You Can't Take The...Gym...From Me

 When I worked in an office building there were times when I took advantage of the gyms located on the premises. I wasn't an everyday gym user, mostly because it involved changing clothes, working out, showering (when they had showers...), and all those things took time.

Amazing what a change of venue can do.

Our little gym is nowhere near as nice as the gyms in those office buildings. We have three machines, a mini-trampoline, and a yoga ball. We do, however, have a TV and a library of DVDs. I've been spending at least fifteen minutes in our gym every workday. I chose, for my workout entertainment, the 1994 miniseries, The Stand. I finished that last week. This week, it's Joss Whedon's, Firefly.

I'd forgotten how good it is.

I've watched the movie from the series, Serenity, several times. Great show, but I didn't watch the series when it was on years ago, and when I did watch the series after buying it, I liked it, but like most Firefly fans, I wanted more. Unfortunately, no more were made.

I know many people who work out to music--not a bad choice, something I can definitely get behind. But, when I watch part of a show, it helps me want to come back and keep watching. It's like the opposite of bing-watching. It's slow-watching.

There's multiple Firefly DVDs. If I continue to work out in our little gym (which I totally plan on doing...), I'll get through the entire series probably next month. Then, as I was the first time I watched the series, I'll be sad it's over.

Week One...So Far, So Good

 My wife envisioned the space first. I saw the extra long garage on the north side of the house and thought it would make a great place for a classic VW beetle, complete with several pans underneath to collect all the dripping oil.

But, no...the wife thought we would be better served to put in a home gym. She's right, of course. And so, we maneuvered the treadmill we've owned for years onto some astroturf (thanks mom-in-law...), put up a TV my son picked up at the D.I., complete with burned in circles at the bottom, and once we found the treadmill key stuffed in one of a thousand boxes, we were in business. This week I spend four work breaks on the treadmill, not running, not jogging, but walking, and it's been fantastic.

I'd like to be jogging or running, but you've got to start somewhere.

We've never had a place specifically for our work-out equipment. I suppose--had I wanted to--I could have worked out even if we didn't have a specific place for the equipment. Heck, you can work out in a space no larger than Rose's plank doing sit-ups, push-ups, yoga. There's really no excuse to not working out.

We're hoping to expand, but for now, walking for fifteen minutes, watching Mal and the gang fight evil, pringing Alliance baddies on the wing and getting off spectacular hip shots is wonderful.

One week done...almost. Only two-thousand to go ;)

A Nice Conversation At The Track...

For the past couple of months, I've been going to an indoor track--not often, a day or two a week.

Okay, only one day a week.

But that's better than going zero times a week.

I'm taking it slow, jogging maybe a mile, walking half or a mile. I'm in no shape to tackle a half marathon or anything, but it's good to be active.

This morning after my mile run, I decided to walk a few laps. My walking pace doesn't break any records, but I noticed an older gentleman catching up to me so I slowed up. I thought I'd let him pass me (I doubt he passes a lot of people on the track...). 

But instead of passing me up, we started up a conversation. He told me his name--it's Mike, but I thought I heard Mark. I told him mine--it's Scott but he thought he heard James. We began talking about Farmington. Turns out we're both long-time residents of our little hometown. We both remembered when there was a gas station at the top of Shepard Lane (it's now a beauty salon...). He even knew the owner, a man named Nephi. I did not know Nephi.

We both remembered when there were only a couple of church congregations in town. Now there's several dozen. In Utah you can tell how big a community is by the number of church buildings and congregations there are.

We continued walking around the track at a leisurely pace. I learned that he not only lives near my in-laws, but he knows them, too. We walked for another lap--two laps more than I had originally planned--then I left. I did some warm-down stretches then went to my car. As I walked I realized that Mike's the first person I've actually spoken to at the track. In my defense, most of the people there when I go walking/jogging are younger women and older women--both groups would think me a bit icky if I were to suddenly begin striking up conversations. I mean, I don't want to get kicked out of the place.

Then I'd have nowhere else to run/walk...

Except, well...everywhere.

Maybe I Should Start Making Friday The 13th Resolutions...

Everyone talks about making New Years Resolutions, but I don't know anyone who makes Friday the 13th Resolutions. Of course, New Years is a perfect time to make changes in ones life. It's a new year,  after all with new beginnings, fresh starts. Plus, where I live, it's usually the coldest time of the year so there's a built-in excuse for not doing many of those "get in shape" resolutions.

Today, however, my wife and I got up and went to Farmington City's newest gymnasium. It's a very large space with lots of basketball courts. There's also a nice running track on the upper level. It's not well stocked when it comes to exercise equipment, but there's some free weights, an elliptical machine, and other exercise devices here and there. This morning no one was using them, including us.

What people did do while she and I walked was play pickleball on one side of the building while others did aerobics on the other side. Personally, I'm glad people are using the facility. Hopefully our family will be part of those who use it because last week we got a six-month pass. I know I need to start exercising on a regular basis. We went today for the first time after signing up.

No, I don't know many--if any--who make Friday the 13th Resolutions. We just might be the first.

It's Good To Be Busy...But To Be This Busy?

I am tired.

It's my fault, really. Each time something comes up, I've said I'd do it, I'd volunteer, I'd say yes.

And so I did.

And so I'm tired.

Don't get me wrong--I like being busy. I've been doing it for some time. Back when I got my undergraduate degree, I constantly had several jobs at once while a full-time student. I got married and have been fortunate enough to be employed almost the entire twenty-four years since.

Around the turn of the century, I started doing shows, community theater. Luckily, my kids liked doing the shows with me and it made for a fantastic parent/child experience (at least, for the parent--they kids have said they've enjoyed it too...). But doing a show takes time--a lot of time. You rehearse almost every day, except Sunday, for two months, then the show runs for another month. Once the show begins, that's when you actually get a break--you're only needed every other night. Still, I've made life-long friends and wonderful experiences from these shows. I'd hate to think of turning them down just because I was busy.

Then around ten or twelve years ago, I started writing. I'd always dabbled, but I thought I'd take the craft to a more serious level. Now, being a writer means you're always "busy." You're never not busy because either you're writing, or you feel you should be writing--both can be somewhat stressful. But the rewards can be amazing!

To improve my skills I decided to return to college after fifteen years and get my masters degree. In a couple of years I donned a black robe and was given my diploma. I did this while I worked full-time, kept writing, and even doing shows.

Crazy, right?

Probably.

Since I graduated I've still kept writing (not as much as I want...), worked full-time, and done several part-time jobs. The part-time jobs are for fun and because it was needed. And the shows--there always seems to be another show out there.

So, why am I tired now? Right now, along with my job, I have a part-time job on the weekends. My son and I work at a Halloween show at Lagoon, the amusement park by our house. I'm also in a play we'll put on in December--I'm playing three characters and need to memorize my lines. And each day I need to find something worthy of a blog post as well as post a daily picture, which means also finding something interesting to photograph.

And this is only October. November's going to be nuts!

In November I've decided to write a novel--I'll need to write about 2000 words a day while working, getting ready and starting the Christmas show, and blogging everyday. Thankfully, the part-time job will be done so I should have good writing opportunities on Friday and Saturday.

Again, I'm not complaining even though it sounds like I am. I know I've been busier, but I've never been this busy and a half century old before. We'll see what happens.