The Random Ways Skating Comes Into My Life

When I hear the words figure skating usually my head pops up like a tiny puppy hearing the words "want a treat". No matter what I am doing, my heart skips a quick beat for a moment. Over the many years its brought me laughter, pain, stability, inspiration and a multitude of emotions. It gave me strength when I had little,  No matter how I have tried over the years by trying to substitute it with other things, nothing has come close to the feelings and joy the sport brought me.

This past week several different stories popped up in the media. Skating like everything else in the world has went through changes. Some good, some not so good.

A former skating coach was sentenced to 98 years for child molestation.  Something you hate to hear no matter what or where. The rink should always be a safe haven,

Rockefeller Center Ice Rink opened this past week.  The light bulb went off in my mind to my trip with the team when we got to skate there. A once in a lifetime experience.

Crown Center Skating Rink in Kansas City opened this week also. Last year we took our oldest granddaughter there for her first skating experience. Watching her, fearlessly stride off was a highlight. Maybe a trip back will help curb my fever.

The official announcement that Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir were officially commentary duos for figure skating. Move over Dick Button, Scott Hamilton and other's who have come before them. Ready or not here they are. For me the jury is still out on this one.

If not for social media I probably would be fairly lost about what's going on in the skating world. Although I do try and catch some skating on television, who is actually competing sometimes I have no clue who they are. It has been long enough now that most of the skaters who skated when I did or were just starting when I retired, so to speak are now retiring themselves. Many of the coaches are not coaching anymore or on a limited basis. Now the students of the infamous coaches are teaching a new chapter of figure skaters.

I recently started following on Tai Babilonia on Facebook. Together with Randy Gardner, they won the 1979 World Pair Championships and were five-time National Pair Champions. During and after her skating career has been an interesting and hard road. She now co-hosts a show with Ken Boxer called, The Ken Boxer, Live Show out of Santa Barbara, CA. Check it out on YouTube.

A conversation this past week with one of my friends some how got diverted to clothing and of course skating outfits of which I had a few. From a hobo costume, to Fred Astaire tux/tails and top hat, to a evening gown with Richard Dwyer (Google him),  spandex by the yards and numerous pairs of tights.  Businesses around the rinks in any area were not surprised to see you enter there business with a tiny skirt and not think a second thought. So I guess I really shouldn't be shocked now when I walk into my Walmart and see some interesting outfits. A sign of the times and a glimpse of where I live. A figure skating outfit would be totally out of place in Sedalia, MO.

My boots may not be laced, or my blades as sharp, not a rink nearby nor a beaded costume in my future but I will take the random ways skating peeks its way in my life, keep it coming.