I’ve been pretty absent lately. Chalk it up to a combination of computer issues, real world distractions, and general busyness. I still lurk around the communities, but haven’t really been interacting with anyone. I’d promise to do better, but does anyone really miss me when I’m gone?

One of the distractions I mentioned earlier has been movies.  ( Read more... )

This is super-delayed. I forgot to post after I wrote it, and just stumbled upon it again today.

( Things I Learned in Cincinnati - 2010 )

Back home again.  We flew in last night, but I got up early today to go to the doctor.  See, every year in Cincinnati I have trouble with my skin.  After a couple days in the heat and sun, I develop this inflamed, ichy, painful rash on my arms, feet, and sometimes my chest.  Several years ago, one of the on-site medics told me it was prickly heat, ( Read more... )

Well, it's over now.  Part of me is happy.  I'm looking forward to getting out of the heat and sun and home to my familiar bed and routine.  And privacy...I love my HLP, but it's hard for me to be with ANYONE for 24 hours a day for over a week.

The other part of me is sad.  There is nothing as fun as immersion in one's fandom.  Following tennis from ( Read more... )

Every year, my HLP and I try and make it to Carrabba's at least once early in our trip.  It's an Italian restaurant close to the players' hotel, a good place to spot familiar faces while loading up on bread, pasta and cheese.  We'd only been there for a few minutes when Fabio Fognini appeared, checking one of the TVs in the bar for the score of the ( Read more... )

We've come to the hard part.  Not only is the feild thinning at the expense of some of our guys, but we're also exhausted and I've had just about all of the sunny 90 degree weather I can take.  Worst, the practice courts have been slowly clearing, and historically today is the day that they finally empty but for the remaining players and a few ( Read more... )

It's always a bummer when the real matches start.  We hate losing people.  Today has become known as the Day of Spanish Losing, because they all did...except David, and we were torn between rooting for him and Sasha Dolgopolov.

A few days ago on the practice courts, Sasha couldn't stop griping to his coach.  "It's too hot."  "I can't do it."  At one ( Read more... )

Hi all!  Just a quick note from Cincinnati.  It's been a lot of fun so far, though we're still bummed by all the changes to the tournament and the grounds.  It's been hot and ridiculously muggy, but the last two days were broken up by some welcome rain.

Today, we were watching Gilles Simon practice when the dark clouds rolled in, followed by wind, ( Read more... )

Tomorrow I’m off to Cincinnati!

Our plane leaves at 6am, which means we’re going to try and make it to the airport by 5am, which means I’m going to leave my house to catch the train at 4am, which means I’m going to have to get up around 2am. Ugh. Could be worse. My HLP lives at the very end of the light rail line, and trains don’t go all the way to ( Read more... )

Tennis Trip ~ Nine days until I’m off to Cincinnati one more time! I finally got the extra tickets to the women’s tournament sold, and everything else is booked, reserved, or otherwise ready to go. I just need to clean my house, buy some snacks, and pack, and I could leave tomorrow. Okay, maybe not tomorrow…

Work ~ Absolutely swamped. Ridiculous.  ( Read more... )