Nice sentiment

This Margaritaville sign on the roof of the sports bar across the street from my office is a nice thought. But with highs only in the 40s and cold rain pelting us this April 28, it just doesn't seem like Jimmy Buffett country up here in Spokane. It's more like Seattleville than Margaritaville.

Hawaiian Shirtman

The man. The new shirt. The legend.

Tennis Studs

You have your New York Yankees, your Boston Celtics, your Gonzaga Bulldogs. You also have your SAC-Geranios tennis team. Yes, the 3.0 boys from the Spokane Athletic Club have once again qualified for the playoffs in the Tri-Cities, something we have done every year but one since 1999.
Our 4-1 victory over Alf's North Park team last night provided the mortar that built our legacy to new heights. Here is the blow-by-blow:
Steve Lamberson waltzed to victory in No. 1 singles, despite a pre-match bout of low confidence that was unwarranted.
Chris ``Grinder'' Flanagan needed a third set tie-breaker to work his magic at No. 2 singles. Excellent work.
Mark Connelly and John Siok had some trouble at No. 1 doubles, and I'm not just talking about Mark's shirt. They fought valiantly in defeat, and we are still proud to call them brother.
Kevin O'Neill and Bruce Johnson treated their opponents in No. 2 doubles the way a puppy treats the floor. Really, gentlemen, you could have taken your feet off the gas pedal for just a moment, lest the tennis world think you are shorter, whiter and less buff Venus and Serena Williams hiding out in Spokane.
In No. 3 doubles, the father-son team of Nick Geranios and Sonny Boy (real name: Kon) needed a third set tie-breaker and lots of helpful tips from Dad to Sonny to beat their scrappy opponents. Afterwards, Sonny asked me never to talk to him again in that tone of voice. I ask you, did Nick Bolletieri hold his tongue when molding young Agassi? I think not.

Alas, despite going 4-1 on the year with one match left, many of us will not actually we able to appear in the Tri-Cities for the playoffs. for my part, i have to go to waterville, Maine to watch my daughter graduate from college that weekend.

We win again

Team Geranios posted another victory last weekend, avenging our only league tennis loss to North Park-Palmer. As usual, Bruce and Nick shined in doubles, as did Mark and Dr. Sam. Kevin was a big singles winner. Steve took it to a tiebreaker before falling in singles. Jeff and Kon played hard in their doubles loss. We are 3-1 and a strong bet for the playoffs.

The End of the Dream

After opening the Seniors tournament in the Tri-Cities with four consecutive victories, our team's dreams crashed to Earth on Sunday afternoon. We lost 2-1 to a team from the Tri-Cities, which dropped us into a tie with Wenatchee for first place. Because of a ridiculous tie-breaking procedure, Wenatchee (a team we beat) advances to the next round of the playoffs in Sun River, Oregon.

What a load of crap.

But it was a fun weekend of play for all of us. I am going to forsake my custom of awarding pink tennis skirts to the losers of key matches, because I would have to wear one. Lets just give a hearty well done to Captain Bruce, the two Kevins, Brad, Grover and Chris, plus lovable mascot Gus.

The photo shows (front row from left) Chris, Gus, Bruce and Kevin O'Neill. Back row Grover, Kevin Kavanaugh, Me, and Brad

Seniors tennis

I'm playing in my first senior tennis tournament in the tri-cities this weekend. Seniors means people must be at least 50 to play. You may have heard I just topped that milestone.
Anyway, our team beat our first opponents 3-0, behind stunning performances by Kevin O'Neill and Bruce Johnson, myself and Mark (Grover Cleveland) Connelly, and Chris Flanagan and Brad Carr.

We are calling Mark ``Grover'' because he had grown out a thick beard, and then shaved clean the area around his chin, so he has these gigantic mutton chops that curl above his lick, and make him look like an 18th century guy.

We had out second match on Saturday morning, and this was a little tougher. Grover and I romped to victory, proving that it is better to be a young senior than an old one. But Bruce and Kevin needed a third set tiebreak and the grace of God to outlast their opponents. Our third doubles team, Kevin Kavanugh and Chris, tasted the foul flavor of defeat, partaking from the same nasty buffett table as the Zags did last night against North Carolina.

We play the feared Wenatchee guys at 6:30 tonight.

Prayer for the Zags

Our Father, who art at Jack n' Dan's, please help thy Zags avoid yet another one-and-done appearance in the NCAA tournament. Allow them to shoot, rebound and pass on Akron, thus closing the zipper on the Zips' foreskins. May we witness a parade of stuffs, dunks and breakaways not seen since Memphis was in town. And while you're at it, Heavenly Father, please rain misfortune upon thy Washington Huskies, who so feareth the Zags that they prefer to play Texas Southern, Kentucky Eastern or Little Sistereth of the Poor instead. And continue smiling on the Idaho Vandals, who playeth in some tournament no one has ever heard of. And please console thy Washington State with a promise of another deep run in the NCAAs next year, but only if they follow the mandates of St. Tony of the Palouse.