How to get the most out of inspirational posters

1 pint of gasoline

add match

stand back and be inspired

Ok, I'm not the greatest pool player in the world, I can beat your average bar player, I have a national ranking but really, when it comes down to it I'd have to struggle to make the top 10% of players in my city. I think I might even be a little generous with that statement.

Like I told one of my opponents the other day, "Just because you play in an open division doesn't mean that you're an open player." and I accept that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not settling with my level of play, I am just realistic about how good I am and try to keep appropriately humble.

For me it's not if I can run the table, it's the frequency that I do it that I'm working on. So, where am I going with this mindless ramble? I wish I knew. The fact is I really wanted to write about the total self destruct my team pulled off this week. On a personal level, I'm somewhat satisfied that I'm playing better than I have been since about Christmas. I didn't want to come right out and say I was in a slump, but the rolls were not going my way and I had to struggle to play around and above my average.

The rest of my team however, (with exceptions) felt no compunction to play anywhere near what they were capable of and we ended up dropping 5 out of 6 round points to the last placed team. (ouch, bloody double ouch and ouch again)

What can I say, it's more than halfway through the season and patching a pocket shouldn't be an issue, it should just be a healthy habit. Player X on our team won all 5 of his games except he forgot the patch on not just one game but two and ended up with a 3 and 5 record instead of batting 1000.

Player Y got shut out and failed to even make his average in points for most games. Ugh!!!! Now Player Y is a good friend of mine and I've played with him for years. How does one approach a good friend and tell them to get their head out of their ass and play better?

I do have to keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun. I suppose the key is to motivate not castigate. I've tried to lead by example i.e. playing well but I find that's not motivation. I'll have to think on this and try a few things.

In the mean time I have to let it go and concentrate on my own game. After all in 2 weeks we'll be plaing in the VNEA western champitionships and for the singles events my team mates could end up being my opponents.

Note to self.... still need to find player with enough weeks to complete the team. crap....