Tennis League Night: 2/27/07

Results: I won 6-1, 6-0

Tonight I played like crap but the score doesn't really reflect that. My serve was really off and forehand was really bad. I am going to blame the horrible lighting on the court I was on. I tossed the ball in the air and it disappeared into the light. At the last second it reappeared and I was able to hit it.

Anyway...

I won the league and I didn't even get a trophy. This is my last league at this particular facility. Not because I didn't get a trophy. It has more to do with the poor conditions of the courts and the management of the league.

Tennis Tournament: 2/24/2007

The weather yesterday was absolutely horrible for tennis play. The were winds in excess of 50 mph here in Dallas and it make serving and play difficult. On top of that ... there was a huge dust storm caused by the winds. I have seen any like it. There was so much dust that it blocked out the sun on a clear day. It was one of those "is the world going to end?" events.

But I managed to overcome adversity.

Match 1: I won 6-3, 6-2

The guy I played was okay but it was hard to tell because of the wind.

Match 2: I won 6-0, 6-2

The wind really picked up during this match. But the wind wasn't the big distraction on the court. My opponent, who was a nice guy, chose not to wear underwear underneath his thin dri-fit shorts. I mean you could see everything. His arse wobbling, and the outline of his ... ahem ... frontal area. Who plays tennis without underwear?

Match 3: I won 7-6 (tiebreaker 7-3), 6-3

At this point sky was covered with dust and the sun was turned into a spotlight highlighting this final match. My opponent had only been playing for 1.5 years but he is one of those young athletic guys who will chase everything down ... and he did. I was not comfortable with my play with the high winds and the dust. Each side of the court had different conditions. One side the wind was coming at your face and you had to hit the ball a bit hard, the other side the wind was your back and you had to hit the ball bit softer or use more topspin to keep the ball in play.

The first set I could not get the ball past him because he would approach the net and the wind made lobbing really difficult. I had to step up my serve game and create shot that would cause him to force an error. I was up 5-4 and serving for the set when I got broken and end up losing the next two games. I was down 6-5 and I managed to break his serve and won the tie break.

Second set was just like the first but my opponent was making more errors. I was up 5-2 serving for match and I lost my serve to go bring the game to 5-3. I was down 30-love on his serve before I managed win the next three points. My opponent hit the ball wide, which gave me the win. It was a battle and it showed me what my weaknesses are which I will have to address before Austin.



So here is another trophy to added to the two that I already have.

Tennis League Night - 2/20/07

Results - I won 6-2, 6-0

They guy who I played last night was really annoying. He is a nice guy, but the take like 1-2 minutes in points retrieving balls or just milling about. I like faster play because when I find my groove it allow me to maintain my level of play. Fed up, I had to spank him ... metaphorically. My backhand wasn't that great but my serve was on point and I only had 2 double faults the entire match.

The weather last night was beautiful. It was about 70 degrees, clear sky and calm winds. I wish we could have played during daylight hours because the lighting is horrible at the courts during the evenings.

I have my tournament on Saturday but the weather calls for rain. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Heroes, Schmeroes ...

I have been patient with Heroes when return this past January. But after last night's episode, I am officially over this show.

Why did the death of Simone so hyped up when she is not a major character? I don't believe she is really dead for a couple of reasons:

1. She is in Peter's dreams when blows up NYC. But "the junkie who paints the future" (I can't think of his name right now) was dead before the explosion but he was also in the Peter's dream.
2. We know that Peter can absorb people's powers, so I think it is quite possible that he will bend space/time to save Simone.

Even with all of the new developments -- Peter is getting control his powers, Claire confronts her adopted father, etc... -- the show is so very boring. There are long stretches of time where nothing really happens. Like Mohinder and Sylar going to find other people with abilities, because it was clear that Sylar was going to kill the new find.

Speaking of Mohinder ... how stupid is this guy? He meets someone once and he goes on a cross country trip with him? Is that his super power? Being overly trusting to complete stranger with super abilities?

Like I said before, this show would be much better if it was cut from 20+ episodes to about 10-13. There is too much going because there are so many characters.

I was still with the until shameless hocking of the Nissan Versa.

I mean ... come on. If you haven't seen the episode, let me briefly recap this scene. After a battle with "tall blonde showgirl" and "grizzled gambling commission officer" where they exchange heavy gunfire, Ando and Hiro come out of their hiding spot to find the their car and say [paraphrasing]:

"Look ... not a scratch on the Versa."

