Different strokes have different requirements with different coaches.
Archive for May, 2007
US Open in May?
Friday night we got a treat: a former pro who played 1989 US Open came to challenge Tony who’s a 5.0 player and rarely does he find a opponent within our circle.
The story went like this: Tony showed up for work – a.k.a. to play – was playing first with the blue shorts and the bluey called his buddy the red shorts. Tony teamed up with Jimmy whom I’ve never met before. When I finished my game – lost singles to Mark (I was up 4:1, but couldn’t close the set, lost 6:4), but dished out a bagel to Mark and a Korean hard hitter like Alex in doubles with Eric – we followed others to court #4 where the game was in high octane, atmosphere was intense and temper flied couple of times. It’s like watching the qualifying rounds at the Open. Great stuff. Tony and Jimmy took the first set at 7:5, and they stopped at 2:2 due to night fall. I have the feeling that we’ll be seeing those often this summer.
Top spin
Slowpoke tried with Barry today and liked it. He worked on her forehand top spin only. She asked me few times about it, but I didn’t want to give her any advice since my forehand isn’t good. It turns out, my backhand isn’t either. Barry took few minutes to hit with me, and pointed out I don’t use my legs … never get up completely, which is wrong. Ha. ….. hmmmmm … I thought about Woodie: kiss, keep it simple sweetie. I know tennis more than trading, hence I feel comfortable trying different ways and seeking techniques from various players and coaches. Would I be better off stick with just one school of thought? Maybe. It seems to be working for me in trading. Has my tennis improved over the years? Yes. A thin line. Well, life itself has many options.
Sunny dumped me for Sunny
I got up at crack of dawn and raced to play with my weekend morning group. Sunny and I got there at the same time, 6:48am. Harrison and Robert, the pair early birds are perennial, were there sweating it out. They both have beautiful single hand backhand, it’s a joy to see them play. Charlie walked by before we started. So he joined us. 15 minutes later, Ming came, so I thought we have a doubles game. Then here came the spider: a cool looking Indian clad in black with a red cap who also named Sunny. I was just dreaming would I be teaming up with the MIB … then heard the order from my Sunny: “Irene, you go to next court ..” Yes lord. There’s a guy who’s alone, doing some serves. I’m sure I’ll be happy playing with him. … In fact, we did pair up against Albert and lefty Sing. The Sunshines played a fantastic game, so did we, even we lost 6:4, oh the stranger’s name also Charlie, or whatever. Sunny would remind me from time to time, “keep you eye on the ball!!” Yes Lord.
Sunny and I had small chat as we walked in. I asked him if it’s true that players generally peak after 3-5 years, and remain at that level, and going down hill as you age. For I still thinking the elusive 4.0 … He said, it’s all depends on how fit you’re. And went on to say, I’m at 4.0 level, “just need to keep your eye on the ball.” How could I be a 4.0, when I never beat him at 2 points handicap who plays on a 3.5 league? Men’s is different from the girls. Oh ya? Okaaay. Whatever you say, Sunshine. I know I wont win a set, now I know I can’t even win an argument. Just keep my eyes on the ball.
It Takes a Village
To raise a kid. .. Is that so? Slowpoke was mad at me last night coz I was late picking her up. My fault. So, when she got to SAndy’s house this morning, it’s clearly I-dont-want-to-be here attitude. Simon played with her, Lou played and entertained her, so did others … I was forgiven. Phew. It’s very sticky and hot out there. She complained but toughed it out. What made smile was she said little and looked mad, but heard others talking about Barry, so on the way home, she asked about who Barry is and said she’d like to try him. You got it.
Season Finale
Sizable parents and grandparents showed up for the last game on home turf. But I thought it’s rather thin, given the size of the team. Slowpoke greeted me affectionately, made the coach ‘moan’ as she came to ask for sun screen: “I don’t want to look like 60 when I’m only 30.” She had 3 opportunities to score but failed, uuurrrrrhrrrhhhh. During one of the breaks, she said that I should wear the white carpi …
Simon meets Sunny
Last night was the 3.5 league at USTA. Simon wanted to play it too, but was told can not lah – because he has played in the 4.0 league. So he dragged me to go tennis watching. Didn’t know many Weekend Morning guys were in this group too.
Before men’s 3.5 it was the ladies 4.0. After their match, one group stayed, like a girls-night-out, wines, picnics … the party was even extended to the parking lot (very odd, under the Center court). 5 matches, 4 wins.
Simon C the captain played singles, so did Sunny. I *think* I need to restate my 3.5 to 3.0, since Sunny is playing in the 3.5 league! Simon had great win last night, teaming up with the Mongolian (don’t know his name) who has plenty fire power. They mixed it up well, and won 6:2 and 6:3 against the two 4.5 guys – I knew many players would go as low as they possibly could. Personal preference…
Sunny’s opponent was the type of player either a cheater or just too nerves that he called everything out; Simon C the captain’s opponent had bad temper, screaming and abusing his racket … all too familiar with USTA sanctioned leagues. Simon said if I don’t want to play girls league, I could do mix … not sure I really wanted it, although the pressure does do wonder to my game. Good thing about participate at USTA vs home league is the playing time: evenings vs late mornings.
Tony walked from Flushing to meet us there, lord. Well, he’s an actuary, knows the % of risk, lol.
He said, “I don’t know why no one takes Simon seriously at first. They all think what’s this 2.0 player is doing here with us?”
I take him seriously from the get go, but just my brain doesn’t hold his teaching long enough to produce an improvement – left ear in, right ear out without much of a pause, :))…. Age does that to me. Anyway, it’s a great night… taking time watching others play do help, unfortunately I don’t have much time to spare, 🙁 … Sunny said I should bring Slowpoke to play with them, “we are all there … all the time …” that’s sweet. Almost forgot, Simon G played Sunny once before, so they’re not strangers.
8:11
Season finale they lost to Garden City, 8:11. Have to go cheer leading at USTA, be right back and finish the story …
Pretty girls at badminton
This Wednesday two high schoolers showed up to play! Yapeeee. They are good. Sunny B. and I had to work extra hard to carve out a win, thinly, 3:1 after 14 all. Simon went to play his 5-week long USTA 4.0 league, but left a box of delicious pineapple cookies fm Singapore. 
Cycling is the new golf
Cycling is the new golf, at least in Silicon Valley. On any given weekend morning, scores of spandex-clad rainmakers coverage on coffee shop parking lots across Silicon Valley to prepare for a mourning climb up the roads that wind their way through the nearby hills … This’s been going on for a while. I do spot spandex-clad bikers on LIE often during warmer weather mornings. I’m really impressed by Lance Legstrong … but less so when I actually dealt with them: at Sunday’s race, they seemed couldn’t care less if someone is interested. Email asking for more info got no answer.
