So, in just a few weeks, I will turn 38. My friend Ann told me that I can't now deny that I am in my late 30s, but honestly I thought I couldn't deny it when I turned 37. Apparently, I could and I didn't get the memo.
Previously, I was more into my birthday, but right now I am not so much. I think it is the pressure that people put on getting close to 40. I don't feel that pressure, really, since I can't imagine that turning 40 will feel much different than turning 38, or even 30. These relative ages are more of a sign that I have survived than anything else, I don't subscribe to this idea that just because there is a zero in my age that something big needs to happen. If I want something big to happen, then my age has little to do with it. Of course, I could look at it as I am running out of time, but to feel that pressure I would need to set a goal that would need to be completed before death. I don't really have such a goal other than live long. (and prosper).
I haven't blogged here in a while because I really haven't had much to blog about. I think Tycho on Penny Arcade summed it up for me "'Who the fuck do you think you are? Who are you that you can force your Goddamned minutia on other people, your stupid bullshit, your stone-ground artisanal condiments? How dare you. You should be ashamed.' And I was." Really, unless you want to hear about my meal plans and work drudgery, I got nothing. I could talk about going to the gym, but "I go to the gym 4 days a week now" really sort of sums that up.
I can tell you that I had a soul crushing new hire class that has seriously called into doubt all of my skills as a trainer and a professional. This group pushed me to limits I didn't know I had and drained every ounce of charity, honesty and fairness from my body. The level of disrespect was appalling and they are now famous in our center as being the worst class that we have ever had. And that was my entire month of April, dealing with them and trying to maintain my sanity. As of this writing, I still don't want to deal with people because I don't have any reserves of patience left. In my 4 years of training new hires, I had only had to fail 1 person. I failed 2 in this class. 6 others were put on notice out of 17. I can't imagine how anyone in a high school teaching job can deal with students with this mindset without trying to kill them all. I guarantee that they aren't paid enough to keep the homicide in check.
3 comments:
Just channel Seymour Skinner: "Am I so out of touch that...?! ...
No, it is the children who are wrong."
wow greg...err...gerg. tough class! My heart goes out to you.
As for birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I understand what you mean about the aging thing. I remember speaking to my 90 year old grandmother who said she still felt the same as when she was 16 (me too). Our bodies change (and sadly not much for the better), but we only "get old" if we let our minds close and calcify and we stop enjoying and wondering at and about life. And that said, as much as I'd like to have my 20 year old body back, my perspective and ability to enjoy and wonder is healthier now than then, so I am glad for that. Just think of the new age as a level up. Say ding, do a little dance and move on. Or even better, use it as an opportunity to see if there are any old ideas that are keeping you from having fun that you can exorcise. Always challenge the authority of your own mind. Wow, how wordy am I?
Anyway, sorry I won't be at your birthday party. Hope you have a good one.
Darin
The worst class ever? Jesus. That is saying something. I mean, I've seen (and worked with) some of the people from previous classes. Why can't it be more like the Paper Chase?
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