Sick!

I know it's been a while since I posted anything. I've just been so busy!!!
And now I think this has resulted in me being sick...
Feel like crap....
Can't breath...
Can't think...
Going back to sleep...

See you all soon hopefully!
(with updates)

About the MBO

The Metropolitan Billiard Organisation (MBO), officially came to life during a dinner meeting between two very old friends; Ste Williams and Shirley Ang at the Black and Blue Restaurant, Wigmore St, London on the 26th July 2009.

Shir, an internationally recognised tournament director and co-founder of the GB9 UK National Pool Tour and Ste, the Founder of 8n9 Clothing, President of the SKNBF (St. Kitts & Nevis Billiard Federation), Vice President of the CBU (Caribbean Billiards Union) were old friends with business backgrounds in the pool and billiard industry stretching back many years.

Whilst discussing their current ongoing pool business ventures - Shir had reminded Ste of a long running idea he had of establishing a London based metropolitan city pool tour and asked him if he was ever going to do anything about that and get it off the ground. During the meal, Shir had also mentioned in passing that she had been received several offers to run and organise some one-off pool events here and there for a few London clubs and pool halls.

It wasn't long (most certainly before they got to the dessert menu); that they realised that this was finally the right time for both of them and the billiard scene in the UK - to put the two initiatives together under the banner of the MBO and do what they both do best.

MBO launch..

Yes it has been launched...
Still needs a lot of work but at least we have been able to announce the details for the first 2 events in 1 weekend!!!

www.mbo-pool.com

More coming soon...
Need my bed!

Recovered...

Almost...
I'm on day 12 of my 12 days of working in a row now and I'm absolutely knackered!!!
GB9 last weekend was though on me mentally and physically.
But am happy with how things went in general.
Sunday went really well in the end...
I have to say that 1 hour and 15 minutes for a race to 9 is very tight and very difficult!
In the morning I started panicking a bit cause we were not running on time and I didn't have a ref to help me out with shot clocks....
But the more we got into the day the more I was catching up on the schedule.
Even better: The final started 45 minutes early!!!

Just want to congratulate:
Darren Appleton on winning the Main Event!
Mark Gray on winning the Pro Cup!
Adam Smith on winning the Challenge Cup!

People might have noticed that I was a bit distracted and I'd like to apologise for that...
Things have not been easy lately but I am loving the new job.
Am just missing my friends and London can be very lonely if you don't know anyone yet...
But things will improve hopefully once I get out of the training room and onto the floor at work...

Looking forward to next week when the floor's mine!!!
Oh and I'm moving again this weekend!
LOL to the room next door that's bigger and a bit more expensive but it's worth it!
I'll be able to move around my room a bit more, I'll have more space for my stuff and work a bit easier on GB9 and PokerStars stuff....

See you all soon!!!

Love ya all!

GB9 Event 4

Just got home after the tournament... Got dropped by Stephen Folan and his dad.. Thanks again!!
Had a curry with Jayson, Lee and Mel...
Really needed food...
Working at 9 AM so got about 6 1/2 hours sleep...

Update maybe tomorrow after I've sorted finances and stuff out...

XXX

Day 4 in London...

Still struggling to fall asleep at night! It's doing my head in!
Need to get my pattern normal soon because I'll be starting work on Monday 9 AM...

Been walking around in the area and keep taking a different street to explore.. So many things to discover but the problem is that I'll never remember where what is lol...
Do know that I like city life...
Just need to start meeting people and start work...

Craig says we're playing pool next week Tuesday and Thursday... Let's see if he manages to keep to that promise.. LOL... He needs the practice more than me!
Need to find a home club though so I think we're trying out the Mile End Club first...

Almost done with the unpacking.. Still can't find my remote for the digi-box! Got the one for the TV though... Gonna relax a bit and hopefully fall asleep tonight!

Love,

Shir

Day 2 in London...

Pffff it's sooooo hot!!!
Don't feel like doing any unpacking or stuff...
Didn't fall asleep until 6 this morning.. Always struggle falling asleep in a strange bed... That's why I'm no good at one-night stands lol!

