Yup AM, well aware of that. What to wear, what to wear? Nothing THAT pink in my closet, hope it won't be obligatory :)

and thanks Mad, I see it's after Kiefer/Ferru match. Now that can be interesting...

beth--you and me both--I have been looking up quotes, as well as having a dubious browser history from looking drug testing stuff up right after the Gasquet news broke...

beth - I spent last week in California (Long Beach.) Now I understand why so many people want to live in California. The weather, the beaches, the food -- nice! I had only been in Palm Springs before and the desert environment is so different.

imjimmy Yes you certainly have got my weak point being Clay?

Is there no other surface.This is where we find out the men from the men.

Dont try it on in the h/court season though

You will certainly know who You are dealing with.

I too have feelings sometimes.

Annie - cannot say I remember that one
but , I can see how that title would slip right over the kids heads
thank goodness

Marion and her crushes - she really needs to find a real man to call her own - then she might not gush so much over these other guys
Surely there is a good guy out there for her in real life
She should be past the teeny bopper idol phase by now - shouldn't she ?

Hart - last night Grant was riffing on Pinky & the Brain.

Politeness and Metrosexiness overated? Depends on who is doing the rating.

Hart - I swear , I will be your character witness if you need one
That is why I was looking up the same subject - trying to find out if there is anyway , the test could be proven inaccurate
without resorting to the " someone spiked my drink " line of defense

adicecream - too bad you did not try to reach me - Long Beach is not that far from my home
It has some good places - although our beach weather has not been that great this week
kind of gloomy down here by the coast - it is almost 3pm here and the sun has finally burned through the fog - not exactly prime beach time , ya know

Annie, he can't face going to bed either, he's got to sleep on the sofa.. Now WHY is that? And why is The cure's "Lullaby" playing in my head all of a sudden? :]

Annie - lol...I can't think of anyone less likely to go all Jacko, (the other Jacko) than Rafa.

beth, I dont think we ever get out the teeny bopper idol phase. I still get palpitations everytime I think of David Cassidy. Used to love to watch him on the Hardy Boys. Also Captain Kirk (original Captain Kirk who now does those priceline commercials). Cannot remember his name - darn it

lol beth. And I'll reciprocate as a character witness should the authorities come knocking :)

Annie--I remember the show vaguely, but I think most of the humor went over my head (most of Pinky/Brain went over my head as well at the time, but gotta love syndication)

CL--I heard! I'm sorry I missed it. :) Grant, where are you?

I'm not going to comment on Serena's dress because I like her too much. Go Caro,Scandinavia's#1, World's#1O, 2OO8, new comer of the year.

And on the tennis front: with James out I can watch the matches with less emotional involvement. At least I did not pick him in my SP as I started to. It took a lot of years but now I know better.

Thanks, beth. Last week's weather was superb, at least by my Baltimore standards.

Yummy Karen - William Shatner

I am afraid I have gotten over the teeny bopper idol phase
although I did go sort of weak at the knees briefly when I ran into Howie Long in Beverly Hills earlier this year
what a gorgeous specimen of a man
but - it was very brief - and then I was back to normal old me

And I meant to add that I wish I had seen you, beth. I wouldn't have thought to try to contact you, California being a big state and all :)

"Grant, where are you?"

Same place I am every night, Hart.

"Now I understand why so many people want to live in California. The weather, the beaches, the food "

Pfft. Take one look at the sunglasses-shaped sunburn I'm currently sporting and you'll change your mind. Thanks, LA. :)

Pete has a new post up.

trying to remember last week's weather
the days out here all sort of run together
and endless parade of no rain , early morning fog and hazy afternoon sunshine
I could be a weather man in LA

I could get things wrong just as well as they do

thanks, Hart - knew I could count on you :)

>>Same place I am every night, Hart.

does that mean we get an encore?

Yummy Karen - I like that actually - LOL - thanks for the reminder about William Shatner. Could not remember that name. Also loved Parker Stephenson. Is he still alive? My goodness. That fellow was really yummy.

Oh I'd love a Serena/Safina final! I'm not gonna lie Serena's comments about her being the real n.1, even though it's totally true actually, made me cringe a bit. Ok she destroyed Safina at AO but that made her the real n.1 for a month max. That's tennis! You can't go on losing to Kukalokanovas in the first rounds of tournaments claiming you're the n.1 still! So it would be great if she could back it up by beating Safina here. lol

Or - Source?

LMAO at Fed being friendly and smiley w/ Bartoli. He totally has a restraining order out on her.

I used to work in Long Beach , adicecream
it is really not far from me at all
some areas of Long Beach can be pretty scary - but along Ocean Blvd and in Belmont Shores area - it is very nice

Hart - one word - sunscreen

sunglasses are a vital accessory to any outfit here in LA

hey AM! :)

Samantha, what dont you like about Serena's dress. I thinks it looks quite nice actually. The colour suits her skin tone, although I understand that it is a bit tight, but makes her look trimmer (then again, could be that she is much trimmer). Why do attorneys insist on giving people work at 5:00 in the evening, when it is time to go home - plus I hate this guy

Having travelled to California myself I really can see the same things that we have here in Sydney,sun,surf and great beaches

Being very spoilt living where I do,waking up and seeing the sea is something I feel I take for granted.Though I must admit I do miss living in Europe at times though.

