| Subject: My Gagne Encounter... (yes I met him!) |
Author:
D. Mak
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 13:20:16 03/08/02 Fri
It was at the Carnival. I was lucky enough to have early admission, a 2:00 Gagne photo ticket, and an autograph ticket for 2 hours later. I never knew when I walked into the FUC that day, that I would have the experience of a lifetime.
When my turn finally came, I was a crumpled ball of nerves. I sat down next to him, expecting it to last only a few seconds. BUT... The camera wouldn't work. He played it cool, acting as if it was nothing. 45 seconds passed, and the camera was still broke. A woman said that this wasn't good, because he had a flight to catch (to Boston.) He didn't hear her correctly, so he turned to me. "You've got a flight?" By now, my nervousness had disappeared. "No, she said you do." I settled in, secretly praying that this would last forever.
The Olympic video reel came on the Arenavision. Simon and I watched it together. By the time it was over, the camera still hadn't been fixed. Simon said he was fine where he was, after being asked if needed to go to the bathroom or something. We both were offered Twizzlers, and I took one, but he refused it. We talked about the Olympics, and even about my 2nd favorite band (my boyfriend's band is my fave.) When asked about Linkin Park, we was a little uneasy, but stated that he was a rap and hip hop fan. (One for the bio!) Back to the Olympics: I told him about my uncertainty of his jersey number in Salt Lake. He said that he knew he would have his number in Utah all along, and the same went for Sakic and Yzerman.
Anywhere from 7-15 minutes passed when they finally fixed the camera. We took the picture, I shook his hand and thanked him for one of the best experiences of my life. I also told him that I'd see him later on in the day. His only reply was "OK."
During the hours afterwards, I went around the Center, collecting autographs from Bruno St. Jacques and Greg Koehler of the Phantoms, Rusty Fedotenko of the Flyers, and Mr. Gary Dornhoeffer himself. I talked to Keith Jones, and he laughed at the photo incident when I told him.
After I finished with Dorny, I immediately went to the mezz to get in line for Gagne's autograph session. The line was long, but it moved relatively fast. When I did get down there, I asked jokingly "Don't I know you from somewhere?" He laughed. I wanted him to sign my jersey's sleeve, but he wanted to get the back, because it was a blank jersey, and he figured that I might embroider it one day. I held it down for him as he signed. We shook hands and I thanked him for the best 7-15 (I said 9) minutes of my life. All he had to say was "No problem."
Here's some pointers if you're gonna go meet him:
- He's not a big talker.
- His accent is very strong and distinguished, but you can easily understand him.
- Let him decide where he wants to sign.
That's all.. Later days!
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 