Gym Space
I do understand the whole “judgment free zone” thing, but really that’s not how I roll! So, the other day at the gym, I was on the treadmill which is near the back of the room with a good view of the other gym rats, all of us going nowhere on our elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills. While running in place, yes sometimes I watch my contemporaries come and go and wonder what their deal is; why are they working out, what are they listening to, what do they do for a living which allows them to be at the gym at nine in the morning? Sometimes I make up scenarios for them, but I routinely do this to people no matter where I am. I’m just a people watcher and have an active imagination.
Well, this recent interaction, not with me, with two others I was watching left me confused. A couple of “guys” came in together, you know those guys at the gym who obviously need to be there, but act loud and obnoxious as if that behavior is going to distract you from the fact that they have disregarded their appearance since graduating high school. Well, those guys both got on elliptical machines, but skipped the one in between the two of them. Why?
Much of men’s behavior baffles me, but I think I might understand the “seat skipper” at a sporting event, but not at the gym. In stadiums the bucket seats are small and you are forced to be very close, so if there are enough seats available, just skip a seat. Right? Now, I am not a seat skipper, but I fit in a seat fairly comfortably and it doesn’t bother me to sit close to the person next to me either. Although I don’t do it, I can see why it is done.
Now back to the gym, these guys continue to talk to each other, but now they are breathing heavily and yelling in order to enable their voices to carry over the elliptical moat they’ve created. There is ample space between the machines and they are big enough to accommodate a large man, so why? Everyone knew they were there to work out together, they brought that attention upon themselves and then when they finished their 15 minute trek, they left together. So, they obviously weren’t afraid to be seen together and were friends.
Then shortly after they left, I watched two young women come in together and get on their sequential machines. They didn’t have to create a buffer zone between them and they were able to have a conversation we all didn’t have to hear. This made sense to me.
What’s the deal guys? I was so stricken by the “seat skipper” behavior, I forgot to make up a story for them. Still confused!
Oh Canada…
This morning Azul’s topic of conversation was Canadians, eh. He started by saying, “I think it’s funny Justin “Beaver” got arrested!” We both laughed, for different reasons. I questioned and answered at the same time wanting him to continue his train of thought, with a, “Yeah?”
He then asked, “Why did he get in trouble?” I tried to explain from the little I knew, “I think he was speeding and was pulled over by the cops and then they found out he was drinking and driving or using drugs or something. And that is illegal and that is why he was arrested.” Again I will emphasize the “I think.”
“I bet he learned his lesson,” was the concerned five year-old’s response. I continued, “Well, he is from Canada and might get sent back.” With a slap on his own forehead and a sigh he said, “Oh man, he’s Canadian!” He said it more as a statement than a question. “Then he’ll really learn his lesson!” And we laughed.
He then asked, “What other rock stars are from Canada?” I said, “I don’t know, Rush, Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, those are all old guys, I can’t think of anyone who is younger and Canadian.” (Obviously showing my age) Immediately he responded, “Alanis Morissette is not one of my favorites.” I don’t think he even knows who she is. “I’m sure she isn’t,” I responded laughing and I didn’t even want to get into the whole Rob Ford thing, the only other Canadian I could think of right then. Then the conversation moved on to something he saw out the window. Whew! Eh!
Caution: Don’t Eat The Grass!
This afternoon when I picked Azul up from Pre-school, we went through our regular question and answer routine, what committee were you in today, what song did you sing in music class, who hit who on the playground, same thing we do every commute home.
Once we finalized our afternoon formalities my five year-old said, “We need something to bring in that is like Spring.” Trying to clarify I said, “For show-n-tell?” He replied, “Yes something about Spring and I have an idea.” Testing him, I responded with sarcasm, “What, a snowman?” Laughing his response at me he said, “No crazy. I need you to get me a Tupperware and a top and I’m going to put grass in it. Grass means Spring.” I said, “Oh, awesome you want to bring in some vegetation.” I like to throw different words at him to expand his vocabulary. He usually throws something back at me to lower my expectations!
“Yes, that’s my idea. But, don’t eat the grass because sometimes I pee on it.” Closing my eyes and tilting my head back in amazement I replied, “Thanks for the warning.”
He then went on to explain the difference in how boys and girls pee on the grass. “Girls have to stick out their butts and go tsssss! Boys just stand and pee anywhere like this, tsssss!” Although correct, I hope he doesn’t go into the latter part of the grass explanation during his show-n-tell presentation.
Carmelina Hart 