Good Sport or Bad Sport

Merriam-Webster defines sportsmanship as conduct becoming to one participating in a sport; that conduct being, fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing. Wikipedia touts that good sportsmanship is when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect and that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with dignity – whether they win or lose the game.

Which jersey do you wear?
In the pool, on the courts, and on the playing field – we’ve all witnessed a display of bad sportsmanship; sadly enough, displayed by winners and losers alike!  Whether you have participated in competitive sports in your lifetime or not, you have been taught the fundamentals of good sportsmanship at one time or another by your parents, a coach, a teacher, or by the examples set forth by professional sports athletes. What we do with that knowledge decides which jersey we wear; good sport or bad sport. The jersey you choose to wear reflects your true character; how you behave on the job, in personal relationships, and while playing sports. Watching and mimicking you is also how your children will learn about integrity and sportsmanlike conduct. When the chips are down, how you react reveals the true you; if you think like a bad sport, more than likely you act like a bad sport in every aspect of your life.

Character, integrity, and ethics; Oh my!
I’ve been involved in competitive sports and I get it.  I know that sometimes when the pressure is on and you have someone on your team who revels in unsportsmanlike conduct, it’s down to the wire and you’re behind, or the opposing team is showing a substantial lack of integrity, it’s tempting to go to the dark side; don’t do it! At the end of the day, win or lose, they will be remembered for their poor character, integrity and unsportsmanlike conduct, and you will be able to walk away with your head held high, and actually look at yourself in the mirror.

“For when the Great Scorer comes, to write against your name, He marks not that you won or lost but how you played the game.”  ~ Great American Sportswriter, Grantland Rice 1927

Celebrating good sportsmanship!
In 1991, the for International Sport Institute established National Sportsmanship Day, to promote good sportsmanship. Their aim is to promote ethics, honesty, and fair play through education and sport, and to provide participating schools, clubs, and athletic organizations a model to help them celebrate the day with activities that will encourage good sportsmanship year-round.

One of the significant aspects of the celebration includes an essay contest co-sponsored with USA Today, where students from the elementary grade level through the college and university level are invited to write a sportsmanship themed essay. The winning paper will receive the honor of being published in USA Today on March 5th. Essays must be submitted to the Institute by February 28, 2013. Visit the Institute’s web site for details of how your organization or school can get involved.

The Sports Ethics Fellows Program associated with National Sportsmanship Day includes specially selected individuals who have demonstrated outstanding levels of leadership promoting good sportsmanship to assist with the expansion of NSD, and to write about current issues of ethics and sportsmanship in today’s society. Over the years, such greats as Carl Lewis, David Robinson, Bob Turley, Jean Driscoll, Michael Phelps, Bart Connor, Mark Murphy, and Phil Jackson have shared this honor. National Sportsmanship Day will be celebrated this year on March 5th.

Good or bad, the choice is yours
The next time you are standing in front of the tennis net, on a basketball court, on the pitcher’s mound, the one yard line, or sitting in the bleachers at your kid’s little league game, win or lose, how you treat the players on the opposing team will show the world the man or woman you really are. In an instant, your reputation can change from being an upstanding, classy, great athlete or parent everyone wants to play or sit with, to someone who is a royal jerk no one wants to be around.  The choice is yours – you know the right one to make.

“If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that’s a big accomplishment. That quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life, and there’s going to be a life after tennis that’s a lot longer than your tennis life.” ~ Chris Evert Lloyd

Published February 2013

Client: Do It Tennis

How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions Family Style

January is almost here; that time of year when we take a step back, a deep breath after all the holiday hub-bub, and ponder. What did I accomplish in 2012? What things do I want to achieve in 2013? And the New Year’s resolutions list begins; yet by January 20th, 80% of our good intentions are dropped, and 92% of our resolutions are not kept at all. It seems the only resolution we keep is to make New Year’s resolutions every January! Why is that? We want to stop bad habits, we want to improve ourselves, and we want to do it by the end of the year! Here’s what I think……

Accountability – the key to success
Think about it – when we make resolutions, we usually make them for ourselves, by ourselves. We are not held accountable, as most often our resolutions are not shared, and if they are, they are forgotten, even our own, as soon as our list is tucked away. Accountability is key, and who better to keep you accountable than your family, kids included? It’s never too early to learn about the importance of commitment, reaching goals, and the satisfaction of achievement. As a matter of fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics created a list of healthy resolutions, starting as young as preschool age.

