When I knew Apolo was about to make his first appearance on the ice and in my eyes, I was trying to prepare myself for what I had heard was a punch in the stomach at the first glance at him. I remember that feeling from my first glance at him in the Olympics. But still, when he stepped out onto that ice I sucked in my breath so hard I think I tore something loose! He was everything I expected and so much more that I can't begin to describe him!!

Watching him skate is mesmerizing to put it mildly. His talent, his grace and his quiet unassuming confidence just blew us away. On each night, there were people sitting around my husband and me who were "oohing" and "aahing" right along with us, just marveling at his abilities and how graceful and confident he is. One of the "Speedskating Club" types remarked that Ohno only came to this competition because he wanted a workout. I think he was right, Apolo had NO real competition in this event. He IS the best and I don't think anyone will ever equal him in this sport. I DO think that he is the reason for the standing room only packed houses when he skates. That was obvious to us on each night he skated. Everybody, all ages, were trying to see Apolo and get his autograph or a picture with him. I watched him a lot (BIG surprise, huh? LOL) and he never refused a single person. I even saw him signing autographs in and taking pictures with people on his way through the walkway from the heat box to the dressing room.

I got my first close-up look at him on Saturday night. Needless to say, I felt like a teenage girl for a few minutes, but I managed to stay on my feet even though my knees didn't want to hold me up. He was surrounded as usual by fans trying to get close to him and the handlers were trying to escort him through the crowd to wherever he stayed until the crowd thinned out and then he came back through the lobby. I had stayed long enough to see him come out and it paid off. There he was, standing right in front of me, signing autographs and I couldn't get my camera to come on!!! He even looked up at me and grinned and I could have crawled under a napkin on the floor. I just went on out to the car where my husband was waiting patiently for me, feeling crushed. But at least I had gotten my first really good look at him. I just would have LOVED to have a picture of that grin. SIGH

On Sunday, after the races he was up on the landing in between medal ceremonies. I went over to him and shook his hand and congratulated him and told him how awesome I think he did this weekend (DUHHH) and he thanked me and smiled and was looking straight into my eyes and I was like "okay, turn loose of his hand and move away slowly" because when I looked into those beautiful eyes I could barely get those few words out. I can still hear that lovely voice.......like velvet. He was SO sweet it's just unreal.

A little later, Denise was motioning for me to come over where she was and get my picture with him. I went over and told her I had already talked to him and taken some pictures of him and that was what I wanted. I was NOT going to ask him to take a picture with me because I didn't want to make a fool out of myself being my age and all and I didn't want to impose myself on him. Denise says "well, will you take my picture with him then?" and I said okay so she went over to Apolo, who was sitting on the steps watching something going on down on the ice........surrounded by people just looking at him (bless his heart) and asked him if he would get a picture with me!! He turned around and looked at me and said "Sure" and hopped up and came back to where I was standing and just grabbed onto my waist and I lost all feeling in my legs. She took a picture on her camera and then I asked Apolo if she could take one on my camera too and he said "Sure" so I turned my camera on for her and put my arm back around his waist (THUD) and he grabbed back onto mine (THUD) and she took the picture. I look like I was holding onto an electric socket with a look on my face. I thanked him and he said "You're welcome" and I honestly don't remember walking away from him.

Calling him "Beautiful" and "Gorgeous" don't even come close to describing Apolo. Just mere words don't do him justice. He is so completely and totally beautiful, it is just unreal. And those lips really ARE that pink!! I think that Apolo is going to be a star in anything he does with the rest of his life. He stands out in any crowd and he will always turn heads. Everybody's eyes were on him when he walked by. And most eyes were searching for him wherever he was. He is dazzling, both on and off the ice. I don't know what else to say.

Some of Linda's pictures!:

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