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March 11, 2006
New short track program in Salt Lake
Long time short track team member Mike Kooreman writes to say he's relocated to Salt Lake and will put his years of short track experience to use coaching a new short track training program they're starting up out there, called New Edge Short Track Team.
The Oval in Kearns should provide great ice and training facilities for short track in addition to the established long track programs there. It's about time they had a top-notch short track program! The New Edge program will offer both summer and year-round training programs.
Since their web site isn't ready yet, they need help getting the word out to prospective skaters and parents. Anyone interested can download these documents about the new program: New Edge Program flyer | Invitation | Application
Posted by noelle at 10:40 AM | Comments (56)
American Cup 3 [updated]
[update] Video of American Cup races is available online courtesy of Fred Gilbert and MidAtlantic Speed Skating.
American Cup 3 took place last weekend in Saratoga Springs. They had a huge turnout (34 women, 38 men), including a large contingent of Canadian skaters who traveled south to take part.
David Wang, Caleb Cummings, Jordan Malone, Carri Gray, Teaghan O'Driscoll, Nikki Leblanc, Mary Jane Roper, Sarah O'Connor
Overall results
Women: 1. Jessica Gregg (CAN), 2. Tina Koenig (USA), 3. Amy Peterson (USA), 4. Katherine Reutter (USA), 5. Cherise Wilkins (USA)
Men: 1. Steven Friesen (CAN), 2. Michael Gilday (CAN), 3. Jordan Malone (USA), 4. Ryan Bedford (USA), 5. Michael Friesen (CAN)
A few tidbits:
- Gregg represented Canada at Junior Worlds in January, where she won 500m bronze.
- Peterson came out of retirement this season in an attempt to make her 6th Olympic team.
- Reutter, who trains in the USOEC program in Marquette, represented the USA at Junior Worlds this year and was the top-ranked junior skater for the weekend as well as for the overall American Cup series.
- Malone broke his ankle in November and still managed to compete at the Olympic trials in December. Looks like he's continuing to recover nicely!
- Bedford is the reigning U.S. Junior Champion (also 2004 U.S. Jr. Champion). He has represented the USA the past 2 years at the Junior World Championships.
Group shot - sorry, I don't have names for everyone
L to R front: Teaghan O'Driscoll, Cari Gray, Caleb Cummings, Derek Gray, Jimmy Jang, Jordane Malone, Tina Koeing, Sophia Milan, Mary Grace, Cherise Wilkins, Nikki Leblanc, Mary Jane Roper, Sarah O'Connor
Middle: third from right is Sadie Grace, then Simon Cho and Trevor Marsicano
Back: Michael Friesen, Steven Friesen, Ryan Bedford, Levi Sinak, Levi Kirkpatrick, Alex Strauss, Kevin Gemeinder, David Wang
photos by Peggy Aitken
Complete results - American Cup 3
Posted by noelle at 9:40 AM | Comments (16)
March 10, 2006
Lake Sun (MO) Leader | Missouri man makes skates for Olympic medalist Apollo Ohno
[Bruce] Kohen did not win an Olympic medal, but his skates did. [He] built the short-track speed-skating boots that helped Apolo Ohno win gold in short-track speed skating, 500, and the bronze in the short-track speed skating, 1000.
Posted by noelle at 4:29 PM | Comments (43)
Launch of AAO Online Store!
Congratulations to Team Apolo on the launch today of his official online store! Click the banner below to visit.
Loads of terrific items there, with special signature and cartoon series, an Apolo Bobblehead doll, Roots apparel featuring Apolo, and much, more more. Happy shopping!
Posted by noelle at 9:43 AM | Comments (89)
Christine's Roots experience
Here is our final Roots report! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences with us on OZ. You all did an amazing job!
Christine and her mom were seen earlier in LB's videos. Here's her firsthand report:
Christine and Apolo
Hello, fellow OZers! I too, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Apolo at the Roots store. I like my fellow OZers arrived around 12:30pm that day and stood in line with LB whom I met two days ago at the Jay Leno show. When it was finally my turn to meet Apolo, I was soo nervous, my heart was racing and everything became a blur. I just remember that his beautiful green eyes met mine and then I shook his hands... soft hands. I asked him to sign the postcard and a picture of him on the podium and I think I said, "Congratulations on winning gold". The rest of the experience is all caught on tape (thanks to LB! the video is posted on her link). I have to say the highlight was when my mom asked him if he speaks Japanese, and Apolo replies in Japanese, "sukoshi" which means "a little".