This made me mentally check out of the series. And it is a shame because this show had great potential.

Maybe will download the episodes or rent the DVDs when they become avaiable.

Am I the only person who feels this show jumped the shark too soon?

Bruised

I really hurt myself yesterday.

I was playing a set of doubles when a member of the opposing hit a drop shot. I was on the baseline, but I saw the shot coming so I sprinted toward the net. I was moving diagonally from right to left straight toward to a net post. I was going so fast, and I was so close to the ball that I didn't slow down. I got my racquet on the ball but I wasn't fast enough to get it over the net ... and then --- SMACK!!

I hit the post with my left shoulder and right arm. I immediately felt the pain on my inner right arm and my right thumb. I sprain my right thumb last year and it has been bothering me for months and I definitely re-injured myself. I shook it off and continued to play the match with a bloody thumb. We lost the game and I tended to my wound during the changeover. Rummaging through my bag for my first-aid kit only to find I was without bandages. Luckily, a friend of mine offered me a couple of bandages. I cleaned myself up and continued to play. It wasn't until today I felt the pain of my injuries.

My right thumb is a bit swollen, my inner right arm is black and blue, and my entire upper left arm is painful. When I woke up this morning, I couldn't figure out why my left side was so painful. I realized why I hurt so much when I was work when I was lifting a printer. Things could have been worst though. If I hit the pole 3 inches to the right, I would have impaled myself on a crank that tightens the net.

So I am counting my blessings.

I am on my couch healing for my tennis match tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be almost healed.

However, nothing hurt me more than that lame episode of Heroes.

... but more on that tomorrow.

Tennis League Night - 2/16/07 (rescheduled)

Last Tuesday the weather was really cold for tennis, so my opponent and I rescheduled for this past Friday.

Results: I won 6-0, 6-0 (double bagel!!)

I played really well, obviously. My backhand was a bit shaky but I managed not to lose a game. I decided to work mixing up my serve with various spins. It was effective and I was able to keep my opponent off guard because he wasn't sure what serve was coming.

I have a warm-up tournament on 2/24/07-2/25/07 and it will be a good way to gauge my game before my Austin tournament. Will post the results of that tournament.

Wii Belong Together

So this is what I got myself to lift my spirits after the accident. But it was an ordeal just get the darn thing.

I got it on 1/21/07 on the tip that most of the retail stores were hoarding the new Nintendo Wii since Christmas. I was determined to get one.

I was up at 5:30am and I headed the the Target about .5 miles from my house. I got there and no one was around. I waited for 15 minutes and decided to head to Best Buy. I got to Best Buy and there were 3 people that have been there since midnight and were sleeping in their car. The only reason I went to Target is that they opened at 7am and Best Buy opened at 11am. I told the people waiting that Target should have some and they opened 4 hours earlier.


I headed back to Target and I was the only person there waiting for a Wii. Around 6:30am another car arrived and we waited in front of the store. Ten minutes before the store was due to open, the manager walked in and I asked if they were selling the Wii. He checked out the information, and regretfully informed me that no Targets in the area were selling the Wii. I was tired and I figured it was too late to go back to Best Buy because the line would be too long. During the car ride back home I changed my mind and decided to head to Best Buy. I grabbed some snacks, water, my laptop with DVDs and hauled it over to Best Buy.

When I arrived at 7:45am, I saw that there were only 10 or so people in line. It was chilly outside so I wore thermal underwear and my thick University at Buffalo sweater. I was quite warm. I found a place in the back of the line and got comfortable. Tickets weren't being handed out until 10am so I watch "Strangers With Candy" for the tenth time and listened to my iPod. When the ticket were handed out at 10am, I was number 13 and there were 48 units at this particular Best Buy. But the wait wasn't over ... we still had to wait outside until 11am. I stayed in line because the store only had 20 extra remotes and nunchuck controllers even thought I was guaranteed a Wii.

At 11am, the rush started.


Actually, it was pretty well organized. No one cut the line, and everyone remained calm. I didn't want to have to cut a bitch in a Best Buy if they tired to get ahead of me, so it was good all around. I got my extra remote, nunchuck controller, and Zelda game and headed to the register. I was in and out of the store in 10 minutes. I like to get what I want and get the hell out.

