Anyone who knows me (well or even casually) knows that sports have been a significant and much-enjoyed part of my life.

I grew up playing all kinds of sports at school with my boy friends -- ironically, I never cared all that much for girls back then -- and in the neighborhood. I played on the high school tennis team (and basketball team ... briefly), and even entertained thoughts of attempting to walk on to the EIU tennis team. I have continued to play tennis, competitively, "as an adult"; in fact, just last weekend, Diane and I won the doubles championship of the Benton Summer Classic. (Hey, I realize it ain't Wimbledon, but it was our first title since Diane returned from knee replacement surgery in October 2006, so in our little world, it was pretty amazing. And it felt great!)

Anyhoo, 17 years of my professional career were spent as sports editor at a small daily newspaper. It was a job that had its share of ups and downs, and it was one that I did not give up all that willingly. I have gotten to the point that I don't miss covering high school sports on an almost-daily basis, but there are times when I miss doing what I did because I know I was very good at it.

I don't dwell on those times, however, because life moves on. In fact, there are moments -- and sometimes weeks, actually! -- when I don't think about sports at all, really, except maybe when I'm out there on the tennis court, and even then, it's not so much "thinking about sports" as it is "trying to keep the ball on the court" -- a simple strategy, it would seem, but in reality: It's one of the secrets to success in the game.

There are other times, though, when my world revolves around sports: A good portion of the Major League Baseball season, especially when the Chicago Cubs and/or the St. Louis Cardinals are in contention (the Cubs, of course, are my heart's favorite, but the Cards have become a tolerable team because of their proximity AND the fact that Diane loves them ... and they tend to play an exciting style of baseball), and any time a Grand Slam tennis tournament (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open) is going on.

Especially Wimbledon, which is, was and always will be my favorite tournament. Make that my favorite sporting event in the world. From back in the day when Debra and I pretended to be Chrissie Evert or Billie Jean King or Evonne Goolagong when we were playing badminton in the front yard. (Hey, I know Wimbledon is played on a grass court, but have you ever actually tried to play tennis on actual grass, in an actual yard, filled with actual bumps and holes and dirt clods and twigs and roots and stuff? Believe me, badminton is MUCH more realistic because the birdie doesn't hit the ground except to end a point ... and, besides, we eventally discovered that Chestnut Street was adequate for playing tennis!)

And also from back when I watched John "Superbrat" McEnroe lose to Bjorn Borg in the 1980 men's championship match. I went into the match pulling for Borg, found myself rooting for McEnroe at various times throughout and ended up, when it was all over, wishing that somehow, some way, both men could have won. (McEnroe, of course, did win the Wimbledon title the next year against Borg, and went on to beat him a second straight time in the U.S. Open final, and not long after that, Borg retired from the game.)

I missed most of last year's Wimbledon final between Rafael Nadal and defending champion Roger Federer because I was under the influence of Benadryl for most of the match and simply could not keep my eyes open.

This year, however, I had everything perfectly arranged for the day to include a sports doubleheader of sorts: 8 a.m. to noonish -- Watch Roger Federer (1) vs. Rafael Nadal (2) on NBC; 1:30 p.m. -- Drive to Busch Stadium in St. Louis; 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or so -- Watch the Chicago Cubs vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

We stayed at Karl's house Saturday night, mostly so we could play with the grandkids but also because they reside 90 minutes closer to St. Louie than we do, so we could watch the match and then go to the game -- instead of having to leave the match way early.

Everything went according to plan, as far as getting up, taking a shower, getting dressed, having my "breakfast at Wimbledon" -- Karl made waffles, YUM! -- and settling in for the tennis match -- to be viewed in HD on Karl's 60-something-inch TV screen.

Unfortunately: Rain delay at Wimbledon! Only for 20 minutes or so, thankfully, so before we knew it, the match was under way.

Diane and I were both rooting for Rafa ... although I admit I have always admired Fed, so, to be honest, after Rafa went up two sets to love, I was pulling for Roger to make it a match (I couldn't help noticing Diane was rooting for Fed at certain points in the match, too).

Third set: Another rain delay -- by which point I was starting to wonder whether the match would finish before it was time to head to the game! Federer managed to win the third set, and despite having two championship points against him in the fourth, he pulled out that tiebreaker, too, to level the match at two sets apiece, right around 1:30 p.m. -- the time we were supposed to be leaving for the ballpark!

"We can stay and watch a few more games," said Diane, who was every bit as caught up in the match as I was.

We watched Rafa and Fed play to 2-2, 30-all in the fifth set, and then: Another rain delay!

