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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: |
| What did Robin Meade do to her hair? It looks like she dyed it ‘Shaun White Red’. Maybe, after he graced his presence on the morning headline news, she felt compelled run out to CVS and purchase some red hair dye. She must have snipped a lock – getting so close to the color. You know, when she was holding his gold metal up for the camera to see? She grabbed her miniature clippers and snagged her a piece. I know, I could be dead wrong here. But, I’ll bet my last glass of chocolate soymilk, my version sounds better. I missed Shaun on Martha Stewart and jay leno. But I did see him on cnn headline news Friday morning, chatting with Bob Van Dillen about the weather and powder. Both men are hilarious. Bob was a surfer now turned weather guy. I love watching his banter with Robin. She’s funny too. And I miss Ray De’Alessio. Why did they move him to weekends??? I want him back. The whole crew is great. and Shaun fits right in. I wonder what he'll be doing after he settles back into his normal routines. And what's up w/ cohen? not giving him a second glance... what's not to love about White? |
| Words are clogged somewhere between my creative brain and my sit the hell down and type the crap out fingers. Cocked in the narrow passageways of execution. Efforts to grind the chunks into small enough bits to sieve through have proven just short of implementation. Even attempts to resort back to fundamentals is labored. By what? Too much information? Am I walking away? Throwing up my hands in surrender? Then, in pure classic emo style, smothering my lack of motivation in disappointment and self pity. I have too much to write about to be plagued with writer’s block. |
| okay, so, um, yeah...this pain - level seven - can go away now. I've had if for days and i so am sick of it. |
| I have so many things I could blog about, and somehow, when I sit in front of the keyboard, my brain mushes out on me. So, I’m going back to the ole write all the junk or power write, or what ever it was I called my writing issues. All I know is, it sucks. So my books arrived in the mail today. The ones I bought from amazon.com. I got five of the ‘Best in America’ series. You know, The Best American Sports Writing. The Best American Travel Writing. I like them cuz not only is the material excellent writing, but the pieces are short. So I can easily knock out a piece in a few minutes. I wanna branch out here. Try different kinds of writing. See how far I can go with |
| My bones are freezing. Still. Yesterday, I watched Laney play three tournament matches Outside. I froze. She sweated. Three matches at two facilities with one winner: Laney! She walked away with the back draw trophy, beating the number one seed along the way, 3;6. Jaun’s conditioning is paying off. I don’t know how she played three matches in one day. Taking care of business during the first match, she won 3;1, Her placement was dead on here. Then, we headed over to JDS where she played the number one seed. Amazing pace from both girls. Both struggled a bit with serves here. Solid, then faulting. I’ve seen this girl play, she was off her game, but it was still a good game. Laney had to stay on top of things to win. Later, she almost blew the last set of her third match. Dehydration set in. She never asked us to grab her a drink. Figuring she’d close it before we got back down w/ fluids. She won 1;4. I’ve never seen her play so well. Her serve was awesome. (doing the tork thing) I lost count of the aces. It’s unbelievable to me how much pace the girls 16’s stroke the ball with. Her coach should be very proud of her. (He missed her performance – attending a conference in Hilton Head, SC.) Needless to say, her parents are quite proud of her too. What a way to prepare for the upcoming high school season! |
| The past few days have been very emo for me. Thursday evening ended with the entire household fighting. After all, what would an emo day be without some sort of emotional confrontation? Right? Right. I have a friend who says that. “Right?” After a statement, asking the word as a question. I say, ‘ya know?’ Technically, it’s the same concept. (I suppose) “Right” sorta nudges me in defense mode though. For me, it means, “Yes, you are right.” Or, “No you are wrong.” I’m forced to verbally make a choice. Once, I responded with….”Well, I see your point, but I see a different picture. And that’s okay.” Because, maybe I do see the point. AND, maybe I do evaluate the situation in a totally different way. Right? Everyone has a right to his/her own feelings. Ya know? And my feelings have sucked the past few days. Well, okay, longer than that. But I’ve been able to find and cling to positive aspects of my life to help smooth out my emo days. Right? Sooooo, Friday was depressing. My body moved in the motions of executing my day, void of happiness or even the desire to find it. I’m glad its over. |
I'm always on the lookout for new words or expressions. i found this one in Erik Stark  's blog, "Invalid Item"  . yayness. such a simple word. one that rolls of my lips with ease. it was just sitting there. then, repeated several times. by the end of the entry, i knew i'd make it mine.thanks Erik! i owe you gps. |
