Governor Ahhnüüld @ Emory U. Graduation

Posted: May 12th, 2010 | Filed under: Culture, Personalities, Ruminations | No Comments »

Frankly, I’ve been a fan of the former world body building champion since the mid 70s.

I consider body building a somewhat silly endeavor, certainly narcissistic and way too much work. But there was always something about Schwarzenegger that was greater than all that.

The guy was/ is brash and boastful. But he’s also bright, self effacing and funny. Yeah, he smokes cigars bigger than my forearm, but not when I’m in the room, thankfully.

I loved in the documentary “Pumping Iron” and how he psyched out Lou Ferrigno as they were preparing for the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe competitions. How he willed himself to victory through hard work and affirmations.

I loved him in the piffle of a movie called “Stay Hungry” which also featured Sally Field,  Jeff Bridges, Scatman Crothers, Fannie Flagg and Robert Englund before he went Freddy Krueger.

And I’ve admired how he’s remade himself at several points along the way, always defying odds. He became an actor of considerable Hollywood clout. He married a Kennedy. He was elected governor of the most populous state in the Union.

Like most politicians, he is way imperfect. He doesn’t have nearly all the answers. Unlike most politicians, he appears willing to listen and adapt. He admits he doesn’t have all the answers. He is willing to fail.

He gave a well-received commencement address at Emory University in Atlanta Monday morning. The grads included the Film Babe’s youngest, Samuel.

Ahhnüüld was funny.

“I was also going to give a graduation speech in Arizona this weekend. But with my accent, I was afraid they would try to deport me back to Austria.”

“This is my first law degree. Finally, the Kennedys will think I’m successful. And Maria can finally bring me home to meet her family.”

He mentioned how he’d had his people poll some students to see what they wanted him to talk about.

“17% wanted me to be inspriational. 23% wanted me to give some practical advice. And 30% just wanted their money back from “Jingle All The Way.”

Self effacement is a marvelous character trait.

Schwarznegger went on to advise the grads to “stay hungry,” and “to not only do well, but to do good.”

He was inspiring. It was a darn near perfect commencement address.

I’m glad I was there.

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