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Len's Hawaii Table Tennis Blog
7/21/2008 10:11am
Aloha All.........Don't always have lots to write about so sometimes my frequency of posts is low.......Just received some new rubber to try on my racket. Not going to say which it is until I test it a bit longer. I speed glued one side and regular glued the other......I note almost no difference so far between it so that is good, implies no speed glue needed. It is only 2.0mm and that may be bad for me as I think I need the thicker version. It has very good control, is EXTREMELY light, and not a tacky topsheet, which I like. My serves still have good spin and loops are strong........I'll definitely write more by the end of this week about the rubber..........but it looks kind of promising as I need something after the speed glue ban. Yesterday, Deb & I were invited to "our club" for a beach day. They provided lunch, drinks, and free use of all beach equipment and canoes, kayaks, etc. We had a very nice time. OK, now hold your laughter at the next stuff..........
You know I have been spending lots of time at our club, exercising. I am use the weight machines a lot. I use the elliptical for 10-15 minutes to warm up, then use the machines. I do lots of ab bends, leg pushes, chest pushes, fly, lats, etc etc etc.......Then, I stretch for about 10 minutes and use a 15 pound dumbbell as a table tennis racket doing a loop stroke. I think of it as the same as a baseball player adding a weight to their bat for practice swings. I think it really helps.........Anyway, I have gained a few pounds, I am thinking mostly muscle. My arms are definitely bigger/stronger, and my legs muscles are also stronger.......It has been 2 months so far and look forward to seeing the change by the end of the year. Deb is also toning and gaining strength.......I sincerely suggest all of you start doing more and more of this.........Aloha till later.........Let me hear from you.............
7/6/2008 5:40pm
As they say, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore...........and, for sure, we're not in Phoenix either! OK, what the heck are you talking about, Len? Alright, 2 things.......(1) On the way home from working out at our Beach club and enjoying the sun and water, we stopped at a place to eat. Had GREAT hot chicken wings, pizza, and beer.......THAT was a good thing. (2) Turned on the TV, started watching and then Deb & I hear what sounds like a chicken screaming and looking out the window, we see feathers flying! Audi (our dog) has a chicken by the throat! I run out and grab Audi. He lets go of the chicken as the chicken runs into a hole in the cement under our house, but only half his body can fit into the hole! I put Audi away, in the house. I come back, look at the chicken, who ran into the hole, head first so it's butt is handing out.......Deb & I have no clue what to do now.......so Deb phones a neighbor, Dick, who walks over with a large garbage can and rake. I get on a pair of gloves, get a big stick and we're ready.....I was sure the poor chicken was dead, as it was not moving, or at the minimum, severely injured. I found at least 100 feathers all over the yard. Dick used the end of the rake and forced the chicken out of the hole, backwards and he went into the garbage can! I think the chicken was happy to be in it and felt safe there.....it looked like it was in shock but not badly hurt. I saw no bleeding. Deb ran through our jungle and yelled for our neighbor Leah. She answered and Deb asked if she had a chicken....YES! It was their pet! So, I carried the garbage can over to their yard and deposited the garbage can over the fence. Leah opened the lid and said, "Ella", are you OK"? Ella was their pet chicken and she was so happy to get her back. I saved Ella's life! I am a HERO! lol
Anyway, another day in Paradise........................Aloha! Let me hear from you.
7/4/2008 10:44am
Happy 4th of July Holiday to all! Been very busy giving lessons of late........gave an 8+ hour lesson to Ed from Oahu on Saturday, Lesi was here Sunday, Ziggy here on Monday, Hawi Club Tuesday, on to Waimea Club and some lessons Wednesday, Steve from Hilo here Thursday for about 3 hours (he is really improving), and the Hawi Club Thursday night. Today, we're going to our beach club to work out, sit by the pool, play some table tennis, eat dinner under the stars on the beach, and watch some fireworks. Last night we had another new player show up. He is fairly good, has some rust, been hopefully becomes a regular. I have added some new pictures of new players at the Hawi Club on the Hawi Website http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawittc.htm Spoke to my son the last 2 days. He is in Las Vegas coaching his students at the US Open table tennis tournament. The lady, Bhoo, that plays at the Phoenix Club now, won the Over 40's US Women's Event and I interrupted Matthew when I phoned earlier, as he was coaching her against Tawny Banh in another major women's event. I saw the Gao Jun beat Tawny in the Over 30's Final. It would be kewl if I can get 4-8 players from here, that I coach, to go to the US Nationals in 2009.
This is the first place I ever lived where firecrackers were legal to buy for residents. So, it figures, that at my advanced age, I am no longer interested in lighting them off! Really wierd that in Phoenix, firecrackers, even sparklers are illegal, but you can walk around with a gun on your hip........here, guns are legal, but only in your home. You are not even allowed to have them in your vehicle unless it is to or from the gun store, gun range, or police station. In fact, you need a permit to buy bullets!
Been listening to the the History of Howard Stern on Sirius Satellite Radio; very interesting and funny. And, the Diamondbacks finally won a game in the 9th inning! hurray! After losing 5-0, bottom of the 9th inning, they scored 6 runs, winning the game, not even making one out......let's see if this build their momentum as they need it badly, after losing 2 of their stars to injuries.......ALOHA ALL, and keep in touch.
