Escape!

Hey folks!  I know you have all been holding your breath, waiting for my next blog...so I am here to relieve you...go ahead...exhale.  Probably everyone is wondering how the in-law visit went, but I shall not bore you with any details regarding that.  I have another story for you that is far more entertaining.

So, Kristen and I are really focused on our upcoming wedding ceremony in October, and in anticipation of that, we have both been working out.  I have been at the gym for about a total of 10 hours in the past four days, and it feels great to be running and lifting again.

This morning I started my workout with weights, first doing a bunch of leg exercises, then I moved on to shoulders and triceps.  After lifting, I used one of the elliptical machines for thirty minutes before jumping on the treadmill.  I have been trying to mix things up for my cardio, so I won't get too bored with the routine. 

So I ended up in between two other women in the long line of treadmills.  On my left there was an older woman, probably close to eighty, and she was strolling along somewhat leisurely (not that I thought she should be running, of course).  And on my right, a woman of perhaps thirty or so.  She was also walking, but much quicker.  In fact, I took note of her pace and couldn't quite keep up with her long stride.

While I'm at the gym I usually have tunnel vision.  I don't make much eye contact with other people and I only talk to someone if they approach me to start a conversation.  I feel like my focus should be on me and only me, and so I just keep my eyes straight ahead.  I was approaching the distance of three-quarters of a mile, still just listening to my iphone and occasionally answering a text from Kristen when I felt the younger woman poke me in the arm.  I glanced her way immediately, but she was already turning her head back to the magazine in front of her.  I took out my ear buds and she was already apologizing.  "Sorry, I'm sorry...," her voice trailed off.  I started to ask her if she needed something, but she cut me off.  "I......just......I don't know why I touched you.  I'm sorry."

So I turned back to the front, trying to focus on one of the many television screens that were hanging in front of me.  But all I could think of was getting away from this woman.  What the hell?  She had only touched my arm, but it was just such a weird thing to do.  I didn't want to be too obvious, so I finished up my first mile and moved on to the recumbent bike.

Brace Yourself!

Okay, so everyone knows that I have braces.  I haven't had them for very long...applied March 1st of this year to be exact, so I still have a substantial amount of torture to endure. 

I went to the orthodontist this past Wednesday and I just can't believe how much I hate having these brackets on my teeth.  In fact, if I had it to do over again, I don't know if I would actually choose this route of treatment.  My smile was actually not that crooked, but I was having trouble grinding my teeth at night and I kept chipping and cracking my teeth...OUCH!  Anyway, after yet another fun appointment this week, I just wonder if I should have kept my $5000 and invested in a $30 mouth guard instead.  

I have spoken to so many people who have had braces and they have all assured me that I should, "just hang in there because it gets better."  Okay, enough with the lying.  It does not get better, but perhaps even more and more frustrating by the day.  

My orthodontist actually scolded me like a child for eating the wrong things and breaking yet another bracket this past Wednesday.  He said to me, "The next time you feel like chomping on raw vegetables or chewing gum, why don't you think about keeping your eye on the prize?"  Was he serious?  First of all, I don't chew gum, and second, aren't vegetables good for you?  I was especially aggravated because he was making these rude comments while he was working in my mouth.  I couldn't really defend myself with his fingers and pliers eliminating my ability to speak.  Maybe I should have bit him. 

So I have decided that it was not several "brilliant" dentists who collaborated to invent braces as we know them today, but rather Satan who cooked up the recipe.  Just happy I am doing my time now!   ;)