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T. A. at Broken Sound in '09 - M. J. Noone, TUI

Well, I've passed the 1/2-century mark now, and I'm only a little bit stiffer than I was a year ago. The lines are etching deeper, as are the marks made by life's experiences, and I'm still hungry for more...experiences that is; not lines!

I've been around a while and looking to get around some more. The Caribbean, Asia, and the good old US of A have been my primary grounds for learning. Speaking of learning, I'm one of the gazillion “almost-wases” who have the dubious distinction of being ABD in Communication, meaning I got everything done but the dissertation to have folks call me "Dr." I'll let you know when I begin to regret the decision to give Academe a pass.

As it stands, I'm glad to have taught interpersonal and intercultural communication at the higher ed level, to have served as a K-8 charter school headmaster, a customer service rep for years, a freelance writer intermittently, a bonafied USPTA Tennis Professional, and to have contributed to a number of lives along the way. Believe it or not I'd rather impact one life positively than make a trillion $$ in the extremely popular, yet disturbingly unethical game of "grab-as-much-as-you-can-before-your-time-expires."

I have taught tennis off and on since I was 17, and used to be a pretty decent tennis player. I once played 20 matches in NCAA Div I without a loss, and would love to keep the old glory days fresh by continuing competitive play. However, fresh is not a term I can link to what I’m doing on the court these days, but if it slows the inexorable middle growth, I’ll be grudgingly content (is that an oxymoron, or just a moron with moxie?). Until some nagging injuries in '09, I was holding my own between the lines better than I would have expected. In fact, I closed 2008 ranked No.2 in USTA Florida's Men's 45 Division and No.30 nationally after only two national events. I finished '09 with a No.3 ranking in the USPTA National Rankings for Men's 50 Singles, and No.11 in Doubles. Not bad for a geezer.

If tennis is the tried and true wife of my life (once again a certified teaching professional as of September, 2007), golf has become a very desirable mistress. She captivates me, tantalizes me, frustrates me, and makes the juices flow.

My objective here is to contribute at least as much as I take. Drop me a line and let me know if you think I'm succeeding...or if I'm not. Rest assured, I am doing my level best, regardless of how good that "best" is.