Okay, we're at 9 weeks out.....anyone else getting ready to start panicking??

I'd planned this to just be an "experience", not really worrying about being competitive....but now as it turns out this will be my one & only time to skate this new program since Lake Placid changed the solo OD rhythm. So now I care a little more about making this a really good skate.

AND, I decided to test my Killian in March, so most of my energy is focused on that, while my waltz remains un-polished & fairly shakey in parts. I have yet to actually put on the music & do a complete run-through. Yikes!!

Don't panic. Breathe deeply. Remember that you do this for fun!

Don't worry, Phoenix, you aren't the only one panicking! New skates, a resulting injury (which still isn't healed) and money issues have put me so far behind in my training schedule! I'm worried that my new freeskate just won't come together by then. Of course, that's IF I don't have to withdraw anyway because of money issues. It seems like I'm worried way earlier this year than I was last year! But, like manley said, it's all for fun!

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"Without a struggle, there can be no progress" ~ Frederick Douglass

Panic? Who's panicking? (Our Nationals are in less than 7 weeks.)

Who's panicking?

Who's panicking?

Who's panicking?

Who's panicking?

Who's panicking?

Who's panicking?

Not me! I am cool as a cucumber . . . . cucumber . . . . cucumber . . . . cucumber . . . . pickle? Pickled? (Might help.)

And the entry forms aren't even out yet!

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I can definitely suggest that that is NOT the way to go before skating. After, well....

We're definitely not only doing this just for fun. I've said it before, and I'll say it again--"fun" can be had in much less expensive ways, such as going to the movies, or playing with the dog. Something else is going on here that has much more meaning for all of us. So, yes, Phoenix, I understand your "panic." You just have to figure out, or understand, what exactly is on the line here for you (personally) so, that you can harness the "panic," and make it work for you.

I know this isn't a popular centiment, but I really believe that something other than just "fun" is the underpinning for Adult Skaters. Of course, it's fun to do. I think practicing is a lot of fun, but my main reason for doing it (huge financial investment) is not just for "fun."

What me panic????

Dianne, I'm with you...... pass the 'pickle'

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

See you at Nationals Raye! I'll bring a bottle of pickle for when the skating is over

I quit drinking when I was 25 but I think I might fall off the wagon the last night of C.A.N.

Oh yes, lovepairs - I totally agree with you! I think skating is a narcotic for "Type A Personalities"

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

Im calmly freakin out

I have been looking forward to this ever since I missed AN last year. Really looking forward to it. I love the pressure of trying to deliver a good performance. Two performances so far has been a wake up call and it really puts a good type of pressure for me to skate clean at Nationals.

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Tim David's Website

Hi Tim David,

Exactly! Love the picture!

Thanks , Hi sweetheart, how are you

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Tim David's Website

Looking forward to it! When I first started competing it was nervous anticipation before nats, then intense excitement, but always and definitely for the joy of skating.

Also I spoke with DJ Tindall, who hosted the first Nats at Wilmington. She sends her best wishes to all!

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Be warned, you'll have a gooooooood time, especially if you can offer Raye a Jacuzzi when you're at it!

Our Adult Championships happen in October, so our season kicks off with the various European competitions. This year, we are starting really early, in March, with the Coupe de France, a new adult competition in Le Havre, but aren't expecting much as we really aren't going to be ready.

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

I'm not ready to panic over AN yet. I'm still freaking out over Sectionals!!! After that, I plan on panicking over flying and traveling alone. (Unless anyone needs a travel buddy?) This is my first AN, so I'm not sure if the fear of the unknown makes it worse, or if it's better because I'm naive. Okay, now I'm starting to panic! Maybe I should look at the picture that was posted earlier!

One of the nicest things that have been at quite a few of the nationals was a "quiet" warm up room. A nice place to go to get away from the noise and such. One year we were assigned to locker rooms by state. If it ever happens like that again - The southern and central states were the most peaceful!

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Ahhhhh.. geez!!! I'm not going this year! Maybe next AN if you're traveling alone, maybe Terri and I will shanghai you along on the trip. (And if it's at Lake Placid, I'll need a lift from the airport and back.)

"AAAAH FREAK OUT!!! Le Freak, C'est Chic!!! FREAK OUT!!!..." (Okay, any of you that remembers when this came out knows I'm really showing my age.)

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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!!!

Hi Bad,

I flew to Japan all by myself. Everyone told me that they speak English in Japan before I left. When I arrived at Nagita (?) Airport in Tokyo, there was a piece of cardboard nailed to a post, and handscrolled on it in black sharpe marker was an arrow with the word "foreigner." That was the last I saw English for the next month!

If I can do it, you can do it! Flying alone is a lot easier and more enjoyable then you think...don't panic over that...I promise, you'll like it! Where are you flying out of?

Lovepairs

Hi TimDavid...I wanted to say hi to you at Ashburn, but everytime I saw you, you were surrounded by your fan club signing autographs.

Oh thanks a lot....now I've got that stupid song stuck in my head!

Me..freak out??

My new skates just came in. Do I attempt to break them in now or wait? AN is fine, but PCAS is pretty close.

My seamstress got sick and cannot work for a few months. The good news is that she is going to be okay, the bad news I have no dresses for the season. Looks like I'm going to get one more year out of my blue dress 4 years and 3 different programs. That's got to be a record! Hopefully I can get a dress made for my interp...

My axel is still here one day and gone the next and doubles...don't ask.

Other than that...all is good! I have a plane ticket and a hotel reservation and I can't wait!!

I'm very excited for AN. I have family in Chicago, but I have never been there! My mom has already informed the family members that I will be there, and the family members have already contacted me and want to make plans for dinner, etc. I'm like, um, I don't know what my schedule is yet! I've made it clear, though, that they have to work around me. This ain't no family reunion, I'm there to skate! (Oh, and shop!)

Just as an FYI, the Chicago sales tax is VERY high (if memory serves, 8.75%). So save yourself the tax by having everything shipped home. My parents do that every time they visit, and I ship some christmas gifts there for the same reason.

But then don't you have to pay for shipping? Sales tax in L.A. is 8.25%, btw.

I haven't even THOUGHT about Nats yet! Just trying to get through Sectionals first. I'm qualifying or anything, but I want to have a REALLY good skate as it's in my state and a lot of friends/family AND COACH will be there. I've had the same coach for years and she's never been with me at a comp. I think that is freaking me out more than anything.

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"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"

Good luck to everyone going! I can't wait for next year.

Have they announced 08 yet, btw?

Jazzpants does that to a lot of people. I had the "Mr. Ed" theme song stuck there for hours in heavy traffic.

I think you're all feeling perfectly normal. Sit down and think about where you were a year ago, skatingwise. You've all grown and improved, and I'm sure you'll all do well.

*Goes to look for those old records -- yep, still have some vinyl laying around.*

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Sometimes shipping is less than the tax depending on what youre buying. But if you're used to that high a tax, then no worries!