GavinTheAlmighty

Hi Johnny! Thanks for doing this.

Back in the early-mid-90s, I was an aspiring young figure skater, winning all kinds of medals and basically kicking ass and taking names. At one competition, I was dancing the Foxtrot with my partner, but we had trained exclusively on international-sized ice, and this was our first time dancing on NHL-sized ice, so about a minute in, BAM full-tilt straight into the boards.

As a single skater, I soon met my match at one contest, Make It A Date To Skate. Following one particularly spirited routine, either to the theme of DRAGNET or If I Were a Rich Man, I can't quite recall, I was completely and utterly trounced by then-unknown Jeffrey Buttle.

Following his routine, Jeffrey and his coach came back to the dressing room, saw me upset, and talked me through it, told me very constructively what I'd done wrong and how I could improve for the next meet. It was thoroughly humbling - he was so nice and helpful, not at all gloating or rude. For me, the day I lost to Jeffrey Buttle was the most defining moment of my figure skating career. For him, it was Tuesday.

Do you have any good stories from your youth in skating? Any humbling or embarrassing moments, brushes with fame, etc?

Shannon, if you're out there and reading this, I haven't forgotten our collision. Sorry if I ruined dancing for you!

Don't know if you're still checking this, but my favourite audition on the show was Robert Muraine's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlDAgZO2ZDM). I wasn't able to keep up with that season, but your comments on his audition were great ("I don't know if this competition is right for you, but I do know that you are right for dancing").

I saw Robert in an Ikea commercial later on. Did you have any hand in helping him land that, or was that all on his own?

Thanks kindly for the response, very much appreciated!

Hello Mr. Williams,

Spec Ops: The Line was an incredibly important work of fiction for me. It fundamentally changed how I view violence in media. It has had a lasting impression on me that I struggle to put into coherent words.

Did you read Brendan Keogh's Killing is Harmless? If so, what did you think of it? Were there any parts or interpretations in it with which you disagreed?