Tennis Tournament: 10/10-10/12

A couple weeks ago I participated in my club's tennis tournament and I did fairly well.

Singles

Match 1
Lost: 3-6, 4-6

I played really well but my opponent was much better. I served well, and made good shots, but the guy got every shot back. I should have played smarter but I was trying to muscle the ball over the net. I didn't hold my server once this match and all my points came from breaking my opponents serve. Learned from this match.

Match 2 - Consolation
Won: 8-4

I served well and managed to shake up my opponent.

Match 3 - Consolation
Lost: 6-8

My inability to hold my serve returned. I was up 4-2, then my opponent even things to 4-4 ... then I was up 6-4. I couldn't hold my serve so I ended up losing the next 4 games. It so frustrating to lose a match because you can't hold your serve.

Doubles

Match 1
Won: 6-2, 6-4

Our opponents had a 3 hour match before ours, and my partner and me had a first round bye so we were fresh as a daisy. We won the first set pretty easy, the we got a bit sloppy during second set. We were up 4-1 and allowed then they even the score at 4-4. We broke their serve and I held serve for the match.

Match 2
Won: Walkover

We were scheduled to play a team that is part of our tennis club, but they had to withdraw due to injury.

Match 3
Won: 6-4, 6-2

This match was delayed by 5 hours due to rain. We struggled in the beginning of the first set but managed to get back in to the game, thanks to some costly errors by our opponents. The second set we dominated and were up 5-0, we got a bit loose on the next 2 games before winning 6-2

Match 4
Won: 2-6, 6-4, 1-0

This was the finals and we were very nervous because we had to play against a team from our tennis club, and they are very good players. They like to play "slow and steady" and I just don't like that tactic. I get impatient and want to finish the point. We did that during the first set and lost 2-6. We decided to beat them at their own game. We didn't go for big shots during the the second set and wanted to put pressure on them to win the point. This tactic worked and they made a lot more errors and we won 6-4.

The third set was a tie-breaker, and the first team to 10 points (winning by 2 points) win the match. This were pretty even in the beginning. It wasn't until we were up 3-2 that we started to take control. We were up 9-5 and eventually won the match at 10-6.

[pic of trophy]

I really didn't think we were going to make it past the 1st round of our doubles division because my partner and I haven't been practicing much. Much to our surprised we played really well, despite the tough match in the final. Maybe my hot pink over-grip helped in some way?

[pic of grip]

It was my breast cancer awareness symbol. :)

My next tournament is in Houston in 2 weeks, but my partner is unable to play. I am trying to decide if I should just play singles or just be paired up with someone else for the tournament. It will be strange to play with someone else considering were have been playing together for 2 years, and have won 3 tournaments, 2 runner-ups and 1 semi-final. This is all out of 7 tournaments played together.

Not bad, eh?

Tennis Tournament: 10/2-10/3

This past week I participated in a USTA tournament, which was my first since April. I used it as a warm-up for my tennis groups annual tournament which starts this Saturday. I did pretty well and made it further than I thought.

Match 1
Won: 6-3, 6-1

This match I was down 0-3, and I finally got in a groove and won the next 6 games to take the first set. The second set I lost the first game, but won the next 6 games for the match. This guy was a lefty so it took me a bit of time to get use the lefty serve. I played a pretty clean match and only 2 double faults.

Match 2
Won: 7-5, 6-0

This was another iffy start to a match. I was down 1-4 at one point and fought back to get to 4-4. We both broke each others serve to get to 5-5, and I won the next 2 games for set ... then the next 6 games for the match. I finally realized that my opponent backhand was really weak and I began to attack it.

Match 3
Lost: 3-6, 4-6

I am not sure what happened in the match. There were a couple iffy line calls by my opponent, which ticked me off a bit so I wasn't focused on the first set. Another round of bad calls in the 2nd set ticked me off, I was down 0-2. I rallied to win the next 4 games. Other bad calls and bad play from me caused me to lose the next 4 games.

I am happy overall with how I played. I served well and I cut down the double faults I been typically committing over the past few weeks. I wanted to play against people with different types of games to prepare myself of unknown players. So I feel that I am ready to play in the tournament this weekend.

