2012 Finlandia Trophy
Johnny Weir-Voronov returns to competition!
After 2 1/2 years off the competitive circuit, Johnny took the ice in Espoo, Finland with fellow American- Ricky Dornbush, from Japan- Yuzuru Hanyu, from Spain- Javier Fernandez, from Russia- Zhan Bush, and from Uzbekistan- Misha Ge, and a host of other up and coming skaters looking to get a jump start before the Grand Prix season begins.

After the Short Program, Hernandez leads the pack, thanks to some effortless jumps, with a score of 80.77.
Yuzuru Hanyu follows in 2nd with a score of 75.57 after a fall on his opening quad that cost him valuable points.
In 3rd is Ricky Dornbush with 71.19 and a very solid skate. His boots do not seem to be a problem anymore and his confidence is back.

Johnny Weir (Weir-Voronov) hold at 4th. He ended with a score of 69.03. A bit lower than many expected, but not horrible after being away from competition for so long. Weir admitted to being nervous and having trouble remembering all of the points he needed to hit in the program. He was also competing for the first time in front of his husband, Victor Weir-Voronov, who was in the stands offering unconditional support and love.
Weir also has a much larger fan base and a much more public profile after two years if walking Red Carpets, receiving awards for activism, writing a book, and broadcasting the second season of his reality show Be Good Johnny Weir. (Currently airing on the Logo channel)

Weir did not fully rotate his opening quad and the jump was downgraded. That cost him much needed points, but he has looked much better on the quad in practice. He also tripped up- possibly on rough ice- during a footwork sequence. Overall, it looked like a first skate of the season. The goal is to get through it, place well enough to be in striking distance in Free Skate, and get some actual feedback from judges on the program. I think all of these were well accomplished.

The Men’s Free will begin at 930am EST. I will be glued to my Twitter feed and waiting patiently (or not) for a kind soul to upload video to YouTube.

I think the Free Skate will be very interesting and I am really looking forward to the GP Series.

Bring it on, boys! It’s Skating Season!

thetrevorproject:

Happy Birthday, Neil Patrick Harris! Thanks for your ongoing support. You are truly a class act.

zhonnika:

Shanghai press conference.

curethriftshop:

Cure Thrift Shop.  Miles away from ordinary.

endlessme:

Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum
“River of No Return” set
Alberta, 1954 

flying kitties!!!

oldhollywood:

James Dean during the filming of Rebel Without a Cause, inside the planetarium (1955) Photographer: Dennis Stock 

(via)

thefluffingtonpost:

US Synchronized Cuteness Team Favorite for Olympic Gold Medal

According to sports experts, the United States’ synchronized cuteness team competing in the cat division at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England this summer have a real shot at winning a gold medal.

The team, which won silver at the World Championships last fall, have really coalesced as a unit since then.  ”They’re gelling at the absolute best time,” said Joel Hollenbeck, the cuteness analyst for NBC Sports.  ”If they’re as cute in London as I have seen them in practice the last couple of weeks, there’s no doubt in my mind they’re the team to beat.”

The US is expected to face its stiffest competition from the Scottish team, whose all-Fold squad is always a hit with judges and the media.

thefluffingtonpost:

Cat Grows Old-Timey Mustache for Charity

Cat homelessness is a cause near and dear to Maximus’s heart. The altruistic kitty began growing a mustache on Thursday in solidarity with those who have fallen on hard times.

“He asked all his friends to support him and donate 50 cents for each day he keeps the ‘stache,” says Mark O’Dell, Maximus’s friend and roommate. “So far, he’s raised $4. Yeah, he doesn’t have a ton of friends.”

Via Daniel McCombe.

oldhollywood:

Louise Brooks in a publicity still for The Canary Murder Case (1929, dir. Malcolm St. Clair) (via)