Singing is good for your health too!

Not only is singing a great way to raise money, research shows that it's also good for you.

Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years: "The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting. Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavour."

Regular exercising of the vocal cords can even prolong life, according to research done by leading vocal coach and singer Helen Astrid, from The Helen Astrid Singing Academy in London. "It’s a great way to keep in shape because you are exercising your lungs and heart. Not only that, your body produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins, which rush around your body when you sing. It’s exactly the same when you eat a bar of chocolate. The good news with singing is that you don’t gain any calories! Not only can it increase lung capacity, it improves posture, clears respiratory tubes and sinuses, and can increase mental alertness through greater oxygenation. It even tones the muscles of your stomach and back, that is if you’re singing correctly."

Singing even helps you live longer according to the findings of a joint Harvard and Yale study which showed that choral singing increased the life expectancy of the population of New Haven, Connecticut. The report concluded that this was because singing promoted both a healthy heart and an enhanced mental state. Another study at the University of California has reported higher levels of immune system proteins in the saliva of choristers after performing a complex Beethoven masterwork.

heartresearch.org.uk

A while back I posted an article about the benefits of listening to music well, now it turns out singing along is beneficial too.  Who knew?!.

"Uncharted" the movie might still become reality?

Naughty Dog, developer of action-adventure third-person shooter Uncharted, has asked Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to write the script for the Uncharted movie, according to the duo.

In an interview with IGN for his latest movie, This Is The End, Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, producer, director, Seth Rogen said, “They’re constantly asking me and Evan to make the Uncharted movie.”

Evan Goldberg, Canadian film screenwriter and producer said, “They’ve been asked multiple times over the last four years, but have declined the job, despite being huge fans of the games, because they can’t think of the right treatment.

“It’s just going to be Indiana Jones,” If we could figure out a way to make it not Indiana Jones, it’d be awesome.”

In 2010, Columbia Pictures revealed by that David O. Russell will be writing and directing the film, but on May 26, 2011, Russell left the project.

And in July 2011, Neil Burger took up the position as the director for the film adaption, but dropped out in August 2012 to work on another film and the studio hired the Marianne and Cormac Wibberley (writers of National Treasure and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) to rewrite the film, that’s all we know for now.

lastestnesexplorer.com

Music good for the soul and good for your health

Scientists have found that playing music, and listening to it, triggers neurological reactions that reduce anxiety – even in stressful situations like preparing for surgery.

In fact, the experts said, music can play a positive part in health care settings ranging from operating rooms to family clinics.  And the researchers, from McGill University in Montreal, found concrete evidence for why this is so.  Daniel J. Levitan, professor of psychology, said in a statement that  his team had documented “neurochemical mechanisms by which music has an effect in four domains: management of mood, stress, immunity and as an aid to social bonding.”

The research found that listening to music increased both the antibody immunoglobulin A, which plays a critical role in immunity of the mucous system, and cells that attack invading germs. They also found that listening to and playing music reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

To reach their conclusions, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science, the experts looked at 400 research papers analyzing the neurochemistry of music.

The study authors said future research could examine the effect of music compared with other media,  including comedy programs and audio books.

Personally I cannot imagine my life without music & now I know why.

thirdage.com

Sweden introduces gender-neutral pronoun

How can you raise a child in an environment free of gender bias when the very language you speak distinguishes boys from girls?

Well, Sweden is fixing that obvious linguistic flaw by introducing a new gender-neutral pronoun:

Just days after International Women's Day a new pronoun, hen (pronounced like the bird in English), was added to the online version of the country’s National Encyclopedia. The entry defines hen as a "proposed gender-neutral personal pronoun instead of he [han in Swedish] and she [hon]."The National Encyclopedia announcement came amid a heated debate about gender neutrality that has been raging in Swedish newspaper columns and TV studios and on parenting blogs and feminist websites. It was sparked by the publication of Sweden's first ever gender-neutral children's book, Kivi och Monsterhund (Kivi and Monsterdog). It tells the story of Kivi, who wants a dog for "hen's" birthday.

 The whole thing is kind of long so here is the link to the whole article for those interested. Via Neatorama

Martina Hingis excited to play for Sportimes in New York

It sounds almost silly to say that Martina Hingis can be playing in legends tennis at Wimbledon. After all, the youngest-ever number one player is just 32 years old. 

However in women’s tennis, 32 is old, aged, retired, almost eligible for Hall of Fame status for even the best of tennis champions.

But Hingis has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance not just in her career but in her life, even if she is playing in the legends doubles event this week at the All-England Club. 

Next week she returns to the States, and to the New York area, playing World TeamTennis for the New York Sportimes at Sportime Randall’s Island. 

