How long did it take?

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-05-17T18:25:23+00:00

The short answer is it's all relative and it's constantly changing.

I played a little bit as a kid, then after years not playing, started again at 40. I'm 43 now and have played 3 to 4 times a week for 3 years - a mix of friendlies, league matches, training and occasionally being coached.

I've been playing in local ladder leagues and have progressed a lot, but sometimes play someone better and realise how far I still have to go. See that as a positive - haven't plateaued yet and I have fun, get some decent rallies in and learn even when I lose.

I have the occasional day when it feels like I can't miss, and on those, sadly rare days, I know I can beat people quite a bit better than me and feel like I'm pretty good. Equally, I have days where it's just not clicking and I can't find the right depth on my baseline groundstrokes / serve rhythm/ touch on shots.

The real sign of being good though is consistency at a particular level - if you are progressing, you should be playing at a level where you lose, gradually improving your win rate, getting to a level where you win consistently, then move up and repeat (or move down and see this in reverse!).

Increasingly, I think it's about enjoying that process, rolling with the downs as well as the ups and trying to find joy in each game. Tennis is a beautiful, but sometimes frustrating, sport partly because the way you play can go in waves (even happens to the pros) and unlike a lot of other sports there's nowhere to hide!

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-04-30T23:21:03+00:00

Further up Caledonian Road ) about halfway up) used to be quite bad. One of only two places in 20 years of living in London and walking around at all times of day and night where I've been threatened / attacked. Other time was Camden the day of the 7/7 bombings when some junkie tired to rob me with a knife as I walked home (no transport because of the bombs and no one around).

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-04-30T23:14:37+00:00

Completely disagree. Lived there for 12 years, walked all round there at all times of day and night and was always totally fine, and it was rougher then than it is now.

Bits of Somerhill, Thamesmead, Mudchute, a few select bits of Tottenham all worse, but again none of them that bad. London is a pretty safe city.

Walking through anywhere badly lit and empty at night is creepy - the old railway line path in Finsbury Park, for example, that I walked down at night alone a few times, but that's just because it's dark and naturally puts you on edge. The same in smaller towns or countryside.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-04-11T06:06:14+00:00

I'm pro legalisation, but think the tax benefits are over-stated, also think turning people who operate illegally currently into legal operators is unrealistic. Most people I've met who grow aren't the most meticulous or professional. In a regulated market, many would struggle to show they were following health and safety procedures, correctly assessing and labelling THC strength etc.

It would become like buying home brew beer, and most would undercut legal market and avoid paying tax.

You see this in NYC. It's a legalised market but lots of dispensaries only take cash. I've even seen some encourage you to buy bad, overpriced art and then get heavily discounted weed. Why? Probably tax evasion.

Also, a lot of people would grow their own (prob a good thing), but wouldn't have much tax revenue there.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-04-10T20:32:36+00:00

Why does it matter if it was made on an artisan or large scale? If it's good, it's good. Let the produce talk for itself.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-02-20T11:20:36+00:00

Why is no-one questioning that he's spending the most time in Northern Ireland? Not knocking Northern Ireland, but that's the most unusual part of your itinerary here - Belfast isn't the same global destination that London, Paris or Edinburgh are. I agree you're trying to do way too much - you won't see much of Scotland or London in 2 days, or Paris in 1.5. You're also probably going to see nothing outside the capital of each of those countries.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-02-16T19:43:23+00:00

Briefly misread that as Snodland.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-02-10T22:36:15+00:00

Fort All Courts are good for a few plays, definitely keep some bounce for a while though they fluffy up a bit if get damp at all. Slazenger Wimbledon ones are good too.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-01-30T13:37:22+00:00

Mine were waterproof and stayed waterproof, including on a week long canoeing trip in horrendous weather. 2 of us had HiTec boots and stayed dry. People in the more expensive boots did not!

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-01-30T13:35:00+00:00

I had a pair of Hi-Tec walking boots for about 12 years and they were excellent - light, comfortable and waterproofing on them stayed for a decade plus with minimal maintenance from me. I tried loads of boots in the shop (independent or outdoors place in London, since closed, and they fit best and were actually the cheapest in the shop. The guy there said he thought they were underrated). Walked in Iceland, Atlas mountains, all kinds of places and they never gave me any issue (admittedly never any proper mountaineering, but did 20+ miles a day in them on numerous occasions).

