As promised, here is my second blog about the US Open, I know it's a little late, but better late than never!

I've been processing and reflecting on my performance, my emotional state and my mental state during that tournament and you know... I can't really say that I felt anything! I don't remember feeling upset or disappointed. Nothing. At least, not until I got home.

The WCWRT Stop #2 was this past weekend. I went into it feeling like I had to redeem myself and prove that I really was just having an off week at Oklahoma. I am not one to care if I lose or not... I mean, I can't get mad if I played well and lost is what I'm getting at. When I was at the Open, I lost because I played poorly! This weekend at the Rack, I played pretty well! I didn't over think any of my shots and I was a lot looser. Very happy with my performance :D

When I played my second match against Jennifer Chen at the US Open, I didn't feel comfortable from the beginning. She played very well, had me kicking probably like 80% of the match. I scratched on 3 of my breaks and she ran the table out on every single one of those racks. But I'm ok. I learned a lot that week and had a great time with the girls anyway! I actually vacationed that week. lol!

Back to the practice sessions. I think I've kind of hit a point where I'm finally tired of losing. More on that later.

At the moment, I'm at Denver International Airport waiting for my connecting flight home. It's taken me a good twenty minutes to finally get on my blog site and write this... kinda erked honestly since I have a desire to be home and have been exhausted from the week's activities and all the traveling. With that said HELLO! What a week! My first time at the US Open has been memorable. I've come to a revelation and want to share it all with you.

1. Equipment- This year, the WPBA has gotten a change in table sponsorship. We now play on Diamond tables and growing up, in the Bay Area, most (if not all) pool halls I frequent have Brunswich gold crowns. Maybe I'm slow, but I didn't really think too much into the type of table I played on until recently. Mentaol notes about Diamond tables:

a.) The rails play shorter

b.) The table height is a little higher set than a brunswich gold crown

c.) The pockets are cut differently which alters the way they accept the balls What I learned: YES, equipment is a big enough factor in how I play. I may have learned this late, but better late than never!

2. Safeties- I NEED WORK. End of story. Ok to elaborate... I could be more creative in this area and also need to learn to SEE the shots.

3. Winning vs. Losing- This year finally being a touring pro, I have yet to win a match. I'm not one to be a sore loser, but there are definitely things worth noting here and now:

a.) I don't get mad enough when I lose- I've been told I don't have a "killer instinct." I don't have that desire to really WIN. I've always set myself up and said "El, it would be nice to win, but you don't have to." After this stop, I've hit a point where I'm just tired of thinking that way! Not to say I'm going to get mad and hurl my cue across the room if I lose, but growth comes from pushing myself and expecting more from myself. I have to reflect on what I've accomplished and accept that there is SO MUCH more for me out there to shoot for. I will not settle any longer.

b.) Intimidation factor- When I wasn't ranked and didn't have my pro card, there were to expectations and I was the under- dog. Well, I still am now, but things have changed. More people are involved (sponsors) and there's subconscious pressure I've given myself. I feel that I've set realistic goals for myself this year, but have I set myself up for disappointment? I played Xiao Ting this tournament in the first round and was really intimdated! She's a very talented and strong player. Why is it that I think about WHO I'm playing when the only thing that matters is what I do when I get to the table?

c.) You get what you put in- This is pretty straight forward. I gotta put more time into practice. I also need to find players that can kick my butt on the tables. Part of that is priortizing and time management. There is time for everything so long as I'm making the right decisions but also not stretching myself too thin.

There's more I've thought of but I gotta board my plane now!!! To be continued...

What can I say... Honestly, I can't say "I played my best" because I didn't. I drew Xiao Ting Pan my first round, capitalized on her mistakes and stayed with her. I even got up 4-3 and she took a break. She was not playing at her peak, but when she returned, she had obviously regrouped and recollected herself and was back in form. I, on the other hand, took a bad turn.

