One of the luxury car ad campaigns uses this really cool tagline “What Drives You” and lately being sporty and athletic drive me. This week alone, I've spent almost 9 hours playing tennis and table-tennis. It's a big deal for me as I normally spend that amount of after work hours either in front of my ThinkPad LCD, or Samsung CRT, or WEGA flat screen. It feels good to finally get back to reality.
I have had ping-pong games almost daily with the aim to increase my accuracy in all the different strokes; chops, backhand, forehand, slice, etc. On gear, I've started to learn mixing and matching wood with the appropriate rubber. Maybe I should pamper myself this year's birthday by customizing my own bat at one of the shops downtown. Oh! I can't wait to have the right bat to ramp up my offensive game. I am thinking Butterfly or Nittaku! But I’d rather keep my options open to others brands.
And interestingly, I’ve also discovered the application of Yin & Yang principle in ping-pong! I wish someone taught me that when I started learning the game 15-years back.
I am also happy to have three sparring partners to keep on drilling my game. One of them is providing some really cool tips and open about analyzing different game plans.
Now let me get into my tennis. It seems that this week 3-hour of service and stroke practices has taken our game to longer rally compared to when we started fortnight ago. That explains why we got tired easily this time. Nevertheless, there’s lot more to learn/improve and we’ve decided to hire a coach soon.
I suppose if I keep on the momentum, my dream to have a healthy and fit body is not that impossible as I thought. Yeah, I've put on weight in the last 9 months and it ain't nice at all. Because of all the physical, I’ve experienced aching in my feet and right fore arm. I hope those muscles aren’t torn out.
Anyway, I’ve never felt this good waking up in the morning. And nothing beats the satisfaction of a powerful smash shot that couldn’t be returned by your opponent. It is definitely the highlight of the day. It is my way of channeling my angst and forget the low point of the day.
Alright, I'll bite. What's the Ying & Yang principle, and how does it apply to table tennis?
Posted by: Don Ferguson | Tuesday, December 06, 2005 at 11:25 PM
hahaha --- Ya! Lacoste is everywhere in tennis! now Polo is making its way into tennis as they sponsored the US Open. Polo online store has a special section on tennis! Anyway, Maria just lost to Venus Williams in an exhibition game leading to China Open.
Me in the tennis association? Wait till they start to manage sports professionally here!
Posted by: haxa | Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at 02:41 PM
Good for you, buddy! I hope after this you run for an influential post in our national tennis association...rather than having politicians who know nuts about tennis at the helm. I once had someone hooked on tennis just by my tennis attire...the Lacoste polo mesh & fred perry tee. Now tennis attire are somewhat outrageous, dont you think, but luckily there's beautiful Maria to save the day ;) In KL, working out in the gym after work is the craze lately, but those guys dont know the joy of sweating it out on the tennis courts. Maybe I'll see you in the Wimbledon senior tournament one fine day...hehe
Posted by: limtat | Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at 10:30 AM
You've found YOUR ideal workout regime. Feels damn good when you let your body move right? :D
Posted by: pickyin | Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 08:10 AM