Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Rolling Around

Ever since I was three I have spent my Saturday mornings at Gold Coast Roller Rink I guess you could say I am kind of religious about it. Skating may seem to some people something you might do on a beach boardwalk or for your 10th birthday party, but to me it means a lot more then that. I found myself not being able to commit to things when I was a kid I tried gymnastics, dance, soccer, and swimming. For some reason I would become bored and restless. Skating was different it was one of the first sports I learned and I was just naturally good at it, so for as long as I can remember I have been rolling. There is nothing that makes me feel better then putting on a pair of skates and sliding across the floor to the beat of the music. Corny as it may sound it is something I love to do and feel that if I don't get to do it my week is incomplete.



With a little practice you too could learn how to skate! For many years I have brought my friends in attempts to get them to skate with me, sometimes it was successful other times well they need a little more practice. Over the years skating has allowed me to make long lasting friendships each weekend I am surrounded by others who enjoy doing the same thing that I do.

Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face when I see someone new learning how to skate. Being able to pass on what I have learned and seeing them develop makes me feel as if I have done my job. Whether you have never tried to skate or are an Olympic figure skater it is sport that can be done both inside and outside, all it takes is a little practice and you will be on your way in no time.

Special thanks to Amelia Witcoski from Nova High for being my model!


Tennis

I have absolutely no experience in blogging and have never considered my lack of experience a problem as I never expected I would be writing (or at least attempting to write) one myself. If you, like me, has always pictured blogging as an excuse for people with lots of free time (and Internet access) to vent about their lives, please note that it is NOT what I’m doing at the moment, but merely completing a formality. First of all, I cannot bring myself to understand the origin of the word “blog” itself, such a weird word; I have to admit it is kind of entertaining to pronounce, but it pales in comparison to others such as “shuttlecock.” --> hahaha! have to love badminton.


Before starting on my actual topic, I will give you some information about myself (as you obviously will not care to click on the “about me” button --> why should you anyway???) Well, I was born in Argentina (lived there for 7 years), then moved to France for five years (French pastries are excellent -- no matter what the Publix “Bakery” has to say about it), I arrived in Florida about 3 years ago and presently reside in the monotonous bundle of houses that calls itself Weston.

Now, on to my topic: tennis! ---please contain your excitement-- I have practiced tennis since my seventh year when my parents asked me one day what sport interested me. For some obscure, mysterious, reason I replied “tennis” and tennis it has been ever since.


What I admire about this sport is the finesse and skill it requires, the gentleman-like attitude of its players, and its great versatility. I am particularly fond as

well of the game’s mental side, wherein players perform a most delicate battle, and one almost as important as that visibly taking place on the court (the competitive [and malicious] sides of my personality indeed thrive when opponents show any sign of mental impotence).


I practice at Weston’s Midtown Athletic Club (a most peculiar, functional, and beautiful place overflowing with South Americans such as myself) and I am a member of my school’s tennis team.


Currently, I attend Midtown’s summer camp and confess I have never felt so inferior until now, playing opposite some truly talented players. For example, today, I necessitated many efforts to defeat a recently turned twelve, short little girl (whom I sympathized with, however, because of her Argentinean nationality).


Now, on to professional tennis!!! --> tennis which people actually care about)

I support an Argentinean player named Juan Martin del Potro, who got to number 5 in the world and won last year’s US Open. Given my luck however, del Potro has not been able to play since January because of a wrist injury --> bummer.... Let’s see, I like Federer’s game (who wouldn’t) and despise Nadal’s (simply because he sometimes beats Federer). In the women’s side, I am fond of Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova and can tolerate Kim Clijsters and Jelena Jankovic.


Last March-slash-April, I was involved in the Sony Ericsson Open (5th largest tournament in the world). And no, I didn’t play there -sigh- but was a b

allperson!! Even though my pride was initially injured by the notion of picking up balls for someone else (can’t they just do it themselves, really ?!?!?) I soon learned to enjoy the experience. First of all, I am a tennis fan and rejoiced at being just a couple of feet away from famous players and to observe their talent from such a close stand. As a student in need of service hours, I could not possibly neglect the 65 hours awarded by the tournament.


As simple as it may look, ballpersoning is certainly not an easy task: one must always be aware of all the balls’ location within the court and know how many are in the other ballpersons’ possession. Also, one cannot for a moment lose his focus: his safety being at stake (high-speed balls everywhere!!), along with his vanity (no one wants to make a fool of himself in fronts of millions of TV spectators worldwide).

Also, it must be taken in consideration that, when on the court, all players (excepting Zheng Jie, who is nice enough to say “thank you”) act like jerks whose entertainment it is to abuse ballpersons (I myself have received some threatening looks from Venus Williams when I didn’t give her a ball quickly enough). Overall, however, it is a very enjoyable experience, as ballpersons receive tons of free tickets, food coupons, a special I.D. and 300 dollars in the uniforms. One thing to watch out for: heat strokes.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Three Kings spur excitement in SoFla

They're here.

The proclaimed 'three kings'- Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron
James- have arrived in Miami.

In arguably the greatest sports monopoly of all time, the Miami Heat have
signed three of the best players in the league.

On the evening of Friday, July 9, the team officially introduced the
players to a crowd of over 10,000 at the American Airlines Arena.

Each player received an equal amount of support from the fans while the players, aside from Wade, flaunted their new jerseys.

James sported his new #6 while Bosh wore #1. Wade retained #3.

The players came out to the crowd and gave high fives and handshakes before a twenty minute question and answer session with Heat TV and radio personalities.

Perhaps the most prophetic statement of the night came from none other than James: "We're not gonna win 1, not 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 championships. "

Is James placing the world on his shoulders by claiming the Heat will win eight titles, or was this simply his retaliation to his former boss, Cleveland Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert? Gilbert hours earlier promised that the Cavs would win a championship before the 'selfish traitor', James himself.

James later said 'it will be too easy' for the self-proclaimed 'dynas-three' to win multiple rings.

Other highlights of the night included a display of Chris Bosh's mediocre spanish and a presentation of the keys to the city from Miami officials to the three superstars.

Friday, July 9, 2010