Back in her day, Monica Seles took the tennis "grunt" to a whole new level.  I believe it's just strategy now - see how much you can aggravate your opponent without being penalized by the ump.

Ah, yes, the Walkman.  I remember when it first came out.  It was particularly useful if you wanted to listen to music while on a school field trip.  (Rick Springfield or Hall & Oates, anyone?)  I never owned one myself, but then I live in a one (19") TV household, and I never owned a CD player until it came with the car - nine years ago.  I can't make this stuff up.  :-)

Laurel
 

Hi Brian -

My sport is golf and woe to those who make noises especially when others are putting.

Have these tennis ladies heard how awful they sound with these ugly noises??  Do they care?? Or, and this is what I suspect is that it is a way to distract their opponent from her game.  Sort of like cheating, isn't it.

Ladies, winning by all costs is not the same as winning by playing the game well.  That's what sports is all about - or, used to be.

Joan

I will Brian, I look forward to the broadcast today.  Are Tennis Players grunting a lot this year at Wimbledon?  I used to like to watch Tennis when I was younger during the McEnroe, Connors, and Bjorg match ups.  The lady Tennis Players were good to Martina and Chris Evert, then after S Graf.  Did any of those players grunt.  We should add a skit on Saturday Night Live with This Years tennis players grunting and there skill versus other tennis players that were better skilled and never grunted.  You can have that idea without me questioning other Media Companies and peoples taking an idea I presented on my website or youtube.com videos and using those same ideas for themselves.  I notice it from time to time.
The grunting, that is funny you pointed that out.

One should only grunt while doing the Mambo.

Your story on Caifornia debt problems hit home. My husband recived an inheritance from a relative who died in 2007. The estate paid taxes on the estate, including my husbands share. My husband died in Oct 2008. I filed taxes but the state of CA "failed" to credit the taxes paid and I recieved a bill for over $2,000. My CPA promptly wrote a letter and provided documentation of the payment. I have since recived a bil including interest. When you call the CA franchise tax board and go through all the layers of phone prompts, it eventually tells you that they can not handle the call and you should go to their on-line site. The call then ends. When you go to the on-line site, it refers you to the telephone number....I guess they expect out of state taxpayers to foot the bills.

I have had enough of Michael Jackson.  I'm giving up on the News.

ah, the Walkman.  It was the one item I just had to have growing up to feel like I "belonged" among my peers. Those were the days when I wasn't even allowed to have a radio, but my parents got me the Walkman so they could better keep an eye on my musical choices. I was thinking of my first Walkman just the other day after watching a vintage TV episode from the 80's.  It was my treasured item, the one thing I'd be sure not to leave if the house was burning down.  It died a long time ago and I now have a MP3 player, but I still think fondly of my very first sound machine.

As for tennis, since I don't watch the sport, I hadn't noticed.

My mom is a big fan of Karl Malden.  She will be saddened to hear of his passing.  I can't say I recall ever watching any of his films as a child, but I sure heard about them.  I think the crowning achievement of his life was the length of his marriage.  To be married over 70 years in Hollywood is nothing short of miraculous.  

I was listening to the president's town hall meeting on You Tube this afternoon.  I don't recall too much of it now, but what he was saying made so much sense to me.  I'm sure his idea isn't without its flaws, but I hope some change comes to the system, but I have an idea of my own: why don't we focus on WELLNESS?  We spend so much time focusing on how to cure the illness; what are we as a country doing to prevent the illness?  I didn't hear him mention much of that.

I will enjoy Tom Brokaw's travel on Highway 50.  I'm curious: will we see Tom on the Daily Nightly talking about his travels?  I'd love to read what he's got to say!

Happy Canada Day to my northern family and friends as well as Daily Nightly readers!

I think the noise is comparable to the Ki utterance from the the martial arts, not grunting.  

If you look at the stance, the positioning, the motions while waiting for the opponent or the ball - this is a combination of footwork from boxing, and adapting edged or clubbed weapon usage to the racquet.

