Author Topic: Stories - Inspirational / Las Vegas  (Read 131280 times)

Jay Em

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #50 on: November 13, 2006, 08:08:08 PM »
Only and stunt; you guys have the stories; you could each easily write a book
and I'll tell you I'd be first in line to buy one from each (but only if I got both
your autographs).

Anyway, a little snooze break.

Dateline: 1974, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV; The National Wristwrestling
Championships. ABC was there to film with Frank Gifford as MC. The officating
body was World Wristwrestling, Inc., Petaluma, California. Bill Soberanes,
president and official, self-proclaimed, "Peopleologist." Bill was the "other" guy
who armwrestled Governor Ronald Reagan (besides Dan "the man" Lurie).

I was on assignment by Billie Jean King's "Women's Sports" magazine (the first
male they told me, to get an assignment), to cover the women's event
(which is another BIG story in its own right but not for here, now...).

Anyway, I was there for the weekend and had some down or lull time. One of
the heavyweight contenders whom I had met, needed some extra practice
so he asked me to turn a wrist with him. My egO wouldn't let me say NO,
so after the auditorium was empty, we adorned the wrist table (everyone
else was eating at one), and locked up.

Long story short. I held my own to a degree but he always turned me over
and spanked my hand good. Each turn burned! My arm was getting pumped
but also sore. But we kept it up, over and over again. He said he just needed
the resistence to help him overcome his sticking point. I had done a little
wrist-turning with world champ Jim Pollock, who I had written about, so in
a small respect I gave this heavy a little challenge for his money (little would
be the key word). But I went with him to the end (I was nearly praying
silently that he'd quit). Afterwards, my arm was nearly frozen in pain and I
couldn't hardly bend it straight (made it hard to take notes and write).

The next day it was worse. But I asked for it. And I got it.

What a weekend. Besides the women, I interviewed Bobby Riggs, who had
just recently lost that "Super" tennis match with Billie Jean, and I saw
a famous bodybuilder approach the table out of the crowd (MMI article I
did in October/November '04 exposed this) and LOSE. Twice in a row! 

By the way, it took me a full two weeks to recover from that wrist assault
on my innocent arm. But guess what. It greatly increased my ability in that
particular endeavor, and in overall arm strength (in my right arm).

The weekend itself and memories stayed with me a lot longer.

The Squadfather

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #51 on: January 06, 2007, 09:43:41 AM »
Okay my first one.  And this one gets me everytime I tell it to someone.  Very hard for me not to get teared up when I think about this time.  (Yes I am now)

Anyway I was a celebrity volunteer for the Special Olympics.  For about 3 years I spent allot of time traveling around the country working with the Special Olympics as a volunteer to help encourage the kids and also put on demonstrations and hold clinics for the kids.  At time Rafer Johnson was the President of the Special Olympics.  I met with him and Eunice Shriver (who invented the Special Olympics with her husband Sargent, and is also Maria Shrivers parents) and we were looking into having armwrestling as part of the Special Olympics.  Well that didn't last to long cause it is a very long and very hard and expensive ordeal.  You literally have to have EVERY chapter around the world not only have it as a demonstration sport first but 100% of them have to approve it. 

SO I gave up on that idea but still brought my table to every Special Olympics I went too.  And at every single event I ever went to, my clinic was the most packed and participated of them all.  I mean EVERYONE wanted to armwrestle.

Well one thing I did was let the kids armwrestle me.  I would sometimes armwrestle 300 kids or more a day.  It was awesome!  Every single kid I let beat me.  And every kid woudl go ballastic.  They would jump up and down yelling they beat me and everything.  It was great.  The parents were usually there taking pictures and everything.  I loved this.

Well at the International Winter Games in Reno in 1989 I had a great time.  met so many people.  I played craps and all the other celebrities I would play for and won everyone money.  I can't rmemeber her name but that black ice skater who was really pretty just fell in love with me.  She was so pretty and we spent allot of time togther.  I forgot her name though.

Anyway, on the last day they have the closing ceremonies.  This where we all say bye to everyone and other awards are given out.  Allot like the closing ceremonies at the regualar Olympics.  SO I am standing up watching when all of a sudden this lady comes up to me.  She grabs me and takes me back into this hallway.  She says "Keith I should kill you"  I looked at her and said why what did I do?  She said (her son's name that I can't remember) made me stay up all night to call everyone of his friends back in Minnesota to tell them he beat the World Champion.  He was so exicited he didn't sleep at all she said.  Then she started to cry and grabbed me so hard and just said thank you so many times.  She said her son has never been that excited in his entire life.  I felt so awesome at that moment I can't tell you.

