wlotus | Funniest Thing Ever

Watching the Zamboni
After 90 minutes of ice skating, I decided to take one or two last passes after the crew finished resurfacing the ice and then call it a day. A sudden commotion made me change my mind. Brooklyn's P.S. 65 had sent their entire third grade to the rink for a field trip, and the kids stormed the waiting area just as the Zamboni chugged onto the ice. I listened to their tall tales of the leaps and spins and high speeds they would accomplish once they got on the ice, and I thought, "Hmmm. These kids are talking like children who have never set foot on an ice rink. I have got to see this!" As luck would have it, I had just happened to carry my camera that day in order to shoot the fountain in the morning light. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

watching the ice being resurfaced

And when I get on that ice, man, you won't believe it!

Let's just say it is a good thing I had already emptied my bladder before all of this happened, or I would have peed myself laughing. Thank goodness the main teacher had firmly instructed everyone to hold onto the rail when they first got onto the ice. Despite all of their hotshot talk, the kids found out reality was cold. And wet. And slippery. There was a lot of this going on:

hanging onto the wall for dear life

The teacher helps her surprised students onto the rink.

And this:

Don't let go!

It's slippery!!!!!

And that:

Ooops!

Ooopsie!

With a side order of those:

Look out!

Augh!

But kids are resilient, and by the end of their hour on the ice, there was a lot more of this going on:

By George, I think they've got it!

I made over 200 shots. When I've finished sorting and editing the best, I will burn them to a CD and send it to the school principal with a note about how much I enjoyed watching their third grade tackle the challenge of ice skating. The best part was how friendly and well-behaved the kids were. I'm sure the principal will be glad to know the students represented their school well.

Peace, pal.