Got my queue number and waited in line for three hours on the first day of Wimbledon 2005 (Monday, June 20). Watched Sharapova, Henman and French Open champion Nadal practice. Caught matches in the brilliant sunshine including Thomas Enqvist, who I remember watching play in the French Open 1995 after being junior champion for years. I sat right behind him at talked in his ear. Come on Thomas! He lost. Later it was rumoured he was looking for a guy who kept talking during his breaks, breaking concentration. Just rumours. Johnny Mac was overheard on the BBC commentary joking about the zinc oxide on the noses of the Englishmen and speaking of the 'english tan' as tomato red faces (including mine unfortunately) abound.
Playing the most stylish football on the planet, with a new stadium on the horizon and a crop of young superstars to rival any club in the world, Arsenal continues to entertain and tantalize supporters and neutrals alike. These photos are from three matches this year away against Southampton (we'll never play here again), home to Liverpool and the FA Cup semifinal with Blackburn. I earned my silver membership status this year so should get to most of the big games next year.
An mid-March weekend proclaimed the first day of summer by a singer/songwriter in front of a throbbing seaside pub basked in sunshine. You need a child and a dog to really fit into this still-trendy commuting retreat for 30-somethings looking for a little quality of life to go with their creative director or NGO communications post. Overheard: "Brighton is more London than London".
England is filled with historical spots but none dwarfs the mythical splendor of Stonehedge. Local cathedrals in Salisbury and Winchester provide further connection to the ancient echoes of voices, texts (like the copy of the Magna Carta) and history.