6/26/2008 1:38pm
Good lessons yesterday with John & Lesi in Waimea. Lesi is doing better & better, actually moving now, every so often and takes me 3 or 4 loops to get past him if I don't move the ball around lots. John is improving now that he is playing lefty. It's kind of amazing how good is left hand loop is, but, having no bad habit with his left side, he is progressing fast! There were 4 kids that showed up to Waimea TTC and played, so that's encouraging. Our Hawi club meets in 90 minutes as we do meet Thursdays from 3-5pm due to basketball on Thursday nights. We still have Tuesdays from 6-9pm also. This Saturday, Ed comes from the Island of Oahu for an 8 hour training session. He improved a few hundred skill points from his 1st to 2nd visit here and we'll see how well he does this time.....he is talented and certainly enthusiastic; a shame he doesn't live on this Island!
Always looking for new players here in Hawi and one showed up Tuesday night.........but we can use more. Deb & I really love the life here, weather is great, and people are nice. Gas prices you ask? Well, earlier this week, I paid $4.68 a gallon; cheaper than parts of California or other places; Germany is more than $8.00 gallon! Been eating some of our avocados that fall off our trees, YUMMY.........
6/23/2008 10:28am
Aloha! I heard the Grand Canyon State Summer Games went well this past weekend, run my Matthew and his crew. Good to hear. It was good to also see a Table Tennis & More player final in the OPEN....Derrick Cone beat Andrew Manginelli to win it all!
Deb & I are still going to the club 3 times a week. I can feel the muscle development, slowly but surely. Sadly, though, still gaining weight and stomach is still growing. I try to do ab exercises, but not really helping a lot. O well, not going to give up. Still love our WII Fit game on the WII. I strongly suggest it for everyone. A fun way to exercise for everyone, young & old. Boxing is very tiring.
Had a new Hawaii experience yesterday. Finally went to a restaurant with DELICIOUS HOT wings. I was in hog heaven! First place that had good Hot Wings on this island along with good beer and more.
Played table tennis at the pool yesterday with John Romoa. Of course, while getting the ball from an obstacle course, I tripped and fell on some lava. Scraped my arm but my left side is in pain. I should be OK, but am in pain. Tough getting old.
6/8/2008 6:43am
Last night was a new treat for me and Deb. We were invited to a graduation party for a local high school student. The student is the daughter of a friend of ours. WOW! It was at the place we play table tennis at and they did a great job of transforming a gymnasium into a banquet hall. First we eat the pupus, of which there were plenty. The pork was delicious as was the salad. I left the fish heads. When they opened the table with the dinner foods, the line formed quickly; but went very fast. There had to be 15 or so different items to choose from, so we took a little of everything, and a lot of the Ahi! There was rice, pork dishes, special pork steamed in seaweed and too many other things that I have no idea of what it was. We ate it all and everything tasted super! I guess I can live without poi. The desert table was incredible with at least 20 varieties of sweets. We ate too much of that!!! Anyway, there was OVER 400 people there. I don't know that many people to invite to anything! I could not believe the crowds as I think all of Kohala was there! They had some great entertainment. There were so many young children there, but all very well behaved. I was truly impressed by the entire occasion and am happy we were invited and could attend. Today I have a lesson to give in 2 hours and then another after that. I have just begun coaching a player that is about 1500 rated who hurt his right arm; so I am coaching him to be a lefty. After his first lesson, he was looping and blocking pretty well. I think he's close to 1000 level left handed....we'll see what this challenge brings.....after the lessons, we'll all go workout at our club......Aloha!
6/4/2008 9:13am
Been going to our Club a lot of late, working out at the
facilities, using the weights, and workout machines. Deb is still working every
Monday at a local gallery and has taken a 2nd day to work once or twice per
month. She enjoys the change of scenery and meeting people there. Deb & I made
our reservations to go to Denver for the birth of my granddaughter at the end of
August. Table tennis is constant on this island, albeit at a very slow rate. You
get a new player here and there, but we are on a small island with few people,
so table tennis is not the number 1 activity here. Also, there is so much to do
here from hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, etc etc etc etc, that table tennis
takes a backseat. We had an article in this week's local paper about the
tournament we had at the end of April:
.
Keep in touch and let me hear from you........Aloha.
5/26/2008 2:30pm
Sorry for my long absence........My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this past Saturday and went to a great place for dinner, at the Fairmont Orchid, Browns Beach House. It was beautiful, right on the beach, watching the sunset.......the food was great as was the setting, and the place was surprisingly crowded. Deb started swimming and we joined a beach club which is great. We can now use their spa, workout facilities, tennis courts, swimming pool, beach (great snorkeling there), and get a nice discount on all food and beverages. When you come to visit us, we'll bring you there as our guest! Also, Deb & I bought a Wii game for our anniversary present, and were lucky enough to also get a Wii Fit game. It is really good. I recommend it for everyone. Use it for muscle strength, aerobics, balance, yoga, and for fun. We use it 4 times a week and go to the "club" 3 times a week to work out....also, we never forget table tennis. Had a student come for lessons yesterday morning which was a good workout, and have a players flying in Wednesday from Oahu to take a 3 hour session. Also, Wednesday may bring some players here from the University in Hilo for some training, as the Waimea club is closed this week. I hope everyone is doing well, improving their table tennis game, enjoying life, and thinking about a short trip to Hawaii! Aloha
5/15/2008 5:09pm
My daughter left, back to Denver and we had a great time while she and her husband were here. This island of paradise has been a bit hazy of late. Our flowing volcano, Kilauea is spurting out of a new vent and causing VOG to cover most of the Island. It's beautiful here when the wind blows, but days without wind causes the VOG to even get to where I live, more than 100 miles from the volcano. Even Oahu, some 250 miles from here is getting the VOG. Our microwave oven died yesterday morning, so we travel to Kona tomorrow and pick up a new one; about 3 hours of driving. We'll stop at Costco, Macys, and Home Depot before returning.
