the other me

i've been a member of "insert name of big, low-end fitness chain" since 1991. that's a freaking long time.

for the past 5 years or so, i've only been going to the cambie and 12th location because it smells better and the equipment is nicer.

and for the past 3 years, every time i walk in ms. grumpy employee is standing at the front counter staring me down. EVERY TIME. there were the rare times when she wasn't standing at the front counter and i rejoiced inside and became a social butterfly with the other staff standing behind the counter.

some of them would be nice back to me but most were too busy looking at themselves and gossiping about us "members" to even notice I'd even said hi to them.

anyways, about 50% of the time that i don't see ms. grumpy at the front desk, it was because she happened to be sitting in one of those glass-walled offices where they put the HARD SELL in people who want to join.

as soon as i see her, i'd get all nervous and avert my eyes.

i never understood why she was like this to me. i would always watch her after i left the counter and see if she was as grumpy to anyone else. she was always nice to everyone else but me.

SHE CLEARLY HATED ME.

why?

i just found out why. BRACE YOURSELVES. SIT DOWN FOR THIS ONE.

this past wednesday, i was at the gym (after a 2 month hiatus) and thought i heard someone yell my name. it happens all the time and usually, the name is close to mine but not my unique, cool name.

but the person (a staff member) repeated my name and the person who responded back was ms. grumpy.

holy f*ck.
that's why she hates me.

she thought she was the only one with a cool name like mine and then 3 years ago, i eradicated her fantasy world with a simply membership card swipe that auto pulled up my name on her computer monitor.

a name that she thought was unique to her.

it all makes sense to me now.