Here is the first book produced by this blog. It contains an updated version of the Critter Comic “weight”, the story of my trip to Turning Stone XIV and the Greyhound ride back to California, and some quirky Critter Pics.
This book contains 80 full-color pages and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
There’s just a few of these books, so if you’d like one, they are $20 (includes S&H) and all proceeds will go towards funding this year’s tournaments.
Ten golden-colored camels adorned with sparkling ornaments line up for the finale of a beauty contest in one of the UAE’s northern emirates, awaiting the selection of two proud winners.
Last September, Mr. Chen did what any socially aware entrepreneur might do: He opened a theme park of dwarfs. Mr. Chen has big plans for his Kingdom of the Little People.
If you’re looking to impress a date or just like that feeling of “knowing the chef,” here are 24 restaurants that offer secret menus. Remember, not all may participate in the hidden menu.
Example: Fatburger’s “Hypocrite” Burger – A veggie burger topped with bacon…
Procrastination
“What is procrastination?”
awesome animation… and bonus for reference cups of tea
4 minutes: 18 seconds
meh be back with more ranting next week
I’m sure there will be much rantworthiness this weekend.
These are some of the worst police sketches we have ever seen. Whether they look like they were drawn by a third-grader or one of the guys in Times Square who does the big-headed caricatures, if anyone should be arrested, it’s the artist responsible. some real gems in there
It’s the sport itself, though, that has really transfixed me. It features the collision physics of billiards mixed with the spin-heavy, long-distance shot-making of golf. Those furious sweepers make adjustments on the fly—brooming harder to coax the stone down a straighter path, or leaving it alone to let it inscribe a tighter arc.
A scene from the television series Bones (one of my favorites!):
Max: Oh, he’s a full grown scientist?
Clark: I shave, sir. I have a driver’s license, I’ve won a couple of fistfights, I saved a life, I’ve lain with a woman, I’ve been hustled at pool, I’ve defied my father’s wishes, I have broken hearts and I have been heartbroken, so by all the markers of this society, I am a grown man.
Max: … Wow. You’ve lain with woman?
random ramblings &observations when my mind wanders, it always gets lost
TEAM: Together Everyone Acquires Masochism
In my history of playing in various pool leagues, I’ve never taken the initiative to assemble a team. This is due to 1). being lazy, 2). knowing that I am not a responsible leader-type person, and 3). having a pervasive attitude of indifference. (Well, I did assemble a team once — the famed JagerBombshells…)
In general, I believe league play is more about socializing and less about serious cutthroat competition. A league team is usually composed of friends. Occasionally, there are mercenary teams (”stacked” or “all-star”), teams put together for the sole purpose of winning, but today’s bit of ramblage will address the teams initially assembled for “funsies”.
Let’s talk a bit about the game itself. Pool is, inherently, an individual affair. Even if you have a team of players, the entire team’s performance is rooted in the results of each individual player against his or her opponent. Your teammates cannot physically help you in your game (aside from breaking a bottle over your opponent’s head, maybe) as they can in many other team sports (basketball, baseball, football, various other games that are worth jillions of dollars). Because of this, there is very little blame to be placed on teammates if you lose — it’s all you, because you were the one that wielded the cue.
Now, let’s talk about winning. I think everyone has a desire to win. This desire exists in different intensities. Therefore, some of us can play for fun (which I define as not giving a crap about winning or losing) and some of us must play for stakes (blood, pride, money, stuffed animals, food). Winning can be a drug. You feel that high of victory (or the frustration of almost-victory) once and you can be hooked for life. You’ll spend endless amounts of time and money to chase that feeling down again. You might begin as a funsies player, but win something meaningful once, and all of a sudden, you DO give a crap about losing.
A team may initially start out as a “fun” team composed of friends who decide a pool league might be a fun activity to do together once or twice a week. They don’t care about winning or losing and perhaps the team’s ranking fluctuates between the middle and the bottom of the barrel. But, it’s not a big deal. They’re here for fun and the occasional win is a bonus. However, this “fun” team may have one session where they do exceptionally well and either win or place near the top. This is where the evolution begins.
Having known victory, they want to know it again. Gradually, the members become more serious. Clearly, some play better than others. Some begin to practice on their own in their spare time. Everyone surreptitiously catalogues the strengths and weaknesses of the others’ games. An unspoken hierarchy of skill begins to be established. Calculations and probabilities for victory come into play. There’s strategy. There’s criticism. There’s bickering.
A certain point is reached when, for the greater good of the team, a player is cut from the roster. That’s when the team morphs from a fun team to a competitive team. It’s not personal when they vote you off the island. It’s just business. You weren’t voted off because they didn’t like you. You were voted off because you couldn’t draw your ball when required.
I’ve seen the above situation happen a few times over the years. Anyone see the same thing happen or experience it yourself? What are your thoughts?
Fighter vs Fan
I love pool tournaments. In the past, I used to attend all the major pool tournaments I could, sometimes as a spectator, sometimes as a participant. As I’ve improved, I’ve limited myself to attending only those events I can play in. This is due partly to the economy (sucks), my job (can’t perpetually be on vacation), and my own competitive nature (I’d rather play than sit around).
In recent times, people often ask me if I’m going to go to such-and-such major tournament. I often say no, because I can’t afford, or have not been invited, to play in the event. The questioner then expresses surprise and tells me they thought I would go to watch. I’ve also had situations where people ask me if I’m going to a tournament and I say yes. They ask if I’m going to watch the players and are surprised/amused when I tell them I am actually going to play in the event. I’m not offended at these moments. They are interesting indicators as to who thinks I’m a pool player and who thinks I’m only a pool fan.
Sometimes, I’m the only one who thinks I’m a pool player…
Supercute
Some pictures of adorable creatures to brighten your week.
interesting articles & websites
because I know how happy you are to be back
CoverSpy
A blog that keeps up on who is reading what on the New York subway. Adding the physical description — F, 20s with a blue hat and fire red hair — of the person [...]
interesting articles & websites
because it’s Monday and you don’t believe it
Ancient tribe becomes extinct as last member dies
The last member of an ancient tribe that has inhabited an Indian island chain for around 65,000 years has died, a group that campaigns for the protection of indigenous peoples has said.
wow
Hello Botox, Bye-Bye Sadness—But Not for the [...]
