You Know You're a Figure Skating Fan When...

[CaroLiza_fan]

...when you don't drink, but for the past few days you can't stop singing about "Whiskey, Whiskey"!!!

Thank you, Keegan!

(Yes, I know that video is of the performance at last year's Worlds Gala. But there are no videos of it from this year's Worlds on YouTube).

As you probably worked out, I watched the Worlds Gala on Wednesday.

Well, it's a lot better than the song that was stuck in my head before that. A song that was written and sung by somebody that is currently in jail.

Thanks a lot, Josefin and Vladimir.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CoyoteChris]

Well at least you were quiet about it.

I'm very excited to (hopefully) get Max Aaron's autograph at Ice Dreams..if he makes that show, and all goes well. I don't think I NEED anyone else's autograph, although I purchased a Pride flag to fly for Tim Leduc and he was not there, and then I did not get to go to Nationals, so it hasn't been flown for him yet. It would be nice to get his autograph on it. I did get Adam's autograph and I was so excited I can't even tell you. I have been wanting his autograph for awhile. Actually I don't have most of these skaters autographs yet. (The ones who will be at Ice Dreams) So that should be exciting. Rohene Ward! He is friends with me on IG (I don't know why).

I think autographs and the collecting there of are interesting...the idea has certainly been around a long time. Nothing wrong with it. I worked very hard and feel very honored to get 3 Tuskegee airmen to autograph my Uncle's last mission report from when they were protecting him when he was flying over Europe. But with skaters, I enjoy looking back on the pic (s) I had taken with them....and the memories. 2019 4 Conts Anaheim. That was a comp to remember.....

 

[moonvine]

I think autographs and the collecting there of are interesting...the idea has certainly been around a long time. Nothing wrong with it. I worked very hard and feel very honored to get 3 Tuskegee airmen to autograph my Uncle's last mission report from when they were protecting him when he was flying over Europe. But with skaters, I enjoy looking back on the pic (s) I had taken with them....and the memories. 2019 4 Conts Anaheim. That was a comp to remember.....
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I don’t want pictures with them. Why would I want pictures with beautiful people?

Autographs and hugs are what I want.

 

[ice coverage]

... Max is a sweetie. The first time we got to talk to him "up close & personal" was @ Ice Works, in Aston, PA (it had to be the summer of 2012 when he debuted his West Side Story free skate program).

My eternal favorite Max Aaron (in my avatar to this day!) is the reason that I went to my first-ever competition.
It was 2017 Philadelphia International, where I totally got bitten by the bug of attending events in person.

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I don’t want pictures with them. Why would I want pictures with beautiful people?

Autographs and hugs are what I want.

Some fans like photos ... some fans like autographs ... some fans like both.
Some fans like the opportunity to say a few words to a skater -- and are not interested in photos or autographs.

As for hugs, speaking for myself: Even before the pandemic, I found that it was possible for a very fan-friendly skater to not necessarily be open to receiving an unsolicited instinctive hug of congratulations. And now with the pandemic fresh in mind, I will be treading extra-lightly with all skaters. More than ever, I do not want to get carried away by my well-intentioned enthusiasm.

 

[moonvine]

My eternal favorite Max Aaron (in my avatar to this day!) is the reason that I went to my first-ever competition.
It was 2017 Philadelphia International, where I totally got bitten by the bug of attending events in person.

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Some fans like photos ... some fans like autographs ... some fans like both.
Some fans like the opportunity to say a few words to a skater -- and are not interested in photos or autographs.

As for hugs, speaking for myself: Even before the pandemic, I found that it was possible for a very fan-friendly skater to not necessarily be open to receiving an unsolicited instinctive hug of congratulations. And now with the pandemic fresh in mind, I will be treading extra-lightly with all skaters. More than ever, I do not want to get carried away by my well-intentioned enthusiasm.

