Hey everyone! About to hit the road for Hampton Roads. I just found this article in today's Virginian-Pilot:

“People want to talk about my experience at the Games, my relationship with my dad, they just want to meet me,” Ohno says of his appearances. “I never really get comfortable with it, but it's a good thing.”
Click for full article:
Celebrity’s siren calls, and Ohno says oh yes

Here is Dani's NYC report!

When I found out Apolo was doing a book signing in NYC I was so happy, it was pitiful!! My hometown is soooo close to the city, but I attend a college over 100 miles away. But after missing all of Apolo's NYC appearances right after the Olympics, I swore that when he came back I'd be there without hesitation. So when September 30th rolled around, I was ready!! I handed in papers early, rescheduled piano students, gassed up my car and I was out!!

I was determined to take advantage of every opportunity to see Apolo and got a bright and early start...or rather "dark and early" :P I arrived in NYC before dawn, at 5:30AM, to get a prime spot at Rockefeller Plaza for the Today Show. To my surprise, relatively few people knew that Apolo was going to be on the show (or in some instances, people didn't even who he was! How could you not know!?!?) but I did see one person with an Olympic beret on and a few others with Apolo signs. I waited anxiously, hoping to get my face on TV (which I did) and to hopefully spot Apolo, but as the show went on, he was nowhere to be seen. Around 8AM several women came out with canvas bags filled with rolled up posters (which turns out to be the same posters of Apolo's book cover that they handed out at the signing) and start handing them out to the crowd. I, of course, snatch one up before they ran out ;-) As it neared 8:30 I grew impatient and anxious, until I spotted a big group of people, one of whom had long flowing hair, walking through the lobby of NBC Studios. My double take confirmed that it was indeed Apolo. I watched the interview on the outside monitors, in total shock and awe that he was actually HERE in the same town as I was!! He never came outside or anything, but I thought the whole Today Show experience was interesting.

After the interview, I head down the block to where the signing was going to take place. I talked to one of the ladies working there to get the specifics of where the line was forming and exactly how things were going to run. As soon as I got all the details, I hop on the subway uptown and go to the ABC studios where LIVE! w/ Regis and Kelly is taped. When I arrived, there was a small crowd of people standing by the side door (most of them trying to catch a glimpse of Anthony Hopkins or Bonnie Hunt...only about 2 other Apolo fans). After two false alarms, I realize that Apolo must be last on the show, so I walk to the front and watch the interview through the lobby windows. As soon as he finished, I jetted over to the side door, but when they opened them I could only see the audience filing out of the studio. Then the crowd was redirected to leave through the side door and I'm very confused. After about a minute or so, it comes to my attention that if they were leaving out the side, Apolo must be coming out of the front doors. So I run around the corner and pretty soon I see Apolo walk out!!!



My first impression was, "OMG!! He's here!! He's hot!! He's...short" (I only say that because most of the guys I'm around tower over my 5'3" frame, but like the OZ ladies have said, he's well built...very broad shoulders, nice strong arms and hands!) I run up to him as a small crowd begins to form and attempted to get an autograph. I whip out my fanzine and say, "Apolo, please?" He looks over at me and says, "Sure" finishes up the autograph and comes right over to me (!!!).



I thought that was so nice of him because lots of people were shoving things at him but he went to me next. So he hands it back to me and I say, "Thank you so much" and he smiled. He was so nice trying to sign as many autographs as possible. After I got mine, I stepped back so others had a chance and I just snapped away with my camera. I pretty much had to hold my camera in the air, aim down, snap, and hope for the best because I couldn't see anything. And in one of my pics, I saw that a woman ran her hand through the back of his hair!! (if I attempted that, I so wouldn't be able to let go) But Apolo laughed and was a good sport about it:



Pretty soon, it was time for Apolo to leave so Janey begins to lead him away to the car (I LOVE this pic! He looks so good!!):



As he walked away I yell, "Apolo, we love you!" And he turned to me and smiled as he ran his hand through his hair:



Now, I'm totally elated that I got to see him, so I float on cloud 9 back to the subway station and head downtown to the Barnes & Noble staring at my fanzine the whole time. I arrived at around 10:45 and there are only about 5 people in line. I get in line and prepare to chill for a loooong time. I was behind two really nice teen girls with their mom (from Long Island), but I have no idea what their names are. I know they come to OZ so if you're reading this, "HI!!!" *waves* I had told them about how I already saw him at ABC studios and they thought it would be pretty funny if he remembered me. Time went by VERY slowly :P Occasionally, passersby would ask us what the line was for and look at our books. The line began to grow and by 12PM people were arriving in droves! I do remember seeing Noelle arriving with whom I assumed to be other OZ ladies and I should've said "hello" and gotten some pics with OZ peeps whose comments I read so much!! (even though I rarely post :P) but I didn't *hangs head in shame* At 12:45 we heard from a store employee that Apolo had arrived and was already in the building and at 1PM on the dot, they opened the doors and allowed us in (5 at a time).

