The moment the skates touched the ice was a precarious feeling. Something wasn't right as it didn't feel natural. "I'm already here and there's no backing out now," I thought. Fear, still residing in me, with thoughts of the various ways that things can go wrong, I made my first push with my leg and slid across the ice nervously while staying as close to the rail as I could. "Fuck it. I wanted this."
I've never ice skated before in my life. Never had experience roller blading. The last time I was on any type of skates were when I was 8. It's been a long time.
I had the bright idea of going ice skating for my birthday a couple of weeks ago while I was driving around Woodland Hills. I saw the rink as I was on Topanga Canyon Blvd. and thought it would be a grand idea to share a new experience with the people I love. After setting the plans and details in motion did it occur to me that I was probably in over my head.
The day of my birthday, just hours before the skating was to occur, I took it upon myself to learn just the very basics of ice skating so I jumped on YouTube and looked at the various beginner how-to videos to get a better idea of what I'll be doing. It looked easy enough. Bend your knees and push your legs to the side to move forward. Rocket science it was not. I got this!
I didn't really get it.
I clung onto the railing as much as possible. I had to. For one, I didn't know how to ice skate. Second, everyone in the middle section of the rink were moving at a much faster speed! The more I spent getting used to being on the ice with skates, the more I ventured towards the middle. I'm not saying I was skating at the same pace with the more seasoned people. I wasn't. The farthest I went was probably a foot away from the railing/wall. That's as adventurous as I got.
As I got (somewhat) comfortable skating, I started to really enjoy myself and took in the whole experience. I really loved my time on the ice and I would like to go again before the season ends and the temporary rinks disappear until next Fall. I really want to get this skating thing down.
The bigger story, however, was sharing the night with my friends. Watching everyone laugh and have a good time was what made the night most memorable. I love watching my friends when they're happy. Seeing and experiencing that alone was a gift in and of itself.
Some people measure their success by the amount of money they've accumulated, the things they own etc. and those are valid ways to measure success but I'm of the school where my success is measured in the quality of people in my life. My friends and family are my estate. I'm not sure what I've done to have amassed so many great people in my life that I'm proud to call friends. I must be doing something right.