Another 3rd round loss at Wimbledon:(

Well, I was actually able to watch the match live for the first time ever on the Wimbledon website so I'm giving my reaction of the match on the day for once. I'll start off with the match summery first and then we'll get into the good and the bad.

Hingis started off well in the first set winning the opening game with some nice serving. Her opponent Laura Granville held however and broke Martina to go up 1/2. Then held her own serve again for 3/1. Next it was Hingis who held for 2/3. Her opponent held again for a 4/2 lead.

Hingis also won a game on her serve for 3/4. I have to hand it to Granville her serve was tough to break and she hardly made unforced errors. She held her serve again for 3/5. Hingis also held hers for 5/4. Had a few more opportunities but made some errors and lost the set 4/6.

In the second set Hingis lost the first 2 games after a tough fight. She held serve at love in the 3rd game for 1/2. But her opponent held again as well. Hingis won the next game on her serve for 2/3. At this point Martina had a bunch of chances to break but couldn't convert giving her opponent another break. She was then broken for a 2/5 lead and Granville won the match.

Now on to some observations, as I was watching the match I noticed Martina hang back on the baseline a lot perhaps trying to out play her opponent from there, but we all know she can't so I'm not sure why she did that. She wasn't really being pushed back or overpowered. I was really surprised she didn't come to the net more like she did in the first round.

Might have equaled to a few more break opportunities. She didn't have as many aces as her previous match and a lot more errors, probably because she seemed to be rushing at times. On to the good, she definitely wasn't in pain and served at 70% percent at least in the first set not sure about the second.

I think this was definitely a winnable match, and I honestly think if she had more practice going into the tournament she could have gone much further. If you look at it in terms of coming back from an injury with no warm-up she did quite well.

I had no expectations as I've said in one of my previous posts but part of me was hoping she would get past this round to erase last years memories. Martina herself expressed regret about not going further in her post match interview, so I think she knew she had a real chance especially with such a nice draw.

In any case it was a valiant effort, I'm a little disappointed but at the same time so happy to see her play again. Hopefully she'll continue to improve game and health wise as the weeks go on. That's what I wish for her. And I can't wait to see her at Rogers Cup in August. It's gonna be a long month lol.

Hingis Wimbldeon pics round 2

hingis.org

A comfortable win for Hingis in round 2 of Wimbledon

Well, Hingis has survived her second round with a much more solid performance against Aiko Nakamura of Japan. I wouldn't say that the match was easy, because at times her opponent hit very deep and hard.

But Hingis was much more confident and relaxed. She was serving quite well, hit a total of 7 aces during the match. Which for her is quite rare, but it was nice to see. Unlike her first match she cut down on her unforced errors, only had a total of 10 and 2 double faults as opposed to 6 in the first round.

She saved 2 break points in the first set to take the opening game, as well as the next 2 games to go up 3/0. Her opponent won one game in the first set. The rest was all Hingis who took the set 6/1. In the second set it was the same scenario Hingis took the first 2 games. Her opponent got one game back but Hingis held for 3/1.

Next her opponent saved 3 break points but Hingis won the next 2 games to go up 5/1. Nakamura won the next game. And Martina had to serve for the match. She had 2 match points and double faulted. At this point her opponent seemed to pick up her game, and Martina had to play 5 match points before finally taking the second set 6/2.

The whole match took about an hour, Hingis clearly didn't feel threatened it almost looked like a one hour practice session lol. And Hingis was really enjoying herself and having fun which was so great to see it's been a while.

Usually she is under pressure and on the defensive. Now that I think about it Nakamura was the perfect opponent for Hingis, purely on the fact that she didn't have big weapons to hurt Martina with and she played long rallies.

And let's face it when it comes to long rallies Hingis always has an advantage. It was a great match for her, I hope she wins her next match and moves into the forth round. Erasing the bad memories of the loss last year in the 3rd round to Ai Sugiyama. Whatever happens from then on will just be icing on the cake.

Hingis hangs tough in opening day of Wimbledon

hingis.org

Well today (ok technically yesterday since it's after midnight) was Martina's first match after being off court for over a month due to injury.

She was quite rusty which was to be expected. Tennis is not like riding a bike if you don't practice you can't just get back in it and be the best.

It's a very logical and yet today I have heard people both online and the match commentators themselves voicing their disappointment in Hingis's performance. I don't know what they were expecting, hell even the Williams sisters played like crap when they were out with injuries (quite often too).

Geez, the woman only started hitting on the court last week, so I really think we (the fans) have to cut her some slack. Like I said before I had no expectations this time I was just happy to see her play.