When we got in there, we start totally freaking out!! The whole time I was in line I was trying to figure out what to say, yet (as others have already said) as soon as I saw him, I was speechless!! When it was my turn, I totally blanked out but managed to say, "Hey" and proceeded to just stare at the forearms and hands while he signed. And in his soft, velvety smooth voice he said, "Hello, again." He was so soft spoken that I thought I heard wrong. I was caught off guard and started stuttering like an idiot...something to the degree of "what?..u..from...from the...this morning..." and he looks up and says, "From the show" and I'm like, "Yeah Regis & Kelly." (duh, ya didn't see him at the Today Show..I'm such a tard) then I say, "I swear this is the last time you'll see me!" and he laughs, so I continue, "But I just had to get my fill because I skipped all my classes to be here today". He laughs and says, "Uh oh! That's not good!" So we laugh and then he puts the stuff off to the side and says, "You ready?" I really wasn't, but I say "Yeah" anyway and I bend down a little bit and the woman snaps the picture:



I gathered my stuff and say "Thanks" but my mind was too muddled from being so close to him for me to remember what he replied. I walk away, in a daze, right past the woman handing out the free posters. She had to call my attention so I could go back and get one. When I opened it later I realized that it was the same as the posters they handed out at the Today Show. The day was a dream come true and I don't regret skipping classes one bit (though my professors would kill me if they knew). He was soooo incredibly nice and I definitely treasure my book even more so now that he's signed it *jumps for joy* Thank God for pictures because my head was a complete blur, I could hardly remember what had happened when the day was over! Thanks for bearing with my long story! Hope you liked it! :o)

Good grief, what was in the water that day in Detroit? Every last picture is incredible! Here are some more amazing Detroit photos, from Jennie

Jennie and Apolo

Skinsuits N Skates has a new poll up:

Vote for your favorite male speedskater (whoever he may be!)

Thanks to Skinsuits N Skates for passing this along - you can listen live to the CODA meet from Calgary this weekend!

"Just to let you all know - OvalAudio will have LIVE audio play-by-play of the CODA Short Track meet - all times are Mountain Time and subject to change.

-- Friday, October 11, 2002 09:00 1500m Races Relays Ladies and Men
-- Saturday, October 12, 2002 09:00 500m Races 3000m Races
-- Sunday, October 13, 2002 09:00 1000m Races Relays Ladies and Men

Come to www.ovalaudio.com to enjoy the FREE broadcast. Most US and Canadian National Team Members (except Apolo Ohno) are expected to compete - and we'll be there LIVE!!!"

Here is Julia's NYC report!

IN A NEW YORK MINUTE!

Literally. That is what it felt like when we were whisked inside B&N to see the Golden One. And there he was.... simply B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. Oh yes, the hair. Oh that hair! Feline, Feminine, Fluffy, Fabulous. This DOW was officially hooked, lined, and sunk.

Before I go into details of my NY minute, [much can be accomplished in one minute], I want to say a BIG HELLO to Jena, Noelle, Makiko, and Radia. It was an honor to share in the moment with you gals. Thank You. I can still see and hear Radia practicing her speech to Apolo. Sweet Makiko, gentle as a lamb, was infinitely excited to be there, as was I. And what can I say about Noelle that hasn’t been praised before?

Makiko, Noelle, Julia, Radia


I must explain how my 4-year-old daughter, Isabelle, plays into all of this. When I told her that mommy was going to try to have "a special man write a special message inside a special book just for her," she replied, "I want to make him a thank you card." Bless her soul. She took red construction paper, wrote his name and her name (as legibly as a 4-year-old can). We glued her photo wearing the Olympic beret onto the cover of the card. She brilliantly decorated the card with stickers of lions, cats, winter animals on ice skates, smiley faces and a sparkling heart. She then places an "X" and said, "This is a kiss for him." I also wrote Apolo a card because I suspected that we wouldn't have time for a meaningful chat. There were a few points in his book that touched me deeply. I wanted to share my thoughts with Apolo. I found an outrageous card! I also had a small surprise!

