Emma said:
Rgirl, I couldn't agree more with what you said in your lengthier post and with what Vash is saying....However, a) Cizny won SILVER at Skate America and then Gold at Skate Canada; and b) i think there is a difference between being excited about her showings at these last two, given the circumstance, and calling her the next Michelle Kwan. As a fan of this SPORT, her upset second place and truly surprising, imo, first place, are worthy of tons of commentary precisely because of the 'upset' and 'surprising' quality of them. Also, because the win was against a very good FS of Rochette's, there is tons of room as fans of this sport to debate the win (in sportsperson like ways). That she has tons to improve on is also a worthy topic of discussion, and the details of what needs to be improved are surely fascinating. I personally would like us to abe able to have all of these conversations and more. I felt earlier, and still feel somewhat now in light of your commentary, that we somehow have a five second limit on discussing the 'upset,' and I dislike that because the thrill of the event is major part of what I like about figureskating (another major part is the growth and change over time too, I just want to be able to relish the moment as well, the upsets, the surprises, etc.).
And for the record, I am excited about this skater and her wins because of the surprises, not because she is a US skater. I think it is important to make that latter point clear too.
Thanks for your thoughtful response to my post, Emma. I agree with 99% of what you said and am glad you posted your clear and concise, fair and balanced rebuttal. It being the political season, we never hear that from the candidates--at least where I live. :scratch:
The only thing I would take issue with, and I realize you are using hyperbole re "five-second limit," is, "I felt earlier...that we somehow have a five second limit on discussing the 'upset,' and I dislike that because the thrill of the event is major part of what I like about figureskating (another major part is the growth and change over time too, I just want to be able to relish the moment as well, the upsets, the surprises, etc.)." Maybe it's because I'm on the "sober" side, but I feel there was plenty of time and plenty of posts to relish Alissa's SA silver and now her SC gold. Regarding SA, many of us had fresh in our minds Alissa's poor performance jumpwise at Campbell's and I know for me, while I was happy Alissa did a great 3L/2t and two or three other triples, there was the fall and in light of Campbell's, I didn't know whether to think she just had a bad LP at Campbell's or just had lucky LP at SA.
What I read after people were able to watch her SA skate on TV was about 80-90% pure excitement over Alissa and 10-20% comments along the lines of, "Loved her spins and spirals; haven't seen her enough to get too excited," or "Loved her (insert whatever), but felt she still needs a lot of work on (insert whatever)." I think that's fair on a general forum.
With SC, most/many of us haven't had a chance to see it yet. Perhaps us "sober-minded" folks who haven't seen SC should preface our posts with that fact. In any case, we can't help how we feel and in most of the "sober" posts I've read, the poster has noted that Alissa has many positive qualities. At least with Alissa, I haven't read a single "All this hype is ridiculous!" post, just people either saying they want to see more of her before they decide or pointing out the weaknesses in her skating they've seen so far, but all acknowledging her exciting strengths. From what I've read, it's been the "gushers" for Alissa by at least an 8:2 ration, IMO, which is fine by me. We curmudgeons simply have a job to do. It's a dirty job, but someboy has to do it.
Mathman said:
I don't get all the hand-wringing and tsk-tsking about gushing posts. By defintion a gush is an over-the-top, deliberately exaggerated, somewhat tongue-in-cheek paean to whatever.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=gush
1. To make an excessive display of sentiment or enthusiasm: gushed over the baby.
2. Excessively demonstrative language or behavior.
3. Praise enthusiastically.
Granted, this is only one dictionary, but it didn't say anything about "tongue-in-cheek" nor have I gotten an ironic tone from those who have "gushed" about Alissa.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hand-wringing
1. An excessive expression of distress.
Again, just one dictionary, but I haven't read any, "Oh, dear! Oh,
dear! What
are we to do about all this distressing gushing over Alissa Czisny!"
Mathman said:
If I post that Alissa is the best thing since sliced bread, is it really necessary for more sober minds to rush in and point out that, no, the Salk polio vaccine came after sliced bread, and that's even better than Alissa's Skate Canada program?
Yes. :indiff: *
Rgirl
*Sober-minded smiley.
). But who's to say. Do whatever you wish...just don't be surprised if...to put it nicely...well, never mind 
