Better Days

Maybe Musical Theatre is not your forte. Bruce Springsteen song: Better Days. Don't actually know the lyrics, but understand the sentiment. Everything makes me sick to my stomach again. I mention it here only because sometimes skating is difficult when you fear your food will make another appearance. Gave up gluten, helped a bit. Probably giving up drinking... I may cry about that one. I've been filling in as the ice monitor on Sunday due to some personal issues the current monitor is experiencing. I have no complaints; it's free ice when I do get to skate. I usually get to skate one of the two sessions; not the entire session, but at least 20 minutes. Today was one of those days. Decided to concentrate on one thing: back spins. So after stroking, all I did was back spins. Imagine my surprise when they started to improve. Yep, a positive thing. I've also decided NOT to do the competition in February. Unfortunately, the competition is on a Saturday, not a Sunday as I thought. For those of you who were paying attention, I'm in school on Saturdays and it's not worth missing a class for a program one minute and forty seconds in length. I'll do the June competition instead, no bigs. Better days indeed!

Transitions

Second skate of the new year. I apologize a lot; more than the average person. It's an annoying habit I need to break. I apologize to Amy when my lesson isn't going as well as I think it should. What I really need to do is turn my brain off. Having decided to compete in a February competition means having to practice my program and accept the fact that people will be watching me. That's not easy, and it should be. I come from a theatrical family a was in the business called show for several years. But I left show business, for various reasons, and now have a hard time dealing with people watching me. However,I am happy to say it is only with skating. If I had that problem with sign language, I could never become an interpreter. Going on... Because the competition is an artistic event, jumps are not as necessary. Good. Not that my jumps are horrible, they just aren't as strong as I prefer. So, there's a lot of footwork in this program, and graceful movements. I excel at graceful movements. What I am really struggling with are transitions. You know: mohawks, brackets, three turns. I can do them UNTIL you put them in a program, then my feet become all thumbs an my legs get all tangled up. When you have a 32 inch inseam, it makes for a very amusing picture. Thus explains why my last two lesson have been all about transitions from one move to another. Doing them over and over and over again until I get it right. Early in my skating career, I learned to do a left forward inside mohawk. I did not learn a right forward inside mohawk until much later. As a result, the right forward inside mohawk is very, very weak. If I think about it too much, I am almost paralyzed and unable to do it at all. That explains the difficulty I have experienced with the forward outside mohawks on the Silver Moves test. The left outside mohawk is almost ready to test while the right looks a mess. Will just have to keep working on them. What I can't understand is the inconsistency of my 3 turns. I came along during the last days of figures, so I did do 3 turns in figures. The 2nd figure test is all of the 3 turns, and I could do them. Now, as with so many other things, if I think about my RFI3 or my LBI3 or my LFO3, my legs get tangled up in one another, my shoulders are up to my ears, my arms are flopping around like a freshly caught salmon and my mouth is wide open. Ugggghhhhh!!!!!! And please, don't get me started on brackets. The last time I did a bracket I took down a skater and I didn't even know her. Sorry kid. I'll keep right on practicing, trying, falling and getting up. To me, skating is like breathing. It's necessary, but sometimes it really hurts and sometimes something just doesn't smell right. I leave you with a quote from the musical 1776 (if you get the chance to see it on TCM, please do. It's a history lesson to music.) "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?"

