Post by Lori on Aug 5, 2007 16:35:44 GMT -5
Sorry, y'all, I know I said that if anything unusual happened I'd try to get to a computer, but I felt that my ever-patient husband had indulged me enough for one night, but here goes...
Minutes before leaving for San Diego, my husband was talking on the phone to our son in Atlanta. He looked at me, rolled his eyes and drawled "Your mom is hauling us off to San Deigo to have a $200 rubber chicken dinner with Antwon Apolo..." I just stuck my tongue out at him and grabbed the car keys.
After a 3-1/2 hour drive to San Diego (it usually takes less than 2), we checked into our hotel with just a little breathing room before we had to get ready for the dinner. When we got to the Kroc Center, I was surprised at how huge and beautiful it was. It had a gymnasium, pools, a theater and the ice rink, and it was all made possible by an $80 million dollar donation from Joan Kroc, the widow of Ray, the McDonalds founder. In 5 years, more than 3 million people have used the facility, and the money we donated for the dinner would enable disadvantaged kids to use the facility who couldn't afford the $100 yearly fee.
When we got to the poolside reception, I found 2 familiar faces right away, even though we'd never actually met. There was Debbie (DebbieF at OZ), and Kasey (who had the 'speaking' role on the 1st DWTS clip - from Nationals in Cleveland). Kasey's husband Chris was also there - a little male support system for my husband! We had arranged ahead of time to be seated at the same table. We got acquainted, and it was so nice meeting them - they're beautiful, fun ladies, and I look forward to seeing them again in Salt Lake City in February.
Because I'd been told we wouldn't have a chance to meet Apolo, I felt that my best chance at getting the card to him was through Maria Todaro, the P.R. Director who I had spoken to several times on the phone. I excused myself and looked her up. When I gave her the card and told her what it was, she said she would "personally give it to Apolo." Mission accomplished!
When we went into the rink, there were formal tables set up on the ice, which had been carpeted. There were a few 'moguls' on the carpet, so you had to be careful when you walked, and by the time dinner ended, our feet were quite cold, but for the most part it was pretty comfortable. During the salad course, somebody at our table noticed that Apolo was seated a few tables away from us, sitting with the Salvation Army execs and the other people in the program. 'Didn't notice him come in, but there he was! There were only 20 tables, seating anywhere from 5-10 people each, so it was a pretty small group. Definitely less than 200 people. A woman at our table who works for the Salvation Army said that they had booked Apolo quite some time before his DWTS appearance.
During dinner, (which was superb, by the way - definitely NOT rubber chicken) we were entertained by local ice skaters at each end of the rink - from pea-dabbers to teens, and they were quite good. They called our attention to a long row of hockey sticks that decorated the arena just behind their banners, and we could see from the Jumbo-tron that each of our names was on one, and they would remain there in our honor. I thought I saw one with Apolo's name, too, but they were moving fast, so I couldn't be sure.
Then it was time for Apolo's speech. Amazingly enough, Maria Garcia was seated at our table, and I could see that she was taking video. (They DID let us take our cameras in). Kasey, Debbie and I thought she looked familiar, and were surprised to learn that it was her. I had communicated with her a few times over the last few months about her superb skating videos, so I'm not surprised she had one up by the time I got home. Since many of you have already seen the videos, I'll just give my impressions...
As skaterswaltz said, there was no hint of sadness. As we were driving home I was trying to think of how I'd describe his demeanor. It was a serious subject, and he approached it with that attitude, but I thought his delivery was quite animated, both with his hands and his expressions, and you could tell he believed every word. He drew plenty of applause when he said "I AM committed to skating in Vancouver in 2010". I loved the way he ended it, by tying in to the Kroc Center's mission. He said that the beauty is not in winning or losing, but in continuing the struggle, and he commended the Salvation Army for giving kids that chance. I was surprised that he didn't mention DWTS once, except to say that his dad was happy to learn he can dance. His theme was more about a struggling kid with a patient father, and a sport that he's given his life to, and will continue to be devoted to.
To be continued...
