Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

Sorry, all. I've been a poor blogger this month. Unfortunately, there is no real excuse for it. I can't blame it on tennis, tennis practice, or even the usual holiday bustle that happens around this time of the year, because I haven't participated extensively in any of those things. To date, I have played one tennis match this month (the only one scheduled for the month), I have attended one tennis practice, I haven't purchased a single Christmas gift (online or otherwise), and the only Christmas cards were hastily prepared and given out during a team function celebration. Since this is the last day of the year, I thought it would only be fitting to wrap it up with one final blog.

Lately, I've just suffered from a case of "woe is me". You know, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen". Honestly, I wanted to post new entries, and I had even started drafting new entries to post, but as you can see, I've been unable to post anything for your reading pleasure. I allowed my plethora of "woes" to get the best of me for a while. Instead of feeling "joyful", I've been feeling pretty "woeful". As sad as it may sound, it's the truth.

Right around Thanksgiving, things started to go awry in my life; I even mentioned this in an entry posted on Thanksgiving day. Well, since then things have continued to be out of wack. I guess the endless series of calamities wore on me. I recited my chant - "next point"- repeatedly. Despite my mental preparation for the "next point", life continued to bang winners in my direction. I analyzed the previous events and had some strategies in mind; I used every strategy in my arsenal, but once again life had a reply for them all. I tried to stay active and keep moving thinking that life would be distracted by the activity, but once again that was not the case. Nothing seemed to work.

At this point, I can say that I have not acquired all the weapons necessary to win this "life" match. Sometimes, it happens that way. There are instances when the opponent you are facing is just too strong, but that doesn't mean that you won't have another chance. While I have been bested this time around, I am now fully cognizant of my weaknesses. They have been exposed and I've seen just how those weakness can place me at the mercy of everyday unexpected life events. Although, it is too late to change the outcome of the past few weeks, it is never too late for me to target those deficiencies for improvement. For this particular match, there are more points, but I will have to see how they play out for 2009. I'm praying I can stop singing that Louis Armstrong song that I sang for most of 2008.

A New Rec Love for Chequetta?

Okay, please don't think I've lost my mind - because I haven't, but I'm seriously thinking about incorporating golf into my recreational sports repertoire. Don't ask me where the funds will come from to bankroll this new sports adventure, but I believe there is a God. I trust that God knows the positive influence recreational sports (mainly tennis) have had on my life, and he will make a way for me to continue to benefit from tennis and very soon – golf. I know this seems like it came out of left field, and you're thinking – "What the heck?" Tennis is this chick's thing, so how did golf get into the picture?

Before I ever played tennis, I was a fan of the game. The same is true with golf. Last night, I attended a Women's Night function at Golfsmith. Golfsmith is primarily a golf store with a significantly smaller focus on tennis. So you ask, what was my draw for attending the event? Easy, it was a $25 gift card to spend in the store, as well as the lure of other prizes to be given away. I have to admit the tennis activities at the event were limited, but it didn't matter because I had the gift card.

While waiting for the event to wind down, a teammate (who happens to play golf) and I encountered a golf pro that convinced us to try out the teaching facility that was set up with artificial turf, tee, a net to catch the ball and video equipment. He wanted to see us hit, nothing technical (I guess), just a simple drive. That doesn't sound too tough until you consider that I can't remember ever holding a golf club in my hands, not even at Putt-Putt Golf, let alone hitting a golf ball. Of course you know, and I shouldn't have to tell you, that I let my teammate go first.

After watching their session and video of her technique (yeah, it was taped), it was my turn. Completely unprepared, with totally inappropriate golf attire – skintight jeans, three inch boots, and a form fitting leotard - I took my place on the artificial turf. First, our golf pro showed me how to hold the golf club, then he showed me the proper stance, and finally he instructed me on how to swing the club. Afterwards, I took a couple of test swings minus the ball. With a few corrections came a couple more test swings, and then he said I was ready to hit a ball. As he placed the ball on the tee in front of me, I mentally replayed all the instruction I had receive in the last ten minutes. I checked my grip, my stance, and the position of my head. I checked to make sure the triangle was formed, and then I started my backswing. Left arm straight, right arm bending, left foot remains planted, don't take the club too far, okay time to swing forward….keep your legs slightly bent, don't raise up, follow through – no alligator arms….WHACK!!! OMG!!! I made contact, I couldn't believe it. Not only did I make contact, but according to my golf pro - it was a solid hit. AMAZING!! When we reviewed my video, he told me that my technique was good, and had it not been for the high heeled boots, then it would have been even better. He said that for someone who had never held a club I did a better job hitting the ball properly than my teammate who had received lessons and played. I was stoked!

That was it; I had confirmed that golf would be my next sport. Immediately following our lesson, my teammate and I started talking about taking group lessons with the golf pro when the weather improved. When I left my lesson, I called my sponsor. I know you're thinking…sponsor? What sponsor? Now, you all couldn't have possibly thought I could play all this tennis without a sponsor. That wouldn't be possible – at least, not on my income. Anyway, I talked to my sponsor and he was supportive of my newest recreational venture. I got the green light to proceed, but I have been told, at some point, to expect some competition to test my acquired skills. That only means my sponsor knows that I have a good chance of excelling at golf and is fearful of being beaten by a beginner. Honestly, I have to admit, my sponsor should be fearful.

The golf pro told me that golf is one of the most addictive sports to play. Uh, not good! I'm already hooked on tennis and balancing two addictive sports could really become an issue. There definitely wouldn't be enough time for me to work – haha! Okay, okay…I promise to do my best to balance the rest of my life with my recreational loves, but it'll be tough. Regardless, you all should look out, because I'll be coming to a golf or tennis club near you soon. I can't wait to see the lessons in life that golf has to offer.