Aussie, Ozzie, Aussie…

As many of you know I have a love for the sport of tennis, and I have been immensely enjoying watching the coverage of the Australian Open on ESPN2 and The Tennis Channel (TTC).  As a U.S. Tennis Association & Intercollegiate Tennis Association umpire I always look forward to this time of year, as it means the beginning of the college tennis season http://www.itatennis.com as well as my favorite of the slam events.

I agree with Serena Williams, in that the Australian Open is my favorite too, and that is without even having ever been to Melbourne, let alone on court or in the locker room. My love of it is partially due to Australia’s love of the game (having been there during the US Open once); the fact that Roland Garros is Paris, Wimbledon (my 2^nd favorite) is London, & the US Open is New York City (complete with Brian Williams, John McEnroe and fingernails screetching down a chalkboard), while The Australian is a much exotic creature: I love it “Down Unda.” (20 Jan 2013 addition: after winning her match Makarova was asked why she plays so well there and she replied: "the fresh food..." - apparently so many venues don't have that. I realize part of my love for this event stems from the fact that its winter here and "days of summer" there... makes one optimistic for the return of the sun up north too).

Hampton

Last evening I was watching the TTC coverage of Victoria Azarenka (BLR) and Jamie Hampton (USA). Unfortunately, Martina Navratilova was providing color commentary. She was a great player… who jis probably my least favorite announcer: she just won’t shut-up when the mic is on. I give thanks for the “mute button” and often zero out the volume altogether. Yesterday, before reducing decibels I heard her pontificate about Hampton’s tennis growth, indicating that she’d played college tennis and was in catch-up mode. Jamie played tennis at Auburn High School (Alabama), not Auburn University, graduated in 2008 and turned pro the following year (not much time for a collegiate career). With John Mc, & Tracey Austin (sometimes they’ll get-on about something and just won’t let-it-go), they are the weak links of tennis coverage her at home in The States. 

Patrick McEnroe

Fortunately we have some good ones: Mary Carillo, Cliff Drysdale, Justin Gimelstob & Patrick McEnroe come immediately to mind.. and we have some truly remarkable & great players to watch:  

Enjoy the Games, mates!

http://www.australianopen.com/index.html

next up, Indian Wells: http://www.bnpparibasopen.com

Tsonga

I need your help… a matter of life or prison…

Yes, I’m seeking your help… no, we weren’t mugged while visiting Paris and can’t pay our hotel bill without your financial assistance because our flight leaves in 4-hours or the good-ol’: “Permit me to inform you of my desire to go into business relationship with you after going through your profile and I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to the nature of my proposal, which requires a reputable and trustworthy person. Someone who will be kind and sincere to me. My father was the wealthy Cocoa King of Ivory Coast and…”

I’m asking for your help in determining a question I’ve been curious about. Some background: when finishing out one of our assignments at Petra we met our DOI-ITAP and USAID contacts at the Starbucks near the US embassy in Amman. When I placed my order the baristas jaw dropped and he quickly called a colleague over that had better English language skills. She explained that her co-worker wanted to know if I was an actor. I told them that I wasn’t, but my son was (thinking that certain undercover & covert operations I’d been involved with while recovering stolen patrimony took some theatrical skills). I was told that I looked like an actor in “Prison Break.” I told them I hadn’t seen that production and that was that…  

Phil (L), Bill & Bruce

... went upstairs with my colleagues (Bill & Bruce) and we waited for the meeting (and waited some more for good measure to be in-tune with “Arab Spring” time.

Stacy Keach

When I got back home, I thought about this exchange and streamed the 1^st season on Netflix, at the conclusion of which I wondered: do I look like Stacy Keach, the warden? 

Justin reminded me that there are several other seasons to the series. So, I'm asking for anyone out there familiar with this show and that can help with some hints to do so. I’ve included a photo of us at Petra (above) so you have something to compare: I’m not aware of George Clooney, Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise doing a role with that production (as I thought they could've doubled for us) but, I’m still waiting…

Hope all are well as we start 2013 (and approach 4610 “Year of the Snake”).