Today, I went to a 9-ball billiards tournament. That was definitely the most time I’ve spent playing pool; although I used to spend a lot of time playing pool in my basement when I lived in Colorado. (If not for this, I wouldn’t retain this base level pool skill that I can rely on even after not playing for a month, which still leaves me a better pool player than the unenlightened masses.)

How did it go? Not very well. We played five games in each match. I played three matches. I went 5-0, 1-4, and 2-3, giving me 8 points total, which is rather disappointing but not very surprising. However, there was one match in which I made very difficult shot on the nine-ball into the side pocket, but managed to scratch at the same time. If I had not scratched, that would’ve gave me a wild card spot in the double-elimination tournament (round-robin first round), or so I tell myself. In reality, I played how I played and I don’t delude myself into thinking one shot would’ve made a huge difference because I didn’t know the English to use to not scratch on that shot in the first place. Anyway, this probably makes no sense to you who don’t play pool.

Suffice it to say, even if I had made it to the second round of things, I would’ve been eliminated very quickly. That being said, this is only my first year, and I didn’t come in with any high expectations because I’m only a freshman, and I haven’t practiced much. It gives me time to improve, though. So, now, I say this… If I am still at JHU in 4 years, I will win that tournament.