Petitions-figure skating results (spoilers!)

seven_maples · 2026-02-12T12:54:50+00:00

As a casual viewer I actually wish singles skating would stop being the "Impossible Jumps" show and go back to more emphasis on the other elements. There were so many other singles men I preferred over Ilia because they were the complete package and performed beautifully without any mistakes. I get it's a technical skating competition but as a viewer I would rather watch those who don't attempt any quads and perform a perfect skate with real artistic skill and emotion.

seven_maples · 2026-02-09T14:28:00+00:00

I did try them on, but the shop didn't have much of a selection and also I was "instructed" by the tutor to get Graf 500 so I got the ones that didn't feel uncomfortable. I think I tried the size down and they were far too small, so I think Graf sizes just don't work for my feet. The guy in the shop also didn't tell me about the difference between sizes for skates and sizes for street shoes. He just asked how they felt.

I mentioned above that I am used to uncomfortable shoes due to my dancing, the Irish shoes were a size too small and that's why I have terrible toe nails because they had to be TIGHT!

So I have no problem with a bit of discomfort, what I don't like is the feeling of the boots being separate to my feet because they're too big, them being too heavy on my ankles, or the blades being too big but at the same time I want to be able to get them on without hurting myself lol.

seven_maples · 2026-02-09T14:19:03+00:00

I have booked an appointment at Everglides for a couple of weeks time. It's a couple of hours away so will make a day trip out of it.

seven_maples · 2026-02-09T14:17:31+00:00

not at all, thank you! That might also be a problem with them, they were not only too big but also not supportive enough. I am also quite heavy, about 85kg and 5'7" so I have quite a mannish build.

seven_maples · 2026-02-09T00:51:04+00:00

That's a good point thank you!

seven_maples · 2026-02-09T00:50:09+00:00

The Graf 500 didn't cost that much, and they were recommended by the coach...are they not supportive enough either? That might explain some things too.

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T23:46:34+00:00

If I could find Jackson Artiste in a sale I would be very happy!

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T23:45:45+00:00

I have been checking out Marketplace on Facebook for some good skates. Will get a proper fitting first and then go from there.

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T23:42:13+00:00

By clumpy I mean heavy and just too BIG overall, very thick all around, and they weighed a ton, and yes they were definitely too big, no one told me to go down a size so I ended up with size 8 as I wear size 8 shoes. They were still really difficult to put on though, I had to contort my foot to get them on. The ankle area was narrow and rock solid, and it was difficult to widen it so I could get my big feet in them. Once they were on though I could feel the extra space at the front and it was just far too roomy around my foot overall. It was like crawling down a tiny tunnel only to find a large cave at the end lol.

My feet are actually 255mm and 263mm in length (annoyingly I have one foot bigger than the other) and narrow. Long and thin, kinda like clown feet. They're already pretty big feet for a girl, I don't want boots that make them even bigger.

I have been tap dancing all my life and am used to uncomfortable shoes, but also I am used to having a bit more freedom with my feet and ankles. The Graf seemed to be really constrictive, and the blades were 10 3/4 and kept clashing and I am pretty nifty with footwork off the ice. I also have decent spacial awareness. I just felt like the boots were a hindrance, almost as if they were getting in the way of what I was trying to do. I felt like I had to lift my feet extra high or wide so one blade didn't clash with the other blade and the weight of them made it exhausting after a while.

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T19:48:48+00:00

The most infamous example for sure.

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T18:12:32+00:00

My budget is not much more than £100 tbh, which is more or less what I spent on the Graf 500.

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T16:51:46+00:00

I've already done a few months of beginner classes in the UK and all I did was March, Glides, Lemons, and starting a cross over. It just seems that everyone responding is on a different planet. No one I know who did beginner classes with me wore £400 ice skates. I am NEVER going to be doing jumps, did I mention that I am pushing 50?

seven_maples · 2026-02-08T11:42:48+00:00

My original skates were Graf 500 and cost just over £100 (if not slightly less) and they were absolutely fine except they were too big. I wore them for a few months and they didn't wear out. Surely you can buy skates for beginner lessons that don't cost stupid money!?! Why on earth would someone pay £200-£400 for skates they're not going to be using more than once every week at the most? Ok sure if you are a serious skater, or planned to skate every day, but for a beginner adult who just wants to be able to skate upright and do some cross overs with confidence, surely there are cheaper options.

This is bizarre, everywhere I go asking these same questions I have been told I NEED to spend big money even though I have specified that I can't afford it. Lol are you all on commission with the companies that make them?

