Dear Automation,
I understand that the new generation of Texters and Facebook sycophants not only need to announce there every movement, but also have no regard for grammar, correct English or diction.
Additionally, I find using transitional phrases and creating new paragraphs to be easier on the reader and conveys a clearer message.
Perhaps it is my old-school education or my job, but I don't think this country benefits by using poor grammar, slang that no rational person can understand nor by tolerating a refusal to earn so much as a High School Diploma.
But back to bodybuilding, I will get some of the photos I took of Craig throughout the days of the contest and ask my "computer guy" how to paste a photo up here.
And yes, I accept all the mocking of my inability to grasp simple state of the art technology. My head is still a bit in the sand but if it means giving you guys a fair shot at Craig, I'll do it.
NJFlex is correct in that I did train with Vinnie Galanti in his prep for the 1997 Nationals in Dallas when he took 4th Place (Sylvester Solomon won the class).
I also trained with a fellow named Darryl Perry (aka "Perry") who in my humble opinion, was Flex Wheeler before there was a Flex Wheeler. Back then, guys really did care about training legs hard and heavy and his legs were proof of that. Today's "Soccer Mom" gyms are a pathetic joke. Perry would have gone far but there was a political problem in his interactions with Shirley Kemper that after awhile, did not go over well with the political warlords of that day.
I also trained with Tom Shoebridge who was a very large competitor for that time as well as Rob Lopez who to this day, still has some of the best biceps and genetics you will ever see.
I am very privileged to have had these experiences and see so much of bodybuilding for so many years "from the other side of the rope." When I used to post here, my stories were often dismissed as hyperbole or outright lies so I just stopped. I liked having a forum where guys discussed lifting, dieting, bodybuilding and all things related to bodybuilding. We may be a small lunatic fringe of the sports world but it is our world and we like it and it matters to us. We do pretty well for ourselves when we focus on the central thread that brings us all to this forum.
Harley