BrightonDogwoods

I don't know what the Japanese words are but I think it was something like, `Did you see that!` Or `Did you see what I did!` Someone here on the planet pointed out recently how similar Yuzu's situation was from Worlds 2016 to Olys 2018, with hidden injuries yet nailing the SP, leading everyone to believe he's in good shape, only he knows the disaster that lurks. Even down to the same 2 programs!! Thank god my brain wouldn't let me see the pattern, I surely would have exploded with anxiety! Once again I am in awe of his mental strength, it's super-human

sorry, I just have to let this out... Yuzuru, why you do this to us??? Please, at least a date when you're going to announce new programs, we've been good, patient fanyus, have we not??? HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My #CiONTUs merchandise finally arrived!! The tote bag is beautiful, and I also got the memorial book and WOW it's stunning! The beautiful hard cover, the thick glossy pages. And the content perfectly portrays what the show is all about- a tribute to the people who helped make him who he is today but also a show of love, to him and from him. I've watched the show several times already, I've never seen any ice show that is so moving and so beautifully done. So I was surprised to find myself in TEARS, looking through the book (unable to read any of it of course), just being overwhelmed with the level of skating TALENT that was represented. And all those people doing whatever they can do to help Yuzu be the best he can be!!! It is an awesome thought...with all that behind him, his own natural talent and an unstoppable drive to exceed his own limits...how can we possibly survive exposure to the next level of skating genius he ascends to?? I dunno, but I guess I'm going to have to risk it! SO EXCITED FOR THIS COMING SEASON and 2 new competition programs please and thank you skating gods

I don't think it's accurate to say "he ASKED Javier once upon a time..." as if that meant Javi had veto power over the move. Hersh characterized it as "the coach asked Fernández to sign off on the idea" but that doesn't make it true. Hasn't BOrser always been saying something more like, "he asked Javi if he minded/had a problem with Yuzu moving to TCC"? In which case, the remedy might have been that they train on separate schedules or separate rinks. Granted, BOrser wasn't quite as established as he is now, and Javi was coming from a place where he needed extra support and care at TCC. So even if BOrser sought PERMISSION from Javi, it seems a little apples-to-oranges as a comparison to today's situation. IF Hersh had specifically asked BOrser, "Did you ask Hanyu permission to bring Boyang on board", of course BOrser has to respond, "I didn't REALLY ask his permission..." and sounds a little more dismissive than maybe how he would have replied if the question was, "Did you discuss Boyang moving to TCC with Hanyu?" Also, I don't agree with some people who are saying that BOrser is disrespecting Yuzu by assuming he will NOT be continuing another 4 years (and therefore bringing in younger skaters to take his place). Doesn't that take pressure off Yuzu, if BOrser takes him at his word and does not PLAN on him being there in 2022? I'm just a little surprised that Hersh and his sh1t-stirring is getting such a rise out of people, tbh...

I think this makes sense. I find it hard to believe that Yuzu would ever respond to Brian about a new skater (even one he directly competes with), "No, I don't want you to bring him here". For one thing, I doubt that Yuzu really thinks its reasonable for him to have veto power over Brian's decisions like that. For another, I can't see Yuzu having the mind set that he needs to prevent a competitor from training at TCC, as if he worries about Brian's loyalties or being spread too thin for proper support, or worry about a competitor getting an advantage from training 'with' him. I think by now we can say there is no reason to think that Brian would favor another skater (and I don't think Brian 'favors' Yuzu either) or not find a way for Yuzu to have proper support (from other coaches on the team) as needed. Yuzu LOVES GREAT competitors, I believe that Boyang and Jason have a good chance to really step up their game with this move, which Yuzu will be happy about. And Yuzu will of course try to pick up strengths from those around him on anything he is trying to improve in himself- Boyang-4Lz!! Evgenia-consistency!! I think potentially any other high level competitor at TCC can become a catalyst for Yuzu to take things up a notch (I'm not sure where this 'notch' is going, as he is already GOD level extraordinary, as far as I'm concerned, but I'm happy to watch and see!) I don't disagree it COULD turn into a big disaster, but I really think that's unlikely so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it

hahaha I definitely think it's a test Yuzu- that was a nice hint, w Mom in the corner! Too easy maybe (hmmm, now it's going to get harder, heads up everyone, you know He is watching Us!)

