Page+8+April+2011+A+WORD!!!+with+Scotty+Seal

By Scotty Seal

MEET A YOUNG MAN WITH AN OLD SOUL-- JUSTIN NICKELS   ** Two years ago, at the age of 22, Justin Nickels was elected mayor of Manitowoc, making him the youngest full-time mayor in the country for a city with a population over 30,000. His election was greeted with skepticism and apprehension due to his youth, but his energy and commitment to his word has won over some of the doubters. **   **  Because Justin is continuously in the public eye, Manitowoc citizens learn plenty about mayoral life on the surface, but there is more to him than holding public office. Our mayor agreed to open up more of his life to us. Questions posed to Justin appear in // italics //with his responses following. **  **  // How much do you think popular opinion has changed of you within the community since taking over as mayor, especially with older generation? // **   ** “I think the view of me has changed drastically. I’ve gained respect by earning it, showing the citizens I’m a hard worker, and trying to do what’s in their best interests. If you do that, it doesn’t matter what age you are. I have gotten a lot of compliments from people who said they didn’t vote for me because of age.” **  **  // What do you want to be when you grow up? // **   **  He laughed a little, “President of the United States.” **  **  // When did you realize this? Is there any moment or event that inspired you? // **   **  “I saw // Independence Day //when I was nine and loved Bill Pullman’s role as president in the movie. Since then I was always first in line, first to raise my hand, and assume the leadership role in whatever I may partake. In my first year at UW-Manitowoc I was vice-president of the Student Senate, the following two I spent as president. I am signed up for summer classes at UW-Milwaukee continuing the three year plan I am on to finish my degree in political science with an emphasis in law.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “In five years I want to still be mayor, I’m not looking past the ten year mark because I am unsure as to whether I will go to law school.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Name some of your favorite musical artists. What is on your iPod? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “ // **** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Metallica, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and my all-time favorite are Guns N Roses. I like 80’s and early 90’s music but prefer pre-90’s. I was named after Justin Hayward, the vocalist and lead guitarist of The Moody Blues. I give credit to mom for that,” Justin jokes. ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // If you were forced to choose a song to listen to, what would it be? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “November Rain by GNR.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // What are a couple movies you like? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Of course // Independence Day, //and the Will Ferrell movies, especially // Anchor Man.” // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Favorite Food? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ice Cream.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Any pets? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A kitty, Athena, named after the greatest Greek Goddess.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // What is your sport of choice? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“College basketball. Michigan State I like because of Tom Izzo, their coach, he has great leadership qualities I have watched as much of the NCAA tournament as possible, my bracket is busted already. I also referee basketball games when I can.” // If you were commissioner of the NFL for one day how would you handle the lockout? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I would recommend all teams follow the model of the Packers and be publicly owned because the teams now are owned by millionaires who hold everything up. I do agree that there should be a rookie salary cap.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> How do you spend your free time? // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I attend an event almost each night and on the weekend whether it is at socials, hospital events, school functions or wherever I may be requested or needed, so my free time is limited. But if the opportunity arises I love to play the board game Risk.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Is it difficult in finding a potential Mrs. Nickels? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Justin smiles, “Very. With my demanding schedule and obligations there isn’t time. This isn’t a complaint because I love my job, which comes first, and the city. In time the pieces will fall into place.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // Is it hard separating Justin from Mayor Nickels? How do you balance running a city and being one of us? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I believe I have done a good job separating my personal life from professional. I can go out, have fun, and not let it influence my professional life. It’s not an easy task to do at times but I’m just Justin in my free time, jeans and a tee shirt. In a professional setting I am the mayor, outside of that I’m just another guy.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // If you had one week to live, what would you do, with who, and where? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “That is a great question. I would stay in Manitowoc with friends and family, and spend a little time at Bud’s Bar because I love the music on the jukebox.”  ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> If you could meet three people past or present who would they be and why? // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “JFK, who I have read about for getting involved in politics young and his idealism, Martin Luther King, Jr. for his inspiration and being such a great motivator, and lastly Gandhi just to embrace his wisdom.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Describe what it was like to meet President Obama and how you felt being in the presence of our leader. // ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I was thrilled the President was coming, and he is a democrat”, Justin kids. The experience was surreal, when President Obama walked into the room I lost my breath. With my love of presidents this would have happened with President Bush, regardless of party. Our President is very down to earth and didn’t walk with his head in the air looking down on everyone. He spoke to me as I am to you, like two old friends.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // What changes do you want to see happen in Manitowoc economically, internally, and physically? // **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “We need to keep young professionals here. The age demographic is getting older and young people are just leaving; that is our biggest problem. The million dollar question is, ‘How do we keep them here?” It’s a simple answer with a workable solution; bring in more high tech jobs. People are getting degrees in specific fields which don’t apply to jobs in Manitowoc, like Orion, which are jobs of the future. We need those engineers and inventers. Tower Tech is another example of the skill set we need. I want being elected at my age to inspire the young to stay, and that Manitowoc has faith in their generation to take over as our elders move on.”   ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I would like to see more opportunities for young people and not just in the job market. An example would be quality of life here. We have great parks and infrastructure, but we need to do a better job of emphasizing our best asset, Lake Michigan. It’s not being taken care of like it should be and I hope soon to see that change. ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> We have an excellent education system and are very lucky to have Silver Lake College, LTC, and UW-Manitowoc. Manitowoc is a great place to live, raise a family, and we are safe. My job is to let those outside of Manitowoc know this and to give those who grew up here reasons to stay.” ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I grew a new respect for Justin after speaking with him. I’m a little older than him but his drive and aspirations are to be complimented and should set an example for many. I was one of the skeptics when he took office but he has shown he has some moxie and is on the right track. **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">I LIFT THINGS UP AND PUT THEM DOWN

