Sunday, September 28, 2014

Highballs

My last session left me in a great deal of pain. This is probably because of the intense workout I did earlier in the day. Had much pain? I still hurt and I skated three days ago. Add to the pain, a bad sinus headache and some depression and you have three days without skating. It's okay; I live in a duplex apartment (it's really a house that was marketed as a duplex) and I've been going up and down the stairs, very slowly. I surprised my coach by slowly performing a proper backspin with a total of 2 1/2 revolutions. We were both thrilled. My backspin success prompted her to allow me to try harder jumps. My disappearing flip jump almost returned, short of those crossed feet, causing me to land all the way around... on two feet. Grrrr.... Feeling like I couldn't lose, after my lesson, after faithfully practicing my moves again, I decided a camel spin was in order. I had speed, I had flow... I had a back spasm and my skating was over for the day. As I limped home, I thought more about the adult competition I wanted to plan. After receiving my exciting 9 responses (yes, 9), I thought about forgetting the whole thing. Why should I bust my hump trying to plan, plead and organize a competition when I couldn't even get a dozen people to respond to my query about an interest. Perhaps I continue because I'm stubborn. Or maybe it's just to spite the people who refused to respond; I don't know. What I do know is that I can no longer discuss it with the other ice monitor who I occasionally share a ride to the rink with. She's tired of hearing about it. How do I know? She told me this afternoon while we were working on a club event. She said skating was for the young and the club really didn't care about the adults because the money was in the kids. Point taken. However, the kids come and go; adults stay. Or they would, if they received any kind of respect. Three adult skaters have left that club because of the lack of opportunities and respect. This alone is one reason why it is not my home club. While my home club has no ice time, at least they treat me well. From my 9 responses, one suggested that I organize a competition in November. Hello?? Ever hear of a little thing called Easterns? One of my favorite lyrics comes from the show listed below. The lyric? "Keep your eyeball on the highball in your hand." "As we stumble along 'cross life's crowded dance floors. As we push and we shove we live and we learn. And when we finally leave the bar, And we see that morning star, we pull our boot straps up and homeward turn..."** As We Stumble Along from The Drowsy Chaperone. Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.

2 comments:

  1. Your friend is wrong. But sadly that myth perpetuates the culture that exists at many rinks. Adults are definitely treated as second class citizens. I started skating after my youngest left home. I have the time and the income in a way I never did before.

    As for your lack of responders, of which I am one, it's very hard to respond to the idea of a vague something. Yes, adult competitions are a great idea. I had a great time at ISI Adult Nationals last time. Just don't know that I want to travel to a more regional thing. My own coach arranges very informal adult exhibitions which is great fun, doesn't cost much (ice time) and allows you to try out whole programs or pieces of a program in a really supportive atmosphere.

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  2. Rachel: Thank you for responding. I understand your reluctance to travel to the Tri-State area for a regional type of competition. I was actually looking for feed-back from skaters in the area. I just didn't realize there were so few who read my blog in the area. However, the fact that your coach arranges informal exhibitions is absolutely wonderful. For a heartbeat, rather than an ice cut in between two light sessions, skaters could sign up to skate their programs. Adults always had the last pick and as a result never got to skate on empty ice.

    I hate the fact that adults are treated like second class citizens when we're the ones who volunteer for every event. If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to buy a rink and only allow adults to skate there.

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