I’ve just listened to Johnny’s teleconference on icenetwork.com.
He was asked several questions which were about judging system, US economy etc..
For his concern about the COP ( the new judging system ), it’s almost same as my concern which I have been thinking , which I already wrote in one of my Myspace blogs a long time ago.
And Johnny also has been telling about the new judging system is killing artistic aspects in figure skating since a long time ago.
I think for Johnny who is a true artistic skater , who is also a perfectionist for every detailed movements , feeling with music, ( his mind, body and music altogether ) , besides all the elements, including smooth landing positions, it’s very important issue that the system has become like a mathematical contest, always need to “ think” to calculate the points instead of “ feeling” with music.
Other wise it becomes like Lambiel who is also a true artistic skater, but who rarely skated clean both programs.
Actually I have never seen (or have missed it ?) Lambiel skated both clean programs in the past.
Lambiel is an artistic skater, but he is not a perfectionist for small parts, same for Daisuke Takahashi. Their point of skating was more of speed, dynamic and excitement and not always showing a certain magical beauty which is Johnny’s specialty.
Daisuke Takahashi , he is also a great artistic skater who truly feel with music, but Lambiel and Daisuke are not so perfectionists seeing their performances, their every detailed movements are more casual. I didn’t see any protection seeing their performances, really dynamic, and this is good.
They are also beautiful skaters, and I love their skating too, but for me their skating is not the liquid gold, magically beautiful skating like Johnny who cares so much for every detailed moves with deep expression.
And for skaters who are doing many choreographies without feeling to music may be easier to handle this situation. It looks to me, Jeffrey Buttle, Jeremy Abbot, Patrik Chan are emotionally not so deep, that’s why my heart doesn’t feel anything seeing their performances.
Jeremy Abbot and Patrick Chan are just doing many choreography with music, with many arm movements. And people consider that they are doing difficult choreographies and transition . But it looks to me their moves are not so polished, besides they are not so perfectionist, either.
I could see Abbot’s moves improved a lot from past seasons though. And Chan has improved somewhat as well, and he’s still very young. I think he will improve a lot in the future.
This is of course my view.
But while I completely agree with Johnny’s concern about this new judging system, I’m not sure it was good idea to tell about it at Nationals press conference again, even more detailed.
Because by saying this, it could cause him to lose some confidence rather than getting full of passion to compete.
It’s complicated , but keep being positive is always the most important part to get great result for any kind of things in life.
For about economy,
Johnny said
“ The show in Korea after the Final was a charity event. We were supporting a local children's fund. I went for the charity, so speaking of just that show, there was no big monetary gain for me.
I just did it because Yu-Na asked me and she's a good friend and I wanted to support her in something she was trying to do. As far as taking any opportunity there is, yes, it is a bit like that.
We don't have huge contracts like in the late 90s and early 2000s. We, the skaters, don't have contracts for endorsements and the sponsors, and it's something that's very difficult to do, because technically I could be in school now and prepping myself to get a "real job," but I'm a figure skater, it's what I love to do, it's what I've trained to do, it's my life.
And to be a figure skater, I pay for basically everything that I do, and I'm only 24, I have no real life experience outside of figure skating, and you know, there are times when I can't afford to pay my phone bill because I have to pay my coach, or pay for costumes, or pay for this and pay for that.
So I mean, it is at a time when you need to take whatever opportunities you can get, as far as you can.”
I was shocked to hear that he was not joining that show for financial reason, just because he loves to skate, and also Yu Na and him are good friend, so he wanted to help her.
It’s over but personally, I wish he should not have attend that show during such a tough situation. He was already exhausted after GPF, besides his health condition was not well.
Johnny have to listen to what his body needs sometimes and what he needed was a rest after GPF.
I thought Yu Na might be helping the opportunity for Johnny ‘s financial issue, but it was not. Although I’m sure she will be doing that in the future, as they are good friends. I also hope Yu Na understands Johnny’s situation. Besides it’s less than a month before US Nationals.
