+Part 2: Apolo in Baltimore - By Monica

May 9, 2003

After several attempts to try and convince the "event guy" to let the OZers get in line, I sadly...LOL...admitted my "defect," turned to the other ladies and we made our "game plan." We decide to walk around, check out the venders and get some freebies. I walked around with Butta(Mo) and Denise filling my bag with Expo goodies. Then we see Noelle and Crash and joined up with them; there's more walking around. Somehow, Butta(Mo) and I sorta kinda got lost from everybody else so she and I walked around, got some "lunch" haha...Planter's Peanuts and some dnL, upside down 7UP.

1o'clock fast approaches and it's time to head back to the sits. Brooks Robinson is still on stage, but that's over, then the interviewer guy comes back and talks a little again about all the wonderful, free stuff being offered by Rite Aide, yada, yada, yada. And then he introduces Apolo! Talk about almost falling off my chair! Ohhhh.....my....holy hotness! Apolo is on stage for his second and final interview. The interview guy is good, asking "probing" questions...LOL....one of which is "do you have a special lady is your life right now?" BUT, before Apolo can even answer..."interview guy" changes the subject and Apolo answers a question about how many times he has seen the Olympic footage from his silver medal won...which race was that? I can't remember. Anyway, fans come up to ask questions and Apolo is great, his answers...nothing some of us didn't already know, are laid-back. Anyway, as soon as Apolo's Q&A is over. The OZers make a beeline for the line we think Apolo is going to come to. A guy working the event, changes the sign to "Apolo Ohno" and everybody who wants to get an autograph and picture with Apolo races for the line. I get in line ahead of Butta(Mo)...then I realize the people who're in front of me I don't know and I really don't want them to take my picture with Apolo. So I tell Butta(Mo) to come up with me...so she can take my pictures...and I can take hers. Nobody in line complains, I'm happy they didn't...cause it would have been a "seen" at the Rite Aid Health and Beauty Expo that day!!! Oh.

Anyway, me and Butta(Mo) are about 7 people behind the first person...and I'm getting nervous because with every passing person...I'm getting closer to seeing Apolo (again) in the flesh...and what lovely flesh is it! Oh. Okay, so Butta(Mo) goes first...and she says hi to Apolo...he says hi to her...they exchange a few more words...not sure...Butta(Mo) hands me her camera...and my hands are shaking! Yes...shaking...I'm so nervous! I ask Butta(Mo) if I have to do anything with the camera like focus it...or advance the film...after I take the picture...she says nope...just take the picture!!! LOL! Okay, so I take her picture...and right after I've put the camera down from my eye....guess what she does? KISSES APOLO RIGHT ON THE RIGHT CHEEK! OH MY GOD! My mouth dropped wide open! I was in shock...but in a good way!! LOL! It all happened so fast I didn't even have time to take a picture of it...for the history books and my photo album! LOL! But Apolo smiles and blushes! He signs Butta(Mo)'s copy of...A Journey...(for the 3 people in the back who still haven't read Apolo's autobiography...you better!) He writes a really nice message for Butta(Mo) on the inside...Butta(Mo) what was it? And her turn is over....now it's my turn!!

Hey...remember all that handshaking going on before? Well...now I'm a bunch of nerves and I can't breath...seriously! I was in major SWOOON-AGE! *winks at Cher* I say hi to Apolo...he says hi to me...not a whole lot of chit chat...but it's enough! Apolo signs the inside of my copy of "All About Apolo" (pg. 20) I go behind the table and squat down to get in real close! Heavenly...and yes...he did smell GOOD! So I'm mare inches from his GORGEOUS face...and I'm in total heaven. Butta(Mo) takes our picture...and I stand up...and walk to the "front" of the table. I notice there are b&w pictures...of Apolo and I think I ask him...nicely if I can have one of theses signed too! He very nicely said yes...and signed his name...I was in heaven! While I was waiting...for him to finish signing the picture...Apolo asked me if I had seen him before...and I rambled off something...about in NY...and Barnes &Noble...and my hair being in braids or something. LOL! Apolo said..."gotcha"...and laughed! I was laughing too...that part was surreal...it was his voice that "threw me..... OFF!" I was in heaven!

Well, my time with Apolo came to an end...awwww...I said good bye...and thanks...and told him if he's ever in Baltimore again...I would take him out for steamed MD blue crabs...only to remember I am now allergic to the damn things....but I would be willing to risk breaking out into hives...and possibly stop breathing...anything for "Juicy"! So, I walk away...and while I'm beside...Butta(Mo) and Noelle...one of the event guys...in khaki's and a navy blue sweater vest comes up to me and asks me if there was any special reason I wasn't behind the plastic chain link fence...since I was all done with my picture and autograph getting? I look at him...still in my Apolo-haze...and smile sweetly...and I tell him...I'm waiting for a friend! He looks at me...I look at him...and he turns around and walks away! LOL! I'm in heaven...I got to get my picture taken with Apolo...get another autograph...and a quick smell! Yes, the man does feel very nice...oh...and another thing...if any of you have had the opportunity to have your arm...both arms....around him...you know that...he feels really WARM! I was concerned that maybe he had a temp...LOL...but no...I think that's just his natural body temp...he's a warm, warm-blooded person! Haha!

After Apolo had signed the last autograph in the line...he nicely came over to the where the OZers were...and took a quick picture with the gang. And that's it....I was in heaven...did I tell ya'll I was in heaven?!!!!

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