Conference pasta::flex

    hey there where is everyone?  Boy is this file dead is everyone so
    exhausted from trying to reach their new years goals?
    
    I been having fun teaching a good friend how to lift.  I have to admit
    I feel terrible because its clear she is stiff and sore after one week. 
    I have to admit its very hard for me to try and remember how light you
    really need to go when you start.  I suspect no matter how light she
    would be stiff anyway, but it does make me feel guilty seeing her wince
    lifting her coffee cup yesterday.  She is probably reading this note so
    I better say what a great student, what dedication, what perseverence
    and what a platehead for asking me to teach her.......
    
    Brian

    Still here, working out in the cruel spa, feeling like Hogans Heros.
    Frost coming out of my mouth, freezing and falling on the floor. :)

    Don't worry, Bri.  It won't take her long to figure out for herself how
    far she can push it without being incapacitated.  If she's reading this,
    tell her to join in the fray!  
    What's up with the partner, by the way?
    George, a little insulation and heat wouldn't hurt. It wouldn't make
    you less of a man, you know ; )
    I'm wiped this week.  Too many double workouts and early mornings.
    Almost over, almost over...
    Sarah

    I know how you feel Sarah.  It has been a long week.  I'm
    looking forward to taking the weekend off.
    
    This is my first week teaching at Millenium.  I've been using
    the weights before class, then teaching.  Yesterday was a 
    nice long day, between the gym, morning class, then I taught
    a 5:45p.m. class, after that was my karate class.  Then I
    was back up for the gym this a.m. (didn't do much, mainly
    walked on the treadmill), 5:45a.m. class, and tonight I'm
    teaching a 6:45 class.   Fortunately with teaching, I can
    do as much or a little as I want.  :) 
    
    Guess I'm making up for alot of loss time at the gym over
    the past couple of months.  That's ok though,,, summer will
    be here before we know it and hopefully I'll be in better
    shape by then (considering I let myself fall apart this winter).
    
    /shannon

    Its not the walls as it is the garage doors that leak like a heck.;( 

    Sarah
    
    The guy came in the next day with three new persons and was working out
    with them.  By end of week they were all gone again.  He came around
    Friday complaining how hard it is to find partners (hint hint).
    Tomorrow is the start of my workouts so if he around I'll see if he
    wants to team up on chest, if that works out, I'll expand and see what
    happens.
    
    I have to admit a lot of admiration for my new trainee.  I don't work
    out with her, I am actually just acting as her trainer.  She is stiff
    and sore all over, but wants to keep going.  That takes a lot of guts
    especially knowing when we hit the gym today, the pain starts all over
    again. 
    
    Brian 

so, brian- you're going to workout chest and expand and see if what happens? the
massive expansion will scare him off or not?  8^)

reg.

    Yeah reg, I wish, too bad I am not the cousin of Arnold like hans and
    franz.  By the way anyone see the M&M commmerical on the superbowl,
    pretty ripped wouldn't you say?
    
    B.

    I'm not sure if this belongs in the "love it when" string or in some
    personal intro note... whatever, if it should be relocated, please let
    me know.
    
    I've been playing with weights for a few months in my basement (basic
    weider bench, dumbbells, ez curl bar, straight bars, I even bought a 
    seperate pulldown machine, nice solid piece of equipment).  But I say
    *playing* for a reason, its been just that.  A few days on, a few days
    off. No good, solid routine.  One day I might do a fullbody workout and
    sweat like a pig, and feel really good.  Then I'd sit around for a few 
    days and nothing would ever develop.  Off an on.  But I figured I was
    working out and therefore it must be good.   
    
    However, just two weeks ago, I started something different. I started
    breaking up the routine.  Instead of a fullbody routine and just
    burning through it to get it done, I am now doing just one or two body
    parts per workout and really concentrating on the workout.  Then
    allowing two days at least for rest on the part(s) just worked. (Like 
    this is something new huh?)  What a difference!  In just two weeks I 
    feel so much better.  And believe it or not, in just this two week 
    period, I can already notice an improvement in my shoulders and arms.  
      
    Now I don't know that this is right or wrong, but so far all appears
    pretty good.  I still read through various notes here for tips and
    ideas.  So far so good.  And with spring just around the corner, some
    outdoor activities for the cardio will be nice. 
    
    

    <----  Keep it up.
    
