Skatey Fun Tymes!

OMG, so Skarzipan took me to the roller rink in Manassas on wednesday, and it was AWESOME! there were only something like five or six other skaters there. Skarzipan said the rink was rilly good. i have to take her word on that, cos i haven’t been to a rink since middle school.

there were a couple kids, one boy clumsy on roller blades, and another girl who kept emitting this piercing, staccato shriek every 30 seconds or so. i wanted to run her over, but was glad i didn’t later when my suspicions that she had mental disabilities were confirmed. but man, was she ever annoying. there was also an older black lady who was just skating kind of slow, backwards, around the rink, and another black lady who came up to us later and talked to Skarzipan about derby. what are the chances both black ladies in Manassas would be out at the rink?

i rented my skates, and hesitantly rolled out onto the floor... and i didn’t fall right away, so that was good :) i did end up falling twice; the first time was more of a stumble as i attempted to get off the rink, and the second time i was on one foot and heard that gritty sound that i remember means something is under your wheel, and then i took a knee. no major injuries, not even my pride, as i felt good for being a 30 year old who hasn’t skated in ages just getting out there.

Skarzipan tried to teach me some derby moves, and while i can’t say i can do them at least i know what to try for, now. she showed me a couple whips, which is where one skater gets propelled forward by another skater (thereby slowing the other skater and hastening the first). they were fun! fun! fun! but a little scary, as Skarzipan was able to seriously whip me around one corner and i panicked a little that i was going too fast. so there’s some getting used to it to be done, but i think i like this skating thing.

the lady who talked to Skarzipan about derby helped her learn to turn around backward while skating, so that was super-cool. someday, maybe Skarzipan will teach me the secret, cos it looks hella cool when someone does it.

skating is a bit of a work out, too! i got all sweaty, and the next day my legs were kinda sore. my knees were sore that night (from the falls) but recovered quickly. i’m also on the verge of developing a couple blisters on my right foot (ouch!).

we’re going again tonight.