I have never hugged anyone unsolicited. The first hug I got was from Tim. I had gotten their autograph the day before in the autograph line the day before. They said “but you just got my autograph yesterday!” (Out of all the people they signed an autograph for thry remembered me). I was like “you remember me?” I said “can I have a hug then?” And they said yes and gave me a big hug. It was just a moment. They had also just won their first US title.

I don’t like unsolicited hugs myself and would never go for one without asking. Nor would I ask for one from a skater who was more reserved. Tim’s not very reserved.

Also I misgendered them in my excitement. I think I have fixed all my errors.

 

[ice coverage]

I have never hugged anyone unsolicited. The first hug I got was from Tim. I had gotten his autograph the day before in the autograph line the day before. He said “but you just got my autograph yesterday!” (Out of all the people he signed an autograph for he remembered me). I was like “you remember me?” I said “can I have a hug then?” And he said yes and gave me a big hug. It was just a moment. They had also just won their first US title.

I don’t like unsolicited hugs myself and would never go for one without asking. Nor would I ask for one from a skater who was more reserved. Tim’s not very reserved.

Glad that you asked for and received a big hug from Tim.

I feel lucky that I have received some nice hugs from skaters and coaches -- initiated by them.
To explain a little more about the pre-pandemic experience I referenced above:

The skater's personality is well known for being the opposite of reserved.
The first time I met her was at a small show in the spring, and she was all smiles as she lingered to chat with me far more than I ever would have expected. The following year, I attended a September competition where she made the podium. I happened to see her as she was leaving the venue, and she paused briefly to say hello and share a laugh. At Nats a few months later, she achieved an enormous goal under a ton of pressure, and I was ecstatic for her and her coach (to whom I had spoken a little bit on previous occasions). Inside the official hotel, I happened to cross paths with her coach, who apparently was giddy with joy and who reached out to give me a hug. When I later happened to cross paths with the skater right outside the hotel, my split-second instinct was to congratulate her with a hug. But from her lukewarm reaction, the faux pas of my unsolicited hug was clear. Thus my resolve thereafter not to get carried away in future.​

Again, speaking for myself, I think I will stay away both from initiating hugs and from asking for hugs. I would not want a skater (even one who is not reserved) to feel awkward about declining a request for a hug.

 

[moonvine]

I received an unsolicited handshake from Gracie! She put her hand out and said “Hi, I’m Gracie.” It was all very exciting.

I belong to a group that has a National convention every year that has - optionally - hug dots for our badges. Green means “hug freely” (it’s a very “huggy” group). Yellow means “ask first.” Red means “no hugs.” Too bad we don’t have them in real life.

I went to church with a boyfriends aunt once and WOW. Soooo many people came up wanting to hug me. It was creepy and I wanted to run out of there as fast as possible.

 

[iluvtodd]

My eternal favorite Max Aaron (in my avatar to this day!) is the reason that I went to my first-ever competition.
It was 2017 Philadelphia International, where I totally got bitten by the bug of attending events in person.

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Just curious - did we meet @ the 2017 Philadelphia International Summer Competition? We were there!

 

[ice coverage]

I received an unsolicited handshake from Gracie! She put her hand out and said “Hi, I’m Gracie.” It was all very exciting. ...

... I belong to a group that has a National convention every year that has - optionally - hug dots for our badges. Green means “hug freely” (it’s a very “huggy” group). Yellow means “ask first.” Red means “no hugs.” Too bad we don’t have them in real life. ...

Hug dots? The concept is blowing my mind -- in a good way.

Just curious - did we meet @ the 2017 Philadelphia International Summer Competition? We were there!

IIRC, we did not meet at 2017 Philadelphia International -- although we have met at subsequent events.

For one thing, I am pretty sure that I remember chatting briefly with you and your husband at 2019 Nats on the concourse at Little Caesars.
It so happened that earlier I had come across the gentlemanly Todd E at the arena. When I spoke to him for a moment, I enjoyed his pleasant and low-key demeanor. Naturally I mentioned my positive impressions to you.

