:: Life on Planet Dan-E ::

:: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 ::

I was at the gym today and observed a rather depressing indication that our culture is firmly entrenched in the 21st century: I was working out on the Stairmaster wiping some sweat away from my face when I see in the corner of my eye a young lady walking on the treadmill? while talking on the cell phone. Five minutes into it, she tripped, fell over and knocked over the two innocent runners next to her and caused a rather unsightly 3-person pileup resulting in a line delays that lasted for several minutes. Gym officials are still investigating the incident.

Okay, so she didn't actually trip (I couldn't help myself with the inattentive driver parody, see) but it just struck my curiosity as to what type of person would be chatting on a cell phone while working out at the same time. (I've also seen a girl at the beach talking on the phone while rollerblading and unlike the jogger, she actually came close to tripping, but that's a whole different blog entry.) So once I finished I head over to floor area to do my stretches and being as it she happened to be on the way, I gave her a quick once-over as I walk by. Of course she's still busy yapping away and is completely oblivious to my presence. I got a good look at her, and was fascinated that she was wearing both a good amount of makeup and a T-shirt that was clearly a size too small. Not only was it small but the inscription across the front of her shirts was rather suggestive. Not as crass as "Kiss me if you're Horny" but something along those lines. Now, I'm no fashion expert but wearing makeup while exercising just doesn't seem practical. I can only imagine how badly it would run once you started sweating and I'm assuming my female reader(s) agree with this. Then again, she wasn't walking at a very strenuous pace. I was shaking my head it hit me, this girl who's at the gym ostensibly for her health is there for no other reason than to try to pick up guys. Now, don't think me naïve as I'm fully aware of the fact that health clubs can be fertile meat markets, but it's just been a while since I've seen anyone as obvious as this. Then again, I tend to keep to myself and do my business and for the most part, ignore those around me so maybe these types are more prevalent than I realize. Because to tell you the truth, if it wasn't for the cell phone, I wouldn't have noticed her at all.

Still, one would think that there would be less obvious ways to go about it but then again, if you're caked in makeup and wearing a shirt more appropriate for toddlers while working out you're probably desperate for male attention. Okay, maybe she wasn't caked in makeup but relative to women who actually prioritize health and fitness, she stood out in way akin to Christina Aguilera's Slutty-the-Clown-whore face paint would stand out in, say, your average mall. (By the way, I've been wanting to use that "Christina Aguilera's Slutty-the-Clown-whore face paint" line for quite some time now. I know it's a long way to go for a line but hell, it's my blog.)

Don't misunderstand me. As much as it may seem like it, I'm not coming down on this poor woman. I do hope she finds love, or at the very least a man for the moment, at the gym. It's that whole cell phone thing that just fascinated me. I suppose it's a testament to how boring my week has been so far that I'm devoting this much space to something like this.

:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 7:18 AM [+] :: | 0 comments
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