tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15065974606345428012024-02-18T18:06:25.196-08:00The Dragon Lady's LairRandom thoughts of a WPBA player.The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-70548512729843712792015-12-30T16:27:00.002-08:002015-12-31T11:22:51.730-08:00Take The Right Shot!Many years ago, I stopped to watch a rookie WPBA
player in her first or second professional tournament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one particular rack that I will never
forget, she was straight in on the 8-ball and only needed to draw the cue ball
back a few feet (easy on brand new cloth) to get straight in on the 9-ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she opted to play a stop-shot on the
8 and shoot a much more difficult cut shot on the 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When she did this, I almost snorted out loud in
derision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was “If you
can’t draw the ball, you don’t belong on tour!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In that moment, I couldn’t stand this chick because I felt like it was
such an amateur move…that professionals would always draw the ball in that situation.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in a decidedly catty way, I gossiped
with other players and ridiculed the gal behind her back about taking what I
perceived to be such a weak-ass shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Not one of my finest hours in life, I’ll admit.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward several months…and this gal and I have
developed a friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So one day, I
asked her about that shot, AFTER sheepishly explaining to her how I had reacted
and apologizing for making fun of her about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She explained that she chose to cinch that 8-ball and accept the harder
shot on the 9-ball because she was nervous, and she didn’t want to miss the
8-ball by juicing it up with draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
wasn’t that she COULDN’T draw the cue ball…it’s that she felt more comfortable
playing a stop-shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did make the
9-ball and won the match, btw…so it’s hard to argue that her decision was
wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But argue it I must</span>…because a long time ago, a very good
player gave me this advice:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>You
should always take the proper shot, regardless of the outcome.</u></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great advice…until you ask someone to define what the
“proper shot” is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, there are
different ways to play each shot on a pool table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might draw where others would
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might use inside English
and play a one-rail follow, while others would use low outside and send the cue
ball 2-3 rails to get to the same general area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So...being that there are multiple ways to get things done, I had
to define for myself what the proper shot is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started watching more pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those who know me know that I typically can’t stand sweating pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why…but it bores me to watch
others play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> However,</span> I knew that if I wanted
to get better, I needed to know the right way to play…the right patterns to
use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I watched and studied better
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing so, I learned that the
majority of them play 90% of shots the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there is the occasional variation
depending on how a player feels in that moment, but I’ve also discovered that
those variations are very typically the cause of unexpected misses…especially
in times of stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a player know
that they should follow a ball with inside english, but they choose to try a punch shot
or a drag-draw instead (maybe because they just missed a shot earlier in the
match using inside)…the outcome is usually not what they had hoped
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hear it all the time in the
pool world…a player bemoaning a loss and saying how they know they should have
done this or that…but they didn’t have the confidence to play it the right way
at that time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that’s what it comes down to…confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you allow yourself to not play the
proper shot a couple of times, it can become a habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You start accepting harder shots instead of
playing the correct position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take a
flier at a low percentage combo instead of playing a safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These choices are usually dictated by fear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So clear your minds in the New Year, and make a decision to
play the proper shot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Play it the way
that you've seen Johnny, Rodney, Darren, Earl, Mika play it over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you are nervous about it…just make
the decision, commit to the decision, and accept that the outcome might not be
perfect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Although I think you’ll be
pleasantly surprised what can happen if you commit!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The President of Dole Packaged Foods (which is the company I
work for) just said in a recent meeting, “I don’t care about the results as
long as we do things the right way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s great advice…in business, in pool, in life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy New Year’s everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Always take the right shot!</div>
The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-84256831325115920382015-12-01T14:28:00.000-08:002015-12-01T14:28:47.415-08:0030 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come November every year, my FB feed is saturated with
people posting their 30 days of Thanks…where they post one thing each day that
they are thankful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve participated