And, I am VERY proud of my son, Matt......he was called today and told that he is now a USATT Certified Referee and, also, according to his work, a test, and the USATT website, he is now upgraded in his USATT Coaching level also.......
5/9/2008 8:12am
Last night at the Hawi Club, we had 4 new players come by, 2 players were visiting from California. Alex and his wife. Alex is about 2000 and we played over an hour which was great! Had a chance to practice serves, return of serves, backhand & forehand. I took no pity on poor Alex who was playing with my spare racket and his flip flops.....so he could not move well and my rubber gave him problems to use...LOL..he was still a very good player and extremely enjoyable to hit with. His wife played for an hour with my wife and a good time was had by all. The 2 other new players that came by; one was from Kohala and he was there to watch Matt & Leo play back in August, but this was his first time back to play....and he brought his friend from the East side of our Island. Hopefully, they will return as they are both decent players and could be very good with a bit of practice and some coaching.....It was good to see Ziggy and Nella show up also and play. Both are 9 years old and getting better, so a new crop of players are upcoming..........if you are reading this and going to be in our area, please let me know and come by to play! Keep in touch, and Aloha..............
5/7/2008 6:46am
My pregnant daughter and her husband came in yesterday from Denver to visit........She's due end of August with my first grandchild, a girl. They'll be here for a week, so we've got lots of places to take them to see. Our volcano is acting up a bit of late and a new vent has opened expelling lots of toxic ash and smoke. If if continues to vent and the winds are bad, we'll have to pass on seeing it while they are here. But, I must say, up here in Kohala, it is simply beautiful; clean air, sunshine, and cool breezes. Our April table tennis tournament is now only a memory and we are looking at possibly having another one later this year and trying to promote table tennis more and more on this Island. A tournament took place in Phoenix this past weekend and my son's double's team won the Open Doubles Event which was a toughie with all the great players entered. There are a few more 2000+ players in Phoenix these days......if you plan on coming to Hawaii, especially the Big Island of Hawai'i, be sure to let me know so we can play a game or two....Aloha!
4/29/2008 6:44am
Aloha! The tournament is over and the results, along with pictures and video is up at: http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/resultshawitournament42608.htm
We ended up with 18 players signed up and all but one, came and played. A good time was had by all. We used 7 tables, the 5 new Stiga Tables and 2 Butterfly Centrefold Tables. There was some great table tennis action. The Open was won by a Hilo, Big Island resident, Yen Wen Fang, and both, the U-1400 & U-1800 were won by Big Island resident, Charles Moore. The Unrated event was won by Big Island resident John Romoa, and the Seniors event was won by Oahu resident, Kiyoko Endo. We had players signed up from Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, Maui, and the Mainland, but I guess the Big Island location helped the Big Island residents win. From the results, it sure appears that the Big Island Table Tennis Community is alive and well and getting stronger everyday...........The food prepared and available at the tournament from the Kohala Cultural Center was excellent and well priced. There was a delicious Dorito salad, hot dogs, pork plate, chicken plate, and more. Thanks to Gambler for their great Platinum Balls. John Romoa was a great help in getting the tournament prepared and the trophies he put together for fantastic! He used epoxy and more to create a lava flow as the base of our trophies. Our Open winner won some great coffee and a Koa Wood paddle. My Mainland guests have gone home and now I prepare for my daughter and son-in-law to arrive next week. My daughter is 6 months pregnant with my first grandchild, so it is exciting. I am still exhausted from the last week and will try to rest up this week for next week's activities. Mahalo/Thanks to all of you that attended the tournament and hope to have another very soon..............keep in touch. Aloha.
4/25/2008 6:40am
Mark came in on Wednesday from Phoenix; good to see him again. Alan came in from Kauai on Monday; gave him a lesson Monday & Tuesday and he is trying to change some of his strokes. Good turnout Tuesday night at Hawi club, many there to practice for this week's USATT tournament here. Then, yesterday, it happened! The new tables were delivered! Mark & I unloaded them from the truck with some help from the driver. We sure could have used another person or 2 as there were 7 tables with each box weighing over 225 pounds, and no dolly or hand truck to use. So, we ended up using a plastic mop bucket to help roll the boxes into the gym. Mark hurt his back a bit as did I. Then it was time to put the tables together........well, it takes 3 people and there was only me & Mark. So we waited till late afternoon and John was able to arrive and help. He & Mark lifted each half as I steadied the wheels sections into the table slots. After Mark & I both losing blood, the tables were put together. The empty boxes were loaded on my truck and Mark & I threw the trash in the recycle bin at the transfer station. We set the tables up and a really good turnout was at the club last night. The tables have a great surface to play on and everyone commented how good they played on them! Lesi then went to my home with me, John, & Chuck. We loaded my 2 Butterfly tables on Lesi's truck; John tied them down really good, & Lesi brought them to the Club. We are now ready for the tournament, table wise......it will be a long day of LOTS of playing. I heard from many of the entrants that they wanted to play LOTS of games, so I have events planned out, some as large round robins....there will be lots of matches......everyone will be exhausted, but hopefully will have lots of fun. We'll have food available at the tournament and some, small, but unique trophy prizes, along with special prizes for 1st & 2nd place Open Single winners. Tonight we have practice starting at 5pm...My friend Joe and his wife will arrive at my home today, from Phoenix, in time to practice and be ready for the tournament...........just a shame we have so much darn VOG on the Island past few days.................and one new entrant into the tournament, Marcus Vincent, from Hilo....
4/22/2008 6:39am
Current player's list for upcoming 2008 Big Island Open Tournament.......more entries are in the mail....
UPDATED 4/22/2008......current list of players entered, more coming.
