The WSE, 1998 
by HardbodyPaul


Here is a detailed wrap up of my first ever Women's Strength
Extravaganza contest.  Held, the weekend of October 24th, 1998, in
Hackensack, NJ.  

I had heard of the WSE contest since 1989.  In fact, I had the videos of
this contest from '89, '95, and '97.  And wanted to attend for a few
years now.  However, New Jersey was a long ways away to travel for a one
day contest.  And I guess that I just never could quite get the plans
all together.  Well, this year, with my close ties to Diana The
Valkyrie's web site, and the friends that I've made here, I HAD to make
it.  And I'm glad I did.  It was like bringing the website to life for
the weekend.  Two and half days of fun and fantasy for me.  

Now, I'm a midwesterner in the US.  And, had never been any farther East
than Kentucky.  And that was for basic training at Ft. Knox.  So, I had
no idea what life is like on the East coast.  Especially in and around
New York City.  So, as my plane encircled the Newark airport, I got a
good look from above at NYC.  Wow!  First thing you notice....lots of
tall buildings. And lots of concrete.  Very little greenery near the
city.  

I arrived at the hotel after a lengthy cab ride. The cabbie was
unexpectedly friendly. Despite the fact that he was having trouble
finding the hotel. So, I tipped him well when he finally did find it.  I
arrived at 3 pm on Friday afternoon.  Now, I had only been to one other
major women's bodybuilding contest.  The Jan Tana in '96.  And I recall
how stunned I was to see so much female muscle strutting around the
hotel lobby when I arrived there for check-in.  However, at the WSE, the
hotel lobby was quiet and empty.  Perhaps I was one of the first one's
to arrive, I thought.  

TomNine and I had helped pay for Sheila Burgess's trip to get her to the
WSE.  She desperately wanted to attend.  And we both desperately wanted
to meet her.  Also, I knew that Sheila was a remarkable talent that was
yet to be discovered.  And an appearance at the WSE amongst all the "in"
people of women's bodybuilding was what she needed to help her on her
way.  And, for some reason, without ever meeting her, other than
chatting with her here on Diana's site, I knew that I could trust her to
show up at the WSE, and not take my money and run.  

I immediately checked into my room, and called up Sheila's room.  Sheila
answered the phone, and shared with me how nervous she still was.  Even
though she had checked in the day before, and had already been there for
a day.  But, Sheila was a long way from home, and traveling on this
adventure all by herself.  I don't blame her for feeling a bit
uncomfortable.  The only people that she knew there, were some guys from
a web site that she had never met in person before.  Sheila, Fistman,
PJ, and myself were planned to meet in the lobby at 3 pm to go over to
the Strong & Shapely gym for a workout together.  I wasn't really in
need for a workout myself at the time.  However, we all wanted to
witness some of Sheila's amazing strength in the gym.  Sheila informed
me on the phone that someone had called her room earlier and asked her
for a wrestling session.  And they had planned it for later on that
afternoon.  So, Sheila wasn't going to have time for the workout. But,
we decided to meet in the lobby with Fistman and PJ, and perhaps
persuade them to get something to eat at the TGIF's restaurant across
the street from the hotel.  I was starving to death, having only had
PowerBars in my carry-on luggage that I had munching on all day on the
plane and in airports.  

I went down to the lobby to await the group.  I was so anxious to
actually meet Sheila in person I could hardly contain myself.  I think
that I hid it pretty well though.  I was trying to be cool!  While my
heart was thumping away in my chest.  I arrived in the lobby, to find
that I was the first one there.  Shortly after that, a tall young man
with (somewhat) red hair approached me.  I thought that it must be
Fistman.  Apparently, I must fit my description that I had given him of
myself, because he came right up to me, knowing exactly who I was.  Now,
Fistman was feeling kinda bad about not chaufeuring me from the airport
to the hotel as planned.  But, it really wasn't a big deal.  The cabbie
got me there just fine.  And, it took me several times of saying that to
convince him of that, I think.  Shortly after FistMan and I met, the
elevator door in the lobby opened, and an absolutely gorgeous, hardbodied
woman, with long, flowing strawberry red hair exited.  SHEILA!!!!!
Wow!!!!  Actually, the very first thing I noticed was her legs!  She was
wearing a sweatshirt, and short shorts!  Her legs are full, and very hard
looking. With soft skin, and curves in all the right places for a female
bodybuilder. She was just as I had expected!  And I was quite pleased.
The second thing that I noticed about Sheila is that her hair is
absolutely beautiful!  Very long, and fluffy.  And soft to the touch.
Which I found out shortly after I saw her, as I ran right up to her with
open arms for a major HUG!  For all those that don't know me, I like
HUGS!!!!!  And consider myself a passionate HUGGER!  And Shiela got one
of my best HUGS!  Given with full intensity and thought.  