in previous years, and it’s a fun process because you are forced to take the
time to really recognize and acknowledge all the things and people that make
your life better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This year, my good friend, Melinda Bailey, and I decided to
go a slightly different route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
year, we decided to do one good deed per day for the entire month of November…and
we dubbed it “30 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing”.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Melinda and I chose to keep it to ourselves during the process instead of
posting each daily deed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would PM every
day about what we had done or new ideas about what we were going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was challenging in the beginning to come
up with new, fun ways to surprise people…but by the end of the process…we were
sometimes doing 3 or 4 things at a time because we had so many ideas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our “good deeds” were not life changing for the recipients…they
were small things intended to brighten someone’s day or help someone in
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did them for friends, acquaintances
and strangers alike.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Here are a few of my favorite examples: </div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<ul>
<li>I left a Starbucks gift card in a bathroom stall at
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was taped to this sign:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs-LHLRkFORHVL-nUmib5oEh-KT0wNkIzlprXXv-81hqJXxeR3u2oQupHJKhnhl-h70uFxdz2ZoRYKRhNLzee2yGqTdzoWHk2ZncwdEruo9GFCt_Q3iV3kyLtQQYmLdyQBQ6XRJPXTCXA/s1600/Surprise+flyer+-+ThanksGIVEing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs-LHLRkFORHVL-nUmib5oEh-KT0wNkIzlprXXv-81hqJXxeR3u2oQupHJKhnhl-h70uFxdz2ZoRYKRhNLzee2yGqTdzoWHk2ZncwdEruo9GFCt_Q3iV3kyLtQQYmLdyQBQ6XRJPXTCXA/s320/Surprise+flyer+-+ThanksGIVEing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Melinda surprised the janitor at her workplace with 2 of his
favorite candy bars.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I donated 4 bags of clothes to a local organization that
helps the homeless get back on their feet.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Melinda surprised another co-worker with an elephant
figurine from her mom’s collection.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I purchased a full Thanksgiving dinner for a local organization
that provides Thanksgiving for families that cannot afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, my co-workers gave me money to help out…so
I did the shopping/delivery of 5 more dinners on their behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Melinda wrote a nice note to a friend thanking them for always
helping other people and mailed it with a cat candle…because the gal loves
cats!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>While Christmas shopping, I bought a board game and a giant
teddy bear for Toys for Tots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Melinda bought socks and gave them to a homeless man she
met.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I passed out cozy, Christmas socks to the ladies in my
department at work.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Melinda gave her sweater to a friend who was freezing in the
middle of a conference. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We both gave out multiple gift cards…and we both gave surprise
flowers to friends of ours.
</li>
</ul>
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I know I speak for Melinda, too, when I say that this was a
rewarding project that I will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I was committed to doing something every day, I really started
to open my ears and listen to what people around me were talking about…so that
I could be ready when the right opportunity struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of always thinking about my needs, I
was constantly searching for a new way to make someone else’s day great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Melinda…she is an inspiration in all
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She suffered the loss of her
mother’s dog, plus a pretty bad cold/flu…but none of that prevented her from
carrying out her mission to GIVE.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We both have plans to continue our giving journey…even if we
can’t keep up a daily pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look
forward to finding new and fun ways to surprise and delight my friends…and to help
those in need when I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have
any ideas…please share!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Happy
Holidays.</div>
The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-82941489095431569742015-11-20T15:00:00.002-08:002015-11-20T15:00:41.944-08:00GO FUND YOURSELF PLEASE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a growing epidemic in the pool world...and I can't hold my tongue any longer. I'm so sick and tired of seeing GoFundMe-type requests from pool players who want to travel to tournaments and want me and everyone else to pay for it. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I mean...this has to be a joke, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>You want
to travel and play pool in your "quest" to become a professional player?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to get a real job because you think that pool IS your job...and that you're working to achieve your dreams by hitting balls all day and gambling occasionally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even more ridiculous…you want me to
help you pay for it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I see these posts popping up all the time nowadays, and it’s
truly mind-blowing that there are players out there expecting their friends and
families and the general FB collective to help them basically be pool bums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The problem is, they manipulate people into donating by telling the potential donors that they are "helping to fulfill a lifelong dream"...or "helping to launch their pool career"...blah, blah, blah. </span>I’m sorry, but let’s face facts here...there are only a handful of top pros, male or female,
who have made or can make an actual living playing tournament pool and for the rest of us...it's a glorified <b>HOBBY</b>. If you can’t afford your hobby…then you