"It's almost 8 o'clock their time," Diane said. "Surely they won't be able to finish the match today."

We grabbed our stuff and got in the car and headed to Busch, convinced that the match would be suspended until Monday morning (afternoon, London time); still, just to be safe, I called Tee-Hee and instructed her to call me if the match did resume. Diane and I talked about the match all the way to St. Louis, where we found a parking garage right across the street from the ballpark and arrived at the game just as the first inning was ending.

While we were still searching for our seats, the Cubs scored a run, somehow (I couldn't see the field as we were making our way to the Casino Queen Party Porch). We finally settled in, ate our ballpark food (a hot dog for me, supreme nachos for Diane) and began watching the game.

Then came a text message from Teresa: "5-4 Fed in the 5th set."

The match HAD resumed! So, suddenly, I'm sitting in a pretty good seat at Busch Stadium, watching a great game -- by now, the Cubs are up 2-0 -- and I'm keeping tabs on a great match at Wimbledon, thanks to texts from Tee-Hee: "5 all," "6-5 Fed. Can u say tie break? Cubs still winning?" "Oops! There is no tie in the 5th set!" "Tied @ 7."

Then Christopher gets in on the action (it's only fitting, since I was glued to the set two or three weeks ago watching Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open Golf Championships): "I think Roger is done ... this final has been great!" "This match is insane!" and then: "We have a changing of the guard at the All England Club."

And another from Tee-Hee: "Rafa wins!!"

Yes, Nadal ended Federer's reign at Wimbledon -- five straight championships! -- with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 victory.

All Diane could do was smile when I told her. I felt a twinge of regret over not seeing the action "live," but I knew we'd be home in a few short hours and then I could watch (and rewatch and rewatch and rewatch) the highlights. And, of course, I can see the entire match tonight on ESPN Classic (6 p.m. Central, for those of you keeping score at home)!

Meanwhile, back at the ballgame: The Cubs have extended their lead, and shortly after we finish our Ben & Jerry's ice cream (butter pecan for The Lovely, chocolate fudge brownie for moi), Diane announces that she's pretty much done with the game (Cubs were up 5-1 or 6-1 at that point; who's counting?). I always like to leave the ballpark when the Cubs are WINNING ... you know, just in case disaster strikes (as it had the day before when they blew a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth).

All in all, one of the best sports days ever in my little world! In fact, the only drawback was not getting to see Jim Edmonds play for my beloved Cubbies; however, it was cool enough to be able to see (and hear) a couple of interviews with him prior to Friday's televised game, during which he received a standing ovation from Cubs AND true Cardinals fans.

Sadly, Jimmy went 0-for-7 against his former team with four strikeouts and three runners left on base. He did draw a walk in the second game of the series but was thrown out at the plate for a run that would have given the Cubs a 5-2 lead (they eventually lost the game 5-4). However, the Cubs DID win the series, 2-1, so all is right the world, still ... for the moment.

Anyhoo, here are some photos from left field from Sunday's game:

Albert Pujols Follows Through

Albert Pujols is, in my opinion, the best player in baseball. He hit his 300th MLB career home run Friday night. Fortunately, this "hit" was actually a foul ball; I believe Albert flied out later in the this at-bat.

Cubs on Base

Reed Johnson (9) and Ryan Theriot lead off first and second while first baseman Albert Pujols, second baseman Brendan Ryan and shortstop Cesar Izturis (3) wait for the pitch.

Aramis Ramirez Delivers

Aramis Ramirez (16) drills an RBI single in the third inning to score Reed Johnson. Ramirez had three RBIs in the game (he now leads the Cubs with 60), doubled and scored on Mark DeRosa's single in the first inning (so THAT'S how the Cubbies took their early lead!), and had sacrifice flies in the fifth and ninth innings. Not a bad day at the plate!

OK: Time for me to get outside!

I went to a couple of graduation parties this evening, before and after the actual ceremony, which I also attended in order to shoot some photos for the newspaper. Fun times, a few tears and some halfway decent pictures.

I had a flashback to Graduation Night 2000:

Judy, Stephanie, Diane and I spent a good portion of that afternoon at Cajunfest at the Pheasant Hollow Winery. Now, I've never been much of a wine drinker -- mostly because wine usually gives me a headache, but also because, in general, I don't care for the taste of wine. I realize wine is probably regarded as more of a sophisticated drink than, say, a cold beer, but I've never really liked the so-called "good wine"; I prefer the sweeter, fruitier wine. (Go figure!)

However, the thing about me and wine is, I basically have to choke down the first glass because all I can taste is the alcohol, but by the second glass: I DON'T CARE!

