Diana the Valkyrie's Newsletter - December 2000
A hard man is good to beat
No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon -
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -
November!
Thomas Hood
Galleries added this month.
The TKO Kid, prolific writer and artist, has his own Bookshelf. Also, we have the first bookshelf in Italian! Andy writes stories in Italian, and he's just got a new Bookshelf.
Stories added this month.
Movies added this month.
Some new programmes were added this month.
An interesting thing. I noticed that someone was trying 50,000 different usernames each with a password. It was a brute force attempt to guess a username/password. I've seen those before, but I didn't really think about it, it just seemed that it would almost never work.
But then I thought some more, and here's what I think is happening. Someone sets up a web site, maybe a freebie. And they get people to register, choosing a username and password. So they get thousands of username/password pairs.
My guess is that people use the same username and password on a lot of different systems, it's easier to remember. So, if you give that to a rogue web site, then that rogue webmaster can try your username/password in a lot of places.
If someone gets your username/password on my site, that's a little bit of hassle for me, no big deal for you. I just change the password, and maybe also the username, and tell you I've done that. But if someone gets the username/password of your main account (your AOL account, maybe) then you could have big hassle. They might log in as you, and send lots of spam out, for example. Then AOL would blame you and pull your account. You can imagine other annoying scenarios.
So that's why people advise "use a different username and password on all systems". That's maybe not very practical. But what is better than using the same one on all systems, is, for example, use the same username, aand *almost* the same password. So, if your password is "partjim" then you might use "partjimaol" on AOL, and "partjimdtv" here, and so on. it's not ideal, but it's better than using the exact same password everywhere.
I'm in the process of putting up Judy. She has 650 gigabytes of space, and I'm loading up all the NewsThumbs files from Vanessa (remember Vanessa?). The big surprise on the monster servers I'm putting up now, is that they cost under $5000.
As per last month's newsletter - the Bionic Arm is in place. Go to Diana the Valkyrie's Bionic Arm and you'll see it in action.
There's a web cam so that you can see what you're doing. And you can rotate the arm, raise and lower the shoulder and elbow, move the wrist up and down, and clench and unclench the hand. There's some objects that you can manipulate.
What's the point of it? Well, bluntly, I don't know. I did it because it seemed like a cool thing to do, and I don't know of anything similar on the web. You're welcome to suggest neat uses for it! But a few years ago, who would have thought that the internet would become a significant entertainment medium? Using this, or something similar, means that anyone in the world can manipulate an object via the internet.
Suggestions for what other stuff can be done with the Bionic Arm are welcomed.
The picture count is about 5 million now.
To be precise the current figure is
The Elena Sieple videos are quite popular! I think it's her girl-next-door-with-muscles look. There's three videos of her now, look in the Diana the Valkyrie video shop.
There's also a new video from Kasie Cavanough called "Muscle Enforcer" which sounds rather exciting - look in the Kasie Cavanough video shop.
We currently have six running; Nicole Bass, Andrulla Blanchette, Sheila Burgess, Christine Envall, Marilyn Perret and Julia Santana.
SceSport is offering a Wieder "Victory" Chocolate Glutamine EFX meal replacement shake to every person who joins their 1 year membership. Each packet: (68.5g) , 250 calories, 29g carbs, 30g protein, L-Glutamine 6g, Creatine Monohydrate 2g.
You must enter coupon code # DV145 when signing up for the one year membership to get your free Chocolate, so that they know you've come from Diana the Valkyrie.
INTERVIEW WITH STACY GARONZIK -- bodybuilding's uniquely defined ambassadress
By Wessex Man
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dec 1st -- Stacy Garonzik, aged 30, has become one of the world's most persuasive and photogenic exponents of female bodybuilding. The unique ripeness of her muscularity, her unusually acute definition, have been attracting global notice for several years.
And in a challenging time for her sport she knows how to state her case, the points of view of a professionally qualified muscular woman. "I constantly strive to train heavier and harder, but I train with my brain and don't allow myself to get injured," she told me.