The opener for the team, which will also list captain John McEnroe on their roster, will be Wednesday night against the Boston Lobsters. New Jersey resident Fritz Buehnig will be coaching Hingis and her teammates as they begin defense of their WTT Eastern Conference crown.

“I love being married, playing tennis, having a social life and enjoying all those things you don’t get to do when you are playing full-time,” Hingis said in a conference call on Thursday. “Playing with people like Lindsay Davenport and then mixed doubles with John is a lot of fun, and there is no better place to play than in the New York area,” she added.

During a career that saw her turn number one at 18 and win five Grand Slam titles, the Czech-born and Swiss-raised Hingis was always charming and effortless in her game. 

However, the early success led to boredom, and injuries shortened a career than many thought would last a decade or more. 

Comeback attempts failed, a positive cocaine test in 1997 shocked many, and it looked like another storybook tennis career would end on the rocks of a sport that loves to eat its own. 

She left the game and the limelight, returning to her horses and catching up on a more normal life for someone who had lost much of her youth to the rigors of professional tennis.

The past year has seen a renaissance for a young woman who was beloved by the tennis world and popular culture when she was at the top if her game. 

She started playing competitively and relatively pain free in 2010, and earlier this year teamed with Davenport to win the French Open legends doubles championship.

“It has been a great thrill to play again at the Grand Slams, and Lindsay has been a great partner since we have played with or against each other for so many years,” she added. 

So the Hingis who comes to New York next week, for the first of five Sportimes home matches, will probably resemble the care free smooth hitting player of her youth, always a fan favorite and always looking for a little edge on her opponent, even in the more relaxed and always fun filled world of the Billie Jean King-created model of World TeamTennis.

Although it is sad to sometime see how fast young players come and go in tennis, it is refreshing to see a comeback, and Hingis is providing one on the courts in New York this July. 

newjerseynewsroom.com

Ok, once again I hate it when journalists don't check their facts, or proof read their stuff. 

Martina did not get banned in '97 (that was the year she was at the height of her career in fact). 

It was after her second come back. 

Having allegedly tested positive at the 2007 Wimbledon after her 3rd round defeat.  She was banned by the ITF at the end of 2008.

Martina Hingis enjoys life on the WTT tour

Martina Hingis spoke on the phone Wednesday from Wimbledon, the tournament she lorded over when she was only 16 years old.

Already ranked No. 1 in the world, Hingis beat Jana Novotna in the 1997 Wimbledon final to become the youngest women's champion at the All England Club in the 20th century.

"It came very natural," Hingis recalled. "I think today that it was amazing, but at that moment, it's like, 'OK, I was meant to win.' It was almost normal. Now I think, 'Wow,' I was really young and I've changed so much."

The Swiss Miss' greatness has passed. Hingis, 30, is playing with Lindsay Davenport in Wimbledon's Ladies Invitation Doubles, which is mainly for retired players.

Hingis, who holds five Grand Slam singles titles, walked away from the pro tour four years ago after testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon.

Now she's a seasonal player who will appear on July 18 and 19 as a member of the New York Sportimes in World TeamTennis matches at the University at Albany's SEFCU Arena.

"I love playing exhibitions," Hingis said. "I love playing tennis and being out there. This is really the season, two or three months, I'm playing almost every day, which is pretty fun."

This will be her second straight year playing in Albany. Hingis spent last summer with the New York Buzz, who merged with the Sportimes after the season. The Sportimes will play two home matches in Albany and five on Randall's Island in New York City.

"I love playing in Albany and playing indoors is my favorite," Hingis said.

Hingis and the Sportimes will face the Kansas City Explorers, featuring twin doubles players Bob and Mike Bryan, on July 18 at SEFCU Arena. The next night, she'll lead the Sportimes against Serena Williams and the Washington Kastles.

The two were supposed to face each other in Glens Falls last July. But Williams, who's won 13 Grand Slam singles titles, was reduced to a spectator by a foot injury.

"Playing Serena in Albany should be cool," Hingis said.

Hingis is embarking on a new chapter in her life after marrying Thibault Hutin, a French show jumper, last December. 

Besides her tennis skills, Hingis is a horsewoman who rides in show jumping competitions.

She will be eligible for the International Tennis Hall of Fame next year, five years after her positive drug test. 

Given a two-year suspension, Hingis insisted she was innocent but never returned to the tour.

Hingis was asked Wednesday if the drug issue could keep her from being inducted to the Hall.

"I think that's the past," she answered. "I don't really talk about this anymore. I don't really care because people remember who I was as a player. So I think this is not really important."