So that is now I got my Wii. I haven't had much time to play it but when I did play, it was for a couple of hours each time. I got it because I figured if I got tired of it I could always sell it on eBay. It will be sold out until May or June so someone will be looking to buy one before then.

Randomness: There was this queen (read: gay guy) who drove up to some of us waiting in line around 10:30am and asked if were in line for the Wii. We said we were, and he countered with:

"Y'all are standing in line for hours for a video game. Life is too short for that."

The funny thing was he was looking to get the Wii as well, but since he was too lazy to get in line he decided to demean us?

What the cock was that all about!

I will post a picture of my Mii when I get the chance.

Killervirgo vs. The State of Texas, Final Act

Just one last update:

I have decided not to file an appeal because I am tired of dealing with the court system, and I am just over the whole situation. I will pay the citation by March 8 and be done with it. I will use my credit card and get some points for the transaction. So, in essence, I am using them so that I can get a $50 Amazon.com gift card.

My insurance company was able to recoup my deductible from the person how rear-ended me. So with my deductible and the other monies I've received from lost wages and medical bills ... I made out pretty well. This is another reason why I am not too particularly upset with paying the citation.

The one thing that sucks is that my insurance went up $300/year because of the accident. My perfect driving record is ruined so I decided to buy me something to make me feel better.

...you'll find out tomorrow what that item is.

Veneers Are The New Grills?

While watching the Grammys on Sunday, I noticed that Cee-lo's teeth looked very odd. They were big and huge and seemed like were a pair of over-sized dentures. I thought it was a joke for the performance, but they are real.


It seems as though Ludacris has also gotten teeth fixed. I guess he needed a new Hollywood smile to with his new Hollywood career. What I like about his teeth is that they actually look normal. If haven't seen him before, they could pass are real.

Is this a new trend in the Hip-Hop world? I hope so.

If I had their kind of money the first thing I would do is get a smile makeover. My teeth aren't bad ... but after braces, form a crappy orthodontist, they aren't as good as they could be. I had braces for two year during college. If I wasn't awkward enough, with the braces I felt like I was a kid in a sea of adults. I had to get them because my bit was misaligned and it caused jaw pain. I am longer feeling any pain, but there always room for improvement.

If I had $10,000 for a smile makeover, I wouldn't hesitate to get some new pearly whites. But I fear that my teeth will be all big like Cee-lo, Tiger Woods, or the ones Hilary Duff once had.

Rosie Killed Anna Nicole

Well, not really.

When I get home from work I load up the TiVo and watch the episode of the The View that aired that morning. Everything was good until this:



Granted, the show aired at 11:15am EST and Anna Nicole died around 2:00pm EST. Rosie said this hours before she died but you know this is going to be fodder for all of the tabloids and entertainment news shows.

Tomorrow's episode of The View was mostly likely taped today before 2:00pm, so I don't think you will see an apology for her statement unless it is added. I don't think she should have to apologize in any way considering that context of what she said. But there are bound to be some sound bytes used taking the first few seconds of what she said. No telling if anyone reporting on this will mention that it was said before the news broke.

Brace yourself for the fallout!

Killervirgo's Book Club: Venus Envy

The last time I completed a book was 3 years ago and that was "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown. After reading "The Da Vinci Code" I got all he books and read them all except for "Deception Point". I have been reading "Deception Point" on and off for 3 years but never has been able to finish it. I will put it on the list for next month ... but this month's book is "Venus Envy" by L. Jon Wertheim.

source: amazon.com
"Venus Envy" gives the reader a peek behind the curtain of the Women's Tennis Association, in the process it dishes a lot dirt about some the top players. The book revolves heavily around the Venus and Serena Williams and their family's ups and downs on and off the court, the sister's relationship, and how all the players hate them. I got the book on Monday and I am almost half through it. If you like tennis, I think this is a good read. Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book thus far:

Even the outgoing message on [Richard Williams'] answering machine are newsworthy. One message several years ago said: "There are those that ask me what I think of intermarriage. Anyone that's marrying outside of this race that's black should be hung by their necks at sundown. Please leave a message."

Richard Williams if freakin' crazy! I laughed out loud when I read that passage because it is so absurdly funny.

I got a used a used copy from Amazon Marketplace for $3.50, which includes shipping. It is like eBay but you don't to bid on items.