Click to continue reading Christine's report
Then I told him that I had the honor in meeting Yuki at the Leno show. (Yuki was seated in the audience and LB & I walked over to him and we had a chance to talk to him very, very briefly before the show started). Apolo replied, with "oh really" and smiled, and said, "my father, oh he went home yesterday." Then, I walked over to him my heart pounding as I came closer and he graciously moved the chair out of the way so that we can pose for our picture!! Wow... what a true gentleman! He was ever so graceful and geniunely caring and sweet!!
Thank you to the OhNoZone for making my making my dreams come true!
Posted by noelle at 9:30 AM | Comments (30)
March 9, 2006
Antoinette's Roots report
I was at the Beverly Hills Roots store on Saturday and drove two hours to see Apolo. I called the store first around 12pm to see what the line was like and they told me that it wasnt long, so I took a risk and drove down. When I got there I got in line only to find out that they had cut the line off at the person right in front of me. I did go into the store to do some shopping and take some snap shots. I was SO SO bummed that I was not able to speak to Apolo.
After the last person took their photo and it was 4pm, all the store employees were trying to clear the store and I asked Apolo if I could take a photo and he said, Sure. The only problem was, I had left my 13 year old son outside with my Cosmo magazine. My son is a big fan and was bummed out that he didnt get to see Apolo or get his autograph, .... so we did the un-thinkable. We waited at the back of the Roots store until he left.
About two minutes later Apolo came out and my son yelled out from across the alley way, "Apolo, can I get your autograph, common man... I want to be just like you". Apolo was gracious enough to do so and I also saw this as the perfect photo opportunity. I wanted to post this on your site with the photo.
What really impressed me was that store clerks and security was saying no, no, no, and not once did I hear those words from Apolo. I am greatful that he gave my son the time of day, that said alot.
Thank you also , I would never had known about this appearance had it not been for your site.
Posted by noelle at 7:40 PM | Comments (50)
Jessica's AAO Experience
Hey everyone!
Jessica and Apolo
I initially wasn't going to send my story of meeting Apolo at Roots until I read Lauren's report. I am one of those women that drove from San Diego to meet Apolo! Trust me I'm not crazy. But I read Friday morning that Apolo was going to be there (Thank you ohnozone.net!!!) I spent the day having an internal conflict over whether I should go or not. About 5pm I decided if I wanted to meet him I'd have to do something about it. So I called my friend and she was up for it and we drove up there (it's only a 2 hr drive) and crashed at a friend's house.
We went to the store Saturday at 11am and no one was in line so we walked around a bit. We finally got in line about 12ish. We spent the 2 hrs talking to a nice family in back of us who had a 13 year old boy who was sooo excited to meet Apolo. It was cute.
When we finally got up there to meet him my friend and I shook hands with him and introduced ourselves. Then my friend Roxy, out of nowhere, asked him if he had a date to the Oscar's and he smiled at her and said no. Then she jokingly told him that if he needed one or someone to party with we'd be happy to stay in LA another night. When he registered what she said, he asked us where we were from and I told him we came up from San Diego. He gave me a huge smile and said "Oh I really appreciate that."
He signed some stuff for us then we went to take pictures with him. My friend took hers first. Then I went behind the table and went towards him. I was a little shocked that he was putting his hand on everyones' waist but I'm not complaining. So we got ready to take the picture and my friend goes "hold on the camera's not working." My heart dropped and I leaned away from him and loosened my hand on his waist. I didn't want to invade his personal space for that awkward length of time but his stood there with his arm around me like nothing. I felt very awkward.
Then the news people show up and shove the camera in my face while I'm standing there with him. I turned towards him and said "uh the TV people are here." He turned to look at me (his face was inches from mine because we were still standing with our arms around each other) he smiled and said "Don't worry. You can just be on TV." He just kept looking at me with a soft smile on his face and all I could do was grin at him. Then my friend said "Ok ready for the picture?" We took the picture and when I was leaving I told him he should come down to San Diego and he could visit the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. He said he should because he had friends there. And that was it.
