Aujourd'hui

After watching the videos of today's tennis match, all in French, I thought I'd join in.

Maria won in 2 sets! Linz is her fifth tournament of the year! This photo during the trophy ceremony is too cute!


I am so totally psyched that I will be able to watch the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid which starts November 7th. It will be on the Versus Channel which I didn't even know I had. I can't wait!

I still have yet to use the Stair Climber, Total Gym or Cycle. Hmm... why am I not doing it?

I just watched "Two For The Road" with Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney. A great movie and Albert was so gorgeous in it. A photo:


I went to Target & did some food shopping today. I got candy for Halloween. I'm sure we'll have some leftover. None for me though; well, maybe one ;)


Ciao for Now.
Maria

A Windy, Rainy Day

I really want to get into Photography. I think it's perfect for me because it can encompass all my interests. Nature, Travel, Houses, People, etc. I just signed up for a Flickr account. I've only uploaded 4 pics so far. Here's one:

I have to get more acquainted with the manual settings on my digital camera and just take tons of photos. I hope I can locate the camera manual. I'd like to take a photography class as well. Looked into it a bit this morning; will do more research later today.

Tennis ---> Maria's into the Finals at Linz and will play Nadia Petrova tomorrow. Maria is now ranked #2 in the world because of today's victory. It will definitely be a tough match against Nadia.

I love this photo from today's match.
Ciao for Now.
Maria

Stair Climber's In Da House!

I'm psyched! I just emailed the company that made it to see if I can get a manual. Fingers crossed since it's from 2001. I tried programming it but since I'm not sure of what I'm doing, the steps seemed really "loose". When I just started without a program, the steps were "tight". Must get used to using it I guess. I have to figure out the best placement for everything.

I must finally make a workout schedule and write out my goals. TONIGHT ALREADY !!


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Water Fowl

8 Mallard Ducks in the pond today; 6 males & 2 females. Luv them! They travel together as they've been to the pond before in this specific grouping. I will definitely bring my camera tomorrow. Other birds I see in the harbor: 2 swans, black cormorants, canadian geese, some type of heron and of course, seagulls.

I basically have been dancing every other day. I must start with the Total Gym & recumbant cycle. I am still waiting for the stair climber. They were going to bring it last night, didn't happen. Tonight around 7 ---> will it happen? UPDATE: Just got a call - No, not tonight (of course) now it's tomorrow morning.

Tennis - Maria won her 2nd round match in Linz, Austria. (She got a bye for 1st round) Austria is somewhere I'd like to go because of Mozart & Sound of Music.

I started reading "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama. Is he planning to run for President in 2008? If he does, I'm definitely voting for him.

I must get out my Fall/Winter clothes. It's getting cold. Boy do I hate what's coming!


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Maria Wins Her Fourth Tournament of the Year

She beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Zurich Open. Daniela played well making for a very exciting game. I listened to Live Audio from the EuroSport Channel. It's fun; I feel like I'm in a time before TV, relying on the radio. Too cool !! Next tournament starts tomorrow at Linz, Austria.

My lunch at Legal Seafood wasn't as great as I anticipated, especially not for the money. They even forgot to put the cashews in; I had to ask for them.

I bought a pair of ruby & gold earings I had my eyes on when I had my watch battery replaced a few months ago; got 3 months no finance charge. Sweet !

I saw my first sunset at the new house last night. Simply gorgeous!

I am totally on a Classical Music kick these days.
Some of my favs:

1. Chopin - Grande Valse Brillante
2. Chopin - Prelude No. 20 & 4
3. Shubert - Impromptu # 3 & 4 - Op. 90
4. Shubert String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor
5. Mozart Symphony # 40 - all 4 movements
6. Mozart Symphony # 25 & 29 - 1st movements


My two kitties, taken today:




Ciao for Now.
Maria

The Bird is Free Again

I called for the status of "Tweety" and was told he did really well last night and was flying around the enclosed aviary. They released him today. I am psyched he hadn't broken his wing. I want to believe this is all true but hey, they may tell everyone that to save them from the heartache. Why must my mind go there?

Tennis - Maria won her Quarter Final match today at the Zurich Open so she's in the Semi Final tomorrow, her third match in as many days. It's amazing how these non-Slam tournaments work. I never knew because I never followed non-Slams before. Like I have always said... Professional Tennis Players are superb athletes!

Tomorrow Mom & I are going to Legal Seafood and I can't wait to have this:


Totally not lowfat but hey, it's so freakin' good. Tomorrow I start my sixth week. It's amazing... 5 weeks with No Taco Bell and No Stella (code word).