Yes this may not have been her best match performance wise, but considering she was playing her first real match in quite a while she did really well. And yes she had a lot of unforced errors and doubles but also plenty of aces and winners.

And I was really happy to see a bit of a fighting spirit towards the end, that's been missing since the end of last year. I admit that the fact she won this match was a combination of what the commentators called guile and simple luck.

And of course she'll have to do better if she wants to move further, but it really wasn't that horrible a start in my opinion.

I actually think part of her fighting spirit came from the fact that she did not want the embarrassment of losing in the opening round of Wimbledon, which I believe has only happened once in her career.

It'll be interesting to see how she handles her next match. Her next opponent is Japan's Aiko Nakamura.

I won't bother summarizing the match this time since I didn't get to see that much of it due to ESPN's poor coverage, big surprise.

For anyone who wants to read a summery you can do so on Wimbledon official site.

Introducing....Cuba

What's the fun in having a new pet if you don't show it off right? :D. Here are some (of many pics) I took of Cuba this past Sunday. Btw. it is very hard to get a parrot to stand still lol. More hopefully better photos coming soon;). Though gotta say not bad for web-cam quality.

I wish I was that bendy lol

I have no idea why this one has a pink background but it looks cool anyway

Yes I know I look weird in these pics but it's not about me lol

I still can't get him to kiss me yet lol, we're working on it

A new fair-feathered friend

Well I had a pretty good weekend for once. An exciting one. This past Saturday was my mom's birthday, so we (my parents and I) were all in a celebratory mood.

With minimal squabbling lol. Our good moods went into overdrive when my dad brought home a new cockatiel parrot as a present for my mom.

Unsurprisingly he become the life of the party so to speak:), and has been receiving almost undivided attention for the past day and a half.

It's funny but in a way it is almost like bringing a new born from a hospital and everyone ooh's and ahh's over it lol. Watching it's every move. That's what my parents and I have done all weekend long lol.

It is really hard not to though because Cuba (which is the name we give him) is an absolute charmer. Very friendly and fun, yet at the same time very mellow. So unlike the first male cockatiel I had growing up, who was very hyperactive.

It's amazing how such a little thing can bring so much laughter and joy and liven up your household. And though I loved my female cockatiel who died last year:(. I have to say males are so much more entertaining.

This one in particular, he's very affectionate and is becoming quite the little cuddler lol. We're very happy to give him as much love and care as he can stand. He has so many people caring for him in fact, that he can't pick a favourite at the moment lol.

So far all of us have received individual attention. Although I think my dad may have moved up higher on the 'I like you' meter because when he went to sleep last night Cuba noticed he was missing and proceeded to sing until he got a final scratch and a kiss.

Seeing such a little thing perched on the end of the couch singing as loud as he could and staring at the bedroom door where my dad resided was quite an amusing sight. So was the immediate calm that followed when my dad came out.

Yep, Cuba is definitely a character. He's even got a perfect method for getting out of his cage. He'll sing sweetly to anyone who approaches the cage, which will wear you down and eventually you will have no choice but to open it lol.

It's worked on all of us so far, and probably won't stop anytime soon lol. The outside of the cage seems to be his environment of choice, and he'll get out of there any chance he gets, toys and food be damned lol.

Tonight was the first time we noticed him getting more confident and moving around from place to place checking out the territory. He's a very fast learner, as many birds usually are.

I definitely expect him to just fly on to any shoulder or surface (once his flight wings grow back that is). Right now all he can manage is a hop.

We are a little concerned that his food intake is not quite as large as my last bird, but that probably has to do with the fact that my last one was a female and he is a male.

And therefore doesn't have to worry about laying eggs thus requiring less food. So I'm not too concerned yet, plus he is still adjusting so it's understandable.

We are however trying to teach him to eat regular food, instead of just his bird seeds, because they often don't provide all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. Well they do, but birds like anything else, will only eat their favourite things.

He has pretty much rendered us incapable of following our usual daily household routine. We have been glued to him for almost every minute from the time he arrived. And I am certain it will stay that way hopefully for a long time to come.

Wimbledon is fast approaching

hingis.org

Well all the uncertainty of Hingis not playing at Wimbledon and cancelling at the last minute can stop now. She's in the draw and training on the grounds. Is it Monday yet? lol. I am seriously suffering from tennis withdrawal.

Best wishes

I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to Buffy and Angel creator Joss Whedon who turns 43 today. It turns out him and my mom share a birthday very cool!!.

Shameless promotion

Just wanted to kindly ask all my readers to click on the Hanson banner at the bottom of the page.