2012 Observations

2012 is just about over. It's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for me. Some things have changed, some have stayed the same. I've been lucky enough to be able to do some of the things I've wanted to do, so no complaints there. I've noticed a few things over the past 12 months. I write this blog; a handful of people read it, and I thank you. Recently, I read that there aren't a lot of skating blogs, but all of the ones that are listed are blogs I subscribe to. Except this one. Seems I don't actually fit into any particular mold. Maybe it's because I don't just discuss skating. I talk about the job I hate, my chronic injuries, my struggle with finances and my desire to become a certified sign language interpreter. I doubt it's a race or lefty thing. Maybe I just rub people the wrong way; I don't know. I don't get many comments from my blog; I think some people just read it and continue on. That's fine; it's all good. I'm not overly positive, but I'm trying. Regardless, this is my year end observations. Some skating, some not. I hope in 2013 I will figure out how to post pictures, video or maybe a song. In no particular order, my 2012 observations: 1. Skating parents will always view adult skaters as an oddity. Really, how many times can you ask me if my kids skate or if I'm doing this for exercise? 2. I'm still NOT Debi Thomas, Serena Williams or Oprah Winfrey. If I were, do you really think I'd be on the crosstown bus? 3. Somehow, three people on a freestyle session will still get into one another's way. How? 4. It's disappointing to know in your head and heart that you can perform a skill only to have your body say, "NO!" 5. Time is no longer my friend, however, it is not my enemy. 6. One should compete more than once a year; it helps with nerves. And by nerves I mean, not puking right before getting on the ice. 7. Surely I can't be the only person who has trouble skating on ice they have never skated on before. 8. Sometimes doing a favor for a friend (ice monitoring) is just not rewarded. 9. As a childless unmarried woman, I pay for all of my ice time. Heck, I pay for all of my everything. Don't complain to me that you can't afford your vacation in Mexico when I'm trying to figure out if I have to quit skating, quit school and get a second job to keep my apartment because my job hasn't given raises in 5 years. 10. I know I'm fat; don't ask me if it's safe to skate while pregnant. I haven't a clue. 11. Yep, I complain about my job. Why? Because it sucks. No I won't move out of NYC. Why? Because it's home. And it's NYC. (Don't need to see the movie Les Miserables; saw the original Broadway production, thank you.) 12. Siblings are wonderful things. You love them and they drive you crazy. That's their job. 13. Sometimes a once in a lifetime event (Drama League Gala) is worth skipping a freestyle session. 14. No one believes you can skate when you're 40 pounds overweight. 15. Your knees actually hate you when you're 40 pounds overweight. 16. Skinny people tell you a lot of lies about the amount of food they eat. 17. Being an overly enthusiastic signer has it's advantages. If you practice on the subway, people leave you alone. 18. One should have your skates sharpened more than three times a year. 19. I hate waking up early. 20. Spin class is worth waking up early, but why must it be so early? 21. Lefties do left over right back crossovers into spins; stop cutting us off. 22. Drinking alcohol before skating is good AND bad. 23. Why did I buy a white competition dress? 24. When did entrance fees for competition cost more than a pair of dress shoes? 25. To the two little girls who suggested I try J-Date. Really? Why not? Tried all the other websites. 26. How amusing it was to discover those two little girls aren't Jewish. 27. Having a chronic cough for over 7 years that has never gotten better is cause for alarm. 28. Getting winded because of said cough just walking to the subway is also cause for alarm. 29. When you mess up something while skating, cussing in sign language is a much better option than saying it out loud. 30. I make a lot of kids nervous on the ice and I have no real reason why. 31. Does returning to my natural hair color mean fewer people will stare at me when I get on the ice? 32. I think way too much and over analyse everything. I need to stop and just do/be. 33. Surely somebody recognizes the theatre references I make. 34. Is it worth having my skates re-built? 35. How is it some women always look so perfect after skating and I always look as though I've forgotten a comb, need to shower and am surprised that I made it out alive. 36. Note to self: put a comb in your skate bag. 37. Never wear a Victoria's Secret demi-cup bra to a freestyle session. I think I gave myself a black eye last week. 38. When rinks have competitions with children and adults, why must they schedule the medal ceremony for the kids during the adult competition? It would be nice to have more than 9 people watching. 39. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you skate with your mouth wide open. 40. I love this sport, even if there are times that love is one-sided. So there you have it. Just a few of my observations. If I think of any more, I will write them. Here's a thought: if YOU have any 2012 observations, send them to me. Write them in the comments box so we can all share them. Until we meet again (online), I'm signing off. Wishing you the healthiest and happiest new year. God bless you all. Happy New Year.

Numbered Days?

I am concerned. My skill level seems to be deteriotating rapidly, and I am powerless to stop it. I feel as though my skating days are numbered. Amy keeps telling me that I'm improving, but I'm skeptical. No, I don't think she has an ulterior motive, I just think she sees glimmers of hope that I can return to the level I once was. I have my hopes. I skate more than I used to, in hopes of improving, but it seems to be alluding me. Maybe it's the core strenth issue, maybe it isn't. Maybe it's a lack of confidence, or this strange balance problem I've been experiencing. Or maybe it's my body aches coming around all the time to remind me that they are there. Whatever it is, it has caused me to doubt whether or not I'm actually enjoying ths any more. If I quit skating, who am I? What do I do? I can't quit while I'm a flop, to paraphase Rose Hovick in the musical Gypsy. It's one thing to quit when they want you, but it's different when they don't want you. Rose Hovick was right. There's a competition in February I'd like to do. I have a lot of work to do. Hopefully, it's not my swan song.