A family that plans together; stands together
To make this new tradition of family declarations a success, the kids, depending on their age, will need daily or weekly reminders of their pledges, and at a 92% failure rate, it looks like we do, too! Sit together as a family and talk about the things each of you would like to start, accomplish, or change personally in the New Year. Maybe mom wants to lose 20 pounds by summer, dad wants to improve his tennis game, your five year old might strive to brush his/her teeth twice a day, your teen might want to save to buy a car this year. Keep the lists short, specific, and realistic; otherwise you will all be overwhelmed, frustrated, and lose interest.

Set up a weekly or monthly reward system for each goal. This will help to keep everyone motivated; yes, you, too! Mom might get a latte after losing five pounds, dad might get that Wilson tennis racquet he’s been wanting after he wins five games in a row, your five year old gets extra TV time for reaching his teeth brushing goal every day for a week, and your teen might get what every teen wants – money – after saving 10% of his income for his car.

15 Resolution ideas for kids

Make it fun and easy and don’t list too many. Mix it up with daily, weekly, and monthly goals.

1- I want to learn to ride a two wheeler by ___
2- I want to read better by ___
3- I will brush my teeth after breakfast and before bed every day
4- I will not tease the dog/my sister
5- I will walk the dog every day after school
6- I will go to bed when I’m told without a fuss
7- I will not watch TV or play video games until all my homework is finished
8- I will taste 1 new veggie a week
9- I will not talk to strangers online or in person
10- I will say please and thank you
11- We will eat dinner together as a family every night
12- I will keep my room clean
13- I will not text and drive
14- I will help mom make dinner
15- I will use kind words with everyone

How to stay on track
Once everyone is in agreement, create weekly charts listing each task with a place to check it off when it is completed, and then post them on the refrigerator or family bulletin board so everyone can track his/her progress. If you are more of a tech- family, check out Goal for it [dot] com. Here you can create colorful, customized charts for each member of the family and make it easy for everyone to track his/her progress online; you will be able to print the charts at the end of the week to discuss as a family. This site will also help you set up a rewards tracking program kids can understand and enjoy. Doesn’t get much easier than that!

At the end of each week, discuss triumphs and/or defeats as a family over dinner; celebrate the wins, and offer support and tweaking where needed. The key is to hold each other accountable as a family. The bonus will be the togetherness this practice will foster and the satisfaction of being one of the 8% that actually holds true to his/her resolutions. Yaaay you!

Published December 2012

Client: Do It Tennis

Oh Gee, a Tie!!

10 Christmas Gifts Sure to Please and Surprise Your Man

Really ladies; how many ties, belts, pairs of slippers, and PJs does a man need? Between Christmas, birthdays, Father’s Day, and anniversaries, he could probably open his own shop! When your shopping list is long, and time to shop is short, grabbing that pair of slippers and a tie on the way to the register is almost all you can muster. I get it!

How about a little help this year?

1- Men’s Soft-shell Heated Jacket

Wrapped up in a shirt box, this lightweight jacket from Sharper Image will keep him toasty on the coldest of winter days with built-in heated panels that radiate from one to four levels of heat. Fully charged, he will enjoy 10 hours of amazing warmth.

2-  Brera Orologi Watch

Good things come in small packages, and that could not be truer of this elegant series of watches from Italy. Featuring state-of-the-art materials coupled with extraordinary craftsmanship, any man would be delighted to sport a Brera Orologi watch!

3- Stainless Steel Pocket Compass

Tailored after an old-fashioned pocket watch and adorned with a world map inside the lid, engrave his initials on the front and this gift will make it a timeless family heirloom handed down from generation to generation. Crafted in the Scottish Highlands, this high-quality compass will continually guide him from mountain top back to you – his true north.

4- Golf Swing Video Recorder

If scoring a 72 on the green is on your guy’s bucket list, mounting this hands-free recorder to his golf bag might just be the gadget to help him check that one off the list.  Recording every swing from head to toe for play back through the built-in screen while on the course or through your TV or his computer will help him make the necessary adjustments he needs to improve his game.

5- The Babolat Play and Connect Interactive Tennis Racquet

Every man on earth is always looking for ways to improve his sporting abilities. If your man is a high-tech loving tennis enthusiast, this gift is sure to knock his socks off! Embedded with a sensor in the handle, instant stats are downloaded over a wireless connection for review later on his computer or on the spot over his smartphone.