I could've asked more but I remembered the little boy behind me and figured, eh, I got to stand with my arm around him for who knows how long. It seemed like forever. It was more than I could asked for. I got to have Apolo Anton Ohno stand with his arm around me and talk to me with his face inches from mine. Oh by the way, his eyes are soooo golden brown. Very pretty.
Posted by noelle at 9:35 AM | Comments (71)
March 8, 2006
Autumn's Roots experience!
Hey Guys, I’m Autumn! So here is my review from the Roots store and I’m sorry it is so looong!
Autumn and Apolo
Okay so I was running a little late and got there around 12:30pm and thank god my friend Gen was already there! So after waiting in line for a little bit, we got an Olympics hat and a Roots pin, Yay free stuff! We kept ourselves entertained by thinking of different answers to tell the people who kept asking us what we were in line for (Free HIV tests, nothing!). Shortly after that Apolo pulls up (in a white Lexus at that!) and they start letting people in. So we get inside and I was talking to one of the employee guys about random things (Apolo's jeans, taking pics, Saturday Night Live). He was so nice! We were talking to him for a while cause Fox 11 came in to interview Apolo.
Click for more from Autumn!
Finally it was my turn. He said Hi and I said hi and asked him how he was. I asked him to sign the postcard thingy he said "sure" of course but when he took the cap off the sharpie, it went flying behind him. He said “oops†or something and we both just kinda looked at each other like what just happened and started laughing! He was so sweet though because instead of walking over to get it, he stayed with me! And I forgot to pick it up for him after we took the picture!
While he was signing I explained to him how I was going to bring my niece, but I didn't cause she was having a grumpy day! I told him how she sees him on TV and says “Apolo!†and gets excited. He just thought it was too cute and laughed. I asked to take a pic of course and he said sure and motioned me behind the table (and I forgot to add the Gold medal!! Dummy!!) I asked him to flash the Shaka sign cause I gotta give the Aloha love! After the pic, I talked to him about going to the next Olympics and me explaining why I wanted him to go. He said “I don’t know, I don’t know. But I’ll be there either way.†I told him I was trying to get an internship at the OTC in Colorado Springs. He was very interested and asked me what for and I told him Strength & Conditioning, and that I would love to train him and that he is just an amazing athlete, etc. And I loved how when we were talking about the internship, he was genuinely interested and surprised when I told him what for. He was just like “Oh really? That’s so cool!â€
Gen and Autumn
I honestly don’t remember what his hand shake was like, and I don’t remember him smelling like anything! Honestly I don’t even know if I put my arm around his waist in the picture. I’m sure I did, but you can’t tell in the picture because he was so damn close! I just can't believe that I wasn't a nervous wreck. It was weird, I was so calm, like I was talking to my best friend! It was like everyone around us disappeared and it was quite, weird right?! I tried to get back in line to take another picture, but they cut the line off! The girl said only 1 picture (even though some people took many!) and I really wanted to do a silly picture! So I decided to walk around and take everything in because I couldn’t believe that I just met an Olympic Gold Medallist, let alone that fact that it was Apolo!
Also, for all the people who love it, he kept doing the hair sweeping thing! I was dying! By the way if anyone watches the Fox 11 news interview w/ him and hears some "cackling hens" in the back, that is me and my friend, we apologize!! I think that is it, hope I didn’t forget anything! I just wanted to thank Noelle for all her hard work and he love for short track!!!
Posted by noelle at 4:40 PM | Comments (70)
March 7, 2006
Lori Beth's Apolo report!
Thanks to LB for this multimedia extravanganza documenting her experience at Roots!
I have been to a few signings like this and I honestly have to say that this was the best that I've ever been treated by the staff. And Apolo was nothing but gracious, kind, sweet... totally what you'd hope he was like - what he appears to be like - he was. Genuinely grateful. Even Apolo's people were really nice to us. This was one of the best fan experiences I have ever had. So thank you to Apolo, his people, the Roots staff and, of course, the OhnoZone. I guess that is a reflection of how his fans are - because everyone has been so friendly and supportive! Ya'll kick major butt!!
Go to LB's complete report with photos and videos!
Photo: Apolo sports his much commented-upon jeans!
Posted by noelle at 8:50 PM | Comments (104)
Note to the ST faithful [updated]
I'll definitely be bringing you guys some short track news soon. Not much ST news since Torino, but hang in there... I'm trying to get my hands on results from last weekend's American Cup 3... I've been promised some photos also!
Things will then pick up again for the 2nd half of March, beginning with Nationals in Wisconsin March 16-19, at which open spots on the World Championships team will be decided.
Speaking of Worlds -- yes, it's true. One of those open spots on the World team comes courtesy of Apolo. He is taking a well-deserved break and has decided not to compete at Worlds this year. Live it up, man!
[update]
Skating individually for Canada at Worlds are the following skaters:
Women: Anouk Leblanc-Boucher, Kalyna Roberge, Amanda Overland
Men: Éric Bédard, Charles Hamelin, François-Louis Tremblay
(info via Eric Bedard's blog)
These are all sensational skaters to watch in Minneapolis, two of whom - Anouk and Francois-Louis (Flou) - earned individual medals in Torino. Flou was also 3rd overall at last year's Worlds. All of these skaters are more than capable of reaching the podium in Minn!
Posted by noelle at 7:17 PM | Comments (59)
March 6, 2006
Stephanie's Roots report!
Stephanie poses with Apolo
First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to OhnoZone for posting the information about Apolo's meet and greet at Roots, because if it wasn't for it, I wouldn't have known about it!
I got to the Roots store at about noon... and there was about 20 people standing in front of me. I was kinda surprised that the line wasn't that long, because I was picturing a loooooong line around the store. Regardless, I was REALLY excited to be there! A few minutes passed, and I started talking to a few people in front of me that were very sweet. I asked where they heard about this meet and greet, and they also said OhnoZone :D While we were talking, the webmistress of Apolo's official site came up to us, and asked us if she could take our picture so that she could post it on his website, and we gladly posed for her :) She gave us these Apolo postcards that were really nice!
Click for more of Stephanie's report and photos
We kept talking until about 2PM... and the security guard announced that Apolo is going to be there shortly. 15 minutes later... we heard screams from in front of the line, and that's how we knew Apolo had arrived at the store! As soon as the line started moving, I tried to sneak a peek through the window of the store to see if I can catch a glimpse of Apolo. At first, I couldn't see anything, but sure enough, a few seconds later I saw his head popped outta nowhere, and I literally GASPED and I could feel my heart beating faster, hehe. I couldn't contain myself because I wanted to get in there so bad, but the security only let in a certain number of people in at a time. Finally, my turn came, and I walked in the store with soooo much excitement! The next few minutes were a blur because everything just happened so fast!
Apolo signs for Stephanie
Apolo was very sweet and nice to everyone, and after the person in front of me had her stuff signed, it was FINALLY my turn. I could feel my heart beating faster again... and as I went up there, I looked at him and he smiled at me while extending his hand. He asked what my name was, and I mumbled "Stephanie..." and he asked me how I was. I was soooo nervous (and starstruck) at this point, that I said really softly "good..." I handed him my Cosmo magazine, and I briefly remembered telling him that I watched him at the 2002 Olympics and that he's such an inspiration to many people out there, especially skaters. And he asked me if I skate... and I said I used to figure skate competitively. After I said that, he looked up after signing my magazine, and said "Oh wow! That's cool" and he looked straight in my eyes, and I could feel myself blush... hahahahaha.
After that, I asked him if I could take a picture with him, and he said sure! He put his arm around me, and I didn't know what to do with my arm, so I tried to put it around him, but it got stuck on his jacket in the back, so I just put it back down since I felt awkward!! Afterwards, he turned to me and said "Thank you so much for coming!" and he smiled at me. At this point, I just sorta stumbled towards him and hugged him. And I could hear him chuckle a little and said "awwwww". Then, I told him thank you again for everything, and he smiled and waved me goodbye.
When I got out of the store, I just remember thinking "Wow, did that really happen?" I've been wanting to meet him ever since Salt Lake City, and my dream just came true :)
Ahhhh! All I can say is that I'll never forget this experience ever! And that Apolo is much more handsome in person, hehe ;) I hope there will be another opportunity to meet him again!!!
Stephanie~
Posted by noelle at 11:05 PM | Comments (86)
Roots report from Lauren!
Hi Noelle, Todd, and OZers!
This past Saturday, my two friends and sister went to the Roots store in Beverly Hills to catch Apolo's first autograph/meet and greet session in Los Angeles! So many things happened that day, but I'll try to keep it short... otherwise, it might be along as his autobiography! We arrived at the Roots store at 10am (opening time) and were surprisingly the first fans there! Soon, though, several Apolo fans began showing up and the line started forming outside at around 12 pm. We were luckily the FIRST ONES IN LINE! The four of us all wore the matching USA Roots longsleeve shirts and had such a great time meeting fellow Apolo fans! Two women drove all the way from San Diego late Friday night after hearing about the appearance! WOW! After hearing that Apolo would be 15 minutes late, the manager of Roots gave the first 20 fans in line the official Roots hat worn at the Olympics! That sure made everyone excited. While in line, Apolo's publicist asked us if we could pose for a picture (I assume since we were all identical!) and someone from ApoloAntonOhno.com asked us to take a picture for the website! It was exciting!
Apolo poses with Lauren and her group of friends
Click below for more photos and to continue reading Lauren's report
Finally, Apolo arrived! Right when he stepped out of the car, everyone went crazy... pictures here, there, everywhere! My friend yelled out "Apolo, let's go ice skating!" and he laughed... a lot. He signed the backs of ALL four of our shirts, signed my cover of the 2002 Sports Illustrated, his autobiography, and took several pictures with us! I showed him pictures of when I visited his father Yuki's hair salon in Seattle, and he seemed so interested! I know this might sound like an odd observance, but he allowed all of his fans to stand up and take pictures with him. Most celebrities expect you to just "lean over" the table in order to quicken up the process. That truly made me realize that he isn't the type of person who just quickly takes pictures, signs autographs, and moves on to the next person. He truly appreciates his fans.
All in all, meeting Apolo was an amazing experience. He really is a down to earth person and seems just like any other person. No ego, no nothing. Just an all-around nice guy. I am a writer for my college's newspaper, and I am in the process of writing an article about Apolo. The first words I wrote were: dream fulfilled. Yes, it was my dream for the past five years to meet Apolo. In high school, my friend (who went on Saturday also) and I tried to promote his races for the Olympics by passing out flyers to the student body... and got in trouble by the administration. We tried to spread our imaginary religion "Apoloism" and people gave us crazy looks. I wrote a letter asking him to go to prom with me... but he was probably training. All of those strange looks and odd remarks were SO well worth it.
Dream fulfilled.
*Lauren
The line outside of Roots
Posted by noelle at 7:24 PM | Comments (44)
Public Service Announcement
Hello everyone!
Looking for something Apolo related? Wanna find that awesome photo from Salt Lake in 2003? Looking for Apolo's 2004 results?
There is a nifty search function built right into the site to help you find whatever you're looking for. It's quick, easy and accurate.
If you still can't find the results you're looking for, drop us a line.
But, seriously...use the search function...
;)
Posted by noelle at 2:45 PM | Comments (18)
Photos from the ladies' relay medal ceremony in Torino
Are you still out there, Canadian fans? The latest photo gallery from Torino is ready with photos from the ladies' short track relay medal ceremony on Feb. 23 at the medals plaza downtown. See the gallery
Amanda Overland, Alanna Kraus, Melanie Gagnon, Anouk Leblanc-Boucher, Kalyna Roberge, Tania Vicent
Congratulations again to the Canadians ladies on their well-deserved relay silvers, and of course to Team Korea on their gold and Italia for bringing home bronze!
I have to say, this is one of the coolest experiences I've had, ever. From the grand stage on which the teams received their medals to the big party and fireworks afterwards, it was one of those, 'I need to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming' nights. I can't begin to imagine how magical it was for the athletes!
Posted by noelle at 11:18 AM | Comments (10)
Some more FAQs
Hi everyone! I have more reports to post this evening, but in the meantime I've been getting the same questions over and over... It's been a bit overwhelming, so I am answering them here because I can't manage to reply to everyone.
Q: Can you give me Apolo's email address/AIM name/etc?
A: As mentioned before, you can write to Apolo either at the Olympic Training Center where he lives or try the 'contact' link on his official site, ApoloAntonOhno.com.
Apolo Anton Ohno
US Olympic Training Center
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Q: Where can I get Apolo-related merchandise?
