- - Friday, April 30, 2004 End of the Month Duties Yeah, nothing too exciting for me this weekend. Well, beside the launch of ST Gear and taking my first orders :) I have laundry that's breathing a life of it's own, many arrands to run, bills to pay. Stuff. I actually needs to get off my ass and hit the treadmil right now. I must say I'm just overall happy to be alive this weekend. And that's not cynical at all ;)

posted by April @ 8:56 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Wednesday, April 28, 2004 It's Here!

posted by April @ 8:54 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Breathes a sigh of relief It's almost here. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'm exhausted. I have a typing cramp. But It's been such an amazing project, and the enjoyment it could possibly bring to ST fans and skaters alike is keeping me giddy.

posted by April @ 11:05 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Monday, April 26, 2004 Wonderblog lives Just barely. I'm in the midst of becoming survivor #23,000,000,000 of switching web hosts. What a pain in the arse. Hang in there, folks....

posted by April @ 6:25 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Friday, April 23, 2004 WonderBlog Retard Moment # 3,847,609 It's spring. I'm a preschooler teacher, and we're learning about gardens, vegetables, and planting. I have quite a few spanish-speaking students in my class, to which I remind them daily to Sientete which means "Sit down!" or Camina despacio which means "Walk Slowly!" In circle time today, we were discussing different types of vegetables, and we reached Zucchini. But of course, little Selene didn't have any intention of sitting down, so the moment went as follows: Me: "Alright friends, this is a zucchini. Can you say zucchini?" Children: "zucchini!" *Selene proceeds to wiggle about the room like she has lady bugs in her pants* "Sientete, Zucchini!" I shouted with authority. WTF? I can't even distinguish between veggies and my students anymore. Luckily my children are at the age where their attention span is that of a nat w/ attention deficit disorder and they didn't notice the grammatical error. I got in my car after work, and started cracking up. I called this kid a zucchini. Thank God my boss was in meetings today.

posted by April @ 7:51 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Ever'body SCREEEEEEAM Have I ever mentioned how much I love switching web hosts? Hmm. Maybe that's because I'd much rather have my face set on fire and put out with a pick axe.

posted by April @ 9:31 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Tuesday, April 20, 2004 WonderWhereTheHellI'veBeenBlog I'm still here, and yes, still recovering from a kick ass weekend with my girls in the great city of Los Angeles. I'm just so lucky to be able to see these crazies as much as I do, and living in Kalifornia makes it easy. I guess Apolo knows that if he were ever to hit CA again, we've got the north, central, and south on LOCK, lol. But seriously, Thanks so much Molla for letting the weirdos take over your aerobed, much less eat you out of house and home. I will cop to the fact that I nearly drank my total body weight in Wild Vines Zinfindel, and since I ain't no little girl, that would be a "10-4 roger that". Lupes was cooking up a Mexican storm. It was so authentic, I could have swore that I heard a mariachi band in Molly's living room. Ok, maybe that was just Molly trying to find something to watch on tv. Whatever, I was convinced. After a few days of tearin' up the town, we went to Universal Studios. What a blast that freakin' was. Like Molla stated on her lovely webspace, we had the BEST studio tour guide I think in the history of that damn place. He was a riot. Needless to say, the new call phrase of the day was "DO IT BRIDGE!" lmao. Don't get it? Eh, hit Universal Studios in LA and ask for Therman as your host. You won't be sorry, much less leave with the giggles. From Krispy Kremes, Homemade cookies, Tres Leches, Starbucks' double-chocolate-death whateverthehell that thing was, and the Caramel Corn, I think I actually lost consciousness in between feedings. If we were runnin' in the Sugar-High Olympic games, all THREE of us hit the podium...a few times. Of course, swanking over to our usual little night spot is always fun. We just some hot biatches...*looks at Molls, licks index/pinky and swipes eyebrows* Muahaha. Well, I shall post more pics when I have the time, but here's two of my favorites from last weekend. Let's do this again, girls...because everybody knows that FUN is spelled MOLLYLUPEAPE. Or, something like that.

