HDOI: Best. Meet. And. Greet. EVER.

The man of the hour listens attentively to one of his fans.

This meet-n-greet was by far the best one

I've been to or heard about from other fans:

Just the right number of people; very low-key and relaxed;

lovely buffet (I like food!); and the chance for each fan

to really get to visit with Johnny.

Thank you so much, Tara, and everyone involved,

for caring enough to create the perfect VIP package!

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I'm a little quiet this week because the day after we made it home from Flint, we had to say goodbye to our oldest kitty, Maggie, who died quite unexpectedly. So today I'm just going to let my son David's pictures from the HDOI meet-n-greet do the talking, because there's nothing I could write that would do these justice anyway. I've been rolling around in them for hours because Johnny is good medicine for anything that ails you--including a slightly broken heart.

 Johnny greets the other skaters

after entering the VIP room.

And then: Yep, he's surrounded.

One of the first fans to get a picture with Johnny.

Johnny is delighted with Ming,

given to him by Mel Lockhart.

He loves this gift too, also from Mel.

Johnny and Dana Harold,

who came all the way from Seattle

to meet him for the first time.

Johnny helps Dana's son, Connor,

decide whether or not the photo on the phone

is good enough.

Johnny and Tony Russell,

who made the trip up with Paula Parsons.

Johnny autographs a Christmas ornament

for Julie Findon.

Johnny with Katrina O'Leary, another first-timer.

Read all about Katrina's fanTAStic HDOI experience

in her Facebook note!

Gary Podschun with Johnny.

Gary wore the most fabulous outfit:

Black shirt, black tights/jegging, black boots,

and a black-and-white kilt.

I told him on our way to the meet-n-greet

that his outfit was awesome, which it was,

and he replied wryly: "I don't think the people here in Flint

are used to seeing men in skirts..."

But we decided it was good for them.

 Aaaaaaaaand he's still surrounded....

More lucky fans get a picture with Johnny.

I'm sorry to say I didn't catch their names,

but they were having a wonderful time,

just like the rest of us!

 Johnny signs autograph after autograph

after autograph--patiently, kindly, and graciously,

as always.

 I think he's having a good time too!

 I love this picture. Love it.

Yes! I met Butch (David Barba) and Grämz (James Pellerito)!
I love them! And I even managed to say so!

I also got to meet Eric Altomare,
who is just as warm and friendly in person as he is on Twitter,
but somehow we have no pic to document
the fabulousness that ensued...

Facebook fans pose for the family portrait.

Seated, left to right: Jian Li (another first-timer

who was so wonderfully excited about it all!),

Connor, and Dana. Standing, back row:

Katrina, Mel, Gary, me, and Julie.

Epilogue: Even though he'd just spent recent days traveling

from NJ to LA to Australia to LA to San Antonio to Michigan

and really HAD to be tired,
Johnny was kind, attentive, and full of good humor.

For. Every. Last. Fan.

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The cover art for "Dirty Love" just appeared yesterday

on Amazon and on Johnny's website. OMGIDIE.

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The next episode of Skating With the Stars

airs next Monday, December 20,

at 8 pm EST / 7 pm CST!

Don't miss it!
(Dear Santa: All I want for Weirmas
is STILL for Bethenny to please please just go away.)

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Designer T. Rains and Johnny have teamed up to raise money and awareness for The Trevor Project! This organization is "determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources." Proceeds from the "Army of One" t-shirt sales will go to The Trevor Project foundation. Order yours today! Your support is greatly appreciated!

For more information, please visit www.thetrevorproject.org.

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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!

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Here it comes: Johnny's quarter-century memoir, Welcome to My World, will be available January 11, 2011--that's less than a month away! You can preorder it now on Amazon! Or pre-order a special autographed Collector's Edition from Premiere Collectibles!

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All photos courtesy of David Ingogly, who's a little tired of Mom bugging him for them but remains unfailingly patient and kind, just like Johnny...

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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 Artbook when you sign up!

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