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">My fiancé Alicia and I had a baby in early November which led to the cancelling of my YMCA membership, therefore, adding girth to my midsection because I developed bad eating habits staying indoors all winter with the baby. I used to be religious about staying in shape and for the last month my friend Gary has been trying to lure me to Planet Fitness because he has a Black Card Membership (which I will explain later) that allows him to bring a guest for free. My impending return to the gym was expedited by my almost 3 year old daughter Olivia who holding no bias says, “Daddy, your belly is getting big.” I love being a daddy and the baby has grown to become a little less dependent on 24 hour pampering leading us to start the steps of going back to the gym. It’s easy to go once you have started, it’s the motivation of going back that is a process which includes denial, self-convincing and a lot of talk about denial and self-convincing. I am a creature of habit, having been a member of the ‘Y’ since I was a kid, Alicia doesn’t like it there, so… after hearing all the hype surrounding Planet Fitness(PF) I went to investigate this latest cultural phenomenon and determine if it was the place for us.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Choosing a gym is a process for many because the goals vary from individual to individual. Fitness centers, health clubs, spas, gyms(which will be my term of choice) or whatever you may call them can be daunting places for the beginner, out of shape, or overweight attempting to jumpstart a more healthy and active life. Being enclosed in an area by carved, physical specimens will either inspire or cause you to crawl back into bed with a pail of ice cream.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The gym will draw an assorted variety of people of people including moms who have time during the day to either escape or gather with girlfriends, scrawny high school kids who pump up for ten minutes, then take pics to post on Facebook giving an image to the girls of who they are not, the true bodybuilder, and the worst kind—the middle aged “so-called bodybuilder” who still wears his tiger striped zuma pants from the 80’s or too tight short shorts that reveal a little too much of his true self especially when he bends over.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Walking into PF I am inundated with the purple and yellow theme which makes me wonder if this is what it feels like to lift in the Minnesota Vikings weight room. I am relieved to see a girl I know from school working behind the desk because it’s always easier to illicit information from someone you know.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Hi Emily” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Hi” she responds. “What are you doing here?’ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Homework.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Seriously, why are you here? She persists.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Well, I’ve been asked to come here for a month by a friend, plus I’ve been thinking about possibly joining, and I’m really doing research for a paper. Do you mind if I quiz you about your place of employment?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Not at all”, Emily replies. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“What is the Planet Fitness Motto?’

