Doubles tennis

Do you play tennis? On a league - or just a fun social game? Then you'll want to watch my new TV Series called "Seeing Doubles". Here's a synopsis:

“Seeing Doubles” is like nothing else on television today - an instructional series that focuses on doubles tennis. Doubles may get little air time during tournament coverage, but it’s the most popular form of tennis played by adult recreational players, and is a specialty all its own. Doubles vs singles tennis is often referred to as “chess vs checkers” because of the intricacy of strategy required. It’s more a mental and reflex game, than a purely physical encounter. If tennis is truly a “sport for a lifetime” then doubles provides that life in our later years.

I personally know a group of 80 to 85-year-old men that play six days a week at my local tennis park in Hollywood, Florida. They may not move as fast as the youngsters, but they have learned to compensate with excellent ball control, strategy and shot selection. They are true gentlemen, great sports, and are in incredible physical shape. Most of the ladies in my doubles league are over 50, and didn’t start playing tennis regularly until they were in their 40s. The adult population is an area of tennis growth that has been somewhat over-looked in the industry’s zeal to bring players in at age 5-10. Both are admirable pursuits – but one undeniable fact is that people age 35 – 55 are the most desirable demographic for advertisers (they’re also parents, and if they love tennis they are likely to transmit that enthusiasm to their children).

Teaching adults to enjoy tennis helps them live longer, healthier lives – and encourages them to have fun and be competitive in a sport that makes them feel like real athletes, as they approach middle age and beyond. As singles can be too physically demanding for some older people, doubles is clearly the key to involving them long-term in the thrilling sport of tennis.

--JC Summerford, Producer

I have conducted informal polls on several message boards, provoking these comments, and many more:

“I'd certainly watch. I'd like to know rules, personalities (including backgrounds of players), where the teams are from, standing in their league, how serious each of the players take it,.......oh jeez, there is so much I would like to see about it. I'd rather watch it over Top 5 of anything on TC anyday.”

“I would watch a good instructional show if I thought it could help improve my actual play.”

“I would watch such a show if I thought it would help my play. I think the challenge would be to have enough content in there that would apply across a broad range of levels (say 2.5 - 5.0, which covers most recreational tennis players).”

“What channel would it be on? I play doubles all the time and I suck at it and hate it with a passion. Maybe your show could help.”

*87% of those polled said they would “definitely watch a show like this”.

Colbert Report

Love Steven Colbert - last night he hit home for me with a comment about airline travel.  I have traveled so much over the past few years, and am increasingly disgusted with the way airlines treat passengers, while charging us more and more.  Here's what Steven "reported" yesterday:

"Airlines are thinking of charging passengers for 'reclining seats'.  Also - your scrotum now counts as a carry-on bag."

Great stab at an industry that has lost its focus.  They should be looking for ways to accommodate, not alienate travelers like me!

First major upset of the Australian Open 2011 - a Ukranian wild card beat #4 Robin Soderling (earlier he kicked Tsonga).  Never a big Soderling fan anyway - but this kid, Alexandr Dolgopolov, can play!  He comes from great lineage, his dad coached Medvedev, and like Agassi he picked up a racquet at age 2.  Has a weird service motion, but good variety of shots; he has no fear, and an impressive ability to out-think his opponent.  He lost the first set 6-1, as Soderling unleashed a barrage of huge groundies - but then settled down and figured out Soderling's game.  From then forward, he fed the big Swede unpalatable angles, slices, and produced an unrelenting defensive game.

Next up, Murray - so Alexandr's moment in the sun (for now) is about to set.  Murray whipped him good at Davis Cup last year.  Still think Rafa will win, but at least 3 others have a real shot this year:  Federer, Murray, and Djokovic.  In fact I predict the Fed doesn't make it to the final, it'll be one of the other guys.

work is ruining my tennis!

Call us die-hards. My regular Saturday tennis buddies all showed up at my house today to play doubles. It was overcast, misty and foggy, which made the court a little slick in spots, but we started. Half an hour later, a light rain made the court too wet to play. Broke my heart, because with my new full-time job, I only have weekends to play in daylight, and prefer to play 5-6 days a week! But we decided to play at night a couple nights this week, so we'll see how my astigmatism affects me - I gotta do something, work is ruining my tennis game! I've also been invited to be on a USTA night league team, so guess I'll do that too. Off to the gym now...

Montreal in January

I just got back yesterday from Montreal, where it was about minus ten degrees and snowing.  Little rain here in Hollywood, but no problema - it's 75!  Actually don't mind cold weather as long as I have my Marmot mountaineering jacket!  You really don't feel a thing if you zip that thing over a lightweight fleece shirt and draw up the hood.  I walked for hours, drooling over the amazing architecture, museums and art galleries in Vieux Montreal.  I actually stayed at a 1900-era bank building (now a cool boutique hotel called L'Hotel), in what was a century ago Canada's "Wall Street".  Also shot a video for the TV Show "Kid Spaces" which went ok.   Here are a few photos!

New Year, new job!

I started 2011 with a big change - if not a big bang - by joining the staff of VTA Florida as Creative Director, a full time job!
I've operated my own company, Time is NOW Productions, for eight years - but when this opportunity presented itself, I couldn't turn it down.  I've known Art Nardin (manager of this facility) and everyone else here for years, and they do the kind of work I'm very familiar with.  I feel I can bring in some new energy - and new clients - jump-starting the year for all of us.  Watch this blog for much more about new projects and stuff - it's going to be a great ride!

Remember Haiti this holiday

If you have any donations in mind this holiday season, please give a thought and a prayer, and as much money as you can spare, to the people trying to help Haiti through its multiple crises.  In addition to the explosion of cholera in the wake of the earthquake, there is political unrest and continuing grinding poverty.  We really don't know the extent of the population's misery, as many thousands of rural residents suffer far from cities, hours from medical attention.  These people must carry their sick and suffering over mountains for days to reach even the most rudimentary clinics, which are now overflowing and in desperate need of medical supplies and doctors.  Please help if you can.

I suggest visiting the website www.doctorswithoutborders.org to help.

Here is a list of other organizations who are contributing to the relief effort:
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (Jewish Federations of North America)
American Jewish World Service
American Red Cross
AmeriCares
Brother's Brother Foundation
CARE USA
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Relief Services
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
The William J. Clinton Foundation
Concern Worldwide US 
Cross International
Direct Relief International
Friends of the World Food Program
The International Rescue Committee
Internews Network
Islamic Relief USA
Lutheran World Relief
Medical Teams International
Mercy Corps
Oxfam America
Partners in Health
Plan USA
Project HOPE
Relief International
The Salvation Army
Save the Children USA
The UN Foundation
The U.S. Fund for Unicef
World Vision
Network for Good