posted by April @ 11:36 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Tuesday, April 13, 2004 It's Sullivan Time Wishing our Boy the best for this event. I just logged into the amateur athlete vision to watch the show on the live webcast. This thing is sweet! It's not starting for another few minutes, but I see heads of people scurrying around the stage! *gets nervous* I'm nervous. Why am I nervous? Alright, deep breaths....*watches* *note: it seems that they offer downloadable archives of this broadcast, so if I'm able to bring any of this to you all, I will! Stay tuned.

posted by April @ 2:50 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - AAO: A look back at this wild ride Don't quite know how I slipped into this reminiscent state, but seeing Apolo on Cold Pizza today just prompted me to look through the old OZ archives. Man, what amazing times those were. The OZ was like a rollercoaster that just kept going faster and faster, with new info, art work, stories, photos, coming in by the second. It was All Apolo TV on the net, and ya know what? It was incredible. I think the main reason I'm thinking back is because I just realized almost exactly 2 years ago today Todd posted my first Apolo art piece on OZ. Rofl, I recall that he initially posted it "new fan art from Alice", which just proved that the volume of AAO crap was coming in truckloads. My God, has it been that long? I look through those mounds of archives and just get all teary eyed, remembering how much OhnoZone was an Apolo Fan Community team effort, and how many hours we all spend with our fingers clicking the "search: Apolo Anton Ohno" button til our hands were numb. That's what made it great, plain and simple. I know that I got a kick out of reading Todd's reactions to us nutty girls commenting and drooling. It had just enough info/news/results with a dash of teeny-bopper madness. I mean, I wasn't THAT young when this all started, I'm a grown-ass woman who knows what she'll sucome to, but the OhnoZone had you in a zone no matter what age you were. From crazy cartoon sketches and funky AAO Wallpaper, to the shear joy of discovering someone finding even the most meaningless bit of Apolo info. If it was an article on how he eats his eggs in the morning, we were on it. Those never ending nights of chatting and forum posting that had us falling asleep at the keyboard and dying to fly through the front door after work to get your "fix". Everyone working together to build an online gallery from which to learn more about this 19 year old speedskater that grabbed ahold of our hearts, and hasn't let go since. I loved the creative ways people would show just how far their "ohno-mania" went, through fun computer graphics, cheesy poems, and of course, good old fashion swooning. I ain't gonna lie. I miss it. Sure, Apolo Fans have evolved from "ohmigod, he's so hot, who is he?" to knowing more about him and learning what an truly remarkable guy (and sport) we've come to adore. I can only speak for myself, but first meeting Apolo almost had me in the emergency room, lol. My first glance at him in person [Feb 2003] resulted in a loss of feeling in my head, and even worse was being introduced to him...I attempted to keep the outward calm and cool, while I literally had to lock my knees to keep me from hitting the floor. Yes, that same "I think I'm gonna puke" feeling doesn't come over me when I approach him now. But no doubt, the mini-butterflies have never left, and each time I look in his eyes I have to coach myself under my breath, "Ape, don't stare. For the love of GOD, don't stare!" Through the years, Apolo's become more and more...human. Just an ordinary guy with extremely extraordinary talent. I was so proud when the day I finally got the courage to just greet Apolo with a casual, "Hey, what's up?". However, looking at old pictures, tapes, and remembering Salt Lake 2002 will always bring me back to square one - I admire this guy. When it comes to the physical, he makes my pulse skyrocket, but it's his drive - his energy - his passion for this sport that truly makes him sexy. I know that talking with Todd in Cleveland prompted me to get nostalgic, too. I always greet him with the same praise: "You know you put my Apolo art on the map, Todd!". So yeah, buddy, I owe ya. Big time. Countless fun memories, knowing that it was ok to be a little selfish when it came to wanting OZ to be all about the fans. Just knowing that come 2006, Apolo Ohno will take the Olympic stage again...and he'll look out in the sea of love and support and see familiar faces looking back. Best of all, it's never really about website archives, but it's about the archives in here *points to heart*

posted by April @ 2:30 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Sunday, April 11, 2004 Apey is gettin' blonder by the second. My natural mousy dark blonde ain't cuttin' it. Added highlights today. I need a trim, though. I love having my hair short and spunky.

