Ice Skating last weekend.

Still sick, still spamming. *g*

Skating last week.


It's very different watching skating in person. The presence and charisma of these performers – and they are performers – really doesn't come across on TV.

( Todd Elderidge is completely different in person. )

My mother tells me Bette Midler's like that.

( Wow. Those jumps are *hard.* )

And then there was Ilia Kulik. As light as a dragonfly in the air. And note perfect, every time.

( Ilia, oh Ilia. )

( Pelletier, such a boy. )

( Alexei Yagudin is sex on ice. )

( Oh yeah, the women. )

( Not at all cheesy, despite the name 'Stars on Ice.' )

( Lap dances. )

Interestingly, watching through binoculars was much like watching on TV. You saw the moves but you didn't get the impact of their personalities. So I definitely want to watch without the lens at the Nationals at least part of the time. But even from far away (I had sky high seats to this event, too) the stadium was small enough that I could still see everything. In Spokane the stadium shouldn't be much bigger.

Anyhow, wildernessguru's sister just called with news of his mom, and WG shouted "Two weeks!" and then "Well, how would they know? They're not doctors" and "I'd better get down there soon, then" and "Oh, god, poor thing." So, um, there's news about his mom.


ETA: Okay, the doctor still gives her six months or less. The hospice people who are now coming over say that based on her color and their experience, she could have as little as two weeks. Naturally, WG's sister is not recommending we fly down (Icarus quietly strangles her) since WG had such a wonderful Christmas visit with his mom. Screw that. His sister is the one who wants everything to be perfect and smiley and happy -- that's not our priority. We just want to see her.

ETA 2: Correcting bad guesses misspellings of names. Oops.

SGA Ficlet: And Liberty For All - John and Rodney - PG

SGA Fic: And Liberty For All
Pairing: John and Rodney, Gen-ish, though I think it's slash. ;)
Rating: PG
Summary: "You're a Republican?!"
Notes: Inspired by Brownstone's laughable candidacy for 2008.


( And Liberty For All )

I was turned on to YouTube practice clips

I have gone over to the dark side. I was told about skating practice sessions being available on YouTube, but it wasn't until I started looking for Irena Slutskaya's adorable 2006 Olympic Gala encore routine (the one where she's dressed up as a cowgirl?) that I stumbled across them.

I'm now watching Johnny Weir practice jumps. And skate to Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'. ETA: Oh, hey. A good example of skaters making up their moves to random music, like Hey Big Spender, Johnny taking his time to get into it. I don't think he dug this song.

Good lord, why didn't I check this out sooner?

Aha! Here's the full link to that 'My Way' routine. Kind of a crappy video, taken on someone's cell phone, but still cool.

Who's got the spins? Lambiel's got the spins. It's like someone told him, "Hey, Stephane. Icarus is writing this story and could really use your advice. Given you're known for the hottest, fastest spins in competition today, could you give her a tutorial?" -- "Sure!"

Oh, my, Johnny must be 14 years old here (and bursts into tears when he wins the Junior championships). Oh, and the shots of the mothers is revealing.

roaringmice, I haven't forgotten you, just was a little derailed by the family news.



Sound effects for tonight: Kitty munching his crunchies. All I can see is the fluffy tail on the floor from here.

Playing Out Of Bounds music.

Okay, I have John's skating themes narrowed to 21 songs.

What? He does a lot of skating. Someone keep me from using the "stormtrooper theme" a.k.a. "Imperial March" from Star Wars. I am soooooo tempted.

But that way to the dark side and to terrible costumes leads.


Conversation overheard between John and Rodney as it carried across the ice:

Rodney leaned an elbow on the railing, running his hand over his face and into his hair. "No, you may not skate to Star Wars."

"Why not? You said 'classical' and 'something I liked.'"

"John..." Rodney began tiredly, turning away.

"No, I want to hear this."

"There's such thing as a complete and utter lack of originality. Also, some music is so recognizable people will close their eyes and listen instead of watching you."

"Oh."

"Oh," Rodney agreed with himself. "And it's ridiculous!"

John pointed at him. "Is not. And you should've stopped two sentences ago. You almost had me convinced there."