Championship Stop

It's taken me a couple of weeks to write this tournament up... for three reasons: (1) I was working on Hunter Tour stuff after the event and (2) I am still sick and very exhausted and (3) my Mom has turned ill and I have been worrying about her. (I actually rushed down to San Antonio 5 days early because I was so concerned - I am still in San Antonio with her as I write this)

So, how do you think the expectations are when you place 2nd in the previous weekend? I know from seeing this happen to so many other players and from many comments of others, that to do well after a great finish is very difficult. So, I didn't have any expectations, but knew I would love to last until Sunday. I wanted to focus on staying down - boy that felt good the previous weekend! I didn't get to practice because I was with my Mom, but I was thinking about pool and how it "felt" so good to stay down. But, I had been in bed for most of the week... sleeping all day long and all night. I am not sure what I have, but my throat has been sore for four weeks now.

Julie and I eat at Waffle House in the morning - gosh I love that place! Monica asks me to run the player's meeting and it goes long, but we have so much to talk about and announce! But, the big surprise was the presents the board members received from the ladies. The star trophy was BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING! It took all I could not to cry!!

Helen, Lucille, Julie, Monica and Melinda

I play in the first round after a bye, playing Mindy Williams. As I start to play her, I realize she's actually playing well and getting out... but so am I, hehe. She wins the first game. I win the next. She wins the next, then I win. Tied 2-2. I'm consciously aware it's neck and neck and think to myself the lessons she took long ago she obviously still knows. She gets on 3, and then in my next run, I mess up and she capitalizes. Oops - no longer neck and neck. I'm down 4-2. I mess up again and she gets out - we played with the seven ball and she finally gets out. She's up 5-2. I don't get out again and she gets out and she's up 6-2. Any time a hint of pressure came into my body and mind, I just tried to focus on staying down and remaining calm. I was acutely aware she was the one who was under pressure - remembering when I was ahead against Helen 6-3 and she started coming back, that I was the one nervous. (seems backward, doesn't it?) As I was down, I thought to myself, "well, it's tough to do well in consecutive tournaments... so, it's okay." I knew I could still win and never gave up, though. But my thoughts remained calm. Heck I came back the previous weekend down 2-6... who knows? So, Mindy scratches on the 9. 3-6. The next game, she misses the 9. 4-6. The next three games she can't get out in the middle of the rack and I am starting to not miss many balls and next thing you know, I actually win 7-6! Oh my goodness!

I then play Tracie Voelkering next. I didn't think about her as an opponent or nervous, or anything. I just... played pool. I was near the tournament table and had to walk away a couple of times (don't remember now why), but would come back to the table and run out. Before I really knew what happened, I won 7-4. I was playing well - was probably in the zone because I don't remember much of the match. Or was it because I was sick?

I play Courtney Peters next. Harvey comes in from being with his wife Sharon all week in the heart hospital... we are suppose to go to the dog races that night. I felt so bad, exhausted... I didn't really want to go. But, I knew if I didn't go over there and find out if he still wanted to go to the races, it would be on my mind... it would be on my mind as WORRY, and I didn't want that to distract me in my game. So, I hugged him and said hello and yes, he still wanted to go. I just accepted it and told myself now I don't have to think about it.

I know Courtney has been working on her game and the last few times we have played, I have still won. Her safeties were better this time, as they should be - that part of her game she was working on and I knew eventually her safeties would be getting better. I don't remember the first part of the match, was I down or ahead or was it close the whole time? I just don't remember. I remember I played okay and one time I scratched on a fabulous cut shot on the 7. Ouch! But it was such a nice cut - very long, tough shot. I never would have thought I would have scratched. At this point I am aware of Harvey saying my name and rooting for me on the sidelines. As for the score, I do remember when it was 5-5, though! I was running out and had to come across the table on the 7 ball with reverse english - luckily, I am very good at these shots, but I hit it too hard and it didn't act like it should and I scratched. This gave her ball in hand with two balls left and for her to get on the hill first. Yikes! I didn't get nervous or worried, and I got out the next game. I was aware in this match that this winner would last on the winner's side until Sunday. I would love for that to be me, but if I was on the one-loss side and guaranteed 9th, that'd be okay, too. When it was hill-hill, I missed the two ball - maybe from a safety from her or a lucky roll that hooked me. I watched her run out, never really thinking I'd lose. I wonder if it was my sore throat that made me so numb. LOL. She eventually missed the 7 ball, and she was not pleased. I was able to make it nicely and get good shape, and nail the 8 ball and 9 ball for the win! Wow! I was guaranteed 5th on the winner's side on Sunday!

I broke the sad news to Harvey I just shouldn't go out to eat, especially when I found out Jennifer, Heather and Shayla would be going with him. I knew he needed some time away from Sharon and glad he was still going to do that. I got Taco Bell and a diet sprite and happily went to the room early, ate in bed, and fell asleep at a decent hour. Ah, the little things in life.

