After hanging out with Emily, it was time to meet up with Yomaylin “Smiley” Feliz. Knowing that her favorite spot was 42nd and Broadway in Times Square, I knew I’d be in for a good time. Since Yomaylin rocked the camera so hard, I figured I’d let her tell the tale:
I first met Frank at Amsterdam Billiards and he got very cozy very quickly with a glass of my favorite drink Glenlivet and my cue by his side, ready for a good evening.
Frank’s first night with me was at the world famous Amsterdam Billiards Club. For some reason, Frank became completely obsessed with my hat.
You can’t roll in the NYC without some sweet shades, so we made sure Frank got the hookup.
After a busy night on the town, it was time to hop the J Train back to Brooklyn with my guy Shonell Cuevas:
The next night I took Frank to go see a movie. We went to see “Chronicle,” a movie about kids with super powers from an alien object. After the movie Frank and I stopped by this restaurant for some take out, because for some reason the movie left us very hungry.
After we got back, Frank convinced me to start playing with the Instagram app on my iPhone. All that pouting from Frank made me start pouting.
Frank said he was going to drop Le Tigre, Blue Steel, Ferrari and Magnum on me for our next set of poses. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that they all looked the same…
The next night was all about leagues and playing some 9 ball. I introduced him to my captain William Fuentes and our opponent’s captain, Michelle Li. Both seemed to be quite impressed with Frank’s assets. I’m pretty sure I heard Frank say “um, my eyes are up here” to them several times.
The next morning we stopped off at Starbucks for some coffee. I went with Frank and we got a delicious Caramel Machiatto. The whole time we were there, Frank couldn’t stop hounding Gretchen, his favorite barista. I remember how Frank flexed and did his best rendition of the gun show when I took the picture.
My week with Frank was way too short. Cruising around my town with PoolDawg’s mascot was a blast!
I’ve got to say, I’m loving the fact that I get to spend 2012 on the road with the Rack Starz. My latest adventure was with Emily Duddy. Since she’s much better at the whole typing and writing thing than I am, I’m going to let Emily take the wheel on this post:
FRANK AND RACKSTAR EMILY DUDDY TAKE OVER WILLOW BILLARDS, THE WPBA MASTERS, AND SOARING EAGLE CASINO!
After I picked up Frank from Amsterdam Billiards in NYC, together we hopped on a bus, headed through the Lincoln Tunnel and into Hoboken, NJ. The driver almost didn’t let us on, stating there were no dogs allowed! Once I explained that Frank and I were famous in the pool world he quickly changed his mind and our adventures began…
We arrived at Willow Billiards for a long night of competition. I Captain a Double Jeopardy APA Team called “The Animals”, so of course Frank became an honorary member and our mascot for the night. We played our 5 matches of 9-ball and 5 matches of 8-ball and overall won the night in both. Everyone felt Frank brought us luck and were excited that he joined us.
(photo from left to right: Dan Campos, Gary Barsky (owner), Frank, Emily Duddy, Nelson Hernandez, Dan Colby)
The next morning Frank and I headed to Newark International Airport, flying to Lansing, Mi to hit the WPBA’s, Women’s Professional Billiard Association, first event of the year “The Masters”. You should have seen how many women Frank picked up at the airport! From the lady checking me in at the United counter, two women in security and of course our three stewardesses. I mean I knew Frank had a reputation in the pool world, but did not know of his natural charm. He was the perfect sidekick and enabled me to talk to a bunch of random strangers about who he was, promote his company POOLDAWG and enlighten many about Women’s Professional Pool.
(Frank and I about to take off in Newark)
After getting settled at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI, Frank and I made our way to the players meeting and WPBA Pro-Am. Look who we practiced with for a bit, that just had to take the photo opp. None other than the little Devil Girl herself!
After the player’s meeting, catching up with all the girls, and hitting some balls, Frank and I headed back to the room and got a good night’s sleep to be ready for a day of matches. In the morning we got up and had a solid breakfast of oatmeal, grapefruit and green tea and hit the gym. When I’m on the road for events I make sure to eat healthy every meal and get light cardio and light weights in every morning. When you feel your best, you play your best. Frank decided to opt out of the workout feeling a bit run down from flying, but he agreed to be my spotter! A ladies man and a gentleman!
Now it was back to the room to get dressed up for my matches. I like to keep my look sexy, classy and professional. Frank helped me choose these 2 outfits for my 2 days of play.
After all was said and done I finished 24th-32nd in the tournament. Although it was a lower place finish than I’ve had the last few events, overall I played well and learned from my experience. This is my 3rd year on the Professional Tour and it was helpful with Frank by my side. He’s been on the road with different Pro’s before, and reminded me that my results don’t matter as much as the process and growing as a player. He was also there next to me during the highlight of my tournament, beating top player Kyoko Sone 9-8, after being behind 8-6. It took me digging deep, but I never gave up and played great at the end to earn it. A great comeback is one of my favorite accomplishments.
