Roger Federer Wins Australian Open ...

"Melbourne: Roger Federer won his seventh Grand Slam final and his second Australian Open title with a commanding four-set victory over unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis here on Sunday.

The Swiss world number one overcame dropping the opening set against the rising 54th-ranked star to claim a 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 victory in 2hr 46min to remain unbeaten in all the Grand Slam finals he has contested since his first success at 2003 Wimbledon. Federer became the first player to win three successive Grand Slams since Pete Sampras won at the 1994 Australian Open.

The Swiss went into this year's Open having won last year's Wimbledon and US Open. He now joins other tennis greats John McEnroe, John Newcombe and Mats Wilander with seven major titles and is closing in on all-time leader Sampras with 14. It was the 24-year-old's 35th title and his fourth win over 20-year-old Baghdatis, who beat three top-10 players to reach his first Grand Slam final and only second tour final overall.

Federer pocketed 900,000 US dollars for his Australian victory, swelling his career prizemoney to 21,274,573 US dollars. Baghdatis was bidding to become the first unseeded player to win the Australian Open since 212-ranked Australian Mark Edmondson won here in 1976 and his ranking has now climbed to 26. "

Hope this hasn't spoilt the tennis for you, in case you are about to see the match on delayed telecast.

It was a wonderful game, with some amazing tennis played. What I thought was interesting, though, was the presentation afterward. Baghdatis was very humble, and excited (I thought) at just being there and having played in the finals, whether he won or lost. He is an upcoming force to be reckoned with, I feel, after what he accomplished during the Australian Open. He was a lot of fun to watch. His fan base was amazing ... Melbourne has a big population of Greeks and Cypriots, and it seemed like they were all there watching and cheering !!

Federer surprised me ... during the presentation he was trying to make a speech, but began bawling like a little boy. I found that so endearing ... there is something about a man who cries, particularly in public (only the whole world was watching him !!) that is so heart-warming. Made him seem more human, not the cool "ice-man" he appears to be on court.

There you go, that's me for the moment. Just felt I needed to share this stuff about the tennis (wanted to do it last night, immediately after, but I was so tired I needed to go to bed !). Hope everyone has a great day.

Take care,

MEOW

A Simple Slow Saturday ...

Today has been a totally "blah" type of day. I awoke this morning to humid, smoke filled air (as a result of the bushfires less than 100km away). It was somewhat cool, so I turned off the air-conditioner (which had been on overnight), and opened all the doors and windows. Watched a bit of TV (Little House on The Prairie reruns !), showered, dressed, etc., and blogged a bit. Went shopping with Chicky. Came home and watched a movie - The Birds - then snoozed on the couch for awhile. Awoke to the house feeling really warm again, so closed the doors and windows, turned the air-conditioner on again, and blogged some more. Made dinner, ate it, then ... you guessed it ... blogged some more !!! It is now around 8.30pm, and I am ready for bed. How could I be tired ... I have done absolutely nothing. That's really pathetic !!! What is wrong with me ?? I need some routine and normality back in my life.

Routine is about to return, though, so I should enjoy my last days of laziness. Chicky goes back to school on Tuesday, to start her 7th and final year of Primary School - Year 6. That means back to early mornings, dropping off and picking up from school, helping out in the school canteen, the school uniform shop, typing up school newsletters, as well as my usual stuff at home. I am also going to do a Swim Teacher course, but the next one locally is not until April, so I intend practicing my swimming techniques in the mean time. I also offered my part-time services at a friends gift shop ... it sells nothing but cat items - ornaments, books, wall hangings, furnishings, collars, kitty litter, toys, etc., etc. It is a wonderful shop. My typing business seems to be having a reprieve, also, as I have had some phone calls and am currently working on a job. Looks like I may be busier than I thought I would be ... don't know if that is good or bad, yet !!!

So, there you go, that is my boring post for Saturday.

Hope every has a great weekend ... hopefully more exciting than mine is shaping up to be !!

Take care all,

MEOW

Peek-A-Boo ...

If I can't see you, does that mean you can't see me ???

Well, my Australia Day has nearly come to an end. I am just about ready for bed.

It has been another day of extreme weather for Victoria ... the temperature reached around 41C. Late this afternoon the wind started ... very strong wind, I might add, my daughter thought the windows were going to blow in (so she shut the curtains ... as if that would help !!!). We had a short, heavy burst of rain ... enough to cause the guttering to overflow, and the drains to back up on the road. Then it was all over. It is really humid out there now, almost like being in a sauna ... I don't like the humidity, which is why I don't think I could live in northern Australia (holiday - yes, live - no !). There are fresh storm clouds approaching, so who knows what is coming. I just hope there has been, or there will soon be again, heaps of rain falling on the areas where there are major bushfires happening. These fires are threatening a few townships, which must be quite frightening. Here's hoping that there are no more lives lost.

I haven't done a great deal today. Slept in, watched TV, played on the computer, went shopping, made yummy Tacos for dinner, played on the computer some more. My husband worked (he was offered some overtime, so thought he'd take it on) - now he is snoring on the couch. My Chicky hung out with some friends, made a mess (as usual), went swimming, generally had fun. That was our day ... exciting, huh !?!?!

Hope your day was, or is, a good one.

Take care everyone,

MEOW

Happy Australia Day

January 26th - Australia Day - is Australia's official National Day. It commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove on that day in 1788.

Today is a public holiday all around the country, although most shops, etc., are still open as usual. Seems a shame that EVERYONE doesn't have the day off, but I guess that is the way of the world these days. Many people are even having an extended long weekend, taking tomorrow (Friday) off as well. It is sort of a last fling before all the kids go back to school, and life returns to normal again.

Haven't quite decided what we are going to do today. It's going to be 38C here in Melbourne, so something with air-conditioning will probably be the go !!

Hope everyone has a great day.

Take care,

MEOW

Now, What Should I Do ???

This is what my body is telling me that I should be doing .....

However, this is what I really want to do .....

What would be your choice ???

Have a great day, everyone.

Bye for now,

MEOW

Grunting At The Tennis .....

I’ve been watching a bit of the Australian Open Tennis on TV over the past week or so. There have been some fantastic matches, and some not so fantastic ones, too. I am not usually a tennis-watcher, but for some reason, this year, I have been really interested. However, one thing which I have found really off-putting, is the grunting / moaning / yelling that some of the women do every time they hit the ball (Maria Sharapova is one of the offenders !). What is it with that ?? It is awful. I heard one TV commentator likening it to a form of cheating, as the opponent is unable to hear how the ball hits the racquet, as the person is making so much noise, thus not being able to judge how the ball will fly / fall. Makes sense to me !!! Anyway, I just wish they would stop it … it almost sounds obscene, like they’re enjoying the game a little too much. LOL. What do you think ??

MEOW