After waiting in the lobby for a bit on PJ's arrival, and seeing no sign
of him, we decided to check and see if PJ was perhaps waiting for us
OUTSIDE of the restaurant there at the hotel, instead of inside.  Sure
enough, just as we stepped outside, I recognized PJ laying on the hood
of his car, catching some rays.  In his calm and cool stature that he
always seems to carry.  Also, I had met PJ here in my town a couple of
weeks prior to the WSE.  He was driving from California to New Jersey,
and we hooked up for dinner together while he stayed overnight here in
town.  

We broke the bad news to PJ about Sheila's session that afternoon, and
her not having the time for a workout.  And we all decided to get
something to eat at the TGIF's across the street.  

Lunch there together was very pleasant.  I think being with the three of
us in a relaxed atmosphere really put Sheila more at ease.  To be quite
honest, I really can't remember what subjects that we talked about that
afternoon.  As I was enjoying Sheila's presence so much, I guess.  PJ
was very talkative.  I gotta say, I really love this guy's confidence
and demeanor.  He's fun to hang out with.   And a TRUE admirer of female
strength, as I am.  Fistman was somewhat quiet at first.  But, it didn't
take long for him to open up with the group.  I do recall PJ asking to
see Sheila's bicep. Which I'm glad that he did.  I think all three of us
guys were dying to see it anyway.  But, none of us would ask.  And, of
course, at that time, PJ and I just HAD to pull up our sleeves and
compare biceps also.  I think I got dwarfed.  But, it was still fun for
me.  I'm used to being the "little guy".  And Sheila's bicep was VERY
nice!  But, to be quite honest, I was actually just enjoying her
presence and personality more so than her muscle at that moment.  

After dinner, we all decided to meet in the lobby at 6 pm for our
evening into Manhattan.  We had made plans in the Tea Parlour chat room
a week before the WSE, to go there. And possibly find another fbb who
danced at a club in Manhattan called Flashdancers.  Her name is Collin
Fischer.  And everybody had seen a picture of her at one point or
another except me, I think.  I had no idea what Collin looked like.
However, Sheila had mentioned that she was very comparable to herself.
Which I found hard to believe that a fbb of Sheila's level would be a
dancer in a NYC night club.  But, I was intrigued to find out for
myself, nonetheless.  

So, I went back to my room, to shower and get ready for my first trip
into NYC.  I must admit, I was a bit scared about this trip.  I've not
ever been to the Big Apple before.  But, with the company that I was
going to be with, the nervousness wasn't too bad.  

Fistman's hotel room was just down the hall from mine.  And, about 5:30
pm, he knocked on my door.  He was bored!  So, we hung out a bit while
waiting to go downstairs to meet the group.  Fistman and I seemed to
feel comfortable with each other easily.  And that was good.  

After Fistman and I made our way to the lobby at 6 pm sharp, I spotted
TomNine entering the lobby.  Once again, he walked right over to me and
Fistman as if we'd met a hundred times already.  Even though, he'd not
seen me before.  I had seen Tom's pic on Jazzmons' site though.  Funny!
Tom wasn't shy at all, as I had pictured he would be.  Very, very,
pleasant fellow.  Tom, Fistman, and I sat and chatted for a bit about
women that we'd seen at the contest.  And about things on the website.
It was kinda like a chat session in the Coffee Lounge, but, this time,
in person.  Seriously!  I was kinda in awe at it all. But, I guess,
because I wasn't sure how comfortable we'd all be with each other, in
person.  It seemed as though nothing had changed, except now we didn't
have to type on a keyboard to one another.  Which was really cool!  

