Query, colourful stalagmites sound… really gross. Yuck!
The NY is for the state and a play on my nickname since Albany is the capital, and my friends when I moved to Spain called me Alba instead of using my real name.
I lived in NYC for over ten years and in the downstate part they call “upstate” another five or so, but I’m from the real upstate. I (foolishly) studied and worked in fashion there. It was more brutal than the movies and cliches would have people think. I did have acquaintances who successfully worked in theatre though: a guy with a grammy from Hamilton (among other awards
,) another who worked on the sets for the Lion King, and a childhood friend who painted backdrops too. Overall, I highly recommend people not move to NYC unless they have a really good job offer.
Now I’m navigating work permits and however it is done to get employed in Germany.
One day I may check out the plastic rink near a friend’s place, but so far I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my sharpening. I used a friend’s artificial ice setup (for her hockey playing son) once when I first began skating, and it was pretty bad.
The biggest perk of working for the rink was to skate for free, so I wouldn’t mind a similar thing here. I talked to the Zamboni driver at the nearest rink, and it may be an option depending on transportation and childcare logistics?
I just re-read, and the effect on sharpening lifespan is worrisome. The hockey people are used to constantly sharpening, but with figure blades that is a much bigger concern!