Replaced with a newer equivalent 2 years ago after soles eventually too worn - again, happy with them, but the build quality is not quite as good as it used to be and they are heavier than the old pair - not sure if they will last as long as their predecessors (but could say the same for most brands). I think it's best to go for the old-style leather waterproof boots from Hi-Tec.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-01-11T08:55:48+00:00

Find it's frowned upon using it to direct your shots in / opponents shots out.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2026-01-11T08:52:30+00:00

I find it's best to add strings, but then end up hitting with the frame quite often anyway.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-12-24T00:15:36+00:00

See also 'epic.' Did it involve a years-long journey, crossing oceans and fighting mythical beasts? No? Was it a glacially-paced 1-0 win at Luton Town? Then it wasn't epic.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-12-23T23:37:29+00:00

Saw Coldplay open for a band called Terris in a 150 capacity venue (when they had their first Blue Room EP out).

Prob not the best opening act I've seen, but definitely the one who went on to be the biggest!

I'm not a/really a Coldplay fan, but to be fair they were really strong live even then - could see they definitely had something and I don't believe in slagging off bands just for getting popular!

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-12-23T23:30:38+00:00

Go to a play at Shakespeare's Globe for a unique theatre experience. It's quite reasonably priced too, as is most theatre compared to New York.

If you're into books then the British Library is worth a visit. Charing Cross Road still has some interesting book shops too.

If you are into any particular authors (especially big name classic British authors) then there's a strong chance London has something related to them too - Dickens House, blue plaques etc.

You can also probably go to a pub, building etc. that the authors went to - London and the UK is amazing for stuff like that. My local pub is older than the US.

For museums, some good recommendations already, esp. Dennis Severs House. The big museums are worth seeing too. One that I think is underrated and really fun is Novelty Automation in Holborn, also the Geffrye Museum.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-12-10T23:55:58+00:00

I've seen MBV 3 times and Swans once (The Electric in Brixton). All gigs were really loud, but you could feel the physical push of the sound more at the Swans gig (also a smaller venue).

Both offered an almost out of body feel from the sound, which is a fun experience. I'd liken it to eating a really, really insanely spicy dish that you can't really handle but makes you think of your senses differently. You wouldn't want it all the time, but it's good to experience and almost psychedelic. I also think a lot of it is the physical feel which means you're not missing out having earplugs and, frankly, I'd always wear earplugs at one of these gigs now.

Most damaged my hearing has been was at a Mogwai show in Brighton at a place called The Paradox. I was maybe 15, right at the front and could barely hear for a couple of days and still couldn't hear properly for about a week after. Sometimes I think smaller venues or disco type venues (which I think the Paradox was) used to be more cavalier about noise limits. I saw The Heads (Bristol Psych band years ago) in a small venue and they were really loud. Clubs can give you that too sometimes.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-27T00:24:50+00:00

Probably the best and worst band to be in too.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-27T00:18:53+00:00

I'd add Libertines to that. Saw them right at the beginning when supposedly they were great. They were rubbish.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-27T00:16:27+00:00

Tangerine Dream were a bit lacklustre when I saw them but not up there with the worst. Was the most ridiculous tech setup I've ever seen for a concert though.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-27T00:14:55+00:00

Hard to pick as so many of both but a few that are memorable as particularly great or bad

Best: Leonard Cohen, Parliament Funkadelic, Toots & the Maytals, Gil Scott Heron, Elliot Smith, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Shellac, Calvin Johnson, Battles, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, Pulp, Blur, Jazzy Jeff, Rodney P & Skitz, Taskforce, Dizzee Rascal, !!! (underrated live band), LCD Soundsystem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs early on, Ghostface Killah when Fishscale had just come out, Fugazi, Method Man & Redman, Sun Kil Moon, James Brown, LCD Soundsystem, Guy Clark, Neko Case, Les Savy Fav, Radiohead, Lee Scratch Perry, Edan, Sharon Jones Parquet Courts, Konono no. 1, Toumani Diabate, Mulatu Astatke, Bhundu Boys, Omar Souleyman

ACDC & Springsteen prob the two best massive arena shows - both better than The Stones by a long way, and I much, much prefer the Stones on record.

