Fall SIDEWAYS Sarah G!

So, having been "bred and buttered" in Florida followed by Georgia, Ice Skating is not part of the winter festivities usually. Yes, perhaps the Rollerblade Rink may have had ice skating for a week around the Winter Holidays... but Florida kids don't really give much a damn about ice skating.

This weekend a beloved friend took my ice skating. The first two trips around the rink I held on fast to the edge and was positive that this "sport" was developed by drunken Canadians. I love Canadia, but they apparently had at least this one terrible idea to put ungodly tight boots with blades on the bottom. Blades, really. You are then supposed to use those small blades to cut tiny crevices into ice, quickly, and enjoy it.

The thing is, I DID enjoy it after I found my balance. I was skating happily (though wobbly) around the rink. After about 10 times around, I get a little cocky and start going a little faster. Next thing I know, I am falling backwards and hear my head hit the ice with a resounding crack. This is followed by a chorus of "shit"s from nearby adults (watching from the patio, not skating with their kids, of course). Then there is a small child to my right? left? shouting, "Are you ok? Are you ok?" I managed to recover my balance (and my dignity) and skate to the nearest exit.

I have never busted my ass with quite so much seriousness before. My head has a giant and tender lump. My neck hurts like a... it hurts. My elbow is bruised. My ass has an enormous bruise forming. And pretty much every muscle and bone in my body hurts.

In all of this, I learned a lesson. Beloved friend told me when you fall while skating (or sporting of any kind, apparently), you should always try to fall sideways. This protects the head. I wish someone had shared this bit of wisdom with me BEFORE I put tiny blade-boots on my feet.