Last week I signed up for the National Capital Region Table Tennis League. Teams are two to four members each, and play in a round robin over four months. Three matches are played every week, and each match consists of two to four singles sets and one doubles set. A problem I have is that I start to hold back and doubt myself when I’m up against someone I’ve never played before, causing me to lose my offensive control game, the only thing I’m good at. I figured that joining the league would be a good way to expose myself to different playing styles, and get myself comfortable with playing new people.

We only played two matches today, winning the first and losing the second. There’s quite a mix of skill level there; from former national team players turned national team coaches, to provincial junior team players, to recreational amateurs, to beginners, to paraplegics. I’d say that people there are between 14 and 60 years of age.

Since I’m actually either sweating or sitting in my sweat for more than four hours there, I’m tempted to start using anti-perspirant again. I haven’t used any in over four years, since I don’t actually smell very much when I sweat. I’ll take the fact that I still have friends (and have actually been dating) as confirmation of this belief.

This has been the busiest weekend EVAR. It’s been the first time that I was too busy to write an entry. I mean, I usually make time to write, with the same priority as showering and eating, but yesterday I only had time for two of the three.

Friday was all running errands and watching Return of the King (which was alright). Much to my surprise, Aaron, Trolley, Wheaties, and Nick all chipped in and bought me Double Dash, which we promptly played until five in the morning. I woke up with just enough time to get to practice (although it was only four hours of sleep), played for two hours, then came back home and slept some more.

By the time I was awake, it was time for Aaron’s pot luck. I had a chance to meet Chris, Mel’s boyfriend, who’s a fucking great guy to hang out with. Of note were Jen’s potatoes, which must have been the most flavourful I’ve ever tasted. I brought about three dozen of the Bailey’s truffles I made, which were well received and gone in five minutes.

I got back around two in the morning, collapsed on my bed, and here I am now, groggy and hungry. In half an hour I have a ride to the first matches of the newly formed city-wide table tennis league. I’ll be playing for about five hours in rotation, varying between singles and doubles matches. I expect to be one of the worst player there, which means that I’ll probably gain a lot of play experience.

I still need to start an economics assignment and watch an accounting tape, both of which were supposed to be done on Friday. Today might just be another total write-off.

Apparently, my new laptop is scheduled for delivery on Monday. I was hoping for Friday so I’d have the weekend to work on it, but I’m generally only busy on the weekends so it doesn’t make too much difference. Cristina’s having a birthday party at the Honest Lawyer on Saturday, which works out perfectly because practice on Sundays are usually mid-afternoon. After the Halloween party last Friday, I was too hung over to attend the Saturday practice. I’ve been considering entering a team in the newly formed city league, but I would probably need a fourth and I’d rather not socialize with the available people.

At the club yesterday there was a woman who must have been in her seventies, who played a fairly fast (though unbalanced) game. She liked to talk some shit against my lucky shots, which was pretty funny, cause otherwise she’s a sweet old lady with a slight British accent. I was also matched up against Barry, a paraplegic who was kicking my ass in his wheelchair, after having played two hours of wheelchair tennis. He plays much faster and more aggressively than me, and can place his shots with amazing precision. It’s really helping me work on my forehand to backhand returns.

I’m getting my abs back, especially the obliques. My right arm is roughly an inch bigger than the left now. I’m thinking that it’s all the weight transfer that needs to be done when smashing, especially against Dan. He’s like an artist on the court, aware of all variables involved in a single hit, able to make the ball do whatever he wants. It’s a pleasure to watch him play.

I finally beat Pat at table tennis, although he was running on fifteen hours of sleep over the last three days due to four midterms. I realized that I was letting him play offensively when I was adapting to his game, instead of playing more aggressive than him, forcing him to be defensive which is his weak point. It’s tricky playing him because he uses a strong and powerful forehand grip that limits his backhand capabilities, but plays mostly off his backhand. I end up having to adapt to his unique shots every time I face him. I can feel myself improving, especially the consistency and spin of my serves, which is always a good thing.