Superiority Complexes

Clean up the language quick.
The Holy are coming.
Righteously walking through the crowd.
With superiority complexes.

And smirks.

Like the humorless.
The gotcha boys and girls.
Wrong, but justifying and rationalizing.
Until the last flop.

Connect The Nodes

Faces were shining, awake and bright.

Respecting organizational protocols.
All gathered for the event.

Full of breakfast, ready for the keynote.
Paper free in 03.
Poof, there goes the neighborhood.

Then politics and books and professoring.
Reinvention, over and over.
Jazz music, encouraging, speaking.
Busted the cat blues in Zoo York City.

Call a board meeting.

Ask why, what, when, how, and where.
Tell me more.

Connect the nodes of your hub.
To other nodes and hubs.
Exponential possibilities.

Note:  Follow-up, and through, is the key.
The fig leaf stance must be conquered.

Open up and breath in for 4 seconds.
Hold it for for 4 seconds.
Then a 4 second exhale.
4 times.

Expand the conversation.
From judging to appreciating.
From exclusion to inclusion.
From compliance to celebration.

And the 7th dimension is celebration.
Order some dessert.

Effective Understanding

Too narrow.  Effective Selective Listening.  Effective Understanding.  To listen is to understand and to understand is to love.

1.  Participation.  ×curiosity, tell me more.  ×empathy, their shoes.  ×follow-up, within conversation and after.

2.  Concentration.  ×all in, eye contact.  ×consider, think.  ×distractions, devices/noise.

3.  Other Considerations.  ×understanding in business, blockbuster.  ×various forms of communication, texting.  ×the other senses, visual/intuition.

Techniques to effectively listen.

Techniques to effectively understand.

Telepathic Robots

All I wanna do is fly.

Fly around the world.

All I wanna do is cry.

Cry out for that girl.

I can't hit the brakes.

Brakes won't do me no good.

Look at all those fakes.

Faking out my neighborhood.

Some got sweet green eyes.

Eyes that make you blind.

Some seem much too shy.

Too shy to be unkind.

Walked her to her car.

Parked in the parking lot.

Under a million stars.

Like telepathic robots.

Actual Factual Conclusions

The age of intellectual liberalism is dead.  Inevitable, I suppose.  The self-designated intelligent, unable to admit wrong, even in the sphere of factual conclusions.  The actual factual conclusions.

The story, the deal, the truth.  What occurred, what happened, what went down.  The thinness of the skins. The lameness of the fits.

Convinced of their elevation.  A superiority complex.  Pre-modern.  Pre-historic, pretending.

Like deniers, delusional and dumb.  Name callers, like the fools did, like the insecure do, like the bitter will.  They will talk to each other, the stupid inspiring more stupidity.  And the righteousness involved is staggering, some probably believe they don't sin.

Like, a big sin.  Like, you know.  Like, not a major one.  Not in awhile anyway.

The oily still lube about, making it all slick.  Greasing, taking bribes.  Doing favors, turning tricks.  Crying.

Moonshine Light

This boat about to float.

Like it does every other night.

Take it to the microphone.

Under a moonshine light.

Metal melting doors on our left.

Guess they sound alright.

All we hear is screams and grunts.

Under the moonshine light.

Drummer boy across the way.

Always plays real tight.

Must be a real weird dude.

Under a moonshine night.

Joe Vee Zee's next door.

Usually got some moonshine.
So damn dark in here.

Guess we need a moonshine light.

Red Mud Gonzo: Sixteen

"Emerging Like The Dawn" by jpg

One 20, one 22.  Both emerging like the dawn, both assaulting the rankings, both willing to sacrifice.  There are no millions for them.  Just yet.  Like Vantaggio, not looking to fit in, but to transcend.  The future will be better than the past, as always.  Retro is nostalgia at its finest, but it's still just nostalgia.  Christian Ruud, a known bandana brother from the past, now watches his son, Casper, get deuce juiced at 2-3 in first set.  Garin is nails.  The hat effed him up in the 2nd set.  He needs a bandana and wristbands, seriously.  Ruud seems to have a bit more game, but we've seen Ga--Reeen dig.



"3 Sets" by peoplesDuke

We going 3 sets!!!



"Strong Mover" by AJ

Second set looked like a Ruud awakening.  Congrats to Christian Garín for strong minded third set.  Strong mover.  Glad you guys went.  Wish I could have made it.  Next year!



"Champagne Smells" by jpg

And all of Chile is celebrating.  Their son, a muddy tennis champion, washed the red dirt off in the River Oaks pool.  He took out Ruud in the third set, his offensive game was too much for the Norwegian.  In Houston, Garin was king.  Finished that Runway Girl tune.  Turned out nice.  We got "champagne smells from the night before, no telling what went down."  So gonzo.