6- Wireless earbuds

What a great stocking-stuffer for the music loving jogger in the family. These no more tangles earbuds connect to any iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Bluetooth enabled device from up to 32 feet away. Hands and wireless free, you just might want a pair of these for yourself!

7- 700G Plush Robe for Men

Just as he is stepping out of the shower or the hot tub, wrap him up in the pure luxury of Turkish cotton. Thick, absorbent, and oh so soft, he won’t be able to wait to put this robe on. You know what that means? Quicker showers for him, more bathroom time for you!

8- Wilson Tennis Bag Premium Leather Series

Crafted in full-grain, native Texas steer leather with premium hardware embellishments, swaggering onto the courts sporting this tennis bag will give every other player on the courts bag envy.

 9- Portable Wood Fire Grill

Tailgating doesn’t get any better than this with steaks perfectly seared over a wood fire. I can smell the smoky flavor already! Made for tabletop use, the grill heats up in just minutes while the base stays cool. Bonus – no need to transport or rely on heavy propane or gas canisters that might be empty as this little gem uses a small piece of wood for fuel. Tuck in a pair of season tickets to see his favorite team and Santa will be kissing you all night!

10- Leather Head Vintage Football

For the man who has everything and loves to toss around a football while watching the game or talking on the phone, this USA handmade, high-quality leather ball looks and smells like extraordinary old leather.

No matter how many times he shakes, smells, or tumbles his gift, he will never guess what’s inside this time. That merry box under the tree with his name on it may look like just another pair of PJs or a rolled up belt, but get the camera ready – he is about to unwrap a very memorable Kodak moment!

Photo Credit

Published December 2012

Client: Do It Tennis

The No. 1 Tennis Player in the World Takes a Swing as a Restaurateur

Novak Cafe & Restaurant

The next time you find yourself in Belgrade or Novi Sad, check out Novak Djokovic’s upscale restaurant, Novak Café & Restaurant. If it has the Djokovic name on it, you know it’s going to be a unique and first-class experience.

From being the World No. 1 ranked tennis player two years running to swinging his tennis racquet on an airplane wing, in flight, to serving up Pule (donkey cheese) in his highly rated Serbian restaurants, Novak Djokovic knows no other way than to serve up the best in his own unique fashion.

A menu seasoned with International cuisine, waterfront locations, tennis games playing on every TV screen, clay courts off the back deck, and clear columns filled with bright yellow tennis balls, renders each of the three Novak Café & Restaurant locations an illustration of class and sophistication.

Let’s get back to Pule; what exactly is it and why did Djokovic buy an entire year’s supply of it – for millions of dollars to boot!?

According to Reuters, this exclusive cheese, made from donkey’s milk, is produced by Zasavica’s donkey farm, one of Serbia’s most famous wildlife and natural reserves, located just west of Belgrade. As a matter of fact, it is the only place in the world where donkeys are milked for the purpose of producing cheese. Zasavica’s farm houses about 130 male and female Balkan donkeys.     Since donkey-sized milking machines are yet to be created, the female donkeys are milked by hand, three times a day.

The head of Zasavica’s reserve, Slobodan Simic, stated, “With these animals – aside from the fact that we are saving them from extinction as their numbers are at their lowest possible in these areas – we are making certain products which will help their survival, their breeding, and acceptance by people.”

This crumbly white cheese is often compared to Manchego cheese, yet has a deeper, richer taste, not to mention the highest price tag in the world at over $500 per pound. Hence, the millions Djokovic spilled for a year’s supply of this unique delicacy.

Apparently donkey’s milk touts other amazing properties as well. It also has the reputation of being Cleopatra’s beauty secret, as the Egyptian Queen used to soak in it on a regular basis. You can purchase bottles of donkey milk at the farm and follow in Cleo’s sandals, yet it will cost you about $6,498.50 per bath in today’s economy.

Adding another feather in the Balkan donkey’s cap are the health benefits associated with Pule. Containing anti-allergen properties, only 1% milk fat, and loaded with more vitamin C, when consumed fresh, than cow’s milk, this elite liquid is a very healthy option.

World class on the courts, and now world class in the restaurant business; would you expect anything less from the world’s No. 1 tennis player?

If Tennis Racquet Bags Could Talk, Oh the Stories They Would Tell

Rafael Nadal

There’s a thin line that one walks between a ritual and a superstition. Rituals are a specific sort of action taken on a regular basis, which is perceived to produce a desired result; to bring good luck, or, in the world of sports, victory.