posted by April @ 6:02 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - He is Risen. No, frillz yo First off, Happy Easter peeps. Easter play was a success, and the turn out was incredible. Our little church was packed; it's not even that full on Sundays. Everyone remembered their lines, their cues, and the spotlights were on time. There was a section of the play that was like, what is called a human video, where a song is played and the actors play out the words in motions to flow with the drama. I was supposed to be a woman at the cross that, after realizing that her cheers to crucify him put an innocent man to death, is drawn to Jesus as he is being pulled off the cross. I knew that I had to make my way across the stage to Jesus being carried away, then bust out into my solo - which was "Oh, the Blood of Jesus". As I'm singing, I cling to the cross as the spotlight follows his lifeless body out of the church doors. It was a trip, man. I also had a duet with my friend, Janelle, called "I Believe in Christ". It's one of those songs that you just have to feel it, belt it out and don't look back. Thank God that our Harmony was right on, and to my surprise we opened our eyes at the finish of the song to a standing O. Whoa! It was hard to see faces, since we were blinded by the lights. It's SO not attractive to have this squinty look on your face while trying to keep the dramatic bit going. It was a great play, but I must admit I'm glad it's over. It feels like we've been working on this play for years, not months. But it did it's purpose, it touched a lot of people. So now is the time for family to come raid the house, in search of Easter dinner. And I'm just hoping that my pupils will regain full use once the effects of that damn spotlight wear off....sheesh.

posted by April @ 2:54 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Saturday, April 10, 2004 The True Short Track AmbASSadors: Cleveland Edition Thank you Jennie for sharing your Gem, and Lupe you continue to amaze me with your photo skillz. I hope that neither of you lovely ladies mind me using your masterpieces for educational purposes. Now, this is a pop quiz (rofl, no pun intended I swear), so study and take good notes. Every good ST "enthusiast" needs to know their stuff, and being able to determine between skaters is key. If you can tell me who's who in these photos, you'll get extra credit points.

posted by April @ 4:10 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Caution: Wild Easter Weekend Ahead Just came home from a grueling easter drama rehearsal, 3 hours long. We should be ready to go for tomorrow night's first production, then we have a second on Sunday morning. My singing hasn't been up to par like I've been hoping, and they have this obnoxious spotlight on us during the whole thing. It's like singing into an oncoming train, with a viewing radis of nothing. At least if the singing is real bad, I won't see who's making faces. Anyhoo, totally stoked about this next week. Going to have an Apolo TV bonanza Mon-Wed, then will be heading back to Los Angeles to kick it with my Cali girls. I just registered to view the Sullivan Awards live online, cause it's the next best thing if you live 3,000 miles away. I sure hope our boy gets this award, he so deserves it after a season like this last one. Well, what he really deserves is some time off to just do nothing. Play video games, shine the Lexus, and do some prank calling to Ahn. But still in my hope of hopes and after he's well rested of course, I'm wanting him to make it back to Cali before next season. Need to mail off some hoodies, and make a gift for the Rustinator. Alright, back to web work and listening to my downloaded mix. Dude, I'm seriously having a bad case of missing the Smashing Pumpkins. That group was beyond off the hook.

