May 11, 1999

The following is not a typical athlete's journal entry. You will not read about how many points were scored, who won, or who was difficult to guard--especially because now it's the offseason. So, you will not find a box score or read about the officiating, either. Instead, you will experience The World According To Me. Each week, I'll be posting another entry, so stay tuned...

First things first. Congratulations to the UConn Huskies on their first National Championship!

My mom has been threatening me the past few weeks since I haven't sent in a new World in quite a while. Hopefully once she reads this she'll readmit me to the family.

I can't believe another WNBA season is upon us. The World According to Me is now embarking on its second year. I'm sure the excitement will continue both on and off the court. Hey, just tune in and watch us prove that "We Got Game."

Speaking of our new slogan, I am so glad to bid a good riddance to "Join In." Of course, that would probably have been a fitting slogan this year considering what happened with the ABL. We could have said, "Collective bargaining agrees that you can 'Join In' to the tune of three ABL players per team and five per expansion club."

I was able to see firsthand what fun collective bargaining can be. Because I live fairly close to New York City, I was able to come to a few of the bargaining sessions between the players' union and league. What a PARTY!!!

There were about five or six lawyers representing both sides and each had his/her guard up from the get go. There were times when I just wanted to tell everyone to relax and realize that we all want to get a fair agreement done quickly.

Of course, there ended up being a few bumps in the road but I think the final agreement was very fair and good for both sides. And, I'm most excited about the fact that the union can have two charity golf events per year and David Stern has already agreed to caddie for me in the first event. (Do I feel hell freezing over?)

I hope everyone remembered to wish Mom a happy Mother's Day! There is nothing more precious in this world than family.

In the past few weeks I've had the chance to give speeches with my mom at different functions. We spoke at a Breast Health event in Bristol, Conn. The event was right down the street from the ESPN studios. I told the audience that it was nice to be so close to ESPN and have a discussion about breasts that didn't revolve around a swimsuit calendar! We also spoke at an event in Madison, Wisc.

On the way home from the event I got stuck in the Detroit airport. First, my airplane broke causing our flight to be canceled. Then the weather in NYC wreaked havoc with everyone's travel plans.

I ended up spending five hours in the airport making friends and speaking to people I'd never met and will probably never see again. I met a young man who is an artist and lives in The City nine months a year and in a remote part of Mexico the other three months. Another gentleman who kept me company played the guitar and banjo in a blues band. A third guy told me he was an "implant salesman." Of course, he sold replacement medical parts for folks who have back problems.

Thankfully I was stuck on the first day of the NBA playoffs so there were quality games on the television. I enjoyed getting a chance to see Philadelphia and Portland play. Neither team got much airtime during the regular season but both were very entertaining to watch. I sometimes wonder who decides which teams play on TV and what criteria are used.

After returning to the city I was asked to be a guest on the Good Housekeeping television show. After settling in my dressing room before the interview, I was evacuated from the building because there was an electrical fire in the building and smoke was everywhere. Everyone waited outside for quite a while as the firemen checked out the building. (Yes, I was looking for one of the firemen from the Jockey underwear ad. No dice.) Secret Service men were everywhere because the former First Lady Mrs. Carter was supposed to be on the show, as well. Needless to say, she had to reschedule.

I ended up hanging out for an hour and a half before the interview finally took place. I didn't mind because I was able to finish the book Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. I'd definitely recommend that book to all the women out there.

As a PS, check out the TV show Sister Sister on May 16th. Lisa Leslie, Tammi Reiss, Nikki McCray and I filmed that episode back in February.

Most of my teammates are now back in The City. It is nice to be here again. The room I was given this year can actually hold more than four people at a time. Space is probably the hottest commodity in New York, next to Liberty tickets.

I look forward to keeping everyone updated on the progress of our new draft picks and the whole Liberty team this season. I hope you enjoy the ride. We are going to have a lot of fun together this year.

Just remember, never get on to a plane that has a "Student Driver" sign posted on the top!

Wait, gotta give a SHOUT OUT to . . .

 Anyone who was able to watch the movie "Go" from start to finish.
 All those graduating from UVM this spring.
 The kids in Battle Creek, Mich. who welcomed me with open arms on April 12th.
 The folks who did a great job with the WNBA Draft on our mothership, WNBA.com.
All those who've been patient with my tardy World's.