I finally made it to the gym today. It took about 30-minutes of walking while listening to an audio book of Gravity’s Rainbow (thank you, Ozzie). After about 4 times of listening to the first two chapters without remembering anything about what’s happening or who the characters are, I finally decided this book is written like stream of consciousness … there are no plots, story, or characters so far…. it’s more like someone painting a picture with words and images. I’m going to continue listening to the rest of the book with this concept in mind and see how far I get.
After arriving at the gym I figured I didn’t need to get on the tread mill (I just walked 30 minutes to get here). They have one kettle bell, so I grabbed it and did as much as I could remember with it for about half an hour. Then I saw the guy who gave me training lessons there last week and I signed up for three sessions a week with him for the rest of the month (after membership, it comes to about $10-12/ per session). We put in an hour’s workshop, then he told me that when I use the men’s dressing room, I should always cover up with a towel whenever anyone is in the room… juggling taking underwear on and off under a towel. In the US no one cares in the dressing room but I guess they’re more “proper” here?
Then he and the other trainers tried to get me what’s the “trick” to blowing up the balloons (I shared balloons with them the morning of New Years Eve). I demonstrated blowing balloons up from he top, the bottom, from the middle…. then in circles, in hooks… then 3 and 4 at a time. They made wonderful audience. After the workout I went across the street to the little mall (it’s big for this area). I needed to get another pair of sneakers (they won’t let me use my outdoor sneakers in the gym, so I’ve been using the only other footwear I have – water shoes, that have no support). They have a PayLess Shoe store here. That was good news…. However size 12 was their biggest shoe and it’s just a touch too small for me. I’m not going to find a pair I can wear in this town.
I walked the half hour back. When i was near our apartment I passed the rickshaw drivers who know me and called me over for balloons (I can’t walk past them without stopping). They pointed to one guy for me to “do him”. The good point was that they didn’t all request individual balloons. So I just “did him”
This was the first day so far that I didn’t walk in one section that a little boy who sells fruit walks every day. I felt bad that I didn’t get to make him a balloon today.
Theres a beautiful full moon and the sky is so clear – it’s making these beautiful evening.