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Gilles Simon's Chat Thread #2

131K views 3K replies 72 participants last post by  mike s. 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
CHAT THREAD PART ONE


:wavey:

Finally, I have my diploma and transcript of record (grades) with me
. I can look for a job now :). And my graduation ceremony in college is April 4. :D In some schools like ours we don't have a graduation ceremony if you graduated in October or May. The common graduation month is April. First semester here starts from June to October and second semester starts on November to April.
I graduated last October, so if you graduate on October you can join the graduation ceremony in April.
:bigclap: Congrats, Raine! :aparty: I hope you find a good job soon, good luck :hug:

But you're not gonna come here to fight with me for the boys, are you? :toothy: :p
 
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#129 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Alright – here’s some additional highlights from my DC report for those of you who like first-hand reporting. I’m not sure if you’ve been enjoying the actual on-court related stuff or my commentary about embarrassing myself. If it’s the latter, this should be somewhat entertaining:

The entire time I’m holding up my signs, I’m thinking Stan’s not ever actually going to see me – so this is safe to do. After one of his angry racquet throwing outbursts, he’s sitting on the bench looking straight ahead but not necessarily in my direction. I forced myself to hold up one of my signs. That was really tough to do. :eek: :eek: (I hid my face behind it as I held it up though.) But, I suppose that’s what fans do – support their players even in the worst of times. And, of course, at this point I’m still in denial that he would actually see the sign (or me holding it).

[btw - I hate it when Stan smashes racquets but I laughed (to myself only, of course) when Severin (Luthi) picked a piece of his racquet out of his hair after he completely demolished one during the doubles match. ‘Uh, Stan – let me get your racquet out of your hair for you…’ :lol: This must be part of his job description as team captain]

Prior to the matches starting on Day 3, I figured I would go and ‘practice’ getting an autograph and talking to Chiudinelli in preparation for doing the same with Stan (in the event he won his match against Roddick). I’m a nervous cat a lot of the time, so I knew I needed the practice. I go over to the other side of the court and walk all of the way down to the front after he finishes practicing. I was getting ready to go and stand with other people who were lined up down on the end but then I saw him look at me and squeeze through part of this barricade to come over to me. He just has his head down the entire time as he walks over to me. My sister was watching from the other side and said it looked like he was going to walk right past me. I had my program opened to his photo and handed him the sharpie. My hands were shaking and it made it worse that he was being so shy. I was figuring he’d be all confident based upon his not having any issues looking right at people when he’s on the court. The whole time, I’m telling myself ‘say something. Anything.’ It would have been easier to talk to him if he would have looked at me. [I really like how Gilles commonly makes eye contact with the people for whom he’s signing autographs.] When he was autographing my program his arm/wrist was touching mine and at the time I was wondering why that was happening. My internal dialogue during this experience (along with telling myself to say something to him) is something like this: 'Hand him the pen (felt tip pointed toward me) – okay. That went well. Good job. Damn. My hands are shaking. Stop it. Oh, his arm is touching mine. He has nice skin tone and is pretty good looking too.’ All I managed to say was ‘good luck today.’ And he said ‘thank you.’ I’m in a total fog while this is happening and then somehow drift into Yves Allegro so I get his autograph too. All I really remember is initially trying to hand Yves my sharpie but then realizing he already had one in his hand. Afterward – I realized Marco’s arm was touching mine because he was using his left hand to steady the program while he autographed it… Oops. :eek: Then I felt really embarrassed. After that, I felt more confident but also thought I’m in no way prepared to actually try to talk to Stan. I’ll just make a fool of myself. I know he’s really shy, so I’d probably just embarrass him. My ‘practice’ seemed enough to prepare me to stand there holding a pen and not say anything to him. :lol: I’m such a wimp.

Sadly (or not) I never ended up having an opportunity to talk to Stan or get his autograph. The best time to get autographs was either when they finish practicing or following their on-court interview after a win. Stan was always first to play, so he was never out practicing prior to the matches starting. After his win over Blake on Day 1, I was sitting in my seat thinking – ‘damn. I guess I should have gone over there.’ It wasn’t a big deal though. I’m definitely a fan of the action as opposed to a giddy/drooling fangirl.