A: His online store will launch Friday, March 10, 2006, also at AAO.com. I will be sure to make an announcement here when it launches!
Q: Do you know where Apolo is staying in LA?
A: I have no idea! Keep in mind, we as fans need to respect his space and privacy.
Q: Can you tell me when/if Apolo is coming to NYC/Chicago/Ohio/Texas/fill-in-the-blank?
A: Rest assured that anytime I hear of Apolo making a public appearance anywhere, I'll post it on OZ. Keep checking back!
Q: Can you make me a copy of video from the Olympics/Ellen/etc?
A: Sorry, I have no way to copy videos. My VCR doesn't even work so I haven't seen these programs either!
Posted by noelle at 10:03 AM | Comments (18)
March 5, 2006
Eryne's report on meeting Apolo in Beverly Hills!
Congratulations to Eryne, who met Apolo yesterday at Roots. Many thanks to her for sharing this detailed report and her photos. Read on:
***
Apolo and Eryne
Firstly, I'm Eryne (pronounced "Erin"), and this is the LONGEST, MOST DETAILED DESCRIPTION you will ever read about, describing what happened yesterday at Apolo's Roots Beverly Hills store signing. I'm just warning you now. Haha...
Secondly, I am so incredibly grateful to this site! Ohno Zone, if it weren't for you... my life would not have been flipped upside down yesterday. Ahh!!! I still get goosebumps thinking about it.
Yesterday was filled with so many juicy details, but I'll try my best to nutshell it. I arrived at Brighton & Beverly a little past 1 with a friend of mine (who isn't an Apolo fan, btw... but I told her to keep her mouth shut, unless she wanted to get attacked by me, the friends I made while waiting, and everyone else in line). We lined up a little bit around the corner, and from the start, I started making friends with those waiting around me. We all swapped stories about how we found out about the in-store signing. Of course, the main response was, "Ohno Zone!"...
A couple fortunate girls behind me were just in the area for lunch and noticed the commotion, and, being Apolo fans themselves, just decided to get in line with the rest of us die-hards. Ahh, I love it... we gotta keep this apoLOVE going!!!
Note: Click below for the rest of Eryne's report and photos!
I noticed that pretty much everyone in line had come prepared with their Cosmo magazines, which -- of course -- I'd known about (thanks to this site! and thanks to a friend of mine who had originally bought it for Hilary on the cover, but let me steal it for a day b/c she knows of my Apolo obsession) but haven't had a chance to personally get for myself. Another one of my friends had wanted to meet up with me for lunch that day, but I told him I was gonna be at Roots and invited him to come along. He's not an Apolo fan, either, but he decided to come anyway. Since I hadn't had my copy of the magazine, I asked him for a last-minute favor before coming by the store. So he stopped by Rite-Aid on his way over and picked up the magazine for me! I Ahh, love him!
My friends have learned to accept my obsession with Apolo... see what happens?! One of 'em gives me a ride... the other one picks up my magazine. Ahh, they're great. Haha... Anyway, moving along.
Aaahhhhhhh... (that was a sigh, btw. I've been sporadically doing that for the past 24 hours.) I reeeally had to go to the bathroom, and -- plus -- I wanted to fix myself up a little bit before I actually met Apolo, so my friend -- whom I owe my everything to after yesterday, b/c if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have had a ride to the Roots store! -- held my place in line for me, and guarded my Build-A-Bear with her life.
Oh, let me explain the Build-A-Bear. I named him Chunky =D He wears a blue bandanna, tidy whities, a medal around his neck, and ice skates. He's adorable, I know ;D I made him 4 years ago, after Salt Lake. Yesterday was the perfect opportunity for me to show it to Apolo. I was actually debating whether or not I should give it to him, but I decided not to... I mean, I kinda sorta REALLY loved the thing. It's been with me for the past four years!!! How could I have given it up?!!! I would have loved for him to have it, though... I guess I'll just make a new one and give it to him the next time I see him *wink wink* (Ohno Zoners, don't go stealing my idea now. I've patented it. Haha.)
Eryne's Build-a-bear - the second-cutest Chunky!!