According to Wikipedia, [rituals]…” have typically involved special gestures and words, recitation of fixed texts, performance of special music, songs, or dances, processions, manipulation of certain objects, use of special dresses, consumption of special food or drink”; all of which we have seen exhibited watching games played on courts and on fields.

Most often, however, such actions are commonly described as superstitions. The New World Encyclopedia defines superstition in this way: “A superstition is the irrational belief that future events can be influenced or foretold by specific, unrelated behaviors or occurrences…… Superstitions are thus a way of attempting to regain control over events in one’s life.”

We all remember superstitions from childhood; carrying around a lucky rabbit’s foot, searching the front lawn every March for four leaf clovers, never opening an umbrella in the house, stepping on a crack or walking under a ladder; most containing an element of spooky witchcraft and bad luck. Now I’ve stepped on many a sidewalk crack in my time and I’m happy to report, my mother’s back was never broken. So just maybe these superstitions have less to do with black magic and luck and more to do with parents, back in the day, attempting to reign in a disobedient child. Who would want floors, windows, or walls splashed with water from a soaking wet umbrella opened in the house or broken mirror shards strewn about? The bad luck here would actually be upon the parent who had to clean it up!

Courtside Quirks & Coinkydinks

Superstitions or rituals, regardless the label attached, still exist today as more than a childhood rhyme or belief. We witness them day in and day out, especially in sports, and tennis players are no exception.

Consider Rafael Nadal for instance; he insists he is not superstitious, yet his antics on the court might deem otherwise to a superstitious minded person. Before each point, Nadal, similar to a catcher signaling his pitcher, touches his ears, his nose, his shoulders and the front and back of his shorts in a specific order. His Babolat tennis bag always sits on the seat next to him, he must have two water bottles poised between his feet courtside and, while playing, the labels on the bottles must be facing the side of the court on which he is playing. He also drinks from the bottles in a certain order, making sure he never drinks out of the same bottle two times in a row.

Rafa also never steps on a line after a point, and always steps in front of the line with his right foot first. How does he keep track of all this and concentrate on his game at the same time, I wonder?

Novak Djokovic, another super star of tennis who prefers to repudiate the superstition label, proclaims, “I do not have superstitions; I have routines. I call them routines.”  You decide; superstition or routine? Djokovic won’t use the same shower twice during a tournament and believes he can’t win unless his poodle, Pierre, is with him. Maybe this is just his way of getting Pierre past the ‘no pets allowed’ rule. Hmmm…..

Oh yes, there’s more! Andre Agassi did not wear underwear throughout the 1999 French Open because he forgot to put them on for the first round match and won; a coincidence fashioned superstition that paid off – as he won the whole shootin’ match sans sous un pantalon. Oooo la-la Andre !!

Let’s Hear it for the Girls

Not to be outdone by the men, the feminine side of tennis has its own set of eccentricities.

Maria Sharapova, amazing tennis player that she is, talks to the wall behind her before every point. On every serve, she does a little hoping dance, stares at her opponent for a bit and bounces the ball only once before whacking it over the net with a loud grunt.

Serena Williams is not only one of the best female tennis players to hit the courts, she is proud to claim her superstitious ways helped get her to where she is today.

There is something about shower use and tennis players using the same shower each time or refusing to use the same shower each time that holds some kind of power. For Williams, fifteen years of being sure to use the same shower before a match and then taking her shower flip-flops to the court seems to be a tried and true superstition that works quite well for her. As has tying her shoelaces the same exact way every game, bouncing the ball five times before her first serve and two times before her second, and wearing the same pair of socks for the entire tournament; the latter being her tennis bag’s least favorite story to tell.

Last, but certainly not least, is the ball sniffing Dominika Cibulkova. When asked in a recent interview with freedom tennis to explain kissing the ball, Cibulkova replied, “No, I’m not kissing the balls. I really like the smell of the balls, of the new balls. I was just smelling the balls all the time. I do the same things. Yeah. I don’t need to do it, but it’s just my habit, what I do on the court when I have new balls. I just smell them. It’s maybe also for the luck, and I do it all my life, so it’s just, you know, something what I do on the court.”

Superstitions or rituals…. Wait; let’s throw a few other options onto the court, shall we? How about expertise, training, hard work and pure tennis genius? Looking at the track records of these fine athletes, expertise, training, hard work, and genius trump stinky tennis socks in my book any day. What would your tennis racquet bag say about you?

