Damned Alarms

I hate alarms but waking up without one at 4:00 a.m. ain't ever going to happen in my lifetime. The only alternative I have found to being at the Y when it opens is to wake up at 2:00 and not be able to get back to sleep.

On Tuesday I needed to get to work early so I hit the pool right at 5:00 a.m. First the radio goes on. Then I forget to turn off the little battery back up alarm clock on my side table so it starts beeping when I'm in the loo. The coffee pot starts beeping. I hit the button to open my car doors and the panic alarm goes off in the garage and I don't know how to turn it off. An alarm goes off in my head and I check and sure enough I have clothes but no underwear or shoes. I suck back my decaf and fly out of the house just as Bob the cat alarm starts wailing at the top of the stairs again.

I did my 2 miles in the pool by 6:45. JUST as I turned the water off in the shower the fire alarm went off. What about lotion, deoderant, cream, combing my hair, underwear, perfume, Q-tip, makeup, pants, shirt, bra, shoes, glasses????? I flew out of there as fast as I could considering all the gear I carry around with me. Yesm', even wearing underwear. I was very put out until I saw about a dozen or more wet, cheerless, exceptionally white swimmers standing in the lobby. I felt lucky. If I hadn't of skipped the hot tub I'd be there with them.

I awoke Thursday morning to the National Weather Service warning of tornadoes in Herkimer County, with storms moving our way. I wondered if all the normal people that aren't awake at 4:00 a.m. with the radio or TV on were going to get flattened. For once I was glad to be going to the cinder block closet at the Y we call the Spinning Room. Mom spent the better part of her evening the night before in her bathroom with the dog as Alabama got hit by some of the worst tornadoes in a century. They were lucky too - no damage, no one they know was hurt. I suppose alarms can be a good thing.

When you miss seeing someone you love at the Y for more than a few days and they are usually there every day an alarm goes off. I finally saw TBB yesterday morning. She hadn't been at the gym because she was in a head-on car wreck Monday night. OMG. She's OK, but still pretty beat up. I'll bet it takes alot of courage for her to drive anywhere right now. I was SO glad to see her. Next time it's Drive Like An Asshole Friday please, everyone, turn on your Asshole Alarms and be extra careful.