Johnny said
" Well my father is unable to work -- he is disabled from a job he had my whole life growing up. So my father is unable to work.
He gets, I don't know the right word, a pension or unemployment, something from his previous job but I mean, that's what it is, it's just unemployment. My mother has worked several jobs and she lost a job because of the economy and she's now scrambling trying to find something.
It's a very difficult situation. My brother now, is at the point where he needs to be working as well. He had to put off college for the moment to also try and help with things because he needs to have a job and help out.
Honestly my family can't afford college at the moment. Taking all of those things into account, it's been a very very tough year, almost two years, for my family.
What kind of job did your mom lose?
She was taking care of all the books, and the payments and these kinds of things for a local store that sells heating appliances, and stoves and things like that in Delaware. "
I felt bad to hear about that his mother had lost her jobs because of the current bad economy in the US , and his brother had to put off his Collage because his family could not afford for it and his brother is trying to get a job now.
Actually, I’ve been hearing so many people who has been laid off from their jobs since past 5 years here and many companies cut their work hours or have been laid off bulk of employees.
Looks like it’s actually getting worse and worse and now may be the worst time, and when I look at a newspaper, in the classified ads, no where is hiring any employees except for nurses and medical specialists in the US present.
I don’t know about other countries though, Germany and many more countries are in similar situations, jobless people are everywhere now.
According to the Japanese news, Japanese economy also hasn’t been going well. But as Johnny also said, I think Japanese top skaters are lucky not to suffer from their financial issue to continue competing. They all have their business sponsors and agents.
Also when only seeing figure skating fans, they go on ice shows cross over following their hero for supports and I don’t see bad economy in Japan seeing the scene.
Some young fans just worked very hard to save money to flew over US Nationals in 2007 to support Johnny. That was impressive. Maybe right now, not as bad as American economy.
While I was in Japan, my impression of Japanese companies are not so easy to laid off or fire their employees, especially for specialists. Government workers are once they got that jobs, they have the guarantee incomes until retired.
Evan Lysacek who started selling himself as being “masculine” in 2007 Nationals, showing and appealing his relationship with Tanith Belbin. He changed his way of talking to be more of masculine, (his talking during Olympics was really different.)
And as a result, USFSA always support him, he also got a business sponsorship with Total Gym. He is also a member of IMG and it becomes automatically attend SOI tours which is considered highest payment. I can see his marketing was successful. But somehow I thought he looked stressed out by not being himself.
Media was catching all Johnny vs. Evan rivalry, showing Evan = good guy, Johnny=bad guy.
People just believing by what media was showing and was judging it.
But this season , things may be different, since some other contenders appeared between two, such as Jeremy Abbot, plus Ryan Bradley, Stephen Carriere , Adam Rippon.
Reading this, it made me worry, he didn’t sound positive…besides, it’s right before Nationals competitions.
Maybe Johnny’s present situation must be so tough especially for financial issue he has been having. And it must always in his mind.
But to be successful, Johnny always need to remember that nothing is impossible, and how life works. Every words what he says influence his future.
I really want him to be succeed in his life, and get what he wants.
That’s my love for him.
I also wonder that how Johnny’s father’s health condition is ??
I understand his father can not work outside because of his back problem. Then I wonder what about working at home using online business ??
I’ve heard that he was an engineer, so I suppose he must be good at math, and if he loves to write, and no problem to research many things deeply, he can do it.
Even though , world looks bad economy, there are always industries and companies which are successful, there are always people who earn money and being a winner in their life.
Even in the tough situation, people always needs to fix their health issue, education and anything related to savings. So those topics will never die.
Real estate , amusement , entertainment , fancy restaurants, those industries may be having financial trouble right now. Because people cut those area of expense first usually.
Seems like USFSA had content with AT&T since their past sponsor State Farm Insurance’s content expired.
This US Nationals will be showed at NBC broadcast, with live.
Live …. It’s so scary to watch live to me.
Ray also could not stay at our TV when Johnny’s turn came up past seasons and was in my office with me, and checked the result from the computers while we were recording.
