WPBA US Open Adventure- Day 1

I landed in Tulsa last night at 7 pm, picked up my rental car and headed to the Hilton Tulsa Southern Hills.  En route, I couldn't help but notice how flat it was, but then again I am spoiled with moutain views to both the east and west back home.  The hotel is near the River Spirit Casino where the WPBA US Open will be held.  After I got all checked in I headed over to a local pool room.  Magoo's.  There was a charity event for the Billiards Education Foundation held there earlier in the evening, but it was all wrapped up by the time I got there.  I got a set of balls and headed over to the only 9 foot Diamond in the building.  Right away I could feel the difference with the measle cue ball.  It's so much heavier than the Red Circle I normally shoot with.  I am going to have to make adjustments to my break and to my jumping.  I ended up shooting drills for about 45 minutes before an older gentleman came over and asked if he could watch.  This was a first for me, so I of course welcomed him to sit, but then made sure that he knew that I wasn't a pro... We discussed my win at the US Amateur Championship and how that resulted in my being here in Tulsa.  I asked if he would rather shoot than watch and he jumped at the chance.  We shot about 10 racks, then four kids came in on the table next to us smoking and talking, laughing, and being completely oblivious to us.  Normally this kind of thing wouldn't bother me, but I was really trying to get my practice on.  He asked me if I wanted him to see if they would switch tables, but I kind of felt like who am I... You know?  Silly, right... Here I am getting ready for the biggest tournament of my life and I am still so modest and reserved about it.  THE WPBA US OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  OMG!  I am here, I have arrived.  Thank you God for the talent and perserverance you have blessed me with, and thank everyone else for all of their support, love, advice, instruction, and everything else. 

Today I have already swam laps and had some breakfast.  Now, as I nibble on the last of my fresh fruit from the buffet and sip on coffee, I need to finish up some work so I can officially proclaim myself on vacation.  Before I do that though, I felt inspired to start my blog entries for this trip.  I am not sure if I will do this for all of my traveling tournaments in the future, but I figured if there was ever a trip worthy of report, it would be this one... 

The rest of today's scheduled activities include wrapping up here, practice at Magoo's, back to the room to get in dress code, then head over to the River Spirit to watch the WPBA RTC Championship match between Megan Smith and Liz Cole, player's meeting, charity pro am, then more practice.  I am looking forward to starting my tournament question as well, but I won't disclose too much now, but definitely come back and check in...