Dear So and So

[Biciclista]

dear gym studs,

yes I get that you are young and fit full of yourselves. Yes I understand that most people choose to run 20 minutes on the treadmill instead of around the perimeter of the basketball court, but since there was no one in the court I decided to indulge myself. I told you I only had five more minutes to go and that I would stay out of your way. Why then did you decide that it was imperative to occupy all four of the courts simultaneously trying as hard as you could to make sure you were shooting at the wall or crashing into me while running for the ball, every single time I passed any one of you at any of the court areas.

And dear gym management,

Yes I know, they pay gym fees too but really, it is not fun to be bashed into repeatedly by guys who are 40 years younger and twice my body weight whether "accidentally" or "on purpose."

Incidentally this group is also notorious for smashing their free weights to the ground repeatedly and never putting away any of the equipment they use.

sore and bruised and irritated.

WOW, I'd pursue this further. That's terrible. Is there another gym?? What a bunch of aszhats. to pick on a woman like that!!!

[Becky]

Dear self-

Take a vacation already, before you flip out on the wrong person (not that there's really a "right" person for that situation). The work will be there when you get back...

Oh, and going to FLETC for training as a civilian is a pretty cool opportunity- suck it up already and stop worrying.

[jessmarimba]

Dear new guy:

Yelling at me after I just saved your butt wasn't a smart decision. You underestimate me at your own peril.

[Owlie]

Dear self--
Why didn't you learn the first time that adding milk to melted chocolate is a bad idea?

[tulip]

Dear tulip,
I am so proud of you for learning to be financially responsible. Better late than never. Even though money has always been a source of angst and terror, you have learned that it's in your power to control it, not the other way around. Knowledge really is power. You've come so far since January, and I know you are on a permanent path to financial responsibility and freedom from debt. It's amazing how far a good software program, some basic knowledge, a few reachable goals, and a bit of courage can take you.

Yours truly,
moi

[indysteel]

Dear tulip,
I am so proud of you for learning to be financially responsible. Better late than never. Even though money has always been a source of angst and terror, you have learned that it's in your power to control it, not the other way around. Knowledge really is power. You've come so far since January, and I know you are on a permanent path to financial responsibility and freedom from debt. It's amazing how far a good software program, some basic knowledge, a few reachable goals, and a bit of courage can take you.

Yours truly,
moi

Way to go, Tulip! That's awesome!

As an employee of the US Bankruptcy Court, I'm thrilled that you will not need our services!!!!

[marni]

WOW, I'd pursue this further. That's terrible. Is there another gym?? What a bunch of aszhats. to pick on a woman like that!!!

I will sic trainer john on them tomorrow if they are there or the next time I see them. He too is a senior though not quite as senior as me, but he is one of the lead trainers and has more years at this gym than anyone else so when he speaks to someone it usually brings results.

Yes there is another gym but this is the one where the trainer that both my 90 year old resident FIL and I like, so moving to another gym is not an optimal solution. When the weather cools, I will just run outside on the sidewalk, but with feels like temps in the triple digits, that is not an option right now.

I don't think they were specifically picking on me, as much as showing off for each other and generally being the selfish inconsiderate louts they are in real life. There seems to be a lot of that "what's up with you b****" attitude among certain groups and ages and persuasions of youngish males around here- might have something to do with the strongly prevalent football culture. Our local high school has a football facility that is the envy of the local professional football team, but they just laid off 250 teachers. Go figure.

sigh....