Datebook: Thursday, November 2nd ~ 2006

With Sectionals less than two weeks away, I am trying to focus on anything but the thought of that event. I dread it.

First of all, we are all divided and peppered across the country. Sectionals are a bizarre paradox-they are just under Nationals in importance, but there are typically only eight people watching each event, well nine if someone’s grandmother goes. I might actually be forced to learn how to text message just to get the results from the other two sections pronto.

Additionally, they are held at a horrible time of year—the week before Thanksgiving--so everyone is forced to re-hash the event as they sit around the cranberry and gravy the following Thursday. With people who are not skating aficionados.

So the conversation can go something like this:

“So how did you do at the skating thing you went to last week?”

“Good, I got first.”

“Really. So you beat Michelle Kwan, did you?”

“No, Aunt Em, it wasn’t that kind of event?”

“Oh, I thought you said it was important. Dorothy, didn’t you tell me this was a big deal?”

Or worse.

“So how did you do at the skating thing you went to last week?”

“Good, I got fifth.”

“Really. Did you fall, or what?

“No, I skated great. That’s how it worked out though.”

“Oh. Well maybe you should try something else. Dorothy do they still have water ballet, because I think she would be great in water ballet?”

Non-skating people do not understand the subtle nuances of skating and the complexities of competitions.

To distract myself from the thought of another plane ride with 200 pounds of luggage (daughter’s) and a train case (mine), I am reviewing recipes. Not for Thanksgiving. (We visit relatives for that festivity and they are a bit anal about the menu—for example the gravy has to be made by first shaking the main ingredients in a 10 year old Franco-American jar).

No, I’m thinking we could all sit down on Sunday, November 19th for a Post-Sectional dinner at our respected abodes across this great land. We could all gather some comfort knowing it was a universal bond.

I don’t know, but I was thinking about serving a meat loaf shaped like an ice- skate. We could bake some mashed potatoes to form the blade. Dessert would have to be something frozen, perhaps shaved.

I think this is a great way to release the tensions of that competition and move on to whatever is next on the skating agenda.

You’ll have to send me your ideas to add to the festivities list.

You know, colors for linens, the wine to serve, perhaps a name to call our event.

Perhaps Daphne could visit a different family each year as a mystery guest, like a Skating Clause. Perhaps we even need a jingle.

But then someone would wind up skating to it.

Mombo # 9