What would You Do? Hill-Hill Shot

This was one of the shots, HILL-HILL, during my Sunday League playoffs, in the Finals!

What Would You Do?

My team was stripes.  Our opponent was at the table on the 8-ball.  He was accidentally left this shot, btw.

What Would You Do?

Everyone on the sidelines thought instead of going for the bank in the side (because he might sell out if he misses), to play safe and nestle the cueball behind the 9-ball as a safety.  He tried that, but was not successful.

We ended up winning.

TOUGH match.  Lots of unfortunate roles for the other team in this game, but my teammate prevailed over nerves and we won the playoffs hill-hill!

What Would You Have Done?

Texas BCAPL DVDs Arrived...

I actually ordered two DVDs from the BCAPL Texas State tourney held in April.

I ordered the streamed women's singles final (which I won) and also the streamed scotch doubles final (it went two sets), which my partner (Marty Jones) and I won, as well.

A BIG thank you to Rail2Rail TV for the stream and for the getting the matches on DVD!

I honestly only bought them to show to my best friend.  I don't really care to watch them alone. I only cared to show them to him so we could talk about my shots that led to my accomplishments. 

I was excited to be able to show him my shots in the finals of both divisions, because he couldn't be there in person.  And to share the experience with someone I cared about, was really all I cared about. 

Otherwise, I wont watch them alone.  I see no point.

Worry About Future

As I wrote about many times in April and May, the reason why I did so well at the BCAPL Texas State tourney and ACS Nationals in Vegas was because I didn't think ahead, had no concerns or wants, and just kinda went through the motions without worrying about wanting the title so badly I paralyzed myself.

I also shared that I had not hit balls.  I felt that if I didn't prepare, I wouldn't be disappointed.  I had prepared and practiced SOOO many weeks before big tourneys for SOOO many years with no success, that I just wanted to get away those weekends.  Pool was the last thing on my mind.

And yet, then I won.

Well, I decided to practice straight pool a few weeks ago at my house.  Instead of sitting on my butt just watching tv, I actually hit balls.  Granted, straight pool is a VERY frustrating game and although it's suppose to sharpen your skills, I feel as if I'm playing worse now (only playing in my women's league, but I don't see great runs).  Instead, I'm not really playing well right now.

As the BCAPL National Championships is on the horizon, in literally a week and a half away, I feel pressure.  Ugh.  Pressure is NOT good for me.

As I mentioned, I was interviewed a couple of times in June about my recent wins and each asked me what my hopes were for the BCAPL Nationals coming up.  I replied honestly, "I don't have expectations or wishes or wants, I just hope to NOT think ahead, stay in the moment, so I don't freak myself out with wants and desires."

Each person seemed surprised by my response, "You don't think you'll do well?"

I replied, "No, like I explained already, I do better by NOT thinking ahead.  So, I don't want to even think that far ahead."

Well, of course, now, the tourney is on my mind.  Someone told me recently I could be amateur player of the year, if they had such a title.  And as of May, it was not even half way into the year when this famous billiard writer told me this.

I am fully and very much well aware that people are kinda "expecting" I do well in Vegas at the BCAPL Nationals.  It would make sense, right?  Since I'm having such a great year.

But, man, that's A LOT of pressure!

Dang it, I'm thinking ahead.

I feel like I have pressure.

I feel like I'm suppose to do well.

I only have a week and a half to GET OVER these thoughts, emotions, feelings, concerns and ONLY show up and trust my fundamentals, all those years of experience, and play pool.  NO THINKING AHEAD.  No wants or desires or worrying about expectation or status.

I sure hope I get over these concerns, because I really would like to do well!  Yep, I said it,  I care. Ugh!  NOT good for me to think like that!

See why I'm concerned?  :(  Thinking ahead is NOT good for me!

I know that playing scotch doubles first with my awesome partner, Marty Jones, will help prepare me for singles.  And if I don't do well in either.... then I'm still a good person who loves pool, right?

No pressure.  Enjoy the moment.  We only live once.

That's what I need to do.  No expectations.  Enjoy playing the game we all love: pool.