Timing is everything.
And the person just trying to say hi has no idea you might have just lost a tough match. They are just being friendly. And I appreciate that.
However, during a match is another thing.
When I played my second 8ball match of the day on Monday at the ACS Nationals, I am down 2-1. I won the first game beautifully, but the two wins my opponent earned are from a tough scratch by me and then a misshape by me. She's at the table because I missed a tough shot, and she's on a run to clear the table.
I'm sitting on the outside of the clothed table, instead of inside the "ring" next to the pool table. A guy sits down and watches our match for just a minute and says to me, "What's the score?"
Really? You are obviously here watching her (I presume) and I am about to be down 1-3 and you are asking me the score??
I barely look at him and respond sharply, "2-1, her."
I look back at her making more balls and he continues, "You're Melinda, right?"
I am perturbed. And I'm in no mood to talk. I'm in a very critical match, upset at myself, and this guy is bothering my concentration. Now obviously, if I was winning, I *may* not be as perturbed, but I would still want to concentrate on my match. But in this particular match, because I'm upset with myself for giving the games away and about to be down 1-3 in a race to 4, I'm really not in a talkative, friendly mood.
"Uh, yes, how do you know me?"
Not trying to be rude, but how do you know me? AZB forums? From Texas? A friend?
He says, "I know Sophie and Kawania and you double dipped Kawania in the finals of the ACS Texas State. I'm from San Antonio."
"Oh, hi. What is your name?" I ask.
He tells me and then I turn back to the match to try to concentrate back on my game.
He keeps talking to me, tho, and I am not happy about it. I can't remember all that he said, because I was trying to focus on the game.
The girl gets out and it's my break. On the way back, I sit down on the inside of the "ring" because I really don't want to be in a convo in the middle of my match. While what he said sunk in, "I double dipped Kawania," I just wanted to focus on my fundamentals and get back into this race to 4.
I won a game and I'm inching closer.
As I sit there while she breaks, I think to myself I need to apologize to this guy after the match for being quiet and rude. I tell myself, "Even if you lose, you need to be the proper competitor and explain yourself and apologize, " even though if I lose I'm gonna want to leave the tourney room right away to vent to my b/f on the phone.
I win another game and tie the match up 3-3!
I try to run out but miss the 6 ball before the 8ball to get shape. Ugh!
She tries to runs out... but misses the 8ball!
She leaves me bad (i.e., good) lol. I have to play safe or kick at my ball, but I don't see a good safe with her 8ball is hanging near a pocket.
The "rule" is if the safe and the tough shot are about the same percentage-wise, then you are to go with the shot. I would have to play an extremely soft, tricky safe to hope I hook her. The other option, the kick, I know the 8ball makes the pocket bigger for my 6 ball.
I decide on the kick.
And I make it!!
I'm elated!
The 6ball does indeed go off the 8ball, and so that little carom moves the 8ball up on the rail and now I have a backwards bank, but guess what? That's one of my favorite shots. :)
And I make it!!
I am so elated and excited, I went and quickly hugged the guy who was annoying me, lol. I immediately sit down and apologize. He said he understood, but I told him I just wasn't happy with myself and I was trying to concentrate.
He was cool about it.
He then took his cues out because we were on his table; turns out that's why he was sitting there: his next match was on our table. Duh!
I really hate that people bother me, but I try to be nice when I'm trying to concentrate in the middle of a match, but I admit it's not always easy for me to always be proper at all times.
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