(report by Monique aka Butta)
Ohno Zone home
Waiting for Apolo
Day 1 (5/8/03):
The next time I decide to take a 15 hour bus ride, smack me. That was the longest bus ride ever. After what seemed like an eternity, I arrived in Baltimore. AS soon as I passed the Convention Centre on the way to the hotel, I had a sudden urge to squeal like a school girl. Finally, I got to the station. From there, I took a 5 minute cab ride to the Days Inn Inner Harbour. During the 5 minutes, I learned that the driver had driven to Toronto a few times. Something about tractors, but all I could concentrate on was meeting Apolo the next day. I was able to get an earlier bus, so I got to the hotel 2 hours early. For about an hour, I thought every woman who walked into the hotel was Denise. Denise and I made plans to room together. Finally, she came into the hotel, and we greeted each other like old friends.
We went up to our room and unloaded our stuff. Then she took out the stash. And what a stash it was! Magazine articles, and newspaper articles, all Apolo! Yes, I officially love Denise! After 10 minutes of swooning and drooling, we introduced ourselves and got to know each other better. Then my stomach got the best of me, and we went to get a bite to eat. After that, we went to check out the Convention Centre. We walked by a sign that had a listing of all who were appearing at the expo. Guess whose name was there? No, not Cal Ripken, ha ha. Well yeah he was there, but I’m talking about Apolo. This is the second time in 1 day I had to hold back my girlish squeal. Then we went back to the hotel room. While Denise took a nap, I started putting together Apolo’s birthday gift and writing this report. Denise showed me her IAN t-shirt that she got. We watched “Murder By Numbers”. Good movie. Can you tell I’m trying to pas the time away so tomorrow can come?
Then the phone rings, and it’s Monica. We spent the next 30 minutes talking on the phone while she chatted online with Cheryl and Kaylene. After we hung up, Denise and I took showers and called it a night. But I could hardly sleep because I was so excited about the next day.
Day 2 (5/9/03):
The day started off with Denise and I getting ready and having oatmeal for breakfast. We left for the Convention Centre, and met up with Noelle and Crash in the elevator. It turns out Noelle was staying at the same hotel as us, and we didn’t even know. So as we left the hotel, someone calls out to Noelle. It turns out to be Roo and Jennifer. It seems we were meeting everyone after! We coulda had a slumber party!
We finally arrived at the building. We went straight to the stage and took our second row seats. We met Tia, Tasha, and Monica at the centre. First up was “John” from “Days of Our Lives”. He was pretty funny, but the woman who interviewed him was as clueless as a cat at a dog’s family reunion. She obviously didn’t do her homework, and we all prayed that she wasn’t the one interviewing The Golden One. Luckily, he was interviewed by a guy who knew his stuff. The guy introduced Apolo, and out he came. Oh. My. God. I started swooning the minute he came out. Monica was laughing at me the whole time. Noelle also glanced over numerous times and laughed. He wore a nice, white sweater. He also had on grey pants, and dark brown shoes. He was looking sooooo good! Of course, he sported his bling(gold chain, watch, and ring), and he also wore the bracelet he got from Jan and Kimo.
I just sat there for the whole 30 minutes gawking and swooning at what was before me. They were on stage, and were far back from us(stupid camera crew), so I often glanced over at the big screen at the gorgeousness that calls himself Apolo. He was asked some very good questions. He did his trademark hand swipe, giggle, and lip licking. I laughed and swooned every time he did it. I got to ask him a question! I asked him where he keeps all his medals, and he said he has a trophy room for them. *sighs*. I blew him a kiss, then sat down.
"Apolo, where do you keep your medals?"
But if there was a question of the day award, I would give it to Crash. Her question just proves how hilarious she can be. She started the question by telling Apolo about KDS’s rap album.(Til this day, I still lmao about that and can’t believe it!) Then she asks Apolo if he were to do one, what would his nickname be? Everybody cracked up. I believe he said Chunky A(Crash, correct me if i’m wrong, it’s all a blur now.) After Apolo left the stage, he went over to sign autographs. Everything was cool, until the security guys told us that we couldn’t get in because we were behind the cut off point. I almost died. We tried to get him to reconsider, but no can do. We told him that I had come all the way from Canada to see Apolo. I could have been from China and I still wouldn’t have gotten in. Even Noelle caught up with Will Sherling to see what she could do. But Apolo had a conference call and had to go right away. We were told we had to wait for his 1:10pm appearance. Noelle came back and told us that Will would make sure all the OZers got an autograph and a picture. Ah yes, another advantage of being an Ozer. We scoped out the rest of the expo, and loaded up on the free samples. Hershey’s Kisses, Upside down 7up(DNL), and Tide laundry detergent. Oh yes, life is good. I coulda had a snack, and did a load of whites if I wanted to! So, the time comes, and we made our way back to the stage(front row). Apolo reappears with his sweet self back on stage. By this time, I have gotten over the shock and excitement, and am able to enjoy the second interview. There was one point where the guy was talking about Apolo being a sex symbol. Of course, Apolo got all shy and cute and said he didn’t think he was one. Being the normal, reserved person that I am, I yelled out “SAY YES!” Apolo said yes, and we all cheered.
