Watched McEnroe vs Courier, Sampras vs Todd Martin in Champions Cup in Boston. John looks great, won easily 6:2 and 6:3. Pete, hhmmmmm … he should shave his head .. it’s just too brutal to see the thinning part on his head … he played great, fluid but bit slower … but who cared. I was just so happy to see him playing again, and wishing he’s still in his prime and compete against Federer. Who’ll be the top dog in this match up?
Ice skating
Sarah Hughes in the background. … what happened to that elfin Sasha Cohen?
I stayed around after dropping off Slowpoke at ring tonight. She’s been ice skating with her g/fs lately and I’m very happy now that she could actually enjoy it with her friends, than say going to hang out at malls or doing nothing, lol… I sat at the hall after taking some pictures. Felt bit lost: it’s as if only yesterday that I took them to ice skate. Kinglazy had all kind of trouble, either his feet hurt or he’s tired, or thirsty for hot chocolate or water, or bathroom run … when Slowpoke ran straight into the ring once I laced her up. I was surprised for she’d never skate before. To keep up with her, I took ice skating lessons too. It’s a regulation size, large enough to hide on the other end from her, lol. Oh, Golfer encouraged me to join the ice hockey league! Hey, people didn’t you know it’s not my sport? … Actually it’s been a decade … The girls were very sweet to each other. We were 40 minutes late and they rushed out from the ring to greet Slowpoke. …
Are my chauffeuring days numbered?
Pain and suffering
Andy called to notify the start of our Sunday morning game. Chai is excited, ‘complaining’ that his arms are falling off too, due to his cute toddler son, lol. I happened to see this picture taken September 2005 when I sprained my ankle while playing tennis. Sequentially I met Andy’s group later that fall due to George’s frequently absent, so I filled in for him as sub while rehab my injured ankle. You have to love something with zeal to ignore the pain and suffer the consequences. It’s been 2 winter seasons and one summer with Andy’s group. The second summer is to begin this Sunday. On top of being nice group of players, I enjoy the short conversations with them a lot, which is very lacking with my decade long weekend morning group. Hey, I’d like to have the cake and be able to eat it too, lol…. ok, cake might not be the right exmple since I’m not big on sweet, but you get the picture.
Chauffeur
As if it’s on cue, Simon called last night needing a ride to the badminton, cause can’t find his key. Sure, np, right away. But as I was leaving for him, he called again, tada ..found it. In any case, I thought it’s more appropriated call for help, since our friendship is closer and felt comfortable in asking for such favors.
We didn’t get to play on Tuesday and thought there would be more players, but instead only Sunny, Jordan, Mike Sammy and his wife, which’s a surprise. Great to see her again! Jordan the junior (he’s only 15 and I once thought he’s in college) teams with Sunny is a formidable force, hard to beat. Simon and I were leading 11:7 the first set, but ended up lost 15:13, hurtful, lol. The second set we won decisively 15:8. Simon played very hard, mostly was his effort. Good competitors would get that out of you.
The server
Lesson with Craig ended last Sunday. He didn’t bother with our serve till the last two sessions, and didn’t like my deep knee-bending motion,
“.. you’ll get tired by the first set.”
I felt so awkward not bending my knees, lol.
One coach said no jumping;
Another indicated no bending .. now what’s left of my serve? lol …
I guess it’s really up to myself, absorb and utilize what works for me. Thought my knee-bending fuels jumping and that gives me an extra height hence the coveted angle. The most vivid serve motion to me was that of Boris Becker, the boom boom who won the the Wimbledon at 17, not to say that Sampras and Federer aren’t, it just whenever I think about serve, Becker’s always comes on top, wholesome and clear.
Craig said he’s in training, starting a new job at a restaurant in the city, in Midtown east. I didn’t ask what he’ll do, but wondered if he had many interest of private lessons, why didn’t he get concession somewhere like Kerner and teach full time? He’s a good coach, as far as I’m concerned. Guess each pro has to find his or her niche and followings to sustain a coaching career, if they so do desire.