posted by April @ 12:13 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Thursday, April 08, 2004 Skippy Fun Thursday Yeah, so I'm blogging while I'm on hold waiting for someone at the Franchise Tax Board to pick up the phone. I misplaced my Customer Service Number, because somehow it slipped through my Mac Daddy Organization skillz. Psh. I'll beat the procrastination outta me sooner or later. Hopefully sooner. Speaking of organizing, that's what I have to do today. Just the boring stuff, paying bills, laundry, all the retarded things that my usual Thursdays entail. It's also going to be a busy weekend since Easter is coming up and my Church is producing a drama. I have a solo to sing, plus a duet with my friend, Janelle, and my killer cold is really making this harder than it should be. It's been more than a month with this head/chest conjestion and Ima 'bout ready to lay the smackdown on my windpipes. Seriously. It's getting old. I have this nightmare of a vision that I'm going to open my mouth to sing, and I'm just going to wheez like an old Chevy Nova....so if my posts from here on in sounds, mm, a little loopy, it's because I'm flying on my happy cloud of over-the-counter goodness. Anyway, starting tonight we have rehearsals until the play and I have to play part of the angry mob that crucifies Jesus - yeah, think Passion of the Christ. I'm telling you, it's no easy task bein' angry and mob-like. That stuff wears you out! But, I was raised to be a very spiritual person, and easter is always something more than bunnies and chocolate (although that ain't no excuse for you to steal my candies, yo). Oh, and if any of you are interested, I still have about (4) XL ST Gear hooded sweatshirt promos. Email me and let me know if you'd like one, or you can wait for more sizes when the site launches which will be at the end of this month. *Edit: FINALLY, the Franchise took my call!*

posted by April @ 2:19 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Tuesday, April 06, 2004 Public Service announcement to Amy Skates I've done my research. I've had other's confirm. I've tracked IP's. I've matched your comments, wording, inflections, and tone with another that visits my blog regularly. I've never been so disappointed in my life. _____________ The curiously was killing me to know who this person was and why in the hell they would seemingly come out of nowhere and make comments on something they knew nothing about. Someone that obviously feeds on gossip instead of truth; someone that is apparently not mature enough to: 1) use their real identity to state their concerns 2) allow themselves to be bitten by the green-eyed monster instead of being happy for all ST Fans 3) create tension that has no foundation whatsoever. I think that the only frightening part about this situation is how people on the internet assume that if they post to your blog, have seen you on websites, chat with you occationally, that you have an obligation to them. I'm using this information super highway just like the rest of us, but I never thought that this Amy Skates would presume to know my intentions. I post up very little of what I actually do in and around the speedskating community, for those very reasons. If Amy want's amo, I've got it - but because I'm not in this for myself, or to boost my ego, I'm just going to leave it up to her imagination. Ok, so, I'm never one to call out someone on my blog (that's not what I made this thing for), but take this down in your WonderBlog history notes: it's the only and last time I'll do this. And because I'm nice, I'll use her fake name "Amy" instead of using her REAL name. See? I'm nicer than you thought. Amy, if any fan has felt "snubbed" at any competition by other fans, 9 times out of 10 it's because it's that person assuming others should go up to them since, "well gee, we knew each other online!". I like to consider myself pretty open, friendly, and out going, so I have no problem meeting new people. I think the fact of the matter is the more I go to comps, and get closer to the friends that I have made through short track, the more I'm less aware of whatever else is happening (especially in the minds of people that I don't even know that well). I'm blessed to go to as many short track competitions as I have in the last year and a half. I've been blessed to be able to go as a VIP or as the Media, and have never abused those privileges...only been grateful for them. Amy you used the words Unfair and Selfish, and for someone that doesn't get upset easily that really made me angry. If anything, I think that statement is out of place and really showed your age. Of course, if you aren't 12 years old, then I feel for you. I remember back in 2002, before I had the chance to meet Apolo, seeing all the fan reports coming in on OZ about who met him at what appearence. I was thrilled to see how he was so great to the fans, and toward the end of the year I wondered if I'd ever get the chance to see him. The difference between me and you, Amy? I made my dreams happen, instead of slapping others upside the head with jealously. Finally, on the subject of all the fan rivalry, that's life. It's not fun, but it's not stoppable. You get any number of woman fauning over a male in a large community where no one can see faces, only names - that's just asking for something to happen. If you ever do get to make it to a competition Amy (and I hope that you do), you'll understand why I don't put too much weight to the trash talk on the internet. With that said, it saddens me to not only know who this Amy Skates is, but to realize that she's been shaking my hand with her right, and then slapping me with her left. And I've never met her in my life. To conclude this service announcement, I'll end with Amy's favorite: Have a great day :-)