Back to my NY Minute:

My twin sister, Teresa, had accompanied me on this journey. We even survived the nasty traffic jam on Route 3 (NJ). I prayed out loud, LORD, NOT TODAY! Being an ex-Jersey Girl, I know this traffic jam all too well. We arrived at B&N at 11:30 am and quickly made new friends. At the appointed hour, the line began to move.... quickly. I was convinced this was going to be a blur, but was determined to make it one of the most memorable one-minute blur of my life!

There he was, incredibly beautiful. Suddenly I felt as if I was in a tunnel. My sister muffled something about "give her your book" and then another person was saying, "give me your camera." I responded to these commands in slow motion while never taking my eye off of HIM. I was suddenly standing next to Apolo. Everything I had "rehearsed", while standing on line, just flew away into the outer stratosphere.

I gave him my biggest toothy smile, and said cheerfully, almost gleefully, 'Hello Apolo, I'm Julia". "Hello Julia" was his chuckled response. And then I sprang into action... quickly.... spontaneously.

Julia: "Apolo, my 4-year-old daughter made you a card, would you accept it?"

Adonis, oops, Apolo: "But of course! [cheerful, high pitch voice]

Julia: "There's also a card from me. I know I don't have time to chat with you about your book. It was wonderful"

Apolo: "I appreciate that... thank you very much." [so polite, so sweet].

Julia: [then came my surprise] ”Apolo, this is for your kitty". I then took this small red macramé mouse with the FLUFFIEST tail, and tickled Apolo's fingers with it. [a proud moment for this DOW].

Apolo: He made that famous high-pitch laughter that we all know and love, but this time he also made this adorable giggly squeal. Apolo said, "Look at it. This is so funny."

Julia: I was so tickled-pink by his boyish reaction and charm. Instinctively, I gave Apolo a maternal pat on the back of his head, and gently stroked his hair. His hair is so soft, thick, and fluffy! We both chuckled. This is when I saw his incredible green eyes. I also remember that his right eye appeared irritated and blood-shot. (My photo clearly indicates the right eye’s irritation). Apolo thanked me for the mouse and placed his gifts inside a box (or bag, can’t seem to recall).

Julia, Apolo, Teresa


Apolo then signed my book. My sister and I put our arms around Apolo and had our photo taken. His silk shirt felt luxurious. And my NY Minute was over. I was disappointed that I couldn't get his book personalized for Isabelle, but was grateful to meet this amazing young man in person. Everyone received a poster of the book’s cover. The poster was a great publicity tool for Apolo's book, but also a wonderful, sincere gesture towards the fans. I loved how they planned photo ops with Apolo. Again, it was as if they wanted to make sure the fans were happy. I truly believe this stems from the genuine love and respect between Apolo and his fans.

Apolo leaving Barnes & Noble bookstore


My instincts convinced me that Apolo would depart the bookstore via the side entrance. I waited there and so did a small group. Everyone behaved themselves.... we kept saying, if we remain calm, they won't feel threatened to let Apolo come outside amongst us. There were no barricades. He came out quickly, waved to everyone, and placed into a car. Photos were being taken feverishly. His car was stopped at a red light at the corner of 5th Ave and 48th street. Again, I sprang into action. Ran up to the car and took as many pictures I could. He waved to the people from inside the car. If I wasn't so terrified of getting run over, I would have gone around the car to the other side and knocked on his window. Alas, that wasn't to be.

“Goodbye, OZers!” “Thank you for your support!”


See you in Salt Lake City, February 2003

Webmistress general's warning: Below is a heartstopping series of photos taken in Detroit. Viewing them all at once may precipitate feelings of elation and intense well-being. Common side effects include heart palpitations, dizziness, light-headedness, tingling in the extremities, ringing in the ears, racing pulse (or none at all), labored breathing and dilated pupils. Actual death is not a complication, but the test subject thought she had died and gone to heaven.

Here they are: LA's Detroit photos

Here's Monica's NYC report and pictures!

