Necks, Sighs, and Autographs: One Johnny Fan's Story

Johnny performs at Skate for Hope

in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, June 19, 2010.

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(Note: While my thoughts and prayers are very much quietly with the Weir and Moore families this week in the loss of Johnny's grandfather, Robert Moore, my über-stan-ness and sense of humor remain here on the blog, where there are still finales over which to squee and more voting to be done and upcoming performances for which to consider taking a second job at the Crack Island Casino [motto: "Happily separating you from your money since 1992!"] in order to be able to afford to attend ... )

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Today's guest blog comes to us from Facebook fan Lauren Ashbaugh, who agreed to share her Ultimate Fan Moment from Skate for Hope here to say thanks to everyone who helped @EricAltSalons reach 200 Twitter followers last night and thus win a bet!

When I was younger, I remember listening to my friends’ stories about meeting their favorite musicians at once-in-a-lifetime concerts. Some told exciting stories of how they experienced an awesome moment that culminated in a photo with and autograph from said musician. However, most stories focused on the annoying quirks and strange habits fans were forced to accommodate to even have a chance to spend five minutes with their idol. I remember hearing about such irregularities as only being allowed five minutes to say hello; not being able to say certain words; only being able to stand on the “left” side of the singer; and only being allowed to offer photos to be autographed that had been purchased at the event.

When I discovered Johnny Weir, I quickly learned that this figure skater is proud of who he is and is not afraid to show it. He has a wonderful personality, makes all his fans feel comfortable, and shows everyone the same amount of respect that he expects for himself.

I wasn’t even expecting to meet Johnny at Skate for Hope. But thanks to an incredibly generous fellow fan, I was able to attend the VIP event after the show.

During the course of my meet-n-greet, I was privileged to receive a hug from Johnny, after which I cautiously asked him if it would be possible for me to smell his neck.

Imagine my tremendous surprise when he turned slightly to his left and presented his neck to me.

I stood there in shock and awe for several seconds before I stepped up next to him, closed my eyes, and slowly inhaled.

From this point on, I was in some kind of daze. I don’t even remember the minutes between the time I got my photo taken with Johnny and the time I received this autograph from him.

As he handed my book and pen back to me, I realized that Johnny didn’t have to let me smell his neck. He could have just as easily stood there with his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed and a confused expression on his face, wondering what kind of fan I was to ask him that kind of question.

But Johnny’s not like that. He’s willing to give his fans the most amazing memories to take with them. And that was the kind of memory I was allowed to leave with: The rich, dark, hazelnut aroma of Johnny, subtly applied ever so precisely, and blending beautifully, in my mind, with a shimmering layer of inner glitter.

Several weeks ago, Johnny gave an interview in which he likened himself to a Twilight vampire, presumably because they sparkle in the daylight. However, I’d like to suggest that while Johnny does in fact glitter in the sunlight--and in the moonlight, for that matter--he also glitters from within his soul.

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Check out Johnny's new blog on SUNFiltered!
He'll be posting entries there throughout June and July!
And PLEASE KEEP VOTING for him as Skater of the Year
in USFSA's 2010 Readers' Choice poll
(voting ends July 15)!

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Please also vote here to tell Pepsi
that you want them to donate $250,000 to Just Push 'nPlay!
Johnny is on the board of the 'nPlay Foundation,
and this funding would help to provide physical activity
programs to nearly 20,000 kids.
Let's help make this project the top vote-getter!
(voting ends June 30)

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Tubey Awards voting has ended for Be Good Johnny Weir,
but THIS WEEK ONLY you can vote here
for Johnny's Foot Massager, nominated for
Best Performance by an Inanimate Object!
It's listed among categories 13-16.
Only the top 10 vote-getters in each category
will make it to the final round of Tubey polls!

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Yes! The season finale of BGJW airs on Sundance
this Sunday, June 27, on Sundance at 9 p.m. EDT
(although it's already available
via On Demand in some cable markets)!
You also can catch Johnny on MTV's When I Was 17
this Saturday, June 26, at 11 a.m. EDT,
or again on Sunday, June 27, at 8:30 a.m. EDT!

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copyright 2010 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved