What starts a Tuesday better than some wishful thinking. Am I right? Nothing like wishing a Tuesday was a Friday, that your coffee had jet pack power and work would be called off due to metro breakdown. Hey, a girl can dream.
Whether you have been following me for a while or not, you may remember my trade-em posts. I was feeling quite a few trades today so I rolled with it.
I would trade...the new gym saga stories for hidden camera entertainment. Let me introduce you to the characters of my apartment gym. (Thanks to Best Body Bootcamp) I am now in there three to four times a week after my runs) While describing them can only do so much I will try my hardest.
- Sing out loud elliptical man. Besides this man looking like a buff old Arnold Schwarzenegger, I only ever see him on the elliptical. Kind of hilarious. To make matters worse he sings along to his ipod which plays opera. No joke opera. A hilarious site. Tight black tank top, tiny shorts and opera all leisurely cranking along on the elliptical.
- Sweat fest man. I mean all gyms have these but this guy makes it KNOWN he is sweaty by proceeding to grunt, huff and puff as he does ab exercises right next to me. Yes, you are hairy and sweaty. You win.
- Creeper. Now I don’t really get this guy. Kind of lanky, always carries Mercedes keys yet dresses like a homeless man. He does all these odd upper body lifting exercises in a tiny tank top. He also looks like he spends way too much time in a tanning salon. But he is the first and only person to ever speak directly to me, I am not saying that is a good thing. How you doin?
I would trade…the weather dip for my sun back. DC is now experiencing weather in the 40s after a solid weekend of weather in the 50s/60s. Depressing to say the least. Doesn’t help this week’s weather forecast will be cloudy and rainy all week long. Lame DC, lame. Makes my morning runs that much darker.
I would trade...my stupid mistake for keeping my mouth shut. EEk, I know I am going to get so much YOU ARE CRAZY for this but at my running store job I wasn’t getting as many hours as I used to get. With hiring one other person, I wasn’t being put on both days on the weekends – instead just one day. Well people I need and want that money. So I emailed my boss asking to see if a location about six stops away from me needed people on the other days. He was kind enough to say he will ask but also asked if I could work in Arlington – about an hour metro ride for me on the weekends. Of course, I lost all backbone and said yes. There goes my time.
I would trade...wind flashes for a way to permanently hold down my dress. Dilemma, its windy, I wear a dress, I have my coffee cup in one hand and my metro card in the other. Every single freaking time a gust of wind will come and I struggle to catch my dress while still maintaining balance. Flash for all to see. This happens all too much, I am a mess.
I would trade…stairmaster hell for easy commutes. Something about the darn escalators and the metro just get me furious everyday. Between going to work, going to all three schools, going to mentor session – I use the metro a whole stinking lot. Yet every time there will be an issue with the escalators. One problem I call the stairmaster hell- aka you have to walk up the whole thing because it isn’t running. Now if you have been to DC you know how freaking high and long they are. Legs a burning by the end. Second problem I call sardine packing – one will be blocked off so everyone needs to cram into one tiny escalator during rush hour when their train is pulling up. I have been hit, bumped, slapped – you name it. Metro you win, you really win.
I would trade...metro costs for teleportation. For real people, seeing how much money I spend on the metro each week just kills me. Absolutely kills me. Sadly, I have no way around it.
I would trade… a gliche in recruiting for some new networks. At my job, I am in another phase of recruiting for judges for our first showcase and I am struggling to get judges. I have been reaching out to our networks, personal networks, etc. yet still I only have three out of eight needed. Its crunch time people.
I would trade… my extreme frugal mindset for a better relationship with money. Who would of guessed I need to work on my relationship with money? I guess it has been creating a lot more anxiety problems than I could have imagined. Even worse, it takes a lot for me to spend money. I can’t think of the last time I spent money on something other than things absolutely necessary like travel, food or bills. I never splurge, I always stay under budget in all areas and I kind of freak out if I have to spend more than I wanted. Frugal Alex is scary, I need to let loose yet I know that is like asking me to fly.
But because I am feeling pretty grateful… I would NOT trade…
- Amazing, supportive readers
- A bomb care package from this girl, man I love my blends
- A mom who lets me rant
- Hilarious gifs – I can’t get enough
- A Monday that flew by due to lots on my to do list
Remember the giveaway closes at 8pm tonight for the Sunglasses Shop Dirty Dog Sports Ecco sunglasses! Now go tackle your Tuesdays. (My cousin introduced me to these videos, crazy stuff- let’s just say bacon is in every single one)
Questions: What would you trade on this Tuesday? What wouldn’t you trade up?
I would trade my late shift for a morning shift tomorrow. I SO hate late shifts,they ruin my entire day! :c
ewww late shift? I am such a morning person too. it is tough to get me to stay up late.
okay so let me silver lining this one for you – if you DO work in the arlington we can go on a running date, shower at your place (WHERE THERE IS HOT WATER) and then i will drive your ass to work
see, every cloud has a silver lining. but seriously, is it wrong that i’m actually hoping you have to work in arlington sometimes? sorry i’m not sorry if it means seeing you more.
well I am most likely going to be working in Arlington so I will be letting you know. i can’t believe you don’t have hot water, i would kill someone.
Lol! You had me cracking up at your descriptions of the men at your gym!!
. I can’t believe that guy sings. 
.
I would trade tight shoulders and neck pain for a really nice massage. I think I may actually break down and pay someone to do it! Have a great Tuesday!
you should go have a massage! man that could turn around your week, nothing like some killer shoulder and neck pain to really throw a wrench in plans. have a great tuesday as well!
I would trade my decision to not prep my lunch last night… because I really don’t want to do it right now..
haha oh those decision that you always regret. I hate those!
I would trade the fact that I woke up before 5:00 this morning for having even just one day when my body would let me sleep.
Oh man that is early! I woke up super early this past Saturday and just wanted to scream at my body
I love all the Boy Meets World on this post! I too would trade the lower temps for higher ones. Last week’s heat wave seems like such a tease!
I am praying it is more than just a tease and will continue to stick around, I can dream. Boy meets world never gets old, especially their college years my favorite
I love that you listed the different people at the gym. I totally do the same thing. It keeps it interesting! We were definitely spoiled by those temperatures. But soon enough it won’t be a random freak of nature and it will be 50 and 60 degrees all the time. Until then, I agree with Molly. Take advantage of her if you have to go all the way out there
I hope i can keep taking advantage of it, I hope it doesn’t get all cold all of a sudden. You are going to love it when you come back from school
I can relate about the money thing… I also have a very frugal relationship. I would trade it for more balance.
Yep, I feel you. it is tough to break from my frugal mindset
The characters in your gym are classically hilarious! I bet a gym would fall into a black hole if it didn’t have at least one of those people working out. Gotta love ‘em, though because they keep things interesting for the rest of us.
i mean it is pure entertainment for me so I can’t complain, I barely use the elliptical if ever so he can go own that thing
I loove Epic Meal Time! Look for their Fast Food Meatloaf, by brother and his friend actually recreated it (I did not try it, I have no desire to eat Big Macs on their own, let alone stuffed in a ginormous meatloaf)
And oh god, the elliptical guy. I would die.
epic meal time is kind of hilarious, i just love the addition of bacon in everything. they have so many, some I would want to recreate and some just make me want to throw up. elliptical guy is strange, so strange, one day I will snap a picture
I need to take some lessons on frugality from you. I have lowered my spending a lot, but still splurge on too many things that I shouldn’t. If I could just save a little more, I would have my debts paid off sooner!
Eh i wouldn’t want to learn from me, I am almost too frugal. Like I can’t even think of the last time I bought something for myself I just wanted. luckily though I have zero debt besides student loans which I started to pay off
Hahaha that singing elliptical man sounds hilarious! Although I bet it would get annoying after a while.
And Epic Mealtime is insane! I’m always in awe of the crazy things they come up with.
I would trade my bad knee for a bad arm so that I could run again!
Epic mealtime goes between being super creative to making me want to barf, some I just can’t watch. Oh no, still a bad knee? I hope the doctor can help with it
Your GIFs are amazing. And that someecard is totally my life lately. I used to not watch money when I was in college, but now that I’m out in the “real world” I get a bit of anxiety whenever I pull out my debit card/cash to pay for something. Life is expensive!!
You are so right, life is expensive. I am going to be all nerdy on you and admit I have an excel spreadsheet to track my spending. Yep, I said it
That’s seriously such a good idea though! I need to do something like that.
The characters at your gym sound hilarious! And you describe the DC metro perfectly, I can’t imagine having to deal with it every day!
gym characters are crazy – why can’t there just be a cute boy? I could deal with that. yep, DC metro at its finest
I’m not a fan of running in the dark,, either. I always try to time it so I’m running as the sun is rising. It’s my favorite time of the day! Oh, the metro is just so fun, isn’t it?!
i am with you, most of my runs will be finishing as the sun rises which is the best way to start your day. Metro is just a gem. just a gem.
Gosh, I just love your posts so much. I <3 gifs too
Aw you are way too nice, i always need a laugh so I assume everyone else does too.
I lived in DC for a summer, and I understand your metro frustrations, Alex! Then again, Chicago’s public transit is equally gross and annoying. Why can’t we all just get picked up in a towncar each morning, huh?!
I laughed at your description of creeper because that describes my gym’s creeper too. He’s gotta be in his early 40s and he’s super buff but he wears the same outfit everyday and literally tries to chat up girls while they’re running on the treadmill. I don’t know why, but he REALLY bothers me, on behalf of everyone he’s creeped on. I wish the gym would kick him out for excessive flirting but I don’t think that’s a thing :/
Yep, our creepers are probably related. Same outfit, chats up all the females. I know, I mean it stinks because it is an apartment gym so no one really monitors it. but boy is he a character. I bet you experienced Dc metro at its finest your summer as well.
Gym personalities are the best. I could rant and rave about different people all day. Especially in small apartment gyms or dorm gyms (I had cleaning man, treadmill girl, and towel boy all last year). You have quite a few trade ems today girl but I am glad you ended it with what you are grateful for. Just remember that although things like the metro seem bad and other areas of travel seem like they would be better we people of America have a way of making anything that could be good (like public transportation instead of driving) into a pain in the butt. and thank you for all of the Boy Meets World photos, they bring a smile to my face every time.
I know, the smaller the gym the more personal the place gets. It is true, I am grateful I have a way to get to work and I bet they face some pretty shitty things on a daily basis. i wouldn’t want their job for sure. boy meets world in college was my favorite
Oh man… apartment gym characters… I’ve had to deal with some pretty crazy ones as well. My favorite was ‘gray-hoodie-guy’ who would wear this huge gray hoodie in even the hottest weather and end up always going balls to the wall insane with the cardio so his hoodie would end up absolutely soaked. It was disgusting… I swear I could smell him before I even walked into the gym. Bleh. Thankfully I think he moved away.
YES there is always going to be a man that totally overdresses even in a small apartment gym. Kills me every time. and yes the smell is by far the worst
ugh I hear ya sister on the money front! I just wish I made more money so I didn’t have to pinch pennies and feel constantly anxious about money and spending it. We work hard we deserve to spend some on ourselves rather then just on mundane life things!
yes, i know we both are in the same sort of boat job wise but sometimes I just wish I could afford a few things for myself without the guilt
If I worked at a running store I would have zero money ever. I need to balance my $$ better to. The only ‘splurge’ I have coming is my NASM certificate that I want to start. Otherwise I am taking a paycut soon so I have to really pay attention to what I eat.
Over the weekend it was in the 40s in WI which is unheard of in January. Now it’s back to the bitter cold in the low teens
I have a ton of self discipline and haven’t even bought anything at the store, I know I am crazy. i really am way too frugal
Buff man singing opera in the gym?! You’re making that up!
I WISH i WAS it was the strangest thing to ever experience. more than once
I’m super frugal, too…almost painfully frugal and it does sometimes cause me anxiety.
I have a guy at the gym who counts his reps OUT LOUD. wtf, man???
ugh that would annoy me and make me lose count. I am painfully frugal too, never fun
LOL at the opera elliptical man
It was baffling to me, I bet you have some great stories about people in your fitness classes…
I would not trade the Boy Meets World GIFS, perfect for a Tuesday
Luckily, I’ve been able to avoid those people in the gym, but it’s pretty dead at 5:30am, so so far so good!