Not surprisingly she counts her unique legs among her crown jewels. At 17.5" her classic calves astound the eye; and even more so when her heels are raised. She's the perfect model for a leg training video which would sell in every gym.
"Stacy has the most wonderful genes and truly super-gorgeous, super-cut definition. I wish she trained here," commented a male British bodybuilder, world champion in his weight class, who is responsive to female muscularity.
It's worth noting that Stacy lives in a conservative community where the aesthetics of women's bodybuilding are not widely understood. So she has to fight her patch in a way that might not be necessary in a more urban metropolis.
STACY DISCUSSES HER PERSONAL LIFE
We talked about her background and her marriage.
STACY: "I was born in a rural area of Pennsylvania -- grew up on a dairy farm with an older brother and sister.....both were athletic. I have my father's genetics to a great degree but can't explain where I get my legs! I'm the youngest in the family and was encouraged to do things differently from my older siblings...I was in ballet for over 15 years and was also a swimmer -- went to olympic trials when I was 13 but got injured 2 years later and never rebounded in that sport.
That is when I took up weight training -- to help rehab the shoulder and developed a love of the sport.
I am married 4 years to my husband - Eric. He is a pro powerlifter and wants to one day compete in body building but says 'one in the family' is fine for now. I have a step son who is 7 years old. I love spending time with my family most of all! Eric and I own a store which he runs called 'Wellness Concepts' -- we sell sports supplements, herbs, vitamins, etc. and also have a juice bar and have massage therapists on staff there. We hire out personal trainers to provide services to clients.
I am a psychotherapist and a nutritionist so in our seminar room and offices there we conduct educational seminars and such. I work a great deal with women athletes who have eating disorders. Bodybuilding, in general, is hard on relationships.
In all areas of my life I have to be constantly aware that bodybuilding is my choice and if it takes too much of a toll on me and my family, then I can't and won't do it any longer.
WHEN DID SHE FIRST NOTICE MUSCLE ?
STACY: "I have always been muscular....more my legs than upper body though. I worked very hard to get my upper body up to match my legs. Boys would always pick on me because could run just as fast as them and they liked to challenge me....but I always caught them. I never was criticized by anyone for my muscle...most boys liked it..(at least the one's that mattered).
I trained mostly with boys when I first started in high school...it was fun and i never got discouraged. They always encouraged me to press more weight or squat more weight. I always felt good about people complimenting me on my muscular legs....girls never really liked me because I had a very good body growing up. my ballet teacher, though, always said I was too muscle bound and that caused me a LOT of upset.
HER UPPER BODY POSES THE BIG CHALLENGE
STACY: "I am always trying to add more muscle. I need to thicken my upper and mid back especially and more size on my biceps. As for maximizing my genetics -- I don't think I have yet. I think I am only about 60% there.
My upper body is my nemesis. I have to be constantly strategic about attacking it from different angles and doing different exercises to keep it responding to the stimulus of training. I believe I am much more balanced so I will keep doing what I am doing.
HOW TO AROUSE MUSCULAR ARMS
STACY: "Yohnnie Shambourger, an IFBB pro, has played an integral role in helping me modify and change my upper body program, so I can't take credit for developing my arm workout. Basically, he has me doing arms as training my bis and tris together for 6 weeks then splitting them up and doing my bis with my back and then my tris with my chest for a few weeks.
I do very little dumbell work for my arms as that tends to overtax my delts and forearms so I have integrated more cable work in my routines. I do generally 3-4 sets of cable pushdowns as heavy as possible -- I usually go to 150lbs for 6-8 reps and then work my way back up the stack.
I do heavy Smith machine close grip bench presses -- I go up to 205 or so for 4-6 reps. Then I do a movement like a cable kick back with lighter weight for more reps. For bis I do a cable curl of some sort to warm up then I go to e-z bar curls with 95lbs or so for 6-8 reps.
