Bash 2002 Report and Photo Archive

IronOnline reports, page 3

The Bash has come off a smashing success. The fact that this party was held at the same time and location as the Olympia made it a bit special. Wish you were there.

Here are a few comments about our group. First, the email personality of most people are almost opposite of their real person. Rockin' Ken was a complete comedian, really hilarious. I always had a laugh when he and his wife were around. Kevin Smith was equally outgoing. Vicki was not that shy personality she portrayed herself to be. Sweet but not shy at all. She was an independent and confident woman who was not afraid of grasping life by its horns and taking control. I have no doubt that she will reach her pull-up goals and beyond.

Massive Randy Crist was serious and humble. He had exhibited a generous spirit beyond call of duty when six of us piled into his car to go to Gold's on Sat. AM. Thanks, big man. Very muscular Richard Christianson, whose post I remembered about switching from PL to BB was also impressive. After talking with him, I have come to realize how much he knew about the iron game. The fact that he asked a question about training shows that the best "experts" are also the best students. A few infrequent posters were also there. Hans, the unofficial photographer (just kidding) from Orange County, was snapping endless pictures, even of me falling on my butt with band squats.

Jonathan Kennedy and his family were wonderful. I did not know that his wife Sherry was such a knowledgeable person on both training AND martial arts (emphasis on the plural). Gentle Stingo, my other roommate, was no less knowledgeable on both with a wonderful sense of balance about life in general. There are a very few such as Stella, Len, Bill 1 and 2, whose email personalities are very similar to their real life person. Those four were just full of life. Bill Luttrell was exceptionally generous by offering rooms to me and Stingo after we were nearly left homeless. What a guy!! Quiet but friendly "Tuna" Tony was true to his form. I caught him with TWO cans of tuna AT THE BASH!!! Tony, you walk the talk, bro. As for Corey, my roommate, he was more of an animal than I thought when we had the chance of moving iron together on Sat. AM.

Stella squats; Sam spots

Second, the whole meeting with strangers is very exciting in a very weird way. Since I am one of the few Asians on IOL, many recognized me right away. I guess Laree's photos in the gallery did the trick as well. However, many seem very different from their photos (in a good way). Art Hansen, for instance, looked bigger and better. Same goes for his wife Diane as well as Len and Jamie. I nearly did not recognize them all. Sometimes, when people came up and said, "Hi, Sam, how are you?" which is nice because they acted as if they knew you for ages. I felt like saying, “Fine thanks, but who are you ..." I tried not to say that as introduction of that sort would be so rude but it's pretty awkward. All this was sorted out later by name tags.

Third, the friendship formed can only improve upon meeting people face to face. Even a few prejudices could be change because of the personal contact. I find this delightful. Fourth, the long-time members remain ever so faithful to the group by coming to the Bash. I got to meet Guy Miller and his family. Same goes for Henrik the House. Both of these guys together can be a very large barn resembling Noah's ark. I just remember them from way back when this group was first formed. It was nice to finally put faces and names together. As for lovely Stella, the time spent with such a quality person is priceless. The presence of these oldtimers speaks highly of the atmosphere Dave and Laree try to promote. Some lurkers also showed up which spoke lots of their courage. I met people coming from as far as Canada and even England.

At the Expo, Christine Zane and Lou Ferrigno

On the Expo front, I have the following remarks. First, why on earth would some of the guys inject themselves with such heavy steroid (and possibly Synthol) is beyond my understanding. I am not judgmental. Just don't understand. Some of these guys are probably at the state level competition instead of national level. They just did not look good. Since my roommate was Corey, it is so easy to compare what a natural physique is supposed to look like in comparison to the freak show at the Mr. O. Corey, after all, is no neophyte to the game. The jacked-up roid boys looked like clay statues with lumps of glued-on muscles. Second, why on earth would women do the same thing is even more baffling. Some of these gals were monstrously massive. Phew!! I'd wish I'd had veins and mass like that. I do not think that supplements can do that for you. Third, there are certain individuals who had such a gargantuan ego that approaching them was a most unpleasant task. I will let others share their stories with you later.