This is such great news for Evgenia, if she has had no input on her programs, choreo, costumes up until now, it will be exciting to see how she blossoms! And she has done a first rate job of taking the high road- which Brian credits her for, and he has done the same- which is not surprising at all. I am so impressed with her. It will also be interesting to see if Yuzu can pick up any clues on how to skate with her kind of consistency by training at same facility. Tbh I'm really not sure it's something Yuzu can do, at least not the same way she does it. I think 'variability' of outcomes may just go hand and hand with his kind of talent. But, if he wants to work on it, who could stop him??

Perfectly said, I agree with every word!

I just have to say, I AM STILL NOT RECOVERED FROM #CiONTU in all its glory, but most especially the parts where he wore his old costumes and skated!! OMG, the R&J1 stuff, so powerful, so beautiful and so shocking that EVEN WITH NO JUMPS and EVEN HIS OLDEST PROGRAMS are still interesting and have tons of content. Now I'm (patiently? mmmm) waiting for full translation of the whole event (and trying not to be too disturbed about that 'dying' stuff while still giving it the importance/significance it deserves) and wishing I could take off work so I could watch the show over and over in an endless loop. Nice 2012 got me started on this train and I'm so happy we got to see him bring it back!!!

I agree, I was there too and that practice session was unexpectedly glorious! I'll never forget the moment he came out on the ice in his Swan costume, I'd seen him leave and didn't think he'd be back. I looked up and he was skating RIGHT at me! I know I gasped, he may have heard me, he was pretty close for a moment LOL. And I was also moved when I noticed all the skaters stopping to watch, what a huge sign of respect!

Has anyone else noticed the eerie similarity between Yuzu's latest Seimei and Chopin (in the gold sequins added to the collar) costumes and the ICONIC images of him playing with the golden streamers at Rostelecom cup in October? I think maybe this fanart sparked the comparison for me (SO beautiful!) http://figureskating-in-color.tumblr.com/post/171345773982/congratulations-2-time-olympic-champion-being-a The things is, he already designed the changes to Seimei and Chopin BEFORE Rostelecom cup, so clearly the streamers did not influence him (except I guess they had gold streamers in 2011 when he was in Russia, but I doubt he would have even seen images from back then). I don't know if I can find the words but I feel that somehow the costume design reflects a "true" representation of invisible forces that Yuzu taps into when he skates, and the golden streamers somehow follow this same kind of pattern- but of course, only when surrounding HIM (I don't think any other skater playing with the streamers would have had quite the same effect). I guess that's as close as I can get, aside from just saying everything about Yuzuru is simply MAGICAL to me!

I also was fascinated by that explanation of 'feminine' and 'masculine' in Japanese culture and I'm glad to hear from others who know Japanese/Chinese/Asian cultures personally that it is a valid/true point of view. As a person with a Western perspective I have always been fascinated AND mystified by Japanese and other eastern cultures and I really REALLY appreciate this kind of historical background so that we can more clearly understand their culture. This rings so true about Yuzuru, and I have no doubt he has deeply researched the history of Abe No Seimei in creating this program and I'm sure he must see how his artistry really reflects so much about this thousand year old culture. How fortunate we are that part of his legend will always include bringing Seimei to these Olympics and WINNING with that program! TBH I was disappointed when we found out there would be no new programs last year (NEXT YEAR FOR SURE GDI!!!) but Yuzu Always Knows Best and I don't even try to doubt that any more. This reminded me, I was gonna share with y'all the email I sent to my co-workers who are aware of my skating obsession on the day of the Free Skate, basically to warn everyone that I may not survive. It got a pretty good laugh!

