While skating at the Oval this afternoon with a few friends, I felt compelled to offer an explanation for why I was alternating smooth skating with bouts of stumbling: “Sometimes I space out for a moment and suddenly I’m no longer in the zone! But it’s okay, I just take a moment to center myself and get back in the groove.” My friend thought this remark expressed a truth about my essence. I think he was right; also, I am sure my skates were not laced tightly enough.