OK so I moved yesterday... Just want to thank Ste again for the driving and the carrying!!! Love ya and you're a great friend!!!
The Farewell weekend in Barnsley consisted of a lot of laughs, fun, dancing, drinking and flirting! Really enjoyed it and will miss you all loads!!!
For the people that couldn't make it or just couldn't be bothered.... Your loss! LOL (Still love you all though)
I'll be back for a visit and a few drinks soon!

Got into the flat yesterday, met 2 out of the 3 flatmates... 3rd one was in his room all day! Watching TV or a movie... Still not seen him now...
There's JB (Jean-Baptiste), french guy as you could have guessed from the name.. He let me in, introduced himself and went into his room... Think he's quite a quiet guy... Got told he works in IT.
Then there's Heather, Student and works part-time.. Travels a lot, she's Canadian. Really nice girl. Asked her a bit about how the flat works and she told me that's they're all quite easy going and all do their own thing...
Cleaner comes every week or close to a week...
Thank god I don't have to clean much then exept when I've cooked or my own room.
Got the internet working ;)
Most important thing off course!
TV itself work but not got the cable to go from the tv point in the wall to the digi-box... Will have to get it tomorrow I think...

After making the bed up and unpacking some of the essentials I decided to go and look for food...
Found a curry house and ordered myseld a nice Lamb Saag.. Mushroom rice and some garlic Naan and my meal was complete! It's was nice so I will definately come back!

It's weird how quiet it is here.. I am so close to so many different big/busy streets and all I can hear at the moment is the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees... Not heard a sirene or a scream all night! I'm liking it here!

Tomorrow registering with the doc and then I'll probably have a walk around town to see what's where...

See you all later!!

Love,

Shir

London

London, Yes I have arrived!!!

Too tired to type much so will update you all tomorrow!

A new start...

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a while since I've updated the blog but my life has been thrown upside down in the last few months...

End of March the docs removed 2 tumors out of my uterus that they found... End of April I got the great news that the cancer was gone!!! Woohoo and all the pains I had the months before are gone!

Beginning of April I realised I wasn't happy with my relationship anymore... When I got back from Holland after the op it just hit me hard...
Talked to Lee and we both decided that we as a couple didn't work anymore...
So I'm single again and I'm liking it...

Also decided that I didn't want to live in Barnsley anymore and wanted to move down south...
At first I was looking at Cambridge, nice city, busy, international, not as big as London and Beth was moving there too so I would have someone I knew...
Was applying for jobs and stuff but nothing came of it.

Got a call of Pentasia asking me if I was interested in applying for a job in London, Oxford Circus.. After looking at travel and renting costs in Cambridge I realised it would cost me about £800 per month... And commuting 2 hours in total a day!
Still decided to apply for the job, interview went well and then I made an arse of myself by falling after getting up from the chair....
lol, glass office walls meant everyone could see me!!
After waiting the whole week they made me the verbal offer for the job!!!
Woohooo but they still had to check my CV and references... After waiting another 2 weeks they officially offered me the job last Thursday and I've accepted. Now all I have to do is wait for the offer letter with the details confirmed and the start date.
Starting job on 24 a year, 25 holidays + bank holidays, health insurance + dental care, possible bonus and possibility to work from home if I have to work on a Sunday....
As James would say: Get in there!!!
In a few weeks I'll be: Shirley, Bi-lingual Customer Service Representative for PokerStars.com!!!

Going to London on Tuesday and Wednesday to do some viewings for flatshares and studios in all kind of areas in London... Excited!!! Nervous!!!
Moving in about 4 weeks!
Just need to get the money together so I can pay for the rent and bond because I've got no money due to working part time in Rileys... Earning £45 per week at the moment...
Can't do much saving when you earn that little...

Anybody interested in lending me the money and I'll pay you back in instalments? lol

I promise to start writing a bit more again now I'm in a better place in my life...

Love you all loads!
XXX

EPC 2

Well done to Imran for reaching the semi finals in the 8 ball event. Another bronze medal.. That's number 4 you've received...
I've got the two you won in 2006 and 2008...
But was really hoping you'd finally win something in a different colour...
Well another chance in the 9 ball guys...
Well done to Tony Southern on his silver medal, and to Karl Read on his bronze medal.