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Hingis-enjoys-WTT-tour-life-1448483.php#ixzz1QyhYlmph

Roger Federer rolls on to 4th round at Roland Garros

PARIS (AP) — Finally faced with a break point midway through the second set Friday at the French Open, Roger Federer smacked an ace that bounced up and conked a line judge in the head.

Moments later, Federer closed that game with two more aces near lines, and he was well on his way to beating 29th-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. That put Federer in the fourth round at Roland Garros for the seventh consecutive year.

When Federer's serve is clicking, he's awfully tough to beat; it's one of several skills that propelled him to his record 16 Grand Slam titles, including the 2009 French Open. He does it with guile and placement, rather than overwhelming speed, never coming close to the 140 or 150 mph that big hitters such as Andy Roddick or Ivo Karlovic can produce.

"I don't know (if) anyone ever hit more lines from first serves than he did today. And I'm not saying that it has anything to do with luck. It was just big, good, precise serves," Tipsarevic said.

"I have problems if somebody is serving like Roger, really close to the lines. I don't think he served more than five serves over (120 mph)," Tipsarevic continued, "but every serve was, like, 5 centimeters from the line or on the line."

Federer's fastest serve Friday was clocked at 130 mph, and he averaged 115 mph on first serves.

But it seemed as though he put nearly every ball right where he wanted to. (Including when there was a loose ball bouncing near the baseline between points, and Federer swung his racket behind his back and through his legs, and hit the ball right into the waiting hands of a ball boy at midcourt).

"Variation has always been a key to my serve, because I'm never going to be able to serve, you know, what Roddick and all those guys can serve at," Federer said. "So I have to move it around better, hide it with the toss and so forth. I think right now it's going well."

That's probably an understatement.

During three straight-set matches this week, his opponents have accumulated a total of only two break points, converting one. Federer has 29 aces and two double-faults.

Starting from late in the second set's sixth game Friday — when Tipsarevic held his lone break point — Federer won 27 of the last 34 points on his serve.

"Completely different player if he's leading or if he's losing," said Tipsarevic, who is 0-4 against Federer but pushed him to 10-8 in the fifth set at the 2008 Australian Open. "If he starts leading, or starts feeling confident on his service games, it's really tough to play him, because you never know what he's going to do."

When Federer plays poorly, he'll often point to his serve as being problematic.

"Sometimes you go through days where it's easier and sometimes where it's a bit harder, and also depends on who you play," said Federer, who next faces Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka, a five-set winner over No. 17 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France on Friday. "So far in this tournament, I've been doing a good job, but it's really only at the end of the tournament where I would think it really matters how I did."

Federer reached four finals in a row in Paris from 2005-09, losing the first three to Rafael Nadal.

A year ago, though, Federer was eliminated by Robin Soderling in the quarterfinals, ending a run of 23 Grand Slam semifinals in a row.

He lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, too, then at the semifinals at the U.S. Open and Australian Open, making this his longest stretch without a major title since he earned his first at the All England Club in 2003. It's also the first Grand Slam tournament since then that Federer isn't seeded No. 1 or No. 2.

Instead, he's seeded No. 3, behind Nadal and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

Which, Federer says, is OK. He also says he's in a better place than he was 12 months ago.

"I'm at peace with my game right now. I'm physically fine. I think I had a good preparation, so there's no reason to get nervous," he said. "I'm still in the tournament. It's always nice to advance in the draw so well, so quickly."

Associated Press

And once again the TSN/ESPN coverage of the French Open absolutely sucked (the match was not shown at all). 

I'm starting to think they have something against Roger Federer.  Instead we got 4 hours of Wawrinka/Tsonga.  

Maybe now that Stan will be playing his countryman in the next round I'll actually finally get to see Roger play.

Figures when all his matches are coming along swimmingly, and he's in really good form I don't get to watch.  

And when he's struggling and losing they have 24 hour coverage.  If Federer continues in the same vain and serves as well as he has been he should not have any trouble getting past Wawrinka.

ETA:  Will wonders never cease TSN actually broadcast the Federer/Tipserovic match this evening.  Finally, the first Federer match I've watched all week!.

Brisbane International gets an upgrade for the WTA

NEXT January, Kim Clijsters and Sam Stosur will get the chance to play the Brisbane International, following a change in the tournament's status by the WTA. 
 
The governing body for women's tennis has upgraded Brisbane to Premier level, or one below the Grand Slams. 

It will now pit Brisbane against the Sydney tournament a week later in trying to attract the game's biggest names.

Brisbane was formerly an International-level tournament, meaning it could have only one top-10 player.

The defending champion from 2010, Clijsters, wanted to return last January but Stosur committed before her with her then-career-high ranking of No 6.

