Thanksgiving 2014 #Caleb

Thanksgiving 2014 looks a little different than those of the past.  There's a missing face or two, a couple faces anew and friends of the past that are long overdue. So many reasons to be thankful in 2014, I'm indeed truly happy. 

#cheers 

At the gymnasium...

As a pretty avid gym goer, it never seizes to amaze me some of the shit I see and hear on a fairly regular basis.  I genuinely love exercise, I don’t particularly enjoy the antics I witness at the gym, not to mention the stale air of sweat and a bazillion germs and viruses lurking on every surface encountered.  Exercising outdoors is far more enjoyable than any day in the gym, but as it stands, I’ve never really been fond of working out outdoors during the cold months here in Michigan, so, to the gym I go. 

I’ve been attending the same gym since college, which has both its perks and downfalls.  In general, I enjoy my facility and most of my gripes about the gym would happen just about anywhere, even if I did choose to branch out to my local country club or Powerhouse gym. 

Gripe #1 – It’s not my social hour

When I go to the gym, I go to work. Please leave me be.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m as social as they come when you meet me out in a restaurant, bar or starbucks, but when I’m at the gym and I’m dripping with sweat and can barely catch my breath let alone hold a conversation, please let me get the most out of my hour in the gym so I can get the hell out of there.  Which leads me to my next gripe…

Gripe #2- The gym is not a fashion show

Women and their lulu lemon pants, matching track suits, hair down and neon everything make me giggle. Don’t get me wrong, I have a pretty sweet pair of white/neon kicks I enjoy, but I’m in no way, shape or form someone who puts much thought into their workout gear.  I’m the chick in an oversized cutoff t-shirt, standard black pants and her hair slicked back with sweat; in short, I’m not looking my best, therefore I’d rather not converse with anyone, let alone someone of the opposing sex.  Moreover…

Gripe #3- Creepy guys at the gym are the worst

Sometimes guys really do have no shame.  Listen dude, I can feel your eyes on my back (likely ass) and it really makes me uncomfortable.  However, it also motivates me to push harder, run faster and burn off more steam, so hey- I guess that’s a plus.  Guys that approach me at the gym to either compliment me or ask me for advice are a lot to take in.  I have a hard time taking compliments from women at the gym let alone the dude who just had to come over and say something.  Again, I look atrocious and really don’t see the appeal.  Even when I wore an engagement ring at the gym it didn't seem to deter men from approaching me at the most inopportune times.  I appreciate those men/women who genuinely appreciate something I had been doing, but all and all, a thumbs up is pretty sufficient and we can all go about our merry work out.

Gripe #4 – People who spectate

I’ll never understand the people who come to the gym and walk on a treadmill for 2 hours at a snail’s pace. I’m really beginning to wonder if some people really do frequent the gym for social hour or to meet new people.  I get it, whatever floats your boat, but I personally find it uncomfortable for those of us working hard and extremely counterintutive to your health and gym membership. I've heard we burn calories while sleeping, that may be another viable option...

Clearly, the gym can be a nuisance at times, however it certainly beats the alternative…  To help illustrate the amount of sweat that escapes my pores, please observe this pic of my workout bench I snapped last weekend. I tried telling you, I’m no joke in the gym J  

I'm Working on It!

I've been taking a little hiatus while I try to get my life back in order. Lots of changes are happening all around me and I'm attempting to go with the flow as best I can, though it hasn't presented me with much time to put pen to paper.  Stay tuned, I'll have some pretty good reads coming your way soon enough. I think it's safe to say I have lots of new inspiration and humor to share with this new chapter of my life. I can't make some of this shit up, so please check back friends, I think you'll find some enjoyment in my somewhat uncomfortable misery- new outlook on life. Love and be well!

Lisa

Embrace Life to Live

It’s a firm belief of mine that the greatest opportunities in life come from exploring the unknown.  Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone opens a world of possibility that might otherwise fall to the wayside out of sheer panic, fear or ignorance. Whether you’re exploring a new town, country, book, religion, social group, music genre, political belief or something new for dinner, I urge you to take that leap of faith and understand that chance and change are the truest testament of living.  People are complex and come from all different walks of life, therefore I think there’s perhaps nothing more rewarding in life than extending a helping hand to the unexpecting, conversing with someone from the other side of the tracks and really embracing those people or ideologies that are quite the contrary to your own. 

Wherever that foreign territory takes you, acknowledging the indifferences that cultivate through the complexity of life, we can begin to embrace those days and times everyone else seems to take for granted and we'll eventually come to understanding that life really is beautiful beyond your wildest dreams. Exploring the unknown is to live life to its fullest, a little carpe diem; if you will. So I urge you to be open to change and embrace the unknowns of the future.  March forward with an open mind, heart and always represent yourself from a place of compassion and pure interest. Who knows, perhaps after all is said and done the new people, ideas and/or culture may be just that thing you've been looking for all along.  Cheers!