MY BIGGEST joy recently is my visits to the gym (yes me). I feel great when I’ve put a session in, more than I ever thought I would be when contemplating if I should join up.
But it is also presently a source of my biggest frustration. When you go to a gym, you go to use the machines, not sit on them just clogging them up texting as so many do – and I’m not just having a go at student-age people here, even if it is mostly them because this week, a bloke older than me was sat there on one of two bicep machines, texting like a teenager for TEN minutes and I was boiling with annoyance.
On the other bicep machine was a young man stuck on his phone and I waited for five minutes before saying: ‘If you aren’t using that mate…’ to which he said: ‘I’m resting. I’ve got another two sets to do’.
I did want to come back at him with: ‘Well if you’re resting for five minutes in between sets, love, that might explain why you’re built like a chuffing twig’ but I hung around like a menacing spirit and he bent his arms a couple of times and buggered off.
The gym is presently full of new faces (new texting faces) and I’m hoping that they catch onto the gym etiquette quickly (either that or the novelty of going wears off and they leave).
But please, if you attend, just use the machines and let other people use the machines. Save Tik Tok for home. Or lectures like normal young people, eh?
I realised when I wrote my piece about Barnsley Barney last week that I didn’t actually mention that the owner Diane Robinson in Mansfield wanted to thank everyone who had put their time and effort into reuniting her with her late father’s little dog.
Barney, who clearly suffered a little post-traumatic stress, is now fine and dandy. And hopefully realising that a warm rug in front of the fire is infinitely more preferable to eating food left out for hedgehogs and kipping in a freezing field.
If you are wanting something to look forward to, then may I suggest a date at the Lamproom – Valentine’s Day Night (February 14 for those less than romantic folk who don’t know the date).
Possibly the most talented man in Barnsley Mr Jack Land-Noble and myself will be treading the boards for our St Valentine’s Day Massacre/Mascara Mills and Goon music, comedy, poetry – but mostly comedy event.
They’re always a sell out because we have a great time giving you a great time.
Do come and join us at this wonderful theatre with a cracking little bar open before, between and after. Book via the Lamproom obviously.
Over the past week or so we have discovered on YouTube fifty videos of Old Barnsley in Colour compiled by Stewart Sykes.
We love a bit of nostalgia in our house and seeing as we have watched just about everything Dave Cherry has put on there. Great vid about ‘Barebones’, Dave – I didn’t even know about that part of Barnsley.
And found my great grandparents shop on Wood Street much to my delight. Definitely worth a look.
The videos have brought quite a few tears to my eyes I have to say with fond memories. And no-one in sight with either a vape or a mobile phone.
Videos of simpler, happier, safer times. Do go and give them a look, they’re like aloe vera for the soul.