    	You're going about it the right way.  Isolating your workout (and
    not a full body workout) to specific muscles on specific days, is a good 
    way to see results.  More importantly, it gives the muscles time to rest. 
    One of many keys to building them properly.
    
    	Jay

    Read some of the folks like Brian and etc for what they do for a daily
    routine. Read their PTP's. Even mine isn't tooo bad.:) 

sounds like you're on track.  i'd reccomend a full body workout for someone just
being introduced to weights or for some one who has been away for a long time 
and then only 1 warmup followed by one good 8-12 rep set per body part.  that 
should last no more than a month with by the end of the month one is doing 1 
warmup and 2 sets per body part.  after that, it has to be broken up (for me); 
once in awhile i'll do a full body workout, but just when i feel like i'm really
ready for a gruelling 2+ hr workout.

keep it up, enjoy the fun!

reg.

    Drink lost of water too. Other wise you will dehydrate, and recovery
    time from the workout will take longer. Streaching is also another word
    in there with the workouts.
    

    Yes, I do stretch before, during, and after.  I stretch a little pretty
    regularly just out of habit.  I used to run a lot when I was a teenager
    (10Ks) and stretched a lot then, just sort of kept at it all along...
    I do drink gatoraide or water while working out.  Actually I drink 
    a fair amount of liquids throughout the day - water, juices, beer,
    gatoraide, beer, milk, did I mention beer?  8^)  
    
    	helge wensing.  
    
    

liquids are one thing, but water is the key! oh, and dump the gatorade and 
switch to powerade, at least.

reg.

    There are web sites also for bodybuilding. Just, Arnolds got one,
    everyone you can imagine has one.:)
    
    

    Hi Helge,
    
    You might want to check out note# 196.1   It's about the importance
    of drinking plenty of water.  It's a great article (a lil old, but
    still really good).
    
    -shannon

    Wow so where is everyone?  I have to admit that this years workouts are
    very intense and are paying off.  The only bad effect is that it is
    definitely requiring new cloths.  Does anyone out there have their
    clothes custom tailored?  I know like I am wearing size 42 jackets and
    large to extra large sweaters, shirts.  When you take into account I am
    only 5'7" you can see that the waist on shirts is wicked baggy, the
    crotch on suit pants are to my knees so I have to have suites tailored
    up.  Does anyone have custom clothes made?  If so how expensive is it? 
    Is it worth the money?
    
    Brian
    
    

    For the most parts, I go to Georges Clothing in Manchester NH. They
    take care of my tailoring needs. Insofar as jeans and such goes, what
    ever fits.:) 
    
    Legs tonight! ARg!:( 

    re .113
    
    Well, I'm still here, but the doctor told me yesterday that I've
    fractured some vertabrae so I won't be moving much more than myself
    for a while and even that hurts!!
    
    (The drugs really work, though....wooo!!)
    
    Sue

    Sue
    
    How did you fracture a vertabrae.  Ohhh that sounds like its painful.
    
    Brian

    I fell flat on my backside about 10 days ago.  Thought I had
    crippled myself, the pain was so bad.  I took lots of Advil 
    for 10 days, then when it wasn't any better, I went to the 
    drs yesterday.  She didn't even have to take an X-ray.  When
    her pushing/poking brought tears to my eyes, she knew they 
    were fractured.
    
    Sue

    OUCH!  that sounds so painful...  Hope you heal up soon.
    
    Take care Sue.
    
    /shannon

    Sue
    
    What kind of care is prescribed for fractured vertabrae?  Do they put
    you in a brace, fuse vertabrae, ice and heat? 
    
    It sounds nasty my back is clinching up just thinking about it.
    
    My deepest sympathys 
    
    Brian (a lower back pain suffer who tosses it out at least once a year)

    There is nothing that can be done for what I did (fracture the
    tiny vertabrae in my tailbone).  Ice & heat would've been fine 
    in the beginning but wouldn't help now.  Just time, tylenol with
    codeine, prescription-strength naprosyn, and being careful ...
    
    Weeks and weeks apparently....
    
    Sue

    .... and staying off the ice at the hockey rink in front of the
    house!:(

    Sue
    
    I know what you did now.  Ouch, I fell on mine a while ago and while I
    did not fracture it, I did cause some severe inflamation and fluid
    build up around that bone.  Man I can really sympathise with you now.
         
    Brian

    No wonder they call you ogre!
    
    What a guy!!!!
    
