barbara

Where were we?

I don't know how much time other skaters spend listening to their program music, but I feel certain that Yuzu listens for hours, daily. He knows every beat, every breath, every nuance.

Shoma, too... It will be a great competition. We will all continue to say our prayers that Yuzu stays healthy and injury-free.

That makes sense. I can understand a bit why they weren't living in the same area since they were both probably staying with family (being young...). Not everyone can adapt to training in another country and I would imagine that would be a reason. Hoping he gets back to TCC.

I'd hardly call that an update. ISU is so disrespectful.

I loved the entire interview, and I, too, would love to see BTS in an exhibition. (Jun, really, should have first dibs, though....)

I see sparklies. Lots and lots of sparklies. And some folds. I'm not even going to guess because, well, I think I'm good on a few of them, but not all, so I'll wait.

His entire sun exposure time is limited to his walking in and out of training and venues. He has zero sun damage. And he probably stays hydrated.

This kind of thing makes oldies like me hallucinate -

Talk to the wardrobe people for BTS -

Yuzu would not have removed his mask - period. And he may not be the only team member with an underlying condition who might have been seriously impacted by this careless and negligent behavior.

It's refreshing to see I'm not the only one who apologizes to inanimate objects.

Seeing Yuzu with Nam and Keiji all together on the podium at SCI'19 was so sweet.

I know the history behind the China-Japan "long dark grasp", but also know that there is quite a dark history between Japan and the US. It doesn't seem to impact the present day, and I really don't know when the attitude changed, though my father was going to Japan for business a lot during the late 50's into the late 60's, so I suspect, while all was not forgotten, technology and mutual interests in that was possibly at the forefront. Maybe that's when we became more global-minded in general. And Yuzu is an athlete. The best and most accomplished in his sport - everyone can appreciate excellence.

I haven't a clue why or when it became popular with Asian fans, but it is a British thing. It can be "rabbit rabbit" or "rabbit rabbit rabbit" or can include "white" on there. It should be the very first thing you say on the first day of any month. So, I 'm hoping that saying it right after midnight will help out 2021....

15 minutes left to this mostly unmemorable year. People having been setting off fireworks for two hours already. The dogs are not happy. But I am glad to put 202 in the rear view mirror. Bookended with Yuzu victories - that's the memorable part. And continued support and shared enthusiasm from all the satellites. A most Happy New Year to us all!!! And vaccines for everybody. And live skating. And more Yuzu. Health and happiness in 2021! (And I did get fireworks - I'm just saving them for Jan.20 when here in the states, we'll have something to celebrate.)

Really, who among us has not been saying the same thing about the ISU forever?

And I believe that he will do what he feels necessary to compete at the highest level, and that means returning to Toronto and his in-person coaches. If there is a 2022 Olympics, he will want to take gold, and no one, not even Yuzu, can do that without coaching. And it's not like he's been able to renew friendships and had much of a life in the last 10 months. He's been on both a gov't and personally imposed lockdown. He has sacrificed so much for his skating, but why would he mess with a perfect partnership when we're only talking about, probably, one more active season?

I thought it was weird but thought, also, hey - 2020. There is no explanation for anything.

Just waiting for my chance to put my satellite ID badge on and see everyone again (also, I will be wearing a Pooh face mask).

Well, aside from pointing out the horrible judging, they did say something nice about Rika (who will be able to beat the Russians if Worlds happens because all the Russian girls will be sick).

Perhaps if he is vaccinated sometime this spring, he'd feel safer returning to Canada. I know I'll feel safer.

No to the no, I think. He does want to go to the Olympics - he's just not making that the goal right now, because, he is, like the rest of us, living in a uncertain world where (especially in the states) people are dying by the thousands, daily (1 in every 1000 Americans has died from Covid). Until we are out of this darkness, it makes no sense to wish for something that depends on so much out of our control. I am pretty sure that Yuzu is working forward to get better and move on to the next competition, whatever it is.

I think that, when it's safe, he should and will return to training in person with his coaches in Toronto. He is comfortable there and has privacy and the benefit of training mates, who can up his game. He did insanely well with the isolation and restrictions the virus imposed on him, but that doesn't translate to staying isolated when he can train with his coaches live. Skipping the GP series was truly a health issue and a wise decision. If there is sufficient control of the virus by next summer (and I am hopeful there will be - we are expecting four effective vaccines before then), there is no reason he wouldn't be able to participate in the GP series. He just needs to be cautious of where he skates and the physical toll the traveling takes. And, come on, he LOVES competition and LOVES crowds. He will be there if at all possible. We just need to see the world get healthier.

Well, Pooh is a little put out after being knocked off the seat - though Yuzu did apologize sweetly to him.