I’m Talking

The ‘Unconventional Aspects’ Racquet
Review

In this review, the aspects that I will NOT
discuss are:
1. Serves

2. Forehands

3. Backhands

4. Volleys

5. Return of Serves

These are already covered in various
reviews available either in TW or any other miscellaneous forums you can
possibly GOOGLE for about the Wilson [K] Factor [K] Six One 95 (16×18) tennis
racquet (K95). I’ve been trying-out various frames before ending up with the
K95, and have been playing with it throughout this year, and played in tourneys
within my varsity throughout this year as well. So far, the racquet has gone
through all the various shot-making drills, competitive games, and even plain
simple practice.  Here goes nothing…

Running Shots (Offensive)

Specifically, it is not your conventional ‘stand,
stroke, and recover’ motion. This is the shot almost every tennis player has to
drill and get used to. The run-for-your-life, still-hit-a-full-stroke-while-running
(definitely not recommended unless it’s dire), and brake-to-recover is the most
commonly looked over shot in the many arsenals of your tennis shots. For the
K95, the frame provides me enough feel to hit the two types of running shots I favour
the best – running forehand, running backhand (both wide to either side of the
court, away from your comfort zone). Due to the heft of the frame, I was able
to comfortably stroke through the ball without compromising the stability
significantly lost while scampering for a wide ball. The frame did most of the
work during contact and all I needed to do was just to make sure I didn’t just
tap the ball or hit a mooning ball back. I could take great rips at the ball
without worrying that it’ll fly long due to the amount of spin generated by the
frame. At times where I felt that I couldn’t get to the ball in time, a neat
slice was also helpful and the racquet again provided the stability that I needed.
Overall, I rate it 8.5/10 for running shots.

Running Shots (Defensive)

This shot is the one you all love-to-hate.
You’ve been rallying 10 shots from the baseline, no one seems to be ushering to
the net yet and no tricky signs of mooning balls or weird slices. Out of the
blue, you see yourself scampering for the nastiest dropshot you have seen and
run towards the net just in time for your racquet face to touch the ball. Yeah,
we all have those moments. The racquet was much more demanding here as the dire
situation required me most of the time to flick the wrist just to get some needed
placing off the ball. During these moments, time to prepare for a slice is also
not really available. The racquet head is light enough just to get a good flick
of the wrist to generate some added pace to the slow ball to place it to the
baseline (when I feel or guess that the opponent is coming up to put it away).
If I get a glimpse of time to hit an underspin back (to drop if I see the
opponent is still a little far back), the execution is somewhat harder even
though the racquet head is light. To me, many a times, I opted for a flick back
far to the baseline, or flick it crosscourt. Maybe it’s the condition and how
well the balls were dropped, but I rarely managed to counter-drop the
opponents. But maybe it’s not the racquet eh? 6/10

Counter-Punching Crazy Spins

I played with 3 players that used a lot of
topspin in their ground-strokes. This was never a huge problem to deal with for
me, but what I really loved from the frame was how it took my game to another
level because now I felt EVEN MORE comfortable returning those hardcore spin
balls (nearly mooning, but DEFINITELY not defensive in any way). I could not
return these balls with more control (a definite plus point for me) and
redirect the ball to where I want it without having to worry about playing too
safe a ball due to aggressive ground-strokes by the opponent. This means that
whenever my opponent felt like going offensive and starts hitting hard shots, I
can easily defend those hard balls without being defensive – I punch right back
by playing offensive too (which is SURELY my idea of playing the game). Even
against a lefty who packs a punch (which I normally do have to adjust due to
the opposite spin) I find lesser problems when using this racquet cause I do
not feel the aggressive spin as much as my older racquet (don’t get me wrong,
the spins are still there, just to a lesser degree). 9/10

