Naked Haven
I've now become a regular at my gym. I'm starting to know people by name. I chitchat with the black ladies while we run in place trying to get rid of the jiggly parts on ourselves that we grab and kvetch about to each other in the women's only exercise room. I have a workout coach. I have a locker. I'm completely at ease in this environment...that is until I realized what a naked friendly place it is.
Exhibit(ionist) A: A couple of days ago...Tuesday perhaps...I walk into the locker room after an invigorating workout and I see a woman standing nude in front of her locker, engrossed in a book. I quickly averted my eyes.
Exhibit(ionist) B: I'm changing into a bathing suit in front of my locker in a manner something like: take off shoes, take off pants, bend at waist with backside to locker to swap underpinings for bottom of bathing suit, pulling suit 3/4 way up the torso, turning to face locker and slipping off shirt, pulling suit up to bra, swapping bra for top portion of suit, hooking back of suit and tossing towel over the shoulders. Step out of sock, place foot on flip flop, repeat for other foot. Woman at locker across walkway: take off all clothes, walk around bench a few times, get some water from fountain, return to locker and put on suit.
Exhibit(ionist)C: Tonight I stepped into the sauna and saw a young woman about my age reclining on the top shelf/bunk/ledge/whatever it's called and she's nude. I was shocked but sat down anyway and proceeded to make small talk. She was pretty cool - she works for a steel company and will be moving to Nashville sometime later this summer. She went to college at Liberty University, in the same town where the awesome, awesome Ms.Lynelle went to college (Lynchburg). I find it funny that a person who went to a "fundamentally Baptist university" relaxes nude in saunas only because the fundamentally baptist never struck me as "naked people."
Anyway...in conclusion, if people want to run around nude, that's fine with me. It's just a bit jarring at first as I'm not used to seeing completely nude people just chilling out in a rather blase manner. I'm highly amused by this. It's very unlikely that I'll join in their ranks, but for now, I'll just get used to the shock and awe feeling of my brain trying to register nudity.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Sparky Joined a Gym
Caterpillar, Caterpillar, how I adore thee and all the benefits that come with working for you. I purchased a year long membership today and though I had to put some money down, due to corporate reimbursements, said membership will eventually be free.
Now, the decision to join a gym is not one which must be made hastily. After a week of asking around the office, consulting with the wellness program coordinators, and making drive-bys, I set out after work to make my selection after having narrowed my choices down to three based on price, ammenities, and proximity to my home. And after checking out a few different facilities, I finally decided on....(drumroll)...
Landmark Recreation Center!
Now, this place is not your run of the mill gym, nor is it your average meat market. This place has a vibe very much like "Average Joe's Gym" in the movie Dodgeball. It was built in 1981 and you can sense it in the walls. Despite the age of the building, the facilities are great. There are a wide variety of classes offered and several different sporting courts in addition to a run/walk track and a women's weight room. The atmosphere is laid back and the staff is courteous and extremely helpful. Landmark has character.
Landmark also has Off Track Betting and a Bar. And a bowling alley, arcade, and a movie theater. My dream come true! A gym that serves alcohol and has an afternoon matinee of Star Wars. Brilliant!
Anyway, I'm going back tomorrow to start my first day of cardio work and then sometime next week, I'm meeting with a trainer (service included with membership) to get started on a fitness plan. As much as I joke about joining a "wet" gym, I'm actually there to get rid of the beer belly I put on in college, no add to it. Though I'm sure the day will come when after having played a hard game of basketball/volleyball or having kicked and punched my way through an intense workout, a beer and a ticket on one of the horses may sound mighty nice.
Caterpillar, Caterpillar, how I adore thee and all the benefits that come with working for you. I purchased a year long membership today and though I had to put some money down, due to corporate reimbursements, said membership will eventually be free.
Now, the decision to join a gym is not one which must be made hastily. After a week of asking around the office, consulting with the wellness program coordinators, and making drive-bys, I set out after work to make my selection after having narrowed my choices down to three based on price, ammenities, and proximity to my home. And after checking out a few different facilities, I finally decided on....(drumroll)...
Landmark Recreation Center!
Now, this place is not your run of the mill gym, nor is it your average meat market. This place has a vibe very much like "Average Joe's Gym" in the movie Dodgeball. It was built in 1981 and you can sense it in the walls. Despite the age of the building, the facilities are great. There are a wide variety of classes offered and several different sporting courts in addition to a run/walk track and a women's weight room. The atmosphere is laid back and the staff is courteous and extremely helpful. Landmark has character.
Landmark also has Off Track Betting and a Bar. And a bowling alley, arcade, and a movie theater. My dream come true! A gym that serves alcohol and has an afternoon matinee of Star Wars. Brilliant!
Anyway, I'm going back tomorrow to start my first day of cardio work and then sometime next week, I'm meeting with a trainer (service included with membership) to get started on a fitness plan. As much as I joke about joining a "wet" gym, I'm actually there to get rid of the beer belly I put on in college, no add to it. Though I'm sure the day will come when after having played a hard game of basketball/volleyball or having kicked and punched my way through an intense workout, a beer and a ticket on one of the horses may sound mighty nice.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Top 10 Signs that Life in Peoria Will be Okay
1. As I crossed the river into Peoria county, I found a really good rock station that is now programmed as #3 on my dial. And by good rock station, I mean they were playing the full 10 minute Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day.
2. I'm 5 minutes from a good sized mall (which I need to explore before deeming it 'good' in general) and 7 minutes from a Target, Best Buy, and Barnes and Noble. If my need for bowing down to commercialism aren't met there, there's another good, outdoor mall (with a wine shop that holds tastings) an additional 10 minutes down the road. Now, those of you who know me well will understand what a big deal this is. Well, if you know me period, I bet you share my sentiments on this. period.
