"Jeah!" Monday!
Ryan Lochte was on the Hill this evening, advocating to eradicate Muscular Dystrophy, specifically Duchenne, through
Parent Project MD. I was working late, trucking through some stuff, and realized that if I didn't get down there, I'd miss the reception.
I'll admit, after all the media buzz about him during and after the Olympics (some nice, some less-than-flattering), I was curious as to how he'd appear in person. Was he going to have wings on his shoes? A grill in his mouth? Would he say "Rocksss" and make my entire week?
The answer to all of those above questions is "no." Someone told him to wear a suit, run a comb through his hair, and be professional. And my oh my, does that man follow directions well. Or maybe he knew to do all of those things himself. He is an adult, after all. For all of the well-earned hype over shirtless Ryan Lochte, I'm going to give it to him... a fully clothed Ryan Lochte is an extraordinarily handsome man.
He also has an assistant who intimidates the crap out of me, which is not an easy feat.
When I walked into the reception late with my friend Macy, I didn't even see him at first. He turned out to be across the room doing an excellent job doing what he does. His assistant was making it clear that it was time for him to head out the door, and there I was thinking, "You know, if there is one person I should ask for a picture with, it's probably him." (And not even because he's delightful to look at but because I swim, and it just was exciting to see him.)
So, I walked up to get a picture and waited because two other girls were also exercising the flashes on their cameras. As I waited, the assistant gave me this look like-- don't even or I will seriously eat your soul. At that point, pissing off the lady was not worth a cell phone picture to me. But then he stopped outside the door on his way out to sign some piece of paper or something, and I thought, all right already! Now or never!
"Hey, Ryan...?"
That's what I say when I'm literally following Ryan Lochte out of a reception. How embarrassing. Never in my years have I requested a picture with a celebrity when they weren't doing pictures, and neverrrr have I practically chased one down. I'm uncomfortable meeting celebrities. I get all weird knowing that they know that I know who they are even though we've never met. I'd rather be on a level playing field when meeting someone.
He was kind enough to spare some time to take a picture with me before he went around the corner, down the hall, and away to wherever it is that Ryan Lochte goes on a Monday night in DC. Probably the airport.
I wasn't cool and didn't make an impression in any way, shape, or form, which is another weird thing about meeting celebrities. I mean, here I am waxing poetic in a blog post (yikes) about ten seconds of my day, and for him I'm the upteenth picture of the day.
However, he was not at the reception to be everyone's photo prop for the evening, and he certainly wasn't there to worry about getting pictures with staffers. He was there to bring attention to Muscular Dystrophy. And so, because he turned around and took a picture with me, I will stress again that he was here for a very serious and good cause-- eradicating
Duchenne.
I went back up to my office and finished up some work. I had time for a short swim tonight, so I left and headed to the pool. In the second lane was a man with muscular dystrophy, using swimming as a way to stay as strong and fit as he can. It seemed fitting for today.
 |
The picture. Ryan Lochte. Me. Assistant to the right.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.
As of 2011, most therapies for DMD are supportive in nature, but research to develop truly disease-modifying therapies is under way.
Learn more. |
