Many, many years ago I played pool often. Fun was had. I have my own cue, which I bought at a flea market around many, many years ago. Nothing special, and partially held together with J. B. Weld, but I like it. Yes, I have dreamed of turning my piece of 25+ year old purple heart into a cue. I bought the wood expressly for that purpose after all. Somehow the money to have a cue made has never made its way into that piece of wood. The potential is always there, but the wonder is, “will I really like it?”, “will I suck playing with it?” You get the idea. So, like an atom, lots of potential but basically inert.
This evening, because of my brother Garry’s request, I am going to join the APA and be on his team. Nervousness ensues. I have never played for money and have only ever played in one ‘fun’ tournament at the place where I used to play pool. This is league play.
My family, wife, son, sister and I, joined a bowling league for fun, but it was not joining the National Bowling whatever, it was a local alley and no one had visions of grandeur – or if they did they were probably in the wrong place. This group has sent a team to Las Vegas for competition.
Can it stay fun if it is competition?
I guess my fears are unjustified. Writing it down forces one to think about things and I am sure it will be fun. Maybe I will be amazing. More likely I will play as I played before; good against good players and bad against the bad. The concentration of a good player always helped me focus and improved my game. Somehow I need to figure out how to keep that concentration with lousy or distracted players. Learning will happen, this is a good thing.
Now if only I can understand the league rules! Foul? Safety? Only call the pocket on the 8?
Sigh.
