Long Journeys and Friendships

oldfella · Jan 15, 2009

This thread is Dedicated to my good friend Phidias.

A while back when I joined Professional Muscle I met a guy who calles himself Phidias. Just another body bulder with well above average knowledge and a top class physique. An intelligent and articulate man that lives on the other side of the globe. Witty and charming at the same time we slowly built a friendship over this thing we call the web. We shared a common bond in body building and also, as we came to find out a lot of the same views and ideals as well. We exchanged emails, ideas and knowledge. I always had extended him an invitation to come to my home and visit sometime.

Well as many of you know he took me up on my offer and came here in October 08. He will be departing this Saturday jan 17th. I can say we have enjoyed some laughs, some hard training, great conversations about many issues and shared the same living space. He has given me something that I lost so many years ago when my marriage fell apart and my motivation for many things had died. All I wa doing for years was going through the motions. He came along and sparked something in me simply by his very presence here. He has helped me get my drive, my motivation, my hunger for training and body building back. But more importantly he has renewed my strength of character, recharged my Zest for life and peaked my aggression for going for it. Not just in the gym but outside this hallowed ground as well.

He made a long journey to get here and be with me for this short time. I can only hope that he has enjoyed his time here and that he too has gained so much from our time together as I have from his being here. He is a great person, good friend, compassionate human being and above all a great body builder, even if he will not admit to this. He is so humble yet so kind. His journey will continue tomorrow for far away destinations. I can only wish him well and to stay safe wherever his travels will take him. I wish him the best of success in all his endevors.

Phidias my good friend, it has been an immense pleasure to have you here, I have enjoyed your company so very much. You are welcome here any time my friend without so much as a call. Just knock on the door and you shall enter. From here I can only wish you "Bon Voyage"

You will be missed and I know you will stay in touch. Love you like my brother JC. All the very best to you!

Thor · Jan 15, 2009

GOOD TO HEAR

oldfella said:
This thread is Dedicated to my good friend Phidias.

A while back when I joined Professional Muscle I met a guy who calles himself Phidias. Just another body bulder with well above average knowledge and a top class physique. An intelligent and articulate man that lives on the other side of the globe. Witty and charming at the same time we slowly built a friendship over this thing we call the web. We shared a common bond in body building and also, as we came to find out a lot of the same views and ideals as well. We exchanged emails, ideas and knowledge. I always had extended him an invitation to come to my home and visit sometime.

Well as many of you know he took me up on my offer and came here in October 08. He will be departing this Saturday jan 17th. I can say we have enjoyed some laughs, some hard training, great conversations about many issues and shared the same living space. He has given me something that I lost so many years ago when my marriage fell apart and my motivation for many things had died. All I wa doing for years was going through the motions. He came along and sparked something in me simply by his very presence here. He has helped me get my drive, my motivation, my hunger for training and body building back. But more importantly he has renewed my strength of character, recharged my Zest for life and peaked my aggression for going for it. Not just in the gym but outside this hallowed ground as well.

He made a long journey to get here and be with me for this short time. I can only hope that he has enjoyed his time here and that he too has gained so much from our time together as I have from his being here. He is a great person, good friend, compassionate human being and above all a great body builder, even if he will not admit to this. He is so humble yet so kind. His journey will continue tomorrow for far away destinations. I can only wish him well and to stay safe wherever his travels will take him. I wish him the best of success in all his endevors.

Phidias my good friend, it has been an immense pleasure to have you here, I have enjoyed your company so very much. You are welcome here any time my friend without so much as a call. Just knock on the door and you shall enter. From here I can only wish you "Bon Voyage"

You will be missed and I know you will stay in touch. Love you like my brother JC. All the very best to you!

What a great post OF ! I always like what he (and you) have to say here. It sounds like you guys have a great friendship which is something to be cherished these days. I remember when you first joined here, you extended that invitation to all of us to come down to OZ and workout at your gym and say hi. I remember that and thought about how cool that would be. Hopefully someday I too will be able to visit your gym and get to spend some time with ya, until then I am glad to have you and Phidias aboard here.

oldfella · Jan 16, 2009

Thor said:
What a great post OF ! I always like what he (and you) have to say here. It sounds like you guys have a great friendship which is something to be cherished these days. I remember when you first joined here, you extended that invitation to all of us to come down to OZ and workout at your gym and say hi. I remember that and thought about how cool that would be. Hopefully someday I too will be able to visit your gym and get to spend some time with ya, until then I am glad to have you and Phidias aboard here.

Well it only serves to show at we have a very humane side to us. all too often we get stereotyped and labeled incorrectly. Since I have been a part of this community I have found nothing but compassion and humilty here. There are great people among us with not only great physiques, but great heart and soul as well. I have had the honor and privelege to host one such member in Phidias. I welcome our members world wide to extend a hand of friendship and open your doors and hearts. You will be pleasantly rewarded by your efforts.