I did have a cool Stan ‘interaction’ though. In his match against Roddick, he was serving at 15-40 at 2-4 in the third set. At that moment, I was channeling positive energy and was actually thinking about Gillou. I was telling myself to hang in there with him and stay positive. (Watching Gilles has taught me to not be fatalistic in situations like that and to be calm as he fights off break points.) My sister whispers to me – ‘well, it looks like it’s all over here.’ I fight off the temptation to think the same. I’m staring right at Stan, maintaining my positive focus (saying mentally, you can do it, hang in there, you’re strong). He’s preparing to serve on the deuce side, closest to my side of the court. As I’m staring at him, he looks up after doing his pre-service ritual of sorting the balls. At that moment, it appears that he’s looking right at me. My internal dialogue (while feeling his eyes locked right onto mine) is: 'Is he looking at me? No. He can’t be. But…it sure looks like he is. He can’t be. Oh, I think he is. Oh, my. Do something.’ It was kind of like the twilight zone (but in a good way). So, somehow I manage to give the Dimitry Zavialoff ‘you can do it’ head nod. Zavialoff is his coach. If you’ve watched Stan play, he often looks at him in similar situations and Zavialoff gives the head nod. Now, I’m still in denial about this actually happening (even now – it’s easier to try to write it off as some bizarre fan hallucination). My brain has tried to block it out I think. Sadly, he ends up getting broken and then Roddick serves for the match. I guess the point here is that there’s a reasonable chance that I wasn’t actually invisible. I suppose if my being the lone crazy fan on my side helped him in some way, it was certainly worth it to risk looking like an idiot in front of the other 15,000 people and the global viewing public. :)
I enjoy reading your post, thanks for sharing with us:) I can't believe I missed your post in the first place (I didn't realize I have skipped this page completely) I won't even dare to approach the players for autograph, I literally freeze when they are within 10m from me :p

That was a cool interaction experience with Stan! He must have seen your sign sometime during the match so he is looking at you!
 
#104 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

That’s good I’m not the only ‘sign’ person. All of my signs looked liked they said Satan instead of Stan – you know how you visually fill in letters sometimes that aren’t there.
:rolls: Allez Satan! Need to photoshop some devil horns on Stan!

That’s awesome you get to go to the US Open this year! I'm quite jealous. I've never been before. The DC tie was my first pro tournament to attend. I'm sure you'll have an awesome time. There will definitely be a rowdy crowd there!
Yes, from what I've heard and seen from watching the USO on tv, the night sessions get very rowdy plus they have the music in between changeovers which gets everyone pumped. I'll probably go a little :crazy: whilst I'm there.

Loved reading about your experience, it's good to read about other people's experiences at tournaments. I'm sure next time you see Stan play in a tournament you'll be ready to talk to him, when you get the opprtunity you just have to think 'if I don't do this I'll regret it'.That's how I work up the courage, because I get really shaky and nervous as well.

Ellen - RG tickets :bigclap: that's very exciting!
 
#108 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Ola chicas y chicos :wavey:

I don't think Beckham is attractive but I must admit that this picture certainly does something to me :angel:

 
#110 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Craig and my friends say 'Hi'to you all:)

I have to admit,its not just Craig's accent its his sense of humour too that makes me so:inlove:with him. This saying is my favourite,he says it a lot, even though he doesn't drink much:lol:

Here's to a sweetheart, a bottle, and a friend.
The first beautiful, the second full, and the last ever faithful
:awww:
 
#111 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Aye us Irish people have a great sense of humour Di :lol: I like that saying! I haven't heard if before but I think it's great!
 
#112 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

I'm hitting the pillow for a while :zzz: I've set my alarm at 1.45am CET, just yell very hard when that cute Frenchman is on his way earlier! I'll wake up ;)
 
#113 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

You'll probably be hearing it a lot more Eimear:lol: I cant get enough of it:lol:

I mean here's me at my mates house. They've gone for a slap up meal, and a drink and Craig and I are staring at their laptop carrying LiveScores,watching TV,and posting here:lol:

Tolerance is the first requirement I need my mates to have:lol:

Ellen:wavey: Enjoy your:zzz: I darent hit the pillow,my excuse is that its my mates bed and it will feel foreign to me:lol:
 
#114 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Night Ellen. I'm staying up myself for Gilles so I'll be talking to you then :) :wavey: Di, poor Craig. He puts up with a lot. Must be a very tolerant guy :lol:
 
#115 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Oh yes he's very tolerant. As if thats not enough we work together for 2 days a week:lol: He's more tolerant because he knows I won't stalk him at work 5 days a week:lol: Thats why he's tolerant:kiss:
 
#116 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Oh I forgot you guys met in work :lol: That's so cool. He sounds like a sweet guy. So, what are we going to do to keep each other awake until Gillou gets out onto the court??? Any ideas???
 
#117 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Well I'm sure to be awake now,my mates are back;)

Craig was the one who put himself out to make me feel welcome at the Citizens Advice Bureau when I first started volunteering there;) And he has the same fondness for doing karaoke as I do;) I did karaoke for a local charity and I invited him along with some other friends of mine to come and watch me make a complete *** of myself:lol:

I love singing actually and he does too. I wouldn't say we are the best but not the very worst simply because we haven't had any neighbours complaining we've shattered any glass with our volume:lol:
 
#118 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Aw that sounds so sweet. You sound like a really compatible couple. I just hope my wedding invite's in the post! ;) Have your friends had a nice meal?
 