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Yesterday

Yesterday at work the cutest little yellow bird hit the window. He was out of it for an hour but still very much breathing. I decided to call a local Wildlife Rehab organization and got a recording saying that you should put the bird in a small box, with ventilation of course, with tissues in it and keep it in a quiet location to help it recover from shock. I left a message with them and they called back in about 30 minutes. Someone later came to pick it up. Supposedly it's a Common Yellow Throat Warbler but this little guy's was much more yellow than just his throat. I will call today to check on his condition. I think this is going to be a recurring problem with all the big windows in their house.

He looked liked this, a yellow warbler:


I was on my public library's website and saw a link to the following movie clip on YouTube. Last year I had seen notices on the library regarding filming of a movie there. I didn't think much of it in spite of the fact that my town's pretty small for one on Long Island. The movie is titled "A Merry Little Christmas" starring the actor Matt McCoy who most people will recognize as guest starring on Seinfeld playing Lloyd Braun.

Here's the Trailer:



Here's the Movie on IMDB.com.


I watched the movie "Portrait of a Lady" starring Nicole Kidman. I finished reading the Henry James novel last week. It was pretty much the first time I had read a book and then seeing the movie as I have just started reading consistently this year. While it was interesting to see visually, I have to agree with what I had always heard... "The movie is never as good as the book." I however loved the music and have added numerous classical pieces to my iPod.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Corrine Bailey Rae

I saw her on SNL last week and loved her voice, music, and style. She is wonderful !!

I bought her album on iTunes and tickets to her Dec. 13th concert in Manhattan. I can't wait!!

This is her video for "Put Your Records On"

Tennis

Maria Sharapova withdrew from the Kremlin Cup in Russia yesterday saying she hurt her foot. Look how said she looks at her Press Conference.
Nadia Petrova beat Nicole Vaidisova 6-0, 4-6, 7/6(3) in the first SemiFinal. Anna Chakvetadze upset Elena Dementieva 7-5, 3-6, 6-0 in the second. I was chearing for Anna and so I'm psyched she's in the Finals. I just love saying her last name... Chakvetadze !

Marat Safin won the first set against Igor Kunitsyn and is on his way to winning the second. The winner meets Davydenko in the Finals.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

What's Up

I didn't dance yesterday or today. I did walk to the beach yesterday and today I'm doing my laundry, so up & down the stairs for about 5 loads.

Maria Sharapova won her 2nd Round match at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow today. She got a BYE in the first round. There are videos of the match on YouTube and I put together a new Blog called Sharapova Tube to have them in one place to watch the matches. I thought it would be an easy win but it was tougher than I thought it would be. Yet again, she showed her determination and won the match. She's in the Quarter Finals now, to be played on Friday.

I plan to go food shopping after laundry.


Ciao for Now.

I Got It

I got the Cinema Paradiso DVD today. I'll probably watch the original version today or tomorrow. Love this movie!

I watched a documentary today on HBO called "Children of Beslan" about the 2004 Russian school siege where over 350 people were killed, half were children. Only children spoke; it was so sad but important to watch. Too much tragedy in this world of ours; the worst is the horrendous things we do to each other.

Two things I have to do this weekend are food shopping & laundry. I will start on the laundry in a few.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Today

Today my Mom had her second cataract surgery and it went well. Tomorrow she has a Dr. Appt. at 12. I'll go to work afterwards.

Bill may bring the stairclimber over today and the contractor may come as well to see if the wall between my room and my brother's old room can be removed easily and to check out the electrical outlets. Fingers crossed.

The Kremlin Cup tennis tournament begins next week in Moscow. I want to follow tournaments other than the Grand Slams or rather, as well as. EuroSports.com may have live scores.

I didn't dance this morning but I will definitely cycle this evening. No excuses!!


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Checkin' In

I didn't dance this morning. Sunday looks like will be my day off. I will cycle later on.

My brother & his wife are coming over & then we're going out for lunch. I will definitely order something that's not too bad.

I watched Cinema Paradiso - the New Version (Director's Cut) the other day. I think I prefer the original one but it was great to watch. I adore this movie! I think I've seen it about 5 times. I just had to buy the DVD with both versions; found it on Amazon and I should get it on Tuesday. The little boy Toto is so adorable and the teenage Toto is hot! It's such a great story & beautifully filmed. One of my top 10.

I discovered Lily Allen this week. She's a singer/songwriter from England and her music is fabulous. Pop/Ska. She's going to be in Manhattan on 10/10 but the show is sold out. Her Website.


Ciao for Now.
Maria