Hobby: Pool/Billiards · Society of Ordinary Gents

Hobby: Pool/Billiards

Anyone else here play pool?

Last night (4 months ago; old carry-overpost), I finally made myself go out alone.

I'd never really been the "go to a bar alone" type before. Sure, used to do it a lot in my 20s going clubbing, but that's different. The focus then was the music and solo dancing, maybe running into people I knew/enjoyed time with... with the occasional hope to meet a new romantic partner. Never really drank alcohol since dancing already dehydrates you.

One of the very few things my bio-dad got me into was playing pool. I also used to play with a former friend. Last time I played was probably 2019 - when my then-wife and I visited my family in Florida. Took my sperm-donor (that's about all he is to me) and met up with the then-friend at a sports bar, "Gators Dockside".

Despite not playing for a long while, I kicked my dad's ass, then let my then-wife win. Was fun.

Anyway, checked out a well-rated local bar downtown. Had been there since the 80s. Nice staff, above-average food for a bar. Sadly, the only dark beer they had was Guinness, but I had 2. Live music (first some rap-type group, then a group who mostly played Blues, which was a pleasant surprise).

I actually didn't mind being there alone.

I played two games by myself, which isn't as sad as you'd think. For me, it's actually kind of fun using my knowledge of geometry and physics applied in a practical sense; curious about the outcome, and knowing the more I play, the better I get. That, and as an aspiring writer, it's fun observing people.

I interacted with one older (70s maybe) drunk lady who stopped while walking by me. She rambled on about her kids and grandkids... I was polite, listened, and offered kind compliments until she stumbled off.

Only other person was some drunk guy who sat, watching me play, and eventually asked what I'm doing. Basically told him I'm curious what happens when I play with myself in public. Maybe if he had been sober, he would have laughed. He said he grew up and graduated from college here. I asked his major, "Business" he managed. I asked his name, assuming maybe he wanted to chat more and play a game.

Instead, he left and angrily approached some other guy, trying to tell him "That's MY table!" before he was escorted out.

Finished my second game unbothered, and since that was an hour and I was satisfied, I closed out. $10 for 1 hour of pool + $10 quesadilla, + 2 beers (assume nearly $10 each), + $10 tip = $50. Maybe next time just eat at home, then have one beer and one game. The staff seemed pleasantly surprised by my manners... and my OCD arranging of the pool balls on the tray (numerical order, facing up, neatly aligned). Even brought my plate back when I was done.

Not bad, all in all. Probably won't become a weekly thing... maybe bi-weekly, but it's a start. Maybe regularity will eventually lead to interacting and playing with others. Hell, if I get skilled enough with my saxophone, I might even book a session to play.

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