Anyhoo, it was a warm day at Cajunfest, and the four of us drank wine for two or three hours, to the point that we were all sufficiently tipsy. Somehow, we made it back to town, and after being dropped off at home, I decided to watch American Beauty, which I had not yet seen. And sometime in there, I might have driven to a couple of liquor stores to pick up some Captain Morgan's spiced rum because a certain someone had suggested I try it ... but then again, that might've been after the next year's Cajunfest. (Truthfully, my memory on such matters isn't all that great.)

Whatever. Suffice it to say I was sufficiently bombed, either on wine and spiced rum or wine and cold beer, when Becky came to pick me up to go to Jenn's graduation. Becky was covering the event, and I was going to see my little buddy get her diploma.

I walked to the East Gym, where the graduates were putting on their caps and gowns and preparing to walk over to Rich Herrin Gym, the site of the ceremony. I found Jenn, and I promptly walked over to her, took her face in my hands and kissed her, right on the lips, right in front of anyone who cared to notice. Jenn just smiled and giggled, and I smiled and headed back to the other gym.

I stayed just long enough to see Jenn graduate, and then I left the gym, walked over to nearby Hey Carl's for another beer and then walked the 15 or so blocks home.

I watched the rest of American Beauty before passing out for the night. I had to watch it again the next day because I really didn't remember anything about it except for the ending.

Not sure what is prompting this bloggie post, other than I logged on to MySpace to discover my "Tiny Dancer" song had been "Deleted by Artist" (yeah, right: AS IF Elton John got right on here, himself, and removed the song from my site). So I thought about adding some Snow Patrol (some remix version of "Chasing Cars") or Coldplay ("Yellow" -- but I couldn't find it), but then I was lured to an old favorite, "Sexcrime (1984)."

I have liked the Eurythmics from the time I heard that first "test pressing" of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" on WLS -- back when WLS used to A. Play music instead of non-stop talk, and B. Come in clearly, day or night, on any AM radio I happened to be listening to. If memory serves, I was sitting in the driver's seat of my dad's car at the Mattoon mall, where I had gone with Tracy McConnell. Or Holly Sphar. I can't remember which one, exactly, but I think it was Tracy. Anyhoo, I liked Dave & Annie immediately and have been a fan ever since.

I don't think I actually saw the movie 1984 in 1984. I did read the book 1984 sometime that year; I remember sort of feeling like I HAD to read it by then, so I did, and I remember being struck (stricken?) by how bleak it all seemed. I also remember formulating my own theory about how the "major" TV networks at the time reminded me of the "super states" of Eurasia, Eastasia and Oceania, at least in terms of how each one would, at a certain time, claim to be in power or No. 1 or whatever, but no one could ever remember which one had been on top or for how long, and beyond that: No one cared.

The Eurythmics' 1984: For the Love of Big Brother soundtrack ranks right up there among their best albums ... but then, I can find at least three or four songs that I truly love on every album they've ever made, so that's no big surprise. I dig "Sexcrime" because I can air-band/lip-synch/dance to it, and also because it's a great song.

So, what was I doing in 1984?

Going to college, drinking too much, working on the yearbook, staying out late, sleeping in late, putting on weight, dabbling in blowing off classes, finding my identity, trying to change my major, messing around, writing, editing, learning how to operate a 35mm camera, playing music, driving around, etc. You know: The usual.

The best thing that happened to me in 1984 was meeting Patti.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=38613262&blogID=363493460&Mytoken=D3EF46E9-02A4-4150-8F2B4DCCE8B184DA98770653

Especially this line:

Is there any thing
as beautiful

as someone
you love?

60 Things You Can't Possibly Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Mucho crapola!

2. When was the last time you threw up?
The last time I had a migraine (sometime in early February 2007)

3. What's your favorite word or phrase?
Bite me! (I don't say it very often, though.)

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Diane, Tim and Amy

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Fantasizing ... : )

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Drinking some orange juice

7. What is your favorite holiday?
Easter

8. Are you pregnant?
Probably not

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
"NO!" (to Kiddle)

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
See No. 6

12. What are you wearing?
Gray sweatpants, maroon fleece top

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Strawberry banana yogurt

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
No

15. When was the last time you ran?
This evening on the tennis court

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
A tiny bit of Texas Tech-Kansas last night

17. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Africa

18. Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on myspace?
Adam Kays

19. Ever go camping?
Yes

20. Do you have a tan?
No

21. Have you ever lost anything down a toilet?
I honestly don't think so!

22. What is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate

23. Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?
Yes

24. Do you drink your pop from a straw?
Occasionally

25. What did your last text message say?
I have no idea, and I'm not about to go check!

26. Are you someone's best friend?
Yes

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Working

28. Where is your mom right now?
Probably at home

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
The TV

30. What color is your watch?
Which one?

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
The Australian Open, of course

32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?
Many times

33. What's your zodiac sign?
Aries

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Usually drive-thru

35. Do you have any friends on myspace that you actually hate?
Nope

36. Do you have a dog?
I've never really had a dog.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Diane

38. Have you met anyone famous?
Yes

39. Any plans today?
Watch a lil' TV, then go to bed.

41. Ever go to college?
Yes, indeedy!

42. Where are you right now?
My living room

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Cold weather!