Old guys grunt.  Warriors shout their chi.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening. Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Chris Jansing concerning the nation's budget crisis and how many States are having major troubles. It is horrible the deficits because it lays off so many people. One hopes things will make a turn for the better, but with so many States such as Pennsylvania,Illinois,Arizona, and California with the largest deficit it is hurting so many people trying to make ends meet.
The report about US Marines staying for the longterm in Afghanistan working with the Afganistan government to provide security is going to be tough. Fighting the taliban is always tremendously hard, as shown by Richard's report with Viper Company at Restrepo in the Korengal Valley. One hopes the longterm stay by the US Marines will be able to help keep the taliban from coming into more populated areas.
On another note the report by Stephanie Gosk about the one young girl who survived the horrible plane crash is simply incredible. Holding onto the wreckage of the plane in the water and being able to stay alive is a miracle. So very sad she lost her mother in the crash. It is good she is in her way to Paris to be reunited with her father, but the fact she doesn't know her mother is gone is heartbreaking. I hope she arrives safe and sound in Paris.
So very tragic for all the loved ones who were lost in the crash.
The report by Mr.Tibbles showing the new glass ledge at the Sears Tower in Chicago can leave one alittle weak in the knees. The fact it is 103 floors up can take ones breath away. I agree with you Mr.Williams one can get a great view of the city from the sidewalk!
So to learn the passing of Karl Malden. He was a great actor and to have been married for 70years is a wonderful and rare thing. He will certainly be missed by many people.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra Safe and Well Richard! Enjoyed seeing you on The Rachel Maddow Show last evening! And also enjoyed seeing you on Charlie Rose! Plus The Today Show! Always Great Reporting!
XOXO

I watched with interest, the article you did on the school in Washington D.C. that gives money to students for "making the grade" so to speak.
I was reminded of something my brother Don did with their two daughters when they were in public school. He told them he would give them, I believe it was $5.00 for each "A" they earned on their report cards.
He gave out quite a few $5.00 dollar bill's to both girl's during their years in public school.
One of the thing's I remember him saying at the time was that some people thought he was bribing them with money for grades.
His comment back was "if it motivates them to work hard and get good grades, so what."
I admired him for thinking outside the box, and he motivated them in a positive way by doing so. Both of his daughters are adults now, and I don't see any negative results from his having given them $5.00 for the efforts they each put forth to get the high grades.
They are both great girls and I know he's very proud of them, and loves them, because he tells them so.

So I say to the Chancellor of that system of schools, keep it up, those kid's have to put out an effort to get the financial rewards they receive.
Good grades are earned by hard work, from both the students and the teachers.
 

Michelle Rhee sent teachers a two-page "thank you" for doing "the hardest job [in the country]" their last day of work and then states that "if we adults did our jobs the students would rise [ up to meet our expectations ]" implying that students have to be paid to do well in schools where adults do not do their jobs nor expect students to learn well. This is theatre of the absurd.Students do not have to be paid to excell in school. Many of my students in DCPS have enjoyed learning for four decades in schools from Georgetown to far Southeast without offering them money. There are many practices that can be employed for unsuccessful students but DCPS ignores such practices. Moreover, there is no reason to abolish teachers' seniority to pay them what they have earned and deserve. A teacher's seniority represents a teacher's service to the students, the community, and the country.The revolution in public education has yet to happen because those at the helm of the ship do not have the courage nor the skills to navigate the turbulent waters; the sailors (teachers)are keeping the ship afloat.

Hi Brian:

Great broadcast tonight.  I'm still in North Carolina but caught the broadcast here.  I see California, (my home state) is in more serious financial difficulties as each day passes.  Something really needs to be done but not sure Arnie is the one to do it.  We are facing some very difficult times with having to pay for services by IOU's.  Not sure how this is going to play out.  I have a distinct feeling that we are in for some really bad times.  I know other states are facing the same financial problems as we are but it is very scary right now. The government has cut back on so many projects, employees, schools, programs, etc, I don't think there is much more that can be done except just tax, tax, tax the people, or just shut down.  I am hoping that Arnie comes up with a good plan and very soon.  

