I got a call from Billiards Digest (well, the magazine itself didn't call me lol), and they wondered if I had a recommendation for their Spotlight Player of the Month.
I immediately thought of someone and they contacted him to set up an interview.
The interview date and time came and went, and next you know I'm getting called because they can't get a hold of the guy anymore.
Turns out the guy chickened out. Although he appreciated the opportunity and that he was chosen, he wants to remain under the radar for future potential gambling purposes.
While part of me understands this, the other part of me doesn't. I think it's a huge compliment and how COOL is it to be interviewed and then printed in a magazine!
But, I suppose if you play pool for a living and gamble at tournaments, you wouldn't want your name in lights.
Showing posts with label Billiards Digest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Billiards Digest. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Friday, December 25, 2015
Winner of the Royce Bunnell Celebration of Life Tourney
I was lucky enough to be able to attend Royce Bunnell's Celebration of Life on December 13 held at the Billiard Den in Richardson, Texas. He passed away in November and was a huge part of the pool world.
Along with raffles, (live and silent) auctions, free food, and a display for Royce, there was also a tourney where the ALL the money raised all weekend went to his family. I entered the 64-person tourney and was promptly out in two. As I wrote about before, I wasn't comfy in my clothes which distracted me.
One person who was comfy was William Howard.
Later on in the day, I walked by William and found out he was still in the tourney on the winner's side. With only a handful of players left he shares with his heart, "It would be so cool to win this tournament for Royce. It would mean a lot to me to do that for him."
I was impressed by his sincere-ness and wondered how that "pressure" would affect his game. Because, he wanted to win it so badly for Royce.
William used to work for Royce at OB Cues and they played on the same league. I could see the determination in William's eyes, and his heart was full of the loss of Royce (as it was for so many out of the 100s I saw that day).
Later on that night I read on facebook this simple and little, but powerful line from William: "That one's for you, Royce! Miss you brother."
As I type that out right now, I have tears in my eyes.
William would later say, "Thank you everyone. Felt great to represent for a great man."
William is a shy guy with a huge heart. For him to win a 64-person tourney in Royce's honor I would think has to be one of the top wins for William.
And I think we will find out. Billiards Digest contacted me about an idea for a person for their Spotlight Player of the Month. I replied, "William Howard, without a doubt, for what he accomplished last weekend." So, we will be able to read William's thoughts on the win in the next Billiards Digest issue!
Congratulations, William, for the win for Royce!
Along with raffles, (live and silent) auctions, free food, and a display for Royce, there was also a tourney where the ALL the money raised all weekend went to his family. I entered the 64-person tourney and was promptly out in two. As I wrote about before, I wasn't comfy in my clothes which distracted me.
One person who was comfy was William Howard.
Later on in the day, I walked by William and found out he was still in the tourney on the winner's side. With only a handful of players left he shares with his heart, "It would be so cool to win this tournament for Royce. It would mean a lot to me to do that for him."
I was impressed by his sincere-ness and wondered how that "pressure" would affect his game. Because, he wanted to win it so badly for Royce.
William used to work for Royce at OB Cues and they played on the same league. I could see the determination in William's eyes, and his heart was full of the loss of Royce (as it was for so many out of the 100s I saw that day).
Later on that night I read on facebook this simple and little, but powerful line from William: "That one's for you, Royce! Miss you brother."
As I type that out right now, I have tears in my eyes.
William would later say, "Thank you everyone. Felt great to represent for a great man."
William is a shy guy with a huge heart. For him to win a 64-person tourney in Royce's honor I would think has to be one of the top wins for William.
And I think we will find out. Billiards Digest contacted me about an idea for a person for their Spotlight Player of the Month. I replied, "William Howard, without a doubt, for what he accomplished last weekend." So, we will be able to read William's thoughts on the win in the next Billiards Digest issue!
Congratulations, William, for the win for Royce!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Even When We Lose, We Like Our Name in Mags
I was reading the recap of the BCAPL Nationals in Billiards Digest and saw a pic of the girl who beat me in the singles and went on to win the whole thing. Dang cute, skinny, young, bad-ass player, dammit. lol.
As I read the article, there's my name!
"...rebounded to oust Melinda Bailey, Leslee Blaikie and Christine Tome to earn another shot at Erdahl in the finals....
Wow Hoo!
I still made it in the magazine! I guess it helps being beat by the best :)
Click photo below to enlarge. And Toni Sakamoto who put me out is the one in the photo with her well-deserved first place trophy!
As I read the article, there's my name!
"...rebounded to oust Melinda Bailey, Leslee Blaikie and Christine Tome to earn another shot at Erdahl in the finals....
Wow Hoo!
I still made it in the magazine! I guess it helps being beat by the best :)
Click photo below to enlarge. And Toni Sakamoto who put me out is the one in the photo with her well-deserved first place trophy!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Awarded Best Pool Blog!
