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 |  of a tennis player, hiker, writer |
 A bird in the bath. well, just before.  On court 1. Lookin' to own.  In Jax, enjoyin' some solid juniors tennis.  I love my new phone cam.  * Clears throat * “Um, Robin here, your friendly neighborhood MC(Mistress of Ceremonies). Welcome to my blog. In it you’ll find my rants, ramblings and random updates on everything ME... …and since I’m the typo queen and master of misspelling, these will be present in most, if not all my posts.”  A few of my better entries - all quick reads: |
Thanks to Tigger thinks of Prancer  I now have a new item in my port. She was port cleaning and thought I might like it. 
She created this poll. I was then inspired to create the following items:
And…
I had lots of fun creating both of them. Thanks Jaime! |
| It’s funny. Since I’ve joined this site, I’ve developed an appreciation for lots of genres which I never really got into before. And formats too. Namely, poetry. I thumbed through a poetry book yesterday while I stood inside Barnes and Nobles avoiding the 108 heat index during Laney’s tennis drills. I should have bought the book, but by the time I realized I really wonted it, I had leave and hit the grocery store before the drills ended. Another author on this site has made the suggestion - about buying a poetry book. Since I’m sorta getting into writing poems. I feel very inept here. In awe of those who seem able to express themselves with beautiful smooth flowing words evoking powerful emotions and images for the reader. I want that. I want to write like that. I’m searching, working, playing, practicing….in hopes. On other writing fronts. Carl has been developing a system in coaching. I’ve offered to help him write it down. But I’m really goona pin him here. Not my fave thing to write -instruction - but hey…its an opportunity right on my front doorstep and I should not ignore it. Also, I have this book idea spinning around in my head. I’ve jotted a few things down. But, I’m tripping on the organization part. Where to file all my ideas when I jot them down for easy access. I’ll figure it all out. Just gotta keep trying. Keep typing… |
| Work is tough today. A major issue going down and I’m very glad I’m not in the middle of it. Just have to hear it. Plus, I’m tired, and my body is sore. On top of that, its 91 degrees but with the heat index it FEELS like 101 degrees. Sooo, my AC FEELS like taking a break. It’s tired too. Doesn’t want to perform up to par. I don't see how the kids are going to do the elite drills today. I feel sorry for Laney. BTW, she had a great lesson w/ her coach yesterday. Once he explained the 'science' behind her forehand, she saw the light. Okay, it's nine at night and i felt like adding the following: So, I’m in agony. Well, okay, not agony but extreme pain. Level 7.5 pain. Where the hell is my TENS unit pain. Break out the alcohol pain. No wonder I used to drink so much. I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am. Lucky not to experience this pain 24/7 like I used to. Lucky its been several months since I’ve felt this bad. Yes. Robin is lucky and she knows this. |
| Yesterday, after hitting, I had a nice painful knot in my right elbow. It was my own damn fault too. Well, let me back up. Tracia and I headed out to court seven. Jeffery and Henry were finishing up their epic hitting session – not quite sure how they lasted in yesterday’s cat 4 heat wave. I wanna say they went out around 1ish and Tracia and I walked out a little after five. The two of them looked wiped. Limp dogs. They thought it would be fun to critique our game. Oh great. An audience. Wasn’t quit expecting to perform, but maybe this would be good. Making me attack every ball. Sometimes, though, the opposite effect is produced. But we won’t go there. Well, we hit a few, and the guys asked if we want to play doubles. “Yeah.” I say, wanting some mixed doubles practice. But Tracia and Jeffery are so new to the game, I know they don’t even know how to move at doubles. This will be good. Jeff wants Tracia on his team. Okay, the two weaker players against the two stronger ones – not that I’m all that strong, just have a firmer grasp on how to move and, according to Coach Gober, that’s the key in doubles. If they want it that way… But, as it turns out, we didn’t play points. No one even served. We just hit the ball back and forth over the net. We had a blast though. And, in an effort not to miss a shot, I sometimes reverted back to my old forehand. You know, the one handed thing I’m NOT supposed to do. I just couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to let the shot go. I was in pain for hours afterwards. I’m much better now thank you. Not quite as before, but I’m sure I’ll recover. |
