workout room aggravations

[saffronhare]

Let me say first that I'm really glad to have access to a workout room here at the office. The equipment is sufficient for my needs and it saves me a lot of time (and money) having that resource here. It also means I don't have to figure out how to fit it all in outside work hours, of which I have precious few to myself.

But I find it really aggravating that the two TVs in that room are tuned in to FOX News Live all the time. It's just...horrid. Even the commercials targeted for that time are horrid. I can't even. But THEN, sometimes, there's this GUY also working out. And he talks to the TV, in a very loud, "you tell 'em, FOX" manner. But today? Today, he talked to ME. About what was on the news.

I mean -- okay, so, when one is working out in parallel with another person, interaction is very brief and transactional. A nod of the head. Mentioning that the recumbent bike is out of order. That kind of thing. One doesn't generally engage others in conversation, unless it's about the weather or something like that. Certainly not about divisive political issues or matters of cranky-making opinion. (And let me tell you, the news hour that's on during lunch is all kinds of cranky-making.)

I swear, I almost didn't start my intervals when I saw Aggravating Dude (AD) was the only person there. But I thought, NO, I'm going to focus on my work and get it done. It took 23 minutes into my 29-minute session -- during which he flung a lot of comments to nobody in particular -- for him to direct a question right at me. There was a financial services commercial on, "starring" Robert Wagner.

AD asked, hey, wasn't this guy up on charges again for murdering Natalie Wood? I made the "er, I really don't want to talk about this" face. (Often used with good results on airplanes or while in line at the DMV.) He carried on as if I'd actually answered him, with a direct question to me about what the result of that had been. I said that I thought they'd determined there wasn't sufficient evidence to re-open the trial or convict him or something like that. AD harumphed and said, "I always knew it." At that point, I pushed a bunch of beepy buttons on my machine and covered my face with a towel while I counted to ten very very slowly. He went back to his trudge on the treadmill, I finished my workout, and that was that.

I really hate it when some jerk pisses all over my endorphin high like that. According to the timer on his display, he was going to trudge for another 90 cranky-making minutes. I hope his thighs chafe.

Comments

[rebeccathefiddler]

I like the idea suggested over on LJ - ask HR if they would choose another, non-news channel to use as the default one.

[saffronhare]

I'll see what channels (ha!) I'd need to follow for that request. The issue is bigger than the fitness room, because every TV in the building's common areas is tuned to FOX News all day, every day. UGH.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Perhaps its time to suggest to HR that Fox is too controversial to be the set channel?

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

That could be tricky, since my company leases space in this building and using the fitness room is an extra-special privilege. There are a bunch of televisions around the building (including in the cafeteria) and they're *all* tuned to FOX News all day long. Yargh. I'll see who the right person might be to ask the question, though...thank you for the suggestion. I'd hate to think I'm working in a building that's full of people who actually LIKE that kind of programming.

[buffalowmn.livejournal.com]

A: I agree with Tryst_Inn -- maybe there's something nice and neutral, like, I dunno, Sesame Street or something that can be on instead. Anyone who doesn't like Sesame Street is just *wrong*.

Also, B: "I hope [his/her/your/their] thighs chafe" is my new official fist-shakin'-at-the-heavens curse. :)

But mostly C: Good on you for sticking around and finishing! I'm not 100% sure that I would've--there's a better than 50% chance that I would've taken that as an excuse to quit early, and scurried for the day. In other words, you = awesome + win.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

It helped that just staying on the effing machine takes a lot of concentration, and that my workout isn't long. Just about 30 minutes of intense intervals and I'm DONE.

If it happens again, I won't take the machine that's right off his shoulder. (Not a lot of space in that room!) I'd avoided the machine kind of in front of him, because it seemed weird to make him stare at my ass, but maybe that's what I'll do instead. If I'm lucky, I can even manage to fart in his general direction.

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

I endorse this plan and/or service.

[zylch.livejournal.com]

One word: headphones.

Not only would they make it harder to hear Faux News, they would also give you a legitimate excuse to "not hear" Aggravating Dude if he says something to you.

I believe there are even headphones designed especially for working out, anymore -- I've seen some on folks at the Y that fit around the back of the head and look like they have an MP3 player built in.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

That's a great idea! I used to have a good set of earbuds, but one of the kids "borrowed" them. Hrm. Will have to find some for myself again.

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

I have like 3 sets of earbuds (for some reason, they all reappeared at once). If you don't mind them used (no foam, ick), I can save you the trouble/expense.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

That would be tremendously useful -- thank you! I'll be scooting up that way for a winterguard competition on Saturday afternoon. Maybe I could swing by your house or cross paths with you?

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

We'll be definitely home from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday due to Craft Circle - I'll set them somewhere I can find them again in several days. :)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I hope his thighs chafe.

<3

[zerself.livejournal.com]

What V said, headphones all the way.

And ignoring Fox News and the people who watch it when it is required to be on in your personal space...takes YEARS of practice.