These kids are some of the best anywhere on earth.  I truly loved working with them.  In fact it was the Hawaii team that saw me at these games and the President asking me to come to Hawaii that I would be a huge hit there.

Whenever I think of stuff like this I see exactly how much of a pussy I am.  I can't believe I am letting what happened to me affect me so much.  Not sure why it does, but I will someday hopefully be an inspiration like these kids.  Then I'll be alright.

I gotta a zilliion of these.  If you don't like them just tell me and I'll stop, no problem, just thought I'd share
can't believe i missed this thread, awesome stuff Keith.

smaul

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #52 on: March 02, 2007, 06:19:20 AM »
All nice and well Keith, but give us some more! that first one was great!
It hasn't helped...

onlyme

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #53 on: March 02, 2007, 09:51:26 AM »
This one just came up yesterday when talking to someone.  When I first moved to Hawaii, I became involved with an organization called NO Hope IN Dope.  It was formed by a policeman and supported greatly by the force and other companies.  We went around and did speakings at schools and companies all over the state.  We did this almost every week somewhere.  I must have been to more than 50 schools around Hawaii.  Well one time we spoke at a Youth Correctional Facility.

Most of the people involved in the performance part of this were athletes or known celebrities in Hawaii.  They all took drugs at one point but then became clean and wanted to share their stories to help others.  I on the other hand has never taken drugs.  I mean like pot, coke or anything like that.  I did take steroids for awhile and I actually tell everyone that when I speak.  But the main point was the hard drugs and I was there because I became successful and led a great life without doing drugs.

Well at this correctional facility I spoke to the kids and told them stories of things i did and even armwrestled quite a few of them.  It was great and the kids loved it.  They all were really nice kids.

Well about a few years later, I was in LA with a friend walking through a mall in the Valley.  I hear "hey Keith!" all of a sudden.  We look around and their is this kid waving at me then he comes running down the escalator towards us.  We shake hands and he says "Keith you probably don't remember me but I was at the Youth Correctional Facility when you came there and talked to us."  I said I remembered that but really didn't remember him.  He said "I want to tell you that you were really great when you came there and I listened to you."  You inspired me and I armwrestle now."  I said no way and he said he lives in northern california and he has been armwrestling for the past year and won some matches.  He siad he loved it. He thanked me again and again. 

It made me feel good that I helped him.

I have another Special Olympica one I just thought of I will tell soon.

dknole

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #54 on: March 25, 2007, 06:13:26 AM »
Southern Wine & Spirits - this company is now valued at over $3 Billion. I was at the (a?) VP's house two weekends ago for a dinner party, just so cool and laid back. Selling alcohol, quality wine is like printing money, depression market never really hits!

Doug Kalman

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #55 on: March 25, 2007, 06:36:51 AM »
You know I probably was there just can't remember.  Considering I help you put on the show and was at Gold's everyday.  Hey the casting director for lost is my old friend Margeret Doversola.  I hadn't talked to her for maybe 8 years. She has been the biggest casting director in Hawaii since she was handling Hawaii Five-O.  SHe also did Jake and the Fatman and Magnum PI.  I called her in November to say hi to see about getting my oldest daughter on the show LOST.  SHe said absolutely Keith I have some parts she would be good for in the flashback scenes.  I also hooked my daughter up with my Hawaii agent.  Well my less then ambitious daughter never called or went to see Margeret and called my agent once.  I swear I can't get her to anything but surf and have fun.  I give up trying to make her life easy and fun.  She is going to have to learn the hard way.  I don't even want to get into trying to get her to play pro tennis or pro soccer.  That too screwed me up.

Hey Keith - when my girl and I come to the Big Island, let's meet up and have my girl talk with your daughter. My girl played pro soccer, played in the Olympics (gold medal), on the National team, had a university retire her # and was even featured in Flex a few years back as the best body in women's soccer (she can step on the stage at any natural show and win her weight class with just a little training. She now is an Olympic Weightlifter. She motivates me - your stories and personality seem very warm. Your dinner is on me!