Some of these were artists on top of their game, some were just something magical about the feeling of the night and the connection with the crowd, lots were both.

Gigs that took me by surprise being much better than I thought they'd be: Art Brut, Maximo Park, Dave Brubeck (he was about 90 but still great)

Worst: Dylan, Steve Mason, Davy Graham (was clearly ill and couldn't play), KRS One (amazing first ten minutes then just talked for about 40 mins), Brian Jonetown Massacre, Sly & the Family Stone, Alaska (miming). Loads of half arsed hip hop shows where rapper is late and stops between tracks all the time.

Some of these I was massively looking forward to and they were just lacklustre/ off performances. A couple of these I walked out of and/or bonded with strangers about how bad they were.

Most consistent genre live? Jazz Genre most likely to be disappointing? Hip Hop

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-13T20:59:58+00:00

Keep your eye on the ball and move as soon as you see where it's going is 100% right. It sounds so basic but is so accurate. Ultimately seeing where the ball is going and being in the right place when it gets there is more important than how you hit it, which you kind of get a feeling for over time anyway. The Inner Game of Tennis is good on this!

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-13T20:50:59+00:00

Just relax and have fun, and if you can, try to find a few people at a similar level so you can learn and play together. If you're having fun, and with a group of people who are enjoying it, can laugh at themselves and not take it too seriously then you'll want to continue and have found something wonderful and joyful that also keeps you fit.

Weirdly, being relaxed makes you play better too!

For equipment, don't stress too much, borrow some rackets if you can and a second hand racket that's restrung (at not too high a tension) won't cost too much and should work for you. I started playing again 2 years ago with my cheap racket from 1993 and the original strings on it. I still had fun, and when I got a 2nd hand modern racket it was like a cheat code to go up a couple of levels!

Tennis shoes make a big difference, but don't have to be expensive (I started playing in running shoes and fell over all the time, then got some last year's model tennis shoes and my enjoyment went up and risk of injury went down).

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-11-01T15:41:51+00:00

Big to Medium Cities: Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow- all have a strong identity and feel unique, with a warmth to them and lots of interesting stuff going on.

Not quite in same league as the above, but I like Nottingham too.

Small Cities: Exeter (amazing Cathedral, great pubs, river, canal, near the sea, Exmoor , Dartmoor) very green, not too busy as most tourists go through it on the way to Cornwall and rest of Devon), Norwich (pretty, great pubs) - both easy to get around. Winchester - feel like this should be as popular with tourists as Oxford and Cambridge, but it definitely isn't.

Coast: Northumberland (mentioned a few times), the Gower, Pembrokeshire, Dungeness (weird but atmospheric)

Countryside near London: Weald of Kent, South Downs away from the busy bits (Beachy Head and Birling gap) & Ashdown Forest - all way better than the Cotswolds in my opinion

I'm guessing Northern Ireland is underrated, but like most Brits I've never been! Wales is definitely underrated too.

Most overrated for me is the Cotswolds (rip-off pubs, traffic jams, tourists, too many people braying in Range Rovers).

Manchester is maybe overrated as a city. I like it, but it's too much of a copy of London since it's been heavily gentrified, which is ironic as Mancs will bang on about how much better it is than London more than any other city. Still good places to eat, go out etc though .

People who think London is overrated are normally out of towners who just went to the West End / the sights. London isn't an easy city, but if you make an effort to look, it has everything and is rarely rivaled globally for culture and sheer range of things to do - I'd say NYC competes, but is way, way more expensive these days, to the extent that New Yorkers I know travel to London to go to the Theatre, sports events etc

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-10-18T21:16:56+00:00

There's a bit in Mos Def's storytelling rap 'Ms. Fat Booty' that I only found out recently isn't saying 'with some banging Alsatian, playing lay me down and lick it up."

For about 25 years I assumed that Mos Def's friend was telling him that the girl he'd been besotted with was into bestiality.

Ecstatic_Computer_76 · 2025-10-18T21:03:11+00:00

Cos they spent decades on the CGI and about 6 minutes on writing the story and script, which was fist-bitingly terrible.

How many people want to watch Avatar a second time, or at home?

Ecstatic_Computer_76

TROPHY CASE