Things couldn’t have gone much better at the 2011 National Senior Games in Houston. Les & May was the official comic strip of the Games’ daily newspaper, appearing in all 14 issues. The strips, all related to Houston or the Games, were the same as ran on the L&M website, with the addition of four others that covered the weekend editions. The strips also currently appear on the www.NSGA.com website. Click on 2011 National Games, in the left column, then click on the blog from Houston. Then you can click on Senior Games Daily Comic.
Competitively, I won a Silver Medal in singles tennis and, (with Stu Bender) won the Bronze Medal in doubles tennis. May Mature won a (fictional) Silver Medal in singles tennis.
The universal complaint among tennis competitors was with the playing surface. The courts were made up of 12-inch plastic squares about a half inch in height. These were somehow linked together “Lego-like” and placed over the concrete floor of the huge convention hall—16 courts in all, I believe. The normal bounce was low and fast, but numerous dead spots resulted in little or no bounce. In fact, attempting to bounce the ball in a pre-service routine often resulted in no rebound. Tape, added to line the courts, presented yet another bounce. Despite the shortcomings, the conditions were the same for everyone. I’ll take the imperfect, yet air conditioned, courts anytime over playing outside in Houston’s 100-degree-plus heat index.
Larry Lewis
Larry lost 2-6, 0-6 in the 80-84 singles final, which dropped him to the the Silver Medal.
Larry and doubles partner, Stu Bender, won a playoff for the 80-84 Bronze Medal 6-7(3), 7-5 (10-2 super tiebreak in lieu of the third set).
Stu, a first round loser in 80-84 singles, moved into the consolation draw where he won four matches to win that title and a ribbon
Larry won main draw singles semifinal match 6-3, 6-2, will play in final Thursday.
Larry and Stu Bender lost in semifinal doubles 1-6, 2-6, will play for Bronze medal on Thursday.
Stu won two matches in consolation singles and will play for consolation ribbon on Thursday.
Singles:
Larry: 1st round bye. 2nd round opponent withdrew. 3rd round 6-2, 6-3 win.
May Mature: Silver medal.
Doubles with partner Stu Bender: 1st round bye. 2nd round 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 (tiebreak) win.
[6/24/11] Tomorrow my doubles partner, Stu, and I will fly to Houston and the Senior Games. On Sunday we will have a chance to practice on the tennis courts. Monday we will both begin competition in singles and doubles in the 80-84 division.
[6/21/11] A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN!
Upon mentioning I’m headed to Houston for Senior Games tennis, I invariably get the comment, “I hope you’re playing indoors!”, or a variation thereof. That was one of my first concerns when I heard the Games would be in that hot, humid locale. I would have competed indoors or out, but was relieved to be assured it would be in an air conditioned venue. Some sports must be contested in the elements and I feel for athletes in those games. — Larry Lewis
[6/16/11] HOUSTON, HERE WE COME!
Les & May and Dolly (Larry Lewis, too) are headed to Houston and the National Senior Games, June 16-30.
[6/9/11] ASH’S ACCOLADES
Thanks to Bill Ash for the encouraging review of Les & May on his ”Friday Morning Guilty Pleasures” blog of June 3. Check it out at www.WSAsh.net. The fact that Bill–who labels himself as “An Old Man with an Opinion and Stories to Tell”–mentioned L&M in the same breath (almost) as Cul de Sac, Multiplex, Out There and South Park, is humbling, indeed. His site, www.WSAsh.net, also includes the Justice League Animated Fan Fiction site where you’ll find award-nominated stories written under the pen name of BillA1. The site also has a link to JLA Universe.net, a gateway to other authors who write Justice League Fan Fiction based on the DC comics animated universe.
[6/7/11] VIDEO INTERVIEW
Thanks to Rick Osmon for his recent video interview of yours truly on www.investcomicstv.com and his kind words about Les & May. I haven’t often been interviewed about the strip–a first, in fact–and Rick was most patient in guiding me through the process. His weekly TV interviews spotlight comic books, cartoons, their creators, industry folks and the like. Anyone interested in the comics genre would do well to check out www.investcomicstv.com. Rick is also a producer for Unraveling the Secrets and The Oopa Loopa Cafe–a busy fellow, indeed!
[5/4/11] ANNIVERSARY!
Today’s strip marks the completion of one year of Les and May. That’s 260 strips into the archives. Thanks to those fans who have regularly dropped in electronically. A hearty welcome to those of you who looked in during my recent advertising campaigns. Please come back and visit on a regular basis. If you like Les and May tell family and friends about it…please. — Lar
[5/2/11] OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
May (the month) is Older Americans Month in the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Administration on Aging, it is an occasion to show appreciation and support for seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our nation. This year’s theme—Older Americans:Connecting the Community—pays homage to the many ways in which older Americans bring inspiration and continuity to our communities. For more information about Older Americans Month, and related activities nationally and in your area, visit the U.S. Administration on Aging website. — Lar
[4/4/11] FLEEN REVIEW
Les & May was reviewed last week at www.Fleen.com a website devoted to web comics. Check it out if you’re so inclined. A valid criticism raised by the reviewer was the sluggishness of the Les & May website and I am working to rectify that problem. A special thanks is due to Zach Weiner who alerted Fleen to the existence of Les & May. Zach produces the wildly popular Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal panel comic at www.smbc-comics.com. It’s worth visiting on a regular basis.