After a bit, PJ came out of the elevator.  He had been to Sheila's room
showing her some of his picture collection.  He had showed me his
hundreds of pics of fbb's that he had taken over the years, while he was
here in my town.  A very impressive gallery of pics.  PJ didn't have to
say it, since I sensed it anyway, but, he and Sheila had already had
their armwrestling match that she had agreed to do with him.  I had
wanted to see that!  But, oh well.  I knew that PJ was anxious to feel
Sheila's power.  Apparently, PJ smoked her quite easily.  Are we ever
going to find a woman who can whoop PJ in armwrestling?

After a bit of a wait (Sheila takes a lot of time getting ready for a
night out), Sheila appeared from the elevator into the lobby wearing a
short dress, and a small coat, that matched the dress nicely.  She was a
STUNNER!  I was WOWED!  I immediately pointed out Tom to her.  To which
she walked right up to him and laid a big HUG on him!  It was actually
quite sweet.  Then, Sheila proceeded to sit next to me, and we all
chatted for a bit.  We were waiting to see if Jabber was going to make
it for our NYC adventure.  I was REALLY, REALLY hoping that Jabber would
make it too.  And I'll explain why.  You see, Fistman's car is a tiny
little four seater.  And, with Jabber's large size, (not fat, Jabber),
someone was going to be forced to sit on someone's lap for the trip into
the city.  And, being I was the smallest member of the group, I politely
offered my seat to be on Sheila's lap!  However, the Jabber never made
it, and that fantasy did not materialize.  Which was ok, as that's all
it was, a playful, little fantasy.  

We loaded up into Fistman's car, and headed into the city.  I was in awe
at the traffic!  Although I was forewarned about it!  Wow! Cars were
coming within inches of each other.  Cutting each other off, and
narrowly missing each other at every turn.  Yet, nobody was hitting each
other!  Only in NYC, I guess.  Fistman was a fantastic chaufer.  I was
quite impressed!  We got to the city, and Sheila and I was ooo-ing and
ahhh-ing at the buildings and the people.  It was definitely a wonderful
experience for me to see.  

We met up with David, another site member, who had made reservations at
a nice, little Italian restaurant in the city.  It took us awhile to
find it, and we were a good 45 minutes late.  But, when we arrived,
there was David and another friend of his waiting patiently.  Thanx,
David!

Dinner was awesome.  And the wine that Fistman selected was WUN-DER-FUL!
Thanx, Fistman!  I think the group quickly went through two bottles!
And by the end of dinner, Sheila and I seemed to both be a bit tipsy.
Yet, nobody else in the group was.  Hmmmmmm......

After dinner, we decided that it was time to go and see if Collin
Fischer was dancing at this club.  So, we decided to to send Fistman
inside first, let him scope the place out for Collin, and report back to
us.  However, this proved to be unnecessary.  As, when we walked by the
place, the doorman called out to Sheila, "You should come in and scope
out your competition".  To which we all immediately knew that he was
referring to Collin.  I asked the doorman if she was working there
tonight. To which he went inside and came back with a "Yes".  She was
there!  So, the group immediately entered.  After being inside for only
a few minutes, while standing at the bar, a very attractive blonde, with
dimensions AMAZINGLY similar to Sheila came over to us.  To which I,
without thinking, blurted out "COLLIN".   Once inside, Sheila had
slipped off her tiny jacket, exposing her gorgeously muscular arms and
shoulders.  Collin looked over and spotted Sheila and came right over to
us.  To be quite honest, I think that Collin was in shock to see another
fbb comparable to her size in the bar.  She immediately asked Sheila,
"Who are you"?  And Sheila proceeded to introduce herself and the two of
them stood face to face chatting briefly.  Apparently, Collin's
attention was in demand by a gentleman close by us, and she didn't chat
long with us.  And, we never saw much of her anymore that evening.
Which I was extemely bummed about.  As I wanted to get to know her
better that evening.  I have a feeling that she was really intimidated
by Sheila.  But, I could be wrong about that.  

Either way, the group had a blast just hanging out, watching the other
girls dance and do their thing, and seeing Sheila's response to the
whole scenario.  Sheila and I seemed to get more and more tipsy by the
minute.  And I was really letting my "not-so-shy" personality expose
itself in full force.  It was so much fun hanging with the guys and
Sheila, just being ourselves, with no fear of the fact that we all loved
female muscle.  Sheila was even picking out dancers who were sporting
any amount of visible muscle for us to tip. Which, I immediately did, of
course!    