    Brian

    Well the time has come for me to make hard decisions.  Last night as
    my wife and I rushed to go to a dressy engagement, I threw on one of my
    favorite suits (I have not worn yet this winter).  As I stuffed my legs
    into it, I found the legs were too tight.  I put on the jacket and
    could get it on, but it was really too tight to sit in all night so I
    had to rush and change to a different suit.  I have noticed even my
    boxer shorts are too tight on the legs.  The point is, I am not a huge
    man, by any stretch of the imagination, but at 5'7" 181 lbs and getting
    too big for a size 42 suit, I have to decide to stop trying to gain
    mass or really buy custom clothes.  This sounds silly but I am buying
    large to extralarge shirts and the shoulders fit, but the sleeves come
    down to my knees.  I really don't know what to do.  Its a neat problem
    but one that is getting costly.  This really means if I decide to keep
    going its time for a whole new wardrobe or quit gaining mass, adding
    more plates and being happy where I am.  Sort of a strange question
    don't you think?
    
    Brian 

geez, brian, are you reaching that magic number, too? men go through the same 
emotional upheavals as women 8^)  

1st you want mo'mo'mo mass and now you realize that the paycheck doesn't 
accomodate the constant purchase of clothes.  yes, you can buy suits to fit the 
arms, they come in short, regular, or long; however, as you buy to fit the arm 
and as the chest size increases, it's accepted in most suit manf, that the 
waist has grown also.  thus, you will need to go to a special specialty store 
(I don't think george's offers them) to buy the athletic suit.  most suits has 
a 6-8 inch drop (from chest to waist) and this usually accomodates the 48-50 
chest PORTLY man; an athletic cut has a 10-12 inch drop and fit's much nicer, 
as the chest, as a rule in suit manf, reflects the waisty line, also; and the 
arms aren't as snug as a normal suit.

i generally buy in piecemeal and a lot of places let you pick the top to go with
the bottom (as a 42+ suit usually has the same size pants to match), not that i 
own any suits (i'm a sport coat and slack/jean type person; that really dressy 
shit is for .... not me, anyway)

good luck on what you choose to do: gain mass or maintain and good luck in 
getting the clothes to fit just right!

reg.

p.s. i know that tight pant leg feeling all too well and that is why one will 
usually see me in baggies or pleated trousers (or sweats/running gear): i just 
have to be able to move!

    This morning in the gym two things really got me pissed
    
    First I was doing standing high pulley triceps pushdowns.  That means
    my back was to the machine and I was fully extending my arms.  This
    clown and his girlfriend stand right in front of me trying to get some
    piece of equipment.  If I extended fully I would have hit that bozo in
    the you know what.  This was my third set and it really broke my
    concentration because dodo and dodoette were chatting away.  Then after
    I stopped, I turned to get a drink of water and d*ckhead starts to take
    down my weight and lighten it up.  What a big jerk.  I said excuse me,
    but I ain't done yet.  Mind you it was me and idiot and his girlfriend
    no-one else around and every other piece of equipment and gear totally
    free.  He said oh excuse me and stood there didn't move until I
    finish, mind you, I again could smack the idiot if I moved 6" to my
    right.  What a turkey.
    
    Then 10 minutes later another clown comes out of the leg room into the
    main gym to the racks we do curls etc from.  He takes the bar loads 180
    on and starts to do deadlifts, he kept banging the floor with his legs
    bent his back arched, bouncing them up so he could do more.  Then he
    adds another 90 pounds.  He leaves for 10 minutes and then comes back. 
    Now he gets it up, poor form and all, bangs two off the floor then
    drops the stuff.  he then adds 90 more.  He tries to lift it, can't he
    adds another 70.  Leaves comes back 10 minutes later.  I am watching
    him trying for the life of me to figuire out A.  What lift he is trying
    to do because it wasn't stiff leg deadlifts and B. Trying to understand 
    why he added 160 pounds from his first set when he couldn't lift an 
    additional 90 pounds.  Overall in 25 minutes he did a grand total of 12
    reps.  Let me tell you, I was in awe.  This guy must have been one of
    those advanced atheletes.  I can tell he thought he impressed me, he
    kept flexing and rolling his shoulders back and all.  I guess my wide
    eyed stare must have pumped him up.
    
    Hell of a morning working out.
    
