Oct 6, 2012

Happy Anniversary!

Hey Xanboni fans! It's my third anniversary and I have a job for you!

Take a look back through the archives and post a link to your favorite post in the comments. In a couple of weeks, (when it looks like it's petered out) I'll do a random.org thing on the comments and send the winner a Xanboni water bottle!

Thanks for a great three years!

16 comments:

  1. Hmmmm, tough call. I'm gonna go with:

    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2010/08/learning-styles-movers.html

    ... and of course honorable mention goes to
    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2012/05/response.html

    LOL

    And thanks for a continually interesting and well written blog!

    -- Jeff

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  2. Happy Anniversary!
    Love them all, especiall the ones where you answer in your own charming style... :)

    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-everyone-is-out-to-get-you-its.html#links

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  3. As a beginner skater I like the ones where you talk about coaching relationships. Especially this one.
    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-this-work-and-you-still-suck-maybe.html

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  4. http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2012/02/championship-masters-what.html

    Still grateful to you for clarifying all of that! :)

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  5. I'm tied between two posts:

    http://www.xan-boni.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/children-who-wont-go-to-olympics.html

    - This one made me tear up, and I often go back and read it.

    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/coaching-philosophy-part-2.html

    - As a skater with minor disabilities (perhaps "condition" would be a better word for me, as "disability" implies that it had a major effect on my day-to-day life), I found this one so inspiring I printed the "talent is not the most important thing" part and had it on my noticeboard for months.

    I can't believe it's three years of Xan! I remember reading this blog in an internet cafe overseas in early 2010!

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    Replies
    1. Wow. I'm in tears. Thank you so much.

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    2. Thanks Xan. I really enjoy reading your blog, and I particularly like your attitude that skating should be fun and that "anyone can learn to skate".

      To expand on what I said above, I do have a minor condition which affects my muscles/coordination, which is minor enough that it affects me in sports a little but doesn't interfere with day to day life.

      In many respects, I think my experience isn't dissimilar to many adult skaters -- slow progress and getting "stuck" frequently on new elements. However, I started skating when I was 15, so I was still in the age range where I would have been expected to progress more quickly than I did/do. This means that people "overtook" me quickly, yet I didn't really fit in with the adult skaters.

      Since I got to know more people at the rink, this has been less of an issue as, a) My rink is lovely and once you get to know everyone they're much more concerned with being friends and sharing the enjoyment of skating rather than critical comparisons of progress, and, b) Pretty much all the adults and older teens hang around together so there are a wide variety of progress "speeds" within the group, and although I'm definitely way on the slow-progress side of normal (and will probably never have an axel for example) I no longer have the feeling that everyone is whizzing past me while I skate on a treadmill, so to speak.

      The tl;dr (too long; didn't read) version:
      - Xan is awesome and has a great attitude to skating.
      - I hope everyone has a rink experience that is as nice and welcoming as mine.

      :)

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  6. http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2012/03/are-good-skaters-mean.html I like topics about rinks and social issues. :)~meg

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  7. http://xan-boni.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/what-not-to-wear.html

    My favourite by far. Really enjoyed the comments and learning the distinction between the dreaded visible undies and the lesser transgression of VPL.

    Cheers all !

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  8. I am having so much fun re-reading these old posts!

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  9. http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2011/08/limits-of-talent-and-desire.html

    Thanks for three years of inspiration!

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  10. Like Accordian, the knickers post stands out in memory for hilarity. But I think my favorite is:
    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/suzies-going-to-nationals-i-think-all.html

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  11. There are so many I love... Mostly I like the posts about either skater-parent-coach relationships, or about goal-setting. It took me a while to find again the one that really opened my eyes the most, a while ago. Here it is:

    http://xan-boni.blogspot.com/2010/02/signs-of-improvement.html

    Maria, mom of 2 skaters: pre-pre and Basic 5

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  12. For me, I loved the post about joining an ice show:

    http://xan-boni.blogspot.de/2010/11/so-you-want-to-join-ice-show.html

    but the "What Not To Wear" post was hilarious.

    Love the blog, keep up the great work! Very inspiring.

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  13. The winner is Anonymous from 10:07! Send your contact information to coachxan@xanboni.com by October 23 and I'll send you your water bottle! After that, I'll draw a new name.

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  14. I got the water bottle! Thanks!!!

    Maria

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