"Japan I love you, I miss you and I will be with you very soon.
I pray for you every day and I believe in you."
March 17, 2011.
Many of you may already have read Johnny's beautiful message to his Japanese fans, which appeared on the blog of "FiguAhiru" (or "FigyuAhiru"), an agent with one of the leading Japanese travel agencies and an avid figure skating fan (his blogger name is a play on "figure skating" and "duck," which loses something in the translation but does explain why he has a cute duck icon on his blog). The message is posted below for any who might have missed it.
I received it via email from my dear friend Akiko Nakata, who explained that Tara had emailed Johnny's message to FiguAhiru's travel agency, which had organized the fan meetings, and had asked the agency to pass it on to all those who had applied to go to the meetings and to those who had worked so hard to put it all together. FiguAhiru wrote that he decided to send the email first to the fans who had applied, so they could read it before it appeared on his blog several hours later.
Akiko writes:
According to the blog, FiguAhiru began to organize the fan meetings in early January. He wanted to include for the fans Johnny's practice in a meeting. In Japan, we have no opportunity to see Johnny practice "closely" as you did in Lake Placid and in other local rinks. (So I wish to go to LP someday.) [Yes! Sweet Weirsus, let's make that happen somehow!] FiguAhiru knows this well, and he tried to book a rink in January, only to find that he should have done so at least six months earlier. He was told, "Well, on that day our rink will be available from just midnight," or "Starting at 7 a.m. would be OK." With jetlag, maybe Johnny wouldn't mind practicing at midnight here, and we fans wouldn't mind either, but ... LOL. Finally, thanks to FiguAhiru's hard work, for the first time in Japan a fan meeting (in the daytime), including fans' watching Johnny practice at a local rink, was to be held. It was a sort of miracle event ...
Which, of course, is not happening. Or at least not right now. I am very much hoping that all the events that had been planned for Johnny's trip can be rescheduled so that his beloved Japanese fans can have this opportunity about which they were so excited.
In the meantime, Johnny tweeted this last night:
Instructions on how to donate are available on the Japanese Red Cross site.
In addition, LivingSocial.com is offering a 100% match on $5 donations (thanks to Karen Weeks and Wendy Stevenz for the link!). As of last night, this was a limited-time offer set to expire today at 11 a.m. EDT / 10 a.m. CDT, so please jump on it, if you are able to do so, and double the power of your dollars! As of this writing, they've raised $1,204,910.
Following is Johnny's message.
I am very sad that I have to write these words, but it is now a situation where I can't not write them. My heart and my tears are with Japan in this dark hour and I am constantly with you in spirit.
Since my first knowledge of Japan as a child, I have understood that Japan is a nation of strong, intelligent and orderly people. Having traveled to Japan numerous times now as an adult, I can say that the impression I had of Japan as a child, still remains true. Japan has such a special ability to be the most inviting country in the world, but at the same time so strong as a nation in upholding national culture and tradition. Japan's ability to fight through any circumstance, and her peoples abilities to remain calm and quietly push against any foe to achieve a maximum result are things that I have been inspired by on so many occasions.
Through tragedy, Japan has been able to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and prove to the world that she is great and powerful and can overcome any obstacle. I believe this historical statement still to be true, even in this time of uncertainty and in a time of apocalypse. I believe that the people of Japan will defeat this natural disaster, and will come out shining, as they always do.
I have never felt the same support and love from any nation, like I do in Japan. For all these years when Japan has rooted for me, lifted me up and given me wings, I have never understood how to say thank you or show you my appreciation, but now I hope this note can lift your spirits, and make you strong. I would never have become who I am without the support of your nation, and I support you full heartedly now.
I will do as much as I possibly can to help from my side of the planet, and I urge everyone in Japan to help your fellow countrymen and foreigners who are in Japan at this time. The world is with you, the world is behind you, and we believe in you.
I am thankful to God as we get word that many of my fans and friends have made it out of this tragedy as survivors, but my heart sinks with every day we don't hear from someone or bad news comes our way.
Be strong, angels will protect you. "This too shall pass."
Japan I love you, I miss you and I will be with you very soon. I pray for you every day and I believe in you.
Ganbatte!!!!!
— Johnny
And now, for Akiko and anyone else who needs a little something to smile briefly about after one of the most unimaginably difficult weeks ever, may I offer, courtesy of the fabulous Jenn Kittler, the Gift of .Gifs -- A Happy in Two Parts:
Part 1. RuPaul's Drag Race: The Gift That Keeps on .Gifing
Guest judge: Johnny Weir!
"Thanks for having me. I'm TUCKED in anticipation!"
Shangela gets a "Hall-le-lu!" from judge Johnny.
But Johnny was less than impressed
with Shangela's runway performance,
declaring it "just kind of 'wah wah.'"
Judging you.
Aaaaaaand it's over way too soon ...
Part 2. Random .Gifs of Johnny Laughing (Mostly Featuring George Lopez) Because These Are Good for the Soul.
From March 2010: I don't even remember
why he's laughing here,
but I love that he and George Lopez
crack each other up so much.
Same episode: He's thrilled that George is prepared
to fulfill his dream of riding a yak.
From January 2011, during the Welcome to My World media tour:
Johnny and George discuss the "shocker" revelation
in Johnny's book that he's gay.
Although George points out that he already knew that
from last month's issue of No Shit, Sherlock magazine.
And finally: This ROCL (Rolling On the Couch Laughing) moment
from the Howard Stern interview. ♥
Please consider donating, if you are able,
to help the people of Japan.
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
that will appear on your phone bill.
Or support Lady Gaga's donation efforts
by purchasing her special "We Pray for Japan" bracelet
for just $5. You may include an additional amount
with your bracelet purchase if you wish;
all proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts.
in Bensenville, IL, on April 30!
For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to
the Japanese Red Cross
Young skaters: Sign up here to audition!
Yes! At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!
Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!
of raising $10,000 for breast cancer research
by visiting his donor page! Any amount
you can give will help Skate for Hope
in the fight against cancer.
(Same weekend as the Annually Awesome
Columbus Gay Pride Parade--win-win!)
"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!"
THE WORLD NEEDS THIS VIDEO
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
You know what to do.
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!
