Xen

Yeah, but the probability is pretty high. I'm trying very hard to think of a single male colleague or a married guy I know of, who isn't whipped by his wife-most of them live off of allowances, and for sure the credit card is held in the hands of the wife.

Wait, you still have *extra* kidneys left? I bought Sendai parade shirts and GPF tickets already, so that extra kidney is gone...everything is dusticles in the wind.

Oh that's totally fine and normal. Under confucian values, the home is completely a woman's domain, so a proper guy should go dominate the external world and then go home and get dominated by his wife. So yes, Yuzu if he were proper, would be totally whipped by his wife-it wouldn't even be a joke, it'd be reality. Um...I might be secretly glad they haven't yet. My credit card needs a break/vacation/holiday. Though of course, everyone's credit card might have different endurance/stamina levels.

That's fine. =) I only tend to have an issue with the idea when they use it to demean him, or any other figure skater, since it can extend in many ways to cover men in fields traditionally considered "feminine." Yuzu's skating is genderless for me anyways-it's just a very beautiful style, unbounded by gender norms.

Well the issue is less to do with "feminine" or "masculine" but the negative/positive associations with either term. The issue is that "feminine" tends be used in a negative way by people who don't like Yuzu, to describe his performance, action etc on-ice, saying that it is wrong for him as a "male" to do so. It's actually more of calling him "girly" rather than really feminine. In so far as "feminine" is used as a positive way to describe his actions, then it's fine. =) This is probably a different social construct/criticism that's probably beyond the idea of this thread anyways. But I'm pretty annoyed when people associate "elegant" with femininity and consider it only acceptable for females, especially when "feminine" can be used to criticize and belittle females too. =(

Well, frills and lace is a bit odd even for post 1990's guys in China. I think the other issue though is what is viewed as "necessary" and "befitting" skating. For example, dance and figure skating are both considered beautiful and elegant ways of expressing yourself. So sometimes a very "hyper-masculine" skater won't fit as well, because it doesn't fit the idea of "graceful" or "elegant." Also, none of Yuzu's music would call for a very "hyper masculine" way of expression, so it would be very strange if he went for a hyper-masculine performance style. Thing is, I don't think the lines are not blurry in western society either. For example, ballet- grace, softness, delicacy and elegance, all of which are traditionally attributed to females, are still required from male dancers. They may not need to be so in real life, but on stage, they have to play and fit their character's role. And maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but tights were originally worn by men, and men also wore heels (short ones), because showing off your sexy legs was considered okay for males in medieval Europe (but not okay for women). And western men, way back in history, did not lose to women in the fancy clothing category. Dance, as much as fencing, was considered part and parcel of a proper gentleman's education. So the entire "hyper masculine" ideal for men, is a more recent development (possibly post Victorian age).

From a chinese perspective, I've barely met any male rinkmates who consider Yuzu "feminine." Usually in Chinese, when we say "xxx is very feminine" (especially in a negative way) it is in reference to attitude, behavior and mannerisms. Very few guys I know of who watch figure skating, would consider Yuzu "feminine" in that way. His competitive attitude, and his mentality are both considered very "masculine." Also, traditionally in Chinese opera, the older ones such as Beijing Opera, only men could act female roles. And being able to take on female roles is considered "professional" and "artistically well-rounded"-non of what happens on stage is carried on to the off-stage persona. In China, there are older forms of opera where all the roles are played by women, and the same would apply to female actors who play male roles on-stage. There is a slight irony in some ways though. Traditionally in China, a gentleman is someone who looks beautiful ( and here beautiful can be a more manly type, but also possibly even delicate and feminine!), but has a very masculine "aura," "attitude" and way of dealing with life. This is especially so from some of the more great dynasties such as the Tang dynasty (which is considered the most culturally important dynasty in China). And Yuzu does tend to embody that. Yuzu's fondness for plushies is actually not that odd for his generation- working with a bunch of guys born after 1990, did I ever mention how many Totoro plush pillows are in my office? I've had my hello kitty and chopper plushies show up on male co-worker desks before. >_< Speaking of which....how did we get to banana art in less than 8 hours? o_O

Well I guess I'll also join team hobbit (<158 cm) without skates on. Add on skates and >160 cm. In a week or so we'll so Yuzu return to the rest of society from his hide-out cave. Let's let him enjoy his 2nd OGM a bit longer-it's been less than 2 months since, and sometimes I still can't get over what he did to achieve that 2nd OGM.

