The Price Chopper is the grocery store!

That's it! Thanks!

I only know because a few of us had an adventure last trip getting to the grocery store!

Part of the competition is being prepared and able to compete. This includes taking the responsibility of training. Although we may not have the schedule months in advance, once it is posted it is the athlete's decision/responsibility to modify training as needed. If this is not possible for whatever reasons (time - physical ability - priorities) and you make a decision to withdraw - that's ok too but do it knowing that it is your decision. I do not believe it's ok to make a public issue out of it and repeat this proccess the next year as if it were a personal affront. The pairs event was scheduled early last year, so common sense would dictate that it could be scheduled early again.

I have competed in pairs up to the master level. In fact the first Nationals the pairs event was not held until very very late, and the same issues could be said for "safety" - unusual time, tired bodies..... However we modified our training schedules and were in great shape and ready for anything. We left the event at midnight - and with medals.

My preference would be for pairs to be later in the evening, mainly because I like performing in front of a packed house. I also believe that higher levels of diciplines should be given better time slots, but as pointed out, with the time and numbers constraint, it's not always possible. However if my masters pairs evnet were held at 6am with no one in the arena but the cleaning crew, I'd be there and ready to compete.

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I agree that it's no fun to have to compete first thing in the morning; last year I was in the very first event at AN and I had to get up at 4:00am, which was 2:00am Pacific time. But the top skaters in the world--even pairs teams--have it a lot worse because they need to compete halfway around the globe, where it may be 7pm local time but it's 3:00am back home and their bodies have no idea what's going on. In other words, having to skate at an awful time is a universal phenomenon in this sport and it really could be worse.

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Hold on . . . Les/Ellen themselves did not come on this board and bring it up. One of their pairs colleagues asked the question about what others thought about the scheduling for Pairs. I know Les/Ellen did inform the other Pairs teams via email, but it wasn't as public as you make it out to be. Nor do I believe that they think it was a personal affront.

Having said that . . . do I think this means that every year Pairs teams should be writing the same letter to the referee asking for a schedule change? No, since the referee does the best possible within a lot of difficult parameters. But they didn't make a huge public stink about it either, as you suggest.

Bottom line is, the referee does the best they can. It's impossible to make everyone happy.

On a related note: Skaters should NOT be bugging the referee, volunteers, judges, and other LOC/USFS staff that are working FOR FREE, volunteering their time, with scheduling complaints, or other questions that could be easily answered elsewhere. As a former AN cochair, I can say that I got a bunch of insipid emails from skaters demanding all sorts of things, whether it was dry cleaning, hair salons, directions to the airport (even after they were posted on the website with a downloadable pdf!). And the Chicago referee also complained about getting numerous emails from skaters with all sorts of requests. Out of 450+ skaters, it was only a small percentage of skaters that did this, but it has left a very sour note with headquarters and a lot of the officials who now think the adults are very high-maintenance. Yes, even when compared to all the thousands of skate moms out there. So while I think that at times there is justification for complaining to The Powers That Be (like when the Dallas schedule came out so drastically different from the tentative one) I think skaters need to be cognizant of how they file complaints. They should come from the LOC as one voice, not 20 people emailing the referee directly. Let's not alienate those who volunteer their time for us.

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Hi Manley. I know that Les and Ellen did not bring it up on this board. That's not the public issue I was referring to. Having had several conversations with them last year, it was most definitely very public and an "entitled" attitude. If they or anyone does not feel safe - due to any situation, by all means drop out if you want, but do not speak for others.

I also had concerns from the manner in which some skaters presented themselves to the referees and judges at the past few AN's and want it to be clear that they do not represent all pair skaters. It has taken YEARS to get where we are and it has been a very difficult task from the beginning to have adults compete in pairs. As you said, these officials are volunteers and do the best they can.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

You know, I'm chairing our club ice show this year. And the group that has the worst rep for complaining (they don't like the warm up time, they don't like the dressing rooms...they don't want the costume comittee to pick their costumes...ect) are the adults and this bothered me because I didn't want the club thinking all adults were like that. So let's not be like that.

j

I lurk more than post but would like to add -

I competed in the inaugural AN in 1995 and in 1996. Since then AN has come a very long way and it's refreshing to see (and hear) of the increase in adult competitors and skaters. Some adult competitors shouldn't lose sight of the fact that if it weren't for Ms. Rhea Schwartz, former Chair of USFS Adult Skating Program Subcommittee, whose tireless drive and determination made it possible for adult skaters to get the recognition they richly deserve, there wouldn't be AN, Adult Skating Camps, Adult Groups, Internationals, etc. Now parents are taking lessons right along with their kids and feel no shame. Before we were looked upon as "Why are you doing a 'kid's' sport?" or "Skating's for kids!" or channeled into doing Ice Dancing (no offense) and not taken seriously by (some) pros if we wanted to do Freestyle. All that has changed-for the better.