Players List 04-19-2008 07:34:56: Ah Loy, Ron UR ,Degawa, Shigemi UR, DeWitt, Mark A. 1583, Endo, Kiyoko 1055, Esterle, Richard UR, Fang, Yen Wen UR, Meadows, Todd 1855, Moore, Charles 1291, Oda, Harley D. 1454, Papapetrou, George Alle1494, Pierotti, Joe 1599, Romoa, John UR, Sekona, Lesi UR, Tone, Ben 1456, Young, Daniel H. 1352, Freedman, Stephen, UR
4/13/2008 3:25pm
The uploads are finished. I used YouTube instead of Google.......
For the video on our cat, Loco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n6fZ5xGhDo
For the video of the Parker School 2 day table tennis class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsanyQVIwWo
4/13/2008 6:28pm
First off, thanks for reading my blog and thanks also go out to those of you that send me comments and those that have complained, nicely, that I do not update my blog often enough! lol Actually, I have been holding updating the past few days as I have been attempting to upload a few files of video to GoogleVideos but they are having problems....many people are complaining that they upload the video and it is blank. So, as I type this, I am trying to upload via youtube, instead. The videos are about my cat, Loco that arrived in Hawaii with me, and a nice video of the kids John Romoa and myself taught table tennis to, last Thursday & Friday. I will update here again when those videos are available. Anyways, Loco is doing GREAT with Audi. He loves it here and Audi is happy to have him here again with him, and they play a bit together. I think they keep each other company. Loco has found a great hiding place; going under our platform bed from the back, then jumping into MY drawer of sweaters and making himself very comfortable. He also enjoys sitting in the window and watching the birds as well as listening to them 24/7...John & I spent all day Thursday & Friday teaching 17 students at Parker High School in Waimea, table tennis. Thursday saw me going over all the rules of table tennis, telling them some history of the sport, explaining the types of rubbers available, the grips, stance, and then we worked on forehand and backhand counters. We had some time for pushing as well as practicing legal serves. I must say I was extremelt happy that by our "impromptu" tournament on Friday, almost all of them were serving legally and having a good time. We crowned double's champs as well as Group A & Group B Single's Champions. Again, the videos will be available soon, I hope....
Our Hawi Big Island Tournament is within 2 weeks now.... http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawitournament42608.htm We will have a small, cozy turnout of about 20 players, but it will be fun and we will play lots of table tennis. Friday night will be practice. A friend comes from Kauai a week from Monday and another of my friends/students, from Phoenix arrives on the 23rd and another 2 days later. It will be a tiring, but fun time. My wife goes to Oahu next Sunday for a week to help run a Corporation Convention at Turtle Bay. We are still waiting for the 5 new tables to arrive in Hawi and the 2 new tables for the Waimea Club. Hopefully, they show up before our tournament; but, if not, we will go with plan B and still be fine. Loving it here and keep in touch....Aloha
4/4/2008 10:14am
Made it back to Hawaii with my cat, Loco........he and his brother, Audi (dog), are loving each other and are thrilled to see each other again! Loco was in bed with Debbie enjoying old times.......made it back in time for the Hawi club last night. John from Waimea came by as well as about 8 others. Ziggy, 9 years old came by and I fed him multi-ball etc for about 20 minutes. He may be incredible with his first serve actually bouncing low over the net with enough backspin, that it jumped back over to his side! He is already backhand looping underspin and has only been playing 4 weeks....received a few more entries into the Hawi Tournament http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawitournament42608.htm Grass has grown much and I will need to mow again, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3246721818911687934&hl=en
Will go to Waimea tomorrow and exhibit some table tennis. Also, next Thursday & Friday, John Romoa and myself will train kids at Parker School and have a tournament........If all goes well as planned, we'll start a class at Parker School in the fall! Was REALLY GREAT seeing all my friends from Phoenix and thank you to Robbie for taking me at an UNGODLY hour to the airport. Aloha
3/31/2008 7:41am
Just finished the Arizona State table tennis Tournament over the past weekend. Results are up at http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/GCSGResults308.htm
The tournament went great! We had more than 60 participants in 15 events with some great action. The tournament went so smooth with so many players telling me or Matt how much they enjoyed the "Aloha" pace of the tournament and the fun atmosphere. It's a shame that when the tournament was almost done, with just 2 double's events left to play, that one player that only played one event, complained about the timing of events and how badly the tournament was set up. I have received e-mails and even a phone call since then, telling me that that player that complained is a nutcase and bothered everyone he was complaining to. Other than that, the tournament was a complete success. I now look forward to our Hawaii Island tournament on April 26th http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawitournament42608.htm
So far, being back here in Arizona has been great! I have been able to spend time with my son and see some of my favorite things in Phoenix. Last Friday night, I even got to go to a Diamondback's baseball game, albeit an exhibition game. I sat in my regular seats and enjoyed just being there. They built a new jumbotron screen which is in high def...FANTASTIC! I have gone to eat at all my favorite places that I kind of miss. Had some delicious pizza & wings, great Mexican Food, and even had on tap Kona beer at a local place near the house. It has been super to see all my friends from here at the tournament and talk about table tennis and "teach" them about Hawaii.
Lastly, I must say that I was very happy to hear from so many people that I really looked rested, relaxed, and seemed to have a more calm feeling about me, plus I really looked good as I have more color and seem to have gained some fullness to my face. I do feel so much better since the move to Hawaii and am glad that it actually shows......now to prepare for my going to back to Hawaii at 5:30am Thursday with my cat, Loco.....Aloha
3/22/2008 4:13pm
OK, you asked for it, you will get it now............I have put up a video to show I do mow the lawn here! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5MytA0GozQ I cannot believe the number of e-mails I have got from people that looked at pics of my house and wondered who mows the lawn!
