Walden Cabin: Observations typed on an old Underwood

Thursday, March 21, 2002

Hope and despair
The gym was packed with seniors this morning. The Carpenters and other smash soft 60s and 70s favourites were playing in the background. As I finished a set of reps on the bench, I noticed an old fella on the ab cruncher. We both broke out in laughter and he said: "What are we doing here?" It's a good question. I walked to a window to stretch and watched the Spring snow fall. I thought of what it would be like to bring someone back from the dead, to see this space and all the lean people in it, grunting. It is wierd. I turned my attention back to the room: There was a line of people on mats, stretching. And during this "senior hour" I wondered what motivated them. There was no narcissistic flex-and-pose going on today. It struck me that these people were preoccupied with cheating death. Why else would you spend an hour trying in vain to touch your toes when you haven't done it in 60 years? I like to believe I'm at the gym a few times a week for the growing pecs (mine), but maybe the mortality thing does factor in for me too.

I thought again of the hostorical context: Isn't it strange how we've created a society where we don't move all day, then feel like we have to punish ourselves 2-3 times a week to make up for it? What will future generations think of our gyms?

Thoreau's preferred means of exercise was walking. It's probably where he did his best thinking, too, undistracted by bad elevator music (even if he knew what one was). And if he were to rise from the dead today, I bet he'd probably still pick walking. I can't see Thoreau on an ab cruncher.

posted by Stuart Hickox | 1:38 PM



	Thursday, March 21, 2002 Hope and despair The gym was packed with seniors this morning. The Carpenters and other smash soft 60s and 70s favourites were playing in the background. As I finished a set of reps on the bench, I noticed an old fella on the ab cruncher. We both broke out in laughter and he said: "What are we doing here?" It's a good question. I walked to a window to stretch and watched the Spring snow fall. I thought of what it would be like to bring someone back from the dead, to see this space and all the lean people in it, grunting. It is wierd. I turned my attention back to the room: There was a line of people on mats, stretching. And during this "senior hour" I wondered what motivated them. There was no narcissistic flex-and-pose going on today. It struck me that these people were preoccupied with cheating death. Why else would you spend an hour trying in vain to touch your toes when you haven't done it in 60 years? I like to believe I'm at the gym a few times a week for the growing pecs (mine), but maybe the mortality thing does factor in for me too. I thought again of the hostorical context: Isn't it strange how we've created a society where we don't move all day, then feel like we have to punish ourselves 2-3 times a week to make up for it? What will future generations think of our gyms? Thoreau's preferred means of exercise was walking. It's probably where he did his best thinking, too, undistracted by bad elevator music (even if he knew what one was). And if he were to rise from the dead today, I bet he'd probably still pick walking. I can't see Thoreau on an ab cruncher. posted by Stuart Hickox \| 1:38 PM				(03.21.2002) I'd ask again today, hon. Someone found this old link on-line. I didn't know it was still live. Great memories of an exciting day. See photos of Engagement Day 1998. See she said Yes. Find out more about renting Walden Cabin. (02.26.2002) Mohamad Mohamad: Ready for winter. >> See the photos from our Mid-East dinner party. >> Read the article. >> Have a Middle East dinner party: Recipes here. Turning 20 was a gas. In 1987, Canada mingled in Nice, to mixed effect. >> See the Revealing full photo. >> Read the article. >> See the cover photo archive. (01.15.2002) Digging in. Walden tree day 1995 Chestnuts and crazy volunteers at the top of the hill. >> Read the article. See the Walden Tree Day Photo Album. (01.07.2002) Jasper: Don't label me. None required, son. Critical observations of early '02. (11.19.2001) Walden Cabin 1996 See the photos. Updated - September 12, 2001 Head for the Hills of Prince Edward Island Walden Cabin >> "I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life and to see if I could learn what they had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) Walden; Or Life in the Woods (08.21) Walden Cabin is a publishing creation of Accolade Intermedia, an Ottawa-based communications company that specializes in content-rich Web products. www.accolade.ca >>
	about us \| current article \| archive \| home Copyright 2001. info@accolade.ca Accolade Intermedia Inc. .