If We Weren't All Crazy We Would Go Insane

In 1977, about 10 years before our skater took his first steps on a frozen surface in the Aspen Ice Garden, former Aspenite Jimmy Buffet scored big with his song “Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes ” It’s been stuck in my head all day as I think about the many things I've learned in the now 24 years we've been involved in this sport. Unlike my “Twelve Days of Skating” holiday adaptation, this one didn't take much changing. It just kind of said it all. So with apologies to Jimmy , here is my slightly edited version:

I took off for a weekend this month

Just to try and recall the whole year

All of the faces and all of the places

Wonderin’ where they all disappeared

I didn't ponder the question too long

I was hungry and went out for a bite

Went out for a drink then looked for a rink

But there just wasn't one within sight

Chorus:

It’s these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of our running and all of our cunning

If I couldn’t laugh I would just go insane

Reading departure signs in some big airport

Reminds me of the places I’ve been

Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure

Makes me want to go back again

If it suddenly ended tomorrow

I could somehow adjust to the fall

Good luck and hugging and media mugging

I’ve seen more than I can recall

Chorus:

These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

I count the arenas and smiling hyenas

So I have to laugh or I'd just go insane

I think about skating when I’m drinking red wine

I wish I could jump on a plane

So many nights I just dream of the ice

God I wish I was freezin’ again

Oh, yesterdays over my shoulder

So I can't look back for too long

There's just too much to see waiting in front of me

And I know that I just can't go wrong

Chorus:

With these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of my running and all of my cunning

If I couldn't laugh I just would go insane

If we couldn't laugh we just would go insane

If weren't all crazy we would go insane