3/21/2008 9:05am
Lots of rain last night........great for our fruit trees, grass, and keeping the air absolutely fresh and clean......temperatures are delightful. I go to sleep each night with all the windows open, about 65f; and wake up in the early morning, keeping all windows open and opening our doors, to 68f, and later in the day it gets to about 78f........a gentle and sometimes strong wind, but very nice.......Played table tennis lots yesterday; with the senior group in the morning and with the Hawi Club at night. Hit with Chuck at the Hawi Club and had him serve and attempt 3rd ball attack....he is doing well and preparing for the upcoming April USATT Tournament here. When I return his serve easily, he is really good at finishing the point.....potential 1800 level player..........More good news this morning......not mentioning names but a 2nd player from Phoenix is coming to play in our April Tournament.........FANTASTIC! Also, got news that a player from Maui, who actually I met years ago, when he stopped into my Club in Phoenix on 32nd Street, will be coming to the Big Island to play in our tournament also........he is close to 1900! The April Big Island Tournament is starting to shape up as a really fun, exciting event.....hope you will be there......Like getting e-mails from those of you that read my blog...keep in touch and ALOHA!
3/19/2008 1:47pm
Not a bunch of new things happening here..........just enjoying life......leaving for Waimea in an hour to coach and then play at the Waimea Club...The new tables for the Hawi Club should have been shipped and I expect them within 4 weeks; in time, hopefully, for our April 26th Tournament. Been helping a new youngster at the Hawi Club and also had him at my home. He's only 9 years old but catches on so quickly. He is a natural athlete. I have 3 other kids that also play and that I am training, but this kid can be the best! I'll be looking forward to seeing my friends in Phoenix next week as I go there to run the State Tournament. When I return, I'll bring our cat, Loco, back with me. Weather here has been interesting, with lots of wind, periods of intense, then light rains, and lots of sunshine. The grass grows fast! Think I'll mow on Friday....keep in touch......Aloha
3/13/2008 2:35pm
WOW! I cannot believe how many days have gone by since my last entry! I guess time flies when you live in Paradise! Some good things have happened recently regarding table tennis. We were given the go ahead by the local Government agency and they purchased 5 new Stiga tables which will be shipped to us shortly. At the same time, both the Waimea & Hilo table tennis clubs, on the Big Island, ordered some new tables for their expanding clubs also.....We have started the Senior's Table tennis league http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/seniorleague.htm and I gave a presentation to the Kohala Senior's Club about table tennis http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8718451266692175420&hl=en
I have also uploaded an 11 minute video about Audi (our dog) and his new home in Hawaii http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7613604654143611934&hl=en Debbie has a new job......well, a very part time one that she is enjoying, working almost a full day once per week at a local art gallery. I had discussions with a private middle school/high school in Waimea and in April, John Romoa and I will spend 2 days training students and running a tournament for them. Then, hopefully, I will be able to start an elective program in September for them, with a goal of starting clubs in many schools throughout the Island and then playing each other in a table tennis league.
/So, lots has been happening. We have gone to the beach a few times, and just enjoying life here in the Islands.......Come and join us! Hope to hear from you all soon......Aloha!/
3/5/2008 8:21am
Been a few days since my last entry..........but things are so relaxing here that sometimes there's not much to discuss. I am getting entries to the Grand Canyon State Games that I am going to run at the end of March, so that is keeping me a bit busy. Yesterday was a super day! Robert Shapiro from the Hilo area was on this side of the Island, so he and a friend from Wisconsin came by. Rob is a fairly new table tennis player, but pretty good for his limited experience. I estimate his rating around 1100-1250. We played together for almost 3 hours, then went to my Hawi Club. We had a great turnout there last night with all tables full by 6:15pm. By 6:45pm, we had people waiting. I think we had about 17 people play last night which is not too bad for a city of less than 800 residents! John Romoa drove over from Waimea to participate and it was good to see him there. And, more great news! The funds have arrived at Parks & Rec here in Hawi and the bid process is on to buy 5 Stiga tables for the Hawi Club! Fantastic news....hopefully, we can have them in time for the April tournament here.....Today, I drive to Waimea, give 2 private lessons, then help train a few players at the Waimea club.......so, things are moving along.......SO, we are now ready to train hard in my "facility". Do you want a great vacation get-a-way? Take a trip to Hawaii, to me, and enjoy Hawaii, take some lessons, play at our Island Clubs, and I'll guide you around the Island........let me hear from you.....ALOHA
2/29/2008 7:42am
Another good day yesterday........we started our Senior's League table tennis...each Thursday morning for a few hours. We had 9 people show up to play and a good time was had by all. Then, at the Hawi Club last night, we had a decent turnout and I coached a few of the new kids, helping them learn the sport. One of the new kids (17 years old) is a natural talent and can be really good, really quick. We have been cleaning out our jungle in the backyard. It is getting thinner and less insects are being seen, thankfully. We got some great Apple Bananas off our trees.
