Today began with a breakfast date at 7:00 A.M. with a good friend. We solved the problems of the world in our two and a half hours of conversation. We talked about how who we are is formed so early in life, and perhaps because of the power of those experiences, even in old age, and with those living with dementia, the long term memory is the one which remains. We shared lines from poetry which provided poignant examples for some of our conversation topics. My friend, a poet, also had original lines for almost everything we talked about.
After breakfast, I met with my art group of five women, I have grown to love over the last four years we have been together. What a diverse and powerful group of women, all united by a love of art. The past two times we have met, we have drawn nothing, but have enjoyed our conversations so much that that overshadowed our artistic purpose. However, we did master the ART of conversation.
It is so nice to share reflections among the five of us. Our eldest, mentor, and teacher, is an 88 year old. We learned something new from her today (we probably already knew it, but it was re-emphasized). We learned that we should never close our hearts--there is always time to learn something new about relationships, even when they relate to our children. We think we know them best, we watch them grow, we see them change, but even then, there is always something else to know, see, and experience with them which will give us immense joy. How wonderful is it to live long enough to see the almost complete evolution of our children--to understand them better, to finally get it, to feel joy from their joy.
The utter joy we saw in the eyes of the 88 year old we love so much, was so heartwarming. It was a lesson in how we have to always keep an open heart, willing to accept, appreciate, embrace, adjust, and most of all LOVE, no matter what.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
When Work is Not Work: Reporting for My Female View Broadcast
Covering the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, featuring Serena's return, after fourteen years, was a highlight of my freetirement years. I say no to a lot of things I have been asked to do since I free tired, and am very good at saying no. When I say yes, it has to be an experience with which I am enamored, either because it is new, something I have never done before, or I find it somewhat intriguing. In this case, it was all of them , new because I had never acted as a reporter before, and intriguing, because the very thought of being there in a role other than spectator was fascinating.
I was not in the least disappointed. Spending time in that press room with all of the professionals, I did not at any time feel that I was a first timer. I have found that most things in life are far easier than people would have us believe. I felt quite at home, knew that I could write, and it just fit in with my genuine curiosity about how things work. It was interesting to see the lack of people of color in the room--it is just in my nature to observe those kinds of things. There were representatives from all over the world, representing all kinds off media, and obviously, many of them "travel the circuit," and they know one another. Yet, I did not feel like an "outsider" at any time. I think having confidence in oneself is one of the greatest qualities a person can have, because you can feel comfortable wherever you are.
We did not have our individual work stations, but were seated in comfortable high chairs, facing the "center court," the only court in stadium 1. We were able to see the entire stadium, and were also able to walk outside and sit. The room was soundproof because we could not hear anything going on outside, although there were television monitors everywhere.
Our job (my partner, Shana) was to go into the interview rooms when the players finished their matches. There was an announcement made letting you know when a player would be available. We filled out several sheets, one for each player, we wanted to interview. They pretty much stuck to those sheets, although you could go in the room for any player they called. We initially thought we would do one on one, but that was only on the very first day of the tournament when they had "open access" day.
The interview room was about the size of a classroom. The player was brought in by a "handler" who said "Questions for …." Then anyone could ask a question--the ones I found most fascinating were the ones which were not tennis related. "You travel with your dog?" "What makes an opponent great?" Loved the answer to that one "You would have to ask her parents." "How does it happen that a tennis player has a partnership in a bass fishing store?" It was quite something to see the players up close and personal--the room was never full, even for the heavyweights. They all look quite different from their demeanor on court. They were very engaging--probably had heard most of the questions a thousand times, and very gracious. I changed my opinion of some, based upon this experience.
I took notes the old fashioned way with a small notebook, and typed them all up when I got back to the hotel. There were transcribers in the room, and the transcripts were made available. I noticed that some of the media people relied on the transcripts, but English teacher that I am, I preferred my own notes. I understand that the transcripts are always available on the website.
Watching the matches in person, I noticed that the balls come harder and faster. The grunts do not sound nearly as irritating as they do on television. The views from almost everywhere in the stadium are very good (My husband was sitting in general admission opposite from me, and aside from the sun, it was a great seat--of course, he found shady places to sit). The area where the players sit with the umbrella is a lot smaller than it looks on television. I loved seeing the camera which moved across the court suspended by a wire.
