Datebook: Saturday, January 20th ~ 2007

We come from a state that has an annual snow accumulation of about 10 inches. But we have an army of snow removal soldiers. I call them soldiers because if there is a hint of a “dusting” they are out in mass. They sit at the overpasses and bridges in their gold trucks waiting for the frozen chaos to begin. If we have an accumulation they send for reinforcements and within hours we have salted, bare pavements. Seriously, if there is a terrorist attack we need to send for the snow troopers along with the National Guard.

So perhaps you will understand my surprise when we arrived in Spokane to a winter wonderland of old snow. This was what I expected. What was the birthday present type of surprise was waking up yesterday to an expected 5 inches of snow and a city in turmoil. Yes. No snow plows swept the streets, no salt or sand spewed from spreaders, instead the news reporters and weather oracles let their voices chime several octaves higher as they warned residents of the “dicey conditions.” Isn’t this the Northwest where this happens all the time?

So we stumbled through the slush, ice and snow to the big arena for practices. These went as well as can be expected for kids who just got off planes and were letting the balance of nerves and excitement decide what format to take.

What worked well for parents was the fact that Chili's is right across the street and they have a special drink called the “El Nino”. This is in lieu of the fact that the USFSA team doctor cannot actually give the parents medication so that they can watch their children perform.

This becomes apparent during doctor visits at home when I fill out questionnaires that ask about alcohol consumption. The doctor asks if I drink and I reply twice a year—one week in early August and a week in January.

“Oh, you take two vacations a year,” she nods.

“NO,” I answer so loudly my doctor immediately orders a hearing test, “they are not vacations.’

Anyway, to keep myself from carrying a silver flash to the rink I have to find another focus and so, as a fall back, it must be Charlie White. As I have mentioned before, he is the Johnny Depp of skating, or at least ice dancing.

My daughter is off the market so to speak with her own Orlando Bloom type of guy, so I am going to work on fixing up her room mate with Charlie White by the end of the week. This has a slight twist since I don’t actually know Charlie White and how to accomplish this and my daughter’s room mate knows nothing about my project. This should make this quite a challenge but, you have to admit, quite a diversion.

I’ll keep you informed of my progress.

Mombo.