Jeanette Lee bought me a beer

It was a total treat to meet Jeanette Lee last night during our match at Edge Bar. At the beginning of the match, the other team's captain, William Fuentes, came over and asked me if I had my camera with me. I said I did and he went on to tell me that Lee would be stopping by a little later in the evening. Sure enough, about a half hour later, Lee arrived and casually began introducing herself to everybody. Eventually she walked over toward me. I extended my hand and said "What's up, Jeanette Lee?" We chatted briefly. I told her I had read through her book at Barnes and Noble a few times. The most memorable line from the few chapters I read was one where she talked about the importance of developing a smooth, consistent stroke. She wrote that she wished she had spent more time developing a slow backswing and perfect timing, "instead of practicing goofy bank shots." So funny (and true). She was very nice, very down to earth, and it made my evening when she asked if she could buy me a beer. Practically a household name, Lee is an icon. She's instantly recognizable to anybody who's ever watched professional pool on TV over the last 15 years. She's a consummate professional and one of the sport's most cherished celebrities. And she's a native New Yorker. Now living in Indianapolis, she was in town yesterday to do something for ESPN. Which is why she had some leftover headshots and was giving them away. Below is a copy of my souvenir shot. She is friend of many players in the NYC area, including Fuentes. Special thanks to Fuentes (in triptych at right and pictured above with his team, "Get In The Hole"), a very keen lensman in his own right, for being so generous and allowing me to piggy back on his group shot. Click here to check out his blog.