Many years later

[arpeejay]

At a recent conference I met a colleague / former classmate who I hadn't seen in at least a decade, perhaps even a dozen or more years.

"Fritz" is a smidge taller than I, at least 10 years older (I'll be 46 in April), and even in graduate school he was built like a brick shithouse. Probably no more than 150-160 lbs. at 5'11 back then but broad shoulders, nice thick chest and arms, wasp waist, ZERO bodyfat. Everybody, male and female, swooned over him, and I was no different, despite the fact that at the time I was married to a woman and ostensibly "straight" (ha!)

At this recent outing I didn't recognize him at first. Partly it was the facial hair (he had none previously, now sports a goatee), mostly the fact that he's a LOT bigger. I don't know how much he weighs now but I'm guessing 190-200 lbs., all of it muscle. Just as lean as before, if not more so. The veins in his arms were corded like ropes. He looked hard and strong as a bull. On the other hand...

I suppose it's uncharitable of me but all I could think was "steroids, steroids, lots and lots of steroids." His face is fuller but more than that it was just palin red and his bright blue eyes looked like they were about to pop out. The kind of big, buff, ultra-low bodyfat, paper thin skin look that you see on guys who have been taking anabolics to combat (?) HIV. Not that I'm speculating as to Fritz's status, it's just that the look is similar.

Would that I looked as good at 45, much less 10 years from now! Except that what used to be a really handsome face is now the kind that screams "incipient stroke victim."

<< shrugs >>

We all gotta do what we gotta do.

Some food for thought on a cold Michigan night.

xoxo

Richard

[wbhunk]

Richard, methinks you are far too hard on yourself. I am sure you look better at 46 than he did.

Incidentally, for those who don't know, Richard DOES look very, very good!