Tennis Tournament: Austin, TX

Friday

Singles Match - Lost: 6-2, 2-6, 0-6

I was playing well and feeling good after the first set but during the second set both of my quads began to cramp. I tried to shake it off but I was not able to move like I did during the first set. I was so in control of this match but then my body decided to go on holiday. It was warm but not hot, so I am not sure why I began to cramp. I guess playing 40 degree weather one week, then 75 the next can do horrible things to your body.


Saturday

Consolation Singles - Won: 8-4

I played well during this match and manage to serve well. My opponent was good, but his weakness was his backhand so I went after that a lot.

Doubles Match - Won: 7-6(5), 7-6(3)

My doubles partner and I were the number seed in our division, which was a surprise to both of us. We played against a team from Austin and we played on of the members before with a different partner. There were a very difficult team because they had really good serves and were hard to break. We won the first tie-break 7-5 and the second set, I was serving for the match at 6-5 and we were up 30-0 but a few costly mistakes put us back into another tie-breaker. We upped our game and capitalized on their mistakes to win the second breaker 7-3.

Double Match - Won: 6-4, 0-6, 7-5

This was a horrible match. Our games were really off and we just lost focus during that second set. I was really frustrated because my partner wasn't playing like his normal self. Instead of hitting the ball he was just lobbing it over the net. It was a windy day so he lobs were short and giving the other teams easy points. After the second set, I talked to my partner and he wanted to know what was happening. I just told him to stop lobbing and hit the ball. He got defensive and said that he wasn't lobbing, I gave him a look and said nothing else.

The beginning of the third, my partner began lobbing again ... which pissed me off because we were losing points because of it. I am not saying that I was perfect, because I made mistakes as well, but was still being aggressive. We we down 3-1 and things began to click again. We won the last 3 games at 4-5 to win the match.

Sunday

Cons. Singles Match - Won: 8-1

I wasn't playing well during this match but my opponent was playing even worse. I just got the ball of the net and waited for my opponent to make the mistake. I should have won this match 8-0 but I lost my serve when I lost my service rhythm. But it was a good warm-up.

Cons. Singles Match - Lost: 6-8

I lost this match, but this was my favorite match of the tournament. I was playing a big guy who couldn't move well, but his hands were great so if you put the ball anywhere near him, he would win the point. I was down 3-1 at one point and then I decided to try something new. I tried slice serving out wide and hit the point cross court for the winner. This worked well and I got the match to 6-6. I lost my serve and then I was down 7-6. I on the verge of breaking my opponent when I missed drop shot that landed 2 inches out. A few points later he won ... but I had fun. The only bad thing is that I slipped while going after a ball. I won the point, but hurt my right leg in the process.

Doubles Match - Lost 1-6, 1-6

My leg was okay in the beginning but after a few points it really started to hurt. I could hardly move so it was pretty much a non-starter. The guys we lost to were friends of ours, so at least someone from Dallas would make it to the finals. And they ended up winning the title, so that was good. My partner and I were looking forward to this make, but me being hurt didn't make it competitive. Maybe we will have a rematch in the future.

I had a good time in Austin, and I am looking forward to my next tournament. I am going to NYC in July, but I am looking for another tournament outside of Texas before then. There is a tournament in New Orleans, LA which is three weeks away, but I would like to play in Chicago, IL or Louisville, KY during Memorial Day weekend. I have to decided which I will play.

Tennis Tournament (3/13 - 3/14)

This past weekend was my warm-up tournament in Dallas, TX before my first major tournament in Austin, TX this coming Friday.

Friday (3/13)

1st match - Won: 6-4, 6-0

My match was suppose to start at 5pm, but due to a rain delay my match didn't start until 8pm. The guy I played was okay, but I couldn't return his serve at all. I finally broke his serve at 4-4 and didn't look back. The match was played indoors, which is fine, but I prefer to be outside. At the end of the match of the match, the guy I played thought I would be in a higher level. I guess all the winter practice paid off.

Saturday (3/14)

2nd match - Won: 6-1, 6-1

This match was suppose to start at 8am but was delayed until 12pm. I didn't do much this match but just keep the ball in play. My opponent was okay but he was very predictable. He would serve and run to the net. I would hit a passing shot or lob it over his head, with various results.

After the match was I had a chat with my opponent. I met him a couple years ago, and he is currently friends with an ex ... and he started to question my abilities as a player. He thought I should be at a higher level, and we talked for a bit. We said our goodbyes and prepared for my next match. But I started to wonder if I really should in a higher level.

