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Day
2: Saturday, March 3 -- Da Photo
7:30 AM -- "Hey Randy! Get up!"
-- "Who is it dis time, my muddah?"
So began our early start to another day filled with Arnold bliss.
It was MY muddah who thoughtfully prepared a "breakfast of
champions" for us, and as we ate, we both admitted that it
was hard to get much sleep when today we would be seeing our idol
in person and getting a photo with him! I decide to wear my T2:3D
shirt and a bright blue blazer, so I'll stand out and maybe even
get a comment from Arnold like, "Ahhh, dis jacket is blinding
me, I don't think we'll even need a flash!"
9 AM -- After dropping off my brother in order to have
use of his car, we head up highway 23 to beautiful downtown Columbus.
We find parking much easier this time and get a spot right in
the convention center lot. The Expo is open, and already the masses
are pouring in. On the news last night, everyone was saying that
the Arnold Classic brings in the 3rd highest amount of revenue
for Columbus out of all the events taking place here each year,
and all the restaurants and bars cater to the bodybuilders by
offering things like plain hamburger patties and protein drinks.
We make the rounds saying hi to Lou, purusing the souvenir table,
but most importantly, seeing if Arnold might make an early appearance
before the Bodybuilding Prejudging. No such luck. We also look
for Chyna who is supposed to be there, but see no sign of her
either.
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10:15
-- Wanting to get there plenty early, we decide to head
over to Vets Memorial, where the Prejudging and the Arnold
Photo start at noon. It's a long walk to get to Vets, so we
inquire about the free shuttle I reaad about in the paper.
The lady at the info desk tells us where to find it and how
often it runs, and she also remarks that very few people seem
to know about it. Well, we found it waiting in the dropoff
circle-- a huge COACH bus with a sign on the front saying
ARNOLD CLASSIC. Even better, there was no one else on it!
So we relaxed in luxurious seats as we enjoyed the private
ride to Vets-- nothing less for two of Arnold's biggest fans!
10:30
-- We arrive and a line has already started forming since
they have not opened the doors yet. We stand there for a while,
and finally it begins to move. We get into the auditorium
with our Prejudging tickets and find our seats. Randy was
one of the first to order his when they went on sale, so he
was WAY up front and my seat was... not so up front, but it
was still main floor and not in the balcony. Randy told me
about the last time he did the VIP package in 1993, that they
make an announcement when Arnold starts the photos and each
section goes separately. Well, things must have changed, because
we see someone in the row in front who already has their photo!
We ask, and he tells us that the photos are already going
on! Faster than TurboMan, we find where the line is and get
in it. |
11 AM -- The waiting begins. I call my wife Brittany on
my cell phone to let her know the moment is near. She was little
upset that I didn't want her to come along because I thought she
wouldn't like it, so I promised to call her to let her in on my
excitement. We are in the line for 2 hours. It moves pretty steadily,
but sometimes stops for a while, and we figure Arnold is taking
a Maria break. Randy imitates Arnold on the phone with Maria--
"Yes, honey, I know! I just thought that you and the kids
would be bored if you came. I promise you I'll call when the Gillinator
gets here!" I crack up at the thought of Arnold saying that.
Meanwhile, a little boy has commanded the attention of some big
guys standing in front of us. He has been quoting episodes of
the Simpsons verbatim for the past 15 minutes. He also talks about
getting Lou Ferrigno's autograph, and is oblivious to the fact
that he's waiting to get a photo with Arnold because his dad hasn't
told him. The other guys joke around with him, and one guy annoucnes
to everyone in line that this kid will now do his Lou Ferrigno
impression for their entertainment. The boy is embarassed at first,
but eventually concedes and does a "most-muscular" pose
which is greeted with cheers. Then the guy slips and says, "You
should do that when you see Arnold" to which the boy's eyes
widen up to the size of dumbbells and he squeals as he comes to
the realization of what's happening. We smile at the sight of
the little Oak Fan going to get his dream fulfilled, and we share
his excitement.
1 PM -- The time has finally come. After waiting in the
line in the lobby area, we are shown into a backstage room where
the bodybuilders can pump up before going on stage. There are
several security guys telling everyone to stay against the wall
and going over "the rules":
1. Leave all bags and cameras on a table in the room
2. Do not shake Arnold's hand or ask him for an autograph
3. Step next to Arnold and he will put his arm around you for
a better photo
4. If the photo turns out bad, show it to a security person and
you can get it retaken
5. Absolutely NO bad Arnold imitations (OK, that wasn't really
a rule, but we added it since we're sure Arnold must get sick
of people seeing him and saying "Hey Arnold! Ahl be bach!")
Finally, we are in THE room, which is much smaller. Upon entering,
we leave our bags on the table, and then I see how fast this
process really is. Each person is told to stand shoulder-to-shoulder
and keep the space closed between him and the next person as you
go around the perimeter of the room. There are several people
who try to joke around with you while keeping the line moving
to prevent people from getting "starstruck". Then when
you approach Arnold, there is a person on one side who puts you
in place next to him, then FLASH, then a person on the other side
escorts you away, you pick up your picture and cardboard frame
from child volunteers, and it's over. It takes literally 3 seconds.
I had gone over in my head what I should try to say to him, but
when the time came, all I could get out was "Hi Arnold!"
I felt retarded. Maybe I should be in the special olympics. However,
the good thing is that my picture takes longer than usual because
Arnold is laughing about something when I approach, and says,
"Someone should write a book about all dis, huh?" I
share in his laughter even though I have no idea what it is about,
so I get an extra few seconds next to him before the camera flashes
and I am given the boot.
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