Not only was Clijsters unable to compete, so was then-No 1 Caroline Wozniacki and other top 10 players like Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka, who won the inaugural Brisbane event in 2009.

But now Brisbane, like Sydney, can have an unlimited number of top-10 players sign up. The Queensland capital might be a more tempting stage to begin their run to the year's first Grand Slam in Melbourne as after Brisbane, they can have a week's rest before the Australian Open. The Sydney International runs the week before Melbourne.

The upgrade also means a substantial jump in prizemoney for the women's side of the draw. The ATP jointly runs a men's event in Brisbane.

The women's value will jump from $220,000 to $655,000, with the winner's cheque jumping from $37,000 to $103,000.

"This decision is the ultimate endorsement of the event, Brisbane and Queensland," tournament director Cameron Pearson said.

The Australian

Kim Clijsters French Open shot back on track

BRUSSELS (AP)—Kim Clijsters is recovering well from shoulder, wrist and ankle injuries and is on schedule to play in the French Open, which starts May 22.

“There are no signs anything is going bad,” her spokesman, Gert Van Goolen said Friday.

Clijsters is a two-time runner-up at the French Open and slow clay is generally considered her weakest surface. Up to last week, she had been considered doubtful to compete in Paris.

She had been sidelined since early last month and resumed on-court training only last week. The Belgian hopes to make a definitive decision early next week.

“After this weekend she has to be sure whether to focus all on Paris and leave (to go) there, or decide whether to stay home,” Van Goolen said by phone.

Clijsters, the reigning U.S. and Australian Open champion, is ranked No. 2 behind Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

During a busy early spring schedule, she overexerted her right shoulder and wrist and withdrew from the tour last month. Then she compounded her problems when she also injured her right ankle while wearing high heels at her cousin’s wedding.

She pulled out of the ongoing Italian Open in Rome and has no plans for a warmup tournament before the French Open. However, after a tentative first training outing last week, she has felt stronger during subsequent sessions.

If she skips the French Open, Clijsters would immediately start preparing for grass courts and play at the Unicef Open in the Netherlands, which begins June 12.

yahoo sports

And here we go again, are you as confused as me?. LOL 

Seriously this has become a game of Russian roulette, for now it looks like she might be in.  I guess we'll know for sure in another week or so.

Kim Clijsters pulls out of Italian Open, French Open chances still uncertain

BRUSSELS — Kim Clijsters has resumed on-court training but the U.S. and Australian Open champion is still unlikely to play in the French Open later this month.

Clijsters, who had been sidelined with shoulder, wrist and ankle injuries since early last month, said Wednesday’s first training session was completed without pain.

The Belgian ruled out playing any tournament ahead of the French Open, which opens on May 22.

“I held a tennis racket in my hands for the first time in about five weeks. It felt good,” she said on her website Thursday.

During a busy early spring schedule, Clijsters overexerted her right shoulder and wrist. She also injured her right ankle while wearing high heels at her cousin’s wedding.

Wednesday’s first outing on court “went well, without pain or trouble. But I didn’t put too much pressure on my ankle,” she said.

Clijsters’ immediate future and participation in the French Open remain up in the air.

“It depends on a great many factors: What is the reaction to the first days of training? What if we increase the training intensity?” she said.

Clijsters has already pulled out of next week’s Italian Open but, despite her extended time away from the tour, remains No. 2 in the world rankings behind Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Clijsters is a two-time runner-up at the French Open and slow clay is generally considered her weakest surface. Coming in cold into the biggest clay tournament in the world would count heavily against her. She was already forced to miss the tournament last year.

The grass of Wimbledon suits her game better and she has already signed up to compete in a warmup tournament in Rosmalen, Netherlands.

washingtonpost

This is starting to sound like a game of ping-pong :D.

Honestly I'm really split about the French Open thing at the moment I would love for her to play (if for nothing else then to make the tournament a bit more interesting for the WTA), but on the other hand I don't want her to reinjure herself and prolong her recovery (and possibly jeopardize her Wimbledon chances).

If she were to somehow win the French Open it would certainly make her the queen of comeback! (one can dream).

Kim Clijsters French Open participation stays alive

It's been forever since my last update:D.  But I come bearing good news :).


BRUSSELS: Kim Clijsters is on track to be fit in time for the French Open following the ankle injury she sustained while at a cousin’s wedding, her physiotherapist told the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper.

“Kim is able to walk about without crutches, She needs some four to six weeks to complete her recovery. We are perfectly on track,” said Sam Verslegers.

“If Kim can get back into training in four weeks, she would have two weeks in which to get ready for Roland Garros. But we are not there yet.”

