Showing posts with label Gilding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gilding. Show all posts

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Improvements

I’m feeling stronger today.

My hand is feeling better. And I learned a new word: Paresthesias, a sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of the skin. This is what I was experiencing in my hand and arm. I also learned that one of the best pharmaceutical remedies for it is actually a drug invented for something else. Amitriptyline is a pill developed as an antidepressant, but it has been found to be a powerful sleep aid and lessen the effects of paresthesias. Win, win, win. Sign me up.

(OK, quick aside. Can we all agree that I know the correct word for that hand burning sensation and just start calling it the Burning Annoyance? Easier to spell.)

And I had a great skate lesson. I am feeling more confident. People I skate with are starting to notice my improvement of both ability and endurance. I am learning the basics, becoming more comfortable, and starting to gain the confidence I need. And… I still haven’t done a crossover. But I will! Soon! Stay tuned for reports…

Here is what I am trying now: gliding on one skate. Moving forward in roller skates often involves having only one skate on the ground. I am trying to retrain my legs and my brain. I need to pick up my feet when I skate, and I need to spend some time keeping them up. Not at the same time, of course. That would be more like diving or riding a magic carpet.


I need to start walking like a duck, at least while skating. Toes out. This is the method of accelerating on skates. You make a V with your feet, then start stepping forward. Duck walk, fall, get up, rinse, and repeat. Just like Chuck Berry, without the guitar. 
He didn’t fall as much…