First of all - I'm not saying that this topic is un-discussionable, of course. AussieRick, you're entitled to your opinion and I know it's based on concern.

However, I find myself disagreeing with you on this one. In a way, going into the issue of "Johnny's shopping habits, yey or nay" on this thread, is sort of scrutinizing him in the way that we all hate to see him scrutinized by the press. I understand what you're saying about potential damage here, but you need to remember that journalists do frame the picture that they present to the readers as they wish. For example, it's possible - not possible, probable - that on that day, or couple of days, Johnny did a lot of hard training, performance, travel, work - yes, even fan stuff (did anyone say poetry competition?...) - and also, he enjoyed a little shopping spree. Or big one, whatever. But that is the part that the journalist chose to focus on; And it is, after all, a legitimate part of Johnny's life. Is he supposed to stop doing the things that he enjoys just so people won't get the "wrong idea" about him?...

I agree with those who say that whomever wants to find "dirt" about him will do it, whether it's shopping, clothes, hairstyle, whatever; but the bottom line is, he has every right to go out there and buy whatever he wants and as many times as he wants. The suggestion that he should behave in a way that will show the public "the real Johnny" is kind of paradoxical in that sense, because.. this *is* the real Johnny. A real part of him, anyway. You know?...

So yeah, I don't mind reading a few more articles along the lines of "Weir-Wear" or "Shopping with Champions" and so on (these journalists love their catchy headlines, don't they?) - as long as it's not the only thing we read. And it's not.

Hila.

"Show me forgiveness for having lost faith in myself" - Bjork