Debbie made a couple of banana breads from them; YUMMY! We had an incident with
our neighbors 2 days ago. We saw Audi running near the back fence earlier and then
heard somebody yelling at him, then hosed him with water! Our neighbor! So, I
walked over to the back fence and confronted him. He tells me that Audi was
about to grab his cat from near the fence and would kill his cat! He then told
me that I needed to build a new fence closer in my yard to stop my dog from
going closer to MY FENCE that we built! Then he says that he has lived here 26
years and he will make big trouble for me. I told him I will cut down all the
trees he likes, ON MY PROPERTY, so he has no shade and no privacy, and walked
away. His wife comes over 2 minutes later and speaks to Debbie. She admits that
THEIR cat came over ON OUR PROPERTY and Audi confronted the cat. Anyway, we
built the fence to keep our dog inside and that works, but somehow, they think
it is our fault that THEIR CAT CAME INTO OUR YARD and we should build a new
fence. So Deb told her to build her own fence on HER PROPERTY.....anyway, it
seems the incident has blown over and they will prevent their cat from coming
over here. Just to sum it up, we spent lots of money to have a quality fence
built all around our property to keep our dog INSIDE, and it has worked well as
Audi doesn't even try to jump over it, but somehow we are blamed when other
people's cats come into our yard! O well, you live and learn....back to table
tennis, PLEASE!
2/26/2008 12:58pm
Yesterday morning at our weekly "old age" group, actually, Senior's Group of Kohala, we had our sign up sheet ready for the Senior's Table Tennis League, which I am beginning, this Thursday morning, from 10-noon. I was expecting a good group of about 4-6 players, but, unexpectedly, 16 people signed up! Whether they all show up or not, we'll see, but that is a great start! I'll be sure to take some pictures, maybe even video, and put it up on my website...Next week at the "group", they will have a speaker talking about the Big Island Senior Olympics taking place in a few months. But, alas, there is no table tennis, only 19 other events! She will DEFINITELY hear from me at the meeting. And, the following week, March 10, I am the featured speaker to discuss table tennis and will explain all the rules, types of rubber, etc., and show some videos. That may spark even more interest. Aloha!
2/23/2008 2:50pm
Went to Waimea this morning to meet John and do a little
table tennis P.R....John brought his "little" table,
.......actually a
full length table, only 1/2 the width. People stopped by the entire time and
played 
We had a few kids that played really well and gave out some flyers promoting the
Waimea & Hawi Clubs; and, a GREAT time was had by all. And, if you want some
BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS, this is the place to go....John and Gloria have some of the
most beautiful orchids that they grow
2/21/2008 4:04pm
Tuesday night at the Hawi Club was FANTASTIC! Because of the great newspaper article, which you can see on the TT&M Hawaii page, http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawaiittm.htm we had MORE than 20 players show up to play! A few were kids, but mostly adults thanking me for offering a place to play their favorite sport.....We put up the 4th table, from John Romoa (thank you), and all tables were filled, with players waiting to play, from 6pm till we left a bit after 9pm. I want to thank each of you that came to play and hopefully, more will show up every time. My first "student" comes here to train in 30 minutes..........the facility looks great! I have all our TV's set up now, and Deb has been clearing our forest. We will have a helper early next week get the forest even more clean, trim a few trees, and it should look super......then we can eat some of the fruit! We got some pillows delivered today for our couch and they look good.....let me hear from you..........Aloha
2/18/2008 1:18pm
Great weather weekend................could not ask for better weather......76 days and 62 nights; mostly sunny and nice breezes. I am getting spoiled, FAST...read the results in the Phoenix tournament this past weekend and good to see Table Tennis & More winning the Open Doubles. Congrats Matt & Andrew. Congrats also to Trevor Traylor for winning the U-1300.....he is improving rapidly. I painted my garage here on Friday and put a 2nd coat on this morning. It'll be ready to play on next week. The garage here is about 4 1/2 feet longer than in Phoenix, 5 feet wider, and 2 feet taller.....so make your training reservations NOW..........
2/15/2008 4:50pm
Had a nice Valentine's day........Deb & I spent the day with John Romoa and Gloria. Went to lunch and then to a nice hike along the beach and to a hot tub and pool....we saw Humpback whales as we walked along the shore....FANTASTIC, to put it mildly.....Dropped off a new/old table tennis table to the Hawi club, making 4 tables, thank you John Romoa and the Waimea TTC. The local paper had a super article, with pictures, of the Hawi Club yesterday that hopefully will bring out a few more players in the next week or so. Got a few more entries in for the Hawi tournament. Deb has been busy planting flowers and other plants in our front yard. The garage is starting to look more & more like the Phoenix facility......weather has been delightful with 74-78f days and 62-65f at night with a little rain each night, after midnight. Let me hear from you. Aloha!
2/13/2008 8:23am
Yesterday, another great day in Paradise...........weather beautiful and we went to Kona to get Deb's car registered; then to our insurance agent, then to Home Depot, then to our furniture guy to get some pillows, then to Costco, then to the BBQ guy, so we can do use our BBQ we brought from Phoenix, then to the post office, gas station, and finally, back home.....rested for a few then out to the Hawi Club last night. Well, guess what! We had a blurb in the newspaper yesterday & I got 3 phone calls from players asking about the Hawi Club. One of them showed up to play last night and is not bad; plays lots of tennis so has some of the wrong strokes, but wants to take some private lessons, and will become a pretty good player in time. In all, we had 13 players last night on 3 tables, 1 of which really sux! Hopefully, more tables are coming soon. Also, had some GREAT news in that a player I coach from Phoenix, and his wife, will be coming to the Big Island to play in the Hawi tournament and visit the Island....The Hawi Tournament is now shown online at the USATT website....Today I have to go to get fingerprinted for my handguns, get an inspection decal for Deb's car, go to the local bank, and then off to Waimea to give 2 private lessons, then play at the Waimea Club tonight. I hope the people that read this blog give me some feedback.....keep in touch. Aloha
2/10/2008 10:09am
WOW.....3 great days in a row; now I feel like I really am in Hawaii. Yesterday was a first.....I used my new lawn tractor and today I will try out my weedwhacker & edger.....all gasoline powered. OK, so I need to learn about tractor mowing. I figured to put it on the lowest to the ground setting so I need not mow as much......well, anyway, I have a few depths of grass now in the backyard; but could be worse....will mow the front today...put up so many pictures in the house yesterday, but now it is more & more like "home"....even have my troll out protecting us again! Went to Ruths Chris last night in the Mauna Lani for the absolute best deal in Hawaii! They are my favorite steaks anywhere and between 5-6pm, they have a super special which includes your choice of salad, Filet steak, potato or vegetable, and a great bread pudding with whiskey sauce dessert, all for $39.95.....it was GREAT! Deb & I keep pinching ourselves as we drive and cannot believe we live here now....what's funny? well, we have no stoplights in our town of Hawi, nor in the neighbor town of Kapaau; and on the drive to RuthsChris, about 30 miles, not one stoplight! and almost no traffic.....a HUGE change from the mainland.....and refreshing. OK, off to remove some weeds, lower the front lawn, and get my audio/video equipment set up in the family room.......Aloha!
