Nathan's Chinese fan page went to the send-off party
and got a short msg from Nathan
BOI looked really happy, excited and relaxed.
Go Nathan!!!
http://t.cn/R8fCFY1?m=4202553501033410&u=6122508056
Yeah, that's pretty much what would have happened if I had tried. I spent most of my time showing him the otter I made as a gift that had his FS outfit from this year - so yeah, haha, no time for questions.
The send off started at 4:00pm with a brief introduction. I am putting up a youtube video of the first part, which was "Skating with the Olympians," but since my upload speed is slow right now, I'll risk double posting when it's available. EDIT:
youtube here
There were LOTS of juniors and novice skaters and parents, most of who were probably in the 8-12 year old category (I'm bad at estimating ages, so I could be way off). It largely seemed like a local event, and the only noticeable camera crews were local news and possibly a foreign set of journalist (Japanese?). I'd say there were probably 200-300? people, maybe more.
Each of the skaters from the rink had 3 foot high balloons spelling out their names and congratulations at the near end of the rink, which was super cute. The rink was draped in red party decorations, and tiny plastic American flags and plastic gold medals were given out by the organizers.
Nathan did not wear skates, which would have been extremely disappointing if I didn't have negative skating skills myself.
Raf was on the ice, too, at the beginning, but then he disappeared!
The vast majority of Nathan's "skating" time was spent with the younger fans, having his picture taken, and then kneeling down to take pictures. Some autographs on the ice. Most of the time, my video was focused on him, with occasional diversions if a skater was closer and doing something interesting.
:
The autograph tables were set up directly on one end of the ice, so when it was 4:15pm, I braved it and got in Nathan's line first, which was fortuitous since otherwise I probably would have missed out. I had Nathan sign two copies of the Japanese Fan Club's art which I "commissioned" and then a Getty photo.
It was at this point that I dropped off my tiny otter plush wearing the FS outfit (I detest zippers and installing them). I kept trying to get pictures, but he was very mobbed and the bouncing children didn't help matters. Lots of skates being signed. For those that didn't bring something to be signed, there were a few John Wilson adverts that he and Mariah were signing, as well as blank paper. Quite a few children had photos of themselves and the skaters, which looked like they were taken locally (as opposed to something like Nationals), or drawings that they made. So cute! (Though noisy, and didn't stand in line well...)
Nathan did a fistbump with the hockey rink mascot, and I wish I was recording because it was wicked cute. It's like he knew who was inside
As I mentioned before, the organizers only allocated 15 minutes to autographs and I think they had to turn away about 30-40 people still in line. Luckily I got my Adam and Mariah sigs just before the cutoff. Ashley was sweet as well, taking time out to talk and skate with the younger girls. She did book it right away. Nathan was definitely the last to leave the ice - people kept coming up to him even at the exit. He even signed a skate awkwardly with one shoe still on the ice. :luv17: It was obvious his handler was trying to move him along. I'm not entirely sure Nathan knows how to say "no" tbh.
I was looking for Raf because I had another piece of art for him to sign (Adam also had art, and remembered the artist!!), so I got the attention of the rink organizers. When she took it to get Raf's autograph, I got to watch Nathan's mom watch Nathan fail to disengage with the fans. She was also talking to someone else, but still keeping an eye his well-being - what a mom! (is not 1000% jealous).
After the skaters were gone, there were two exhibitions by local skaters, which was sweet. As the organizers were shooing people to the edges of the boards for them to begin, they said that the Olympians had to get to another event, and I was all
"where, when, how, tell me," but I think it was a white lie since no one had an answer. After the exhibitions, the rink was torn down super quick to let the young hockey players take the ice. Lots of snacks that were complimentary, as well as a kind of lonely USFSA "Learn to Skate" booth.
All in all, very quick, but a nice opportunity for one last hurrah, I think. (Might have more time if the autographs had been off-ice!)
... curiously the same year that Nathan left as "person of the week" :hap36:
