Lea’s last night of foosball!!!!
Sniff sniff…
Even though we are very sad to lose Lea we had a really fun night and I get the feeling with some people like Lea, Mahir, Alex and a few others that they will be back at some time in the future. Lea, we will miss you and wish you well. Please stay in touch.
Nice to welcome Daniel back and great teamwork with Perry on your third place finish. I am likely wrong, but I think it is your first time in the money so congrats on now officially being a Professional foosball player. But with a 10 RMB entry fee and 10 RMB in prize money I would not quit your day job quite yet. Ha ha. Just kidding and congratz on the strong play.
In second place and defeating the eventual winners in the prelims was Jean Claude and Lea. I thought about not trying so hard in the finals but know that Lea would kill me if she ever found out. If it is any consolation, you scared the crap out of us and really pushed us hard. But, I was lucky enough to win the event along with my trusty driver Kato, I mean Bing!
When I was learning how to play, Moya Tielens, who when she was focused was probably the best women forward ever in the game of foosball, told me this: “in a competition, the nicest thing that a pro player can do when playing people who are just learning the tournament game is to always try their hardest so newer players really know how they are doing. The newer players who are really determined want to benchmark their play and really see how to do things and know if what they are doing is getting better or not. Sure you can have handicaps, have Pro/Ams, do clinics, etc. but still try your best. It is tough love, but the fastest way for others to improve. Fun events sure, take it easy a bit but a competition is a competition.”
Plus, I am a mean bastard and would try to beat my own mother if it meant winning five kuai! Sorry Mom. Luv ya. See you in foosball heaven. Or maybe the other place down below. But at least we will have a lot of the Shanghai players there with us one day I am sure. Ok, I do let my 8 year old nephew win occasionally. But once he turns 10. – I will be “not so nice Uncle Fred”!!!
Speaking of mortality, I am one year older and inching closer to death this week. So, come celebrate this at Foosball Friday. Ha ha. My birthday is actually Wednesday but Friday is good enough. No presents thanks, and there will be a card to sign. We will be playing “Roto Bring Your Partner Doubles” and I promise you with my special birthday handicap I will be very easy to beat. Sorry in advance to my partner. Any volunteers? If I do get eliminated early I can just get drunk and relax. Still trying my hardest though and plan on kicking your butt before I am eliminated though everyone. Ha ha…
Next weekend Friday, March 18 midnight (unless I leave earlier) is the cutoff for 50% off registering and prepaying for the Shanghai Challenge.
The Las Vegas major Tornado tournament is going on this weekend. It looks like a lot of strong players are there including our friend Mike Sames now living in Dalian and looking to bring the strong Dalian team here for our big event in April. Mike we wish you much luck in Vegas and absolutely no luck when you visit Shanghai. Ha ha…
Our other Dalian friend Robert Ploeger will be visiting Shanghai this Tuesday night and I will be at the Big Bamboo with him this Tuesday night from 7:30ish on. Robert will be one of the stronger semi pro players at our tournament in April so this will be a chance for you Ams and Semi-pros to come and check out your competition.
Ok, hope to see you all soon.
Keep on foosin’
Fred
