barbara

I got Pyeongchang Gold 2018!!!

Keegan posted on his Instagram account yesterday - skating, alone, on a big rink. I don't know if he's still in Alaska though. Japan has lifted the state of emergency and flights are leaving there. And Miyagi has lifted restrictions, so if Yuzu can't get back to Toronto right away, he'll at least be able to practice in ice.

The May 6th shows less than 2000 views, which I do not believe for a minute... I wonder how to get an accurate count?

Maybe a slice from the back that wouldn't show up in the photo? A cake is meant to be eaten. But, wow.

And the three videos don't seem to available on Youtube so those views are all strictly Twitter.

Only a million views? I know they only count me as one, no matter how many times I've watched it, but I think I'll try re-tweeting some more...

I'm not sure what the rules are around collegiate sport participation in Japan - but his presence would have been required and he's not in Japan during the academic year. They may also have a requirement as far as how many years a student can be eligible. In the states, I can't think of any college level sport that would allow a player (skater, in this case) to stay on for 6 or 7 years.... Can you think of any elite skater who does skate at their university in Japan? Do they?

The definition is insane.

That slim, lean body is all muscle. Even his ears. We rarely see photos of his back or his bare legs - but his back is a stunning assembly of muscle and his knee caps have their own muscles. Enviable - though he has worked on all of them for 20 years.

Same.

Of course you did. While I like to sleep, too, if Yuzu is practicing his 4A at 3 am, that would make him there the rest of the time.

I got Stephane's zebra costume - and I wonder if anyone on the Planet did NOT choose spending quarantine with Yuzu practicing his 4A. I bet not.

I love this - every program he has every skated in in his muscle memory and he's better at all of them than he was originally. So much growth.

So now I know what kind of screw was used in the original construction of the outdoor shower I am rebuilding. I had never heard of this kind of screw and do not have a Robertson screwdriver - but, fortunately, do have a little square screw tip to attach to a handheld device. Still, getting those long set-in screws manually, was not any easy task. I'd say I'd pick up one of these next time I'm in Canada, but since I've never seen the screws before, I hope I won't need it. (But I would like to go to Canada, Soon. Now.)

Lovely - but, as a desert resident with some familiarity with dozens and dozens of blooming cactus, I can say that this is manipulated - there are no deep blue cactus flowers, for starters. Interesting photo tough.... Cactus flowers are extraordinary in their variety and complexity and colors. But never blue.

Trying that kick with any enthusiasm at all would result in regret and a limp for days.

I was second trumpet through senior year in high school (!) when I decided it wasn't cool to have to march in the band. And playing Christmas carols in the snow was no fun at all (kept my mouthpiece inside my coat until it had to come out.) All six siblings (born in less than ten years) played brass instruments and we could do Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass tunes. As an adult, I have to think it was a cacophonous nightmare in that house for my parents. As a kid, I didn't care, I guess. My parents drank a lot.... (and thank God the Japanese don't think of small domestic animals as food....)

I bet he'd love to cuddle a koala - but I bet he wouldn't go see any. He goes almost nowhere, even in Toronto. He's never been to Niagara Falls. When he's in a foreign city for a competition, he does not go out to see the local famous spots. He practices and he stays in his hotel. I feel sorry for him that he can't really go anywhere with anything like the freedom any one else might feel. It's partly because he's focused on the competition, partly because he's swarmed in public.

And I, frankly, can't think of a nicer place to have a cup of tea than that lounge, while watching practice. I can dream. And the fact that it's not cold is very unique...

The vets here (in Arizona - it's different in every state) see animals by appt only and you have to call when you're in the parking lot and then someone comes out to retrieve your animal. Only the animal gets to go into the office. I adopted a new dog four weeks ago and she was able to get in a couple of days later - but I already have an established relationship with that vet. I have no idea how they're dealing with emergencies currently, but I know they aren't doing elective things, like teeth cleaning.

The ice rink in my home town- a college town - has wooden beams in the "canopy" which was built in 1962. Before that, the rink was open. Really beautiful though until the rink was totally enclosed seven years later, it was like a wind tunnel and crazy cold. It was built for the college hockey team but town residents have always been able to use it whenever there wasn't a practice or game for the team. (I mostly skated on frozen ponds so this was the only "flat" ice I ever skated on.

in what country? In the states (not that I am in anyway recommending this currently insane and dangerous place), there's a story almost everyday about an animal shelter having all of their animals adopted. Quarantine pals. I do hope that people don't return or abandon their new pets when they are able to go back to a workplace, but it's always nice to see the last dog walk of out an animal control center...

I love the spirit of friendship both Javi and Yuzu display. You know that Javi had to be disappointed for himself, but happy for Yuzu - and Yuzu coming off the ice and putting his medal on Javi demonstrates what the "mates" part of training mates is all about. What a team.

Maybe his father has a cat to keep him company when he's alone. For the Japanese planets - is it common to have cats as housepets in Japan?

I used to play the trumpet, too (and can't wait for a Yuzu message)