Sunday evening, I call Noelle to find out where a few of the East Coast DOWs were going to meet... finally... for the first time. Our chat on the phone is nice and Noelle fills me in on where to go.... my hotel was on W.48th & 8th... so I can walk to the restaurant... Uncle Nick's is a nice Greek restaurant in Hell's Kitchen...the ambience...wonderful... good food... good conversation.... WONDERFUL people! Hi...Italian, Liz, Jena, Jill and Vickie! Hope to see/meet you ladies again...real soon! Who's going to VA? :D

Sunday night... after dinner... back at my hotel... I called the first desk for a 7:30am wake up call..... so I can watch the demigod on the telly! First the Today Show then Regis and Kelly! Monday morning... I was up before my 7:30 wake up call....@ 6:00am! I was running on pure excitement that I would be seeing Apolo in the flesh in only 7 hours! LOL! First on the Today Show, I watch with awe... that I will have the opportunity to see him in person. But I do have to say that I don't understand... why very well paid "journalists" can't get Apolo's name right!! Note to Anne... Apolo's name is APOLO ANTON OHNO... NOT Anton Ohno!! Tsk tsk! I nearly fainted when I saw Apolo on the Today show.... he looked so good!!! Just saying good is an understatement.... the man is GORGEOUS!!! Too gorgeous for mare words!!! I loved seeing him on tv.... but in person...my my my!!! Too fine!! Then onto Regis and Kelly... wow, again.... on tv gorgeous!

Fast forward... it's 12:30... I walked around to B&N... from Christie's...yes, I went to see Liz Taylor's jewels.... because I had time to kill... or so I thought!!! :) I walk into B&N asked the nice security person where the book signing is going to be and she said "go buy a book and walk around the corner and get in line!" Now I already had my book... so I walked around the corner, thinking I wonder how long the line is going to be! Haha! Well, it wasn't that long, but it wasn't that short either!

Oh by the way, as I'm walking out the front door (to get on line around the corner )... guess who's walking in.... Apolo!! I walked right past him... he looked so nice... I couldn't say anything to him... he was walking away so fast and I was totally in "shock"!

Around the corner, I see some of last night's dinner party people... Liz, Jena, and Noelle.... we exchange hello's and I tell Jena I saw her during the closing credits of Regis and Kelly taking pictures of Apolo! (We've all seen the booty shot...good one Jena!) I ask if I can very quietly squeeze in line with them... and we chat as we're waiting for the side doors to open!

Soon, it's near my turn and I'm let into the vestibule to wait. I'm #5 in line... with a different group, but Jena, Liz and Noelle are right behind me! Now, it's my turn... I hand one lady my book... she gives it to Apolo.... I hand another lady my camera. And then I see him.... Apolo... oh my gosh, I think I stopped breathing for a split second! I walk over to him and he's so much better looking in person then on tv and in pictures! I'm standing next to him... and I'm thinking wow... he's really real... this is tangible! No longer is he just on tv and a flat 2D picture, but actually sitting right next to me!

Monica and Apolo


This is the "conversation" I had with him... that I can remember: Apolo: "Hi" Me: "Hi" Apolo: "How are you?" Me: (thinking... actually for a minute I flaked out and realized Apolo was waiting for my answer!) "Oh, I'm fine, and how are you?" Apolo: "I'm good". This is the part I was totally floored by... Apolo turns around... looks me dead in the eyes... and sorta kinda looks at the top of my head! My hair is cornrowed/braided with wooden beads at the ends... he was checking out my cornrows... yeah baby!!

He looks at me again... and I am totally shy as to what to say or do next... so I whisper hi again... and he does too. I am blushing all over myself by this time. Apolo signs my book... we pose for my picture... we pose for Jena's camera.... and my time with Apolo is over. Wow! I think the whole thing took about 1-2 minutes max, but it was the best 2 minutes that I will remember for a very long time! Apolo was so sweet, nice and he smelled so good! Oh, and how can I forget.... the hair... oh my... I was totally thinking "Lion King"... Lion's mane... what beautiful hair he has, but he's truly more than just his hair. For we all know... that Apolo is a cool breeze of fresh air... who has captived a multitude... and I am happy to be one of many!

Apolo waves to Monica

Two more photos from Monica

Apolo emerges after the signing

Apolo prepares to run the gauntlet

Here is Radia's NYC report!