So yes.. My friend held my spot in line and watched my bear while I ran across the street to Starbucks for the bathroom. She calls me, and I immediately scream, " What?! Is the line moving?!!!?!?!" She goes, "No ... but, uhh, girls are screaming towards the front. So you might wanna come back already." So I sprint outta Starbucks, snap a nice little shot of the line as it curves around the corner (a couple cars got in the way, though =/ ) and get back to my place in line.
I wanted to see what the commotion was all about up front, cuz I couldn't see him anywhere! So, after meeting back up with my friend, I go to the front of the store, peer in through the open doors... and I CATCH MY FIRST GLIMPSE OF APOLO ANTON OHNO IN PERSON!!! And it was beeeautiful... I almost lost it. He was already posing for pictures with someone, and he looked up towards the door at just the right moment. Ohhh myyy goodnesssss... I couldn't take it. But I wanted to kind of build up anticipation for when it was my turn to meet him, so I went, squealing back, to my place in line. As we were waiting, the girl in front of me, whom I made friends with, wanted to get a glimpse of him too... so we both went back to the doorway of the store. We ooh-ed, we ahh-ed, we spazzed a little, and we both snapped quick pictures of him through the doorway.
Some girls who had already finished meeting-and-greeting him were on their way back to their car, with their Olympic Team '06 ROOTS USA shirts, which he SIGNED THE BACK OF. Ahh! I asked them to turn around so I could see his signature, and they did. And it made me anticipate my meeting with him a little more... oh man oh man.
As we gradually inched up closer and closer to the front of the store, people were coming out, with their signed memorabilia, all saying pretty much the same thing -- how even more gorgeous he is in person!!! And it's so true... at that point, my doorway glimpse was enough to justify that. Okay, so we're still in line, and we've finally moved up to the front of the store... so, after my friend snapped some pictures of me kissing the HUGE PICTURE of him in the window, we get a chance to peer at him through the glass. And ohhh myyy gooodnessssss [again]... you do not understaaaand how many times he ran his fingers through his hair!!!!!! I swear, I died just a little.. every single time he did it!!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!
Finally... we come up to the security guard, and he lets my friend and me inside the store, along with the mother and daughter in front of us. As I entered the store, I start shaking, spazzing, on-the-verge crying... seriously. We're waiting in another, much smaller line... a line to get up to the table. The cuuutest gay guy ever was a Roots employee, monitoring the line. He noticed how shaken up I was, and told me something like, " Honey, just take a breather. It's okay. He's right there... If you need a bottle of water, come see afterwards. It's gonna be all right." Aww, I loved him!
As the mother and daughter in front of me are getting their moment with Apolo, I'm already snapping pictures and then handing my camera off to my friend, so that she can take the pictures for me. They're done... and it's my turn.
(This is where the memory gets kinda fuzzy, so I'm just going to try my best to relay what happened, as accurately as possible. [As if I haven't already! Hahh] Forgive me.)
I'm already so shaken up at this point, it's a wonder that tears didn't start streaming down... Right off the bat, I extended my hand and said, "Hi Apolo. I'm Eryne." I looked into his hazel eyes, really thought I was about to pass out, and then he shakes my hand, and goes, "Eryne?" Blah blah blah ... fuzzy fuzzy fuzzy ... something happened in between this time ... I wanted each moment to last forever, so I removed Chunky from his Build-A-Bear box, as slowly as possible. As I took it out, I explained -- with a huge smile on my face -- that, "Apolo, I made this four years ago, after Salt Lake... and I wanted to show you." He sees it and flashes the most beautiful grin EVER... with a little laugh and an, "Oh, wow!" I could hear behind me, somebody in line goes, "Whoa, uhh, I think you win." Haha... Thanks, whoever said that! Then I asked Apolo if he could sign its underwear... Haha, it was the only free white space on the bear! Where else could he have signed it?!!?!! So he takes it, and flips the bear around, still smiling, " Should I sign its butt or what?" Ugh, I love him... "Sure!!! Wherever!"
