Michelle & COI skaters to appear at KC Royals game on July 3

[Heather]

OK, before I post this. Seriously Michelle? First the Brewers/Cardinals game. Now the Twins/Royals game? Not to mention Angels/Giants World Series game, and a Florida game a few years ago. Are you trying to visit every single team except my beloved but maddening Phillies? I'm trying not to take it personally, really...

OK, here's the real news:
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NAS...t=.jsp&c_id=kc

Monday, July 3 -- Minnesota Twins vs. Royals at 7:10 p.m.
Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular Show
John Hancock Champions on Ice Tour featuring Two-Time Olympic Medalist Michelle Kwan The Royals are kicking off the Fourth of July festivities a day early at Kauffman Stadium with a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular Show immediately following Monday's game.

Before the fireworks light up the sky, fans will be treated to a special appearance from the skaters of The John Hancock Champions on Ice Tour. Two-time Olympic Medalist and 5-time World Champion Michelle Kwan, 2006 Olympic Skaters Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek, 2006 Olympic Silver Medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist Stephane Lambiel and 1996 US Champion Rudy Galindo will be on field for the pre-game ceremony as well as take part in a special autograph signing at Gate B during the second inning of the Twins-Royals game. Belbin will be throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch. The superstar skaters will take their tour to the ice at Kemper Arena on Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Is someone, anyone going and can take pics?

[ShowMeTheKwan2]

Darn it, I was so excited when I saw the Twins were playing, I thought this was in Minneapolis (and it makes sense since COI is here tonight). But boo, it is in Kansas City. Well, I sure hope somebody from MKF can go and get the scoop!

BTW, the press release says Stephane Lambiel will be at this event--did they get that off the COI roster or did Stephane recover from his injury and join the tour and I just didn't know about it?

[chipso1]

July 3rd! The best day of the year!

ShowMeTheKwan: are you going to CoI tonight also?

[SamChez]

I will check in to attending, although I hate baseball. I can just drink beer and eat hotdogs in the concourses I suppose. Since Tulsa was cancelled, would an early birthday present be in order?

RoyalChez

PS - An early "Happy Birthday!" to Chipso! May your day be filled with dancing peppers.

[ShowMeTheKwan2]

Hey chipso1, yes, I am going to COI tonight. I'm really excited to see the show. Hopefully there will be a really big crowd. Any other MKFers going?

[nymkfan51]

Go for it, RoyalChez!!!

Who cares about the baseball ... the Kween will be there!!!

[chipso1]

Any other MKFers going?

I'm not sure. G-man? Missmarysgarden? anybody?

[Vinthekwanfan]

Rudy Galindo will have a field day, no pun intended, in the midst of all that machismo (and maybe Johnny Weir will find new inspiration for all his media mindgames, maybe that figure skating and baseball have a lot in common, although I think he has learned his lesson. Heck I don't know what I'm talking about).

Wow, I would never expect a European/Swiss skater like Lambiel to drop a visit (of course the main reason is to promote the CoI tour stop) at a baseball game. But probably another reason he tagged along is b/c he's pretty chummy with the other mostly American skaters, probably b/c I just don't see him breaking through the icy Russian facades of the other skaters. Heck even Carolina Kostner did some shows with Kurt Browning in Canada (then again he was her choreographer).

Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone. Have to get back to work!

[GMAN]

Ah shucks, I was also hoping it would be at the super dome for the game...but I'll be out of town next week anyway so I guess it doesn't matter!

Yes, I will be at COI tonight! I have no idea where I'm sitting though because I got tickets with the club and haven't received them yet. But I'm very excited!

[Lucy]

No Sasha?

(wasting space to fit the length requirement.....)

[kittyjake5]

No Sasha?

(wasting space to fit the length requirement.....)

I was thinking the same thing, but did not post because I did not
want this to turn into a "michelle vs sasha" thread.

[AZSkateFan]

It was reported on two other boards that Sasha had a family emergency recently that prevented her from things other than the actual COI performances.

[missmarysgarden]

I expect to be scolded for saying this, but no, I won't be at COI tonight. I just don't feel like going this year. I am sort of drained by all the drama is skating this year - more than usual, it seems. More meanness, more disappointment, more grandstanding, more stupid rules, more anonymous judging, more ho-hum performances.

I know that something will pull be back to skating, because it is a beautiful, unique sport. But this year, most of what was on the ice was anything but beautiful IMO. Its not a protest; I just don't feel like going. I gave my ticket away.

[chipso1]

I expect to be scolded for saying this, but no, I won't be at COI tonight. I just don't feel like going this year. I am sort of drained by all the drama is skating this year - more than usual, it seems. More meanness, more disappointment, more grandstanding, more stupid rules, more anonymous judging, more ho-hum performances.

