It’s a crazy time, that cannot be denied. Luckily, there’s Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin to remind us why people write songs in the first place.

And there’s an extra-large “brookie” pie that I made for my son’s studio class tomorrow.

And there’s skating to keep me happy.

Between my work schedule and other conflicts, lessons have been on and off. But when I’ve had them, they have been really helpful. I’ve figured out how to maintain a better edge through some of my transitions as well as turns, and I’ve been having a good time working on my basics.

Even if life in general isn’t in balance, my skating has improved. I have a much better sense of where I am on my blade. I’ve been spending time working on maintaining a consistent edge as I come up (straighten the skating knee). I’ve worked on this before, but never really felt like I was getting anywhere. But at last, here it is.

Lesson notes (these are from a while ago as well as last week):

• Introduction to the Starlight (double push, progressive, cross, swing): continuous motion through edge; think about the rhythm. Generate extension through push, not just by extending free leg.
• American waltz threes: isolate stages. Set up rotation from the push onwards; don’t do that “extra” rotation at the end of your edge. Make sure you come up fully on the knee and maintain the edge. Free foot comes directly in, not around.
• Alternating back chassés: think about the edge pull in between.
• Change of edge: don’t rotate upper body (continuing looking in direction of “partner,” not travel).
• Back outside to forward inside counter, touch and push back to repeat on other side.
• Back to front outer- outer choctaw, change edge mohawk.
• Mini Bauer back cross step forward inside and repeat in other side.
• Inside Mohawk push back double three use ankle stretch.
• Inside toe turn step forward tuck behind inside repeat on other side.