­Tired Rallying Strokes

Fatigue HAPPENS when the tournament goes
from 8am – 10pm at night. Playing 3 matches in a row (best of 3, if we have
more players, then it’s a Pro set of 9 games) will cramp you down at the last
set of the last game and at the last point. It’s important that at my worst of
conditions, the racquet does not become a burden to my game. For player
racquets, being heavier always seems to be the problem here. For me, the weight
of the K95 is not a problem at all, seeing that I’ve played with old metal
racquets (HEAD.. forgot which version before) when I was little… but the
racquets of whatever weight (expect juniors) would feel heavy after a while.
Trust me! So what does this racquet provide when fatigue sets in? It forces you
to play right. NOT SAFE, play RIGHT. For this frame, you have to hit your full
strokes, you have to be there, prepare early, get yourself in the right motion
if you want to deliver a good (if not winning stroke). It is important to note
that the racquet of such open string pattern already provided me with enough
response from the stringbed, and most of the time, I just completed my swing
without much energy into it. When I was tired and had not much power to give
in, I needed to adjust my reserves into preparing for the stroke and motion
rather than trying to moon balls in. I could put in decent balls in as though
it was a practice rally but smacking in winners wouldn’t be possible due to the
frame DEMANDING power from ME. 5-6/10

Overall

For competitive match-ups, this racquet
provided me with very good control without compromising power-hitting which is
quite a big part of my game. I didn’t want a racquet that had a lot of control,
but needed me to hit HARDER or hit DIFFERENTLY because that would need me to
alter my game or strokes quite a bit. So far, this racquet has no complaints
from me besides the fact that off-centre hits are very noticeable (very rare so
far in my time of using this frame). Overall, a good racquet that I’m going to
stick with compared to some other racquets I’ve demoed (just for a short while)
with.

I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS SHIT!

I’M NOT GOING FOR THIS YEAR’S MASUM TOURNAMENT IN SABAH!

Here’s the result of the interview with Adrian Tan.

Interviewer (I): So Adrian, what is your opinion about the whole situation?
Adrian Tan (AT): MuthA#!*@!*!@ stupid and !(@!@)$%)&)(* fellas better watch their (#!(&$#&(*#$#(*)&$ backs

I: Ok, but then…
AT: ()&$@#)&*@#) fellas *(&@#&@#*(&*( kiss my ()*)#@#@@)(*#@ silly )(*#@#*

I: We understand, but isn’t there…
AT: (@#)@#*()@#) idiots better (*)#@#*)#@ have no freaking (@)*#@#@

I: HOLD IT! Wait! LET ME ASK…
AT: WHAT?  YOU WANNA (*)*#@)@#&)@  piece of )(*()@*#(*)@(#*@#*)

I: OK OK,  we get it. Let’s have a more constructive discussion ok? What do you wanna say to those who did this to you?
AT: Well, first of all, I’ve devised a plan to get themselves killed. It’s simple. Ask them to jump off a cliff, into a ravine where there is nothing but sand and rocks. On top of that, make sure that the ravine is populated by mangy mongrels or hyenas to ensure that JUST IN CASE they survive the fall (Watching too much of DISCOVERY’s ‘True Heroes’) the mongrels will devour their bodies. Also, to make it even more effective, tie a hand held grenade to their heads and ensure that the pin is just about to be released (pull it out slightly, not fully), so when they hit the ground, the impact will cause the pin to fall of by itself. Also, for added effect, they could hire a few good Masais to come and hack their bodies till it’s all bite size for the mongrels. Oh, did I mention that they should do it when it’s hot and sunny? Yeah, cause if it’s raining, the mongrels can’t smell the rotting bodies and blood. Last thing, make sure they ‘eat right’ because they’re JUDGMENT DAY will somehow evaluate their eating habits as well.

I: ??? Ok, well, any news for those who will face similar problems as this?
AT: Yeah, copy and paste the answer above, and blog it in your website. You know why? Cause you can’t do s**t about it!

I: How about…
AT: *throws a punch right at the interviewers face and gives a nice karate chop to his shoulders while doing a roundhouse kick to his abdomen. While doing the karate-chop-roundhouse-esque move, a poke to the eyes and a pull of the nostril hair is done with exquisite matrix-esque motions.

