Watching Perfection

February 10, 2022

 

Many years ago, I was watching an ice dancing competition, and was amazed at how well the couples skated together. It was the first time I’d really watched the sport, so I didn’t know anything but that they looked good doing their thing.

 

Then I saw Torvill and Dean do an exhibition skate (it was later in their careers), and suddenly everybody else seemed just a little off.

 

The other night I was watching Olympic snowboarding, and was dazzled by the skateboarders.

 

Then I saw the Kaishu Hirano do his run, and suddenly the other boarders’ runs looked workmanlike (even though they were actually very impressive). It reminded me of Torvill and Dean.

 

Then I saw Ayumu Hirano do his run, and got the feeling all over again.

 

Sometimes, even when you don’t know anything about what you’re watching, you know you’ve seen perfection.