2012 ACS Nationals

I played in my first ACS Nationals tourney earlier this week.  Saturday morning, I was out in two (eeek!) in the 9ball division, so was pretty bummed.  I had too much on my mind and was not mentally strong at all.  Too much drama going on in my personal life to even care about pool right now. But that allowed me a day and a half of relaxation, which included a few hours in the sun and a nice dinner with my friend, Janet.  We go to a nice restaurant at the Monte Carlo.  For appetizer, we ordered "hot rocks" and we had no idea we would have to cook slices of sirloin for ourselves (we thought they cook it for us at our table)!  But it turned out to be a REALLY neat thing I'm glad I experiences:  we cook the meat literally ON hot rocks!  It was awesome.  And VERY tasty.  :)

It was a very hot rock, too!  It seared the sirloin pieces in only about 30 seconds.

the "Swim Up Black Jack table" at the Tropicana hotel pool.  The dealer just busted as I snapped this pic, lol. 

The ACS Nationals was held at The Tropicana Casino/Hotel.  The hotel room was nice, food expensive, casino small, but a great location on the strip and a great, fun pool.  The convention center area held the tourney and housed the almost 100 Valley tables well.  (Here is a Video Tour of ACS tournament room that I did the second day)

I wasn't sure how 8ball would go on Tuesday morning, because I wasn't mentally strong during 9ball and so therefore I was concerned.  But, being aware of the issue is always a good thing; it helps me know what I need to work on.

I got a TBA at 9am and it turned into a bye and I was moved to the next round at 10:30am.  So, I went back to my room to pack.  I had 3 free nights at The Mirage, my FAV hotel, so wanted to switch over there at the end of my tourney day.  As I waited on the bell hop,  I get a call from Janet that my match was just called.  What??  I started to get flustered as I clearly had a bye, and now I can't leave my room right away and I also need to check out still.  But a girl is waiting on me and so I feel pressured to rush down there.  The TD was super super cool and told me to take my time, because it was their mistake.

I only took about 20 minutes, but that meant we didn't start til 9:40am. The match goes hill-hill.  I get lucky she missed a shot at the end and then I won.  My next match is delayed because of the hoopla and the hill hill match, but my opponent was very nice about it. 

I won the first game beautifully!  But, as sometimes happens, a scratch, miss, and a misshape in the next three games led to her all of a sudden being up 1-3!  But, I stay in the game, focus on my fundamentals and tie it 3-3!  I miss my run out, but so does she.  I am left with a very tough shot, and decide to kick my last ball in.  I nail it!  I then have a back cut bank (my fav) on the 8 and made it nicely for the win.  Boy was I happy!

I then won at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30.  My last match I found myself down again 1-3, due to my errors.  I was bummed and ready do accept my fate, but that helped me remain calm and not think too much and I then won 4-3!  I couldn't believe it!  My opponent would tell me later that I have a lot of heart.  That was cool she said that.  I actually loved to watch her play - she has GREAT confidence and I enjoyed her pool game.

I go check the charts and I see I will be playing IN the hotseat tomorrow morning.  Really?? OMG!

I check in at The Mirage and I am ELATED!  I am in my FAV hotel/casino and I am playing in the hotseat.  WOW!  I couldn't stop smiling.  :)

The next morning, I get up early because I'm still on Texas time.  After some yoga, I try to go back to sleep for a nap and it suddenly dawns on me:  I'm going to be playing in the hotseat for a NATIONAL tourney!  Further, I may not play in this tourney again so it's my only chance.  Omg, the calm before the storm: I all of a sudden was freaked out.  To think to yourself in just a few hours you may be a National Champ is very unnerving.  And for me, who always freaks out in title tournaments anyway, made it extremely difficult for me to be mentally strong for such an important match. 

And sure enough, true to form, I did not play well in the hotseat.  I lost 0-4.  :(  My opponent shot well, but I also had a chance in every game.  I wasn't nervous, just, didn't play well at all.  I was playing timid and unconfident. 

I then played for 3rd place and while I played better this match, I still wasn't up to par and missed too many shots and my opponent made hers.  I lost 2-4.  I was SUPER bummed.  :(

Even though 3rd place in a National tourney sounds good on paper, I could only think how badly I played and didn't even give myself a chance.  To realize I have played for 20 years and I still get freaked out in title tournaments is actually disappointing.  At least I'm consistent. 

As I look back, I wish I just could enjoy myself in crucial stages.

I went to the chart to see how much I won and was shocked!  $700 for 3rd!  There were 44 girls in the tourney and I thought that was a fabulous, generous payout!  My frown turned into a little smile.

As I watched a friend play in the finals of the Super Seniors, John Lewis of ACS asks to speak to me.  I say sure and he sits next to me and asks if I will stay til the finals are over in the ladies 8ball division so they will have the top 3 places for a photo for the media.  They only send in one pic per division to the media, so if I wanted to be in the photo, I would have to stick around for at least two more hours.  I told him I didn't know what I would do, because I wanted to suntan at The Mirage pool (it was still during the afternoon). 

He replies, "Well, if you decide to go, I understand.  Just get your trophy from the front desk before your leave."

"Wait, what?  I get a trophy for third??!"

Then my smile got even bigger!  It's amazing to me how hardware makes me so happy.  :)

I debated if I should stay or go for so long, an hour had passed and they started the finals.  So, I decided to stay for the photo op.

Mandy, Susan, Me

Right after I was out, I was so upset that I posted on FB that I wasn't "championship material" out of disgust and disappointment.  Many people said otherwise and it made me feel good. But one comment in particular really made my day that I would like to share:  "Third place in a tournament and always first place in our hearts, Melinda.  Pool doesn't define you, it only compliments you." 

Awwww!

I am now at BCAPL Nationals and many are congratulating me on my 3rd place finish.  While I am focusing on how badly I played the last two matches, everyone else only sees I placed 3rd.  Interesting, huh? 

After some time has passed, I am starting to feel good about the finish. 3rd place at the ACS Nationals Women's 8Ball Tourney.  :)

Timing and Good Shots

Sometimes timing is not our friend when we play pool.  If you lose a close match that you didn't play well in to begin with, it doesn't really matter who you see on the way out of the tourney room (where you go to sulk), you have to try and put your decent face on while in reality, you don't want to talk to anyone.  But being in a big tourney with a thousand players, you will run into people you know who want to say hi.  Or, if people know you from the internet, they want to say hi.  "Hi Trigger!"  So I stop and say hi and be nice.  It's an act, tho, after I lose a tough match.  If they happen to catch me after I win well, I will smile big and be more talkative. 

Timing is everything.

And the person just trying to say hi has no idea you might have just lost a tough match. They are just being friendly.  And I appreciate that.

However, during a match is another thing.

When I played my second 8ball match of the day on Monday at the ACS Nationals, I am down 2-1.  I won the first game beautifully, but the two wins my opponent earned are from a tough scratch by me and then a misshape by me.  She's at the table because I missed a tough shot, and she's on a run to clear the table. 

I'm sitting on the outside of the clothed table, instead of inside the "ring" next to the pool table.  A guy sits down and watches our match for just a minute and says to me, "What's the score?"

Really?  You are obviously here watching her (I presume) and I am about to be down 1-3 and you are asking me the score??

I barely look at him and respond sharply, "2-1, her."

I look back at her making more balls and he continues, "You're Melinda, right?"

I am perturbed.  And I'm in no mood to talk.  I'm in a very critical match, upset at myself, and this guy is bothering my concentration.  Now obviously, if I was winning, I *may* not be as perturbed, but I would still want to concentrate on my match.  But in this particular match, because I'm upset with myself for giving the games away and about to be down 1-3 in a race to 4, I'm really not in a talkative, friendly mood.

"Uh, yes, how do you know me?"

Not trying to be rude, but how do you know me?  AZB forums?  From Texas?  A friend?

He says, "I know Sophie and Kawania and you double dipped Kawania in the finals of the ACS Texas State. I'm from San Antonio."

"Oh, hi.  What is your name?"  I ask.

He tells me and then I turn back to the match to try to concentrate back on my game. 

He keeps talking to me, tho, and I am not happy about it.  I can't remember all that he said, because I was trying to focus on the game.

The girl gets out and it's my break.  On the way back, I sit down on the inside of the "ring" because I really don't want to be in a convo in the middle of my match.  While what he said sunk in, "I double dipped Kawania," I just wanted to focus on my fundamentals and get back into this race to 4.

I won a game and I'm inching closer. 

As I sit there while she breaks, I think to myself I need to apologize to this guy after the match for being quiet and rude.  I tell myself, "Even if you lose, you need to be the proper competitor and explain yourself and apologize, " even though if I lose I'm gonna want to leave the tourney room right away to vent to my b/f on the phone.

I win another game and tie the match up 3-3!

I try to run out but miss the 6 ball before the 8ball to get shape.  Ugh! 

She tries to runs out... but misses the 8ball!

She leaves me bad (i.e., good) lol.  I have to play safe or kick at my ball, but I don't see a good safe with her 8ball is hanging near a pocket. 

The "rule" is if the safe and the tough shot are about the same percentage-wise, then you are to go with the shot.  I would have to play an extremely soft, tricky safe to hope I hook her.  The other option, the kick, I know the 8ball makes the pocket bigger for my 6 ball.

I decide on the kick.

And I make it!!

I'm elated! 

The 6ball does indeed go off the 8ball, and so that little carom moves the 8ball up on the rail and now I have a backwards bank, but guess what?  That's one of my favorite shots.  :)

And I make it!!

I am so elated and excited, I went and quickly hugged the guy who was annoying me, lol.  I immediately sit down and apologize.  He said he understood, but I told him I just wasn't happy with myself and I was trying to concentrate.

He was cool about it.

He then took his cues out because we were on his table; turns out that's why he was sitting there:  his next match was on our table.  Duh!

I really hate that people bother me, but I try to be nice when I'm trying to concentrate in the middle of a match, but I admit it's not always easy for me to always be proper at all times. 

My Weather Girl Story

People are surprised when they find out I have a career, and what it is.  Being a pool player, most of the people I'd meet in the bars at my age in the 90s didn't exactly have a career or profession.  I was one of the exceptions back then.  And then when people would find out what my career is, they would be even more shocked.

But I think how I became a Meteorologist, is the bigger story.

I was going to write how I became a Meteorologist on my personal blog, but the people who know me personally as ME, know me over here on my pool blog.  So, I'm taking the plunge to share some details how it was meant to be I became a meteorologist.

It's funny, everyone has a weather story when they find out what I do for a living. Kind of like pool, when I tell people my passion is pool, they all tell me how good they are. ;)

First of all, I am not on any TV channel; I am not a weather person on TV.  I get asked that the most.  The second most common question is, "what is that star?" as the person looks up into the sky, pointing.  That's an astronomer.  I am a meteorologist:  "the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate."

So how does one become a meteorologist?   For most people, it's usually the love of the weather; and most specifically, severe weather.  Many people have an extreme interest for weather and all that comes with it, even tornado chasing. I, however, firmly believe weather found me.

My Mom owned some land in the Texas Hill Country about an hour and a half from where I grew up in San Antonio.  Near Garner State Park/ Uvalde/ Concan.  If you've ever been lucky enough to visit the area, you know how beautiful and memorable the Texas Hill Country is.

My Mom and I would go the Frio River almost every weekend when I was a child, literally.  I swam in the Frio River, hiked all around the area, and camped out with my Mom for years and years.  Even when my Mom remarried, we would still go out there every other weekend.  We would camp out and float on The Frio River from when I was about 8 years old to 14 years old (about the time we don't want to do things with our parents anymore).

Photo I took of the Frio River, in the Texas Hill Country.

My Mom would start to look at the forecast about Wednesday of every week to see if the weather was good enough for us to go away for the weekend.  She did this for YEARS.  One day I finally told her, "Mom, I will just become a meteorologist so I can tell you the weather."  Little did I know that would seal my fate.

In 7th grade we had career day, but for some reason, each class only got one professional.  One!  I still do not know why to this day only one professional came to each class, instead of them visiting all the classes throughout the day.  Anyway, my class happened to get, yep, a meteorologist.

In high school, I applied to about 7 colleges across Texas.  The first college to reply back to me was Texas A&M (okay, the only one, even tho I graduated 11th in my class out of 650). 

I accepted! 