I know that something will pull be back to skating, because it is a beautiful, unique sport. But this year, most of what was on the ice was anything but beautiful IMO. Its not a protest; I just don't feel like going. I gave my ticket away.

awww, bummer

[iloveskating]

It was reported on two other boards that Sasha had a family emergency recently that prevented her from things other than the actual COI performances.

Oh dear, I hope everyone's ok. I hadn't heard this. There were very few COI dates the last half of June, so hopefully her COI schedule wasn't a prob.

[starrysky]

Samchez,
I do not care about how much you hate baseball- you go and see our Kween! After seeing you all week at Nationals this year, I cannot even believe you would THINK of not going to a MK event!!

Heather, AKA "Marcella's Roomie", AKA Starrysky

[SamChez]

I do not care about how much you hate baseball- you go and see our Kween! After seeing you all week at Nationals this year, I cannot even believe you would THINK of not going to a MK event!!

All right, all right, simmah down now! I'm going; my seat is row 8 slightly "first base" of home plate (is that how you describe it?). I even reserved a walkable hotel so I didn't have to deal with traffic and parking (yes, I am diseased). I'm the world's worst photographer, so don't expect mind blowing pictures. Actually, I will try video-ing the festivities with my camera that also takes stills...maybe I'll have both!

I have no idea what to take for Michelle - I'm not a sign person, so no banners or signs or anything. Perhaps a bouqet of flowers if they are allowed by security, a little early Bday present? Maybe another idea is in order - Chez prancing around Kauffman with a big-ol-bunch-o-posies seems a bit uncomfortable. Help?

SluggerChez

[mr pru]

Just don't get arrested!!.....

MugShotChez....

ConChez....

HandCuffChez.....woo hoo...

BailMeOutChez......

FingerPrintMeChez.....

[graciesfriend]

Yay for the Slugger! Have a great time, Sam! Give The Kween our best!

[epoibim]

All right Sam - WAY TO REPRESENT!!!!!! Have a ball - *pun intended*

We'll take Michelle in any way/shape or form after this not-quite-a-season.
HAVE FUN! I'm all for signage and have gone through major withdrawal so if anyone wants to bring one, I'm there for ya to give you some ideas!

I hope we get to see this on TV, or perhaps on some fantabulous bootleg video.

[handlem9z]

Have fun Sammy...Say hi to Michelle for us.

[SamChez]

Hello sports fans! I'm fresh from The K. Here is my flawless report (to make up for my very flawed photography). This is the looooong report; for those with A.D.D., a brief summary follows.

I left work early to get ready. At the last minute, I called the stadium to make sure my video/still camera would be allowed...soooo while I had them on the phone I asked if I could bring in a bouquet of flowers for Michelle Kwan. YES!

Now, what to wear...it was HOT! Couldn't wear my MKF shirt, couldn't wear anything nice as I would surely pit it out in 5 seconds. Alas, I had to resort to tourist shorts and simple knit polo, my lilywhite legs blinding the mob except for the fresh sock creases from work. I wanted to wear my cowboy hat, but again too hot. I wore my Rafael Crossfire hat. Hurriedly shoved items into my bag, forgetting the proper connection for this camera...pictures tomorrow, maybe video (trust me, not worth waiting for). Dashed to the Hyvee (supermarket) and selected a very nice dozen red roses. Clerk could barely stand me and all of my instructions for wrapping...but turned out nice. Wrapped in cellophane with a pink tissue lining (to hide the waterpicks), spare variegated greenery, tied with a loopy red rose ribbon with a few not-too-long streamers. Great! I'm dressed like grandpa in Dollywood ready to prance through the machos with my posies.

Checked in to the hotel and walked to the K. Blistering HOT! EVERY attendant at the gate area (and a few fans) saying "Are those for ME?" I got one "I hope she says yes." I corrected that guy: "You mean HE". I made sure to stay in crowed places after that. Took my excellent seat, except that net stuff was in front of me. Trusted my flowers and camera bag were OK for me to shift to the side away from the net.

And there she was! OMG, flawless in every way. Dressed in a simple halter dress with a long bow-tie in the back; a pale forest evergreen. "Raffia" altitude-altering wedge sandal shoes with a hint of the evergreen trim. Hair hung all the way to the waist and simply stunning! Oh, there were some others there...Irina S in a dress, as well as Irina G. Maria A in dress, and Gwendal in baggy shorts and sleeveless T. The acrobats (they do something wild to me...) jeans and T-shirts. Max and Tatiana in jeans & Ts. Johnny in same. Tanith and Evan in Royals shirts, Evan with hat. And Rudy in jeans and black T with rhinestone American flag on back (loved it!). They just milled around behind home plate, receiving a few instructions from staff, posed for an official photograph. When they first came out I scootched closer and did my usual embarrassing "HI MICHELLE" waving like I'd just found Hoffa. She looked up a moment and sort of acknowledged me, but was busy with the instructions at the moment. I could hear Mr Pru's police approaching.