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Oh you mean the Judgment Free Zone? We don’t cater to bodybuilders or heavy lifters. We focus more on general fitness. This place is designed for first time users, those who haven’t been to a gym for years, or those who want to get in shape. A lot of people come here because it’s cheap, but again the focus is still on general fitness, “she finishes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Why would I want to come here instead of Anytime Fitness(AF)?”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Obviously we have more equipment, the ‘Judgment Free Zone’, there is always someone on staff (AF does not), we are CPR certified, we have trainers here during the week you can make appointments with to get on a program, and we are cheaper”, she explains to me enthusiastically.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“How much cheaper?”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“AF is 45 a month. We have a $29 startup fee then $10 a month after that with no yearly contract to sign. AF locks you in a contract for a year and offers less for more.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">A few weeks ago a couple guys came in here straight from AF—these guys are only here a few months because they are working an outage at the nuclear plant then go back to their home state. They want to work out while they are in town but don’t have the need for a year contract—advantage Planet Fitness,” she says victorious.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“We also offer a Black Card (BC) Membership”, Emily claims handing me a brochure. The BC Membership is $19.99 a month with no startup fee.”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I read over the brochure which seems enticing and includes the following

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You are allowed to bring a guest a day as long as they are 13 years and older · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Free nationwide us of PF facilities · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Free tanning and red light(this is tanning that features skin rejuvenation, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, minimizes cellulite) · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Free use of massage chairs · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Half price cooler drinks

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">In my head I begin comparing PF to the ‘Y’. The ‘Y’ is $40 a month, does have a pool, gymnasium, and many other perks—you can also cancel you membership at any time without penalty. If you are simply interested in getting into shape, this seems like the place. I notice the non-existent smell of sweat, armpits, and testosterone pointing this out to Emily.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">“We clean a lot here, and I mean a lot!” she tells me.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">It’s noticeable. The ‘Y’ usually reeks of chlorine and sweaty socks. The fitness and weight areas are cluttered with machines and weights, filled with meatheads yelling, grunting and groaning, which brings me to the next inquiry. “Tell me about the ‘lunk’ alert.”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">PF description of a ‘lunk’: anyone who engages in disruptive or obnoxious behavior in the gym (dropping weights, swearing, grunting, judging others, too many bench presses, psyching up)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">I am told, “The ‘lunk alarm’ is there for those who break the rules of PF”.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">When a ‘lunk’ violation occurs, the big purple alarm hanging in the gym goes off and if after being warned of the violation the behavior continues you can be kicked out and have your membership revoked.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">I get another pamphlet with what to expect at PF-- · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No dumbbells over 70 lbs. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Only 2 to 3 bench presses allowed in a set · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Preference for machines over free weights · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No group exercise rooms · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Higher ratio of cardio machines to weight and resistance machines

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in;">Here are some rules-- · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No jeans, do-rags, skull caps, muscle shirts or sleeveless tees · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No cell phone usage( which is a great policy because until I started using my Zune player religiously there was nothing worse than hearing the person next to bitch about an upcoming prostate exam) · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ban on grunting, swearing, and psyching up (another awesome rule because I have experienced this more than once.) Meatheads in their gold’s Gym muscle shirts screaming, “ONE MORE! MAKE IT HURT! C’MON YOU PUSSY!”Or the classic, “NO PAIN NO GAIN”. It’s distracting and makes others uncomfortable especially the women who have to listen to this cave man mentality of lifting.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Gyms are a draw for idiot behavior and ridiculous sounds. Ironically enough it’s the non-bodybuilder who usually is guilty of these crimes, because the traditional bodybuilder is serious about his business while usually being helpful and polite, having known many of them. I never understood the concept of dropping weights after a lift, like this will somehow this lead to some sort of osmosis making the lifter more powerful.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">‘In gyms across America, the types of classes offered are numerous. New options are continually evolving to incorporate new interests while also keeping in tune with the traditional styles. Here are a few:

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Manhattan Plaza Health Club, New York---yoga and “fight club”(a combination of cardio and kickboxing) · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rittenhouse Square Fitness Club, Philadelphia---pilates and power yoga · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">East Bank Club, Chicago---zumba · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">FIT Athletic Club, Houston---“chiseled”(resistance training) and “pilates flow”(a combination of pilates,t’ai chi and yoga), along with zumba and cycling · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club, Phoenix---yoga, followed by cycling, strength training, and zumba’[i] <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">There are no aerobics, Pilates, kick-boxing, body pump, or yoga at PF. You should also assess where you plan to be in 6-12 months because you may outgrow the limitations set by PF. If you are into cardio, getting into shape, and maintaining yourself—this is the place to be.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I thanked Emily for her time and said I was going to look around. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Upon entering the exercise area I remind myself that this is the old Copps food store and I remember this building seeming bigger. Maybe that’s because to get through Copps you had to cruise down many aisles whereas now you could just walk directly across. As I walked the perimeter the area seemed to grow because the mirrored walls gave the appearance of a much bigger place. As I walked deeper in I discovered this place was still huge and PF had made use of the space quite well. Medicine balls, mats, crunch tables are set off in side rooms, with a huge ‘No Critic Sign’ hanging up on the wall.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Everything is sectioned—free weights off to the side, 40 weight machines towards the back, but the dominating theme was the cardio machines(treadmills, elliptical and stationary bikes) when you walk in. There are 16 televisions all facing the double rows of approximately 40 treadmills, and the combined 20 types of bikes. The fact that the TV’s are set in the front of this area suggests to me that the emphasis on cardio and fitness is being reinforced subliminally by denying view to the rest of the gym.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I felt an almost too perfect sense of organization with every machine and item systematically placed in uniform with the other. This created a sort of sterile, don’t mess with our policy atmosphere saying to me, “come here, do your business, and leave. Please don’t have any fun.”

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">We shall see when I come back to experience PF firsthand. I haven’t decided which rules I’m going to break yet, maybe all of them because I really wanna hear the ‘lunk' alarm.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Gary was well aware of my interest in PF and badgered me for a few days after the first visit telling me I’m lazy and enjoy being fat. Gary won this battle.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">In getting ready to visit PF I chose not to violate ‘dress code rules’ and went with a simple hoody, sweat pants, and baseball hat because I realized there would be no research if I was denied access to PF.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Pulling into the parking lot of PF I noticed how much fuller it was this time. Being 5 o’clock I assumed this was the after work/school crowd. This could have been a grocery store parking lot because the assortment of cars and trucks showed me a diverse economic group. A BMW, Hummer, Cadillac, mini-vans, compacts, country boy pickups, average and nothing special cars.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Gary signed me in as a guest and took off to the locker room to change clothes. I stood by the bubbler studying the crowd with a new intensity immediately noticing ‘rule’ breakers in a large number. Guys and girls alike wearing tank tops and muscle shirts, but none of these ‘rebels’ were intimidating. Laughing to myself I pictured an employee going up to a 100 pound kid and saying. “Sir, could you please put a t-shirt on you are intimidating the other members.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Speaking of employees, there were five, and nothing impressed me about this crew. One appeared to be in shape while the others wore pants and a PF tee. Emily was not here today.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I spotted maybe ten people I knew as I walked around saying hello but not slowing down so I could avoid any meaningless conversations. I could have asked why they were there but I already knew the various reasons why people go to a gym and why they chose PF. I wasn’t being rude; I just wanted to get on with my mission. In front of me then appeared the biggest meathead in the gym, Gary. Gary is not a small man and he let it be known by wearing a too tight black muscle tank. “Are you fricking kidding me,” I laughed at him.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What?” he asked. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Do you know the shirt you are wearing isn’t allowed here”, I explained. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">“No I don’t, I wear them every time I come here”, he said. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Really? I want to snitch you out”. He smiled at that remark. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I thought maybe the rules were a gimmick but remembered I was in Manitowoc which isn’t known as a hub for physical fitness.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Gary hit the weight machines while I kept looking at this mixture of eclectic individuals. The scene was of high school kids, college age, 30’s and 40’s, even the elderly. Couples were side by side on treadmills; pony tails bobbed up and down as the girls ran and biked. From the people I knew down to appearance this was a crowd of social workers, students, a doctor, one judge, and laborers who came in with dirty work clothes on heading to the locker room. There was no established demographic here. It was the fit, unfit, skinny, all shapes and sizes lumped together in this building.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">As many intense fitness seekers I saw, there were an equal amount sort of going through the motions and looked as if they were just trying to fit in. Like it was in their best interest to be part of the PF cult because everyone else is doing it.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I did work out, lightly, enough to awaken dormant muscles because the average person does know you cannot go into a gym after a layoff and pick up where you left off. I did thighs, hips, shoulders, and chest. The majority of approximately 80 people were on bikes and treadmills while others were in side rooms ‘hiding’ probably because they were shy or embarrassed at their gym virginity.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">After assessing the pros and cons I concluded PF wasn’t all that bad and a good fit for Alicia and got her a Black Card membership since she likes treadmills and has mentioned a desire to tan because she hasn’t been able to be in the sun for a long time due to her pregnancy last summer. The girl who did my paper work wasn’t too bright and I actually had to tell her of some of the policies. I was irritated with her 8th grade dialect and glad I only I had to deal with her for this occasion. I wanted to tell her Taco Bell was hiring because it seemed more suited for her intelligence and personality.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I left this trip thinking PF was a chiropractors dream with the amount of amateurs who will come to PF, injure themselves due to their lack of knowledge in training and improper staff handling. I let the ‘lunk alarm’ be.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">My final trip I made alone using Alicia’s Black Card. Apparently PF isn’t real observant on who comes in with what membership. I was here to work out, wear my Zune player and just get into it. My session was awesome. All my work was on machines.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I sat back on a bench to cool down watching a group of teenagers by the free weights, like eight of them. I have no problems with kids wanting to exercise but there was more socializing going on while they occupied a couple areas for a period of time. Other members were circling the machines the kids were on getting impatient with the delay, and I believe this is something staff should monitor. If it were me I’d tell the kids to get done and move on.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I watched as one man walked around his machine between sets taking deep breaths while loosening his arms. This is something I also do and helps with the work out. Within a few feet of this machine was a guy hovering and reading his paper, waiting for him to finish, which is so rude. What does this tool do? Hops on the machine when the other guy is between sets without asking if he was done. I would have blown a gasket but the guy just walks away mumbling to himself while the thief reads his paper between sets.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I guess PF doesn’t instruct on proper gym etiquette and the unwritten rules of polite gym behavior.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">‘Most gyms and health clubs have rules that they ask patrons to follow, and they’re often posted in visible areas so they’re easy to remember. Gym rules are put in place to remind people to be polite and considerate of other gym members, and for general health and sanitation purposes. For example:

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Appearance---rules about apparel, men going topless · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hygiene---wear deodorant and don’t load up on heavy perfumes or colognes---these may be offensive or affect others with allergies or asthma · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Using machines---at busy times limit your times on machines so others can use them · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Take turns---some people may have an order to which they use machines but it’s polite to check with people standing around to make sure they weren’t next · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your mom doesn’t work there---clean up after yourself which means wiping off where you were sitting or picking up garbage you create · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Put equipment away · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leave your cell phone in your bag · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be quiet---let others focus---keep your music and your voice low’[ii] <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I enjoyed my work out but couldn’t help to overhear someone mention pizza night. I had heard of this but had forgotten. This only leads to more amusement in my head. First Monday of the month there is a free pizza night. Second Tuesday morning there are bagels, and as you leave there is a container of free purple Tootsie Rolls to take with you. What people want to do with their bodies is up to them and I do think PF is a good idea, but this free food idea is a little over the top in portraying the every man’s gym. For someone like me who is knowledgeable in the gym I find a lot of gimmick to PF. Of course it’s a money maker from a business point and the unsuspecting are easily fooled.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m not saying PF should go out of its way to promote healthy eating because you get what you pay for. But seriously, a person burns 250 calories on a treadmill then mows down a piece of greasy pizza with double the calories and the purpose of going to the gym becomes self-defeating. Bagels are loaded with carbs. If you call yourself a fitness place at least don’t contribute to negative eating habits because obviously these people eat badly enough already.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I know what I’m doing but the average citizen will think this stuff is cool. For mine and Alicia’s purpose PF will suit us just fine. It’s close to our house, everything we need is in the gym, and it’s clean and cheap. Others will have various reasons to go like popularity, cost, and a desire to in shape, medical, or just wanting to be in shape.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">‘A 1999 club trend study reports that more than 20 million people currently exercise in private or public health/fitness facilities. People over the age of 35 hold a majority of these memberships or annual passes with the fastest-growing segment of the fitness boom being 55 and older. Specialty exercise programs for older persons and individuals with chronic diseases—like coronary heart disease (CHD)—are becoming mainstream and popular among users.’[iii]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">Overall I think PF works. I see good and bad. The bad because I’m doing research, but on the surface where most people choose to live their lives PF can benefit them.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">I left again not bothering with the ‘lunk alarm’. I’m not going to be that guy or be labeled. I’m going there to quietly do my business and go home.