44. Last song listened to?
"Faithfully" by Journey

45. Last movie you saw?
Traffic

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Poison ivy

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
My Merrell Chameleons

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
I'm a lil' envious of those who have enough money not to have to work.

49. Are you married?
Practically!

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
I can't imagine so.

51. What time is it?
8:03 p.m.

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes

53. Do you eat healthy?
Occasionally

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
No

56. Do you use the word "hello" daily?
Yes

57. How many kids do you want when your older?
I've never really thought about it.

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
43

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes

60. How did u get one of your scars?
Car door

70 Q's (or thereabouts)

1. Would you forgive your best friend for sleeping with your fiance?
I would try to forgive them both, but I would obviously be devastated.

2. Where were you on your 17th birthday?
Somewhere in The Ville

3. Have you ever seen a live bat?
I saw one that was barely alive last fall in downtown Chicago.

4. Is there anyone you hate?
No

5. Are you single?
No

6. Do you like the color orange?
More so, the older I get!

7. Do you find it in your heart to forgive?
I always try to forgive.

8. Would you rather not eat or not sleep?
I guess I'd rather not eat (of course, I say that having just eaten dinner from Krapplebee's a couple of hourse ago).

10. Do you like tattoos and piercings?
I suppose I prefer tattoos, done well and in discreet places on the body.

11. Where was the last place you got your hair cut?
My bathroom

12. What's your favorite season?
Spring, summer and fall (hear THAT, winter?!)

13. Do you care if people talk smack about you?
Not one iota.

14. How much are you on the phone daily?
On a good day at work: Not much!

15. Your name?
Diana

16. Are you in a good mood?
I'm sleepy. Is that a mood?

17. Do you think people will exist forever?
Well, we already haven't existed since the very beginning of time, so it's a moot point ... isn't it?

18. What is your sign?
Aries

19. Do you believe in luck?
Yes. No. Sorta?

20. Would you rather sky dive or bungee jump?
No

21. Do you like snakes?
Yes ... from afar ... but then, I like to take pictures of them, and it's kinda scary!

23. Do you like waffles?
Yes!

24. Anything you're looking forward to?
Spring

26. Does the number 41 have any significance to you?
It was mostly a pretty good age to be.

27. Be honest, do you like people in general?
Yes

28. Big or small dogs?
I like that 15-inch beagle that won at Westminster!

29. Do you like Big Macs?
Actually, I've been on a slight Big Mac kick here lately.

30. Did someone bother you today?
A little

33. Would you rather spend a whole day with your mom or your dad?
Both ... on different days

34. Where will you be 12 hours from now?
Work

35. Is it easy for others to make you feel intimidated?
No

36. Do you know what you are going to wear tomorrow?
I have a general idea.

39. Does anyone hate you for no reason?
It's possible, but I can't imagine someone wasting that much negative energy without really knowing me.

40. Can you make yourself cry?
If I think just the right things or hear just the right song or ... yeah.

41. What are you planning to do today?
Today is rapidly coming to a halt! My only "big plan" is to go to bed.

42. Play an instrument?
I used to play the alto sax, but I've lost my lip. I can also play the tonette and the recorder, kinda.

43. Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Probably not; I wouldn't want to go back and screw things up worse than I already have!

44. What are your favorite colors?
Blue, white, poppy orange, certain shades of yellow, hibiscus red

45. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
Probably Sheila

46. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
January

47. Have you ever kissed someone whose name starts with an S?
Yes

48. Have you ever passed out?
Maybe?

49. What is the next vacation you're going to?
Not sure

50. Are you easily confused?
No ... except when I'm not really listening.

51. Do you think you would make a good wife/husband?
Absolutely!

52. What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
Chocolate

54. Are you taller than 5'4"?
No

55.Have you ever liked someone who treated you like crap?
No

56. Is your current hair color mostly your natural hair color?
My hair is TOTALLY my natural hair color and always has been!

