Until next year, i-Dub...

Just got back from Indian Wells...

For today's adventure, Lady Stacy and I drove down early (about 8:30am) and fortunately had no trouble with traffic or parking. We got into the grounds by 10:45am; had our cocktails in hand and were watching Rafael Nadal on the practice courts by 11am! Just a little while later, we saw Rafa's semi-final opponent, Novak Djokovic (aka Nole), practicing in a nearby court too! What a way to start the morning!

Eventually, we headed to our nose-bleed seats in the main stadium to catch the 2nd set and super 3rd set tiebreak of the women's doubles finals. By the way, the weather was quite hot today (about 90), but our seats were in the shade (which made the tennis viewing so pleasant all day). Excellent work, Lady Stacy, on picking great seats on the South side of the stadium!

Anyway, Dinara Safina (Marat Safin's younger sister) and her dubz partner ended up winning the women's doubles Pacific Life Open title, and I was very happy for them. After their match, we had a quick bite before seeing Nole beat Rafa in two sets in the first semi-final of the day.

But, the most exciting match of the day was the second semi-final between (#1 ranked) Roger Federer and American Mardy Fish (ranked #98). Although I'm not a Mardy Fish fanatic, I was completely rooting for him because he's pals with players I really dig (e.g. Robby Ginepri, James Blake), and I also always enjoying seeing Roger Federer upset. And upset he was; Mardy played brilliantly to beat Roger 6-3, 6-2!!! Wooh! Well, another March tennis season has come and gone for me, and I certainly had a blast! Vegas two weeks ago (met Robby Ginepri!); Indian Wells last weekend (met Robby Ginepri again!), and Indian Wells again this weekend (saw R-Fed upset). Life ain't too shabby! Now, I can't wait for July, when pro tennis comes back to the L.A. area!

Tennis & Music

Robby Ginepri beat James Blake tonight at the SAP Open!! Yay, Robby!

Speaking of tennis, Sophie and I went to the Temple Bar tonight to see our favorite cardio tennis instructor, Jensen, perform his alternative-rock-rap-hybrid music. Although rap isn't really my thang, all I can say is BRAVO to Jensen for being so passionate and getting out there.

Another Pretty Match!

Tomorrow (Friday), Robby Ginepri meets James Blake in the quarterfinals of the SAP Open in San Jose. They just played last Saturday in Delray, but let's see if Gineps can beat Blake this time. Go Robby! Unfortunately, I don't think this particular eye-candy match will be televised on the Tennis Channel; boo!

Random LHK News

1) Congrats to Frank Lampard on scoring a century of goals (now 101) during Chelsea's 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town yesterday. The game also featured the return and excellent play of my beloved John Terry! Yay!

2) The gang and I had some karaoke fun last night at a new restaurant in Korea-town called La Defence. We booked a private room with a big rectangular booth and drank/ate/sang the night away in honor of our friend (and local football player) Laddie McFresh's birthday. The food and service were very good, and the karaoke videos were SOOOOO hilarious!

3) In tennis news, Robby Ginepri lost to James Blake yesterday in the semi-final of the Delray Beach International. Robby was playing so well, and he was actually ahead in both sets, but eventually lost in 2 sets (6-4, 6-4). I'm heart-broken for Robby, but I was SO happy to just see him back in action (looking as foxy as ever of course)! James Blake's final against Japanese teen Kei Nishikori airs this morning at 10:30am PST on Tennis Channel.

4) I'm off to see IN BRUGES later today. I'll let you know how it is...

Soccer & Tennis today

Hey now, it's a big day for LHK sports today!

1) As I mentioned before, Chelsea takes on Huddersfield Town today at 9am on FSC.

2) Then, in a huge semi-final match at the Delray Beach International, Robby Ginepri takes on James Blake (live on Tennis Channel at 4pm PST)!! Talk about a supreme eye-candy match-up; MEYOWZA!

LHK Sporting News

1) Now that my favz (Marat Safin and Svetlana Kuznetsova) are unfortunately out of the Australian Open, whom do I root for? Well, the simple answer is anyone but Roger Federer and Justine Henin; their brilliance bores me. Also, (dare I say) the attitude of the Williams sisters bugs me a bit. But, I guess I sort of dig and will root for the Serbs/Croats, James Blake, and Rafa Nadal. Oh, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is pretty fun too.

2) Chelsea takes on Birmingham City tomorrow morning (on Setanta Xtra - BOO! I don't get that channel - at 7am PST). GO BLUES! Let's see how our new Serbian defender, Branislav Ivanovic, does.

3) Women's pro soccer is coming BACK! Go, LADYs!

4) Okay, I could be crazy, but I think Robby Ginepri is planning to play a challenger event in Hawaii?!

LHK Sporting News

1) The US can re-claim Davis Cup victory if the Bryan Brothers win their doubles match today. James Blake and Andy Roddick already won their matches yesterday to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead over Russia!

