Protected Stretching,

or,

Same Time, Same Place?

I went to the gym earlier.  Despite the fact that I hadn't been in about two weeks, I had one of my best runs on the treadmill, and weightlifting also went well.  But that's not what I'm going to talk about.

This branch of the gym actually has a stretching room.  I hadn't noticed it when I went two weeks ago.  So, I wandered in, and my eyes fell upon my favorite stretching machine.  Back when I was workin' the 'burbs, I had a membership at a gym that had these terrific stretching machines.  Basically, gravity does most of the work.  All you have to do is hold on to the handle bar and assume the instructed positions.

There were two such machines.  Some guy was on the first one, so I took the second one.  I thought I noticed him glancing at me a couple times.  However, I remained focused on stretching.  These machines are that good.  You know what it feels like right after a nap when you have a really good stretch?  These machines are better.  So good, in fact, that if they were any better, I might have to wear a condom when using them.

*brief pause while you finish being sick over that imagery*

Anyway, Other Guy finished his routine and left.  I finished my stretches and went up to the equipment.  As always, I hopped on the treadmill.  I did notice Other Guy on a treadmill across the room (hey, if he was glancing at me, I need to keep tabs on him).  Only eight minutes into my jog, though, he was done on the treadmill (and on his cell phone, which I found odd.  I leave my phone in my locker).  Since I never go less than half an hour, I figured, Well, whatever.  If he even does weight-training, he'll probably be done before I get started.

Well, apparently, Other Guy found ways to keep himself occupied, not only during the rest of my run, but throughout my weightlifting, too.  And I actually worked five different muscle groups instead of my normal three (ordinarily, on weights, I work three groups each session, and alternate them accordingly).  While working my glutes, I actually had the opportunity to make eye contact with him.  Nothing suggestive.  Just me saying, yes, I see you, and I'm working out right now.  And my actions meant that had to spend at least 45 minutes either lifting weights or pretending he was lifting.

I can't say that I find him particularly attractive.  However, knowing that attractiveness is a very fluid thing, and we all have different preferences, I'll stop short of saying that he was unattractive.

I went back to the stretching room for a post-work out stretch.  Kids, you could've set a watch by it.  About a minute later, in he comes.

Other Guy: (referring to those orgasmic stretching machines) These seem to be pretty good machines.

ME: Yeah.  I love them.

I finished my stretching early, because, honestly, if I had stayed longer, I mayn't have been able to contain the little moans of pleasure that were building up inside me (I told you, they are damned good machines).

To be honest, I expected him to walk into the locker room as I was wrapping a towel around my waist to go into the showers.  Apparently, though, he knew better than to seem to be stalking me.  I was actually finished with my shower and already had my jeans on (though I was still shirtless) when he walked in.

Of course, I noticed him come in.  But I kept my back to him, because I really saw no point in making eye contact or other acknowledgments.  As I finished up and turned to leave, however, I felt the polite head nod was obligatory.

Other Guy:  I'll see you again this time next Monday.

ME: (after a non-commital, "Mmm.")  Be good!

Other Guy:  Yeah, you too.

Firstly, people usually don't respond to my "Be good!" so flippantly the first time they hear it.

Secondly, I'm pretty sure he was trying to gauge me somehow.

Finally, I thought about it on the way home.  My thought was "You know, usually I'm oblivious of people Taking Notice of me.  Because it doesn't happen that often.  So, either this guy was tragically conspicuous, or my skills are getting better.  Either way, it seems a little sad."

However, if I don't have anything job-related to do next Monday, I'll go to the gym at the same time.  Just for the Hell of it.  Maybe I'll make a new friend.  I like to make friends.