Hope you're working your butt off on Bronze moves now too!!! Took me forever to get to where I am now. (Still trying to pass Bronze Moves too!!! )

Remember deadline is probably mid-Jan for Chicago...

Hey! You could come in a wig and skating dress (ala Dave on Skating w/Celebrity) Then you can join in on the fun!!!

__________________
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!!!

For the OD, listen to some of Astor Piazzola's compositions.

Okay y'all, I'd like opinions. Since 07 is in my backyard & I'm going to be there for dance anyway, I am idly toying w/ the idea of doing bronze freestyle as well. I'd have to pass my bronze FS but I think I could do that seeing as I have a year.

But here's the thing--I'm on my pre-gold dances & have passed juvenile moves & could take intermediate moves w/o too much trouble, so I do know how to *skate*---just not great w/ the jumps & more especially the spins. I don't have a lutz, and my sit spin & backspin are really, really, really pathetic. As I am very dedicated to dance, I wouldn't spend a ton of time working on those things, so my guess is I wouldn't place very high. I'd be doing it more to have another thing to do. But would people be mad to see my skating skills/flow/speed, even if my spins really suck? I don't want to read a message on the boards that there was this "bronze woman" who shouldn't have been competing. I'm truly a bronze level freestyle skater.

What do you think?

**ETA: thanks for the tango suggestions!! I just downloaded several of his things & will go through them later.

If you want a fast Tango, I have couple of songs that are fantastic and I'd love to be able to skate to. If you want, pm me with an e-mail address and I'll send you the MP3s.

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

If you want to do another event, but don't really like freestyle, what about interpretive?

__________________
Where are those knives when I need them?
----------------------------------
I need a detachable left foot!

yeah.....I don't really like the interpretive format w/ the props & the costumes & the hoo ha (sorry--I know a lot of you love it--it's just not me). It isn't that I don't like freestyle, I'm just worried people would think I was sandbagging because my general skating skills are above a bronze level.

No need to dress in a costume or carry props! You *can* do something "dramatic" by doing one of those sort of ballad that you've always wanted to do but can't b/c of the "no vocals" requirement. As long as you get yourself a good choreographer who can make the program interesting, you'll do well enough. (Heck, I'm eventually doing an Enya piece after I get thru Sectionals and my moves test.) Have flexibility or a magic move? Flaunt it!!!

I know of one Silver lady that placed well with her beautiful skating number, but thought it was weird (and probably a hoot) standing on the podium next to a (first place) chicken!

BTW: You have a little more than a year to catch up on your FS too. PLUS you have a huge advantage now on learning jumps and spins b/c you have great edges!!! It's all good... really!!!

I'm not trying to talk you out of competing Bronze FS just b/c there's a remote chance that I might compete against you next year, of course! (Then again, I'm in Group III. I doubt you're a group III given the pictures I've seen of you and your lovely dress.) But I'm trying to get you to give interpretative a second look thru a different perspective.

__________________
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 agree with Jazzpants... Interp might be the best way for you to go.

At least now they are TRYING to separate the Artistic/Dramatic from the Light/Comedy Interp numbers at AN. They don't always separate it completely, because not everyone tells them on the entry form which kind of program they are skating.

It seems there are more of the comedy/light entertainment programs at the Adult Interp. (bronze and some silver) level since many of the lower-level skaters aren't as strong and rely more on costumes/gimmicks. So you could be at an advantage since you would definitely stand out in ANY group you are in because of your edges and flow.

And I know Flo would certainly appreciate seeing someone at the lower-levels do something elegant. She always does beautiful programs against the Gold/Masters skaters... and has often railed against the "skaters who rely on gimmicks" in Interp. (no offense meant Flo).

Remember, some of us will never be the lovely, flowing, graceful skater that you are and our best hope of showing off the skills we do have is to take what we do and make it work. I don't think I have it in me to be a "beautiful skater". In fact, that's what inspired one of my Interp. programs. My coach told me "You're as stiff as the Tin Man" -- so one year I WAS the Tin Man for my Interp. and I didn't even place particularly well with that. (But I DID have a GREAT time and the costume and make-up were fun). And for that program I didn't have to worry about being graceful... I was SUPPOSED to look STIFF!!! (Something I can very easily do when I'm nervous!)

And that does not mean I'm not working on developing the "pretty" side of my skating.. it's just that it is a lot harder for those of us without ANY athletic background than those of you who took dance/gymnastics/skating as kids. All my muscle memory comes from turning pages in books.. not exactly a highlighted skill in skating (hahahaha!).

This year I'm attempting to skate a "pretty program". My coach laughs WITH me about this and says "yes, it's always good to push your personal boundaries". I'm enjoying the process. My only goal with this program is to look "softer/prettier" than last year... and the year before... and the year before....

Count me in...I hope, I hope. I wanted to go this year, but life got in the way and since I live in Chicago I am going to make it my life's mission to attend in 2007. Now I just need to find the nerve to compete for the first time in 8 years, music and a coach. Any suggestions for coaches in Chicago (no car, can only go to McFetridge)?

Henk Green is awesome, if he still coaches at McFetridge.

I think Henk does most of his coaching at Robert Crown in Evanston, but I have seen him at McFetridge on occasion.