2) Chelsea beat West Ham this morning! I contemplated going to London for this game 'cause I've always wanted to see my top 2 EPL pretties (John Terry and Freddie Ljungberg) playing on the same pitch. Oh, a Lady Hooligan can dream...

3) Last but not least: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8! U! C! L! A! UCLA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! The big game's today; let's BEAT 'SC, baby!

Currently Reading

In case anyone's interested, I've decided to add a little "Currently Reading" update to my blog. I'll post the most current book that I'm reading in the right-hand column of random items, and hopefully it'll give me the incentive to read more (even with the tantalizing upcoming Fall TV season).

This past year, I've read some decent books:
Truman Capote's "Summer Crossing"
Amy Sedaris' "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence"
Ray Bennett's "The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great"
Kazua Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go"
Isabel Allende's "Ines of My Soul"
Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey"
James Blake's "Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life"
J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)"

Harry Potter 7 was by far the best of the bunch, and for your information, I'm always open to any recommendations too...

Now, I'm currently reading Bill Clinton's "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World".It's an easy read, mainly about the hundreds of amazing organizations that President Clinton and his Foundation have crossed paths with.

Thankfully, almost everyone I know performs charitable acts (whether it's donating clothes or working at a homeless shelter). But, at the same time, it seems that we can all do more, and this book reminded me of an organization that I had heard about and wanted to check out:

If you haven't already heard about them, KIVA provides a set-up where you can loan $25 (via PayPal and then forwarded through a local credit union) to a business-person in a developing country. Ideally and over time, the entrepreneur pays your $25 back (which you can keep or re-loan). How unique and interesting is that? Check them out, and keep them in mind. The holidays are right around the corner, and gift certificates are available...

P.S. In memory of my Uncle Cyrus, I "loaned" $25 to Rahiba Soltanova (a small jewelry seller in Azerbaijan) today.

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) Bill and I decided to skip our Friday movie today. We were going to catch-up and see "Death at a Funeral" but decided against it 'cause the reviews for it are just mediocre. And although I love the Bruce Lee classic "Enter the Dragon" and the sport of ping-pong, I'll be skipping the movie spoof "Balls of Fury" too.

2) Jose Luis de Vilallonga, the actor who played Holly Golightly's Brazilian fiancee in "Breakfast at Tiffany's", passed away yesterday.

3) Victoria Beckham will be guest-starring on "Ugly Betty" this Fall. I've been getting into the series this summer since the Season 1 dvd set came out. Posh seems like a perfect match for the show. But, I thought Posh had no Hollywood/acting ambitions? Does a cameo count?

4) In LHK Sporting News:

- James Blake finally won his first ever 5-set match last night against Fabrice Santoro in the 2nd round of the U.S. Open!

- Chelsea have drawn Valencia, FC Schalke 04 and Rosenborg BK in the Group Phase of the UEFA Champions League.

- WHY AM I NOT IN NEW YORK?? Robby Ginepri and Marat Safin are playing their 2nd round U.S. Open matches back to back on the Grandstand today (just torturing me and flaming my sandwich fantasies)!!

- David Beckham sprained his knee in the Galaxy's Wednesday night loss and may be out for SIX WEEKS! This is just unbearable...

LHK Sporting News

1) Chelsea takes on Portsmouth today. Go Blues!

2) At the Pilot Pen,

- Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on qualifier Agnes Szavay today in the Women's Final (on CBS at 10am PST). Although Szavay's cinderella run to the finals has been amazing, I have to root for Sveta.

- In an all-American Men's Final, James Blake takes on pal Mardy Fish (on ESPN2 at 4pm PST). It's a win-win for American tennis, but I'm going to root for James.

3) The U.S. Open starts on Monday (Aug. 27th)!

I'm happy with a point!

Fox Soccer Report's Bobby McMahon's prediction was correct, as Chelsea drew against Liverpool today (1-1). This was an action-packed game (with plenty of yellow cards), and we were honestly lucky to get away with a point at Anfield. My beloved John Terry was back in action today, and (it pains me to say this but) I wish he could have covered Petr Cech and cleared Fernando Torres' strike. Easier said than done, right? But, speaking of Torres, I'm taking him off of my LHK EPL eye-candy list as his punishment for scoring and stressing me out (like he really cares)...

Okay, in other LHK sporting news:

1) Thankfully, Man City beat Man U today!! So, Chelsea is now 5 points ahead of the Red Devils.

2) Unfortunately, American Brian McBride suffered a knee injury in Fulham's loss to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

3) Speaking of injuries, the gorgeous Swede, Freddie Ljungberg, has pulled out of the upcoming Sweden versus U.S. friendly match with a groin injury. Poor (pretty) baby...