Big A · Jan 16, 2009

That's a really nice post. I thought he might move here, or least both of you make a trip down south.

thebrick · Jan 16, 2009

What a great post OF!

You know… wisdom, humor and human decency comes through in Phidias' posts AND yours! And not just in bodybuilding, but about that much bigger more important thing called life. It sounds like you two had a great time… and in this world, good friendships make it a richer and more meaningful life… one that makes you smile inside and out.

lynx · Jan 16, 2009

That was a great post, it made me smile. I just wish we got more pictures!

aeliop · Jan 16, 2009

Two of the best

Oldfella and Phidias two of the best of what bodybuilding and mankind has to offer. Two great all around guys that just happen to look fantastic also. Marilyn and I would welcome the both of you here anytime.

oswlsj · Jan 16, 2009

Oldfella,
What you wrote was very moving. It really lets us know what is most important in life. I am happy you guys had a great time and were able to learn and grow from each other.
j

w8tlifterty · Jan 16, 2009

Phidias and OF...two of the best!

Awesome post OF, havent spoke with you much here but always respect what you have to say. Have pm'd Phidias on several occasions and he is definately a great guy. Guys like this are what make this board so great.

MR. BMJ · Jan 16, 2009

There is nothing more fulfilling than meeting another member friend/Mod in person. I am very paranoid, but know who I can trust in case a meet-up takes place. I have had the pleasure this past year to meet a lot of my fellow moderator friends from my board, along with a handful of the members, and it was awesome!

Let's face it, we are an outcast to many within the society, and we place our true feelings out among many here on the boards who are just like us and have the same experiences. I consider many people from my board (moderators) my closest friends I have, even sometimes more than my close living friends, mainly due in part to the fact that I just can't and do not talk about any of this stuff outside of my board friends. Funny how that works out huh?

I wouldn't call myself a vet on this board at all, not even close, but I can relate to this post from my other boards that I am on, and also the fact that from the time that i've been here, Phidias seems like a real class act member....and friend to many of you here.

For as much controversay that goes on here at this board, both good and bad, there are some solid members, Mods, and of course BigA.

Congrats to your friendship!!!

BMJ

oldfella · Jan 16, 2009

Big A said:
That's a really nice post. I thought he might move here, or least both of you make a trip down south.

Hello Big A,
thank you. Yes I metioned it to him on a few occassions that at least he should drop down to you and see you. I know you would welcome him. You are of the same ilk as many of us here. Old school and real! One of these days I will let you know Big A. I like your end of the country and will def come and visit, soon I hope. Would love to meet you and sit down for a meal.

Thank you also for this board, this community and the freindships it has afforded me. I trest many here like my family because in a sense we are. Like Mr. BMJ put it. We are somewhat outcasts in society in general. But little do they know the good side of us and the good we like to do.

b-boy · Jan 16, 2009

damn dale, great post bro!!!!!!

oldfella · Jan 16, 2009

thebrick said:
You know… wisdom, humor and human decency comes through in Phidias' posts AND yours! And not just in bodybuilding, but about that much bigger more important thing called life. It sounds like you two had a great time… and in this world, good friendships make it a richer and more meaningful life… one that makes you smile inside and out.

Thank you Mick. We seem to be a vanishing breed these days with all the younger ones trying to make their mark on the scene. Many of them have lost the respect due that comes from years of hard training, mistake making, learning from those mistakes. The impatience is what does this. But If memory serves me correctly, I was that age once and impatient too.

lynx said:
That was a great post, it made me smile. I just wish we got more pictures!

Thank you Mer. Well Phidias has a phobia about cameras and his face. So the pretty boy does not like his pic taken much. I have truly enjoyed having my brother here. He is an awesome guy and I hope he travels to see you two who he really looks up to.

aeliop said:
Oldfella and Phidias two of the best of what bodybuilding and mankind has to offer. Two great all around guys that just happen to look fantastic also. Marilyn and I would welcome the both of you here anytime.

Thank you Anthony and Marilyn. Your words are always true and there is wisdom in them as well. With age comes the getting of wisdom, so many seem to think we are born with it. Not so! It is a learned thing. One thing I want all to consider, approach our sport with an open mind, a kind heart, a humble outlook and always be respectful of others. You just never know when you might meet one of us in a dark alley! LOL Also thank you for your open invitation. The same holds true for you two. Any time guys!! BTW my mother lives in Palm Bay Fla. SO you just never know!!

alfresco said:
Oldfella, that was a very thoughtful, kind and generous
thing to do. The world would be a better place with
more people like you and Phidias in it.