The reason why is presented in the banner so I don't think I need to repeat it.


I would also ask that you click on the same banner on my Myspace page.

Thanks to all in advance.

Raise your hand if you're addicted to Facebook

Alright so a couple of months ago I joined Facebook the social networking site, due to insistent prodding from many of my friends lol.

It's a great way to get back or keep in touch with friends, and I have in fact gotten back in touch with people I haven't spoken with or seen in years. So that's all well and good.

Aside from messaging one another back and forth, Facebook has come out with many other features recently things like, the horoscope application, the movies application the video application and the list goes on.

All these pretty little bells and whistles have made it impossible for me to stay away from it lol. As a result I have become completely addicted, not that the Internet itself isn't addictive but this takes it to a whole new level.

It's become what my friend Emily likes to call "Cybercrack" lol. There isn't a day that goes by, when I'm not on that thing! lol. Like I needed more excuses to spend hours on the net lol. If possible I've become even more of a nerd lol, not that there's anything wrong with that;).

It's official Hingis plays Wimbledon 2007!!

I know I said I wouldn't mention anything else Martina related till I saw her out on that grass court. But since this qualifies as legit I'm making an exception.

Plus I'm just too excited with Wimbledon starting this Monday, yay!

According to the Wimbledon official website Hingis is indeed participating in the tournament, still seeded 9th. I'm sure there are a lot of questions and doubts on everyones mind as to Martina's physical and mental condition.

It's certainly crossed my mind more then once, but I believe Martina knows what she's doing even if she isn't completely ready physically (which we have no proof of either way).

She did say she wouldn't come back until she felt a hundred percent. Yes there is a risk that she could re-injure herself, no one knows that better then Hingis.

But I think she's right to come back on court and at least give it a shot, rather then staying away longer. All the players always say, there's no better practice then actual match play. And there is only so much you can do on a practice court anyway.

I have to say personally as a fan I have no expectations this time, becuase there's no indication of how she'll do. All I can do is wish her lots of luck and simply enjoy the fact that she's playing again.

Who knows? this may be one of the last times we see her at Wimbledon, so to all the other fans out there who may start to moan and groan. I say sit back and enjoy the ride, no matter how short or long it may be .

Ancient Rome becomes virtual

Computer experts on Monday unveiled a digital reproduction of ancient Rome as it appeared at the peak of its power in A.D. 320 - what they called the largest and most complete simulation of a historic city ever created.

Visitors to virtual Rome will be able to do even more than ancient Romans did: They can crawl through the bowels of the Colosseum, filled with lion cages and primitive elevators, and fly up for a detailed look at bas-reliefs and inscriptions atop triumphal arches.

Read more...

Doesn't that sound cool?. The things you can do with technology these days, extraordinarly scary.

Kelly Clarkson cancels tour

Wow, things have gone from bad to worse for Kelly, she's had to cancel her summer tour due to poor ticket sales. Which I guess doesn't bode well for the release of her new album.

Oh, well like Kelly herself has said in the past every album doesn't have to be a hit. And hey if this allows her to grow as an artist I'm all for it, and I say good going Kelly for sticking to your guns! :).

Will she or won't she?

Well some Martina Hingis Wimbledon rumors are trickling in, I'm going to consider them rumors until I see Martina out on that court at the end of June. So far the only source I've seen is martinaworld.com.

That's not quite good enough for me, I don't want to raise my hopes up again like I did with the Ordina Open. So for right now I'm sticking with the let's wait and we shall see philosophy.

I'm not saying it won't be great if it is in fact true, I will be ecstatic!. Tennis has been absolutely dull with no Martina in the draw. So keeping my fingers crossed. And I really hope she's doing better physically.

You know you are living in 2007 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a website at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
: )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list

AND NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.


Ok, I admit it I am so guilty of a lot of these! LOL.

Lindsay Davenport has a boy!

Lindsay with husband Jonathan Leach

This past Sunday tennis player Lindsay Davenport (now retired) give birth to her first child a son named Jagger Jonathan Leach.

I thought the outlandish name thing was only done by celebrities, but I was wrong apparently it also applies to tennis stars.

I will never understand why someone would feel the need to give their child a weird name, much less a name like Jagger.

I can just see the child in school "yes that's my real name, and no I am not related to Mick Jagger" LOL. Poor kid.

Kelly Clarkson still 'Miss Independent'

Here's another lengthy Kelly interview this time with Elle Magazine. In the interview Kelly once again talks about her struggles with the label over the new album.

As well as the struggles for creative freedom, her thoughts on marriage and boyfriends.

