Happy New Year, friends. We went out to a wild party last night and didn't get home until sunrise. Now, of course, I'm hung over from all the sex, drugs, rock and roll.
Oh for God's sake, take it easy. I'm kidding. We stayed in and watched TV. Couple episodes of Seinfeld, couple of Twilight Zone and some kind of countdown on TV's most popular catchphrases. Woo-hoo! Par-tay!
I noticed that there were a lot of commercials for some kind of abdominal crunching machine, which I guess was targeted to people sitting on a couch resolving to get more exercise. I would have made my own list of resolutions but it just seemed like so much work.
Anyway, the ab crunching machine reminded me of a story I wrote a while back, so I figured I'd post it here today for anyone considering investing in one of those things. The story originally appeared in Yankee Pot Roast.
TIGHTER ABS IN SIX WEEKS
By
Ellen Meister
Use the Ab Cruncher 3000 Three Times a Week
and See a Whole New You!
Week 1, Day 1
My Ab Cruncher 3000 came today. Sandy says you're supposed to keep a diary and write down exactly how many crunches you do a day. Sandy lives next door and recently lost 50 pounds. She thinks Paul Winston, who's 41 years old and lives across the street with his mother, is going to be attracted to her now. Sandy needs to have her head examined.
I thought my Ab Cruncher was going to arrive yesterday, which would have been great because Colin was home and could have put the darn thing together. I tried to do it myself but can't tell which pole is A and which is D. They should mark these things.
Week 1, Day 2
Colin promised he would try to come home early from work today and assemble my Ab Cruncher 3000. Sandy thinks I should demand that Colin spend more time at home. I told her he's a foreman for god's sake, and has to work when he has to work.
Sandy has her own version of reality. She thinks Paul Winston is going to want to go out with her. Look at the way he walks, I tell her. You're not his type.
Week 1, Day 3
Ab Cruncher 3000 still in pieces on the floor. Colin had to work late again yesterday. Sandy said no one has to work late that often, honey. I said just because he wasn't in his office when I called doesn't mean he's fooling around. He's a foreman. He doesn't just sit at his desk all day. He has responsibilities.
I think it drives Sandy crazy that I have a good marriage and she could never make hers work.
Week 2, Day 1
My Ab Cruncher 3000 is together! I couldn't really get the hang of it, though, and only did three crunches today. Sandy says she did fifty. I'm not sure I believe her. She also said Paul Winston was flirting with her when she stopped by his florist shop yesterday. He was probably just trying to get her to buy a more expensive arrangement.
Week 2, Day 2
I did it! I got on the Ab Cruncher this morning and did 157 crunches before Colin even woke up! Colin says he's real proud of me, and thinks I'll be skinny in no time.
I got on the scale after he left and saw that I gained three pounds. I threw away the leftover cake and the Fritos. I'll weigh myself again next week.
Week 2, Day 3
Too sore to get back on the Ab Cruncher 3000 today. Will try again tomorrow.
Colin worked late again last night and I wound up eating a whole chicken myself. Sandy says that's not bad because it's protein.
Week 3, Day 1
Sandy claims Paul asked her out on a date. They're going bowling on Friday. I said watch the way he throws the ball. If his back leg goes up, you'll know.
I did 17 crunches today and feel great!
Week 3, Day 2
I got on the scale today and gained another pound. If Colin would come for dinner more often I know I wouldn't eat as much. But I think I'm getting my period and likely it's just water weight.
Too crampy to do crunches today.
Week 3, Day 3
Sandy had her date with Paul last night. She said he didn't kiss her good-night and I said, see? And she said I should pay more attention to my own relationship. And I said what is that supposed to mean? And she said I should take my head out of the sand is what it means.
I did 35 crunches today even though I have my period.
Week 4, Day 1
Colin came home late again last night, so I called Sandy to see if she wanted to come over for dinner. She said she was going out with Paul again. I said why didn't she tell me? She said if she thought I would be happy for her she would have told me. I said how could I be happy for her when she was barking up the wrong tree? She said I should worry more about what tree Colin is barking up. I said, does she know something I don't? She said I should keep my eyes open is all.
I didn't eat any dinner last night. Today I did 50 crunches, I think. I lost count.
Week 4, Day 2
Lost two pounds! I called Colin at the office and asked if he could come home early so we could celebrate. He said of course. I'm going to take a shower before he gets here, just in case. It's been a while for us.
I called Sandy and told her about Colin. She said sometimes men act really nice to their wives when they're feeling guilty. I said what does she know about making a marriage work?
I did 78 crunches today.
Week 4, Day 3
Colin brought me flowers last night, which was awfully sweet. I asked him did he get them from Paul's shop and did he think Paul could possibly be interested in Sandy. He said Paul is as queer as a three-dollar bill.
I thought maybe Colin would want to have sex last night since we had such a nice dinner together and he didn't have to get up early the next day, but he was too tired.
I did 22 crunches today.
Week 5, day 1
Sandy called to say she slept with Paul last night. I wanted to ask did he do it from behind, but I didn't have the nerve. I just said great, I guess he's not gay then. And she said no, he is definitely not. I told her Colin brought me flowers, and she said okay, honey, but be smart.