need to figure out a way to <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>A)</b> fund
your pool travels <u>on your own</u></span>, <span style="color: blue;"><b>B)</b> find
an actual sponsor</span>, or <span style="color: red;"><b>C)</b> you need to
stop traveling to tournaments</span></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s that
simple.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not to blow my own horn...but at one point in my career, I was ranked #10 in the
WPBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I only mention it because I managed to achieve that status while working a full-time job (for those of you unfamiliar with the term "job"...see definition below).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my travel was
funded by various sponsors, sure…but sponsorships are business agreements in which
both parties benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Companies aren’t
typically in the business of just handing out freebies with nothing in
return!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84l2oGwQqkwPJdU_itjAw1O2YHGY1qvssfQRKvOk8JK3q9Q8xASp2PIUxHR0D5faiSFCd11H-hZIoalHagfcm_8pI5y_XTSH5iBCd_pmsqughN95TWcSx1f6InWwkfNnPcFZhg-tDS8Lo/s1600/job+definition.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84l2oGwQqkwPJdU_itjAw1O2YHGY1qvssfQRKvOk8JK3q9Q8xASp2PIUxHR0D5faiSFCd11H-hZIoalHagfcm_8pI5y_XTSH5iBCd_pmsqughN95TWcSx1f6InWwkfNnPcFZhg-tDS8Lo/s400/job+definition.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I actually saw a GoFundMe request today for <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>$3000</b></span></span> to travel to the
WPBA Regional Tour Championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MY JAW DROPPED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words cannot even express the
incredulity and disdain I have for this request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i><b>$3000…really?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this chick
<span style="font-size: small;">insane</span>?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b>There is absolutely NO way that it</b></span><b><span style="color: red;"></span></b>
<b>costs 3 Gs</b> to travel to Florida for 4 days…from <u>anywhere</u> in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me break it down for you:</span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The entry to the tournament itself is most
likely $100-$150</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A flight should cost approximately $500</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A motel for 3-4
nights could cost anywhere between $200-500<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And maybe a rental car, if needed, which you can get for $150 max if you
stay with an economy or compact car.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That’s $1300 max for the trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to be thorough, I went ahead and priced it out today…as if I was making
this trip for myself…and guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I could make the trip <b>for less than $1100</b>...and could</span> make it <i><u>even cheaper</u></i> by sharing a
hotel/motel room and car rental costs. (Hell...even when I had a sponsor, I would share rooms/cars in order to try and keep expenses down!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So why the F would this person be asking for $3K????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many problems with this…I don’t even
know where to start!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, she’s
asking for way too much money, so either she wants to travel in style or she’s
greedy and wants some extra cash in her pocket for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, it’s obvious that she isn’t spending
any of her own money to get to this tournament…instead she’s asking everyone
else to fund it completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would I
want to help someone who isn’t even willing to spend her own money to get to
this "super important" event?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third…let’s
face it…this ain’t the US Open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
Regional Tour Championships for the <a href="http://www.wpba.com/" target="_blank">WPBA</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This used to be a tournament of some importance in a player's career, because the winner would have an
opportunity to play in all the WPBA events the following season…and she could
use that chance to earn her Touring Pro status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nowadays, the WPBA is close to defunct…with 1 event per year…and so the
RTC is not a player’s "big chance" anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s just another tournament with a fairly big field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know, I know…I sound callous and jaded and mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those who know me know that I’m completely willing to help fund a situation
like a junior player who has earned an invite to Junior Nationals or Junior
World Championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m certainly willing
to help fund someone’s dream…as long as I can see that they are trying for
self-sufficiency and maybe just need a helping hand because they are falling
short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m especially willing to help
fund someone’s dream if they are creative and constantly trying to figure out
ways to give something back to their donors as a show of appreciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But when anyone just wants to play pool and travel around to
tournaments, AND they want everyone else to pay for it??? Well, those people can't have my <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>$$$$</b></span></span>, and <b><u>they really can't have my respect</u></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(And for those of you who might truly feel like I’m out of line here…then
please let me know and I will send you a request to help me fund my next
vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But be warned…I’m going to
expect you and all your friends to pay for it completely…and I’ll probably
choose an all-inclusive resort because that’s my "next big dream".)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rant over.</span></div>