Hi guys: I just wanted to tell you about my experience meeting Apolo Monday. AAGH! it was great! I'm still smiling! I skipped all my classes that day, and was in the city by 9:15, but I didn't see anybody at the store yet, so i did some windowshopping. Then around, like 10:45, I go back to the bookstore, and i still see nobody outside, so i'm thinking, well maybe i am too early....so i go back to Rockefeller Plaza and wait on the benches there. (It's amazing the things you'll see, just sitting, observing people!) Finally i can't wait any longer and i go back to the bookstore around 11:30, and I still see nobody in the front of the store in line! So i'm like, c'mon now, I know I am not the only Apolo fan around here! So i go in the store and ask about it, I thought maybe they were lining people up inside somewhere. Then the lady tells me the line is around the corner! Argh! how frustating is that!

So I go around the corner and sure enough, there is already a well established line! So i just join the end...I see everybody with their books, and I just smile. I am wondering if I am going to meet anybody from apoloforums, ohnozone, and other apolo websites... So eventually, I start talking to the women in front of me, Julia who was there with her sister. They were sooooo nice, and I could get out how excited, nervous, elated I was to be able to meet Apolo. They had me laughing the whole time we were in line. If you see this Julia, thanks for a wonderful time,and your daughter is beautiful! I also met this woman from Japan, the one in the picture with noelle, i forget her name, and she was really nice too. She let me take a picture with her Apolo poster. Then i met Noelle! Okay i know this may sound crazy, but she's like a mini-celebrity to me, cuz everyone talks about Noelle all the time, and her pictures (with Apolo!) are everywhere on the site! I was like, "Can I shake your hand!" Everyone laughed, she was super nice,and everything. Thank you Noelle!

So anyway, the BN securtiy comes out and you know tells us what's going to happen, and don't block the street, and stay to the wall, and give me your book, and blah blah blah... Then the line starts moving! oh my goodness, I was doing okay until then, but then my legs started shaking, and i was getting so nervous! and Julia's sister kept saying "breathe! Breathe!" it was sooo funnny. So we were like all practicing what little thing we could say to apolo in the five seconds we had to meet him. I said i was going to say, "So how long are you staying in New York?" That 's what i was going to say.

So I FINALLY get inside, and i just see cameras flashing, I can't see anything yet and then AT LAST! there he is! I can see Apolo....I am looking at APOLO ANTON OHNO in the flesh! I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. Well he looked so handsome, my camera was just snapping away, and he was smiling and his hair was partially covering his face,and it was so long! and light brown, and I can't even describe the feeling when it was my turn. I went up to the table with this big cheesy grin on my face! I was like, "Hi. I'm Radia, it's nice to meet you!" and he looked right at me, yes he did and smiled and he shook my hand. (those hands, those hands) said, "hi, it's nice to meet you too." and he started signing my book, and remember what I said i was going to say? that went right out the window with my calmness. I probably sounded like a twelve year old, i was like, "I'm a really big fan!" LOL!!! what! that was SOOO not supposed to come out my mouth. how normal, boring, redundant. And then I was walking backwards snapping away until the guards or whatever made me leave...i found Julia and her sister waiting for me, i was soooooo excited and I couldn't believe I had met him. i had to see him again. I went around to where they blocked off the section he was in with bookshelves, and i was jumping up and down and i could see him and he was looking straight ahead cuz he was taking pics, and i am sure he was like, who is that crazy person jumping up and down like that! LOL!! then security came, right as this tall guy was about to take a picture of him for me! argh. So we were all standing around waiting, cuz nobody wanted to leave, and we were just talking to other fans, and then we were tryna figure out what exit he was going through, and we determined he would go out the side door, where we came in...so we go out there, and we're tryna look through the window and everything, and i think he was signing like a million books, in the meantime BN security is trying to trick us. we were like whatever, we are not stupid...I mean, I know that they were just concerned about his safety... I mean you see a tiny mob of females...i can understand the fear that we would mob him...but none of us wanted to do that! All we wanted to do was take pictures as he walked out, and get a chance to say bye...

Anyway, finally he starts walking out...man i had my camera ready, zoomed in and everything, ready to click away as he is walking out, and then when he comes out, it's sounds so funny, like a chorus, everybody is like,"bye apolo, bye apolo, bye apolo!" it was funny to me, so I press to take the picture,and it's not going! I am pressing it as he walks right passed me, I was standing right by the car, right next to the blonde lady, i don't know if that's his agent or something...Finally AFTER he gets in car my camera starts working again, and I am just all up in the car with my camera snapping as many pics as i can before the car rolls away, and the security people are like, you have to get out of the way ma'am! Then i see everybody running up to the stop light, so I run too, to say our last goodbyes...and then i exchanged emails, with Julia and some other people so that they can send me pics i didn't get and I had a great time.. it was an experience I'll treasure always. If i had the time, I would have told him how inspiring he is to me..He is so intelligent and has proved over and over again that he is not just a cute athlete....Not that that's a bad thing! It doesn't hurt that he is absolutely gorgeous! But seriously, I know this is SO cliche, but after all he's been through and acheived already...it makes me want to strive to be successful in fulfilling my goals....
again it was great meeting all those fellow fans, who understand, cuz all my friends at school say I'm crazy!