| Being a writer, I’m always interested in how other writers put words together; their use of dialogue, their pace and suspense, their descriptive phrases. So many aspects help to create a great written piece its difficult to pinpoint one or two. Personally, I love descriptive phrases. These help me to see what the writer wants me to see. Take me there first. Once I’m in, then you can toy with my emotions, etc…If I’m not in the right place, I might not be as receptive to the emotion the writer wants to convey. for instance, what about the following phrase being flashed in the media... ‘peppered with shot’ for me, this phrase conjures up images of teenage boys carrying bb guns. Scouring the neighborhood for unlucky rodents. Not a hunting accident involving serious enough bodily injury warrenting a hospital stay. Peppered equates to ‘sprinkle’, implying a more gentle form of the expression. Hmmm, Let's ask Whittington what he thinks. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/14/cheney/index.html |
| Highs school kids start lumbering in around 3:30 each afternoon. Boys. Five of them, all walk in at once. I wonder if they have carpooled. After changing, they pile onto the benches inside the building. “You guys can go outside to practice.” I say to them with my cheerleader voice. They groan. Some shoot me a look. “It’s too cold” I hear one of them say. Yes, for the deep south, winter has arrived. At least for today. This morning, with the wind chill – it felt like nineteen degrees. A Georgia peach like me freezes her um, butt off in much warmer weather. I think the high today was mid forties. Go ahead, I dare you to comment me about what a whiney whimp I am. I’ll just smile and say, “Saturday, it’s supposed to warm and sunny. Seventy five for a hig! In February. Ah, the deep south does have a few advantages. My phone died about a week ago. I had to shut it off before take-off on the plane ride to Hollywood and I was unable, try as I might, to resuscitate it. We had wanted to change services so now seemed like a great time. Bryan brought me my phone last wed. we now have Verizion. I love my new phone. (V-cast) First, I guess I should say, my old phone is old. We’re talking before flip phones. So, this just underscores my happiness here, at getting a new phone, a flip phone, a camera phone, a prodcast phone, a music phone!!! I can access prodcasts for news, sports, weather, and even my email! From my phone. Oh, and here is the best part. It’s like an ipod! I can download music to it. |
| I know this is weird, but I’ve been thinking about mannequins. Yeah. I know. (I’m even writing a story w/ one in it) no. its not a sci-fi thing. But, it occurred to me, I’ve never really given them any thought. What would our window-shopping experience be without them? Now, they are all over the internet. To make our online shopping feel more like real browsing? I don’t know. My online purchases are pretty much limited to music. Tennis clothes, which I’ve bought, have never been placed on mannequins for a more realistic view. But, the other day, I was looking for um, yeah, lingerie. And there they were. The mannequins. Wearing lacey see-through underwear like they were hanging out at Macy’s or something. Sheesh. And who dresses them? How would THAT resume read? ‘Clothed full and partial bodied babes for pics on the internet…’ I’m thinking real flesh would sell the product with more success than plastic.( Or what ever those things are made of.) Like Victoria Secret does – uses a real heartbeat. The following comments left for this blog posted on my myspace site: Amen to these sentiments - but I kind of lost my focus after the word lingerie...guess I'm easily distracted! Happy Valentine's Day, Robin!Posted by Gary on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 2:29 PM Hmmm, yes, interesting thought. I know there's a catalog company that won't put the clothes they sell on people for the catalog, because they want the customer to see the clothes for what they are and not be influenced by the body.In that vein, what would the use of mannequins say?Ah well, most of the time, the clothes look WAY better on the model than they look on me when I get 'em. A Victoria's Secret model I'm not. Am going to get pissed if they look better on the mannequin though...! Posted by Tami on Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 8:38 PM As I contributor to the S.A.P.P. [the Society for the Advancement of Plastic People] I take great umbrage at any insinuation that our polypreatine friends might lose a valuable channel of employment and creative opportunity! |
| Junior team tennis kicks off tomorrow at my tennis center and I’m working. (I’m the coordinator) it’s the novice players and intermediates. I scored jamis to run drills. He’s quiet with a soft smile. I think the kids will like him. I’ve switch my schedule to work the next few Saturdays, so I have Fridays off. I like the quiet of the house, not too many phone interruptions and I am planning on getting some serious writing done. (keep your fingers crossed for me though – that I don’t get distracted with too much In & Out posting. My three fav spots:
drop by and post a line or two. |
| I’m gonna kill Chuck. WTF was he thinking? Installing that godforsaken, bright as the noon-day sun light right outside my bedroom window?! And why Bryan felt compelled to leave it on all night long, I’ll never know. I’m sure, (I thought during the middle of a two hour awake spell,) I could read the fine print of an instructional manual standing five feet from the window. Only I’m too lazy to get out of bed, and test this idea. “We aren’t doing THAT again.” I growled through clinched teeth at six AM - before the alarm rings. “Okay.” He says. Being verbally attacked first thing in the morning isn’t his favorite activity. Bless his heart. Later, I mumble an apology. Little sleep has a way of making me cranky, especially before my morning cup of coffee. I guess, since Bryan has agreed the light can stay off at night, I can spare Chuck’s life. Just get me a second cup of coffee will ya? OT: omg! this is way too funny! I just had to insert. "Invalid Entry" |