The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-13529694093968221342015-07-06T17:43:00.001-07:002015-07-06T17:43:56.706-07:00Hustlers and Haters<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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About 2 months ago, TruTV launched a show called “<a href="http://www.trutv.com/shows/the-hustlers/index.html" target="_blank">TheHustlers</a>”…and from Episode 1, this show has generated some discord amongst the
pool playing society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are my random
thoughts…and my rant for all the Haters out there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First of all, I’ve seen lots of positive posts from fans and
supporters. Some loved the show, and some didn’t necessarily appreciate the show
but they still showed love and support because they have hopes that a reality
series about pool on mainstream TV will help the industry in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for every fan/supporter, there were 10 Haters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people got busy tearing the show and
the cast apart before the first commercial break of Episode 1 had finished
airing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was completely amazed at the
sheer number of pool players who knocked everything about the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hated the cast because Earl (or Jayson,
or whoever) wasn’t a cast member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
complained about how it was filmed because certain shots were “obviously”
set-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the Hater know-it-alls came
out of hiding to tell us how they could’ve made a way better show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course, there was the elitist sector
telling us how a show about hustlers could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i>
help the industry (I’m guessing the big industry boom after Color of Money was
just coincidence according to them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was open season on the cast…and I think it has little to do with the show
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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So why the all the Hate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, I believe that most of the Haters out there are running on pure
jealousy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that many of the
Haters out there believe that they play better than some of the cast members…so
they freely knocked the abilities of the players on the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so many of them also said how they would
NEVER have let themselves be featured in show that “glorified” the hustling
side of the pool world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you know
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I firmly believe that 99% of the
Haters would’ve <u>jumped</u> at the chance if offered a role on “The Hustlers”…even
though every single one of them will deny it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Listen up Haters…your story is as old as time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aesop told it in the fable of the Fox and the
Grapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want what others have. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Driven by hunger, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox" title="Fox">fox</a> tried to reach some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape" title="Grape">grapes</a> hanging high
on the vine but was unable to, although he leaped with all his strength. As he
went away, the fox remarked "Oh, you aren't even ripe yet! I don't need any
sour grapes."</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/teIj7fak6eU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/teIj7fak6eU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i> </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether it was given to them or whether they worked their
asses off for it…there are plenty of people in this world who have things that
we don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haters are jealous of other
peoples’ success/looks/money/fame…and they behind a keyboard, feeling entitled
and justified in their vicious verbal attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recognize that nothing I say will actually stop most
people from drinking the Haterade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
instead, I write this blog to support all the people out there being Hated
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t stop what you’re doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to be successful, beautiful, lucky…or
whatever it is that causes people to hate on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignore the asshats out there who want to
bring you down a notch by mocking you publicly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They hate you because they can’t be you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your real friends will always lift you up instead of trying to shoot you
down. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpHLKZWpWLZvkLFL9PfN62A6OxW3Eparw_1rxJO_ZHvhbZIHRjE84oipa0Sn45N3v1RRXiIcDXrIcsYgnCF8fgMovcIvOhl2XNP3Ovh9MEoNL1ONHqXJsbPtyrA1f7Trg5jukXz4DOY-y/s1600/Cheers+to+my+haters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpHLKZWpWLZvkLFL9PfN62A6OxW3Eparw_1rxJO_ZHvhbZIHRjE84oipa0Sn45N3v1RRXiIcDXrIcsYgnCF8fgMovcIvOhl2XNP3Ovh9MEoNL1ONHqXJsbPtyrA1f7Trg5jukXz4DOY-y/s320/Cheers+to+my+haters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-4614764552817331212015-05-28T13:53:00.001-07:002015-05-28T13:53:37.250-07:00The Hand (aka The Fake Apology)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the last few years, it has become increasingly
prevalent for players to raise their hand in apology when then slop a ball in
or accidentally leave their opponent safe after they miss a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten years ago, The Hand didn’t even exist in
the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only players who I
ever saw raise The Hand were the gals in the WPBA who hailed from England,
Ireland, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, The Hand was a
rare sight back then, because players like Allison Fisher, Kelly Fisher, Karen
Corr…well, they don’t slop in or miss many balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I never really paid much attention to the
whole thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But nowadays…sheesh…nowadays, every pool player and their
momma uses The Hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From pro players to
bar league players, everyone is giving The Hand…and it’s getting really old,
really fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, let’s tackle the misconception of what The
