Datebook: Saturday, January 20th ~ 2008

It is days like this that I have a bone to pick with all the southern skating clubs.

It is days like this, when I arrive from typical winter climate, 25 degrees, to sub-zero weather, really. It is minus 14 and with the wind chill, it is minus 30 degrees. This is a beautiful city, and we have learned that many people are moving here from across the country, but still, I had to ask our shuttle driver, what made you come here two years ago—what did you google to come up with this—the coldest place in the continental United States with great shopping? It is cold here. The weather channel advises that frostbite can begin within seconds of exposure.

So, southern clubs, why aren’t you bidding on hosting Nationals? Let’s review, St. Paul, Spokane, St. Louis (okay, not that cold!) Portland. Next year Cleveland. San Diego, where are you? Honolulu—come on. Miami—how about some ice, no more vice. I hear stories from the long timers of the glory days of Dallas where skaters packed sunscreen and flip-flops instead of Uggs, long underwear and full length down jackets.

I think if some of the southern clubs set up donation jars here, we would fill them up this year with out mittened hands.

We ventured out the Walgreens, 3 blocks from the hotel and returned with scarves wrapped around our faces with cans of Static Guard and toothpaste (you always forget something!) We made inquires about going to the Mall of America—two methods of travel—a cab for about 25.00 or a direct bus for 2.00 a person. The bus stop was two blocks away. I’m sure my son, in Calculus III could set up this formula to justify the bus, or the various accountants in the crowd would point out the obvious savings—but two blocks to the bus stop versus a cab at the door—we cruised in a Green Line cab.

Our mission in the MOA was to obtain earmuffs. Ones that won’t mess up the hair. In between, we ogled the roller coasters, Bubba Shrimp restaurant, Aquarium, and then discovered a Bloomingdales with no sales tax. This resulted in the purchase of two pair of Joe’s Jeans—one pair is “dressy’ one pair is “casual”—who knew? Our earmuff purchase came down to the selection of Burberry (175.00), Uggs (75.00) and Bloomingdale’s (30.00). At this point my daughter became thrifty and went with the store brand.

“It’s not like I will wear them again after this week—I’m not planning a visit to Greenland anytime soon.”

I wish she would have planned this way with the jeans—I mean jeans are by nature casual—if you need something dressy, well, you could just wear, I don’t know, pants—black pants.

My daughter looks at me with something akin to pity when I suggest this. I suspect it is much like how I look at my mom when I try to get her to use email or look for something on line.

We came back in-time for the first practice events. The arena is fabulous and for a short time it was ours—the ice dancers and entourage, With our small crowd, it was cavernous.

All the skaters looked at home out on the ice.

And of course, they should. They are home out there.

Mombo