I think Yummy Karen just fits - it combines both your real name and your moniker quite well
Parker Stephenson - wow - that is a blast from the past
I have no idea what happened to him

Arun That Mobile Sex God Musical is still going strong here in Sydney

Alas I wont be going though,I dont like the rules of having to turn off your mobile.

As far as I am concerned Maid Marion is just one big man time stalker!

yes she tried it on here during the summer in Oz

She went after out Living Legend Pat Rafter????? Gasps for Air at the thought?

> I dont like the rules of having to turn off your mobile.
You've started sounding like Warney too, AM. :)

Karen, orange is my least favorite color and well she looks like she's about to pop out of the top, and that would be a lot to pop out. I just like her AO outfit better. I'm just glad she won, so I can get my final.

"he so has a restraining order out on her." lmao sblily!!

how can poor marion have a normal relationship with a man when her father is like he is?

thanks peeps for the words of encouragement re rafa NOT being a michael jackson in the making. But he is a little different, like listening to "phantom of the opera" before every match? you'd think he'd be listening to speed metal or something...i dunno. It makes him more endearing to me actually.

I want Rafa to become the Michael Jackson of tennis.

I don't think Rafa is a Michael Jackson in the making - but he is not your average guy either
frankly , no pro tennis player is a just another guy next door
the focus and drive it takes to be a pro at an individual sport makes them a bit different from the average teen or young adult
That and their social interactions are not really that normal - they miss out on so much of normal adolescence - no regular high school or college experiences to draw on

but - really ? he listens to Phantom before every match ?
that is kind of odd
not that he would like the show - but before every match ?

NP Well the way things our panning out especially in the wardrobe area

You may get your wish.

Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up. Phantom would be too adult for MJ.

Now that's a starter, AM. Rafa dons violet next time, and boom! he's already halfway there.

Beth Well Rafa is tuned into the sea,fishing,boats etc

I think there could be a connection there.

Though cruising around underground in sewer areas has never been my cup of tea.

At least Violet and Purple are the "In" European colours at the moment.

"I want Rafa to become the Michael Jackson of tennis."

He will need to grab at the front, not the rear, for starters.

Grant, once Rafa gets on stage he can do just that. Court ain't stage.

I wonder what that mystery boy of the Madrid SF is doing now.

"Court ain't stage."

Tell that to a trial lawyer.

oh , Grant
that is rich :)

and AM - that could be it - or maybe he likes the horror story/ love story combo
it has something for everyone

"Tell that to a trial lawyer."

Spoken like one!

Saw that normally astute Pete picked Mathieu (??) or possibly injured Montfils (?) to win Federer's Quarter. So Pete thinks that Roger's incredible historic 19 straight Grand Slam semifinal streak will come to an end in this weak Quarter? And after he WINS Madrid over Rafa!! Mathieu???? Pete, I truly respect your tennis knowledge and acumen, but just what have you been drinking over there, and how much? After all, you did so well at Madrid. Don't be foolish and abandon Roger now. That's lunacy and not worthy of you.

Well, Mathieu did manage to win in 1st round. But I wouldn't want to be picking him in the Suicide Pool (he does get rid of lots of competitors who bet on him, though).

Beth: can't remember where i read it, but he listens to one particular song from phantom before every match. since i don't know the music from it i couldn't guess as to which one.

The amount of focus it takes to succeed at the level the top guys do must take a certain amount of ritual. you don't just grab your racket and go out on the court. it shouldn't be surprising. i bet alot of players do these things but we don't hear about it because they're not be interviewed all the time. For instance, i always thought that every player had a presser after a match but it's only the top seeds that are required to go (or they get fined).

I think our Boy needs to further his musical world

I think the song "Eye Of The Tiger" is a catchy little number to listen to before a match,just thinking.....................

Pete's semifinal picks were Nadal, Montanes(?), Djokovic and Montfils/Mathieu(???).

My semifinal picks last week were Rafa, Gonzo, Djoker, and Fed.

So I'm already doing better than Pete with my predictions. At least all of my semifinalist picks made it out of the first round! Ha ha, Pete! Picking against Roger apparently addled your brain.

Nadal is playing in the Lenglen court later today while Safin and some French nobody will be in Chatrier. How the heck did that happen? Shouldn't the center court be reserved for defending champions? What a diss!

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html

NP: Actually I think Rafa could look good in Royal Purple. With cranberry red stripes/headband/sweatbands, etc. Would need black shorts to go with it.

Not violet.

"Actually I think Rafa could look good in Royal Purple. With cranberry red stripes/headband/sweatbands, etc."

Or perhaps a raspberry beret.

Rosangel Gee you are not just a marvel in tennis knowledge etc

Your great Fashionista ideas are great too

I think Rafa would look wonderful in Royal Purple too.Agree he needs to wear black shorts.

Maybe Nike will rethink there next colour combos? gee after the Lolly Pink Yikes things can only get better.

Grant: You are the funniest guy I don't know!