I stay very strict with my form and put myself against a wall. Then I will do another cable curl to isolate the muscle some more.
STACY FACES CRITICS WITH CHAMPION ASSURANCE
STACY: "I live in a very conservative area so I am generally looked at, stared at, and sometimes even harrassed. People will say some amazing things!
Unfortunately some people's ignorance can cause them to say some potentially hurtful things. I try hard to not let it bother me. I remember the first time someone made a comment that muscle was too manly and I said, 'Don't worry about it, you will never be muscular'....That usually shuts people up.
Now I have learned to just smile and go on about my business. My husband has some shirts made up for our store that are fun to wear at malls -- they say, 'I don't know what you are looking at, I am not the one that is FAT'.
I generally wear shorts and tanks in the summer. I don't hide my muscle but I do dress professionally to work so that I am taken seriously. You see there is misperception that 'muscleheads' are NOT smart...so I dress in a way that muscle is not so apparent and they hear me and don't feel the need to just judge my muscle.
HER BODY AND LIFTING STATISTICS COMMAND RESPECT STACY: "Well, some have questioned these so I always tell people they can do these by appt only with me if they wish to verify ! HaHa...and for a fee! I have just finished competing at the Nationals so my weight is rather low -- I am 148lbs and 5'3"...I usually get up to about 155 in the off season.
My chest is 42", my biceps are 15", my calves are 17.5", my quads are 25" but in the off season get up to 27".
Usually, my waist is 27", my hips are 36".
My best bench is 225lbs (with a single ply bench shirt on), my best raw bench is 205lbs. I squat very little but when I did (1997) I squatted 375lbs for 10 reps....ass to the floor. I don't do 'old time' deadlifts...I stiff legged deadlift with 185 for 10 reps and 3 sets everyother week.
I compete in bench 'rep' contests regularly. My record is 76 reps with half my bodyweight at the time which was 72.5 pounds. I set the PR last year. This year I am going for half my body weight for 80 or more reps. I am considering doing the Women's Strength Extravaganza in 2001.
STACY GEARS FOR CONTESTS, STILL HAS SOME WAY TO GO
STACY: "I just placed 7th at the 2000 NPC Nationals in the heavyweights. I was pleased as I was one of the smallest gals on the stage. I also placed 7th at NPC Nationals in 1999 as a heavyweight. I placed 9th at the Nationals in 1998 and 4th at the junior Nationals in 1997.
I have not yet turned Pro. Turning pro would be great for me personally but would not mean a lot to me professionally. I don't have my head in the clouds about what being a 'pro' bodybuilder means. I try my best to conduct myself professionally already and to me that means more than someone giving me a 1st place at a show and then getting an invoice from the IFBB for $175 to pay for the damn card!
I think that the IFBB and the NPC, to some degree, does its best to oppress and depress the female end of the sport. I think the 'new guidelines' are bullshit. They don't follow them so what the hell is the point?
As you can see I am quite opinionated on the subject. The standards should include a light heavyweight class for women -- to make it more like the men's side and to give one more pro card out at the national level -- it would also allow a girl like myself, who weighs in around 135-140 to be more competitive in a class that has a weight limit.
It is hard for someone who is short, yet densely muscled, to stand next to a tall women who has long lines. Also, I think there should be a 'pre-requisite' to turning pro, i.e. participation in at least 3 national level shows in a 3 year period...this way the girls, when they go pro, are more 'polished' and not wet behind the ears. People pay a LOT of money to see these shows and they should be able to really see 'pros' who have well thought out routines and display physiques that are of professional quality.
THOUGHTS ON MUSCLE AT THE SYDNEY OLYMPICS
STACY: "I guess this is a double edged sword for bodybuilders.....because the discussion of drugs is ALWAYS a topic of discussion for athletes that are in the public eye. I think that the track athletes like Marion Jones are probably about all that the public can deal with in terms of 'muscularity' and that is sad! I was at a pub when some of the gymnasts were on TV and a couple of the guys sitting around were commenting on how ugly the muscles in the girls' legs were. The common man and woman can't relate to muscle. Let's face it -- 80% of Americans are fat.