Today show screengrabs, courtesy of April

Remember to vote for Apolo! (Thanks to Janet, Karlee and everyone else who sent the link).

Evening Magazine: Vote for the most beautiful northwesterner

Here are Jennie's photos from last Sat. in Detroit!

Here is Michelle's report from NYC!

I arrived with my dad, mom, and younger sister at about 12:20, bought A Journey (a great book I might add). Then we walked out of Barnes and Noble and around the corner where we were about the 80th person in line. (An employee counted books in the line at 1:00, and there were already over 90.) One thing that surprised me was how there were guys and girls, of all different ages, not screaming, crying teenage girls, like the media always talks about. At 1:00, the line stated moving, and I have to admit that it moved pretty fast - I think because Apolo was just signing, not personalizing the books. My sister and mom joined my dad and me, (not that they are fans at all, they just wanted to see me actually meet Apolo!).

I am usually not nervous about much, but as anyone who has met Apolo will say, NOTHING can prepare you for seeing him in real life. I found that I was next in line, and when I turned the corner, my stomach tightened up and dissapeared completely - there was my hero, wearing black pants, a cream-colored silk shirt, and the almost uniform watch, ring, necklace and bracelet. Now here is another thing that only people who have met him can really understand - yes, he isn't tall, but on the other hand he is big... I know, it sounds retarded, but Noelle, back me up here - you know what I mean, right? (Yes, Michelle, I do! - Noelle) And yes, his hair is lighter than it is in the pics.

I walked up to him, (here is where it gets sorta fuzzy) and I think I said "Hi, I'm Michelle." "Hi Michelle, do you want me to sign this for you?" (it's true - he speaks very softly, I think because he was shy - the feeling was mutual - I was freaking out! ) he signed the book really fast and handed it back to me. "umm... are you allowed to receive gifts?" I asked. (I had heard that he wasn't allowed to by mail, but I just had to ask.) "Yea!" he says, now smiling. "Okay, well I got this for you." I said, slowly handing him a flag print bandana. "Wow, thanks!" he said, looking at it and then up at me. The coolest thing was how I believe that he really meant it--he is so nice!!! "You're welcome" I said. I got two pics with him, one of my family and me with Apolo, and one with just me and him.... I think I said thanks and a lady handed me four posters (one for everyone in my family, which I'm taking anyway! lol)

My dad is pretty tall, so all these girls were having him take pictures over the bookself. I ran into Noelle and got two pictures with her so that was also really cool. Even now, I keep flipping back to that page that he signed - it's like it still hasn't sunk in that I actually met Apolo. Yea...it's gonna take awhile. I'm in a daze...

Thanks to Gemini for these Regis & Kelly screengrabs

Here are Addi's account and pics from her NYC experience!

First of all, thanks to Noelle for organizing the great dinner get-together of OZers on Sunday night - it was a thrill to meet everyone (Noelle, Monica, Liz, Italian, and Jena) and finally be able to attach a ‘person’ to each ‘persona’. Special thanks for extending an invite to my tag-along guest: my formerly Apolo-ignorant nearly 60-year-old mom, who had accompanied me on the long trek to NYC. Through meeting the group, she started getting an insight into the broad-based appeal of a certain young speed skater, but more on that later….

On Monday, I got in line for the book signing about 11:45 and coincidentally Denise lined up right behind me. – Denise, so glad to have met you and gotten the chance to talk! That was a special treat. :) It’s already been written how hurried the book signing was, Barnes & Noble had it down to a science: you couldn’t see Apolo until the last moment when you got in, had to hand your camera to one B&N employee (if you wanted a picture with him), hand your book to another, then walk up to the table where Apolo was signing and posing for pictures. After that you were directed toward someone handing out posters, and promptly sent out the little roped off exit aisle. Once you were done you couldn’t see anything in the book signing area, you were shut out with all the others still milling around after they’d just had their brush with Apolo (until the staff tried to shoo us away, but who wanted to leave?!).