All the best to Johnny and his family !!!
He was asked several questions which were about judging system, US economy etc..
For his concern about the COP ( the new judging system ), it’s almost same as my concern which I have been thinking , which I already wrote in one of my Myspace blogs a long time ago.
And Johnny also has been telling about the new judging system is killing artistic aspects in figure skating since a long time ago.
I think for Johnny who is a true artistic skater , who is also a perfectionist for every detailed movements , feeling with music, ( his mind, body and music altogether ) , besides all the elements, including smooth landing positions, it’s very important issue that the system has become like a mathematical contest, always need to “ think” to calculate the points instead of “ feeling” with music.
Other wise it becomes like Lambiel who is also a true artistic skater, but who rarely skated clean both programs.
Actually I have never seen (or have missed it ?) Lambiel skated both clean programs in the past.
Lambiel is an artistic skater, but he is not a perfectionist for small parts, same for Daisuke Takahashi. Their point of skating was more of speed, dynamic and excitement and not always showing a certain magical beauty which is Johnny’s specialty.
Daisuke Takahashi , he is also a great artistic skater who truly feel with music, but Lambiel and Daisuke are not so perfectionists seeing their performances, their every detailed movements are more casual. I didn’t see any protection seeing their performances, really dynamic, and this is good.
They are also beautiful skaters, and I love their skating too, but for me their skating is not the liquid gold, magically beautiful skating like Johnny who cares so much for every detailed moves with deep expression.
And for skaters who are doing many choreographies without feeling to music may be easier to handle this situation. It looks to me, Jeffrey Buttle, Jeremy Abbot, Patrik Chan are emotionally not so deep, that’s why my heart doesn’t feel anything seeing their performances.
Jeremy Abbot and Patrick Chan are just doing many choreography with music, with many arm movements. And people consider that they are doing difficult choreographies and transition . But it looks to me their moves are not so polished, besides they are not so perfectionist, either.
I could see Abbot’s moves improved a lot from past seasons though. And Chan has improved somewhat as well, and he’s still very young. I think he will improve a lot in the future.
This is of course my view.
But while I completely agree with Johnny’s concern about this new judging system, I’m not sure it was good idea to tell about it at Nationals press conference again, even more detailed.
Because by saying this, it could cause him to lose some confidence rather than getting full of passion to compete.
It’s complicated , but keep being positive is always the most important part to get great result for any kind of things in life.
For about economy,
Johnny said
“ The show in Korea after the Final was a charity event. We were supporting a local children's fund. I went for the charity, so speaking of just that show, there was no big monetary gain for me.
I just did it because Yu-Na asked me and she's a good friend and I wanted to support her in something she was trying to do. As far as taking any opportunity there is, yes, it is a bit like that.
We don't have huge contracts like in the late 90s and early 2000s. We, the skaters, don't have contracts for endorsements and the sponsors, and it's something that's very difficult to do, because technically I could be in school now and prepping myself to get a "real job," but I'm a figure skater, it's what I love to do, it's what I've trained to do, it's my life.
And to be a figure skater, I pay for basically everything that I do, and I'm only 24, I have no real life experience outside of figure skating, and you know, there are times when I can't afford to pay my phone bill because I have to pay my coach, or pay for costumes, or pay for this and pay for that.
So I mean, it is at a time when you need to take whatever opportunities you can get, as far as you can.”
I was shocked to hear that he was not joining that show for financial reason, just because he loves to skate, and also Yu Na and him are good friend, so he wanted to help her.
It’s over but personally, I wish he should not have attend that show during such a tough situation. He was already exhausted after GPF, besides his health condition was not well.
Johnny have to listen to what his body needs sometimes and what he needed was a rest after GPF.
I thought Yu Na might be helping the opportunity for Johnny ‘s financial issue, but it was not. Although I’m sure she will be doing that in the future, as they are good friends. I also hope Yu Na understands Johnny’s situation. Besides it’s less than a month before US Nationals.
Johnny said
" Well my father is unable to work -- he is disabled from a job he had my whole life growing up. So my father is unable to work.
