Thursday, August 30, 2012

Of Skating, Balls, and Tough Questions

Johnny backstage at Papio ice rink in Fukuoka 
prior to the skating seminar he co-taught with Miki Ando 
Wednesday evening as part of the public relations activities 
Exclusive photo courtesy of Shannon Lenihan.



Aaaaand that's pretty much all I know about that, other than the photos we ran yesterday, but yay there's new picspam courtesy of the Fukuoka American Center's Facebook page! They also note that Miki served as interpreter, the students demonstrated their intensive training achievements, and Johnny and Miki co-starred with the students in a piece at the end of the seminar.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Multimedia Wednesday With Your Host, Doctor Who

Photo tweeted by @ESJW after the 
Fukuoka skating seminar: "Thank you @JohnnyGWeir, 
I enjoyed your teaching to young skaters. ❤❤❤"



OK, we've just got a mishmash of things this morning that are in no particular order because part of what we have are random photos from the skating seminar Johnny already conducted with the fabulous Miki Ando in Fukuoka on Wednesday at 6:30 pm which hasn't actually happened here yet (paging Doctor Who) though we already also have video (O.O), but first, this important Public Service Announcement accompanied by a Champs Camp flashback:

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Goodbye Champs Camp, Hello Japan!

Johnny greets fans at 
Narita Airport, Tokyo, on Monday.
Exclusive photo 
courtesy of Ineko Nakagawa.



OK! While everyone else was busy doing whatever it is normal people do which I don't even know what that is, Johnny became a rhythmic gymnast, completed Champs Camp, contemplated a run for the presidency, flew 8,000 miles, greeted 8,000 wonderful fans who gave him 8,000 bouquets and who also all thought he seemed quite slim and wished for him to get more sleep, shopped (which probably goes without saying), and is now on yet another airplane headed to Fukuoka to teach a skating seminar with Miki Ando before returning to perform three shows this weekend in Fukui.

IDEK how he does it all. But here's some photos of him doing it.

Friday, August 24, 2012

"Johnny Weir Can Skate a Little."

Johnny unveils Poker Face for the very first time 
at the VMAN Magazine launch party, 
NYFW, Feb. 2009. VMAN blogged about 
his "bravura performance" in a brief piece titled,
"Johnny Weir Can Skate a Little."



It was a program born out of one of the darker times in his career, after a disastrous 2009 Nationals and subsequent controversial snub by USFS, who left him off the Worlds team despite having sent him to Worlds every year since 2003.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Level 4. Repeat: We Have a Level 4.

The Albino Peacock has landed. 
First appearance of Johnny at Champs Camp 2012. 
Photo tweeted by U.S. Figure Skating on Tuesday. 
Best caption, from dethspiralz on Tumblr: 
"He’s not gonna wear your shirt, 
or your cowboy ensemble
or take off his sunglasses. 
And you’re going to accept that."


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Albino Peacock

With the advent of Champs Camp this week, 
it has suddenly dawned on me that he is, in fact, 
truly, actually, seriously, you know, 
COMPETING. THIS. SEASON.
O.O



OK. Champs Camp. What do we know? 

(Besides the fact that Johnny's favorite animal other than Тёма is the albino peacock. Appropos of nothing. Or maybe of everything.)

According to U.S. Figure Skating: "Champs Camp is a two-to-three-day conference for elite U.S. Figure Skating athletes and their primary or secondary coaches held annually in Colorado Springs, Colo."

Or, also according to U.S. Figure Skating: "Champs Camp is an annual three-to-four-day conference attended by U.S. Figure Skating athletes who are asigned [sic] to an ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event and their primary or secondary coaches."

(Once again numbers appear to be slightly troublesome.)

