figure_skating epitome of incomprehensibility What has the power to turn an aloof anarchist into a frenzied screamer of "Go Canada!"? Is it hockey? Is it speedskating? Is it the one with skates but also flashy zigzags, lifts, swoops, and spins? AND sequins?? I think it's that one. For me, anyway. I was joking when I accused the Quebecer skating for France of being a "traitor," but I did wish gold for the last Canadian couple - Piper and Paul, their names cute as a pair of pickled peppers. And I wanted them to get extra_points_for_cleverness, but that's not how things work. They ended up with bronze. Anyway. I'm no expert on the sport, but I've long enjoyed the way it combines art with athleticism. The ice dance, which was the Olympic event I saw this afternoon, is a bit different than the other pair skate - there are more lifts and fewer jumps, since it's inspired by ballroom dancing. Generally, the partners have to stay close to each other. One Italian pair is a couple in real life. They shared a real kiss after their program, after posing for a near-kiss at the end of their routine. Dance. Romance. No bitter-ance in this viewer, not for no: jealousy didn't enter my mind. Not that love is in the picture, but other things_are_looking_up. 260211 ... e_o_i edits *not for now 260211 ... e_o_i In the pairs skating today, one of the women spun only once in what was supposed to be a triple jump fr9m both skaters. So I held my breath as her partner threw her for a throw-jump - I was thinking she'd feel awful if she messed this one up. It was perfect; phew. This pair was from Germany, not always a country with a lot of figure skaters. They got bronze through dogged effort, but the silver getters got underdog points, winning their country's first Olympic medal this year. 260216 ... e_o_i That country, Georgia. Nation of crunchy consonants, not state of bless-your-hearts. 260216 what's it to you? who go blather from