WILL THE OLYMPICS EVER ACCEPT BODYBUILDING ?
STACY: "To me there is NO possibility that bb will ever be 'accepted'. Even Arnold S. is criticizing the very sport that got him here in the first place! 'Natural' bb is such bullshit too! I tell all these 'naturals' that if they have drank a cup of coffee with caffeine in it they are technically NOT natural. These Natural Federations make money off the polygraphs which are such hogwash and then they do very little to promote their athletes.
That is why the NPC will always be the strongest bb federation in the USA. They don't waste our money on these bogus standards of testing. I may catch hell for these statements but >that is truly how I feel. I help a LOT of 'natural' body builders and quite honestly, between all the fat burners, prohormones, and other crap they dump in their bodies, they may be doing more harm than someone taking an anabolic steroid or growth hormone.
SHE PONDERS WHY MUSCLEWOMEN ARE NEWCOMERS
STACY: " I had the great fortune of spending a very valuable evening with a man that is much better versed in this area than I, Dr. Al Thomas. He and I talked at length about this and the long and short of this is that I don't think that we have even stepped onto the tip of the iceberg in terms of what female physical culture COULD be.
Part of the problem is public perception, but a larger part is the perception that we, as bodybuilders/competitors/people in the sport give others. When you talk to the average person about a female bodybuilder -- they make a face and they say that these are 'freaks' who are women who want to be and/or look like men.
Few people have seen a female body builder in her more curvaceous, off season form and if they do they are shocked at her beauty and her shape. Publications in bb have tended to promote so much of the contest look and not enough of off season look. I think that is where we need to start. It is interesting how espn can promote a fitness/workout show with Carla Dunlap -- still very muscular -- and make money but in terms of promoting her look beyond that framework, it is simply not done!
We need to take the muscular woman and put her into the commercial eye. TV commercials are an avenue. Problem is that corporate America never 'sees' us in our more 'normal' look and we then can't generate positive attention. The average person receives well the body that looks lean, muscular, and beautiful and I think, in time, that could mean more mainstreaming of female physical culture.
Thanks for giving me the chance to share my views, thoughts and life with your readers/members. I'd welcome any questions or feedback at my email --- fitnhealthy@eudoramail.com
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Ginny just edges out Gaily as Top Chatter, with The Kid being Most Loquatious Male for this month.
Violet's message board gained a new function - it's now Vi's Versailles Salon.
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| Vi's Versailles Salon has been busy covering cricket and the US election, and is top posted board this month. | Jabber is still the most prolific poster, with Violet's postings on her board bringing her second place. |
Mavis is counting the number of times the message list is checked for each board, and the number of times that a posting is read. This gives a very different picture from the one above. The chess board seems to be write-only; it's being posted to, but not read.
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| Fistman's discussions on which are the best pictures on the web make the most popularly read board, althought TomNine's Tussles aren't far behind. | The Chess Board seems to have been deserted by all the people who were posting there so prolifically. Like the Marie Celeste, we may never know the real story behind it's meteoric rise, massive posting rate, and sudden decline. |
Since this is the last newsletter before Christmas, I thought a Christmas Quiz would be a nice idea. So here you go:
1) What are the questions in Diana the Valkyrie's Christmas 2000 quiz?
2) What are the answers?
Entries, please, to my Message Board. Avoid using the word "recursive".
I checked the site statistics. that Sandra counts up each night.
At the end of November 2000, there were about 304,000 pictures (14.9 gigabytes), 39 gigabytes of video, 4100 text files (mostly stories) and a total of about 54 gigabytes.
On Anita, the Newsthumbs server, there's the NewsThumbs, which is another 4.9 million pictures in 294 gigabytes and 6.9 million text files, a total of 311 gigabytes.