#120 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

I've only known Craig a year;)

We're not in a hurry to get wed so invites are some way off:lol:

Yeah my friends have been to a Chinese restaurant,they've had Deep Fried Chicken with orange sauce. I haven't ever had that but it sounds just yummy:lick:

Eimear I know you're off work at the moment,I don't think I've asked you, Whats your job?

Joey:wavey:
 
#121 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Hi Joey :wavey: You missed a good match but hopefully you can stay awake to see Gilles although I think that might be a long way off yet because I can see Hantuchova taking it to three.
Di, I work in a supermarket as a checkout operator which is why I can't go back to work because I can't stand for too long with my knee and they're not being very accomodating. I have a degree and masters but, because of the recession, there are no marketing jobs available so I had no choice but to keep on my college job and hope something comes up in marketing soon :(
 
#123 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Hi Joey :wavey: You missed a good match but hopefully you can stay awake to see Gilles although I think that might be a long way off yet because I can see Hantuchova taking it to three.
Di, I work in a supermarket as a checkout operator which is why I can't go back to work because I can't stand for too long with my knee and they're not being very accomodating. I have a degree and masters but, because of the recession, there are no marketing jobs available so I had no choice but to keep on my college job and hope something comes up in marketing soon :(
Yes I can see Daniela and Yanina slugging it out for quite a while yet.

Eimear the situation you're in job and health wise must be so difficult for you:awww:,especially as you have marketing background. I think I can see why you chose marketing as a career,even being at the supermarket must suit your personality because you're so bubbly:hug:

I have to wander about a lot at work cos of my back. I have to be such a fidget:lol: My boss is always joking'There goes the lost sheep again':lol:
 
#122 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

I am watching the live scores now, hope Hantuchova finish the match quickly so we don't need to wait too long :) It's not good for you all to stay up till so late. Last night I couldn't resist the temptation of watching Murray until I fell asleep on the laptop at 4-3 or 5-3 second set. Now my whole body is aching:sad:
 
#125 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

The late nights are OK, Jeremy Chardy's promised to write to our bosses if we fall asleep at work (oh wait I think that's only if we're watching him :lol: )
:lol:

I'm amazed I'm still awake - I've actually had 3 late nights in a row and this is the most alert I've been:lol: Its definitely not ideal for people's health. My throat is just tight,my body is telling me I should still be drinking,I've been up since 7 am this morning:lol:

I'd better put something in my friends electricity bill kitty before we leave tomorrow - the laptop I've been so kindly loaned has been on for 7 hours and counting:tape::tape:
 
#127 · (Edited)
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

I don't know whether this link will help us to get through just a few more hours.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/01/shortcut.stayawake/index.html

Hantuchova and Wickmayer have one more set to play,please be quick girls;)

Alli:hug: at some stage I'll write something about the experiences I've had meeting players. And the amazing thing is it was all in Nottingham,a lovely,friendly little tournament that this year will be a combined Mens/Womens Challenger:sad:

Still,I'll be going to that and Eastbourne:dance: I've never actually been to watch any WTA,it'll be great cos I'll get two chances to see some.
 
#130 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

I don't know whether this link will help us to get through just a few more hours.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/01/shortcut.stayawake/index.html

Hantuchova and Wickmayer have one more set to play,please be quick girls;)

Alli:hug: at some stage I'll write something about the experiences I've had meeting players. And the amazing thing is it was all in Nottingham,a lovely,friendly little tournament that this year will be a combined Mens/Womens Challenger:sad:

Still,I'll be going to that and Eastbourne:dance: I've never actually been to watch any WTA,it'll be great cos I'll get two chances to see some.
Nice page Di. I have just been listening to Queens to shake off the last bit of sleepiness:devil:
 
#128 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Great page Di :) I think I might bring my dog up to the road or go downstairs and have a cigarette and hope my parents don't catch me
 
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#135 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

Oh, no! Sorry Eimear - I had trouble thinking of that one... (don't listen to Natsume's 'special' song - it'll either put you to sleep or make you cry...)

I feel kind of guilty that the rest of you are struggling to stay awake at such an odd hour. It's a comfortable 9pm for me.
It's 10am here now, but I still can't help yawning....
 
#139 ·
Re: Gilles Simon's Chat Thread

:devil:
I'm wide awake. I can see already though I'll have trouble getting up for work on Monday morning :eek:
At least this womens match is drawing to its conclusion at long last. I'm struggling to think straight but I'm wide awake:lol:

Joey:hug: Don't feel guilty about the time difference;)

Alli I like that song Heavy D & The Boys :rocker2: Weren't they one hit wonders?
 
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