Going to matches early and hitting on racquetball court. Was practicing a two hand forehand and totally forgot about an eastern forehand...
From most control/least power to least control/most power:
1. Slice backhand
2. Two handed backhand
3. Beginning with two hands but left hand letting go before contact
4. One hand backhand
a. continental
b. eastern
c. extreme eastern
1. Slice forehand
2. Two hand forehand
3. One hand forehand
a. continental
b. eastern
c. semiwestern
d. western
Because of tennis elbow issues I've had to start using a very heavy racquet. 15 ounces and it definitely makes a difference. Unfortunately I need it for my serve, (that's the shot that hurts my elbow). I like to hit a lot of topspin on my groundstrokes though and that doesn't go well with a heavy racquet. So I've been trying to change my grip to hit less topspin (eastern forehand grip). It worked really well one day. (Beat Brewster 6-0, 6-3.) Next I played doubles and it didn't work well at all. Although it's harder to get a rhythm in doubles and maybe it was fatigued or something from that very first time. Thinking instead to just choke up on groundstrokes.
Serve
1. Stand like McEnroe.
2. Don't bounce the ball.
3. Do a bit of a rocking motion like Becker to help keep the toss good.
4. Turn your torso into the court and swing your arm around at the same time.
5. Don't lean torso downwards as you swing your arm.
6. Keep the swing very smooth for the sake of your arm if nothing else.
So much to remember on serve compared to other shots.
Forehand
(Choke up?) No idea what to do. Other than be smooth....
Backhand
1. Continental grip
2. Backswing like going to hit a two handed backhand but actually hit it with either one hand or two hands, whatever feels comfortable for a given shot. Either way, lean forward.
4. Aim for corners or right at opponent.
5. When opponent is at net, most likely hit two handed
Or perhaps just keep western grip with right hand when hitting two hand backhand. At least on the serve? Not sure. And if I choke up on the forehand, hitting a two backhand may be a problem as the left hand is halfway not even on the handle. So I don't know. Was watching Fabrice Santoro and thinking I really like his two handed volleys also.
So either I switch to an eastern or continental or I choke up. On two handed backhand not sure if I should use continental or western grip. On ROS western may work better but otherwise then have a grip change if I want to hit a one handed slice or even drive.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Since I had kidney stones and spent a couple weeks in bed last summer I've pretty much quit playing the cello. And since I started playing tennis I've gone running less and less. Especially with the winter as I get so sick of the treadmill. With the birth of Hawthy I've especially gotten bad at these things and have really become very unhappy. Really having a pessimistic outlook.
This evening, instead of spending time with Hawthy, I got back from Cali, took a nap (couldn't sleep on the red eye) and went for a 50 minute run and then pulled out the cello.
I feel so much better. Though J guilts me. I have to get a couple runs in every week and keep playing the cello. On days I work I'm going to feel bad, not to mention J will continue to guilt me, but I HAVE to. Otherwise I just drive myself so far down.
I could say a lot of negative things about the cello. But it does something very positive for me that other music stuff doesn't. Do want to get a piano though, will have to see how that compares. Of course I have a bunch of synthesizers... lol. I never truly play them... Maybe should try to at least play some Muzio Clementi on them....
Read a couple Anne Bishop books. Daughter of the Blood and most of Heir to the Shadows. It's a dystopian world, which is good. Negatives include so little mention of normal people I wasn't entirely sure they even existed. Really counters the whole dystopian world thing. More like it's dystopian for a few people, no idea what it's actually like for the majority. And in some ways it's incredibly sappy. Very YA at the same time there's a lot of rape/sex. What especially hurts it is that I started instead reading The Necromancer's House by Christopher Buehlman which is written so much better.
This evening, instead of spending time with Hawthy, I got back from Cali, took a nap (couldn't sleep on the red eye) and went for a 50 minute run and then pulled out the cello.
I feel so much better. Though J guilts me. I have to get a couple runs in every week and keep playing the cello. On days I work I'm going to feel bad, not to mention J will continue to guilt me, but I HAVE to. Otherwise I just drive myself so far down.
I could say a lot of negative things about the cello. But it does something very positive for me that other music stuff doesn't. Do want to get a piano though, will have to see how that compares. Of course I have a bunch of synthesizers... lol. I never truly play them... Maybe should try to at least play some Muzio Clementi on them....
Read a couple Anne Bishop books. Daughter of the Blood and most of Heir to the Shadows. It's a dystopian world, which is good. Negatives include so little mention of normal people I wasn't entirely sure they even existed. Really counters the whole dystopian world thing. More like it's dystopian for a few people, no idea what it's actually like for the majority. And in some ways it's incredibly sappy. Very YA at the same time there's a lot of rape/sex. What especially hurts it is that I started instead reading The Necromancer's House by Christopher Buehlman which is written so much better.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
J said something smart today. I go after people to be friends based on who seems intelligent, unique and needs help the most. Emphasis on the latter. Like at a party I go start a conversation with the saddest looking, most awkward person sitting in the corner by themselves. This is problematic for obvious reasons. I pick broken people who generally aren't able to quite treat me with the decency and respect that I give to them. And unfortunately, relationships are a power balance. The person who thinks they are inferior, will be unhappy in the relationship.
And so I went after S. She looked so miserable at work. Although also so honest. And unique. And I must admit I did like the way she looked....
Perhaps I'm making this up. Finding a way to make it OK to me that she isn't showing any concern for my feelings lately. It is bothering me that such is the case.
But perhaps she is feeling inferior? Maybe she doesn't even know. People don't know what goes on in their own mind.
Attempts to think are so often futile. I'm so lucky to have J though. Never any real issues in 16 years now. I could have been so miserable.