Sunday, No Park, No George

I will continue to make references to old movies and musicals (Sunday In the Park With George by Stephen Sondheim. Original cast included Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters) until someone, some day finally acknowledges these references. On to skating. I have been somewhat absent since Hurricane Sandy, but I have been skating. My tablet hates the speed at which I type and my computer at work just hates everything. From time to time, it shuts itself down. However, last month, prior to Chelsea Piers re-opening (YEAH!!), I skated at another rink. Here are my thoughts about that situation... City Ice Pavilion was open on Sunday after the storm. Imagine my surprise. Therefore, Amy contacted me, asking if I wanted to skate. "Why not?" I thought, "How bad can it be?" Bad. It could be bad. I believe the cut off number for skaters was 30. We HAD to have had 30 skaters on the ice. While stroking, I think I smacked someone in the back of the head; I can't be sure. I almost didn't get on the session, as I was number 27. Funny, I left home early, it took 22 minutes to get to the rink via subway and I almost didn't get on. Be that as it may, off I went to skate. Ten minutes into the session, my feet began to cramp. The cramps moved up my leg to my ankles. I hate when that happens because I miss ice time. Off the ice, massage the feet, try to pick up a pencil with my toes... Blah, blah, blah. If you've ever had this problem then you know the routine. It took 15 minutes to get the feeling back in my feet. Back to MIF, which would have gone better if there were 10 less people on the ice. Actually, I would have been happy with 5 less people on the ice. It was a challenge. I got through 1/4 of my cross rolls, when a pair team, yes, a pair team decided to do a press lift right there. Funny thing is, they weren't the only pair team on the ice. There were 2 pair teams and 2 ice dancing couples. I don't get it; Wollman was open. Since all four teams usually skated there, why not GO there?! The weather was even nice. I am confused... Two little girls just HAD to skate where their parents, sitting in the bleachers, could see them. Forget the fact that they caused several near-hit accidents. They were happy and their parents just beamed. So happy I'm childless.... It wasn't a bad session as far as my skill level was concerned. I learned that another rink was having a competition in a few weeks (I think in Westchester) and that's why there were so many skaters. "Okay, go with it." And I did. The following Sunday didn't go as well. I was number 30 and the cut-off was 26. Didn't skate that session; felt bad because Amy drove all the way to Queens for me. She's great. Now that Chelsea Piers has reopened, some of my skills stayed, others have gone on vacation. My biggest problem is my lack of core strength and a sudden balance issue I never experienced before. Also, my feet hurt ALL THE TIME! In shoes, in skates, in just socks! I am blaming it on my weight. I blame everything on my weight. Today I found out that Chelsea Piers is having a spotlight competition in February. I think I'll give it a go. Can I get some core strength to go with a side of coffee to go, please?

Hurricane Sandy

As many of you know, I live in NYC. Many of you also know that the East Coast of the US has been hit by a major storm. Parts of the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx) have been devastated by the storm. The Coney Island Boardwalk is all but gone. Neighborhoods everywhere have almost vanished under the water and down trees. Downtown Manhattan is dark, very dark. Sky Rink is temporarily closed due to the damage of being on the water and compressors being flooded. According to the website, it should be up and operational in a few days. I can think of only two other times that Sky Rink has been forced to close. Once was in August 2005 when the entire East Coast had a blackout. The other time was 9/11. For the record, NO BODIES WERE ON THE ICE AFTER 9/11!!! That urban myth is just that. Long Island is also damaged. My job has no electricity and so I've been home (eating and drinking) since Friday. I'll be back at work on Monday. On another note, those idiots (yes idiots) who are making fun of the facial expressions of the Sign Language Interpreters standing next to the Mayor of NYC (Bloomberg) need to stop. You are apparently ignorant of ASL and the fact that it's not just a "bunch of hand waving" (I've forgotten who called it that) but a language that involves the entire body. I would go into detail, but I don't think the audience of this particular blog are among those who made fun of the Interpreters. Until everything dries out... See you soon.

Wobbly, Wobbly, Can't Do Squat

My new nickname should be Wobbly, Wobbly, Can't Do Squat. The hemorrhaging of my skating skills continues. Wednesday night was a continuation of Saturday. I felt so bad for Amy, I kept apologizing. I felt awful. It got so bad that we ended up doing spirals, as that was the only skill I could do without making a total mess of it. It was incredibly disappointing. It has been the kind of skating that would leave me in tears, if I were still able to cry. Instead, I solder on, believing that my skills will return to me once they have finished their vacation. Seriously, come back Shane! On Friday, I finally made it back to the rink in Bethpage. I thought, "okay, my skills are lacking because I haven't been practicing." Off to practice I go. Unfortunately, my skating skills are still on vacation. The practice was a disaster. How bad? A man asked me if I had just learned to skate because I was struggling so much. When I replied that I usually skate better than this, he obviously didn't believe me. Another session I would usually cry over. No longer being able to try (it's psychological, not physical) has its advantages. No matter how upset I am, no one will see me cry. Works for me. This morning's lesson with Amy resulted in a lot of apologizing on my part. Things I could do last month are gone like a plastic bag in the wind. We spent most of the session doing edges and crossovers, which I hate doing but understand the reasoning behind it. It doesn't make it any easier to spend a freestyle session working on skill I learned years ago. But since they appear to have gone, I'm almost okay with it. After all, what is your coach supposed to do when you are unable to perform the simplest of skills? Sometimes, if I don't think too hard, I am surprised by a jump or a spin that actually works. Sadly, it's not often. I am confident that things will improve, that they'll change. I need to lose weight, to get healthy, to get back the confidence I once had. It's a long road ahead and I know it'll happen. In the meantime, have you seen my lovely spirals?