New Skates

Yesterday was our fourth trip to Skateland. We made a concerted effort to get there early in the hopes that it would give Satchel time to get over his “must have Mommy and Daddy hold each of his hands at all times” phase.

My niece and nephew were there per usual with my mom, but my (very pregnant) sister came too (but didn’t skate) as an added bonus. Also in attendance were my niece’s best friend and her family and my nephew’s best friend and his family. It was like a party!

My niece and her best friend had been the day before and had both gotten a pair of skates—matching white boots with pink wheels. In the name of fairness, my sister bought my nephew a new pair of speed skates—black with green wheels.

As I put on my hideous rentals, I eyed my nephew's skates enviously. "His feet are so big, his skates fit me too," my sister said in a once I birth this baby, I'm going to be out there in his speed skates kind of way.

I have been eyeing several pairs of skates for myself online, but told myself I would wait and get them for my birthday (in April). Or when Satchel learns to skate without holding on to us. Or when I just can’t take it anymore.

Warren bought himself some fancy skates about a year ago on ebay. They are serious inline speed skates. I put them on in the house and nearly killed myself. I want regular, four wheel skates.

“Do you think I’ll look like a big geek if I get my own skates?” I asked Warren yesterday.

“Uh…” he didn’t quite know how to answer since he had opted to leave his fancy skates at home.

“I mean, I know I already look like a big dork speeding around the rink as it is,” I said. “But, I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. It isn’t like I’m on a roller derby team or anything.”

I do have visions of skating outside—at the park, on the riverfront, etc. in the name of exercise. BUt even if I never did, the rental skates really are uncomfortable. But I just don’t want to look…I don’t know…foolish? It’s like the reverse quandary I had when I was ten.

Keep in mind, this is all this coming from the woman who enthusiastically taught her three-year-old son how to form the letters Y, M, C, A with his arms yesterday and who willingly participated in the limbo. (Warren, Satchel, and I all held hands and managed to get to the fourth round, which was no small feat.)

Going into Skateland is like stepping back in time, but in a good way. I don’t feel like I have to be cool or impress anyone. It’s just fun. I know that wearing my own skates will increase my enjoyment, but I worry that people might think I’m taking it all a little too seriously.

Well, I guess I should say worried. Steph emailed me this morning and informed me that there’s a group of women seriously talking about starting a roller derby in Memphis!

I can’t believe it! I am so going to get on a team. And buy some skates. All I need is a rink name.

Any suggestions?