It's been a while

It has been a while. Let's just say that I haven't been in much of a blog writing mood. Dingo made me feel inspired to write again, seeing as he or she actually read one of my posts. So a much deserved shout out to dingo, whoever you are. This post, however, will probably be read by only a few, and enjoyed by even less. So in honor of my sister Jamie, I dedicate this blog to the game of tennis. The Australian Open is in progress as we speak, and I am stoked to have another grand slam event to occupy my short attention span. As always, I am cheering for Mr. Roger Federer. Not because he is the best, not because he is knocking on history's beautiful oak door, not even because I have traveled to the city of his birth, Bale, Switzerland. No, I am cheering for the suisse because of his poise and demeanor on and off the court. Always the gentleman, some of Roger's quotes have let some to believe that he is arrogant and cocky. This is not true in the least. He is simply telling the truth. When he says "I was playing well, no one could've beaten me today" he couldn't be more right! Take his match against James Blake early this morning. Blake played well, he played incredible. Quite possibly one of the greatest matches of his career, and Roger still beat him in straight sets. When a player can consistently play the best players in the world on their best days and not allow them to win one set, he or she has the right to talk in such a way that others might interpret as trash talk. Serena Williams is one of those players. When she is on, there is not a woman on the tour, not her sister, not Justine Henin, who can take her out. However, Serena does not hold herself with half the dignity on the court that Roger Federer shows. Her obnoxious shouts of joy at her opponents mistakes are unsportsmanlike and rude. After a loss, she is quick to site a nagging injury that she neglected to mention before the match. It is never her fault. Federer, on the contrary, has been known to say that he wasn't playing his top game, but never a third factor. If he loses, it is his fault or his opponent's great play, never the fans or an injury or the sun or any number of other cheap excuses. So here is to a great champion, someone with all the virtues and determination that a true champion should have.