These are some of my favourite bits:

My December's disparity of themes and lack of an obvious hit were not lost on producer Clive Davis, who is said to have offered Clarkson $10 million to ditch five of her songs for more radio-friendly picks of his choosing. Clarkson declined.

"My resistance upsets a lot of people, because we could make a lot of money," Clarkson says. "And I'm not hatin' on money. But you know in Funny Girl, when they make Barbra Streisand sing the 'beautiful girl' song, and she is singing these lyrics, and she knows she's not that person?" Clarkson sighs. "I'm just not comfortable doing things that don't feel like me."

I really have to give her credit for continuing to stand by her convictions. She sort of reminds of Pink in that way.

"My label wanted me to sing 'Never Again,'" she says. "And I was like, To promote yourself on a charity event is beyond crass. People are starving and dying and I'm up there singing some bitter pop song? And believe me, everyone wanted me to sing it. Because they are jaded and they have no soul. Imagine sitting in a room full of people totally against you. Can't they hear themselves speaking? Capitalize on AIDS? Are you kidding? Insulting an entire nation of people? I just refused."

I just love her uncompromising attitude, way to stand up to the brass Kelly!.

"She was incredible. When you let her come back on the show it makes everybody else look like an amateur," says Cowell, who believes Clarkson is the best winner yet "without question."

And to think Simon originally didn't like Kelly. But since he's eaten those words ten times over in the past 5 years I'll cut him some slack.

And if that isn't enough here are 5 more reasons to love Kelly (aside from her singing that is;)

A short list of things Clarkson doesn't want:
A clothing line.
A fragrance with her name on the bottle.
A television show.
A movie role.
A toy dog in a leather jacket.

Something tells me Kelly will be sticking around for a long time to come.

And going with the independent theme here's a People article that talks about Kelly parting ways with her manager.

Communication breakdown

You ever have one of those days where all communication between you and the people you live with totally breaks down?. That's the kind of weekend I've had, no communication going on whatsoever.

I especially hate it when said people tell you not to make any plans because they want you to be available on such and such a day for some kind of get together.

And then when the get together gets cancelled they don't even bother to inform you until a day after the fact. It's so frustrating!.

A little communication would go a long way.

Monday blues

I feel the need to express myself through song again lol. And I think I found a perfect one.

It must be Monday! What a dumb day!
Can't drag my butt outta bed
Somebody stop me--I need another coffee
Like a hole in my head

If only I could sleep in--
and wake up on the weekend
Oh, what a dream that would be, yeah
But fat chance for that one--
it ain't gonna happen
Better get back to reality

I could be a slob or keep my job
That is the choice we have
The daily grind can freak your mind
But life isn't all that bad

"C'est La Vie" - Shania Twain

More songs that won't go away

This is another song that keeps sticking in my head lately it's Kelly's new single from her upcoming album "My December".

It's another one of those quintessential break-up songs, well actually I think it works just as well if you're feeling really angry at someone lol. I can definitely see why she chose it as her first single there's a lot of emotion behind it.


I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green
I hope when your in bed with her, you think of me
I would never wish bad things, but i don't wish you well
Could you tell, by the flames that burned away

I never read your letter
'Cos i knew what you'd say
Give me that sunday school answer
Try and make it all ok

[Chorus]
Does it hurt to know I'll never be there for you
Bet it sucks, seeing my face everywhere
It was you, who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know you knew
Exactly what you would do
Don't say, you simply lost your way
She may believe you but i never will
Never again

If she really knows the truth, she deserves you
A trophy wife, oh how cute
Ignorance is bliss
When your day comes and he'll be through with you
And he'll be through with you
You'll die together but alone

You wrote me in a letter
You couldn't say it right to my face
Give me that sunday school answer
Repent yourself away

[Chorus]
Does it hurt to know I'll never be there for you
Bet it sucks, seeing my face everywhere
It was you, who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know you knew
Exactly what you would do
Don't say, you simply lost your way
They may believe you but i never will
Never again

[Bridge]
Never again will i hear you
Never again will i miss you
Never again will i fall to you
Never

Never again will i kiss you
Never again will i want to
Never again will i love you
Never

[Chorus]
Does it hurt to know I'll never be there for you
Bet it sucks, seeing my face everywhere
It was you, who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know you knew
Exactly what you would do
Don't say, you simply lost your way
They may believe you but i never will
I never will
I never will

Never again

Never Again- Kelly Clarkson

The waiting game

A small update on Martina Hingis for the moment things are still unclear, and there's still no official word on whether she'll play at Ordina Open or Wimbledon.

