NYDiscovery

Johnny Weir: Adding Sparkle to the 2010 Olympics

A couple of days ago, I complained in a Facebook status update that I currently wouldn't have a favorite actor or singer - let alone would have a crush on somebody! I simply didn't come across somebody who took me by storm and fascinated me on the spot. This dire streak, which lasted throughout the second half of 2009, ended yesterday!

It started with Time Out New York magazine's new daily newsletter. They asked Bold Questions to Johnny Weir and this caught my interest. I hadn't finished the article yet, when I fired up a Google search. Watched a couple of Youtube videos and realized, I just had missed to watch the Nationals which were held the night before, while the Gold Globes were on - which I didn't watch live either!

Social Media has its great moments. Of course I found a Johnny Weir's fan page on Facebook and I while I initially hesitated to become a fan because of his attitude and comments regarding "fur", I decided, I could do it nonetheless. I also follow him now on Twitter. Luckily, I did not miss to tape the start of his TV show Be Good Johnny Weir on Sundance Channel which aired yesterday for the first time.

While I only had time to watch half of the show, I am ready to admit that I can't wait to watch the whole thing! Johnny Weir not only wants to be a superb ice skater but a glitzy pop star and personally I am fine with that! He's fascinating and a far cry from being boring. I'll watch the show and I can't wait to see him competing at the Olympics. I hope, he still has a chance to win a medal. I'll certainly watch the short program on 02/16 and the long on 02/18 and will keep my fingers crossed for him!

He'll make an appearance at tomorrow's opening for his show at the IFC Center in New York but I'll pass on that one... for now.

-- By Elke

NYC Marathon 2009: She did it!

Congratulations to Hillary, who finished the marathon with a smile on her face.

2009 - Tennis Total

Not all New Year's Resolutions have to be unpleasant or stressful!

Among mine was "Following tennis more closely" - definitely one of the more fun ones! And I am proud to say that I succeeded! Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and now US Open. I watched many, many games, the vast majority on TV but some just recently live and on location in Flashing Meadows. I was lucky enough to see at least one match with my idol Roger Federer (SUI) at Arthur Ashe. The other two matches that I saw at a different night at Arthur Ashe were Andy Roddick (USA) and Maria Sharapova (RUS). 

I saw more games at the much smaller Louis Armstrong for which I've purchased reserved seats for Saturday and the Tuesday after Labor day weekend. I saw the German Tommy Haas loose against the Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. I saw Novak Djokovic (SER) beat the American underdog Jesse Witten in a dramatic match.

I cheered for Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG - photo) when he finished Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) in 3 straight sets. And kept my fingers crossed for Fernando Gonzalez (CHL) when he advanced against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) just to see him loose against Rafael Nadal today on a cold and grey day in New York. This one only on TV. 

The final will most likely be aired on Monday and most likely it'll be Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal. But it could very well be that Del Potro who's playing against Nadal in the semi final wants to have a say in this. Same goes for Djokovic who's playing against Federer tomorrow.

My desired final would be Federer vs Del Potro and still, I would cheer for Federer! But either way, to really complete my New Year's resolution, I would need to be able to see the game but I am working! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! I'll find a way.

Game on!

http://gallery.me.com/nydphoto#100088&bgcolor=black&view=grid

-- By Elke

http://gallery.me.com/nydphoto#100088&bgcolor=black&view=grid

Pictures from the US Open

 

Juan Martin Del Potro serves and in the end won the match against Juan Carlos Ferrero on Tuesday. Apart from Roger Federer, he's the only one of those we've seen who's still in the tournament.

The US Open will drag on until next week as the weather in NYC is hideous. But unfortunately we won't go out there once more, so here's out definitive Photo collection of the Open '09:

http://gallery.me.com/nydphoto#100088&bgcolor=black&view=grid

US Open 2009: Some Pictures of the Roger Federer match

This is a view of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. More photos on Flickr.

Let the US Open begin!

 

September is when Elke and I are caught by the tennis fever. This year we double the effort and are out to Flushing, Queens for four times. Tomorrow and Thursday for the evening matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium and with a day pass on Saturday and next Tuesday. Of course we hope seeing the top players, but unfortunately that cannot be planned.

We will Tweet on @elkenyc and @oliverbo and post pictures here, on Elke's and my Fotolog, on Flickr and probably on Posterous and whatever other site comes along during the next days.

True Love Never Dies

For the last 2 weeks, I was following The Australian Open very closely since one of my personal goals for 2009 is to follow all four Tennis Grand Slam tournaments. (It's one of the, "this is my hobby and my passion and I am doing this for myself " goals).

 

I got up early in the morning together with Oliver and started to watch taped matches - with a little fast forward, until I had to leave the house myself, not without hopping on the wii fit balance board. I was watching sports after all! The night from Saturday to Sunday I could hardly sleep. I knew, that Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal would be on from 3:30am New York time on and I was hoping that our DVR would properly do its job. It did.

The one who did not was Roger, the great. I think, none of his fans can be that disappointed as he's himself. He's the one who didn't get the 14th Grand Slam title. He might have even traded a few of his many million dollars for that achievement. Maybe.

Personally, I simply prefer him winning over loosing. A weeping Roger Federer is also somewhat breaking my heart! It hurts to see him being hurt. And it also hurts to see Nadal not fully enjoying the moment because he certainly deserves to be happy. He made it. He's the new King of Tennis!

Long live the king and hopefully the old one's back soon!!!!!

-- Elke

Five Reasons Why We Love The US Open

Generally watching live sports is not especially our cup of coffee, but for tennis we make a big exception - for the following reasons:

1. The Game

As opposed to other spectator sports, there are no boring tennis matches The scoring systems guarantees that finishes quickly, once it gets boring. Also, usually the superior player gets sloppy at one time and lets the opponent come into play.

2. The Players

With a little luck you get close enough to actually see and recognize the players. You can feel their joy and pain. And they, the women in particular, are dressed nicely, not just in plain team jerseys. Also, you can get really close to them, if a match is scheduled in Armstrong Stadium or the Grandstand.

3. The Selection

For one ticket you get to see multiple matches. A day pass admits to a bunch of courts and two stadiums, so you can go see whatever your mood strikes. Only the big one, Arthur Ashe, requires a special ticket (and of course that's where the big games take place).

4. The Party

All that happens on private ground, so the rules are pretty relaxed. There are bars everywhere and you can take your drinks everywhere. And if the narrow seats in the stadiums begin to hurt, you can hang out for a drink or two and watch the games on the mini TV that American Express gives out for free.

5. The Crowd

This one is a matter of preference but we enjoy the somewhat more sophisticated audience that is drawn to tennis over the one that can be found at other sports events.

And History Wasn't Made

Sometimes in football (the one that's played by foot, aka soccer) everything comes together for a historic game. After 30 years Austria's team had the chance to kick out the far more experienced and talented Germans out of the Euro 2008. It didn't happen. By heart, of course, I root for Germany, but it would have been such a good story. Austria beats Germany in a major tournament! Germany has to return home early! What an upset! And against those Portugese Germany's journey won't last long, anyway.