57. What color are your socks?
Pink with candy Valentine hearts on them

58. Has anyone ever borrowed something from you and never returned it?
Yes

59. Do you fall for people easily?
Sometimes

60. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
Yes ... and also that certain things DON'T happen for a reason. (Thank you for that one, Jenn!)

61. Have you ever dated someone more than once?
Yes

62. Who have you texted in the past 24 hours?
Teresa

63. What did you do last night?
Played on the computer, watched TV

65. Who's your favorite celebrity train wreck?
Robert Downey Jr.

66. Do you find members of the opposite sex confusing?
Not particularly

68. What are you listening to right now?
An episode of SVU that has the older son from Weeds in it

69. How has your week been?
Not too great, really

70. Is there something you wish you could tell someone but can't?
No

I've been on quite a roll here lately. Nothing all that uncool or heavy or anything, but I'm at six days and counting ... which oughta count for something, right?

: )

Right!

1.Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., who do you want it to be?
Opportunity!

2. Your boss tells you they will give you a $20/hr raise if you will do your job naked, do you?
That would never happen.

3. Your boy/girlfriend's ex calls and needs a tire change, do you let them go help?
Of course; not sure how much help she would be, however!

4. Ever seen a ghost?
I was a ghost, one Halloween.

5. Do you love anyone?
I love many people.

6. A reason you would move to Iceland?
A very, very, very, VERY good-paying job

7. A place you have lived that you miss?
Charleston, occasionally ... but not very often

8. A person that you miss?
My buddy Jenn

9. A band/group you thought was cool when you were little?
The Beatles ... unaware that they had already broken up!

10. You have a nightmare, who is the first person you think to tell?
Possibly someone at work

11. Do you wanna have kids before you are 30?
Well, uhm ... apparently not!

12. A memory from high school?
Away tennis matches!

13. Ever had a crush on one of your friends' parents?
Not any of my close friends' parents!

14. Silliest thing you have done?
Who can recall the silliest thing in a lifetime of silly things?!

15. Do you look more like your mom or your dad?
My dad, according to everyone ... but I believe I look more like my mom the older I get.

16. Something you have always wanted to do?
Write a book

17. If you could be with one person, who would it be?
The Lovely!

18. Where you would like to be in 10 years?
Happy, healthy, surrounded by loved ones

19. Something you learned about life this year?
That life is too short, and even lives that are relatively long usually end before we're ready to say goodbye.

20. What do you want for your birthday?
Sunshine!

21. Have you said I love you to anyone today?
Not yet.

22. Last item you bought yourself?
Potato chips and a Pepsi

23. What did you have for breakfast?
Mandarin oranges and raisin-bread toast

24. Name a celeb you think is hot?
At the moment, I'm sorta crunching on Tony Shalhoub from Monk!

25. What is your ring tone?
Brrrrrrrrrring! Brrrrrrrrrring! (just like a phone ringing ... imagine THAT!)

26. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Anywhere from 5 to 8.

27. Have you ever been tied up?
I don't think so ... unless you mean "tied up" as in "busy."

28. What do you wish you were doing right now?
Enjoying a sunny, 75-degree day ... as opposed to a cloudy, snowy, 30-degree day!

29. Last time you witnessed a fight?
I don't remember.

30. What was the last alcoholic beverage you drank?
A swig of Heineken

31. Where do you rent your movies?
Blockbuster

32. Ever had a black eye?
No, but I had a pretty good shiner on my chin one time!

33. Last people you went out with?
Diane, Cindy and Millie

34. Name three places you would like to travel to?
The Florida Keys, London in late June and the East Coast

35. Is there anyone you want to date at the moment?
Yes ... and I'm dating her!

36. Favorite food?
Spaghetti with meat sauce and meatballs ... preferably from Maggiano's or Bennie's, or my own!

37. Silk or lace?
100% cotton!

38. Last board/card game you played?
Spades ... and Karl and I RULED!

39. What do you think of Brad Pitt?
I like him and I think he is INCREDIBLY good-looking in Meet Joe Black and A River Runs Through It.

40. Name a friend you have the most in common with?
All things considered: Patti.

41. What color are your toenails?
Regulation toenail-colored

42. Last person you talked with on the phone?
Diane

43. Do you own anything with a skull on it?
My head? (I guess I don't so much own it as rent it out or inhabit it, really.)

44. Have you traveled to Europe?
Yes

45. Last movie you watched?
Brokeback Mountain (R.I.P., Heath Ledger)

46. If you could be anything in the world, what would it be?
Pretty much what I am, only better ... though it would be incredibly awesome to be a free-lance writer/photographer with considerable financial means!

47. Last sin committed?
Avarice