Oh what a nasty skate day! Husband had a cold and a birthday and told everybody he met about the former. At least he was reticent about the latter....

Ice had been cut by hand; it was better than Wednesday, but that wasn't saying much.

Blessed: Absolutely NOTHING. Everything that could go wrong, did. At least I stayed on my feet, and didn't fall over a bump or down a hole in the ice. And I suppose the fact that Robert skated really well was a good point.

Blighted: Why did I say I wanted to go back to basics? First of all we had to do swing rolls - outside and inside - in shoulder hold. Beastly difficult! Then we had to do them in Foxtrot hold - even worse. And he wouldn't let us do them counter-body - no, we had to do proper semi-circles on the ice, and keep our shoulders level. Gack. Then we did chasses in waltz hold, and then swing rolls in waltz hold. Fine when I was going forwards, but I simply cannot find my LBO edge to save my life. I know what I'm doing wrong, but can't correct it. Then to finish with, we had to do runs (progressives) round the circle, both directions, first in Kilian hold then in Reverse kilian hold. I came away from that lesson thinking I'd better hang my skates up, since I really can't do anything!

Robert said, amused, "Why is it that when it's your fault, you blame me, but when it's my fault, you don't say anything?"

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Annabel, how do they cut the ice by hand?
I can't imagine our rink's engineers doing that!

Anyway, swing rolls - in any hold with a man - sounds impossible to me, let alone difficult.

Looking ahead to my diary, I can tell that my skating times (and quality ice time) is going to be sadly lacking over the next 3 weeks.
I suppose I should make the most of the time off.
Skating tomorrow and Wednesday so it'll be a last ditch attempt to get the backspin before 2003.

__________________
MEL
Absolute Skating

Well, my tests didn't happen yesterday. There were enough other people testing that they didn't get to my group at all and I got to practice some more. Practiced all Beta elements (backward stroking, t-stops both feet, backwards crossovers both ways) and all Gamma elements (mohawk sequence both ways, hockey stops and FO3s both sides). Am ok on all Beta elements (CCW back crossovers a little scratchy) and all Gamma elements except FO3s. I did do two on the right side, but left side was blech and more blech.

Soooo.... maybe NEXT week I'll be able to test! I am hoping to pass into Gamma because I've been doing the Beat and Gamma elements for sixteen weeks now and I'd like something else to practice. I practice everything I know on every session I practice, but I'd like to start learning something new, too.

Mrs. Redboots, I got your PM and will be able to send pictures on Monday when I get back to work!

Mel, good luck on the backspin!

i didnt get to have my lesson today as my ice rink went down on sunday. i did get to go in on saturday though coz i am doing a skating show on sunday next week and i had to practice. i am starting to be able to do the salchow which is good!
my program was ok, but the second time i did it i added my 3-jump in and double footed it as i was tired coming to the end of the program. i am going to be doing my test soon! so i had to practice my field moves. i worked on my back outside edge both ways and it feels like it is getting better. and i worked on my inside and outside edges and they felt better from last week! goodie!

It has been a trying couple of weeks. Yesterday was the first time I skated in 3 weeks, due to the Thanksgiving holiday and then a nasty rash on my legs that now appears to have been a severe allergic reaction to something - what I have no idea. Doctors thought it might be a sign of a vascular condition, but it apparently was hives. It's a relief to know everything's OK, but I've never had anything that excruciating (as in itchy) in my life. Well, maybe the chicken pox, except that I was too young to remember.

I was planning on practicing this past Wed, but then the heat in my house broke and I had to stay home for the repairman - and it was quite cold here this week! Anyway, I got to the rink earlier than usual yesterday to take advantage of as much practice time as possible before my lesson. My skills hadn't degenerated nearly as much as I thought they would. I just felt a little off-balance the whole time.

Blessed

Salchow pretty good, considering my layoff. I just have to make sure I'm not leaning into the circle as I turn.
BI 3s are pretty good, but I need to improve on the gliding-out part.
Just thrilled to be on the ice again.


Blighted

Back spin still pathetic. I think part of the problem is that I tend to lean forward as I'm spinning, like in a forward scratch spin. Unfortunately, back spins need lots of practice to get right and I haven't had that lately.


After my lesson, I was able to meet flo at her club's open ice time. Unfortunately, I got there too late to see the club's show, but I am very impressed with her ability to make a beautiful costume in a such a short time. Good to meet you and the others at NW, flo! I'll definitely have to practice there more often.

More good news - the outdoor rink downtown finally opened this weekend. I've always meant to get down there and skate at least once, for the great views if nothing else. This year, I pledge to actually do that.

Blessed:
Oh joy, joy! The outdoor rink opened this weekend. I popped down there today to get a season pass and to practice for a while. I was the second person on the ice and for the first 1/2 hour there was barely anyone there. Either I'm really tired from skating three days in a row or the wind was making me tired, because just stroking around was wiping me out!