4) James Blake takes on Roger Federer today in the final of the Cincy Masters (on CBS at 1pm PST), and Jelena Jankovic takes on Justine Henin in the final of the Rogers Cup (on ESPN2 at 11am PST).
Go James and Jelena!!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) The Sunset Junction Street Festival starts this morning and goes until tomorrow night. Check it out if you're in that neighborhood 'cause several cool musical acts are scheduled to appear (e.g. Ben Harper, Hot Hot Heat, Blonde Redhead, The Broken West, MORRIS DAY & THE TIME).

2) Apparently, Kylie Minogue will be appearing on Just Jack's upcoming album. You know I like me some Just Jack, and I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a Kylie fan too (she's a dance floor diva and also got a piece of that Frenchie fox Olivier Martinez). Hey now!

3) In LHK sporting news,

- Becks is scheduled to make his first MLS start (there are so many different firsts for him in the U.S.) tonight against the New York Red Bulls (on FSC at 4:30pm PST).

- James Blake made it to the semi-finals of the Cincy Masters and will face Nikolay Davydenko (who took Gineps out in the 2nd round) tonight (on ESPN2 at 5pm PST).

- Chelsea take on Liverpool tomorrow (on FSC at 8am PST)! YOWZA and GO BLUES!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1. The adorable Jimmy Fallon just got engaged. Sigh...

2. John Terry has been declared fit to play in the upcoming Sunday EPL clash against Livepool; thank goodness!

3. Once again, I am left trying to decide whom to root for in an ATP tourney after my 2 beloveds (Robby Ginepri and Marat Safin) were "eliminated" (I watch too much ANTM). With all of the Croats and Serbs out of the Cincy Masters tourney too, I guess I'll root for James Blake.

Soccer & Tennis this week

I'm going to try and muster up some energy to follow these sporting events this week:

Today, Sunday July 22nd (12pm PST on ESPNU)
FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP FINAL
Czech Republic v. Argentina

Today, Sunday July 22nd (2pm PST on ESPN)
COUNTRYWIDE CLASSIC ATP FINAL
James Blake vs. Radek Stepanek

Starting Monday July 23rd (TV coverage starts Friday on TTC)
INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Robby Ginepri meets Michael Berrer in the first round.

Starting Monday July 23rd (TV coverage starts Saturday on ESPN2)
BANK OF THE WEST CLASSIC
I think I'll root for Marion Bartoli again.

Tuesday, July 24nd (8pm PST on TELEFUTURA)
SUPERLIGA
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Pachuca
(I'll be attending this one in person!)

Until next year, Countrywide...

I just got back from UCLA, where I watched a couple of quarterfinal matches of the Countrywide Classic. The first match I saw was James Blake versus (his supposed nemesis) Vince Spadea. Thankfully, Blake beat Spadea in two sets 'cause the weather was quite hot, and I was getting hungry.

By the way, during the match, I noticed Amer Delic sitting a handful of rows ahead of me, looking like a hot frat boy (with the backwards cap). Oh yeah, basketball superstars Kevin Garnett and Tyron Lue were sitting near him too...

The second match of the afternoon was between my beloved Marat Safin and Hyung-Taik Lee. Safin looked sexy as always (sporting a bright orange and black outfit), but unfortunately, he lost in 3 sets. It was a harsh loss because he had an early break in the 3rd set, but I guess he just lost his focus. So, since Marat is out of the tourney, I'm done with it too; until next year that is... Hopefully, both Robby Ginepri and Marat will be fit and ready then for my cheers.

Tuesday Sports Schedule

I'll be skipping the Countrywide today and tonight. Tonight's main attractions are the first-round matches of top seeds Fernando Gonzalez and James Blake. I used to like Fernando but that stopped once he kept beating Gineps. And although James Blake is a doll (and I loved his book Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life), I have other plans tonight.

I'll be cheering on my favorite EPL team, Chelsea FC, tonight as they take on the Korean Suwon Bluewings at the Home Depot Center. Although I adore the whole squad, I can't wait to see my beloved John Terry! I often wonder if he ever got the fax I sent to his hotel last summer? Hmmm, doubt it!

In any case, there's a terrible rumor going around that David Beckham might not be able to play in his scheduled L.A. Galaxy debut this Saturday night vs. Chelsea due to an ankle issue. If that happens, all I would have to say is BOOOOOOO!!

Monday's Order of Play

Since Robby Ginepri is out of the Countrywide Classic at UCLA (sniff, sniff), my main man will OBVIOUSLY be Marat Safin. He's scheduled to play tonight, and I plan to be cheering him on court-side (well, stadium-side).

The other playaz that might get a bit of my attention at this particular tourney are James Blake, the Bryan Brothers, and Jamie Murray (along with his doubles pard Eric Butorac). Oh and, Amer Delic ain't bad either (you gotta appreciate his sleeveless shirts).

James Blake's book

James Blake's autobiography Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Lifecomes out today, and I am eagerly awaiting my Amazon delivery of it. James seems like a smart guy, and he's quite adorable too. So, I think his book is an ideal summer read for every tennis fan. Hopefully, I'll pick up some pointers for my game (and life) too!