Darren plays Joakim Haugen tomorrow in the 9 ball at 12 local time so 11 UK time...
Imran has a walk over 1st round because he was 3rd last year...
He'll play the winner of Francisco Sanchez and Marcus Chamat at 8PM local time so 7pm our time...

The first round of the wheelchair tournament will take place at 8PM too... 7PM UK time
Roy Kimberley will play Martin Jasenovec
Tony Southern will play Fred Dinsmore again
Matt Duffy will play Tankred Volkmer
and Karl Read will play Kenneth Bendiksen

Good luck guys!

Will be watching again tomorrow on the livestream!!!!

European Pool Championships 2009

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a while but I've had a very busy and chaotic time lately...
I've not been feeling well lately physically and mentally...
This resulted in a few things which hopefully will end up being ok...
Don't really want to go into things but just keep your fingers crossed...
Also: I'm single again...
;-)

Soon I'll be moving somewhere down south to start a new life with hopefully a new job and house and friends! The old ones are still welcome off course!

Anyways back to pool!

http://www.epconline.eu
For live updates, scores, players profiles, the draw and live streams.

Here's the welcome from the EPBF president: Gre Leenders. (Veel geluk, Gre!)

Welcome,

We want to welcome you in the name of the whole board of the EPBF and the to the official website of the European Championship Pool Billiards. Also I am very glad that our venue Alpina, Wellnes & Sporthotel, Sankt_Johann, Austria came out as the host of this event.

Professionalisation of the event is the keyword in the last years. Started with the Euro tour and for some years blown over to the several E.C.'s. Investments in this area have already conducted to lift the standard. Investments in the material and as from this year also in the adjudicator being. With pride I can inform now already that an international referee corps with trained EPBF adjudicators will be active at this EC.

Over all I think to be able to determine also this EC has all ingredients to become a splendid EC. Therefore we hope that all concerned people, players ? coaches ? officials as well as spectators will all get what they want and that this EC again will become a promotional item of the pool sport in Europe .

With kindest regards,


Gré Leenders,
President E.P.B.F.

GB9 was able to fund 2 players for this edition of the EPC... The no 1 and 2 of the main ranking of 2008: Imran Majid and Darren Appleton.
I just want to wish them all the best in the world and please bring back something!

Also very important: Good luck to the BWPPA players that are there to represent GB and are funding themselves....
Roy Kimberley & Tony Southern are 2 players that also play on the GB9 tour so I consider them as my boys too!
Good luck to Matt Duffy and Karl Read!

Wish I was there to support! Maybe next year when I'm feeling better!
Love you all!

PS
Daz has won his first 2 matches in straight pool against Yavgeni Goldfinger with a run of 124 and against Huidji See with a run of 105. He'll play Pascal Budo tomorrow at 5 PM local time.

Imran/Jim won his first match against John Blacklaw from Germany and then unfortunately lost to the lovely Nick van den Berg from the Netherlands... He'll be playing on the one-loss side tomorrow at 11 AM local time against the winner of the match between Pascal Nydegger and Huseyin Borankan.

GO and WIN some MEDALS boys!!!!

XXX

It's so difficult!

I know... Not done much on here lately..

Sorry!!!

Just been so busy with the new kitchen, cooking and baking in it a lot lately and am loving it!
Also been busy with trying to find a new job that will be able to give me some more hours....

GB9 has been crazy this year. I've doing a lot more this year as I've had to work less and Lee has had to work more/harder.
People do not realise how much work it really is.
All they see is the invoices every time and me, Lee and Mel running around during the tournaments.

It such a shame that sometimes people do not appreciate the things we do.
Without mentioning names: people can sometimes do things that could hurt the Tour. Either by not behaving profesionally during the tournaments, posting comments on several websites regarding sponsors/venues. What to do in these cases? Well I'm not in the comittee but they have set T&C's that players had to agree to. In these T&C's it is mentioned that doing the above could result in being removed from the tour.
I just wished that sometimes people would think before they acted.
I probably have to do it myself too sometimes, lol.