When Stella and I were walking around, she just caught sight of Bill Pearl and said, "Hey, isn't that Bill Pearl?" Sometimes celebrities do not look exactly like their photos in mags. They could often look better but could also frequently look much worse. Anyway, Mr. Pearl was a real gem of a man (no pun). He knew of our Bash and spoke very highly of Dave. He also made some interesting observations about the whole "scene" of bodybuilding. Given his personality and wisdom, I was in complete awe. Someone asked me if he looked good or looked like he still trained. I cannot be sure but he did have some thickness for a man his age. Whether he trained or not at his age is an irrelevant issue anyway. What he said was so profound and wise that I had utmost respect for him. Respect does not come from how one looks or how much one lifts (and I heard that Pearl lifted tons in his days) but from one's character. Pearl deserves great admiration. I am sure Stella can tell you the same after her conversation with him.

Another thing about the Expo is that you will never be short on sample supplements. Just be careful what you take. For instance, do not just grab any old bottle that lays on the table. For a skinny guys such as myself, drinking a thermogenic would make me disappear altogether. Gotta be careful. So, do not worry about not getting enough protein for that afternoon.

Finally, it was so nice to meet up with the Bomber and Laree again. Since I have met them before and they are so close to where I live, I left them alone so that other less "fortunate" IOL'ers could spend more quality time with them. Dave tried his best to spend time with everyone on an equal basis. What a great man.

I know that I miss a few people simply because I could not put faces and names together, but your faces will always remain in my heart and mind. My neglect is no indication of lesser respect for you all. Peace.

Sam Tsang

-----

<Sam your report was terrific (as were the rest) and I loved the mention of Bill Pearl! More! More! More! I need more! I'm not hearing much about Frank Zane? Seeing Dave and he side by side alone would have given me the biggest smile. It must have been great! Ken>

Ken,

You asked for it. Here is my meeting with Bill Pearl. From the look of him, he really looked like an approachable grandpa. Then, my dad is older than he is. At any rate, I started by saying how I appreciated his creativity in his Inner Universe book. Since that book had every possible variation of exercise with the minimal amount of equipment, everyone who appreciates the Golden Era should get one. For that matter, every garage trainee must get this one. Back to Mr. Pearl (which is what I call him out of respect for his age).

I told him that we came from Dave's party and he told us that Dave was the kind of role model we should look up to and not the freak show we saw around us. I was pleasantly surprised by his honesty. He then said that the problem came not from the bodybuilders themselves but from the promoters, supplement companies and the magazines which promoted a certain freaky muscles to sell products. He said that honestly, he could not tell me whether he'd go down the same route if he had to "make a living" from the sport these days. That was a fair assessment.

Then I asked him about diet. I asked him whether he won his titles on meat diet or not. He told me that all the big titles were won on a vegetarian diet. In fact, he said that he ate loads of eggs to get enough fat and protein. Eggs themselves got an unfair press for cholesterol. Then again, his context was the purely vegetarian diet. Finally, before we got our pics with him, he asked if we were going to the show Sat. night. I told him that I found everything about modern BB a bit sureal and had not yet gain any amount of appreciation yet. He told me that he totally agreed.

As for Frank and Dave, I certainly got the impression that their differences of training philosophy comes from the difference of body types. Frank is more ectomorphic while Dave much more mesomorphic. Frank even said that he stopped squatting due to joint problems or something to that effect. What Dave said really hit me though. He said that he was giving advice at "this stage" of his training journey which indicates that different stages of training (age, body type etc.) are factors in finding "your" program. That program also changes and evolve as the body changes. I find this intriguing and will keep this piece of sage advice in mind. Overall, both men were very pleasant and humorous. Dave's assessment of modern BB was that it had gone the route of an extreme sport. Frank's was a little more neutral in his view. His wife Christine looked wonderful and fit. I did not have the chance to meet them but they both seemed very nice. And oh, Frank did not play his harmonica.

