After 10,000 signatures over the storm Sandy… we’ve got some accountability!
Today’s Wall Street Journal is reporting that Governor Cuomo is ordering an investigation of utilities post-Sandy. No doubt related, LIPA’s COO Michael Hervey resigned today.
Now we need to make sure Gov. Cuomo keeps the heat on LIPA. You can do that by calling his office at 518-474-8390 and telling him “Please keep pushing to make sure LIPA cleans up their act.”
Due to the storm Sandy, our first match in both leagues were canceled. The Long Island region was hit particularly hard, rendered many players/teams under the water, metaphorically and figuratively. Many emails ensued, trying to decide to play or not to play. Many feel tennis will give the players a temporarily relief for two hours while others couldn’t even think about it. The LI league has decided to go forward, but makes it clear, take your time to reschedule – you don’t have to play the match now. Manhattan league has offered to opt out after the storm, but no team has taken that offer, I think.
I’ve informed all the teams that would play us at our home base that alternative location at Roslyn will be used, because GNE is under the water and could not be back on its feet for a month or so. The first match team’s captain said her mates are all affected. Initially, she said let’s get couple of dates to see if we both could make it. I told her to pick a date since I’m sure we’re pretty much available. When I heard nothing from her, I called. She said she’ll get back to me yesterday morning but didn’t; I called her yesterday late afternoon. She has a pair ready to go and herself. All she needs is a guy to make two courts. As of today, I only have 10 players, three 3.5 girls. So we agreed to play this Sunday. She’ll let me know 2 courts or 3 courts.
Having been in the dark for 13 days, I very much sympathize with her. After hanging up the phone, I feel bit like a jerk for pushing her, while she still works out of Starbucks. My players are all anxious to start to play, even we look very weak at the moment: three 3.5 girls only one 4.5 guy. Don’t know what to do with Dan the 3.5 and the 4.0s. This is our first 8.0.
The courts have been hard to come by. Players after players are asking if I’ve send out invitation.
Yes. I did. But only to the players on my teams because, the SNT is primarily for my teams. We have to share the 8 courts evenly with another group. Every week the spots were taken within a few hours. I’d invite the entire group if any spot left by Wednesday. The limited courts has been the biggest problem so far. The other group promises me that they’ll let us have their unused court by Thursday. We’ll see.
It was a lot more courts for the past few seasons when Salil was managing it. Now we’re sharing, basically with the same group (perhaps bit smaller). Everyone in the group will get invited when there are spots open. You just have to act very fast.
Dan was on men’s 4.0 back in 2000 and 2001. He quit playing because he said there were too many cheaters. After I convinced Sean to join the team, he agreed to give it try again in 2010. It’s a good nine years gap but after he finished self rating process, he got a 4.5 rating. He appealed immediately. Although there is a rule that self rated player can not appeal or can not appeal down (?) .. I heard there was a trouble that one team got canceled at the very last moment and my first Manhattan team filled the void. Whichever the case, Deb granted him a 4.0. He didn’t play for the 2011 season, and when he registered for my 2013 LI 8.0 team did he realize that he’s a 3.5 now.
What’s going on?
Wish I know.
the entrance ..
.. when heading north on the road
keep going ..
.. when heading south
Wai and I find a table that is rather empty and sit down. Introducing ourselves to the tablemates. This charming young man asks,
“Are you Irene Eng?”
Ohhhh no, what trouble am I in?
“…. yes …” I admitted sheepishly.
“You just signed on to my Meetup group.”
Which one?
” .. filming .. ”
A small world -:). He’s a school teacher but loves .
Does this helmet look familiar?
Sean Tracy
Oct 25, 2012
a room with a view
.. the empty plate
An acquaintance has been inviting me to participate in his tennis tourney for a couple of years. Because his group is more toward social than tennis, and also always far away so I declined. I still remembered the very first time I went. It’s at the NTC and its free. I was puzzled. When I asked about the fees, he was elusive. Ok, I needed to do grocery shopping, so it’s one stone for two birds. As it turned out, they were using city courts and not many of them had city permits. They were young and new to the country/city; not many know how to play tennis.
Few tourneys later, the last one was at Long Island. Guess I’ve no choice but go.
“Where are you holding it?” I asked.
“Not sure yet, I’m still looking at Roslyn High school and
Sept 2:
we charge only $15 which includes t-shirt, food & drink and trophy … are there any courts in the city that you know of that will be free after the USOpen and that we can reserve for a whole day?
Don’t know any place that’s free
some of the courts we used before in NJ are free, so we will use those to keep the cost down ..
The date is set on 9/23. $20 per player.
there are some courts either in Roslyn or Old Westbury, but I have not seen him to show me the courts yet, I may go there tonight to see the conditions for the courts to make a final decision …
Making the story short, although I felt $20 was too high when he had no court cost but I gathered 7 of my mates and went. However, we went to the wrong school: it was at Middle School on the southern side of LIE and we were at the High School, north of LIE. We decided to stay and play among ourselves.
There were few other players at High school who decided to move to Middle to join the party. The communication was not good. He got newspaper to cover the event. I was thinking: it’s very bold. He has no permit nor the right to be there on the public courts which are for the residents only.
are you lonesome last night, little fuzzy?
Congratulations pretty women, way to go.
Starting in January, the USTA league will now offer different age groups. There will be an 18 and over league and a 40 and over league. The coordinators need our preliminary thoughts on what level team we are planning on running.
We will not to be committed to our survey responses.
hmmm .. I failed to see the merit: IF the rating works as it intended, the age gap should NOT be an issue. An eighteen years old may have endless energy, fresher legs and deadly force but most likely lack experience, patient a 50 years old usually possesses.
Our Sunday mixed game (since July 29): lost first set at tiebreak, rather decisively, won the second set at 4. We were up a break at 5-4 but failed to close the deal. I double faulted to give away my first serving game. I lost the my serve in the second set to fall behind 1-3. My left arm is on DL but saved few crucial points. I’ve been trying the single hand back hand but it isn’t as solid as double hand.
