Some things to note:
- First off, things are alright here right now, despite what people have been telling me is on the news.
- The weather is getting nice. Every day sunny and highs in the upper 80’s, still some low 90’s. But at least not generally hitting 100 anymore!
- Hearing the call to prayer all over town during my evening runs is very hypnotic and actually a rather soothing part of the workout.
- I’m starting up a running club for fifth graders with a coworker who’s an experienced and talented triathlete.
- So I never told you about Halloween! It was observed here on camp which was a lot of fun to see some houses decorated up, trick-or-treating down the streets, and of course, what’s Halloween without chili!
- Some friends and I headed down to Bahrain for a Halloween Beach party (which we never made it to due to a protest which closed the highway to the beach). Lots of fun walking around Manama, finding some recognizable signage…
- (That Grill and Chill shot is a shout out to Rachel and Jessica… oh Friday’s in Manhattan in college.)
- And no, the BLVD place doesn’t sell Boulevard. They just stole the logo apparently. 😦
- Bahrain was also a good destination for Octoberfest. Now some of my coworkers actually headed to Munich for the real thing over our three day weekend. I guess they know how to do it right. As for me, I still had fun in the Middle East’s version!
- I’m slowly discovering new places to eat in the city.
- Every Thursday at school we have an additional period in which students compete in games for “House Points,” or have an assembly, or something. Lots of fun last week in a photo scavenger hunt:
- Yesterday was “Thwacky Day,” and man do I love myself some school spirit days. (Didn’t get a picture of my own garb I’m afraid.)
- Working with student council for fifth grade has been fun too. They have lots of creative ideas, many service-based. We have a Walk for Juvenile Diabetes next week.
- I appreciate the chance to talk with more and more of you via WhatsApp. Still blows my mind how accessible conversations with you all can be thanks to technology.
- That includes keeping in touch with my class from last year through Edmodo- a Facebook type website/app for schools. I enjoy getting the lowdown on Frank Rushton, the Chiefs, and all sorts of other random news from them.
I miss you all, but I’m having a really great time. Some challenges, but lots of successes and good people.
Cheers!
WETZEL'S WANDERINGS 
YAAASSSS!! DQ Something Different!
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That Grill and Chill brought a smile to my face!
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Keep in touch and stay safe. Always looking foward to your adventures.
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Forgot to post my name. Clara valdivia.
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The Championships Wetzeldon
Senor Pedro, thank you in advance for allowing me to abscond your blog like an anonymous troll farm and steer it in a blatantly OT direction, while wetzeldon.org remains under construction. I’m hopeful your global legion of admirers will understand.
Its all well and good that you now roll past the minarets in your petro-dollar fueled Maserati, but back home there are serious matters of a serve & volley nature that require long overdue attention.
Specifically, the inaugural Wetzel family tennis tournament.
Dates: TBD
Purse: 1 crisp “Sweet Lou” Hundo$ (Winner Take All)
Venue: Westwood, KS (Westwood Park or Woodside Bubble – pending dates)
Surface: Terre Battue outdoor / Synthetic Carpet indoor
Format: Single elimination. Best of 3 sets (preliminary rounds) / Best of 5 sets (Sunday final)
Rule aberrations: No lets. 20 seconds between points. In match coaching permissible. No challenges. New balls every 8th game.
Final Seeding’s and Draw: Friday preceding start of play
Umpire, Line Judge, Tournament Referee, Drug Test Administrator and in-match Commentator (quiet please): Mr. Wendal
TV Coverage: Eurosport, BBC3 (UK), Tennis Channel, Emirates, ASN (Pan-Asian markets), ESPN (Sunday Final)
Radio: 90.1 KKFI / 107.1 XRAY FM Community Radio
Website: http://www.wetzeldon.org
Tickets: Packages on sale now. Limited “day of” SRO for overnight queue
Attire: All White. No Chiefs logos, man buns or soul tags. Facial hair must be well groomed (mustaches encouraged). Shirtless option (gentlemen over 50).