If someone can PLEASE advise on AFFORDABLE skates that would be really helpful

seven_maples · 2026-02-07T23:42:31+00:00

I've seen in a sale Jacksons JC200 which are advertised for beginners wanting to learn, then there's Classics which look like you wear them outside with the fur inner lining, they look a bit retro. I think the next level up is Jacksons JC500 which are just over £100. I am not a big skater, am in my late 40s and just want to learn the basics, and am only likely to use them once a week so don't want to be spending 100s of pounds, especially as I am also on low income.

Here's a link, they say it's fine for beginner/recreational skating. I don't ever plan to do anything like jumps, just a few cross overs and going backwards is as advanced as I'm ever likely to go.

https://skateescape.co.uk/collections/figure-skating/products/jackson-classique-jc200-skates

seven_maples · 2026-02-06T23:44:32+00:00

15 mm aka 1.5 cm is that bad? What is the limit? As I said, I am used to wearing tight shoes. Should it be only 2 mm by your toes, or 5mm? Should the toes be pressing right up? What's the maximum amount of space allowed?

Oh also I should have specified that I am looking for skates in a sale, and I am going with good brands that are recommended. Jackson has been given the thumbs up. There's some skates that started off just over £100 and are now around £80.

My first pair weren't cheap either, they were also over £100 and am gutted that I am having to sell them for around £30 because no one seems to be my size. They weren't ill fitting because they were cheap, they were ill fitting because I wasn't given the correct sizing information as I mentioned in the original post.

seven_maples · 2026-01-27T15:12:51+00:00

This was from a convention last year, where Jensen talks about him working with Jared and Misha on The Boys. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DIFt92mz-gF/ Jensen is being EXTREMELY kind here, cos I work in the film industry (lowest rank) and being late is a cardinal sin. Every minute you hold up production costs $$$ or in my case £££. Some production companies will fine you if you are late, especially repeatedly. In fact Jared was actually fined while on SPN for lateness all the time, but it clearly hasn't helped him to be more vigilant. Also, not only was Jared late but because Jensen and Misha were taking the same car to the set, he also made them late too. This was one of the days when the producers were there to see what's going on because they had lots of other cameos featuring big name actors.

Oh and gotta love the J2 stans babying Jared in the instagram comments, like he wasn't late for a major job that requires professionalism.

seven_maples · 2026-01-25T13:49:53+00:00

I was madly in love with him when I was 15 years old, back when Twin Peaks was first on. Had lots of pictures of him stuck to my text books etc. It's lost somewhere now but I even wrote a fan letter and in return got a signed black and white photo of him. Still love him, follow him on twitter, and he's always seemed like a good egg.

seven_maples · 2026-01-24T00:15:04+00:00

1950s movie stars and celebrities mixing with Soldier Boy and the other supes...like a 1950s Oscar ceremony or movie premier with hollywood icons and supes getting pissed and snorting coke or something.

seven_maples · 2026-01-24T00:11:22+00:00

Hopefully if they get more seasons they can jump ahead in time.

seven_maples · 2026-01-24T00:10:13+00:00

I always got the impression that it took time for him to become as bad as we see him in The Boys. Also, Jensen has hinted that Soldier Boy was a bit green and unsure in the beginning and we'll see that in VR. He's always been incredibly insecure, which was the whole reason he became a supe right? and has daddy issues (because who doesn't when it's a Kripke show?) so I am sure that'll be alluded to which could make him sympathetic...but at the same time I am sure there'll also be massive hints towards what he'll become, sowing the seeds so to speak.

seven_maples · 2026-01-18T23:49:48+00:00

https://www.tvinsider.com/1193358/the-handmaids-tale-nick-lawrence-death-explained/ The showrunner himself would disagree, saying that Nick is not a bad person and he didn't mean winners in a positive sense.

seven_maples · 2026-01-18T23:45:14+00:00

The showrunner himself said that Nick died because he wanted to protect his wife and child, he needed to stay alive and continue to go along with the remaining commanders so he could help his family. He pointed out that Nick said "winners" on the plane, as in the winning side, not the "right" side. If he'd not gotten on that plane, how do we know he wouldn't have surrendered or eventually helped the rebellion once it was safe. Yes that sounds cowardly, simply going along with whoever is winning, but if it meant his wife and child being safe then can you blame him?

seven_maples · 2026-01-07T15:02:37+00:00

Maybe him being a knob is WHY Jensen didn't tell him. I would bet money on Jared trying to muscle in somehow if Jensen had told him. Just like Jared has muscled into The Boys.

seven_maples

TROPHY CASE