02/04/2017
Today, is the day I often am given the opportunity to indulge in one of my highly addicting vices. In my 30+ years of Christian ministry, it was something I did not engage much. I put it aside as something though extremely addicting and often challenging and sometimes . . . titillating--it was not necessary or a priority. I first started participating in this vice in Junior High school over in Ramstein Germany. I became VERY skilled as I did this vice nearly every day with some of my Junior High friends and even some of my Junior High enemies when I probably should have been home doing my homework. And I excelled over all of them. When I joined the Navy, I spent much of my off-hours returning to this highly-addicting vice. So now, every Saturday, if there are no other family priorities, I happily drive to my little community of Julian--to the Sons of the American Legion--and I meet with 10 or 12 adult men, and occasionally a couple women, who have since become great friends, and I indulge one of my great pleasures of life for about two hours--I play in a nine-ball pool tournament! In about 20 weeks of playing, I have placed 2nd about 4 times and 3rd about 6 times. And, sadly, I have NEVER placed first. My style of play is interesting in several ways. I break harder than almost anybody--and it is not unusual for me to make two and sometimes three balls on the break. However, occasionally I miscue when breaking propelling the ball into the wall at high speed, causing other players and my opponent to duck, and saddling me with the nickname moniker "Chief Flying Balls." Another interesting preference of my pool philosophy is that I will almost always cut rather than bank. I will cut shots that no one would ever even try--and I often make them. Similarly, I will play a kick shot rather than a combination shot which is very impressive when made--and I make them a lot. The most unusual thing probably is that I have a hereditary illness with Parkinson's-like symptoms--my hands shake profusely. This flies in the face of guitar playing AND pool shooting--two of my favorite hobbies. It is a standing joke at SAL post 468, though I am a highly-respected pool shooter, I have a death wish, a loser syndrome, a winner's curse! You see about four times, I have been winning in the finals or semi-finals, and beaten myself by scratching after making the eight ball which according to the rules gives my opponent "ball in hand" for an easy high-percentage shot on the nine ball, or making the nine ball and winning first--only to have the cue ball roll and fall in a pocket snatching my victory from the jaws of defeat. But a loss is a loss--and I end up leaving a loser. Oh, and one more thing, almost every week something happens that is hilarious, bust a gut, pound your knees, and bang your head funny! And that's why I indulge my vice. I just love to laugh.
