I'd Like to Patent Fingernails, Please

So today at work I had to find documentation about something we've been doing for YEARS, way before some genius put a patent on this something, so that we don't get the pants sued off of us. I can't say what the patent is, but when I read it I had to laugh out loud. It is so BROAD. Seriously, it's like someone deciding to patent loose leaf paper or air. If you knew, you'd laugh- everyone else has. I seriously don't think that our sue-ers have a leg to stand on, but I'm pulling documentation left and right anyway. This is what we call Job Security.

On the exercise front, I hit a real wall about a month or six weeks ago. I got bored with my routine and then I didn't want to do it and couldn't figure out what to do instead. So I thought maybe I'd join Curves, which seemed like an okay idea. The place is right on the way home from work, so it's really convenient and there would be no excuse to not go. I went for a trial workout and it was fast, but really repetitive. Curves is just the circuit and I think I'd outgrow that workout in about 3 months. Apparently my Curves person forgot that I didn't pay to join yet so she was like, "Bye! See ya!" after my first workout there and so out I walked. I've worked circuits before, but at places where there are other machines for bumping up strength in various muscles and cardio equipment. On top of that, Curves has really strange hours. I do, however, like the Curves Smart program. It is a little card that you use with the machines so they can tell you how hard you should be working for a good workout, and that all gets relayed back to a computer where you can track how hard you worked your major muscles, if you hit your targets, how many calories you burned, stuff like that. I really do appreciate some numbers on a spreadsheet so I thought this was really cool. Not worth paying $50-a-month-cool though.

I did some research and found a local gym that had decent reviews online. I called from the parking lot to see if they had a minute for me to come in- the place is a little weird to get into and I wanted to make sure I was going to the right place. Walking in is impressive- they have all kinds of cardio machines (bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, etc), weight machines, free weights, a big classroom with a good schedule of classes, a walking/running track, a pool, a hot tub, dry and steam saunas... for about 2/3s the cost of Curves. The building is old but everything looked clean and well-maintained. It didn't take me long to decide that this was the way to go! For less than it would have cost me to join Curves for a year, I joined the local gym, and signed up for a month with a personal trainer to get things kicked into gear. And the best part- this gym didn't feel intimidating (yeah, Gold's Gym/Urban Fitness- I'm talking to you!). It felt like people were there to work and to get healthy. The ages ranged from 20s to 80s. There were big people and small people. There were even people who were there for physical therapy.

I am really excited. I haven't belonged to a gym in four years, and it's something I've always liked to do because it is so motivating. My body builds muscle fast, and I like to see the changes. I spent 2 hours last night loading up my MP3 player with lots of good workout music (Black Eyed Peas and Cher both have a strong contingent) for walking the track and using the cardio machines. Bring it on! (Oh, we'll bring it!- sorry, had a little moment there....)