this time at the gym. This morning I got up at the "butt-crack of dawn" as my kids say, to go return to my work-out routine. I had taken a few days off with vacay and all.

As I was starting on my first weight machine, I notice that there is a gentleman on the machine in front of me, and boy is he sweaty! Now, gentle readers, sweaty is definitely a good thing. Sweaty is a very good thing to be at the gym. Since the man was a little older than me, I was thinking to myself, "Wow! I'm impressed! I hope I'm still taking care of myself like that in my 60's."

My admiration was short-lived however. As soon as the man was finished with the machine, he stood up and walked over to the next machine LEAVING HIS NASTY, DIRTY POOL OF SWEAT ALL OVER THE MACHINE. He didn't even bother to swipe the seat off with the towel that was dramatically draped around his neck. I guess it was for decoration. I gave him my best "stink eye" glare, but to no avail. I watched, in horror as he proceeded to gross up every machine that was on my circuit.

Now, gentle readers, there are signs posted on every flat surface "Please disinfect machines after every use." There are wipes provided for this purpose, plus huge stacks of towels in at least three places. There is a clause in the membership agreement that each member signs stating that the member understands the rules about wiping off machines after you use them. It's not rocket science.

I walk over to the membership desk and let the gym employee know that there is a disgusting pig, er...I mean gym member who is leaving pools of sweat on the machines. Gym Guy comes over and after watching this for himself confronts the disgu...member. Gross guy's attitude is that if someone comes to the gym, they shouldn't be afraid of a little sweat. He is giving Gym Guy so much trouble, and telling gym guy that he never heard of such a stupid rule, and wondering out loud who it was that complained.

I guess I felt empowered by confronting Crooked Photo Guy. I stepped in and let Gross Guy know that it was me who complained, and did he wannna talk to me about it? Gross Guy took one look at me and decided that I wasn't the kind of person who belonged in a gym, at least not any kind of manly gym where men go to sweat. He made a few derogatory comments about my physical self, verbalized some speculations about my sexuality, and left. Other than thinking the guy was a major jerk, I think it ended well. He did leave, after all.

I will always, always wipe down a machine both BEFORE and after I use it from now on.

And I think the guy screwed with the wrong "fat, ugly, chick of (indeterminite sexual) orientation". His words, not mine.