Once out of the tournament it was time to relax. First we grabbed dinner with the some of the girls at a restaurant in the casino.
(left to right: Frank, Emily Duddy, Liz Ford, and Joanne Ashton)
Then Frank decided to make a move when he saw a very sexy lady making her way through the bar, I gave my support and he ended up with a glass of wine and a big kiss from “The Black Widow”!
(Frank and Jeanette Lee)
One of my favorite aspects of playing in WPBA events is watching the great matches continue once you’re knocked out. It’s bittersweet, but with that much good action to sweat who can complain! We headed back to the arena and watched Ewa Laurance beat Jasmine Ouschan to get on ESPN. Ewa would eventually go on to win the event! Congratulations Ewa and great shooting!
Now with a little downtime and a little money burning a hole in my pocket, Frank and I hit the craps and blackjack tables with a group of about 10 players, fans and WPBA employees. Unfortunately we tried to convince the pit boss for a photo while we were playing, but if you know anything about casinos, you know the rules about photos being taken anywhere near gambling. We might try to rob the casino! Haha I wish it were that easy. So the next best thing was Frank and I next to bunch of fake cards after the casino took our money!
So after losing a little, a lot of laughs, having a few cocktails, and catching up with the bad ass chicks on the WPBA, Frank and I headed back to the room around 3am to get a few hours of shut eye and then catch the 6am shuttle to the airport. This time we slept the whole way through. The next afternoon we had to go our separate ways, as I passed Frank on to the next Rack Star. I’ll never forget the blast I had on the road with Frank and I’m sure all the ladies he made eyes at won’t either. One day we’ll make some new adventures, but until then I’ll follow his blog and check out the trouble he’s getting into with everyone else. Thank you PoolDawg for the opportunity to chill with Frank and the chance to promote Women’s Pool in such a cool way!
After passing Frank from one Rack Star to the next, I finally got some quality one on one time with the guy. First things first, Frank needed my little K-Dawg’s approval. Frank arrived and my dog Kayci went bananas!! She whined at him, cried for him, knocked him over then, licked him all over (and I do mean ALL over!) and then lay beside him just staring. I think it’s love.
After he was approved by the queen of the house, Frank, Tony and I had work to do. It was off to the Predator Tour for the Season Opener at Steinway Billiards. The Predator Pro/Am Tour was started by Tony Robles, William Finnegan and I in 2008 and it’s one of the main tours in the Northeast. With over 100 players at the opening 
event, Frank met all the real New York pool players that day. Since I was playing in the event I gave Frank a VERY important job to do; watch the boys and make sure they stay on top of the tournament. Finnegan had his TD work pants on for sure but Tony, hmmm … he was TOTALLY sleeping on the job!!
The tourney was a good one for me. I hadn’t played in over 2 months because of a torn rotator cuff but after a tough love talk from Frank I sucked it up and fought hard in the tournament to come in the top 24. Not bad considering my hiatus. Frank said I should have done better. He’s TOUGH! He was a big hit at the 
tournament with many people asking for his pawtograph and a pic with T. Dawg himself. We enjoyed having Frank and hope he comes to visit the tour again!
Later that week we had more NY pool work to do! Frank came to watch our National Amateur Pool League (NAPL) Awards Ceremony at Cue Bar in Queens NY! Tony even let Frank drive a little in Manhattan!
At Cue Bar, Frank was REALLY surprised at how nice our awards are. In the NAPL, we try to do everything FIRST CLASS. Members of our league have access to an extremely detail database program with stat analysis, record keeping, score sheet printouts,
standings, a PayPal payment option and more. Plus we are a cash based league so when you win, you get to decide how you spend the money. And best of all, we just sanctioned with the BCAPL so starting this summer, players in our league will qualify to play in the BCAPL Nationals Tournament in Las Vegas!
Later that week, Frank watched over our NAPL Semi-Finals Match at the Amsterdam Billiard Club where David Padilla’s Team “D’s Nuts” clinched the
victory to move into the Finals!! Frank was the referee for the evening’s match. He later told Kayci he liked the power! And of course, Frank continued to be a hot commodity! Everyone wanted a picture with him. Here he is pictured with NAPL player Lionel Swanston!
FINALLY, we stopped working Frank to death and took him out in our neighborhood. Boy was he happy to see we live in Times Square!! All the bright lights, people, tourists, cabs and TONS of other dogs all over the place. Turns out he is in a pool hall A LOT and this was a nice change of scenery for this indoor pooch.
Unfortunately my time with Frank had to come to an end. As a CPA, this
time of year is all work and little time to play. So with a heavy heart, I had to send him off with Emily.
I had a great time with Frank and hope he comes to visit again real soon. Kayci is waiting for the proposal. I told her not to hold her breath. Frank ain’t the kind to settle down with just one beautiful girl.
