Monday, August 31, 2009

Monday Trivia!



I have been slacking on the job here. Congrats to last weeks winner Josh Johnson. Hope you enjoy your PoolDawg gift code!

Now for this weeks question: How old was I when I won my first tournament?

You guys know how it goes. Leave a comment with your answer and email address. The first person to get it right, wins a $10 PoolDawg gift code!

Thanks again to the cool folks at PoolDawg.

I promise to be back with some posts this week.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Monday Trivia



It's that time of week yet again. The first person to answer correctly with a comment below wins a $10 PoolDawg gift certificate.

This weeks question: What year did I win the Junior Nationals?

Good Luck everyone. The winner will be announced on Wednesday! Thanks again to PoolDawg!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Trivia Winner



Again, my question was too easy. Congrats to George Cheung for being the first person to answer and the person to win the PoolDawg gift certificate! The answer of course is a Mitsubishi Lancer. Next week I better come up with something tougher! Thanks for playing and thanks to PoolDawg!

I'll be back tonight with some new stuff!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Trivia!!!


It's Monday again. That means it's time for another PoolDawg trivia question!! Remember, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post. Be sure to include your email address so when you win, you can get your goods. The first person with the correct answer wins a $10PoolDawg gift certificate!

If you have been reading, you can figure this one out...

What make/model car do I take on all of my exciting road trips?

Thank you to those of you that gave feedback on what you want to know about. I will start answering those this week.

Good luck everyone!

Friday, August 14, 2009

What do you want??

Sure that is what I say sometimes to people at work, but this is my chance to say it to you. What do you readers want to read about. What do you want to know about me, pool, or anything? This is the first time I'm asking for the reader feedback. Let me know what you want instead of what I pick for you to read!

Also, in case you didn't realize, I gave in and joined Twitter. You can follow me there if you would like. My name is sarahrousey...how original!

I look forward to your ideas!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Good-bye, adios, au revoir....

Don't get your panties in a bunch, I'm not getting ready to fall of the face of the Earth or anything! I'm just talking about what has been happening this week. It seems as though Good-bye has been the theme for pets, siblings and boyfriends.

On Monday my cat Max was put to sleep. I know, how girlie, but this cat was really awesome. He was fifteen years old and possibly one of the coolest cats to ever live. He was there for me all the times I was sick or wanted to play or needed to keep warm. He was not exactly a small cat. If any of you ever spoke to me on AIM in the past, you saw a picture of dear Max. He wasn't exactly a small cat..usually weighing over twenty pounds. Rest in peace Maxie! Here is a blurry rememberance of Max..
Next up, my baby sister Kaeleigh. On Wednesday she began her own life adventure and a really long drive to Phoenix, AZ. She is going to grad school at ASU. She's my best bud so it will be sad to not have her only a couple hours away or her weekend visits to home! The only good thing, I'll get to go visit Phoenix. I've never been there, but I hear it's nice! Here she is...my baby sis, leaving the nest..
And finally, today Jason went back to Canada. It is tournament time in Toronto and he is playing in the Canadian Championships. After that he is off to the Philippines again to play in the World Cup of Pool. For almost a month I'm losing my own personal chef, coach, and everything in between. Good luck Jason. See you when you get back!Even my cat Newton was trying to leave for Canada with Jason!
As for me, it looks like this is the only place I will be going for the next couple of weeks...
The big question is, where will my next adventure be. I have choices. Should it be to visit my pals in New York City or to go work at the APA Nationals in Vegas?? I guess it all depends how much time I can get off work!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Trivia Winner


I guess I didn't try hard enough to stump you guys! The correct answer (a day early) is the Chicago White Sox. For those of you that picked the Cubs...keep dreaming! The only time I've been to Wrigley Field was for a Hockey Game! Go White Sox Go!!

Congrats to Alan Wong. You won a $10 gift certificate to PoolDawg. I hope you find what you have been looking for (perhaps that cue for a special someone..hint, hint, wink, wink).

Next monday there will be a new question (hopefully tougher!). I will have to think of something much harder. All readers are eligible so go on and comment away!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Let the Trivia Begin!


