A big update

Day 5 Tennis again.

Completion of Nadal and Murray game. Got there a little earlier and asked this lady if I could quickly use her table and we got talking. I had met Adjua and what a lovely person she is. A tennis mad lady who is also a Roger fan – couldn’t be better! Adjua had actually seen me the day before cheering for Roger as I was about 6 rows in front of her. As there was nobody sitting beside me, Adjua moved down beside me and we cheered together. We were both going for Andy, not because we didn’t want Rafa to win, but because it was nice to think Andy could make his 1st grand slam final. But to be completely honest, I didn’t want Rafa to win because he is not the best and what better way to prove it – being beaten by Andy!! Rafa can play but he certainly doesn’t move around a court like a Federer. He isn’t graceful, he is like a bull in a China shop. All brute strength which doesn’t make for pretty tennis.

Murray started so slow but came roaring back to take the match in 4. As I said I wanted him to win so he could make his 1st grand slam, but it is all about Roger now. After seeing both semis, I honestly think Roger played the best, let’s hope he brings his A game to the final!!!

Then about 5 hours to fill in before Women’s final between Serena and Jelena. Adjua and I talked for hours and hours but it only seemed like minutes and before you knew it, it was 9pm and time for Serena and Jelena to take court. We managed to squeeze in a few US Open Signature cocktails. Grey Goose vodka, yum! Very refreshing but very expensive - $13 each!!! Adjua doesn’t normally drink but she had 3 with me – what a sport LOL.

We sat apart for the final as I was in a different section. Jelena came out the better, Serena is renowned for her slow starts but she going and when she does…..she is awesome. She is so bloody quick, but then again so is Jelena. The only difference is that Serena hits is so much harder and seems to be able to move the ball around at will. Serena should have lost the 2nd set definitely, but she fought on and won, winning the tournament without dropping a set.

I moved a little earlier and managed to get down to suite level so I could get some good ceremony shots. Got all of those (on facebook) and then managed to sneak around to where the players walk in and out to see if I could get autograph. So much for security, I got down easily!! Then Serena was leaving but came over to us to sign the autographs. She is tall – my height and looks fantastic close up – really pretty and very fit. TV makes her look way bigger than she is! Obviously when they are signing they do it quickly so they can go and do their TV interviews and warm down but I managed to tell her that I am from Australia and came all the way to watch her win. She did a nervous giggle, perhaps embarrassed and said really. Well as stupid as it sounds, I was stoked. Doesn’t take much hey?

Was midnight by the time I left the grounds and the trains were packed. When I think of USA I think crime and brash Americans. It so isn’t like that – they are really friendly when you ask for help, they go out of their way, and the place is safe!!! I think that is the mentality of the people but also there are so many people about that I think there is safety in numbers. It’s funny, since I got here, my nights have been really late – so different to when at home, but then again I guess I get to sleep in – I don’t do that at home. Which makes me realize, work beckons soon. Sigh…..

Day 6

Went downtown to 18th Street and Broadway as well as Grand Central station to check out sports stores to see if I could find the bats that Smacka wants. 42nd Modell’s told me that they couldn’t call around so my best bet would be to look myself. So I did which gave me the opportunity to look around a bit. Also looked for lenses for Praddy, who upon my return to work, will be my new boss!

Caught Shuttle from Times Square to Central and did a bit of a look around and found out the bats Smacka wants can only be ordered online. Bought myself some softball socks and a gear bag – about twice the size of the one I bought from Deen Dormer at half the price!!!!

Came home, grabbed my laptop and went to Pax’s on 42nd for some lunch. I was told that wherever you went you get could free wifi. Well I struggled to get a connection and after having a bit ended up giving up and went back to room to relax for a bit before the big game.

Got the wrong train to the game in that I got all stops instead of Express so by the time I got there the game had started – arrrggghhh!!! I wanted to see Roger walk out. Anyway games on serve so I found Adjua in her seat and jumped in beside here. 6 rows back from where I could have sit but it was nice to sit with somebody who knew tennis, loved Roger and was friendly. Roger was ON SONG!!! Roger of old and beautiful to watch.