However when it comes to adult competitions - pleae let's not take up the Co-chair's and referee's time with petty e-mails. We wouldn't want complaints to hit USFS and for them to think of us in a different light than when we first started out in 1995. We're finally out there-let's stay out there on a positive note.

Good luck to all AN 2008 competitors, no matter how you'll place. When you hit center (or side) ice before you start your program, be ever so proud.

I like what you have to say!! I do feel proud ... and grateful to be able to take the ice.

Hi Guys

Long time no chat.. Does anyone know who I should contact to Volunteer to help out at AN..
Im not sure if Ill be skating or not but I will be going if for no other reason but to go fishing for the first couple of day's and watch events. I would like to have something else to do.
Iv been in the hospital for the past 4 day's with an issue which may still keep me off the ice . With any luck Ill recover fast and be able to compete. But if that does not happen Id like to know what i can do to help the event along. However assuming no further complications Ill be back on the ice in a week or so. Im so bored its killing me.. can't go to work and Im stuck on the couch watching stupid TV .. . "oh how we live for the ice.. eh"
Let me know if anyone has any contacts or info for the Volunteer work..

Thanks

Hi Star,

I hope you're feeling a lot better by now. ORDA is the LOC for AN, so the people you would want to speak with about volunteering are:

Mary Elizabeth Wightman
Laura (I can't remember her last name off the top of my head)
Denny Allen

They all work in the office at the Olympic Center. I'm sure they would love to hear from you and would welcome your offer to volunteer during the event.

The person most incharge of Adult Nationals is Mary Elizabeth, so I would start with her: mwightman@orda.org

See you up there and we can talk then.

lovepairs

I suffered a blood clot soon after Easterns and Iv been disabled for about a week and unable to walk more a few feet to the kitchen. Iv been stuck on the couch watching my Star Wars video's . Again and again..
With any luck I should be able to get back on the ice the week before nationals if not Ill go anyway and try and help out. I wouldn't miss lake Placid for the anything.. Im feeling much better today . I hope your getting lots of practice, see you there..

Star.

That sounds serious Starskate. I hope that you are back to the ice soon. It will be a shame to miss the Championship round!

Thanks Sexy..
Im not out yet but the next week will tell the story I guess
Thank you for your concern...

Star

Star,

OHMYGOD! What happened??? We can talk at Lake Placid--I'm driving over right now to make you chicken soup. I'm just so grateful that you are okay, and will be back on the ice soon--you are the best thing we've got out there!

Thanks Pairs
Your a Sweety . Obviously the description of my situation is not for public forums . But here is the update . 2 surgeries later Im back on the couch and on the recovery trail. it will just take longer than expected and the next few day's will tell the story. All going well the Doctor say's I should be back on the ice the week before Nationals or maybe sooner because Im in better shape than most guys my age.. so thats helping. Could be a week, could be 3 weeks . Not enough info yet.. Thanks for the soup. If only in spirit..

Time will tell . pain killers are great......

Ross, how awful!! I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Thanks skaternum . I do look forward to seeing you all if only at the party but all going well i should be OK to skate if there are no further complications.

See you there..

Ross,
I'm so sorry to hear about this! I hope you will make a speedy recovery, but please don't push it. Blood clots (and resulting issues) are nothing to take lightly. You may or may not remember, I had two blood clots in my lungs after my broken ankle and surgery. PM me if you want to talk to someone who's been through something similar.

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August 22, back on the ice!

Thanks sk8pics
I sent you a PM , My body is a preety shade of purple but i am getting better..

Blood clots!!! EEEEEK!!! Starskate6.0... BE CAREFUL!!! Yes, sk8pics is right! Blood clots are nothing to mess with. ONLY if your doctor okays it and you're able to get back into doing your program should you try to skate it.

I look forward to meeting you either way, at Lake Placid...

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

i just watched all of the Gold mens on Ice Network. ( Im stuck on the couch anywho. ) man its tough now. Id hate to be a judge at this event this year. If there was ever going to be a tough event to see this year its going to be that . Every one has the same elements , and every one is about the same level . Its amazing how tight this competition will be . Chris my man from Minni , great number and congrats on your win. . This will be a fun competition without question. . I hope Im going to be there on the ice with you but i wanted to wish you all the best . Ill know more in a few day's..

Hey Tim

I clicked on the initial posting you had but it came up in computer gobbltygoog .( Iv got a Mac they may be it ) anyway I see you have the Mens interp here on Friday I take it A/D means "all devisions " is that correct..?

I think it means Artistic/Dramatic.