So sorry to hear about Karl Malden's passing.  He was a great actor.  I never missed an episode of Streets of San Francisco and watched some of his movies with my mom before she died. Even though I have to admit that Michael Douglas was one of the main reasons to watch the show, Streets of San Francisco was one of my favorite shoes.  I think we have now lost enough actors and musicians in the last 2 weeks.

I am hoping that Obama can get a handle on the health care problem soon.  I know that people are still not sure of his plan, a government plan or private but like that woman today telling him her cancer is back and she can't afford to pay for treatment.  Something needs to be done so that everyone can be treated and hopefully save their lives.  

Glad to see that Ford has now topped Toyota.  Way to go Ford.  This is such good news and I hope it continues with the other auto makers.  

Thanks again for the great broadcast.  See you tomorrow and will look for your blog.   Also, what a great tie tonight.

Good evening, Brian!

I'm making it much later than usual to the blog today, after having spent a day out with mom starting with a dentist appointment in this morning. It was absolutely beautiful this evening, though I was hoping to make it back in time for the broadcast, it was one of those days I would have stayed outside all evening if I could. Hope it was the same for you further north!

Loved your post today! It really made me laugh out loud while reading it tonight. The Walkman was a revolutionary invention that finally allowed us to personally carry along one of our most cherished comforts, our music. That's my twenty two, and that's as good as I can do. Many people I'm sure couldn't imagine being without their Ipod, it's a beautiful thing to be able to take your entire collection of music with you wherever you go. Even if with the Walkman it was more like you were carrying your toaster around, I loved that. We've come a long way. My U2 Ipod broke a long time ago, and repairing it costs just as much as buying a new one. I can't wait to have my music always at my side again, in the mean time it's always in my head. But I didn't come here to promote Ipod...

Also, I never could understand the grunting in tennis. It's interesting to hear that it's a new thing, you may have the reasoning down (with no grunting necessary). I think it plays a big role in the reason I don't watch tennis. Football and baseball are usually the only sports I watch on tv, even though there are times baseball will force me into a nap on a nice summer day...at least there's no grunting in baseball. I'm sure there's nothing like being in the stands, despite the huge fee you have to pay for the experience.

Great broadcast tonight! The first thing that stood out to me was President Obama on health care. I just love how he is reaching out to the American people, to try and help cure the nation's health care system. He's been doing so much from day one as President, it's really comforting and motivating to see how determined and serious he is about so many issues we're facing. Wonderful remembrance of yet another Hollywood icon who's passed away this week. I thought it was very sweet to mention, and true, that more important than anything was his 70 years of marriage to his wife. That is just amazing. I was so glad to hear he was alive for his 70th anniversary in December. I hope, as many do I'm sure, that one day I'll be able to celebrate a wedding anniversary of that magnitude.

Of course I can't forget, great reporting from Tom Brokaw. It's always so great to see him on the broadcast. I hope if he stops by anywhere near here I find out before, as apposed to after the fact.

Thank you for the broadcast! I started writing this about an hour ago, and I'm finally finishing. Sometimes I think I put too much thought into writing...

Have a great night, and take care.
-Cary

Ah--comments are back--good, I was missing them! Need to keep up with you all!

I just got back from 5 days spent in New Orleans. Literally it was almost hot as h___! Record breaking heat wave. (I seem to bring unusual weather where ever I go! It's getting tiresome!) In spite of the heat we got to see and do a lot.

Interesting that Brian said that NOLA's population is increasing. I would say yes and no. I believe those were 2008 figures. It may not be as rosy in 2009. On the yes side: Habitat has built several hundred homes in Musician's Village. Brad Pitt and his organization are building many very "green" homes. Other charitable organizations building as well. So there is much progress. But the 9th ward still has many, many empty lots. You see concrete front steps leading to nothing. The homes have been razed. Most sobering are the many houses still marked with the tell-tale paint "X" denoting that the building was searched on such and such date, if bodies were found, etc. You have all seen the pictures. Those buildings have been gutted, are mostly boarded up, but the owners haven't decided whether to rebuild, or are awaiting monies from various agencies, etc. If you watched "This Old House" on PBS last year, they rehab-ed a shotgun house and I saw it. Nice job!

