Bodybuilding Through the Ages

Since the beginning of time, it has been a chief goal of man to become strong and powerful. In no other sport is this desire more tangible than in bodybuilding. For decades, bodybuilders and strongmen alike have both worked to increase their strength and muscularity so as to defeat others on the stage or lifting.

Over the years, bodybuilding has evolved and can really be broken down into different sections/eras. The original bodybuilders would not only show off their immense physiques, but would also do amazing shows of strength to prove that their muscle were not just for showing off with. Today, even though bodybuilders are stronger than ever, we focus much more on the aesthetic aspect of the show, and not so much the strength feats.

The man who could probably be called the first true bodybuilder was Eugene Sandow. I call him the first true bodybuilder because he focused not only on strength, but on aesthetics and symmetry, as well. Sandow was born in the 1860's and is still considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time...truly a groundbreaker. Sandow also started the first bodybuilding competitions ever, which William L. Murray won.

By the 1920's, equipment like barbells, dumbells, and other things which you would see in a gym today started to become more popularized and mainstream. Then the 1930's came along, also called the Golden Age of bodybuilding. It did not receive this name because it had the largest or best looking bodybuilders, but because it was when bodybuilding really started to become what it is today. Practicing posing and working out in groups became common practice, and workout techniques were becoming more refined and standard. This time period signaled an explosion in the bodybuilding population which continues on today.

By the 1940's, the first modern bodybuilding even, the Mr. America, came into the picture. This contest was won by John Grimek two years in a row, a bodybuilder who's physique was unparalleled at the time, and would have even drawn stairs today. Then along came Steve Reeves, who many caller the greatest bodybuilder of all time. He won both the Mr. America and Mr. Universe, and helped to increase the popularity of bodybuilding even more.

But even these big names of the 1940's would cower in the presence of the bodybuilders from 1950 to the present. These bodybuilders hailed the age of modern bodybuilding, and were true mammoths. Sergio Oliva, Frank Zane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are all older bodybuilders whom people still try to imitate today, and many still see them as the bodybuilders who achieved the best physiques, even more so than the bodybuilders today. Sadly, many bodybuilders today have forsaken symmetry and aesthetics for pure mass, and have become quite creepy due to massive steroid usage. The End.

This Year in Journalism.

Ah, what to say about my year in Journalism? Well, it's definately been one of the more interesting classes of my high school career, and has provided for many funny, or just plain awkward, moments. The line-up of students in this class definately made for a potent mixture of hilariousness.

We had alot of things happen this year, especially compared to all the other classes...in which we do absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. We hosted K-Love when they came to the school for See You at the Pole. We had show and tell, which was very interesting. Then there was the student teacher assignment in which we had to teach the class just about whatever. Of course, there were the infamous games of Odd Man Out, which resulted in several injuries.

For our exam, we got to make gingerbread houses...if that isn't a good exam, then I don't know what is. Then there was the field trip, loads of fun. Besides the special days, Journalism is always a class in which I never know what's coming next. Several experiences stand out ...mostly because of their un-Bethany nature. Like Danielle's outburst about wet dreams...or Brooke talking about making out with Laura. Priceless.

We also had a day to go out and garden, which I found enjoyable, myself...but I guess it's just my kind of thing. We wrote plenty of newspaper stories, even ones which were never seen in print. Those were always cool, until we started running out of ideas. Oh, yea, there were also our video projects. Sham-pow and Like-A-Box were the bomb...I'm sure we could make some money off of those, just because our commercials were so awesome. And the newscaster project, who can forget Ricky's crazy performance in that?

So far I've discussed the good. Now it's time for the bad...and the ugly. Bloggers. Bloggers. BLOGGERS!!! Oh, how I hate Blogger. After this class, I shall never again utter the word, as though it is a curse. Blogger is evil, pure and simple. If you think you ever have to do Blogger, I just have one thing to say. Run while you still can.

Happy News

NASA to Launch Human-Like Robot to Join Space Station Crew:

Who-Space station crew and robot and GM and NASA

What-Human-like robot to join space station crew as assistant (first of its kind)

When-Later this year

Where-Space

Why-To have a robot assistant

How-Just launch him on up there

Computer Chip Water Purifier:

Who-Developing countries

What-Hi-tech water purifier

When-ASAP

Where-Developing countries

Why-Good way to purify water, which will save lives

How-Uses magnetic fields to get impurities our of water

Rosie the Robot:

Who-Housemaid robot

What-Housemaid robot

When-Now

Where-Whoever wants one, i suppose

Why-To do house chores

How-It's a robot...and it's programmed to do household chores. It's not very good at them, though (takes 25 minutes to fold a towel).

National Geographic

Ohio's Most Wanted:

Who-John Parsons

What-Infamous criminal who escaped from jail

When-Recently

Where-Ohio (Ross County)

Why-He most likely faced the death penalty so he broke out.

How-Used sheets and newspapers to scale the wall of the recreation yard.

Jellyfish Explosion:

Who-Japanese fishermen

What-Lots and lots of jellyfish

When-now

Where-Japanese waters

Why-Scientists still aren't totally sure

How-The recent boom in jellyfish population caused lots of problems with Japanese fishermen

Geographic Cone Snail:

Who-Geographic cone snail

What-Geographic cone snail and its venom

When-Now

Where-The ocean

Why-Needs super strong venom to instantly kill its victims

How-Stings them, they die, and he eats them

Rural Life Museum

The LSU Rural Life is museum is one of many Southern history tourist attractions in the Baton Rouge area. Located in downtown Baton Rouge, it possesses one of the largest collections of 19th century material around. In this rural 25 acre setting, you can expects many old structures like barns, living quarters, and other examples of other folk architecture which you can look at and study.

The museum is open almost year round, with few holiday closures. The hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Tourists must pay an admission fee for the museum (somewhere around $4-$7), and there is also a gift shop. Things like cameras, cell phones, etc. are all allowed. Parking at the museum is free. There is a number of restaraunts, hotels, and other local establishments which have partnered with the Rural Life museum for you to enjoy. Also, tours of the museum can be made available for those who are in groups of ten or more.

The Exhibit at the Museum has many items which can be as old as a few hundred years, and were all used in plantation life. Each item is explained in detail so the tourist can understand the history. As mentioned before, there are also old quarters located on the plantation for viewing. There is the commissary, overseer's house, sick house, slave cabins, blacksmith shop, sugar house, schoolhouse, and grist mill on the property. The buildings are all typical of their time. The Folk Art portion of the exhibit showcases houses, cabins, and other structures which are typical of other periods of Louisiana history.

The Rural Life museum has been described as "not only a museum, but a replica of a small settlement." "The museum is spectacular... Everything you could imagine... Old carriage drawn funeral carriages, spinning wheels, all sorts of farming tools, medical equipment, etc."

Besides architecture and tools/implements, the museum also showcases what life was really like back in those plantation days. Throughout the year, the museum holds programs which illustrate every-day life and re-enact things which people really had to do back then, which really helps the modern person to understand and appreciate history.