One of the many things you will observe about human nature is that we tend to mock what we don't understand. Whether it's a new way of doing something, or anything out of the norm, or someone who looks out of place, the initial human reaction is to chide, mock, ridicule, etc.. . . mostly on the basis of a cursory look at the wrapper. It's rare that something unknown or out of place is accepted with any neutrality pending investigation; and that's only if there is one. Oddities are more easily dismissed than probed. We also tend to generalize and profile those different from us based on accepted stereotypes. These days, if you're on an airplane and it takes two mouthfuls of phlegm to pronounce the first name of the guy you're sitting next to, you'll immediately want his shoes searched for explosives. In that same vein, if we're at a bodybuilding contest and Jocelyn Peltier is in the lineup looking as green as Kermit D. Frog, only with less muscle, the first thing anyone does is crack a joke about him.
Well, the same kinda thing happened this past weekend at the NPC Nationals in Hollywood, FL. 
Holding down last place, twenty-one guys away from Joe Vu at the complete opposite end of the Lightweight class, was a guy named Paul Howe. Whether it was the profound disparity in muscle mass between Howe and the rest of the class, or the fact that he was about 24 shades lighter, and a little bit green, compared to the next guy; or that it looked like he was packing a bag of onions in his posing trunks; this guy stood out more than Joe Vu. But, it was because Howe looked out-of-shape and out-of-place. And because he did, the floor opened for entertainment at Howe's expense. All kinds of things were said about him; he was homeless, he lived under a bridge. Someone even said they saw him pan handling outside the theater. Some of us assumed he had no friends, because if he had, surely one would have been good enough to tell him not to compete. No one cared to understand what he was doing up on stage or why.
No one but us! As soon as the lightweight class lined up and we saw this guy, Dave turned to me and said "We have to interview him!" I was thinking the exact same thing (we do that a lot). This guy was definitely an outsider, and you know how we love outsiders. So, after the cut at the night show, Dave cornered him backstage and called me over.
I met up with him, off to the side of the staging area, took out my iPhone and started typing... "How's it going?" I said, extending my hand.
Paul shook it. He had a pretty potent grip. "Hey, how's going," he replied very politely.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Paul Howe.... That's Howe with an ‘E"
"Where are you from?"
"San Diego."
Paul looked a little rough around the edges for a guy from San Diego. "I used to live in San 
Diego," I said. "It's a great city. How old are you anyway, Paul?"
"I'm 55 now."
No diss, but he looked older, like he works outside or something. "What do you do in San Diego?" I asked.
"I'm a landscaper and handyman." That confirmed my speculation. Paul continued, "and I help feed and care for the elderly in our community."
Wow... now, there's a noble man. "So, you're not homeless?" I asked.
Paul laughed.... "No... What gave you the idea I was homeless?"
"People can say some stupid shit, my friend."
Paul shook his head and laughed a little more. "Nope, I'm definitely not homeless."
"And you don't pan handle?"
"No!"
"Okay... okay... no disrespect. I'm just asking." I figured I'd better turn this conversation around. "How long have you been bodybuilding?"
"Since the mid 70s," he said. "I won the Mr. Muscle Beach in San Diego when I was 20."
"Really? No offense Paul, but you don't seem to be carrying that much muscle. What are you doing competing in the Nationals?"
"Well, I took a long layoff from bodybuilding. You know... personal issues. I took a lay off from 1997 to 2006. I started competing again in 07. I set a record for competing in the most NPC shows in 07."
"How many was that?" I asked.
"Thirteen."
"You competed in 13 shows in one year?"
"Yes. Lonnie Teeper gave me an award for it."
"No shit."
"No shit."
"Wow... ok, that's pretty cool...."
"I know you're thinking I have to put some weight on."
"Well yeah; that and some color."
Paul chuckled. Clearly he wasn't oblivious to his flaws like some people. The guy just likes to compete. He said, "I'm putting weight back on slowly. You'll see me improve."
"I'm sure we will." I got a little nervous about my next question. I had to ask - you guys would kill me if I didn't. "Ummm.... Paul.... One more thing.... Ummmm..... you know.... you seem to be using your posing trucks as a sock drawer. The ladies sitting next to me (I lied) wanted me to ask you what's in there. Is that all you?"
Paul looked at me kind of perplexed, like his trunks appeared totally normal, and he was wondering why I was asking such a gay question. "Ummm... yeah, all me. Why?"
"Well..... ummmm..... you know..... you're, like.... ummmmm...... you know." Clearly he did not. "Never mind.... So, hey, thanks for the interview... and, ummm.... Good luck. We'll keep an eye out for you."
"Thank you," Paul said. And he disappeared into the crowed.
Okay... So, here you're got this guy; a little rough looking around the edges, not a whole lot of muscle for a national level show, not in great condition, terrible color and perhaps the most packed trunks on stage. Fodder for tons of jokes, right? But then we find out the guy is a working class stiff like the rest of us, He's not a homeless panhandler, he loves bodybuilding, and he takes care of the elderly. Maybe the guy is just normal and we're the one who are fucked up. Maybe that bulge in his trunks is what normal looks like because maybe he doesn't use drugs and his balls haven't shrunken like all of ours have. In any case, I'm glad I got to talk to this guy and get the story straight. Turns out Paul Howe is one cool cat!
