lizless said:
The WSJ reporter and I spoke on the phone for about 45 minutes. We had a lot of laughs and also talked seriously and in depth about Arnold's past in politics, his marriage to Maria Schriver, his work in California (I'm a former resident of CA) and about his past drug and steroid abuse. From 40 minutes of conversation, the reporter quoted just a quick snippet of a long conversation.
I've volunteered, participated with the Central Ohio Restaurant and/or visited the event every year for the past ten years and I've always enjoyed the event. It's unfortunate that it competes with Gallery Hop as we lose a lot of our beloved regulars to the event but we've always had a good time every year and our neighborhood is in fact swarming with a whole new world of people.
Yep, we poke fun of the orange tans, yep we poke fun of the crazy high protein diets and shakes, yep, we laugh at the fashions, it's all part of the weekend and the fun.
I see the event and Arnold as two separate entities. I'm not thrilled to have the statue here in Columbus. I don't particularly want to see anyone in a speedo out there, no matter how muscular or fit. I think a better hero is John Glenn at Vets Memorial. But that's just one person's opinion.
Regarding the event, I've always enjoyed it and the energy it brings to downtown. I'm sorry if my comments hurt anyone. I've always loved the event, haven't really loved the Arnold we've come to know more recently.
More recently? In years it has come to include more sports and actually included less of the meatheads and more of the fitness minded. Sure, I went through the expo this year and there were probably only 3-4 booths I would consider buying or trying stuff from as it's mostly BS...in fact I walked out of it with a handful(not a bag) of stuff and spent more time watching the lifters, martial artists, and gymnasts than the expo booths.
I won't try to blow your statements out of proportion and understand where your statements are coming from, but with a country and city of mostly unhealthy fatties, I'm certainly not going to be against a statue of physical fitness being put up in the city regardless of who it is. It's a better image for the people and children as opposed to XBox and a statue of some celebrity fatty to idolize.
Hell, I make fun of the meatheads and their spray tans...even THEY do...and they do all order chicken and steamed broccoli, but that's better than no order at all and I'm not going to rag on them for choosing a healthier plate over another...I might poke fun at it like you did, but nothing more.