BrianandLibby.com

In the earliest days of 2006, (also the approximate time that our original blog, may it rest in peace, was born) Brian and I joined the YMCA of Southern Saratoga County. We lived close to it at the time and I work really close to it, so it was a logical choice. Over the past 14 months it has proven to be a good choice, in that we go to the gym as opposed to not going to the gym, but in said time the Y has also made some choices.

Most of them I’m ok with - more cardio equipment: good. Flat screens on every machine: great. New “mind-body” studio and spinning studio: medium (I may use these someday but right now they just kind of scare me). One decision, however, I cannot accept and still don’t agree with, especially since I personally think it is the reason for the close to $10 price increase in our monthly dues we’ve endured in those short 14 months. What is it? Subway. Yes, at the gym. I don’t know a ton about fitness but I really don’t think it helps me stay on target when I smell freshly baked bread every time I go to work out. I have never eaten at this Subway, and if I did need to eat on my way to or from the gym, I would probably stop at the Subway located about .25 miles from the gym.

We now live further from our YMCA, which poses a significant problem, especially because we live North of ours. Let me explain. One of the greatest benefits of joining the Y is that you can go to any other Y. However, in this area, there are two separate networks that don’t “talk to” eachother. The Capital District Y network has 10 or so locations ranging from exit 9 to points South, and the Saratoga Y network has a couple of locations between exits 12 and 15. I belong to the Capital District Y. I can go to any YMCA in the country, from Syracuse to Sacramento…but I cannot go to the YMCA in Malta, NY, or the new one that just opened about 5 minutes from my home.

So, the 2 networks refuse to merge or even just acknowledge each other and those of us who need it (aka me). This is the case despite the fact that such a merger would be very much to the benefit of those of us whose lives are spent primarily between exits 9 and 13 (the locations of the northern most Capital District & and the main Saratoga Y, respectively). So I can either join the one that would be convenient for me before and after work, or join the one that would be convenient for me AND Brian evenings and weekends.

Here is the clincher - monthly fees in Saratoga are $10 less (no Subway…coincidence? I think not). BUT the exit 9 Y has flat screens on every cardio machine. And I am left with this horrid dilemma…save $10 a month and exercise more frequently OR watch the food channel while I work out on weekdays…what would you do?

Yes, I got sick again. What’s the deal? Very similar sickness to the last one, but really, again? Like any hard-working American, I expect my ailments to batter me rationally - and by rationally I mean in frequency and proportion commensurate with the sick time I am allotted by my employer (one day every 2 months, or 6 days per calendar year). Since I used two sick days before the third week of January LAST TIME I had this bug, I was not happy to call in sick this past Thursday.

I always feel better knowing I made the right call by taking the day off, and since I slept for all but 2 hours of it, I think I did. But Friday was much more difficult. I peeled myself out of bed and “got ready” (I use those words very loosely, I was a sight for sore eyes) and thought I could at least get through a half of a day and preserve a little bit of my elusive sick time. Although many of my colleagues were less than pleased with me for infecting the office, I managed to survive the entire day and got a lot of work off my desk too. The only unfortunate thing was the steady stream of yuck pouring from my nose. Since I was at work and there is a window looking into my office, I didn’t really feel comfortable utilizing the plug technique (use your imagination - it is much like it sounds) I usually use to limit the use of tissues. As a result, I will suffer from redness irritation and eventually peeling over the next few days. I think I’m on the up and up though. I should be back in full swing by Monday. Now, in order to fix my unbalanced time off, I can’t get sick again until August. Seems reasonable.

Since I’ve had a lot of time on my hands, I’ve been considering the good and the bad of being sick.

• BAD: it is never the same as being home with Mom. Granted, Brian did make several trips to the store for whatever it was I needed at the moment, but there is nothing like Mom’s elixir and an 24-hour on-call comforter to fetch the remote, close the drapes, turn on the fan, cover my feet, bring me some water, heat up my tea, and just pity me in general (I’m kind of high-maintenance when I’m sick. Did I mention that?
• GOOD: I can eat all the refined carbohydrates I want and still manage to loose a few pounds
• BAD: I will inevitably gain them back as soon as I’m well
• GOOD: I can catch up on everything I’ve DV-R’d over the past week or two.
• BAD: Light and noise = bad for headache and general irritation with all things.
• GOOD: Time to catch up on sleep
• BAD: Inability to sleep

Well, this list isn’t working out so well. It looks like being sick just sucks, for lack of a better word. I’m glad it’s (sort of) behind me. Or at least getting there.