Sorry I forgot about the finish of this. I was looking around old threads and as I have been waiting to get pics of my new great nephew emailed - they are to busy for me I guess. Anyway I 'spose I should just finish this to not leave the show unended. Let me whip out my "memory scribbles" and finish at least.
Irina G - I can see why she is in the show, very entertaining but Think she should have done the act in reverse order with the props. The Cube was cool, but obviously not that difficult for her.
*this sounds like I have already said this???* Anyway, she pointed right in the mans face across the isle from me when he was eating a nacho and shook her finger with a No No No.
*OK now I remember where I posted that info before.* She skates Flat, most likely due to all the "hooping" going on but has good strength jumping but lands pretty hard. She is a very tone lady and looks very strong. I am not really fond of any of her costume designs that I know are hers, and would assume the one she wore at COI was also one of hers. My Guess is she designed the "Rainbow sequin" ones some of the ladies wore in a group number too, just because it looked so Las Vegas. She did a back summersault (one hand down) and looked very happy tiered at the end. Good stage presents IMO. I think she should have closed the first half.
EP - Rock Star in the epitome of the term! Neat guy with exuding personality, who I think would really look better shaven. But I hear there is a superstition about that - I wonder how scruffy he was in CO Springs the next night?
I was surprised at the lack of connection to the crowd, there was some, but I really exspected more people enjoying and knowing him. Particularly the group of 10 girls in the corner 10 rows back that were screeming for Evan and MK at the end. Ah the bias American (and I can make blonde jokes too being a blonde) only cheering for the home town favs. I hollered out a couple of "Plushy"s for the guy, I think he's is awesome - especially when he
isn't doing the "windmill gig."
His feet are fricking incredible, so clearly defines the edge he is using and the movement is so fluid - I think of him when I am thinking of my blades skating now.
He had one part of the "cross the ice" footwork that seemed like he went out of his rhythm but quickly regained it. "Soft power," is what I have written down here from weeks ago, sounds about right. No arm whipping around stuff, just used them nicely and had great posture. Very smiley and didn't look the slightest bit tiered the whole time, I have already made some comments on him so I will leave it with that - I was taken in by his skating
and personality
way more then I anticipated. But I still think he would have looked the part of a Heavy Metal Band Lead Guitarist. Oh, He and Ira seemed pretty much like palls in their exchange of looks and smiles. I
think they
seem to be friends or could possibly become friends off the ice as well. I can really picture the two couples and one baby (for now) going out for a night at the trendy restaurants. JAT
Ah, but alas ST. Pete or Moscow?????
Vladimir & Oleksiy - That is one you just have to see. I have tried explaining it to friends and they always say "slow motion hunh?" or "Are you sure you aren't over exaggerating." Nope, it was Chinese acrobatic style stuff in slow mo. Freaky, Funny, Fantasmo and Pure entertainment that I would have been happy if there were 2 routines of them (first and second Half). The great points I think were the times when Oleksiy would be in this incredible acrobatic position and then just fall. The Jux of having everything go so slow with no emotion on their faces, and then Wham! This is something I had seen before in routines back when the whole family was togather for the trips to Vegas and hit Circus Circus shows, but their timing was perfect for the 2 times they did it, totally unexpected both times. The slow mo gig never got old but the box pile up took a little long being as they used the same "turn around and get a box in your belly" 4 times. It was clever how they seemed to not want to accomplish the same task at the end. Anyhoo, not supreme skating but Highly entertaining.
Kween - At first I was not as existed as I thought I was going to be. It felt more to me like "it has finally been accomplished, there she is 4 feet away in all of her beauty and gracefulness, and I have completed this part of my desire to see her live." She was quite pretty, and her smile is better in person. The flow she has was soft and elegant, like a "swan song." Good spins with great positions - and outside of the fact there were no 1s, 2, or 3s and little hop / jump she did I would have no idea she was holding back. Maybe it was the programe choice and perfectly kept speed (just constant never fluctuating). A nice elegant number that highlighted her as a lady. Dignified and kept a smile on my face throughout her solo.
The timing of the pro gave me time to remember how I first saw her in '98 and was blown away with the back scratch, energy and lively feeling she would radiate amongst the crowd - and me even though I was viewing via the tube. How I got so much crap for the "YAH! MICHELLE!"s in front of my buddies who were only watching for Bobsled and hockey results (yet I know they were at least checking out the babes on the ice even if they wouldn't say it). Not many went for beer when there was a lady on the ice although their comment would be "I am only watching this 'cause Sean likes it."
*flash forward* Here was a lady I admire for so much accomplishment, and to someone deserving. It was like poetic justice in a positive way, this was someone who deserved all that hype for all those years and delivered 99% of the time - better then
anyone else that comes to mind for me and my over realistic attitude
. Pure integrity. She made my eyes and smile feel bigger and bigger as I watched. Even thought
all of the elements that she first introduced me to, sparking my interest in FS were not preformed that night, it was totally fulfilling to watch her. Regardless of the fact I was not as "starstruck" by her appearance, she really did make my heart - and eyes - swell with admiration - more like when I helped my niece learn to ride her bike and she went off into the distance / MK helped me and now she rides off. I am sure I am not the only one that wanted to shout out some comment of encouragement and satifaction - I thought "you have done more for me then any athlete has done to bring me joy" - but the crowed of girls in the corner with "we love you Michelle" hopefully sent the sentiment. I am not one to say I will "miss having...." to often, for most of the time I like to just be grateful that I did. Now that I reflect on her though, I wish to have another chance to see her, even if it is the same routine. I am sure I don't know everything, or truly even
that much about her, but all that she is, is a Beauty that lasts for ever in the mind.
EEE gad! I just read what I wrote
, I can just imagine how sappasauris I will be when I see Fumie. Woh gush fest! I still think if she skated 4th to end, I would have been equally as satisfied in MK's performance.
The finally was great, I noted some Marry Poppins kind of take offs with the Charleston theme, a little All That Jazz in the middle and a great take on the West Side Story - snapping and coming to gather in the middle to part and have a mini solo from each like the Rumble scene in WSS. I don't know if that was the intent, but It made me more then happy. The final costumes / outfits were the best of any all night - I love how performers look in white. Enhances all the lighting and makes the individual stand out from "the outfit." The one thing I would say to change is, the "arches" - not to fandango on those things. Neat looking but they could have either been designed to be less of an obstruction or just left out. At one point Sasha was coming out of a spin and headed for the arch as though she was going to go throughout the middle and made a choice not to and went around. From the Broadway Show Choirs I was in, I noticed this threw off the timing for a moment for the entrance of TTMM was early to her position on the ice. Even though I did have a nice framed view of a few ladies and one of the guys, the arches don't float my boat. Nitpicky I know - I have got to make up for that MK gushing
- but the arches could just go as far as I was concerned. For their "
victory lap I can't remember for sure but someone "gave me 5" and I felt like I stood much to slowly even though I think I was at least one of the first. It was just such a fulfilling evening, Like after Thanksgiving dinner. I just felt so "full."
LSS, Great show sorry for the delay on the review.
Made eye contact with my favorite skaters (OH Tanith!!!
And no Rene & John, or Kimmie
:boohoo: Didn't expect to see Shen & Zhao anyway, but I guess I had hopes for a surprise.
hwell: 
