SK8 World Is Awesome!
I had planned to spend my Friday night watching a few episodes of True Detective while enjoying the last of my stash of small batch Guatemalan coffee, but alas, it was not to be.
I was pulling into the parking lot of the Applebees's in Munster, Indiana when my wife asked me if I wanted to check out a new skating rink in Portage, Indiana. I didn't! In an attempt to sweeten the pot, she told me that SK8 World's Facebook page was boasting that Tim "Spinnin" Shommer would be onsight to perform, as it was opening night. This accomplished nothing because I had no idea who Tim "Spinnin" Shommer was. Listen, it's not an indictment on Tim or his talent but instead, a glowing example of how out of touch I am with the rolling ring industry "D.J. Elite."
So back at Applebee's in Munster, I'm trying to satisfy my hunger with a protein-rich, carb conscious, 8oz sirloin smothered in parmesan and decorated with a fistful of shrimp. It also came with a cup of garlic mash and more than generous serving of steamed broccoli. The garlic mash was on point (5 stars) but the broccoli would only act as to color my otherwise sepia-toned meal. My wife was across the table being silent, allowing my six-year-old daughter to do all the convincing. She knew what she was doing. In fact, they both know their respective roles, both independent and collective. My wife planted a seed in our daughter's brain when she initially presented the idea, and it was now in full bloom. They both had SK8 World in their sights and knew exactly what they needed to do to get there. My wife, with her "I guess we can just sit at home and rot, again" attitude and my daughter presenting the puppy dogs eyes she's obviously perfected.
An hour later, I'm 20 miles east of Applebee's, east of my coffee, and east of season one of True Detective. I'm standing in a long line outside of SK8 World, waiting impatiently for this experience to both begin and end. I'll admit it, I was dug in. I was not gonna have fun if it killed me.
While I saulked, an employee who exited the building inviting anyone in possession of their own shoes (He's talking about skates) to cut to the front of the line, so they could pay their admission to roll. He did this every five minutes or so. We had only had our tennis shoes so we weren't going anywhere fast. Us line waiters were also being told that SK8 World had run out of skates and that we could pay to get in but might not have the opportunity to skate. We would have to wait until someone who had rented skates in ou desired size had their fill for the night if we wanted to have a go. Luckily, we were able to procure a tiny pair for our daughter and one for the wife, as soon as we got inside. They were happy, which made me happy. I was also happy, happy to be left alone to hold their coats and shoes and have absolutely zero fun. But eventually, something changed,
After watching my wife and daughter go around a time or two, I couldn't deny that I longed for my chance. I couldn't tell my wife I wanted to skate, I had my pride. I had committed to my anger and I didn't want to let it go. Then I devised the perfect plan. It was totally obvious that my wife was not a graceful skater and that she was having difficulty maneuvering around the floor with our daughter. So after they struggled for a couple of laps I proposed to my wife that she take a break and that I escort my daughter around the rink a few times. She didn't agree or brag that "she told me so," she just grabbed me some skates. Truth be told she just wanted to get me into some skates so she and I could skate together. She's smarter than me, what can I say.
The minute my skates hit the floor I was transported back to 1987. The music, the lights, and ambiance. Tim Shommer was on his game. It was like he had been cryogenically frozen in time, only to have been thawed out for this event. Every song choice perfect, ever light transition, precision. I did shuffle around the rink a few times with my little girl, but that's not where the magic happened. It was when I flew solo. I raced, I spun, I twisted, and I twirled. I skated backward like most people dream of skating forward. I soared like an eagle.
My wife also got her couples skate. Everybody won.
The price was right, the bathrooms were clean, and it had a great family-friendly atmosphere. I just want to know which night is 80's punk rock night. I, well I mean WE, will definitely be back.
I watched True Detective while I wrote this review read more