A French Open Hat

I like hats. Well I love hats. Not that I look stunning or handsome or pretty in them. They just lend so much character to a person. Sure it's a prop but so what's wrong with props? For me hats are playful and with the right hat you can become anything (at first sight!) But really we all need the sun protection so we might as well have fun with what might become a necessity soon.

My current hat I got in LA at the Grove. I was looking for a copy of all those hats the spectators at the French Open (tennis) had worn. The hats were off white, had a band of ribbon, were wide brimmed and made out of straw. And of course these hats when cocked at the right angle were quite dapper. I didn't get an exact copy but close enough. I guess I felt like I was following Parisian fashion even though I got it at the world's center of make-believe.

And you know this French Open hat thing is taking off. I've seen the hats in all different kinds of colors and on all different kinds of people: men, women, young and older. People seem to want to play again with hats.

So get yourself a hat and come out and play. We'll all be so dapper...

Brew Me a Cup

You know, there's something about turning 50. Sure menopause let's you know that your body has changed from that hot young thing you were in your twenties to something now, well, more mature. And those hot flashes and icky cold sweats are still a constant annoyance. But it's something even deeper than your physical body.

Your soul changes. I've felt this lately. Younger people seem consumed with making money and finding a mate. Whereas I've never made much money and have had several mates, with my current being the best ever. Now I want to reflect and understand this thing called life. It's like my relationship with tennis: I played for decades and now I've hung up my racquet. I wish to become a connoisseur of the game from the viewpoint of the spectator.

And so, I'm making plans to return, in a fashion, to my coffeehouse days. I'll be going to my local Panera and plugging in. Maybe I'll even become one of those people with a laptop who are occuppying a chair and table for hours while nursing a single cup of coffee.

Who knows what will brew in my brain in such a place. But guess what, you'll probably be one of the first to know about it.

And The Ball Bounces Again

Guess what? The US Open starts on the 27th, and I'm going to be tuned in for the next two weeks. Nadal isn't in, but Serena is. So we've got some excitement. And it's all about the tennis, the players, the commentators, the clothes and shoes, the sponsors, the endorsements, and the spectators. And it's all in New York City too!!!

Kathleen and I went to the US Open in 2004. We saw Serena. She's awesome in person. What a killer serve. With her new humbler attitude, Serena is my girl. If she can keep her tennis manners about her, I hope she takes the championship. But there's quite a few matches to go in a tournament. I'll be watching the matches along the way (even if I have to watch them taped and in the evenings).

I hope Martina does commentary. I never got to see her play at a tournament (in person and live), but she has been my inspiration in so many ways. And continues to be an inspiration today.

So join me. Watch a little of the US Open. You'll have a blast!!!

Go Serena, Go!!!

Serena, you're playing great tennis. And you've earned your place as a finalist at Wimbledon this year. Listening to you talk about yourself and tennis, you've matured beyond belief, and I like you even better.

For a while there you acted like a gifted and spoiled brat who had become accustomed to winning and being a champion. But now you've changed. Maybe your life-threatening illness woke you up to an awareness of gratitude for your blessed life. Because finally you seem grateful for the privilege to play professional tennis.

I've seen you play at the US Open, and you are a marval to watch. You are my second all time favorite tennis player (with Martina being my first and foremost). My hopes are with you as you play the championship match at Wimbledon this Saturday.

Go baby, go. We'll be watching and rooting for you. Just play your best game, and you'll be wonderful.

Not Serena's Night

Well, Serena lost a big one in the 1st round at Roland Garros  (a record breaker for her). Kathleen and I watched the match on tape, and it just wasn't Serena's night. Maybe she just couldn't rely on her serve or paint the lines like she usually does. And then there was the French crowd, who were vocally pulling for her French opponent. Or maybe as Kathleen speculated in a moment of new age color theory, her sea green outfit while beautiful was not a fierce enough color for winning a grand slam.

But regardless of the reasons for Serena's poor performance, after a second-set tie-break that Serena lost and that left her in tears, I think our American Champion realized she wasn't going to win this one. All that remained was saving face. And so she did; she played out the match like a champion.  She lost the match but not her dignity.

Little Known Roland Garros

Everyone knows about tennis and Wimbledon. Most know about the US Open. But only a few seem to know about the Austrailian Open (maybe due to the time differences). However, only the people who "follow tennis" watch Roland Garros (aka the French Open). Oh, I've heard that the French people can be difficult and that they don't like Americans. That may be so, but I love the footage of Paris, its landscapes and cultures. And most importantly, I adore the French people's sense of style.

Voilà---Let's play tennis, my friends...