Yuna and Mao - Book

Yuna and Mao: How two Asian women changed figure skating

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1617037145/yuna-and-mao-how-two-asian-women-changed-figure-sk

Jack Gallagher begging for money on Kickstarter?

Here is your answer: NO.

Like heck this loser is qualified to write Mao's biography.

BelieveInMaoself wrote:

Jack Gallagher begging for money on Kickstarter?

Here is your answer: NO.

Like heck this loser is qualified to write Mao's biography.

I should leave this one alone, but I couldn't resist. Gallagher flat out said that Mao's Sochi LP was insignificant and should be ignored because all the pressure was off and then continued to "obsess" over her missed triple axel in the Sochi SP which was worth only 1/2 of the LP. He is not a journalist but a hatchet man whose goal is to cut down Mao's reputation to build up Yuna Kim, who he wrote "was robbed" of her second Olympic Gold even with the 9th hardest tech program in the LP, an obvious ur lutz that was overlooked and an all-time record in PCS. I would be happy to look for any secret method to de-fund this project, if anyone has any ideas.

I am reposting this from the other thread. This may be off the topic of the book, but I think it is more relevant to Mao's preparation for next season.

What version of Madame Butterfly would you like Mao to use? The number 1 version on youtube in terms of view count is this one with Maria Callas. Honestly, I am not a big fan of straight opera like I am of classical music, but the vocals are impressive and quite emotional. It just seems so desperate and dark but remarkably powerful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN9Dipgqdtw

There is this version which has the dynamic of male and female romantic interaction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcQNjV-YSiM

But again, to me the vocals can drown out the focus on the skating. If vocals were thrown in intermittently with the instrumentals I think I would like these versions, probably the first a bit more.

I know it may sound like going a bit too far and maybe it is, but I can't help wondering what it would be like if Mao performed Madame Butterfly with traditional white Japanese makeup as the woman in the second video is wearing and like Mao wore in her AirWeave commercials. It would be quite a theatrical experience.

Mao's Airweave Commercial in traditional white makeup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=eciWxJCpwAU&app=desktop

To be honest, the only thing difficult for me to believe about Mao portraying Butterfly in the story is that I can't imagine any man would be foolish enough to leave behind someone as beautiful and charming as Mao. But then again, Mao is a marvelous actress on ice.

There is also this instrumental performance that sounds moving and haunting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyOs24DUV4

What do the rest of you think of these versions and do you know of any other versions that would make for a great performance? Do you prefer Mao to have vocals or no vocals in her Madame Butterfly LP?

Here are some Madame Butterfly performances:

Kristi Yamaguchi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q637NhSOHpk

Mirai Nagasu Skate America 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgG6A0Fm-o

Marin Honda Junior Nationals 2014: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2c...onals-fs_sport

Shizuka Arakawa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFPsZcks3zw

BelieveInMaoself wrote:

Jack Gallagher begging for money on Kickstarter?

Here is your answer: NO.

Like heck this loser is qualified to write Mao's biography.

WHAT?!!!! This is a joke, right? Right?!  What the heck does he know about her except for all the lies he himself invented.  He isn't worth to lick her shoes let alone write her biography. Mao has more integrity in her pinky finger than this idiot in his whole body.
Why can't he just go away? I mean seriously. Go write a biography about your precious perfect Yuna.   Loser.

WowMao wrote:

I should leave this one alone, but I couldn't resist. Gallagher flat out said that Mao's Sochi LP was insignificant and should be ignored because all the pressure was off and then continued to "obsess" over her missed triple axel in the Sochi SP which was worth only 1/2 of the LP. He is not a journalist but a hatchet man whose goal is to cut down Mao's reputation to build up Yuna Kim, who he wrote "was robbed" of her second Olympic Gold even with the 9th hardest tech program in the LP, an obvious ur lutz that was overlooked and an all-time record in PCS. I would be happy to look for any secret method to de-fund this project, if anyone has any ideas.

All the pressure was off? Really? Yes for winning a medal, but she had an absolute disaster in SP, she had everything to prove. Imagine what her reception at home would've been if she had messed up her LP as well. This is freaking Mao Asada, the entire Japan was expecting her to win and instead, she ended up 16th after the short. Yep, he's totally right, no pressure.    Gallagher, just go away.

You have my full support with de-funding this project.    Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas about how to do it.