[i] Trends Across America--- American Fitness; May/June, vol. 27 Issue 3,p 8-8

[ii] Health Club Etiquette 101---written by Diana Rodriguez, appearing in http://www.everydayhealth.com

[iii] Lifting The Weight Off Municipal Fitness Facilities---Parks & Recreation; July 2004, Vol. 39 Issue 7, p58-61

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 24pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">THE GOP’S WAR ON WOMEN’S HEALTH <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Led by Chris Smith of New Jersey, House Republicans introduced a bill (H.R.3), the ”No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act” which would further restrict the public funding of abortions. The language of the bill tried to limit funds for abortions resulting from “forcible” rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered.

Fact: According to the report “CEASE” published in October of 2009 by Ohio University 1.3 women are raped every minute in the U.S.

For over 30 years, government funds have been used to pay for abortions of pregnancies of all types of rape, and not limited to rape of the so-called “forcible” variety. Other kinds of rape include statutory (sex with a minor), intercourse with a drugged or passed out person, and sex with a mentally challenged or incompetent individual. But now, it seems as if the government is blurring lines.

Fact: The Department of Justice (DOJ 2008) states that 1 in 4 college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape.

Much of the GOP is pro-life and the language in this bill was an attempt to define __rape__. In other words, the federal government would have told women when they have been raped. Under law, Medicaid funds would be used to terminate unwanted pregnancies as mentioned above. With the new language of “force” we are taken back to a time when saying no wasn’t enough to qualify as rape.

Fact: Ohio University also states in the same report from Oct. 2009 that 1 in 12 male students surveyed had committed acts that met the legal definition of rape.

Under the Hyde Amendment, which is recodified annually in an appropriations law, women who are victims of rape or incest at any age are eligible for federally subsidized abortions. The Hyde Amendment is separated from all other forms of health care and severely restricted. This new abortion act represents a threat to safe, legal, and accessible abortion.

Fact: Ohio University states that 84% of the men who committed such acts said that what they had done was definitely not rape.

Thanks to feminist outrage, the word __forcible__ has been removed from the rape exception, but… another GOP spending bill (H.R.1) eliminates Title X: The Title X Family Planning Program enacted in 1970, is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. The Title X program is designed to provide access to contraceptive services. By law, priority is given to persons from low-income families.

Fact: Information from the DOJ also tells us the U.S. has the highest rape rate of countries who publish such statistics.

More specifically, Planned Parenthood is being singled out--a place that offers preventive services such as detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, screening for breast and cervical cancer, contraception to plan families and a wealth of otherwise unattainable programs. These programs reduce the need for abortion, allow families to plan, reduce disease, and save countless dollars in reduced mortality. Republican Mike Pence (Indiana) is intent on eliminating $300 million dollars from Planned Parenthood’s funding.

Fact: Jodi Jacobson, a leader in the health and development and editor of the online forum //Reality Check//, contributed an article called “Yes to Contraception for Wild Horses, No for Women” published Feb. 16th, 2011, explaining that access to contraception and other reproductive health services for low-income and women struggling in poverty in the U.S. saves nearly $4 for every $1 spent by the federal government.