After our escapade at Flashdancers, we decided to walk the streets of
NYC for a bit and take in some sights.  NYC is a vibrant and fascinating
city with an energy that I have never witnessed before.  Even at 2 am!  

I was very curious as to how the people on the streets of NYC would
react to a woman with as much muscle as Sheila has.  And was quite
surprised to see such a positive response!  Of course, Sheila's bubbly
and warm personality is downright infectious to all that she comes in
contact with.  It was amazing to just stand back and watch it.  We came
across some construction workers, working on the road.  Apparently, 2 am
in the morning is the only time to do road construction in NYC.  They
were amazed by Sheila's physique.  And Sheila was eating it up like
candy!  And posed for a picture with them.  Of course, she just HAD to
whip off her jacket to pose for the picture.  And, later on, as we
stopped off into a McDonalds for a restroom break, Sheila just melted me
as she posed for another picture with the manager.  Everybody wanted to
talk with her.  And the way that Sheila enjoyed the attention was heart
warming for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed that.  

I have to admit, the best part of the entire evening was at one point,
while the group strolled down the street together, I held out my arm to
Sheila, and she latched onto it as we walked.  She also pulled TomNine
to her and latched onto his arm also.  I think she was rather enjoying
her male escorts into the city.  *LOL*

Fistman returned us all safe and sound to our hotel at around 3:30 am..
I was bushed!  Yet, looking very forward to seeing all the female muscle
at the show the next day.  

I only slept a few hours that night, as I woke up bright and early in
anticipation for the contest festivities.  Once at the contest theatre,
I got to meet Al, one of Diana's main assistants here on the site.  Very
pleasant fellow.  And, next thing I know, different site members were
coming up to me and introducing themselves.  I met BA, Tre', Reds,
Jabber, Steve666, Smitty, Dragon, and probably a few more that I'm
leaving out.  The website members had quite an impressive showing this
year.  And all seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Sheila got herself set up behind the site table. And made some posters
with the Diana The Valkrie name on them to adorn the area.  She did an
excellent job, in my opinion.  Sheila stayed out in the lobby mostly
during the show.  And was a HUGE hit, as I knew that she would be.  So
much, in fact, that I didn't really get to spend much more time with her
as I had hoped for.   But, that's ok.  I was thrilled at her success at
the show.  

The show itself was very fun.  I had zero complaints about the emcee or
his poor attempts at humoring the ladies or the crowd.  The guy tried.
And I'm assuming that he does the emcee duties for free as a favor to
Kenny Kassel anyway.  The competition was awesome.    As was the quality
of the ladies competing.  I was most impressed with the fitness/strength
portion.  For those who don't know what that is, it's the first year for
it.  Basically, the contest organizers brought in about 6 fitness
competitors and had them compete in a few strength events of their own.
And these women impressed the heck outta me.  Amazing strength and
endurance!!!  I was more in awe at the  fitness/strength women, than the
bodybuilder/strength women, to be honest.  

One comment that I continually heard throughout the weekend from
different fans was this.  MAKE THE WOMEN DO STRICT FORM ON THEIR
REPS!!!!!  It's unfair to allow some of the girls to use horrible form
on their lifts, to allow them to get many more reps, while some of the
girls are using slightly better form and getting less reps.  Also, I
would think that the risk of injury is much greater by allowing the
girls to use momentum to punch out so many reps in many of the events.
A true test of strength would be to not allow a rep that isn't of
perfect form.  I heard this opinion from many of the fans. And I agree
with it wholeheartedly!

The evening show was alot of fun.  Fistman and I awaited Sheila's
arrival in the lobby. As we were all riding over together in Fistman's
car.  She is the most amazing dresser!  You should have seen the dress
that she wore to the evening show.  She hit some posing shots for
Fistman before we headed out.  And she was the most beautiful sight that
I had ever seen.  In fact, I think I said those exact words out loud.
She's so perfectly symmetrical!  And her skin is soft and glossy.  Yet,
her bod' is hard as steel.  Very, very feminine, you so, so strong!  The
irony in Sheila's look and physical aura is just heart stopping!

