What up with Jessica?

Jess Dube facebook photo from Mexico

This post is inspired by the gazillion polls on figureskating universe about everything under the sun. But before wading into that, it's amazing how much Jessica's social media presence celebrates the various travel opportunities she has had, free, on someone else's dime, due to no accomplishment of her own. Due, in fact, to her participation in a public hoax engineered and enabled by a publicly supported organization. So yay!

I, too, am susceptible to thinking - boy, she really enjoys those perks. But I have to remember that whatever she shares on her facebook must first not only be screened by Team Virtue Moir, but is just as likely posted per Team Virtue Moir's instructions.

Back to topic. Jessica and Sebastien were listed for, yet did not participate in, two summer figure skating competitions. Jessica's pinterest account is rife with the sort of self-help, self-pep talk pins that only a long-suffering, frequently put-upon, much sinned-against woman like Jessica Dube needs in order to keep going in this unjust world. The sort of woman who is always right, but compelled to suck it up and let other people believe is at fault. The sort of gal who is misunderstood by not only haters, but people she mistakenly thought she could trust. The womanly woman with soul who acts like she's fine, but perhaps is not, but for whom pride prevents from revealing how other people's choices have hurt.  The femme who has been sinned against and disappointed in others time and again and is weary of being judged. In short, a martyr. I swear, I have to pick myself up off the ground every time I realize Jess Dube sees herself in this light. Who knew?

Don't judge her. Him - okay.

What is happening with Jessica and Sebastien? Did they decamp from Annie Barabe' late in the summer day and seek out serious pairs coaching assistance, but late in the game? Unwilling to admit it was a mistake to stick with Annie this long, they're down lowing things til a low key mention at the launch of 2012-2013?

Did Sebastien quit on her?

Did Jessica quit on him? To do what? I have difficulty envisioning a woman with that apparent self-image and fantasy life resigning herself to singles skating, Concordia U, and diminished opportunities for international travel (difficult to afford once frequent flier miles are consumed and not replenished, and when quid pro quo associates of considerable means aren't underwriting the tab).

Did the "break-up" of Scott and Jessica and the downgrading of her status to "former girlfriend" impact support for her training somehow, leading to the pulling of the plug on her pairs career with Sebastien? I have difficulty thinking this is it. She's Annie's "star" pupil, grade on a curve though we must. She is the current Canadians silver medalist.

Still, I find it awfully weird that Scott and Jessica's "break up" happens and suddenly Jessica and Sebastien are skipping summer comps. It's not as if they flatlined at last season's summer comps. They pretty much stunk, given the resume of each, but still beat the limited competition. I can't imagine them not being competitive at the 2013 Canadians. Sure, MTM have thrown down this summer, and IMO are unlikely to crash and burn at another Canadians. That still leaves the bronze medal podium spot up for grabs, even though Skate Canada's highest profile directors have traditionally and publicly not given a flying fuck about their figure skaters below silver, unless they believe the skaters in question are only waiting their turn. If you're not a star, go home, that's Debbi's attitude.

What is it? What has happened to them?

My personal guess is, they haven't gone to outside coaching, but figure they have Paige and Rudi's number at least, and why interrupt a fun summer to compete when they'll be ready to kick Paige and Rudi off the podium by Canadians?