Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Gliding on Ice (Premium)

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below to learn more and thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your support. From the outside, the ice rink looks like a large warehouse. It's an island of tall industrial walls and tinted windows surrounded by a vast, gray, concrete parking area. You approach it on foot with the duffle bags lung over your shoulder.

Starting point is 00:01:07 The sound of the canvas bag swishing against the fabric of your clothes keeps time with your feet. Overhead, the sky is bright blue. A few clouds drift lazily by, glowing gold around the edges as they pass in front of the sun. It's a warm afternoon. Most of the people you've seen out and about have been wearing t-shirts. There aren't many sweaters to be found on a day like this. But your outfit is different. You have uncomfortable pants and a jacket. For soon, you'll be in a world of ice and frost.

Starting point is 00:02:02 As you approach the sturdy metal and glass doors slide open automatically. A gust of fridged air engulfs you. A stark contrast to the warmth outside. It makes you think of the first moment you open up a freezer and the cold air rushes out. You feel the skin on your cheeks tingle with the icy breeze. It's a welcome sensation to step inside the chilled building. You find yourself in a long, low entryway. A dark ticket booth stands on your left.

Starting point is 00:02:51 It's only open during performances, competitions and games. You walk past it and turn down a smaller hall on the right, which leads to the locker room. Another heavy door opens into the compact area filled with wooden benches, old metal lockers, and wide sinks with large mirrors above them. large mirrors above them. You pull a little bronze key attached to a plastic tab out of your pocket. Locker number 86 is yours. You make your way over to it now.

Starting point is 00:03:40 It's tucked back in the corner of the room which provides a sense of privacy. With a click, you open the tall narrow door. As it swings outward, the hinges make a familiar metallic creaking sound. Unzipping your duffel bag, you remove a pair of well-loved ice skates. You take a moment to admire them. Their silver blades shine in the dim fluorescent lighting. The leather of the toe box and ankle shows signs of wear. These gates have served you well over the years. While they don't look new, you know you can count on them for comfort and reliability. Zipping up your bag, you arrange it in the locker.

Starting point is 00:04:47 Then you take a seat on the wooden bench and begin to put on your skates. First, you remove the soft terry cloth guards that protect the blades in your bag. You leave these in the locker so you can get to them easily when you're done. Next, you slide the hard skate guards over the blades in their place. They'll help you walk out of the locker room and down to the ice without nicking or scratching the sharp metal. One by one you slide your feet into the comfortable shoes and lace them up so they're nice and snug. Then you carefully rest your weights on the long thin blades. In this sitting position, you notice that your knees rest higher than they normally do.

Starting point is 00:05:55 The blades add extra depth as though you have miniature stilts on your shoes. Carefully you tighten your core for balance and stand up. You have to readjust one foot slightly so your weight is well distributed over the skates. But when it is, you stand competently ready to head out to the ice.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Gliding on Ice (Premium)

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