My excellent adventure to the Philly clinic started at 5:00AM, so I could get an early start from where I live in Central VA. (a 4+ hour drive to Philly) Thank goodness for the early start, because mysteriously exit 24 did not appear to exist-anywhere near Philly. Thanks to my brother, who accompanied me, we managed to tour only a portion of Philadelphia's urban neighborhoods before we found our way to the arena. Yes, my brother will do a lot for a good stromboli! Lots of other folks also had a long drive, as there were cars in the parking lot from all over the East Coast.

I arrived in time to check in and to watch the 12:30 group take the ice. After watching the groups for a bit, I decided to be crazy and change to the Low Freestyle group "C". So, just as the autograph session was beginning, I was humbly groveling for a change at the registration table. They cheerfully complied, so I was all set. So, due to my big mouth, I was all ready to have to literally 'skate' in front of Todd & Richard C.

I braved the autograph line, and so after 14 years, I finally get the chance to meet Todd in person, and hopefully get an autograph and a picture. So, the moment arrived, and I open my mouth to say something deep, meaningful and profound, (and ask for a picture) when all that came out of my mouth was something like "HablahbalhThankYoublahblahhh" Sigh. Hopefully, if I can ever work up the nerve to approach Todd again, I will be able to speak coherent English sentences! Richard C. also kindly gave me an autograph, with my dying-quickly ball point pen. Arrgh! Where is a Sharpie when I need one?

Making my way from the uncomfortably warm outdoors, the happy autograph recipient (me) went in to change for my 2:30 session. For those of you that were there, I was in group C, wearing a pink top & black pants, trying to blend in unobtrusively as possible. The actual lesson was amazing. Our pro was a very nice young lady named Lauren, who ran us through some 2-foot & 1-foot spins and sent us all out one at a time to do waltz jumps. As I was curving out of my Waltz jump landing, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, that another person had skated up to my group. Sure enough, I had just demonstrated my Waltz jump for Todd. Yikes!!! You do get a strange feeling realizing that you just demonstrated your small, humble Waltz jump to one of the best skaters in the world.

Fortunately, I didn't have time to contemplate fainting, because Todd & the rest of us then moved on to the Dreaded Salchow. 'Dreaded' of course, because as most of you already know, it's the one jump that can come and go without warning, something like ex-boyfriends. :) Salchows can be with you and stay with you like a faithful dog, and then up and leave you and go on extended trips to the Bahamas. They're the absolutely least reliable in stress situations, too. My Salchow had gone on that extended trip sometime in August, nary a successful one in sight. In the middle of Todd's explanation about the technique involved in the Salchow, Richard C. skated over and added his coaching insight to them. Both Richard and Todd demonstrated a Salchow each, Todd demonstrating his one the 'wrong' way, as he put it! (counterclockwise) We all then went out one at a time to do our Salchows, and miraculously, I did not morph into the Human Zamboni. I managed to stay on my feet-not the steadiest, but OK. Whew!

Todd had to move on to the next group very soon after that, but Richard C. stayed with us and worked on salchows and toe loops for a bit, then he moved on to the next group too. For the rest of the time, Lauren worked with us on loops, spirals, lunges, and a little more spinning. The time was up so fast, i felt as though we had been out there for 5 or 10 minutes.

There was a very surreal moment for me that day, and that was the moment when I realized that Todd & Richard C. are standing right in front of me-literally-and giving tips and positive commentaries on jumps. Utterly unbelievable. Utterly priceless. I'm still in shock. After seeing them both on TV for all these years, it's weird to find yourself standing with them on the ice. Even after several days, I'm still having a hard time grasping the whole situation, and putting the situation into words.

The whole day was terrific, and both Todd & Richard were wonderfully encouraging, supportive, positive, and have great senses of humor. If I weren't already a fan for life, I would be one now. If you are one of the folks headed to the clinics in Arizona, Texas or Georgia, you are going to have a wonderful time, and it is worth every second of the drive!

Thanks for listening! :)

Betsy