Yeah, yeah, it IS that time of year already. I just discovered - who knows what I might have missed - that we have a cable tv channel where i can see figure skating that is not apparently worthy of network interest. Like the entire "grand prix season" now underway. I missed France, but Russia is currently hosting it in Moscow and I'm seeing almost live performances.

And thank you whatever contract negotiators who I guess locked in Dickhead on ABC and this is an NBC affiliate. I think. I don't care. I just am happy beyond measure that I don't have to mute too much of the commentary because so far, i have not had to listen to one second of Dick Button telling me about "pleasant" skating, and fawning over "little girls" and coming up with his favorite adjective that he will then use 87 times in an hour all season long. In fact, one of the commentators is Paul Wylie, a man who I think wanted to beDick Button years ago but who is far better at telling you thinks that might enhance your understanding of the sport. And not take up the entire skate with comments about what color laces she wears on her sneakers or (forgive me) her "poor blind mother". (If you don't get this reference, you haven't been watching skating too many years have you?) (heh)

The bad news? We will get Peter Carutthers. Who, one expert I now thinks is a true idio. I just think he blathers but I am pretty sure we are both right. I have images of his commentator partner or someone else in the booth either flapping a hand at him frantically to get him to shut the hell up or doing the ""zzzt" across the throat gesture. He stops in the middle of sentences.

They're very strict.

And if you've stayed here through all this, here's hope that this will be of interest and mean something to you. Otherwise, see you next post.

Shen and Zhao are back? Woo-hoo! I have not tracked the sport since Ray and I were at Skate America and need to catch up,there being an Olympics in 4 months - all sorts of folks are trying to get back into competition. Pang and Tong looked so strong already that good luck to them - it's time they had a true shot at it.

Evgeni Plushenko is BACK - oh is he ever - on the ice and does not appear to have missed a day since 2006. He was stunning in Moscow in one of the best short programs I've ever seen him skate since I started watching the guy skate. Yahooo!!! I did not think he could compete against the "kids" (he's 26) but I've clearly not been paying attention.

Now, um, could someone please go talk to the mega-talented Johnny Weir and suggest that black corsets tied with pink ribbons are not necessary the best costume choice? Screw homophobic judges or statements - I adore the guy's skating and think he has always been right that it's no one's business who he sleeps with, as he put it (and i loved that he put it so plainly) but it's a dopey costume. It looks like one of Katarina Witt's bad moments. I mean, yeah - look carefully at the black with pink thing he's wearing for the short program. That's a laced-up corset. With pink lacing. Oy.