"He Dug It The Most" by TTop

Next year for sure!!  It was our presence that propelled him to victory over Chardy...and look at him now, so Vantaggio!  We gotta have a bigger presence next year...AJ, Bill, you guys gotta make It..Joe is newly committed, he dug it the most...we have the process perfected.

Red Mud Gonzo: Fifteen

"More About Confidence" by CB

Tradeshows - SAP, IBM, ORACLE.  It's just a conference and more about confidence than competence.  Just another trade show.  Not everyone goes.  Don't matter if its San Antonio or Orlando, it's just another trade show.



"Un Bandana Frère" by AJ

Un Bandana Frère extraodinaire. Allez Jo!



"Cedric Pioline" by TTop

Just found out that was Cedric Pioline on court with Chardy practising...with that big dude bombing backhand return of serve winners off that beautiful Chardy serve



"Hooks, Musically And Lyrically" by jpg

Put the chords on runway girl.  Hooks, musically and lyrically.  Will record soon.  Surprised my game was so strong during the Houston electric power hour.  Damn, I really smashed Joe!  2-0.  However, it was made clear it did not count towards our Insner Match tally before we started the 2 out of 3.  Think I'm up on that ....a few games.  Joe?   First to 70.  Y'all know.  I will mental barf.  Probably, but maybe not.  Contact point is the revelation.  King James opened my mind to simplicity.  And footwork is the key to contact point.  And agility is the key to footwork.  And agility drills are the keys to agility.  And overcoming laziness is the key to doing agility drills.  And intention is the key to overcoming laziness.  And decisions are the key to intention.  And awareness is the key to decisions.  And the 6 senses are the key to awareness.  The sixth being balance.



"Onward" by peoplesDuke

You were freaking right about returning on. Friday! However; if I had my druthers, we would be leaving River Oaks CC right now. Go Sam!  Galan v. Thompson. Who's last into the semis?  What a great tournament!  Vantaggio can own the challengers and 250 events.  Onward.



"Weekend Morning Rain"  by TTop

The King, El Rey!  I haven't seen Galan, but I'm going with him!  Man I wish we were there right now! ...lovin this early weekend morning rain.

Red Mud Gonzo: Fourteen

"The Bandana Brothers" by jpg

Known tennis street gang, the Bandana Brothers, marked their Houston territory.  Garin is a badass.  We should invite him into our network.  We like his ethic.  His care.  His big point potential.  And, he needs a bandana.  He now goes no headwear.  His head is open for the Vantaggio rainbow bandana...seriously.   On to El Rey.



"Badassery" by AJ

A lot of Badassery comin through that sweet Houston neighborhood.



"Big Sam" by jpg

Drop shot day, this clay surface is slow..  The rain muddied the day, but not before El Rey.  Where the tacos automatically come double tort.  Culture merchandisers, they know what's up.  Some feist is what is needed.  And all the tricks of self defense.  Mechanisms of protection, they will keep everything alright.  Yes, move them side to side, but forward and back too.  The third dimension is lobs and loops and kicks, take the game vertical.  Big Sam has a gun.  Serves make that echo pop.  True, quick, reliable, and eventually deadly on the backhand.  He has the whole game.  Best player we saw play on the Royal Oaks Stadium Court.  The first set against Spainard Garcia-Lopez was won on a 30/40 break point as the back and forth set was at 4-5.  It was an incredible point.  Best of the match.  After a 20 shot rally, Querrey shot a killer quick backhand up the line for a clean winner.  This happened right in front of the Vantaggio box.  No messing around, Big Sam knows what to do with big points.  Perhaps he has a Grand Slam run left in him.  He has the game.  Wish I could convince him of his potential, he probably needs another coach.  Begin with the end in mind.  Enhance strengths, never take them for granted.  Calm, confidence, composure.  McEnroe was, and is, great, but he left Grand Slams on the table.  Could have won more.  Likely, he would agree.  There are only 4 per year to go around.  Besides Querrey, the Americans have taken a smashing in Houston this year.  He is the lone American left in the Lone Star state's premier tennis event.  Of the 32 players to begin the 2019 tournament, 11 were Americans.  One, Big Sam, made the Quarters.  Players from South America, Europe, and Australia will join him.  The USTA is a failed organization, it has not supported a tennis culture that will dig in and fight, that will refuse losing, that will burn slow.  No brats, no whiners, no quit.  We need tennis punks, with sneers and glares, with snarls and steam, with games that simmer.  Big Sam, you are good enough.  Win this damn thing!

"Pizza Motus"  by peoplesDuke

Red Mud Gonzo: Thirteen

"Wasteoid" by jpg

Harrison has no lateral movement anymore.  Tough to watch the diminishing.  We are all familiar.  Tomic should consider getting really drunk.  He's a wasteoid.  White pants are everywhere!  The garden has been expanded and elevated.  Brownwyn is a tremendous leader.  Incremental improvement over time.  Kaizen is still relevant.   Wednesday is for the gals at River Oaks.