… Paybacks a B****

Wilson [K]factor K6.1 95 (16/18)

I’ve been playing with this stick for about 2 months now, averaging about 6 days per week, clocking about 2 1/2 hours ++ each time. I’ve been doing some practice rallies and used this stick to play in the inter-university ranking league (amongst the other university players).

Thus far, the racquet has proven to be extremely solid. I dare say that this stick is the best racquet I’ve ever used compared to  many which I have tried (though not as long) such as:

1. HEAD Microgel Extreme,
2. Head Microgel Radical Mid,
3. Babolat Pure Drive Standard,
4. Babolat Aerodrive,
5. Prince O3 Tour,
6. Prince O3 Hybrid Shark,
7. Wilson Ksix-one Tour 90.

This racquet compared to the others have proven to be more suited for my game and has improved on the comfort of my game. To me, it was important that the racquet improved on my strengths without having to make too much of adjustments to my strokes and game. Though the 320++ grammes (Strung weight) was a little heavier than my previous stick (Prince Triple Threat Scream), I didn’t find it harder to adjust my swing or the timing of my racquet swing.

Overall, this stick has great feel on the serve, groundstrokes, and volleys. Thus far, serving with this stick has been very pleasant. My serves generate more spin in the kick serves though when I wanted to hit a flat ace, the racquet did not produce the power that I usually get with a 100 square inch frame (my previous stick). However, the extra heft on the racquet provided a lot of good plow through the serve which helped greatly in increasing the control of the ball placing in my serves.

On the groundstrokes, the feedback, response, stability, and spin-potential really made me happy with the racquet. Hitting the shots harder didn’t reallly matter due to the extra spin I can generate with this stick. Presumably due to the weight of the stick also, hitting the ball reduced a lot of unnecessary twisting and the result was a nice feel on the racquet’s sweetspot. However, the racquet does demand for the player to hit it at the sweetspot (which is pretty small on a 90-95 square inch frame) but that did not alter or affect my game at all.

My net game has always been a big problem. Though I occasionally come up to the net to keep my opponents guessing, it is not in my mainframe during the game. Especially during tournament matches, my net game mostly comes after approach shots which already is a 85% point ending shot (if not, I’ll not come up at all). However, hitting these approach shots (running shots, flicking forehands - to keep the low balls in) were extremely comfortable. The extra spin I get from this racquet makes me very confident when hitting my approach shots. Thus, making me feel more comfortable to step up inside the service box. When I’m already there, the racquet deserves all the credit because my net game is merely a touch-put-away game without much of a punch that some strong doubles-player (or general net-players) would have. But again, that is ME to be blamed ’skill-wise’. The racquet improved my touch and feel at the net though not giving me outstanding net games during real competitive games. Once again, it’s all ME.

I realised that the only times I’d ever visit my friendster accounts and blog are times when I have exams…

And not before the exams or anything like that…

Exams are like… happening right now..

Hehehehe…

Anyway, here is…

THE TOP TEN LIST!!!
                            … OF THINGS TO WRITE IN AN ESSAY QUESTION IF YOU HAD COMPLETELY NO IDEA WHATSOEVER ABOUT THE QUESTION

10. "Dear sir, I knew you were going to ask this question and I deliberately do not want to answer it because it’ll be unfair to those who didn’t know"

9. "In the event that my answer would be wrong, please refer to the student in front of me who most probably have the answers because i SAW HIM !&#@)&&$ @$@$@()& FREAKING WRITING DOWN STUFF TILL THE VERY END OF THE (*&@#$@&(@ EXAM!!!! !*^!*&^!$)!)#&!)!@&!@)"

8. "The answer to this question is only viewable if you know the password. Please enter the password here: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _"

7. "The answer to this question is only available orally by the student. Please call Adrian at 012-YOUR ARMPIT STINKS to ask him for the answer"

6. "Blank" <—- literally write this down. Don’t leave it blank.

5. "You’re going to fail me right? You just don’t have the heart right? Ask yourself, is it right to fail somebody, give him a ‘D’ and then smile at him when you cross him in the streets?"

