The Official Tennis Update Journal of Admiral Pye

What next?

Brief review of Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Maybe it's typical of the "last night" syndrome, maybe it's the pressure to do something interesting with someone before they leave for a long trip, but my brother's last night in Manila was all good vibes and thigh-slapping laughter from beginning to end. Here's a rough map of what went down:

And no, it's not about a cat. Not really.

I've only now just recovered from the wave of delight, shock and awe that is the Wimbledon final 2008.

It's one thing to be a tennis fan and player wannabe who soaks up every single tennis coverage I can get, even if they're replays; it's quite another to be a tennis fan of a professional tennis player who saw his very first appearances in the pro tour in 2004-2005, witnessed his rise in the majors and, finally, be part of this, his five-hour struggle and victory that somehow I, and many other of his supporters -- from the first time we saw him play -- knew was inevitable.

People are already calling it the Match of a Generation. And it was. The tennis match for MY generation, finally.

It was the first time that I couldn't watch a tennis match without switching to Lifestyle Network because my nerves were so raw and shot from such high level of play and display of will and determination that only the human spirit is capable of.

After the championship point, with Rafa supine on the worn-down grass and his racket twirling away into the darkness somewhere, it didn't seem real. It didn't seem real that it could be this perfect and this bittersweet.

For the first time, a tennis match made me cry. I cried for Rafa and I cried for Roger. And after this match, I can definitely say I am a big fan of BOTH players, equally.

Even as I cheered for Rafa and I sent out my own energy to the universe to support him, my admiration for Roger has also grown exponentially. Here is proof why he has been the number one player in the world for so long. Here is his spirit and humanness that many people accuse him of lacking. Here is a great warrior who was half of the reason that made the match so great.

I will never know just how much it hurts to be broken like that. I will never know how Roger got the strength to hold himself with calm and dignity even through that. No matter what the outcome, I felt there were two winners, cliche as that sounds.

As for Rafa, the intensity of his moment in the sun was felt everywhere, I'm sure. I felt MY dreams have come true as well, and that there is justice and beauty in the universe still.

How one tennis match like this lifts the spirits and inspires people like me, I'm not sure everyone can understand.

But I hope that for everyone's sake, they have something even remotely like this to keep in their hearts and change their lives forever.

Maria Screamapova is OUT!
Novak Djokobitch is OUT! (with a beatdown from Safin, no less!)
Sania The Brat Mirza is OUT!

Nadal, Safin, Youzhny, Federer are IN!

Now THAT's the kind of draw that I really really want!

I wish Justine were still playing, though. I think she could have gotten Wimbledon this year.

Current Mood: thoughtful

The Leyende Boutique is proud to host the series of Make-up 101 Workshops of Charlene Lu, beauty maven and entrepreneur of Dream Collection Mineral Make-up (who is also my reseller, incidentally).

Makeup 101 Workshop Schedules:

When: March 15-16 1:00-5:00pm
Next batch: March 29-30 1:00-5:00pm
Fee: P1,500 (50% DP required for slot)

Where: 1704 West of Ayala Condominium, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
(near corner Ayala Ave. and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave (formerly Buendia))
landmarks: beside Burgundy Tower and near Makati Medical Hospital, People Support Center, Mercury Drug (formerly Crispa), Tropical Hut

Text Charlene Lu at 0922-8242758 or 0929-2261000 now to find out and to get more details!

Current Mood: excited

Been hauling my segregated trash to the Materials Recycling Facility in Tondo for the past year. I wish I'd learned about this sooner!

Imagine how cathartic and productive it would be if we all cleaned out our rooms and closets once a month -- and get some money for it (or new items) to boot!

Tomorrow is the next Waste Market at Goldcrest Car Park, Makati. Give them your trash, people!


Every 2nd Friday of the month …….. Ayala Center, Makati (Goldcrest Car Park,Arnaiz Ave., near Ansons) (8:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Every 3rd Friday of the month ……………... Alabang Town Center (near St. Jerome (still for CONFIRMATION) Parish), Muntinlupa City (8:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Every 3rd Saturday of the month ………….. SM Supermalls nationwide; including Visayas, Mindanao & Central Luzon malls (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)

Every 4th Friday of the month ………………. TriNoMa Mall, North Edsa, Quezon City (8:00-3:00 pm)



***(please confirm dates using numbers below)***

WHAT THE WASTE MARKET OFFERS!

