Just like probably 67.5 percent of the community in which I live, I found myself at the gym this morning. Not that there's anything wrong with going to the gym on a Monday morning. Thing is, you'd have to be complete nuts to find yourself at the gym on the Monday directly following New Year's Day in a Southern California town, including, say, Palm Springs where you'd think there wouldn't be much gym action, what with the crowd that usually hangs there.
But I'm wrong, I'm sure, about assuming that Palm Springs wouldn't be seeing that much gym action on the first Monday following New Year's Day. From what I could tell, looking out into the blur of bodies at the gym this morning, the Something-Something Happy Village Retirement Community must have had to use all their available buses to bring in the troops of later-day athletes this morning. Everyone was there, young and old alike.
So this was my debut day, along with a ton of other like-minded nutsos. I chose the only bike available, because I'm not yet allowed to put any real weight on my left leg, and lucky me, I got the one that didn't work so hot. Still, as I pedaled slowly and looked around, something happened.
I realized how much I missed the place. I mean, there's nothing like a bit of "new" scenery to get the juices flowing. Here I was, at the gym, probably on the busiest day of the year, with a load of precious material. I haven't been to the gym in two months! So much has changed!
First, as you may know, the rules of talking on the phone and texting while driving a car have changed in California. By now, most of the people in this city have converted to those little hands free devices and let me tell you, things couldn't be more interesting. In the old days, at least holding a cell phone while working out was a minor inconvenience. But now that everyone seems to own one of those little hands free devices, all you see and hear is a sea of people wandering around, talking to what looks like themselves whilst lifting a dumbbell, pounding out crunches, and repeating "Can you hear me?" over and over and over.
So, from my perspective, at this moment in time: Life is good.
Second, I cranked out a pair of fingerless mitts. I know some people don't "get" fingerless mitts, but they work for me. These took just one ball of this fabulous new sock yarn from Japan by Olympus. It is called Branche and I got it from Kpixie. The color changes are subtle and different from Noro in a way I can't really describe. I LOVE this sock yarn; it is totally unique and although it has a boucle look in the ball, it knits up beautifully. (Not that there is anything wrong with boucle.)
A friend of mine introduced me to a little game called "bluetooth or crazy". Next time you see someone alone just chatting away, give it a try.
Posted by: Jan | January 05, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Does everyone talking on their phones create a cacophony in the gym? Although I guess it would be good to chat, since then you know you're breathing right. :) Those mitts look cozy!
Posted by: LittleWit | January 05, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I got a bluetooth and my coworkers thought I was nutso as I was walking into the office while talking to my son. I think it is better than people listening to headphones trying to sing along but shouldn't be allowed to sing in the privacy of their own shower!
Posted by: Rae | January 05, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I'm glad to hear you're doing well enough for the gym! That's great news.
I love the wristwarmer. I've always been a skeptic, but I'm almost there. We're keeping our thermostat 2 degrees colder this winter and the room where my computer is is the coldest one in our house. Suddenly, I'm seeing the appeal.
Posted by: elizabeth m | January 05, 2009 at 08:57 PM
The idea of people talking on the phone while working out in the gym cracks me up. Yay for going back to the gym! I was right there with you...but ours was nice and quiet.
Posted by: knittinandnoodlin | January 06, 2009 at 03:06 AM
I love the fingerless mitts - here where it's actually cold, we just buy the cheap Walgreens gloves to put under - then you can change colors with your mood.
As for cellphones at the gym, driving, etc? Nobody's THAT important they can't wait two seconds. But I've always had a bug in my ass about that particular issue.
I'm always thinking the hands free people look like the Borg.
Posted by: thea | January 06, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Love the fingerless gloves. I've been out of my arm cast since before Thanksgiving. Still getting the 3 questions:
What happened to your hand/arm "I broke it"
Why isn't it in a cast/ "It's healed"
Are you going to physical therapy/ "Yes"
I figure if my coworker can wear a 'arthritis brace', I can wear a fingerless glove. I've been wearing a long-sleeved sweater so people don't notice my wrist/arm.
