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If it wasn't for Yuzu, I never would have started skating or started to watch skating. Figure skating was always just my favorite sport to watch at the Winter Olympics until PC. (Ironically, I didn't get to watch any of Sochi because I was busy with school.) I still remember watching his SP and thinking "wow, this Hanyu guy is really good! I've never seen anyone skate like this before." Then I learned about his back story and saw some of his other programs, and I've loved skating ever since. I also probably wouldn't have restarted studying Japanese. More seriously, though... I was in a really dark place in my life after the Olympics this year. There were some days that I barely had the energy to do anything or get out of bed. One of the only things I remember actually enjoying for those months was watching videos of Yuzu skating. Between watching those videos and seeing how many challenges he's overcome and how resilient he is... I don't know where I'd be without him. I don't know that I would have been able to finish my training program without his inspiration.

I need them to just expand the GPF in the ladies to be honest. There are just too many skaters I need to see there and it realistically just can't happen that way...

Let's face it, the real snack here is the one serving the chocolate...

Me too! I don’t know if it’s wishful thinking though. I mean, he is the GOAT. I have faith.

My predictions are in... I feel like I'm just getting worse at this the later in the season we get.

I was a TCC spin pessimist, and that killed my score in the bonus questions! There’s a reason Brian once said “never underestimate Mr. Hanyu” after all...

I really did not do well this week. But I got my men's gold prediction right and I am somehow entirely okay with how things turned out.

It just doesn't seem right. Yes, he's performing at a competition, but he's ultimately an athlete who's there to work. I haven't seen a video of what happened today. But if he was really being chased, that seems like the public attention is too much. Fans aren't entitled to make someone uncomfortable just to see or interact with the person they're a fan of, and Yuzu's never really given any signs that he's okay with being treated the way some people treat him.

People were chasing him? Why am I both unsurprised and disappointed. Pretty sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but that isn't okay. Yuzu isn't some fantasy character, he's an actual human being. Let the man have his space.

Those rotated pics though. Hello, police? I’d like to report a murder, because I am dead and I’m pretty sure he did that on purpose.

Not just in the arena. That's lethal just on screen too. But I'd die happy...

I submitted my predictions - I did better just guessing at Skate America than actually looking people up for Skate Canada so I’m just going in blind this week. Last week I sort of knew what to predict for the bonus questions (still can’t believe I got all of them right though) but this week I feel equally clueless for podiums and bonuses.

Are there bonus points for having a skater you had picked for the podium finish last? I, uh, may have had that happen.

Submitted my SC predictions! I still feel like I'm just throwing darts blindfolded picking pairs and dance.

So watching the NBC livestream of Skate America I realized that at some point this season (presumably starting with GP Finland) Johnny will be doing commentary on Yuzu's Otonal. That'll be interesting.

Here's mine! I had to go back and watch some of the older programs to remind myself... and definitely didn't get distracted and watch an hour of random Yuzu programs... I discovered PW in Hana ni Nare costume at one point. (NHK 2012, for the curious.) Clearly, I am Vertigo and HILY trash. (Really the FAOI 2015 versions.) Sorry not sorry. I miss rock Yuzu, can we have him back sometime please? I think Otonal and Origin are just new and I don't quite know what to do with them yet? I also swear I like Etude more than I'm giving it credit for. I cannot choose between my top four. They're all wonderful in their own ways.

Well, there goes my hair...

I know nothing about pairs (and not much about dance) but I'll play along! At least it was better than filling out my March Madness bracket at work where I just flipped a coin for every game...

Is this the figure skating equivalent of when you and a friend accidentally wear the same dress to a party?

One of the formative moments in my life as a fanyu was seeing a gif of the Vertigo hip roll at FAOI. Trashbag pants and all.

I’ll take WC 2017 H&L. That was the program that really made me fall for his skating - it’s so difficult but he makes it look so effortless. The perfect blend of serenity and power. I get chills down my spine every time I watch it.

I had the worst costume-related nightmare last night. I dreamed that Yuzu skated Origin in a green Gundam inspired costume... kind of like this picture, but no helmet, and the wings were white and feathery. Clearly I may have some Dory-related Gundam trauma I'm still working through. ACI can't come soon enough.

When was this? My google skills aren't strong enough to track it down... re: Boyang flying into the boards... here you go! Misha's IG video of Boyang on the boards

1 hour of baseball for a minute of Yuzu playing with a doll... Fine, I'll take it. That was a Sunday morning well spent.

Agreed. The skaters in the background are in the same positions... I don't think this is new.