Thanks to PoolDawg, I am going to start a weekly trivia give away. What am I giving away you ask? How about a $10 gift certificate to PoolDawg! These may be questions about me, pool, life, PoolDawg, or whatever I can come up with. Answers may be found here in my blog, facebook, myspace and twitter. I hope you all have been paying attention!

This weeks question: What is my favorite Major League Baseball team??

What do you need to do?? Answer: Leave a comment with your answer to this weeks question. Be sure to leave your email address so you can receive your goods! You have until Wednesday at lets say....Noon to answer. Good luck!

EDIT: I forgot to say that the first person to answer correctly will receive a $10 gift certificate. Sorry!

Friday, August 7, 2009

A New Addition

If you wonder what there is to do on a Friday night in Bloomington/Normal, IL, the obvious answer would be...get a tattoo. My little sister, Kaeleigh, came up with the bright idea earlier in the week. She is getting ready to move to Phoenix, AZ for grad school and thought it would be a good way to start a new part of life. Of course, I'm always game for something. She had her tattoo all picked out, a quote that she saw somewhere (I think someones facebook page. Yes, I'm being serious!). Her quote, "Fear is momentary, regret is permanent."

As for me, I thought about my options...hmm...I love pool (most of the time at least) maybe something pool related. Or, how about one of my sponsor logos, I mean I do love those guys too...
But for some reason, I don't love them enough to advertise on my body permanently! You will have to keep reading to find out what I decided on.

After work we headed off to Graphic Flesh in Normal, IL.
I decided earlier in the week that my tattoo would be in the middle of my upper back. I heard it was kinda painful in that spot but when I got there, my guy Tim, told me the tattoo on my wrist hurt more than this one. I have to agree with him on that one! Since Kaeleigh's tattoo only took about 15 minutes, she was on hand to take pictures of me in a bit of pain (I'm sure she liked that!).
What the picture doesn't show is the sweat beading up on my forehead and my sweaty palms! All-in-all the whole ordeal only took about an hour. And here is the end result... I think it is a pretty cool quote and a good motto for life.

So remember, if you for any reason are ever in Bloomington/Normal and get a hankering to get a tattoo or piercing, go toGraphic Flesh! The staff is pretty cool, especially this guy, Tim. He did a great job and from what I hear tattoos are addicting so I will be visiting again!Other than all that...check in Monday for the beginning of PoolDawg trivia questions. I'm going to test you guys how much you've been paying attention. Thanks to PoolDawg, we will be giving away $10 gift certificates!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Oklahoma and Billiards Digest

While I wasn't all that ready to go to Oklahoma and play, I had to do it. A little known fact, about a month ago my right arm started really hurting. My elbow to be exact. I went to the doctor and found out that I have something called Golfer's Elbow along with some tricep tendinitis...sweet! So this whole typing stuff for work and pool is finally paying off, in a painful way! Enough whining...on to the event!

It all started with the 10 hour drive to Norman, Oklahoma and the Riverwind Casino. Myself, Jason and Frank the PoolDawg got in the car and were on our way. Along the way we went through St. Louis, MO and go to see the Gateway Arch and in Oklahoma, home of Will Rogers, we got to see a little of him too.


I made it there just in time for the players meeting and Pro-Am. The Pro-Am was really a lot of fun. Sometimes it can be something that players are not looking forward to...this one was not that way. I was paired with a Riverwind VP named Jeremy and unfortunately we lost our first match pretty bad so we couldn't advance to the final even though we won our next two matches! Afterward we had challenge games and for me, it was hibernation after that. I had a tough first match the following day. I have to add, the Riverwind Casino is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but it is really nice. Everything is brand new, the staff is friendly, everything is really great for the players when we visit.

My first match was really up and down. My lack of practice is really showing. I played Miyuki Sakai who is a top player that doesn't play in every tournament. I played alright and luckily took advantage of early mistakes she made. I ended up winning that match 9-7. Making progress since last event!

That same night, my second round match was against one of my best friends, Tracie Hines. Tracie finished 9th in Indiana and is playing great. I came out ready and strong, up 3-0, then she didn't miss...3-3. Then another lead, 6-3...then down 7-6. I made some really stupid mistakes that were laziness to say the least. My position play at the end of the rack was horrible! Tracie won 9-7. Congrats on another 9th place finish Tracie! Don't shoot me for using an old picture Tracie...I couldn't find a new one.

