I've been working out a lot lately (well, a lot for me). Practically ever day. But try as I might, I will never be one of those people who enjoys the gym. It's just not me. Maybe it was all of those years as a student where I channeled any extra energy I had into more and more school. It doesn't help me relax, I don't feel more energetic afterwards (in fact, I usually feel like puking), and I certainly have no fun. So I've decided to switch it up a bit instead of dragging myself to the gym all the time and then getting bored and quit. Since it's been nice weather, one day a couple days ago I decided to walk to the bookstore, do some reading (hey, i'm broke), and walk back.
Bookstore is super close to me, only about 2.6 miles roundtrip but walking in LA turned out to be harder than it sounds. First of all, after 4 years of living in the same apartment I only just realized that the street by my house that leads to the bookstore doesn't have sidewalks or street lamps for the first .6 miles. On my way to the bookstore I somehow managed to cut through peoples' driveways and lawns in order to not get hit by traffic. After I got to sidewalk areas, I realized a few things. First, the smell from the donut store is stronger when you walk past it. Second, nasty men will continue to honk at you and try to hit on you as if you are going to realize he is prince charming and run with open arms towards his car. Third, walking in LA might actually be harmful to your health due to the pollution.
Anyways, I was almost to the bookstore when I started regretting my decision. My feet hurt, the weather was getting cold, and my caffeine level was getting low. But a couple minutes later, I saw the promise land: The Mall (which is next to the bookstore). So a couple hours and some dull details later, I decided to head back. Fast forward a couple minutes, the weather becomes unbearably cold, the sky dangerously dark, and the traffic even heavier. Ugh, why did I do this?
But I trekked through, even stopped at trader joes on my way and walked home with a ton of groceries. Going through the no sidewalk, no light zone was an adventure. There was no light at all except for the car headlights that drove through (thank goodness for LA traffic), and I spent the time balancing on the curb and trekking through gravel paths in the dark, with the groceries, and made it without falling on my face.
Now I'm sure none of this is extremely excited for anyone. But for me it was a small victory because I'm just not the type to do it.
One thing I realized is, I love Los Angeles. Growing up in Orange County, I appreciate the fact that there is just something great about the fact that LA doesn't have that air of boredom that OC has. There is always something going on. I love certain things about this city. For example, the fact that everyone will give you dirty looks if you are one of those people who doesn't bring their own reusable grocery bags to the store. (on a side note, seriously people, get reusable bags, stop being a tool).
Anyways, 2.6 miles and a bunch of organic goodies later, I was a happy camper.
Fast forward 2 days, my shins are killing me!! Basically I've owned the same sneakers forever. I hate them, hate hate hate. They are SO UGLY!
But I needed new ones so I went to Foot Locker and bought the following:
They are tolerable I guess, but I still despise the concept of sneakers. They are listed in my book under things you should never wear in public unless some physical reason for it, along with Birkenstocks and those hideous Crocs!!Just as I brought the shoes home, upset that I had paid so much for something so yucky, I saw the following ad on MTV: (listen in IE, if sound doesn't work).
Well , at least I'm not the only one. Lol. Public service announcement: don't wear your sneakers out, they are for working out. It's just as ridiculous to wear stilettos to the gym as it is to wear gym shoes out. Ok, done venting.
