[envenonearo]

*CANNOT believe that I forgot to report on the following.........As John and I were riding the escalator to see Serena/Azarenka, when I looked behind me- WHO should I see but.................Richard Williams and WIFEY!!!!!!!! I shook both their hands, and mentioned to Richard that I expected this to be a short match- he said he hoped so. I also told him about how much I love his daughters, and that I'd been a fan of Serena's since I saw her beat Monica and Pierce in Chicago, and he told me (if I understood him correctly, as he does garble) that Serena played injured that tournament. (P.S. I get that, at least in this case, the IDEA of Richard and Wifey being on the escalotor is a hell of a lot funnier than the reality presented here. Nevertheless, I hope that you all understand the point to all of this- I GOT TO SHAKE WIFEY'S HAND!!!!!!!!!!!

I also btw got the chance to speak with doubles legend O.K. Davidson (frequent partner of BJK) at the US Open bookstore- as he said today's players are wimps for not playing all three disciplines.

*Today, as I had a late flight back to Chicago, I did something I've always wanted to do- go back to the US Open site the day after everything is over. Turns out you can't go wandering the grounds- BUT they had a section cordoned off (you actually had to walk through Armstrong) where you could purchase US Open items for 50% off (and some food was available)- AND the Ralph Lauren shop was still open with items 50% off- so, I got John and me a Ralph Lauren US Open shirt. I also could see some of the grounds this way and the being-shut-down food court. I also found out that the folks who run the hot dog stand right by the US Open front entrance were still there, and apparently are always there in the same spot, weather permitting. Anyways, I also had bought a lunch with me (found this deli in Queens called Butcher Block and had the best damned roast beef sandwich and bacon probably ever), and went and had my lunch by the Unisphere in the area where the Tailgate folks had met. Every now and then, being a trained loner at heart- I need to experience things fully (and even profoundly) alone- including to remind myself that I'm fine on my own- and this was just a lovely time for me.