tennis, life and a few things in between

Bucs d. Panthers 16-14

January 3, 2026 at 1:30 am · Filed under Football

A pretty exciting game: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (est. 1974) defeated the Carolina Panthers 16–14 at home at Raymond James Stadium, on a rainy day that stretched from afternoon into evening.

…one pic on Reddit.

I’m mad about missing the National Anthem: I love the melody and the atmosphere. Also missed the first half because of the rain—and we couldn’t leave because the gate staff confiscated our umbrellas. How unprepared I was. The stadium is 95% packed.

Thanks to the rain lord for showing mercy: it stopped during the second half, only to start again shortly before the game ended.

With three seconds remaining on the clock, the ball was turned over to the Panthers, but they failed to score.

The last NFL game I attended was Giants def Atlanta Falcons 24-2, and the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in 2012. The Bucs now need the Falcons to lose tomorrow to the Saints—a rather meaningless game for both teams, but Falcons is the fave … p.s. unfortunately, Falcons defeat New Orleans Saints: 19-17.

Oh well. For Bucs, a win is a win, worth celebrating. Tomorrow is another day.

The Selmon Expressway was named in honor of former Buccaneer Lee Roy Selmon (1954–2011), who played defensive end for the team from 1976 to 1984, his entire nine-season NFL career.

QB Tom Brady (1977– ) is another famous Buccaneer. He joined the team at the end of his long and illustrious career, winning seven Super Bowl rings—six with the New England Patriots (2000–2019) and the seventh with the Buccaneers, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9 right here on February 7, 2021.

After briefly retiring, Brady returned to play one more season with the Buccaneers in 2022, then retired for good in early 2023. His three seasons in Tampa (2020–2022) earned him many fans; even now, many people sport #12, the same number he wore in New England, after wide receiver Chris Godwin (1996– ) gave it to him out of respect.

https://youtu.be/Iz41Fk8PN_Y

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The first practice in 2026

January 2, 2026 at 11:40 pm · Filed under Tennis

Ok the new year, the new game …

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Benchmark International

December 29, 2025 at 3:48 am · Filed under Ice hockey

Amalie Arena (motor oil since 1903) no more. Tampa Bay Lightning’s stadium has just been renamed.

Staring at the building, thinking to myself: it looks like Amalie Arena, the location fits too.

From Ice Palace to Amalie Arena to Benchmark International, a Tampa-based mergers & acquisitions firm, with 15 officies worldwide. Their hq is at ~~401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602~~ 4030 West Boy Scout Blvd, Suite 500, Tampa, FL 33607.

更名记

Vinik Sports Group and Benchmark International Announce Multi-year Naming Rights Partnership | August 13, 2025

Jeffrey Vinik (1959-), known as Jeff, managed the Magellan Fund 1963-) @ Fidelity from 1992-96. [Peter Lynch (1944-) from 1977-90.] He then started VAM Vinik Asset Management, a hedge fund that closed down in 2013/2019. Both endeavors had spectacular returns.

He purchased the Tampa Bay ice hockey team in 2010 for $170m. The team won two Stanley Cups, in 2019-2020 and 2021-2.

He sold the team in 2024 but retained control of the team for the next three years. He also owns a minority stake in the Boston Red Sox.

There are plenty Turkey vultures circling atop. A few days ago, a group of American White Pelicans was circling above our pool.

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Fab4, #2

December 26, 2025 at 1:42 am · Filed under Tennis

Lost again 6,1 & 4 with the Fab4 group.

Thought my serve was very good but not good enough to win a set.

w/ Cheri 6-6
w/ Sandi 1–6
w/ Tammy 4-6

Many long rallies. The first set, Cheri served at 5-4 but unable to close. After I won 6-6, they decided to quit, switch partners.