If you like tennis, crazy people, the Williams sisters, and gossip ... I would recommend this book.

Tennis League Night: 2/6/07

Match Results: Loss 5-7, 7-5, 4-7(tiebreaker)

The opponent I was scheduled to play didn't show, but there a sub there to take his place. He was an older guy who is coming back from an injury. We warmed up and he insisted on hitting the ball, not to me, but cross court so I would I would have to run to retrieve them. This is a bit of a no-no because it doesn't allow your opponent to warm-up properly. The more he did it, the more annoyed I got.

We finally started play and it became clear that he was well above my level of play. When I asked him about he said that he usually plays 2 levels higher, and just subbed to practice. He was a good player but what killed me because he was a lefty. I don't play many lefties, so it was good to see how I will need to adjust my game.

The good: I only double faulted twice and I was able to use my slice backhand effectively.

The bad: The first serve wasn't as "on" as it was this past weekend.

The ugly: Once again my forehand let me down because I am not getting in proper position to make my shot. I am not moving my feet and just forcing shots causing them to go long, or into the net. NEED. TO. HIT. MORE. BALLS!

What's Happening With Heroes?!?

Last year, I was totally into this show and I couldn't wait until the next episode aired. Since the show started the second half of the first season ... it is now very boring.

There has been no major developments, and it has basically turned into a soap opera. Granted, they introduced a couple of new characters, but to me it is not enough. The show is becoming incredibly predictable.

Last night they decided to answer the big question, who is the father of Claire? The ran the promo for the episode ad nauseam trying to titillate people to watch, but if are a fan of the show you knew it was Nathan Petrelli. The obvious giveaway was the class ring he wears. It is such a soap opera cliché. So the father of Claire (Nathan), who once captured by Claire adoptive father (glasses guy), is the brother of the guy who will save Claire from Sylar (Peter), who will probably blow up NYC unless he learns to control his powers. Okay ....

source: heroes-tv.com
If they showed more of Sendhil Ramamurthy, I wouldn't mind the all the soap opera antics. He was on The View yesterday, and he was looking really, really, REALLY good. It must have been all that soft lighting that makes Barbara Walters look half-human. PLEASE, show more of Sendhil Ramamurthy!!

The only good thing about last night's show as that you learned a bit more about Peter's powers. I thought his powers were like Rogue's from the X-Men, where he only temporarily possessed the powers of another Hero. But he seems to absorb each power as he comes into contact them and then has the ability to recall the power. He doesn't know how to control his powers so he beings to short circuit. I do find this interesting, but there are so many characters you can't become engrossed. I think a show like this should be only 13 episode so you can eliminate all the padding (i.e. Hiro's father trying to lure him back to Japan), and just keep it action packed.

So I will stick with this show until the end of the season with the hopes that it will get better. If not, I am canceling my TiVo season pass.

Which Hero Will Die? - Greg (power: ability to hear the thoughts of people)
Why He Will Die? - Because he is boring and his wife is a whore.

Weight Check: Midpoint

I am pleased to say that I am on course to reach my goal to lose 20 lbs. by March 9th.

[drumroll please]

So far, I have lost 13 lbs.

I started at 225 on January 1st, and I am a bit lighter.

Losing that weight was pretty actually pretty easy. I haven't had beef in over a month, I've only eaten out twice this month, added 45 - 60 minutes of cardio 4x a week, and cleaned my diet. It's not that hard, really.

A typical day of meals:

• 7:30am (breakfast) - 3 eggs (2 whites and 1 whole egg), toast w/ jam, orange juice
• 10:30am (snack 1)- fruit and granola bar
• 1:00pm (lunch) - sandwich, chips or soup
• 4:30pm (snack 2) - nuts or wheat thins, and fruit
• 8ish (dinner) - meat, brown rice and vegetables or pasta or salad

I try to eat something at every 3 hours so I can speed up my metabolism and so that I don't get hungry. I will not have any "diet" foods. They don't taste good, and the usually have more sugar than normal food. Water, water, water ... water is the key. I drink at least a gallon and more when I play tennis.

I've been doing a lot of cardio this past month, but this month I will be adding weights to my program. I am looking to gain some lean muscle I lost since I have lifted in about 4 years. But it's going to be at least 3 months before I see any real results.

When I reach my good I will post some tasteful nude pics .... okay, I'm kidding. No one needs to see that.