I went through A&M's long list of courses and numerous majors (a HUGE book) and as I was flipping through, trying to decide what I wanted to major in, I saw they had a meteorology degree.  I thought to myself, "I always said I would be one." 

So, that's what I majored in:  Meteorology.

Little did I know.... that Texas A&M is the ONLY undergraduate school in Texas with a meteorology degree!  THE only one. 

And that was the only college that got back to me.

The National Weather Service was looking for summer interns and I sadly accepted an intern position in San Antonio the second summer of college.  I was sad because I had to forgo my "fun" job being a camp counselor at the YMCA. But that would be one of the most important choices in my life. 

I was a summer intern at the National Weather Service in San Antonio for 2 summers. 

BTW, there are not a lot of forecast offices in Texas, but I happened to live in a city that had one!  It was destiny.

When I graduated college in August, that Forecast Office kept a forecaster position open for me for two months until I graduated.  If I hadn't of put my foot in the door as an intern, I wouldn't have got that position.  That set me up for three promotions over the span of 10 years.

You don't meet a meteorologist every day, huh?  Our jobs affect every one's life every day; be it a construction worker, Mom at home with the kids, or driving to work. 

I currently am in middle management and LOVE my job.  I enjoy going to work every day (I'm very lucky to love what I do and have great bosses).   I used to forecast the weather (for about 6 years in Texas and 2 in Florida) and that was easier to describe,  Now, I help forecasters do their jobs with new polices and implement procedures.  (Btw, I've been working with the NWS for 20 years.)

It's always amazed to me how it all came about that I became a meteorologist. It was destined. I firmly believe the path was chosen for me.

Video Tour: 2012 ACS Nationals in Vegas

I am currently at the 2012 ACS Nationals at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.  :)  As I wrote before, this is my first ACS Nationals and I booked this trip because it's only a few days before the BCAPL Nationals, so it made sense to try to go to both on one plane ride.

Well..... I didn't do well in my first event (9-ball singles)....out in TWO!  :(  I am super bummed, but TRYING not to let it get me down in my favorite city.

I just wasn't into the two matches I played.  I am so mentally drained from a lot of personal things that have been going on the last four weeks, that am just not mentally strong enough to compete and focus right now. 

I pray and hope that the 8 ball event goes better for me tomorrow.  I honestly am not sure how it's going to go; and afraid I may not show up again.  But, I hope I somehow can be more focused and more into the matches.  Just being concerned I may not mentally "show up" will be good for me, if that makes sense.  Means I am aware already of what I need to work on tomorrow if I become too nonchalant.

But, in the meantime!  Here is a Video Tour of the tourney room of the 2012 ACS Nationals at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.  Please ignore my sunburn, but I still had to do a video tour for you all.  :)

Video Tour: 2012 USBA National 3-Cushion Championships

I'm at the ACS National Championships in Vegas at the Tropicana Casino right now.  Besides the ACS Nationals being held, the ACS is also hosting the 2012 USBA National 3-Cushion Championships, May 6-10, right here at the Tropicana!

To see this beautiful room with 8 gorgeous three-cushion tables is almost a bucket list item!  My boyfriend LOVES three cushion and I sure wish he was here to watch all these great matches and shots.  He would be in heaven. 

Bob Watson, from from Virginia Beach, Virginia, would also be very happy to see such an important and amazing tourney.  Bob recently he mailed me a copy of Bill "Mr3Cushion" Smith's Book and DVD set, “The Concise Book of Position Play."  Thank you, Bob!

Have to share the only way I know how:  Video Tour of the amazing tourney room during the first round of the tourney.  Enjoy!

Team League Surprises

This year was like every year for me regarding my league preferences:  I try to find a league to play on to qualify my women's team for BCAPL State in April and Nationals in May, and to qualify myself and a partner for scotch doubles.  I don't like to play league to help others out, or to spend my nights in rusty bars for no purpose, nor do I like to drive over an hour to play in leagues.  Did I mention I don't like traveling leagues either?  lol.

Therefore, my goal is simple:  One league to qualify for State and Vegas.

While playing in only one league may seem very selfish, it took Oprah 40 years to finally say "no" (lol) and I am at that point.  I simply can't stay out late every night to help others like I used to.  And I was grumpy as I drove too far during the week for several leagues that didn't have good end of season money, or big tourneys to play in.