Photo Credit

Published September 2012

Client: Do It Tennis

Ouch! Isn’t Tennis Elbow Enough?

When you think of sports that require a lot of jumping, I’ll bet the last sport that crosses your mind is tennis; volleyball and basketball, yes, but tennis, unlikely. However, when it comes to Patellar Tendinitis, better known as Jumper’s Knee, no court sport seems to be spared.

Just ask world class tennis Pro Rafael Nadal who has been suffering from this condition for years. Missing golden career opportunity, after opportunity, from the London Olympics and Wimbledon in 2009, to this year’s US Open in New York, this young athlete still holds an impressive 11 Grand Slam titles.

Off the courts since his match at Wimbledon in June, from the pain that accompanies Patellar Tendinitis, it is uncertain if he will be back to wow us with his exceptional tennis abilities again this year. When questioned during an interview with The Telegraph, whether he planned to make a comeback before the end of the season, Nadal responded;

 “Impossible, no, but difficult, yes; I can imagine when I come back I will need time to practice and practice more and more every day, maybe that will take a month-and-a-half.”  “The most important thing is to continue with the treatment … when I don’t feel nothing, hopefully that will happen soon, I will come back on the tennis court.”

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to be nipped by the Jumper’s Knee bug. We regular Joe’s and Jane’s who actively participate in sports are just as susceptible.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Patellar tendinitis is a common overuse injury that occurs with repeated stress to your Patellar tendon, which connects your kneecap to your shinbone. Jumper’s knee most commonly occurs with basketball and volley ball players, however, a tennis player’s knees, as well, take quite a beating from playing exclusively on hard courts.

Newbies beware; when starting a new sport, it seems, we just can’t get enough court time, can we? Yet, sudden increases in the intensity of physical activity and increases in frequency of impact activity can put added stress on your Patellar tendon causing inflammation and a weakening of the tendon structure. Reduced flexibility in your quadriceps and hamstrings, and an uneven pull from stronger leg muscles pulling harder on your tendon than other weaker muscles, can also increase the strain, causing tendinitis.

So, what’s a tennis player to do?

1. Don’t over train or play through the pain. This is one instance when “shake it off” is not what you want to be telling yourself.
2. Warm up! Raising your body temperature with a proper warm-up improves performance, prevents injuries, and increases flexibility of the tendons and ligaments. Hint: Stretching is not a warm-up as it does not raise your body temperature. If you are unsure as to what a ‘proper’ warm-up entails; the USTA has developed a DVD of warm-up exercises called “Dynamic Tennis Warm-Ups” that will help get you ready before each match.
3. As soon as you feel the pain, stop what you are doing, and think about rice. R.I.C.E. – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation – until your knee is pain-free.
4. Wearing a knee brace or strap knee brace may help to relieve the pain by applying pressure to the tendon. Reducing your time on the court or switching to a lower impact sport for a while is also recommended.
5. Consider taking lessons. Whether you are new to the game, or a veteran player, spending time with a tennis pro will improve your game, and ensure you are not repeatedly making a wrong move that could be damaging to your body.

As with any injury or chronic pain; when self-care is not successful, don’t put off calling your doctor.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy: Flickr/ hyper7pro/attribution 2.0 generic (cc by 2.0)

Published November 2012

Client: Organic Media

10 Do’s and Don’ts when Purchasing Court Shoes

Think about all the things your feet do for you day in and day out. They hold up your entire body so you can stand tall, they get you to where you want to go, they dance when you are happy, they help you exercise to stay fit and healthy, and, depending on how talented you are, they pick up the pen on the coffee table for you so you won’t have to move from your comfy position on the couch to work on your crossword puzzle.

Your two little feet, with 10 wiggly toes, give so much, and all they ask in return is for you to protect them by investing in great fitting shoes that will help them accomplish all they do in comfort, and without incurring any injuries.

Whether you are a weekend warrior on the tennis court or are slamming lobs on a daily basis,wearing the proper tennis or court shoe is extremely important in avoiding injuries to your feet, back, legs, knees, and ankles. A good fitting tennis shoe can also enhance your performance on the court – bonus!

1.      Not the shoes you want to buy at a discount store. If you are not familiar with a store that specializes in athletic shoes, ask around and find one through friends or tennis clubs that has a good reputation, or check Yelp! for recommendations. What you spend on a good pair of court shoes, you will save in doctor bills on those injuries you may incur playing in low-priced, poorly constructed shoes.