In retrospect, I can see the good points to the way they handled it. The physical layout and tightly controlled traffic flow gave you more privacy with Apolo for the few seconds you were there - nobody else’s flashbulbs were going off in your face, no one calling his name or otherwise distracting him during your ‘personal’ time. It was disappointing to be rushed through so quickly, but there was such a throng of us that things needed to be kept orderly!

It was all a bit surreal, I think someone else described it as an out of body experience and I’d agree. Immediately afterward I felt a bit disconnected from reality and numb, then the woulda, coulda, shoulda thoughts hit. During the signing, after they’d handed me my camera back, I never thought to stop and try to take any more pictures. They just led you out so quickly that it didn’t occur to me, so all I have is the one photo taken by the store employee.

My memory is hazy on the exact details of what happened once I got in to see him (too nervous!), but I do remember my first impression being that his skin was so even-toned and perfect it seemed unreal, he almost looked made-up. Maybe he still was from the TV morning shows? Nah. Maybe it was the lighting, or maybe it was me hallucinating, or maybe it was just him. (Yes, yes. I know, door #3) I was too overcome to get a good look, kept nervously looking away! Never got a good look into his eyes, either - shucks. His smile was quite lovely though, very pleasant and genuine. It was impossible to miss his smile. :)



Going in, I had a couple questions in mind to ask, but wasn’t sure I’d get the chance. First, I simply said “thank you very much for coming here today,” which was something of a test for my voice since I had a little cold and was afraid my voice might cut out on me like it had been doing the day before (whew, it didn’t), plus being so nervous who knew what sound might come out of my mouth!

As he was signing my book, I asked him if he minded me asking a question; I was curious whether or not his cat got to be with him at the training center in Colorado Springs or did she have to stay with his dad? I don’t clearly remember his words, something like “no, she’s home in Seattle.” (Ahhhh, that smooth voice…) I said, “That’s kinda sad that she has to stay with your dad” or something like that - whatever it was, I don’t think I phrased it very well! He was done signing so he straightened right up and turned toward me and, sounding a bit surprised or just a little enthusiastic and with a slight laugh (?), replied something like “but it’s okay, he loves her though!” Very, very sweet. – I think Ame wanted to know the answer to that question too, so there you go Ame!

After 2 o’clock when it was time for Apolo to leave, there was a small crowd of us fans gathered outside the side entrance (where we’d gone in for the signing), plus a few other curious onlookers who wondered what all these females with cameras were waiting for. It was funny how soooo many people walking by stopped to ask what was going on!

A few minutes before his car arrived, Apolo took a quick peek at the crowd through the glass door; he was several feet back from it and disappeared from sight very quickly so you could barely see him. That was kind of cute – yes Apolo, we ARE waiting for you! I said out loud something like “poor guy,” thinking maybe it can all get to be a little much for him at times, then some guy a few feet away from me good-naturedly said “you think HE’S a poor guy? What about somebody like me!”? I said Apolo didn’t exactly ask for all THIS type of attention, the guy joked, “He didn’t HAVE to write a book…” and stuff like that. He was funny, I got the impression this guy was just a passer-by who’d decided to hang around and wait for the ‘big attraction’ to come out.

When Apolo’s car finally showed up and he was ushered out of the building, I was having terrible luck with my camera and basically got nothing. I had a second camera that I’d handed to my mom with instructions to aim for Apolo if ever and whenever she saw him. Apparently, she was having trouble locating him in the viewfinder so she put the camera down. At that moment, he was just a few feet in front of her and, surprised, she burst out saying “Oh gosh, THAT’S HIM!” (She’s so embarrassed by that now!). She thinks he heard her because he looked right at her with a kind of bashful grin - okay, he was probably smiling the whole time but she felt as if it was directed right at her... awwww.

Apolo runs the gauntlet


Later, mom said that in that instant, by the look in his eyes and the genuine smile on his face, she could clearly tell he must be a really good guy at heart, real “hero” material. “What an endearing young man he seemed to be…” This is a woman who couldn’t have cared less about Apolo a few days ago and only remembered a little bit about him from the Olympics, now she’s asking to borrow my book to read it – although she’s going to have to settle for my old unsigned copy! Can’t risk having ANYTHING happen to the extra-special, personally signed new one.... Thanks Apolo!