Verslegers said that Clijsters was also recovering well from injuries to her shoulder and wrist.

The Belgium world number two has won the last two Grand Slam tournaments – last year’s US Open and the Australian Open in January. She has never won the French Open having lost twice in the final.

 dawn.com

Granted it's still not a definite, but there's hope.

Staying positive.

Kim Clijsters won't be going to Asia

World number two Kim Clijsters will not play at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September due to the nuclear emergency in Japan.

Clisters, the US Open and Australian Open singles champion, told Belgian media on Tuesday of her decision.


The Belgian player also said that she would withdraw from the China Open in October.


She has extended messages of support to the Japanese people through Twitter since disaster struck the country. 

Clijsters also released a statement through the Women's Tennis Association [WTA], which said: "Most importantly, my thoughts and sympathies are with the people in Japan. It's heart wrenching to see what they are going through right now."


The statement continues: "Of course the health and safety of anyone travelling to an impacted area [from radiation] is my top priority, as well as the WTA's. I'm sure the WTA will continue to monitor the situation." 

Kimiko Date-Krumm, a former doubles partner of Clijsters, understands why the four-time grand slam winner would be reluctant to compete in Tokyo, but hopes such fears can be allayed. 

The Japanese player said: "We still have time, so hopefully we can fix everything and everyone can come to Japan. If it's 100% safe I hope everybody will come and help Japan." 

Other top players have decided to reserve judgement on whether to play in Japan, preferring to wait and see how the country recovers from the devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.


World number three Roger Federer said: "It hasn't even crossed my mind [whether to play in Japan] yet. We'll get the green light from someone else. You always have to take your own decision, but I don't think it will be a problem by then to be honest."


Andy Roddick, the world number eight, said: "I would say it's a long way away for me. Obviously if it's deemed safe I will go." 

BBC Sports

Martina vs Martina in Liverpool exhibition this summer

THE Liverpool International Tennis tournament is serving up a double Martina for sports fans this summer.

Superstars Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis will be the headline ‘legends’ at the June 16-20 event in Calderstones Park, alongside former Men’s Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek and former World number four Greg Rusedski.

The legendary ladies will clash in an all Czech showdown during the hugely popular event.

Hingis famously came out of retirement in 2008 to play Liverpool and enjoyed the experience so much she came back last year to use the event as a warm up before her competitive seniors return at Wimbledon.

The Liverpool International tournament began in 2002 and has since become the catalyst for four further events that now take place each summer in Manchester, Nottingham, Oslo and Marbella.

Event organiser Anders Borg said: “We’ve expanded from humble beginnings in Liverpool into quickly becoming a pan-European wide event that is already a highlight in each city’s corporate calendar. We are proud of now being branded the biggest tennis exhibition in Europe.

“This has been largely been due to the success of the Liverpool tournament because others have looked on enviously at what the city has created and wanted their own.”

He added: “Liverpool City Council over the years has also given us tremendous support enabling the tournament here to reach out to more than 60,000 children since we began. Without them, we would never have been able to expand and achieve the profile we now enjoy.”

The Liverpool event over the years has attracted such stars as John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, current world number two Novak Djokovic and ladies world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

Liverpoolecho.uk

Kim Clijsters plans to adopt

Kim Clijsters, the queen of normal, was brightening the interview room Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament.

She enters and the lights turn up, even if the switch had been flicked hours ago.

There are tennis players who live in the vacuum that the pro tour provides, almost demands. And there are tennis players who walk right through the restrictive walls of celebrity, smell the flowers on the outside and still find a way to succeed. Clijsters is the latter.

She is within a couple of well-hit backhands of being No. 1 in the world, again, for a fourth time. That could happen here at Indian Wells, where she has won twice and where current No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, is also competing in this prestigious two-week event.

Clijsters won the tour's first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open; helped her country win a Fed Cup match against the United States; lost in the final of a tournament in Paris, and then went home to tend to the important stuff.

"I had three weeks, and it was great," she says. "There was the cooking, taking her [daughter Jada] to school and just being home."

Home is Belgium, with occasional stops in New Jersey, where her husband is from.

But Clijsters has become an adopted child of the sports world. Win or lose, whether the tournament is being played at the North Pole or North Texas, she is "Our Kim." She has endeared herself to sports fans all over the world because she hasn't tried to.

Clijsters is who she is. With her, appearances are never deceiving. Celebrity runs on results and personality. Clijsters is one and has both.

The Australian title was her fourth major. She won her second U.S. Open title in 2009, after a nearly two-year sabbatical, during which she got married and had Jada. Then she returned to New York last year and won again.