Trading -- Of scrap paper/ cardboard for bathroom tissue, table napkins, bond paper, notebooks

Of empty ink and toner cartridges for quality remanufactured ones

Of plastic bottles/ plastic scraps for plastic household items (hangers, basins, pails, stools)

Buying -- All of the above! plus

Junk electronics/electrical equipment/ old or broken appliances
Used lead acid batteries (from cars, UPS/ voltage regulators, busted rechargeable lamps)
Used PET plastic bottles (e.g. soft drink and mineral water bottles) and other plastics,
Aluminum / tin cans
Scrap paper and cartons
Used ink/toner cartridges
Drop – Off areas - for polystyrene/ styrofoam scrap, junk cellphones/ cellphone batteries

Industry Waste Exchange Registration area

On – site Mini – Lecturettes on Recycling - upon request; prior arrangements needed

Make Recycling a habit! It makes both good economic and environmental sense! Be a catalyst and share this announcement!

The Waste Market is a joint project of the Philippine Business for the Environment, Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), Ayala Center Assoc. (ACA), Ayala Property Management Corp. (APMC), Ayala Land and BenefiALI, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC), Bonifacio Estate Services Corp. (BESC), SM Supermalls, the City Governments of Makati, Muntinlupa, and Quezon City and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC).

For more information and / or electronic copies of this announcement, contact either:

The Phil. Business for the Environment, c/o Ms. Nancy Pilien, 6352650/ 51; mypbe@yahoo.com

The Ayala Foundation, c/o Ms. Adel Licos, 7521084 (for Ayala, Alabang & The Fort venues)

SM Supermalls, c/o Jojo Navera, 786-2401 (SM San Lazaro), John Lo, 831-1000 ext. 1630 (SM Marilao),

Michelle Santos, 8000-446/447 (SM Southmall venue), Bobby Fernando, 929-6686 to 89 (SM Fairview venue)

Current Mood: busy

A Lunatic on Valentine’s Day

It’s always been a lunatic dream
of mine: I’d go back to that afternoon
we first met, when we were scrawny
and crop-haired and indifferent,
sit through that marmoset poem
--poor, incarcerated marsupial mirroring
a couples’ desperation--
sit next to you, that’s for sure,
through the formalist lecture
tuning half-ear-half-eye to you
without missing the dramatic
situation, leaning slightly against you
as the professor reveals
how the Littlest Prisoner
released grief from the walls
of the couples’ self-imposed silence,
and I’d ask, do you see,
this is when it all started,
here is where you hold my hand?

Current Mood: giddy

Here are the more accurate, complete details for the aircon:

Carrier Aircon 1.5HP w/ remote control in box w/ receipt and remaining warranty
Model: WCARM014EE

Never been used

Bought for about P18,300 (exact price on receipt)
at Automatic Centre Araneta Center branch

Selling for P15,000 only

For pick up only in Cubao Expo (behind old Rustans and Ali Mall Cubao)

Text me 0915-671-3154 or email nevkpt(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thanks!

No Panic Christmas Trunk Show
Leyende, Fabtrinkets and the M Barretto Bag Collection!

Date: DEC 22, FRIDAY!
Time: 10:00 am ONWARDS (Or call for appointment)

Address:
Unit 1704 West of Ayala Condo
252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
(beside Burgundy Tower
near corner Chino Roces and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.


First few customers may purchase the No Rumple Silk Skin Butter for ONLY P280* (min. 2 skin butters)

*Only 26 skin butters available for this promo

Scents available:

O'hara
greenberry
kokomojo
olivas
fermina

Everyone's invited!!

LEYENDE BOUTIQUE PARTY AND OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, DEC 9, 2007
OPENS 1PM until 6PM (come anytime in between)

*Every purchase of P1,000 enters you into a raffle

5 winners will win any one of these prizes:
No Rumple Silk Skin Butter of your choice
Chocolate Soap
Kiss Kiss Balm Balm
Smoothie Operator of your choice
Vanilla Bean soap

YUMMY ORGANIC FOOD CATERED BY HALO CAFE
-sugar-free cupcakes
-tortilla made from vegetables
-pasta made of organic flour
-desserts made of organic sugar

1704 West of Ayala Condominium
252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati

Landmarks:
near corner Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat (formerly Buendia)
beside Burgundy Tower
very near Makati Medical Hospital

Parking space
: only 1-2 available text 0915-671-3154 for time and reservation
: pay parking available at Mercury Drug area

RSVP
0920-952-8232

Current Mood: awake

In a tribute to the late William Matthews, Wojahn, who is participating in this year's Old Dominion University Literary Festival, recounts the poet's response to a question about poetry's relevance:

"Why do you write
something nobody reads anymore?"
queried one
little trust fund in a blazer. "Because

I'm willing to be honestly confused
& honestly fearful."