As for my observation on the steriod users. I guess people are allowed to do what they want with their bodies. The least attractive aspect about the freakishness was that many user's skin was not all that great. The skin was either a bit rough and possibly oily or just too dry from tanning too much. Some people have lumps of muscles that stuck out that did not look like they belonged on their bodies. This was possibly an indication of Synthol injection. Looked really bad. A few of the big guys walking around were sweating even though the Mandalay Bay was well air-conditioned. These guys also looked a bit out of breath. Quite frankly, these guys looked like they had too much thermogenics and were carrying an abnormal amount of mass for their heart. What price drug-induced hypertrophy. It will be hard for them to look like Dave by the time they get to that age, that is, if they get there.

Sam Tsang

-----

Sam Tsang take of the expo is right on. I also stopped and talked with Bill Pearl and was impressed with the man. I told him that he was the man of his era. His reply was that he guessed that he had a good run which I agreed with him. He looked me over real good and said that it was obvious that I had moved real iron in my day. Coming from him made my day. If he meant it or not I really didn't care. Dorothy wanted to go up and shake Lou Ferrigno hand, but after she watched for a bit she didn't want anything to do with him. I believe she was disappointed with him although she didn't say it but I could tell by the look on her face and the way she suddenly wanted to get away from his booth. I met two old friends at the picnic that I trained with at Gironda's so that was a real treat. I had my neck training helmet in the trunk of my car and forgot to bring it up to the tables and show it. Oh well next time All in all Dorothy and I had a great time, but we will fly to the next bash.

Cajinjohn

-----

Frank Zane, Dave Draper, Lon Baldridge

The only thing I could ask Dave if he still does woodwork. (I do woodwork). Dave said that he does but not that often. He also said that he doesn’t know a lot about woodwork; like bodybuilding he thought that being educated spoils the discoveries you make by yourself. I could not agree more. That will be a lasting impression on me and meant a lot. I got to pose in a picture with both Frank and Dave. Frank was really nice and guided me in that he saved me money for pictures. Another genuine nice guy was Ed Corney. I got to talk to him for awhile. I wanted to grace my dungeon with the pictures of these great men. I think of all the great bodybuilders I remember seeing all my life like a man who is a football nut or any sport for that matter. They mean a lot to me. Dave and Bill Pearl, Frank and Ed Corney, Bob Delmontique, all people I saw and talked to. Bill Kaz was really nice and joked with me. All were staring at my Get Serious tee shirt and Bill told me that we were with a really good guy, Dave Draper. I regret that I didn’t get to talk to all the IOL people . I am believe it or not kinda shy when meeting new people but that changes once I get to know someone. I mentioned that to Laree as I was so nervous to meet Dave. She helped me to realize that he was a regular person and I had no reason to be shy. Any way I have the memories I have the seminar, I have pictures.

Regards, Lon

-----

Len Romano spots Art Hansen

PR's are nice and I even set one on the incline press at Gold's on Friday night! But what was far more important and meaningful to me was just being there and working out with all the kind folks of IOL.. I even had to stop and ask Bill Keyes how much we were actually lifting and I'm usually very much aware and on top of that.. But the thrill of actually lifting with these guys was something I've never experienced before - in fact I'm even struggling now to put it into words... After Bash 01 someone remarked that they felt like a kid in a candy store - I guess it was kinda like that but much, much deeper and more powerful for me ..I hope I'm not getting too gushy here but this weekend was one of the biggest highlights of my 25 years or so of lifting (second only to the time when Diane said she would start working out with me). I only wish I had gotten there sooner Friday night for the flat bench press challenge (who knows I might have set a PR there too!!) so I could have lifted longer with the folks but we were on the phone with the kids back home - checking in etc.. Art H.

-----

Hans, Len, Jamie, Vicki, Sam, Stella

Had a blast!!! meeting a good number of the gang that was there, but truly sad I didn't get to meet all... Vicki, Dorothy... to mention a couple... It was so hard to get around to all. Friday night at Gold's was fun with Bill Keyes leading Len R, Kevin Smith, Hans, Rockin' Ken, Art Hanson., myself and others, through the flat and incline bench press... Bill Keyes, what a gentle strongman!

