Monday, January 4

Happy New Year!

Dear all,


It's been a great pleasure "working with you" and now that we have entered a new Decade, it's certainly exciting to aim at keeping up the enthusiasm and diligence that have earned me two "Player of the Year" titles in a row. Last year might be a hard act to follow, but at the very least I have a clear goal: Stay number one. As a paradox to that, commonly I like to set goals that I can totally disregard in the future. Just like when I go run, I might set up a a time and distance goal that would require rigorous effort to achieve. Then, while running, try to hit another gear even if it is painful. It's all about reaching further than the goal itself. Because before you can go to battle, know this: Your ability to defeat your own doubts and limitations is your path to success.

This actually brings me to an example. -How to apply this in pool? Ok, I just recently had a chat with an avid player and he asked me how deal with the "if I make this ball, I will win"-mistake. Because that's certainly not the way I mean when looking beyond. It's like this: when you have your final ball on the table, just don't think of it as your final ball. That's the common mistake. Because of it, not only do you put more pressure on yourself, you also might lose sight of an ingredient required for any standard shot: PLAY POSITION! What I mean is: Don't give too much respect to that last ball but play position for an invisible ball that could be the most natural and easy to do from there. Keeping that Cue-ball in mind only improves your whole pre-shot routine. Because you treat that ball with the same respect as all the other balls. Why change that pattern that got you there? Just like when you get to the finals of any tournament, don't treat it as a final. It's just a game between this tournament and the 1st round of the next one. Certainly you like to keep a good record. Some players just get too happy reaching the finals. I, for sure in my past did this mistake.

On a lighter note, I am now in the Beautiful City of Barcelona. Or so I heard. I just got here yesterday and it was late and raining, so I haven't seen the sights yet. I just hope it doesn't rain today. Or maybe if it does, I might have a chance to watch FC Barcelona later. They are playing tonight, I just might have to go scout for the tickets.

The real reason I am here though, is the Predator 10-ball tour. So let's not get too distracted. But it's important to to relax, I'd say.

Speaking of which, I am going back to bed. Been up since 7am, way too early for a pool player. *wink*


"I'll be back"


-ICEMAN-

8 comments:

stardogs said...

Happy New Year Mika! I pray you have an excellent year with your loved ones and most of all with pool. Remember 'you're the greatest; you are and Paul Newman would be proud of you!

ejdacanay07 said...

Happy New Year bessie!!!!! well your tactics and discipline applies to all situations :) i hope you always get a good rest wherever you are ;) <3 muwah

Bogee said...

Awesome read =) Looking forward to yet another great year! (But always remember my flower wish at Heckle haha...) Good luck in Barcelona!

Chito said...

"Your ability to defeat your own doubts and limitations is your path to success." Love it!
Good luck in Barcelona!

takehiro0740 said...

Happy new year :)
this is my first time to comment
I live in Japan Kyoto the old capital of Japan
I heard ur coming to Osaka on the 23 and 24 for the "kansai open"!!!
I cant wait to see u play there :)
i just started playing pool
started like 5months ago and its gonna be my first time watching tornaments :D gl on it!

Unknown said...

Happy new year Mika! I love the way you play pool, though I'd really like to see how you played/play Kaisa. I read an article and you said you had a 60 pts run out... which is pretty amazing, no wonder why you're so good at pool! I'm mexican, I just got back from Russia 2 days ago (my gf lives there) and I really got into Russian pyramid. I absolutely LOVE and I won many beers and shots of cognac at billiard clubs with my skills hahaha fun vacations. I will get myself a 10 foot russian billiards table and i actually want to get a set of Kaisa balls, cause in russian pyramid position is not as important, since you can use "svojak". I've been looking around but just CAN'T find any site where I can buy them, do you know any??. Regards from Mexico, hope I can see you play face to face some time =) have fun in Spain!

-octavio
s_k_8@hotmail.com

Jamais en Belgique said...

Nauti Barcelonasta, se ON kaunis ja puoleensavetävä. Kävin kurkkaamassa sun DVD-mainoksen...pitäis varmaan ostaa pois, jo ihan puhtaasti senkin takia, että näkis sun pelaavan :-)
Hyvää alkanutta vuotta

Kata

Maroussia said...

It will be great to watch FC Barcelona, i have bought tickets from
http://ticketfront.com/event/FC_Barcelona-tickets looking forward to it.