Hand is really saying. Players use it as a silent apology, but if you think
about it carefully, it is really a fake apology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an unspoken F*ck You…and no one needs
or wants that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why is it a F.U.?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because...despite what some might think…I am not an idiot. I know you
got lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know you got lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone watching knows you got lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, why do I need a hand gesture from you to
acknowledge the luck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When you miss a ball and it goes 3 rails into
another pocket, we both know it was lucky.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When you miss a ball and slop in another ball,
we are both well aware that it wasn’t part of your grand master plan.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>When you miss a ball by a foot and accidentally
leave me frozen to another ball and dead-hooked…well, we both know you just got
a fantastic roll. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also know that you aren’t truly very sorry about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are like the hundreds of players I’ve
asked about this over the years, you are secretly smiling inside because that
lucky roll probably just gave you a huge advantage in that game, or even the
match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, seeing The Hand from my opponent forces my brain to acknowledge
the luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no chance to ignore the
luck or let it roll off my back because The Hand is essentially like waving a
red flag and rubbing it, ever so gently, in my face that you just got lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is that “nice” or “polite”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might as well just go ahead and do a
little happy dance instead, because the happy dance will also rub the luck in
my face, but at least I can respect you for being honest about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my suggestion for an alternative behavior for everyone
to try in place of giving someone The Hand:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next time you slop in a ball, or get safe unintentionally…just go about
your business like nothing happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either keep playing the rack out and win the game like a gentleman (or
woman), or go back to your seat quietly and politely and wait for your next
opportunity at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t force
your opponent to acknowledge your good fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t rub their face in your good luck by giving them The Hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because in reality, you are actually giving
them The Finger…and that is most definitely not polite.</div>
The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-51558803355772717252011-04-01T19:31:00.000-07:002011-04-01T19:31:47.812-07:00Handbook for Life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometime in 2009, a friend forwarded me her Handbook for Life. She knew I was always stressed, and she wanted to give this to me as a gift to help put things in perspective.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The guidelines are all solid and true and everlasting. It’s tough to remember to live by them 100% of the time, but if I’m feeling anxious or down or angry…I take a look at the list and try to remind myself to follow the guidelines.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I keep a printout of them on my desk at work. And now I’m sharing them here in hopes that other people find them useful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit;"><u>HANDBOOK FOR LIFE</u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Health</u>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Drink plenty of water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Make time to meditate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Play more games </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Read more books than you did last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Sleep for 7 hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Personality</u>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13. Don't over do. Keep your limits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">16. Dream more while you are awake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">23. Smile and laugh more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Society</u>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">25. Call your family often. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">26. Each day give something good to others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">27. Forgive everyone for everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">28. Spend time w/people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">29. Try to make at least three people smile each day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">30. What other people think of you is none of your business. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Life</u>:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">32. Do the right thing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">34. Time heals everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">35. However good or bad a situation is…it will change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">36. No matter how you feel…get up, dress up and show up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">37. The best is yet to come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">38. When you awake alive in the morning, count your blessings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span>The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-89657381788869673022011-03-08T18:21:00.000-08:002011-03-08T18:21:00.536-08:00Repetition = ConfidenceI was recently asked this question by a friend, and after I sent him my answer….I though it might be an interesting topic for a blog. Especially given the fact that I so rarely blog about pool. So here goes….<br />
<strong><em>Q. I've seen a lot of potential in my wife's play, even with her limited playing time. But her biggest struggle seems to be mental toughness. How do you go about in your preparation and competitions? Do you have routines or books you read that give you more confidence? </em></strong><br />
