Meeting Kerri Strug!

It's been a crazy time here at the family center. Lots going on everyday. There is rumor today that Jason Lezak and Cullen Jones will be in today. The publicist is pushing to get Michael Phelps in today, but that is probably not going to happen. He's a busy boy having just won all that gold.

The highlight of my trip so far though, has been meeting Kerri Strug.



She is somehow still sponsored by Bank of America and, because they flew her over here, she has been in to the family center quite a few times. The best part? She is an absolute sweetheart. I had the honor of giving her her first pin of these games. When I walked up to my desk and Courtney said, "Don, have you met Kerri?" I almost passed out! I took a deep breath and said, "Kerri, I've wanted to meet you for a very long time. I'm a huge fan." She stood and chatted for a bit and then I had the guts to ask her for a picture. As you can see it is not the best, but I'm hoping to have a better one taken at some point. I don't know what the camera operator was thinking, but the height difference alone, I felt, called for a portrait format not landscape. :-)

I've met others in the past few days, and you never know when a gold medalist is going to walk in the door. One of my favorites was a speed walker from the 88 games that came in. It was just interesting to meet someone who had done this all before as a younger athlete.

We went out the other night to "Club Bud" and boy did I get in trouble. Never put Heinrich in a dance club AND announce that there is free beer. You all know me well enough to know that I then stumbled to the Taxi at 4 a.m. I was not alone. Four of us from the senior staff were kicked out at last call. Needless to say, yesterday was a very long day. We may go back, but I think the first priority is the Holland House. Same as Club Bud except they charge an OUTRAGEOUS $3.50 per beer. I'm not sure I'll be spending much time there. :-)

Pin tally:

Total Pins: 83
Keeper Pins: 62
Official USA Team Pins: 7 (Volleyball, Swimming, Water Polo, Gymnastics, Athletics, Shooting, Softball)
Unique Pins: Kim Rhode Bobblehead shooting pin (#484 of 500), and of course the Tyson Gymnast Chicken!!!!

Today's coups:
A Water Cube pin, An Embassy Suites Panda Bear, a USA House pin, and a classy silver Beijing Olympics pin.