Indifference

Life is an interesting thing. I feel more mature, more comfortable with myself in alot of different respects. It's attributed to my life experiences more then anything else, but also very good genes. :-) However, as well adjusted as I am, I have noticed that I have strayed away from family and friends alot more so then usual. I am not that emotional rock that I once was, perhaps it's because I am trying to enjoy my life a bit more, and being a little more introverted at times like my dad. Another possibility is that the emotional effort or my expectations of folks has been let down a bit maybe?

I seem disinterested in the whole dating thing too. I guess whatever is irking me is also affecting my desire to really put the effort. Although the effort in the dating thing has resulted in very disappointing results. Perhaps even loneliness is finally setting in on this independent soul.

I am definitely not miserable or feel badly in any way, but I am a bit disappointed in my lackidasical attitude. Emotionally I take alot of pleasure in helping others, and keeping better contact in general...I think work and the stress of the new job has made it more difficult at times. Guess I need to ride this wave of blah so to speak.

On a good note. I have been kicking some major ass in tennis! Oh and the Blue Jays signed another good player! Big smile :-)

Laterz.

-Matt

Canadian Election and Aussie Open Tennis

Wow it really has been along time that I have been away from my native home of Toronto, CANADA. Eight plus years and all of a sudden you lose touch with what is going on, like perhaps a new prime minister, and then the news of a NO CONFIDENCE VOTE! In the end today is election day, and I do feel a bit guilty that this dual citizen has not given closer attention to the issues back home. Although not much has changed, just a country more fractured I guess. Same old story the Bloc Quebecois, NDP in the maritime provinces, Liberals dominating the east, and the Conservatives occupying the west. The only safe thing that can be drawn from this lost Canadian is that I need to stay current on events! I can't even make an educated decision on who to vote for if I came back home or had voted abroad! I just wish that in the end that as many well-read Canadians vote, especially the younger folks! Hopefully this vote is a turning point to mending the country as a whole. As much as I distaste the Separatist party in Quebec that seems to never die, they are not solely responsible for the 4 opposing views/political parties that Canada seems to hold. I am all for differences and diversity, but the PCs, Liberals, Bloc, and NDP having such influences on just certain areas of Canada is not the greatest in my humble opinion.

Oh well, there is my blurb on Canada. Now on to fun stuff. In the land down under the tennis is just sizzling with some high quality tennis brewing. The men's game has taken a big knock with Federer cleaning up as usual, but the women's game has been outstanding! So many excellent players, including the return of the "Swiss Miss," Miss Hingis! Her play is a welcome addition to the women's game, her variety, finesse, and elegant all-court game I think can only spice up the game. The fact that she is kicking butt at her first slam in three years is uncanny! I do enjoy the Belgium contingent of Cjlisters and Henin-Hardenne, but would not mind seeing Hingis pulling out a major upset this morning and making the Semi's. We'll see what happens.

As far as things are with me. It's the usual tennis, tennis and more tennis...oh and of course IT work! :-) My tennis game has been getting better, and everyday I play this winter I am getting closer to the form I had 15 years ago, when I was at the top of my game. A seven year layoff is tough to come back from, and although I am not the 4.5 player I once was, in fact, just hanging around the low 4.0 barrier. My serve is very close to where it was, now getting a bunch of free points, my net game slightly better, my backhand wing much better topspin wise, but not slice wise, and of course, my killer shot the forehand is still there. The forehand is still my best shot, and I show flashes of brilliance. I can still blow forehands by my opponents, and still hit very hard, but not as clean as I once did before. I guess that is the difference, but it's funny to see someone out hitting me. ;-) I have run into a couple guys (younger of course) that were able to outbang me from the baseline, crushed my ego for a bit, but still can handle the pace, and my legs still can get to a ton of balls. One day I will catch my younger self again.

Later folks.

-Matt

2006

A new year, with upcoming highs, challenges, and most importantly an opportunity to grow up further and be a better person.

I am starting a new job. For years I have been an IT guy working on the windows platform. The new techologies that I was working with in server administration was way cool, but the opportunity to move to SAN (storage area network) and work with EMC and Cisco gear is just such a great opportunity.

I know on Tuesday I will be a bit scared, moving to a new animal of IT, and losing the security blanket and the arrogant swagger that I was afforded to have being the Senior Engineering IT dude of the windows world. :-) However, what's the worst that could happen? I don't like it right, and need to move on.

In addition to a new job for 2006...I am also playing mixed tennis in a USTA league. Hopefully I will be able to be better prepared for spring tennis when the Men's 4.0 League starts up and maybe meet a beautiful tennis babe if I'm lucky. :-)

Oh well, a pretty good start to my new blog. Take care folks.

-Matt