"Alfa Romeo" by AJ

I want to be a part of this Vantaggio five year plan!  I wish I had my old Alfa Romeo for Vantaggio business.  Had this 1987 Alfa through my twenties in the 1990s!



"He van de Velde" by jpg

Chardy had 5 match points.  The 4th longest match in tournament history.  The Chilean took it in the 3rd. Tiebreak. Garin is green, but he's coming on.  Best victory of his young career.  The Frenchman choked.  He vandeVelde.  We dropped to the bottom seats.  They wern't being used.  We were out of the sun, it was late afternoon.  The sounds of sliding.  And a red dirt wind.



"Runway Girl" by jpg, TTop, peoplesDuke

EmGAmEm

The Queen got up this morning.

Luxury was all around.

Champagne smells from the night before.

No telling what went down.

Mid-morning there's some yoga.

Makes everything alright.

Then the doll gets all dolled up.

Her brow game is so tight.

CGx3
AmCAmGx2

Oh, she's a honey lady.

Oh, she's got tons of curls.

Oh, she's so beautiful.

She's my lovely runway girl.

She's my lovely runway girl.

Then a beauty nap in the afternoon.

Models need their sleep.

Makes their skin almost see through.

In between the sheets.

Awakes with her runway attitude.

Already walking the walk.

Slides across the bedroom.

Just like she was taught.

(Chorus)

Paris, Milan, and New York City.

She's runwayed them all.

Wearing threads of fashion designers.

In her heels, walking tall.

That's when the fun really begins.

After all the runningways been done.

Time to relax and chill for awhile.

No need to put nothing on.

Red Mud Gonzo: Twelve

"Regular Time" by peoplesDuke

Shoot. Alarm was set for regular time. Be there in 30 mins. Sorry.  Gonna be hot, hot in Houston. Just bringing shorts & tennis shirts. 86, 87 degrees each day.



"Dawn Neon" by jpg

Nick Bollitieri is almost 88 and still has 20/20 vision.  No contacts, no glasses, no surgery.  Incredible.  This Dallas HOV life is a rush.  Flying south through the great Central Expressway.  Allen, Plano, into Dallas proper.  The dawn neon of downtown.  Cranes!  Just flying through.  Red mud sun about to rise.



"Opposite Commute" by AJ

Just drove, opposite commute, similar views. Beautiful morning.



"Astonished" by jpg

...just heard the Vantaggio five year plan.  Astonished.  It will be made so...



"Vantaggio Road Trip"  by TTop

Mr Red Mud Rising....Mr RedMud Rising.  Sun to the left, Ennis to the right...here we come, right down to Houston again. Vantaggio Road Trip!  Red Mud Gonzo!



"Fluid Operator"  by jpg

...cargo shorts get a bad rap.  TTop was there first.  They gathered around him.  The gals.  They felt comfortable around him.  Safe.  Like he was their guardian angel, watching over them, eyes covered by shades, a few swallows of beer to go...  So Vantaggio, man.  So Vantaggio......that Marty Fish is everywhere!  Last I saw he was coaching Isner after Isner dumped his coach.  Unofficially and passively.  Now, he's snapping photos with Bobby P's tennis wife in the Hill Country.  Surely Mardy is getting paid for this, this drilling workshop.  He is a mystery, he is a shadow, he swims around like a shark.  He'll be walking around River Oaks, approachable, moving, unaffiliated, a fluid operater...

Don't Remember Yesterday

All night long covered my eyes.  All day long tell my lies.  All my life been flying blind, I ain't ready to die.

Got sand between my toes, walked the beaches of Mexico, might be moving slow, might be writing notes.

Found my way.

Had my say.

Don't remember yesterday.

This day on is all there is, live like I'll never see you again.  Love is just like a best friend, won't leave you at the end.

Forget the agression, get on with the resting, try to be more trusting, please quit all your fussing.

ACx3

G

DF

FCx6

On The Road To Paradise

ggdg
ddgc
ccdc
gdcg

This walking is harder than it used to be.
Balance ain't easy with these two old knees.
Shoulders hurt and ya know bout my feet.
When you grow up you'll be just like me.

Met at a Mexican place down the road.
Tried to cancel then we called on the phone.
Shopped and shopped then they went home.
Would've made the time later if we'd known.

Some relaxation is all we got planned.
Have some wine and tell us bout the fam.
Politics too even though it's a sham.
Play a few songs that I play with my band.

Living like gypsyies on the road to paradise.
See all the way back on most of their lives.
They grow up fast and, my how time flies.
There's no going back, no making it right.

Think I'll drive up to Wisconson this year.
Through StLouis where they make Bud beer.
Chicago too it's on the way and kinda near.
If I wait any longer and he won't be here.

But that's just the way things go, you know.
Everybody chose the roads they chose.
Don't matter none to the old scarecrows.
Sun still shines and the wind still blows.