<br />
Regarding mental toughness...the best advice I can give is that good preparation is the foundation for a strong mind. Doubt and fear are very powerful emotions...ones that can cripple a player's confidence. The best protection against this is to know your shots 100%...to have your cue be an extension of you...to be so confident in your knowledge and stroke that there is no room for doubt or fear. The only way I have found to achieve this is through practice. <br />
<br />
If I shoot the same shot 100 times...and make it 100 times...then when the 101st time rolls around...there is very little chance I will miss it. <br />
<br />
If I shoot/make it 1000 times...that chance gets much, much smaller. <br />
<br />
If I shoot/make it 10,000 times...I would bet my entire bank account, my car, my 401K and my dog's life that I won't miss the ball. <br />
<br />
It's like anything else in life. You have to make it as natural to shoot a 9-ball as it is to tie your shoes or start your car in the dark. Repetition is the key to making that happen. (<em>Think of walking into your bedroom in the dark. You don’t fumble around looking for the light switch for 5 minutes. You aren’t afraid or nervous about finding that switch. Your mind and body know where the light switch is through years of repetition…so there is no room for doubt or fear.)</em><br />
<br />
Now, once you get to a level where you can compete amongst the best, there are other things that can be done to help boost your confidence and keep your brain in a calm and steady state. <a href="http://jenniferbarretta.wordpress.com/">Jennifer Barretta</a> works out...because for her a strong body equals a strong mind. She feels more confident about herself when she is exercising regularly. I like yoga...because it helps you find your center and learn to create a calm, steady state through deep breathing. Others listen to music to clear their mind...while some write blogs or journals. Preparation techniques are as individual as the players themselves, but I promise that you that 95% of the top players stick to the same basic routine in preparation for a match. This is all part of the repetition…training your body and mind to respond the same way in every situation. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Repetition = Confidence </span></strong><br />
<br />
Believe it people.The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-58922807164007720082011-01-21T19:26:00.000-08:002011-01-21T19:26:10.831-08:00Support For Our Soldiers...I’m not a brave person. There is no way that I could have joined the military and survived anything other than a desk job in the States. So, I have tremendous respect and admiration for the men and women who do sign up for our armed forces…often at a ridiculously young age. (I don’t want to go off on a tangent…but let me just say I find it absurd that our gov’t and society will allow 18-yr olds to die in battle on our behalf…but they are prevented from doing so many other things because of their youth. For example…consume or purchase alcohol off-base. Or rent a car without paying outrageous “under 21” fees. Joe Army can drive a tank for the US gov’t…but he can’t rent a car from Budget. Seriously?)<br />
<br />
<br />
My little brother is planning to join the Navy this year. I am terrified for him…but at the same time, I am so proud of him…and I think it is a good decision for him. My uncle, my father, and both grandfathers served in various divisions of the armed forces…as well as many of my close friends.<br />
<br />
So…because I am not a brave person…I try to find ways to show my support for our troops. I’ve been pen-pals with soldiers (who also happen to be pool enthusiasts), I have visited military bases with the other <a href="http://www.wpba.com/">WPBA</a> ladies to play challenge matches and socialize with these brave young men and women…and most recently, I have taken to sending care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. I love doing this…as it gives me the warmest of fuzzies to know that these packages help to keep our deployed soldiers more comfortable and happy while they are stationed far from home, friends, and family. <br />
<br />
If you want to support a soldier, there are many websites that can help you. You can join their services and “adopt” a soldier or troop…or you can research things such as the most requested/popular items (I was recently asked for chapstick, lotion and foot powder) or easiest/cheapest shipping methods (<a href="http://www.usps.com/">USPS</a> has a flat rate box for APO/FPO addresses. The box is free, the shipping is $12.50). <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.anysoldier.com/">http://www.anysoldier.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.herobox.org/">http://www.herobox.org/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.opgratitude.com/">http://www.opgratitude.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/">http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.operationshoebox.com/">http://www.operationshoebox.com/</a><br />
<br />
As a side note…if you are interested in sending a care package…but don’t have a lot of money to spend...you can always involve your friends and family by asking them for donations. My most recent care package had all kinds of things donated by my friends…microwave popcorn, hot chocolate packages, CD’s, razors, lotions, deodorants, powdered drink mixes, etc. These were items that my friends had extras of…or were able to give away without impacting their household budget too badly. <br />
<br />
(And if anyone wants advice or wants to contribute to one of my future care packages…you can always email me at <a href="mailto:herndonmc@gmail.com">herndonmc@gmail.com</a>)The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-67281424799312700922011-01-10T22:39:00.000-08:002011-01-10T22:39:04.616-08:00The 2011 Things-To-Do ListJust as it happens at the beginning of every new year, I start 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose, determination and a good intention to get stuff done. So…while I am still in that mode…I figured I’d start by blogging about everything I plan to do this year. First off...and it's priority over the whole list so it's not even on the list...I intend to play more pool and get back my Top 16 ranking. I'm off to a rocky start with this one since I couldn't attend the WPBA Masters in Michigan...but I'm committed for any other events this year. I love the game and look forward to getting back to playing more.<br />
<br />
Now on to the list...<br />
<br />