Ya, the early morning tends to have less crazy people but sometimes they come in right as I am leaving. Boy meets world is amazing, never gets old
Haha! I love what you said about the people in your gym. It’s interesting how many people you feel like you know so well, just because you see them at the same place everyday. That opera guy sounds great.
Also, do not even complain about your weather, girl!! Next week, we have a high (yes, a high) of -1. NEGATIVE! We are in negative temps for the high! Blehhhhhhhhhh. How am i supposed to get used to running outside in this Alex? Haha sorry, I’m done.
But I will give it to you with the whole metro thing. That does not sound fun, despite the fact that you had me giggling that whole paragraph
Have a fabulous Tuesday! To answer your question, I think it’s safe to say I’d trade weather with pretty much anywhere right now.
K, done for real.
Oh gosh that is why i could never live where you live, i am cringing just reading this. Wow i don’t know how you run in that, I can’t even offer any advice… wow painful lady
What about grunting man? You know, the one who doesn’t lift that heavy but insists on sounding like he’s giving birth? Even blasting your iPod can’t drown out the creepy noises. That gym character is always fun.
Oh the grunters, those are everywhere too. Never fun at all. No matter what you hear the grunts. haha
I work next door to a gym and know alllll those people hahahaha I think the sweat fest man is the most common thought… we can hear them drop the dumbbells lol!
I bet you probably see such characters walk in and out. that would be some ideal people watching for me.
Oh man..I think opera singing man needs an award for most amusing sounding gym patron haha!
I will be sure to tell him, haha
Haha the gym people – people are seriously funny! Or scary, rather?
I think a little bit of both for sure
I would trade some serious uncertainty for a little bit of clarity. Story of my LIFE. I guess there’s a certain thrill to waking up each morning and having absolutely no idea what’s going to happen or not happen with particular things…but there’s also a certain thrill to waking up and having some assurance, you know? Because assurance keeps disappointment away, and man oh man, I am tired of feeling like I’m fighting a constant battle with hope to keep from being disappointed over and over and over and over again. Yeah. Vague and heavy. Not my normal style, but what can ya do?
I stop wearing dresses once the temperature drops below 90 (maaaaaaybe 85) so I haven’t had to deal with the wind gust issue lately, but during the summer I swear that was the bane of my existence. That, and my work bag making my dress ride up allllll the time. So awkward. So uncomfortable. So not fun.
Eeeesh. I’ve been to DC twice and used the Metro both times, and your trains are like super subterranean over there. I can’t imagine having to walk up those stairs! And, out of curiosity, I looked up the Metro online to compare it to the CTA from a fare standpoint. It looks like the Metro is cheaper per ride than the CTA (It’s always $2.25 to get on the El, whether you’re going from one station to the next station or from the first stop to the last stop on a line, and whether it’s 5:00 p.m. or 5:00 a.m. — always $2.25. Unless you’re getting on the El at O’Hare: they just raised that fare yesterday and now it’s $5 to get on the El at O’Hare. It’s also always $2.50 to get on the bus), but AUGH YOUR MONTHLY PASSES!! I’ve been stewing and raging over here because yesterday our 30-day pass fare (which is what I use) went from $86 to $100 (Right as Social Security got raised and we’re all taking less money home on our paychecks! Hooray!), but I will keep my mouth shut because $100 < $230, which is what DC's 28-day passes appear to be, AND my 30-day pass gives me unlimited rides on both the El and busses for $100 for 30 days. Yikes. How about you move to Chicago so you can save on public transit and hang out with me??
And money – yes. I went on a crazy, crazy, CRAZY spending spree after Christmas and through the beginning of last week, and now money haunts my thoughts like all the time. I have three races I need to register for, but I don't want to spend more money because now I'm like must. not. spend. money. ever. again. Man, I don't even want to grocery shop these days after my spending spree AND my massive take home pay cut (Social Security increase + health insurance finally kicking in = bad news bears. I shouldn't complain about the health insurance because it's definitely something I need, but it takes a hefty bite out of my take home pay). Doggone money. It's so much trouble!
I agree, uncertainty can sometimes be thrilling but at the same time I like knowing what is coming my way. I don’t know, for so long I thought I would love to have an exciting spur of the moment life but then I realize I would probably crumble under it. I am a dress addict so I constantly have to deal with that bag issue with my work bag. Hate it to the max. NO THAT IS THE SAME THING _ so I can’t really do the monthly pass because it is a bit more than I would spend but still close but still the rates are unreal. It is personally putting me in debt, hate it more than anything. Money is like my main worry these days which stinks.
OMFG OMFG OMFG – I would trade ALLLLLLLLLLL THE DOOSHES AT THE GYM SO SILENCE when I am working out, COMPLETE SILENCE! I don’t care about your crazy hectic schedule, your boyfriends (yes, everyone is gay in my apartment complex), the new diet plan you’re on, who won the game last night, how large your pecs have been getting, the grunting you make when you lift a two pound weight, GAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I had a “doosh bag Saturday” morning and it was MISERABLE! They all just wouldn’t stop coming into the gym and proceeding to TALK TO ME!!! Really… I like to SWEAT and FOCUS… Not gabber on about how you ate protein pancakes an hour ago! LOL!!!!
PS: Eric… OH MAN HOW I MISS BOY MEETS WORLD! This GIRL MEETS WORLD show better be AWESOME!!!
I usually try and stay far away so I don’t need to have a whole conversation with him, freaks me out. Boy meets world is something I miss as well, especially their college years. They never play that on tv.
YouTube baby – It has ALL the episodes… and… my other secret guilty pleasure: Sabrina the Teenaged Witch, lol!
Love the video haha! I would totally trade this cold weather for warmer weather any day too!
The video is one of many, if you really think they are crazy in this one just wait till you see the others
I would trade my morning cardio workout for a run. Due to my normal work shift and then me covering another co-worker’s shift, I am unable to go for my normal Tuesday run.
. This morning, I did an hour cardio routine on the Pilates Rebounder. I love the Pilates Rebounder, but today was definitely a run day. I’m looking forward to a nice and long run on Thursday!
I’m the same way about keeping my mouth shut! I can never say no! I love the description of some of the people at your gym! We will have to swap stories sometime. I work at a gym, and to say the least people can be quite the characters!
At least it got you very excited for Thursday’s run! Oh goodness I am dying to hear your stories, I bet there are so many gems where you work. I am intrigued now.
I would trade my cold morning walks to some warmer ones!! I love running in the AM but my body does NOT work in the cold! My knees ache and my back locks up on me. Im so old lol
:)
P.S. package was sent out this morning!!
Now i need to just stalk my mailman haha. I feel you, the mornings have been pretty chilly and running in it is not always the most fun
hahaha
the gym guy who “always carries Mercedes keys yet dresses like a homeless man” – seriously, what’s up with that?! i had a guy like that at my gym too!! loooove this post ♥
it is crazy what you will see, I am very baffled by him but maybe these eight weeks in the gym will introduce me to even more gems.
I’d trade up my empty bank account for oodles of money. My roots are awful and my split ends are atrocious. But I wouldn’t trade up anything else, things are pretty peachy this week
Minus the weather, yuck!
I know what is with this weather, I am not feeling it at all. I would dig that bank account, best thing ever.
I would trade the people at my gym for the singing elliptical man. Not that I mind the people in my gym, but I love when people sing while they exercise. Especially opera. That really must be a sight to behold. I wouldn’t trade my tea/snack drawer at work. Full of granola bars and three kinds of tea. Love.
Really? Man you should come check out my apartment gym then, you would be in heaven. I wish I had a snack draw, that is brilliant.
I’m not sure that I have much to trade right now…except for the fact that I want to work on sleep…and my own relationship with money….and I want you to not have to spend so much time on the metro…I would trade a lot for those three things right now haha
I hope you get some sleep soon! I thought you would be able to get more with the new job, darn! have a good night
You are kind of making me glad that I didn’t move to DC! As cities go, the transportation system is top notch, but I couldn’t get over how little space I would be able to afford. I guess you have to be frugal there!