She will be 28 in June. She has been doing this a long time. Her first Indian Wells appearance was in 2000, the first year of the new stadium. Last year, she returned for the first time since 2005 and now is back with the same smile on her face.

Is she happy that her forehand is grooving, or her serve popping? It's much simpler than that.

"There is a pool and slide at the hotel," she says, "and there's the zoo and the Living Desert we can take her [Jada] to. There's plenty to do. We tennis players are pretty lucky. We pretty much follow the sun."

That's especially nice when you have a 3-year-old.

Marriage, a child and normal maturity have helped Clijsters become grounded, even while living in a public life that, literally and figuratively, makes one fly around a lot. But she had her feet planted firmly before all that too.

A British journalist recalls the days when Clijsters, a teenager, was dating men's star Lleyton Hewitt. The WTA, often excelling as control freaks, made the topic of Hewitt off-limits to journalists. In the midst of this, she sat down for an interview with Alix Ramsay of the London Times.

"Before I knew it, she was talking about Lleyton," Ramsay says, "about how she learned this from him and how she and Lleyton talked about this and that."

Clijsters wasn't defying tour orders. She merely saw no need for them. Hewitt was part of her life then and somebody was interested enough to ask about it.

Then, there was the night in August 2006, when Clijsters met a woman named Jacque Morgan at a charity fund-raising dinner during the San Diego tour stop. They chatted about dogs. Clijsters loves dogs, Morgan's had just died.

That night, they held an auction, on court, run by former tennis star Pam Shriver. The item was a black Lab puppy, and Shriver somehow got the bidding to $11,000. The mystery winner turned out to be Clijsters, who came on court, claimed her prize, asked for a stunned Morgan to come out of the crowd, and gave the puppy to her.

"We still send notes to each other," Clijsters says. "I'm going to play in San Diego this year, so I'll get to see them."

Then there was the moment Wednesday during a TV interview. The WTA had their star players scattered about on a deck of the stadium, with the perfect visual — a background view of mountains and swaying trees in bright, sunny skies. The typists and scribblers had finished and now the people with microphones and cameras took over.

Clijsters, herded from one group to another, smiled and treated each interviewer, whether it they worked for ESPN or 10-watt K-NOISE in Blythe, as if he or she were Walter Cronkite. Then, camera rolling, microphone on, one of those out-of-nowhere questions was asked that either rings the bell or falls flat.

"What is your biggest goal in life?"

Clijsters didn't pause, didn't blink.

"My goal in life is to adopt a child," she said, clearly meaning she wanted to add to whatever family she produced herself by giving a home and a better life to a child that needed one. "We're going to start working on that."

Now there's an answer you won't hear a lot on the WTA Tour.

But then, there is only one Clijsters, who is the sunshine in every tennis cloudy day.

latimes.com

Wimbledon championships going 3-D

WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Wimbledon is going 3-D.

The men’s semifinals and men’s and women’s finals at this summer’s tournament will be shown live by 3-D-capable movie theaters around the world. 

Wimbledon becomes the latest major sporting event to be available in 3-D.

The deal was announced Monday as part of the Wimbledon’s multiyear partnership with Sony.

All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie says “Wimbledon is renowned for its heritage and sense of tradition. 

At the same time we are always looking for ways to improve the presentation of the championships by successfully blending that tradition with innovation.”

I find it funny that it took them forever to get a retractable roof yet, they jump on this right away.  I guess times do change.  I still hate the whole idea.


Yahoo Sports

Sony buys Hawk-eye system

LONDON (AP)—Electronics giant Sony has completed the purchase of Hawk-Eye, the British-based company that provides ball-tracking technology in tennis and cricket.

Financial details weren’t disclosed.

Hawk-Eye is also used in snooker, while soccer world governing body FIFA could utilize the tracking system as it looks to introduce technology to rule on goal-line decisions.

Paul Hawkins, inventor of Hawk-Eye, said Monday the takeover by Sony would create “immense opportunities for the sports industry.”

Hmm, I wonder if they'll eventually make this 3-D too.

Yahoo Sports

Zac Hanson introduces his new daughter Junia Rosa Ruth

 Jeremy Charles  

The 11-week-old daughter of Zac Hanson and his wife Kate arrived just before Christmas, and her proud parents say it’s been a smooth, happy ride ever since.

“Junia is such a sweet gift,” says the Hanson drummer, 25, who also has a son Shepherd, who turns 3 in May. “It has been so much fun to get to know her and to watch her along with her big brother grow and change so quickly.”

These days, Zac is likely tops on his 5½-year-old niece Penelope‘s list — until now, Taylor Hanson‘s daughter, been holding her own as the lone lady among six little boys in the family (her three brothers and as many boy cousins).

