I feel I must retract my comments on ice dancing. Why? I will let this letter I received speak for itself:

Dear Ms. Jersild (if that is your real name),

On behalf of the Ice Dancers International Observing and Tracking Society (I.D.I.O.T.S), I must tell you that I found your bitter and inaccurate posting about our sport at fiendishplot.com to be cruel and unfair. It is obvious that you have no understanding of the glamour, emotion, beauty and dedication that are ice dancing today.

From its beginnings in an indoor mall in New Jersey, this sport has flourished, as it continues to capture the hearts and feet of millions. Recent innovations -- pure chiffon costumes from Taiwan, protective cups from Canada, permanent hairdyes from Russia, unisex makeup from Brazil -- provide some idea of how truly international this sport has become. Did you know that historians at the University of Kjull believe early forms of ice dancing were even used by the Vikings to lull visiting enemies to sleep before their skulls were crushed?

In addition, ice dancing is enjoyed by people of every age; the champion of our "Splendour on the Ice" Tour, Ruby del Ray, was a youthful 98 when she retired last August! While it is true that Ruby suffered an unfortunate fall upon attempting a dangerous Tango Passion Clamp, she remains one of ice dancing's greatest proponents and spends her Sundays working with ice dance youth groups throughout Kansas. Perhaps this additional information has given you a new perspective on our magical sport. I hope so.

May the Magic Find You,

Eustace M.V. de Longhe, DIS, HHL, XYZ

I stand corrected.

Strangely, this message came from the address of my friend from high shcool, Andi Gates. Hmmm.