I also got to see flo skate this weekend in her club's holiday show (she was great--did this beautiful rond-de-jambe spiral in the middle of her program).

In lesson, BO to FO edge transitions were working nicely. On Friday and Saturday my speed felt good in general, and my *attempts* at RFI3s seem to be getting better, thanks to some help from my instructor and from flo. Somehow this all has made my FO3s better--my LFO3s aren't scratchy any more!!!

Blighted:
FI3s still aren't good enough to pass next week. I worked on them loads today while I had the ice pretty much to myself, but LFI3s feel TERRIBLE! My body just wigs out.

Spining also hasn't been great lately. I've been having some trouble with my left boot being too loose in the heel, and it feels all wobbly when I set up for a one-foot or two-foot CCW spin. I got some insoles from the pro shop that my pro said would help, but I'm still wiggling around, which throws me off or puts me onto an inside edge. I think I'll try a bunga sleeve next because the doubled over toe-less sock hasn't been helping.

Of course, my right boot fits fine and I'm still having trouble doing CW spins as well. I keep doing a 3 turn as I'm starting the forward spin and then I wind up spinning on an RBI edge instead of an RFO edge. ARGH.

You've got me confused here - you seem to be talking about forward spins but then complain about being on inside edge on the ccw spin but surely the correct edge IS an inside edge. and for the CW spin (learning to spin both directions is impressive!) the correct entry for a forward upright spin would be exactly whst you describe - a forward outside edge followed by a quick 3 turn to spin on an inside edge.

Or do you mean backspins which are on an outside edge???????? i.e. backspin entry is an inside 3 turn to spin on outside edge.

Blessed
Talking of backspins: I haven't had any lessons this week due to it being our ice panto week but messing about on the backstage ice in full victorian lady outfit I managed my best ever attempt at a backspin - lovely RFI 3 turn onto that outside edge and 1.5 rotations - well for me it is a breakthrough. Question is will i ever be able to do it again. it was our last performance tonight anf it has been great fun. learnt some new skill too - like how to skip over lengths of chain while on skates for our 'Chain Gang' routine

Also, an off-ice moment when the parent of a high level skater complimented me on my new Free Dance. This lady does not give out compliments lightly so it made my day!

Hope to be back to some lessons next week.

I went to see Batikat's show this afternoon - it was great!

I would have preferred to have been skating but it was really good fun to watch and spot all the people I know.

It will be nice to skate on full size ice again, though I prefer skating with no glass around the barrier.

Oh bother, I wish I'd known it was on; that would have been a rather better way of celebrating Robert's birthday than drowsing over rather bad television!

They go over it with one of those scraper shovels, then spray water on it. That's how it was always done in the days before Zambonis were invented. The good side is that it is gradually removing the "hump" in the middle of the ice; the downside is that the ice around the edges is now very soft, and "automatic braking" occurs.....

Debbie - I do sympathise, hives is the horriblest thing.

Quarkiki, how frustrating having your test cancelled - hope you get to take it soon. And I shall look forward to those pictures!

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

(((Quarkiki)))
How off-putting to have your test not happen, when you've psyched up for it. What an anti-climax. Did you have to be all dressed up for it or could you skate it in ordinary skating clothes?

Blessed ....
are the backspins which have returned for a day!!!!!!
Well, half of them did.
You could've knocked me over with a feather when I did one, and realised I'd stayed on the BO edge and NOT on the back of the blade either.
I couldn't believe that I could do them.
I still don't know what I'm doing differently.
I've not got a clue why I can get it right one day and not even close the next.

The good ones had 5 or 6 revs, and I got up to 7 with my foot crossed over and down beside my skating foot.
I think by this time, I was was thinking "Well make the most of it while it's here, and see if you can get everything to pull in without bottling out of it!" I had to make a conscious effort to pull in tight though, because the going faster freaks me out! It felt really good to get the feeling back of being on the outside edge. If only I can keep the gift until my next skate on Wednesday.


My lesson consisted of field moves.
They are such a PAIN to the confidence-challenged adult.
Anyway, I did 40 minutes of the blighters which my coach was impressed with.
Pity she wasn't so impressed with the actual content!

Blighted
I nearly didn't do a lutz today.
None of the entries seemed right, so I didn't jump the first 2.
The next two, I two-footed them (yak).
I left the lutz for a while and went back to it and did one first time, which was fine, so I left it.
With this jump, when it works I leave it - when it doesn't work, I leave it!

__________________
MEL
Absolute Skating

[QUOTE]Originally posted by twinkle

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I would have preferred to have been skating but it was really good fun to watch and spot all the people I know.


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Bet you couldn't tell which skeleton was me with our masks on!!!! Glad you enjoyed the show though!

