I just got back from Lethbridge and the first Skate the Nation show. Kind of neat seeing the "first" one - I've always wanted to do that :-) I didn't really make up my mind to go until the last minute, because Lethbridge is a long drive, but of course now I'm glad I did and the drive was worth it.

OK - I've kept Amy waiting long enough :-) Last but definitely not least - Jayson Denommee! Born showman - cute kid - and budding "ham" :-) We loved him. How could you not? He was just so obviously thrilled to be there! Being the "new kid" he had the honour of skating first. Out he comes - with stars in his eyes. Skating to a medley called "Jukebox". With every trick he's seen every skater do in shows, in his routine. We had the "jacket removal" - the "shirt sleeve removal" and that all time crowd pleaser - the " backflip" Yup - he did 'em all - or at least he "attempted" to do them all :-)

The jacket came off ok - but young Jayson has yet to learn that when you remove it - you should sort of notice where you put it. Nope - so excited was he - he promptly stepped on his nice leather jacket and went splat. Undaunted by that - after a slightly more awkward removal of the shirt sleeves - he once again forgot where he'd put his discarded apparel and promptly tripped again. No problem - he was having a great time! You just can't help but like this kid because he looked like he was having so much fun. Everytime we'd applaud he'd get this "WOW - they like me - they really like me!" look on his face and off he'd go again trying all the harder. Born to entertain. Very, very, rough around the edges - but you just know watching him that this is what he really wants to do.

His second program was "Reet Petite" - and yup - we liked it just as much as the first one. Oh - and the back flips were successful in both

When Jayson wasn't skating - he was watching everyone else perform. Just absorbing everything - the whole atmosphere. A big huge grin on his face - obviously loving every moment of it. Can't say that I blame him. Being on tour with his "idol" Kurt - it's probably a dream come true for him - and I expect he'll learn a lot from this.

I asked for some more details on the first program, which is new to me. Here is it.

I can't remember all the details of the Jukebox program - but it was a medley with Jayson removing various parts of his costume as the music changed. As one type of music started he removed his jacket, then later with different music he pulled off the shirt sleeves etc., I know at some point there was disco music in there.....then onto rock......I forget what it started with.

And a tiny bit more from the show in Red Deer.

Jason's routines were pretty much as I remembered them - except he's figured out what to do with his discarded clothing :-) I'm sure the people around me were wondering why I was laughing so hard last night. Now he removes the black leather jacket and rather than immediately dropping it on the ice - he swings it around his head for a while and throws it across the rink. Truly hilarious if you'd seen the Lethbridge show.