Well, this year there were A LOT of surprises!

First, something crazy happened this year:  I enjoyed my team SO much!  The co-captain for my women's team (JennyPav or "FunBus" (what I like to call her)), found us a team and league that all our female players could qualify for Vegas on.  It was a guy's team and they were looking for players, and they welcomed us 5 chicks with open arms (and also my b/f plays who is a really good player).  I didn't know any of the team members, and I was just going through the motions to reach our goal:  qualify our ladies for State and Vegas.

BUT, I had SO much fun with this team!  I laughed more this season than I have in years playing league!  We would spend 3 hours together every other Sunday afternoon (roughly) for six months or more, and they guys were a lot of fun and so enjoyable to be around.

My b/f is already very funny, but the other guys were also very humorous.  They would all make fun of each other and we laughed and had so much fun while kicking A$$.  It was a very pleasant surprise and I will actually miss them the next couple of months while the league is on hiatus.  :(

The hours on Sunday allowed for all ten of us to get to know each other better and we all have a greater respect for each others game, and also keep having fun every where we might meet up.  The league family extends to the wives, too, and I have enjoyed my new friendships!

While this was a traveling league, I still didn't mind because the team members always made me laugh and kept  me entertained.  I actually looked forward going to league; which hasn't happened in years.

The other surprise tho, were the payouts.  When I first joined, I was asked how I felt about the playoffs.  "We want you and your b/f to play in the playoffs of the league because you both are top shooters, but do you agree that only the players of the team who play in the playoffs should get paid for that tourney?"

"Of course," I replied.  Well, that was obvious. 

But later on in the season (around when we find out about the playoff dates) I find out that there is no end of season team money.  Only money from the playoffs.

Uh, do what?? 

So, I pretty much agreed that the 6 players who would play in the playoffs, would get money (if we placed well, which we should) and the other 4 would not get money.  I was upset about how all this would end up, but agreed to this at the beginning of the year, so I was kinda stuck. 

If I would have known that the end-of-season tourney was the only way the team made money, I don't now if I would agree to that again.  All TEN of us helped us make it to the top three in our division.  All TEN of us helped us get a bye the first weekend of the playoffs.  And now, those 4 wont get any money, because they aren't playing in the payoffs.  Really?  :(
To top it off, one of the teammates helped secure one of the weekends so it didn't conflict with a big women's stop.  And yet, she wasn't one of the ones who would play with us in the playoffs.  It was all very unfortunate and very unexpected from my point of view.

We placed 4th (or 5th) in the playoffs and the 6 of us each receive $142. 

Then, my b/f and I go to the king/queen of the hill end of season tourney where they gave out awards, monies, top shooter things, etc.  None of the 4 team members who didn't play in the playoffs came.  I don't blame them.  Why show up?  I think many had other plans for the weekend and they didn't deliberately decide not to come, but it still bothered me.

Then, surprise number 3 happened!  Turns out it was true that the team got paid via how we placed in the playoffs, BUT, I found out that each team member received $1 for every win during the SEASON!  Therefore, all teammates DID indeed get money!  Although it was from the range of $30 to $80, each team member did get cash!  Heck, I've been on most league teams that are usually in last place (or close) and have literally deposited a check for $2.50 before, lol.  So, a dollar win for 8 weeks played wasn't too shabby at all and was better than nothing like I thought for sure!

Not sure what we are gonna do next year.  Depends on how the ladies team does in Vegas (if we place too high, we can't play in the Open), how the team members do individually (we all play well enough to move our rankings), etc.  I would love to be on the same Sunday team with the fun guys again, but many of the players "want their Sunday's back" so we may have to look at other alternatives.

Still, BEST season yet of league!  I love laughing and sure needed it the last 8 months.

Banned Team Names

Looks like I wouldn't be able to have a ladies team in the APA.  

Check out this list of banned team names!

http://www.poolplayers.com/team-names-notallowed.html

They would never allow We've Got the Runs, or What The Heck, or No Holes Barred, or How's My Rack?  (my last 4 ladies team names).  WOW!

Some, I don't even understand why they are on the list!  smh...