3rd match - Lost: 5-7, 6-3, 9-11 (first to 10 points)

This match was interesting. In the first set, I was up 4-0 and I realized that maybe my last opponent was correct and I was in the wrong level. So I decided to not try so hard to win this match. I was doing a bunch of crazy things that I wouldn't normally do. I lost the first set, and the I was down 0-3 in the second when i decided that I didn't want to lost in straight set. I won easily won the next 6 games to take the set. The third set I was just trying different shots (slices, drop shots, angles etc...) and I was up 8-5 in the 10 point tie-breaker. I was like "oh, crap ... I don't want to win this match." Took it down a couple of notches and lost 9-11. When people ask about the tournament I downplay that fact I took a dive, because it would hard for them to believe. I am not hyper-competitive, I am all about fun.

So, 4 more day until Austin.

Tennis Tournament: Houston, TX

Day 1

I had four matches on this day. The weather was perfect, but the courts were not. The area where we played received a lot of damages from Hurricane Ike, and it was a bit depressing. But it was soon match time and I had to blocked all this out.

Match 1 (singles): Won. 6-1, 6-4.
Match 2 (singles): Won. 7-6(8), 6-1.
Match 3 (doubles): Won. 6-3, 6-3.
Match 4 (doubles): Won. 6-1, 2-6, 6-1.

Day 2

Match 5 (singles): Won. 6-0, 6-3.

I beat my nemesis during this match. He last beat me a few months ago so I had to return the favor. My game clicked during this match and I made very few mistakes. My opponent ended up injuring himself during the second set but it was at the point where the match was pretty much over.

Match 6 (semi-final singles): Lost. 4-6, 3-6.

I lost my single's semi-final to a guy we was very aggressive at the net. Instead of being patience and try to hit balls over his head, I was trying to hit the ball through him ... which didn't work. He was a good player, so at least I lost to someone better than me.

Match 7 (semi-final doubles): Won. 7-6(2), 6-2.

We were up 4-1 in the first set and we ended up blowing the lead and ended up going to a tie-breaker. My doubles partner and I weren't not happy and decided to turn our game on .. and we never looked back.

Match 8 (final doubles): Won. 6-2, 6-2.

My doubles partner and I played against a friend from our tennis club and someone we know from Austin, TX, in the finals. We started very strong because we knew our opponents game and made them work for each point. The match was done in under a hour and gave each other a big bear-hug at the end.

Considering that I was thinking about not even going to Houston, TX, due to all of the recent events, I ended up playing some of my best tennis.

Other Stuff


Got these sneakers on sale at Finish Line. I saw then in Raliegh, NC, but decided not to get them. When I saw them in Houston, TX, ON SALE, I knew I had to buy them. And as it turned out, I had an outfit to wear that match perfectly.



Also, my favorite player, Venus Williams, won the WTA Championship in Doha, Qatar on the same day I won (with my partner).


Coincidence?

More on Venus in my next post ....

Tennis Tournament 10/11/08 - 10/13/2008

10/11/08

My first singles match didn't go as planned. During the warm-up I re-injured my shoulder and things fell apart from there. I lost the first set 1-6 because I couldn't serve or hit a ground stroke. The second set went a bit better and I was up 6-5 at one point but I was having issues with my serve and lost in a tie-breaker.

I ended up icing my shoulder and taking and Aleve after the match. I wasn't sure if I were would be able to play my doubles match later that afternoon, but the Aleve kicked and I was able to play. My partner and I won the first set 6-0 and thought it would be an easy match. Then we lost the second set 3-6. We turned it on and we won the third set 6-3. The guys we played were really good and we were lucky to make it through to the next round.

After the matches were completed, about 25 of us had dinner at Gloria's. I was in a bit of pain and I decided to get a margarita. The last drink I had was in July 2007 ... and it was a margarita from a casino in Las Vegas. The margarita I had that night was much, Much, MUCH stronger. I had one and I was feeling no pain. I didn't feel drunk, but others thought differently. So they bought me another one to marvel at my drinking persona. I gave half to my friend because I knew I wasn't able to drink anymore. Another friend and I were goofing around because he was drink "drunk" pictures of me so I stole his iPhone. We jokingly tussled and then my friend spilled the margarita on my lap. I tried to dry myself but I was heading home so I didn't mind the wet spot. We said our goodbyes and I went home. When I got home and feel asleep while texting a friend of mine. I was a mess ... but I slept like a baby.