    Brian

ah! just what you need to get the ole juices flowing in the morning! that 
sounded more fun than a couplacuppsa coffee!  personally: i wouldv'e either have
asked them to move so i could do my set, then more bolder with asking if they 
were waiting to use the pulley, and if'n they were really smug- well, you know 
me: i just might've hit'im HARD and do one of those "ooops, didn't realize you 
were so close, did it hurt? next time i'll yell 'moving weights here!' to let 
you know i'm actually doing something.

i tell ya! i can be cruel!

that other guy: i can only think that he may be 1) attempting to increase 
strength by doing partials (haphardly and with poor form) or 2) lifting and 
running off to do "something" and coming back to try more with that added extra
"something" he took/did?  He was prolly flexing/rounding/rotating 
shoulders/back cause he did some hurt to them as plates fell and he jerked the 
bar up.  ifn' you see him tomorrow and he looks sore: snicker as you walk by.

i tell ya': what a pr*c& i can be!

reg.

    Can someone explain to me why so many really out of shape, really fat
    women wear spandex pants or real tight stretch pants?  I just don't get
    this.  Their legs are lumpy, they wear big tops to sort of cover the
    backside, but in the final analysis 99% of their legs show through and
    its absolutely gross to look at.  I also notice many women with truly
    good figuires do not wear such stuff.  
    
    When a fat woman wears this does she think she looks good or does the
    spandex help hold it all together.  I just am really perplexed about
    this dress code.  I know this is politically incorrect, but I just
    walked by the 3 overweight woman dressed like this and I just don't get
    it, to me if your fat wear something baggie.
    
    
    Brian                                       

yeah! all right! let the sparks fly! i agree wholeheartedly: more than 20 lbs 
overweight = baggy clothing or at least 'form' fitting such that it's 
flattering.  fat folks need not apply to the spandex dress code: it just makes 
one look like a clown and someone to be made fun of.  then on the other hand you
hear: respect me even if i am fat.  alright, one may be fat, but don't flaunt 
it! please.  spandex feels good to wear as it does hug the body and make you 
feel firmer, but nothing short of 1" thick steel belted stretch retardent 
clothing is going to make anyone grossly overweight look good.

i jusy raise my eyebrows and twist my face up when i walk by someone like that 
with a slight tch-tch head nod.

ogre.

    I would say it's for comfort.  Spandex pants with an over sized 
    shirt is very comfortable.  It's just like wearing sweats and
    a sweatshirt.
    Maybe when they put on the baggy pants they feel as if it makes 
    them look bigger.  I know for myself, I don't like pants that 
    are real loose fitting (unless they're tappered at the ankle
    and have a descent cut for the waist, which in my experience
    they never do).  Seems whenever I put on loose fitting pants
    I feel as if it makes me look shorter and dumpy.  Besides,
    I'd also be afraid of growing into them.  :)
    
    So Brian, I would say it's for the comfort.  Nothing like sitting
    around in comfort for 8hrs then being uncomfortable.
    

    I'll go as far and say that it's OK in a Gym, but in outdoors of the 
    public???  You're just lookin' to get harpooned!  Just joshin'!  
    
    I remember seein'one very large person with spandex, turns out they
    were cotton track pants and he was just out stretching them!  [^;=
    
    I personally don't care for spandex...unless it's used by extremly well
    built women.  Guys should stick to Bermudas or running shorts, the may
    only wear spandex if cycling!
    
    	Jay  

    Can I throw one in here? How about overweight guys with hairy backs 
    in those huge ripped arm hole tank tops?
    Comfort? Style? Body image a lot healthier than most?
    I try not to notice. I like spandex because it moves and gives without
    riding up, bunching up, and holds everything in nice and tight. I can
    lean over, to the side, run, sit and stretch without having to worry 
    if everything is covered. Baggy clothing gets in my way, gets caught 
    in the bike pedals, flops up over my head or back when I do dead lifts,
    etc. Nope, give me spandex...
    Sarah

personnaly, i don't think sarah and shan have anything to worry about less you 
feel that you are bigger than you really are and you now need to throw out the 
mirror and just ask me!

reg.

btw: i shave

    Hey I wear spandex, but in the gym, for the same reason Sarah and Shan
    cited, especially on leg day.  I also started wearing spandex after
    working out a female partner, who later confided in me that whenever I
    did benches (wearing gym shorts) she had a unexpected bonus. (blush
    blush).  Seriously, its one thing for someone who is fit and trim to
    wear spandex, another thing entirely when the person is really
    overweight.  The morst interesting thing is that wearing spandex is as
    revealing as you can get, why someone would reveal that is beyond me.
    
