I used to be really into figure skating, watching every competition both professional and amateur, knowing all the skaters as well as their routines and music. It was fun - plus, good gossip in the figure skating world. It's one big soap opera.
Anyway, not nearly as into it anymore, but I still enjoy watching it when I happen to remember that it's on TV. Tonight "Ice Wars" were on. You know it's a pro competition with a name like that - only in figure skating are the amateur athletes the more serious ones (with the tougher rules, too). It was quite entertaining, though. My observations:
Kristi Yamaguchi - So, this slip of a thing - the one in the skimpy little costume - recently had a baby, huh? Le sigh. She's been out of competition for 2 years, but she's still got it.
Yuka Sato - a lovely skater, in every way.
Oksana Baiul - Well, she's clearly psychotic. And although she managed to land a few jumps, the rest of her skating sucks, and she has absolutely no rhythm. Yet, she somehow remains oddly appealing. :-)
Nicole Bobek - I get the feeling Nicole is having too much fun off the ice to practice those jumps the way she should. ;-)
Todd Eldredge - Todd is once again wearing the puffy shirt. Why must all his costumes look like they're made from him mom's draperies? He's a fine skater, but he's always been too stuffy for me.
Kurt Browning - Kurt is slowly but surely morphing into Scott Hamilton.
Brian Boitano - Bri does the cha cha with a coat rack, and makes it absolutely fabulous. Still so creative and original after all these years. One of my favorite skaters, ever.
Alexei Yagudin - Oh. My. That is one pretty, pretty man. Not a bad skater, either. ;-) Mmmm, Alexei.
/figure skating geekiness
In other news, have made some temporary holiday-themed changes to the layout - let me know if the colors are too obnoxious. LJ really makes you work to come up with a decent color scheme - most of their standard ones are downright scary.