tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post320826633340638353..comments2023-04-07T10:27:50.934-05:00Comments on Xanboni: CurmudgeonAlexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-27892927981777585392014-06-07T08:14:12.839-05:002014-06-07T08:14:12.839-05:00Getting the bling before you have the thing (heh) ...Getting the bling before you have the thing (heh) is never a good message to send to kids, but private lessons for kids who are struggling is actually a great strategy for a motivated or eager child who is lagging in classes.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-44581198753056106712014-06-07T01:41:36.428-05:002014-06-07T01:41:36.428-05:00For me, it's lts kids without their waltz jump...For me, it's lts kids without their waltz jump at least with Zuca bags and stuff. Their was this one kid at my rink who was in Chloe Noels, had a limited edition Zuca bag, (like $15 extra) and private lessons despite the fact she was extremely slow and could hardly do forwards crossovers. After two lts semesters, I never saw her again. She probably quite...Kananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510583888150342826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-30356066573839797672012-05-08T18:29:01.634-05:002012-05-08T18:29:01.634-05:00I just started teaching LTS and currently my bigge...I just started teaching LTS and currently my biggest pet peeve is parents who not only overboot their little kids, but also put them in skates 2-3 sizes too big. It's almost impossible for their kids to skate in these, and it's so frustrating to explain that it's better to go with a softer (and often cheaper) boot in the right size even if it means you'll be buying another pair in 6 months. Too many parents want them to "last a while" but they don't realize it's a false economy when their kid can't make any progress because they can't skate in their too big and much too stiff skates. It's really sad to watch.sarahspinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574448485550286120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-21720384174865585872012-04-24T12:09:47.465-05:002012-04-24T12:09:47.465-05:00Ugh! It bothers me as well but it's very cult...Ugh! It bothers me as well but it's very cultural. My husband insists on even carrying dd's school bag because it's "what parents do". I'm all "Just drop her off in the loading zone!", but no...he escorts her to the playground and carries her crap. My daughter tries to do it but he tells her he wants to do it. I'm sure her teachers roll their eyes. Or they think I'm a slacker. You can't win. ~MegAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-14921014857581240512012-04-24T09:12:05.808-05:002012-04-24T09:12:05.808-05:00Or worse-- cellophane wrappers on the ice. I am CO...Or worse-- cellophane wrappers on the ice. I am CONVINCED that certain hockey coaches encourage this to mess with the figure skaters, because I find SO many wrappers right after this one hockey class which meets just before a fs session. It cannot be an accident, and it happens so often this is either a really unaware coach who is not noticing his kids unwrapping candy during class (in hockey gloves), or he's letting them do it on purpose. Criminal.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-58849324864091519732012-04-24T09:09:09.509-05:002012-04-24T09:09:09.509-05:00I'm going to have to think about this one. I s...I'm going to have to think about this one. I see what you're saying, but on the other hand, I like the courage it takes to try stuff. May have to write a post about it. (Also, kudos to you for inspiring a post!)Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-83684883470734750782012-04-24T08:55:44.937-05:002012-04-24T08:55:44.937-05:00DD is good about moving around the ice. She does n...DD is good about moving around the ice. She does not stay in anyone place for very long. It is targeted because it extends to off ice as well. Some of these kids have also made comments that were very nasty (regarding my ISI DD not being as good because she is not in USFS). <br />The adults at our rink (some) treat practice ice as a social event and chat. When others join in, all of the sudden there are 6-8 adults blocking flow. They do move when they realize they are blocking things, but it is disruptive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-41002312676694895042012-04-24T07:58:37.541-05:002012-04-24T07:58:37.541-05:00Squished goldfish crackers and chewed gum in the s...Squished goldfish crackers and chewed gum in the score box (where I have to stand to play freestyle music) and all over the locker rooms!RedShamrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08326488158457452579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-10136297442689705972012-04-24T00:02:54.432-05:002012-04-24T00:02:54.432-05:00At my rink it's the kids who hang out talking ...At my rink it's the kids who hang out talking on the ice. It's usually the younger/newer kids who only work when they are in a lesson. The adults are all good skaters and motivated - good role models because they are goal-oriented and work really hard.HipSk8https://www.blogger.com/profile/17073589538995430853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-17844167645730838772012-04-23T13:33:10.173-05:002012-04-23T13:33:10.173-05:00This is one nice thing that ballet has over skatin...This is one nice thing that ballet has over skating. Every studio has had the "if you can't sew your own pointe shoe ribbons, you can't dance on pointe" rule, and most have taken it seriously.<br /><br />Unfortunately there is no dividing line where skaters have to prove their independence. I haven't seen high schoolers, but I've seen 8th graders get their skates tied (and weren't running late). Ridiculous.Jessimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-56084321491378547902012-04-23T12:05:20.770-05:002012-04-23T12:05:20.770-05:00Is it really an ice bully or is dd at the circle t...Is it really an ice bully or is dd at the circle too long? There is a flow of traffic that is hard to see...most jumps require a pass through the circles - you can't camp out for the hour freestyle using the same patch of ice. Just something to consider...~MegAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-74911807246831003252012-04-23T10:06:00.758-05:002012-04-23T10:06:00.758-05:00My biggest pet peeves are "ice bullies."...My biggest pet peeves are "ice bullies." It is a problem with the higher level skaters at the rink, who get together and try to take over practice ice. They decide that they want DD to move off a circle so they can practice, because they are "higher" (not share - move). The coaches say there are doing lessons and there are no monitors. <br /><br />The other side of this is the large number of adult skaters at our rink, who do not continue to move and will stand and talk on practice ice. 4 or 5 adults "chatting" in a circle for a few minutes really mess up practice flow. I believe the coaches are afraid to say anything because they are bringing in so much money and the relationships have crossed from coach/skater to "friendship."<br /><br />Unattended children. The parents are there (sometimes on the ice), but the children are completely ignored and jumping on the bleachers, throwing balls, dripping food etc. Just because an ice rink has a lot of kids, doesn't mean it's a playground!<br /><br />Parents coaching from the doors. That's what I pay the coach for. If my DD asks a question, I try to answer, but seriously, I am not a coach. I tell her that all the time. Also, move away from the doors so the skaters can get on and off the ice!<br /><br />Last (there are more but these are the biggest) - coach also runs the rink, so people that constantly interrupt an obvious lesson with DD to ask questions. Wait your turn and not on my dime. Coach tries to make it up, but it upsets the flow of the lesson and my daughter, who wants undivided attention.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-14269311973534073262012-04-23T00:39:54.903-05:002012-04-23T00:39:54.903-05:00My biggest peeve- skaters who try to teach themsel...My biggest peeve- skaters who try to teach themselves things. My mom taught herself the Foxtrot, and she wonders why she hasn't passed it the two times she's tested. She taught herself stuff and thinks she can be her own coach (and she thought she could be my coach, until I told her to stop a few years ago. 'lets see your double salchow' was one argument i used...). Other adult skaters try and teach themselves things, and it annoys me. It hurts them in the long run usually. The reason I call adult skaters out on this is that they're smart, mature adults, and they think they can teach themselves just fine, whereas the eight year old doesn't read blogs online and see tips for a salchow and think 'oh i can teach myself a salchow this is all i need', where an adult might. Anyways, thats my biggest peeve about skating. That, and horrible ice moms who scream at other skaters who are a third their age who aren't even competing against their skater. Yeah, it's happened to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-86860591926395037032012-04-22T23:34:52.933-05:002012-04-22T23:34:52.933-05:00Xan- I totally agree. When I got my first pair of ...Xan- I totally agree. When I got my first pair of skates at age 7, the pro shop owner taught me how to tie them, and I tied my own skates every time I skated, except competitions, because I wanted them extra tight. Then when I got to working on axels, around 11 years old, I realized that my mom tying my skates for competition only wasn't good, because it was different than how I practiced. Now I tie my own skates all the time, as I should as a 15 year old competing Intermediate level, and won't let my mom or dad touch my laces. My sister who is 17, however, has her skates tied about 40% of the time by my mom or dad. In her defense, she has fine motor skills problems and a form of autism, but if she's learning lutzes and camel-sit spins, she should be tying her own skates. Our coach made her practice tying her own skates at home at one point two or three years ago, and it helped, but our mom babies her and ties her skates for her sometimes still (and it drives me crazy! Mom is trying to get on the ice too, she has her own skates to tie).skatergirl7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-81303116395990919722012-04-22T23:12:14.565-05:002012-04-22T23:12:14.565-05:00I agree with clothing! It won't make you skate...I agree with clothing! It won't make you skate any better to be in chloe noels. I started wearing skating pants when I got a pair for my birthday that were $25 off ebay. I got a new pair of skating pants that I like even more that were $15 clearance running leggings from Target. I wear a tshirt or tank top and a fleece jacket to practice. Not a fancy schmancy matching chloe noel pant, jacket, and tank set. Ridiculous!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-8006725016896895002012-04-22T23:06:40.295-05:002012-04-22T23:06:40.295-05:00Technically called an A-frame spin I guess... My c...Technically called an A-frame spin I guess... My coach was teaching me a combination spin that included it, and I couldn't do it because every time I got to the position, I started laughing, because your butt is your axis. Yeah, childish, but my coach took it well, and we're not doing that spin anymore... Anyways, he calls it the ugly spin, and I call it the butt spin. Hence, the new name for the a-frame spin: THE BUTT UGLY SPIN. Appropriate, no?skatergirl7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-74609531473307246942012-04-22T23:05:08.575-05:002012-04-22T23:05:08.575-05:00Xan, LOL, you crack me up! Sometimes I wish I cou...Xan, LOL, you crack me up! Sometimes I wish I could. Would make life a whole lot easier if I didn't empathize as much...You can have the fun of the snap judgements for the both of us and I'll be the weanie empathizer...we would make a great team.sk8rmom.phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05583679440836818496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-29501170245944219082012-04-22T17:44:11.569-05:002012-04-22T17:44:11.569-05:00Lol, anon, you sound like you've been to the I...Lol, anon, you sound like you've been to the Ice Rink of the Damned!Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-49008590934232898182012-04-22T17:42:10.526-05:002012-04-22T17:42:10.526-05:00Oh, come on folks. If I can't make snap judgme...Oh, come on folks. If I can't make snap judgments about people I don't know, there just isn't any joy in life. ;)Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-48591382255607364712012-04-22T15:05:02.465-05:002012-04-22T15:05:02.465-05:00Michelle, 13 is old enough to use a lace puller. A...Michelle, 13 is old enough to use a lace puller. And if you don't let her fail at a task, she'll never learn. What are you going to do at a competition? You can't tie them then. She HAS to learn. You're the parent, MAKE her learn. Practice at home. If she has to sit out a lesson or falls because the boot aren't tight enough or can't skate with her friends, she'll be motivated to do it. just tell her, "Here's a lace puller, lace your own boots or quit skating." And tell the coach not to tie the boots for her. You're not paying fees for that. Your coach will probably appreciate that you're making an effort. You'd be better off wasting a lesson fee or two for her to learn how to tighten her boots herself. I bet that coach has a pretty low opinion of you and your daughter--a 13 year old who can't tie her own boots?<br /><br />You're enabling your daughter's helplessness and you're setting up a pattern where she turns to you for everything. Are you going to go to job interviews with her too? A 13 year old--unless she's disabled---should be able to tie her own boots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-49839380742159253802012-04-22T12:46:02.225-05:002012-04-22T12:46:02.225-05:00Seconded on coaches behaviour. I DON'T care wh...Seconded on coaches behaviour. I DON'T care who said what to who...I don't want my coach telling me that so and so other coach was laughing at me, I don't want any coach/skater standing in my way intentionally because they don't like me/my coach (both have happened). I don't want to hear coaches calling 11 year olds lazy and useless at the top of their voices across the rink (yep, that happened). I don't want my coach answering the phone/text messages/chatting to other skaters in my lesson (yep, all of that too). I don't want to have to choose my lesson time to avoid certain coaches on the ice because they don't like my coach. I don't want to be glared at across the ice and audibly bitched about because I dare to chat to one of the "enemy".<br /><br />Other peeves? Adults with more money than sense who spend $$$ on overbooting themselves with skates that they can't possibly ever use. Skaters (almost always adults) who are determined to learn jumps (usually 3 jump and salchow initially) before they can even do a convincing outside edge/3 turn. And they won't practise the basics because that's no fun. Also adults who spend weeks agonising over their choice of boot without ever trying them on! It doesn't matter if the boot breaks down before you have your doubles if you can't yet skate backwards you know!<br /><br />And people who don't either know the rules of who has right of way, don't care, or aren't even looking around them even when a dance music is playing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-92152337639682838192012-04-22T09:15:04.057-05:002012-04-22T09:15:04.057-05:00This is "Xan's Rule." Once you'r...This is "Xan's Rule." Once you're 8, you have to at least make an attempt to tie your own skates. I tell my students that if they need them re-tied, I or their parent will do it. But they have to at least try. If it's a matter of kid's slow and there isn't time, then have the kid tie them in the car. And you know what? Eight and nine year olds are ALL capable of this.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-14712723331041179872012-04-22T00:00:04.791-05:002012-04-22T00:00:04.791-05:00Maria,
Not commenting on your DD or her situation...Maria, <br />Not commenting on your DD or her situation at all. You don't have to justify or defend your actions. Neither does anyone. Everyone has their own reasons for what they do, and that's enough reason to do it. <br /><br />To clarify what i mean as a general comment on our parental behavior today that might lead to kids feeling entitled: <br /><br />By "earn" I meant pay your dues, not necessarily bribe or pay for hard work. Meaning that as parents we often want the best for our children forgetting that sometimes the best gift we can give them is for them to work hard and as a result of that hard work get the solo or the dress that is needed for that higher level or the skates that they need to compete at the higher level. To allow them to struggle and feel good about their achievements when they finally master the skill or... <br /><br />For a lot of people, when they think back on their lives, the things they had to work the hardest for (earn) are the things that they often the most proud of). <br /><br />That's what I tried to say.sk8rmom.phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05583679440836818496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-50936331660125881002012-04-21T23:15:15.709-05:002012-04-21T23:15:15.709-05:00Oh T. Sedai, I too can't stand people who toss...Oh T. Sedai, I too can't stand people who toss crap on my crap, spill crap on my crap, or throw my crap on the floor. Especially when there are miles of empty bench. I ask those folks, why do you have to be exactly where I am? Do you really think it's appropriate to spill your juice/food on my brand new wool coat, or put your filthy shoes on top of my work clothes?HipSk8https://www.blogger.com/profile/17073589538995430853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-2756990934603727802012-04-21T20:52:37.896-05:002012-04-21T20:52:37.896-05:00Coaches in skating skirts? Must be really warm w...Coaches in skating skirts? Must be really warm where you are. Coach butts at my rink are usually covered up in layers of fleece and topped off with synthetic down coats. Several coaches also have battery operated skate warmers. <br />pet peeve? probably coaches who stand and chat with their students in the middle of the ice.Lorihttp://internationaladulticeskaters.com/noreply@blogger.com