Obsession?

"I didn't start running hundreds over night. For me, it was a struggle. I played every single day and I learned everything that I could possibly learn from some of the best teachers in the world. I would cleverly pick the brains of world champions and hall of fame players - desperately searching for those magical words of wisdom that just might get me there. Despite my best efforts, I still struggled for years - and was never able to run a hundred balls.

My quest to run a hundred was just heartbreak after heartbreak. I had come close a few times. I hit 99 twice, and 98 four or five times. On two of those 98 ball runs, I scratched on the break ball. My first 99 ball run - I got stuck in the pack without a shot.

My frustration grew to epic proportions. Sometimes I got mad at it - sometimes I got furious. There were days when I just wanted to say the hell with it and never play again. I remember one day in particular where I sat in my chair after yet another sub-par performance - clenching my cue in my hands and ready to snap it over my knee. Maybe I was just trying too hard. Maybe I didn't have enough talent. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Instead of smashing my cue - I just kept showing up every single day - getting on the table and hitting balls hour after hour - all day - all night - all week. I wasn't getting the result that I wanted, so I made it my business to find out why. I found out what was holding me back, and then I did something about it. I just kept playing - shooting ball after ball - rack after rack. With each shot I was getting a little bit stronger - a little bit wiser - and little bit closer ... until finally .... that day came where the stars aligned and the balls moved like magic - and I did it! I finally did it! Not only did I run a hundred - I ran 122 balls that day - smashing my previous high run by 23 balls. I'll never forget how it felt to finally accomplish that goal.

Since then I have run 100+ balls more times than I can remember. I have even been over the 200 ball mark on four separate occasions. I learned that hard work and persistence only pays off when you invest your energy into the solution - not the problem or the frustration.

Of course it's cool to have a 200+ high run - but I never forget where I come from and what I had to do to get where I am at today. If you're discouraged - if you're frustrated - if you tired of trying - tired of failing - if you feel as if you don't have enough talent - just remember this:

A long time ago, in a land far, far away I sat in a chair - angry - bitter - frustrated - pissed off at the world - ready to smash my cue over my knee because I didn't think I had what it took to play the game of straight pool.

Somehow, I was able to transform all of my anger and all of my frustration into positive, powerful energy that propelled me and my game to a level I could have never imagined as I sat in that chair.

Today, I have a high run of 212 balls in 14.1 Continuous. Somehow - someway I have also became highly regarded as one of the best teachers in the game of straight pool. Crazy stuff like that happens when you refuse to give up - and when you don't smash your cue." ~ Blackjack's Random Thoughts, November 25, 2006.