In a twist, on the very same day as the legislation was introduced to redefine __rape__, a vote was held on an amendment introduced by Republican Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana to prevent wild horses from being held in pens and slaughtered. How? Immunocontraception (a vaccine injected into an animal that uses the body’s immune system to prevent pregnancy) to control herd size. While penning and slaughter is a cruel treatment of horses, what happens to our women’s rights? They get slaughtered instead. The House held a voice vote, which entails an ‘aye or a ‘no’ vote verbally (it is generally used when the matter in question is without controversy or paradoxically when the matter at hand is quite controversial and the participants wish to enjoy ‘political cover’). In this case the vote was led by men who were too ashamed to go on the record admitting that wild horses--no matter how worthy of attention they are--garner more concern from the GOP than do thinking, breathing, conscious women worried everyday about how to take care of their families and keep them healthy. This is not about wild horses or humane animal control. This is about congress that has been busy introducing bill after bill after amendment after funding cut to obliterate funding for reproductive health services for poor women, and to reduce access for all women.

Fact: Based on information from The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS 2009 ) Title X clinics prevent nearly 1 million unintended pregnancies every year.

Two years ago the Republican platform ridiculed Democrats by saying, “Today’s Democratic Party views the tax code as a tool for social engineering. They use it to control our behavior, steer our choices, and change the way we live our lives. The Republican Party will put a stop to both social engineering and corporate handouts by simplifying tax policy, eliminating special deals, and putting those saved dollars back into taxpayers’ pockets.”

Fast forward to January of 2011, Republicans have captured the House of Representatives and their first order of business is __not__ creating jobs or addressing the economy. It is undermining women’s access to reproductive health and attacking women’s health providers they rely on in their communities. The Republicans have now assumed the role of Democrats they accused two years earlier and are guilty of using the tax code for social engineering by using their anti-choice movement to oppose contraception as well as abortion.

Fact: The HHS also states that Title X provides life-saving health services, including HIV screening, cancer screening, blood-pressure testing, and also contraceptive services for than 5 million women (two-thirds of whom are uninsured).

Where would women be without these services? More disease, STDs, and sick women who can’t afford care? What kind of pressure would this put on an already overloaded public health system?

The creators of these bills want to protect all human life except the life of the woman who has been raped, or needs care from Title X facilities. What’s sad are the babies who will be left behind uncared for, unhealthy, and even worse, unwanted, because contraception was unavailable to some women, or the other women who were forced to have their babies out of dire circumstances. Every now and then a story hits the media about a baby being left in a dumpster or in a public place, simply abandoned by a mother who could not handle the duty of being a parent. How much more commonplace will tragedies like this occur when women’s health care is compromised? There will be unlicensed abortion practitioners running private ‘butcher shops’ (as harsh as that term may sound) for destitute women, putting the lives of these women in danger. How about the possibility of a nationwide STD epidemic? Will the Republican Party be there to care for these women and children when the smoke clears? Or will they be too busy cutting Head Start, WIC, public school funding, and more health care?

Fact: These same babies who are left behind will be paid for by taxpayers through the welfare system regardless of these bills passing...

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">This article expresses the opinion of one UW-Manitowoc student, not the opinion of UW-Manitowoc as a whole. //

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;">THE TRUTH ABOUT LYING <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My friend Eric is a liar. Plain and simple. He lies. About everything. Eric and I used to be close, but nowadays speak maybe once a month. My life has taken a different path than his; I stepped out of the social scene that Eric is still embedded in. I didn’t grow to dislike Eric, I outgrew him.

Our friendship was spent mostly in an alcohol based state. We had dart and pool teams, went to different cities to investigate their women, and shared a love of fishing. While searching my brain for a subculture topic I became frustrated with finding nothing I cared to learn about or know. Then…a few days ago on Facebook Eric began a chat with me and immediately in his ‘Eric Way’ began to speak of his latest conquest with the ‘hottest girl’ he has ever met. Blah, blah, blah…whatever. I told him I was busy (which in itself was a lie) and had to go when in truth I just wasn’t in the mood for him. He can be a lot to take at times and I have to be in a certain mind-frame to tolerate him. I shook my head with a half-hearted laugh thinking, “he is so full of shit.” Then the idea hit me…people lie… there is a whole subculture of people who lie. I want to know why Eric and those like him lie.

I called Eric and said we should get some food. I didn’t tell him why. In my mind I figured his ego would take over and the boasting would begin, though a part of me worried he would take offense at my interest in this lunch being to quiz him on his twisting of facts and reality.