At the show, some other top name female bodybuilders were in attendance.
Th-resa Bostick was one that was a pleasure for me to see.  I had always
wanted to meet her.  Her muscularity is unmatched by any of the other
ladies.  Except perhaps Amelia Hernandez.  Tami Frazier was another girl
in attendance who was a joy to meet.  And also, a young lady by the name
of Jazzmin Johnson.  Who I'd not heard of or seen before.  But, she was
pleasant, and had some tremendous arm size!  Just unbelievable!  Tami
had the most peaked biceps of anyone at the entire show.  With her arms
rested to her sides, they look very lean, but not massive at all.  But,
when flexed, she has an incredible peak.  Major separation between the
deltoids and elbow joint.  And very solid muscle too.  She actually put
her arm around me and picked me up with one arm in the lobby, after I
mentioned to her that I liked to be lifted.  

Another adorable little muscle girl that I met at the show, who I'd not
heard of or seen before was a young lady named "Heather".  She's one of
the newest Iron Belles.  And is from Atlanta. She's done some Olympic
weightlifting as well as a bodybuilder.  Her and Mike Bogen (Senior
editor for WPW magazine) were outside the theatre chatting when I met
Heather.  She was very pleasant to talk to.  And I met with her again on
Sunday morning and got to know her a bit better.  A true lover of muscle
and strength this woman is!!!  My kind of girl, indeed!  I wanted to
bring this one home with me!  

Sunday was a day of rest for me.  I spent most of the day awaiting
Sheila to return to the hotel from her video shoot with WPW.  It was
nice to relax for a bit after all the excitement on Friday and Saturday.
Sheila's shoot went way over the expected time.  And, by the time she
arrived, the girl was exhausted.  Bodybuilders' bodies are not used to
going without food for long periods of time.  When they do, they get
very shaky and weak.  And these WPW guys apparently didn't know that.
Because they took Sheila out and made a lifting video with her lifting
them and posing for several hours, but, they didn't FEED her!  C'mon you
guys!!!!  By the time she got back to the hotel, she could not hold her
hands still she was shaking so bad.  So, after she did one session that
had been waiting all afternoon for her, she met me, Jabber, Tom, and Al
over at TGIF's for some dinner and nourishment.  

It seems that Sheila and I always ate the exact same thing there.  Which
became a joke between us.  But, it was the healthiest meal on the menu.  

Dinner on Sunday evening with the guys and Sheila was probably one of
the most enjoyable times for me.  We all had gotten quite comfortable
with one another.  And we all seemed to open up our personalities and
thoughts.  The way Tom could sneak in a humorous line was great!  He
would remain somewhat quiet until an opportunity for a humorous line
made itself present, and then Tom would throw one in and crack up the
entire group.  It was uncanny!  Jabber was the "evaluator".  Of
everything and everyone.  A big time philosopher!  And damn good at it,
I might add.  Sheila was still shaking from her being overworked and
lack of nourishment. So, she was gobbling down rice and chicken for most
of the conversation.  

Now, about our waitress that night.  Her name was "Beth".  And, she
possessed that innocent cuteness that I so much adore in a girl.  She
seemed somewhat intrigued by our conversation of muscle.  And of Sheila.
So, I, being the huge flirter of the group, inquired as to whether Beth
had any bicep on her or not.  Which, to my surprise, the little shit
rolled up her sleeve, and flexed a little peaked bicep for us.  Now, I'd
had a couple of beers in me by this time. So, I was especially ecstatic
by this display of cuteness and muscle.  And Beth played right into it
with me.  I was seriously wishing at that time that I lived in the
Hackensack area.  She was a living doll, that Beth.  I wonder if she'll
still be working there next year?

My WSE trip ended after some more discussions with Al and Jabber after
we all said goodbye to Tom and Sheila as Tom drove her to her next
destination near his home.  My heart had kinda sunk after hugging Sheila
goodbye and giving her a kiss on the cheek.  I missed her already.  

Overall, my WSE experience was a total blast. And worth twice as much as
the money that I did spend on it.  I wished I had gotten more time with
Sheila though.  But, the woman was even more of a hit than I had hoped.
Which I was thrilled about.  And meeting my friends here on the site was
even better than I thought it would be.   You are all wonderful,
exciting and very special people!  And it was a pleasure to meet you all
there.  I look forward to next year's contest.

THE END