Omaha 2013: Weir Waiting...

Johnny signs autographs last weekend at Nationals. 

Photo tweeted by @snoripi, who notes that 

Johnny was surrounded by fans on all sides, 

and was very friendly to everyone.

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So last night was the first time I ever attended a "Skating Watch Party" on Twitter. Which is in fact a thing. And a fun thing, actually. A bunch of us sat down together from all different time zones and tweeted to each other as we watched the video of the senior men's free skate from Sunday, newly released by Ice Network yesterday with Johnny's commentary. Which of course was the point.

And as I'm listening to him, I'm thinking, "Scott. Sandra. Could you do your commentary on NBC a little... better?" 

Seriously, if/when Johnny retires from competition, he could have a real future in broadcasting. He's wonderfully articulate in transmitting his knowledge of figure skating; understands the CoP inside and out AND can explain it within the context of each skater without our eyes glazing over; and is respectful of but honest about all the competitors. From noting frankly that "figure skating has become a points game" to offering a sympathetic "one mistake and your mental strength goes" in response to Jason Brown's struggles to observing that another's program seemed "disjointed" and like he was "skating on top of the music rather than in it" to his assessment of Jeremy Abbott's extraordinary free skate as "utilizing every note of the music" and "absolutely sublime," he commentated in a way that made figure skating accessible to the rest of us. (Which is also what he does with his skating, IMO.)

I think the whole thing was best summed up by my dear friend Deb, who tweeted:

THIS.

So that was a blast, and we commentated on Johnny's commentary so much that I actually exceeded my tweet limit (WTF Twitter. Do you want me to use your service or not?) and had to slink away and sit silently in a corner of the Internet for like an hour, so I didn't really get to say thank you to everybody at the party when it was over. So thanks for inviting me!! It was the most fun I've ever had watching televised figure skating, and I really, really wish he was going to commentate on Four Continents and Worlds because yes, I would totally pay the additional $5.95 just to listen to him and learn some more stuff about the sport he loves so much.

So to wrap things up, here's the last brief bit of picspam from his time at Nationals, plus a special moment from the free skate broadcast just for Johnny--and for all those who can't wait to see him on the ice again. :)

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More autographs. Photo tweeted by @snoripi.
At one point over the weekend, 

I recall seeing someone tweet with some irritation 

that they couldn't even get near the refreshment stand

because of the mob surrounding Johnny Weir...

Johnny commentating on Sunday 

during the men's free skate. 

I THINK that's the NBC team at the far left. 

Photo courtesy of Beth (@BSonTwit).

Another look. Photo courtesy of Beth.

And a little closer look. 

Photo tweeted by @snoripi.

One more. Photo tweeted by @snoripi.

Yes, we had Banner Ninjas! 

Beth and KarenB designed and produced this banner 

with the help of Mimi Dzyacky (beloved creator 

of the famous Johnny silhouette, 

the ITNY Gala ad, and many other projects). 

Beth says, "I had to really talk to a lot of people 

to convince them to let me put up a banner!" 

Thanks to her determination, she and KarenB were able 

to hang the banner high above the kiss and cry, 

where it remained throughout the event.
Photo courtesy of Beth.

Here it is! Photo tweeted by @snoripi.

And during the men's free skate, the banner 

caught the attention of the Ice Network camerman, 

who gave us this wonderful moment: 

The banner is shown on the arena's Jumbotron, 
and the crowd goes wild!!

Please listen all the way to the end... 

That voice you hear yelling, "We love you, Johnny!" 

at the last moment? That's Beth. :) 

And I'm pretty sure she speaks for all of us. ♥

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Bonus pic!! From the Ice Desk: Johnny chats 

with ladies champion Ashley Wagner 

while they wait for Peter Carruthers. 

See the video here. Photo courtesy of Beth.

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Be sure to tune in this Saturday, February 4, 
at 4 pm EST on NBC (check local listings) 
to "Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice" 
to hear the official announcement 
of the Improv-Ice winner!!

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It's not too late! Subscribe now 

and get the entire Johnny Weir perspective, 

including his never-before-heard free skate commentary 

available exclusively on icenetwork.com!

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Why yes he is!! 
Read his comeback statement 
on his website!

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New!! Johnny is an Honorary Chairperson 

for the Imperial Court of New York's biggest annual fundraiser, 

"Night of a Thousand Gowns"!! 

This year's beneficiaries are PFLAG-NYC and 

New Alternatives, a group that helps homeless LGBT youth. 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 31, 

and get tickets now!

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Hey, Johnny's been nominated for a Shorty Award!! You can join in on the nominating process by clicking here and tweeting your vote for Johnny. Most fans are voting for him in the "Athlete" category. 

Note: The Shorty Awards have very specific rules, which essentially boil down to this:

(1) You can only nominate him ONCE from each Twitter account that you have. Additional votes from the same account will NOT be counted. So it's one of those deals where we need a LOT of different people to vote, rather than a few people voting a lot.

(2) Your nominating tweet MUST include a reason (for example: "I nominate @JohnnyGWeir for a Shorty Award in #athlete because he inspires his fans to believe in themselves"--thanks @PatinaGlace!).

(3) You must NOT copy someone else's reason in your vote. 

All righty then.

The nominating period ends February 17--please vote vote vote!! For more info, click here.

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Q and A! Go read it now!

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Johnny's Glitter and Ice collection 
with MAC is selling out fast! 

Don't miss your chance to sparkle--
visit a MAC retailer or order online ASAP! 

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Yes! Johnny's dresses are now available
for purchase only on eDressMe.com!

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At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!

Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!

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Johnny tweeted:

"Buy my single,'Dirty Love' via iTunes.

Tell all your friends to as well. The more copies sold

takes me one step closer to making a video! №1!"

IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.

You know what to do.

Please buy the song from Johnny's website,

or just click the "Buy" button on the player
at the top of the blog!

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Hey, Welcome to My World also is available

as an eBook! More info on Johnny's website!

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copyright 2011 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved

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