2/8/2008 8:57am
Another great day yesterday; NO, REALLY it was! It was a beautiful day...no rain, great temperatures (70f), and sunny. Got all our boxes unpacked and putting stuff away. Got our Plasma operating and lots of other stuff.......went to the Club last night; had a decent turnout, and the photographer, Darren, from the newspaper was there. He took lots of pictures and was extremely nice. Next Thursday, the article will appear so we should get some feedback from it, I hope. A table tennis player from Kauai, Allen, was kind enough to make the Hawi tournament entry form into .pdf format, so it is easy to download now; thank you, Allen. Today, we will meet friends of ours at the Hilton, and have lunch next to the Dolphin pool.....KEWL! I finally finished setting up my office here so feeling more "at home"....Let me hear from you from time to time for feedback and up to date info on your playing progress or just in life, in general. Aloha!
2/7/2008 6:26am
Yesterday was an unreal day! I need to get a REAL job so I can have some rest! lol Anyway, early yesterday, Cindy, from the local paper came to my home and interviewed me for an upcoming article about table tennis in Hawi and the Hawi Table Tennis Club. She is a very nice lady and I think I got all the important things out about table tennis & the club. Tonight, at the club, the paper is sending a photographer to take some pictures; hope we have a big crowd. After she left, the movers showed up..............with close to 200 boxes and pieces of furniture. Amazing the process needed to get your items here from the Mainland. The movers had to box each item, wrap them well, seal the boxes, load them in lift vans very compactly, nail the vans shut, metal band them, drive them from Phoenix to California, load them in a 40' container, load them on a ship, the ship sails to Honolulu, the container is then reloaded on a barge to Hilo, the container unloaded, the lift vans for us are sorted, loaded onto a 20' truck, driven almost 2 hours to our home, lift vans opened with hammer and other tools, all boxes unloaded and put in garage (thankfully it stopped raining here for the 4 hours of unloading), boxes opened and then put away stuff, boxes broken down with all the wrapping papers, then loaded on my truck, dropped off at dump! We still have about 40 more boxes..................Then Kelly showed up, our yard guy who built our fence and kept our lawn groomed while we were in Phoenix; he did some edging and then taught me how to use my new Lawn Tractor...what a nice guy! After that, we ate a frozen pizza, and had some phone calls. Matt called to report that he is so busy he cannot believe it! Sold lots of rubber, blades, etc and is trying to keep up....LOL....while on phone with him, spoke to a gentleman from Hilo and then heard from a guy in Kauai that I met 2 years ago while vacationing there, trying to decide with Debbie, which island we liked best. He's a good player and I was very happy to hear from him. He is thinking about spending some time here, on the Big Island, to play more table tennis, play in our upcoming USATT tournament, and maybe take some training....and "rent" my Butterfly Robot. It was so good to then go to bed with our regular mattress and pillows.....feels much more like home now, especially this morning with our Expresso machine...........more work today unloading the boxes, setting up 1 of our HD tvs, registering my handguns, and more.....then off to the Club tonight for pictures and a bit of the PingyPong.........................
2/5/2008 6:46am
Got Debbie's car yesterday. It was in perfect shape........well, almost....the battery was dead! But the man at the port was very nice and had a portable car jump kit and the car started right up. This is sure a small town. The guy saw we lived in Hawi and said he does also. So, he introduced himself and said he owned the liquor store in Hawi. We went there last night after dinner, and bought some ice cream. I was given the opportunity to give a table tennis presentation on March 10 to my senior group. We have Sears delivering today and our furniture tomorrow. I have a local newspaper reporter coming to my home tomorrow morning for an interview about table tennis in Hawi. Thursday night, we'll have a photographer there to take pictures for the newspaper......I already received my first entry for the Hawi tournament in April. http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawitournament42608.htm Still raining lots here, but it's a change we enjoy. Have to get Deb's car inspected this morning at 8am so we can register it for plates on Thursday..........
2/1/2008 3:06pm
It sure can be wet in Hawi, Hawaii! Yesterday, we had 1.89" of rain and we have had .34" today and it is still coming down! I want my suntan! I think I have seen more rain in the week and half here than in my 30+ years in Phoenix.....O well, I love it.....Guess what else: Debbie found that a Maui Male Cardinal lives in our little forest on our property....he is beautiful.... http://www.micktravels.com/maui/kahana/maui-male-cardinal.html
Also, got confirmation today that the newspaper is doing an article on the Hawi Club and will even have a photographer here next week....things are moving along............