4. "I BEGGGGGGGG YOU!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE!!!!!! OH NOOOOOO!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! MERCY OH GREAT ONE!!!!!!!!!" *drop a few drops of water on the paper to exemplify crying and scrunge the paper a bit to show signs of slight hysteria.

3. "For answers, Please refer to the previous students paper. Thank you"

2.  "What is done to others, will always haunt you… or your car"

…. and the number one!!!!!

1. "Awu gaga Oong Ga ma kuku wakamimi chu chu lala langkauwa wakakaka wakakaka lulu" *repeat in a proper paragraph and format all the way using 5-6 pages.

I know….

I know….

You saw it coming… you saw it coming the moment you saw my shout out. it was impossible that you didn’t figure it out before you opened up my blog.

I got it. I finally got it.

It’s not an achievement…
It’s a dream come true.

I couldn’t believe I actually used cold-hard cash to trade with a ALL NEW TENNIS RACQUET!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I’m not insane…. I’m not crazy (questionable, I know)

But this is how it feels like.

You were a kid, you couldn’t get what you want and you settled for something OK as well… but NOT the EXACT thing that you want. So, you dream.

Yes… you dream.

You always thought it was a dream. You always thought "What if I bought those? Can I actually own one of those?"

and you had that dream since you were 10.

Now, you’re 23.

You actually got it.

YOU GOT IT!!!!

I’m so happy.

Don’t feel it yet??

Then….

…read it with a childish kiddish boy voice that sounds like Mariah Carey.

What do you know!? It’s the top ten list again!

What’s it this time?

"Moments In History Where/When Genius Was Made!"

10. One word - Flush.

9. You press a button, and then Maggi cooks in just 5 minutes. No stirring, No waiting in front of the stove throughout.

8. The first person to ever kick a ball with his foot and decided to make it into a real professional game.

7. The first person to actually think that prostitution could actually become a legit business.

6. Money. Who’s idea was it anyway? Shouldn’t he get some sorta royalty?

5. The first person to actually make a real rotating fan. Not the type where you fan with your hands.

4. You kill the animal, you eat it, and wear it’s hyde.

3. You chop the tree down, you tie them together, you get a pondok.

2. Rubber band. Wooo… Genius.

and….

NUMBER 1!!!!!

*drum rolls… and the timpani of course….

1. You go under the cow, you squeeze it’s tits, and you drink that white stuff.

*insert jazzy big-band ending to enhance the effect.

There are people in this world that are in need of help.

Some need it emotinoally;
Some need it physically;
Some need it financially;

Whatever their need is, it is important to address the needs of those that are not fortunate enough to own the things that you have. It is selfish to think not about others when you’re enjoying your cup of RM4.90 Coffee Bean expresso when you could have gotten the same coffee for RM1.10 at the nearest coffee shop. It is selfish to not think about others when you are enjoying your ride to the mall in a cab that costs RM12 when you could have taken the bus for just RM1.

You are spending more on things that could have been cheaper!

What do you do with the extra then? Just keep it so that you can spend it on something just as worthless?

I say why not spend it on some good charity? Isn’t that a better way of using your money?

Isn’t it better to take the extra dollar that you had, pledge it in a fundraising charity fund that you can think of, and know that you have at least made a change in one person’s life.

I say that is just a swell idea.

Anonymous Charitable Person: But Adrian, I don’t know where to go… where to start?
Adrian: Really? Aww… That’s a shame. Look no further my poor Anonymous Charitable Person. I have just the perfect charity fund for you to start off with.

"Adrian’s Racquet Fund"

With every ringgit you pledge to the Adrian’s Racquet Fund, you can ensure that it will be the most fulfilling expenditure you’ve ever made in your life. Forget about scams and tricks where they have some nasty tricks up their sleeves, this one tells you EXACTLY what is going to be done in just 5 easy steps:

Step 1 - You give money.

Step 2 - Adrian’s Racquet Fund gets the money.

Step 3 - Adrian’s Racquet Fund gets more money from other people like you.

Step 4 - Adrian uses the money to buy his beloved tennis racquet.

Step 5 - You will be forever loved.

Remember.

The more you give, the better Adrian’s Racquet Fund can function and achieve its objectives. No games, no tricks, no scams….

… just genuine help to the ones that cannot enjoy and live with the basic necessities of life.

*please note that every ounce of believability is up to the reader’s descretion. Any harm, danger, anger, forehead slapping actions will not be compensated by the writer.

Funny Little Guy: Hey, I wonder, what’s it like to face death?

Rational Dude: You mean the big end? Armageddon? Judgment Day? The ending of your chapter of the story?

Funny Little Guy: No, not really that. More of like what would someone do when you know you’re about to die. Have you ever heard people saying that they’ve only got 2 months or so to live… and then they go about doing things casually?

Rational Dude: … I can’t say I do, but I know that the person who’s facing such a certain end would most probably be rethinking and rekindling on his best/worst moments in life.

Funny Little Guy: *pauses for a while thinking. Why would someone who’s about to die think about his past?

Rational Guy: Sometimes people tend to think back about how much they’ve enjoyed themselves before facing death. Some might just be trying to think back on unfinished business. They might have some things that they do not want to just leave there and then when they do pass away.

Funny Little Guy: *pauses and scratches his head. Why does that matter? When a person is definitely going to die, why does he hold any bounds to the sentient lives? It’s not like he’s going to carry it out in his death? Putting aside fear that he would be judged if there’s an afterlife, why would a person be afraid or happy about what is going on in his present time?

Rational Dude: Simply put, when a person dies, it does not entirely affect that dying individual only. Almost all the time, other parties will be affected and influenced by the passing of another individual. In most cases, the people affected are the ones most cared by the about-to-be-deceased. If left unattended, the closest to the deceased might/might not get into trouble.

Funny Little Dude: Really? You mean that when a person dies, all his burden, all his mistakes, all his problems, all his mischiefs, his consequences of action, his name and reputation stays and haunts those closest to him?

Rational Dude: If you put it that way, it doesn’t have to be absolutely like that, but it happens to a lot of people.

Funny Little Dude: You mean when Jack The Ripper died, all his crimes and reputation will then be forever smeared on his son/daughter’s life? Or the victims will then seek for compensation from the son/daughter of Jack? Even when the person is not aware of such a situation being committed by the deceased?

Rational Dude: To a certain extent, yes. The extent of it not being so is that not all consequences of crime be shifted to the next of kin. Even past,current, and future  laws do not/should not condone to such harsh shift in blame and punishment.

Funny Little Dude: Then that very principle totally contradicts to the fact that it will affect the people closest to the deceased.

Rational Dude: *pauses. Hmmm…

Funny Little Dude: Even if the person would make reparations or do anything to change the current scenario, it wouldn’t matter to that person dying aye? So, most probably those things are being done to help his closest relationships aye?

Rational Dude: Yeah, that’s logical.

Funny Little Dude: Then it would also be understood that if the situation was not
changed or improved, those closest will be affected. Which is totally contradicting to the first idea.

Rational Dude: …

Funny Little Dude: To further make that even worse, no situation will change the fact that when the person does die, it isn’t going to change the fact that those closest will get hurt, will be deeply scarred, and mourn over the death. Can any situation or action change that fact?

Rational Dude: …

Funny Little Dude: Then what happens to that person who is about to die? What does he think?

Rational Dude: He…

Funny Little Guy: What would you do? What would you think?

Rational Dude: Let’s ask God… I’ll call him.

*Dials the phone 1-800-I-M-GOD, ring-tone heard: "God is a Girl"

God: Hello?

Rational Dude: Hi, God? You okay?

God: Just trying to get some things done, you know… miracles and stuff… why?

Rational Dude: You should know this one, what does a man do or think when he’s about to die?

God: Huh? What in the blazes of all that is holy and powerful would you ask such a question?

Rational Dude: Just talking to Funny Little Guy.

God: I’m busy. Ask Death.

*Call stopped.

Rational Dude: *Dialing. That’s a bummer. Why can’t he just tell us? That busy? tsk tsk tsk.