I'm getting there...I just got a half flip and a waltz jump. Spins are next so I should be testing pre-Bronze before the summer. Hopefully I should be able to get through Bronze by the end of the year...Working my butt off is right! And it's REALLY begining to happen...

Yeah. right.

Since this week is AN 2006 in Dallas, I thought I'd re-start the thread for any of us making a run at Chi-Town next year!
Strangely enough, I'll be taking my Bronze moves test on Wednesday- the day AN starts!

__________________
Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Terri, good luck with your Bronze Moves test on Wednesday!!! We're cheering for 'ya!

Primary coach says I'm testing in June. My answer to when I'm testing Bronze Moves again? "Ummmm...no comment!"

(Translation: Certainly not any time soon... I want it perfect before I consider taking it again. Don't wanna waste my time and money on testing again if I end up with a retry again.)

__________________
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!!!

im just wondering, but are adult nationals the same event as regular nationals or is a whole separate thing. because i thought adults skated at regular nationals. and apparently there is a whole different testing system with lower requirements than standard usfsa testing. i find that weird, since many adults (over 18yr olds) participate in the regular nationals. someone please explain...i know im stupid

Don't blame 'ya for being confused. I'lltry.

US Nationals is usually in mid-January and that's for the kids!
Adult Nationals is usually in mid-April (but this year it's late March, early April) and that's for adults 21 or older.

US Nationals has a standard test track. Adults Nationals are for those following the Adult Track until after the Gold FS test, then it gets into a really really confusing level aptly named Masters Level. The subgroups at Masters is what's confusing.

Some adults do compete at US Nationals, but they're usually really good skaters by then!

Hope that helps...

__________________
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 am testimony that the support group can WORK! I was apart of the Dallas support group and they got me there! Pre-Bronze MIF, Pre-Bronze FS, Bronze MIF and Bronze-FS......All on the first try except for the Bronze FS (on 2nd try...those damn spins). Thanks for the help and I am here to support all Y'all pre-bronzers.....you can do it! Make sure you get out there and PRACTICE!

I may be trying to step up to silver for Chicago.....as soon as I am back from Dallas.....Camel Spin....Axel.....SILVER MOVES here I come!

__________________
Why are you skating so slowly? Get out of my way!

If you skate faster, it makes everything look better!

How about an interp that's more along the lines of a Solo OD or solo FD? (Perhaps using the guidelines for this year's Solo OD event at Lake Placid as a starting opint)

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

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

Okay, I've been lurking for months as I sink deeper and deeper into AOSS...but now I *reeeeaaally* want to attend AN next year, so time to sign on and help cheer everyone on to Chicago!

I'm 38, just started skating in October of last year, and am taking my pre-bronze MIF and FS tests in June. I hope to get the bronze taken care of by the end of this year (hope hope, pray pray). I'm a dance teacher in "real life", and I specialize in teaching about body placement, weight shifts, and general body awareness, so skating (so far!) has come fairly naturally. I also have a serious Type A personality, so once my coach shows me something--I practice all week so I can show her "how good" I've learned that skill. Hmm, I must have been a golden retriever in a past life! I skate 8 to 10 hours a week and have one private lesson a week. My biggest hurdle right now is that I need to lose weight! I thought with all the skating, I'd be losing faster--but I think there's a thyroid issue to deal with.

I'll be attending my first competition in Burlington, VT in August--if all goes well. Still haven't started on a program yet, but I choreograph in my head all the time. So, I'm excited to start actually working on a program. In the dance form I teach, we do 20 minute sets--I can't imagine a piece being finished in just over a minute!

Anyhoo--count me in for the "07 Support Group" My coach is on her way to AN Dallas tomorrow with one of our bronze III men's skaters. I hope he does well! He's pretty nervous.

I look forward to getting to know you all better, and meeting you in Chi-town.

Julie

Maineskate, welcome to AOSS - from another obsessive compulsive type 'A' competition junkie......

I hope Canadians can compete at AN, because I'd love to go to Chicago next year.

__________________
If you keep your eyes on God, you can walk on water.

THANK YOU for stepping up to the plate and hosting an Adult Nationals!!!
I haven't been to AN since 2000. However, I'm not getting any younger, and my body does not function as well early morning or late night as it does during the daytime. This year, the Gold 4 & 5 are skating after 9 pm!!! Add in the time difference, and they are skating after my bedtime. The Gold Champ round is at 8 pm.
Is there any way the 2007 events, at least the freeskates, which are the most demanding physically, could be scheduled a little sooner in the day? If something has to be scheduled that late at night, couldn't it be the Interp?

I want to bump this thread back up, because I am really starting to get excited about going, and am anxiously awaiting more information to start coming out.

So...bump!

Have Bronze Moves test in August... and Bronze FS later on in the year. I'm not planning to compete this year though. Currently I have no program other than my test program and I'm retiring that program after the test! Not competing with it again!

But am saving up money for it, just in case I change my mind and want to make my debut there. I just don't know if I'm going to Chicago.

__________________
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 have NEVER been to adult nationals, but maybe would like to go. Any information to a completely ignorant Silver level skater would be helpful. I have only passed adult silver MIF so far, so would i compete as Bronze?

And where do you all stay for hotels, and how long does it last?

Yup! You have to pass Silver FS to be Silver.

__________________
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!!!