“We are looking forward to bringing Junia along on all of our adventures,” adds the proud papa, “and showing her the world.”

Not to mention the family business. Junia’s brother and her six cousins (Taylor has four kids; Isaac Hanson has two) have gone on tour with their dads’ band, and there are opportunities for music video cameos, too.

Following Ezra, 8, (Taylor’s oldest son) and Penelope’s appearance in the band’s hit video for “Thinkin’ Bout Something“, a trio of other little Hansons pop up in their new one.

Just past the three-minute mark and elsewhere in the video for the band’s new single, “Give a Little,” fans can spot Isaac’s sons Everett, who turns 4 in April, and Monroe, 2½, in addition to Taylor’s son River, 4½. 

(His youngest son, Viggo, 2, sat this one out.)

Time to get a pair of dancin’ shoes, Junia!

People.com

Awww, look at Shepherd hard to believe he's almost 3 already!.

They really do grow up fast.  Looks like he's certainly inherited his dad's hair and eyes :).

Martina Hingis talks tennis and horse riding

  Finding Martina Hingis in the Floodgate estate these days is not a surprise. The former tennis player who dominated the world rankings between 1997 and 2001, accompanied her husband, Thibault Hutin, involved in 4 Atlantic edition of the Tour. 

But the presence of former world number one has stolen the spotlight with some of the world's best riders. Nothing that Hingis is not accustomed to. 

Away from the courts, the 30 year old Swiss continues to smile ready and available to chat, sign autographs or interviews like this one that she gave the audience during the third visit to Portugal.

How do you feel in your new life away from the rider and courts?

I always liked to compete with my horses and that's how I met my husband. Sometimes it's good to do anything without pressure. It's something completely different than tennis, though sometimes frustrating, because I was number one for four years in a row (in tennis) and I don't have the same level in equestrianism or any ambitions. 

It is a very different sport then tennis, we have to concentrate for a minute, but when wrong it is done, over. In tennis, we have more time, we could lose a set, wake up and win. It is also an expensive sport and you don't earn the same amount of money. When I earned a check for 1500 euros, it seemed to me to be missing a zero [laughs]. But thanks to tennis, I have money for this sport. I have two horses in competition here with me and have another for playback. 


I remember you had a fall from a horse five weeks before the first final of Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam that you had never won ...
 
I was 17, but did other sports like horse riding, skiing ... I've always liked variety in my life. If I only played tennis it just wasn't me. I like to move, the speed, but do not go to the limits. I always had that lifestyle and physical fitness I was always outdoors. 

I like to be flexible so as to be equally flexible on the court and have different game strategies. This fall may not have helped me at Roland Garros, but maybe it helped me win Wimbledon, a few weeks later.

And the other end, in 1999 [lost to Steffi Graf, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2] you received a point penalty for having moved to the front of the court to check an opponent mark (when winning by 6 - 4, 2-0) and eventually turned the public against you?

This I also would have liked to have won. I regret this more. I was winning 6-4, 5-4, 30-30, two points from victory, but my serve was not working. People are always reminding me of that, especially journalists [laughs], the rest do not usually think about it. In fact, recently I was reviewing the video with my husband and I was surprised at the level of play, and with the high-quality of tennis. I lost in the end, but it was a great game tennis quality, good points, long exchanges of the ball, very tactical ... I am also proud to have made history, because it was a meeting which was voted by fans as the best ever [vote online at the official site of the WTA Tour].
 
You finished in tears at the end and did not want to return to court for the trophy ceremony. What do you remember of that time?

Yes, of course it was an end with much emotion, because I wanted to win. But there were always stories about me. I've always been very emotional, always smiling when I was winning, when I was losing I was angry. At that time there were players with very different personalities, there were the Williams sisters, Capriati, Seles, Kournikova, different guys with different styles ...  it was a good time for tennis. Today, all players have the same style, one-dimensional.

This lack of variety of styles was one of the reasons you returned in late 2005?

I felt I still had a chance and it was always best to do it at 25 years than at 30. I was proud to have reached No. 6 in the world again. Today it's amazing what happened to Kim [Clijsters], reaching number one.  

I don't know if it is harder to reach the top, but tennis is more physical, there are more players with a high level, like Jankovic and Wozniacki, and veterans are still in the circuit like the Williams sisters (when they play well), also Li Na at 28 to reach the final of the Australian Open ... Even Serena, when she is physically well, is amazing. The older generation of players can play tennis better, more technical, because they have a better education/experience. The newer ones play more standard tennis, when things are going well,  they have no plan B.

The return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters did not motivate you for a second comeback? Wouldn't you have like to have left the circuit another way than the accusation of cocaine use that precipitated your final withdrawal in 2007?

