BackBoardBackTalk

Recently, I was at my friend Cary's house and I saw a copy of "O" magazine lying on the coffee table. Now, I had always sworn that I would never to pick up much less open a copy of Oprah's magazine because, quite frankly, any woman who puts a picture of herself on every cover of every issue of a magazine she owns is a little creepy to me.

But, we were watching Dr. Oz and having a girls night, so, I figured what could go better with TV topics like; How to look 9 years younger in 9 days, how to get 6 pack abs without a single sit up and how to get rid of bags under your eyes, than flipping through a copy of "O"? Although, with airline baggage charges sky high these days those under eyes nuisances may start to come in handy!

So, I caved to my lesser self, compromised my principles and flipped "O" open to a self test designed to help me find my dominate self. While I was definitely wondering how I was supposed to accurately answer questions about myself to find myself if I didn't already know myself I did not let it stop me from forging ahead and answering all 12 questions that would ultimately define me for me.

After much highly technical calculating (adding 5 separate digits 12 separate times) I came up with the two words and single digit that describes me best. I am a number 4 (no super size for me, please); a Creative Type. Good thing too because descriptions for types 5-7 seemed to have been omitted from the printing of this issue. I guess those poor lost souls will continue to remain lost; at least, until Oprah and her "O" editors can find the missing copy.

I am getting to the point, I promise!

So, while I have written this all tongue in cheek I was surprised at how accurate it was. The description offered me some points to be on the look out for. It stated that if I was unable to express myself in some form creatively then I would be prone to depression, over-dependence on others' opinions, lethargy and a feeling of being unfulfilled. All of these I have been struggling with and I have not been engaging in any creative outlets. A possible suggestion was to start a blog which could initiate the flow of creative juices.

Now! For the point!

Today my friend, Steve, sent me an e-mail with a challenge/bet embedded in its text. The challenge/bet is stated below and designed to help me get back into one of my great loves, tennis. I find it interesting and food for thought that a few days after the "O" article he sent me this challenge and that one of the monitoring devices he is requesting is a blog where I discuss my experiences. Here is the challenge............

-You go to the courts where we played in the stadium court (15 courts) with attendant:

-You go five times

-30-60 minutes of hitting on the back board on each of the five visits

-say hello to the attendant and tell him/her that you are rusty 4.0/4.5 player (what ever your self rating is)

and you want to hit on the backboard but if they know of any local similar skilled players, you are interested

in getting their contact information

-on the days you are not working, it is sunny out, grab your bike and some old racquet and a ball and go!

-you can prove me wrong after five sessions

-if anyone of decent caliber asks for some hits, you have to say "YES, but I am getting over an injury so

I don't know how long I can hit" (that is your out).

-if someone asks you to hit and you have seen them hit and they are terrible, you say "Thanks but I have

to work on some back board drills from my Coach"

The Wager:

-if you get no leads/contact info/or actual 'pick up matches' in the five visits, i send you a check for fifty bucks.

-if you get some leads, some hits, only on the court leads though, then you will sign up to do this again for another five sessions

Monitoring & Reporting:

-you get to start a 'blog' (My BackBoard)

-you get to write about it

-you get to share your feelings

-you get to share your anxiety

-you get to share your exhaustion

-you get to share your feelings of hatred towards me/jerks/inappropriate tennis players

-you get to vent

-you get to grin at the amazing backboard shots and watch your stamina improve exponentially

-you get to give yourself a pat on the back - you are back & better than ever - watch out Steffi!

So, this is my introduction blog for the soon to come series "BackBoardBackTalk" where I'll be making shots on the court and talking shots at my opponents in the blog.

See you soon!