Right now all the fans can do is sit and wait, and hoping and praying probably wouldn't hurt either :D. I'm doing a lot of that myself at the moment a lot of sitting and waiting for nothing in particular lol.

The optimist in me is still hoping the Wimbledon thing will happen, even though it is a very slim chance and I would rather Hingis returned fully recovered. But at the same time I'm jonesing for some good tennis.

I can only take so much Serena and Sharapova lol (actually thankfully those 2 are out of the French). And there's still Mr. Federer, who knows? maybe this will be his year to capture the French title from Nadal. It would certainly be a refreshing change.

A little ditty

I have had this song stuck in my head all day today after hearing Lucy Lawless sing her rendition of it at her concert in New Jersey.

It's one of those songs I couldn't get enough of when I was younger and to this day it remains a favourite.

Guess there's just something about those lyrics. It sort of goes with the kind of mood I've been in lately.

Twenty-five years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination

And I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this brotherhood of man
For whatever that means

And so I cry sometimes
When I'm lying in bed
Just to get it all out
What's in my head

And I am feeling a little peculiar
And so I wake in the morning
And I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs

What's going on?

And I say, hey hey hey hey
I said hey, what's going on?
And I try, oh my god do I try

I try all the time, in this institution
And I pray, oh my god do I pray
I pray every single day
For a revolution

And so I cry sometimes
When I'm lying in bed
Just to get it all out
What's in my head
And I am feeling a little peculiar

And so I wake in the morning
And I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs

What's going on?
And I say, hey hey hey hey
I said hey, what's going on?
Twenty-five years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination

"What's Up" 4 Non Blondes

Frak! say it ain't so

It's official I have the worst luck when it comes to good shows, every time I get invested in a new one it gets cancelled lol. This time I'm referring to Battlestar Galactica (no not the crappy 1978 version) the 2003 miniseries.

Not only does this show have extremely talented, good looking (obviously) actors, but smart, tight writing as well. With complicated engaging plots that keep you guessing at every turn, basically everything you'd want from a series.

I don't know why I'm just mentioning this now, perhaps it's because I've really gotten into it recently and it's become a favourite. I first saw it when I heard Lucy Lawless (Xena) was going to appear in S2. She also came back last year for a bunch of episodes as cylon #3. Who according to the writers might return in S4 as well (yay!).

I actually didn't think I would be as interested in the show as I have become, because the majority of it takes place on a ship in space. Which there's nothing wrong with of course. I was a Star Trek fan back in the day, that's probably why I automatically thought this was going to be another Star Trek clone. Boy, was I wrong!. Well maybe not about the clone part.

That part actually drew me to the show, that and the interesting blend of religion (the idea of one god) with the ancient mythological gods of Greece. The last part was of special significance to me since I have a great interest in mythology. Throw in a military fleet, a war with the many copies of cylons (who look like humans) and the humanitarian struggle to survive all the while trying to find their way to earth and you've got my attention.

So of course I was sad to hear that S4 of Battlestar Galactica would be it's last:(. As I've said this always happens to me with every show lol. I understand why it is ending though, the producers obviously want to end it on a high.

They don't want it to become another 7th season of Buffy or the 9th season of Friends. And I guess the other thing is the crew of Battlestar Galactica is getting closer and closer to actually finding earth, so it would be really tedious to try to stretch that discovery out for another year.

No matter what happens I have a feeling S4 will be another rollicking roller coaster ride, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds!. I'll say one last thing about the writers of this show they could undoubtedly give Joss Whedon a run for his money.

For all your Buffy, Angel, Joss Whedon needs...

Just added a new link to the link section, it's a link to a very comprehensive Joss Whedon blog (Whedonesque). As the link says it is not official, because I don't think Joss has one but it is quite good nonetheless so all those interested feel free to head on over and click away ;).

Jodie's got a gun

Jodie Foster has got a new movie coming out in September called "The Brave One". Have to say it looks great, very intense but then what Jodie flick isn't? lol. In any case I'm excited, especially since Jodie only does about 2 movies per year.



Is it September yet?! lol

Things are looking up :)

Finally some good news on the Martina Hingis front, she's entered the Ordina Open in Holland (played on grass) which starts on June 18th. It is a week before Wimbledon.

That means this will serve as her preparation for that very event. Or at least that's what I'm hoping. It hasn't been fully confirmed yet. But I'm excited and had to share:).

She did say she would not enter anymore events unless she was feeling a 100% entering this tournament must mean she's definitely on the way to recovery.

And since she's been spotted at the French Open supporting her fiance, the doc must have given her a clean bill of health. I can't wait to see her back on the court!