Carrying On a Tradition
Every trip I have ever made to Pasadena has involved a trip to the local ice rink. It is a tradition that I have yet to break. The very first time I went, I got there with only about half an hour to spare. So, I got my skates on, skated around about 5 times, and then it was time to go before I was even warmed up! Determined to get my money's worth, I waited on the far end of the rink for everyone to clear the ice, and then I made a mad dash for the exit at my top speed! Sadly, I knew where the gas was, but not the brakes. I ended up trying to grab a wall to stop, and made a complete...er, ice...of myself as I fell through the exit.
This time, I found out that they had both hockey and figure skates. I rented hockey skates for the first half hour, and did everything I normally do. I even got the "Hey, you're spinning on hockey skates?!" comment, which is the best compliment you can give me on ice. :)
In the back of my mind, though, I wondered how I'd fare in figure skates. Halfway through the skate hour, I switched.
Changing from hockey skates to figure skates is a little bit like learning how to ride a 10-speed bike, and then trying to ride a one-speed bike with training wheels and coaster brakes. You might not fall over, but you can't bend the way you used to, and if you hit the pedal wrong (i.e. toepick), you launch yourself forward. I spent the next 15 minutes staggering my way around the ice, trying not to break my neck.
So much for any dreams of becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist. ;) Although, if Klutzes on Ice ever opens, I've got me a job. Which reminds me...back to the job hunt.