Is This The Start Of A New Golden Age In British Tennis?

On Sunday afternoon I watched my television, enthralled at the brilliant display of British tennis. As the nation which holds the greatest tennis tournament, we have had many disappointments in the singles titles. No woman has won the singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977. No man has won Wimbledon in the open era and Andy Murray is the only Brit to even reach the final in the open era. Of course prior open era the last British winner was Fred Perry. This is hard for Mr Murray to forget as he is asked this in every British interview, every year.

Andy Murray was devastated when he lost in the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer but just 28 days later he hit back and hit back hard. I could barely watch the Wimbledon final a month ago. I desperately wanted Murray win, but his match slowly unravelled. But just 28 days later I was watching a match which I could scarce believe, with Murray outplaying Federar at every turn. He really showed why he deserves to be one of today’s greatest players.

Later that afternoon I watched a fantastic mixed doubles match with Andy Murray and Laura Robson narrowly missing out on the Gold. Laura Robson may not be a Gold medallist, but Silver is an incredible achievement for the 18 year old. Laura Robson went toe to toe  against some very strong players with many extra years of experience. I thought the pair would do well to win a bronze medal when they entered as a doubles team. But they worked great together despite having played very little tennis together.

Andy Murray got some criticism from a small number of people who can’t get a joke. He has been criticised for his personality. But the joke of having his dogs wearing the medals was hilarious and clearly meant as a bit of light fun. People may accuse him of being grumpy but he displayed great joy at the Olympics and really got into the team spirit. He has a quieter personality than a lot of the big sport stars. But there is nothing wrong with that. He’s a passionate player and doesn’t have to be as entertaining off the court as he is on the court.

So what next? Murray’s confidence seems buoyed by the Olympics and it looks like he’s really playing to his full potential. Will he be able to join the small group of players who have a Golden Career Slam? Of course he has to win a Grand Slam first. But with this new found greater self belief and the expert play he’s demonstrated,  it looks hopeful. Laura Robson is also growing in her abilities and shows great potential for the future.

This could really be the start of a Golden Age in British Tennis.  I am making a prediction now that in one of the next 5 years we will have two British Wimbledon champions in one tournament. In Men’s and Women’s Singles. What a picture that would make.

The Avengers: First Draft Parody Script

This is the first parody I've written of a movie which I sawcompletely in French. I don't think too much was lost in translation.My language skills are improving...I didn't realise it was a romantic comedy/road trip movie though. It's a shame they didn't suceed in their quest to find the Holy Grail but at least they learn't a valuable lesson about not taking drugs.

Opens with a voice over from a deeply toned metallic alien. I get a horrible flashback of the Transformers 2 movie.

Cut to Nick Fury at a remote research lab.

Nick Fury

See how I get a low camera angle introduction? That’s because I’m such a cool and powerful character?

Audience

Really? Why? What do you actually do?

Nick Fury

Well I try to look cool… I actually shoot some enemies later… Oh! I also survive jumping out of a crashing helicopter.

Audience

Wait a minute, you have super hero powers too?

Nick fury

Errr well no. This movie just isn’t really clear on what people can and can not survive.

Audience

That really damages the tension.

Nick Fury

Nick Fury does not apologise!

Loki

You should. This is a ridiculously easy place to escape from. I’ve seen more security guards at a Black Sabbath gig.

Nick Fury

Well I believe in quality not quantity.

Loki

Well I’m going to steal the quality. Come here Hawkeye and Dr Selvig. I’m just as crazy as your last boss.

Cut to numerous scenes of our heroes being recruited to the Avengers team. Haven’t we already seen this recruiting being pointlessly shoe horned into the last 5 or 6 movies?

Captain America

I’m sad, why should I come?

Nick Fury

Because you are the only selfless super hero.

Captain America

Oh yeah how could I forget.

Dr Bruce Banner

Why on earth do you want me? Aren’t I too unstable?

Black Widow

We need you to provide some muscle.

Dr Bruce Banner

But that sums up most of your team. Couldn’t we have more varied powers like the X Men?

Black Widow

We have Iron man… his missiles are kind of special.

Iron Man

You want me? Am I really a team player?

