You're probably not wondering what I replaced my addictive gaming hobby with? You're not wondering because geez who cares? Lol. I understand we're all a bit preocupied with ourselves these days and while me, here, clearly preocuppied with how to pot that blue ball to the center pocket on this uneven pool table in this crazy surrounding. I know right, how hard can it be to make that diabolic ball? Believe it or not, it IS hard. I actually didn't realize that pool is hard until I started studying it and taking it seriously. The mental focus, angle, stance, stroke, and all other aspects I have to consider just to pot a single ball. Welcome to my pool world and this is now just one of my many hobbies that hopefully will last. :)
I used to play pool back in college just for fun or to hang out with my guy friends and skip classes. One of them taught me the basic pool stuff like bridge, how to hold the cue, etc. After Uni, I just play casually with friends or colleagues while drinking or hanging out in some pool bar. When I was traveling, I met some local friends through pool. Small beach towns usually have pool bars since there's really not much to do around here. I realized that learning how to play pool properly can open doors of opportunity specially now that I plan to travel again or "slowmad" in the future. Pool skill is something that I can bring anywhere in this world and one way to get to know locals and make new friends.
The feeling of just hitting the cue ball and pocketing the object ball gives me that dopamine kick. Basically, it makes me happy. Back in the day, I really thought I just need to hit your balls, object balls I mean, and then wish me luck. But now that I'm starting to take this game seriously, I realized that pool is actually difficult. I don't want to just hit the balls and rely on luck this time. I want to have that mad skill like the pros, running racks, pocketing one ball after the other, doing trickshots and all. I want to be good at this game while still being a functioning member of the society (that I shower and still work). But ugh, it would take a lot of practice. Just like anything good in this life, it takes time.
Unlike gaming where I would just be sitting in front of my computer to get that instant dopamine, pool actually requires me to go outside, travel, and socialize a bit (I know ugh) if I really want to be that good. Mastering something requires time, patience and hardwork. Some coaching too. I realize that enrolling to a course or getting a proper billiards instructor is a bit expensive and I would still have to cover for the table fees and such. And at my age, it's not easy to invite friends to play with me since they are all busy with their lives now and they are not really that interested to become a serious pool player. I once invited a new male friend just because I don't have anyone to practice with and surprise, he mistaken it for a date lol. He began asking me some serious personal stuff, kind of like looking for some validation "why him?" lol. Why can't some people just think that a man and a woman can do hobbies/activities together.
So yeah, I figured I'll just frequent our local pool hall during early hours so that I look like someone who really just wants to practice (not looking for a date duh). And maybe eventually, I'll find some nice regular who wants to teach some proper techniques just for the love of pool. Since it's not quite normal to see a woman practicing alone, I just put my earbuds on and shoot away. Some pesky peeps did attempt to approach me in the most annoying way, so I just look annoyed as I removed my earbuds. They never approached me again (imagine diabolika look). Anyway, finally, I've met some old regulars who are known as sharks in our pool hall and they began to give me some tips here and there. Let's just be positive they are not sharks.
Unfortunately the nearest pool hall which is just within walking distance from my place is not that cheap/hour. I'd rather buy a pool table (anything for happiness), well if only I have that extra space. Sadly I don't so I'll just enjoy my meditative alone pool time without thinking so much about what other people think as this contributes to my lack of focus. I'll continue to practice even in this very warm and humid weather. No wonder some people here became some of the greatest pool players. The challenge of staying mentally focused despite the extreme conditions is an added difficulty factor. It really is a mental game.
It's been a few weeks now and I haven't quit this hobby yet hurray (it's a BPD thing to get easily bored and quit a hobby, you can probably look at my older posts to see my many other fleeting interests lol)! But I have high hopes on this one. I was just thinking of something that will give me the same feeling of achieving, competing, and winning as gaming and so I thought of pool. Pool is a way better alternative than PC gaming and I like the mental, physical and social aspect of it. It's not an instant dopamine kick as I have to work hard to actually become good at it. It's definitely not easy and that's the challenge. I thought of my character in the game and how I mastered the skills after some months. I guess I'll apply the same principles. But it will take a lot of practice. A lot. And perfect practice makes perfect.