She's very suspicious, that Sandy. If she were still married, she'd probably think it would mean something if her husband sometimes stopped for a drink on his way home from work.
I think my Ab Cruncher 3000 might be broken. I couldn't get it adjusted right today.
Week 5, Day 2
Ab Cruncher still not working. I called the 800 number but got put on hold for twenty minutes and finally hung up. Nibbled away almost a whole pound of cheese while I waited.
Sandy called to ask if she could come over, she has something to tell me. If she and Paul are getting engaged or something I will laugh my head off. Anyway, Colin is working late again tonight so I told her fine, come over if you like.
Week 5, Day 3
Everything I said about Sandy is right. She is so suspicious; it could ruin a woman's life if she'd let it. Just because she saw Colin talking to some big-assed blonde in a bar near the factory doesn't mean he's having an affair. I asked Colin about it when he got home and he said she was just one of the girls from the back office who was asking questions about work. And when I asked how come he was at a bar when he said he was working late, he said he did work late and just stopped at the bar for a quick pop.
Called the 800 number again for the Ab Cruncher 3000 and held on all morning while I made the beds and did the laundry. Hung up when my neck started to hurt and ate three slices of cold pizza.
Week 6, Day 1
Sandy called today to say she never uses her Ab Cruncher 3000 anymore and did I want hers since mine is broken. I said why would I want something from someone who is hell-bent on causing trouble in my life? Sandy said honey, I'm just looking out for your best interests, that's what friends are for. And I said with friends like that, and hung up the phone.
I called the 800 number right away and am still on hold. I'm not hanging up this time.
Oh for God's sake, take it easy. I'm kidding. We stayed in and watched TV. Couple episodes of Seinfeld, couple of Twilight Zone and some kind of countdown on TV's most popular catchphrases. Woo-hoo! Par-tay!
I noticed that there were a lot of commercials for some kind of abdominal crunching machine, which I guess was targeted to people sitting on a couch resolving to get more exercise. I would have made my own list of resolutions but it just seemed like so much work.
Anyway, the ab crunching machine reminded me of a story I wrote a while back, so I figured I'd post it here today for anyone considering investing in one of those things. The story originally appeared in Yankee Pot Roast.
By
Ellen Meister
Use the Ab Cruncher 3000 Three Times a Week
and See a Whole New You!
Week 1, Day 1
My Ab Cruncher 3000 came today. Sandy says you're supposed to keep a diary and write down exactly how many crunches you do a day. Sandy lives next door and recently lost 50 pounds. She thinks Paul Winston, who's 41 years old and lives across the street with his mother, is going to be attracted to her now. Sandy needs to have her head examined.
I thought my Ab Cruncher was going to arrive yesterday, which would have been great because Colin was home and could have put the darn thing together. I tried to do it myself but can't tell which pole is A and which is D. They should mark these things.
Week 1, Day 2
Colin promised he would try to come home early from work today and assemble my Ab Cruncher 3000. Sandy thinks I should demand that Colin spend more time at home. I told her he's a foreman for god's sake, and has to work when he has to work.
Sandy has her own version of reality. She thinks Paul Winston is going to want to go out with her. Look at the way he walks, I tell her. You're not his type.
Week 1, Day 3
Ab Cruncher 3000 still in pieces on the floor. Colin had to work late again yesterday. Sandy said no one has to work late that often, honey. I said just because he wasn't in his office when I called doesn't mean he's fooling around. He's a foreman. He doesn't just sit at his desk all day. He has responsibilities.
I think it drives Sandy crazy that I have a good marriage and she could never make hers work.
Week 2, Day 1
My Ab Cruncher 3000 is together! I couldn't really get the hang of it, though, and only did three crunches today. Sandy says she did fifty. I'm not sure I believe her. She also said Paul Winston was flirting with her when she stopped by his florist shop yesterday. He was probably just trying to get her to buy a more expensive arrangement.
Week 2, Day 2
I did it! I got on the Ab Cruncher this morning and did 157 crunches before Colin even woke up! Colin says he's real proud of me, and thinks I'll be skinny in no time.
I got on the scale after he left and saw that I gained three pounds. I threw away the leftover cake and the Fritos. I'll weigh myself again next week.
Week 2, Day 3
Too sore to get back on the Ab Cruncher 3000 today. Will try again tomorrow.
Colin worked late again last night and I wound up eating a whole chicken myself. Sandy says that's not bad because it's protein.
Week 3, Day 1
Sandy claims Paul asked her out on a date. They're going bowling on Friday. I said watch the way he throws the ball. If his back leg goes up, you'll know.
I did 17 crunches today and feel great!
Week 3, Day 2
I got on the scale today and gained another pound. If Colin would come for dinner more often I know I wouldn't eat as much. But I think I'm getting my period and likely it's just water weight.
Too crampy to do crunches today.
Week 3, Day 3
Sandy had her date with Paul last night. She said he didn't kiss her good-night and I said, see? And she said I should pay more attention to my own relationship. And I said what is that supposed to mean? And she said I should take my head out of the sand is what it means.
