I got the e-mail from the organizers mentioning that they could use more entries in certain events--so I'm now signed up for the Pre-Bronze CM event. This is actually good for me because my salchow is pretty lousy and the waltz 8 in the CM event will help me with some of the transitions on the 5-step mohawk. So now I have my work cut out for me at practices from now until then--practice my FS program, my CM stuff, and keep working on Bronze MIF, which may or may not be ready to test 2 weeks after the competition!

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Hi Mika,
In what events do they need entries?

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The organizer said that they were successful in finding key skaters to enter and have only one event where we have had to disappoint an entrant. (I believe this event is the master's men event.)

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Tim e-mailed the schedule to everyone tonight, so you should have it in your mailboxes.

Both of my events are on Sunday morning - again! Oh well, I like how they're not starting the events (and the practice ice) at the crack of dawn. It's sort of odd how they divided up the Silver Ladies FS between the 2 days.

The schedule missed my mailbox, but I've sent Tim another e-mail with a alternate e-mail address. Sheesh- I hate competing the freeskate on Sunday mornings! I've done it on three other occaisions and I've always tanked!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Debbie S, how long do the events run on Sunday? I plan to be there but have a meeting in Silver Spring at 12:30. If I remember correctly from previous years, the competition usually ends around noon, doesn't it?

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"May the wind be at your back and the sun upon your face and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars."

Moto Guzzi, the events on Sunday run from 9:30 to 1.

Terri, check your e-mail.

So how many Silver Men we have this year?

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Thanks for the info, Debbie S.

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"May the wind be at your back and the sun upon your face and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars."

Wow, there are a lot of Master's Ladies, 8 other than Silver ladies that's one of the largest groups. Even though it's 1,2 &3 combined.

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Pre Bronzers are no slackers- there are 9 of us total, with at least 5-6 from outside the DC area!!!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

TerriC and sk8pics and others--looking forward to seeing you there!

To those who are familiar with Ashburn Ice House, how cold does it get in there? (For comparison's sake, does it get as FRIGID as at the Halloween Classic up in Aston?)

And if I recall correctly, the Ashburn rink is close to a Wegman's grocery store, right? If so, mmmmmmm. My parents took me to the one in Fairfax and it was a surreal experience.

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I think it's one of the coldest rinks I've been in .

Boo yeah!! See page 3 of my 2005 NYI gallery. I'd never heard of Wegman's until my partner turned us on to it. OMG!!

I think it depends on the outside temperature. Last year, I thought it was fairly warm (for an ice rink in February, that is), but then again, it was about 60 degrees outside. Two years ago, it was pretty cold (and it was in the 30s outside w/ a threat of snow), although I don't think it was as cold as Ice Works.

Has anyone had a problem trying to make a reservation at the Embassy Suites? I've tried calling this afternoon and evening and the phone just rings off the hook, and eventually, I hear a couple of beeps and then silence. It's almost like a pager answering, but I'm not about to punch in my phone number to see what happens (what hotel has a beeper/pager anyway?). I'm using the number given on the NYI announcement and I also called 411 to make sure the number was correct.

I didn't think it was too cold. What's nice is that you can stay warm watching through the glass from the upstairs. I recall that the lobby areas were warm - unlike freezing IceWorks.

I have vague recollections of it being cool, but I don't remember being freezing, and I agree the lobby areas were warm enough. I'm glad at least that I'm not skating at the crack of dawn!

I can't believe it is coming up so fast! I'm trying out my dress for my new interpretive program on Thursday, so hopefully it will fit okay. If not, my fabulous dressmaker will fix it.

Oh, and my coach decided to come since he has several adults doing this competition, so that's good, too!

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It was warm for me, IIRC, I was taking my warmup sweater off that Friday afternoon and skating in a sleeveless dress. Then again, I skate in a meatlocker on a regular basis!
Debbie, have you tried making your resvervation for the Embassy online- that's what I did!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

I think Debbie S hit the nail on the head: the rink temperature is closely tied to the outside temp. For several years in a row, it was frigid. Last year wasn't so bad. And it's true that the lobby areas are never bad -- I was just speaking about the ice surfaces. I've also noticed that one sheet of ice is noticeably colder than the other. (Don't know what they're called, so I can't tell you which.)

Last year the weather was pretty warm (for January). The previous year or 2, it was really bitter (I remember the wind being extremely nasty as I was unloading cars and what-not with hospitality stuff.)

I am NOT doing hospitality this year, so not sure how much time I will be around to watch the competition.

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Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

I looked up the hotel online and found an alternate number, so I called that this morning and spoke to a live person and made my reservation. The WFSC rate I was quoted was $89 - the rate on the website (they didn't seem to have a special AAA rate - when I entered my number, I got the same rate) was $99. Oh well, every bit I can save helps, right? (it'll just be diverted to other skating expenses - lol)

Hey Jenlyon, I hope you'll be able to make it there for at least part of the comp! I'm going to try to get there on Sat in time for most of the CM events, and I have a friend competing in Bronze FS III. I think I'll check into the hotel during the spin events, and hopefully I won't miss any of the FS and Interp events.

Bumping this therad up... since we are a week away!
Did it occur to anyone that there is only ONE freestyle practice on Sunday morning, where there are SIX freeskating events taking place that morning??
I know that buying ice is expensive, but good grief!
I expect quite a few people on the freestyles on Friday afternoon- I will be one of them!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Yep! I signed up for the morning practice on Sunday and I'm sure it'll be packed. I'll likely skate Friday morning on Long Island, NY before we start heading down to Va Friday night. I'm not competing in anything on Sat so, I think I'll just pass on skating at all.

I'll be joining you and Terri on the Sun morning practice ice. There are 30 skaters total in FS events that day - I assume not everyone will sign up for practice ice (then again, you never know....). I'm also doing the MIF practice session the half hour before, since I'm competing in MIF.

Only a week away!

I practiced this morning and got one run-through in with the music. Now my sit spin seems to be fixed, but my backspin's gone AWOL!

I don't know if Ashburn rink will cancel it next weekend, but there is usually FS ice in the morning on the "other" rink. How crowded it is seems to vary, plus the early session is a mix and there's often several high-level dance teams on it (Morgan and Max being one of the teams)

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

I stoned my dress yesterday so I'm good to go (well, except that I need A LOT more practice with the program, and a better sit spin and back spin....and I only have 1 week! )! I'm going to practice in the dress tomorrow and hopefully there won't be any disasters.

See everyone next weekend!