(report by April Shirshac)
April, Rusty and Joanna
Oh boy, where do I even begin! I must say that I was so blessed to be able to attend the Olympic celebration gala, the mere thoughts running through my mind as we drove up to the stadium gave me not just "butterflies", but as Abigail says "eagles"!
It seemed as something out of fairy tale really, making our way up to the 4th floor. The banquet hall had floor length windows exposing the most surreal view of the the glittery sparkle that was Downtown Salt Lake City. A jazz band played in the corner of the room, and setting the mood. No one really knew when Apolo would be arriving, and the anticipation felt like it would eat me alive! Joanna and I roamed around a bit, talking with OZer's that attended, getting some great chats and autographs from Vonetta Flowers, Jill Baken, and Rusty Smith to name a few.
Rusty was a compete doll, and so eager to meet with fans. He chatted with the group that had formed around him as though he was talking with old friends! This whole time I had my artbook tucked inside my bag. After talking and taking pictures with Rusty, I realized that I had artwork that included him inside my book. "Hey Rusty, before I go, I have to show you something." I said. "Oh?" Rusty said giving me an interested look. Now, I realized this was an "Apolo book", so I didn't want to make him feel bad. "It's an artbook for....Apolo" I said, hesistating. Rusty immediately laughed and rolled his eyes...."Oh, I see how it is!", he chuckled.
I was quick to tell him that I'm a huge Rusty fan LOL, and that he has to see the pictures that I made with him in it. I turned the page to the "Lord of the Rink" computer image of him and Apolo dressed as Frodo and Legolas. He just died! He let out of big laugh and said "Oh my God!" He asked me if I had done everything in the book, which I replied yes, and he instantly wiped to the front of the book to look at the whole thing. He was blow as he turned the pages, almost in disbelief. He told me how amazing these drawings were, and I said thank you, quite sheepishly. I've never known how to take compliments, and everyone's excitement was so overwhelming.
I told him that I'm glad he got to check it out, and as I was leaving he said "wait, april, don't leave. I have to show this to someone." LOL, oh man my stomach sank as he called Jack Mortell over to look at the book. Jack showed equally as much surprise, and Rusty laughed, "Oh man, don't tell me you put his CAT in the comic strip!" I was just praying that I wouldn't turn red, but I said I had to put his cat in, just for the fun of it. And then he asked me the big question.."Has Apolo seen this?" "No, he hasn't. I haven't met him yet".
Jack Mortell, Rusty and Susan G admire April's artbook
"He's got to see this." Rusty's eagerness to show Apolo was making it look pretty good that Apolo would enjoy this book. And just as I turn around, I heard the room "cooing", and instantly knew who had entered the room. OMG, there he is! Of course, his beautiful hair is the first thing you notice in the sea of people that swarmed him as he walked in. I don't remember what was going through my mind, but all I knew was that my legs locked and I couldn't move! I keep saying to myself, "Should I go other there? Should I act like I don't see him, and hope he bumps into me?" LOL, I was the world's biggest dork at that very moment. Well, luckily I didn't have to do either. And with that, I must say how amazing Jan and Kimo were for offering to "introduce" me. They are the sweetest people I've ever met, and I had fun joking with Kimo on what I should do when Apolo entered the room.
As Apolo made his way over to where I was standing, I couldn't even look over in his direction! The OFF was beginning to fry my nerve endings, and I was afraid to look at him!! Kimo darted over to Apolo, and they gave their cute "Hang loose" salute to one another and hugged. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see and hear Kimo, "Hey Apolo, I want you to meet someone...April! April, c'mere!" Oh God! This was it! The crowd actually pushed me right up to Apolo, maybe about 7 inches from his face!! Kimo introduced me and I held out my hand to shake his.."Hello Apolo, it's such a pleasure to meet you" is what I managed to spit out of my mouth. Apolo greeted me, and those eyes and lips were doing a number on me! In the dim lighting, his eyes were this beautiful golden brown, and he had such a relaxed, kind face to give me.
"I have something for you, Apolo" I told him handing him the book. And as all you that have seen Apolo many times, he repeated me, "Something for me?" I told him it was a collection of all the artwork, computer graphics and comic strips that I had made over the past year and he opened it up. It was so funny, when he saw the pastel drawing I did of him, he pointed to the mole on his neck in the drawing, looked over at Rusty who was looking on and confirmed, "Yep. It's me!" LOL! I was in heaven watching Apolo's face light up more and more as he turned the pages, it's a good thing he was looking at the book because I probably looked like deer in headlights!
When he reached the comics, he let out that adorable high-pitched giggle we all know and love, and Rusty leaned in and said, "Look man! She put me in drag!" referring to him dressing up like an obsessed fan. Apolo was cracking up, and leaned over to Yuki next to him and said, "Hey dad, look at this. It's a comic strip! And look, she's got tiggie on skates!!" He said it was such boyish glee, I was so amazed. He really loves his cat, and his reaction was just as Rusty predicted. I had a graphic of myself when I was 3 years old and a picture of Apolo at 4, which I took from his Fanzine, and I put them together in one photo - it looked as though we were having breakfast together in 1985!
Apolo giggled again, "Is that you?" he asked. Even more sheepishly I answered, yes. The very last graphic had the new hip-hop name that I had given him, "Grand Master Chunk". "This is your new hip-hop name" I told him, and he had a good laugh at that. As he closed the book, he thanked me for making it, said that it was "awesome" and "you're really, really good." He was being whisked away, so I quickly got a photo with him, and one last look in his eyes, and other fans swarmed him.
I'll never forget that moment as long as I live. All the hard work and inspiration that went into each piece was nothing compared to seeing his reaction to it. He was so genuine in his gratitude of the book. And having the OZer's there to cheer me on, and give me hugs was indescribable. I can't wait to meet him again someday, and hopefully give him a t-shirt with the cartoon version of his cat on it, but I was lucky to just make him smile.
I made him smile. So simple, but yet it's been buzzing me since I arrived home. Apolo, you're amazing and meeting you only proved it!
April and Joanna watch the races at the Oval
