What can I say? The Expo gets better every year and just like the past 11 years, this year was no different. Well, maybe a little different...
Amateur Open-
I played in the Amateur Open, went a few rounds and got knocked out by Joey Ryan. I had him 4-1 in the first set and won 5-2. Second set, I was up 2-1 and Joey figured out his break and ran out everything. Joey's got a strong game. Ya know, tourney draws in amateur events can be funny; I was playing my first match against Chris {something} and he was making everything and kicking everything I threw at him. Meanwhile, to the left of me and to the right of me are four cripples shooting balls into rails! Now, I don't want to put anyone down, I'm just laughing/whining like a poolplayer does...
Vendors-
If you've never been to the Expo, I'll say it again. This is by far, the best retail show. Everything is here- cuemakers, cue dealers, accessories, gadgets, trinkets, shirts, skirts... I've been to plenty of shows/tournies all over the country, trust me, none have the retail coverage the Expo does. This is the Ringling Bros. Circus of the Pool world.
Pro Event-
I missed sweating some Pro matches this year, I had a full plate. Thanks to Timberly and crew for the awesome coverage.
Action junkies-
All I know is that when I got there, 8 AM, to register, ther were no lines to register, but a line for the action table. As usual, the usual suspects were there; Joe Cutler, Mike Miller, Dominick Souza, Ryan McCreesh and so on...Good to see that some things never change.
I didn't hear to many good action stories, maybe someone could fill in the blanks...
The Jeeves Party & Hot Sauce-
This party rocks! I've gone to this party for a few years and just realized that it is put on by only one generous poster Jeeves (the other Eric). Jeeves, you da man. If you stop in, be sure to donate to a "tip jar". Jeeves didn't ask for it, but like Timberly said, this mans generousity and efforts shouldn't go unappreciated.
To me, this party is like the Expo within the Expo; there's always something going on. So, I'm drinking with Rich R & Cathy, Jimbo, Fred Agnir and Susie. Fred's eating Jeeve's buffalo wings, which Jeeve's also has a bunch of specialty hot sauces set out to sample. I didn't know that Jeeves is a bit of a hot sauce buff, which was very cool. So, naturally, the topic of talk turns to hot sauces, specifically how hot some of them are. Basically, these sauces can make a Jalapeno cry. Now, nobody felt like having any, it's not like we don't like hot sauce, it's just that once you eat some, you'll be in rough shape for a while. Some of the sauces are so potent that if you have just a tiny, tiny bit of residue on your lips, the person you kiss is gonna know it. Hell, one jackass got some on his, umm...beanbag and had his buddy bring ice into the bathroom for him. Anyways, a familiar face walks over(sorry I forgot your name!) and tries the wings. In a flash of genius, I thought that it might be tastier with some extra sauce. He agreed. Normally, you can only put about an eyedropper of sauce on a wing, but I though he might enjoy it more if I pour it like I was putting toothpaste on a big toothbrush (
). Well, he turned red and sweat poured like a cold beer sitting in the sun, but he said it was good! We were dying! I couldn't figure out how he kept his eyeballs in his head. You da man! FWIW, he wound up sharing the joys of hot sauce with his buddy by dabbing the guys celery while his buddy was busy talking. I think his buddy wasn't much of a hot sauce connouseur...
People-
As always, the best part of the Expo is meeting up with friends old and new. To me, this is half the reason why I go every year. Sometimes, this is the only time I see some friends. So to my old friends I say thanks and hi, again and my new friends, looking forward to becoming old friends. All except one "friend". This "friend" who has been harrasing, threatening physical harm and dogging me for three years straight, who has not let one month out of the last 36 go by without riding me had a chat. Well, not much of a chat. We met at the Pro arena entrance, we met eyes(no I didn't sneak up behind him as he is trying to spin) and drilled him on the head. Actually, he semi slipped my right straight punch to the head, and I landed a glancing blow to the side of the head when he ducked but I came up with a left hook to the jaw to stand him up and set up for another shot. I never got another shot in. He stood up, fell back into the condiments table and fell on his back, on the ground. Before I could jump on him and give him a good beat down, the Security detail had jumped on me. Ya know, it wasn't even a hard upper cut to put him down. Whadda paper tiger he is! I guess that 13th degree Black Belt doesn't match up well with my black and brown reversible belt(Dockers). Interestingly enough, my "friend" only became vocal ("I'm gonna kill that Chink Faggot...") AFTER 3 bouncers were holding me and none, him. Luckily, my 5'1" 105 lb girlfriend grabbed him by the back of the shirt and swung him around, before a bouncer grabbed him too.
So, there you have it. Believe it or not, I'm a little embarrassed over the whole incident. I know all the adages like "sticks n stones, etc" but I have charactor flaws. I'm not making excuses, not looking for support nor am I apologetic. I'm a street kid from Jersey and this is how we do it. Hopefully, this is the end of it.
Actually, if I am apologetic to anyone, it is to Allen and Dawn (Hopkins). I am truly sorry if my actions caused any problems for your show. I respect you both and would not purposely do anything to ruin one of Pool's greatest shows. I'm really sorry.
...So in the end, the love you take, is equal to...-
What can I say? Another year, another great time. If you know friends that play Pool, ya gotta tell them to come. They don't know what they're missing.
