It's Hot In Melbourne

    Hey, everyone. I stayed up late tonight to watch some tennis, down under, at the Aussie Open. I would love to take a couple of weeks off and go down there next year. Anyway, I missed the surprise defeat of Maria Sharapova by Li Na. It was 6-2 and 6-2, have a nice trip home. Then the American teen, Sloane Stephens, defeated Serena Williams after the veteran Williams had an injury. I missed that match also, but I got to see Stephens play in the semis against Azarenka. Believe it or not, Azarenka, the defending champ, also had health problems. She was having chest pains in the 100 degree heat, but persevered to win. She was freaking out a bit on the court and really lost her composure at bad shots.
     The 19-year old Sloane was fun to watch. At the pre-match interview she commented that she was surprised at the relative ease with which she had reached the semis. As Azarenka was screaming at herself, Stephens reacted with a wry smile when she herself made tons of unforced errors. Then as the Doctor examined the reigning champion, courtside, the youngster sat calmly, put on some lip gloss and examined her dramatic blue fingernails. I like her a lot. I like her demeanor. I like her fluid, smooth, but deceptive power. It must be surprising to see her lack of effort combined with tremendous pace on the ball. Despite her loss in the semis today, Miss Stephens is a force to be reckoned with in the future.
    My wife and I used to routinely play in the heat, around 103 degrees, in South Georgia. Of course, I was skinny as a rail, which helped. To play at the level these folks play at, in that kind of heat, is impressive. It was 120 degrees on the surface of the court.
    PBS had a documentary about drone warfare on tonight, but I forgot to tape it. Ticked me off. I find the use of drones very interesting. Which leads me to speak about a book I just finished today. The Panther, by Nelson Demille. I had a hardcover copy given to me for Christmas. It is a good read, but a little slow in spots. Here's the recipe.
    John Correy is a member of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force in New York City. His wife is an FBI agent and a fellow member of this elite unit. A few years ago, the duo had killed a nut case called The Lion, a Libyan who had settled some scores for Gaddafi concerning the American air raids. Hey, people talk about the hillbillies in the south with feuds that span generations, it goes on internationally as well.
    When the Correys killed The Lion, they were placed on Al Qaeda's kill list. So, someone in Washington gets the idea to send them to Yemen as bait for a terrorist called the Panther, a New Jersey extract. When they arrive there, they discover that they have enemies among the local populace, the Yemeni government and even the CIA. But even then, they are not prepared for the level of treachery and betrayal they must survive. And speaking of drones... Are the American drones their eventual salvation or their ticket to the afterlife?
     This book is an in-depth look at Yemen, Arab culture, terrorism and espionage. It is funny and a good read, but it drags a bit. It is certainly worth the money and the time, however.
    Well, I wanted to tell you about some Television stuff, but that will have to wait, until we return to the author's green retreat.
    I'm CE Wills. Good day, mates.