Monday, January 26, 2009

Since my last entry, I've had a lot going on.  I spent the holidays with my parents and Teresa's (my girlfriend) parents.  While with her parent's over Christmas, I stopped in at Legends Billiards in Waukegan, IL.  I was asked by Barry Potekin to perform a few shots and I threw together an impromptu show to the delight of handful of players that happened to be there on Christmas Eve.  I was invited to come back, which I did, over the course of the next week to practice for the upcoming Master's championship.  My compliments to everyone at Legend's Billiards.  They truly run a class act!

Also, since Christmas the stats have been updated and my new ranking is 31 in the world!  Check out the link above to see the newly updated world ranking stats.

Oh, yeah.  I'm teaching English, Journalism, and Drama at Mount Pleasant High School.  I can't say enough about the staff and school there.  It's truly one of the best schools at which I have worked and the administration is top-notch!  

Monday, December 8, 2009

Well, it's been too long since I've updated this part of the site.  Since my last update, I have been in a near-death car accident, I've moved up in the rankings in the artistic pool world, and I've competed in my first World Championship event in artistic pool.  

  My car accident happened on the way to church the last weekend in September.  I came over a hill and a semi truck and trailer was broad side in the road.  There was no escape and I slammed into the side of it.  I was able to bend my door enough to get out and was preaching within the hour after the towing company had taken away my worthless car and the paramedics had been waved off.

   I moved up in the rankings in artisic pool from 40 to 39 upon the retirement of Mike Massey, the #1 ranked player for 8 years, from the rankings.  

   Finally, I just finished competing in my first World Championship event this past week. I had the worst first round imaginable but was able to struggle back to finish 19th.  I'm expecting a new and improved world ranking when the stats are entered.

September 9, 2008

Happy birthday to me!  I am officially 40 years (old? young?).  I thank God for having been given the years I have been blessed with up to this point.  Upcoming events:  Hopefully I'll be in the World Championships of artistic pool the first week of December.  I've hired on at Mount Pleasant High School recently and am enjoying my new work with this school.  My latest venture: the stock market (I'll let you know how it's going . . . not too good right now).  "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

March 30, 2008

Well, the points are tabulated and the rankings listed!  I'm officially ranked 40th in artistic pool. 

March 23, 2008

Well, it's over and the stats are in!  I finished 14th overall in the what is considered the 2nd most prestigious tournament in artistic pool, the Master's Championship.  The winner only had 7 more points than I (162/169).  I missed the cutoff for the finals by only 3 points (12 playoff spots--the 12th spot was earned with a 165 so you see how close I came!).  I really wanted to win my first professional tournament and was told "That would be unheard of" by my friend Eric Yow (notice he didn't say "impossible").  I guess it remains unheard of.  Perhaps someone else will accomplish that some day.

     So, since I didn't make the top 12 for the playoffs I didn't have a chance to play for the win, but I came pretty close.  I'm pleased about that.  I'm already preparing for the World Championships with will occur before this year is out (maybe November or December).  In the mean time, I'll be helping my friend Eric Yow prepare for his first ever ESPN Trick Shot Magic competition in October. 

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me (especially my dad who drove several hours to support me--I had my best day that day--and to Teresa for tolerating my neglect of her while I practiced day and night!).

Be sure to check out the APTSA and Trick Shot Productions links on the "pool" link on this site for stats and info. as well as TheMessenger99 and WireNut1978 sites on YouTube for clips from the event!

February (I think), 2008

I have some new things happening in my life.  Recently I took up the game of pool after more than a decade's absence from the game.  I set a goal in October of 2006 to reach the professional level within 3 years.  As a result of a lot of hard work, thoughtful goal setting, planning, and expense I will participate in my first professional tournament (Lord willing) in March of this year (2008) in artistic pool (trick shots).  Look for updates as to my progress and/or success on this website.