Please note, I am a very lazy person hehehehe and it is gonna take me positively AGES to complete this page!

My main sporting interest is playing cue sports, my favourite one being 8 ball. I have also played snooker..<boy is it hard stretching over those massive tables> which is a truly awesome sport. Ransom has been teaching me a bit about 9 ball, and it is one game I would like to have a 'go' at.

I find it an enjoyable sport, that both males and females can compete against each other in, without anyone having a disadvantage of being 'too physically challenged....well, I really mean, there should be no physical advantage what sex you are, as it is not a test of strength. This is quite funny though, as there are many excellent female players, and the same in male, it just seems that overall, males seem to dominate the "Open" tournaments. I have no answer for this, infact there is no sensible reason. If you can think of any reason why this is so, please send me an e-mail, so I can be enlightened.

I do know <from experience> that it can be quite difficult sometimes lining up a shot, and getting your cue, or your fingers going off course, around the contours of those things called 'breasts'. One guy told me once, that it might be an idea to rub talcum powder on my clothing, to smooth the stroke. Mmmmm, may try that one day. If it doesn't do the trick, at least I will smell good eh?

I always liked to have a bit of a "bash" on the tables, even when I was a young teenager. We used to go to my Aunt's place, where they had a 6 x 3 ft pool table in the lounge, so this was something to always look forward to, on holidays. Later as I got into my twenties, I decided to go and watch the fellas playing Pub pool, and in between their competition games, I used to give them practice games. Well, imagine my amazement, <and theirs> when I was constantly on par with them. I thought, WAHOO....this is fun, so decided to join a WorkingMens Club so I could play competition pool.

I joined the Papanui WMC, and in the first year there, I managed to win the Ladies Club Champs. That was back in 1991, and since then, I have managed to win a few Club Champs, or get runner up, and have played in our South Island, and National Tournaments, along with other local tournaments.

The rules we play in Chartered Clubs 8ball are very different to the World Rules, but I do enjoy them, except for the rule where you cannot snooker your opponent, in which case they are awarded a free ball, or play again option. To me, if you are good enough to snooker your opponent, then hopefully they are good enough to get out of it.

I have met so many neat people by playing pool, and boy, is it an area where you get to hear all the funny/dirty/smutty jokes.The thing is, we all manage to stay competitive, which is good, but once the game is over, it is back to normal transmission. I find it difficult to indulge in a conversation with an opponent, even if that person is my best friend, so tend not to talk during games, and manage to keep a stony face...imagine that. However, when over, I get my Grand Canyon size smile back and the stony face gets put in my back pocket until next time.

I play Interclub 1st Division Ladies, for the Richmond WMC, and all the clubs around the Canterbury region, play every Wednesday night, in teams of 6 throughout the Pool Season which runs from March / April through to August. We play singles only, best of 5 frames, and our team finished 2nd on Finals Day, losing the final to Cashmere Club who, in my opinion, are totally awesome.

Love this game....I find it great for getting consistency in long shots, which are one of my weaknesses. The only thing is, with all the walking, bending, stretching, and squinting the eyes to see the end of the table, I find it quite tiring. Unfortunately I think I am only good for a few games, then I am history. I did play Interclub for one season, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We were in teams of three, and as we were newcomers, we played in one of the lower divisions. We finished about midfield at the end of the season, which I suppose was not too bad for 'newbies'. We also got a bit of a reputation, as we were the only "all-girls" competing.

Well, never played this game, mind you, the way I send my white ball into the pocket, off another ball, maybe this is a game I should think of taking up..<snicker>.

I have played this a few times, and find it different, but still enjoyable. I keep meaning to head down to "Zoe's Cafe" to get a few games in, but never seem to manage it. Could be spending too much time on the net I suppose!!!! Ransom and I intend going to San Fransisco within the next 12 to 18 months, and I really want to check out the pool halls.....So, I really have to get stuck into practising.