    Brian

    .129
    The reason is that they can sill run up a ramp and hop into em like the
    rest of the more 'inshape' women.:)

    Hey where is everyone?
    
    boy is this file dead.
    
    Can you believe this.  At 3:45 AM in the chest room there were 14
    people doing chest work. Major frustration, with that many folks in the
    chest room, I might as well get up at 5 and work out at 6.  Sigh....
    
    Brian

that's unbelievable! 14 people before 4AM?!?! i din't think there were that many
sickos around.  8^)

that's where everyone is: they're all taking your guidance with these early am 
workouts and are diing from shear exhaustion! more 8^)

    Donno about that Reg. I am still nursing the walking flu, cannot wait
    till weekend. Going to go back in to the spa of much cruelity.:)

just recognized that node name, george: yeah, right!  8^)

    Reg yha old goat! Of course you should recognized that node name.:))

    In terms of the 'walking flu' and other viruses which seem to be making
    the rounds, are any of you using any holistic preparations to help you?
    I just started with a fever, body aches, sore throat, etc. yesterday.
    When this happens, I start taking a preparation called 'Echinacea'. It
    really seems to help me get over it faster. You can get it in capsule
    form, or liquid form (I use the liquid, just because I always have!).
    You might want to try it to see if it helps you kick out that last
    remaining vestiges of a flu-bug.
    Sarah

    Taking this stuff in a can called Bud Wiser.:) Naaaa..:) Took contact,
    lots of water, pizza, and slept allot. Could have skipped the drugs of
    the 60's with the out of body experiences I had with this flu!:) 
    
    

    Try drinking a'couple'a screwdrivers through the evening 'fore
    retiring.   Vitamin C in the OJ,  vodka to help ya' relax.
    Works great...     many 8^)......
    
                       

    ...hummm..... I once tried a screwdriver.. couldn't get past the
    handle.:)
    
    

    OK, I got the OJ.  Tell me again what that Vodka is going to do? 
    ; )
    Sarah

    O.J.? No this isn't mennotes is it?:)

    Oh no.  last night I got my team roster for Spring hockey and called
    all the kids.  Of the 14, 13 are boys and all are either A, B, C players
    which means they have played for awhile.  The only girl has never
    played before, just street hockey.  This is going to be very
    challenging to keep her motivated and learn the game and keep the boys
    from ripping her to shreds for making mistakes.  Wow, this is going to
    be a serious challenge.  I coach spring, summer and Fall hockey and
    these are squirts 9 year olds.  Let me tell you, they can be brutal on
    any boy who screws up, but a girl.  Oh boy.
    
    Brian

    <- sounds like a script straight outta hollywood, Brian.  
    take her aside and teach her how to check'em hard.  course
    then she'll need to know how to take a check as well.
    
    Sarah,  gotta have the vodka,  who drinks straight orange juice???
                                                          8^)
    
    helge. 

    Brian,
    See if you can get her to come in early or stay later for a little
    extra coaching, and use her for 'coaches assistant' whenever you can.
    It won't protect her from hard checks, but it will help her feel like a
    valued member of the team. I get a few like that in soccer, who have
    never played before. I let them help me with setting up the field, use
    them for demonstrations etc. They feel special and look forward to
    practices, instead of dreading them. I even let them get a few by me,
    just to boost their confidence. 
    You'll handle it, coach ; )
    S

just tell'er to lace up a pair of too small skates and sound off like she's got 
a pinched pair!  that sound's sure to scare to 'ell out of the l'il squirts!

only kidding, folks-

    I had another girl last year and even though I would tell the boys lay
    off her, the minute she missed the puck ro lost it, they would skate up
    and lay into her.  She actually wanted to quit a couple of times and
    got to the point of purposely letting the puck go by to get back at the
    boys.  
    
    The idea of getting her on the ice for extra coaching won't work.  We
    have only a limited amount of ice time 2 minutes before the game
    actually and the kids use that for warm up only.  During spring and
    summer we get practice time ad hoc because it costs extra, its also
    very hard to spend extra time when your trying to contol 13 boys.
    
    I just feel badly for this girl, I can tell you its going to be very
    hard for her and there is not much I can do to help that. 
    
