Adults Like Roller Skating

As I am one step closer to being a parent of a kid in the double digits, I am shocked at how fast times flies. Blink and another year has past.

BUT, my fellow time warpers, let me tell you where time stands still...the skating rink!!

The last time that I went skating was at Thunderbird Roller Rink in Plano, Tx. It was SOOOOO the 80's!! Joan Jett lovin' her rock and roll, Duran Duran was hungry like the wolf, Michael Jackson's Thriller was THE DEAL and, let's not forget, the hokey pokey in the center. You know what I'm talking about.

Well, I just went roller skating recently and it was almost exactly as I remembered! I was shocked.

The first thing I noticed, and when I say "noticed" I mean being hit in the face with a memory, it SMELLED EXACTLY THE SAME! It was loud, there were flashing lights and it was filled with every level of skater. The wobbly novice that does more stepping than rolling and slowly goes around with arms straight out for balance. The intermediate that can really get up some good speed, but has trouble with stopping (me). The freebird that you can find lying on the roller rink floor in fits of laughter after tripping and falling. And finally...the pro. You know this guy, taking turns around the rink with skate over skate flair...inside leg and arm keeping form, outside leg and arm doing all the work.

The skates are the same. Super hard on the ankles, laces for days.

There was an awesome disco ball.

They still "slow it down a little" and have slow skates.

They even play some of the same music from way back in the day...yay!!!

What's different?

The cha cha slide.

You could also get inline skates.

I did not see Mentos at the snack bar.

And then there was this....



I do have to admit that the second I opened the doors and heard the music rattling the windows I thought, "man, this place is so loud!" I did also find myself wishing that some of those little kids would just slow down while they were bobbing and weaving in and out of the tables and seating area. C'mon, leave that on the skate floor people!

Have I outgrown this? I don't really think so. I think if I had then I wouldn't have laughed as much as I did and I wouldn't have immediately thought that "the gang" needs to come back on adult night. Laura did have a good point, though. After skating in one direction for a while, you just need 'em to change directions so that you can give your hip a break. Sheesh.

Here's a thought that makes you think. The last time that I was on roller skates was in the 80's when I was probably 10 or 12, give or take. Shocking, I know, but that's not the weird part. The weird part is that, as I was making that last lap around the rink, not only was I unaware it would be my last for twenty something years, but I had no clue that the next time I would have that roller rink wind in my hair, it would be at my own 9 year old son's birthday party. Crazy, huh?

Oh, and please don't forget....Safety First!