I did 35 crunches today even though I have my period.
Week 4, Day 1
Colin came home late again last night, so I called Sandy to see if she wanted to come over for dinner. She said she was going out with Paul again. I said why didn't she tell me? She said if she thought I would be happy for her she would have told me. I said how could I be happy for her when she was barking up the wrong tree? She said I should worry more about what tree Colin is barking up. I said, does she know something I don't? She said I should keep my eyes open is all.
I didn't eat any dinner last night. Today I did 50 crunches, I think. I lost count.
Week 4, Day 2
Lost two pounds! I called Colin at the office and asked if he could come home early so we could celebrate. He said of course. I'm going to take a shower before he gets here, just in case. It's been a while for us.
I called Sandy and told her about Colin. She said sometimes men act really nice to their wives when they're feeling guilty. I said what does she know about making a marriage work?
I did 78 crunches today.
Week 4, Day 3
Colin brought me flowers last night, which was awfully sweet. I asked him did he get them from Paul's shop and did he think Paul could possibly be interested in Sandy. He said Paul is as queer as a three-dollar bill.
I thought maybe Colin would want to have sex last night since we had such a nice dinner together and he didn't have to get up early the next day, but he was too tired.
I did 22 crunches today.
Week 5, day 1
Sandy called to say she slept with Paul last night. I wanted to ask did he do it from behind, but I didn't have the nerve. I just said great, I guess he's not gay then. And she said no, he is definitely not. I told her Colin brought me flowers, and she said okay, honey, but be smart.
She's very suspicious, that Sandy. If she were still married, she'd probably think it would mean something if her husband sometimes stopped for a drink on his way home from work.
I think my Ab Cruncher 3000 might be broken. I couldn't get it adjusted right today.
Week 5, Day 2
Ab Cruncher still not working. I called the 800 number but got put on hold for twenty minutes and finally hung up. Nibbled away almost a whole pound of cheese while I waited.
Sandy called to ask if she could come over, she has something to tell me. If she and Paul are getting engaged or something I will laugh my head off. Anyway, Colin is working late again tonight so I told her fine, come over if you like.
Week 5, Day 3
Everything I said about Sandy is right. She is so suspicious; it could ruin a woman's life if she'd let it. Just because she saw Colin talking to some big-assed blonde in a bar near the factory doesn't mean he's having an affair. I asked Colin about it when he got home and he said she was just one of the girls from the back office who was asking questions about work. And when I asked how come he was at a bar when he said he was working late, he said he did work late and just stopped at the bar for a quick pop.
Called the 800 number again for the Ab Cruncher 3000 and held on all morning while I made the beds and did the laundry. Hung up when my neck started to hurt and ate three slices of cold pizza.
Week 6, Day 1
Sandy called today to say she never uses her Ab Cruncher 3000 anymore and did I want hers since mine is broken. I said why would I want something from someone who is hell-bent on causing trouble in my life? Sandy said honey, I'm just looking out for your best interests, that's what friends are for. And I said with friends like that, and hung up the phone.
I called the 800 number right away and am still on hold. I'm not hanging up this time.
8 comments:
Hee hee! Love this story, Ellen. I typically don't make resolutions. When I used to go to a gym, I remember that it was always annoying around the first of the year because all of these new people would be there. They never lasted for long, though.
A+ on the story! I went to bed at 9:30, but I did hear the fireworks going off at midnight. My resolutions are the same every year: make a new friend, travel somewhere new, get published . . .
Ha ha - I remember that story. Loved it.
Exercise equipment in my house has one use - extra places for me to drape my clothing. My exercise bike has been my personal sweater butler for the past five years.
I had an even more exciting New Years than you did. Significant other went to the Eagles game, daughter went to a bar (arghhh...she'll be 21 in 3 weeks), son is on tour...I drank way too much, assumed the fetal position wrapped around the dog, and woke up only when fireworks started going off after midnight. Kissed the dog Happy New Year, went back to sleep, and now it's 2007.
May it be a wonderful year for all of us!
Oh, I remember that story, too -- LURVE it.
I make no resolutions, because I am a giant sloth.
Hah! That sounds like me. I am no good with exercise gadgets!
I love this - and the German cover, too!
You're so funny.
Myf ... Yes, the gym is always jammed in January. 99% are gone by Feb. 1!
Kristie, those resolutions are as good as any I've heard.
Robin, what is this with the New Year's Eve fireworks? Here in NY there are only fireworks on July 4. On New Year's a big, dopey ball drops in Times Square and a few hundred-thousand twenty-year-olds vomit on each other. That's about it.
Lori, thanks! I don't make resolutions either. But some odd nesting thing almost always overtakes me this time of year, so perhaps it's an ipso facto resolution to get my house in order.
Spyscribbler ... hey, have I seen you over at Tess Gerritsen's blog? Such a familiar name.
Susan, thanks! The more I look at it, the more I like it.
SusanD, you, too! Can't wait for American Idol to start so I can read your hilarious commentary.
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