It helps to start with a topic
about which you are passionate. Here's mine.
Thank you so much to the wonderful people at HRC,
who, in response to fans' requests,
kindly uploaded to YouTube yesterday
this video montage of Johnny that was shown
before his speech at HRC Seattle on Saturday.
(1) The satirical approach.
Kayso the other day I was observing someone I've never actually met but who happened to be on TV and also who I've seen a lot in photos but with whom I really have no connection at all in real life and who is in fact a nuclear physicist, and it just occurred to me, as I was watching her do a whole lot of things about which I know nothing and which are completely outside my realm of experience, that I should really offer my opinion as loudly as possible about everything she was doing and mostly about how she was doing it ALL WRONG--based, of course, on my vast expertise in dealing with exactly none of the same things she deals with, and blissfully unencumbered by any awareness that I was probably only seeing maybe 5% of what she actually does in her job. Because I'm sure that would be, you know, helpful. And also, because my right to put my shrill and baseless opinions out there camouflaged as "constructive criticism"--which is half right, because while it's definitely critical, I have no credentials or background or proven track record of any kind in this field upon which to construct anything--certainly trumps absolutely everything else in the universe, including kindness and courtesy and lessons in grace from my grandmothers, my mother, and my kindergarten teacher, all of whom were known to murmur upon occasion, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."
But we live in the era of FREE SPEECH, BABY, which apparently we didn't before, hampered as we were by putting others first and steadfastly ignoring our basic human need to blurt out every cruel thought that comes to mind, and now just any anonymous clown with an Internet connection and the typing ability of a monkey can click "Tweet" or "Comment" and spew all kinds of poison over lots of people they'll never ever meet--which makes it all just that much easier, since it'd be a lot more uncomfortable to say these things to someone's face--and in whose shoes they'll never walk, and yet about whom they are absolute experts.
Isn't that amazing?
(2) The Chinese parable approach.
"The Lost Horse"
A man who lived on the northern frontier of China was skilled in interpreting events. One day, for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?"
Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a disaster?"
Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?"
A year later the nomads came in force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did the father and son survive to take care of each other.
Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: The changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.
(3) The poetic approach.
not blind
just trusting
that he knows
what he's doing
because he's done it all
up to this point
without any input
whatsoever
from me
not stupid
just don't presume
to know more
than the person who is
actually living the life
that is being so mercilessly
parsed
not delusional
just unconditionally loving
fully grounded in reality
eyes wide open
heart free to focus on
my own path
while enjoying from afar
as he embraces his
with those
whom he loves
by his side
Yes! You can own a fine art print of Johnny
perfect for any/every room in the house!
Prints of artist Peter Jurik's "Showtime!"
are available for purchase from his website.
More info here!
Coming up: MORE POSTER OPTIONS,
courtesy of the very talented
Jenn Kittler!
Thank you, Jenn!
Johnny Is skating in Yu-Na Kim's fabulous show,
All That Skate, in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 2!
Everything you need to know about tickets
and special gatherings of The Cabal
is right here!
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR POSTERS!
This show is expected to be televised
on Sunday, October 10, on NBC--
check your local listings!
Also on Sunday, October 10, Johnny will be performing
in Skate for the Heart in Youngstown, Ohio!
Tickets are available here,
and there's a discussion page for fans here!
YES! WE'RE DOING POSTERS FOR THIS ONE TOO!
This show also will be televised on NBC
on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 4 p.m. EST!
Everything you need to know about tickets
and special gatherings of The Cabal
is right here!
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR POSTERS!
This show is expected to be televised
on Sunday, October 10, on NBC--
check your local listings!
Also on Sunday, October 10, Johnny will be performing
in Skate for the Heart in Youngstown, Ohio!
Tickets are available here,
and there's a discussion page for fans here!
YES! WE'RE DOING POSTERS FOR THIS ONE TOO!
This show also will be televised on NBC
on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 4 p.m. EST!
Please remember to register to receive
the JW Art Project's email newsletter!
They have great tidbits to offer,
and you get a special sneak peek at an exclusive photo
from the book when you sign up!
The Artbook is expected to be published
by the end of October--can't wait!
Coming soon: More in the series
of translated interviews from the Mook Book
courtesy of the fabulous Akiko Nakata!
copyright 2010 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved
the JW Art Project's email newsletter!
They have great tidbits to offer,
and you get a special sneak peek at an exclusive photo
from the book when you sign up!
The Artbook is expected to be published
by the end of October--can't wait!
Coming soon: More in the series
of translated interviews from the Mook Book
courtesy of the fabulous Akiko Nakata!
copyright 2010 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved
13 comments:
Thank you so much for this Blog, MM! I was trying to come up with something tactful or graceful myself to write about all this mess lately; but I'm so glad you did it! I wasn't making much progress myself. I don't proclaim complete innocence, I just want people to stop and think about what they're saying, who they're saying it about, and also WHERE they are saying it! Maybe even WHY they are saying it!
