gtl_yukimura | (no subject)

Back home! Well, technically, I got in Monday afternoon, but I needed to get back on Japan time.

And I got back just in time for my second round of exams. I have a meeting with a couple of my professors later today to show them the work I've done while I've been gone. I didn't fill as many sketchbooks as I did while in Paris, but it's still a good amount. The Poison Garden accounted for quite a bit of one. Thankfully I'll have some time after exams and before I leave for New York to finish a few landscape paintings. I've already completed some rough outlines, so once they're reviewed and I get approval, I'll be able to start on them.

I'm not that disappointed in my quarterfinal exit at Wimbledon. I didn't train as much on grass before the tournament as I did playing on clay before the French. I have a bit more time for hard court training before the US Open, so I think, depending on my draw, I should get to at least the quarterfinals again.

[Screened to Yanagi]
Speaking of New York, are you coming with me Renji? I'm looking at hotels already, so I'd like to know your plans.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...you send your tennis gear out ahead of time?!

(ooc: he's completely and utterly distracted now. how could you, kite?!)

I have a spare racket I use for practice the last few days before I leave. A few years ago... I'm trying to recall if you were competing in America at the time and might remember? I had an unfortunate incident where the airline lost my luggage. When they managed to find it and return it to me it turned out they'd misplaced it in the wrong trolley and the frame of my racket got bent under other heavy luggage. I had to play the tournament with an unfamiliar racket, which was quite unpleasant.

Since then I've always made sure my main rackets and gear have arrived and are in one piece before my own flight departs, so I will have the duration of my own flight for damage control if necessary.

I can't do that. I don't trust airlines or shipping companies not to lose or damage my rackets, so I carry them with me on board. I haven't had any issues yet. My larger bag though, I check, but it doesn't have anything of high value, just balls and other accessories.

To each their own method of acquiring some peace of mind, I suppose.