- A license to Chill - Saturday, March 05, 2005 For once in my life I have a free weekend. Free from homework, free from places to be. I feel a pencil and art pad workin' it way into my schedule tomorrow ;) Granted I'm in the middle of a website frenzy, but that's work that I actually enjoy. The girls are getting a bit of a face lift, and after having a chat with US Speedskating's lovely Melissa Scott while in Milwaukee, I'll possibly be spreading the 'face lift' love around. Great lady that Melissa. Reflecting back on last weekend, I'm really glad I decided to skip the media pass this time. The more I'm involved with short track, the 'inside operations' will always be intriguing, but nothing beats being in the stands. Plus, I don't get to see the short track posse very often (being spread throughout the US) so didn't want to be cooped up behind some pads - it was great to catch up with the girls, who I definitely miss when the comps come to a close. With the help of some kick-ass music playing at the rink during warm-ups, our little section really tried to rock the place - get the energy going. We all sat with the group from Southern California (which is a rowdy bunch I must say) and cheered for our Golden state until our throats were sore. Between doing the wave, what I like to call the "NBA Stomp", and just plain gettin' up and shakin' it, there was a lady sitting across from us quite shocked. Sadly not by our killer dance moves, but because we looked like we were having a damn good time. "You make a white lady wanna get up and get her groove on!" she shouted. Another lady in front of us asked where we were all from and, of course, our reason for coming to this event. She said that she was a native of Wisconsin and used to skate at the Pettit when she was a kid. Hearing about this competition, and being in the neighborhood anyway, she decided to check it out. "Short track is pretty exciting!" she beamed. We concured, to which we reminded her why we come from all over the US to watch. Had the pleasent surprise of seeing Rusty's Mom and stepdad. Haven't seen Paula in SO long, she was so happy to see everyone. "Don't cheer too loud now, ya hear?" she laughs. Jigga wha? We gon be losin' our vocals today! Apolo must have had some NOS in his ass that weekend because sweet LORD of speedskating that boy was flying through every race. I swear to God, we're talking damn near levitating at times! During the 3000m superfinal, we were all screaming so loud I thought my head would roll off. Apolo stayed comfy in 5th place until the 2nd lap. 2nd lap, people! Not that we didn't know he'd wait until the end to turn the frickin' jets on and blow the pack away to win it, but it was fun to flirt with the idea that he could possibly get stuck. Psh, like THAT ever happens. Short track speeds can be 30mph, but Apolo was doin' 50 EASY. All I saw was bandana and stars blurring by and he would hug those turns so close you'd find yourself gripping your seat a little tighter. Rob Multerer did such an awesome job putting this event together, even though he was swingin' through the rink like a wild man all weekend. Very funny guy and glad we got to chat with him. Calling all short track/Apolo lovers, don't sleep on a US Championship. Just because the World isn't coming doesn't mean it's any less exciting. Of course I just enjoy watching Apolo completely screw with the minds of unsuspecting newbie skaters. In some of those races, I could have bet my 4x optical zoom lens that before the last lap he swung by the concession stand for some nachos. Freakin' awesome, man. Hope everyone has a killer, yet chillin' weekend. :)

posted by April @ 3:02 AM 0 Comments: Post a Comment << Home