Thanks Alfresco. I have always enjoyed your posts here. You are one of our more considerate and caring member here. I appreciate your kind words. And you are so correct. All it takes is to show just a little kindness, a little compassion and we would all get along much better.

oswlsj said:
Oldfella,
What you wrote was very moving. It really lets us know what is most important in life. I am happy you guys had a great time and were able to learn and grow from each other.
j

It certainly was fun. We did have some good laughs and Phidas' visit will be one I will never forget. Just a great guy and real down to earth human being, a very large human being!!! LOL

w8tlifterty said:
Awesome post OF, havent spoke with you much here but always respect what you have to say. Have pm'd Phidias on several occasions and he is definately a great guy. Guys like this are what make this board so great.

Hey W8, any time you need anything please feel free to pm me also. All to happy to help our good members here. It is what I joined this community for, to learn and make friends. Thanks for your contributions here.

MR. BMJ said:
There is nothing more fulfilling than meeting another member friend/Mod in person. I am very paranoid, but know who I can trust in case a meet-up takes place. I have had the pleasure this past year to meet a lot of my fellow moderator friends from my board, along with a handful of the members, and it was awesome!

Let's face it, we are an outcast to many within the society, and we place our true feelings out among many here on the boards who are just like us and have the same experiences. I consider many people from my board (moderators) my closest friends I have, even sometimes more than my close living friends, mainly due in part to the fact that I just can't and do not talk about any of this stuff outside of my board friends. Funny how that works out huh?

I wouldn't call myself a vet on this board at all, not even close, but I can relate to this post from my other boards that I am on, and also the fact that from the time that i've been here, Phidias seems like a real class act member....and friend to many of you here.

For as much controversay that goes on here at this board, both good and bad, there are some solid members, Mods, and of course BigA.

Congrats to your friendship!!!

BMJ

Thank you, it is boards like Pro Muscle and a few other good ones that allow the good people of body building to network and share information. Then to hook up for training and even travel to distant places and meet some of our brothers and sisters in iron. This has just been one of the best experiences you could imagine. I friendship that is chisled in granite for sure!!

pesty4077 · Jan 16, 2009

Good post Old fella! What a great friendship, I to had the pleasure of meeting Alex Azarian from this board and he put a spark back into me also, and I consider him a good friend. We might all have are disagreements once in a while, but we should respect ecah other. You never know who you will run into.

BULK_CITY · Jan 16, 2009

That was one of the nicest posts I've ever read. Happy for both of you guys!

AN3M4L · Jan 17, 2009

A very nice post and an example of how we should embrace each other.

full_belly · Jan 17, 2009

you guys sure are correct!!! the avg person would prob not believe narcissistic, vain bodybuilders such as ourselves are capable of beautiful sentiment! great post oldfella,

oldfella · Jan 17, 2009

b-boy said:
damn dale, great post bro!!!!!!

Thanks brad. It all comes from the heart brother. The only place a post like this can come from. That is why they have so much meaning and emotion.

pesty4077 said:
Good post Old fella! What a great friendship, I to had the pleasure of meeting Alex Azarian from this board and he put a spark back into me also, and I consider him a good friend. We might all have are disagreements once in a while, but we should respect ecah other. You never know who you will run into.

Well great friendships are forged on this site. It only figures that they should progress from here. One of the great pleasures is meeting someone who you share so much common interest with from another place. I encourage everyone here to do more of this. It is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. You will learn a lot and be richer for it!

oldfella · Jan 17, 2009

BULK_CITY said:
That was one of the nicest posts I've ever read. Happy for both of you guys!

Thanks bulk. We are all in this long journey towards our goals together. The journey is a little less arduous and tedious with a little help form our friends. It is still a long road but at least there is someone to share it with along the way

AN3M4L said:
A very nice post and an example of how we should embrace each other.

Hey animal, I could not agree more my friend. All too often we are overly critical of the person instead of just criticizing the physique of the person. If we would keep site of our criticizm and keep it focused on the physique rather than the person or their character then we could avoid a lot of bullshit along the way.

full_belly said:
you guys sure are correct!!! the avg person would prob not believe narcissistic, vain bodybuilders such as ourselves are capable of beautiful sentiment! great post oldfella,

Well we are all human enough. Why would we not share in a sentiment that we all have. Most of us are very passionate about body building, why then can't we show the same passion for one another as friends and allies on a common ground. It does not take anything away from the fact that we are all still vain, narcissistic pricks..........to all the rest! LOL

Phidias · Jan 18, 2009

So I wasn't mistaken... those were indeed tears I saw in your eyes when we said goodbye yesterday at the airport!!!

Dale, my friend, I have to admit your post almost made me cry too... what a bunch of girlie men we are! Lol!

And to say I thought you were relieved to see me leave... after all this time annoying you with my incomprehensible accent!

Well, what else can I say that I didn't already tell you in private? YOU know how I feel and that's what matters.

Now I'm just looking forward to my trip to the Sunshine Coast. You know, this day Lauri will ring me to say her wedding with this weird American will be celebrated in a few weeks...

Magnificient blue sky today in Sydney... and much much cooler. First time in 3 months I'm not sweating... I almost miss it!