With that loss and the eight players getting TV spots, that meant a lot of play on Friday. My first match was against Belinda Calhoun. I started out strong and thought it was going to be an uncharacteristic quick win. That's what I get for thinking. Belinda is one of the best players to ever live for a reason! I was ahead 5-0 and then she started her comeback. She broke and ran out and took advantage of any small mistake I made. Suddenly, it was 5-5, then 6-6. Finally, I re-grouped a little and came back firing. I won the match 9-6...but don't worry, my tournament life flashed before my eyes!

My last match was against Morgan Steinman. I knew she just finished a 9-8 match and I was hoping she would be tired. Wow, was I wrong. She played really well and got a few great rolls to help her along. As for me, I tested the rails really well and everything I did came up a little short (kind of the story of my life, haha). Morgan steam-rolled me 9-3!

So my WPBA tournament life was over. Luckily, Jason looked on AZbilliards and found out that the Oklahoma State 8-ball Championship was being held just a couple hours away in Tulsa at Magoo's Billiards. With nothing else to do and it only being Friday night, we were on our way early Saturday morning.

I am going to be totally honest and say I absolutely hate bar table 8-ball. I think it is one of the worst games in the world. I blame that on the fact that I never learned how to play. It makes me frustrated and ready to pull all my hair out. I was debating on even playing in the event. They had a players auction and I didn't want someone to spend a lot of money thinking they had a great player on their hands. After debating with myself for awhile, I decided that it would be better to play than sit around and wish I was playing or being asked why I didn't play. Of course, the auction comes around and I go as the first blind bid...$140! Joe Salazar of Salazar Custom Cues bought me. I gave him the warning of not really being a good 8-ball player blah, blah, blah. There were 25 players and I didn't have any expectations.

I got lucky to win my first match hill-hill over Susan Mello. Something happened (I think relying on breaking and running out) and I found myself coming back the next day still in the winners bracket. Sunday morning I figured my luck would run out. I played Julia Gabriel, a good bar table player and frequent player on the WPBA. Somehow I won! Then on to the winner's bracket final against Bonnie Plowman. Bonnie knows what she is doing when it comes to 8-ball...I thought I was doomed. I got lucky and won again! Then in the finals, a rematch with Bonnie. She came out firing and beat me 5-1 the first set. Then she decided to miss in the second set. My break worked for a few more games and helped me win the Oklahoma State 8-ball Championship!! How ironic is that? I've never won a state championship before and it ends up being an 8-ball tournament...strange!Bonnie tried to take out Frank and I both after the finals!

The men had around 60 players and it definitely wasn't an easy field with the likes of Buddy Hall, Gabe Owen, Shane McMinn, Jason Klatt, Joey Gray, Chip Compton and lots of others. The final came down to Joey and Chip, the two young guys. Joey ended up beating Chip two sets and winning the Men's Oklahoma State Championship!

As always it was great to see Danny and Evelyn Dysart who run the Midwest Tour. They always run a great tournament and if you are going to be in the Midwest be sure to check their schedule!

After another eight hours in the car, I was finally back home in Bloomington and back to the daily work grind. The highlight of that though, my Billiards Digest magazine came in the mail on Monday.
I was mentioned a few times. I did a short interview at the WPBA event in Indiana and got a little blurb about playing overseas and what it is like. Then this blog was co runner-up for the Best Blog award!! Stinking Frank beat me! Way to go for OMGWTF as well...the other loser to Frank. The other way I was mentioned was about my rant over the World 10-ball. I guess I didn't realize my blog would be quoted. Since it was, and commented on...I am going to go ahead and start working to "understand the business of pool". If you read the article, you will understand that. Apparently, I am just another stupid pool player after all! Glad I know now. Thanks Billiards Digest for the coverage and the award. And thanks to everyone that reads here for staying interested or being intersted in general! It is much appreciated.

All-in-all, I have to say I was disappointed in how I played in the WPBA event but it was sort of nice to relax and hang out with old friends and meet new people in Tulsa and Norman both. I know what I need to work on and I will get to it before the next event in Colorado. Who knows where the travels will take me between now and then.

Pictures of players here were taken from various websites that came up in a google image search. Inside Pool, Billiards Digest and the WPBA website.