1/31/2008 11:01am
Went to the Waimea TTC last night. A nice trip, about 35 minute drive each way with beautiful scenery on the upper road.....Went to "real" grocery stores as well as a huge Ace Hardware that seems to have everything. Was able to help John coach an 11 year old boy that looks to be improving; his strokes are getting better. Our riding lawn tractor has come in at Sears and they will deliver...soon...our furniture is sitting in Hilo and hopefully they will deliver it this year! Guess I'll watch the Super Bowl in high def on my 26: screen....bummer! Met a doctor last night at the Waimea club. He is about 1000 or so. Very nice guy. There are a few good players there in the 1000-1500 range. Had a very interesting event this morning....well, interesting and funny to me, anyway! I walked down my road to get the morning paper in the paper delivery cyclinder, and as I was about to get the paper (6:30am and still no sunrise), a big head came up from behind the newspaper box....there were 2 horses there, grazing.....I reached to pet them, but scared them away and they trotted away! Never happened to me in Phoenix like that......going to lunch in a few and to shop at the new shops that recently opened......tonight we meet again at the Hawi TTC. We were approved for the first Hawaiian USATT sanctioned tournament on April 26, 2008.. http://www.tabletennisandmore.com/hawitournament42608.htm ......let me hear from you.
1/29/2008 9:39pm
Another day in paradise......Actually, it's been raining a lot...so much, in fact, that I truly believe I have seen more rain this past week here than in the 30 years I lived in Phoenix! But my fruit is growing, so that's good. I got tentative approval for Hawaii's first USATT sanctioned tournament ever,,,,we'll have it in Hawi on April 26. More info to follow but it will include age, doubles, and rated events. We had 11 people at the Hawi Club tonight and I spent time feeding multi-ball to one of the kids that will be a good player, in time. We also worked on serving. Still waiting for our furniture and hope it comes this week so I can watch the Super Bowl on High Def on my big screen.....feel like a real resident as we opened a bank account at the local Hawaiian bank, ate lunch at a neighborhood bistro, and our dog, Audi has made a friend with Arnie, a yellow lab next door......he also likes BJ, the horse in our backyard! Tomorrow night I go to the Waimea club............
1/28/2008 2:59pm
OK OK OK, so now it is confirmed; I am a senior citizen! Deb & I went to an invite meeting this morning at the Kohala Senior Citizen's Club. We filled out intensive applications, went before the Executive Committee, spoke before the entire group of about 65, and we admitted to the club! Deb & I also each won, after the meeting, in Bingo! OK, so I am an old fart; you guys already knew that anyway! Now we are entitled, with our OLD PERSON card, to no sales tax on many items sold in Hawaii and special other discounts for meals, etc. Aside from all that, the people there are truly nice. They have a competitive softball team playing this Saturday, bowling a few times per month, and I am starting a senior's table tennis league. Got my vehicle inspection decal today so I am a real resident. Our stuff arrived at the port today, available for pick up by the moving company tomorrow. Then they must make arrangements for delivery to us....hope it is soon as I need my printer and....ping pong tables!
1/27/2008 10:49am:
I am sitting here watching the rain fall...it is simply
amazing how much rain there is! We had 1/3" yesterday and almost that amount
already today. I guess the severe drought on this Island is over. It's about 67
degrees, windy, with the rain. If I were to drive less than 20 minutes, it would
be 82 and sunny, on the beach! We had DirecTV installed and it takes TWO 4 1/2
foot dishes for the service with high definition as opposed to a small single
dish in Phoenix, so my front yard kind of looks like Moon Base Alpha!
.........If
you have never been to Hawaii, you should visit....the clouds are simply
amazing! They are constantly moving, and fast. We see rainbows on most days and
sometimes a double rainbow; awesome! I have not seen the Humpback Whales yet,
but supposedly they are crossing the water in my view many times per day. I hope
to get a glimpse soon and have a telescope ready.....
1/26/2008 10:31am:
Aloha!
Sitting here watching the rain and hearing the wind......it's a warm 71 right now with, as usual, high humidity. It is still winter for another 10 days or so.....then the rain usually ends, or so we are told. Life is slower here and people are very warm. There is a genuine concern shown by most and there is a feeling that all should share in the ALOHA spirit (a feeling of warmth, kindness, helping to your fellow citizen)...
Am waiting for our furniture, belongings, and table tennis stuff to arrive from Phoenix. It should be in the local port on Monday and they will deliver soon after. Took the 70 minute drive each way to Costco and Home Depot yesterday, spent almost $1000.00 there for food and other essentials, but now we are stocked up with goodies.....We are going with a friend to Salsa Night tonight in our town and are invited to a Senior's event this Monday at 9am.....Table tennis is Tuesday thru Thursday nights and I do have some students lined up for private lessons starting after I get my tables.......Keep in touch,
1/24/2008:
Aloha all!
Hope Phoenix is doing well………….
Just a VERY quick update on me……….am home now in Hawi. Got my truck in almost perfect condition on Tuesday, got Debbie & Audi in perfect condition yesterday, and expecting our furniture next week, along with Deb’s car.
Went to the Hawi Club Tuesday night and about 10 or so players were there. Many were absent due to a “major” basketball game in Waimea. We had a lady show up from Kona that is a very good player from Japan, possibly 1800-1900 range….she is Japanese Penhold with Long Pips that she can hit with on the forehand and a reversing long pip on her backhand she uses sparingly. We have another good player from Waikoloa, about 14-1500, about 20 minutes away, and, John Romoa was also there, another 1500 level player; so we are on our way….In fact, there was a local article about the table tennis in Hawi just this week!
We tentatively have our first USATT Sanctioned tournament EVER in Hawaii, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008, awaiting approval from USATT. You are all welcome to come and play in it! We even have an 8 room, cozy Country Inn, right next door, with reasonable rates for all you “MAINLANDERS”…..
Keep in touch.