 2.      In the world of shoes, size matters. Believe it or not, even fully grown adult feet change in size over the years. Shoe manufactures also often change where their shoes are made, which may cause changes in the shoe size as well. Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes when choosing your new shoes; get measured with each new pair. Proper measurement of your foot should include heel to toe, heel to the ball of your foot, and the width, while sitting and standing.

3.      Bring your socks to the party. Socks come in a variety of materials and thicknesses; trying on court shoes with the socks you will be wearing when you play is important to obtain the best fit. If you wear inserts or orthotics, don’t forget to bring them as well.

4.      Don’t squish your digits. The distance between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe should be the width of your index finger, providing adequate room in the shoe’s toe box, so your toes won’t crunch up or continually rub the inside front of the shoe as your foot moves. The toe box should be padded and the shoes are supposed to bend the same place as your toes do, at the ball of your foot.

5.      Heels you can love. The last thing you want is an unstable heel moving in and out of your court shoe, or your life (just thought I’d throw in that tidbit of wisdom). Your heels should fit snugly inside the shoes, not slipping up and down or side to side.

6.      Don’t be an early bird. Shop in the afternoon when your feet are slightly swelled. Try on several pairs or styles of tennis-specific shoes, both left and right and properly laced up on your sock adorned feet.

7.      Road test ’em. A quality athletic shoe store will encourage you to test the shoes before purchasing them by walking around the entire store for a minute or so. Perform the motions you use on the court; run up, stop fast, and try some quick lateral moves or the motions used during a serve. Pay attention to how your feet feel in the shoes as opposed to keeping your eye on the ball.  Do your heels stay put? Are your toes crashing against the front of the shoe? How’s the cushion? All these are things that usually go unnoticed while you are concentrating on the game during a match.

 8.      No Pain; all gain. The court shoes you walk out of the store with should have felt comfortable from the second you put them on and took that first step until you put them back in the box. If you experience “a little” pinching, rubbing, or foot movement inside the shoe, keep shopping. Athletic shoes of any kind never have to be “broken-in”.

 9.      Nothing like a soft sole. The balls of your feet take a beating during a spirited match of tennis with the various movements the game requires. Take care of them with flexible shoe soles at the ball of your foot, which provide cushioning and arch support as well.

10.  Shoes look forward to retirement, too. Replacing your court shoes is not dictated solely (pun intended) on hours of wear. Outsole and midsole materials can dry out, depending on the environment in which they are kept. So, whether your court shoes see the light of day often or seldom, they ought to be replaced once a year. Oft’ used shoes are best retired after 45 to 60 hours of wear.

Resources

American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine 

David C. Stege, D.P.M.

Client: Do It Tennis

The 5 P’s to Surviving Gridlock ~Or~ Why You Should Always Carry Extra Tennis Racquets in Your Car

Hey L.A., Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, Atlanta, and NYC; how do you spend your down time while sitting in motionless traffic? Laying on the horn, yelling at the cars in front of you to “move it”, untying your tie or scarf as your blood pressure begins to rise, or watching the minutes tick away that you could be using doing something fun or productive instead?

Stop the Madness!!

It’s time to stop the madness! Look, you drive the same route day in and day out, and the traffic is the same day in and day out; you know it’s coming, yet you still pitch a fit about something you have no control over. Let’s try something new and turn wasted minutes or hours into productive, fun time with just a little bit of pre gridlock planning; because we all know it isn’t going to get any better.

As a matter of fact, the Associated Press reported that, although the U.S. population has only grown 20% since 1982, the time we spend in traffic has increased an alarming    236 %! In major US cities, the average driver now spends almost a full workweek each year stuck in traffic.

Now, I realize that most “rush hour” traffic does actually move, at a snail’s pace, but it does move,

and if you’re lucky, you are blessed with a 5-10 mile an hour sprint now and then to give you a glimmer of hope, fleeting as it may be.

The kind of traffic I’m talking about here, however, is pure, unmoving, water boiling gridlock that makes you forget you’re a lady, or gentleman. Expected or not, call it what you will, traffic jam, snarl-up, deadlock, stalemate, standstill, or %!#@$! You, my friend, are not going anywhere.

Arriving at your destination in a bad mood or good mood all depends on the journey, or in this case, how you spent your gridlock adventure. Now, you can choose to spend the time being productive and make some calls, read reports, make a grocery list, or put on your make-up, and you will arrive with a sense of accomplishment, but you probably won’t have a smile on your face. So, let’s take the fun route shall we? You can be productive at work or home.