Oh by the way: GB9 is proud to present their own Tour Photographer: Bethan Sage.
She also photographs the EPBF events. If you ever need a professional photographer? She's the one to call! Let me know if you need her.

Next GB9 event is in Croydon starting on the 20th of March.
If you're in London? Come and take a look!

Bed time for me and see you soon!

Love ya

Cold!!!

I think....
I've either got a cold or the flu... Feel absolutely s***...
Not done much except for the necessary updating of the GB9 database and sending/chasing invoices...

Just wanted to wish everybody a great time over the holidays and hopefully a fantastic new year!!!

Got some time later in the week to write more..

Love you all if I don't see you till next year.
Be careful with the fireworks.. Want you to keep all your fingers for playing pool..

XXX

Woooohoooo GO EUROPE!!!

WOW!!!

Still in Malta, flying back tomorrow evening.. Updates, photo's and video's will come when I'm all settled back in the UK!!!

Alex' speech

Press conference:

part 1



part 2



part 3

Mosconi Cup 2008

Just came back from the press conference...
Just uploading the video's as I type...
The Hilton is fantastic, the surroundings are beautiful!
I'm looking forward to watching the Mosconi Cup.

Who's going to win?
Off course I hope that Europe will win but America is always dangerous as a team.
I'm just going to enjoy it, I'll take loads of pictures and video's...

More coming soon!!!

X

Eurotour Malaga

Flying tomorrow morning at 7.45!!!
Looking forward to seeing everybody again.
There's loads going from the UK so should be fun...
Bringing the laptop with me to do some GB9 stuff..
But looking forward to the evenings when we can go for food and drinks with the group!
Fly back to Manchester on the Monday.. And on Tuesday: Fly to Malta!
Mosconi Cup here we come!!!

Players reception is going to be good I hope.
Hilton hotel looks nice, so should be a good week in Malta...

Have to finish packing and see you all soon!

Love,

Shir

Cuesport TV and GB9

Sorry not in the mood to write loads...
So busy with preparations for the new season.
And am trying to get most of it done before I'm flying to Spain for the Eurotour and to Malta for the Mosconi Cup...

So for now:

Press release:

CueSport TV to Broadcast British Professional 9-ball Pool in 2009

CueSport TV continue their involvement with the Great Britain 9-ball Pool tour into 2009.

CueSport TV Logo 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 29, 2008 – CueSport TV, the Internet Pool & Snooker Channel, have today announced that the company will be once again offering recorded broadcasts of all of the GB 9 Ball Tour events in 2009.

The coverage provided by CueSport TV in 2008 was unprecedented for a national 9-ball pool tour with 9-ball pool videos being available in the main schedule and on-demand. Throughout the course of the 2008 season viewers were able to watch 9-ball pool matches featuring a host of professional pool players including Darren Appleton, Daryl Peach, Tony Drago, Imran Majid, Karl Boyes, Raj Hundal and Pat Holtz, the majority of which are returning for the 2009 season.

Managing Director of CueSport TV Ltd, Pete Williams had this to say, “The GB 9 Ball Tour, through the hard work and dedication of Lee Rigby and Shirley Ang, has become a recognised tour throughout the world due to the quality of the organisation, the star players on offer and the coverage that my company has been able to offer. 2008 saw us serve video to 11,000 unique viewers per month from 110 different countries. It made massive sense for us to continue to cover the GB 9 Ball Tour for 2009 and drive both the tour and it’s standing within the International pool community forward. Especially due to the fact that the tour and the UK have two reigning World Pool Champions in Daryl Peach and Darren Appleton.”

Changes to the coverage will occur in 2009 with CueSport TV planning on providing multiple camera coverage of the main match table and live 9-ball pool action through the live function of the channel player.

The first tournament of the 2009 season, The Midlands Classic, takes place over the weekend of the 9th-11th January at Rileys, Solihull. Viewers can watch 9-ball pool matches from this tournament during the course of the following week.

GB9 Qualifier Solihull

Sorry people...

Been really busy with admin stuff for GB9's next season.
Loads to do to get ready for the official professional 9 Ball Tour in the UK!!!

Have got Wednesday off so should have some time to write a bit..

See you soon!

X