Minutes before leaving for San Diego, my husband was talking on the phone to our son in Atlanta. He looked at me, rolled his eyes and drawled "Your mom is hauling us off to San Deigo to have a $200 rubber chicken dinner with Antwon Apolo..." I just stuck my tongue out at him and grabbed the car keys.
After a 3-1/2 hour drive to San Diego (it usually takes less than 2), we checked into our hotel with just a little breathing room before we had to get ready for the dinner. When we got to the Kroc Center, I was surprised at how huge and beautiful it was. It had a gymnasium, pools, a theater and the ice rink, and it was all made possible by an $80 million dollar donation from Joan Kroc, the widow of Ray, the McDonalds founder. In 5 years, more than 3 million people have used the facility, and the money we donated for the dinner would enable disadvantaged kids to use the facility who couldn't afford the $100 yearly fee.
When we got to the poolside reception, I found 2 familiar faces right away, even though we'd never actually met. There was Debbie (DebbieF at OZ), and Kasey (who had the 'speaking' role on the 1st DWTS clip - from Nationals in Cleveland). Kasey's husband Chris was also there - a little male support system for my husband! We had arranged ahead of time to be seated at the same table. We got acquainted, and it was so nice meeting them - they're beautiful, fun ladies, and I look forward to seeing them again in Salt Lake City in February.
Because I'd been told we wouldn't have a chance to meet Apolo, I felt that my best chance at getting the card to him was through Maria Todaro, the P.R. Director who I had spoken to several times on the phone. I excused myself and looked her up. When I gave her the card and told her what it was, she said she would "personally give it to Apolo." Mission accomplished!
When we went into the rink, there were formal tables set up on the ice, which had been carpeted. There were a few 'moguls' on the carpet, so you had to be careful when you walked, and by the time dinner ended, our feet were quite cold, but for the most part it was pretty comfortable. During the salad course, somebody at our table noticed that Apolo was seated a few tables away from us, sitting with the Salvation Army execs and the other people in the program. 'Didn't notice him come in, but there he was! There were only 20 tables, seating anywhere from 5-10 people each, so it was a pretty small group. Definitely less than 200 people. A woman at our table who works for the Salvation Army said that they had booked Apolo quite some time before his DWTS appearance.
During dinner, (which was superb, by the way - definitely NOT rubber chicken) we were entertained by local ice skaters at each end of the rink - from pea-dabbers to teens, and they were quite good. They called our attention to a long row of hockey sticks that decorated the arena just behind their banners, and we could see from the Jumbo-tron that each of our names was on one, and they would remain there in our honor. I thought I saw one with Apolo's name, too, but they were moving fast, so I couldn't be sure.
Then it was time for Apolo's speech. Amazingly enough, Maria Garcia was seated at our table, and I could see that she was taking video. (They DID let us take our cameras in). Kasey, Debbie and I thought she looked familiar, and were surprised to learn that it was her. I had communicated with her a few times over the last few months about her superb skating videos, so I'm not surprised she had one up by the time I got home. Since many of you have already seen the videos, I'll just give my impressions...
As skaterswaltz said, there was no hint of sadness. As we were driving home I was trying to think of how I'd describe his demeanor. It was a serious subject, and he approached it with that attitude, but I thought his delivery was quite animated, both with his hands and his expressions, and you could tell he believed every word. He drew plenty of applause when he said "I AM committed to skating in Vancouver in 2010". I loved the way he ended it, by tying in to the Kroc Center's mission. He said that the beauty is not in winning or losing, but in continuing the struggle, and he commended the Salvation Army for giving kids that chance. I was surprised that he didn't mention DWTS once, except to say that his dad was happy to learn he can dance. His theme was more about a struggling kid with a patient father, and a sport that he's given his life to, and will continue to be devoted to.
To be continued...
~Lori
Did you see how long I got to STAND there with him???" I didn't know who to kiss first for that blessed misfortune - Debbie, my camera, or BOTH. We definitely made a memory, girl!
I could almost feel your embarrassment because I'd be the same way. Looking back though, I don't doubt you've since kissed that blessed camera!
