June 29, 2008

Of course, we're watching Wimbledon this week because we are serious about tennis. And dancing. Whistling, too!

~Jill and Dorian hamming it up courtside...

June 26, 2008

Redux. Cedardale vs. Bass River. Thursday evening Team Licari arrived with game in hand and delivered to our opponents their first team loss of the season. Julie and Molly took both singles courts, with Julie landing a stunning serving ace. The third team win came on the doubles court as Shawn and Liz secured their first partnered win. Strong net play dominated doubles court play, while slicing and endurance proved vital on singles. Dorian, ever looking for the opportunity to integrate dance and tennis, found the Mexican Hat Dance instrumental as the ball was repeatedly drilled at her feet. Off court conviviality ended as it should with laughter, friends, and those amazing ginger-lemon martinis...
L to R~ Julie, Shawn, Molly, Liz, Jill, Dorian, Jill, and Ann

June 24, 2008

The irony of it all. Just when we buy into the notion that simplification in life merits our attention, just when we equip ourselves with travel-sized peppermint oil spritzahs, just when we all agree that our team is about laughing and laughing a lot, along comes a new mission. According to our hired leader at Tuesday morning practice: drilling the ball is IN; simple mistakes are OUT. Quick hands are IN; bendie figure stance is OUT; punishment is IN; patience for mistakes is OUT. Remember, waterboarding IS legal, and it is NOT torture. You get the gist, right? Pacifists need not apply. Enter two new members to our existing artillery: Tomahawk and Sidewinder missiles Ann and Liz. Ann and Liz will make their debut on the doubles courts this week against Bass River. Be afraid. Be very afraid...

June 19, 2008

The bonds we make on the court extend ever so naturally into our larger lives. By choice we open our hearts and our homes to the communal friendship of women with great affection and ease. We love the game of tennis, to be sure, but as mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and professional women we have much richer stories to tell. Ultimately, it is through sharing our accomplishments, frustrations, advice, babysitters, recipes*, tabs at the club, and our laughter with each other that we truly connect. We also, apparently, "spend like the Rockefellers" at a jewelry party. Evening cash total turned over at Dorian's Silpada/Martini Soiree: $2,000. Now THAT'S a whole lotta sterling bling!

*Cantaloupe Martini a la Dorian a la Hal's Bar and Grill - Venice, Cali
1 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Marie Brizard Watermelon Liqueur
2 oz. Orange Juice
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with a cherry.

L to R ~ Dorian, Kathy, Bonnie, Lisa, and Leslie

June 18, 2008

Serve One up for Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles Tourney ~ Saturday June 28 & Sunday June 29. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit breast cancer research. Sign up at the Cedardale tennis desk or visit the website below for more info. http://www.cedardalehealth.net/club/scripts/calendar/view_club_calendaritem.asp?CID=702702&GRP=23&NS=PUBLIC&src=w

June 17, 2008

Tuesday morning 9:00 practice was strong in heart, yet low in numbers. Between new puppies and the last throws of the school year, we again defined ourselves as the busy, engaged women we are. Observations worthy of note:
~When asking your coach to end an agonizing drill, do not claim that you have MASTERED said drill. Coaches apparently view this simple comment as a challenge to their authority and regain control by demanding MORE agonizing drilling.
~Tennis Tattoos were sanctioned by our Cap'n in an earlier email memorandum, but we seem to give more to each other in practice than during our matches. Tuesday Teammate Tattoo Total: Nine. Perhaps Courtney could offer us a mini-workshop next week.
~We expect to see Shawn's new hair "accoutrement" ASAP. Then we'll vote.
~Pop Culture Update: There is not one but TWO Happy Birthday to You songs. The first is traditionally known to everyone in the western hemisphere, and the second mainly to midwesterners. Oddly, nearly every restaurant in the western hemisphere adopted the second. Don't believe me? Just tell Dorian it's your birthday - she will sing both. Climbing atop a chair is optional.
~Thanks for all the festive wishes, ladies. Who's better than you?!?

June 11, 2008

USTA Cedardale Blue-Licari vs. Cedardale Black: 6:30 doubles matches, 8:00 singles. We took command on all courts and came up with four wins out of five. The fifth was lost, respectfully, in a tie break on the outdoor courts. Inside Kristine and Leslie chased down lob after lob and smashed them back, while next door Jill, Queen of the Overhead, didn't put a single ball into the net - just two into the parking lot! Note to self and all: do not tick Jill off by calling her BEAUTIFUL ACE serve out because she'll come back at you with an unholy vengeance! Shawn had only a few warm-up misses before taking control of her game. How DOES she interpret those fake hand signals so brilliantly? She's a genius, that one. On the singles courts, I held a solid lead throughout both sets for the win. Molly, ever indefatigable, didn't end teaching with her second graders on Thursday at 2:30; rather, she arrived at the club and delivered a few more lessons to her opponent on Court 3. Can't you just hear Dorian? "Watch and learn, ladies. Watch and learn"...

Post victory posing at the tennis desk: Kathy, Shawn (Cap'n Laughs A Lot), and Leslie

June 9, 2008

Tuesday morning practice 9:00. Outside temperature: 97 degrees in the shade. Cedardale indoor courts 1-4 ambient air temperature: 109. Immediately following a soft touch warm-up, Coach Courtney called for a running round-robin drill which began with him yelling, "5-4-3-2-1 - Ball's in Play!!!!" As tennis Lemmings, we complied. Yes, Courtney will be punished (date and type of torture to be determined by team consensus - comments and suggestions are welcome below). Leslie realized that she CAN run down the lob as performed in no-bounce doubles, Dorian's (aka Marcia) nose was spared a direct hit today, which made it much easier for her to do Bendie-figure moves, Shawn perfected her doubles' communication techniques by consistently yelling, "it's YOURS" irrespective of ball location, speed or player court position, and Jill CAN play with her new transition lenses. Well, sort of. Salina is back to practice in top form, and Kate and Bonnie declared readiness for their rescheduled match against Bass River. But, we already knew that...

June 5, 2008

USTA Cedardale vs. Manchester, 8:00 evening match. Ok, we got swept. So what!?! With the Celts in the Finals and a 9:00 EST tip off, who could concentrate? Besides, we looked amazing in our matching shirts...

Left to Right~ Shawn, Kathy, Jill, Lisa, Leslie, Bonnie, Dorian, & Julie