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Post by epiphaniii on Aug 5, 2007 21:25:43 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing your experience and beautiful photos, Lori! I'm glad you got to spend so much time with Apolo, even if it that was because things didn't go exactly as planned. It's nice to hear how sweet he was about it.  Your husband sounds like a gem! ;D (Oh yeah, I always like it when the mustache makes an appearance!) |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 5, 2007 21:29:19 GMT -5
Hi Lexi - I've posted several other places and can't remember where or what I said so hope I'm not repeating myself....
It was amazing. My friend and I almost didn't make it there because of the horrible traffic on the way down and car trouble (!) but skidded in at the last minute. There was a parking spot right in front on the street! It's like the stars aligned all of a sudden. I thought maybe Apolo would just appear for the speech, but he sat and ate with some of the lovely people from the Salvation Army and the Kroc Center. He was just there by himself. Like Lori said, too - I was just thrilled to see him speak. I have admired him since 2002 and saw him at one of the DWTS tapings, but I was really looking forward to this. I've read his book several times and a lot of his speech was from his book, which I loved. But one of the speakers got up after him and said Apolo would need to be leaving and I thought that was it. Then I saw someone go up and speak to him. I wasn't going to go because I wanted respect his space but then saw how approachable he was and felt comfortable (sort of...) about it. So, I went up and all of a sudden there were lots of people so I just patiently waited my turn. I just loved watching him interact with everyone -- smiling and looking them directly in the eye and talking to them and taking pictures. I went up to him and told him how much I admired him and shook his hand. And then my friend took a picture with her camera -- that I still need to get! And then I don't really remember what I said and he was SO nice. And at the end I just thanked him for inspiring me. And then he said "Thank you," or "You're welcome" or something like that. Sorry - I can barely remember what transpired!? And he just stayed and mingled with everyone. He was still talking to some of the people from the center when we left.
My friend that came with me likes him -- but not to the extent I am into him. So I was reading her excerpts from his book on the way down as she was driving and she was so impressed and thanked me for sharing that. And then he reiterated some of it in his speech.
My respect and admiration for him has just skyrocketed. I so want to see him race in person now instead of being just glued to the tv watching him from my couch. I hope the stars will align for me again.
(oh-did I mention how much more handsome he is in person?)
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Post by floridafan on Aug 5, 2007 21:33:29 GMT -5
Thanks so much for recapping your encounter. I'm glad you had a great time. If it had been me, those folks operating your camera would have been trying to get a good picture of a puddle on the floor. me too! me too! me too! and doubly glad you took the pesky camera in spite of any previous rumors (somebody with a screen name similar to mine) posted re. being allowed, etc.! how neat... |
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Post by evie5 on Aug 5, 2007 21:34:50 GMT -5
What can I say that hasn't already been said!?! THANK YOU, LORI. Your recap and the pictures are wonderful. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. Your experience with Apolo is definitely memorable.
Skaterswaltz, thank you for your recap also. It is wonderful that you would share your experience with us.
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Post by tdav on Aug 5, 2007 21:45:49 GMT -5
Lucky, lucky, lucky. Man, I wish I could meet him. (like that's ever going to happen)
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Post by susie on Aug 5, 2007 22:00:02 GMT -5
Lori, I was laughing out loud while I was reading your account. The OFF strikes again! It sounds like you had a wonderful time and I'm so glad for you. He's a sweetie, isn't he?  Great job on getting your "mission accomplished" with the cards and messages. Thank you! Skaterswaltz, thank you for your account as well! |
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Post by lexi on Aug 5, 2007 22:12:41 GMT -5
Thanks so much for your account, Skaterswaltz, and the extra little tidbits. I especially loved how Apolo stayed longer than anyone expected to mingle with the crowd. What a guy. As for meeting him face to face, I'm sure I'd be just like you - completing forgetting what to say. As a matter of fact, I know I would be. I remember meeting Michael Buble after his concert and talking to him and getting his autograph. It was incredibly mind blowing because he's very flirty. I tried very hard to keep my composure even though he was winking throughout our conversation. *sigh* I'd normally be flattered, but he did this with any woman there who was in a skirt.  One more thing - I do think you need to elaborate on just how much more handsome Apolo is in person. |
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Post by lisam on Aug 5, 2007 22:18:44 GMT -5
Oh I'm so happy for you Lori that you got to meet him!!  How sweet and patient of him to make sure you got your photo taken with him! I'm so happy he got the card too! Great pics, he looks really good!  I'm ok with the little stash he's growing, as long it doesn't get too hairy cuz then I'd say "time to shave". I'm grateful to the person who recorded his speech, enjoyed it very much. |
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Post by lisam on Aug 5, 2007 22:21:37 GMT -5