 

[moonvine]

...when you don't drink, but for the past few days you can't stop singing about "Whiskey, Whiskey"!!!

Thank you, Keegan!

(Yes, I know that video is of the performance at last year's Worlds Gala. But there are no videos of it from this year's Worlds on YouTube).

CaroLiza_fan

Keegan is the best!
4 more years! 4 more years!

 

[Anna K.]

Somebody says "a quarter" and you think "underrotated".

 

[CoyoteChris]

Glad that you asked for and received a big hug from Tim.

I feel lucky that I have received some nice hugs from skaters and coaches -- initiated by them.
To explain a little more about the pre-pandemic experience I referenced above:

The skater's personality is well known for being the opposite of reserved.​

The first time I met her was at a small show in the spring, and she was all smiles as she lingered to chat with me far more than I ever would have expected. The following year, I attended a September competition where she made the podium. I happened to see her as she was leaving the venue, and she paused briefly to say hello and share a laugh. At Nats a few months later, she achieved an enormous goal under a ton of pressure, and I was ecstatic for her and her coach (to whom I had spoken a little bit on previous occasions). Inside the official hotel, I happened to cross paths with her coach, who apparently was giddy with joy and who reached out to give me a hug. When I later happened to cross paths with the skater right outside the hotel, my split-second instinct was to congratulate her with a hug. But from her lukewarm reaction, the faux pas of my unsolicited hug was clear. Thus my resolve thereafter not to get carried away in future.​

Again, speaking for myself, I think I will stay away both from initiating hugs and from asking for hugs. I would not want a skater (even one who is not reserved) to feel awkward about declining a request for a hug.

Bless you. Some people are not huggers and some cultures dont encourage hugging... and some do. The closest I get to a hug from any skater I just know in passing from being a long time fan is when I put my arm around them for a pic. Sure, many of us want to hug our fav skaters cause we love them so much, but we put them in a difficult position if we initiate that. If a skater knows you by your name and remembers you and/or initiates a hug, that's different....but other than that, manners and respectfulness should rule. (and now we live in a time where people seem to think there is no pandemic anymore and getting double boosted will protect you and everyone around you and masks are no longer needed....well, this week should have put an end to THAT kind of thinking.....(I dont know why the news doesnt think kissing someone on the cheek isnt close contact with the President, but I am certainly not going to make anyone I am close to sick if I can help it, especially my fav skaters. Omicron BA1, BA2 and XE are way too contagious)

 

[moonvine]

Bless you. Some people are not huggers and some cultures dont encourage hugging... and some do. The closest I get to a hug from any skater I just know in passing from being a long time fan is when I put my arm around them for a pic. Sure, many of us want to hug our fav skaters cause we love them so much, but we put them in a difficult position if we initiate that. If a skater knows you by your name and remembers you and/or initiates a hug, that's different....but other than that, manners and respectfulness should rule. (and now we live in a time where people seem to think there is no pandemic anymore and getting double boosted will protect you and everyone around you and masks are no longer needed....well, this week should have put an end to THAT kind of thinking.....(I dont know why the news doesnt think kissing someone on the cheek isnt close contact with the President, but I am certainly not going to make anyone I am close to sick if I can help it, especially my fav skaters. Omicron BA1, BA2 and XE are way too contagious)
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I would never want to make anyone sick. It’s why I didn’t go to Nashville.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I received an unsolicited handshake from Gracie! She put her hand out and said “Hi, I’m Gracie.” It was all very exciting.

I belong to a group that has a National convention every year that has - optionally - hug dots for our badges. Green means “hug freely” (it’s a very “huggy” group). Yellow means “ask first.” Red means “no hugs.” Too bad we don’t have them in real life.

I went to church with a boyfriends aunt once and WOW. Soooo many people came up wanting to hug me. It was creepy and I wanted to run out of there as fast as possible.

