Dinner with Anyone

[Londonboy]

Okay, so this is really a bizarre question, but please humor me. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (yes, bodybuilders included) who would it be? They could be living or dead.

I will begin. At the risk of fitting every stereotype of a gay man, I must say Meryl Streep. I have been in awe of the woman ever since I saw "The Deer Hunter." I then was continually amazed by "Sophie's Choice," "Plenty," "Kramer vs. Kramer," "The Devil Wears Prada," and so many more. I know I'm letting some people down by not choosing some hunky guy, but Ms. Streep simply amazes me - sorry. I'd love to chat her up over a wonderful meal.

And you? Who would you have dinner with? I'd love to hear.

[Yachirobi]

That's a hard question as there are a lot of people I'd like to eat with. If it could really be anyone then I'd choose God. I'd like to know how to get into his line of work.

More seriously, probably Neil Gaiman. He's just an amazing man.

If we go with hunky guys then I'd choose Colby Keller. Yeah, he's not the most muscular guy but I'll always go with arty nerds over hot bodies. And Colby has a pretty hot body (plus he's not gay-for-pay so there'd be a chance for post-dinner nookie.)

[arpeejay]

I'd never be able to limit it to just one! I'll start with you, Londonboy!

xoxo

Richard

[Londonboy]

That's funny, Richard, because you were second to Meryl! So, come on, tell me one person you'd love to have dinner with. There's got to be someone...

[arpeejay]

Hmm. As I said, I couldn't possibly prioritize, so I'll have to give you a sampling. Dave Draper, the Blond Bomber, because he's totally hot and strikes me as a really nice guy. Cher, for the same reasons. Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, and Christopher Isherwood. Harry Truman. The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Pearl Mesta. Abigail Adams.

I hope that's suitably revealing! :-)

xoxo

Richard

[Londonboy]

Dave Draper - YES! And yes to all the others. Suitably revealing? That list was as diverse as the city of Los Angeles! I'm impressed.

[Londonboy]

Richard,

How about Steve Reeves? I think I'd like one dinner with him, too. And it would have to involve a lot of martinis - from both of us! Don't you agree?

[arpeejay]

Definitely Steve Reeves!

Of course, it's also the case that there are plenty of incredible bodybuilders (past and present) that I probably wouldn't be all that interested in having dinner with. Arnold, for example, or Jay Cutler, both of whom as strike me as way to into themselves. On the other hand, some of them were / are so into themselves that I think it would have been amusing, e.g., Mike Mentzer (then), or Victor Richards or Lee Priest. And I'd probably kill to have dinner with Mike Matarazzo! :-)

xoxo

Richard

[Mdlftr]

Interesting thread...


For bodybuilders I think I'd pick Larry Scott, then Frank Zane, as I think both of those guys are somewhat introspective and also articulate about how they became interested in building muscle. While very successful, they also have genetics "somewhat" close to the average man, so they could possibly identify with the trials and tribulations of hard gainers and regular people.

Secondly, I'd definitely pick Mike Mentzer, just because he was my first bodybuilding "hero" and I always felt like he did not get the recognition or bodybuildling success he deserved. Then I'd talk to Andreas Frey of Germany because he's that rare combination of huge guy (over 300# during the off season) while at my height (6'3") with a thoughtful side. He's a teacher, and I'd like to talk to him about how his bodybuilding impacts his students - as a role model or attention getter to focus on the lesson or what.

Finally, just for historical interest, I'd pick famous historical figures who were athletic in their youth, and talk to them about their physical activities to see what they have to say. Before they were old and famous, they were young and active. I'd pick Henry VIII (of the 6 wives) of England, George Washington of Virginia, and Gerald Ford, former U.S. President and all-around athlete.

It will be a very ecletic dinner!

Mdlftr

[Londonboy]

Mdlftr,

Very eclectic, indeed. Henry VIII definitely! I'd want to invite Anne Boleyn, as well, to see what she had to add to the conversation. I'm so with you and Richard on Mike Mentzer. Have to add Frank Zane to my list, as well. I'll have to think about the historical figures for a while, there would definitely be a few on my list. Thanks for sharing.