Monday, April 25, 2011

Thinking, Thinking...

I was watching a video of random people at Adult Nationals and two things struck me: One: I kept seeing the same people. Two: Not a lot of adult minorities are in this sport. I know what you're thinking: does it ALWAYS have to come down to color? No, but my brown body should have been there.

WIth that in mind, I am going to (again) work my rear end off to take my MIF test and freestyle test and go to AN next year. And I don't care where it's located. (Note please that I say that now. Come August/September when I find out that it's in Alaska or somewhere, I will be complaining, I'll bet money on it.) I haven't gone to AN in so many years, I can't remember when I did last participate. Wait, I think that was the Ted years...

Ted, not a bad coach, just not a good coach for me. I think he quit the business, but I'm not sure. Right now, I can't remember his last name. Right now, I'm not sure I remember MY last name.

I'm trying to figure out my schedule between 3 classes for school, the gym, skating and of course, work. Wednesday night skating at Sky Rink ends in another month and happily so does the disaster called Sunday morning. I'd rather clean port-a-potties than monitor the session on Sunday mornings. I have learned my lesson; sometimes "any ice time at all" is more like "NO ice time at all". Never again.

My biggest concern is Amy and where and when I can have a lesson. I have a class on Saturday morning at 10:00. I could make it to the rink for the 8:00 session, but really, who wants to skate at 8:00am on a Saturday? I really wouldn't blame Amy for saying no to that situation. I could skate the public session after class is over (my class is in Manhattan on Saturdays, in Long Island on Tuesdays and Thursdays - two different schools. Trying to make up for lost time. Long story.) and make for a super long day because I wanted to go to World Ice Arena in the park for the 5:00pm session.

I'm either going to become very fit, very tired or none of the above. What I hope to be is a better skater, fitter and more proficient in my signing. I do have a competition I want to do in October in Florida, however, that means I will be unable to attend a local fashion show I so enjoy watching. But I don't have that date yet and I do have the dates of the competition.

I have work to do.

I have to stop thinking so much and just enjoy the ride. One of my biggest problems (I have several) is that I hate looking foolish. I hold back when skating because I don't really like people to look at me when I'm practicing. I skate small, which is ironic because at 5'6 and over 150 pounds, I am anything BUT small. I stand out at every rink I go to, for various reasons.

As far as school is concerned, I study a lot. And I hate being wrong and looking foolish. It makes for some stilted signing. I need to relax and expect to get it wrong; it is, afterall a foreign language for me.

My dad (RIP Daddy) used to say that I was always thinking. He was right. My mom (RIP Mommy) used to say I didn't laugh much. She was right. Sadly, they are both still correct. I'm working on it.

In the meantime, I have to get to the gym and then get home to stretch some more. I have a spinner I need to use for about 10 minutes and then I have to study for an hour.

What day is today?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Where Was I???

Oh yes, now I remember...

In March, I took two days off and skated the mid-morning session at Chelsea Piers. It was a blast. Amy was able to come and give me a lesson on one of the days, and I worked my tail off. These were interesting sessions in that, on one day, I was the youngest and fastest person on the ice. What a boost to my ego! This was the same day that another skater gave me the "stink eye" and told me to "SLOW DOWN!" I had to look around to see who she was talking to and imagine my surprise to discover she was talking to me!

But March was so far away. I don't really know what's wrong these days. Maybe I'm upset because I wasn't able to go to Adult Nationals. Or maybe it's because I've been engrossed in school and sign language to a point, I've found myself signing to myself while half-asleep. Or maybe it's a lack of really good sleep, exercise and fresh air. I don't know. Things just seem out of sort lately. I really can't put my finger on it. I feel as though there just aren't enough hours in the day.

My weight loss was coming along quite nicely until I had to go away (again) for work and work 15 hours a day over a four day period. The only thing keeping you awake is coffee and the only thing allowing you to sleep is liquor. Vicious cycle. But I'm back and trying to get back on track.

I gave myself a treat last Sunday. I did NOT go to the rink to monitor; told them two weeks before I was not available. It would have been nice to sleep in, but my upstairs neighbors are so very good at waking me up, they did not neglect their duties. I was awaken at 6:50 on Sunday morning. 6:50. Their little brat never seems to sleep and she sounds as though she weighs 600 pounds. Her father sounds as though he weighs 1000 pounds because when he walks across the floor, I can feel the vibrations in my apartment. Got to love apartment living.

Amy won't be back until the last week in April. I have all but given up the idea of doing that competition. I don't have my music yet, the program isn't finished and I've hardly practiced. Maybe I need a shot in the arm.

Or a vacation.