D. D sort of picked me. That probably works better, usually. I suppose J sort of picked me also.
Tried listening to minimalist tonight but I just want Chameleons. Just not getting tired of them. Years and years and years.
---------------------------------
The key to happiness in most relationships is finding a way to give people a free pass to not really treat you the way you would want to be treated. So try to remember such and such, who you have a good time with, really has some serious issues and that's just how they act... And so and so, who's company you really enjoy (mostly) unfortunately just isn't quite your equal, leading to subconscious malevolence.... And so on, find a way to give them free passes. Doesn't matter if it's bullshit. Or sounds elitist. Or whatever. Certainly don't share it with them. Just whatever works to stop you from getting upset. Because obviously someone is going to get treated like crap in 98% of friendships. Better it be the person most able to handle it. But when they steal your car, it's time to cut them loose. And this doesn't apply to your spouse. It's really good if you can manage to find at least one person in the world who actually measures up.
And so I went after S. She looked so miserable at work. Although also so honest. And unique. And I must admit I did like the way she looked....
Perhaps I'm making this up. Finding a way to make it OK to me that she isn't showing any concern for my feelings lately. It is bothering me that such is the case.
But perhaps she is feeling inferior? Maybe she doesn't even know. People don't know what goes on in their own mind.
Attempts to think are so often futile. I'm so lucky to have J though. Never any real issues in 16 years now. I could have been so miserable.
D. D sort of picked me. That probably works better, usually. I suppose J sort of picked me also.
Tried listening to minimalist tonight but I just want Chameleons. Just not getting tired of them. Years and years and years.
---------------------------------
The key to happiness in most relationships is finding a way to give people a free pass to not really treat you the way you would want to be treated. So try to remember such and such, who you have a good time with, really has some serious issues and that's just how they act... And so and so, who's company you really enjoy (mostly) unfortunately just isn't quite your equal, leading to subconscious malevolence.... And so on, find a way to give them free passes. Doesn't matter if it's bullshit. Or sounds elitist. Or whatever. Certainly don't share it with them. Just whatever works to stop you from getting upset. Because obviously someone is going to get treated like crap in 98% of friendships. Better it be the person most able to handle it. But when they steal your car, it's time to cut them loose. And this doesn't apply to your spouse. It's really good if you can manage to find at least one person in the world who actually measures up.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Currently trying to alternate running with an exercise bike while sitting. 8 or so minutes easy followed by a minute or two hard for each. Plus at least once a week on the elliptical with a 60 pound pack. This keeps my back good. I think Lendl had the right idea with the biking. If you sit it gets that ROM that aerobic running misses. But Lendl hurt his back. Thus the 60 pound pack. I'm finally able to sleep on my stomach lately. It's been such a long road back. So many years. Strange that a back can continue to "heal" 10 years after the injury. But not actual healing. Just a matter of strengthening to keep everything in place.
But only getting to do aerobic stuff maybe 3 days a week. Plus tennis once or twice.
But only getting to do aerobic stuff maybe 3 days a week. Plus tennis once or twice.
It's incredibly important to have some friends. I may be losing S after all these years. I so much as suggest heel striking (when her achilles is injuried from non-heeling striking in vibrams) and she loses her shit saying I'm always pushing crap on her. No matter what I say she accuses me of something. I've barely mentioned the concept of veganism to her in 5 years, I'm married to a omnivore for 13, yet, supposedly I'm constantly trying to convert her. Etc.
Wanted to talk with her about these issues... and she couldn't be bothered. I got angry. Thought it basically meant she was done with me and it was a shitty way to go about being done with someone. She claims otherwise but now, "needs some time away from me." I wonder if she is done with me but just doesn't want to feel guilty about it. So it needs to be my fault, etc.
Must remember this is a lady in her early 30's, who I guess isn't gay, who's never had a serious boyfriend. One way or another she has some issues.
I love that she keeps it real (extremely honest). I crave this so badly. It's why I tried to befriend people long distance who refused to actually speak to me. I need realness. BUT, keeping it real leads to fights, usually.
I hope she'll get past this and we'll be friends all our lives. But I'm having my doubts. Should I ignore all my past experiences or try to learn from them? "Learning" from them means being a suspicious bastard I guess. Lately trying to unlearn what life has told me. Trying to remember S is very "quirky".
Wanted to talk with her about these issues... and she couldn't be bothered. I got angry. Thought it basically meant she was done with me and it was a shitty way to go about being done with someone. She claims otherwise but now, "needs some time away from me." I wonder if she is done with me but just doesn't want to feel guilty about it. So it needs to be my fault, etc.
Must remember this is a lady in her early 30's, who I guess isn't gay, who's never had a serious boyfriend. One way or another she has some issues.
I love that she keeps it real (extremely honest). I crave this so badly. It's why I tried to befriend people long distance who refused to actually speak to me. I need realness. BUT, keeping it real leads to fights, usually.
I hope she'll get past this and we'll be friends all our lives. But I'm having my doubts. Should I ignore all my past experiences or try to learn from them? "Learning" from them means being a suspicious bastard I guess. Lately trying to unlearn what life has told me. Trying to remember S is very "quirky".
Tried to keep my elbow really straight and it was working... until I played two days in a row. Suddenly on day two very bad golfer's elbow. And arm still hurting a few days later. Something like pushing and rubbing against my head has actually caused very slight elbow "pain" for a few months I guess. But arm has been fine with tennis lately until playing two days in a row.
Worried I'm working my way to needing surgery. Next I play going to try a eastern backhand grip and a cricket style pitching motion. This way my hand will never be behind my elbow, which hopefully should stop any additional elbow problems.
It had seemed like keeping my arm straight with a continental grip was going to work very well but I guess not. Maybe I need six months off. But going to try this cricket style thing first......
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