A few weeks ago, I got invited to a party at a roller rink. I had to check my watch to see what year it was, because, damn, how long has it been since someone invited me to go roller-skating? (I think I was in the sixth grade; he was creepily older and from the next town over; and I’m sure my mom said no.) But now, fully emancipated, I was all in favor . . . until I stepped into the disco-ball-lit cavern that is White Center’s SOUTHGATE ROLLER RINK, and then I was afraid, very afraid.I hadn’t skated in over 15 years, and I’m not known for being graceful or vaguely athletic, even without wheels on my feet. Besides the fear, what was I thinking? I was thinking that I was really, really glad that when you rent out this joint ($200 for up to 60 clumsy skaters), you’re allowed and encouraged to bring your own beer or wineplus snacks! Some syrah and a slice of pizza were all I needed to conquer my fear. I promptly traded my shoes for a pair of well-worn (but not stinky or gross) size 9s, then found that skating is like riding a bikeit all comes back to you.Before I knew it, I was gliding around the huge oval-shaped wooden floor and snapping my fingers to a Prince song (you’re allowed to bring your own DJ, too). And then, I fell on my ass. Hard. But that was OK; everyone else was falling hard, too. But I was having so much fun, I could’ve fallen on my face and still smiled. (Well, maybe.) And there’s nothing like seeing all your friends stumble, slide, and attempt to skate while holding their arms out like zombies before careening into the carpeted walls.And, oh, the photo ops! The possibilities are endless. May I recommend taking mug shots of one another in front of the awesome, old-school, empty (during private parties) snack bar? Or just stand trackside with your point-and-shoot at the ready; you won’t believe how silly your friends look as they insist that they used to be able to skate backward, then disastrously try to prove it. And with no pesky strangers staring as you and six girlfriends take a lap with arms linked, roller-skating is way better than it was back when there were junior-high-school boys involved and you had to have your mom’s permission.Laura Cassidy 9646 17th Ave. S.W., 206-762-4030.info@seattleweekly.com