Where is Alfajeffster?
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1,256 Posts
I've been wondering about him the last few months. We PMed around August, by the time of his last post, and some time later I PMed him again but got no answer. I'm worried too, I'd like to hear about him.
Same here! Something must be up to keep him away for this long...
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3,074 Posts
While we have not YET been successful in our attempt to track down Alfa, I do suspect he is merely out of earshot of the web at this time, probably on some retreat taking steps toward personal buddahood. The reason for my optimism is that I sent his email address a note & I didnt get a bounceback, whereas the 'closed' email accts I have with yahoo etc, if I email them, I immediately DO get a bounceback. So I dont think his account has been inactive for too long.
But there is a related story to share on this note. The very same day as this attempt to reach alfajeffster, I had on the male tennis side (menstennisforums) a very dramatic search brewing simultaneously. At the english-language Guillermo Coria site I run, I received an email a few weeks back... and like many things we get on the web telling a story of woe, I thought it was a prank or a virus. But as I read the letter over, and then over again, I began to believe it was entirely real. The details were too specific, and the desperation a little too palpable.
A woman was writing from Japan that her daughter had cancer, and had only 1 month to live. During her time in the hospital, the daughter had been watching tapes of Coria's inventive racquet-magic play from 2003-05, and using it as inspiration for her own battle. Knowing Coria was also out with troubles of his own over the past few years, she proceeded to sit in her bed watching, while making 1,000 paper birds, which is believed in Japan to bring good luck.
The mother wanted to grant her daughter this last dream to come true, and so since she only spoke Japanese & English, the kingcoria site was her only way of making contact. I went on a trial-laden search of non-answers until I was able to hook up with a spanish site coria had left messages through, which I did through a spanish friend on menstennisforums who I knew was connected to that site. I think the search for alfa re-ignited my desire to take 1 more stab at reaching coria for this little girl.
To get to the point, we finally REACHED Guillermo, spoke with the woman in Japan over the phone, and arranged to deliver the 1,000 birds to Coria. Meanwhile, Guille is, as I type, scanning personal pictures to send to this poor girl, who from the pictures looks to be about 10-12 years old.
I am really touched by all of this, as it was quite dramatic. After weeks of deadends, including connecting her to the Vilas Racquet Club in Buenos Aires (but they only spoke Spanish), and finally I figured out a way through!! And her 'month' is almost up!!! But a dream did come true today.
But there is a related story to share on this note. The very same day as this attempt to reach alfajeffster, I had on the male tennis side (menstennisforums) a very dramatic search brewing simultaneously. At the english-language Guillermo Coria site I run, I received an email a few weeks back... and like many things we get on the web telling a story of woe, I thought it was a prank or a virus. But as I read the letter over, and then over again, I began to believe it was entirely real. The details were too specific, and the desperation a little too palpable.
A woman was writing from Japan that her daughter had cancer, and had only 1 month to live. During her time in the hospital, the daughter had been watching tapes of Coria's inventive racquet-magic play from 2003-05, and using it as inspiration for her own battle. Knowing Coria was also out with troubles of his own over the past few years, she proceeded to sit in her bed watching, while making 1,000 paper birds, which is believed in Japan to bring good luck.
The mother wanted to grant her daughter this last dream to come true, and so since she only spoke Japanese & English, the kingcoria site was her only way of making contact. I went on a trial-laden search of non-answers until I was able to hook up with a spanish site coria had left messages through, which I did through a spanish friend on menstennisforums who I knew was connected to that site. I think the search for alfa re-ignited my desire to take 1 more stab at reaching coria for this little girl.
To get to the point, we finally REACHED Guillermo, spoke with the woman in Japan over the phone, and arranged to deliver the 1,000 birds to Coria. Meanwhile, Guille is, as I type, scanning personal pictures to send to this poor girl, who from the pictures looks to be about 10-12 years old.
