NaBloPoMo 2011

Photobucket

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Big Blue Test 2011

Sister C and I both completed the Big Blue Test today at IceTown in Riverside, Ca.


Sister C (does not have diabetes)
Beginning BG - 159 mg/dl (uh umm, yeah that's a little high for a non-diabetic person)
After Exercise BG - 92 mg/dl
Total drop = 67 mg/dl

Me
Beginning BG - 128 mg/dl
After Exercise BG - 126 mg/dl
Total drop - 2 mg/dl (so not fair!)





Friday, November 11, 2011

Christmas Wish List 2011 - Skating Edition

Last year by this time I had all my Christmas shopping complete, however not this year. 

To expedite shopping for  my family I want to make sure they know exactly what to buy. There will be no ugly sweaters under my tree! 



Thursday, November 10, 2011

Footwork Sequence

It seems that when you pass the basic skills levels, in addition to learning "big" jumps, you are supposed to be capable of piecing together the basic skills to create sequences or patterns.

This is fine in theory, but in practice not so much. I've got a few footwork sequences I am working on for my lessons and for the Christmas Program.

Adult 4/Basic 8 Sequence: Forward crossovers (2) into forward inside Mohawk, cross behind, step into backward crossover (1) and step to forward inside edge
 
Solo Program: (L) forward inside Mohawk, L over R step (crossover ISI style) (R) outside Mohawk R over L step. 


Adult Group Program: 2 forward strokes, 2 forward crossovers, forward (L) outside Mohawk, 2 backward crossovers, Back Outside edge to Forward Outside edge transition, repeat 2x. 


All this is supposed to be accomplished with speed and grace.


I'll try to get it them all on video this weekend :)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

True or False

It is National Health Blog Month, and while it isn't really relevant here, I liked today's prompt.


So I already posted this over at Mrs. Harer's Hollow, but I wanted to extend the offer to my readers here.


Tell us 3 things that are true about you, your condition, your Health Activism, or your life. Now tell us 1 lie. Do you think we will be able to tell the difference?

Exciting right? I happen to have a natural talent for making up "stories" so lets see if you can figure out which fact is not true. Leave your answer in the comments and I will enter all the correct answers in a give away for a really cool handmade diabetes awareness brooch or a skating diabetes awareness brooch!

  1. I like to skate really really fast.
  2. I recently landed my first waltz jump.
  3. I am a lefty (I spin/jump CW)
  4. I currently have lessons/rehearsals with 7 different coaches.
Okay so you tell me, which one is false. 


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Outdoor Rinks in Southern California

As we head into the Holidays, outdoor rinks are popping up all over Southern California. Here is a list of rinks that I am aware of, if you know of any others please leave a comment.

The IE
Downtown Riverside

Ice rink on the pedestrian mall downtown Riverside

LA Area
Pershing Square
Santa Monica
Woodland Hills
Nokia Theatre Plaza
Santa Monica


The OC
Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum


San Diego
Viejas Center
Hotel Del Coronado
Horton Plaza

Hotel Del

Monday, November 7, 2011

Talent runs in the family?

I come from a skating family. Both my Aunts skated. In fact my Aunt Sandy skated professionally.
Isn't she lovely?
Aunt Sandy, I stole the picture off your Facebook page, hope you don't mind!


My cousin KJ skates on an up and coming synchronized skating team. My youngest sisters took LTS lessons before they moved out of state (and about 4 hours from the nearest rink.) 

When I was little my sister C, took LTS lessons also, but she is 3 years younger than I am, so when I quit she was still under 8 years old. 

Sister C hasn't been on the ice in 18 years, can some please explain to me, how she was able to do some really decent forward crossovers at the rink today? The girl didn't hang onto the wall at all and was zipping around the rink, like she was born on the ice.

Talent must run in this family!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Christmas Solo

Private Coach finished choreographing my Christmas Solo today. I was lucky enough to have someone available to videotape my first complete run through of the the Solo without the music. It's slow and stiff, but I've got a month to practice it. I'll post updated videos as it improves.


* This is the first run thru of the program, so please be kind!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Competition Update

Since I posted here about my plans and prep for the July Center Ice Arena ISI Open, I figured I should update you all on how it went. 

I competed in Delta with my Pirates of the Caribbean program and placed first!

I also competed in Delta complulsory; which included left inside 3-turn, Bunny hop, and lunge. I cleanly skated each element but then fell on a t-stop at the end. I placed 3rd. 


Friday, November 4, 2011

My skates

I've had my new skates since August. They are the Riedell 435TS boots with the Ultima Matrix Legacy blade in pink!


 

At first I didn't like the blades, I couldn't stop and was terrified of tripping over the much larger toe pick. However I've adjusted, the blade sharpening has dulled slightly and I love them.  I recommend this blade for every low level freestyle adult. Plus it comes in cool colors like pink!


The boots I loved from the very moment they were heat molded to my feet. They are so comfy and I don't feel like they've had a break in period at all. I did spend the first two months skating with the top hooks unlaced, just to help with ankle bend and toe point. Now I lace them all the way. I also love the lace lock, it really does keep the laces from loosening.

My skates have one more feature that isn't found on most skates. It is my SkateSafe tag by FinishSafe. This handy little tag stores all my medical information which can be accessed via a pin number by rink staff or emergency response personnel. Now that I am no longer withholding information about my health, I feel much safer on the ice.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Standard vs Adult Test track

I am considering testing USFS MITF next year. Although I am having some trouble deciding between testing adult track or standard track. 

I don't think I plan on competing, but if I did want to compete USFS, I would need to test adult track. 

But the standard track seems to make more sense in skill chronology. 

If I test Adult Pre-Bronze, the test will include;

  • Forward Perimeter Stroking
  • Basic Consecutive Edges
  • Forward and Backward Crossovers
  • Waltz Eight
  • Forward 3 Turn Pattern



I know I am capable of passing the Adult Pre-Bronze test, so I'll probably just stick with that. 







Wednesday, November 2, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like


Rehearsals for the Center Ice Arena Winter Wonderland Show have been underway for 2 weeks. Every Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon, skaters of all ages and skill levels come together to learn and perfect their program numbers. 

I will be skating a solo as well as 2 group numbers. So I've been putting in a lot of ice time, and it has really paid off, but more about that later. For now I'd like to share with you the costumes for my group numbers. I happen to think they're very cute!

 

Adult Group Number, skated to Sheryl Crow's "There is a Star that Shines Tonight."

 

Basic 4-8 Group Number, music unknown
Both dresses are by Revolution Dancewear. 




Tuesday, November 1, 2011

National Blog Posting Month 2011


Well this is new for Blade Bunnies, considering it didn't exist last November. For those who don't know how National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) works; it's basically a promise to post everyday all month long.

As far as I know, this is the only skating blog participating, so I hope I measure up!