The next morning, I know I get to sleep in (I don't have to be there until 11am!) so I go to Waffle House again and sit next to a real nice lady.

As I start to play Leslie Anne Rogers... WOW. I am so exhausted and tired. I also couldn't believe how full I felt. I don't think I ever felt that full playing pool before. It was such a weird feeling; one I did not like at all. But, besides being full, I just had no energy. I think I was sicker than I realized. I lost 7-2, but she played much better than I did. I could have made it closer, but I was too tired. Not an excuse - it's the reason why I didn't play my best. No energy and too full.

I then play Terry Petrosino next. I tell Amanda before I play how sick I feel and she says to fake it and pretend I'm not sick. What? Hmm.... I have acted confident, acted not upset, acted happy, but never tried to act non-sick. As we started the match, I know how well she plays. I know how bad I feel. I think more about what Amanda said, but Terry wins the first two games playing great! She then hits the 9 ball too hard and it jumps back out of the pocket and I make it and get on the board. I hear some snaps behind me. I realize it's Amanda and Jennifer. Terry is running out well again but she leaves herself tough on the 9 ball. I don't think anything of it really - she nails so many 9 balls so well, I figured she'd just make it. She missed it. Wow. I made it and now it's tied 2-2. At this point, I do pretend I'm not sick. I start playing very well, very confident, staying down, seeing the patterns very easily for some reason. I am aware of the snaps, feeling a little bad that I didn't hear any for Terry. I found out later Amanda said they were snapping for her too, they just weren't as loud. But, I didn't feel pressure to play well with so many people watching, I just played. Playing P O O L felt great and I guess again I was in the zone. I can say I wasn't thinking too much... was actually concentrating on the game at hand - staying the in present, not thinking of stupid shit for once. LOL. Again - was it because I wasn't feeling well? Or was it because I was taming that wandering thinking beast I dreaded when it showed it's ugly head?

I won 7-4, I think. Wow! I didn't go out in two after being on the winner's side on Sunday! I had only done that one other time in a Hunter event, and that was years ago. I would eventually get 4th place - second time on the Hunter Tour.

I played Lisa Marr next and although I was playing well (I thought), she just out played me and played really good! But, I was still happy with my 4th place and playing well and not falling on my face was an added bonus. hehe

Until next time,
Melinda

Bogies, Oct, 2007

This was one of the tournaments I help run, and we were also going to be having a charity benefit. I knew going into the weekend it could be a very long weekend and then I had plans to go to San Antonio to see my lovely Mom for a few days (before I have to be away from her for three weeks).

I met up with Julie Friday night and had dinner at Bob's Steak and Chop House in downtown Houston. It was delicious. I had a T-bone steak and two large (very delicious) fried shrimp. The bread was awesome and the steak tomatoes were perfect with their balsamic vinegarate.

I run the Player's Meeting for Monica and try and not make it go long, but at the same time make it funny. The board was dissapointed only 36 players showed up, but everyone sure had a blast! Houston usually gets more ladies, too. :(

I was called to play in the first round and didn't get to hit any balls before my match, but I felt confident anyway. I had to play Kim Pierce first and ran out nice the first game and felt pretty good. Then I missed a 9 ball, because I was thinking while down on the 8 ball, in addition to not taking two seconds to peek around the table to see the line for the 9ball. I got out of line and missed it. She gets out again after I miss an 8 (I think) and I'm consciously telling myself to not think about the missed 9 ball and to move on. She wins the next game and then I start to play well and get out very nicely on many games. I get out of line a few times, but I am playing well and really seeing the layouts. On the last run, I break and run and get out VERY nice to have to run the table. She is not happy, but I win 7-3.

Me, posing for Shayla

I then have to play Ricki Lee Casper. I love to watch her play - she has a lot of talent and is capable of winning a lot of matches in any tournament. I run the first game out beautifully and feel very confident. I then miss a 9ball, then an 8, then another 8. It gets worse, as she plays great - she has me down 5-2 and I am trying not to think about the earlier games and then I am not sure what happens but I tie it up 5-5. She takes a break and that helps me even more and I seal the win 7-5. Wow. What happened? I guess I did force those misses out of my mind and just played pool and took advantage of my opportunities.

I then play Kyu Yi next. I felt good and after she scratched on the 2 ball in the first game, I ran out beautifully! Up 1-0. Then things just didn't go well after that. I missed three kicks and she got out. I scratched another time and she got out. I did have two more really nice outs from early in the rack (including a nice draw shot!), but two more misses and a break and run from her caused me to lose 7-3. I was bummed, because I thought I was playing okay, but she got out beautifully most of the games.

Then a group of us went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Gosh I love that place! Several ducked out before we sat down because they wanted to get back to the 8pm charity tournament, but we still had 12 of us. I got the skewered shrimp for the first time and really enjoyed them - they are tasty. Then we all headed back to the tournament and I sat around and chatted with several people - Danny Lee, Lanny Herrin, Samm Diep and others. It was great to get out and be around people after the few weeks I have had. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching Ashley being herself and in her element - she was having a great time and it was a joy to see someone really enjoy life. Everyone was laughing and enjoying watching all the ladies beat up on the guys. I went back to the hotel before Julie and was sound asleep by the time she came in. I was a tired little girl.

