Living in the Midst of Crashed Ice
So, I live within shouting distance of the beginning of the Crashed Ice event. As in, I can see the wall of the course start from my bedroom and kitchen windows. Hey, do you wonder what that is like? This is what it’s like:
- My block has been closed since Christmas, and they just recently put up more barricades which means I have to walk through road closure signs just to get to the front door.
- There are many generators, and sometimes I think, oh, the constant buzz has gone away! But really, I’ve just gotten used to it.
- Also, security persons! They have ranged from nice to surly to slightly creepy and their numbers have gone way up this past week.
- Parking surprisingly isn’t the disaster I thought it would be, since they opened up some street parking for residents only.
- People make jokes about how I should be able to ride down “the slide.” UM HAVE YOU SEEN THIS THING? Also, no. Also, no you would not ride down it in a sled, so shut up already.
- People also ask if I have an awesome view, which is hilarious, because it’s like…imagine going to a ski race, only you’re at the back of the hill! And you can’t see any of the jumbotrons because they’re facing the other direction. And, it won’t be on TV for another week. That’s what my view is like!
- Really, the worst part has been the lighting situation. I’ve woken up at 4am to BRIGHTdimBRIGHTdim and thought wtfwhyareyoudoingthisitis4am!!!! Last night I had to rig a dark sheet on the curtain rod because blue and red lights were flashing and WHY? It was after 11pm! NO ONE WAS SKATING! Most of my cursing out this whole thing has been done in the late hours when I’m tired and crabby.
- So yeah, there have been some inconveniences but for the most part it’s been kind of amusing and it’s fun to see the place I live in so many press photos. Also fun: it prompted me to have my first official party in my apartment. Because who cares if we don’t fit? We can always party outside.
