Wish Upon A Shooting Star
Q: What do you get when you cross Harry Caray and the guy who found the horse’s head in his bed in The Godfather?
A: Another character at my gym. (P.S. If you don’t know who Harry Caray is, Google him before you move on to read the rest of this. Must see glasses he wears).
We spotted each other across a crowded room and stared each other down. I was mesmerize by his HUGE ass glasses and his big owl eyes being magnified behind his Coke bottle lenses. They were a weirdly stylish set, like funky sort of, like he was artsy. I know I complain about people staring at me, but in this case, I lost my head.
I’m pretty sure he could spot the Hubble telescope in those things. Or should I say, I think he could OUTSPOT the Hubble telescope and tell us about things that the Hubble had never found before.
Anyway, it doesn’t stop at the glasses. So we passed each other by and went about our business with our workouts. (I won the staring contest, btw).
I’m resting between sets when I see him looking at a piece of equipment to start on. Because his glasses weren’t so mesmerizing to me anymore, I noticed the rest of him.
This guy is probably in his late 60’s. He’s got satiny black basketball shorts on that come down to his knees, white calf-high socks, sneakers and…….
…..a black buttondown shirt with white pinstripes. The kind of shirt you would wear with a suit. Oh my goodness.
In other news, can I just say that I keep good company here? Between Janthony who helps me and sends me awesome workouts and support, and seeing the women here and what they’ve accomplished strength-wise, it really helps me to rise to the occasion.
There is the belief that in order to improve and be the best, you should compete with people who are better than you.
Well, there are a lot of women here who are better than me in the weights they can lift and move around. I love looking at their stats and realizing that while I still have a long way to go, I can achieve a lot more than I have already by seeing the possibilities they’ve presented.
Let’s call it…friendly competition.
Breakfast: 1 whole egg, 4 egg whites (21g prot)
oatmeal (5g prot)
coffee w/ milk (4g prot)
Snack: tuna mixed w/ cottage cheese (38g prot)
Pregym: protein shake w/ milk (32g prot)
Dinner: steak (40g prot)
macaroni (7g prot)
February 27, 2009 at 6:49 am
Shan I just want to bring a big bag of popcorn to your gym and do some people watching. Seems like hours on end of entertainment. Much better than being stuck watching Grey’s Anatomy with the wife.
February 27, 2009 at 7:00 am
Just make sure it’s plain air popped popcorn. Keep it clean
February 27, 2009 at 7:21 am
I think going to the gym with Shannon would be more like watching Mystery Science Theater 3000. I’d have more fun listening to her observations/critques than actually seeing the characters there.
February 27, 2009 at 7:24 am
What kind of characters are your growing over there? I may never visit the northeast again! West Michigan is too boring. But oh how I love Maine!
February 27, 2009 at 7:24 am
I loved MST3K!
February 27, 2009 at 7:27 am
NH is a weird state. The first year we were up here, we went to the beach for something to do on Easter since we weren’t going to travel to see family.
Well, we were walking along the beach when I saw a man walking his dog on a rope. I thought it was odd that he had a rope as a leash.
What was even more odd than that was when I got closer, it wasn’t a dog he was walking….it was a GOAT.
At that point, I realized….NH is a very strange state.
February 27, 2009 at 8:01 am
I never run into any strange people at my gym, oh wait I do….me! LOL.
Nothing wrong with competition, it helps motivate me that’s for sure.
February 27, 2009 at 8:11 am
I lived in NH for 5 years. Can verify there are some odd folks up there.
February 27, 2009 at 9:15 am
Well, I googled Harry Caray and came up with:
Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment.
Why so esoteric? Couldn’t you have just come straight out with it and said "The guy looked like Japanese intestines"?
I’m sure when he comes home at night his wife purrs "Honey, you’re looking especially Japanese intestiny tonight, it’s making me feel all…Frisky."
But yeah, babe, I hear where you’re coming from. I’ve got a lot of "people" at my gym that give me a profound understanding of why God created serial killers.
I wish some of them would just commit "Harry Caray"–although I think the Samurai would only splice open their fat and leave their vitals untouched.