Her first goal
Yep, my baby scored her first goal at lacrosse. I’m soo darn proud of her … we had drinks … although they lost 3 only won 1 so far: too many girls and the coach’s reluctant to make 2nd cut. They had one cut only that only eliminated few and still with 50 on the team. I’m not kidding you. The Dukies are really inspiring, lol… ok, that’s a bad joke. But I really don’t understand why they should entertain 50 girls when only 20 or so are needed. So everyone who wishes to participate can join .. but on the other hand are we teaching the girls that no matter what, as long as they wish, they deserve on the team regardless of their own merit? A thin line. Ok, it’s beyond me, the housewife, huanglianpo, lol … I’ll stop.
4.0
It’s been my goal to reach that elusive 4.0 level in tennis for some years running, but I wasn’t serious in the past. It’s just the next level. But now I play with reaching that goal in mind. I said that out loud today and Simon just laughed. “4.0? You ought to correct your bad habits first ..” .. namely – not returning the ball that’s going out, to start. I don’t know why I would always do that, hitting a ball that was clearly flying out. For the convenience since I was right there? Maybe. But sometimes I’d go out of my way doing it. (Ya right, my opponents all love me dearly.) And staying at no-man zone is another sin. I just feel so so at home even I get caught repeatedly. And I took shots that clearly not mine. Never learned the art of minding my own business, lol .. And the grunt. Errhhhh it’s down right ugly. Today Simon teamed up with Peter who has really cute forehand and I’m mindful of his advice for mime. I played with Dale, the Fisherman’s older son. Peter has no problem with Simon’s live coaching today because they beat us 6:2 and 6:3. I did everything by the book, lol:
不三不四 – dubious area. This is Peter’s term for staying at the no man zone.
多手多脚 – messes with partner’s shots
爱管闲事 – return the shots that went out
口若悬河 且 滔滔不绝 – being eloquent plus incessant .. my grunt ..
4.0? Fat chance. Poor Dale. When I minded my own biz, a.k.a. not messing with his shots, we actually won the game. But it’s me, brainless n never learn. He said nothing. Nice kid, lol. I won the set with Simon against Dale and Sandy and was 5:5 with Dale against Peter/Sandy, then I had to go, Kinglazy has party. It’s really a nice day, and I always have good time with them, but just I don’t have the time the way they do, their kids are all grew, adult children, and they don’t start till 10am, will hang around for better part of the day. / Today they made it early b/e of me. I can’t say that I don’t play with hint of guilt, thinking Slowpoke and Kinglazy. If I play at the park with weekend morning group, I’ll sure be done by 9am. Would have the entire day for them. Oh well, give and take, life is a big negotiation.
Commitment issue
Tina the coach looked different: she cut her hair short, permed but only the sides and top was still flat, odd. And she got mouthful braces. At this age? Anyway, it’s last week of the session, so the four of us played games without any drills. The first summer session starts next week, as usual she pressed me to join the girls’ league. I’ve done it in the past, had fun with it, more intense and competitive, going around LI for tourneys … practice twice a week in the morning and the third day is match playing with other clubs. I just don’t see myself can devote that much of day time to do it. They’re quick to say, well, you don’t have to come both days to practice … but still I’m not sure I’d give up 2 days of trading to do it … the timing is just bad, all during 9am-1pm or so. Oh lord, it’s very hard to say no, repeatedly … they just don’t give up … lol …
Henry
I’m so beat, played tennis three times: early morning with my usual group, mid day per Slowpoke’s request and night when she took her lesson, I ended up playing with Henry. He and his wife were very much on my mind, becasue the protest thing yesterday. They both are very active, she now works (not sure volunteer or taking a paid postion) full time at American Cancer Society. I found his wife to be a very good representative: great education (she was a researcher at North Shore hospital, again not sure if she’s PI. By the time we met, she’s already quitted and spending full time at Chinese school, ACS ..), gracious, sassy with good diction. I always believe when you start a campaign of any sort, first should have a probable cause (winnable case), and secondly pick a decent spokeperson to front it. Our school’s incident had neither; worst the two were more like quarrelling in pidgeon English than professionals who bring something of a value to the table.
Pretty women
Golfer is having a ball in Dallas. Women in Dallas dressed to the nine to go to golf tourneys, skinpie short skirts, high heels … there were even groupies hanging around at trendy hotel W when he checked in. Of course he said he didn’t …. but his colleagues did, :))). The dinner party was great, with few hedgies, and they’re heading out again. Tomorrow he’ll try to fit in a 9-hole, then the tourney then his particular client for dinner. There are only golfer geeks in the Northeast, he complains, lol …
