We made it to Bridgeport today.. had a bit of bumper to bumper traffic on the GW Bridge and throughout a lot of New York... we got to the arena around 3:20...just in time to buy tickets, stop at the ladies room and get some food for our starving stomachs.. LOL!! The show actually started about 10 min. late, so we actually had more time then we thought.

Our seats turned out to be pretty decent, even though we were a little higher up than I would've liked... we ended up being row L just to the left of center ice, so we were pretty much half way up. One good thing about this arena is that it's relatively small, so even though we were as high up as we were, we were still able to see the skaters expressions, etc. The place was about 2/3 full...it was definitely more than half, and the crowd was very appreciative of all the skaters.

Alexei: Alexei skated well today, but I did notice he seemed a bit slower than normal, and did pop a jump or two, which is unlike him. I think maybe his hip was bothering him a little.. he just didn't seem like himself. The crowd loved "Sway" of course... high energy seems to be a big crowd pleaser.

Yuka: I still really don't care for her "Beanfields" program.. just doesn't do it for me, but she did skate it great. She's really having a lot of fun doing it. I still don't get the costume for this one.. LOL. During her pairs number with Jason, Yuka took a pretty bad fall on the throw triple salchow. My sister and I noticed later on in the program while Jason was lifting her, that she was already developing a pretty good sized bruise... I give those pairs girls credit... you couldn't pay me to do the stuff they do. Yuka seemed to be skating fine after the fall, hopefully she's OK. Her and Jason really make a very nice couple... and I think this is a great program for them!

Jennifer: Jennifer makes a nice addition to the cast!! She had a little problem with some of her jumps... seems like she was taking off a little close to the end of the ice, and maybe that's why she was having some problems. The crowd really got into her "The Beat Goes On" ... clapping along, etc. She plays a great "Lola" in the number with the guys. Love it when she gets stuck with the suitcases and stomps off... LOL!!!

Elena & Anton: I just love these two, and if this is their last year on tour, I will really miss them a lot. They are just so cute together. "You are so beautiful" really is a beautiful program... pairs skating at its best, and their "Chaplin" number is just a lot of fun!!! Anton is so much fun to watch and Elena has really become quite the performer!!

Steven: Wow!! What a presence he has on the ice.... such a great performer. Loved his "Belfast Child" but "Superstitious" was what really had the audience going!!! He sure can dance!!! So glad he's back at SOI, hopefully he'll be back again next season!!!

Kyoko & John: These 2 really wow the crowd with their tricks. I really hope they will get 2 solos next year... they definitely deserve it... the crowd really enjoys them. Kyoko really has a lot of trust in John.... between the fly high and say bye, and answering the cell phone while holding her, etc. After the program was over, John pumped his fist... I turned to my sister and said he's probably happy Kyoko survived another show.. he really flips that girl around the entire 3 minutes or however long the program is.

Jamie & David: You gotta love these two!! They are just so cute!!! Jamie seems to be a born performer.. always having a blast, smiling, etc. "Elite Syncopations" is such a complex program and they make it look easy!! So many difficult transitions and lifts... they really work their butts off!!!

And last, but certainly not least..... Todd: What can I say??? He looked great!! It's amazing how much he's blossomed as a performer over the years! He really enjoys himself out there... always goofing around. At one point during one of the group numbers I think it was... someone in the on ice seats got "the eyebrow"... LOL... my sister even noticed it. I don't remember if he did a triple salchow in Trenton or not, but he did one tonight during "Bolero" ... that's the only jump he had a little problem with.. he had a little bit of a shaky landing, other than that, his jumps were right on.. and his double axels were huge.

It's funny... sitting up higher, I seemed to enjoy the show as a whole much more (my mom did too.. my sister didn't go to Trenton with us, so this was her first time seeing it and she also enjoyed herself)... the group numbers especially. It's easier to see what's going on during the group numbers.. and there's a lot going on!!! I had an easier time of keeping an eye on Todd and also what everyone else was doing.. LOL. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE on ice seating, and will still get them for our Trenton show every year, but it gives you a little better perspective sitting up a little higher.

Tara