When we were talking the other night about hitting a volley you got me thinking.

When we were talking the other night about hitting a volley you got me thinking.
You said, "I have trouble seeing the ball and that is why I move back to give me more time to pick it up and hit a solid well placed shot."
I said, "By moving back you are giving up an advantage that you have over the other team. Actually you give up three advantages... 1) The closer you are to the net the more horizontal angles you have to hit the ball and the more court your opponants have to cover. 2) You also get more vertical angles which results in fewer balls going into the net and fewer shots that you have to hit at your feet. 3) By coming to the net you take time away from your opponant allowing you to exploit when they get out of position.

You told me that you had trouble seeing the ball. That got me thinking.
Is the sun a factor? Do you have a visual problem? Is it a problem with concentration and anticipation?

When I was nine and my brother was six my Dad would take us to the ball field and hit us grounders with a hardball. Catching grounders comming off the uneven surface of the playing field makes hittiing volleys with a tennis ball a piece of cake. When we missed it was not unusual to get hit in the face with the hardball. If I threw the ball softly back to my Dad ("Like a girl,") he would grab the ball and throw it back to me as hard as he could. I have a dead upper incisor tooth which which I attribute to a blow from one of Dad's throws or grounders.
Why do I tell you this? If you wear protective eye gear your physical risk on the tennis court is minimal. Some of the best tennis instructors start instruction on volleying by having the players catch a tennis ball bare handed. Whether with a hand, a mitt or a racket the hand-eye connection lines up the the balls trajectory and makes the catch/volley. (Fast balls hit at you need to be caught/vollied with a backhand.) Assume that every shot is going to be hit at you. Be still when your opponant hits the ball. Study his delivery like an on deck batter observes a pitcher on the mound. Never allow your heals to hit the ground. Keep the two butts down... The racket handle and your ass. Line the ball up with your racket and use your lower body to improve your position and give some momentum to your shot without sacrificing the lock that you have on the ball... don't wave the racket but volley with your feet!

By playing against different players you get to decode their deliveries and learn to anticipate the hard balls they will give you at the net. Playing the same people over and over again is like a batter hitting the same two or three pitchers. League play will improve your game. You want to play different players. You learn to react to their strengths and from their mistakes as well. Last year you did get to play a few matches with John and Gary which is more than you will get by not being on the team this year.

I really like playing tennis with you, Mike and I was not bullshitting when I told you that banging the hell out of the ball with you on Wednesdays is my favorite tennis. You are the only one I know who could hang in there with me in the heat. You are getting better and since tennis is a big part of your life it only makes sense to take positive/objective steps that will make your game better.

I hope that I don't sound like a pretentious asshole with this note. Feel free to tell me if I do.

Your friend,

Stuart

Stuart

Forget BRIC ETFs: Look To VISTA Nations For Better Opportunities - Seeking Alpha

http://seekingalpha.com/article/301792-forget-bric-etfs-look-to-vista-nations-for-better-opportunities

Stuart

The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman

A novel about five children between the ages of 9 and 15 who were close friends. They came from three different families. The children were traumatized by the death of an Afro-American male who they had befriended in the woods near their home. The story revolves around the reaction of the families to the death. The author gives great description of the reactions of the characters to the central event. She displays considerable in site into human nature, sexuality, and intertgenerational conflicts.

Stuart

Israel's Predicament - The Wall Street Journal.

I thought you would be interested in the following story from The Wall Street Journal.

Israel's Predicament

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576566431045060822.html

The Wall Street Journal for iPad provides a new way to experience the Journal's award winning coverage, blending the best of print and online. Special features include:

• "Now" Issue featuring updated coverage throughout the day, with top article picks from Journal editors
• Market Data including quote search and customizable Watchlist
• Videos and slideshows published with free articles

Click or tap the link below to download The Wall Street Journal from the Apple iTunes App Store.

http://www.wsj.com/ipad

Stuart 

Triple Agent by Joby Warrick

On December 30, 2009 a Jordanian Physician posing as a double agent blew himself up at the Khost Army base in Afganistan taking with him a number of CIA agents who were hunting down Osama bin Laden and other el-Kaida terrorists. The CIA was so anxious to follow any lead that it let its guard down after receiving useful tidbits from what turned out to be a triple agent working for the enemy. A number of good people were lost. The war on terrorism is now pitting unmanned aircraft against fanatical suicide bombers.

