The first thing I noticed about Johnny-Oh of Closet Extremist is that he has a solid Southern accent.

Well, DUH! He's from Tennessee!

Yeah, but I'm a sheltered Yankee, and my whole impression of the South was from TV & movies, and people with Southern accents are often portrayed as... slow. Think Roscoe P. Coltrane, or anyone from Deliverance.

Johnny busts through that stereotype like a freight train through a brick wall. The man is SHARP. He can pop off a witty rejoinder without a second's hesitation, and can pick a line to take out of context and twist into innuendo even better than I can.

He's FAST.

And does a scary-good Quagmire impression, much to Beloved Wife's chagrin.

Giggity-Giggity!

Then there's that senstive side when he picks up his guitar. He's got a very soothing voice, and no small talent as a singer, and does a rendition of "Grandpa Was a Carpenter" that'll put the mist in your eyes. It's amazing to witness hands that spend all day building elevators caressing those strings with such gentle adoration.

The other thing I noticed is that when he drinks, it doesn't change him at all. He doesn't get louder, or angrier, or sillier or more sentimental, he's still just Johnny. Some people change with their alcohol level, but Johnny holds his liquor to perfection and is a pleasure to drink with. Just don't try to keep up with him.

And although he claims shyness, I didn't notice it. Even if he's not talking, he's an attentive listener, and makes you feel like what you have to say is important. A rare talent, and one he should be proud of.

In talking with him, I've discovered that he's had kind of a hard life, but he's come through it in fine form, stronger for the trials. He's a good man, solid, trustworthy, with a solid sense of integrity and an admirable work ethic. Whatever woman finally snaps him up will be lucky, indeed.

Oh, and he also thinks Beloved Wife is hot, so he's got good taste, too :-)

You can take a look at Johnny's version of what happened if you like. Just don't believe that crap about me being a PC hog.

Posted by: Harvey at 12:14 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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