Reflections of a /Bad/ Tournament?

I label tournaments good or bad.  I do this based on how I placed.  However, that's not really fair.

How I play in a tournament is just a marginal part of an entire weekend.

For those times we travel out of town for a two-day event, it's not just how we placed in the tourney that should define our weekend.  But, also, what else happened during the course of the weekend.

If we play pool the entire time - it most likely means we placed well and didn't really have to time to "experience" other things. 

I played badly at the OB Cues Stop in Oklahoma last weekend (July 28th weekend); so badly in fact I only won ONE match!  :(  However, after reflecting Sunday on the way home, in reality it turned out to be a GREAT weekend.

My first match was on the stream table and while I shot ahead 2-0 with GREAT play and much confidence, I then faltered.  I am not sure what exactly happened, but I couldn't play and couldn't focus anymore.   I recognized during the match why I was losing, but I couldn't overcome my mistakes nor get over my mental block.  I even scratched on TWO 9balls on the last three games.  Eeek.  I'm really not sure why I started to play badly and why I thought too much.

I was pretty confident:

1. Jamaica Joe's has beautiful Diamond bar tables and I had just won a team Championship on these type of tables.  
2. I had been playing well in all my other tourneys around town.
3. I felt confident.

But for some reason, I think I sharked myself.  I started to think too much, and it cost me.  :(

It's pretty unflattering (lol) to only win one match in a tourney I should do so well in.  I just had too much on my mind.  And with my third match ending in controversy, it made for an even tougher exit. 

Here is a person who a month earlier won a Team Championship, just found out they will be one of the characters in the new video game Virtual Pool 4, and plays pretty damn sporty, who was out in three!  I didn't even get in the money - not even remotely close to any cash, lol.

Because I was out, though, I no longer had concerns on IF I would get to the Nicki Minaj concert on time on Sunday night that was 3plus hours away back home.  ;)

While I PLACED badly, the weekend overall at the pool room turned out to be rewarding and fantastic!

I know not many people reflect this much about their weekends.  I know for sure guys prolly don't.  They didn't place well, then the weekend sucked.  Simple as that. 

Maybe I reflect more because I have a blog and know I am going to write about my tourney?  Dunno.  But, I'm glad I did!

A lot of amazing conversations occurred on Saturday.  And if I was playing pool all day, these important things would not have been possible. I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of friends.  A lot of friends I don't normally get to talk to.  And it was enlightening!

So, in a very funny way, I'm grateful I didn't place well or play in matches all day long, so I could have these very meaningful, important conversations:

• I learned about a friends' childhood that would make you weep how she had to live as a child; and now it explains why she is so tough.
• Another friend thanked me for telling her my troubles, because she saw another side of me she didn't know existed.
• I was able to express to another friend how much they mean to me and he shared why his outlook on life is so positive.
• I was able to listen to a friend express her frustrations with the game of pool; things we all go through in competition; and share my thoughts.
• I was also able to watch my boyfriend in a big gambling match for about 10 hours; I always learn when these two guys play each other for long sessions.
• I got to spend some time with my bfff.  We live too far apart for much Quality Time.
• I had time to reflect about some harsh words I received earlier in the day.
• A friend and I were able to share common situations we had had with our boyfriends (it helps to know you aren't the only one who feels certain ways in disagreements).
• I was able to visit with friends who I hadn't seen in a while, or wont see in a while.
• I heard differing perspectives on some issues I have been going through in regards to friendships.

You get the gist:  Pool is a journey in life!