No nap this week, but I admit, I’m finding it harder to post on Fridays. Like my brain is checking out early for the weekend. Blargh.

Well, last night Andy and I went to ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour games in Cincinnati. It was my first time watching tennis live (okay, let’s be honest: first time watching a full tennis game that wasn’t on the Wii) and I loved it! Except for the staring into the sun part…

American Andy Roddick (seeded 9) was up against Swede Robin Soderling (seeded 5) in what turned out to be an EPIC match. They played all 3 sets plus 2 tiebreakers. I got exhausted just watching them run back and forth across the court, sweating and grunting and slamming their rackets into the ball.

I have to admit, I had my doubts about whether or not our guy (Roddick) would win. He has killer serves, but his returns weren’t as strong as Soderling’s. He looked tired. He missed a few key opportunities to pull ahead.

But in the end, he persevered. The odds were not in his favor, but the crowd cheered him on at every opportunity, and he didn’t disappoint. Maybe the victory wasn’t quick or elegant, but it was still victory.

(And as it turns out, he defeated the #2 seed, Djokovic, today too!)

So here’s what I’m getting at: I’m Roddick.

Not actually, because that would be weird. But metaphorically, I am scrambling madly across the court, swinging at every ball I can, hoping to make them land in the right spot. And even though the odds aren’t in my favor, I’ve got y’all cheering me on, and I know that soon(er or later) I will achieve my victory too.

Last week, in spite of a nasty RSI flare-up, I finished the sample pages of my proposed Twenty-Somewhere revision (!!!). Today, I sent them off to an agent and an editor (well, technically their assistants). Tonight, I am going to celebrate and relax — by READING!

(And also: by starting my next manuscript while I wait to hear back from said assistants, which will probably take a few weeks. Yeah, this process never ends.)

Over the weekend, Andy and I took a real break by going up to Columbus to visit friends who recently moved there. We brought Riley with us to play with our friends’ dog Dill. Of course, Dill’s definition of play involves toys and chasing and wrestling. Riley’s definition involves walking around and sniffing things. Needless to say, Dill was disappointed.

Also, I totally wanted to steal this “little” Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. Unfortunately, his owners were actually paying attention to him! Who does that?

After doggie playtime, we humans moseyed on over to the Ohio State Fair. Lots of livestock, fried food, and Midway games you can’t win.

What did you do this weekend?

Location: Denver
Activities: 16th street, Denver Art Museum, Colorado Rockies vs. Houston Astros (Go ‘Stros!)

He is handsome, fun, clever, goofy, and absolutely one-of-a-kind. He makes me happy, and he challenges me to be the best possible version of myself. He is one of my favorite beings in the whole world. He is, in a word, awesome.

Oh, and I guess Andy’s alright too.

(Happy birthday!)

Well, until next week, when we go to Colorado for a wedding. People keep telling me we are so lucky to travel, we are having such great adventures, etc. And we totally are! But man, adventures are exhausting. (And they keep me from my writing sometimes…)

This past weekend we went to Chicago. It was nowhere near the first time for me or Andy, and yet we still discovered a number of new things. For example, did you know Chicago has a beach? Yeah, me neither, but apparently it does:

We also “discovered” that the Navy Pier doesn’t suck. In fairness, I thought it was cool the first time we went, even though we were THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE THERE. But I admit, it was a lot more charming in the warm sunshine with lively crowds.

Our hotel was right on the river this time, which was both convenient and lovely.

Even though Andy wanted to get to the stadium a bajillion hours early, we managed to make time to take his parents to the Bean. (It’s supposed to be a cloud, but really? It’s a bean.)

And last but certainly not least, we saw Albert Pujols hit 3 home runs in 1 game at Wrigley Field. Bad day for the Cubbies, good day for baseball’s #1 hitter.