Is it a Job

I ended up at Diamond Jim's yesterday,and soon found out that I didn't really want to be there!I have so much stuff on my mind it's crazy.You can't play pool with a full head of shit!At least I can't,I try but it just never works for me.You need a clear mind to play this game too your best ability!

I hooked up with this guy I call Talking Harry.I call him that because he never shuts up!I mean NEVER!It's a great shark,very effective,and how do you get him too stop.He doesn't do it too shark you on purpose,it's just who he is.Don't get me wrong he's a nice guy,and means well but come on you would think he has to stop talking sometime.I played him once before,and he did the same thing too me.It pulled me right out of stroke.And I swore I would never play him again.I know,you can't let these thing effect your game,but that's easier said then done.

So we hooked up too play 9 ball,and he wants a spot ball(a spot ball means he has more than 1 winning ball).He wants the 7/8(so he has 3 winning balls7-8-9)that's a really big spot,puts a lot of pressure on you.Basically if you don't run out you lose plain and simple!Now to be honest,I shouldn't be giving anyone a spot,I'm not playing good enough pool let alone the mind game just isn't there.So we come too an agreement,I'll be giving him the 8 ball.Maybe I'm wrong but I was always under the impression that if you can win with the 8 ball,you can win playing even!That doesn't mean you can give someone the 8 though.The 8 doesn't sound like a big spot too get,but too give it,is kinda big.It's another ball to worry about.And I really don't need anything more to worry about!We played 2 sets and as usual I lost both of them!

I don't have a winning record at Diamond Jim's that's for sure!I think the last time I won even a single set was when I beat Big Scott in a race too 9.Since then it has all been down hill!Granted I'm playing tough matches against guys I'm not supposed to beat,and I want to be playing these type of matches,but it wears on you.You begin to think you don't know how to win.That's the stage I'm at.I think playing the tough matches is good,but there needs to be a balance,you need to play some matches that you have confidence in your ability to win.You can't let losing be the only thing your learning.

I'm most likely going to end up at the pool hall today.I don't know if that's a good thing for me,but I think it will be better than me staying home.

The pool hall will be full of games today,Jersey Ken,Mike the Fish,Chino,Lyle,Talking Harry,Big Scott,etc.So if I want a tough match,I can find it.I'm not sure of what I want or need.But I am going to play today.I know a tough match would be really nice to win,but if I don't win it's another shot too my confidence.I don't know how many more shots I can take,my confidence is at a very low level.As soon as I walked into Diamond Jim's I knew I didn't want to be there.I think when I go today,I'm going to try and have an attitude of just having fun.The game has not been fun for me in weeks,it's been more like a job.