- - Tuesday, November 25, 2003 WonderBlog's Thanksgiving Post: Salt Lake City, you'll always be special Ok, yes, this idea of making a "short track collage" was taken from my fellow ST webby, Joanna, but I thought it was a great idea. Much better than smashing pics into an album that will probably only be looked at by you, since all your friends are freaked out everytime they hear names like "Chunks", "Smitty", and "DJ Vanilla Thrilla". Screw 'em. Thanksgiving always brings memories back of times that I was extremely thankful, and since february is coming close, the SLC world cup of the '02-'03 season comes to mind. SLC will always be so special to me, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and wonderful people that came along with the short track bliss. So many firsts happened that weekend. First time meeting Apolo & Rusty. First World Cup. First time experiencing what it's like to be part of the "media". First trip out of state on my own. I didn't know very many fans at this point, since short track was still fresh on the scene. The unreal aspect of walking into the Utah Oval and having people recognize you on the spot. What killed me was having those that I've never met in my life call me by my childhood nickname. "Hey! Are you lil ape?" "Whoa! Yes I am..?" Seeing short track live was beyond mind-blowing, and having access to the media tunnel, you often saw athletes walking around you. Here I am, never formally met Apolo, and he's whizzing by me to the locker rooms, or jogging pass us in the foyer of the Oval. To the AAO veterans aka original proud-ass stalkers, it wasn't body shaking. But I couldn't keep my body from NOT shaking when I'd see him across the room. All I could think was "How the hell am I going to survive this weekend?" And everything came to a head on the last night of our trip. It was the night of the banquet (which was for guests/family/friends only), and Joanna and I thought we'd mosey on over to the Hilton to check things out. While trying to recover from being severely bummed that we couldn't attend, we found Molly, Beata, Lupe, and Judie having dinner in the hotel pub. I realized it was just fate, and some good laughin' over hot photos, that we spent the majority of that night with these great ladies. Crazy memories of braving the cold 36 degree days, walking the snow covered streets of SLC with nothing but short track on the brain, and stomachs full of butterfiles of what could await us. Giving Rusty the first look at my art book, and having him tell me "Nahhhh, it's an Apolo book!" Watching his reaction to seeing not only himself in cartoon form, but drag queen no less. Thinking of how grateful, thankful, blessed I felt to have met Jan & Kimo, two amazing people that if not for them, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to meet Apolo. The feeling of standing in the VIP room of the Olympic gala, and watching the fire works blast and pop through the glass windows. Seeing the olympic rings in the distance, the buzz of my new found friends beside me, and sheer wonder of "OMG, what am I DOING here?" Short track has been one, huge, flood of exciting and intense happenings and I can't tell you how crazy it is to see myself 2 years after the fact, still learning how to choke down the butterflies. 2003 has been more than I could have ever asked, I honestly think that I've been gone more than home this year, with all the traveling. Well, to conclude this sissy post: I'm thankful for this year, and what incredible moments/people/opportunities it's brought my way. Thankful for the chance to even have the ability to fly my happy ass all over the US, in persuit of...well, you know. ;) I just hope that this year is only the beginning.

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