Thanks, Coyote Chris, for starting this thread. I’ve been meaning to do so myself for nearly a week now. I thought I’d share some notes from my own Nats experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I had to rack my brains for bad and ugly.
The ugly: As Caroline Zhang took the ice for her long program, a row of frat boy types above the K&C starting cat-calling and one of them actually howled “Me love you long time!” in a bad Asian accent. Yes, boys, the skaters are very pretty girls and I’m sure they like that appreciated, but you crossed a line there and it was offensive. Ah, youth and stupidity.
As we passed the Visa salesman hawking his skating card, he barked out “Don’t you want to help the skaters?” Hello?! My companion had volunteered all week, thanks so much Mr. Visa Man, and when I’m able to help out I know how to do so in a manner that actually gets money to actual skaters. I know the federation needs whatever help it can get, but please. Stop.
The bad: The HP Pavilion Stairmaster was quite a challenge! The staircase is very steep, and I’m glad I wasn’t drinking. It was also very long, but I’m certainly not going to complain about my spot. It was good to get some exercise after hours in my seat, though.
I departed regretting things left undone. I’d been on the volunteer list but had to withdraw my name for economic reasons.
I wish I’d been able to get more/better pictures, and brave the jostling crowds to get some autographs/face time. The smart phone is new to me and I get really uncomfortable in close crowds. I feel like I let you all down! If I ever get the opportunity to do this again, I promise to be prepared for Zamboni break reports at the very least.
The other thing is silly, but I get that way sometimes. The Hilton Honors people had a fun area set up near the north entrance where they gave away promotional material. They also took your picture with USA jackets, gold medals, and flowers, with the option of draping yourself in the flag. Best random souvenir ever! The funniest thing about it wasn’t in the picture – I’d instinctively posed with my feet in the standard ladies’ podium position. I looked down and giggled like a fool. My Michelle Kwan Moment! It didn’t occur to me until we’d left the Tank, but I will regret forevermore that I didn’t even TRY to convince the Hilton people that it would be a great idea to don jackets and medals, grab the roses and flags, and run downstairs for a quick victory lap around the information booth. Next time, Hilton people. Next time.
The good: FINALLY making it to my first Nationals! Those of you who’ve been there and care enough to hang out in the forums KNOW how exciting this is, and I hope all of you get the opportunity at least once. I felt like a kid at Christmas. I was near the skater’s entrance in the fifth row. The action took place right in front of me, and seeing it live was just breathtaking. The speed, the beauty of many of the costumes, and the drama and emotion of the experience just don’t come through on TV or the internet. Watching the coaches live the programs with their skaters was really fun. Seeing (but not hearing) Scott, Sandra and Tom was wonderful. Seeing so many faces of championships past in addition to finally seeing the current crop of skaters as Sport intended was something I’ll never forget.
The folks sitting around us were just wonderful and added so much FUN to the experience. FS uber-fans are the absolute best! Everyone was so welcoming and gracious. We were seated with people who’d been to many events and knew everyone. We were noisy and a bit snarky but ultra-supportive. When the guy in front of me turned to ask breathlessly “so who do you like in the men’s event?” I knew I was among My People. A young woman from Japan came over just to throw a handmade teddy bear at Armin during the men’s final. I was surprised at how emotionally invested we all got in Armin picking it up as he left the ice, and how excited we were for her.
The folks behind the scenes worked hard to make a memorable event. The Kwan tribute was really sweet. The guy they had working the Ryan Seacrest role kept the crowd engaged. The staff at the HP Pavilion is “top-notch”, as Uncle Dick would say. A more friendly, efficient and professional bunch would be hard to find. The sound system had recently been upgraded and worked well. The volunteers did a great job and the flower sweepers were beyond adorable. I wanted to tuck one in my pocket and take her home with me, but she would have had to change rinks. (“C’mon, kid, we’ve got Snoopy on our Zamboni…”)
Speaking of volunteers, my friend was in the skater’s lounge during the Novice and Junior events and sent me brief reports via Facebook during her shifts. It was fun getting notes like “I just helped Evan Lysacek’s coach with his I-pad and he’s reading ‘Catherine the Great’” and getting a little inside scoop on who was “really nice” and who was “kind of douchey”. The game Apples to Apples was popular among some ladies who you’d think would be old for that sort of thing.
The best part for us, though, was getting there early enough to watch the practices from the front row, because we decided to serve as official seat-warmers and kept moving as people came in. We Occupied the fifth row, two sections away from the K&C, for the whole weekend. I plan to do this at every event I attend. Maybe I’ll even make up a T-shirt: Official Seat-warmer.
If you see someone like that in Omaha, come up and say hi. You never know.
Thank you. More tails from the front after 4Cs...