Shop: https://melkbelly.bandcamp.com/
Travel: Prospero Incentives (proud sponsor)
Substance Protocol: Random, home testing in effect throughout Gregorian Calendar Year. Post-match blood, urine, and saliva swab sampling at KU Med Chapel. HGH, EPO, Spanish Blood Spinning, Starbucks, Meldonium, CBD Balms and excessive levels of Turmeric are strictly forbidden and will result in an immediate lifetime ban not subject to appeal.
Preliminary Seed Report:
1. David Wetzel – Unheralded, gentle giant makes his family statement. No talk, all action. Barefoot ghosty gigs prove he’s agile on any surface. Serves from a tree with pace and placement. Disguises the toss like a talisman. Always looks to shorten points and once you see him in the fore court just mutter “too good”. Thor-hand thunderbolts fly off the strong wing, Borg-like topspin from the backside. Asbestos hands at net take the heat off rivals’ passing shots. Stoic demeanor serves him well on big points, as family emotions may overwhelm others in crucial moments. Will not be denied.
2. Papa Lou Wetzel – what more can be written about this titan of the game. Lives for these moments with a Connor’s-esque fury that refuses to go gentle into that good night. Solid from both wings, with a grit and guile not seen since Pancho Gonzales. Excellent career break-point conversion ratio and knows what to do on Sunday. Not above gamesmanship or in-match chicanery i.e. suddenly going shirtless when down a set or taking the occasional bathroom break before a foe serves it out. Whatever it takes. Five set final format could prove troublesome vs. next gen, but never caught off guard. Preparing now – are you? No one wants it more.
3. Mr. Wetzel – Fan favorite and globally beloved icon. Rabid fan base will surely dispute low seeding, but if he can survive opening round jetlag look out. Mr. Consistency won’t be rattled and no one welcomes a sweltering clay grinder like Pedro the Lion. They call him “the wall”, as it always comes back. Eats pace like Gates and changes spins more than brother James’ swaps snare drums – a veritable Svengali of surprise. Paints lines with Picasso precision and no one commands more crowd support. Susceptible to power S&V types if conditions dictate an indoor rock fight. Brilliant tactician and student of the game. Refuses to lose and rarely does.
4. Lucas Wetzel – here’s your Huckleberry. Loose Park Legend and not the mustachioed face you want to see across the net on a fast, hard court. Cerebral blogger smirk belies an “A” game champion. Trained in Leipzig at the Michael Stich Academy circa 2011, before enlisting Tio Toni Nadal as a personal savant during his recent rise to the top. Vastly under-reported wrist surgery appears healed, but the Championships Wetzeldon remain the ultimate ask. Father of two must limit distractions and will surely reside in an undisclosed locale, whilst imposing requisite media blackout during the fortnight. When “on”, first serve blur is a liquid rope and sets up flowing attack game that pays bid dividends against power-baseline pushers. Always looking to move forward. Tough out.
5. James Wetzel – the young gun. Prodigious Phenom is here to say he belongs and who would deny him? All the tools. Knows no fear and fortune favors the brave. Baseline dropper? Anytime. Chip and charge on your first? Hola! 2nd Serve heater down break point? Vapor trail. Keep’s opponents guessing and all court acumen both dazzles & delights. Will dietary shift from recent Oregon wellness stint afford an edge needed to take the next step? Focus is key and bunters on clay remain an Achilles. Hungry, road-tested talent travels in a van with his own stringer team for proper racquet calibration in diverse climates. Big match player could catch lightning in a bottle. Is this his time?
Much more to follow, including official tourney dates, streaming pre-match interviews, Women’s Singles analysis, pundit picks, Jane’s Insider Takes (how to exude an air of neutrality, pre/post match pillow talk with Louie – the heated strategy debates and what he “really thinks”), plus special stocking stuffers from our corporate sponsor.
Mr. Wendal
The Championships Wetzeldon
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Celebrating Halloween is pretty cool! Did anyone show up in a pumpkin suit? 🙂 Hope all is well! We will catch up through WhatsApp pretty soon!
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Pedro! I love this post!! Looks like you are really having a great time! Missing you so much on this Thanksgiving. Any turkey day traditions there?
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HOLA : COMO ESTA👋
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