Cleaning Gear:
I would think plain old washing machines would help clean your stuff out. Just do one peice of gear at a time. Maybe with some oxy cleaner. Don't use the dryer, let it dry naturally.
My idea about rubbing alcohol would be to mix it in with water. I would avoid water too hot so the plastics don't change shape.
Speed Skating Video:
I have never seen her video. I only have her book.
I am 41 years old now and slowing down. I stopped playing for a few years and put on some weight. I am playing again but only at the low and mid levels. I am trying to get my weight down, my strength up and my endurance up. I think my strides are still pretty good but my aggressiveness with the puck is WAY WAY WAY down. I won't even try a move anymore, I just circle back and look to pass.
EDIT: LOL I wrote that like I was really good before or something. I am not as good as I was but I was not that good lol
Cuts on the face:
I am ugly and getting cut doesn't help me with ladies. Actually I am very shy and have low self confidence, maybe a nice gash would help me.
I have some sort of pimple/boil or something on my eye now and it looks like I was hit by the puck. People ask me if I was hit by a puck but I tell the truth. They don't seem to be attracted to it
I have one fear that almost came true several years ago and that is falling on a skate blade. A few years ago, I was pushed down from behind and my face landed on some other guys skate blade. Literally, the steel hit my tooth. I was not hurt at all but very badly creeped out and shaken.
Gear:
I would think you can get starter gear for under $200 (not counting skates).
Personally, I buy gear from Vic at the Skating Edge. He is a wonderful guy who seems to give me a discount on everything I buy. Plus you can ask him about playing in the NHL. He is a really nice guy.
Vic may just like me because I showed him how to find NHL games on the internet lol. Ask him about chasing Bobby Orr
I could have sworn that Hockey Monkey did gear packs at various prices but I don't see them on there.
We have not discussed buying sticks at all either...
Staring to play
It has been my observation that starting to pay hockey in LA is pretty tough. There are very few new players and even at the beginner levels, you are playing against players who have been playing for some time.
I think you get no new playes when the Kings don't go too far into the playoffs so we really have had no new players since 1993
Kids that played midget or juniors are of couse too good and are not newcomers.
It is hard to get started.