I woke up the next morning and decided to wash my hair, which means I would be pushing getting to my Sunday main event match on time, but did it anyway. I felt good going into the match against the always tough Heather Lloyd. A great shot and safety by me in the first game led to her three fouling me for the first win. Ouch! I didn't let it affect me and played my game and tied it 1-1 after a very nice shot on the 7 ball when she missed shape. Cue ball was on the rail and it was a long shot with a difficult angle and I just told myself to focus solely on the shot and not worry about shape. I stayed down and nailed it. She got on 2 and then another miss by her and I got on 2. She then had a difficult out and we both went back and forth and then she went for a tough 9 and missed it and I nailed a tough cut instead of banking it. I tied it 3-3. I then had ball in hand with three balls left and wasn't sure how to get on the 8. I finally made my decision, made a nice shot on the tough 8 ball to get soft shape on the 9 in the side, but barely missed it. She was up 4-3. At that point, I missed in the middle of the rack or early and she would get out. She won easily 7-3. I am not sure what happened, but again, only a few misses cost me the match. I did notice she was playing slower - by that I mean she stroked the ball a few more times than she used to, and it really, really worked for her and she missed less than I have seen in the past. She ended up getting 2nd place and Kyu got 3rd. I shouldn't be upset for losing to them, but I think it's amazing that when you play certain players, a miss causes you to not get back to the table and it truly is costly. Like my friend Sherry says, make every ball count. At that stage in the tournament, the players play better, and are better at taking advantage of mistakes and running out and not getting out of line.

Close Up (just got my hair highlighted - I like it this time!)

I placed 9th, lasted until Sunday and just felt okay. Did I stay down like I wanted to? I doubt it. Although I felt like I played P O O L and didn't let things get to me, I still don't feel good about my loses... just a few mistakes, but they cost me the matches. It's funny, I wanted so desperately to play P O O L and I did, and yet I am still not happy. Is that because of grief? Because I have too much going on? Because winning the arm wrestling match with P O O L was not enough? I do not know right now; honestly. I have a long way to go... now doesn't seem the time to be able to get there... even playing P O O L didn't make me happy. Did I play my best? (this is from Mental Toughness Training for Sports). If not or if so, accept it and move on Melinda.

I stuck around only a few more hours. I so desperately wanted to see my Mom and left the party and drove home. It was so wonderful to see her! I have got a lot done around here, but my Mom fell in the tub Monday night and probably broke a rib. We were both feeling better about things and now this setback. She is so disappointed in herself for falling. I need to not think things are going okay - last time I let my guard down, my Mom went back in the hospital a week later in April. You think I would have learned.

I will be gone for three weeks from my Mom... but I am actually a little more worried than normal about my job. I'll be gone for the next two weeks out of the office for work, then I come back down here. I'll only be in the office for 4 days the next four weeks.

I am numb... I don't know why. I guess it doesn't matter how much I get done.... my Mom's pain doesn't go away. And I only check things off as I get things done around her house, and yet spend more time away from her trying to get those things done.

Before Bogies

On Monday I saw a movie. Didn't feel like it at first but figured, I have the day off, I need to do what I would normally do. So, I went to see a movie, practiced, and played in the Monday night tournament.

The movie made me cry. I thought The Brave One was about (don't read further if you don't want to know) a woman that was raped and got mad afterwards. Instead, the love of her life dies while they both get beat up one night (and then she gets mad). I cried and cried. Too close to home, too emotional, too raw still.

Then went to pool room to practice and instead wanted to gamble. Broke even - I haven't gambled in ten years probably. Saw Tracie at the pool room when I first got there and she made me cry - I held on to her tightly as we both hugged each other and thought of our parents. He parents passed away three weeks apart over a year ago. I never knew what she went through until now.

I then got Last Lady at the Monday night tournament. Thoroughly enjoyed myself with free hot dogs, great french fries and winning lots of matches. I won $75 for second (I let Tony have first place, AFTER I beat him in the hotseat and then he won another match to have the chance to play me again). We are both now qualified for the end of season tournament Nov 4th. Wow! Either a certain number of weeks need to be played, or you have to win the tournament. We accomplished both the same night (I got my 3rd week in).

I hope to think clear this weekend - remember to play P O O L. Remember to go in winning, to focus on the table, to focus on the process of playing pool. I am excited - it will be a great weekend running it, playing in it, and also helping with the Anne Mayes Cancer Benefit.

I am very excited to be having dinner tonight with Julie (who is my rommie for the weekend) at Bob's Steak and Chop House in downtown Houston!

I also can't wait to see my Mom on Sunday night. I'll be visiting her for a few days after the tournament.

I love you Mom and Dad.
Melinda