That's already history, but of course it is not the way I wanted to leave a mode where I was on top for so many years. It's one thing I can not change. I made a return that was successful and ready.

Your current connection to tennis comes down to commentating for television and radio?

It's more to follow some young players at the Academy that my mother has in Zurich - we have the best under-14 European, Belinda Becici  you will hear about her!.  I play two to three times a week with friends, do some exhibitions.  

I'll play the Legends tournament [proof of veterans] at Roland Garros, and perhaps at Wimbledon, and then the Team Tennis [team competition very popular in America, which joins current and former champions] - always liked the team spirit!.  I don't need any special preparation because I'm always doing different sports.

Current players you would like to see more?

The new, the one that is on top Caroline Wozniacki. I think she is very effective, makes the most of her abilities. But only when she wins a Grand Slam will she have the recognition from the world of tennis. I played with her about three times when she was 20 or 30 in the world and she has improved considerably. Her serve, is very consistent and, of course, dispute many tournaments. What she lacks is a major, because that is where you have to beat the best when they are at their maximum.

Know some Portuguese players?

I know Michelle Brito, hit balls with her a couple times, three years ago in an exhibition in Liverpool and again in the U.S.. When I was young, I had potential, but today it takes more. Physically being small is such a deficit, so she has to work harder in other areas. Like me: who was not very tall or strong, all the rest had to be very good, almost perfect.


desporto.pt

translated by Google edited for grammar by me (it's a bit rough sorry don't know Portuguese)

"The Bodyguard" redux WTF?!

Warner Bros is rebooting its 1992 hit The Bodyguard, the film that paired Kevin Costner with Whitney Houston and became for its time one of the biggest global hits in studio history with a $411 million worldwide gross.


The film will be scripted by Jeremiah Friedman and Nick Palmer, whose action comedy script Family Getaway made the 2010 Black List and is a priority project at Warner Bros. Dan Lin will produce through his Lin Pictures banner, and Mark Bauch is co-producer.

Scripted by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson, the original was a fairly straight ahead tale of a Secret Service agent (Costner in a Steve McQueen homage, down to his hairstyle) drafted to protect a singing diva whose life has been threatened by a stalker, then falling for her in a way he fears is a distraction from his job. 

The new version is similar, including the love story, but here the bodyguard will be a former Iraq war veteran who gets the job protecting the star as his first gig after leaving the Army. 

He discovers that the world of Twitter, Google Maps and TMZ has made access to celebrities easier than ever, making the job more difficult than ever. The goal is to take a young female singer with global appeal and give her the platform that The Bodyguard did Houston.

It becomes the second music-driven remake for the studio, which just got a commitment from Clint Eastwood to direct Beyonce. The studio is in the process of landing the male star.

 deadline.com

Why, oh why must Hollywood continue to remake movies that do not need one (Dirty Dancing Havana Nights comes to mind). 

Why not try working on a decent sequel of a movie that could really use one.  Personally I'm still waiting for True Lies 2.  (though I realize that at this point it will not happen at least not with it's original cast). 

How about Finding Nemo 2?.  

Like Dirty Dancing, The Bodyguard is a classic that should not be touched no matter who you cast, or who rewrites the script.

I miss the days when Hollywood came up with original scripts, rather then trying to relive the glory days by ruining the good ones.

Martina Hingis & Kim Clijsters join forces for WTT this summer

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Martina Hingis will be among 10 current or former world No.1s competing in this summer's World TeamTennis Pro League, it was confirmed after the marquee player draft was held on Tuesday. 

The Swiss Miss joins a starry co-ed line-up that collectively boasts some 765 professional tour singles and doubles titles, including 122 Grand Slam championships and six Olympic gold medals.

Hingis returns to the New York Sportimes, the team she helped lead to the WTT title in 2005. Last year the 30-year-old played for Albany-based New York Buzz, which merged with the John McEnroe-led Sportimes earlier this week. Joining Hingis and McEnroe on the team will be current world No.1 Kim Clijsters.

Elsewhere, Serena and Venus Williams will compete for the Washington Kastels and 2010 WTT Female Most Valued Player Lindsay Davenport joins ever-popular Russian Anna Kournikova at the St Louis Aces. US rising star Melanie Oudin makes her WTT debut for the Philadelphia Freedoms, having been drafted as their first pick.

The WTT Pro League presented by GEICO was co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s. Dates for the marquee player appearances will be announced when the league schedule is released in March. Competition begins on July 4, concluding with the WTT Finals on July 24.

wtatour.com

So glad to see both of my favourite players participating in this again. 

Really glad Martina is doing it (hope it will be televised once again).