Annabel - sorry, I could have let you know when our show was on but thought it would be a long way for you to drag yourselves out - mind you would have got to see Clive Shorten do his backflips too - very impressive!

Blessed: Got to meet Debbie and see Mika at the show this weekend. Thanks to you both!! It was a lot of fun, and I got my costume done in time! The program still isn't finished, so the last portion was a make it up as you skate, but it was fine. We had an open skate after the show, and it was nice to see everyone out there. I'm amazed at how far Mika and Debbie are after so little time on the ice.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by batikat

Quote:

Originally posted by twinkle Annabel - sorry, I could have let you know when our show was on but thought it would be a long way for you to drag yourselves out - mind you would have got to see Clive Shorten do his backflips too - very impressive!

Is he at Bracknell now, then? Last I heard, he was teaching at Alexandra Palace.....

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Since I'm still off the ice for rehab, hope nobody minds my living vicarously on my rinkside activities.

Blessed: I attended three Christmas ice shows at three different rinks this weekend.

I love watching all of the skaters perform, but really enjoy the very young ones. There was one darling little girl in a pink dress who couldn't have been more than 4 year old who swizzled and snowplowed through her number. She was a hoot. Her mom even bought her flowers (which were almost as tall as her).

Friday night's show was special as the final skater was a local girl, Kelsey Drewell, who is going to the U.S. National Champioships this year.

Saturday's show was exceptional as this particular rink has a skating program for the mentally challenged and they are always invited to perform in the show. A large group of them did a precision number that, while lacking polish, brought a tear to your eye for the hard work these children put in to make a decent and thoroughly enjoyable routine. They did marvelously.

Sunday's show was a treat for me as my girlfriend is the prez of the club and her daughter (16) skates and coaches there. Normally, the daughter is very cool toward me (it's been three years since I've been allowed to see her skate), but accepted my being there. She skated in two group routines, one solo, and with the precision team which she also coaches. I was exhausted just watching her skate. She invited me to go out to eat with them afterward.

All in all, even though I'm not skating again yet, I had a terrific time around the ice this weekend.

One more Christmas show to go next Saturday!!!

Blessed: Did a good job with my new program on Satuday night. A close buddy told me my waltz jump was "awesome" (yes, yes, YES!!!!--she laughed because I pumped my fist a little after I hit it) and coach was very pleased with my performance. She laughed about how relaxed I was after the half flip and I was looking up more and smiling more after I hit that move. Everyone skated well. You should have seen our little tot who braved the plush "hippo in a tutu costume" for "I want a hippopotamus for Xmas." She was 100% sugar cured HAM--what a cutie!!!! My buddies Anna and Barb skated wonderfully, hubby did great with the music--all in all it was a fabulous evening. Some naysayers thought our club would tank this year--HAH!!! We had SEVENTY skaters in this show, with 38 performances!!!! Keystone United Figure Skating Club--the phoenix that rose from the ashes!!! Whoo hoo!!!!

Blighted: One of our preteens fell on a jump in her group number and hit her left wrist--jury is out yet on fracture versus sprain and the xray was inconclusive. The sad thing is, her stepfather has terminal lung cancer and is very sick, her mom is stressed beyong belief trying to keep them going financially and take care of her husband---this poor kid and this family just didn't need this. A bunch of us are going to do the holiday shopping for them and take our skater out after Xmas for a day for her. Keep her and her family in your prayers, please. If anyone knows of a good research program working with metastatic lung cancer patients in the NY, PA or NJ area, please let me know.

Thanks and hugs,

Beth

Yazmeen,
Check out the National Cancer Institute's web site. They will have the study descriptions and locations. Or look at clinicaltrials.gov
All the best to the family

Beth,

I haven't had a chance to do my Christmas good deed yet (gotta stay on Santa's "nice" list). PM me your mailing address and I'll drop a check in the mail for $ 20 to put toward their Christmas. It's not much, but in times of trouble, every little bit helps.

I'm proud of your club members for helping them out. Skating really is a community thing.

They'll be in my prayers.

Gary

Gary: I'll let you know once we figure out what we're doing. I'm not sure if its donations or we're more giving our help to do something they simply don't have time for as I'm not truly clear on what is needed--I'll send you a PM once I know--and I appreciate your kindness very much.

Hugs,

Beth

By the by, how goes the recovery?

Last lesson of the calendar year... coach is off to home for a week or so tomorrow morning.

Blessed:

of the things we worked on in my lesson, the closest to blessed were the forward power 3's. My turns are more consistently at the top of the lobe and I was holding the edges longer.

5-step mohawk is coming. For a simple little sequence, I have more memory problems with this silly sucker.