| Never ever drink FIVE cosmopolitans. Or anything alcoholic for that matter. |
| Its time to go home. Figurately i mean. Finally, after a few persistent phone calls I get the last of the four tennis coaches to send his match schedule. "I got that nasty note you left me." He says into the phone. "Yeah, I know." Im smiling. They say you can hear a smile over the phone. I wonder if he hears mine. And what about the other two I left weeks ago? I drag the word weeks out. You know, to give it special emphasize "Are you sitting by your fax machine?" he asks I dont think he did hear it my smile I mean. "Yes." But I wanna say Sho am. But diplomacy bites my tongue. Ouch. "That would be the schedule. I made sure they were on Monday/Wednesday s per your request." he tells me. So he did get my previous two messages. Ahh, thank you. And I tell him this. Now, I think he does get it that I'm smiling. Soooo, in a rush, I grab my hand written document, pencil in these last few dates. The dates Ive been waiting weeks for. The dates my boss keeps harping on me to give him. Im rushing. I want this done before I leave for Cali in the morning. My deadline has come and gone. My boss keeps reminding me. I look down at the fax. OMG! He has a match on the 13th! That cant be. WTF am I gonna do? Ive got THREE other schools and only twelve courts. Oh great. My arm, filled with dread, reaches for the phone. Something stops me. I double-check the fax. Wait a minute. WRONG school! Whew. I wipe my brow even though Im not really sweating. Thank goodness. I take a deep break and triple check. This time I reach for the correct fax and quickly key in my information. Zip the email to my boss. Ahhh, done. Two more hours to go and I think Ill have everything wrapped up for my trip. fyi...its the National Tennis Development Workshop in Hollywood. And i'm going. *does the happy dance* YAY! |
| Why can’t I ever spell the word caffeine correctly? I always go for the “I” before “E” rule. Hmph. So, I emailed my friend the following: okay, that does it! Someone has moved my coffee mug-yesterday when i was off- heads are gonna roll...the pot is freshly brewed and i have NOWHERE to pour the damn stuff. and she preplies: shit - drink out the pitcher!!! all for you, none for them! to which I reply: damn skippy. the selfish me rearing her ugly - caffeine deprived head. |
| We just got word we are receiving another national award. PTR has nominated us as PTR Public Facility of the Year. Racquet Sports Industry named us as having Municipal Facility of the Year – (I’m being published in RSI for the Your Serve column in March) – YAY. I’ve been super busy at work lately and it will do nothing but get even busier. Let’s see, tomorrow, the first of four high school tennis teams will practice out here – Laney’s school. The other three will follow next week. Keep in mind, this is in addition to my already in place programs. Junior Team tennis – of which I am the league coordinator, will kick off feb 11th. I lobbied to move this program out to my tennis center as the spring season is small, with high school tennis going on, we can easily accommodate the program with our twelve courts. Tournaments – I got Sarah to move her novice player tournaments out here – since the participation is small. Leagues, I have a few who call my tennis center their home courts (my team included) these matches start up in the middle of feb. Church leagues for juniors. March. And I have no idea how I’m working all of this in with the high school matches. Yup, the holiday quiet has officially ended. |
| I finally found him. (Jakob Dylan) OMG. Ive been looking EVERYWHERE for him. The CD rack, portable CD cases, next to the compie, all to no avail. A few minutes ago, I double-checked inside one of the portable cases and low and behold, there he was, stuck and hiding behind Dave Matthews. Hmph how did that happen? Now, I have him booming loudly from my CD player. "Three Marlenas," and "One Headlight." are my fav songs from the "Bringing Down the Horse" CD. It so totally rocks. If you walked into my office, youd hear my horrible singing accompanying Jakob and his Wallflowers. Well, once I saw you, Id quickly zip it up. |
Thirteen out of the past fourteen days, I’ve been working. I work tomorrow too. I have Tuesday off. Whew! I got here at ten, and have been busting my ass ever since. Sanitizing the place, clearing off courts, then rolling them dry. (My T.O.S. is at a level seven.  ) They sent two main draw matches over here; I just pray that they don’t split. (Format calls for a full third if the players split. ) Anyway, I’m too tired for Patron even. I just want my bed. |
| I glanced at my computer clock between heaping sluppy spoonfuls of my gumbo soup. 3:30. And i'm just now getting lunch? omg. no wonder. my stomach tried to tell me. for the past two hours. did i listen? i'm blaming my deaf ears. i have to pull twelve hours tomorrow doing tournament desk duty for one of my best friends. ugh. parts of it will be fun, but five-thirty in the morning will come around faster than i want it to. Who scheduled matches at eight-thirty anyway? Bonnie will feed me good tomorrow though.  Plus, i'll get to see lots of parents and players i haven't seen in a long time. It's just it will suck. working until six-thirty tonight, then such an early start tomorrow, and all day too. |
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