Wow...what a great idea! Hug dots.
One thing I do now in these troubled times is if there is a person I would normally hug I stand ten feet away (masked if inside) and make a hugging motion with my arms. We live in sad times. I think I can count on one hand my friends who have not been sick in the last two years.
Glad I got my pics when I did.....love you, Mariah.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I would never want to make anyone sick. It’s why I didn’t go to Nashville.

Exactly. And I am glad I didnt go. And I may still be the only person in the grocery story with a surgical graded mask on...I dont care. I have to look myself in the mirror....
Ref: I don’t want pictures with them. Why would I want pictures with beautiful people?
My idea of what a beautiful person is has changed remarkably over the years....many I know personally here on this forum would not be considered "beautiful" by the mass media but they are beautiful to me. Would rather have a dinner (or a pic) with them any day than the vast majority of what the media pushes as "the Beautiful people". The legendary Canadian Figure skating photog David Carmichael, who happens to be a very nice guy, once told me he could count on one hand skaters he really didnt like as people and I through out a name and and he said, yes, thats one of them. But he is right. Many skaters are beautiful not because they meet some sort of media standard, but because of the people they ARE.

 

[McBibus]

Many skaters are beautiful not because they meet some sort of media standard, but because of the people they ARE.

Skaters are more often than not very warm with fans and the fans are usually respectful.
I remember saying "good morning" to a skater during bereakfast and she immediately got out of the chair to say hello and take the initiative to pose for a photo.
I did even felt a little guilty as I did not want to interrupt her breakfast with her mother.

 

[bcskatingacademy]

With some of the off-season drama we had recently, let's have a light-hearted discussion, shall we :

You know you're a figure skating fan when...

...you stay up in the middle of the night to watch a competition that is taking place on the other side of the world, even though you have work or even an important exam the morning.

...you replay your favourite performance after the competition, many, many times. After your third re-watch, you start seeking out the performance with other network commentaries (CBC, B.ESP, NBC, Матч, TDP, etc.). After your eighth re-watch, in which you probably have memorized the performance frame by frame and also the audience and the coach's reaction to particular elements, you proceed to find the skater's/skaters' performance of the program in other competitions during the season to see the improvements and/or differences .

What a great discussion. It is nice to see some light hearted posts after an interesting season of skating to say the least.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Skaters are more often than not very warm with fans and the fans are usually respectful.
I remember saying "good morning" to a skater during bereakfast and she immediately got out of the chair to say hello and take the initiative to pose for a photo.
I did even felt a little guilty as I did not want to interrupt her breakfast with her mother.

LOL! Yes, I have experienced that.... at one breakfast, Mirai was sitting away from the group of FOFSers eating with a pairs team. I felt guilty about walking up and asking for a pic but Mirai and the others sprang up and were very kind and warm to an old man....I remember the Shibs would make an effort to go around to lots of tables and talk with the fans as they were eating.....there are those skaters who for what ever reason didnt feel comfortable attending the breakfasts and I dont hold that against them....some maybe are just shy, like Tanith....I am not sure about Vince Z. At SA vegas, my friend who skates said hi to him at her rink where he was practicing (after he was done and off the ice) and he didnt react at all, which in her culture, is considered very rude. So I said Hi to him when I was riding in the elevator with him and got the same reaction ...nothing....no head turn...no smile. She and I still laugh about it.....even Kaori and her coach will turn their heads and smile....but I appreciate that certain people have trouble with the fame....

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

...when you are watching the quiz show "Pointless", and the theme of one of the rounds is people with the surname "Brown". And the first name that comes into your head is "Oona".

No prizes for guessing who was working on their Ice Dance predictions for Junior Worlds an hour earlier!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[anonymoose_au]

...when you are watching the quiz show "Pointless", and the theme of one of the rounds is people with the surname "Brown". And the first name that comes into your head is "Oona".

That would have been a pointless answer for sure!