| Autumn calls me yesterday afternoon. “Mom.” Long pause. I love how she says my ‘mom’ name like it’s a whole sentence. “You want to take me and Jeremy and Laney out to eat tonight.” It’s not a question, rather a statement. Now how did she know this? Autumn, the mind reader, even knows where I want to go eat – Applebee’s. Sooo, several hours later, the four of us are seated just next to the bar, in a small circular table. Yes, at Applebee’s. We would have gotten there sooner, but Laney had one of her marathon matches with Steph – she won 4, 6(set tiebreak 7-0). I though she might split. Then we never would have made dinner. Everyone wore their comedian caps and we had a great time. Lots of funny body language to go along with the jokes. At least it was a nice end to a crappy day – two doctor’s appointments and all. Lunch today w/. Carol was rushed. I was late – can’t even go into why. And I’m supposed to hit w/ Tracia tonight. Since I skipped exercising yesterday, I hope we don't bag cuz of the heat. Laney and her new friend - Blake - just left to go walk to a pizza place not to far from here. He offered to buy me something. I like this kid! |
| So eight AM came bright and early this Monday – slap in the face early, especially after this long busy weekend – which I hope to get to in a bit, but first, I went to the derm doctor today. I called late Friday after a raised bump on my face just wasn’t going away. I thought maybe it might be some weird allergic reaction to some bug bite, or maybe even a – do I dare type it – fungus that I got from swimming in the pool after it had that stupid mustard algae in it. (I know, all this is charming isn’t it?) So, here I sat, waiting for he doctor. I got the P/A – who’s much sweeter than the doctor – her father. I smiled. “I wear 15SP every day.” I tell her as she eyes my tan body. “And,” I continue, “I apply 30 during my lunchtime walks or if I’m outside between the hours of 10 and 4. But, ya know, sometimes, I do forget.” Now, she is poking at my skin. I show her one place that’s bothering me, and a few others, which ha seem to have darkened this summer. “Well, “ she says, as she continues her poking “It looks like we are gonna have to burn this thing off. You have lots of sun damage. This one in particular is pre cancerous.” I digest this news. Pre cancer. What exactly does that mean? It would have tuned into cancer if I wasn’t so prompt in my appointment? It will turn into cancer eventually? I didn’t bother to ask. Ignorance is bliss. “It’s okay.” She says, she can tell I’m a bit worried. “I’m giving you this medication that will actually help to reverse the skin damage. It’s pretty expensive though.” Now, I’m wondering just how much this miracle drug will set me back? An Outback Steak Dinner set back? A bottle of Patron XO set back? Or maybe, a brand new Prince Shark set back. We’ll see. When I get my pre-script filled. Welcome back to the real world. |
| I hate this. Dreading, feeling like I’m doing my sit-ups. And then, sometimes, it’s like stretching, hurts but feels good, producing desired results. So we never went out to eat as planned. Instead, we went to their house, pizza and beer. Well, Hornsby’s for me; too fast on an empty stomach. We watched James Stuart in Harvey on DVD. Harvey, is an old movie – made in 1950. It’s great. James played a man who has an imaginary friend – a 6’3” rabbit no less. All fine and dandy if you are a child, but not if you are a grown man of like um forty-four. Great characters, lines, plot. A very fun see. For a Friday, I’m unusually busy. Yes, the normal admin work, but I had to set up the spreadsheets for our new budget and now, I have two extra steps involved in making purchases, taking up more of my time. However, once I’m used to it, I’m sure I’ll zip right along. Just gotta plan ahead more. Ugh. Laney’s team practices tonight. I probably won’t get out of here until seven. I hate eating all three of my meals at this tennis center. |
| What started out as a large block of concrete has now been chiseled into a deep pile of sand covering my bare feet. It’s cool gray grains sifting through my toes as I wiggle them. Reaching down, I grab a large handful, standing up straight, I let the sand gently slip from my fingers to land back onto the pile. I love how the sun glistens on the tiny grains, sparkling glints of sunlight into my eyes. Again, I stoop down, grab more sand and again I stand. This time, I step out of the small hill and move a few feet away from my once solid brick. I turn my body in round and round, leaving a circular trail around me while I’m moving. Dizzy with turning,, a loud laugh erupts from my lips. When my hand is empty, I step back over to the sand pile Grab another handful and sprinkle it in no particular pattern, More sand, more sprinkling. I toss some of it straight up into the air, watching it fall down to the ground. Once, a gust of wind carries my tossed up sand away from my hands and taking it far away. Before I realize it, my sand is scattered everywhere. My concrete block is gone. My sand is too dispersed to create anything. I had fun, I remind myself as guilt swirls around my body, trying to take hold. For what good is one solid concrete block when you can have millions of tiny grains of glittering sand? |
| My head is pounding. Allergies. I need a Claritin. I’m glad it didn’t bother me while I was on court. Henry and Jeffery popped their heads into my office around 4:30. “Can you hit?” Henry asked. I had told them to get me next time they went out on court. “Sure.” Never passing up an opportunity to practice my LHBH. I snatched up my contact lens and tossed them in. Autumn was supposed to be here by 5:30. I’d have an hour. Henry forgot his tennis shoes. I looked down. He was wearing what appeared to be athletic shoes to me. Brand new ones too. Too good for the tennis court. So, he said, he’d feed me and Jeffery balls. Fine by me. At least my inability to play well would not be so underscored. Turns out, I had little to worry about. Jeffery is a new player. Like I think he picked up a racquet two hours ago. Bless his heart. I went to school with Jeff. I don’t remember him - we had over one thousand students in our graduating class. He lived in NYC doing something in theatre. Macon, he tells me has no theater. Try telling that to the folks at the Macon Little Theater. For some odd reason, he was here in Macon for the summer, and will soon be on his way to Charleston, SC. Going to school again, something in theater. I had a blast though . Giving us a cardio workout, Henry made us run. I kept bending my elbow more than I should. But I hit okay. Had lots of nice hard low shots. Not sure if my form was on, but at least I was making contact. Better than the last time I was out there. |
Adam dropped by, not HP Adam, but Captain Adam. Hey wait a minute, this entry sounds eerily like the beginning to yesterday’s But Captain Adam wanted me to post something. He is the Real Adam. “The Real Deal.” He repeats, just in case there was some question on my part. “And the other Adam, he’s The Fake Adam. I’m Real versus he’s Fake.” He adds. Not quite sure how Fake Adam would like me referring to him that way. But nonetheless, its funny – as Laney would say. So we spent a over an hour filling out the last of the team’s paperwork for this USA team thing. One of our strong boy players is injured. The kid hopes he can play in two weeks, but we’ll see. Plus, the league coordinator gave us an extra high school player. He’s not as strong as the tournament players, but it helps in our case to play 2.0. We’ll see. Our first practice is tomorrow at 5:00 – here at Tattnall. Most of the players say they will be there. |
| Earlier today, I called Adam. HP Adam, not Captain Adam. I haven’t spoken to him since he tripped over the tournament incident. “Hey! I haven’t heard from you in awhile. Are you okay. I mean, about the whole tournament thing?” “Yeah.” He says, he sounds odd. His voice all quiet. I ask him again, he says he is in his mom’s classroom, helping her with stuff. Aaaawwww, how sweet. (inside joke for Renee.) “I’ve been working hard on my LHBH!” I tell him. “Should I be worried?” he teases. “No. but, by the fall, I can play on your 7.0 mixed team. I’ll play 2.5 and you can carry me.” He immediately says yes to this. I make some joke about him talking about me behind my back – once I hang up the pone and all. He really doesn’t want me on his team. Either way, it will be a goal for me to keep striving. I am feeling more comfortable with the switch. And I’m starting to get some of my direction back. |
| Trivial. My words, thoughts, images in my head. Spinning around. Desperately trying to clutch onto concrete substance. Lost in a sea of distant memories, vivid yet unreachable. Driving towards an element of creative design. Always striving. Always moving. Always searching. Plugging along like the I Think I Can train. In hopes of one day being able to say, “I knew I could.” Until then, my two ply thread slides through the needle in hopes of sewing together the images in my head, thoughts, my words. Trivial. |
