Letter to DtL readers: An update from yours truly

What's up, DtL readers?

I wanted to let you know I'll be back to regular posting once the new tennis season begins. Since my last update, I've been busy working on a portfolio for my work and I really wanted to focus on it. It's taken some time but I'm happy to announce that it's live at RichRodriguezWrites.com. You can find links to my writing and PR work there.

In the meantime, enjoy the Davis Cup final, the off-season, and see you in 2015!

Rich

Letter to DtL readers: On the road this week

We finally embarked on our cross-country trip to our new digs in Los Angeles. I'll miss New York City; it was once a dream of mine to live in the Big Apple and I did. For 16 years. But sometimes life calls for new adventures, and now happens to be one of those times.

Obviously the timing isn't ideal with the US Open starting tomorrow. I won't be posting this week, but I'm hoping to be settled enough to write some post towards the end of the tourney. Fingers crossed. Enjoy the matches and coverage, and I'll see you on the West Side!

[Photo(s) credit: Me, duh]

Letter to DtL readers: Not now, but later

Maybe this is better than kissing an Olympic gold medal. Maybe.

So, my apologies for having you look at that picture of Svetlana Kuznetsova and her hairy situation for months. It was cruel and unusual punishment.

I wanted to drop you guys a note about the status of Down the Line! With the wedding coming up, I won't be able to cover the US Open. So, at this point it just made sense to shut it down for the remainder of the 2012 season. But, I do plan to get back to some form of regular blogging next year. For those of you who have stuck around I say THANK YOU.

See you on the other side.

Rich

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

Letter to DtL readers: 40 years ain't nothing to sneeze at

It will be 40 years to the day this Saturday, October 9, that two kids (I mean, dontcha just wanna pinch those baby faces!) who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines came together in holy matrimony and began their journey together as husband and wife.

They also happen to be my mom + dad.

This young couple, pictured here on that momentous day in 1970, pursued the American dream with fervor and vigor but never without strong discipline. My dad may have learned that skill as a proud member of the U.S. Navy for 30 years while my mom, who was herself the daughter of a Navy man, worked full-time and somehow managed to keep our lives organized and under control. It couldn't have been easy for her to raise three boys while my dad was away at sea, sometimes for 6 months or longer. In fact, he was away for most of my mom's pregnancy with me and only flew in for my birth before having to take off again (that might explain A LOT and, no, it's not your fault dad.) But they did the best they could under the circumstances and I couldn't be more proud to call them my parents. Happy 40th Anniversary Mom + Dad!

Kalil + I will be traveling to Florida on Wednesday in preparation for their big anniversary celebration. I'll be following the tennis happenings while I'm away and will post if, and when, I can get to my laptop. No guarantees, though. I plan on being very happy and very happily drunk during the lead up to and at the actual event in honor of my parents. It's the least I can do! Regular posting will most likely resume on Monday, October 11.

On an entirely different note, I've noticed some of you guys have been submitting comments ANONYMOUSLY. These comments get flagged and don't get published. If you'd like to leave a comment but you're not registered or have an OpenID, please use the 'Name/URL' option. You're required to use a name (any of your choosing) but not required to submit a URL.

That is all. Enjoy the rest of your week!