Poll will be up soon so you can vote for who’ll meet ‘Weird Al’
4 comments July 30th, 2008
Updated 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31
IT’S ALMOST TIME TO VOTE ON WHO GETS TO MEET ‘WEIRD AL’
I’ll be putting the poll at the top of this post this morning, assuming you’ve been following this contest. Choose one of these three winners of two tickets to see “Weird Al” Yankovic Aug. 10 at the Rockford MetroCentre. The one who receives the most votes by 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4, gets two passes to meet Yankovic.
****Rachel Manis, aka Avid Lebon, of Rockford, who makes a smiley face with her tongue
****Jacob Olson of Machesney Park, whose dad, Rob, makes parodies that rival Al’s
****Stephanie Bennett of Rockford, whose brother named his cat ‘Bruce,’ only to find out later it was a girl, but the name stuck
Read on to learn more about the winners and the contest.
I’ve picked some weirdos — er, I mean I’ve chosen some people who put their weirdness (or that of a relative) on display on my blog — to win tickets to see “Weird Al” Yankovic Aug. 10 at the MetroCentre in Rockford.
The winners of two tickets each to see Yankovic as a result of winning the What (and Who) is Weirder than Weird Al in the Rock River Valley contest. Tickets are courtesy of NiteLite Promotions.
Vote as often as you like.
By the way, others around these parts are strange, too. Check ’em out at my blog under the “Weird Al” category.
You’ll learn more about the three winners right after voting ends and in GO Aug. 7.
Rachel Manis, aka Avid Lebon
“Who’s weirder than Weird Al? Why Avid Lebon of course! Whether it be strange body tricks (including her unnatural flexibility, ability to twist her wrist a full 360°, or make a smiley face with her tongue), her eccentric attire (as she is often clad in cat ears and a tail), odd hobbies (including animating silly cartoons and talking to the dead via EVP), or her spontaneous fun-loving personality, Avid is definably one-of-a-kind. And it’s no wonder, considering she grew up with ‘Weird Al’ as her role model. He’s always been a positive influence. While other celebrities were teaching kids to wear makeup, starve themselves, or other detrimental habits to be liked, Weird Al showed them that it’s all about being original and yourself that matters. I really admire that.
Avid always has been different, and in the early part of her life thought it to be a flaw, but after finding out how Al used his uniqueness to his advantage, took that as inspiration. When I was younger, I use to try so hard to fit in. When I stopped trying to be like everyone else, I finally discovered myself. I’m not worried about what other people think anymore.”
A girl cat named ‘Bruce’ is Stephanie Bennett’s submission
“When my brother graduated from Auburn, his girlfriend brought him a new kitten as a present. Our mother was very against getting another cat after our last one died, but this time we had no choice. We couldn’t bring this kitten to a shelter! So we kept it. After a few days, I began bothering my brother about a name for it. ‘Jon!,’ I would say. ‘What are you going to name your cat?’ Finally, after days of me annoying the daylights out of him, he responded ‘Bruce.’ It was just fate when we brought Bruce to the vet and they said, ‘Well, you’re going to have to change Bruce’s name, because Bruce is a girl.’ We probably should have changed her name, but for the rest of her life, her name was Bruce.”
Dad of Jacob Olson takes on Johnny Cash
“My dad is weirder than Al. He makes parodies also. They’re usually about kids in the family being annoying. One is Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues.’ He calls it ‘Olson Prison Blues.’ Here are some lyrics:
I hear the kids a comin’
They’re rollin’ round the bend
And I ain’t had no peace and quiet since
I don’t know when
I’m stuck at Olson Prison
And the kids keep ramblin’ on
Sometimes I wish I had
Some time alone.
My dad does many crazy and funny things, but I can’t squeeze it into 100 words or less.”
