Fellow Weighting Game reader kicks my butt
I'm in Los Angeles this weekend for an upcoming college book tour stop at the beautiful UCLA campus (wish me luck!) and while in town, I met up with my friend Tami. I met the hysterically funny, slightly potty-mouthed ball of energy that is Tami about six months ago, also in LA, and get this - my book brought us together. She read Locker Room Diaries, emailed me to tell me she enjoyed it, and out of that, a friendship was born. Tami is a mom, a wife, has a full-time job and - just for poops and giggles - teaches Spinning classes 5-6 days a week. I mean...really? Really.
So this morning, she shlepped out to Mar Vista, where I'm staying with my brother, and drove me back to Encino to take one of her classes at this gym (I'm the one in the black tank next to the guy in the blue shirt. Kidding!). Let me just tell you: Good. God. I haven't been to a Spinning class in years and this woman kicked my ass. Thankfully she provided me with a soft, padded seat for my bike or else said ass would be extraordinarily sore right now. The class was awesome and such an intense workout - at a few points, I was sweating so much, I couldn't even open my eyes. I guess you could say I was "glowing heavily."
What I thought was so cool (when I had time to think other thoughts besides "If she makes me climb at high resistance for 10 more seconds, I might throw up in my mouth a little bit,") was that my new friend was teaching it and to see someone you're close with in their element - leading a class, on a tough business call, performing in a play, running a marathon - is such a great experience. It just makes you so proud to be able to call them your friend, you know?
After class, we showered and met her husband and one of her daughters for a delish brunch at this organic-y cafe, then she drove me BACK home, totally out of her way but so sweet and appreciated.
There you go - one more reason I feel so fortunate to be a writer: I get to connect with phenomenal women from across the country who, otherwise, I might never have known. Some of you email me personally, others address me right on the blog; Tami does both, plus a morning together.
I'm headed to UC-San Diego next month...any readers who wanna meet up ? :-)
Hope you all had nice weekends!
Leslie
Comments
I don't live in southern CA, but if you are ever in northern/central CA (how about a UC Berkeley stop?) I would definitely come to hear you speak!
I'm also in NorCal, but I went to UCSD for grad school. It's a beautiful campus, and La Jolla is GORGEOUS! Enjoy! (And say hello to it for me,lol!)
that lady sounds amazing. so much energy. makes me feel like i dont do enough in a day.
AND, she makes one hell of a meatloaf.
sadly, no baked protein products were prepared for me. But I don't doubt it,
Shelley!
leslie,
I live in la! i went to UCLA for a semester for drama school, i usualy go to UCSB, but now i am actually taking a year off from getting my BA in theater and going to culinary school in pasadena for a year. I would love to meet up!
I just stumbled on this blog and your book sounds great! As a recovering body image fanatic (read: gymnast), I think it would be a very interesting read.
I am in San Diego and I would be happy to connect with you and offer a more "laid back" experience than your spinning escapade, though it sounded strangely enjoyable?!.
I am a Certified Massage Therapist and Fitness Specialist with my own mobile business. Check it out and let me know if you would be up for a meeting!
Nikki - done!
Hungry Waif - so sorry I missed you! I'll post earlier the next time :-)
Lori, I'd love to meet, especially since I just found out I'm going to be in SD for longer than just one night. Can you email me at leslie@lrdiaries and we'll set something up!
yay!!!
Leslie