Eric
Amateur Open-
I played in the Amateur Open, went a few rounds and got knocked out by Joey Ryan. I had him 4-1 in the first set and won 5-2. Second set, I was up 2-1 and Joey figured out his break and ran out everything. Joey's got a strong game. Ya know, tourney draws in amateur events can be funny; I was playing my first match against Chris {something} and he was making everything and kicking everything I threw at him. Meanwhile, to the left of me and to the right of me are four cripples shooting balls into rails! Now, I don't want to put anyone down, I'm just laughing/whining like a poolplayer does...
Vendors-
If you've never been to the Expo, I'll say it again. This is by far, the best retail show. Everything is here- cuemakers, cue dealers, accessories, gadgets, trinkets, shirts, skirts... I've been to plenty of shows/tournies all over the country, trust me, none have the retail coverage the Expo does. This is the Ringling Bros. Circus of the Pool world.
Pro Event-
I missed sweating some Pro matches this year, I had a full plate. Thanks to Timberly and crew for the awesome coverage.
Action junkies-
All I know is that when I got there, 8 AM, to register, ther were no lines to register, but a line for the action table. As usual, the usual suspects were there; Joe Cutler, Mike Miller, Dominick Souza, Ryan McCreesh and so on...Good to see that some things never change.
I didn't hear to many good action stories, maybe someone could fill in the blanks...
The Jeeves Party & Hot Sauce-
This party rocks! I've gone to this party for a few years and just realized that it is put on by only one generous poster Jeeves (the other Eric). Jeeves, you da man. If you stop in, be sure to donate to a "tip jar". Jeeves didn't ask for it, but like Timberly said, this mans generousity and efforts shouldn't go unappreciated.
To me, this party is like the Expo within the Expo; there's always something going on. So, I'm drinking with Rich R & Cathy, Jimbo, Fred Agnir and Susie. Fred's eating Jeeve's buffalo wings, which Jeeve's also has a bunch of specialty hot sauces set out to sample. I didn't know that Jeeves is a bit of a hot sauce buff, which was very cool. So, naturally, the topic of talk turns to hot sauces, specifically how hot some of them are. Basically, these sauces can make a Jalapeno cry. Now, nobody felt like having any, it's not like we don't like hot sauce, it's just that once you eat some, you'll be in rough shape for a while. Some of the sauces are so potent that if you have just a tiny, tiny bit of residue on your lips, the person you kiss is gonna know it. Hell, one jackass got some on his, umm...beanbag and had his buddy bring ice into the bathroom for him. Anyways, a familiar face walks over(sorry I forgot your name!) and tries the wings. In a flash of genius, I thought that it might be tastier with some extra sauce. He agreed. Normally, you can only put about an eyedropper of sauce on a wing, but I though he might enjoy it more if I pour it like I was putting toothpaste on a big toothbrush (
). Well, he turned red and sweat poured like a cold beer sitting in the sun, but he said it was good! We were dying! I couldn't figure out how he kept his eyeballs in his head. You da man! FWIW, he wound up sharing the joys of hot sauce with his buddy by dabbing the guys celery while his buddy was busy talking. I think his buddy wasn't much of a hot sauce connouseur...People-
As always, the best part of the Expo is meeting up with friends old and new. To me, this is half the reason why I go every year. Sometimes, this is the only time I see some friends. So to my old friends I say thanks and hi, again and my new friends, looking forward to becoming old friends. All except one "friend". This "friend" who has been harrasing, threatening physical harm and dogging me for three years straight, who has not let one month out of the last 36 go by without riding me had a chat. Well, not much of a chat. We met at the Pro arena entrance, we met eyes(no I didn't sneak up behind him as he is trying to spin) and drilled him on the head. Actually, he semi slipped my right straight punch to the head, and I landed a glancing blow to the side of the head when he ducked but I came up with a left hook to the jaw to stand him up and set up for another shot. I never got another shot in. He stood up, fell back into the condiments table and fell on his back, on the ground. Before I could jump on him and give him a good beat down, the Security detail had jumped on me. Ya know, it wasn't even a hard upper cut to put him down. Whadda paper tiger he is! I guess that 13th degree Black Belt doesn't match up well with my black and brown reversible belt(Dockers). Interestingly enough, my "friend" only became vocal ("I'm gonna kill that Chink Faggot...") AFTER 3 bouncers were holding me and none, him. Luckily, my 5'1" 105 lb girlfriend grabbed him by the back of the shirt and swung him around, before a bouncer grabbed him too.
So, there you have it. Believe it or not, I'm a little embarrassed over the whole incident. I know all the adages like "sticks n stones, etc" but I have charactor flaws. I'm not making excuses, not looking for support nor am I apologetic. I'm a street kid from Jersey and this is how we do it. Hopefully, this is the end of it.
Actually, if I am apologetic to anyone, it is to Allen and Dawn (Hopkins). I am truly sorry if my actions caused any problems for your show. I respect you both and would not purposely do anything to ruin one of Pool's greatest shows. I'm really sorry.
...So in the end, the love you take, is equal to...-
What can I say? Another year, another great time. If you know friends that play Pool, ya gotta tell them to come. They don't know what they're missing.
Eric
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