He gets, I don't know the right word, a pension or unemployment, something from his previous job but I mean, that's what it is, it's just unemployment. My mother has worked several jobs and she lost a job because of the economy and she's now scrambling trying to find something.
It's a very difficult situation. My brother now, is at the point where he needs to be working as well. He had to put off college for the moment to also try and help with things because he needs to have a job and help out.
Honestly my family can't afford college at the moment. Taking all of those things into account, it's been a very very tough year, almost two years, for my family.
What kind of job did your mom lose?
She was taking care of all the books, and the payments and these kinds of things for a local store that sells heating appliances, and stoves and things like that in Delaware. "
I felt bad to hear about that his mother had lost her jobs because of the current bad economy in the US , and his brother had to put off his Collage because his family could not afford for it and his brother is trying to get a job now.
Actually, I’ve been hearing so many people who has been laid off from their jobs since past 5 years here and many companies cut their work hours or have been laid off bulk of employees.
Looks like it’s actually getting worse and worse and now may be the worst time, and when I look at a newspaper, in the classified ads, no where is hiring any employees except for nurses and medical specialists in the US present.
I don’t know about other countries though, Germany and many more countries are in similar situations, jobless people are everywhere now.
According to the Japanese news, Japanese economy also hasn’t been going well. But as Johnny also said, I think Japanese top skaters are lucky not to suffer from their financial issue to continue competing. They all have their business sponsors and agents.
Also when only seeing figure skating fans, they go on ice shows cross over following their hero for supports and I don’t see bad economy in Japan seeing the scene.
Some young fans just worked very hard to save money to flew over US Nationals in 2007 to support Johnny. That was impressive. Maybe right now, not as bad as American economy.
While I was in Japan, my impression of Japanese companies are not so easy to laid off or fire their employees, especially for specialists. Government workers are once they got that jobs, they have the guarantee incomes until retired.
Evan Lysacek who started selling himself as being “masculine” in 2007 Nationals, showing and appealing his relationship with Tanith Belbin. He changed his way of talking to be more of masculine, (his talking during Olympics was really different.)
And as a result, USFSA always support him, he also got a business sponsorship with Total Gym. He is also a member of IMG and it becomes automatically attend SOI tours which is considered highest payment. I can see his marketing was successful. But somehow I thought he looked stressed out by not being himself.
Media was catching all Johnny vs. Evan rivalry, showing Evan = good guy, Johnny=bad guy.
People just believing by what media was showing and was judging it.
But this season , things may be different, since some other contenders appeared between two, such as Jeremy Abbot, plus Ryan Bradley, Stephen Carriere , Adam Rippon.
Reading this, it made me worry, he didn’t sound positive…besides, it’s right before Nationals competitions.
Maybe Johnny’s present situation must be so tough especially for financial issue he has been having. And it must always in his mind.
But to be successful, Johnny always need to remember that nothing is impossible, and how life works. Every words what he says influence his future.
I really want him to be succeed in his life, and get what he wants.
That’s my love for him.
I also wonder that how Johnny’s father’s health condition is ??
I understand his father can not work outside because of his back problem. Then I wonder what about working at home using online business ??
I’ve heard that he was an engineer, so I suppose he must be good at math, and if he loves to write, and no problem to research many things deeply, he can do it.
Even though , world looks bad economy, there are always industries and companies which are successful, there are always people who earn money and being a winner in their life.
Even in the tough situation, people always needs to fix their health issue, education and anything related to savings. So those topics will never die.
Real estate , amusement , entertainment , fancy restaurants, those industries may be having financial trouble right now. Because people cut those area of expense first usually.
Seems like USFSA had content with AT&T since their past sponsor State Farm Insurance’s content expired.
This US Nationals will be showed at NBC broadcast, with live.
Live …. It’s so scary to watch live to me.
Ray also could not stay at our TV when Johnny’s turn came up past seasons and was in my office with me, and checked the result from the computers while we were recording.
All the best to Johnny and his family !!!