The Hobbit Hole VI - And Whither Then? I Cannot Say...

[RosieCotton]

I don't think there's any getting around exercise being at least kinda boring...except for hiking and such like...but you can't exactly get off work in Vermont in February and go hiking...in the dark...and lots of snow...and freezing cold. Doesn't work!

Treadmills are a wonderful invention!

[JenB]

Yes, they are! Another good reason not to move out quite yet.

[RosieCotton]

That looks similar to the program I used when I was getting ready for that 5k...at the end of it I was running a little over three miles a day - thirty minutes on the treadmill. It'll really get your legs in shape, too, especially if you mix in a little strength training. I was in the best shape of my life by the end of that!

[RosieCotton]

I wish I had you here...I need a workout buddy. *snif*

I'm allowed to use the gym at the college, but a) it's usually crowded and b) all the people who use it seem to be model thin, young women in sports bras and tight shorts or or muscle-bound guys that are apparently on steroids and won't look you in the eye...scary types. I should probably make use of the place, but I don't wanna go in there alone!

[JenB]

Oh, I know what you mean! That's why I'm so glad my parents got this treadmill for Christmas. They stuck it down in the furnace room, and set up the tv hookup, and it's all to yourself while you walk.

I really, really want to get myself into shape. The number one thing I want, though, is endurance - I want to be able to do cool things. Like... I've always really wanted to learn fencing, but I've never thought I had the stamina. But if I can learn to run for thirty+ minutes at a time, I can get the stamina for that.

[RosieCotton]

Sounds like a nice setup!

Hm...I wonder if running in place is any good, or if that'd REALLY do a number on knees?

Fencing would be an awesome thing to learn! I'd like to learn dancing, too...like swing or even (don't laugh...) tap. There are limited options around here, of course, but opportunities do come up occasionally.

[SuziQ]

I so enjoyed tap when I was in elementary school! My sister and I used to do duets at our dance recitals. I quit when I was in the 7th grade because the new teacher was more into ballet and modern dance and was just LAME when it came to tap. I wish that Irish Step Dancing had been around when I was little. I would have LOVED that! I just love the rythmic, percussive sound made by the steps.

[RosieCotton]

Yeah, that would be cool to learn, too! Add that to my list...

There ARE Scottish dance instructors somewhere not toooo far away...like within a couple hours, at least. But Scottish dance doesn't appeal to me as much 'cause it's not LOUD like that. ;-) Still a lot of fun to watch, though.

[300winmag]

Well, spring is here, despite the freezing rain scheduled for tonight. I just saw my first commercial for garden tractors. Motorcycle commercials should be appearing soon.

I shudder to think about all the summer clothes in the stores already.

[Wneighbor]

I am a nervous wreck again! That student who blew up in the classroom 2 times earlier this quarter did it again tonight and it was bad. He was throwing his mouse around (i know sounds silly - you had to see it) and kicking his chair and stomping and throwing his arms and cursing. One of the other students that my boss had asked to always stay until after this guy left was still there. I tried to ask the raging maniac to calm down but he wouldn't so I told him firmly to leave. He wanted to keep argueing. I told him again to leave the building and if he wanted to talk about his work he could come back tomorrow or Monday or Tuesday when he is calmer. more stuff from him. I told him that if he wanted to come back and talk he needed to come back and talk to my boss. I am going in first thing in the morning and tell Gene all about it.

I am shaking. That other student did stay till the guy left. Matter of fact the he ended up waving him toward the door and then blocking the doorway. And he walked me to my truck to make sure I got there safely but it didn't make me any less shakey.

[JenB]

Scottish dancing is actually the other thing I'd like to learn. But, I'm a klutz.

I got absorbed in a book. I'm going to read again for a few minutes, then bed - see you tomorrow, after I skate into work...

[300winmag]

That's scary, WN. Tell your boss that three times is enough with this clown, and you're going to the cops, regardless of what the school does. This problem is not going away.

That's Texas. You should be able to get a large can of 10% CS or OC. Blast the guy with it the next time he gets weird. I don't want to scare you, but the next time, he might have some kind of weapon. Don't let him get within 20 feet of you.

It sounds like he needs to be in a rubber room. You'll be doing him a favor by getting him off the street before he hurts someone else, or himself.

Think about how this nutcase would be handled if he was roaming the halls of the main school admin building. You deserve the same consideration for your safety as the pointy-haired bosses.

[Ramius]

Holy Cow!!!

Not good...

[Wneighbor]

It sounds like he needs to be in a rubber room. You'll be doing him a favor by getting him off the street before he hurts someone else, or himself.

That's exactly what the other student who stayed with me and I were talking about. The guy is just scary.

I figured out 25 years ago that I wasn't going to let any guy be this way with me in my personal life and finally got my way out of that. I dang sure don't like somebody like this turning up in my work life.

One thing too, the guy that stayed with me is also going to report about what happened. He's lookin' out for me too. But, I'm just not going to go to work everyday feelin' like I have to walk on eggshells. I'd rather go work down the street at Taco Bell.... but, there's assholes there too.

[Wneighbor]

I am not a happy little girl tonight. I want to go home! I got people there to watch my back. I can't deal with that guy in my class another quarter.

[ksen]

Hey guess what we got to board up at Port Canaveral this weekend?

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/eagle/first.htm

[Wneighbor]

I'm just way too wound up tonight. Night guys.

[ksen]

((((WN))))

Sometimes this is all we can do for each other.....

[300winmag]

I'd rather go work down the street at Taco Bell.... but, there's assholes there too.

But Taco Bell employees know that comes with the job, unfortunately. It's nowhere in your job description, however.

Does Texas have anything like a Personal Protection Order (PPO)? In Michigan, you can get one from a local judge. The guy can't come within a mile of you at any time. Some legal effort on your part might get your school moving, too.

Of course, in Michigan, a PPO is encouraged, as opposed to carrying a gun. That way, if the guy kills you, he'll get an extra 30 days in jail for violating the PPO.

Seriesly, think about some non-lethal defense, along with whatever else you might choose. If you had an extra $300, I'd suggest an Air Taser. It might be fun just to see it work on him. It's not even considered a firearm by BATF.

Of course, in liberal Michigan, possession of a taser, except by police, is a felony. Everywhere else, you can buy them online.

[Wneighbor]

That is very cool ksen. I liked those pictures!