Nick Fury

Well at least you know how to fly.

Captain America

Hey don’t kick a man when he’s down.

They head to Germany where…THE MIGHTY INTERDIMENSIONAL FIGHTER AND TRICKSTER LOKI… gets taken down by Iron Man pointing a few 21^st century weapons at him… oh…

Captain America

Hmmm that was easy. Do you think it could be another one of his tricks?

Iron Man

No I am just that amazing.

Thor

Not as amazing as me.

Iron Man

Get off of my plane! Oh no, I didn’t just say that.

Captain America

But it worked, he took Loki.

Iron Man

Well as the only other member of the team that can fly I’d better go after him. Just wait here being all patriotic and stuff.

Captain America

Hey don’t leave me out. Just wait whilst I get a parachute.

Aircraft Pilot

But they could be miles away by now. What are you going to do run to them?

Captain America

Of course! I’m a super hero in the same league as them. I can do it.

Aircraft Pilot

Sure…

Iron Man

Your magic/technology that took millennia to develop is no match for my Iron Man suit.

Thor

Yes it is! But maybe I could team up with you and you can be the canon fodder.

They take Loki aboard the Helicarrier, an impractical and vulnerable looking ship.

Loki

HAHAHA! Do you really believe this prison can hold me?

Nick Fury

Of course! You may be able to escape the void of interdimensional space but…

Loki’s minions attack the heli carrier.

Nick Fury

…

Helicarrier agent

I think it’s time to release the Fury.

Nick Fury

I’m kind of busy right now…You know I’m coordinating… and well doing paper work for…

Helicarrier agent

I meant the fury of the Hulk.

Nick Fury

Could be dangerous in such a confined space, but it’s what the audience wants to see.

Thor

Brother you tricked me again.

Loki

That’s right and I am going to send you plummeting towards the earth in your Hulk cage. Don’t worry despite the fearful expression you’ll have, it won’t kill you. Even if you do hit the ground whilst still in it.

Loki escapes whilst Hawkeye uses a usb arrow to disable the Helicarrier engines… well one of it’s engines, which is even stranger.

Black Widow

This isn’t who you are. Turn away from the dark side.

Hawkeye

As your the only superhero I know with the work black in their title I’m getting a little confused. Just knock me out, that is normally the simplest option.

Nick Fury

Loki killed agent Coulson.

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America

And?

Nick Fury

He’s had 10 lines of dialogue in the movies. Surely you care?

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America

Not really.

Nick Fury

Well if you all go and fight him together just think how awesome the action scene could be.

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America

We’re in.

Loki activates a portal to bring in the Chitauri army.

Audience

Chitauri? That’s seriously their name? It’s not hard to imagine what people will nick name them.

The Avenger team arrives and Iron Man proves to be the most useful member in the fight.

Captain America

It’s a shame you haven’t produced more copies of your suit for others. Loki would really be in trouble if we showed up with 50 of you.

Hulk

You could have at least of given War Machine a quick call. You spend most of this movie on the phone anyway.

Joss Whedon has lots of cool action scenes but for some reason he keeps cutting back to Hawkeye shooting arrows? Ok he has a fantastic aim… good for him.

Iron Man

Hey Hawkeye? Have you ran out of arrows yet?

Hawkeye

You’d think so wouldn’t you, but is anyone really counting? And what about you then? Run out of missiles yet?

Iron Man

Yes.

Hawkeye

Oh.

Due to the usual communication break down the armed forces launch a nuclear missile.

Iron Man

I’ll handle this. Everyone knows that a nuclear missle doesn’t detonate until impact.

Thor

Really? I’m sure it can detonate just upon reaching set coordinates.

Iron Man

Would you prefer to fly into space and destroy the Chitauri base yourself?

Thor

Carry on.

Nick Fury

Thanks to all of you for saving the world.

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America

We’ll have to do this again sometime. Everything we do together is awesome.

Audience

Is it worth staying for the post credit scenes then?

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America

No!

Fin

A Surprise Powder Day In Val d'Isere

After a dire season for snowfall last year no one expected this to happen this April. This is one of my first times out with my Drift Head Camera and it was great to get footage of an epic day.