Full report of “bash” - Read at your own risk
I left Toronto about 8:30am Friday morning, the drive was great, not too much traffic, arrived in Mansfield around 4:30pm. Called Bill, no answer, left a message. Went driving around the city, looking for something to do. Found a bowling alley bowled a couple of games. 8pm tried calling Bill again, no answer. Decided at this point, I should look for a hotel room. NONE to be had. Big motorcycle race in Mansfield this weekend. Went back to the bowling alley. They have karaoke at 9pm, trying to relax. Get call from Bill at 10pm. Thought everyone cancelled on it and on his way to work. He said to call in the afternoon and we’ll do something. so now I am stuck in a town, I don’t know anyone. I freak out. I call another fellow BSer that I know lives in Ohio. She says come on down, we’ll get a cheap room for me to stay in. Drive another 3 hours to Ironton, OH. Meet Kellie (missflexgr). She takes me to the hotel and leaves. By now it is 2am, I fall asleep instantly.
SATURDAY - Wake up and call Kellie, we go and have breakfast then she shows me the sights, of Ironton, and Kentucky and West Virginia. Help her find some gifts for her chief. By 3pm, no word from Bill. I call him, no answer, leave a message. At this point I’m thinking of just going home. I call another BSer in Toledo (closer to home). She says to come up. I tell her I am going to start heading North and I will give Bill another call just before I hit Mansfield in case anyone else showed up. About 7pm I call Bill again, no answer. Continue driving to Toledo and meet Susan around 9pm. We go for a walk and talk, I meet her kids, and just talk for a couple of hours. I go to another hotel room and crash.
SUNDAY - wake up 8am call Susan at 8:30am, go to breakfast. She tells me that our plan to hit the gym is out as no one accepts guess passes on Sundays, and the Y she works at is closed on Sundays. So we go back to her place and talk until about 11am then I head home. Arrive at my sisters at 8:30pm.
So in summary, there was no bash. And to be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore. If it weren’t for Kellie and Susan, I would have completely lost it. I am still feeling really crappy about the whole experince but at least they took the time to see me and make me feel like a friend.
I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures or anything really fun to report, particularly to those that wanted to go to this bash. I guess thats what I get for expecting the best, I always seem to get the worst.
July 28, 2008 at 6:31 am
Hey my friend - sorry to hear that things didnt go as planned–was quite excited for you–although hope you enjoyed meeting some of the BSer’s in person..
July 28, 2008 at 6:36 am
NO BASH…I don’t understand! I hope you remember the positive. You did get to meet some good people and see the sights. Very unfortunate though. I know you were looking forward to it!
July 28, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hey B Im sorry that happend to you but I tried my best for this nothing happening one horse town lol lol lol maybe I should have showed you a real out house lol thats a wooden shack out side that civilized ppl call a bathroom. But any ways I tried my best. And go to the Arnold Classic this March U WILL NO BE DISAPOINTED!
July 28, 2008 at 11:37 am
Wow! How disappointing
Thank goodness for Kelli and Susan! 
Well, at least you got a little tour of Ohio
The Arnold Classic is in Columbus — I’m thinking about coming to that in March since it’s just 2.5 hours from where I live 
July 28, 2008 at 11:49 am
Thank you everyone! Yes, I was very disappointed! Just a lot of driving! I am very happy to have met Kellie and Susan! They are great people!!!
And Kellie! Stop it! I enjoyed my time with you! Your town is a typical small town! I know what an outhouse is LOL! I had a lot of fun with you! Loved watching you lift at Dick’s LOL And teasing you about the hunky recruiting officer! You made what would have been a disastrous trip, a good one, THANK YOU!!!
July 28, 2008 at 12:48 pm
yep for sure enjoy the friends you did meet. Glad they were there for you. Sorry about the rest…as i know you were so excited about it. Well sometimes a drive is good as well makes you do a bit of thinking along the way…life and what one is planning on and focusing for the future.
July 28, 2008 at 5:14 pm
That’s real crappy Bri, i thought there was supposed to be a good turn out at this thing. I know you were looking so forward to it.
BUT…. Always an adventure to be had in a new place. i’m glad you were able to meet up with a few good people
And from what i’ve heard from others, the ARNOLD is something you dont’ want to miss!
July 28, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I am sorry this happened to you. What happened to Steph? I thought she was going for sure. Just a thought, but maybe you should have called or contacted Ninja Bill before leaving. My husband and I were definitely planning on attending, but when Bill went MIA for 2 weeks we called it off.
July 28, 2008 at 6:31 pm
That sucks, Brian - but lets talk about the future, pal - you have a certain plan to start!!!!!
July 29, 2008 at 8:57 am
I would have like to tag along like we talked about a few months ago… I didn’t even make it home for my reunion. I am sorry the trip wasn’t what you expected, but perhaps it caused a better bond between you and the two lovely ladies that helped you out on your journey. I would love to meed the whole gang at the arnold next year!
July 29, 2008 at 8:33 pm
awwwwwww……… that is too bad…. but how wonderful of kellie and susan! they really are awesome women!!!!
July 30, 2008 at 8:49 am
Oh Brian.
I’m sorry the weekend turned out to be different from what you expected. 
August 6, 2008 at 2:13 pm
All this talk for months about a bash, and then nothing…thats sucks!!!