3. Peoria has a discernable skyline. It looks really awesome when driving in from East Peoria after dark. It's kind of like Diet Chicago up here.
4. Peoria has a casino. Does your town have that?
5. I found a Taco John's in East Peoria today. Whenever I'm dispatched to the E.P. Proving Ground, I can get a 'taste of home.'
6. My bank here is called CEFCU. If you add an extra syllable in there, you get something that sounds awfully close to 'seppuku.' I think I'll start referring to this place as the First Bank of Seppuku and see if it catches on. 7. Three Words: River Blues Festival.
8. Three More Words: River Jazz Festival.
9. Final Three Words: Cheap Baseball Tickets. The Chiefs are the "single A" team for the Cubs and they play in a really nice stadium (O'Brien Field). For a cool $10, I can get an afternoon on a nice lawn watching baseball and 2 beers.
10. My Caterpillar Badge apparently opens the gates of heaven. All I have to do is flash that baby and I get all sorts of discounts around town. So far, it's kept me from having to put down a deposit or pay application fees for electricity and cable/internet. It cut my apartment deposit in half! Peoria is most definitely a 'company town' and I think I'm going to dig that a lot.
Tomorrow will be the true test of things when I hop in my car and motor over to East Peoria to start my orientation. This week will be spent with my supervisor learning the ropes and next week I'll start to venture out on my own as a manager. I know that life here will not be all "twinkies and chocolate milk," but it feels good to know I'm in a place that thus far has shown great potential to be an environment in which I can be happy and hopefully thrive professionally and personally. What tomorrow and the rest of my time with CAT will hold is unknown but right now I have hope. And there's a lot to be said for having that.
1. As I crossed the river into Peoria county, I found a really good rock station that is now programmed as #3 on my dial. And by good rock station, I mean they were playing the full 10 minute Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day.
2. I'm 5 minutes from a good sized mall (which I need to explore before deeming it 'good' in general) and 7 minutes from a Target, Best Buy, and Barnes and Noble. If my need for bowing down to commercialism aren't met there, there's another good, outdoor mall (with a wine shop that holds tastings) an additional 10 minutes down the road. Now, those of you who know me well will understand what a big deal this is. Well, if you know me period, I bet you share my sentiments on this. period.
3. Peoria has a discernable skyline. It looks really awesome when driving in from East Peoria after dark. It's kind of like Diet Chicago up here.
4. Peoria has a casino. Does your town have that?
5. I found a Taco John's in East Peoria today. Whenever I'm dispatched to the E.P. Proving Ground, I can get a 'taste of home.'
6. My bank here is called CEFCU. If you add an extra syllable in there, you get something that sounds awfully close to 'seppuku.' I think I'll start referring to this place as the First Bank of Seppuku and see if it catches on. 7. Three Words: River Blues Festival.
8. Three More Words: River Jazz Festival.
9. Final Three Words: Cheap Baseball Tickets. The Chiefs are the "single A" team for the Cubs and they play in a really nice stadium (O'Brien Field). For a cool $10, I can get an afternoon on a nice lawn watching baseball and 2 beers.
10. My Caterpillar Badge apparently opens the gates of heaven. All I have to do is flash that baby and I get all sorts of discounts around town. So far, it's kept me from having to put down a deposit or pay application fees for electricity and cable/internet. It cut my apartment deposit in half! Peoria is most definitely a 'company town' and I think I'm going to dig that a lot.
Tomorrow will be the true test of things when I hop in my car and motor over to East Peoria to start my orientation. This week will be spent with my supervisor learning the ropes and next week I'll start to venture out on my own as a manager. I know that life here will not be all "twinkies and chocolate milk," but it feels good to know I'm in a place that thus far has shown great potential to be an environment in which I can be happy and hopefully thrive professionally and personally. What tomorrow and the rest of my time with CAT will hold is unknown but right now I have hope. And there's a lot to be said for having that.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Raves
1. The New Audioslave Album (Out of Exhile): Tom Morello is a guitar-god! This album is most excellent but it's the guitar work that stands out the most so far. I'm giving another listen tomorrow on the way to Peoria and I can't wait to hear what else is going on in the music. Good times!
2. Chariot - Gavin DeGraw: This song sounds like something that would play over the opening credits of a really great dramedy series. And if you think the version on the radio is great, check out the "stripped" version of it. It's warm and intimate sounding - like a crackling fire.
3. Black Bertha, my new black leather recliner: It's a really soft black leather recliner. I think that's ample explanation.
4. Beverly Hills - Weezer (music video): Weezer and the Playboy Mansion - two things I want to see live.
5. Sweet Tea: I have been drinking ridiculous amounts of this stuff all week. The stuff is diabetically delicious!
1. The New Audioslave Album (Out of Exhile): Tom Morello is a guitar-god! This album is most excellent but it's the guitar work that stands out the most so far. I'm giving another listen tomorrow on the way to Peoria and I can't wait to hear what else is going on in the music. Good times!
2. Chariot - Gavin DeGraw: This song sounds like something that would play over the opening credits of a really great dramedy series. And if you think the version on the radio is great, check out the "stripped" version of it. It's warm and intimate sounding - like a crackling fire.
3. Black Bertha, my new black leather recliner: It's a really soft black leather recliner. I think that's ample explanation.
4. Beverly Hills - Weezer (music video): Weezer and the Playboy Mansion - two things I want to see live.
5. Sweet Tea: I have been drinking ridiculous amounts of this stuff all week. The stuff is diabetically delicious!
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