I had a pretty good time in Bellevue (suburb of Seattle) this past weekend. Got to meet some more femuscle folx, watch some impressive amateur BB, and shmooze with some of the stars of the sport... not too bad for a couple of days work.

Friday: Since I got a free fitness ticket I decided to go. As an aside: be aware that when you ask for directions in Bellevue that they must drive everywhere. 8^) I asked for directions to the Emerald cup (4 blocks) and the desk clerk made it sound like some huge trip... so I ended up taking my car for nothing... sigh.

I got pretty good seats and I got to sit beside the fitness winner's mother and sister. So needless to say I was doing some cheering and actually got to meet her after the show. (It pays to be in the right place at the right time.) Overall I thought it was okay but most of the routines were pretty slow with only a few exceptional ones. I don't know about anyone else but I think they have to get rid of the really overt sexual moves from the fitness events. Pelvic thrusts, ripping off of cheerleader outfits don't belong in any sport... maybe exotic dancing...

Carol Semple did an awesome fitness routine with lots of gymnastic moves and fairly elegant choreography. I talked to her later in the evening and told her that she made it look 'effortless'. She laughed and said that it was a lot of hard work to get to that point. I think that's a point that many BB's don't see... I mean yes a barbie doll can win a local event but it's much harder and takes more discipline to be a national competitior just like in BB.

Ran into Ericca in one of the booths and I talked to her for bit as well. She was very friendly, talkative and polite... Brad you're a lucky man. We talked about her Arnold showing and she didn't seem to phased by it and said that the judges want her to put on another 20 lbs of muscle which she wasn't willing to do... My favourite quote: You have to enjoy being yourself... you have to live with yourself 365 days of the year. The judges' views aren't as important as that. I think those are words to live by... make yourself happy first and don't let others direct your path.

PS: Brad if you're reading this get of the computer and play with your daughter. I promised to pass that along. 8^)

Saturday, pre-judging: Again things were very well organized (though I was slightly tired) and I got a good seat and took lots of pictures. I think I enjoyed this more then the evening show. You could see the comparisons and callouts. Got lots of pictures and I've asked Craig productions for the results for all the entries so Faith if you want a Emerald Cup portion on your web page under contests give me a shout.

There were a lot of competitors with very stiff competition for a local show. Diane Vaughn competed in the women's masters and did a pretty good showing though it was obvious that she was a little off... and with the competition there being a little off meant a fair drop in the standings. I thought she would end up around 5th but she had to pose and pose as they called out most of the other women in the group to compare against her... we found out later in the evening that she ended up 7th.

We ran into each other later and talked for a bit as I moved up to where they were sitting. (For the men's pre-judging.) Met Donnie and her daughter Mary... really good bunch of people and we hit it off fairly well.

Caught up to Eric Anderson and his workout partner Mike over a Sonics game and lunch and from there we went to the Bellevue Golds. Nice place but too chromey for me... I prefer more free weights, clanging and grunting. 8^) We ran into Ron Coleman (the IFBB pro from Texas not Canada)... the guy is huuuuggggeeee with some of the largest arms I've seen on someone. And vascular to boot. I'm not going to speed the next time I'm in Texas. Both he and his girl friend were very nice and approachable... kind of made our gym trip.

(BTW Eric... I'm not too sore. Except my legs from yesterday's workout. I've got a new randomized routine that I'm working through and boy does that hurt.)

Got back to the hotel, crashed, showered and ate.

Saturday, evening: I had great seats (about 7 rows from the stage just right of the middle) Lots of hollering and cheering for the first 3/4 of the show until Ron Coleman got on stage and the crowd went wild... You heard numerous women yelling at Ron to take off his vest and baggy shorts. Which he did... perfect timing and the crowd appreciated it.

It got quieter after that but my section was hollering and cheering for the whole thing. Ericca did a nice posing routine that was very exotic as well as entertaining. (Kept my camera busy. 8^) ) and I was cheering the whoel time. At the end when Nasser came on stage was pretty staggering... ~5' 9" or so and 340 lbs. He wasn't in shape but he was massive and huge. The guy had problems walking (and when he did I'll agree with Donnie that he walks like a fat guy) 'cuz he was so huge. Nice guy to talk to though... but I'll have to give the showmanship thing to Coleman.

Most of the results were as I expected from the morning show given the callouts and preparedness of the competitors. Glad to see some had fun with their evening posing (which they should!) and that everything was well judged and organized.

Sunday morning: Got up and had breakfast with Donnie and Diane. They're really nice people and it was really interesting talking to them. As a side note: when you're in diet mode be very explicit with your waiter about food. Donnie got some eggs cooked in butter which he had to send back. We had a little chuckle about it. Ericca Kern dropped by our table and we talked for some more. She's off to Iceland and Japan (talk about air miles, jet lag and phone bills.) so expect plenty of email from Brad in the next few days. That kind of made my trip...

I would like to extend special thanks to Diane, Donnie and Eric for showing me a great time and including me in your activities. It made an interesting time more impressive... I'll have to drop by the next time I'm in Seattle.