(taken from Luisa Igloria's blog.)

Current Mood: geeky

You're invited to Tea Time Thursday:

Enjoy a variety of organic tea and cupcakes while shopping for Leyende products.

Here's another chance to try Leyende and learn more about the big difference that organic products make.

Drop by ANYTIME BETWEEN 3PM until 7PM
Makati Shangri-la Hotel
RSVP 0915-671-3154

*if you'd like a special appointment on that day outside the times mentioned, kindly email leyendeskin@gmail.com or text 0915-671-3154

Team Snape forever!

Another choke by Rafa on grass.

But I'm happier because it came down to 5 sets.

At least Roger's lovely man-bag and jacket won't go to waste. :)

This video reminds me why Rafa is my favorite boy in tennis. He has no singing voice, bless him, but he sure can have fun.



Aww, Roger Federer singing "Simply The Best." But really, he should stick to tennis.

So this morning was a very important victory. I needed this one, especially since I blew my chances in the tournament last February by double-faulting the lead away.

Miraculously, finally, I was able to finish a match cleanly, without a single double fault and with minimal unforced errors. My groundies were solid, volleys satisfactory. But most of all, I was able to execute a strategy from start to finish.

The feeling of vindication is indescribable. It's not the kind of validation I can get from other people's approval. It's more of getting back this faith in myself and the personal pay-off from the training and hard work after a string of discouragement and disappointment.

Sure, this is just club level. But the satisfaction and emotional rewards I get from playing in tournaments like these make me feel almost like a Grand Slam champion sometimes (or a finalist, at least).

Still, there's a long way to go.

--


In other, more compelling news, Miroslava Mirka Vavrinec is rumored to be pregnant. No actual reports yet, but this has been circulating the boards.

Current Mood: calm

I have an 8am match for the President's Cup tourney at Olivarez Stadium and I haven't slept a wink. Tossing and turning in bed is rare for me, and now is definitely not a good time.

If I don't wake up in time to have at least a 40-minute warm-up and stretch, I may hit out-of-the-park home runs instead of down-the-line winners.

Is there a patron saint for tennis players? And what would the novena to her/him be like?

O, St. ____, I pray that my first serves don't desert me and my returns land straight and true. May my down the line backhand save me from the penetrating forehand attacks of my opponent and may my volleys reach their mark. Particularly at the shoelaces of my opponent. Save me from well-timed lobs and grant me the patience and fortitude to hit those winning shots. Amen.

This reminds me of a geek moment, when Frank Cottrell Boyce signed my copy of "Millions:" To N. -- patron saint of nervous writers. I was ecstatic. Mr. Boyce can canonize me any day.

--

In other news, it's Roger vs. Rafa again. And again, I am nervous and excited as if this were the first time they were going to face off.

I don't dare make any predictions this time.

Can't hardly wait.

--

Found this at http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=580

Sts PHILIP EVANS AND JOHN LLOYD, MARTYRS (AD. 1679) feast day: July 22 PHILIP EVANS was born at Monmouth in 1645, was educated at Saint-Omer, and joined the Society of Jesus at the age of twenty. In 1675 he was ordained at Liege and sent to South Wales...

On their return to prison they were better treated and allowed a good deal of liberty, so that when the under-sheriff came on July 21 to announce that their execution was fixed for the morrow, Father Evans was playing a game of tennis and would not return to his cell till he had finished it...

The execution took place on Gallows Field (at the north-eastern end of what is now Richmond Road, Cardiff). St Philip died first, after having addressed the people in Welsh and English, and saying ‘Adieu, Mr Lloyd, though for a little time, for we shall shortly meet again , to St John, who made only a very brief speech because, as he said, ‘I never was a good speaker in my life .

Current Mood: anxious

Thank God for Friday!

Tomorrow, Leyende will be one of the retailers at the NIGHT MARKET AT CUBAO EXPO (walking distance from Gateway Mall)
4PM - 12MN

Here is a rare chance to check out the products before buying them.

ONE NIGHT ONLY.

Current Mood: excited