Blighted: (but fun) more of the Tango Romantica. Although I'm having fun learning it, I remain clueless as to why my coach decided to teach a senior international dance to a Pre-Silver skater. Oh well, if nothing else, I'll have more fun learning back 3's than doing them in the field or on that stupid line. And back twizzles and lots of other neat foot-tangling stuff.

--jsl

Slowly and painfully. I'm back to the doctor on Wednesday. I'll probably start PT next week.

As far as skating, I'm still begging him.

If nothing else you can put it toward the girl's skating club re-registration, a test or competition entrance fee, or a new skating dress for her. Sometimes it's those little things that can make a difference.

Annabel: Clive was just performing his routine to Robbies 'Let Me Entertain You' during our show interval with an extra backflip in the finale! We always have someone doing a high level routine in the interval and this year we also had Kira Geil and Andrew Smykowski (3rd I think in the dance championships in their category) and John Horne the Intermediate solo dance champion - all of whom do skate at Bracknell.

Ok About time I posted here

Blessed
Started flying camels yesterday and I actually landed a couple and got a few revolutions out of it. I have fiddled with them by myself on and off for ages but it was my first proper lesson on them.

Coach fixed my axel entry - I was swinging too much and bringing my right side through too soon. Now it is back to where it was - fully rotated but either landed two footed or on my backside - coach get's annoyed as it looks fine in the air and she can't figure out why I don't land it!!!

Boths camels worked well for my lesson.

I found out the reason I was having problems with my FO to BI 3s was because I was going too fast (as usual)!

Blighted
I could not do a single camel spin to save my life today!!!!!
They are still at that on again off again stage - i stuff up the timing.

Back spin entry is not great which causes the spin to be inconsistent - I can't seem to hold the open position to centre it, if i want to do one i have to pull in immediately which does not always work. Still more work needed on it.

Double sal still going up and splat.

Oh and my friend who has a stress fracture and has just taken 8 weeks off skating has been told it hasn't healed proprely yet as she was given wrong advice so she has to take another 6 weeks off ice totally!! I feel so bad for her.

Hey everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, just plugging along, but I did have some things to report, so here goes...

Blessed: Toe loop is coming along and getting closer to being a real toe loop, and I can do it pretty comfortably in the middle of the rink or in my program, without freaking out. (Those of you who like to do your jumps close to the boards will understand this!) Half flip is also better. Coach is pushing me to do it away from the boards just about all the time and it's getting easier to do that. He also taught me a waltz-toe loop combination and I think I surprised both of us by doing 2 out of 3 the first time we worked on it. It's helping my waltz jump since if I don't have a really solid landing, I can't do the toe loop. It's fun! He also started teaching me a half lutz and also the crossovers entry to a forward 1-foot spin which I find kind of scary! It's so hard to resist the impulse to do a 3-turn immediately, but he wants me to hold the forward edge into it longer. I suppose it will come. But everything is fun!

Blighted Clockwise forward crossovers, ick. My coach is determined that I will improve them and I suppose they are getting better, but ick. Also alternating FO3's are coming along sloooowwwwlllly, but I'll get them eventually.

Beth--glad to hear you did so well in your show! That's great! Sorry to hear about the girl who was injured; hope she has a speedy recovery. I'd like to help her out, too, if you let me know what you all decide to do.

Gary--Hey, you're at Kelsey's rink? Or maybe I should say she's at your rink? Nice to see she came back and made nationals this year!

Happy skating everyone,
Pat

Haven't posted much because of stress at work, we laid off 2 people, one I was close to and we are merging (actually being taken over) by another company so it's pretty stressy. Anyhoo

Saturday practice - Blessed - LANDED 3 more LOOPS!! I can get around 3 times on my back spin, my free leg is almost in the right position. Did a bunch of spirals and then got off the ice when I got too tired


Blighted - Fell really hard on the 4th loop attempt and decided to stop trying the loops. :-) .

Monday lesson -

Blessed - practiced jumps on left leg, decided to test the knee although I haven't seen the ortho for my second visit, got re-scheduled. Anyway, didn't forget the waltz and had some AWESOME toe loops, I could even feel they were big.

Blighted - the salchow was a sadcow, but by the end of lesson I understood that I was jumping like a milisecond too soon but not sure how to fix that. Loop was better on Saturday but I still landed two and took one hard fall so have lovely bruise on my right hip but I was wearing my knee pad so my knee didn't get whacked again.

FUNNY NEWS - Our coaches want us to be in the spring show in a group number, most of us are okay with it but not thrilled, none of us work on programs or do shows, it's not our thing, we just love to skate and not necessarily perform. However, if it would encourage more adults to skate we're happy to do it, our ranks are thinning at our rink. We'll mostly do brackets and foot work and maybe spirals, no jumps or anything like that. I dread having to do programs etc. but I want to test so I know it's inevitable.

__________________
Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
Maurice Setter