Hi Lexi - I've posted several other places and can't remember where or what I said so hope I'm not repeating myself.... It was amazing. My friend and I almost didn't make it there because of the horrible traffic on the way down and car trouble (!) but skidded in at the last minute. There was a parking spot right in front on the street! It's like the stars aligned all of a sudden. I thought maybe Apolo would just appear for the speech, but he sat and ate with some of the lovely people from the Salvation Army and the Kroc Center. He was just there by himself. Like Lori said, too - I was just thrilled to see him speak. I have admired him since 2002 and saw him at one of the DWTS tapings, but I was really looking forward to this. I've read his book several times and a lot of his speech was from his book, which I loved. But one of the speakers got up after him and said Apolo would need to be leaving and I thought that was it. Then I saw someone go up and speak to him. I wasn't going to go because I wanted respect his space but then saw how approachable he was and felt comfortable (sort of...) about it. So, I went up and all of a sudden there were lots of people so I just patiently waited my turn. I just loved watching him interact with everyone -- smiling and looking them directly in the eye and talking to them and taking pictures. I went up to him and told him how much I admired him and shook his hand. And then my friend took a picture with her camera -- that I still need to get! And then I don't really remember what I said and he was SO nice. And at the end I just thanked him for inspiring me. And then he said "Thank you," or "You're welcome" or something like that. Sorry - I can barely remember what transpired!? And he just stayed and mingled with everyone. He was still talking to some of the people from the center when we left. My friend that came with me likes him -- but not to the extent I am into him. So I was reading her excerpts from his book on the way down as she was driving and she was so impressed and thanked me for sharing that. And then he reiterated some of it in his speech. My respect and admiration for him has just skyrocketed. I so want to see him race in person now instead of being just glued to the tv watching him from my couch. I hope the stars will align for me again. (oh-did I mention how much more handsome he is in person?) Nice to have you here with us! I'm glad you got to hear and see Apolo too! I enjoyed your review and are we going to see any pics from you too? |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 5, 2007 22:40:47 GMT -5
Thanks so much for your account, Skaterswaltz, and the extra little tidbits. I especially loved how Apolo stayed longer than anyone expected to mingle with the crowd. What a guy. As for meeting him face to face, I'm sure I'd be just like you - completing forgetting what to say. As a matter of fact, I know I would be. I remember meeting Michael Buble after his concert and talking to him and getting his autograph. It was incredibly mind blowing because he's very flirty. I tried very hard to keep my composure even though he was winking throughout our conversation. *sigh* I'd normally be flattered, but he did this with any woman there who was in a skirt. One more thing - I do think you need to elaborate on just how much more handsome Apolo is in person. OK - he's disarmingly handsome in person. But it's like he doesn't know it , so that makes it even more appealing. We were sitting directly behind him a few tables back and he was sitting with his back to us and I just noticed the perfect "V" of his shoulders to his waist. Seriously, he just doesn't look real somehow -- since he's so handsome! |
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Post by lexi on Aug 5, 2007 23:30:25 GMT -5
One more thing - I do think you need to elaborate on just how much more handsome Apolo is in person. OK - he's disarmingly handsome in person. But it's like he doesn't know it , so that makes it even more appealing. Whoa right there.  That's all I needed to hear. There's something incredibly sexy about a man who is gorgeous but has no self awareness of it. Could he be any more perfect? |
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Post by elsa on Aug 5, 2007 23:30:58 GMT -5
Awww - what a beautiful recap, skaterswaltz! You girls are so lucky - and I'm so happy for you. It's so touching that Apolo never forgets to connect his story to something noble, something outside of himself that every human can relate to - instead of the typical brat sportstar or rockstar who's hung up on himself and his fame. Apolo always keeps his humility and that just makes him shine all the brighter.
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 6, 2007 0:12:08 GMT -5
Here's another picture.... (sorry -- it's blurry)  |
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Post by callie on Aug 6, 2007 0:12:30 GMT -5
skaterswaltz, I am so happy for you as well that you got to see Apolo! And thank you for giving us a great recap! Could he be any more perfect? The answer to that is a resounding NO!  |
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Post by Lynda on Aug 6, 2007 0:19:21 GMT -5
I'm so happy for you ladies, Lori, Debbie, skaterswaltz and Maria. Glad you all had such a great time! What an awesome young man Apolo is... a great role model for the kids! Thanks, for the review, pics and video. I went back and re-read some of his book today. Couldn't be prouder of how he's continued to focus on doing his best and using his talents in such a positive way. I hope Yuki got to see the video. You know he'd be beaming.
Want to tell you all how much I enjoy visiting here... feels like family. Hope to get to meet some of you someday.
BTW - if we're weighing in on hair... let me say, shave the 'stash, keep the soul patch and let the rest grow back out...
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