#1 – I intend to blog regularly. What does regularly mean? Well…to me it means at least once a month. There is no purpose in having the darn things if I don’t use it. My role models for this are OMGWTF, PCN guy, and Gail Glazebrook. They are all busy human beings (well, since I’ve never met PCN, I have to assume he/she is human…LOL)…yet each one of them has made a commitment to their blogs…and been very impressive in keeping those commitments. Note to self: You don’t have to write novels. Short and sweet works just as well!<br />
<br />
#2 – Engage in creative activity. There are several items on my bucket list that I could address to fill this creative void in my life. I could learn quilting or knitting, candlemaking, jewelry making…whatever! I just need to try a bunch of new things, find something I really like, and then dive into really getting juicy with it. I admire creative people…so I intend to nurture that inner child who never stopped wanting her finger paints.<br />
<br />
#3 – Go to X-Games and Comic-Con and the Rose Parade. I live in So Cal…and yet I have never taken advantage of my close proximity to these fantastic events. I’m not a big comic book or skateboarding fan…but I believe that events like Comic-Con transcend your normal fandom and create an experience that just about anyone will enjoy. I’ve already got my hook-ups for Comic-Con and the Rose Parade…now I just need to find one for the X-Games!!!<br />
<br />
#4 – Do something extreme. River rafting, skydiving…something along those lines. Ziplining might not count as extreme…but I want to try that, too. <br />
<br />
#5 – Help organize a charity event. I love event planning…and I want to volunteer…so this might be the perfect outlet for me!<br />
<br />
#6 – Travel more. I might not be able to take a week long tropical vacation…but weekend road trips aren’t out of the question. I used to take them all the time when I was younger…and I miss those days. I’m definitely hitting Nor Cal, SD and AZ sometime this year. And, of course, there’s always Vegas.<br />
<br />
#7 – Watch less TV. This one is going to be hard…because I love TV. But I need to spend more time out and about in the world…doing things instead of watching others do things. But I really do love TV.<br />
<br />
#8 – Learn how to bat to right field. Yes…I need to learn how to be able to hit to right field at will. I play co-ed softball with friends…and I would like to be able to drop a little curving blooper in over the 1st baseman’s head. Your opponent’s never expect it…and many times it will get you an extra base.<br />
#9 – Go see the Ellen DeGeneres show. I just think she’s the bee’s knees…a terrific human being. And I think that being in her presence would just be plain fun.<br />
<br />
#10 – Drink more water. Yep…that’s #10. It’s harder than it sounds because I pretty much hate plain water. But it’s so darn good for you…and when I do drink plenty of water, I just feel better. So…that’s the plan…to get into a habit of drinking plain, old, boring water. <br />
<br />
Well…those are my top 10 things-to-do in 2011. But there are other things that didn’t make the list….and if you have any cool suggestions…please go ahead and leave me a comment!!The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-60528657694275440562010-09-24T18:19:00.001-07:002010-09-24T18:19:58.748-07:00I'll take those pants, please.As with anyone else who has spent significant amounts of time in a pool room, I have seen and heard some hilarious things…been part of some really fun stories…and have witnessed a couple things that I wouldn’t believe if I hadn’t seen them.<br /><br />Every now and then, I’d like to share a story from my past here on my blog. This is the first of those stories.<br /><br />Like 99.9% of all female players of a certain skill level…I have been challenged to play by guys of all persuasions. Rich guys, poor guys, old guys, young guys, scumbags, gentlemen, executive types, military boys, pros, ball-bangers, cocky guys, nice guys, girls that I thought were guys…the list goes on and on.<br /><br />The ones I have the most fun with are the guys who really have no clue about the pool world…but who think that they play really, really well.<br /><br />I have a friend…let’s call her Jane. Jane was dating an older man…we will call him Bob. One night…Jane calls me up and asks me to go to dinner with her and Bob. When she picked me up…she informed me that Bob’s two nephews would also be joining us for dinner...and that they would meet us at the restaurant. She also clued me in that Bob’s nephews were 17 and 19…and that the 19 year old thought he was a pretty big hotshot on a pool table. I had basically been invited to dinner to teach 19-year old Nephew a lesson on the felt after dinner…if I was up to it.<br /><br />During dinner, Bob kept grilling his nephews about their hobbies…what they liked to do. Finally, 19-yr old Nephew says that he loves to play pool…and he is better than anyone where he lives. The door has been opened…and Bob steps right through. He tells his nephews that there is a pool room close to his home…and says that we should all go play after dinner. 19-yr old Nephew accepts the challenge very cockily. Bob says that we can play some doubles…and that he will even take a girl for his partner…either Jane or me. Bob also tells his nephew that he will bet $100 against his nephew’s pants. Nephew wins…he gets $50. Uncle Bob wins…and nephew has to drop trouser right then and there. Now 19-yr old Nephew is quite excited…because he believes that he is going to whoop his uncle’s ass on the pool table. <br /><br />So…after dinner, Jane and I drive to the pool room…which just happens to be my home room. I called the manager on the drive…and asked him to tell the staff to pretend they don’t know me, but to have Table 1 for us when we get there…and to have my cue and a copy of a recent Billiard’s Digest magazine (with a feature article about me) ready to go when I asked for it.<br /><br />When we got to the pool room…Bob asked to rent a table and of course, the manager gave him Table 1. 19-yr old Nephew racked up a game of 8-ball and told his uncle that he would spot us the break. Bob broke, missed a ball, and then let 17-yr old Nephew shoot. He made a ball or two, then missed. It was my turn…and I got up and shot a ball left-handed. It was my plan to look awkward and totally random at the pool table…but I managed to leave 19-yr old Nephew without a good shot. He misses and it’s Bob’s turn again. Bob misses and now it’s back to 17-yr old nephew…who also misses. Now that it was back to me…Uncle Bob caught my eye and said, “Go ahead. Do it.” So…the manager brought out my cue, I switched from left-handed to right-handed…and promptly ran the table out. Both Nephews stood there dumb-founded…jaws on the floor…until I looked at 19-yr old Nephew and said, “I’ll take those pants please.” Everyone burst out laughing…and he started to undo his belt buckle. Of course, we let him off the hook…there was no way we actually wanted him to walk around in his skivvies for the rest of the night. Once the manager showed him the article about me and told him I was a pro…Nephew was definitely humbled and appreciative of the prank we had played on him.