LA Idiot and Elliptical Girl

Hello again.  It’s been a while since I’ve made a blog post.  I’ve been busy with my business and other projects that I’m working on, so this blog has taken a backseat to everything.  But I had dinner the other night with SingleGirlsLike and we started talking about girls.  At her urging, I’m writing this blog post (On the condition that she’d write a blog post too).  So let me share the same story I shared with her: The story of the LA Idiot and Elliptical Girl.

My apartment complex has a small gym.  Nothing fancy, two treadmills and two elliptical machines.  In my quest to be healthier I’ve been working out more.  The more hours I log in the gym, the more often I see certain people. One of these people just so happens to be a beautiful woman who I can’t stop thinking about.  I know nothing about this girl other than she’s a petitie blonde that smells like cocoa butter (which is heavenly).  For weeks we worked out in silence, not even acknowledging each other in the tiny gym.  Then one day I stumbled into conversation with her.  I gave up my elliptical machine to her.

Through our quiet workouts, I was able to ascertain that she hated the treadmill and would wait for an elliptical machine.  As a man, I hate elliptical machines.  I don’t think they give you a workout, but they make you think you worked out.  So that day, I didn’t feel like working out so I went on the elliptical machine.  I was on the machine for 2 minutes before Elliptical girl showed up.  I turned around and there she was, looking dejected because both machines were in use.  Without hesitation I stepped down and said, “Here, take my machine.  It’s probably best that I get on the treadmill.” We then shared an awkward transition and she thanked me and we went about our workouts.  As I left the gym, she gave me a big wave and smile.  Totally worth giving up machine.  Elliptical Girl knows I’m alive! Woohoo!

Being the stalker that I am, I recounted the days that I saw Elliptical Girl at the gym.  I realized there was a pattern and she usually worked out midday.  Therefore, I’ve only worked out during my lunch hour since then.  And because I thought it would be weird giving up my machine to her again, I have only gone running on the treadmill since then.  My plan actually worked. I started seeing Elliptical Girl more often and we would exchange waves and smiles when we’d see each other.  Alas, no talking, so I was still without her name.

One day last week  I couldn’t take it anymore.  I had to talk to her.  But talking in the gym with headphones can be awkward.  So I had to devise a plan.  That day a gift from the sky fell on my lap.  I finished my workout and took my dog for a walk.  As I came back inside I saw Elliptical Girl getting on the machine!  I figured I had about 45 minutes before she was done.  I took a shower and put on a clean shirt and took my laptop downstairs and started working in the public courtyard…the same courtyard she would have to pass to get to the elevator!  BINGO!

Just as I planned, approximately 45 minutes later, Elliptical Girl walked by.  I looked up, our eyes locked and smiled.  I quickly took off my headphones and awkwardly said, “Hey, I see you in the gym all the time, what’s your name?”

Her response?

“Hey, I’m LA Idiot.”

I then smiled and said, “That’s my name too.  I’m the male version of LA Idiot. Nice to meet you LA Idiot.”

Elliptical Girl: I’ve been meaning to get your name too.  It’s just awkward with our headphones and music.”

LA Idiot: Yea, I know what you mean.

Now I knew her name and she couldn’t forget my name either because we shared the same name. Success!  My next step was to find out whether or not she had a boyfriend!

The next day, as a stalker would, I went to the gym when I thought she would be there.  Nope.  Disappointed, I finished my workout and went to shower.  I came back downstairs to go to the store.  As I walked outside I saw Elliptical Girl… and a guy. They were sitting outside on the stoop in workout clothes, rather closely.  Panicked, I pulled out my phone pretending to be busy.  We exchanged pleasantries as I walked by and I could feel the hope fade from my body.  ”Could that have been her boyfriend?”

I concocted numerous stories in my head to make myself feel better.  I told myself he was her gay friend and that’s why they were so close.  Yes, I know that sounds stupid, but with little hope, I was grasping at thin air to keep my dream alive that I could one day take Elliptical Girl out on a date. I decided that next time I see Elliptical Girl I would talk to her about hiking in Runyon Canyon (where I assumed she was coming from when I saw her with this guu).  It would be a perfect segway to find out who the guy she was with was.

The next day, like clockwork, I saw her at the gym.  We waved hello and went about our business.  As “luck” would have it, our workouts ended at the same time.  I went over to get a wipe for my treadmill, which just so happened to be the area that Elliptical Girl was stretching.  We went right into hello, how are you…it was great.  Feeling good I brought up seeing her the other day on the stoop and asked if she went for a hike at Runyon Canyon.  And THAT’S when it happened.

“That was my boyfriend, his car was towed so we never made it to Runyon Canyon.”

Bummer.  And I’m not talking about his car.

Just like that, the story of Elliptical Girl comes to an abrupt and unfortunate end.