Monday, October 19, 2009

Well, what an experience that competition was!!! All was normal through Friday at registration and drug-testing, then we drove out back out to Oshawa early Saturday morning to be at the historic Regent Theatre in time for the Athlete's Meeting before pre-judging. When we got there, everyone was working hard to clean the theatre up and get some heat on in the big theatre. The theatre had been closed for some time and wasn't in working condition exactly yet I guess. We hung out and finally had a bit of a meeting before being shown to some not very big, lit-up, or warm change areas. Not prime, but we made it work! After a bit of a delay the daytime pre-judging show started! There were a few categories before my first bikini/physique round so I took my time changing into my bikini (it was freezing!) My first round was Sports Athletic Bikini/Physique. There were four competitors in this category. First we each walk out and do our model T-Walk, then our quarter turns together for comparison. I felt WAY more confident with my walk and posing than I had at my first Neutron show in June as I kinda knew what to expect this time and I hope I slowed down my walk a bit this time (as that was a big point in my judge's report from last time and from my husband!) We changed into our Sports Athletic Sports Wear (mine was a neon pink and yellow 80's aerobics theme that I loved!) Again we did the T-Walk and quarter turns in these costumes. Then a quick change back into bikinis for Fitness Model category. There were six competitors in this category. The other part of the Fitness Model category (aside from bikini/physique) is the evening gown and speech part (the part I was most terrified about), but that happens only in the evening show. Soon after we had changed out of our bikinis and piled on the layers to try to warm up, the show was over. Me and my pal Gina rushed off to eat lunch at her sister's house who conveniently lives in Oshawa! It was awesome of her to have us over to thaw out and eat - we were hungry and cold! Soon we were on our way back to the theatre for the athlete's meeting before the evening show. By now my husband and baby had arrived in Oshawa to watch the evening show. It was past the time the show was supposed to start and we were still waiting in the audience for the athlete's meeting to start, something was wrong! I had taken this time to spend some time with my boys and catch up when all of a sudden there was an official announcement throughout the theatre saying we'd all have to leave the theatre because Neutron hadn't paid! The competition promoter got up on the stage and said "no, the show will go on, we won't be shut down!", etc. I thought it was all a joke at the start - it seemed so surreal! Anyways this went on and on with the promoter talking about how the venue wasn't in the proper shape for a show (no heat, dirty, etc.) but that we should stay and not be intimidated, etc., the mayor of Oshawa spoke about something or other, then the theatre shut off the power in the theatre (no lights or sound) People were still saying stuff, it was all chaos, then the theatre started trying to blast us out with loud heavy metal music (a tactic usually used for more sinister reasons like evacuateing cults, etc.) Finally all the athletes were told to meet in the lobby, once we were all there, we were told to meet at Denny's on the other side of town! We waited there for about an hour before the promoter got there, and once he got there he said dinner was on him and that he would fully reimburse everyone and make it all up to us. Really, I think they should've just finished it all off and given out the awards at Denny's or some other location if he couldn't make an agreement with the theatre. Yes, the theatre was a mess and no heat, etc. But I think the promoter just made it all worse by taking it this far and letting so many people down (competitors, audience, etc.) Maybe he could've settled his issues with the theatre after the evening show (not before). But, it is what it is. I'm happy about the way I competed in the day show, I was relieved I didn't have to do my speech for the evening show, but a little sad that my husband didn't get a chance to see me compete and that we didn't get any results. Luckily I will be competing again soon on November 7 at IDFA in Toronto and I want to bring an even better package... I have 3 weeks to refine what I've got, get tighter, leaner, and better! I can't wait! What a very crazy Saturday night I had - it really was like being in some crazy movie!