Practice      Laurie's reports      Kim's first sighting of Alexei      Kim's practice photos of Alexei      Laura's stills of Alexei's practices The Show      Laurie's general show review      Laurie on Alexei's performances      Kim's review of the show      Janice's review      Laura's screen stills of the show! Backstage!      Laurie on being backstage      Kim's out-of-body experience	Oh, I forgot to say that after Alexei skated "Gladiator," the announcer asked him to come back and say a few words to the audience - after he caught his breath. I wish I had written down what he said, but I didn't, so I'm relying on memory here. Alexei came out and basically said that he had just gotten here yesterday, and the altitude was bothering him, but that he was glad he got to skate for everyone.    After the show, we went back to the skate shop/locker room entrance. Normally, the headlining skaters come out after the show to sign autographs and pose for pics with fans, etc. The Sun Valley staffer in charge of organizing this after show scene usually comes out and asks the people waiting which skaters they want to see and then she goes and fetches them, LOL...so she came out today and asked which skaters we wanted to see, and about seven or eight people said they wanted to see Alexei, including this absolutely adorable little boy, about six, who excitedly said he wanted to see Alexei. She told us Alexei was having a lot of trouble with the altitude and was taking oxygen right now, but as soon as he caught his breath, he would be out.    She then came out a little bit later and said she would bring in all the children under ten, and took the little boy in to meet Alexei. The little boy came out a little later, happily showing off his autograph from Alexei. And Alexei hadn't just signed his name, he had written a little note. Then the staffer came out again and said that it would be just a little bit longer, that Alexei had been cornered by the head honcho of the ice show, LOL...Then she came out again (this was getting funny, LOL), and said that due to the cold weather, she would bring us inside instead of asking Alexei to go outside in the cold. But it was very crowded inside, so she wanted to bring us in just a couple at a time, LOL...    So Kim and I were brought in first, and the staffer brought Alexei over to us. He looked great; you could see a little outline of a moustache (hey, the things you notice first, LOL!), like he would need to shave again soon. He looked very happy and, well, relieved. He had seemed so grim and serious during the warm up before the show, but now he was all smiles and good cheer. I think he was such a happy camper because he had gotten through both of his programs without any mistakes (and one of them had been brand, brand new), despite the cold, the lack of decent ice to practice on, and the altitude, which seems to really affect him. Anyway, Kim and I had Alexei sign our calendars (he smiled when he saw them) and her "Patinage" magazine. And, no, I didn't have the nerve to ask him to sign a particular keepership on my page, LOL.....    Then we handed him our gifts, which he seemed pleased, touched, and surprised to get. Then Kim asked him if she could have a photo, and he said, "Oh, sure!" Then I got my picture with Alexei (hope that lady knew how to use my camera, LOL), and we abandoned him to Janice and the rest of the women who wanted his attention, LOL...One funny moment - when Kim was having her pic taken with Alexei, Lucinda Ruh, who was sitting next to Kim, idly picked up Kim's "Patinage" magazine and started leafing through it. Then Kim started gathering up her stuff, noticed the magazine wasn't where she left it, and said with alarm, "Where's my "Patinage" magazine?" And Lucinda tried to sneak it back without Kim noticing she was the one who had borrowed it, LOL!    Anyway, Alexei was an absolute charmer, especially with that cute little boy who was so excited to meet him, and the Sun Valley staffer obviously adores Alexei, too LOL.....and I had a question answered which I've wondered about for some time. And, no, it wasn't what cologne he was wearing, LOL. Since he wasn't using any, he would have thought I was nuts for asking...    All-in-all, despite the weather scares and all the fretting that that entailed, I had a great time. I got to meet some online friends, got to meet with Alexei - got to see two new programs (and the costume!) and some great skating - who could ask for more? Laurie
Laurie and Alexei after the show