Gridlock fun!

First of all, turn the car off and save that expensive gasoline, then take a good look around you, pick a buddy or two, and let the fun begin! Keep in mind;  these ideas are not for moving or sometimes moving traffic. Make sure you have planned ahead and packed your car with the essential, fun gridlock gear.

1)    Picnic with your neighbors ~ pack your car with paper goods and perishable snacks to share; then invite the people in the few cars around you to join you.

2)    Practice your volley ~ never leave home without a couple of spare tennis racquets and tennis balls; you never know when you can get in a little practice.

3)    Put your radio on an oldies station, crank up the volume, sit on your hood, and invite everyone around you to sing along ~ instant party; especially if someone has snacks! A favorite of convertible owners and sure to put even the grumpiest person around you in a good mood!

4)    Pull out the whiteboard and invite someone to play Hangman or Tic-Tac-Toe.

5)    Pity party-line. Call, email, text, or tweet all your contacts, tell them you are stuck in gridlock, and to please send clean, silly jokes; then share one at a time with the person in the car next to you and ask them to pass the joke on with the request to pass it on to the next car; remember, laughter is contagious.

Pick one; make it your signature gridlock custom. Heck, use a different one each time and mix it up! The fun will never end and just think of the new friends you will make.

Photo Courtesy:

Photo, stop sign by donkey hotey, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike-Generic 2.0  license

Photo, Freeway Gridlock, by fihliwe, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution  Share-Alike-Generic 2.0  license

Photo, Hangman-5.png by en:User:Demi, licensed  under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

Client: Do It Tennis

How to Get in the Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There are many ways to show support for your sisters during the month of October on and off the tennis court. Noodle on these ideas and get your pink on!

Off Court Support

The American Cancer Society is hosting fundraising walks all across America, celebrating 20 years of ‘Making Strides’. Donations, volunteer efforts, and 8 million Making Strides walkers, have raised 460 million dollars over the past two decades.

The Susan G. Komen ‘Race for the Cure’  5K run and fitness walk began in 1983 with one race of 800 participants to 140 races of 1.6 million participants on four continents. That’s a lot of pink!

If running or walking is not doable for you, there are other ways to participate in one of these events without running or walking. As you can imagine, events on this scale take many volunteers to coordinate and could use your help behind the scenes.

Playing Doubles

All of us have been touched in one way or another by cancer; either personally, or through a family member or a friend, and although participating in a walk or run or making a donation may not be possible to everyone, there are more personal ways to help.

Someone may need a ride to and from chemo or radiation treatments or doctor’s appointments. A single mom may need help getting her kids to school, someone to run errands, help with laundry, or with getting dinner on the table. Someone may just need to know they are not alone; fill a basket with ginger tea, pretty tea cups, and an inspiring book and have your own story time. Most all of us, also, have a cancer center nearby who may need volunteers as well.

On the Court Couture

If playing pretty in pink sparks your interest, there is no better time like the present to sport your girly tennis duds ‘n gear to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Pair your stylish tennis outfit with these pink-a-licious accessories for a grand slam fashion win every time!

New Balance has not only created the official Race for the Cure tennis shoe, the 860v2,  they have taken their partnership with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cureone step further by appointing NYC-based designer, Jacqueline Quinn, to create a dress utilizing materials from the 860v2.

Go behind the scenes with Jacqueline as she begins to create this one-of-a-kind amazing dress.

The Wilson Hope tennis bag collection includes three styles of bags – the triple bag, tote, and backpack. Sporty and stylish in awareness pink, each bag features various compartments and pockets that will easily carry all your tennis gear and then some.

Fight Cancer like a Girl with Tennis Gear that is in the Pink

What better way to complete your pretty in pink ensemble than with tennis gear exhibiting their true supporting colors.

GAMMA Bag-O-Balls, eighteen baby pink and pressure-less, practice balls, come in a great mesh, drawstring bag.

The pink and black E-Sense Lite Babolat  tennis racquet, suited for recreational and beginner players, has a small racquet head for control and lightness for maneuverability.

Throw your sister support into high gear by lending a helping hand, or by wearing your team color for the cause; either way, or both, join the fight against breast cancer!

Published October 2012

Client: Do It Tennis

Destination: The Most Bizarre Tennis Courts in the World

Progressive Vacations

You’ve all heard about, or may have even participated in, progressive dinners, that traditional feast which is usually held at Christmas time; appetizers and drinks at Mike and Cindy’s, main course and drinks at Joyce and Andy’s, ending with dessert and more drinks at Rich and Ellen’s.

These dinners, always a hoot and something one looks forward to year after year, conjure up smile evoking lifelong memories and infinite Facebook photo posts and tags that conjure up, well, not always smile evoking memories.

Progressive dinners are a great concept and fun, so why not take that same time-honored tradition and repackage it into a new vacation ritual?

Add one or two of these destinations to your vacation bucket list, dust off your sense of adventure, pack your tennis bag or backpack and hop on board; it’s going to be a wild ride!

The Same But Different

Whether your idea of a great vacation is playing sports, watching sports, or laying on a lounge chair while a cabana boy brings you Margaritas and adjusts your beach umbrella, the genres and destinations for progressive vacations are endless!

Just look at die-hard NFL Football fans Don Crisman, Larry Jacobson, Thomas Henschel, and Robert Cook, who have attended every Super Bowl game played since 1967. Although not one of them cheers on, or jeers at, the same team, the camaraderie they have shared and memories they have made over the past 45 years cannot be replaced.

If Major League Baseball is more your style, think about Father and Son or Father and Daughter annual trips to Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field, AT&T Park, and Fenway instead. Every year a new stadium; every year another foam finger, Cracker Jack toy, and ball cap to add to the memorabilia collection and a tradition that can be passed on for generations.

Swing!
Whichever you prefer swinging, a golf club or a tennis racquet, get your game on by teeing off at a different golf course every year from Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, to Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, or by dropping your tennis bag on some of the most breath-taking tennis courts in the world from Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina to La Quinta Resort & Club in California.

Speaking of Tennis

For those of you with an extraordinary sense of adventure and a travel budget that is a stranger to boundaries, you just might be able to partake in the ultimate tennis experience, following in the footsteps of such greats as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, and Novak Djokovic, who have played on the most bizarre tennis courts in the world.

A Whale of a Game
In 2011, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal kicked off the ATP World Tour at the Qatar Exxon-Mobil Open by playing an exhibition match while floating on the Doha Bay, Qatar on a specially constructed tennis court. Water lovers can also zip over to Melbourne, Australia’s Yarra River, home of the world’s largest floating tennis court, or to The Marina Bay in Singapore, also sporting a floating court. Hop on, the water’s fine; just watch out for those pesky seagulls!

In the Crow’s Nest

Get that “I’m the king of the world” experience as you lob one over the net on the sometimes tennis court, sometimes helipad atop the fourth highest hotel in the world, the Burj al-Arab Hotel, Dubai. Standing at 1,053 feet on a man-made island 920 feet off-shore, this beautiful sail boat-inspired structure was the venue Roger Federer and Andre Agassi jumped at the chance to play on to promote the 2005 Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open.

Roger Federer took the climb to the top of the Burj once again, this time with tennis great Novak Djokovic, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this year.

If you get queasy just watching this video of their match (I use the word lightly, you’ll see why), you might want to consider keeping your feet on the ground and head over to Mallorca instead.

Choose Your Turf

You may be able to keep both feet on the ground at Palma Arena in Palma de Mallorca, but you will have to fill your tennis bag with a couple different pairs of tennis shoes.In 2007, Palma Arena constructed a special half grass, half clay tennis court for the Battle of Surfaces between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Nineteen days and $1.63 million dollars after construction began; these world class tennis players battled it out in an exhibition game which Nadal won 7-5, 4-6 and 7-6.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…. Novak Djokovic?

What is it with tennis players and heights? First playing tennis on top of the fourth highest hotel in the world, and then playing tennis on the wing of a bi-plane, mid-flight at 150 mph!

Novak Djokovic did just that while filming a Head tennis racket commercial. You adventure seekers may find a pilot with a bi-plane willing to strap you on its wing, but you might find it difficult to find an opponent.

Novak Djokovic Flying High in Head Tennis Racket Commercial

Perhaps a Little Family Getaway Just Might Be the Ticket

As your wheels start spinning, conjuring up a vacation tradition of your own, think about soaking up the rays at one of National Geographic’s top ten beaches in the world, renting an RV and camping in every National Park in the U.S., or following Guy Fieri and chomping down burgers at diners, drive-ins, and dives across the nation!

You are only limited by your imagination, and, well, maybe your wallet.

Published September 2012

Client: Do It Tennis