Mission Accomplished, Skating Chaos, and The Big Walk

Irina, you would be proud! I set off for the rink today on a mission. I was going to find a solution to the problematic part of my dramatic program - back perimeter crossovers that didn't make sense, that I couldn't pull off with any aplomb, and that I just don't like. Period, end of sentence.

With the help of my best skating buddy, we came up with a great element: a long lunge down the ice with my hands in a prayer position (very appropriate for "The Passion of the Christ" music). My friend has this wonderful *signature* lunge that I have always loved in her programs. It's very dramatic and impactful. She pulls this off in a way that nearly makes me cry whenever I see it. I have always wanted to use this element, but considered it her property, as it were. Yes, there is something about skating and ownership of certain elements that defies logic and reasonableness in the non-skating world. 

When we started talking about a possible solution, the lunge move was ideal. My friend was very supportive of my using this in the program and, in fact, came up with the entire element, hand position and all. Bless her heart. There was absolutely no sense of "You can't use this because it's mine" (not that I expected there would be; she just is not like that in any way). 

Once decided and tested to make certain I could do this, next step was to convince Coach. No problem here. She loved the change and is fully supportive of it. So, "Mission accomplished!" on this front.

Now, the chaos part. Without Jill Shipstad at the session today, the ensemble practice was total pandemonium. How can 5 adults create so much chaos on the ice? A power struggle ensued, frustration ran rampant, whilst I watched, thinking all the while, "Why did I ever agree to be part of this group?" We were missing three members out of the Band of Seven, so it was difficult at best to practice. After 30 minutes, I was rescued by Coach to finish my lesson. Thank goodness. Hopefully, when Jill S. returns next week, these shenanigans will be gone and we will get something positive done. 

Today is a training day for Dear Husband and me. We're going to undertake what we think will be a 7-8 mile walk. Should be out for about two hours. I've been up since 4:15 am, when Merlin let a huge bark rip that nearly knocked me out of bed. Didn't want my better half to be awakened, so I got up, fed the dogs (yes, at that early hour), and now they are outside barking their heads off at 6:20 am, waking up the rest of the neighborhood. They really do need training! I will write tomorrow about our walk.

Monday is an "Introduction to Free Motion Quilting" class at Cabin Fever. I must complete the considerable homework before then, like figuring out how to lower the feed dogs on my machine and making an Ohio Star block. Lots of work, as well as cutting out binding for the Japanese Puzzle quilt. I feel overwhelmed by all this quilting stuff right now. 

As a side-note, I will try to remember to add a picture of a skater (as I have to this post) to future posts so a reader will know immediately when the primary subject is skating instead of quilting. This way, if one isn't interested in my skating adventures, you will know right away. 

Onward we go.