Hi!! :) Been awhile huh? Well that is because if I am not playing darts I stay away from darts. I know it sounds crazy but it keeps me sane. Those of you that have known me or followed me know I have played for a long time and I "disappear" at times. The thing is I really struggle with doing what it takes to play well if I am only playing serious darts once a month or every 2 months. I know I can put them down for 4 weeks and throw for two and be right where I was. In America there really is not a lot of point to do it unless you live on the east coast and even then....
Really it is a sad statement for darts in general, I am caught up in the politics of darts of where I can and can not play, the cost/Payoff off of playing and what I have to give up to play.
People look at what I do and think "That is so cool that you get to travel everywhere" " Kudos to you and the life you lead" Well yes it is cool at times but after awhile I look at you going to the lake to go fishing/waterskiing and say " wow that is so cool." People only look at results and not the fact that it took me 27 hrs to get to a place to get to a semi final or a final with 16 hrs time difference. Then to come home and hear " I could do what you do"... Really??? You could? Of course I am on a rant but let's be fair... if it was easy then I would not be the only North American in a D-Crown event or the only North American in the Phillipines for a 15K pay day. Am I better then other players? NO!! Hell no!! I do know how to be successful though ;)
I have to work extra so I can go away which means I give up even more home life to play, then add in the time away from life you give to a board for what? I have seen every level and like everyone reading this thought there would be a magical pot of gold at the end or a sponsor that says "here is all the money you want now go win" Ya well..wake up ;)
What there is? Is a lot of missed life adventures, a lot of weekends given up, a lot of extra shifts worked, a lot of failed relationships in the pursuit of victory. The pay off? Well I am sure I will never walk in to a dart room without people knowing who I am. I have met 1000's of amazing people and been to 14 different countries to play darts, won countless titles, won world titles, and having won over 20K at a time multiple times helps :) but I have lost friends and made friends but at the end of the day? I am still a paramedic firefighter that loves to spend time with my horses and have my personal life.
I been asked by pro tours why not just live here and play for us ? The answer is what life would that be? Is there a retirement? Is there a wage you draw? It would be cool to do for awhile but life lasts much longer then a dart game. Is there a day that darts will be more then a pub game in North America? Maybe. There is really maybe 5 guys I know of in my 24 yrs of darts that can say that they lived of of darts. I would tell you from the inside circle that the number of people that really live off of darts around the world is small. Am I againist someone breaking the norm? Hell NO!!. Power to you!!!! This is why I have been shifting what I do into the TV relem and slowing been learning what I need to know to create a PRODUCT that can be sold.
Am I done with darts? Some days... but that is because I can not play against the best players every week. Am I done trying to make that happen? Not yet.
Well Rant is over but food for thought I hope.... they call it a game for a reason not a career. See you in at the PDC Qualifier in July