Children (Correction) ADULTS Will Listen

I performed in a holiday show with the adult ice theatre group I sort of belong to. Considering I only attended three rehearsals, I really didn't think it was a good idea. Health wise, I felt better than I had in a long time. Plus, I had a good skate this morning. I screwed up the choreography; I know that. I did the best that I could and kinda got it right, almost. When it was all said and done, the assistant choreographer came and congratulated us all. She noted that it was so great that we came out, the stronger skaters in the front, progressively lessening the skill level until we came to the beginner skater. That was me. I was the last skater. And I'm not a beginner. I know when I've been insulted. And I have been insulted indeed. There is nothing wrong with being a beginner. I know I'm no expert; I have a lot to learn. I hadn't been to many rehearsals and haven't been skating much... Still, it hurt. It hurt to have someone believe that my skill level was not up to standard (whose standard I'm not sure). My confidence is fragile enough without this comment. Seriously. I like to think Thumper from the movie Bambi said it best: "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." "Careful the things you say Children will listen. Careful the things you do Children will see and learn. Children may not obey, But children will listen. Children will look to you For which way to turn To learn what to be Careful before you say "Listen to me" Children will listen." Children Will Listen from Into The Woods. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

On Second Thought...

After some deep consideration, and a really, really bad cough, I have reconsidered doing the Lake Placid competition. Also, I am as tired as one person can be without actually being sick. My last few sessions have been frustrating and painful. I keep falling down. When I'm not falling down, everything just hurts. Add to the fact that I kept getting interrupted during that last session, I think I'm making the best decision. I spent this morning not on the ice or in class, but in my physician's office, on a nebulizer, trying to take a deep breath. My boss sent me home on Thursday because I was coughing so much and so hard, she was afraid I'd cough up a lung. I didn't, but I was so out of breath that driving on the highway was "iffy" because I was light-headed. May I say this really sucks? Six prescriptions in my hand, I'm off to the pharmacy to have them filled, which includes steroids. There goes fitting into anything sexy and tight for New Year's Eve (I had planned to stay at home anyway). Don't know how much skating I'll be able to do, but if I can, I'll be back... "Hard to tell you How I feel. Everything is so unreal Lord, this life Is a hard thing to get to... Lord, this life Is a hard thing to live And harder still To leave..." How I Feel from The Me Nobody Knows. Music by Gary William Friedman. Lyrics by Will Holt.

Oops!

I have been celebrating a bit too much, evidence by my growing girth. Back to work. Yesterday, I was reminded that my coach will be out of town until after Christmas, visiting her daughter in another country. I had forgotten. I also didn't realize it would be for so long. Wow. So, should I do the competition in Lake Placid in January and just do my Artistic Program since we never did work on the technical one? I have already dropped the idea of the show program my sister, the dancer, was supposed to help me with since she kept putting off working on it. Guess this means I'll have to work hard on my own. GULP! If I don't post for a while it's because I'm so deep into practicing that all I can do when I get home is shower and sleep. Until then...