There is a lot for me to learn about roller skating. Fortunately, Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale, CA was...
Open! |
As if the lure of skating wasn't enough, the mellow hum and multi-color glow of the neon-lit entry to Moonlight Rollerway got my wacky tacky juices going. |
It's not what it looks like; Denise & Anna weren't sitting long enough to get the bench warm. We were there to SKATE! |
I had absolutely no idea why there was on oversized, sand-filled, ceramic frog at the front door. |
Lesson #1 It was obvious that I was a novice skater. The first, and most important, rule of the rink is, "NO GUM ALLOWED." |
Lesson #2
You are at a roller rink - dress accordingly and be ready to participate.
Dress code: Be "Neat & Clean"
"No visiting; everyone must have
a ticket and must wear skates"
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Lesson #3
I look amazing in roller skates.
Actually, I think the two different laces signify
the increased threat level to more experienced
skaters of skating anywhere in my general vicinity.
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Lesson #5 Tuesday is organ night! Almost all roller rinks of a certain age were fitted for organ accompaniment - canned music came much later. By far, the best part of the night was Dominic on the Hammond Organ. The mirror above his head is for the benefit of skaters; one can watch all the action on the keyboard. |
Lesson #6 Rexing is for lovers. |
Sexy Rexers. They were rexing all night long. |
"Skatetown, USA" (1979)
"Roller Boogie" (1979)
"Roller Boogie" (1979)
Lesson #8 A Slush Puppie by the snack bar is the nearest thing to Heaven on Earth. I haven't had a Slush Puppie since I was 10 years old. Dang, they're delicious! |
Lesson # 8-A Ladies love a man with a Slush Puppie! Side note: How badly did I want to hang on to the locker key safety-pinned to my sweater? |
Lesson #10 Skating is over at 10:30. "Goodnight Couples" |
Honestly, roller skating was a huge success. I hadn't had skates on in many years and it only took a few trips around the rink for all my old moves to return - that is to say, skating forward without falling down. I'm pretty sure I am ready to shoot the duck!!! If my "10 Lessons for a Rex-y Body" aren't enough inspiration to strap on the old quads, here's a "Popeye" cartoon that will surely have you heading to the roller rink in no time.
"A Date to Skate" (1938)
Moonlight Rollerway
5110 San Fernando Road
Glendale, CA
(818)241-3630
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
I recently rediscovered rollerskating due to a good friend haveing a rollerboogie birthday. I loved it, I think it was the breeze in my hair that got me. (having never been a real runner, I don't experience that very often). We should take our good friend SN some time. :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! You are awesome and make me laugh so hard!
DeleteCari - I would love nothing more than to see SN on roller skates! Isn't skating freeing? I think it is as close to flying as I'll ever get!
DeleteTrixie - Look who's talking; you make me laugh with every blog! You're my comedy hero!
Boy, I really need to go to Moonlight on organ night! What fun! I’m always happy to hear that folks are going out to the skating rink for some good old fashioned fun. Long live the skating rinks! The Popeye cartoon is too cute.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Lee - You must go on organ night! It is both fun and enormously entertaining. You are a real skater, so you would have been seriously embarrassed by my performance (although, I did not fall at all), but I loved it. I need to make sure my visits to the roller rink are not so few and far between!
DeleteI used to go here as a kid! I had a thing for rollerskating. I had at least 1 birthday party at Moonlight Rollerway, 4th grade I think? I hope the same carpet is still on the walls!
ReplyDeleteSome one tell me please am I crazy or was scenes from Roller Boogie from the front of Moonlight Roller Rink? A friend first took me there, best times I loved it and still do.
ReplyDeleteWhat an Era, use to go to Balboa Park and skate also, back then they would carry large cassette players while they skated. Oh I miss those days, and Moonlight, moved away. Just watched Roller Boogie for the 100th time. Had to do some surfing about it.
ReplyDelete