Strokin’

So for 2 sessions now (Fall 2022 and Spring 2023) I’ve been playing pool in an APA League. Last session, (Fall) I did pretty well (for not having continuously shot pool in some years). My record was 8 wins/3 losses.

This season (Spring ’23) has not been… so good…

I started off with 4 losses. This really took a toll on my psyche. I started questioning if all my previous wins were just flukes. Did I just get lucky? Were my opponents all just having really bad days when they played me?

I recorded my first win last week (Thursday night). I soundly defeated another player whose rank matched mine (Skill Level 5, as of this writing). Of a total 20 possible match points, I earned 15 and my opponent only the remaining 5. That places my current sessions record at 1 win/4 losses.

This win has given me a little confidence boost, but there’s lots of session (and matches) to go. I’m not even sure if I’m going to continue playing next session. I enjoy the game, and like the competition, but my team is a little… older, and I’m not sure it’s a good fit for me. But to be honest, I’d have to find another team, meet all new folks and try and gel w/ them. I’m kind of tired trying to do that.

I guess there’s been lots of talk around the web about men and a growing ‘friend drought’ amongst them. Since we’ve moved to Decatur (and honestly, since I’ve stopped drinking alcohol and hanging out at bars) I’ve had a LOT less interaction with folks I’d consider friends. I don’t go out with friends, I don’t watch football games any more, etc. I really just head out to the workshop and play around w/ wood and tools out there. This Pool League is really the only social thing I do weekly (apart from maybe trivia on Tuesday nights).

I dunno, ennui is setting in maybe? Aging is making me grumpier.