After the 2nd interview, all the Ozers raced over to the lineup so we could be the first to meet Apolo. My turn came up, and I walked up to The Golden One. I gave him my Journey book to sign. I told him that I travelled 15 hours to see him. He looked up at me and said “really?” I said yeah! Then I told him that he was gorgeous. He smiled and said thank you. I told him how to spell my name, and he signed my book. He seemed surprised that I had the book, and I was like “yeah, of course I have it!” This is what he wrote in my book: “Monique, thank you for coming so far!” It was so cute how he underlined the words so far. They also had 8x10s to sign, so being the greedy slob that I am, I asked for that too. He willingly signed it, and gave it to me. I went behind the table to get a picture with him. I crouched down and put my arm on his broad shoulders.(okay Cheryl, this is where you swoon!) We took the picture. Then I turned around and gave him a kiss on his right cheek! Yeah, you read right, I KISSED APOLO! I went off to the side, so I didn’t see his reaction. From what I heard, his eyes almost popped out of his sockets, and he blushed! Any OZ peeps, feel free to confirm this, I don’t think anyone got a picture of it. I stayed at the side while others got autographs and pictures taken. I also gave him a birthday gift, btw. He looks at the bag and goes “Oh, you got me a bandana?” and I was like “yeah!” Dani gave him a bottle of Strawberry Quick. Apolo threw back his head and cracked up. I did too, and took a picture of it. (incase you were wondering what I got him, I got him a blue bandana, a Toronto Maple Leafs hat, and a notebook that I half-filled with graphics I made of him, quotes, and a special message I wrote to him) At the end of it, we learned that Noelle(i’m not worthy! i’m not worthy! lol!) worked her charm, and scored us a group picture with Apolo. We were all behind the railing, and he came up to us and stood in front of it. Being the outgoing(non psycho) person that I am, I put my arm around his, and the picture was taken. He went over to a couple of girls, but when he came back, I asked for a hug. He walks over and gives me a hug, then leaves. After that, Noelle, Crash, Denise, Monica and I went for lunch. Then we all said our goodbyes, and Denise and I headed back to our room. We went back out so I could get a calling card. I also developed 2 of my 3 rolls. The pics of him on stage are far. Damn my camera for not having zoom! Who cares? I could still point out Apolo’s beauty if he was in Tokyo, and I was in Vancouver. Then our day ended with some wholesome, family entertainment( Punk’d and Jackass, lol.) Can’t wait for Punk’d to come to Canada!
Things I learned in Baltimore:
-Apolo has amazing eyes. I have a new appreciation for them.
-Apolo has a trophy room for his medals. I barely have room for my CD collection. Dang.
-The ride from Toronto to Baltimore was long. Very long. I wanted to poke my eyes out with a pen. Never again.
-Apolo tends to hair swipe, giggle, and lick his lips a lot. God bless you Apolo. And your hair. And your lips. And the high pitch noises(giggles) that come out of it!
-Druid Hill is NOT the hill I saw at Inner Harbour. I am deeply saddened by this revelation.
-Crash and Noelle rock. It is now written in stone.
-Denise is a great roommate. She came with oatmeal, noodles, and lots of Apolo.
-I am nuts. I managed to yell at Apolo shamelessly, kiss him, tell him he’s gorgeous, get 2 autographs, and a hug. Bow down to me, I am now your God, lmao!
-Apolo is so fine, sweet and genuine in person. Will you marry me?
-I can very good at biting my tongue. While on the street, some guy comes up to Denise and I for directions. As soon as he found out we were tourists too, and that I wan from Toronto, he goes “SARS! get away from me!” It was a joke, though. I laughed it off, and rolled my eyes so hard, I’m surprised it didn’t fall out and roll along Pratt Street.
Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better time. It was a blessing to meet Apolo and the other ladies of OZ. I literally picked up and the last minute, and made the trip to somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m happy I made the decision to go. It is an experience I will never forget!
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