The Official Invite

Evening, everyone.

This is your official invite to the TennisWorld holiday gathering, which will take place tomorrow (Monday), starting at around 1 PM EST. But don't be bashful if you're a little early -  what's a party without at least a few of those guests who flount the "fashionably late" convention by showing up unfashionably early. I'll kick things off with a quick post to get things started. I'll be around for a good bit of the afternoon, then back tomorrow evening, more or less like it was during last week's book group meeting. But this is going to be a social occasion, so while tennis talk will be welcome (as well as inevitable), it's really a chance for everyone to mix and mingle.

Believe it or not, the bulk of TW readers are lurkers, many of whom are too bashful to commit their thoughts to cyber-paper in the Comments. I hope you all attend and drop a "hi." As the party goes on, we may need to open an additional "room" or two, so y'all can move around better. Although at heart I'm a kitchen guy, I've always felt there's a real value and art to "working the room" for no better reason than to add to the general good feeling, although X-number of people are bound to think you're probably interesting and deep if you hook your thumbs into the beltloops of your Levi's and lean, scowling and reticent, against the wall.  I always admired people make an effort to have a good time, because it often ensures that others will, too - just like I've always admired those who dress up for an occasion. It's a sign of respect for the occasion, and your host.

At some point, we'll open the mistletoe room, for those bold souls whose first thought on reading this isn't necessarily: Uh-oh, this could get ugly. . . What the hail, it can't get much worse than what many of you probably already encountered at the office party.

And what would any party be without the inevitable laggard who's still there at 4:15 AM, sprawled on the couch, half-in-the-bag, expounding on the essential weirdness of the NFL's rules on touchdown celebrations, Icelandic folk myths, or what this fascination with Britney Spears says about America? So don't quit too early on us.

Meanwhile, tread water at this Your Call post, talking tennis or anything else that strikes your fancy. I'm spending the morning transcribing tape from my Patrick McEnroe interview - and trying to persuade Ptenisnet to submit a surprise bonus post for the upcoming week. See you all at 1 PM.

-- Pete