with him last year. We had agreed to play one set each of One Pocket and Bank Pool, and I told him he could bet what he wants. Guess what, it never happened.

As far as getting old is concerned, considering the alternative I hope you get a lot older, even if it means playing less. Myself, I have taken many breaks from the game over the years, sometimes as long as a year or two without hitting a ball. I'm in the midst of a six month break right now. That's why you don't hear me woofing at anyone. What has always amazed me, is that I can come back from a long break, play every day for a week and find my game again.

I've probably done this a dozen times in my life and was able to regain my shortstop speed in days. Of course, my speed isn't that great anyway. But I can beat a banger or a big talker. :smile:

I've quit several time too and for lengthy periods and coming back wasn't that big a deal.

You know, I was a pretty fair athlete in my day leteering in 4 sports. Each year when football was over after working on my placekicking skills all season, we would go straight into basketball, then to track and baseball with little time to work on the kicking in the off season. Each year I would return afraid the "magic" was gone. Each time I gave up pool, I think I returned to rpve to myself I could do it. Now I feel if I take off 36 hours, I'm a goner.

Straight and to the point is the only style I know. When I walk into the pool room, everyone knows I didn't come in for a haircut.

It was just an offer. No big deal with me either way. They have casino in Louisiana to which I have made a sizeable deposit. It would take a huge withdrawal to get me even. Big Patty warned me that if she found out I even looked that way while over there, that well, it wasn't very nice.

 

[JoeyA]

Whack me????? This is twice you have leaned in this direction.
Just to show that I ain't scared and that I ain't too smart, here is what I will do, one more time.
We have a Fast Eddies Tournament in Lafeyette the 15th and 16th of November. Once that is done, I will meet you wherever between Lafayette and New Orleans as long as we make it worth while. This has to be completed by the 18th as I must be in San Antonio on the 19th.
My conditions are that we play on a decent gold crown, in a safe place, and put up at least $2500. Preferably we play like 5-6 ahead.
I'm not mad here or trying to sound like BA or anything like that, I just like challenges and love being hustled.
Another suggestion is if you come to Lafayette, we could do this on Monday at White Diamonds, Chris Millers place. Chris is a great guy and runs a great operation.
As the Grat Ronnie Allen always said, "you got me"!

And I thought you were retired.
JoeyA

 

[androd]

I always had my game in a pretty good perspective and knew my capabilities. That I could live with. It got to the point where how well I played was okay, but how badly I often played was just unbearable.

There is lots of talk about the secrets to this game and IMO it's all about how you pocket balls. That is the secret. After nearly 40 years of this though, I can't believe how I could miss some balls that are actually harder to miss than to make.

aw, toughen up kid. quit reading all this stuff on this site about aiming and rely on your memory of what feels right. you've always been a straight shooter. "getting old ain't for sissies" rodney.