Anyway. Here's some history:

"At it's inception, [and suddenly Leo DiCaprio is in my head, explaining that the past two-and-a-half years has only been a dream within a dream within a dream, all designed and implanted just to bring me to this point: the sudden gripping realization that that should be "its," not "it's"...] the purpose of the camp was to familiarize the attendees with U.S. Figure Skating's policies and procedures in order to enable them to create strategies for achieving their personal and performance goals leading into the Olympic Winter Games. [What.] However, in 2010, Champs Camp switched to a performance based camp to prepare the athletes for the upcoming season." [Leo whispers silkily in my subconscious: "You see it now, don't you...?" "Yes. Yes, of course. It should be 'performance-based.' With a hyphen."]

"Athletes perform their short program and free skate programs (ice dancing teams: short and free dances) in a simulated competition environment. [Inception meets The Hunger Games. Which is demurely wearing skates.] The camp also included [and perhaps still includes] technical feedback sessions, pre-participation physical exams, mental training sessions and nutrition seminars [at least one hour of which shall be devoted to a comprehensive discussion of skaters and their Chipotle obsession]. Primary [wait, only primary, NOT secondary....?] coaches of an athlete assigned to a 2012 Grand Prix Series event are required to attend."

Also: At Champs Camp 2008 they had to build cardboard boats.

All righty then. I feel like I just woke up from a nightmare in which I was supposed to attend some kind of slightly cheesy multi-session corporate seminar whose instructions regarding attendance requirements were both complicated and contradictory, though provided in a highly authoritarian manner, only to discover that someone has left the TV on and there's a fascinating nature program concerning the elusive albino peacock....


The male albino peacock prefers a more solitary existence 
and is generally uncomfortable in groups. 
Even with others of its kind, it is highly visible, 
striking in both appearance and attitude. 
(Champs Camp 2008)


In a more relaxed setting, the albino peacock may 
surround itself with females who admire 
its unique appearance and strong sense of self-display...
(Champs Camp 2008)


...as is clearly evident in this moment 
captured by the camera.
(Champs Camp 2008)


Though its extraordinary appearance, self-possession, 
and utter lack of concern about what anyone else thinks 
is often enough to keep enemies at bay, 
the albino peacock may at times be forced to defend itself. 
In general it finds this very difficult and tends to lose 
because it is not such an aggressive being for the most part. 
It keeps wanting to shield its face instead of going in for the kill. 
Its opponent may seize the opportunity to go diva on it and kill it.


When it comes to sharing food, the albino peacock may choose 
to enjoy the company of others at mealtimes. 
Although it still will mostly just push the food around 
on its plate--unless it's the off-season, during which 
it may consume copious quantities 
of chicken fingers, caviar, and pelmeni.
(Champs Camp 2009)


At other times, the albino peacock may engage 
in complicated rituals designed to subtly establish 
its dominance as the most stunningly fabulous 
creature for miles. This is usually quickly apparent 
to even the most casual observer.



Kayso not really sure we know any more than we did when we started, but not to worry:

Sweet Weirsus, I even retweeted them. I believe that's one of the Seven Signs of the Albinpeacopalypse.



For more on past Champs Camps which Johnny attended, please see this interview and the Ice Network galleries for June 2008 and June 2009. Though, out of 101 photos in said galleries, you'll find just 7 of Johnny (mostly the ones above), because, as my lovely friend @zhonnika explained, he seemed to be somewhat... photo-resistant. But of course that was before twitpics and Instagram...

(You might have more fun checking out the Pop Star on Ice gallery from the New York premiere, also June 2009.)



Bonus vid!! This, from Champs Camp 2008, is priceless. 
The sound doesn't track quite right with the visuals, but OMG. 
Absolutely not to be missed. :DDD
(And don't miss this, either.)



Bonus gif!! From the Jaguar video posted on Monday's blog
Because the albino peacock is awesome 
when he's strutting his stuff.
Which is pretty much always.
(If the gif won't play for you, please try refreshing the page, 
or click the gif to open it in a new window.)



And one more. Photo tweeted yesterday 
by Johnny: "I'm the Joker...."



