But I’m trying…I’m trying real hard to be a shepherd. –Jules to Ringo, “Pulp Fiction”

My two sons work in technology. They have made me aware of the “cloud”. Summing up my understanding, the cloud is a modern, idealistic, even utopian way to gain free access to information. Sort of the internet on steroids. Or, for those of us on the other side of the “digital divide,” a giant free library in space.

Prior attempts to impart what I know included “Play is Where Life Is”, my “best seller” of 2007. It was such a best seller that my garage had oodles left over. I have given many copies away. I have learned to question readers, knowing how to ascertain whether they have actually read their gift, or parts of it. The book includes my conversation with a revered coach, the late Jim Verdieck of Redlands University in California. I once asked Coach Verdieck if he had written down his voluminous knowledge of tennis. He said “No.” “What happens if you die?” I asked, respectfully. “If I die, it dies” was his answer…one of the few times I disagreed with the legendary coach.

There is an article on my blog entitled “Mentors”. It describes how one with a thirst for knowledge in any arena might best learn. Maybe I am a little naive about the drive to learn that exists out there. I have had only one college coach ask for my advice since 2004. After an hour he said, “Coach, I’m supposed to meet someone at the local bar.” One hour of learning a profession? My angel wife, Margaret, recently made “All Volunteer”. She and I cannot list all the people she helps, or has helped, gratis. Angel she is, Angel I’m not.

I have tried to give back to tennis…recently my friend, Ronnie Watson, bought a racquet club (formerly White Oak Racquet Club). Ronnie not only changed the club name, (it is now “Olde Porte Racquet Club”) but almost everything else in a most positive way. Ronnie is a great tennis enthusiast and has made a tremendous investment in local tennis in our coastal area. I volunteered to be an “advisor” to Ole Porte because of the qualities of Ronnie’s effort. In addition to traditional clinics, lessons, tips, assisting high school coaches, our pro staff and mentoring talented youngsters, I am trying to get my information in “the cloud.”

You can Google Olde Porte Racquet Club to learn more about the club. On the club’s homepage there is a column entitled “Coach’s Corner”. Punch that link and you will find recommended articles from my blog and book. The blog (www.tomparham.wordpress.com) has half tennis articles. There is a place to add your comments or questions. It is all free. Hope someone out there has the “thirst.”

“Sometimes people don’t want what you have got. Sometimes you can’t give it away”–Bob Dylan from “Floater”