I can't begin to express how cool it was when I received a message from Phil Capelle two weeks ago: "I read in BD that you won blog of the year - it is in the July issue - I have not seen you mention it, is this news to you?"
OMG DID I REALLY??
I was out of town for work and told him my Billiards Digest magazine was prolly sitting on my counter, waiting for me to open it when I returned.
Sure enough, I open the magazine right when I get home and read with my won eyes my blog won "Best Pool Blog"!!
// big smile //
My blog has come in second place I think twice, and always wondered why I hadn't won the TOP honor because I don't know anyone else that blogs as much as I do (I blog 10-15 times a month). Most other blogs are WAY outdated, and yet they would still win the top spot, so I was confused. But, the author did mention my blog's template is 'cumbersome' (one other time they didn't like the colors), so maybe it's not my content, but how it looks is why I hadn't inched up to the top podium til now.
Further, to HEAR I won before I READ about it, was pretty cool, too, I admit!
I can't begin to share with you how excited I am about this! I really do love blogging and I make notes all the times for future blog entries so I don't forget to write about certain situations. Writing in my blog would be the number one thing I would miss if I stopped playing pool (and so I would have to figure out a way to keep writing about pool!).
A HUGE thank you for Billiards Digest for the including me as one of their winners of their 2015 Web Awards!! I'm very honored! (and happy) :)
(Click on either photo to enlarge)
OMG DID I REALLY??
I was out of town for work and told him my Billiards Digest magazine was prolly sitting on my counter, waiting for me to open it when I returned.
Sure enough, I open the magazine right when I get home and read with my won eyes my blog won "Best Pool Blog"!!
// big smile //
My blog has come in second place I think twice, and always wondered why I hadn't won the TOP honor because I don't know anyone else that blogs as much as I do (I blog 10-15 times a month). Most other blogs are WAY outdated, and yet they would still win the top spot, so I was confused. But, the author did mention my blog's template is 'cumbersome' (one other time they didn't like the colors), so maybe it's not my content, but how it looks is why I hadn't inched up to the top podium til now.
Further, to HEAR I won before I READ about it, was pretty cool, too, I admit!
I can't begin to share with you how excited I am about this! I really do love blogging and I make notes all the times for future blog entries so I don't forget to write about certain situations. Writing in my blog would be the number one thing I would miss if I stopped playing pool (and so I would have to figure out a way to keep writing about pool!).
A HUGE thank you for Billiards Digest for the including me as one of their winners of their 2015 Web Awards!! I'm very honored! (and happy) :)
(Click on either photo to enlarge)
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Interviews Posted
Well, this may jinx my upcoming play at BCAPL Nationals, lol, but the two interviews I mentioned just got published!
:)
The first one that came out was Bad Boys Billiard Online Magazine. Here is the cover: OMG! I can't believe this!!! I'm on the cover of their first edition?! WOW!
And they said they have a surprise for me at BCAPL Nationals. I'll share what it is when I come back.
They asked me several questions (interview is on pages 4-5) and this was my FAV:
BB: Who have been your biggest influences on your game over the years?
Melinda: "Tough question. I guess I would have to say that I have learned something from every competitor I have ever competed against. So, they are my biggest influence. "
And then the second interview came out the same day!
Billiards Digest!! :)
The author interviewed me and then wrote up a story about my finals for my ACS 9-Ball Nationals win. I reiterated how I just tried to do my best to stay in the moment of every step to the finals.
The only thing it didn't mention was I won it on Mother's Day, and dedicated the win to her. I mentioned that on Facebook and someone replied so sweet, "Anyone who knows you knows you dedicate more than a pool match to your Mom. She must have been an amazing person ( I know mine is). That is one of your most impressive traits."
I'm so honored and shocked by the two articles. I don't even know what else to say. I actually feel weird sharing all this. But, if I am to share about my Journey with Pool, then this is part of it.
Til next time, Friends.
:)
The first one that came out was Bad Boys Billiard Online Magazine. Here is the cover: OMG! I can't believe this!!! I'm on the cover of their first edition?! WOW!
And they said they have a surprise for me at BCAPL Nationals. I'll share what it is when I come back.
They asked me several questions (interview is on pages 4-5) and this was my FAV:
BB: Who have been your biggest influences on your game over the years?
Melinda: "Tough question. I guess I would have to say that I have learned something from every competitor I have ever competed against. So, they are my biggest influence. "
And then the second interview came out the same day!
Billiards Digest!! :)
The author interviewed me and then wrote up a story about my finals for my ACS 9-Ball Nationals win. I reiterated how I just tried to do my best to stay in the moment of every step to the finals.
The only thing it didn't mention was I won it on Mother's Day, and dedicated the win to her. I mentioned that on Facebook and someone replied so sweet, "Anyone who knows you knows you dedicate more than a pool match to your Mom. She must have been an amazing person ( I know mine is). That is one of your most impressive traits."
Til next time, Friends.
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