San Diego!

I just landed in San Diego for the first WPBA event of 2009. I am very excited to start playing and I will be updating my blog during the event. Today I am going to get settled at the hotel and probably hit the pool. Tomorrow is practice and meetings; Matches start on Thursday. The WPBA will be streaming matches on WPBA.com starting Thursday, so log in check us out!

Thank You, Sponsors!

I would like to thank my sponsors for bringing me to the 2009 WPBA San Diego Classic!

Special thanks go out to Dr. Gary C. Borge DDS, who practices dentistry in California. If there are any Sacramento-area readers out there, visit Dr. Borge and talk pool while receiving his excellent dental care:

Gary C. Borge, DDS
4660 Natomas Boulevard, #120-207
Sacramento, CA 95835
(916) 769-5955

When in New York City, a visit to the Skyline Billiard Club is a must. Skyline is quickly making a name for itself as one of the top "players' rooms" in the country. Check out the live tournament feed at www.ustream.tv/channel/action:

Skyline Billiard Club
2515 McDonald Ave.
Brooklyn, New York 11223
(718) 627-3407

In Long Island, Raxx Pool Room, Bar and Grill, is the place to play pool (and beer pong!) Once you're done playing the game of your choice, enjoy Raxx's excellent food and full bar.

Raxx Pool Room, Bar and Grill
510 Hempstead Turnpike
West Hempstead, NY 11552
(516) 538-9896


Thank you all again for your support!

- Liz Ford

Getting Ready for The San Diego Classic

Today, I'm at home with a cold. It's a bummer, but I'm glad it's happening here and now instead of during next week's tournament in Alpine, CA. I want lots of energy to play pool with a little left over for swimming and enjoying the California sunshine.

In order to get ready, I have been practicing my funda-"mentals" (yuk, yuk, yuk.)

Just like I have physical checkpoints during my shot routine that ensure a consistent stroke, I also have mental checkpoints that ensure my mind is consistently focused. These involve: making a complete plan for the shot before I aim and set down, allowing myself to progressively relax and let go with each practice stroke, and finally (during my final pause at address) committing 100% to delivering a quality stroke down my line of aim without any thought of the outcome.

I know my physical fundamentals are sound because I devote time everyday to practicing them in ways that give me proper feedback. Nine times out of ten, if my game starts to break down, it is because I am not practicing good funda-"mentals." The telltale sign of poor funda-"mentals" is if I am consistently having trouble only at the end of the rack.

Other than that, I have been preparing by enjoying my life and the ones that I love.
Aw, shucks!

- Liz


What I'm reading: Ironweed by William Kennedy
What I'm watching: endless House reruns on USA
What I'm listening to: Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams
What I'm drinking: Pink Grapefruit Airborne even though it is a placebo at best, dangerous at worst.

Vacation 101

I just returned from a little escape to Aruba. I have to admit: I never really understood the whole Caribbean vacation thing. I was brought up (egregiously wrong!) to believe that vacations had to be meaningful and educational and sometimes slightly painful. Thanks, Mom.

Well, it's no wonder that I have always had trouble just letting go and relaxing. This vacation was the start of a whole new education: How to wear bikinis and flip-flops and swim in the sun. There were a few seminars in fruity drink consumption and mandatory conference on sunscreen application, as well.

In all seriousness, I can't think of a better way to prepare myself for the 2009 WPBA season than to hone my relaxation skills and spend a few days on a beach, deliriously happy. I have a special reason to be happy after doing my 2008 taxes. I broke even for the first time last year. I'm not talking about paying the rent, but I successfully covered ALL my pool-related expenses. I am a little behind the ball for 2009, but this news gives me the confidence to push forward toward making a living.

I bring in income through four arms: sponsorships, tournament winnings, giving lessons and doing appearances. My record keeping was good last year and I have an accurate picture of how I did in each area. This makes it easier for me to make goals for the different arms and get a sense of how I can turn myself into a profitable business.

I am proud of myself for working hard, but I value learning to relax a little more. I think I need five more trips to Aruba just to make sure that I've got it down. What can I say - I have always been a perfectionist.

-LIZ

Can't... stop... blogging...

I realize that it is feast or famine over here at sticks and balls and holes, but I just came across something interesting:

http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2007/02/do-not-delete-video-is-processing-idiot.html

Last summer, I went to Dover Downs to do some trick shots and commentating at Nascar's "Budweiser Celebrity Shootout." They made a show out of it and I'm not sure if it aired or not. A while back, PCN made a comment about me and Joe Rogan being commentators for ESPN. Hey PCN: Here's my audition tape!

:)

I received my walking papers last night courtesy of Randy Schwager, 7-2.
I was a little lacking in positive energy yesterday. This is the most important component for me when I am competing. It makes everything else (patience, good decision making, heart) come easily. I've found over the last few months that if I take a little more time off between events, my performance is better, probably because I have more energy to stay positive.

I want to give thanks to the Predator Tour for their "Highest Female Finisher Bonus" policy. It is a great incentive for women to play the tour, and yesterday it was a nice little pick-me-up at the end of a very long day!