In Ft Lauderdale (where we reside now),

Doug

onlyme

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #56 on: March 25, 2007, 01:18:20 PM »
Hey Keith - when my girl and I come to the Big Island, let's meet up and have my girl talk with your daughter. My girl played pro soccer, played in the Olympics (gold medal), on the National team, had a university retire her # and was even featured in Flex a few years back as the best body in women's soccer (she can step on the stage at any natural show and win her weight class with just a little training. She now is an Olympic Weightlifter. She motivates me - your stories and personality seem very warm. Your dinner is on me!

In Ft Lauderdale (where we reside now),

Doug

That would be great.  I wish my daughter would have stuck with it.  Everyone thought she had all the talent she needed to make it.  I really wanted her to play tennis.  Oh well.  I love Ft. Lauderdale.  Was there for about 3 months.  Lived at the Days Inn right there.  Just tell me when you will be here ahead of time.  Keith

dknole

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #57 on: March 25, 2007, 03:08:51 PM »
That would be great.  I wish my daughter would have stuck with it.  Everyone thought she had all the talent she needed to make it.  I really wanted her to play tennis.  Oh well.  I love Ft. Lauderdale.  Was there for about 3 months.  Lived at the Days Inn right there.  Just tell me when you will be here ahead of time.  Keith

Will do!

Rimbaud

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #58 on: April 07, 2007, 06:33:53 AM »
All right here goes. I forgot to post this a while ago. My wife & I were in Las Vegas & we're doing the whole walk to strip thing. It's about 10:30AM & we go to New York New York. We wander around for an hour & then some guy gives us some drink coupons. My thought is it's almost noon we're in Vegas & we haven't had a drink yet. So we go sit at the bar & get a couple drinks. I start talking with the bartender & he tells us that there's some progressive nickel slots that have a jackpot of like $8400 & he's never seen the jackpot over $3000. & to win the jackpot you only had to spend a quarter. So I finish my beer & we go over there. We start playing & after about ten minutes my wife loses her money. I still have most of mine but I'm getting board & kinda spacing out. About five minutes later she taps me on shoulder & says "honey you just won.". I look at the machine & say "holy shit". A casino worker comes & takes my information & then about ten minutes later she comes out & gives me over $8000 in cash. So I went back to the bar & gave the bartender about a $300 tip. We then left & went back to our room so I could put the money in the safe (before I did anything too stupid with it).

stuntmovie

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #59 on: April 07, 2007, 09:52:05 AM »
Good going, Rimbaud! Best part is that you remembered the bartender.

I don't play the video poker machines too often but I have hit the ROYAL twice and each time I only had 25 cents in the five quarter machine.

I now play those penny machines a lot and have discovered (in my experience) that you can always (well, maybe 80%n of the time) be a winner if you quit that machine if/when you get 20 to 30%  ahead.

When I go for a bigger win, I seem to lose it all.

How many casino employees appeared out of nowhere when they paid you off?


Rimbaud

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #60 on: April 10, 2007, 06:44:00 PM »
Good going, Rimbaud! Best part is that you remembered the bartender.

I don't play the video poker machines too often but I have hit the ROYAL twice and each time I only had 25 cents in the five quarter machine.

I now play those penny machines a lot and have discovered (in my experience) that you can always (well, maybe 80%n of the time) be a winner if you quit that machine if/when you get 20 to 30%  ahead.

When I go for a bigger win, I seem to lose it all.

How many casino employees appeared out of nowhere when they paid you off?

I used to bartend I wouldn't have forgotten him. I think there were two employees who came out.

snowboarding_bear

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #61 on: February 17, 2008, 08:08:35 PM »
alright im new here, and this is my first post...but this is my motivation...and its a story about me lol
i used to be 5 foot 8 220lbs..nothing but fat, in june i joined the delayed enlistment program for the marines to get into shape and prepare myself((i go to bootcamp may 26th)) and well i used to bench about 115lbs no joke..curled a 15 lb dumbell and thats about it...now im 5 foot 9, 165lbs, i can curl 60lb dumbells bench 210, run a mile in about 5:30 and do 17-18 pullups and thats my motivation, thats my inspirations thats what keeps me dedicated

this one also inspires me..
my friend richard, just left for bootcamp like..3 weeks ago..when he first decided to join the marines he needed to lose somthing like 100lbs..and he did it...he couldnt do anypullups..now..well when he left for boot he was doin 5, running 1.5miles in 12:00

i kno i kno i kno
they dont hit you deep down but it inspires me and a whole bunch of the people in the DEP programm

knny187

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #62 on: February 20, 2008, 11:57:45 AM »
Congrats.  Hopefully soon you'll be wearing the EGA.

snowboarding_bear

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Re: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
« Reply #63 on: March 04, 2008, 10:24:15 AM »
i cant wait lol.
my ssgt was like 'damn lemelin soon as u get back from boot im gonna parade u around to all the schools'

w8m8

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #64 on: April 08, 2008, 03:59:47 PM »
near a year later may I ?



