Johnny is unapologeticly Johnny and for those of us who love him, that's why. But that includes knowing that every so often Johnny is going to pull a Johnny, and last night, he did.
At first I was glad to see he'd changed his LP to "Otonal," but one thing I realized watching '05 Worlds on my tape is that the COP is much more demanding this season than last. For example, in '04/05 you just needed two changes of position in a combo spin to get a Level 3, as long as it was fast, well centered, and difficult. This season, everybody who wants high spin levels is doing four positions in a combo spin, and that still may only get them a Level 3.
Also, the judges are really cracking down on transitions. The German pairs team was a good example of using good tough transitions before every trick. There weren't nearly as many difficult transitions into elements last season as I've been seeing this year. So for Weir to bring back "Otonal" from 04/05 (yes?) was like bringing back last year's race car without the improvements to the engine, the wheels, etc.
To me, the choreography for "Otonal"--never mind the performance of it--looked as if it needed reworking to bring the difficulty up to Olympic '06 level. But because Weir didn't make the decision to change his LP until after Nationals, there was no time to bring the choreography up to speed. Johnny just didn't strategize.
If I may make a comparison: When Rudi Galindo won USN in '96, he did so only because he left his flamboyance at home and trained like a Marine, which he hadn't done in previous years. It was as if Rudi knew this was his last chance for a USN and World medal and thus for that entire year, he would have to have a mindset like a grunt at boot camp and train like one too. We could both see and hear
how much his USN gold medal meant to Rudi and we could see how much his World Bronze meant to him too.
But Rudi knew Rudi and knew that this kind of life wasn't for him over the long haul. After '96 Worlds, Rudi immediately turned pro and started skating programs like "YMCA" with COI ASAP. Rudi let his flamboyance out once he'd established his "credentials" with his National Championship and World bronze. Then he could do whatever he wanted.
I'll miss it, but Johnny may have to channel his Inner Diva in a such a way that it doesn't interfere with training and competing with his gifts as a skater, which are legion. Johnny said it himself as qupted in the article, ie, that he needs to train more to be ready for unexpected situations--like missing the freakin' bus!--as well as train more period. The guy can do a quad. He just can't or won't do one when it counts.
But I love ye Johnny.
Whatever color your true aura is, don't change it. Just work on your training and keep your Inner Diva inside under lock and key when necessary.
Rgjrl
EDITED TO ADD: Speaking of divas, I just went to The Edge and saw the thread "Rudi Galindo Lashes Out at Weir." It's over Rudi's contention that Johnny copies his moves, but still...
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