Here's just a little, totally Todd-centric Holiday Celebration on Ice review. Hello to all the list folks that I saw there. It was great seeing everyone!

I'm not going to analyze jumps, as I wasn't taking notes, and Hoo's great review already gave the details on the technical aspects.

In one word, it was awesome. Really, totally awesome. Both of his programs were joys to behold. Folks, go buy your high-quality videotape now, do not wait. This show is a keeper. Willingly give up your super-sized mug of spiked eggnog on the 25th in order to commandeer the TV just long enough to watch & record this show-yes, it's worth it!

"The Lord's Prayer" was beautifully done; powerful yet sensitive. An absolutely beautiful blue shaded outfit too. Just go right now, grab your thesaurus, & pick out your favorite positive words, because I just can't think of all the adjectives I want to put here. There was an overwhelming ovation for this number-the whole crowd was standing.

I personally think that "When You Come Back to Me Again" has now become the quintessential Todd program. Utterly stunning. I think it's even passed Il Mare, IMO. I'm not sure that the TV will be able to accurately capture the power and strength he brings to what he does on the ice. Todd connects very well emotionally with both of these numbers, but this one, there's just something extra special about it. I thought that during the first number he had pulled out all the stops, but this was awesome. The rest of the arena felt the same way, because they stood up for this one too. You'll all just have to trust me and watch for yourselves. The price of my SOI tickets are worth it just to see this program again. I'm still emptying the drool bucket on this one-especially since he skated it in violet-purple, one of my favorite colors!

There were a few retakes in this show. Since I've heard of, but never actually seen retakes being done, it was very interesting to see the process in action-an interesting perspective to see the skaters thinking through their programs. Also, Todd's retake was particularly enjoyable because he was still wearing that purple outfit. :) I was kind of hoping that he would retake something, anything in the Lord's Prayer program, just to see that outfit again too. :)

There were lots of Todd fans there-both old & new. The crowd absolutely loved him-his standing ovations were IMO, second only to Scott Hamilton's-but not by a whole lot. People stood every time he stepped on the ice. I was sitting in a section (at least two full rows) of loud but fun women whom I thought were going to rush the ice when Todd finished his retakes. The crowd was wonderful. I just can't say enough about them. Responsive, friendly, encouraging-pretty much the perfect skating audience. I've seen shows & competitions in 'skating cities', and this one blew all of them away. I will go out of my way to go to a show in Columbia the next time there is one...and the barbeque there rocks! :)

All of the other skaters were terrific as well. One striking thing about this show was that all the skaters seemed so happy-a real, wow, this is great, I'm having a great time tonight-kind of happiness. I was going to try & list some particular highlights from some of the other skaters, but I can't. They were all great too. An all-around wonderful show.

Of course, to end the evening nicely, all the men wore red leather pants for the closing number, so all those ladies in my section were very, very happy indeed. :)

Don't forget to set your VCR's-and have a wonderful holiday season & a Happy New Year!