*Dialed 1-800-R-I-P. Ring-tone: "One Last Breath"

Death: Hello… *in heavy breaths and low bass tone.

Rational Dude: Eh? Just got up? Such a raspy voice..

Death: Yeah man, what’s up?

Rational Dude: We called God, he told us to call you instead… me and Funny Little Guy were just wondering, what does a dying man think or do?

Death: You woke me up for this shit? You want to know the truth?

Rational Dude: Alright! Finally!

Death: I don’t know. *click

Rational Dude: …

Funny Little Guy: So? What did Death say?

Rational Dude: I think I got it…

Funny Little Guy: Really? What is it?

Rational Dude: Nothing.

Beauty is not about how good you look.
Beauty is not about how good of a person you are.

… the only way to judge beauty,

… is to stuff 10++ people (they love to do that to women) in one dorm, ask them to go through a series of challenges that they’ve most probably have not done in their lives, and to TOP THAT OFF~~~

… put cameras everywhere!

It was SO FUNNY watching the Malaysian style reality shows. Really. I loved every bit of it. From the Malaysian way of talking to the Malaysian way of bitching. Yeap… everything you’ve ever known about the Malaysian hoo-haa culture smack up-front on your TV screen just waiting for us to laugh at.

I couldn’t believe it! It was just totally hilarious. The contestants were SOOOOOOOOOO(add more ‘O’s and imagine it fading into nothingness) Malaysian! SO AUNTIE! SO…. SO….

… I have to say it…

… worth watching.

Okay. Before you start coming up to me going…

"OH MY GOD! You actually watch these cheesy-American-next-top-model-ish reality TV shows?"

Well, first of all… no…

… but I just can’t help but put down my remote control and watch what was going to happen next. It was just so spastic-funny. I remember this scene so clearly… Imagine a girl, talking to the camera…

"I don’t stare like that ok? When I stare ah, I stare like this wan (*glance to another side while talking) and then the people sure get very scared with me wan. If I got bad feelings towards you ah, I just need to say it out, and then you sure get into trouble wan."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA

…. seriously. Her facial expression, her impression of the ‘takut stare’ and the overall episode of the ever-so dramatic Spine-busting-back-stabbing-using-the-Malaysian-way-of-talking was just so… so…

Say it with me… "Priceless".

These ladies for one I feel have all the potential to be what this show wants.

In the words of Sheila Majid:

"This is not a talent show or a beauty pageant. This is a show about finding out about YOU and trying to find something beautiful about YOU."

Of course they ask them to do some sorta modeling thingamajig. Sure they will go through some sort of pageant-like contest or talent-ish stuff. I mean… it’s a show right? We want to see how normal people walk like models right? We want to see how they’ll survive all the humiliating things that they don’t normally do aye?

But all the contestants are just so…

So…

So…

… … … … Malaysian?

Malaysia Boleh?
*Imagine my face squinting up like a pug and both hands showing a "I don’t know?" sign

What To Say/Do When Your Teacher Asks:

"Any questions so far?"

… it’ll blow their minds out.

10. "Yeah, how do we get ‘E’ in E=mc2?"

9. "What’s the doggy position?"

8. "Do you think I’ll be a good pornstar?"

7. "Are you happy?" *after a long pause, "Reallly? REAAAALLLYY???"

6. "You have a lovely dress. Too bad you’re ugly. Tsk, tsk, tsk… such shame,"

5. "DARN YOU  INDOCTRINATORS!  DARN YOU  BRAIN-WASHERS!!!!" *Wave hands in frantic jampi-like manner.

4. "Malaysia Boleh!"

3.  "Really ma’am/sir, when was the first time you ‘did’ it? No lies!"

2. "Honestly, I have no idea what you were yappin’ about for the past hour,"

…..

…..

…..

NUMBER 1!!!!

*Lift up your hands energetically, pump your fists up high, jump up, and break into the latest High School Musical song number "We’re All In This Together". Encourage
everybody to sing along.

… I don’t know… works in the movie?