I struggled with my break, scratching at least 3 times leaving her wide open tables. And the worst... I'll never forget this: I missed a 9-ball probably about 8 inches away, straight into the corner to make it a 5-6 game. Instead, she got up 7-4 and missed one ball after that to make it an 8-5 game and she made a beautfiul out to win the match. I can't help but feel embarrassed about how I played. I know I shouldn't think this way, but there are were shots that were inexcusable. I might just be really hard on myself right now too.

I actually think my poor playing transferred to her. Haha! She showed her frustration, but was able to rise above it and win. I gotta move forward! I'm still in it and play again at 9:30 tonight against Jennifer Chen.

During the match, I shook pretty bad! I can't remember the last time my nerves were this intense. So much doubt flooded my mind. No good!!!! I gotta shake this off and try again. I'm taking this match as a huge lesson. I think this was suppose to check myself as to how much work I need, have done and how much I need to really learn to bear down and not think about who I'm  playing, but give each shot the respect it deserves.

One ball at a time...

I realize it's been a while since my last entry. I've been trying for a countdown, but have (obviously) not been successful!

I glanced at my calendar this morning and read the number "5" in the top right corner of the day's box... 5 more days to hit the tables and prepare. And that also means I have to pack my baggage soon. Oh joy, one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world. (NOT! lol).

I've been pleased with myself these past couple of weeks. I've dedicated a lot of time to practicing. My definition of "a lot" is going at least 4 or 5 times a week after work and playing for a couple hours. I've been able to do that and hope to play everyday until I depart. I feel very comfortable on the table and have been focusing on getting back to the basics: approach, stance, bridge, form, follow-through, pre-shot routine and mainly mental strength. How often do we find excuses for why we miss or do not execute shots properly? Personally, I've learned to take all of my mistakes and take it as a learning experience. That's the right thing to do, right?

There is still a lot for me to learn in regards to the game itself and I'm excited to add that much more experience from the pro tour under my belt at the US Open this year. I'm embracing each and every moment because I'm just not sure what the future has in store for me.

I glanced at my calendar this morning, like I always do when I get into work. Top right corner of today's date is the number 15 circled from when I wrote my daily countdown a few weeks ago. Time is just whizzing by!

This past weekend was the first stop of the West Coast Women's Regional Tour in the 2010 season. It took place at Hard Times Billiards in Sacramento, CA. Twenty-nine women came out for the tournament and we were fortunate to have more money donated to put towards our prize fund. THANK YOU Al Barber and of course Hard Times! I actually chatted with Al Saturday unaware of what he'd done, but was told Sunday about it and was kicking myself because I wanted to thank him personally for it.

Saturday I played 3 matches, did fairly well and was able to come back on Sunday when the field was cut down to the last 8 women. I played 3 more matches Sunday and miraculously pulled out a win in the finals to take down the first tour stop! I was thinking about this and how I didn't win my first tour stop until last year at the final stop of the season at the Broken Rack. I feel very fortunate to have another win on tour.

My matches and their scores were as follows:

Tracy Palma 4-7

Julie Baker 5-7

Jessica Skye 2-7

Michelle Rakin 1-7

Mary Rakin (Hotseat Match) 2-7

Mary Rakin 7-6, (2nd Set) 4-7

Overall, I played well. Definitely made a few more mistakes than I would personally have liked, but this was great preparation for the US Open in two weeks. I have been playing more often, but am traveling to Michigan this week for the ACUI National Championships. When I return, I plan on continuing daily practice until I leave for Oklahoma.

Most of my concern when I hit the table is finding my rhythmn and "seeing" shots. Avid pool players know what I mean when I say "see" the shots. Some days, all the angles and aiming points seem so clear. I don't need to walk over to the ball and look at it to see where I have to hit it to get it in the pocket. It's almost automatic. Plus, there's no hesistation which 90% of the time is the reason I miss the shot.

All-in-all, if I feel the way I did during most of the tournament, then I will be set for the US Open. I was comfortable for the most part and hope to carry it over in a couple weeks. More later... probably won't write until I get back from Michigan.