Great Skates

"I didn't know you liked ice skating," Mr. Ginley observed.

I replied that I did, but I know he enjoys the hockey and curling during the Olympics, and I didn't want to rain on his parade.

As it turned out, my better half stayed up until the wee hours watching the women's hockey team play Canada (way to go, USA!)

And thus it transpired that Mr. indulged me and my closet joy of figure skating, and took himself upstairs to read so I could watch without commentary.

The first night, I tuned in for the short routines. I fell asleep at some point late in the proceedings, but I did get to see most of the skaters.

For the medal night, Mr. again took himself off so that I could enjoy. I, in my naivete, thought there would be fewer skaters. There were, but not by much. Checking the TV schedule, I saw the figure skating was set for 8:00 to 10:00.  "Cool," says me. "I can watch the whole thing and still be in bed at a decent time."

"Oh, contrary," as Bugs Bunny would have said.

Shortly before 10:00, as it was occurring to me this wasn't going to end anytime soon, the channel I was watching announced I needed to change to a different station to finish watching the competition.

The times? 10:00 to midnight. So much for a good night's sleep.

But I must say, it was was worthwhile seeing the two Russians (Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva -- yes, I googled it, don't judge) duke it out. Their programs were phenomenal. The pair of them should each have gotten a gold medal. (I know they don't do that, I still think their performances were too close to call). And there were so many other outstanding skaters in the top 10 spots who were a joy to watch.

I can't fathom the amount of time these athletes spend on the ice, the number of injuries they endure or the logistics of putting one's life on hold for these competitions. But they do put on one hell of a show.

Last night on our walk home from dinner, a brew under his belt, Mr. Ginley commented that I just watched because I liked to see the skaters crash.

"It's not NASCAR." I replied. "You're such a boy."

In truth, every time a skater falls or flounders, I feel their anguish.

I think he should stick to hockey and curling. It's as it should be.