In Which I Get My A** Kicked In Ice Skating

Today was the day the 1st graders went to the local Ice Arena, and my Mr & I volunteered to go along as chaperons and help out.
We had fun, helped the kids manage themselves accordingly, and I had a billion & 1 pictures. Nearing the end of the ice-capades, I turn around to head off the ice for a minute, and I realize my skates have crossed and I start leaning over. I have my camera in my hands in front of me, and rather than falling forward on it, I decided to lean backwards and fall that way to protect it. I fall, and roll with it. I flopped back up on my head, then forwards onto my butt when my camera flies out of my hands, and as I go back once more the damned thing flies up in the air...and makes a sickening thud...on my face.
Yup, my face saved my camera. Well all the other parents rushed over to check on me, and I'm giggling. "I'm okay!" I say, and "I was just worried about my camera, but it's safe now". They asked about the god-awful thudding noise, and I explain it wasn't me hitting the ice, it was my camera colliding with my face. Yup, anything for a picture. So, now I've got this huge fat lip, and a bruise on my elbow, but I'm feeling pretty good that I got as many great shots of the kids as I did.
The ice kicked my ass today...but I'm just glad it didn't pack as much of a punch as my camera does.