One of the friends I met when I went into the hotel lobby each day around 5:30 a.m., told me that the French Open's stadium is the most intimate, and there are wires and cords everywhere. She and another lady, who worked for Nike, were my early morning companions. The Nike lady is in charge of tennis and has worked there for over ten years, and had played tennis at UCLA. She knew all of the players, and mentioned them as if she were talking about a good friend, but not in an arrogant way. She said Serena is a diva, and deservedly so. Said she is very, very nice, and if you see her in a restaurant, she will talk to you when she finishes her meal :-). The other lady, from Maui, is also a tennis buff, and has attended every Grand Slam. I think it is so wonderful when you can follow something about which you are passionate. They were my early morning tennis pals--we exchanged names, even though the possibility of us ever meeting again, is very slim, but then again, who knows?
The hotel was the press hotel, but I was told that some of the players were there too, although I did not see anyone I recognized. I am sure that a lot of the houses are rented for this tournament because it seems as if all of Palm Springs was full of tennis enthusiasts. The restaurants, and the streets of Indian Wells were full, but only when matches were not in session.
I stayed up later than my usual 7:00 bedtime in order to get my "copy" done (getting the lingo down), and to just rehash the day with my partner and husband.
Some work is work, and other work is LOVE!
I was not in the least disappointed. Spending time in that press room with all of the professionals, I did not at any time feel that I was a first timer. I have found that most things in life are far easier than people would have us believe. I felt quite at home, knew that I could write, and it just fit in with my genuine curiosity about how things work. It was interesting to see the lack of people of color in the room--it is just in my nature to observe those kinds of things. There were representatives from all over the world, representing all kinds off media, and obviously, many of them "travel the circuit," and they know one another. Yet, I did not feel like an "outsider" at any time. I think having confidence in oneself is one of the greatest qualities a person can have, because you can feel comfortable wherever you are.
We did not have our individual work stations, but were seated in comfortable high chairs, facing the "center court," the only court in stadium 1. We were able to see the entire stadium, and were also able to walk outside and sit. The room was soundproof because we could not hear anything going on outside, although there were television monitors everywhere.
Our job (my partner, Shana) was to go into the interview rooms when the players finished their matches. There was an announcement made letting you know when a player would be available. We filled out several sheets, one for each player, we wanted to interview. They pretty much stuck to those sheets, although you could go in the room for any player they called. We initially thought we would do one on one, but that was only on the very first day of the tournament when they had "open access" day.
The interview room was about the size of a classroom. The player was brought in by a "handler" who said "Questions for …." Then anyone could ask a question--the ones I found most fascinating were the ones which were not tennis related. "You travel with your dog?" "What makes an opponent great?" Loved the answer to that one "You would have to ask her parents." "How does it happen that a tennis player has a partnership in a bass fishing store?" It was quite something to see the players up close and personal--the room was never full, even for the heavyweights. They all look quite different from their demeanor on court. They were very engaging--probably had heard most of the questions a thousand times, and very gracious. I changed my opinion of some, based upon this experience.
I took notes the old fashioned way with a small notebook, and typed them all up when I got back to the hotel. There were transcribers in the room, and the transcripts were made available. I noticed that some of the media people relied on the transcripts, but English teacher that I am, I preferred my own notes. I understand that the transcripts are always available on the website.
Watching the matches in person, I noticed that the balls come harder and faster. The grunts do not sound nearly as irritating as they do on television. The views from almost everywhere in the stadium are very good (My husband was sitting in general admission opposite from me, and aside from the sun, it was a great seat--of course, he found shady places to sit). The area where the players sit with the umbrella is a lot smaller than it looks on television. I loved seeing the camera which moved across the court suspended by a wire.
One of the friends I met when I went into the hotel lobby each day around 5:30 a.m., told me that the French Open's stadium is the most intimate, and there are wires and cords everywhere. She and another lady, who worked for Nike, were my early morning companions. The Nike lady is in charge of tennis and has worked there for over ten years, and had played tennis at UCLA. She knew all of the players, and mentioned them as if she were talking about a good friend, but not in an arrogant way. She said Serena is a diva, and deservedly so. Said she is very, very nice, and if you see her in a restaurant, she will talk to you when she finishes her meal :-). The other lady, from Maui, is also a tennis buff, and has attended every Grand Slam. I think it is so wonderful when you can follow something about which you are passionate. They were my early morning tennis pals--we exchanged names, even though the possibility of us ever meeting again, is very slim, but then again, who knows?
The hotel was the press hotel, but I was told that some of the players were there too, although I did not see anyone I recognized. I am sure that a lot of the houses are rented for this tournament because it seems as if all of Palm Springs was full of tennis enthusiasts. The restaurants, and the streets of Indian Wells were full, but only when matches were not in session.
