Since we’re not a military family, Memorial Day is time we spend with each other. My sister, boyfriend, and parents are up here, along with my girlfriend.
Even though have a loving and supportive family, I need to vigorously exercise to feel comfortable around them. Basically it’s the equivalent of taking a few belts of Schnapps before Thanksgiving dinner. A mellower. Since I don’t drink, exercise is the only option. Valium works too, but I’m one of those sober people, so I can’t do that. Damn my addictive genetics!
Here’s the problem – I’m not a workout guy. Yes, I do bike 20 miles a day in the summer to and from work. And, while that is a workout, in the off months, I literally don’t move. I’ll hit the gym maybe three times in four months. It has never been my inclination to just get up and go exercise. Some people are like that. I’m envious of them. Since I can’t seem to do that, I project the anger I have at myself to them. If you’re one of those people who can’t wait to go swim laps or do lat pulldowns, go find another stupid fitness blog to read. Also, shave off a few fat grams from your diet – you’re only at 12% bodyfat, and we all know you want to get to 10%. Also, please realize you’re hated by 97% of us.
What happens is that after a few days of being with my entire family, I start to get edgy. There’s nothing specific I can pinpoint that gets to me. Everyone is very supportive and loving. No gripes I can write about here.
But I start to get super critical of things my parents do. Like the way my dad mispronounces things or how my mom falls asleep on the car ride home from dinner. I know, major violations. But I get nuts over these things. I think it’s about control and how I can’t control their behavior so I have to criticize it. I do this because I am often disappointed in my behavior which I would like to better control.
Anyway – since I know I get this way, I need to do something I don’t normally do. Force myself to do hard cardio. So, today, I rode my bike 10 miles each way in 95 degree weather to the Shedd Aquarium. They took normal transportation like sane people. I was so tired and sweaty when I got there that it was like being on a seven-beer buzz.
I can’t be the only one who does this. You’re family is nuts. I heard this about you. This guy you went to junior high with gave me an earful. Your sister is a real piece of work. Jeez, how do you deal?
Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day.
photo credit: Louish Pixel via photo pin cc
Craziness Abounds says:
You said come check out your madness so I’m here! 🙂 I have to say after being around my family for a couple of days (especially if they are all together. I lose it too. That is why (Yes i to have an addictive nature) I smoke more when they are here even though they are anti. (I know I’m working on it.) So nice to meet someone who has the same problem.
I’m legally blind so the only way I can find someone is if they email me a link or they come comment on my blog.. melyndarockinthecrazy.blogspot.com should get you there or just google Craziness abounds. Yep, that my nonsense.
TammyL says:
If I’m going to be around my parents for more than a day, I have to leave the house and go on a walk by myself. It allows me to burn off the edginess and return to some sense of sanity. Nothing is really wrong with the dynamics, it’s just surreal, and I have a need to return to reality as I know it.
D.J. Paris says:
@TammyL We all regress back to the roles we played as kids, which were largely dysfunctional and full of pain. Nobody’s fault, just what happened.
Jo says:
I have to work myself up days before family get-togethers, pretty much like I would if I was going to be executed. Once it’s on, I stay in a state of suspended disbelief until it’s over. Afterwards, oh my god it’s like being freed from a Thai prison, the whole world looks shiny-wonderful.
D.J. Paris says:
Your family sounds delightful. Please keep me 100 miles away at all times.
D.J. Paris says:
@Craziness Abounds Whoa, a blind smoker? I feel like I have never seen that! Also, how do you read the screen? Do have an interpreter or something that reads to you? I’m fascinated.