Today is also pretty good, because today… I finally learned how to ice skate. Maybe they sharpened the blades, because they felt really good. And during class I found out that the next move to learn was something I had already done on my own because it felt fun. It’s called slalom, or zigzaging across the ice like you see skiers do. It’s a much faster way of moving, and seeing that I was ahead of the class, finally, made me feel really good I’m also to the point where I can stretch out my legs without wanting to fall over.

So I celebrated by buying some pretzels, and on the way there was a little farmer’s market set up, and I got a bunch of peppers and sweet italian plums. It was funny trying to get information out of them… it’s like they only ever eat what they grow, because I couldn’t for the life of me get them to tell me exactly how sweet the plums were and how hot the peppers were. They were both like “Oh… I don’t know… pretty sweet/hot.” I guess we’ll see when I make chili out of them, right?? (The peppers, that is!)

I had a really good day before maybe an hour ago, so I’ll talk about that

I did really well in ice skating!! Well, I think my body’s instinct to not make my knee bruises worse kicked in, so I didn’t fall down. I’m learning to bend my knees when I lose my balance, instead of straightening them in fear. That’s pretty crucial to steadying myself. I’m also more confident, and the teacher said I’m a lot better than when I first started, in only two weeks! Hurraaaay! AND she showed us what we’ll be learning next by having us do a standing 180 turn, which was actually a lot like a Jive move I learned last year, so it was easier for me. I think what she was trying to get at was that we’d be doing these little 180 turns while moving. That sounds pretty scary.

I also finally got a curtain rod… dammit, I just remembered I have two windows to cover up. My shopping will never be complete… my apartment will never be finished… but at least the biggest one, the one I change in front of, will be nicely covered up. That’s always a good thing. The realtor didn’t move the extra furniture out, but I noticed that the fire extinguisher that they showed at my door with is MYSTERIOUSLY in its holder. Did they go into my apartment just to put it in its holder?????? Will they actually call me to let me know when they’re coming??? Will my mail EVER stop bouncing no matter where I live?!?! Stay tuned!

I felt really bad today… maybe I’m still sick, maybe I’m having a girl moment, but I was not feeling very confident in class today. In fact I got off the ice about 15 minutes in because my self-esteem just plummeted and sat it out. But then some people came and told me it was going to be okay and asked if I needed knee or elbow pads No, I needed to stop being so bad! One guy suggested I go to the open session an hour later to practice while the place was less full and didn’t move so quickly.

So… I went! It was a lot better. At first I was nervous, and one of the staff guys suggested I try hockey skates. I did and they were really really really hard. I don’t know who in the world is skating with hockey skates, but they are the devil. But it helped me when I got back into the figure skates because once I saw how much harder it COULD be, suddenly skating became a lot easier Now I’m just working on control and less on balance. Man… fucking hockey skates… who the hell uses those…

This cheered me up. Mustache faces

And I’ll always like this picture

My life is cursed, and woe is me, angst, etc.! I got through the whole skating session without falling too badly (usually just wobbling from not stopping correctly, and allowing myself to fall down softly so I can start over), and then RIGHT as I was getting off the rink, I fell soooooooo badly that I just managed to get out and sit down before I had to stop everything and wait for my ass to stop hurting I haven’t checked in a few hours, but I fear there will be a bruise. It is hours later and it still hurts to sit… but at least it’s not shooting pains down my leg anymore I think my skills have improved though!

I’m reading The Martian Chronicles now, by Ray Bradbury. It’s basically about colonizing Earth in a series of stages. I thought the most interesting parts were the beginning when the first ships came and interacted with Martians. It’s also interesting to think about how science fiction ages, especially because at the time the book was written, we didn’t know there wasn’t anything on Mars… we’re still alone in the universe…

I’ve been grazing on food all day (by “food” I mean “gummi bears”), but my massive water bottle is keeping me happy and hydrated. I think my skin looks better with all this water! Smoother

And I haven’t posted a picture in a while, so here ya go, in case you forgot what I look like:

Ummmmmmm so as it turns out, you should probably try to get acquainted with the ice after a year of not being on it (and not being any good to start) before jumping into learning “moves” like weaving your legs and doing “dips” (like squatting and gliding at the same time for no reason whatsoever). I think the first move should be learning how to stop, and they tried to teach me, they really did. It just uhh didn’t take. First of all, you have to slide your foot out and actually scrape the ice. Which involves taking the weight off one foot. See, now, that’s not really gonna work because I’m too afraid I’m going to fall over. And I DID. TWICE. RAAAA. Even when I got up the confidence I couldn’t do it :’( I’m going to try really really hard next time! I WILL conquer this. I can see myself being all cool on the ice, I just have to actually, er, get there.

Also, the ice rink is a really long walk, so I get to listen to my audiobooks on the way there. Hell yeah.

I have

THE INTERNEEEEEEET

The guy said he would show up “between 8:30 and 10:30″ so I woke up at 9:30 and he showed up AT 10:30 grrrr. I had to go out this morning to sign up for ice skating and listen to the information so I was late for it cause of this guy. I think I annoyed him because the cord he gave me kept failing and I made him go get another one because he said it “must” be my computer. I don’t THINK so. I would’ve hooked it all up myself if he just handed me the stuff.

Anyway, ice skating looks fun and there’s a lot to learn. I can either buy my own skates or rent them every time. What should I do????

I also found out that my best friend isn’t, like, dead or anything. Which is good. I was worried about her because she hadn’t gotten online or answered her phone or talked to me in a month… so that’s good.