(report by Alex)
Apolo signs Alex's helmet in Baltimore
Hola OZers! So sorry i didnt get to introduce myself to any of you there but i actually didnt know who you guys were! i did see monique and the rest and exchanged a few smiles. (i think all Apolo fans are automatically friendly with one another) anyway if you all remember the people there, i was the chick in the red tanktop and braids with the skating helmet for Apolo to sign. Anyway, on with the report.
The night before Apolo was to be in Baltimore, my (extremely cool) parents finally made the decision to let me ditch school and see him. Needless to say, i was more than excited. So after the longest night of my life, my mom and i set out in the pouring rain for the hour drive to Baltimore. We parked in some hotel parking lot and walked over to the convention center where there was already a massive line out front. but being the crafty little person i am, bypassed the line out front in favor of an ungaurded side door that left my mom and i dry, warm and way in front of the people inside.
so at 10 they open up the doors and my mom and i make a beeline for the stage. we ended up being one of the first people there and got in the autograph line first. the woman in front of us and i made small talk while that soap opera doof and his clueless interviewer embarrassed themselves. we ended up having a great view of Apolo from our spot in line, but both of us hopped the barriers to take pictures. Anyway, the interviewer opened it up for questions but i couldnt think of one so i begged my mom. She gave me one and i hopped the barriers again and went up to the mic.
Me: Hi, im Alex from Rockville (the guy asked us to tell apolo our names and where we were from)
Apolo: Hi Alex.
Me: Um i was just wondering, do you ever get nervous before a big race? and if you do what do you do to chill before you skate?
Apolo: haha! ya i get nervous sometimes! but to chill i usually stretch and listen to music...and go to sleep.
Me: sleep? you sleep before a big race?
Apolo: HAHA! YEA!
(i guess the sleeping would explain all those pictures of him yawning at the starting line)
okay so then Apolo finished the interview and came down to do autographs. i was like 6th in line so it didnt take long for my turn to come. heres how it went (to the best of my recollection...its all a blur now ;-) )
Me: hi! could you sign this? (i hand him my skating helmet and a gold pen)
Apolo: sure. Alex right?
Me: (smiling hard because he remembered my name) yea
Apolo: is this your helmet?
Me: yup, i started skating after i saw you in salt lake.
Apolo: really? thats sweet! thanks
Me: you're welcome.
alright so he signed my helmet (which looks great) and took a picture with me (which will be blown up to poster size any day now) and then my mom went up next.
Mom: hi apolo!
Apolo: hi!
Mom: Could you sign this? (hands him my white bandanna which by the way i will never wear again)
Apolo: Sure, where at?
Mom: doesnt matter...here (pointing)
Apolo: k. for alex right? (smiling)
Mom: haha yea. did she tell you she started skating because of you?
Apolo: yup.
Mom: did she tell you she also broke her jaw trying to be like you?
Apolo: WHAT?! oh did you really? thats so bad! im sorry! (looking at me all surprised)
ME: (blushing hard) yea...thanks mom
apolo: (laughs and hands my mom the bandanna)
Mom: bye! thanks Apolo!
Me: thank you!
Apolo: bye!
(as we're walking away)
Mom: alex he is MUCH cuter in person!
haha so then my mom and i walked around the expo for awhile and got all sorts of cool stuff (candy mostly, im in swedish fish heaven) and i went back and finished my roll of film on Apolo. We werent able to stay for the second session so i ended up leaving after that. Anyway i had the time of my life and Apolo was extremely cool. I wish i would have known who you all were! alright, enjoy! Sorry its so long!
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