BUMP for more

please  :)

Deadpool

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #65 on: April 09, 2008, 04:57:00 AM »
I'm leaving las vegas (sings WAY off key)

lalalalalalolololoz.....

(drinks jackncoke) I'm leavin' fer gooooood

customers order rounds of doubles...

hey baby, I'll hold your hair while ya ::)
X

onlyme

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #66 on: April 09, 2008, 12:55:22 PM »
Well I am living here right now so more stories will come soon.  No gambling stories to speak of right now.  Helping my uncle sell about $3 million in memorabilia right now while I am waiting for all the paperwork to get done with the gym.  But more stories will be brewing soon

hazbin

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #67 on: August 08, 2008, 02:36:54 AM »
Well I am living here right now so more stories will come soon.  No gambling stories to speak of right now.  Helping my uncle sell about $3 million in memorabilia right now while I am waiting for all the paperwork to get done with the gym.  But more stories will be brewing soon

Hey Keith,

just noticed this post, are you living in Vegas now?

what memorabilia are you selling?  i like collecting stuff.

i'll PM you my next trip to Vegas, it would be cool to hang out.

rik

lax

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #68 on: May 27, 2009, 08:05:07 AM »
Hey Keith,

just noticed this post, are you living in Vegas now?

what memorabilia are you selling?  i like collecting stuff.

i'll PM you my next trip to Vegas, it would be cool to hang out.

rik

Keith...have any old, authentic, rare sandow stuff?

I have one of the biggest collections I know of.

hazbin

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #69 on: May 27, 2009, 10:32:59 AM »
Keith...have any old, authentic, rare sandow stuff?

I have one of the biggest collections I know of.

what have you got?  i got a set of the split grip dumbbells from the 1890's. the box they were shipped in (really rough condition) all the manuals and a book.

lax

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #70 on: May 30, 2009, 06:27:02 PM »
what have you got?  i got a set of the split grip dumbbells from the 1890's. the box they were shipped in (really rough condition) all the manuals and a book.

I have 6 sets of those spring dbs pictured....I have 5 of the Metal tins plus cleaning cloths they were shipped in. I have two chest expanders (springs) in the original boxes in excellent condition...the handles are made of wood and have Sandow's signature on them in red ink. I have some coin/medallions that were enclosed in Sandowe's cocoa mix. Cool stuff. Fun.

probably not the largest collection...but I am happy with it! :)

The ChemistV2

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #71 on: May 30, 2009, 09:35:04 PM »
what have you got?  i got a set of the split grip dumbbells from the 1890's. the box they were shipped in (really rough condition) all the manuals and a book.
Just wanted to thank you again..publicly...for sending me that magazine from 1977. You are an awesome person for doing that. I hadn't seen that issue in many years.  Sounds like you have quite a collection of things from this genre.

lax

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #72 on: June 01, 2009, 01:22:27 PM »
Just wanted to thank you again..publicly...for sending me that magazine from 1977. You are an awesome person for doing that. I hadn't seen that issue in many years.  Sounds like you have quite a collection of things from this genre.

Chem...you are one of the best physiques on here...next to Hazbin...however, we all must take a bow! :)

The ChemistV2

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #73 on: June 01, 2009, 03:30:55 PM »
Chem...you are one of the best physiques on here...next to Hazbin...however, we all must take a bow! :)
Yes, he's a great physique..but also a really great guy. He found an issue of Muscular Development from 1977 that had a story on me when I was 14.  He sent me the mint condition issue and asked for nothing in return. I owe him one.

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Re: Las Vegas Stories
« Reply #74 on: June 01, 2009, 05:13:12 PM »
thanx, guys!!

i don't know what it is about those old mags. i've aquired tons of them, with lotsa doubles. i just can't stand the thought of getting rid of them, or seeing them destroyed. so if i see someone who will respect them, i send them. i sent McFarland about 40 Flex from the 90's last year.

as far as my bodybuilding, i know i got pretty big, but fell way way short of my goals. i guess i plaster this forum with pics to pad my bruised ego.

i've been looking for that issue with your dad deadlifting ( lots of odd plates and dress pants if i remember, lol), if i find it i'll send that too.