Yeah, Grant, they could also play "Purple Rain" in his honour when His Royal Purpleness walks on court.

"Rain" signifying his effect on other players' performances, perhaps.

Rosangel, I think Rafa could pull off violet, but right, royal purple would be better as long as it's not accompanied by white shorts.

"Or perhaps a raspberry beret."

How French! Add a fedora with a few sequins, and you've got a perfect ensemble.

Grant Raspberry Beret? I hear a song coming on?

Prince had a song about Berets

I just adore Prince.

Does any1 know what happened to the kid?

Rosangel I feel Purple Rain sung at Wimbledon is just Perfect!

Well after the Blue Clay at Madrid.It is only fitting we have Purple Grass at Wimbledon this year.

Are you allowed to wear a single glove in an ATP match?

"You are the funniest guy I don't know!"

Thanks Lynne! They say that to not know me is to love me!

"""Eye Of The Tiger" is a catchy little number to listen to before a match""

Word, AM

NP: Who was that Kid anyway? I've heard a bunch of rumors: Tio Toni's son, Raul's son, random kid in the stands, Tim (from Central Park, NY) in Spain *he he..Campi's hillarious*

By the way, aussiemarg, I think the suggestion of "Eye of the Tiger" was perfectly timed....for the entrance of the female version:)

Rosangel LOL!

Rafa's mullet:

http://www.all-about-tennis.com/images/rafael_nadal.jpg

The Gloved One's:

http://www.pajamadeen.com/images/michael-jackson-mugshot.jpg

Grant Well I still Love and Adore you?

If that really counts anymore.

Dunno, imjimmy. My imagination is running wild.

Rosangel: Purple is for tennis royalty. So only Federer and Nadal should be allowed to wear it. Agree that it would look very nice on Rafa, much better than pink or the garish green he wore at Paris last year. And it would also look great on Roger, much better than many of the rather drab off-color outfits he's been wearing since the USO. In rich purple they would come off so nicely in your (and others') photos.

We have two Emperors now. Sort of like the Roman situation post-Constantine. Who's East and who's West? And shall the twain ever meet? Does that make Nole and Murray the barbarians at the gates? Just idle musings between matches.

If we need another Prince song for Rafa to make an entrance to - I suggest "Nothing Compares 2 U". It has the added benefit of being a duet with one of my favourite female singers, the amazing Rosie Gaines.

Gee lets just cancel RG now give the trophy to Rafa

I am loving this new wave Wimbledon.

Risin' up, back on the site
Called a troll, told to scroll past
Went the distance, now she's here every night
Just a KAD and her will to survive

It's the eye of the Tigress, it's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of her rival
And the last known survivor stalks the Rafalites
And she's watching us all with the Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyye of the Tigress

"Sexy M.F."

It really is too long since we had the last TW Poetry Slam, Grant:) !!!

I like 'Simply the Best."

"I Hate U"

Lynne yes we could invite Tina Turner,pity about Ike though

Great song choice.

Didn't Roger wear purple at AO? I wasn't crazy about that kit and hated rafa's. Still love the wimby whites on everybody.

I was listening to "Enter Sandman" by Metallica the other day. which always makes me think of Mariano Rivera. For our friends outside the U.S., he is a relief pitcher for the N.Y. Yankees and whenever he is called to the mound, the Yankee PA system blasts Enter Sandman, as he walks from the bullpen out onto the field. it's incredibly cool and gives me shivers every time. The idea being that here comes the closer, good night all, game over. So then I thought hey, this could be Rafa's song (Sand=Clay) and you gonna lose, no?

"Gett Off"

"Little Red Corvette"!!!

hope i didn't bore you too much with my "enter sandman" story but that's a kickass song. Rafa should listen to it.

NO!

NP: "7"

(as in, upcoming number of Slams)

I feel a real need to listen to "When Doves Cry" on my iPod right now...

Lynne: isn't 'simply the best' roger's song?

"I Touch Myself"

Rosangel, I'm sticking with LRC. Just imagine what would break out! Baby you're much 2 fast!

Ahhh, so many Prince fans! *grins*

Annie - I WISH tennis would adopt the MLB practice of having the players pick theme songs. Then again, Rafa would probably pick some cheesy song from "Phantom" or some weepy Alejandro Sanz number and ruin the whole effect.

BTW - LOVE Sandman!

Annie: Sorry, not any more.

Grant, that's one of my unashamedly guilty pleasures. A damn fine song.

"When Doves Cry" has the line "an ocean of violets in bloom....." :)

I Would Die For U by Prince

Very fitting number

Rosangel: 'nothing compares 2U' is such a great song. But don't we want something we can rock to, not sway back and forth to?

I still like "enter sandman." anybody?

Grant LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's also about having horrible nightmares, fitting for the spaniard, no?

"Glam Slam".

NP - True. It would also be maybe the funniest Rafa entrance song possible.

I still think "I Would Die For U"

Rafa just never gives up!

Oh my goodness is that Bartoli quote real??? Someone give that girl some cake to calm her(hormones)down.

"I still like "enter sandman." anybody?"

Only if Toni gets "Master of Puppets" as his own theme song.