What's Apolo Up To, You Ask...

[amyurban]

Yeah Crimson, I hear ya but you made a point about the computer equipment. That may be the reason. And I'm sure these people would probably not mind going in person to help "inspire" the kids but...unfortunately, most of those areas are not the safest neighborhoods. There would probably be a huge security issue, I bet. But you made a good point. Thanks for thinking of those kids. They are the one's who need the countries help the most.

[apolosfavoritfreak]

californiagrown said:

i want Apolo to stay on the westside!!!!!! he didnt come to norcal tears i would have totaly gone to go see him here

ME TOO I WISH HE'D COME TO SAN FRANSISCO I ONLY LIVE LIKE AN HOUR FROM THERE I WOULD RUN THERDE TO MEET HIM

[Krysten]

Oh. Sorry. Everyone usually goes to LA now-a-days.
I got to LA every once in a while.
Maybe he'll go to north cal but you'll never know.

[californiagrown]

i completly agree with you crims, schools in white suberban areas dont strongly nearly as much as inner city schools do, its so sad, our goverment needs to stop with the whole testing thing and start actualy teaching kids instead of teaching them how to bubble in a stupid bubble srry political, Apolo came from a pretty cutty place too didnt he?

[Krysten]

Isn't he in the Capital Hills place today??

[californiagrown]

yup

[Krysten]

Oh ok.
Those kids must be really lucky if they get to see the one and only APOLO ANTON OHNO lol.

[californiagrown]

i noe im so jelous, but its over now isnt it? its like 8 over there

[Krysten]

Oh yeah huh.
Crazy. Time flies.
Woah I've posted a lot.

[californiagrown]

ya u have

[amyurban]

Hey, I live in Oregon, the state right UNDER Apolo's home state of Washington. I'd love for him to come here, for Goodness sake!

After all, it was the Portland area his dad, Yuki, first came to when he emigrated to America. Apolo and Yuki...come back to PORTLAND! ;D

[californiagrown]

Ok hers a little something from the DC thing today

April 26, 2006

Apolo's visit to DC, by Susie

Sounds like Apolo was a hit and the OZers in attendance had an awesome time! Read on for Susie's report:

It was a lovely, crisp, cool day in Washington, D.C., with the sun dipping and darting in and out of the clouds -- perfect weather for skating in the park. About 100 middle schoolers, attired in matching "Raytheon" tee shirts, with many of them sporting bandanas, sat on the blanketed ground in expectant attention. Assorted younger children, Raytheon executives, Hill interns, photographers, videograpers, reporters, fans, and yes -- OZ'ers rounded out the cozy scene.

Senator Kennedy appeared, wisely bringing his two dogs with him, both of whom served as a bridge from the Senator to the kids. Professor Farley (...or just "Jonathan", as he later insisted) introduced some clips from from "Numbers" and "Medium", two shows for which he has done math related consulting. At last, Apolo was introduced, and the lone skater that I had just spotted off in the distance came zooming towards us, taking a lap around the fountain to the excited cheers of the children.

He was attired in casual skating gear -- sweatpants, the ubiquitous "Raytheon" tee (underneath which one could spot a "USA" tee) and white bandana. He looked healthy, rested, and lean with little trace of his recent outings in the sun. Apolo seemed very comfortable on the Landrollers despite the lack of smoothness of the pavement. He circled back to the podium, and briefly addressed the kids, touching on the usefulness of math to his life in skating. I think that was the only time that I've ever seen him be just the tiniest bit shy or uncertain... perhaps he was wondering how he was coming across to the kids, but he need not have worried... he had them in the palm of his hand.


Apolo then took off for the course that had been set up, and after a brief bit of urging, the super-polite kids took off after him. They lined both sides of the course while Apolo skated four laps -- I'm going to presume that the kids were doing their math measurements at this point, but I personally was too absorbed with looking at the gorgeous man in question to notice. Then they mobbed Apolo, while he patiently and kindly answered their questions, signed their bandanas, posed for pictures, etc. He was absolutely fabulous with them. I saw one of their teachers, perhaps concerned about Apolo, try in vain to direct the group away from him. She looked to me and any other adult in sight for assistance, but she wasn't about to get any from me, lol. I saw that Apolo was fine, and that the kids were thrilled. Who was I to interfere with their happiness?

I recognized fellow OZ'er Rosh, and I introduced myself. We both followed Apolo around like two little lost puppies, lol.

At a certain point, a local newstation (WJLA, channel 7) grabbed him for an on-camera interview, and I watched fascinated as he obliged them. Despite having dozens of people staring at him and taking pictures, his eyes never once strayed from those of the reporter, who was the recipient of the type of focused attention for which Apolo is well known.

At long last, the students got organized along one of the lines. Apolo skated by repeatedly, holding his hand out to lightly slap the hands of the delighted kids reaching out to him. After the children dispersed, Apolo stuck around to chat and take pictures with any remaining bystanders who cared to meet him, myself included. At one point, after most people had left, he did an interview with a sweet girl who is an official reporter for the publication, Time For Kids. She asked about his skates, and he told her about the Landrollers. In response to one of her questions, he told her about his own childhood, and he elaborated by talking to her about not being afraid to be genuine with people...to be yourself, to be true to yourself. The time and quality of attention that he gave to her was no different than that which he gave to the Channel 7 reporter (or anyone else for that matter.) What a great guy!

Finally, I stepped up and asked him if I could take a picture with him (...and did I bother to greet him or introduce myself? Augggh! I'm going to plead mea culpa that just about every rational thought fled my brain when I was even remotely close to him.) I watched the pupils of those beautiful, greenish-hazel eyes contract in the bright sunlight... someone once described them as cat-like (in a nice way) and I would have to agree... there is something about the markings around his pupil, along with the way they contract which gives a vertical appearance to the pupil... very feline, like staring into the eyes of a puma or jaguar. Purrrrrrrr. I told him about how emotional I got during the 500 meter medal ceremony, and he talked about how TV can connect people... help them to share the same experince... even if they are half a world apart. *Sigh*

I just caught snippets of other conversations that he had with reporters and fans, but enough to hear that his future plans are still up in the air. I did hear the phrase "long track" that I believe was raised as a future possibility. I also think he said something about not being sure if he was ready to "hang up his skates"... a phrase that made me grin... just yet.

I found Apolo to be everything that that I had heard about him and more. He is the nicest, kindest man and in terms of appearance, I don't think any picture, however good, can really do him justice. That must surely be his picture by the word "charisma" in the dictionary. And as for the kids... well, if Apolo can't inspire them to do their homework, then *no one* can!

[rach2crazy]

o thanks cg! IM SO JEALOUS!!! whats with that teacher who wanted the kids 2 stay away from apolo?!? THAT WAS SOOOO MEAN!!!
apolo please come 2 the jersey shore....hehehe PLEASE! k ill shut up
thanks again cg enjoyed reading it

[under]

ok, here's some more news. Apolo will be on Fox & Friends Thursday 4/27/06 morning. Check your local listings.

Also, Apolo is going to attend The Wedding Singer (musical) premiere in NYC that same day.

[sintha]

WOW!! Thanxx CG. Apolo just keeps getting better and better as he grows!! He's very sincere and kind.

Under--thanxx for the Update. Hmm...i haven't heard of Fox&Friends...is it the FoX channel?? i dunno..im guessing it's some kinda East coast cable channel. Oooh....he's gonna attend The Wedding Singer musical..KOOL......i guess he's staying in the Eastside....