Details!

Okay, I'm back with the more in depth wrap-up of Day one. Monica and I headed to the venue and as we walked in all I could think was that it was probably the fanciest mall that I had ever seen! The mall is 12 floors! The only bad thing for us is that our tournament area is right across from a kids playground area. We get to hear little kids and whistles and whatnot all day. Here is a view of six of the tables. I couldn't really stand anywhere that would let me get a good view so you will have to use your imagination a bit.

Here is a view from the seventh floor where we are playing down to the first floor.
When I got there I found out I would be playing on the main television table. What a nice way to say Welcome to Taiwan! I was pretty nervous just finding that out. The other funny thing about this tournament is that we have scheduled practice time. When I say that you are probably thinking, Oh cool, probably 30 minutes of practice or so. NOT! We get 10 minutes of practice time and that is it. My match was scheduled for 12:50. My whopping 10 minutes of practice was scheduled for 12:10. I got to the practice table at noon and they told me that I wasn't going to get a chance to practice because the current TV match was almost over. Mistake number one on my part, listening to them. Being naive I just followed along and went downstairs to the TV arena. Then I got to sit for about 40 minutes....gee thanks! So without hitting a ball since I left the States, I started my match, live on TV to all of Asia and the world via internet. I started out alright. I had a 2-0 lead and missed a long straight in 8-ball. After that things went downhill. I started getting frustrated that I didn't get to hit a ball. The cloth is way different than anything I have ever played on and the knock-off Brunswicks are a little funky. Then, to really rub things in, the ref kept calling 10 on me. Now in the States we use a 30 second shot clock, here we use a 45 second shot clock. I've never really had a problem with having the 10 second warning called on me in the States so why was I now? Also, why was my opponent taking a really long time for shots and never getting a warning? I'm not saying something funny was going on since I was playing one of the Taiwan players...but I'm just saying...So I ended up losing the match 7-4. I was really beating myself up about things. This was a match that I felt I had plenty of chances to win and I just let them slip away.
In between matches we were taking the elevator from Basement 3 where the TV arena is to the seventh floor and we happened to be riding along with a pool celebrity...you may or may not recognize him. I had to be a pool fruit and get a picture with former World Champion Wu Cha-Chiang.
My next match was against Karen Corr. I was thinking this was my chance to beat her! Unfortunately, she played well and I didn't shoot much. When I did shoot, I ran out. But I still lost 7-2. I think Karen is by far playing the best out of everyone in my group. After the match I had to have a little talk with Ms. Corr about the beating she gave me...I got my revenge.
Next up, the opening ceremony. You might think "Oh big deal.". Try telling that to about 500 people waiting to get into the TV arena. Pool is huge here. We have people following us and chasing us down to get autographs and pictures. I had to take a picture of the pool papparazzi. I didn't catch them all with their cameras up but just picture everyone in this picture holding a camera as all of the players are sitting on the bleachers.
All of the sponsors of the tournament said a few words. I have no clue what they said considering I don't speak Mandarin. But we did get to find out why we had to do all of the TV stuff the day before. Here is a video of what was played at the ceremony. Sorry, I think I cut off the first two players because I didn't have my camera ready. Also, forgive the shakiness!
After the ceremony I was finished for the day and Monica had one more match. She is playing really well and won all of her matches yesterday. All of the groups are turning out as expected except for one. The qualifier in the last group is undefeated and hasn't just won, but tortured everyone she has played.

I told Monica that I thought the day of the meeting was the longest day of my life but apparently I was wrong, the first day of play was the longest! We didn't leave the venue at all. That is the picture from last nights post. Monica, Kelly and I were all so tired while we were waiting for our matches!

When the pool playing was done we finally got to change and hang out a little bit. Myself, Monica, Gerda and her boyfriend Dan went to get some food. Keep in mind, although I have traveled, I am new to the authentic cuisine. Last nights adventure was Shabu Shabu. It is a kind of soup that is put on a burner in front of you and then you put whatever meat, veggies, and who knows what else in there to cook. I liked it even though it was a little bit spicy. The best part was that the restaurant only had Coke, beer and tea to drink. No bottled water, no Diet Coke (or Coca-Cola Light as they call it here). So I had this super spicy meal with some really bitter beer to help wash it down. Nice combo there! Here is picture of the Shabu Shabu.
And how am I doing with the whole jet lag thing? I must say that it really sucks. Today I am feeling better but my head has been hurting like crazy, I keep waking up thinking I overslept, and I get tired at the wrong time. It is making me hate the fact that the whole flight thing got screwed up since now I am feeling better, a day late! Oh well, that's life!