In the end I kinda felt sorry for Andy because Roger made him look so pedestrian! But hey when the player you love plays like the way you know he can, you are happy. And I am sure arseholes like John McEnroe and Borg are all shutting up now – Roger made them eat their bitter, jealous words. 13 slams down, many to go. GO ROGER, YOU ARE NUMBER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did the same again as last night with Serena, managed to get down, get good pics of presentation and then hung over a wall to get Roger’s autograph. He was amazing. Did 3 courtside interviews, and then signed autographs for about 25 minutes. I was one of the last but I was happy to wait. I told him the same, from Oz, wrapped that he won, and he signed my hat, handed it back, dropped it, picked it up and handed it back again. I love Roger……

Adjua and I wanted to have celebratory drink but all the bars in the Billie Jean King centre had closed?? So Adjua said she would drive me home, as she lived in Manhattan and that way we could have that drink and I would get lift home! Too nice!

We ended up at Lincoln Square and Adjua was so upset because she wanted to show it off, however most of it was shut down for renovations. Ended up going to PJ Clarke’s for a drink and a bit to eat. We both got a vodka martini and were very disappointed that it came in a scotch glass. We wanted a martini glass! Never mind. Had a bit to eat – I had Shepherd’s pie and it was delicious. Adjua drove me home and I crashed – I knew I had to get up early to go to Boston. Went to bed with a smile on my face –Roger is 5 times US Open champion and the 1st player in history to win 2 championships 5 times in a row – legend!!!

Day 7

Up early, and so tired. Packed all my belongings and I have bought so much that even my new suitcase is struggling with all the stuff. Credit card is suffering!!!! Lugged all my stuff from 42nd to 24th Street Penn Station to get on train 170 to Boston. Was in an absolutely lather but the time I got to Penn Station. America is great but they don’t consider tourists, stairs everywhere and no elevators!!!

Jumped on train and begun my journey to Boston. I am actually typing this as I stare out the window. Beautiful - up north of New York. Gorgeous trees and houses and everything is so lush and as the area, as it is called, New England like. I love it! Not that I would ever leave Australia and I haven’t seen 1/1000th of America but this is the place you would move to if you could. It really is lovely!

Time out on blog. Going to sit back and relax – looking forward to getting to Boston and settling in before Redsox game tonight.

Day after Baseball - 2nd day in Boston

Well I am surprised but have to admit I didn’t really get into the baseball last night! I much prefer watching the tennis. It wasn’t because the Sox lost. It wasn’t the crowd – Bob and Pat beside me were very nice. The crowd really gets into it – they sung ‘Take me out to the ball park’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’ but I just found it rather boring! I mean when I got there I was excited.

I got a beer and sat down, but it turned out I was in wrong seat. I had to move, but my new seat was better –right behind home plate.

I couldn’t buy a beer though! Perhaps that is why?? It doesn’t matter if you are 80 or 8, you MUST show ID EVERYTIME you buy a beer. The 1st guy didn’t ask me so I didn’t think anything of it. But this guy who comes down to the seats asked me for ID and I said I don’t have any and he just walked away. No sorry, nothing –how rude! I understand he has to follow the law but cannot, for the life of me, understand how showing my ID is going to help anybody???? After the 7th inning they won’t sell anymore beer – now that I understand, responsible service, but asking for ID from somebody who is obviously of age is ridiculous!!

Didn’t get to bed to 2am this morning. Spent hours, again, looking for softball gear and as a result Westpac stopped my credit cards because they thought there was suss transactions on my card. As it turned out, the site I found for the bags Smacka wanted don’t take anything but American credit cards – that is why the transactions kept declining. Oh well, considering the amount of time I have spent looking for bats and bags while on holidays, I have done well. Bats that don’t come out to next year will be delivered tomorrow – told Smacka I reckon we will be deadly next year LOL.

Got up late, my sleeping patterns are going to take a beating when I get home. Headed out and again because of this bloody bag stuff, bought a $20 phone so the cheap bat company could call me on an American number. I had to buy it because I could not get through to them directly. I kept trying and finally did and found out about them only accepting American cards. So a waste of time buying the American mobile! I wanted to buy a new phone directly but it was locked for T mobile network. Perhaps will find one in NY!

Walked around Boston a bit, sent mum a postcard, bought myself a beautiful cast iron tea pot and also bought one for Doug and Nona (I spoil them!). Have to find something special for Mum and Pete. Pete so far as an ashtray, which he will love, but what to get Mum??

Bought a ticket to do a Boston Duck Tour – just having a relax before I head out to do it. 6pm tour, should be nice. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will wake up early enough to do the Freedom Trail walk – I really want to do it!