A cute moment: to kill time Evan and Michelle played a little catch. I have a little bad video of that. Michelle walked and moved normally, not exhibiting any discomfort in the slightest. I have decided that MK luvs her heels, the higher the better...make her feel more comfortable. I keep telling nymkfan51 they would help her feel more comfortable too, but she won't take me up on it.

I think there were baseball players introduced and cheering and stuff, but I really wasn't paying attention. Some local gal sang the anthem...ok. Then they introduced the skaters. Just then, it began to "sprinkle hard" and all the skaters were kinda laughing. All filed onto the infield and stood in 2 little lines either side of pitcher's mound, Michelle right of pitcher. Introduced Tanith (pitch thrower) and Evan (catcher). Tanith's pitch was very high and arched; Evan missed the catch to a big "ahhhhhh" from the crowd. Then they filed out. What a thrilling program!

Rushed out to where the meet-n-greet would be. Yes, a gathering of little girls and their mommies. My mommie (nymkfan51) wasn't with me, but she's really my sugar-mommy and that's different. We waited and waited, shifted the line a bit, set up tables with "placecard" signs where the skaters would sit. Struck up a friendship with Sheila, mommie of Natalie, a KC skater! Has all her doubles! Sheila had pictures from a practice this morning at a local rink. Shizuka! Sheila had a flawless pic of her Ina Bauer! I asked Sheila to take a pic of me with Michelle, as I don't yet have one (can you believe?!).

The skaters began to file out...Michelle was giving an interview to a cameraman...couldn't discern a local reporter asking questions...perhaps footage on local news? They took their seats. I greeted Irina G, acrobats, with hellos. They were just signing and smiling. Congratulated Max and Tatiana on their medal in Torino, and said I heard they were skating beautifully in the tour. They thanked me; I told them I'd see them in a couple of weeks. Congratulated Evgheny on his OGM, and on being a new Dad. He was gracious but complacent. Irina S...what a charmer. I congratulated her on her performance in Italy; she sneeringly said "thanks". I said I have enjoyed her skating for many years; she said "thank you" and sneered down to another autograph. Perhaps Irina doesn't like American fans because they lie to her...but I digress.

The next table was Michelle's, all to herself. When I finally was "next", I said, "I know your birthday isn't for a couple of days, but (handing her the roses) Happy Birthday!" And it was a huge flashback to 2003 Worlds. She said a huge "ahhhhhhh, thank you", took my hand and pulled me toward her. But this time she continued and grabbed me by the back of the neck and pulled me in for a cheeky air-kiss. What the heat didn't do, this finally did...I melted. So soft, so gentle, what a moment. The rest is a little blurry: I asked her how she was feeling; the response was muffled with other autographs. Sheila asked if she could get a pic with us together! SHE DID! After that, I asked Michelle if she had any words for the Forum..."Ah the Forum! Tell them..." interrupted again by Sheila's children and photos. Then she continued, with "typing" hands and a mouthed response in the vein of "I'll check you guys out later".

I met and gret with Dan H, Tanith (told her she has flawless skin!), Evan (told him, OK he has flawless skin too; he hadn't heard my Tanith remark and was completely weirded out), Gwendal and Maria, Johnny, and Rudy. Nice, but whatever. I now need a kissing avatar to match GMan's! I was floating! The pics Sheila took with my camera were...not so hot. BUT, the one she took with HER camera is amazing...me and Michelle together at last. She promises me she will email and snail mail me copies...can't wait.

Then back to the hotel. And now, I remember what I wrote on the little Happy Birthday card included with the flowers, and I weep: "You have given us so much joy in the past, so much joy in the present...the future belongs to you! Love, SamChez".

[Grace]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your report! *bows down to the WonderChez*... and what a moment! Congrats!... you lucky lad you! =P

[SamChez]

The COI skaters came out and milled. Michelle was flawless in pale forest evergreen halter dress and high raffia wedges. Tanith threw a high pitch, Evan missed. Meet-n-greet: gave Michelle a dozen red roses and she kissed me. New friend took a great pic of me and Michelle together – new friend will email later. I am changed.

BrevityChez

[AZSkateFan]

Awh! That's one of the best event reports EVER.