I also saw the concrete levee along the Industrial Canal that was leaking and was being over-topped during Gustav/the Republican convention last year. And I do believe I saw the very ladder Brian climbed to peek over the top to see how close the water was to coming over. Remember that?

In downtown New Orleans you would never know there was a Katrina, It is busy, vibrant and fun in the French Quarter. Lots of tourists--all of us sweating, or should I say melting. However, every street in the French Quarter is festooned with "Building/Condo For Sale" signs. Many for sale in the Garden District as well. Cabbies say you won't be able to rent an apartment in the French Quarter soon--they will all be condo-ized. And condos are not selling there either. Esplanade Ave.--For Sale, For Sale, For Sale--its entire length. Sad.

So if the 9th Ward is gaining, I fear downtown is losing people. The Great Recession seems to be affecting middle class and up.

The homeless who had been living in tents in front of City Hall are thankfully gone.

I didn't get to see Martin Savidge's Fillmore Ave. I wanted to but...

One thing that bothered me as a retired teacher, is the condition of the schools. Not good.

The people seem determined to bring their city back. I wish them every success. It is a great city. Unique in America. Welcoming, as always great food and great music, in short--enormously enjoyable! Go if you can--you'll have fun and they can use the money!!!

@Laurel-- as long as that TV gets C-Span--right?!! ;-)

@Jackie-- good to hear about your activities. I was beginning to think all our rain was keeping you from enjoying yourself. Keep us posted. When do you go to the White House?

Hello to all the regulars. Take care--  

I think I probably still have an old Walkman or two shoved in a box somewhere in my house.  -Right alongside my Sony Discman.  Now I just store all my music on the 4GB card in my Blackberry.  And yes Laurel, there are several Rick Springfield and Hall & Oates tunes in my digital collection!  
I'm pretty certain I blew out my ears from all the years I had those headphones on.  I don't think I heard a word my parents said to me all through high school. How convenient. ;-)

Along the noise front, those ladies at Wimbledon are just ridiculous. Make that annoying. There are very few situations when one would expect to hear that sound come out of a person, and they include pushing out a baby or fighting off an attacker. Thus far, I have yet to see a woman give birth on the tennis court. That would be must-see TV! Until then, I can't watch women's tennis anymore.

I've been up in the Sears Tower, and was terrified just looking out the big windows on the observation deck.  I can't even think about standing out on that platform without breaking into a sweat. I'm sure the glass is plenty strong, but all I can think about is going splat onto the sidewalk below! (Yikes!) I agree, Chicago is just as nice from the ground... Looking up from it, not hurtling toward it.

I believe you showed the map of the state of Illinois backward on Wednesday's broadcast.

"Celebration of Self" is quite evident on NBC.

Amen to the grunting self indulgence.  I won't watch a single match when I hear this over exaggeration of effort. But, I'm beginning to do the same thing about when watching the massive coverage about Michael Jackson.  I am just turning it off.  Enough is enough.

Enough, already!  Thursday's broadcast's first 9 minutes were spent on Michael Jackson.  This is an insult to anyone who wants to hear about the real and serious news, such as Iran, Iraq, the economy, North Korea.  Jackson was a great dancer, but he is no hero!  All of our family and friends turn off the TV or change channels when talk of Jackson comes on.  Your loss!

Just added my own blog this month. I need some inspiration. Thx.

Bri -Perhaps you could add a little zing to the headlines by adding 'Tennis player punctuation.' Or just on stories about tennis players.  

Brian,

Why do you insist upon following closing punctuation with two spaces? It's just so very wrong with computer-set type! I don't care what the friggen Chicago Manual of Style has to say about it; periods, question marks and exclamation points in computer fonts come with "built-in" extra space after them.

Otherwise, keep up the good work!

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