If that happens, I wonder if a quarter of the show will involve him and Minoru Sano talk about skating and jump technique. It would be a real treat for jump-technique nerds among us (mememe!), but then we'll have to hold Yuzu down from trying or demonstrating stuff. I would be amused if it does include BOrser, Takeshi Honda and even Nobu. It would be a bit like showing the history of men's FS skating. From Minoru, possibly he can still do compulsory figures? Then to BOrser with the older style free skates of the 80's. To Takeshi Honda when the Japanese men first start, then with Mura and Nobu to modern day men's. Maybe stick Takahashi in there, and then with Plushenko and Weir, it's a good showing of the evolution of just the men's discipline alone. And it would capture the idea of continuation of FS. Would be great too if Machida or Stephane Lambiel also show up- though I hear that the former is a very very unlikely chance.

I would imagine not, or not significantly. It's a commercial/for profit show right? Not familiar with the venue, but would the place for CiONTU seat the same or more? Also, the sale of merchandise would be same or greater than many other shows. So in the end it should balance out.

There might be some surprise names? Or they wanted to avoid major conflicts with other shows (so audiences won't hold out for the less expensive show to see XXX skater who has 2 different shows, since CiONTU costs less).

Yep, that was the first name that popped into my mind too. I was worried there for min, because even though I don't think Yuzu's list of skaters who influenced him would be particularly long, the list still looked a bit short and was missing key people (like Javi, Shizuka). So it's nice to see that there's possibly 5 or more names still covered up. Wonder how they'll organize it, and wonder if Minoru Sano would actually skate.

So he's now the influence for a manga...life goals, man, life goals.

*remembers Yuzu saying something about Ojisans at Keiji no Heya* Wonder if he's seen this clip-there can be some very very cool Ojisans.

I can ask around and see if any of my rinkmates know what the heck is going on, but I wouldn't take anything as completely true yet. Chinese Baidu bars tend to be rumor mills.

I'm looking at CiONTU lineup and think there are a couple who have not been added. Where are all the Japanese skaters other than Mura?

Oh gods, that level of Kuyashii would be too much, the universe would not be able to contain it.

Yes, I'm curious who steps up to the plate other than Keegan Messing? Nam-maybe, but his showings recently haven't been great. Roman Sadovsky? Not sure yet. And Stephen is still in juniors (and I'm worried about the potential pressure on him). Canadian ladies-I'm curious too, because the junior ranks I haven't seen that many new canadian ladies show up. Canadian ice dance on the other hand, seem to be thriving.

But...what if it becomes true? Even Javi said he will continue to compete, but not the full GP. What Patrick goes, "Hey, I won't do the full GP, but I'll just do skate Canada trollololol"?

Well...guess that'll be the name of little 4A-Nessie. But hmm, is it a princess or a prince? Everything indicates a princess, but what if it's a prince? For those who are new and are wondering what we're talking about when we speak of Empress 3A, Lady 4Lutz etc, it all started because Yuzu decided to humanize his jumps. Please note that my creativity normally does not run this way, I'm a very serious individual...but that time my muse bunnies could not resist. https://planethanyu.com/topic/3-general-yuzuru-chat/?do=findComment&comment=106828

o_O you even worry about Empress 3A?!

Honestly, I'd just donate it to the sendai parade instead of buying gum..

Yep. But that perfectionist part raised its head faster than we thought possible. I see both 4Lo and 4Lz making a come back within 2 seasons. And possibly nessie soon, though not sure how fast depending on how his right ankle heals. The only one I see left out of the quads is general 3F-forever remembered for his earlier betrayl, he will have to work hard to repent and wait to be rewarded, in the form of his sister 4F being invited to the palace of Hanyu's court. General 3F has been working steadily, consistently for years, but sometimes, he looks at the signs and realizes, maybe that day of reward will never come, his name will not be cleared for a while-even chancellor BOrser has mentioned that perhaps the Flip family is not that well regarded by Hanyu afterall. But who knows, Hanyu is a benevolent ruler.

Oh gawds...remember how he kept on saying he's "satisfied" and "happy" after Olys, but within a week of the FS, the kuyashii monster reared its head...and we all collectively decided his painkillers dosage must have reduced? Heal happily first Zu, then talk about the rest.

Thank you for doing this! I'm amazed I'm in the top 10, considering how badly I bombed my worlds predictions (my men's and ladies sides were total jokes). How badly did we all do for me to end up in the top 10?