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This is my first nationals and it couldn't be more convenient having held in my hometown. I attended my first novice events -- the men, ladies and pairs short programs held at Matthews Arena. I didn't take notes besides I know there are plenty of other folks posting reports on the Internet so I just sat and enjoyed the skating.

I met up with Fran at the Sheraton, after breakfast we went to the Registration area on the second floor so I could get a shuttle pass. While we were there we got our Program/Scorebook ($15 and sold as a set) and an Official Handbook for $10.

The Scorebook lists the skaters' music and there was one interesting observation. For Michelle Kwan, the SP is listed as undecided and her FS is listed as Beautiful World.

The photo used for Todd's entry is the Harlick photo rather than the ancient one used on the USFSA site.

The Official Handbook includes arena charts for all the venues with points of interests marked.

The Judges are in Loge 1 and the Skaters Entrance/Kiss & Cry is Loge 19/20.

I bought a shuttle pass so that I can get to Skating Club of Boston without relying on the T. They sell an all-week pass for $50 but they do sell daily pass for $10.

The shuttle pass price may be steep but the ride to and from the FleetCenter yesterday was priceless! In order to ensure that the buses keep to a schedule, the FleetCenter shuttles will travel with two motorcycle police escorts with flashing lights (sirens when needed). We rode through red lights and down the wrong side of streets. I'm looking forward to more trips to the FleetCenter! On a Sunday evening it took a little over 10 minutes for the police-escorted trip.

As we walked from the FleetCenter over to Quincy Market for dinner, we spotted some billboards advertising Nationals and COI and they had a really nice picture of Todd and Michelle with Michelle leaning on Todd's shoulder.

There was quite a decent turnout for the novice events at the Matthews Arena. It can get rather chilly in there so dress in layers if you are planning to spend any time there.

Due to traffic and clogged streets, it actually took longer to take the shuttle over to the Matthews Arena than it did to walk back to the Sheraton. The buildings are about two or three blocks away from each other and you can cut through the Christian Scientists headquarters compound.

Closed judging is used for the novice events so that speeds things up quite a bit. It also gives spectators a chance to do their own judging and then compare their results with the official results at the end.

I do have to say I was a little apprehensive about the pairs event because I was thinking it would be as scary as the pairs event at Skate America where the skating of some of the lower ranked pairs teams really frightened me. But I found the novice teams to be very enjoyable, and very few mishaps.

The men were very enjoyable, the crowd was very enthusiastic for local skater Matthew Lind.

There was a near collision in one of the ladies warm-ups, the several spectators in the audience had to yell out a warning to prevent a serious mishap.

I was very impressed with Jennifer Don and Kelsey Drewel. I also recognized another skater, DeAnna Clark who I saw practice at the Onyx in December when I visited there. I thought she did very well, she has a very secure presence on the ice.

So far, I've found everyone I've dealt with has been very pleasant and helpful.

Plans for Monday include a visit to SCOB to watch the Championship Men's SP practice and then back to Matthews Arena for the Novice finals.