Misadventures in ice skating

Yesterday, I went ice skating with my co-workers on frog pond on Boston Common. Yes, how very Winter in New England of us. Those of you who are aware of my feelings towards non-shoe sports understand that this is a very big step for me. I dread activities like ice skating. I'm terrible at them, and they bring up all sorts of horrid childhood memories of public embarrassment. So, I was surprised to say that last night wasn't that bad. I don't know if I could describe it as fun, exactly, but there were no injuries or crying incidents, and I only fell twice. I was definitely the worst person on the ice (my only competition was a 4 year old girl), but I looked as it as a public service, like, if anyone else there was worried about looking like an idiot, they would see me and immediately be reassured that there was at least one other person worse than them. I did manage to progress beyond terrified clinging to the side rails, and I still only push with one leg, but I did move forward on occasion. My coworkers were really helpful and patient, and one of them even had to tie my skates for me, because I couldn't even manage to do that. I had an outfit twin- an Asian guy was wearing the same puffy red jacket and white knit hat as I, and caused some amazed bewilderment when my coworkers saw him doing tricks in the middle of the ice and initially thought it was me. Will I go again? Hmmm...probably not. But it wasn't that bad.