Wishing you safe travels and
good luck, Johnny! Ganbatte!!



UPDATE!!! The return of Johnny to our TVs.
Set those DVRs now: New premiere date is
Monday, September 1710 pm EDT / 9 pm CDT 
only on Logo!


Previews!! Johnny with Australian Olympic 
diving champion Matty Mitcham...
International fans: 
Please try this link or this link for the video.


...and Johnny with the ever-fabulous RuPaul.
International fans: 
Please try this link or this link for the video.



Please be sure to read Johnny's fabulous
London 2012 blog entries on People.com! 
Here's a listing of his blog posts (newest first):
My First Impressions of the London Olympic Games
Fierce Competition (and Fashion!) at London Games



Yes, YOU can be a part of Johnny's comeback!  
Please visit Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund today 
and chip in as little as $1 via PayPal. 
Our small gifts can help make his dream of competing 
in his third Olympic Games come true!
And now you can leave a message 
of support for Johnny, too!



More from Johnny's website!! 
He's heading back to Japan in early September 
for Fantasy on Ice! Info here!



HE REALLY, REALLY IS!! 
Landing quads and kicking ass 
at a Grand Prix event near you!
Read his comeback statement 
on his website!



Please click to vote for Johnny 
once a day as "Best Sportsman"
Because he retweeted Luisa Lotka to tell us 
he wants us to! (Note: With his "58.132" rating, 
he is currently in 1st place in both 
Figure Skating AND across all sports!)



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!



Q and A! Go read it now!



with MAC is pretty much sold out, 
but I'm leaving this video on here 
for a little while longer 
because I love it so much.



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



At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!
Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!



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!



Hey, Welcome to My World also is available
as an eBook! More info on Johnny's website!


copyright 2012 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved

Friday, August 10, 2012

McKayla Is Not Impressed With My Week

LOL. I love this meme so much.
Original photo courtesy of Anastasia Pryanikova.

If you haven't yet caught McKayla-Is-Not-Impressed fever, here's a quick primer: It's the first Internet meme to come out of London 2012, based on the reaction of US gymnast McKayla Maroney to just missing the gold medal in the ladies' vault final. You can read about the meme here, and see 8 million hilarious examples of its use in this Tumblr here. Then you'll be ready to review why McKayla is not impressed with what went on in Weir world this week.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Super Mega Sun Valley Picspam!

Johnny at practice 
in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Keller.



Aaaaand just when you thought you couldn't possibly handle any more photos of sun-drenched Johnny on the sparkling Sun Valley outdoor ice rink, here are—wait. Seriously? You couldn't handle more? We barely got started yesterday. Are you new?

Monday, August 6, 2012

Postcards from Sun Valley! Plus Other Random Stuff!

Johnny at rehearsal in beautiful
Sun Valley, Idaho, on Saturday. 
Photo courtesy of Anastasia Pryanikova
Lucky fans who attended promise 
more photos to come!



Kayso one of these years I have just got to get out to Sun Valley when Johnny performs there. The show always gets rave reviews, and I actually thought about going this year, but traveling to Sun Valley is a bit of a nightmare challenge whether you fly or drive, and every time I calculate the mileage I come out with anywhere from about 1,650 to oh say 1,800,000,000 miles depending on which way you go, which, given that there are only three roads that actually go to Sun Valley, means that if I left here to drive to Sun Valley at the same time that Johnny left to drive to JFK to fly to Sun Valley, I might still get there before his luggage.

Friday, August 3, 2012

"I Want People to See I Am a Warrior"

Johnny at the Ice House on Monday. 
Another day in the long, lonely pursuit of perfection; 
another skirmish in the ongoing battle of wills 
between warrior and ice.
Photo tweeted by Sora Hwang, who also posted
"Saw some of Johnny’s footwork and spins on Monday. 
So beautiful. Saw his jumps today and they are so solid. 
He’s back and he means business. "