I flew Southwest Airlines into Memphis on Thursday evening and drove my Dollar rent-a-car directly to the Southaven Recreation Center. I anticipated a boarded up building but was pleasantly surprised that the neons in the windows were flashing brightly for customers to come in. I ventured inside for a look see but there were only a few novice players on both the bar and 9 foot tables. Everything in the pool room seemed exactly the same as it did earlier in the year minus "you guys." So instead of hitting some balls, I decided to head to Memphis's Beale Street to hear some Blues and fill my belly with some barbeque.
On Friday, once again I ventured inside the Southaven Recreation Center to find Canadian Nick hitting balls by himself. We played some grind out games of one pocket. During this time Bill Rowsey came in and greeted me and Nick. He explained to me why the one-pocket tournament had been cancelled. In a nutshell, the city had made indications that he could be closed down for building violations. Bill further explained that he didn't want to chance having a bunch of "us" one-pocket tournament guys from all over making final arrangements to come to his place and find it closed. Bill stated that so far the city hasn't closed him but he wouldn't be surprised if they did it tomorrow. Basically, its day to day. He did offer to buy me and Nick dinner on Saturday. Kiddingly, he mentioned McDonald's had some good seating.
After a couple more hours of our one-pocket match, Nick had to leave for a business dinner. I still had to wait for a few hours to pick-up my "better half" at the Memphis airport. I promised my wife that this would be a mini vacation for her and not a pool trip for me. I did get into a one-pocket game with one the regulars but after an hour he had to quit to play his games in the bar table league and I had to head to the airport. I like that place. Opps, did I say I like that place? I mean I love that place. Its reminiscent to Chris's in Chicago and Red Shoes in Alsip. I hope somewhere down the line we'll be able to have another one-pocket melee at Bill Rowley's Southaven pool room.
But this is what I did do afterwards in Memphis even though it rained most of Friday, "cats and dogs" on Saturday, with intermittent showers on Sunday. On Saturday my wife and I toured Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion and private jets, won some money on the dice tables at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, and ate heartily at Jack Binion's Steakhouse. On Sunday, toured the Lorraine Hotel where civil rights champion Dr. King was shot and which is now a engrossing museum. I found it to be both stirring and impressive. Returned again to Beale Street and ate portions of barbeque ribs, gumbo, catfish, and shrimp at B.B. Kings. Tournament or no tournament, I might come back just for the food at B.B. Kings. Finally, drove a short distance to where new one-of-a-kind homes and condos have recently been built along a high ridge over looking the Mississippi River. Beautiful views. It was nearing 5 pm and I headed to the airport. I was back in Chicago by 9:30 pm.
So, what's that saying? When you get a lemon (one pocket tournament being cancelled) make lemonade (a good time in Memphis). Although there was no one-pocket tournament I still had lemonade with a lot of sugar.
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Have you heard any word about Memphis Bill?