10/12/2008

I played my second singles match against my doubles partner. I was having all types of issues during that match. I couldn't consistently hit the ball and my serve was off again. I lost against my partner in a pro. set 8-4.

My partner and I had our second doubles match following our singles match. We were both warmed up and really to go. We played a team from Austin, TX and we won pretty easily 6-2, 6-3. The team played well and my serve finally returned. There were a couple of bad calls but it didn't affect us much. Overall it was a good match.

We scheduled to play another match at 4pm but the match to determine who would play us didn't finish until 5:30pm, and it was postponed until the following day. I drove home got ready for our banquet which was starting at 6:30pm. We held it at a restaurant called Cowboy Chow, and it was delicious. I will have to go back soon for a proper meal. I was too busy doing tasks for our banquet to enjoy the food, but I had several desserts that were delicious.

After the banquet, I went out to the Round-Up with some friends. I chatted with some people from the tournament and resisted the pressure to dance/drink. I was only there for an hour before heading home. It was dark except for the black lights that illuminated clothing, but it was so loud that you couldn't have a conversation.

10/13/2008

Our first semi-final doubles match was very close. We were up the first set 5-4 but ended up losing 7-5. We regrouped and we won the next set 6-1. We were feeling good but a couple of errors put us down 4-5. The other team was serving with a match point and a forehand they hit went out by an inch. I know people thought it may have been a good shot it was out. We broke their serve and I was serving at 5-5 when a first serve that caught the line was called out. It was called out purposefully because the out call I made the previous game. We held serve, and our opponents held serve -- and we went to a tie-breaker. They had many double faults and we won the tie-breaker 7-2. It was a long match, but it was a good one.

Our final match was held 30 minutes after the semi-final. We were up the first set 5-4, and we needed to break in order to win the set. They held, we held, they held -- and we were into a tie-breaker. We started off well in the tie-breaker but we ended up losing. We regrouped and won the second set 6-3. The third set and my partner and I started making a lot of errors. We down 2-4 but rallied back to make it 4-4. I was on serve, and I was feeling confident because I was only broken in the first set and only had one double fault. I was broken and they went up 4-5. I was really upset and walked off to collect myself because I double faulted at 30-40. We tried to break our opponents but they held and we lost 4-6. My partner and I congratulated each other with a hug and congratulated our opponents.

We didn't win but out of the four tournaments we played in, we made it to the finals three times. Not bad at all.

We are playing in Houston, TX, in November (???).

Tennis Tournament - Dallas, TX (8/8 - 8/10)

First Match - Main Draw

Won: 6-3, 6-4

I played well, but my serve has been erratic the past week or so. Luckily my forehand and backhand were more consistent and I was able to pull out the win.

Second Match - Main Draw

Won - Opponent withdrew due to injury

Third Match - Main Draw

Lost: 0-6, 4-6

I was not in this match mentally. The guy I played used the "server and volley" technique on every single point and I rarely play people who do this. I was unprepared. The first set I was just trying to figure out how to play him and I was annoyed that he took way too long in between points. The second set tried different tactics and I was able to stay in the game. I was serving at 4-5 and my serve let me down and I was broken.

I played well, but there is still room for improvement. My next tournaments won't be until September so I will be working on serve and taking a couple of tennis drills to help improve. My fitness has been great and I was not affect by the heat, which is good.

Tennis Tournament - Fort Worth, TX (7/25-7/27)

7/25/2008

First Match - Main Draw

Lost: 1-6, 0-6

AWFUL! This was my first tournament since the beginning of May 2008, and I haven't been playing a lot of singles in preparation for tournament. I played a half set the Tuesday before, but nothing more. My serve was really off, my forehand was horrible, and I don't want to even mention my backhand. It was hard to concentrate on the match because during the change-overs the guy I was playing was hitting on me. He was 19 years old and in the Army. While cute, he was not my type -- too young and too thin.

Second Match - Consolation Draw

Won: 6-3, 6-2

I was more warmed up and my game started to click. My first serve was more consistent, and my second serve was much better. I only double faulted 2 times compared to the 8 times the previous match. The guy I played had a very inconsistent backhand so I took advantage of that. The guy also didn't have a good serve so I pounced on his weak second serves. It was 99 degrees during this match (not sure of the on-court temp), but I didn't feel any affects from it. I drank a lot of ice water and I didn't feel tired.