<br /><br />It was a fun night…and a story that my friends Jane and Bob love to tell to this day.The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-58093087868316138232010-03-03T15:55:00.001-08:002010-03-03T16:10:17.497-08:00Ready or Not...Here I Come San DiegoOf course...the "ready or not" refers to me...not San Diego. As the first WPBA tournament of the year rapidly approaches...I find myself completely unprepared as a player. See...I am on the Board of Directors for the WPBA...as well as being a player...and 2010 has started a little roughly for the organization. So...instead of focusing on practicing my game...I have been a busy little bee helping to make sure that this event runs smoothly for everyone else. (I also had to put together the RTC in February...and I am also working to try and start a So Cal Regional Tour...in my "spare time".)<br /><br />Is it fair that I have placed the organization's welfare above my own for the time being? Depends on who you ask, I guess. My friends and family would tell me that I am working too hard...am too stressed...and that I need to quit trying to juggle so many balls. Other players have counseled that I need to try and forget my responsibilities before and during a tournament...because they don't want my pool career to suffer. I've had very wise people advise me that...at some point...I have to make sure that I am happy....and if not having time to play is making me unhappy, then I need to make changes in my life.<br /><br />On the other hand...I have players who thank me for the hard work I do for the WPBA. The other Board members and various WPBA staffers (or former staffers) also tell me how important the work that I am doing is...and how difficult it would be if they didn't have access to the knowledge I have accumulated over the years. So...when I take those things into consideration...I don't regret most of the choices I have made. Yet...LOL.<br /><br />So...back to San Diego and the first event of the year. I suppose I will do what I did all last year....get back to work to make sure the tournament runs smoothly....and try to cram some practice in this weekend in hopes that I can get my stroke going and my groove on.<br /><br />Wish me luck...I may need it.The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-795833320941569882010-02-10T12:07:00.000-08:002010-02-10T12:25:37.151-08:003 Cheers for Bar Trivia!!!So I am a trivia buff. Most of my friends know that...because they are also trivia buffs. Self-proclaimed geeks, nerds, know-it-alls. We enjoy playing games involving trivia...constantly trying to one-up one another...or teaming together to show off our collective knowledge of little known facts. Which is why we were so thrilled to find <a href="http://www.kingtrivia.com/">King Trivia</a> at a local Chuy's one night after a softball game. Let's just say it gave our inner geeks a place to be truly free...where having the right answer isn't dorky...but will instead win us acclaim and prizes!<br /><br />Week in and week out...my team would consistently finish top 3 in the trivia contests...often taking home the top prize....a $20 gift certificate Chuy's. We saved those gift certificates for several months...and eventually amassed almost $300 worth...at which point we had a big party when our softball team won our division that season.<br /><br />But I digress. The point of the story is that I finally have use for these random facts that float around inside my brain. Things like...<br /><ul><li>What WD40 stands for...and how it was invented in the first place</li><li>What popular actress started modeling at 16, and landed her first movie role in a comedy at the age of 21</li><li>What a somnambulist is</li></ul>I have always loved being a closet geek/nerd/dork/dweeb/etc. I read a magazine called Mental Floss. I take IQ tests for the fun of it. I play a daily online Trivial Pursuit game. And now...with bar trivia...I can finally make a little $$ from all of it!The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506597460634542801.post-82066355935257881772010-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:42:00.669-08:00RestlessnessI've been restless lately...wanting to explore new things, get stuff done, achieve something special or meaningful. Don't get me wrong...I live a good life. I have a good job, I'm a professional pool player, my home life is happy. But I've begun to realize that I could do so much and be so much more...and the resulting feeling is restlessness...the desire to DO...not just BE.<br /><br />I'm starting a regional tour here is So Cal. This is my first serious effort at giving back to the sport that has given me so much. There is plenty of talent here...and I want to give these players the same opportunity I had to realize their pool dreams. It's hard work...but I know it will be worth it once I'm done.<br /><br />I've also started a Bucket List...and the first item on the list is to create the list...LOL. It's harder than you think. Try coming up with 100 things to do before you die. I've only come up with 49...which means I've either done a lot of things that I've wanted to in life...or I'm a serious underachiever. Unfortunately...I have a feeling it is the latter...but I'm going to keep working on it. I was telling J-Bar about my list the other day...and she wanted to hear some of the list. Here are a few of the more unusual items...<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Get dressed up in traditional geisha attire and make-up. </span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Go to a black church in the deep south and sing gospel with them.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Voice a cartoon character.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Be a DJ for a day.</span></li></ul><br />More about my Bucket List once it is finished.<br /><br />This blog itself is a direct result of my restlessness. After reading <a href="http://jenniferbarretta.wordpress.com/">J-Bar's</a> and <a href="http://sticksandballsandholes.blogspot.com/">Liz Ford's</a> blogs...I was inspired to my thoughts to the page. <br /><br />That's it for now. No need to exert myself on the first day ;)The Dragon Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08289976513305980384noreply@blogger.com1