Stuart

Dear Janice,

Dear Janice,

Things are getting pretty interesting up in Pittsburgh. Sandy told me about Jake's parenthood. I think about him often. After Sandy told me the news I remembered a time about 15 years ago when we were waiting in Washington for a tour of the White House. It was a sunny day. Ted was at his conference/course and you and the kids were with us while we waited. Jake was having trouble with the long wait and was bouncing around. We were doing your best to entertain him. Finally he crashed and burned. He banged himself up and began to wail. Many a good mother would have scolded and told him that he got what he deserved. You, instead, picked him up, cradled and comforted him. You were/are a special mother, Janice.
I know that now that Jake is a father he can not help but remember all the love that he received from you and Ted. It is amazing that he was able to keep it from you for so long. 14 months... wow! If we can believe what he says conception probably occurred shortly after he returned from Outward Bound and that childbirth occurred around the time he turned 18.

I hope that you guys are able to sell your house on Longue Vue soon. When do you plan to move to the townhouse? Sandy showed me the photos of your place. I am sure that it will be a relief not to have to maintain the big house with the big stairway to the bedroom. I will miss your backyard just like I missed your acreage in Newcastle. I hope that there will be enough room for us to stay with you when we come visit.

Today I hit singles with my friend Mike for about an hour and a half. We beat each other up and literally crawl off the court. One day I will get enough confidence in my forehand to swing through in a match. When I checked the cell phone after playing I saw that there was a message for me from Arden Court. I held my breath. Dad fell again and the Hope Hospice nurse was concerned about a rash on the left side of his face. I changed my shirt and drove over there. Lisa, the nurse on duty saw me and said that she noticed that Dad's gait had changed and that it was her opinion that it was the progression of his disease and not medication related. The rash is likely a skin infection resulting from one of the scabs on his face. I suggested to the nurse that they prescribe an antibiotic. Dad was restless. He was sitting in the dining area when I arrived. His head was drooped and he would not make eye contact with me or the caregivers. Fortunately, Holly was there. Together we tried to comfort Dad while he repeatedly sat down and got up and tried to lift the table and then the counter top. He is so unstable. It is more likely to fall than remain upright. I gave him my hands and we stood up in the hallway and together we shuffeled back toward his room. When we got to his room Holly was called away to help with Roger. Roger is a resident at Arden Court who has been there for only 18 months. When he first arrived it was hard to tell that he had any deficit but now it is obvious. He has aged two decades in two years.
I told Holly that I could handle Dad while she helped the other aide with Roger. Dad did not want to go into his room for some reason so we just held onto each other in the hallway swaying from one side to the other as if we were dancing. He would alternate pushing and pulling, leaning forward and back and then from one side to the other. All I cared about was not crashing. After dancing for about two numbers Dad was ready to enter his room. We stood together holding each other for a few minutes and then finally he settled on the edge of his bed. He did not want to lay down at first so I just stood there holding on to him. He leaned on my arm while I surveyed the photos that are mounted on his wall. No photos of Mom. You and Dad smiling together outside of the townhouse. You and me at Callaway. Joshua and some big fish. Me in front of the house on Lakeshore Drive. Dad holding court on the cruise ship with Jason the clown, serious Josh and Jake staring off into space. I just transported myself into those places while Dad leaned on my arm and tried to mumble something that I could not understand. When I was able to guide Dad to a semi-secure spot on his bed I sat in the armchair next to him. A few minutes later Holly returned and together we gently got him to lie down. We put the bumper mattress next to his bed and he closed his eyes. Holly is so sweet. She remembered how delighted Sandy and I were a few days ago when we visited and he kissed Sandy and looked at me and said "HiYa son!"

I shipped my bike to Portland, Maine. In two weeks I am going to fly up and join a reunion of our Crossroads Crosscountry riders. Sandy is going to stay in Fort Myers, nurse her leg/back and keep an eye on Dad while I bike back to Daytona, Fl. I have not told Mom yet. I am not looking forward to telling her. It is just something that I need to do.

I love you guys. We had a great time together in Alaska and California. We did a great job putting together the photo books for Mom. I got to relive the whole experience last week when I visited her. I miss Abby. Ted... keep a sharp eye out for the "Stuarts" sharing the road with you.

Love,

Stuart

Stuart

Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay

Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay
The novel of the Jewish Roundup in Paris France during WWII.
Over 4000 children were herded into the Veladrome de Hiver before they were sent to concentration camps.
50 years later then French President Jacque Chirac made a speech reminding the French of "the black hours that will stain our (French) history.

Stuart