7/26/2008

Third Match - Consolation Draw

Won: 6-4, 6-0

At the very beginning of the match neither I or my opponent could hold serve. It wasn't until 3-3 where I broke his serve, and then held mine for 5-3 ... only to be broken again. I broke his server giving me the first set. I wasn't happy with my performance and decided to step it up a notch. My ground stroke and serve improved dramatically during the second set and I bagel'd my opponent.

Fourth Match - Consolation Draw

Lost: 2-6, 6-3, 8-10 (super tie-breaker)

Again my serve and ground strokes were off and I couldn't get it together the first set. I used my frustration to focus for the second set, where I improved and won 6-3. The last set, which was a super tie-break (first person to 10 points), I was up 6-1 and I got ahead of myself and lost focus and made many errors. I ended up losing 6 straight points and ultimately the match. I began to think about the next day's match instead of closing out the current match. I tend to loss focus a lot when I play, because, for me, it is just a game so I don't ultra competitive. I would like to win all my matches, but if I lose, it is not a big deal. Each match you learn how to improve for the next match.

I really didn't think I would do this well consider my recently health issues, but the past 6 weeks in the gym helped me out tremendously. I feel fit and healthy again for my next tournament starting on Aug 8th.

Tennis Tournament: 4/25-4/27

This tournament was at a country club that I played at before, but I haven't played on their recently painted USTA color courts.

Match 1: Lost - 2-6, 2-6

I was hopeful but I was not on my game for the first match. I couldn't keep a ball in the court due to the swirling winds. And the points that would have been winners my opponent got them back. I guess that is the difference between 3.0 and 3.5. Also, my competitor was kind of annoying. During each change-over he would pat himself and say things like "Oh, you are playing well but I am at the top of my game today." I was trying to be friendly with the guy but by the end of the first set I just got a drink of water and walked away from him.

Match 2 (Consolation): Won - 6-2, 6-1

I felt good during this match and I felt that I was doing everything right. My opponent was a "serve and volley" player but I was able to overcome this game with some passing shot and lobs. We had some really long rallies but I played a bit cleaner and not give away many points.

Match 3 (Consolation): Won - 6-1, 6-1

This was a gimmie match. The guy I played wasn't playing well and he hit every ball out after 2 shots rallies. I was up 5-0 in the second set and I decided to stand in really close to the service line and try to take the ball early. I lost that point but I served for the match afterwards.

Match 4 (Consolation): Won - 6-7(6), 6-3, 10-5

I played against my nemesis who I have played 4 times prior, and we were tied 2-2. I served really awful during the first set and only held my serve 3 times. I was down 3-5 but won the next 3 games to serve for the set...I was broken, and we headed to a tie-break. I was up again 6-5 serving for the set. I lost my serve and the next two points and the set. I was not happy and I played really well the second set. The super-tie breaker started with me double faulting and I was down 0-3. I was kind of down on myself but hyped myself up and won the next 5 points and the match. The match was 2.5 hours but it was a good match.

Match 5 (Consolation): Lost - 5-7, 0-6

This was the toughest played I've played in a long time. The was playing extremely hard the first set and I wore myself out and didn't have much to give in the second set. My opponent was a lefty, and dread playing lefties because my game is geared for right-handed opponents. The guy had a good server, backhand and forehand which made it hard for to get anything past him. He deserved to win, but it was a fun/challenging match.

This was the first USTA tournament of the year in 3.5 division. I didn't plan plan on winning the tournament but I never thought I would have done as well as I did. I have about 8 more tournament this year, so hopefully I will improve and get further into the main draw.

Tennis Tournament: Dallas, TX

This past weekend I took part in a non-USTA sanctioned tennis tournament in order practice. There was only three people in my division and so we played a round robin match format.

First match: Won 6-2, 7-5

I should have won the second set 6-2, but I lost focus while up 4-1 and then lost the next 3 games. I have a tendency to think the match is over and become less aggressive, and I end up losing a couple a games because I get my focus back. I found my serve and the rest of my game and I won. I really didn't want to play a 3rd set tie-breaking because I don't have a good track record in those.

