Currently in Clyde, which may be confusing for those geographicly challenged....

March 29, 2013

Clyde is east of Cherokee, and west of Hickory on Route 40, that should illuminate everything.  Susanne and I first met Dave and Emliy Nelson in Montgomery, Alabama.  Dave was a singer in the Air Force Band and I was finishing my Air Force career as acting First Sergeant.  Dave got orders to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, we kept in touch.  Dave suggested we (great advice) visit Alaska before finally settling down after retiring from the Air Force in 1989.  Dave and Emily returned to Clyde, North Carlolina three years ago.

Andy with Ralph Staleman at the NATT Teams 2011. They speak a special "hard bat" language! "flip...smack...chop and pick hit." After visiting the Merritt Island, Florida table tennis club on March 18th arrived the Broward TTC the next day to prepare for their One Star USATT tournament March 23/24 (Saturday & Sunday).  The Broward club is one of the better run clubs in the country.  Several over 2200 level players are available each night of the week, and willing to play a few games or hit practice strokes. 

I entered the top five events, from the Open down to the Under 2100.  Got to the quarter finals of the Under 2100 by winning a match against a 1920 rated player who chopped with long pips and looped on the forehand side.  I stayed to the long pips backhand side and won 3 games to zero.  My goal was to not loose to any player rated lower than me, which I did.  I've often lost to players rated much lower than I because my game had such peaks and valleys.  This journey appears (for now) to have fixed that problem. 

After Broward TTC went to Naples, Florida visiting with Dennis and Lisa Fiandola.  Dennis and I last saw each other in South Vietnam, 1969.  Enjoyable to get together and seems time stopped.  We laughed at old times while Dennis was in shock when I went swimming in their pool, with water temperatures around 74 degrees.  Refreshing....I thought.

Front and center. back in 2012 when Mr. Noh was visiting from Korea. Andy is up for the challenge.Recharged after a relaxing time in Naples (beautiful city and nice gulf coast beaches) departed for the Spin City club in Clearwater, Florida.  This club is open everyday and plenty of players at the 1800+ level to practice with.  Played at Spin City until 9:30 pm then drove three hours to Valdosta, Georgia.  Easy morning four hour drive to Club JOOLA in Marietta (suburbs of Atlanta) which is also open seven days a week.  Got two hours of training with their club pro, Lee.  Lee is rated over 2400 and was willing to hit for two hours....where else can you find tha?  Also visited Yang's club later that day in Duluth (on the north side of Atlanta) before heading to Clyde.  Both JOOLA and Yang's clubs are located in nice suburban malls with rubber floors, great lighting, and plenty of space around the tables.  Strong area if wanting to improve your game.

Spending Easter weekend with Dave and Emily Nelson.  Emily's mother and father will fix a southern Easter dinner for their family, expect 15 family members will attend.  Very much looking forward to this experience.

Expect to be in Cary, North Carolina next week, then later in the week arrive Robert Hodgson's for a visit to his New Jersey club and the Trolly Car Club in Philadelphia.  The journey continues... 

Love and best wishes for your safety,

Andy