1999 IFBB North Americans (Celebrities)
By -jabber


Gosh, it's been so long ago, I'm forgetting who all was there.  John
Nafpliotis, he's a celebrity, right? :-)  Paul Dillett (didn't see his
routine, sorry).

As I'd said, the lobby of the Detroit Opera House became very crowded,
difficult to walk around there.  Somehow, when this majestic structure was
built, I don't think the architects envisioned so many big bodies walking
around it - hence the crowded feeling.  

I must be getting old, there's only one celebrity I'm remembering.  And
she's a local (to the Detroit area).  My friend was telling me there was
this really cute fitness girl in the lobby named Melissa somebody.  I didn't
need to be invited twice.  Before someone else warned her of the -jabber (so
she could head for the hills - ha!), I made it to the lobby.  At one of the
booths stood one of my personal favorites, Melissa Frabbiele, from nearby
Ypsilanti, MI.  In fact, as it turns out, my notes were written on the back
of one of her flyers (since there was not roster of competitors - grumble,
grumble...).

My friend said, "This is Melissa, what was your last name?"  I said, "Wait,
don't tell me, Frabbiele" (and no it wasn't because I saw the name on the
flyer).  She said, yes.  Then I said, "And you're from Ypsilanti, Michigan,
right?"  She again said, yes.  Then I said, "Never heard of you!" :-)
Seriously, I personally find the name Ypsilanti very cute and memorable
(kind of like her).

She did a little right bicep flex pose for the camera - not sure if that
pic's going to come out - we can hope, and I noticed had very cute abs, too.
I can't recall her winning any major fitness shows of late, but coming in
3rd, 5th or even lower - but she'd been a personal favorite of mine.  With
all that niceness said, I looked at her flyer for her stuffs.  Here's a very
attractive fitness competitor with a very attractive physique, yet it looks
like Playboy designed her flyer!

Sheesh!  It wasn't T&A, more like only A (and I'm not talking abs - that I'd
have no problem with).  Curiously, I didn't understand why the preponderance
of her pics dealt with her derriere when she has so much else to offer.
Hey, it could've been worse, the pics didn't dwell with her T - and the A is
a big muscle after all, no?

Well, considering I couldn't remember a flippin' celebrity, I came up with
something, no?

Until next show, I remain...

-jabber