And I like these words
/\/\
now just any anonymous clown with an Internet connection and the typing ability of a monkey can click "Tweet" or "Comment" and spew all kinds of poison over lots of people they'll never ever meet--which makes it all just that much easier, since it'd be a lot more uncomfortable to say these things to someone's face--and in whose shoes they'll never walk, and yet about whom they are absolute experts.
/\/\
a lot! Because it's so true! Even in a forum where real (supposedly) names are used, it's still anonymous because you're not seeing the person face to face. It's easy to type something nasty and hit the tweet button or the comment button. After all, it's anonymous, right?
For those with the delusion it's somehow unique to Johnny and a few fans they try to label as 'crazy' or a 'cabal', it isn't. It's just the most obvious example because we are his fans. And they think they know what's best for him, what he should and should not be doing, who should be helping him do it and HOW they should be helping him do it...
MM- your word crafting always has me smiling and nodding along, but thank you especially for this blog. You have covered this issue with your usual elegance and humor, and proven that one can blog (post, tweet) without their foot in their mouths.
xoxo This was a great way to wake up this morning.
KAPEHCY
You are so right on and have called the nonsense for exactly what it is. Hugs.
...As always,Binky...layin' it down with the grace of a quill pen rather than a sledgehammer.
To Detractors: Try to summon up the last vestiges of common courtesy, and learn when to just stfu.
It's a good thing the people who think *they* know best didn't raise Johnny Weir. He's so often said one of the most critical things about his being who he is is having parents who never said "no" to him.
All the critics would be saying:
"No."
"No."
"No!"
"No, no."
"I told you,'no.'"
"Didn't I already tell you 'no'?"
"No, not now."
"No, never."
"Goodness no!"
"Mercy, no!"
"No! What are you thinking?!"
"No. What will other people think?"
"No, you're not doing it right."
"No, you're scaring the chickens."
Johnny Weir wouldn't be who he is today if the no-sayers had raised him. I shudder to think who he'd be instead. The world certainly would be a much less beautiful and fabulous place.
Yes, indeed, he is a very smart and savvy young man! That's why we love him. :)
Thanks for your insight and humor Binky!
TK
Ok... Nancy, LOVE "No, you're scaring the chickens."
Thank you, Lynn. You always know how to say it.
And I still say, "Love trumps hate." ♥♥
"You believe but what you see. You receive but what you give."
Only Johnny knows what's best for Johnny.
thank you ♥
I always enjoy reading your blogs, but this one was especially satisfying. I don't understand why anyone would feel the need to be negative about the way someone's career is being handled when that career is obviously going so well. Thank you for expressing so well how ridiculous the recent criticism has been.
It is free speech and everyone does have the complete right to their opinions, who knows whats right until you look back on it anyway. And we all can have diff opinions and still be Johnny fans, as I have seen over the 10 years of being one. But you see, just dont talk IN FRONT of the person you are complaining about, just have the respect to be a little more discreet about it or it comes off as mean, condescending or judgemental instead of as an opinion.
Johnny and Patti are the only 2 people who really know whats right for him, and I will bet Patti would say its just Johnny who would know. I love, support and admire Johnny and I respect his choices for himself. Always have, always will...
Beth - twitter Bsontwit
"But you see, just don't talk IN FRONT of the person you are complaining about"
uh, yeah!
sigh . . . can we make this the official passport stamp for anyone entering Weirlandia? or maybe skip the passport and right between the eyes?
i mean, seriously, do they do this in real life? and if so, how are they still breathing?
anyways, Johnny is gorgeous and lovely and we really need some new picspam (hint! hint!) to distract us.
pretty please?
Robin
"i mean, seriously, do they do this in real life?"
Obviously not. It´s easier to hide behind an anonymous face and spew hate and stupidity.
Anyway..good blog again...metaphors and all.
OMG, the Chinese parable!! Completely up my alley. Life is a journey, and you can never predict where the turns will end up taking you. You Just. Never. Know.
There have been some recent predictions about how Johnny's sure to fail at future endeavors because he doesn't have the correct support. Um hi, that's a yard ornament you got there, not a crystal ball.
http://gertens.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_223_249
Repeatedly, publicly, calling into question someone's judgment in both how they conduct their business and their personal relationships is disrespectful. Repeatedly, publicly, insulting their friends and associates is... insulting. Really, you want to be *that* fan?
I certainly wouldn't want to try to live Johnny's work schedule myself. But I would like to have his frequent flyer miles, please! He rarely has a full day off, I'm not sure how much busier people want him to be. I think Johnny has quite a fabulous mix of ongoing projects.
"Love trumps hate." xo
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