Gentle strongman Bill Keyes

My BIG thanks go out to Bill & Nancy L, Sam Tsang, and Jonathan & Sherry Kennedy!! (More later on my *FREE suite)....

Enjoyed the picnic/seminar, getting random photos of the group. Food was awesome! A few of us, Dave, Laree, Guy, Dan and Nick Miller, Bill L, Tony and Elaine, Bill F, (more but I'm too tired to think) stayed at the park late just chatting, then we parted company.

I was staying with Sam that night at the Tropicana; we met up with Stella and had a fabulous dinner together at the Outback Steakhouse. Great conversation, then it was back to our hotel rooms to turn in.

More later as I am wasted.....Got home tonight at 11:30 and have been wading through over 200 emails.....Goodnight...

-Stingo

-----

Imagine this,,,,, Heading off to Vegas, arriving to find a beautiful 600 square foot hotel suite with hot tub waiting especially to sooth those tired feet after walking the strip and soothe the aching muscles after a good blasting at Gold's.....

Now imagine this,,,, Getting to Vegas and finding not even a locker to stash your luggage in, not knowing North from South, East from West, and finding the suite you were promised was all a "DREAM..." ....Nightmare!!!

Well,, that was ME... My contact here in Portland either was full of "talk" or the Hotel really did give my room away.... I think I believe the former. Another lesson for Stingo about trusting someone's word without really knowing them.

After Bill & Nancy Luttrel dropped me off at the Excal, and I discovered that there was "no room at the inn" for me, I called Bill & Nancy to see if they could help me find a cheap motel. Got voice mail so I decided to hoof-it down the road, luggage in tow and try to find even a flea trap if necessary. I must've looked pretty silly toting luggage down the strip and off the beaten path, like a typical hillbilly from ORE-GUN. Only thing missing was my guitar on my back! After realizing I was lost and getting nowhere, I sent a little SOS to the man upstairs and then my cell phone rang. It was Bill L.... I told him the scoop and he said, "why don't you just stay with us?"

Though I was thankful and felt so blessed for these folks, I felt bad imposing on them and also a bit stupid for trusting this guy in Portland who set me up for failure... Bill and Nancy were the kindest hosts. Their Dog Mojo, a 12 year old Dalmation, sniffed out my baggie of beef jerky while Bill abd I were at the Gym that evening. I guess he know a good snack when he smells it.... So, Friday night was with Bill and Nancy. Corey, who was staying with Sam at the Tropicana had to leave Saturday right after the picnic so Saturday night after the picnic in Paradise Park, I split the room fare with Sam at the Tropicana.. We enjoyed talking until 1am...

While at the picnic on Saturday, I got to meet Jonathan Kennedy and his beautiful wife Sherry, and awesome two boys. Jonathan and Sherry were planning to leave Sunday morning but had an option with their hotel (Excal) for an extra day "extention" for $49... They offered to set up the extention so I could use their room Sunday night... It worked beautifully and only cost me $49... I could finally relax, knowing I wouldn't be hangin' out in the park... lol.

Sunday morning I picked up the room key from the Kennedys and headed off to church with Art & Diane, Sam and Stella... After church we bolted back to the Excal to meet up with the rest of the gang for Sunday brunch... BTW, Len and Jamie deserve KUDOs for speaking to the Excalibur General Manager and arranging a large area for all of us IOLer's to sit and eat together and fellowship... AWESOME job Len and Jamie. You guys really went extreme on that, and it was a great way to finish off the bash for many who were leaving after the brunch... I think literally hundreds of photos were shot over the weekend. I took in three rolls of my own today...

Anyways, there is so much to tell but others have said it so well, and I'm sure there will be more to come....

-Stingo

Click here to continue to part 4

Click here to return to the Bash 02 Archive

Click here to see the Bash 01 Archive

Click here for the Bash 03 details