I'm on vacation this week...and have to visit the orthopedis PA in an hour. OH WELL.
Still can't hold a knitting needle in my left BUT I really want to.
Posted by: Margie | January 06, 2009 at 09:47 AM
OOPS...
Love the wristwarmers. Hope you are doing well with the hip and all.
Our power company has told us to expect higher rates for the winter so ... I EXPECT to be wearing fingerless gloves for a while.
Darn snow...here in the Pacific NW.
Posted by: Margie | January 06, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Yea for the gym I miss it! The fingerless and from what I can see thumbless too mitts are devine you did a wonderful job. Not that there was a dought in my mind. (ok yes I need spell check here) I love doing socks, gloves, mitts, ect, but then I moved from scarves to socks when I had only been knitting for a short time. Seems no one told me they were for more advanced knitters. LOL Huggs Marion
Posted by: Marion | January 06, 2009 at 10:01 AM
I too love fingerless mitts, I did a pair during christmas in tonilita and just bought some noro for another pair, they are awesome for walking the dog at night( or day).
Gotta love the gym in the new year, crazy place .
Why do people need to always have their silly phone with them especially while they are working out. Had a phone go off in spinning class and he stopped and answered it . Nice
Posted by: aliinla | January 06, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I can't wait until restaurants or other places ban cell phones (not that anyone would adhere to the rules)
Posted by: Wendy | January 06, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Congratulations on your first day back at the gym. I look forward to hearing about the characters there (lady who does the splits? crazy dude?). But I just knit up some fingerless mitts for myself in a multicolored Manos, and they kept my hands happy for some cold nights out! And school drop off time! Did you know you can still knit wearing them? That's what I like best about them.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 06, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I live in Illinois but my health club has banned cell phones in the locker rooms for the past 2 or 3 years (since camera phones became so popular - why anyone would want to take pictures of the average woman in my club [most of us are in our 50's-80's I don't know). I wish they would ban them in the workout areas! My partner bought me expensive sound blocking ear buds for my ipod because I could not stand the noise. My previous health club banned cell phones in the work out area & was really a pretty quiet place. To me, working out is almost like knitting in that it makes me feel sort of meditative & I can't stand loud talking distracting me.
Posted by: Donna | January 06, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Love the mitts, and love them generally, but the first thing that gets cold on me? the finger TIPS! Oy. I'll have to commission some fingerTIP gloves from you!
I'm with the others that hate cellphone/bluetooth/texting, generally. Really. I listen to everyone's conversations (hard to avoid it), and they really are not SO important they can't wait an hour (or ten).
Grumble. Crank. Kids these days, with their long hair, rock music and bluetooth headsets. Why, when I was a kid, cell phones weighed 25 lbs and looked like rocket launchers!
Posted by: MonkeyGurrl | January 06, 2009 at 12:57 PM
There are signs all over the locker room areas in my gym and do you think the ladies pay attention to them? (No.)
Posted by: Wendy | January 06, 2009 at 01:00 PM
The yarn is gorgeous and the fingerless mitts are beautiful!
I get fingerless mitts. I don't get exercise and talking on the phone at the same time.
Posted by: Jackie | January 06, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Yay gym! Once again we can look forward to hearing about all those characters.
I know you will believe me when I say that it is infinitely better to pedal slowly than not pedal at all. Yay bike. Though I wish you'd scored one that was in better working order.
Posted by: Lizbon | January 06, 2009 at 09:57 PM
I love your blog and I love fingerless mitts. Living in Maine, they're practically a requirement.
Posted by: Terry | January 07, 2009 at 03:27 AM
MonkeyGurrl! I laughed hysterically at this...I said the same thing the other day, and I am 29:) I guess everyone becomes like their parents! Enjoy your gym time Wendy! I'm glad you are amused by the characters there:)
Posted by: The Knitting Archaeologist | January 07, 2009 at 08:58 AM
I really like those mittens! I love fingerless.
Posted by: Rockymoreno | January 13, 2009 at 04:22 PM