In search of perfection...


The Adventures of FastMikie
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Wednesday, March 29, 2006In search of perfection...![]() ![]() Wednesday, March 15, 2006Where Custom Cues Come FromI happened to be checking out some wood for a custom-built seating area next to the pool table, and I was tipped to go look at Exotic Hardwoods in Carlsbad. (click on image above) Wow! They've got some serious wood! There was cocobolo all over the place, and when I mentioned that I have a cue made out of that stuff, they told me that they supply ALL of the custom cue makers, and then rattled off a list of names that was a Who's Who of the best. Who'da thunk it? Right in my own back yard! Of course, I was way out of my league... I know nothing about these exotic woods, but I know what I like! They sure have some beautiful stuff. So, now you know. Looking for some awesome material for your next cue? Check this place out, and while you are in town, stop by Mikie's Fun House and shoot some pool... Sunday, March 05, 2006Getting The BreaksToday's practice session with El Maestro produced some extraordinary results. We played several races to 7 in 9-ball. He always spots me the break shot because my break shot is so weak and inconsistent that I need the practice. But today, all the planets aligned, and I must have been doing something right. I sunk the 9 on the break a LOT. Tony figures it was 7 times! That sure is an easy way to win... Also, I was getting balls on the break, many times multiple balls, and giving myself a good chance for a break and run. Late in the practice session I asked him if he could figure out why I was getting so "lucky" on the break. He said it might have something to do with the conditions of the table. The door was open and the air was cooler than normal, 50-52 degrees, and humidity between 40-60%. And, the table had been re-leveled just the day before. What I noticed is that I was much more focused on hitting the cue ball in exactly the right place, really burning my eyes into a very specific spot on the cue ball just before the break shot. Today's lesson proved beyond a doubt just how important a strong break shot is. I won 3 out of 5 races to 7. I still have work to do with cue ball control on the break. My tendency is to hit the ball too high and it spins forward instead of stopping in the center of the table. Friday, March 03, 2006What does Losing feel like?I started feeling quite strange last night and again this morning... it's something very different, and I've been giving it a lot of thought, and have come to the conclusion that it must be what Losing feels like. :o( Congrats on your wins. I promise it will not be so easy next time... ;o) |
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