It's salmon caviar! I tried to think of the most luxurious things to eat, what a King would want if they lived in the midwest (LOL) so it had to be steak, lobster, caviar and champagne. It kinda started with the goal of getting a 'strawberry shortcake' (like what Yuzu would eat, but here we don't call it strawberry shortcake) but alas, strawberries are very out of season so I settled for a coconut cake.

It's impossible to keep up with this forum!! But I wanted to share pics of my celebratory dinner with Pooh on Saturday night as I rewatched the Men's SP and FS over again (because I sure couldn't enjoy it the first time!) Here is a link (I hope the pic shows, not just the link) https://imgur.com/cue4EMf https://imgur.com/nFsotKb *Edit: gee I guess I should post more often, I can't get those images to show up :-(

I'm with you on this one, he's 10 points behind Javi in SP so to win he has to get more than 10 points above Javi's FS score. I think at Worlds he is way more focused on winning the championship than beating his own record.

Thanks so much for that link, I have seen the video and pic but never heard the whole story of their dialogue! I think she did an amazing job, I'm quite sure if it happened to me I would barely manage to get 2 words out

THANK YOU for that beautiful little story, my thoughts exactly on how the Voices of His Fans can help him through.

I haven't read all the angsty pages yet and this may have been said a few times already- PEOPLE, get ahold of yourselves, your job now is NOT to be all worried and anxious! All your energy should be focused on positive and healing thoughts. We can help him but you have to be strong! And besides all that, in the end if he does not compete here it changes NOTHING about all he's accomplished so far and what he has yet to do! Ganbatte Yuzuru

These pictures from Ninny are KILLING ME

Was there another banner with a gold star next to the Planet Hanyu banner, on the right? Was it also PH (I couldn't read the characters)? This is a beautiful shot!! It just this second occurred to me, he HAD to have gotten an eyeful of it before he went out on the ice, and probably before Chopin too? WOW, such great placement, he'll be recognizing it in the future I bet (probably he does, for many, anyways but still...)

Oh my! Does he know it's from Planet Hanyu (as opposed to fans in general), does he know Yuzu and team also have them?? How exciting!

I grew up in SoCal so, yeah, I've been there too often to count! I've even been 'back stage' a bit. They invite local high school marching bands to join in parades (at least they used to) and I did that a few times. But, I'll defer to you in the honor of being Lord Yuzu's tour guide, since you managed the epic feat of getting those golden swans into his and coaches/mom's hands. For a first timer that was simply brilliant!! You're an ace! And SO thrilling to hear BRIAN HAS HIS ON HIS DESK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friends that I keep up on FS news (i.e. they placate me by listening to me prattle on about Yuzu from time to time) were pretty DAMN impressed by that one! For sure, I'll go there even if he doesn't, I still have lots of family living in the area and I should be about due for a visit to my 'homeland'. See you there!!

Oh hey, since Disneyland came up, are any of you guys aware that 4CC 2019 will be in Anaheim CA, HOME OF DISNEYLAND!!! Of course, he must go to 4CC and HOW could he be that close to Disneyland and not visit?? Bunches of us would be happy to take him there! Who's with me???

Funny you mention it, just last night I dreamed about Yuzu for the first time ever (that I remember, I don't often recall my dreams) and there wasn't much to it but it seems as though he was in my area visiting and he was in a house with me and one other person (can't recall who). We were standing around a table and he said something nice about my hair and asked if he could feel it, so OF COURSE I said 'Sure!', and he reached out and stroked my hair...and that's the end as far as I can remember. I think I shocked myself out of the dream! It was a nice memory when I woke up tho But to answer your questions, there is no way I would offer him food unless he was starving or something. I don't think he eats/likes the kind of food I cook! We do have LOTS of nature around here tho- squirrels (one of my cats killed and ate one right in front of me just yesterday!), robins, cardinals, chipmunks, deer, turkey. I would definitely take him to see the river on the north end of our property, it's a beautiful sight.

Hahaha, I think this is possible, so long as no new pictures of him come out that we are forced to gush over in the meantime... and what are the possibilities of that?? Not good! Not that GP has started!!