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The very concept of exercise

Wednesday 6/5/24

I've learned that people in poor shape often have no idea as to the workings of exercise--I mean even conceptually. It is one thing not to know from experience, another to be incapable--or seemingly so--of figuring out by intuition and common sense how it works.


Today I was in the Monument running stairs. This is a very intense workout. The Monument is 294 stairs to the top. There I was, sweat dripping off of me, when a woman in poor shape asked me how many times I was going up and down.


I endeavor to be a friend to all. I approach everyone as if we might be friends, and that is my attitude, too, should anyone approach me. These people in publishing? In every last instance when I've first approached any of them, over more than twenty-five years, it was--and still is--in the most friendly way possible. Also, the most professional, and, as my body of work and my publication record grew, the most impressive way. But politely, humbly, friendly.


I start nothing with anyone. But there is no worse person one would rather have returning fire than I after someone else has started something. It will be horrible. Damaging. Unforgettable.


Anyway, I answered this woman. I said, "Five times." She then says, "Did you take a shower first? That's some BO."


What do you think was duly commented on in following? How forcefully and witheringly do you think that was done? How colorfully? As if the copious folds within this woman's hindquarters smelled of the ambrosia of sweeping fields of lilacs three-quarters of the way up the Bunker Hill Monument. Are we cocky today because we've been added to the weight loss surgery waiting list?


What are people thinking?


But yes, the way fitness and maintaining fitness works is you exercise and you exert yourself because you have discipline and you tend to matters of the body--as you also hopefully tend to more important matters of the mind and the spirit--with focus and commitment. There will be sweat. That is how that works.


There was this other woman--who was not very observant--whom I passed multiple times and who declared after like five of those times, "You're going up a second time." Sure, whatever, lady.


When I was done, she was standing outside as if waiting for me. She asked me how many times I went up and down, I told her, and then she said, "How many times?" as if I hadn't answered at all, at which point I held up my hand with four fingers and thumb extended. Then she asked, "Are you done?" I said yes, and she told me good job. Glad we got that settled.


I did do the five circuits in thirty minutes. I can shave off a bit more time, but that's decent.


On a more upbeat note, I was at the cafe this afternoon. There was a group of women in line, trying to figure out what they wanted, and one of them said, "Let this poor kid go," meaning me, so that was good--the label, not so much being allowed to pass, though you could tell they were going to be there for a while.



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