    Brian

parking lot/bball court roller blading? kinda the same, no? not as smooth or 
quick, but should prove to be some interesting practice sessions.

i just question the 'reasoning' behind this girl of 13 (?) being on the team and
never having played any team hockey before.  has she at least been exposed to 
the sport, knowledgeable, played pond hockey, etc.  are there alterior motives 
behind having this girl on the team at this stage in her life that may be 
reflective of some more prominent discrimination cases/charges taking place in 
America? (VMI, Citadel, etc)

hmmm....

    	I'd watch for the punks who lay into her and then discuss the
    situation with their parents.  Chances are though, that the kids are
    the way they are because of competetive parents (mostly fathers).
    
    	At that age, the game is still very much about fun.  And no one
    should be "layed into" for learning.
    
    Good Luck Brian.
    
    	Jay

    Any way of teaching her how to level them?  
    My husband told me about a hockey experience he had when he
    was in school.  Someone came along and nailed him, sent him
    flying right down onto his ass.  He got up, shook his head and
    asked "who the hell was that", when he was told it was a female
    he was really impressed.  Said he had never been hit like that
    before.  
    He told that storey to my brothers stepson (who plays hockey).
    Gregory (stepson) was talking about a female hockey player and
    Kevin told him, don't underestimate her cuz she's a female.
    They can play just as good.
    
    

    Wait, I may have inadvertantly mislead you.  They lay into the girl
    with nasty talk, you know the cutting remarks about being a stupid girl
    missing the shot, go home to your dolls stuff.  Only once did a kid
    slap her stick and we pulled him and made his sit out a couple of line
    changes.  Squirts are non check leaques, although it gets rumble tumble
    sometimes.
    
    I spoke with her mother last night and she has played street hockey and
    was interested in trying ice hockey.  It just so happens that she was
    assigned to my team.  History says that only a handful of girls sign up
    for hockey and so are assigned around the league, because many teams
    would not do well if all the girls were assigned to them.  I have yet
    to see a team with more than 2 girls on it.  So in all fairness, I
    think thats why I got her.  I will though call the leauge president and
    see if I can get another girl assigned to see if this will help.,
    
    Brian

well, in that case- take those l'il boys to their parents and discuss it with 
all present just how bone headed and rude they are and make the parents 
understand that their son will not be coming back to the team if he doesn't 
clean up his act [providing the comments are making the girl sad, hurt, and 
uncomfortable];

otoh: if, it's all said in jest, i wouldn't worry as i've heard and been 
involved with a lot of kids on the town's little league and soccer and they pick
up the darnedest attitude from movies and tv that parents couldn't even began to
program it into them, let alone attempt to deprogram.

i'd confirm whether or not she was bothered by the comments/actions and follow 
through with her parent(s) if she tells them anything; it could just be a smart 
mouth kid saying this stuff and he (they) just might be saying like things to 
the boys on the team.

if they talk to their own sex the same way, make sure it's understood by the 
girl that it's just the way they are, but they more than likely respect her and
wish her well just have a funny way of showing it [there must be a wimpy boy on 
the team or some team that gets treated the same way; some of you have met me: 
ever think i was treated that way? you betcha!]

reg.

This reminds me that Motz was one mean hockey player.

    Yes, boys at this age are brutal to boys that screw up and miss shots
    and passes so when a girl does it, it tends to be worse, unless the girl
    can stand up on her own two feet and dish it back.  I or my other
    coaches will intervene if we hear it, but lets face it what they say to
    each other out there is out of my earshot. Hockey is a very aggressive
    sport and you have to stick up for yourself or you will be beaten.  I
    can only do so much, then it really is up to each kid to stand up for
    themselves and really push back when someone gets aggressive on them. 
    It's never the whole team that does this, just some of the more
    competative players.  In some ways the adage of if you can't stand the
    heat don't play with fire fits hockey.  Maybe this is the wrong
    attitude, but it is the way hockey is.  I had a player drop out
    yesterday due to conflicting schedules, I am going to call the leauge
    and see if they can assign another girl to my team.
    
    
    Brian

why is hockey such an aggressive violent sport?  i never understood that. skates
too tight? ice too cold? what?

    Probably because it's so fast. The only way to beat someone to the puck
    is to ride or check him/her off it. And leave it that way! Nothing more
    boring than watching a non-check hockey game. Adults, that is. Kids are
    entertaining enough with the pratfalls they take without being checked.
    I don't think kids should be checking. Adults, definitely!  Any sport
    in which you have to beat somebody to the object is going to be rough
    and tumble and aggressive. Otherwise you have golf ; )
    Sarah
                                                                

    Golf!
    	Haha.
    