posted by April @ 5:01 PM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Monday, April 05, 2004 Just another manic monday pics courtesy Simply Apolo I have a ton of crap to do today (it's a good thing I'm off work), so I better get to doin' instead of bloggin'. Before I go... Shots of Apolo showin' the "Love". Dude, Anton, what's with the zipped up coat, man?! Ah, it's the thought that counts, I guess :-P

posted by April @ 11:49 AM [[ 0 comments ]]

- - Saturday, April 03, 2004 World Championship on ABC Wow. How sugar-coated was that. Of course, they have to retain a solid image for those just tuning in for the first time to see Short Track, but damn. I don't remember them saying anything about Rusty's accident, and the only reason they even showed Jon's fall was because it was toward the end of the 1000m final. I heard Andy say that the "koreans will start to do some teamwork". Uh, aka team skating. And that whole thing about team skating being difficult to spot or call, that's BS. If you know the rules, and have 2 eyes, you can see just what was happening, which was the korean team single-handedly getting away with cheating. If you can sleep at night knowing that's how you conduct yourself in your sport, then be that what it may - but when you bodily harm others to do it, that's just begging those in authority (hopefully) someday to take a stand. Apolo's short interview in the hallway was so tell-tale, and the look on his face said it all. I don't know how that boy doesn't just lose his cool on camera when asked these questions about "what do you think is going on out there?". Although ABC did clip Apolo in the heat box looking in the opposite direction, and he looked pissed. Just about the equivilant of wanting to bust a short track cap in someone's ass. Oh, and when he walked away from the ABC cameras after the short chat? Omg. He was so gracious, but if you could read that boy's mind and body language, there'd be a whole lotta *bleeps* and *censored* comments. When I think of it, I'm just glad that I wasn't there in Sweden to see him in this state. I've come to understand not only when Apolo is PO'd, but that it would benefit you to stay FAR away when such is noted by you. LOL, Molly and I were chatting while watching the Championship, and we both agreed we would have tried to pull a "CO Springs" move on him, just to lighten the mood. For those of you that don't remember our CO Springs report at Apolo's last signing, we have this thing that we do to make him laugh, because if we can get him to giggle it's on and crackin'. We'll usually poke fun at him (in our most loving way, no doubt) or make light of serious short track business. Then that's his que to give us the WTF lookTM, realize that what he does when he's unaware anyone's paying attention IS hilarious, and gives us the nervous giggle/head-throw-back/red cheeks...with a splash of one-handed hair swipe. So yeah, I don't think this would have been a successful approach, since all hell broke lose on that Swedish ice rink that weekend. I loved the spotlights with Rusty, Apolo, and Shani...those were great. Rusty looks so amazing, and in good spirits that it just makes me sick to think that his excitement of the Worlds was totally shattered. And I'm SO slowly becoming a Shani fan. It took me meeting him for the first time in Cleveland to just see for myself what a great guy he really is, and put some kids around him? Ugh, those kids love him. He had children hanging on each arm everywhere he went during Nationals, and he seemed so geniunely thankful for our support that weekend. *sigh* Of course, Apolo was looking hotter than the Sahara desert in June during his little ABC piece. Wearing those beanies just puts more emphasis on his sweet features, and I was faning myself in amazement to see that ABC caught him sportin' the ST Gear love more than once (thanks Sooz for the phone call, lol). Damn camera people didn't go low enough during the segment to see the front logo, and in another spot, he had his hoodie underneath the USA jacket, which was zipped up! Anton, I love ya man....I really do. That coverage was over WAY too fast. I think compared to the following 9 1/2 hours of figure skating, it's an understatement to say the short track enthusiasts were left wanting.

posted by April @ 4:43 PM [[ 0 comments ]]