A Wet Night for Bloggers on Ice

Hey, I got out on the ice!

Geez! Very disappointing that my neighbors would NOT get on the ice. I'm sorry. It is like going to a bar and not having a drink. Or going to a dance club and not dancing. Or going to the beach and not getting in the water or even wearing a bathing suit. Uh, what's the point? Dammit! Get in the game!

My neighbors are missing the entire pleasure of the ice rink. Ice skating is a visceral experience which one feels. See all those children struggling on the ice and having a blast? That's what it is about. It is not a passive experience like watching TV. It is not a simulation of reality like interacting with others through the internet. Then after deciding not to experience the ice rink, to stand around and philosophize like undergraduates. Can you imagine me and my friends sitting in a bar and talking about the wine list without actually drinking anything. I'm sorry, this is totally lame. You all are missing out on a fundamental downtown experience. Life is to be lived, not observed.

Then, to read about this Ed guy, who has worked downtown for 35 years (!), and how he lives in fear at venturing to Pershing Square. (Lock your doors. Close your mind.)He's surprised to see families walking about! Earth to Ed. Pershing Square -- The ice rink at Pershing Square has been open for ten years. Ten years! As I've pointed out to my downtown neighbors previously, these are the hardcore anti-downtown know-nothings. Uh, time to get out of the office, Ed; get out of the car. Time to walk around and see the world.

I must say I had a blast, and it was good to meet some of you. In all my years of ice skating, never once have I skated in the rain. Only in LA. :-) It was a ton of fun. Did anyone post any other pictures anywhere?

I didn't make it out last night - When it rains I just like to curl up in a corner and count the days until baseball season picks back up again.

Do you think LA could handle a year-around ice skate rink? Could you just imagine 100s of people coming downtown to enjoy our ice rink in the middle of the summer?

I'd settle for swings at Pershing Square. Or, even better...a public swimming pool!

Ginny, I've thought about the rink being year round. As an ice skater, I like the idea. However, over the years, there has been the occasional heat wave during the holiday. I've noted the technology can't really handle the heat. Ice quality suffers terribly, the generators strain mightily and the ice becomes very slushy. So unless there's a technological change, it might be tought to execute well. I must also say there's a pleasing quality to the fact the rink is only open during the Christmas season. Seems to make it extra special.

i'm thankful that Eric joined me in a few go arounds on the ice so that we lived up to the plural part of the named event. and it was great meeting commenters/readers too!

DK: A few years ago (ok, like ten or fifteen years ago) at the Disneyland Hotel they had an outdoor rink in July, all month long. So I think they would just need the right equipment.

That said, I agree that having it year round would take away the charm of having it only in the holidays. On the other hand, if they made it year round and regulation size, there would be a lot more room (which also means it would be safer) and they could host events there throughout the year (youth ice hockey leagues, figure skating, broom ball, etc.). Even so, I'm guessing the cost would far outweigh the benefits of having the rink year round, and there could actually be even less attendance during the holidays because the novelty would wear off.

you know, the draw for me was never ice skating at pershing square (though i'm sure it's a lovely experience), but the chance to meet up with other downtown bloggers and readers whose company i enjoy and don't get to see as often as i would like.

i bet that if the event were called "bloggers watching ice", it'd still draw the intended crowd - downtown bloggers and those who read them. it was a fun event. thanks for putting it together you guys!

I'm with Celia. It was great meeting everyone!

They'd best keep a close watch on that rink at night. The ice might turn yellow, in spots... you know, over towards Beethoven.

I'm still running into a lot of the same sort of attitudes from folks. I have friends that think we're nuts or we're living in a drug infested crack den or something. It's nothing of the sort. Best to encourage folks with kindness rather than insults. Anyway, a little patience with folks goes a long way.. =)

Ending on a positive note, it was cool to stop in and see folks again some I haven't seen in like a year I guess and some folks sooner, but anyway.. I don't skate I tried to learn when I was a kid (growing up in Indiana you do things like that) but I never learned and haven't had an interest. I thought it a good reason to force myself out of our building and be social. I just wish it hadn't rained.

Thanks to Eric and folks for being so gracious to us non-skating commenter/non-blogging bloggers. It was neat to meet Kathy and all the other folks.. I took some pix but they aren't really worthwhile to add to the flikr pool and the video I made a few small ones but you have to pick yourself out. =) Link on my flikr under my posting name of course. =)

Now if this had been a bar meet-up... ;)

If the large hotel and residential complex publicized a few months ago really is built across from Pershing Square, and the owner of that property really does fund a remodeling of the Central City's major park, Pershing Square should finally come into its own, as it should have done a long time ago.

I agree with Celia's suggestion -- truth in blogger event labeling.

DB, I'm sorry to hear about your incontinence. Just out www.depends.com.

I agree with MK. Enough of the picnicing, ice-creaming, and ice-skating. Boozing sounds most agreeable.

considering I still see people hitting the crack pipe daily around that area, yes we do live in a drug infested crack den but at least it's getting better :D

I'm sorry the Franklin Avenue 3 couldn't make it! Love the downtown ice skating rink, and love downtown bloggers... but Blogger Toddler wasn't a big fan of heading out in the dark and drizzle... perhaps a Bloggers on Ice II is in order before the rink closes up shop next month!

Great seeing you all there. One suggestion for the park when not in use as a mini-ice rink. How about some basketball court and a dog run?

Happy Holidays,

oooh a dog run might be good! I understand there's a limited green space that folks can actually go to and enjoy the outdoors (without getting hassled anyway).

Also - it's off topic, but important.

Rec and Parks is hosting a meeting at the LADWP cafeteria to discuss our recreational needs. I've put the announcement up on the DLANC website at http://www.dlac.comdlanc

Hope the hyperlink works...if not it's www.dlanc.com

OMG - I should have just put down all the information here!

http://www.dlanc.com

There. Look on the right hand side, and you'll see it.

actually, i wasn't advocating for "truth in blogger event labeling", my point was it doesn't matter what you call it. unless it's a 'gina event.

How about extending the Redline station so that passengers can take escalators up into the square?

The place smells like Desolation Row, and now we gotta add dog turds? Poor Beethoven.

Yes, put in a hoop; create turf for gangs to fight over, just like the good old days.

Hey, I showed up at the end. Good meeting the few of you that I did. Till next time.