    	But then there is Happy Gilmore!  [^;=
    
    	  Jay (The only Canadian who can't skate worth a kick in the ar$e)

    I played hockey as a teenager,  someone (could'a been my mother, i
    don't remember) asked why it is so rough, I said something to the 
    effect that if it wasn't rough, it would be figure skating...
    

checking, etc- yes; like tackle,etc in other sports.  but why is there always
really violent fist fights and the like? in the other sports ('sides boxing and 
the like) there's usually some belly butting and shoulder rubbing and yelling,
but rarely any bloody violent fist fights, etc.

    I guess cause in Hockey, there are 3 blind mice who don't pick up on
    the cheap shots from the other guy.  After a cheap shot, I too would
    have to retaliate.
    
    Makes ya wonder if Dennis Rodman was tryin' to start a new fad, by
    kickin' cameramen in the nards?
    
    	Jay

    Hockey as Sarah said is a sport that is most aggressive.  You have to
    beat the other person to the puck, meaning your skating full bore, no
    holds barred, That means two people you and the defender are racing to
    the puck, its natural when you get there to use your momentum to slam
    your opponent into the boards to slow yourself down and knock them out
    of the way.  then once you get the puck you jostle each other
    constantly to try and steal the puck.  After awhile of getting
    slammed hard, then constantly poked and prodded, it is very easy to
    loose your temper and start a fight.  Especially if the other guy takes
    a cheap shot or illegally hits you like cross checking or high
    sticking.   The other thing about hockey is it works by intimidation. 
    When your up against bigger stronger players, they check you really
    hard and you have to give it back harder or they will run over you.  I
    remember playing against a big jerk.  He was 6 foot and weighed 180
    or so, back then I was 5'7 and massed 145.  I dropped my head to look
    at the puck and the second it dropped he cross checked me and I hit the
    ice hard.  He stood there and smirked and said, I love knocking little
    guys like you down.  I got up and as he turned to skate away, I shoved,
    my stick in between his skates and twisted so he fell flat on his face. 
    As I skated away, I said yeah and I love dumping big *ssholes like you. 
    He got up to hit me, but fortuneatly every guy on my team kept cross
    checking him.  That also explains why a lot of fights happen between
    two players that were not even checking each other.  You have to watch
    out for your own team players, and when you see someone attacking a
    person on your team, you go over and help.  
    
     Thats why checking and getting really rough seem to fit hockey so
    well.
    
    Brian

    sigh....
    
    After having the gym practically to myself for the last seven or so
    years, it's really aggravating to find myself having to share equipment
    at 4 AM!!!!
    
    That crowd of 7 folks that started coming in this year has somehow
    glommed onto my workout schedule and today we were competing for stuff
    in the leg room.  To make matters worse I was in there by my lonesome
    for the first 1/2 hour of my workout, then suddenely they appeared. 
    Whats worse is they now have a new edition a true spandex queen. 
    Complete with sports top, spandex shorts and a walkman (yellow
    waterproof type).  I was at the time doing supersets, hacksquats then
    seated leg curls.  She was on the lying leg curl machine next to me,
    when that god aweful perfume began to gag me.  I finished set 2 then
    opened the windows and turned on the ceiling fans.  After I finished my
    hacks, I turned and she was readjusting my machine.  I explained to her
    nicely I was supersetting and would she mind not using this.  She gave
    me the look "platehead *sshole" look.  but moved over to the seated
    extension machine.  She used that machine and left the area.  20
    minutes later, I decided to finish up with supersetting leg ext and
    seated calves.  Got through 3 sets and on my final lift came back to
    find her on the leg ex machine.  Sitting there obviously not doing
    anything.  I asked nicely are you using this?  She said yes I am and
    then proceeded to reset the machine to do one lousy set.  Man was I
    steamed. At 4:30 AM I am dealing with this crap.  I know why not do
    something else, why not change my workout.  Thats the problem with
    these guys, they change their schedule that day, they decide what to
    work out, sometimes doing the same body part two days in a row....
    
    I actually started getting in the gym at 3:45 to try and avoid these
    guys.  I know I am bitching, but geez, seven years and never a problem
    till now.  If they had a fixed schedule I would change mine to get
    around them, but sheesh, what a pain.
    
    Brian who is bent out of shape, can you tell.....