I’m a repugnant, repellent, reprehensible person, I know.
February 27, 2009 at 10:34 am
His sister works out at our gym. Her glasses gave Harry a run for their money. I get such a kick out of it, and would love her to death if it weren’t for her horrible breath. You can tell when she is at the gym, as soon as you enter the front door. (it’s bad)
February 27, 2009 at 10:36 am
LMFAO. Offer her a mint.
February 27, 2009 at 10:50 am
I read every post on this subject, and I am sad that Harry Carey would have to be googled. Sports ICON!! Second, I have to say that your description of this man is the reason I go to the Y. I imagine you and your blog friends in 2 ways. the group in H.S. who were popular and made fun of everyone who you did not think was as cool as you. Second, the group that in H.S. was not popular or maybe a little routund, and now that you are thinner and in shape you feel it is your place to make fun of other people’s looks because you feel you need to give retribution for past harm. Hope you are married, because if you are not, do not look for it any time soon with an attitude like that.
February 27, 2009 at 10:58 am
Wow, you really misread this whole thing (and you spelled Harry’s name wrong, btw). Yes I am married, and the man at the gym was an interesting character I was describing. You have no clue who any of my blog friends are and what they’re about, so lay off of them. Thanks for commenting.
February 27, 2009 at 11:02 am
chp4, I totally agree, people like her are beneath contempt and beyond the pale. People (and I use the term loosely) such as her make the Anti-Christ look like Mother Theresa. She, like myself, Is a member of "The Cool Table group" and to call them, and vermin of their ilk scum would be to insult scum. They are the very embodiment of all that is foul and rank and the antithesis of all that is good and pure.
But if you’re willing to overlook that, they’re a swell bunch of folks.
February 27, 2009 at 11:12 am
wow. lots of tension out there today. chp4, do you need a a tampon? are you crampy today?
February 27, 2009 at 11:15 am
That is the most amazing use a sarchasm I have ever read. I am sure they are a swell bunch of folks, and the anti-christ thing…well, probably have to let that one play out. My very very small point is that not everyone looks or can look perfect. Maybe more people should give them the benefit of the doubt for even being in the gym. not every one can afford the glossy spandex tights and legg warmers and reboks like the rest of us. haha.
February 27, 2009 at 11:17 am
I wear a ratty t-shirt and sweats that are too big…and a dirty baseball cap. So, no I’m not one who is all decked out in the perfect outfit. BUT, come on, the guy was working out in a button down shirt.
February 27, 2009 at 11:23 am
Sorry, I have just never liked it when people are made fun of for any reason. To me, no reason is justified. Sorry, it is just the way I feel.
February 27, 2009 at 11:25 am
That’s fine. But what you said in your first comment was pretty harsh, I have to say.
February 27, 2009 at 11:30 am
as harsh as the kentucky blue grass - mexican cencimillian hybrid Bill and Chevy got down with. a bit harsh.
February 27, 2009 at 11:40 am
Geez, chp4, take a chill pill. If you want to fight for all the little people in the world go right ahead. But I will continue to tell the stories of the interesting people. If they don’t want stories told about them, then they wouldn’t wear glasses 10 times too big for their face. Have some fun in life, it’s not like anyone went out to hur their feelings
February 27, 2009 at 11:45 am
OMG… My blog is coming true… I just yelled to my hubby…. Cat Fight on the blogs!!!
Maybe I shouldn’t have used your name on my blog Shannon… I feel like I somehow jinxed you!
February 27, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I don’t think she was making fun of him, but if yr going to wear coke bottle glasses, than more than likely people are going to talk shit about it, I know I would of, lol. This is a funny blog, love it.
February 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I’m just glad I don’t work out in your gym, I shudder to think of what you would write about me. YIKES! But I would remember you doing… lets see, what was it your donkey raises? HaHa
February 27, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Like I said, this is like watching Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Where’s the popcorn? (air popped, Shannon) And chill pills all around. And for another movie ref, "lighten up Francis". (Stripes, for you younger folks……)
February 27, 2009 at 4:24 pm
"Don’t call me Francis."
February 27, 2009 at 5:01 pm
That’s a FACT - JACK