Eric wanted to talk. He was thrilled that I wanted to pick his brain on his ‘character flaw’. My only condition I instructed him was he couldn’t lie about lying. He laughed. Over the next couple of hours we reminisced, laughed, got caught up on our lives, and instead of it being an interview, this time with Eric turned into analysis on both our ends of him and a sort of soul searching for Eric.

I found actually that I knew a good portion of what we talked about, but just never spoke logically on the subject. Eric and I established all people in general lie. It’s in our nature, but… it’s the level some take it to which distinguishes the lying classes. We were intellectualizing over the lie, and could have passed for a couple of guys talking about sports to a stranger passing by. But this conversation wasn’t to compare or rate the severity of the lie, or the types of lies. It was to find a connection between a person/people and the reason(s) they lie.

It will start with childhood… a kid will eat a whole bag of cookies, then when confronted will blame it on a sibling even though the chocolate from the Oreos is still lodged in their little fibbing teeth. The lying progresses to the teens… trying to explain the dent in the car. The lie… “When I came out from the school dance it was there”. The truth… The kid was showing off for the girls by doing doughnuts in the snow after the dance and hit a parked car.

As college students… “I didn’t make class this morning professor because I was up consoling a friend whose girlfriend had dumped him.” The truth… you and your friend had a shot contest with a bottle of tequila and lost. Working adults have flat tires, imaginary injuries and illnesses, family emergencies, sick children, etc. when they don’t feel like going to work.

Eric was matter of fact in speaking, “no one wants to hear the truth, and most of it is boring and many times just sucks. What will you find more interesting Scotty? —“hey, last night I went out and got hammered, put on my beer goggles, was taken home by a whore with one tooth, and snuck out before the sun came up. Or... I met this girl last night with the body of a goddess who totally dug me, took me home and did things to me I thought weren’t possible, then made me breakfast in her panties. You have known me to do both so anything is possible.”

“Sometimes I lie not only to please the listener but for the benefit of myself. What I mean is my story not only entertains but somehow washes away the ugliness and disgust of the truth I don’t want to remember”, he justifies. In a way I find some sort of dignity in this statement and the way his logic is dispelled he sound like some sort of warped romantic.

As we talk further I begin to see my friend in a different light, feeling almost sympathetic toward him. I discovered Eric was more human than I gave him credit for. He continued on, “I can lie my way into anything--- money, bar tabs, materials, girls--- it makes me feel better. Charm and sincerity are my allies. When I meet a girl I feel I don’t have a chance with I create a persona to fit my need, especially when we go where no one knows me. I failed out of college because I partied too much, but I’ll tell you this, I learned while I was there and use knowledge to my advantage. I wanted to work with wildlife management or the DNR. I know how to fish and hunt and the regulations that go with them. To finish my point about creating a persona, I am now a game warden because I know the field. Seriously, what am I supposed to do, introduce myself as a loser? “Hi, I’m Eric—I’m unemployed, don’t have a car, and I’m about to be evicted’. Screw that! I’m a game warden and I’m taking you home.”

He told me another story but I believe this is taking the lie too far. Eric, it seems, researched all there was to know about bone cancer. He looked up symptoms, treatments, doctors, hospitals, everything. He became one with the knowledge and portrayed himself as a dying man to women in order to get what he wanted from them.

Driving him home I almost felt like I had learned too much. I felt sad, but like I understood Eric. I’ve seen him in action and gone a long with his charade at times, but also realized it wasn’t always a game to him. The insight I gained into Eric’s self-esteem issues led me to one conclusion at least--- there are people who lie because they don’t like themselves and who they are. It’s always better for them to be anything but who they are. Eric stepped into his personalities he created like an actor into character. He became the lie. The truth was the lie and to him, lying is the truth. When he became the lie, he was more convincing. He came alive when he spoke about his ‘character flaw’, eyes dancing like he was teaching a class. Maybe he was going through withdrawal talking me because the lie was his drug.

I knew I wouldn’t need to research anymore or do another interview because personal experience and this one eye opening meeting was more than enough. I believe we all know an Eric, and after reading this may want to ask them a question or ten.

When I pulled into his driveway he said humbly. “I’ve never talked to anyone like this.” I figured as much but got the point, this was between men.

Before he closed the door I let him know the obvious, “good thing you ain’t ugly Eric.” He smiled and walked away.