Second match: Lost 5-7, 7-6(5), 8-10 (super tie-breaker)

I was totally off my game during this match. It lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes but the match should have been much shorter. The first set I was serving 5-3, and I lost the next four games. The second set I was serving 5-4 and and was broken. I completely lost focus but I managed to say in the set and win to take it to a 3rd set super tie-breaker. I was down 1-5 but I rallied to 8-9 and I lost the game point on a bad forehand.

It was a good match and I had fun, but I squandered many opportunities to win the match. It was a learning experience and I think I now know what I need to improve on for my next tournament. I have a stay aggressive until the end of the game. Once I think I got the match won, it is over.

Tournament: Austin, TX

Well, hello again readers! It has been a while since I have posted, but I am back with stories to share of my travels to Austin, TX this past weekend.

Tennis

I was in Austin for a tennis tournament and it was my first tournament in the B division. I had a great year last year with tournaments and I felt it was time to move up a level. I had no expectations that I would get very deep in the tournament, but I wanted to at least win my first round in single. I did that, pretty easily in fact, but lost in the second round.

The weather was good compared to other years, but it was windy as heck. I would toss the all in the air in it would float, almost pause in the air and move either left or right depending on the wind. That coupled with the highest bouncing courts I've played on made the conditions a bit difficult. I didn't adjust to the conditions well and blew a lead of 4-2 in the first set of the 2nd match. I was just completely frustrated and just gave up because I couldn't serve due to the wind. My serve is my "bread and butter" and if that goes I usually have a tough time. But even with the tough conditions I served pretty clean with only 5 double faults. I have been working on developing a kick serve since January and it really helped my game.

My doubles partner and I lost both our doubles matches. It was a combination of bad play and the wind ... but mostly bad play. After winning a tournament and being in the finals in another in the C division, we decided to move up a level. It was a learning experience and showed up what we need to work on to become competitive.

I am going over my tournament schedule for the next year and I want to add a couple out of state tournaments. I am thinking of going to New Orleans, LA for a tournament in April, but more than likely I will head to San Diego, CA. I think I will be heading to Houston, TX for a club team tournament in May if I make the team. Other than that, I will be doing tournaments around DFW.

Night Life

Friday (3/14):

Since I was out of the tournament fairly early I decided to go out with some friends and do the bar thing. The first night we went out to a bar called Charlie's and it was just a simple local bar. When we arrived there around 10:30pm there wasn't many people -- but when go-go boys took the stage the place began to fill up. This when the night started to get interesting.

There was this tranny there wearing a HUGE fake ass. I mean the girl has legs like pipe cleaners, but the hips and butt of Beyonce. It was so abnormally big that she had to continuously pull down this short dress she was wearing because her ass was trying to escape. I was dared to go and grab it, but I declined.

Later we were talking and having drinks -- Sprite for me -- when we were approached by this older gentleman from New Orleans who wanted to take a picture 2 of the 4 people in our group. I was pushed aside and the photo was taken. It was just a (not so clever) ruse to introduce one of my friends to his 60+ year-old friend. My friend JH was cordial but declined his advances. About 10 minutes later the 60+ year-old guy came up to us. We all thought he was interested in my friend, which he may still have been, but he ended up hitting on me. It was a bit awkward ... for me that is, but my friends were having a ball. My friend CS mentioned that we were thinking of going to a bard called Chain Drive, and the 60+ year-old guy began touching my chest and telling me how much I would be loved there. It was all in good fun. He offered to buy us drinks but we declined and headed to a new location.

We ran into the tranny again and my friend JH was dared to get a photo of her butt. He isn't one to back away from a challenge. So he walked over to her and asked for a picture. The tranny was with her friend but she like "Girl, hold my purse." She gave her best over the-shoulder-against-the-wall-while-poking-the-ass-out pose and smiled for the camera. JH must have taken 8 pictures of tranny, and one of her friend so she wasn't left out. If I get one of the photos I will post it.

We left the bar around 12:30am and headed for the hotel.

Saturday (3/15):

After our tennis banquet, a group of people when to 4th Street and hit up a couple of bars.

We first went to Rain. When we entered the bar I expected to get carded so I reached for my wallet but the security guy just waved me in. I really thought I would get carded but the fact that he didn't kind of made me sad. I guess when I haven't shaved in a week I no longer look underage. The person after me, who was in our group, got carded and he's in his mid-thirties and had gray hair ...and he got carded ... but whatever.