You really do, it is crazy how expensive it is to live here. And working for a nonprofit doesn’t help
I would trade your 40s for our 20s! It’s freezing in WI!
Oh gosh I bet!
omg I am laughing SO hard at elliptical man. Why is this man not in my gym?? hahahahahaha
It is insane, like you have to see it to believe it
Haha oh geez the people you put up with in your apartment gym sound quite interesting. Good luck with that!
I hope I don’t discover any more gems, they are quite the bunch
I would trade my unwillingness to treat myself well for a little more self-loving. This afternoon I took a bath for the first time in a decade. I didn’t take my phone or a book, just some music. I didn’t light candles and I’m allergic to bubble bath. So it was just me, my jams, and some hot water. It took me a looooooong time to calm down, but I did. And it was nice. Don’t think I’ll do it again all that soon, but it’s the little things we can do for ourselves sometimes, you know?
And … I don’t know what it is … but for some reason this trade-em-up sounds different than your others of late … can’t quite put my finger on it, but I like it. I like it a lot.
YOU GO GIRL I am so happy you did this, it sounds amazing. Man I wish I could do that.
I like your trade em ups and especially when you say what you WOULDN’T trade. There are always some things we are going to want in place of what we have, but it is equally as important to notice what we DO have and be appreciative. I would totally love to go to your gym and witness those people in the mornings. It also made me giggle about the wind and your dress but I know it’s not funny because I don’t want the world to be flashed by you unintentionally
So true, i think that is why I added that end part. I wish you could come with me, maybe it would scare away the crazies. doesn’t help that I am alone
You need to buy something for yourself! Whether it’s getting your nails done, taking yourself out for a nice breakfast, seeing a movie in theaters, or getting a new outfit. It will help keep you sane!
Totally feel ya on the whole dress blowing up situation. Story of my life. Or now that I’m nannying, the 2 year old pulling down my shirt when I’m carrying her. Cool.
Gah i totally remember when I babysat and that would happen. I hope I can let myself buy something but boy is it tough!
weather has dropped drastically here too – i woke up this morning and it was 14 degrees. 14!!!!!
that sounds miserable, no joke
Seriously, WHEN are we going to learn how to teleport? This would be life changing.
I would trade my injured hip for a non-injured hip .. haha
I will keep trying, I promise you. Oh no, any injury is never fun. Feel better!
I would trade my googling skills for yours… because you find the BEST graphics. Ever.
I am a google feign, can that go on my resume? for real
Why not? it amazes me how bad some people suck at Googling.
Anyone who uses Boy Meets World clips is awesome in my book! I’m thankful it’s already Wednesday and Monday is just a blip in the past. We can make it to MLK weekend
I know, I need this long weekend so bad!
the stories at your gym omg .. love ‘em. as for the job … eep. maybe you can get some work done while riding the metro. I actually wish I didn’t have to drive everywhere so I can relax before and after my work. :/ I just started watching Boy Meets World … never seen it before. as for the epic meal time candy … disgusting. hahaha
Metroing takes up so much time and money, kind of brutal but it is the only way to get in. You had never seen it before… oh my gosh boy meets world was a classic for me. the college years are the best
I am catching up with the olden times.
“that your coffee would have jet-pack power”…..LOL omg I have never seen a better way to word that!! And man, you DO hav some characters in your gym. Like….a sing-out loud dude? uh….yeah I have NEVER seen that before. also you don’t have to answer this if you don’t want but do you work at Pacers? I’m pretty sure one of my college friends, Kelsey, works part-time at one of the locations….my ex boyfriend used to work there too its an AWESOME store! I don’t blame you for doing what you need to to get those extra hours in – once I’m back on my feet I’m going to be looking for a part time job too! And on that note, your relationship with money – don’t beat yourself up about it too much girl. It’s WAY better than the opposite kind of relationship with money, know what I mean?
I work at Potomac River Running so not pacers. That would have been funny though. My gym does have some characters and doesn’t help that it is pretty small because it is just an apartment one. I guess it is ok to be frugal but sometimes I wish I just didn’t care as much Eh tough balance