I am really touched by all of this, as it was quite dramatic. After weeks of deadends, including connecting her to the Vilas Racquet Club in Buenos Aires (but they only spoke Spanish), and finally I figured out a way through!! And her 'month' is almost up!!! But a dream did come true today.
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1,256 Posts
Incredible story Daze, and I'm happy Coria was finally reached and in touch with these Japan people. I have the feeling that, after these last few years of tennis trouble, he's somehow a more caring person, just my impression over his last appearances.
I can see, you flashy New Yorker, that your impaired-eye love for the rufinense (former?) player is still alive and kicking :lol:
PD: I guess at least I could have got you some e-mail addresses of some tennis journalists from Argentina,maybe it could have helped and somehow this story found a way to reach Coria. But I'm glad it ended up fine,well, as fine as it can get.
I can see, you flashy New Yorker, that your impaired-eye love for the rufinense (former?) player is still alive and kicking :lol:
PD: I guess at least I could have got you some e-mail addresses of some tennis journalists from Argentina,maybe it could have helped and somehow this story found a way to reach Coria. But I'm glad it ended up fine,well, as fine as it can get.
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9,216 Posts
Yes, and thanks for the concern. For a little update, I went through the whole SSI fiasco around last September, while simultaneously getting my VA status upgraded. Everything has worked out, and I'm once again on an even keel (of sorts) both spiritually and mentally. Also went through my very first serious relationship during this time (at 46, I made it pretty far), and I'm even prouder to say I made it through the end of it unscathed, save for a couple blue weeks. I even have my friend Mark trying to get me back out onto the tennis court, and I've actually unzipped the racquet bag and held the grip for the first time in about a year. Time to shake off the rust, put the TV remote down and stand up and move again. It's going to feel strange, but good.
Thanks again for the concern, I really missed being here and chatting with y'all!
Jeffster
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19,296 Posts
Welcome back, hon!!! Let's pm later. But for the time being, there are 2 important questions:
(1) Was your guy cute?
(2) Do you think Venus Williams is "passed" her peak and will not win another grand slam?
(1) Was your guy cute?
(2) Do you think Venus Williams is "passed" her peak and will not win another grand slam?
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2,252 Posts
Hey Alfa, when you have time to start posting again, we need you in the Steffi thread. I've enjoyed your past post there. I'm just starting to really love Graf and her game, so I look forward to more of your thoughts.
Glad you're doing a-okay.
Glad you're doing a-okay.
There's hope for you yet then! Resist the dark side of the force Luke!
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9,216 Posts
In answer to the first question, yes, very cute and it came with a big ego. The package was pretty big too:lol:. Unfortunately, I'm a Scorpio and have always been in charge of my life, and admittedly, a bit of a control freak. He was just as hard headed and our normal mode of communication was to bring up something we knew the other would disagree with just to start a conversation. I'm happy to have lived through it, and the experience has changed me in ways I never would've expected.
I think Venus always has a chance at Wimbledon if she's healthy. Both Williams sisters have the uncanny ability to go "walkabout" for long patches in their careers and then pop out of the blue and win a major.
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1,256 Posts
Nice to hear from you Alfa, I'm glad you've been busy living some experiences! Yet I somehow guess your vanish act was meant to earn some attention of the BFTPasters here wasn't it? :wavey:
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3,074 Posts
Just wanted to pass along the sad news that a member of the Blast from a long time back, has passed away... Jeff (ALfajeffster) loved tennis as much as anyone I've ever met. and his loyalty to the game definitely got him through many very tough times. He treasured his extensive collection of classic era player autographs & memories of the circuit, both those he experienced & those we discussed in the threads of BFTP ~ and many of us treasured HIM, even though he did like to ruffle some feathers on occasion, in between his thoughtful, insightful & informed posts!
This is his brief obituary, for any who would care to see it: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/readingeagle/obituary.aspx?n=jeffrey-levan&pid=164788960&fhid=18461
This is his brief obituary, for any who would care to see it: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/readingeagle/obituary.aspx?n=jeffrey-levan&pid=164788960&fhid=18461
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