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"Rob Streich DIVES onto the arena TX #1 by Rob Streich ~ Last week, with the onset of mild weather, I thought I would to the arena to see some Thursday night rollersk- ating - a sure sign of spring. My first impression of the place was that there was a par- ty going on. There were two dozen bodies moving in and out of the flashing lights to the pulse of popular music. I started out trying to take ictures of the skaters from on oot - I found out quickly that they were moving too fast and too far away to keep up with them. Es Confident of my youth and physical condition, I boldly strode up to the rental boot and asked Corey, the atten- dant, for a pair of skates. With one skate on, I discov- ered that it was nearly impossi- ble to stay in one place to puton . thesecond. & With two skates on, it was * impossible to keep from perpet- as motion. $89. Corey came out from be- 3 e counter and offered to { push me up the ramp. I de- clined, but I jumped at his sug- stion to walk up on the stops, the rubber toes of my skates. "So that's what they are for," I thought to myself, and cautiously negotiated the ramp. Then it was home free down the short straightaway and smack into the step down to the floor. Almost lost it there! It has been over a decade PA EE ah a Se hy : He-o-k1p? Do 1 look Ike | am enjoying this? Is this what all my years ot higher educa- since my ankles last had the challenge of controlling the mo- tion of a pair of rollerskates. This time around I am 20 inches taller with a dispropor- tionately highcentre of balance. - It coul the evening. On the floor, with the lights low and the mirrored danceball glowing, I was bop- ping along to the beat of the disc jockey's music. Slowly. With my camera wrapped tightly around my neck for se- curity, I proceeded -to make a circuit around the floor - grab- ing at the boards for balance . My sea legs were slow to come, but every time I wobbled close to toppling over, I threw myself to the side to protect the camera (that's my excuse and I'm sticking toit)! : It was a little embarassing to have these hot-shot teenag- ers passing me three or four times before I finished a circuit of the rink. = Some of them were show- ing their fancy skating moves, and doing little jumps over the 'pylons on the floor. I can do that, IthoughtasI narrowly missed impaling my- self with my left leg skidding toofar out tothe side. The kids on the floor were trying not to Jauzh at me, I ap- preciated that, but the dozen watching from the refreshment booth couldn't help themselves. I quickly discovered one awful flaw in my plan. Idid not know how to stop except by fall- ingover. not bode well for FALLING in love with I tried coasting until I ran out of momentum, but that only took me to a stop at the other end of the rink from where I wanted to be. Then it occured to me, use the rubber stops on the front of the skates. ~ Bang! My left foot grabbed while my right kept rolling and I nosedived, spread-eagled, onto the cement. The kids rolled past on ei- ther side, smiling and occas- sionally having to swerve quickly to avoid my prone body. I managed to get up onto my knees with some dignity and ~ pretend that I was intentional- ly positioning myself for picture taking. Up and down like a carou- sel, the cycle kept repeating it- self. Pretty soon I lost all hope of dignity, and any illusion. of getting some good p ctures. With my "sweat, I found it difficult to pro- tect my camera and get to my feet at the sameinstance. I managed to catch up to, and hand my camera to one of the kids, with instructions about how to use it. I stipulated what picture I hoped they could get with their greater speed and stability. While I was trying to keep an eye on things, I was blinded by my own flash, lost my bal- ance and went down hard. As I struggled to my feet they took blackmail photos of a man, defeated and broken at 24 yearsofage. tion have brought me to? Time to take up something safe like hang-gliding. row beaded with "This Is such fun, Boppin' around the arena with your friends. Move your hands and shake your hips, but don't lose your | balance - Or step on someone!