We get in and we see some people we know from Dallas and begin to chat. We get our drinks and find a place to chill. My friend CS is trying to figure out what kind of guys I like but point out people in the club and asking if I am interested. This goes on the entire night. I was being goaded into dancing by my friend but I declined their offers. We watched people dance while talking and witness all kinds of foolishness.

There was this one girl attacking gay men on the floor. I am sure she thought she was dancing, but she was basically performing simple assault on them. Miming fellatio, taking off their clothes and very aggressively pulling on their jeans and belts. We thought it was fun ... until I was in her line of fire. She looked at my group and everyone was pointed to me to be her next victim. I declined, but she keep coming towards me. I declined again and the girl gave her purse to her friend, jumped over the railing onto a speaker and then leaped at me. The next thing I knew I had this 98 lbs. girl in my arms writhing wildly. So I had my drink in one hand and her in the other. It all lasted for about a minute before it was over. And to be truthful, it kind of loosened me up a bit.

After a couple more drinks and a Beyonce club mix, we went on to the next place.

We were greeted with two lines in front of Oil Can Harry's: VIP and non-VIP. We waited in line for about 15 minutes before entering the bar. I never been to OCH before and the atmosphere was a bit different than Rain: the guys were older, the music was better, and just seemed like the people were friendlier.

I was in the middle of a conversation when this guy comes up to me and start grabbing me. I seen this guy giving me "the look" at Rain but I wasn't interested. Started rubbing my chest, caressing my face and kiss my cheek. Even with all this he seemed like a nice guy and we chatted for a bit. He told me that he was from Irving, TX (near Dallas) and he thought I wasn't like the other Black guys in Austin because I wasn't weird. He asked if I was embarrassing him, which he was, but I decided to just roll with things because he doing this in a non-threatening way. We has a laugh and I broke away to rejoin my friends. It was around 2am and they stopped serving drinks it was almost time for us to go ... but not before the got a show.

There was this guy dancing around throughout the bar like it was his one private stage. He was dancing on the bar, the railing, and the stage making sure he was the center of attention. The had his target set SW, one of the people in my group, and it got kind of out control. Grind, kissing, tea-bagging ensued. I guess SW forgot he had a man at home. But I guess what happens in Austin, stays in Austin.

We were getting ready to leave when I spotted this guy. He was about 6'1" with broad shoulders wearing plaid shorts, t-shirt, and canvas slip on sneakers with socks. He was kind of nerdy looking ... but I like nerdy guys. I was going to make a move but he got pull on dance floor by some people and the dance floor is like my kryptonite. Soon after we left the bar.

Other

I was really looking forward to Austin because there is this guy I met Houston, TX, who lives in Austin and was attending the tournament. I wasn't sure of his status but I later found out that he was seeing someone through a friend, but through the tournament I felt him looking in my general direction at lot. The only interaction we had was at our banquet. I was behind him in line and he said:

"What is this? (referring to the Alfredo sauce with chicken chucks)
Maybe it's calm chowdah?
"I know, right."

Fascinating, huh?

Anyway ... I had fun and I will be returning to Austin next year for the tournament. If not sooner.

Tennis Tournament: Dallas, TX

The tournament is now over and I can happily say that I won my division.


I was really not excepting to win because I worried about the knee injury I sustained in Houston, TX. My knee felt great, and I didn't feel any pain at all throughout the tournament.

I won my first match 6-2, 6-1 but I could have won the second set 6-0 but I decided to take some risky shots because I didn't want to bagel my opponent. My second match was a bit tougher but I managed to win 6-2, 6-3. There were a lot of deuce points but my opponent started to lose his temper and his game went to hell after that. I made it to the finals where I had to play my nemesis.

I was ranked number 1 and my nemesis was ranked number 2, and were hoping to meet in the final. He has beaten me twice, and I finally got my first win against him this past October.

The first set was very sloppy and I had 4 double faults and I lost 3 of my service games, which is very unlike me. I managed to win the set 7-5. The second set I lost the first two games, and that just put a fire in my belly. I went on to win the next six games and the set. And to celebrate:

chocolate chip cookie from Whole Foods topped with Butter Pecan frozen yogurt

I wanted to end 2007 with a win before I move up to the 3.5 division starting in January. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me but I am looking for to a great 2008. Hopefully I will be able to add some more trophies to my collection.