I stayed up later than my usual 7:00 bedtime in order to get my "copy" done (getting the lingo down), and to just rehash the day with my partner and husband.
Some work is work, and other work is LOVE!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Saturday at Indian Wells for My Female View Broadcast
Today is our day or real work, and we drove to the Tennis Garden at 8:45, followed our very good directions to parking lot J an took the shuttle, a full sized bus, which held 48 people, to the West gate of the garden. We were greeted very warmly by the volunteers manning the lobby area, and were taken to the big lockers to leave anything we wanted there. We were escorted by one of the ladies.
There were televisions in this area which showed what everyone was doing, including where players were practicing. I accessed the app for the BNP in order to be able to access everything on my devices. Someone I talked to told me that he would put it ion all of my devices, and told me that there is all access internet, with no password needed. Upon asking him what the Z meant on his pass, he informed me that he is in charge of all of the WiFi--he was certainly the right person for the job.
We then went upstairs to the press area, wher Sharon gave us a grand tour of all of the work stations, the press viewing area which is right at what I would call center court, in stadium one. There are nin courts here so there are matches taking place at different times of everywhere. My years of watching tennis is finally paying off. I know that love is not just on a Valentine's Day card.
There is press here from all over the world, as evidenced by the foreign languages I hear. As I write this from my perch, I am looking out at the Brengle Panetta match in stadium 1. There is also an outside seating area for press just outside my window. Oh my, I could get us d to this pr ss thing.
We will probably be here all day and into the Djokovich's night match. I will probably saunter over to a few more stadiums throughout the day to see Townsend later, Azarenka, Keys, and others. I also want to see Federer's doubles later this afternoon.
TYL (talk to you later)
Friday, March 13, 2015
An Indian Wells Adventure
What a joy to represent My Female View Broadcast as a reporter at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the Paribas Open Tennis Tournament. Former Student, Gina Robinson, who co-produces the show, invited us(Shana Butler, and I) to take part in this great adventure since she neither or her partner could not make it. No, never even entered my mind--I don't think she even knew what a tennis buff I am.
We had a wonderful drive from San Diego--left at 9:30, and even with construction traffic, made it in good time with just one bad direction by me, the navigator. For the most part, it was a straight shot. Shana was a wonderful one handed driver, since she had an accidental fall, yesterday, and broke her wrist. Soldier that she is, she sucked it up, and carried out her commitment. I have to love a committed woman, but she also knows I would have never let her live it down (her words)
We decided to head straight to the Tennis Garden, instead of the hotel, in order to pick up our credentials. We had directions on exactly how to get to the "pick up" parking lot, went there, parked and headed to the credentials bungalows. My husband, also came along, and he sat at a shuttle stop to wait for us. The credentials area, staffed primarily by volunteers, was quite pleasant indeed. I spoke to one lady and she told me that this was her l4th year volunteering at the tournament. They were all quite nice, and facilitated the process quickly. We had our pictures taken, received lanyards with our press badges, and began to feel very official. We then went to our hotel, which could not be any closer--about four miles from the Tennis Garden.
We are anxiously looking forward to tomorrow when our reporting begins. It is the first time in ten ears that Serena Williams has played in this tournament and she will play in the night match tomorrow night. We will cover the morning and the evening matches.
Grateful for this opportunity.
We had a wonderful drive from San Diego--left at 9:30, and even with construction traffic, made it in good time with just one bad direction by me, the navigator. For the most part, it was a straight shot. Shana was a wonderful one handed driver, since she had an accidental fall, yesterday, and broke her wrist. Soldier that she is, she sucked it up, and carried out her commitment. I have to love a committed woman, but she also knows I would have never let her live it down (her words)
We decided to head straight to the Tennis Garden, instead of the hotel, in order to pick up our credentials. We had directions on exactly how to get to the "pick up" parking lot, went there, parked and headed to the credentials bungalows. My husband, also came along, and he sat at a shuttle stop to wait for us. The credentials area, staffed primarily by volunteers, was quite pleasant indeed. I spoke to one lady and she told me that this was her l4th year volunteering at the tournament. They were all quite nice, and facilitated the process quickly. We had our pictures taken, received lanyards with our press badges, and began to feel very official. We then went to our hotel, which could not be any closer--about four miles from the Tennis Garden.
We are anxiously looking forward to tomorrow when our reporting begins. It is the first time in ten ears that Serena Williams has played in this tournament and she will play in the night match tomorrow night. We will cover the morning and the evening matches.
Grateful for this opportunity.
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