Foggy fog; spider web

In WeChat
Lost again 6,1 & 4
with the Fab4 group. Thought my serve was very good but not good enough to win a set.
又输了
第一局 6:6 时她们决定停换搭档
很多长时间的拉锯战. 离开的球场就开始一瘸一拐的
这是👇他们心目中的老太婆. 缺点儿杀气 [呲牙]
今天听了两遍黄河钢琴协奏曲好久没听了
今天自己在油管里跳出来
第二遍再听是输了以后 —- 心里万马奔腾 🐎开玩笑
看到一些朋友贴了韶山的视频想起今天是毛主席的生日

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Women’s doubles: the Fab4

December 24, 2025 at 8:50 pm · Filed under Tennis

Blue skies on this Christmas Eve. The morning air is 55°, the water 81°, steam curling up from the swimming pool.

~ ^#3 6-1, 6-3
~ ^#2 12.26

I warmed up quickly in the water, then headed to the court for battle.

After the match, I went to the pool to stretch and saw this group of birds in the sky: American white Pelicans (Turkey Vultures over Benchmark Int’l a few days later), and as if they’re in formation.

At court, it was a wonderful match, full of rallies and laughter—despite losing all three sets:

~ w/ Tammy, 4-6
~ w/ Sandi, 3-6
~ w/ Cheri, 3-6

A few videos show that I play softly and have fewer correct forms than during the practices:

~ warming up: forehand
~ the first game
~ the 2nd game
~ the 3rd game
~ where’s 4th game?
~ the 5th – a long game

https://youtu.be/C_8-lhUo_ko

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Face the ball

December 24, 2025 at 2:45 am · Filed under Tennis

Coach comes in and asks, what am I working on w/ the Slinger. I said “oh, my forehand and backhand, and serve … ” He then offers me a few pointers / tips for my forehand:

face the opponent
left leg moves infront
butt of the racket faces the ball
right leg only pivot
racket faces ground kind of swing
at contact the face of the racket is
- slightly downward: top spin
- 90° – flat
- light facing up: defense, high

Think I’ll remember them all?

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Arm straight @ forehand

December 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm · Filed under Tennis

Today’s Slinger I practiced hitting forehands n backhands with a relatively straight arm, as extended as possible. I’m still getting used to it.

forehands
backhands
lost my sreve but made many swing volleys
coach serves

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The 2 grand slams night

December 16, 2025 at 2:28 am · Filed under Musing

^{an awesome hand … should have bid to ask for kings}

It’s an exceptional night of bridge for me: I made two grand slams, although unbid.

We played a total of 21 hands, with the same partner (Barb and I, v Joyce/Matt). Barb played 12, winning 6, and I played 5, and won 5. Host Matt played 1 and lost pretty badly.

The recap:

We made 3 rubbers.
I made two unbid grand slams
- The first hand was a gs, I bid 3N (another time)
- The 2nd one is the best, I opened bid @ 4h
Barb made a grand slam, bidding 2S
The host M only gets to play 1 hand and lost

The second grand slam is worth considering / talking about: I’ve 4 aces, 25 hcp, 7 hearts. I bid first. My thinking goes: I’ve a game, so I bid 4♥️. But if I bid something less, I might have to stick with it. The 7♥️ gives me a way out. My partner has six clubs, including K.

Mark the guru said,

I would bid 4 clubs. This is “Gerber” asking for aces. You will get a response then of 4 diamonds from your partner, indicating none (you already have 4). Then bid 5 clubs to ask for kings. If your partner bids 5 diamonds, indicating none, I would then bid 5 hearts and stop. If your partner bids 5 hearts. Indicating one king, I would then bid 6 hears. If your partner bids 5 spades, indicating 2 kings, or 6 clubs, indicating 3 kings, I would bid 7 hearts.

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6-1, 6-0 & 6-1

December 15, 2025 at 7:19 pm · Filed under Tennis

I played well. Nearly all my forehand deep shots were in: Slinger helps.

It’s an esay win with the same gang, except this time is with Matt, vs Sandi and Joel. I’ve two doubles; the third set one game is on me: I failed to hold serve.

Talking about serve!

The left one is my wish … but once the ball is involved, I do the right one – the reality!

^{← dream v reality →}