So he signed it... and in the first picture I have of him signing, you can catch a glimpse of his gold medal in the bottom lower left hand corner!!! Then I told him I named him Chunky, and I even showed Apolo its birth certificate (cuz, y'know, Build-A-Bear lets you make those. Haha. You can see the birth certificate in the third picture of Apolo signing Chunky's underwear.) When Apolo saw the birth certificate, he smiled/chuckled a little more. Ahh, I just love him. Then I whipped out my Cosmo magazine for him to sign, and he placed his autograph on the right side of his beautifully sculpted abdominals... ahhhh. I was going to ask him to sign the little postcards that the store gave away, one for me and one for my friend. But, I knew he still had a lot more people to get to, and plus, a Roots fellow at the front of the line, who was monitoring and taking pictures for people, seemed like he wanted to keep the line going as quickly as possible since it was already getting late.
So, unfortunately, Apolo didn't get a chance to sign mine and my friend's postcards but it's okay. After he signed my magazine, the feller taking the pictures told me to step around the table to take my picture with Apolo. I swear, I must've lost all sense of touch or something, cuz I don't remember how exactly he put his arm around me or whatever. I just remember wanting to completely embrace him for the picture, but instead, I resorted to my right arm, tightly grasped around his back (see the picture for proof. I'm hanging on for dear life!) After we snapped a couple pictures, this is the point where I reeeally think I lost it! You be the judge. I could've sworn I heard him say, under his breath, "Can I have your number?" Okay go ahead ... laugh at me. But, I told you... I think I just completely mentally lost it. But, whatever, that's besides the point... I disregarded the fact that I even thought I heard him say that, so I just continued on... Crazy? Just a little bit.
I asked him for a hug before I said goodbye. Don't worry... this part is ALL true. Ask anyone who was around me in line. I promise with everything I am, that the next part really happened. Haha...
THIS IS THE BEST PART:
As I reached around his neck to hug him, I slightly grabbed his face and planted a kiss on the lower right side of his jaw, kind of on his sideburn [haha], near his ear. AAAAAHHH!!! Haha, I JUST HAD TO!!! Honestly, he looked a little shocked... I think he might've even said another, "Oh, wow.. Thanks!" or something like that. Haha... I told him I loved him, I congratulated him and told him he deserved everything he won, and then I had to say goodbye. =(
I didn't get a chance to touch or hold his GOLD MEDAL, which was sitting on the table where he was signing. (Someone before me supposedly put the medal around her neck for her picture with Apolo! Haha.. lucky girl!) And my friend didn't even get a chance to get a picture with him, but she said she didn't mind... after all, she was snapping the pictures for me anyway. Oh, I love her.
As I looked back, leaving the table and leaving him behind, he ran his fingers through his hair once more. Aaaaaaah... and that was it.
Leaving the store, I was all discombobulated, frazzled, spazzed out, still shaking, every other description you can think of. I think you get my point. I must've viewed my pictures and my friend's pictures from yesterday about a million times since... It was all worth it... even the $9 VALET PUBLIC PARKING FEE. Freaking Beverly Hills! Jeeez...
And that was quite possibly the longest, most detailed description ever... was I right? Haha, sorry about that... So much for "nutshell"-ing it! Thank you, Ohno Zone, for informing us Ohno die-hards about this!!! Keep up the grrreat work. I've been waiting four, long years to finally get a chance to meet him. You literally changed my LIFE!!!
But, UGH... if only I'd gotten my Wheaties box before yesterday!!! Aw maaan! >D
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES!!!
Posted by noelle at 10:10 PM | Comments (88)
'True Champion' Wallpaper
Leigh Ann created this gorgeous AAO wallpaper for all to enjoy!
click photo to enlarge
Also, check out Theresa's beautiful photo fansite OLOPA.
Finally, a very nice photo collage created by Julia:
Posted by noelle at 7:34 PM | Comments (56)
Check out the OZ archives
Hey everyone! I have received lots of emails from new people sending me links they have discovered and/or asking where to find old photos, videos, etc.
You can be pretty sure any past Apolo appearances, articles, videos, etc have already been posted on OZ. Just check out the archives that are available to you in the sidebar on the right! Archives are listed by category as well as chronoglically by date. For example, if you want to see the videos that have been posted over the years, click on 'Video Clips' under the category list.
If you are looking for something specific, try the Search option. It's not a smart search, so typing in something general like 'apolo magazine articles' isn't too helpful. But if you type in 'Cosmopolitan' you'll get the results back that you're looking for.
Definitely explore the archives -- there should be enough info and visuals there to get you through to next season!
Posted by noelle at 10:55 AM | Comments (28)