...for auld lang syne...

TT and three indominable cohorts returned to the concrete courts at Kinsley this balmy early winter day. TT had marshalled the troops on Tuesday via phone with temperatures still hovering in the mid-teens and three inches of snow on the ground with the clarion cry, "We play on Thursday at 11. Champions report to the yard on Thursday at 10:30 with rollers, squeegees and brooms." And it was the Titan who wielded the broom, indeed. Paired with an oft erratic 'Slats' against a determined George the 'Chemist' and upstart Rich "the Prez" Prezioso, TT held sway throughout the well-fought 2 set contest (6-4, 7-6). 'Chemist' played inspired ball but likely did not have enough in the tank to overcome his playing on a second consecutive day, the anticipated arrival of his son from Buffalo interacting at his home with "Chemist's" aged parents who are up from Florida, while Georgie frollicked with the Titan, plus the added weight imposed on his shoulders by 'Prez' style of play. Ah, such problems! 'Prez' was last seen at net when checking his final pay stub in June 2000. 'Slats' was heard commenting to TT as the victorious duo left the courts for the last time in 2004, "Titan, you kept 'Prez' on his heels at the baseline so much today that he is walking on his toes to his car to balance out the wear on his sneakers!".