| I do not want to go to work tomorrow. This past weekend was way to relaxing. I’m super glad my boss is out of the country – in Jamaica – teaching tennis all week. Poor him. Most of the camps are on break. The morning camp is still on, but I’m sure attendance will be low. It looks to be an easy week. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Even still, it was great swimming - in and out of the pool all day long. |
| Aaaaahhhh! I've spent the entire day swimming in the pool. And the best part; i don't have to work tomorrow! |
| I allowed it to happen. Every word Every insult Every step not taken My own fault It’s no fun to struggle. With words, or actions, or silence. |
| So, I found this old journal of mine. Junk writing stuff ya know, not as boring as the high school one, but not far from it. But, there was something in those straight forward, non-entertaining words that grabbed at my heart, saturating it in nostalgia which underscored my endorsement for what I call junk writing – often referred to by me as JWing. One could steal a few details from jwing entries. Rounding out a character. Creating a scenic environment more believable to the reader. All gathered from seemingly simple journal entries. I often struggle with the entertainment vs the just write it approach to this blog. After all, the words typed in here can be accessed through searches – google, yahoo, wdc and others, if my blog does get a hit, well, I’d like the visitor to return. |
| Well finally. After how many months has it been? Since the end of Feb or the beginning of March…and countless harassment emails later, Edmond waltzes into my office and asks, “Are you highspeed ready?” Hell no I’m not highspeed ready. But I keep these words to myself. I want Edmond to get me there – the land of highspeed internet service. “Are ya hookin’ me up?” I ask, all smiles. “Yes.” I politely remind him about how long its been that he was supposed to be out here. He calmly responds. He knows I’m right, but he’s only one man. And the city has many compies. (only he didn’t use the word ‘compie’ ) He wants to insert a CD, but, I tell him. “Remember, you were supposed to fix THAT for me.?” “Yeah,” he is still calm. He drags my hard drive out onto the middle of my office floor. Opens it up and says to his assistant – whom I’ve never seen before, “Do we have a machine in the van?” She says they don’t. Oh great. Now what. “Well, we’ll be right back.” I look at him with apprehension in my eyes. “Don’t worry. We are coming right back.” He assures me. But I am worried. I can’t touch my compie. No word documents. No excel files. No email. no internet. He better be right back. I mumble something to this affect as he’s leaving. He hears me and smiles. I guess he understands my uneasiness. I chat with the coaches and players as they come in to get water and stuff – to help calm my nerves. True to his word, he does come back relatively soon. Thank goodness too. He installs a new CD – ROM, and the drives for my highspeed and what ever else you need to do to get the compie up and running. He tells me there is spyware, and he has to download and remove lots of crap. No wonder my compie acts like a POS. The entire process took about three hours. So far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed for me. If something goes wrong, I’m sure I won’t see Edmond until next February. |
| So my serve sucks. and i just spent 30 minutes trying to improve it to no avail. i'm too busy focussing on my new instructions my coach gave me and all my balls are out. then, i go to the wall and hit for 30 minutes, and now, i need a shower. |
Laney won the back draw! YAY Laney! She got a bye and played well her first match – in the main draw, but lost. She won the second set, forcing a full third set but lost it 4 – 6. I was happy she played well. Then, after dropping into the back draw (consolation round) she played horrible. However, she still won, advancing her into the finals. Her opponent was a long time friend who beat her last year at this very same tournament. They have played on the same team, as well as against each other. Today, Laney won. 7-6 in the first set and 6 – 3 in the second. I was very proud of her performance. Both girls played extremely well (mostly baseline tennis) but they had great placement. Neither of them seemed to be able to serve well throughout the entire match.  |
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